NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Patrushev: Over the past month, the area of wildfires in Russia has decreased by 2.5 times

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev held a meeting on the issue of passing the flood-hazardous period and fire-hazardous season. It was attended by the heads of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Federal Forestry Agency, the Federal Water Resources Agency, the Federal Hydrometeorological Service and other relevant departments, as well as heads of regions.

    Dmitry Patrushev reported that the spring flood this year passed without significant damage to populated areas and economic facilities. The Deputy Prime Minister noted the coordinated work of federal agencies and regions and emphasized that the Government allocated 6.5 billion rubles to organize preventive measures. The funds were also used to strengthen the coastlines, clear river beds and under-bridge spaces. A timely hydrometeorological flood forecast also made it possible to take the necessary preventive measures.

    Despite the favorable situation with the passage of the spring flood period, a number of water bodies in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East still have a fairly high water level. In this regard, Rosvodresursy, together with the regions, will continue to constantly monitor the hydrological situation, and if necessary, the operation of reservoirs will be adjusted. Dmitry Patrushev also instructed that issues of rapidly developing floods, typical for the territories of the Far Eastern, North Caucasian and Southern Federal Districts, be regularly considered during meetings of the headquarters of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the regions.

    “The situation with wildfires has been difficult since the beginning of the season, but is currently generally stabilizing. About 20 billion rubles have been allocated for the implementation of measures to protect forests from fires in 2025, which is significantly more than a year earlier. Thanks to the systemic measures taken at the level of the Government, the Ministry of Emergency Situations and other responsible agencies, the timely transfer of forces and, of course, the heroic efforts of firefighters, the total area of fires has decreased by 2.5 times in the last month alone. And now the figure for the country is less than 300 thousand hectares, although a month ago it exceeded 800 thousand,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that against the backdrop of a warm winter and early spring, the first fires were recorded in April, which is much earlier than in previous years. In total, the fire has already passed through almost 4 million hectares. The most difficult situation remains in the Zabaikalsky Krai, which accounts for almost 80% of the area of active forest fires throughout the Russian Federation. Since April, a federal emergency regime has been in effect in the region.

    Dmitry Patrushev emphasized that the federal authorities had taken maximum measures to qualitatively influence the situation. In preparation for the fire season, the Government allocated 1.8 billion rubles to the Zabaikalsky Krai, including an additional 800 million to increase forces and resources. In addition, a new forest fire center has been operating in the region since the beginning of 2025. All available aircraft were additionally sent to Zabaikalsky Krai, including a Cyclone aircraft for artificially inducing precipitation, and specialists from other regions and most of the federal reserve of Avialesookhrana were also transferred.

    “The peak of the fire season has not yet passed. Therefore, the risks remain. Constant monitoring is necessary, first of all, in the regions of the Far East and Siberia, where dry weather and thunderstorm activity are observed. It is necessary to organize the work in such a way as to ensure prompt detection of fires and timely deployment of the necessary forces and means. The goal is to extinguish at least 80% of fires in the first day. In this case, this is the key to efficiency,” said Dmitry Patrushev.

    Following the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister instructed federal agencies to continue providing all necessary assistance to the regions. He also drew the attention of the heads of the subjects to the need to monitor the development of the fire situation and strengthen monitoring aimed at promptly detecting fires and eliminating them within the first 24 hours. The Zabaikalsky Krai and Buryatia need to mobilize resources as much as possible to quickly localize and eliminate the current fires.

    Dmitry Patrushev stressed the importance of monitoring the situation in hard-to-reach areas to identify fires before they become large-scale. The Deputy Prime Minister drew special attention to the effectiveness of the current measures of the special headquarters for the prevention of natural fires at the level of the Central Federal District.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: PM wraps up Europe visit at NATO Summit

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has attended the NATO Summit in the Hague, alongside other world leaders.

    “The Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions face many of the same security challenges. That’s why it’s important New Zealand is at the table at NATO for these critical discussions with likeminded partners,” Mr Luxon says.

    “We can see the links between the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific in North Korea’s support of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Russia’s technical expertise that can help North Korea develop its nuclear programme.

    “Alongside NATO and its members, New Zealand is committed to the rules-based international system, and democratic values and norms.”

    During the summit, Mr Luxon held one-on-one talks with a number of leaders and met with NATO alongside the other members of the Indo-Pacific Four – Australia, the Republic of Korea and Japan.

    Mr Luxon returns to New Zealand on Friday 27 June. 

    Indo-Pacific Four Partners and NATO Joint Statement attached

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Opening plenary of 2025 Summer Davos held in Tianjin

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

    Opening plenary of 2025 Summer Davos held in Tianjin

    Updated: June 25, 2025 21:05 Xinhua
    Guests take photos during the opening plenary of the Summer Davos at the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, June 25, 2025. The opening plenary of the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, was held here on Wednesday. The Summer Davos, being held in Tianjin from June 24 to 26, brings together over 1,700 leading figures from more than 90 countries and regions to explore how entrepreneurship and emerging technologies can unlock more dynamic and resilient economies. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Guests watch live broadcast of the opening plenary of the Summer Davos at the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, June 25, 2025. The opening plenary of the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, was held here on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    This photo shows a view outside the National Convention and Exhibition Center (Tianjin) in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, June 25, 2025. The opening plenary of the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the Summer Davos, was held here on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s vice premier calls for expanding domestic demand, promoting high-quality economic development

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

    China’s vice premier calls for expanding domestic demand, promoting high-quality economic development

    SHIJIAZHUANG, June 25 — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called for efforts to accelerate the establishment of a unified national market, expand domestic demand to boost consumption, accelerate the construction of a new model for real estate development, and develop new quality productive forces based on local conditions to promote high-quality economic development.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in north China’s Hebei Province that began on Monday and ended on Tuesday.

    Since the beginning of this year, China’s economy has maintained a positive trend despite challenges, leading to rising social confidence, He said.

    He urged efforts to implement the country’s trade-in policy for bulk durable consumer goods and to stabilize market expectations, calling on relevant cities to integrate consumer goods trade-in initiatives with urban renewal actions based on local conditions, with the aim of unlocking consumption potential further.

    He emphasized the importance of advancing a new model for real estate development, of maintaining steady growth while enhancing quality in foreign trade production, of guarding against risks in small and medium-scale local financial institutions, and of driving the innovative development of enterprises focusing on high-end equipment manufacturing, intelligent photovoltaics, clean energy and new materials.

    He instructed relevant authorities and local governments to undertake in-depth investigations and research, actively explore innovation, study and resolve practical problems faced by enterprises promptly, respond effectively to the impact of external shocks, and achieve all economic work goals for the first half of the year and the whole year to advance high-quality economic development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier exchanges ideas with entrepreneurs at Summer Davos

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

    TIANJIN, June 25 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended a symposium at the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, in north China’s Tianjin Municipality, exchanging ideas with business entrepreneurs.

    After hearing the remarks from representatives, Li noted that the current international landscape is in the midst of profound and complex changes, posing significant challenges to global economic development.

    Some 160 business representatives from more than 30 countries and regions attended the symposium.

    The Chinese economy maintained stable growth, relying not only on a solid foundation of stability and improvement, and proactive and effective macro policies, but also on the effective utilization of market forces and the resources of enterprises, including substantial contributions from foreign-funded enterprises, the premier said.

    At the same time, China offers a vast stage for the development of foreign-funded enterprises, Li noted.

    Li said that in the face of a world of change and disorder, it is essential to adapt to the changing times and to respond proactively and effectively to various challenges and risks, creating a conducive environment for business development.

    In the context of in-depth restructuring in the global industrial chain, the quality and efficiency of industrial supply structure are particularly important, Li noted, adding that China has strong industrial support capabilities, with its industrial and supply chains optimizing continuously.

    While highlighting the importance of the speed of application of new technologies and the capability for technological upgrades, Li noted that China has a vast user base for various products and services, facilitating efficient interaction between technological innovation and industrial innovation.

    There is substantial space and significant opportunities for companies from around the world to engage in scientific and technological cooperation and collaborative innovation in China, Li added.

    Noting that the stability of the business development environment is vital, Li said that Chinese economy demonstrates a stability that can withstand external shocks and maintain its own pace, and the stability is further reflected in China’s unwavering commitment to opening up to the outside world, enabling multinational enterprises to achieve greater success and better development in China.

    Li expressed his expectation that enterprises from various countries will provide more quality products and services to the Chinese market, and strengthen technological and industrial cooperation with Chinese companies, better aligning supply and demand for mutual benefits and shared progress in technological advancement and industrial competitiveness.

    China will continue to welcome foreign enterprises to invest in the country, the premier said.

    Representatives at the symposium said that they remained confident in China’s economic prospects, opening up and cooperation, and they would increase investment in technological innovation, and ensure smooth running of industrial and supply chains, thereby achieving greater development while integrating into China’s high-quality development process.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Have Been Obliterated — and Suggestions Otherwise are Fake News

    Source: US Whitehouse

    The world is far safer after President Donald J. Trump’s highly successful, decisive precision strikes against the Iranian regime’s key nuclear facilities.

    Take it from those who actually know:

    President Trump: “Monumental Damage was done to all Nuclear sites in Iran, as shown by satellite images. Obliteration is an accurate term! The white structure shown is deeply imbedded into the rock, with even its roof well below ground level, and completely shielded from flame. The biggest damage took place far below ground level. Bullseye!!!”

    Israel Atomic Energy Commission: “The devastating US strike on Fordo destroyed the site’s critical infrastructure and rendered the enrichment facility inoperable. We assess that the American strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, combined with Israeli strikes on other elements of Iran’s military nuclear program, has set back Iran’s ability to develop nuclear weapons by many years. The achievement can continue indefinitely if Iran does not get access to nuclear material.”

    IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir: “I can say here that the assessment is that we significantly damaged the nuclear program, and I can also say that we set it back by years, I repeat, years.”

    Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei: “Our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.”

    Vice President JD Vance: “I can say to the American people with great confidence that they are much further away from a nuclear program today than they were 24 hours ago. That was the objective of the mission, to destroy that Fordow nuclear site, and of course, do some damage to the other sites as well, but we feel very confident that the Fordow nuclear site was substantially set back, and that was our goal.”

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: “Based on everything we have seen — and I’ve seen it all — our bombing campaign obliterated Iran’s ability to create nuclear weapons. Our massive bombs hit exactly the right spot at each target and worked perfectly. The impact of those bombs is buried under a mountain of rubble in Iran; so anyone who says the bombs were not devastating is just trying to undermine the President and the successful mission.”

    Secretary Hegseth: “Given the 30,000 pounds of explosions and the capability of those munitions, it was DEVASTATION underneath Fordow … Any assessment that tells you otherwise is speculating with other motives.”

    Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan “Razin” Caine: “Initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction. More than 125 US aircraft participated in this mission, including B2 stealth bombers, multiple flights of fourth and fifth generation fighters, dozens and dozens of air refueling tankers, a guided missile submarine, and a full array of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, as well as hundreds of maintenance and operational professionals.”

    Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “The Iranian program — the nuclear program — today looks nothing like it did just a week ago … That story is a false story and it’s one that really shouldn’t be re-reported because it doesn’t accurately reflect what’s happening.”

    Secretary Rubio: “Everything underneath that mountain is in bad shape … There’s no way Iran comes to the table if somehow nothing had happened. This was complete and total obliteration. They are in bad shape. They are way behind today compared to where they were just seven days ago because of what President Trump did.”

    Special Envoy Steve Witkoff: “We put 12 bunker buster bombs on Fordow. There’s no doubt that it breached the canopy, there’s no doubt that it was well within reach of the depth that these bunker buster bombs go to, and there’s no doubt that it was obliterated — so the reporting out there that in some way suggests that we did not achieve the objective is just completely preposterous.”

    Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “The operation was a resounding success. Our missiles were delivered precisely and accurately, obliterating key Iranian capabilities needed to quickly assemble a nuclear weapon.”

    International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi: “Given the explosive payload utilized, and the extreme vibration-sensitive nature of centrifuges, very significant damage is expected to have occurred. At the Esfahan nuclear site, additional buildings were hit, with the US confirming their use of cruise missiles. Affected buildings include some related to the uranium conversion process. Also at this site, entrances to tunnels used for the storage of enriched material appear to have been hit. At the Natanz enrichment site, the Fuel Enrichment Plant was hit, with the US confirming that it used ground-penetrating munitions.”

    Institute for Science and International Security President David Albright: “Overall, Israel’s and U.S. attacks have effectively destroyed Iran’s centrifuge enrichment program.  It will be a long time before Iran comes anywhere near the capability it had before the attack.”

    Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program Deputy Director Andrea Stricker: “I think that because of the massive damage and the shock wave that would have been sent by 12 Massive Ordnance Penetrators at the Fordow site, that it likely would render its centrifuges damaged or inoperable.” 

    American Enterprise Institute Middle East Portfolio Manager Brian Carter: “There is no question that the bombing campaign ‘badly, badly damaged’ the three sites.”

    Institute for Science and International Security Senior Research Fellow Spencer Faragasso: “Overall, it may possibly take years for Iran to reconstitute the capabilities it lost at these facilities.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Announces $1.12 Million HHS Grant to St. Charles Health Council Inc.

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded St. Charles Health Council Inc., located in Lee County, Virginia, a $1,122,356 grant. The funding supports the organization’s black lung clinic program. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “Southwest Virginia coal miners and their families benefit from specialized health services administered by clinics like those in St. Charles.

    “This grant for nearly $1.2 million helps St. Charles Health Council Inc. continue its important work treating those affected by Black Lung Disease.” 

    BACKGROUND

    Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis, or Black Lung, is a disease that impacts our nation’s miners. Miners who are diagnosed with the disease are entitled to certain federal monetary and medical benefits under the Black Lung Benefits Program.

    Congressman Griffith has visited facilities in Southwest Virginia that treat black lung disease, including Stone Mountain Health Services Black Lung Clinic in St. Charles, Virginia.

    In 2019 and 2020, Congressman Griffith waived onto hearings held by the House Committee on Education & the Workforce to discuss protecting black lung benefits.

    Earlier this week, Congressman Griffith engaged with HHS Secretary Kennedy in a Health Subcommittee hearing. Congressman Griffith reiterated his support to work with the Administration to help fight black lung disease.

    Congressman Griffith serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Barragán, Jayapal, and Booker Reintroduce Legislation to Eliminate Barriers to Health Care for Immigrants

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 24, 2025

    Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

    Barragán, Jayapal, and Booker Reintroduce Legislation to Eliminate Barriers to Health Care for Immigrants

    WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44), along with Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) today introduced the Health Equity and Access under Law (HEAL) for Immigrant Families Act. This bicameral bill, co-sponsored by 55 members of Congress and endorsed by more than 100 organizations, removes unnecessary and cruel barriers to health care for millions of immigrants of all statuses.

    Immigrants in the United States are far more likely to be uninsured than U.S. citizens. In 2023, half of all undocumented immigrant adults and one in five lawfully present immigrant adults were uninsured. Just 6 percent of naturalized citizen adults and 8 percent of U.S.-born citizens are uninsured.

    “Access to healthcare shouldn’t depend on your immigration status,” said Representative Barragán. “Healthcare is a basic human right, and it’s time we break down the needless barriers that keep immigrant families from the care they need to survive and thrive. The HEAL Act is a step toward addressing racial health disparities and expanding quality healthcare to everyone in our communities.”

    “Health care is a human right that must be accessible to everyone — regardless of immigration status,” said Representative Jayapal. “As a proud immigrant myself, I know that the HEAL Act is a necessary first step to allow more people across America to access the health care they need to live, making all of our communities healthier. As Republicans in Congress work to strip health coverage away from millions of Americans and further decimate our already broken immigration system, we’re working to ensure everyone in this country is able to see a doctor when they need it.”

    “Everyone deserves access to comprehensive, affordable, quality care, and the HEAL Act lifts unnecessary barriers to medical care for immigrants,” said Senator Booker. “A more equitable health care system will help create healthier communities and ensure that all families, regardless of immigration status, have access to the care they need.” 

    “Withholding health care from immigrants is cruel and doesn’t make our communities safer or healthier,” said Senator Warren. “While the Trump administration continues playing political games with immigrant families, Democrats are fighting to make sure a person’s immigration status doesn’t prevent them from getting life-saving care.”

    “As the Trump Administration guts access to health care and basic services for immigrant communities, breaking down barriers to health care for immigrants isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s critical for protecting our public health and economy,” said Senator Padilla. “California is the fourth-largest economy in the world not despite immigrants, but because of their contributions to our workforce. Everyone deserves access to affordable, quality health care no matter their immigration status, and I will keep fighting to continue expanding coverage for these hardworking members of our communities.”

    The HEAL for Immigrant Families Act will:

    • Restore Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility to lawfully present immigrants;
    • Remove discriminatory Medicare restrictions based on length of U.S. residency for green card holders;
    • End the exclusion of undocumented immigrants from Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces
    • Ensure access to public and affordable coverage for Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients;
    • Create a state option to expand Medicaid and CHIP to immigrants regardless of immigration status.

    “Rep. Jayapal and Sen. Booker continue to be courageous and powerful champions for immigrant communities by reintroducing the HEAL for Immigrant Families Act,” said Lupe M. Rodríguez, executive director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. “While immigrant families are currently being attacked and torn apart, this bill promotes a vision for what we want for our collective future. A future that supports immigrant communities by removing long standing systemic barriers to health coverage to help our communities access affordable health care. We are especially grateful that Sen. Booker and Rep. Jayapal are introducing this critical legislation today as we mark three years since the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned the constitutional right to abortion. That decision has disproportionately harmed immigrant communities, for whom abortion bans, misinformation, and the threat of being detained and separated from our families has increased the barriers that keep us from getting the health care we need,” said Lupe M. Rodríguez, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice. “We urge Congress to protect immigrant communities and pass this bill.”

    “The reproductive justice movement teaches us that true justice means being able to have children, not have children, and raise our families in safe, supportive communities,” said Sung Yeon Choimorrow, executive director, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF). “None of that is possible without health care. In a country that has always been shaped by immigrants, we cannot keep allowing people and families, including the Asian American immigrants who make up more than a quarter of immigrants in the U.S., to be shut out from basic health care because of harmful, outdated policies. These are our mothers, our sisters, and our neighbors. The HEAL Act tears down the barriers facing our communities and reaffirms that everyone deserves the right to care, regardless of background, income, or immigration status.”

    “Everyone deserves access to health care, no matter who they are or where they come from,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “It is unacceptable and cruel that many are denied affordable, high-quality, and comprehensive health care because of their immigration status. Amid the ongoing attacks on our immigrant communities and our health care, I thank Reps. Jayapal and Barragán and Senator Booker for reintroducing this critical bill that would break down unjust barriers to care for our immigrant families.”

    “As a physician, I’ve witnessed the barriers immigrant families face when trying to access health care. Insurance coverage is a cornerstone of meaningful access; without it, care remains out of reach for too many,” said Dr. Jamila Perritt, MD, MPH, FACOG, President and CEO, Physicians for Reproductive Health. “At a time when attacks on immigrant communities are escalating, we must act now to ensure that everyone—regardless of status—has the right to timely, compassionate, and comprehensive health care. That’s why I join physicians across the country in calling for a swift passage of the HEAL Act. Expanding health coverage to immigrant communities ensures they receive the care they deserve, regardless of their immigration status. Health is a human right and no one should be excluded from receiving healthcare. Congress must pass HEAL – our patients are counting on it.”

    “With immigrant families under constant attack, it’s more important than ever to work toward a better, more inclusive future when everyone can get the care we all need,” said Adriana Cadena, campaign director, Protecting Immigrant Families Coalition. “We are proud to champion the HEAL Act – a critical step toward that better future.” 

    “Now more than ever, it is critical to affirm that everyone—including immigrants—should have access to health care coverage,” said Wendy Cervantes, Director, Immigration and Immigrant Families, CLASP. “Immigrants already face many restrictions to such care and an onslaught of attacks on them and their families’ health and well-being, ranging from the fear created by the Administration’s mass deportation efforts to the deeply harmful budget reconciliation bill currently under consideration. The HEAL for Immigrant Families Act is a critical step in moving us back in the right direction by giving children and families access to the health care they need to thrive. CLASP is grateful to Representative Jayapal and Senator Booker for their leadership in promoting a vision that supports health care for all.”

    The legislation is also co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Becca Balint (VT-AL), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24), and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

    The legislation is endorsed by AAPI Equity Alliance; AAPI NJ; Advocates for Youth; AFL-CIO; Alianza Nacional de Campesinas; All* Above All; Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment; American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU); American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP); Amica Center for Immigrant Rights; Arkansas Black Gay Men’s Forum; Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF); Asian American Federation of Florida; Asian Americans United (AAU); Asian Caribbean Exchange; Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence; Asian Pacific Islanders Civic Action Network, Massachusetts; Asian Texans for Justice Action Fund; ASISTA; Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations; Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network; Ayuda; CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network; California Partnership to End Domestic Violence; CASA; Catholics for Choice; Center for Gender & Refugee Studies; Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Center for Reproductive Rights; Center for Victims of Torture; Children’s HealthWatch; Cleveland Jobs with Justice; Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA); Coalition on Human Needs; Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking; Community Catalyst; Doctors for America ; End SIJS Backlog Coalition; Equality California; Esperanza United; First Focus Campaign for Children; Florida Asian Services ; Freedom Network USA; Georgia Conservation Voters; Global Refugee Awareness Healing Center; Global Urban Cultural Community; Guttmacher Institute; Haven Services Inc. dba Haven Neighborhood Servic; Health Action New Mexico; Healthy Teen Network; Her Justice ; Hispanic Federation; Ibis Reproductive Health; ICAH (Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health); Immigrant Legal Resource Center; Immigrant Welcome Network Johnson County; Immigration Institute of the Bay Area; In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda ; Inclusive Counseling; Indivisible; Institute for Women’s Policy Research; Ipas US; Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health; Justice for Migrant Women; Justice in Aging; KAN-WIN; Kids in Need of Defense (KIND); Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA); Laotian American National Alliance (LANA); Latino; Legal Voice; Maine Equal Justice; MANA, A National Latina Organization; Midwest Access Coalition; Moonbow; National Abortion Federation; National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA); National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF); National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health; National Council of Jewish Women; National Employment Law Project; National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association; National Health Care for the Homeless Council; National Health Law Program; National Immigration Law Center; National Korean American Service and Education Consortium; National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice; National Network of Abortion Funds; National Network To End Domestic Violence ; National Organization for Women ; National Partnership for New Americans; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance; National Women’s Law Center Action Fund; NIRH Action Fund; NIWAP, Inc.; Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA); Oasis Legal Services; OCA South Florida Chapter; Our Justice; Oxfam America; People Power United; Physicians for Reproductive Health; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Plascencia Consulting; Population Connection Action Fund; Positive Women’s Network-USA; Power to Decide; PowHerNY; Prevention Institute; Protecting Immigrant Families; QASPIRA Association; Religious Community for Reproductive Choice; Reproductive Freedom For All; Reproductive Health Access Project; Reproductive Justice Action Collective (ReJAC); Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus; Sarin Gal; Shriver Center on Poverty Law; SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change; Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF); SiX Action; South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA); South Asian SOAR; State Voices Florida; Survivor Justice Center; The Children’s Partnership; The National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH); The TransLatin@ Coalition; UCSF Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health; UnidosUS; Union for Reform Judaism; United Parent Leaders Action Network; URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity; Voices for Utah Children; Women of Reform Judaism; Women’s Law Project; Women’s Refugee Commission.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chemical process more efficiently converts carbon dioxide to methanol, a chemical used in manufacturing and a potential fuel

    Source: US Government research organizations

    A new catalytic process produces methanol more cheaply and about 66% more efficiently than before

    A new chemical process funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation has produced methanol — a type of alcohol essential for manufacturing many common products and a potential fuel source — more efficiently than ever before. The method generates methanol from carbon dioxide nearly 66% more efficiently than the next best approach.

    The process uses a dual combination of nickel- and cobalt-based compounds as a catalyst on nanotubes, where multiple chemical reactions and electricity convert carbon dioxide to methanol. More of the C02 is transformed into methanol and with comparatively less electricity consumption, making the overall process more efficient. The findings are published in Nature Nanotechnology by a team of scientists spanning Yale University, Oregon State University and The Ohio State University.

    “Methanol is a flexible chemical feedstock that is used for hundreds of common products including plastics, chemicals and solvents,” says Alvin Chang, an OSU doctoral student and coauthor on the study. By improving methanol production, scientists could make it faster, cheaper and with less waste.

    Methanol is being explored as a low-cost fuel for generating electricity, powering ships, supplementing gasoline for automobiles and more. In addition to using C02 from the atmosphere, the process could enable methanol production from plentiful agricultural and municipal waste.

    Having steady access to such a versatile and renewable resource could transform many aspects of daily life, including the transportation sector, says Robert Baker, Ohio State chemistry professor and one of the study’s authors.

    Baker, Chang and Hailiang Wang at Yale used a unique, dual-site electrocatalyst to bring this new method to life. Catalysts in general are used to speed up the rate of chemical reactions without themselves being consumed. Electrocatalysts do the same, but with electrochemical reactions.

    Compared to the single-site version, the dual-site catalyst sped up methanol production while wasting less energy during creation, reaching an electrochemical charge transfer efficiency of 50%. By comparison, the single-site catalytic method is no more than 30% efficient.

    “This innovative research is an important advance toward more efficient methanol production through reduced power consumption and waste generation — and potentially a powerful tool for American manufacturing and fuel production,” says Kenneth Moloy, a program director in the NSF Division of Chemistry, which supported the research.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Surface Copilot+ PCs: Built for teaching, learning and security

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: Surface Copilot+ PCs: Built for teaching, learning and security

    Educators today are navigating more than ever. They are supporting diverse student needs, integrating new technologies and managing complex IT and security demands, all while keeping students engaged and prepared for a rapidly changing world.

    Now with the rise of AI, the expectations are even higher. School leaders and educators are being asked to define how AI will be used in classrooms to support learning, improve operations and promote equity. That journey starts with the right devices.

    Microsoft Surface Copilot+ PCs bring together the best of Microsoft—hardware, software and AI—to help schools rise to this challenge. Informed by educator feedback and powered by Microsoft Copilot and a built-in Neural Processing Unit (NPU), Surface enables intelligent experiences that run securely on the device or in the cloud, all managed seamlessly by IT.

    What we heard from the classroom, reflected in the devices

    Educators told us they need tools that feel natural to use while offering the latest capabilities. They need devices that are trusted, reliable and easy-to-manage, with experiences that support every student. That input shaped the design of Surface Copilot+ PCs, including the new Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch.

    • Security and trust, built into every Surface device
      We are making security our top priority at Microsoft, above all else—over all other features. Students, families, educators and institutions trust Microsoft to power learning and protect data. Surface devices build on that trust with enterprise-grade security, simplified management through Microsoft Intune, and deep integration with Microsoft Entra and Purview to help schools control access, safeguard sensitive information and govern AI responsibly as classroom needs evolve. Together, these tools help defend your school’s devices and data while putting the security, privacy and compliance needs of students, educators and school districts at the center.
    • Device experiences that support natural learning
      Students learn best when they can interact with content in ways that feel intuitive. Surface Pro supports digital inking with Slim Pen,i voice input with Studio Mics and natural language interaction with Copilotii. These features help students express themselves and stay engaged in their own way.
    • Reliable and adaptable for the school day
      Educators need devices that are fast, durable and ready for a full day of learning. Surface Copilot+ PCs are built to last and easy to repairiii. Their lightweight designs and all-day battery life make them easy to carry and use across classrooms, libraries, labs and home.
    • Inclusive and collaborative by design
      Learning is both personal and social. Surface Copilot+ PCs work seamlessly with Microsoft 365 to support collaboration through Microsoft Teams, OneNote and other familiar tools. Built-in accessibility features, along with the Surface Adaptive Kit and Microsoft Adaptive Accessories, help students personalize their experience and stay connected in any learning environment.
    • Ready for the tools schools already use
      Surface Copilot+ PCs are built to support the full range of learning needs by delivering the performance and experience required for the education tools students and educators depend on every day. Common apps like TestNav for assessments, Google Classroom for assignments, Minecraft Education for STEM, Adobe Express for creativity, and assistive technologies like JAWS are ready to use on Surface devices powered by Snapdragon X Series and Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processors.

    Trusted by educators, evolving with their needs

    Around the world, schools that have long relied on Surface are continuing to invest in new devices that support the future of learning. Their experiences reflect many of the same priorities we heard during the development of Surface Copilot+ PCs: performance, reliability, flexibility and the ability to unlock the potential of AI in the classroom. These schools continue to choose Surface devices not just because of the technology itself, but because they trust them to evolve alongside their needs.

    At Royal Grammar School Newcastle in the United Kingdom, Surface is already deeply embedded in teaching and learning. Now the school is exploring how Copilot+ PCs can further enhance collaboration and student engagement through on-device AI.

    “We wouldn’t be doing our duty if we weren’t incorporating 21st century technology into our curriculum. Educators are going to have to spend a time considering the choice of device and the applications used to harness the power of AI and the possibilities to support our student’s learning. The use of the Surface device in the classroom has totally changed the dynamics.”

    — Sarah Buist, Head of Digital Strategy, Royal Grammar School Newcastle

    In Japan, the Aichi Prefectural Board of Education has deployed Surface Pro devices across more than 200 high schools. Teachers have praised the fast-processing speed and large touchscreens, which make daily tasks like digital grading more intuitive and efficient. Combined with Microsoft 365 Copilot, they are also seeing meaningful time savings in their everyday work.

    “The new Surface is easy to use with its fast-processing speed. The large screen allows simple operation by touch, making it straight-forward for digital grading. Grading previously took an hour by hand, but now it only takes about 40 minutes.”
    — Haruhiko Goto, Chief Coordinator of Super Science High School, Aichi Prefecture Ichinomiya High School

    Security and management that’s built for education IT

    Surface leads the Windows ecosystem in security innovation. Designed and built by Microsoft, Surface helps schools protect student data, simplify IT management and reduce risk at every layer of the device—from silicon to cloud.

    • Security that starts at the core
      Surface Copilot+ PCs are Secured-core PCs with Microsoft Pluton built in. Pluton is a Microsoft-designed security chip integrated directly into the processor. It protects sensitive data like passwords and sign-ins, even if a device is lost or stolen. Updates are delivered automatically through Windows Update, so schools always have the latest protections without extra tools or effort.
    • Management designed for education
      With tools like Device Firmware Configuration Interface (DFCI) and Surface Enterprise Management Mode (SEMM), IT administrators can remotely control settings such as disabling cameras, USB ports and Bluetooth—even before the operating system loads. QR codes etched directly onto Surface Laptop and Surface Pro devices provide instant access to serial numbers, making asset tracking, deployment and servicing faster and more accurate without manual entry.
    • Surface is secure by design and secure by default
      Every Surface device comes with Windows 11 Pro security features enabled right out of the box, which minimizes setup time and reduces risk. Firmware, drivers and OS updates are delivered through a single trusted channel, Windows Update. This unified approach simplifies management, reduces the number of tools IT teams need to support and helps schools respond to threats more quickly while staying focused on teaching and learning.

    AI that works for the classroom

    Transforming the classroom with on-device AI, powered by the NPU

    Surface Copilot+ PCs are built to meet the needs of today’s classrooms and support future AI innovations that will continue to shape teaching and learning. These experiences run locally on the device using a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU), which allows them to operate quickly, securely and without relying on the internet. This unlocks new ways for students and educators to enhance instruction, simplify daily tasks and create more inclusive classroom experiences.

    These are just a few ways Surface Copilot+ PCs bring AI to life in the classroom, with each experience powered by the NPU and with more innovations to come.

    • Microsoft Learning Zone: AI that empowers every educator
      Designed for education, Microsoft Learning Zoneiv is a free, AI-powered app coming to Copilot+ PCs, available in public preview later this year. It uses local AI processing to create personalized lessons, adapt content from trusted sources like OpenStax, generate interactive games with Kahoot and track student progress—saving time and making the classroom experience more flexible and engaging.
    • Click to Do (preview): Personalized support at your fingertips
      Click to Dov enables students to highlight text or images and instantly receive contextual help—such as summarizing a paragraph or explaining a graph. Activated with the Windows key and a click, this AI-powered feature runs entirely on-device, using the NPU to deliver support that is fast, secure and always available when they need it.
    • Accessibility features: Inclusive by design and powered by AI
      Surface Copilot+ PCs include built-in tools that help more students participate fully in learning. Voice Accessvi now offers greater flexibility and a more natural way to navigate using speech, improving on earlier voice interaction tools with faster response times and support for conversational commands. Live Captionsvii provide real-time subtitles and translations for spoken content. Both are powered by the NPU to deliver instant performance across multiple languages, supporting more inclusive and accessible classrooms.

    Read the blog to see how Microsoft Learning Zone and other AI features from Microsoft are transforming the classroom experience.

    Ready for what’s next

    With Windows 10 support ending on Oct. 14, 2025, now is the time to modernize your school’s device fleet with Windows 11. The new 13-inch Surface Laptop and 12-inch Surface Pro for Business, part of the Surface Copilot+ PC portfolio, will be available to education institutions starting July 22. These devices are secure by design and default with built-in security to help protect against evolving cyberthreats and include new silicon capable of 40+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second). Copilot+ PCs offer all-day battery life to support learning anywhere, powerful performance for multitasking and content creation, and AI experiences tailored specifically for education.viii

    Learn more about how to get ahead of Windows 10 end of support and take the next steps.

    These new devices expand the Surface Copilot+ PC portfolio and give schools flexible options to match the right device to every role. Whether you are empowering IT teams, supporting educators or enabling students to learn in more personalized and accessible ways, there is a Surface Copilot+ PC to fit your needs.

    If you are attending ISTELive 25 in San Antonio, be sure to visit the Microsoft booth starting June 29 to experience Surface Copilot+ PCs in action, connect with education experts and explore how Microsoft is helping shape the future of learning.

    Visit Surface.com/Business to learn more and request a quote for your school or district through an authorized reseller.

    Students, parents and educators can explore the new Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch at the Microsoft Store, where they can also save up to 10% on select Surface devices and moreix.

    End Notes

    i Sold separately

    ii Minimum age limits may apply to use of Copilot and certain AI features. Details

    iii Replacement components available through online Microsoft Store and iFixIt for out-of-warranty repair. Components can be replaced by individuals with the knowledge and experience to repair electronic devices following Microsoft’s Service Guide. Microsoft tools (sold separately) may also be required. Availability of replacement components and service options may vary by product, market and over time. See Self-repair information for your Surface device – Microsoft Support. Opening and/or repairing a device can present electric shock, device damage, fire and personal injury risk, and other hazards. Use caution if undertaking self-service repairs. Unless required by law, damage caused during repair is not covered under Microsoft’s Limited Hardware Warranty or protection plans.

    iv Microsoft Learning Zone is available with a Copilot+ PC and Microsoft Education license (A1, A3, A5). Initial availability will be English only.

    v Click to Do (preview) available image and text actions may vary by device, region, language and character set. Subscription required for some actions. Click to Do coming to the European Economic Area later in 2025. See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs

    vi Voice Access with flexible commands available now on Copilot+ PCs with Snapdragon X Series processor. Supports multiple languages, some features only available in English. See what’s new in Voice Access.

    vii Translation for video and audio subtitles into English from 40+ languages and from 27 languages into Chinese (Simplified). See aka.ms/copilotpluspcs

    viii Battery life varies significantly based on usage, network and feature configuration, signal strength, settings and other factors. See aka.ms/SurfaceBatteryPerformance for details.

    ix Microsoft Store Education discount is available to K-12 and higher education students, faculty and parents. Education discount only valid on select products, and may not be combinable with other offers. See terms and conditions at Education & Student Discounts on Laptops, Microsoft 365, Windows, Surface | Microsoft Store

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Philly psychology students map out local landmarks and hidden destinations where they feel happiest

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Zillmer, Professor of Neuropsychology, Drexel University

    Rittenhouse Square Park in Center City made it onto the Philly Happiness Map. Matthew Lovette/Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    What makes you happy? Perhaps a good night’s sleep, or a wonderful meal with friends?

    I am the director of the Happiness Lab at Drexel University, where I also teach a course on happiness. The Happiness Lab is a think tank that investigates the ingredients that contribute to people’s happiness.

    Often, my students ask me something along the lines of, “Dr. Z, tell us one thing that will make us happier.”

    As a first step, I advise them to spend more time outside.

    Achieving lasting and sustainable happiness is more complicated. Research on the happiest countries in the world and the places where people live the longest, known as Blue Zones, shows a common thread: Residents feel they are part of something larger than themselves, such as a community or a city.

    So if you’re living in a metropolis like Philadelphia, where, incidentally, the iconic pursuit of happiness charge was ratified in the Declaration of Independence, I believe urban citizenship – that is, forming an identity with your urban surroundings – should also be on your list.

    The Greek island of Ikaria in the Aegean Sea is a Blue Zone famous for its residents’ longevity.
    Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Safety, social connection, beauty

    Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychoanalyst, wrote extensively about the relationship between our internal world and our external environment.

    He believed that this relationship was crucial to our psychological well-being.

    More recent research in neuroscience and functional imaging has revealed a vast, intricate and complex neurological architecture underlying our psychological perception of a place. Numerous neurological pathways and functional loops transform a complex neuropsychological process into a simple realization: I am happy here!

    For example, a happy place should feel safe.

    The country of Croatia, a tourist haven for its beauty and culinary delights, is also one of the top 20 safest countries globally, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index.

    The U.S. ranks 128th.

    The availability of good food and drink can also be a significant factor in creating a happy place.

    However, according to American psychologist Abraham Maslow, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, the opportunity for social connectivity, experiencing something meaningful and having a sense of belonging is more crucial.

    Furthermore, research on happy places suggests that they are beautiful. It should not come as a surprise that the happiest places in the world are also drop-dead gorgeous, such as the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mauritius, which is the happiest country in Africa, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report from the University of Oxford and others.

    Happy places often provide access to nature and promote active lifestyles, which can help relieve stress. The residents of the island of Ikaria in Greece, for example, one of the original Blue Zones, demonstrate high levels of physical activity and social interaction.

    A map of 28 happy places in Philadelphia, based on 243 survey responses from Drexel students.
    The Happiness Lab at Drexel University

    Philly Happiness Map

    I asked my undergraduate psychology students at Drexel, many of whom come from other cities, states and countries, to pick one place in Philadelphia where they feel happy.

    From the 243 student responses, the Happiness Lab curated 28 Philly happy places, based on how frequently the places were endorsed and their accessibility.

    Philadelphia’s founder, William Penn, would likely approve that Rittenhouse Square Park and three other public squares – Logan, Franklin and Washington – were included. These squares were vital to Penn’s vision of landscaped public parks to promote the health of the mind and body by providing “salubrious spaces similar to the private garden.” They are beautiful and approachable, serving as “places to rest, take a pause, work, or read a book,” one student told us.

    Places such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Penn’s Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are “joyful spots that are fun to explore, and one can also take your parents along if need be,” as another student described.

    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, a historic library with eclectic programming, feels to one student like “coming home, a perfect third place.”

    Some students mentioned happy places that are less known. These include tucked-away gardens such as the John F. Collings Park at 1707 Chestnut St., the rooftop Cira Green at 129 S. 30th St. and the James G. Kaskey Memorial Park and BioPond at 433 S. University Ave.

    The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park and BioPond in West Philadelphia is an urban oasis.
    M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

    My students said these are small, unexpected spots that provide an excellent opportunity for a quiet, peaceful break, to be present, whether enjoyed alone or with a friend. I checked them out and I agree.

    The students also mentioned places I had never heard of even though I’ve lived in the city for over 30 years.

    The “cat park” at 526 N. Natrona St. in Mantua is a quiet little park with an eclectic personality and lots of friendly cats.

    Mango Mango Dessert at 1013 Cherry St. in Chinatown, which is a frequently endorsed happiness spot among the students because of its “bustling streets, lively atmosphere and delicious food,” is a perfect pit stop for mango lovers. And Maison Sweet, at 2930 Chestnut St. in University City, is a casual bakery and cafe “where you may end up staying longer than planned,” one student shared.

    I find that Philly’s happy places, as seen through the eyes of college students, tend to offer a space for residents to take time out from their day to pause, reset, relax and feel more connected and in touch with the city.

    Happiness principals are universal, yet our own journeys are very personal. Philadelphians across the city may have their own list of happy places. There are really no right or wrong answers. If you don’t have a personal happy space, just start exploring and you may be surprised what you will find, including a new sense of happiness.

    See the full Philly Happiness Map list here, and visit the exhibit at the W.W. Hagerty Library at Drexel University to learn more.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

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

    – ref. Philly psychology students map out local landmarks and hidden destinations where they feel happiest – https://theconversation.com/philly-psychology-students-map-out-local-landmarks-and-hidden-destinations-where-they-feel-happiest-258790

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Migrants in South Africa’s economic powerhouse often go hungry: the drivers and what can be done about it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adrino Mazenda, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor Economic Management Sciences, University of Pretoria

    About 281 million people globally have migrated from their country of origin to another country. This movement can be temporary or permanent and can occur for various reasons, including economic opportunities, family reunification and education. Then there are also millions who are escaping conflict and seeking refuge in another country.

    Countries at different stages of development also experience large volumes of internal migration. Migration within a country can be temporary or permanent too, and reflect economic reasons or insecurity.

    Both types of migrants sometimes experience food insecurity: the physical and financial inability to access nutritious, safe and sufficient food to fulfil a person’s dietary requirements.

    There are an estimated 2.89 million documented foreign migrants in South Africa, accounting for about 5% of the country’s population. Most immigrants in South Africa come from the Southern African Development Community countries. South Africa also experiences a high annual internal migration rate. About 850,0000 people temporarily and permanently relocate from rural to urban areas.

    Gauteng, the province which contributes more than a third of South Africa’s economic output, attracts a disproportionate share of internal and international migration.

    As social scientists who have been studying migration and food security, we conducted research to explore the food security status of migrant households (international and internal) and native Gauteng households, and to understand their differences, if any.

    The study used data from the 2020/21 Quality of Life survey. This is one of the largest social surveys in South Africa, and respondents include both internal and international migrants. It is conducted every two years by the Gauteng City Region Observatory. Quantitative research methods and statistical analysis were then applied to identify patterns and relationships between food insecurity and migration variables.

    Food insecurity remains a pressing concern in South Africa’s major cities, particularly among migrant populations. Not all migrants experience food insecurity the same way, however. Internal and international migrants differ not only from native Gauteng residents but also from one another. There are different factors influencing their vulnerability.

    The differences

    One differentiating factor between the internal and foreign migrants is government social support services. They seem to play a key role in determining the well-being of internal migrants. International migrants don’t qualify for such services. But they sometimes fared better than internal migrants or natives, likely due to age, education, or resourcefulness (social support networks).

    Internal migrants experienced their own set of challenges. For example, poor health service provision and lack of medical aid were strong predictors of food insecurity. This suggests that addressing food access requires improvements in health services, insurance, and broader social infrastructure.

    Improved access to healthcare reduces the financial burden on households dealing with medical expenses, so they can spend more on food. Access to maternal and child health services enhances nutritional knowledge and practices. That in turn improves the way households use food. Health insurance and unemployment insurance protect households from income shocks that could otherwise lead to food insecurity.

    A stronger social infrastructure improves food access by enhancing education, healthcare, and social protection systems. Education boosts income and nutritional knowledge. Preventive healthcare reduces illness and medical expenses, freeing up resources for food. Social protection measures help households withstand financial shocks, ensuring consistent access to food.

    Of course all this support has a cost that needs to be funded from the public purse, but its benefits may well outweigh the cost.

    Gender disparities

    Immigrants contribute significantly to South Africa’s economy. Migration enhances labour market flexibility, promotes economic dynamism, and supports livelihoods in both urban and rural areas, making it essential for inclusive economic growth.
    Internal migrants provide labour in sectors such as mining, construction and services, while also supporting rural households through remittances. They help stimulate urban informal economies.

    International migrants bring valuable skills and resilience to various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and construction. They contribute local income taxes. Some operate small and large formal businesses, which adds to job creation.

    However, employment data reveals a pronounced gender disparity among international migrants and internal migrants.

    In all population groups (native residents, internal migrants and international migrants), men are more likely to be employed than women. Among international migrants, over 1 million men were employed compared to 400,000 women. More women (281,553) than men (88,598) were classified as economically inactive – not available for work.

    The primary reason for internal migration among both men and women was the search for paid employment. For men, the second most common reason was job transfers or accepting new employment.

    In contrast, female migrants cited moving to live with or be closer to a spouse, family, or friends, often due to marriage, as their main motivation.

    Way forward

    Our study highlights the determinants of food insecurity among migrant populations. It also challenges harmful stereotypes and invites more inclusive thinking about social support and job creation.

    The study’s findings can help inform the public about who needs more support and why. It shows that food aid and government support systems aren’t working as intended.

    The main conclusions we reached from the study were that:

    • Rural health infrastructure is in dire need of public support.

    • Increased inequities in healthcare access are unjustified.

    • The medical and health bills of foreign citizens can be shared between home and host countries to reduce the strain on the host’s infrastructure through a combination of policy reforms, bilateral agreements and global cooperation mechanisms. Key to this is an inter-government billing system where host countries track migrants’ healthcare use and send bills to their home country governments or insurers.

    • It is desirable for migrants to hold valid health insurance as a condition of entry or residency.

    • Policies to promote agriculture and rural areas, particularly developing new rural housing schemes, appear to be a promising way to abate food insecurity.

    • Revitalising special economic zones, the designated areas offering incentives to attract investment, boost trade and create jobs, can help limit the concentration of migrants in Gauteng.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Migrants in South Africa’s economic powerhouse often go hungry: the drivers and what can be done about it – https://theconversation.com/migrants-in-south-africas-economic-powerhouse-often-go-hungry-the-drivers-and-what-can-be-done-about-it-256907

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Migrants in South Africa’s economic powerhouse often go hungry: the drivers and what can be done about it

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Adrino Mazenda, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor Economic Management Sciences, University of Pretoria

    About 281 million people globally have migrated from their country of origin to another country. This movement can be temporary or permanent and can occur for various reasons, including economic opportunities, family reunification and education. Then there are also millions who are escaping conflict and seeking refuge in another country.

    Countries at different stages of development also experience large volumes of internal migration. Migration within a country can be temporary or permanent too, and reflect economic reasons or insecurity.

    Both types of migrants sometimes experience food insecurity: the physical and financial inability to access nutritious, safe and sufficient food to fulfil a person’s dietary requirements.

    There are an estimated 2.89 million documented foreign migrants in South Africa, accounting for about 5% of the country’s population. Most immigrants in South Africa come from the Southern African Development Community countries. South Africa also experiences a high annual internal migration rate. About 850,0000 people temporarily and permanently relocate from rural to urban areas.

    Gauteng, the province which contributes more than a third of South Africa’s economic output, attracts a disproportionate share of internal and international migration.

    As social scientists who have been studying migration and food security, we conducted research to explore the food security status of migrant households (international and internal) and native Gauteng households, and to understand their differences, if any.

    The study used data from the 2020/21 Quality of Life survey. This is one of the largest social surveys in South Africa, and respondents include both internal and international migrants. It is conducted every two years by the Gauteng City Region Observatory. Quantitative research methods and statistical analysis were then applied to identify patterns and relationships between food insecurity and migration variables.

    Food insecurity remains a pressing concern in South Africa’s major cities, particularly among migrant populations. Not all migrants experience food insecurity the same way, however. Internal and international migrants differ not only from native Gauteng residents but also from one another. There are different factors influencing their vulnerability.

    The differences

    One differentiating factor between the internal and foreign migrants is government social support services. They seem to play a key role in determining the well-being of internal migrants. International migrants don’t qualify for such services. But they sometimes fared better than internal migrants or natives, likely due to age, education, or resourcefulness (social support networks).

    Internal migrants experienced their own set of challenges. For example, poor health service provision and lack of medical aid were strong predictors of food insecurity. This suggests that addressing food access requires improvements in health services, insurance, and broader social infrastructure.

    Improved access to healthcare reduces the financial burden on households dealing with medical expenses, so they can spend more on food. Access to maternal and child health services enhances nutritional knowledge and practices. That in turn improves the way households use food. Health insurance and unemployment insurance protect households from income shocks that could otherwise lead to food insecurity.

    A stronger social infrastructure improves food access by enhancing education, healthcare, and social protection systems. Education boosts income and nutritional knowledge. Preventive healthcare reduces illness and medical expenses, freeing up resources for food. Social protection measures help households withstand financial shocks, ensuring consistent access to food.

    Of course all this support has a cost that needs to be funded from the public purse, but its benefits may well outweigh the cost.

    Gender disparities

    Immigrants contribute significantly to South Africa’s economy. Migration enhances labour market flexibility, promotes economic dynamism, and supports livelihoods in both urban and rural areas, making it essential for inclusive economic growth. Internal migrants provide labour in sectors such as mining, construction and services, while also supporting rural households through remittances. They help stimulate urban informal economies.

    International migrants bring valuable skills and resilience to various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and construction. They contribute local income taxes. Some operate small and large formal businesses, which adds to job creation.

    However, employment data reveals a pronounced gender disparity among international migrants and internal migrants.

    In all population groups (native residents, internal migrants and international migrants), men are more likely to be employed than women. Among international migrants, over 1 million men were employed compared to 400,000 women. More women (281,553) than men (88,598) were classified as economically inactive – not available for work.

    The primary reason for internal migration among both men and women was the search for paid employment. For men, the second most common reason was job transfers or accepting new employment.

    In contrast, female migrants cited moving to live with or be closer to a spouse, family, or friends, often due to marriage, as their main motivation.

    Way forward

    Our study highlights the determinants of food insecurity among migrant populations. It also challenges harmful stereotypes and invites more inclusive thinking about social support and job creation.

    The study’s findings can help inform the public about who needs more support and why. It shows that food aid and government support systems aren’t working as intended.

    The main conclusions we reached from the study were that:

    • Rural health infrastructure is in dire need of public support.

    • Increased inequities in healthcare access are unjustified.

    • The medical and health bills of foreign citizens can be shared between home and host countries to reduce the strain on the host’s infrastructure through a combination of policy reforms, bilateral agreements and global cooperation mechanisms. Key to this is an inter-government billing system where host countries track migrants’ healthcare use and send bills to their home country governments or insurers.

    • It is desirable for migrants to hold valid health insurance as a condition of entry or residency.

    • Policies to promote agriculture and rural areas, particularly developing new rural housing schemes, appear to be a promising way to abate food insecurity.

    • Revitalising special economic zones, the designated areas offering incentives to attract investment, boost trade and create jobs, can help limit the concentration of migrants in Gauteng.

    – Migrants in South Africa’s economic powerhouse often go hungry: the drivers and what can be done about it
    – https://theconversation.com/migrants-in-south-africas-economic-powerhouse-often-go-hungry-the-drivers-and-what-can-be-done-about-it-256907

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LaLota Votes to Prohibit D.C. Sanctuary City Policies

    Source: US Representative Nick LaLota (NY-01)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Nick LaLota (Suffolk County, NY) released the following statement after voting to pass H.R. 2056 the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025, which prohibits the District of Columbia from enacting or maintaining any law or policy that prevents Law Enforcement from sharing information about an individual’s citizenship or immigration status with federal, state, or local authorities, or from complying with an ICE detainer request.

    “I proudly voted for the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act because our nation’s capital—the seat of our laws—should never be a sanctuary for lawlessness,” said Rep. LaLota. “This bill ensures that Washington, D.C. cannot obstruct cooperation with DHS, ICE, or any federal immigration authority. Whether it’s D.C., Long Island, or any other part of the country, no community should shield individuals who violate our immigration laws. I urge local governments to reject these reckless sanctuary policies and join in restoring order, enforcing the rule of law, and building an immigration system that respects legal immigrants and protects American communities.”

    To read the full text of the resolution, click HERE. 

    Background: 

    H.R. 2056, the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act, passed the House on June 12, 2025, by a vote of 224–194 and is now under Senate review. Sponsored by Rep. Clay Higgins, the bill prohibits the District of Columbia from limiting its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. It requires D.C. authorities to share immigration status information and comply with DHS detainer requests, with narrow exceptions for victims and witnesses of crimes. The bill now awaits action in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S. Navy Honors 80th Anniversary of Battle of Okinawa at Candle Lighting

    Source: United States Navy

    ITOMAN, OKINAWA, Japan (June 22, 2025) — U.S. Navy Sailors and family members joined local Okinawan volunteers at Peace Memorial Park on June 22 to prepare nearly 7,000 candles for a vigil on the eve of Okinawa Memorial Day. The event honored the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa — an 82-day conflict in 1945 that claimed more than 200,000 lives and stands as the deadliest battle of the Pacific theater during WWII.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S. Marines and Sailors Commence Koa Moana 2

    Source: United States Navy

    KOROR, Palau – U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, have arrived in Palau in support of Koa Moana 25. This recurring exercise to the Pacific Island region focuses on building partnerships and enhancing the health system of Compact of Free Association nations, specifically the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: U.S., Indonesian Navies Commence Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Indonesia 2025

    Source: United States Navy

    The United States Navy, the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut, or TNI-AL) and the Indonesian Marine Corps commenced Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2025, June 23, at TNI-AL Second Fleet Command in Surabaya.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: NATO summit has left us all more exposed

    Source: Green Party of England and Wales

    / by Green Party

    Reacting to the close of the NATO Summit, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns said:

    “NATO leaders have fawned over a bullying, bellicose US President and agreed to a long-term doubling of arms spending that will come at the cost of cuts in vital health and public services across member states. 

    “The NATO summit has left us all more exposed to the threat of nuclear war and failed to offer people across the world a strategic vision of a more peaceful world. 

    “Here in the UK, the Labour government has already slashed aid for the most vulnerable around the world to make way for increased arms spending and next week will try to force through cuts to disability support to pay for more. 

    “We do not need new US-controlled fighter jets to carry US-controlled nuclear weapons paid for by UK taxpayers that will make the world a more dangerous place. 

    “The UK government should be leading efforts to reduce and eliminate nuclear arsenals, not paying for the US to base more of them here. 

    “There is a choice to be made between welfare and warfare. 

    “Genuine security means making sure the most vulnerable have the support needed for a decent life and we all have a government focussed on tackling the biggest long-term threats to human security – climate breakdown, global inequality, pandemics. 

    “Real security is built on social, economic, and environmental resilience, not more nuclear weapons. 

    “Green MPs will be opposing the government’s welfare cuts next week and offering a real alternative that puts people’s welfare and the planet’s future first.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 24 June 2025 Sri Lanka pioneers global effort to reduce corruption in health products

    Source: World Health Organisation

    In a landmark achievement for global health governance, Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has finalized the world’s first-ever United Nations-assisted self-assessment of corruption risks within a national regulatory authority. This pioneering initiative, jointly supported by WHO and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), marks a significant step in enhancing transparency, integrity and public trust in medical product regulation.

    The process was conducted through two intensive workshops held in February and April 2025 in Colombo. It is grounded in UNODC’s internationally recognized corruption risk assessment methodology, aligned with ISO 31000 international standards for risk management and adapted for regulatory authorities with technical input from WHO.

    Established in 2015, NMRA plays a central role in safeguarding public health by ensuring that medicinal products in Sri Lanka meet rigorous safety, quality and efficacy standards. Recognizing the importance of preventing and addressing corruption risks, NMRA sought WHO and UNODC support to conduct a structured, evidence-based self-assessment.

    “The assisted self-assessment process has provided us with a structured, evidence-informed approach to better understand and address corruption risks in regulatory functions. This milestone reflects our continued commitment to strengthening institutional integrity, promoting good governance, and ensuring public confidence in the regulation of medical products,” said Dr Saveen Semage, NMRA’s CEO, during the workshop. “We believe this experience will contribute meaningfully to global efforts aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in health systems.”

    The NMRA assessment focused on analyzing internal regulatory functions to identify corruption risks and prioritize mitigation strategies. Participants from NMRA and external stakeholders collaborated on a final work plan that includes long-term monitoring, evaluation and communication mechanisms.

    By embedding risk management into its ongoing operations, NMRA has laid the groundwork for sustained institutional reform, offering a replicable model for other national regulatory authorities worldwide. The initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (good health and well-being) and SDG 16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions), and advances the implementation of the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC).

    Sri Lanka’s experience reinforces the value of collaboration between national authorities and international agencies to build resilient, transparent health systems. It also contributes to WHO’s work in benchmarking and strengthening national regulatory authorities through its Global Benchmarking Tool and to combat substandard and falsified medical products.

    “This process equips regulatory agencies not only to identify risks but to institutionalize integrity,” noted a joint statement from WHO and UNODC representatives. “Sri Lanka’s example is a global milestone in building resilient, transparent health systems.”

    The lessons learned and best practices from this initiative provide a valuable resource for countries seeking to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of their health regulatory systems. The NMRA is committed to continual improvement, transparency, and strengthening public confidence in medical product oversight.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: China foreign relations session held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Civil Service College, with the Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Commissioner (OCMFA) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, held a thematic briefing session today on the “International Landscape and China’s Foreign Relations in 2025”.

    The briefing was delivered by Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Hong Kong SAR Cui Jianchun, and attended by Chief Executive John Lee along with over 400 senior officials.

    Delivering his opening remarks, Mr Lee thanked Mr Cui for attending the session to share insights on the current international environment and national foreign strategies, and providing an analysis on the evolving global dynamics and the country’s response strategies.

    The session could provide support for the Hong Kong SAR Government in promoting Hong Kong’s deepening of international exchanges and co-operation, better integration into the overall national development, and co-ordination of high-level security and high-quality development, the Chief Executive remarked.

    Mr Lee pointed out that the complex and fast-changing international environment as well as the groundbreaking developments of artificial intelligence and biotechnology, profoundly affect the trajectory of world order and highlight the close connection between security and development. He also said China’s diplomatic work plays a vital role in the effective co-ordination of security and development, and provides opportunities for Hong Kong to better fulfil its role as a “super connector” and a “super value-adder”.

    He also thanked the central government for its strong support for Hong Kong to become the headquarters of the International Organization for Mediation, adding that the establishment of its headquarters in the city reflects the trust and recognition of the international community in Hong Kong, which not only demonstrates the success of the National Security Law in creating a stable environment, but also serves as a vivid manifestation of the country’s diplomatic soft power.

    Mr Lee further stated that Hong Kong SAR Government officials should have a deep understanding of the country’s foreign policies, accurately grasp changes in the international landscape, and better co-ordinate the relationship between and the opportunities from security and development.

    Separately, Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung said today’s session is of great significance because it not only heralds this year’s series of talks on China’s foreign affairs but is also a highlight event of the seminar series for civil servants on the fifth anniversary of the promulgation and implementation of the National Security Law.

    She stressed that the Civil Service College will continue to enhance training to strengthen civil servants’ patriotism and awareness of national security, and encourage everyone to consciously safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

    Training programmes organised by the college could also deepen civil servants’ understanding of the country’s history, culture and contemporary development, equipping them to better fulfil Hong Kong’s role as a bridge connecting the country with the world in their respective fields, effectively utilising the city’s international platform to tell good stories of China and Hong Kong, Mrs Yeung added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Calling on Congressional Leaders to Save SNAP

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Hochul yesterday joined a group of 23 Governors to urge Congressional leadership to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that puts food on the table for millions of people across the nation. The letter signed by 23 governors from across the country warns that the GOP reconciliation bill in Congress threatens to strip critical food benefits from more than 42 million people in the United States, including 3 million here in New York.

    “SNAP doesn’t just help millions of New York families put food on the table, it keeps our local grocers open for business and makes major investments in our farming industry,” Governor Hochul said. “I urge New York Republicans in Congress to reject this proposal that would slash these benefits and unleash hell for families across our state.”

    The governors co-signed the letter as the GOP reconciliation bill threatens to shift up to 25 percent of the food benefit costs onto states, meaning a new expense of millions — and in some states, billions — of dollars. This shift in costs to the states is unprecedented in SNAP’s 50-year history.

    Read the full text of the letter below:

    Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, Leader Thune, and Leader Schumer,

    SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is one of the most powerful tools states have to address hunger, improve overall health, and help people overcome poverty. In 2024, SNAP provided food benefits to more than 42 million people in the United States, helping to address the needs of more than 13% of households across the country who experienced food insecurity.

    Recent U.S. House and Senate proposals would effectively gut this critical food assistance that helps families with children, older adults, and working people afford the rising cost of groceries and put food on the table. Congress has proposed profoundly changing the relationship between the federal government and states—by shifting unprecedented costs to states for the first time in the 50 years of SNAP’s history. Under this plan, states will need to find millions or even billions of extra dollars in their budgets or be forced to leave the SNAP program entirely, potentially cutting off millions of Americans from this vital assistance.

    Congress is forcing states into an impossible ultimatum: either come up with new funding to backfill federal cuts or cut off families from essential food assistance. The idea that states will be able to respond to these massive cuts by backfilling with state resources is unrealistic. If states cannot meet the full cost share, they will need to cut SNAP enrollment or end their program entirely. States have limited options to reduce their SNAP enrollment, and with SNAP being a safety net program meant to help the most vulnerable, states are one economic downturn or natural disaster away from seeing increased SNAP demand.

    If states are forced to end their SNAP programs, hunger and poverty will increase, children and adults will get sicker, grocery stores in rural areas will struggle to stay open, people in agriculture and the food industry will lose jobs, and state and local economies will suffer.

    These cuts from Congress don’t just increase state costs – they make it nearly impossible for states to effectively plan for these long-term budget impacts. That is because the amount a state owes annually would depend on its payment error rate, a figure that changes from year to year and is based on administrative errors. States, which must balance their budgets by law, will not know how much funding will be needed to maintain SNAP until three months before the bill comes due. Strained state budgets cannot backfill these cuts, especially as Congress simultaneously proposes to slash Medicaid, disaster relief, and other federally-funded safety net programs.

    The combination of massive cost increases to states, the unpredictability of how much a state will be on the hook for from year to year, and the need for states to balance their budgets creates a significant risk that states have to leave SNAP altogether. Congress’s own budget office confirmed that this risk is very real. And while we are encouraged that the Senate’s “umpire,” the parliamentarian, confirmed that instituting a SNAP benefit cost share on the states violates Senate rules, we remain concerned that Congress’s ongoing attempts to cut costs in the SNAP program will result in millions of Americans losing their nutrition benefits.

    To be clear, states already have skin in the game for the SNAP program. State governments currently pay for half of the cost to run the program; in some states, county and Tribal governments also contribute to that cost. In addition, a system to ensure states use SNAP dollars effectively is already in place: Congress charges financial penalties if states have two consecutive years of high error rates.

    As Governors, we urge Congress to honor its commitment to the people of the United States of America by rejecting any proposals that would put state SNAP programs at risk. Cuts to SNAP will mean that millions of Americans won’t get the food they need for their families. And it will result in too many Americans forced to survive rather than thrive.

    Sincerely,

    Governor Kathy Hochul
    State of New York

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump administration aims to slash funds that preserve the nation’s rich architectural and cultural history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael R. Allen, Visiting Assistant Professor of History, West Virginia University

    The iconic ‘Walking Man’ Hawkes sign in Westbrook, Maine, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. Ben McCanna/Portland Portland Press Herald via Getty Images

    President Donald Trump’s proposed fiscal year 2026 discretionary budget is called a “skinny budget” because it’s short on line-by-line details.

    But historic preservation efforts in the U.S. did get a mention – and they might as well be skinned to the bone.

    Trump has proposed to slash funding for the federal Historic Preservation Fund to only $11 million, which is $158 million less than the fund’s previous reauthorization in 2024. The presidential discretionary budget, however, always heads to Congress for appropriation. And Congress always makes changes.

    That said, the Trump administration hasn’t even released the $188 million that Congress appropriated for the fund for the 2025 fiscal year, essentially impounding the funding stream that Congress created in 1976 for historic preservation activities across the nation.

    I’m a scholar of historic preservation who’s worked to secure historic designations for buildings and entire neighborhoods. I’ve worked on projects that range from making distressed neighborhoods in St. Louis eligible for historic tax credits to surveying Cold War-era hangars and buildings on seven U.S. Air Force bases.

    I’ve seen the ways in which the Historic Preservation Fund helps local communities maintain and rehabilitate their rich architectural history, sparing it from deterioration, the wrecking ball or the pressures of the private market.

    A rare, deficit-neutral funding model

    Most Americans probably don’t realize that the task of historic preservation largely falls to individual states and Native American tribes.

    The National Historic Preservation Act that President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law in 1966 requires states and tribes to handle everything from identifying potential historic sites to reviewing the impact of interstate highway projects on archaeological sites and historic buildings. States and tribes are also responsible for reviewing nominations of sites in the National Register of Historic Places, the nation’s official list of properties deemed worthy of preservation.

    However, many states and tribes didn’t have the capacity to adequately tackle the mandates of the 1966 act. So the Historic Preservation Fund was formed a decade later to alleviate these costs by funneling federal resources into these efforts.

    The fund is actually the product of a conservative, limited-government approach.

    Created during Gerald Ford’s administration, it has a revenue-neutral model, meaning that no tax dollars pay for the program. Instead, it’s funded by private lease royalties from the Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas reserves.

    Most of these reserves are located in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska. Private companies that receive a permit to extract from them must agree to a lease with the federal government. Royalties from their oil and gas sales accrue in federally controlled accounts under the terms of these leases. The Office of Natural Resources Revenue then directs 1.5% of the total royalties to the Historic Preservation Fund.

    Congress must continually reauthorize the amount of funding reserved for the Historic Preservation Fund, or it goes unfunded.

    Boston’s Fenway Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012, making it eligible for preservation grants and federal tax incentives.
    Winslow Townson/Getty Images

    Despite bipartisan support, the fund has been threatened in the past. President Ronald Reagan attempted to do exactly what Trump is doing now by making no request for funding at all in his 1983 budget. Yet the fund has nonetheless been reauthorized six times since its inception, with terms ranging from five to 10 years.

    The program is a crucial source of funding, particularly in small towns and rural America, where privately raised cultural heritage funds are harder to come by. It provides grants for the preservation of buildings and geographical areas that hold historical, cultural or spiritual significance in underrepresented communities. And it’s even involved in projects tied to the nation’s 250th birthday in 2026, such as the rehabilitation of the home in New Jersey where George Washington was stationed during the winter of 1778-79 and the restoration of Rhode Island’s Old State House.

    Filling financial gaps

    I’ve witnessed the fund’s impact firsthand in small communities across the nation.

    Edwardsville, Illinois, a suburb of St. Louis, is home to the Leclaire Historic District. In the 1970s, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The national designation recognized the historic significance of the district, protecting it against any adverse impacts from federal infrastructure funding. It also made tax credits available to the town. Edwardsville then designated LeClaire a local historic district so that it could legally protect the indelible architectural features of its homes, from original decorative details to the layouts of front porches.

    Despite the designation, however, there was no clear inventory of the hundreds of houses in the district. A few paid staffers and a volunteer citizen commission not only had to review proposed renovations and demolitions, but they also had to figure out which buildings even contributed to LeClaire’s significance and which ones did not – and thus did not need to be tied up in red tape.

    The Allen House is one of approximately 415 single-family homes in the Leclaire neighborhood in Edwardsville, Ill.
    Friends of Leclaire

    Edwardsville was able to secure a grant through the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office thanks to a funding match enabled by money disbursed to Illinois via the Historic Preservation Fund.

    In 2013, my team created an updated inventory of the historic district, making it easier for the local commission to determine which houses should be reviewed carefully and which ones don’t need to be reviewed at all.

    Oil money better than no money

    The historic preservation field, not surprisingly, has come out strongly against Trump’s proposal to defund the Historic Preservation Fund.

    Nonetheless, there have been debates within the field over the fund’s dependence on the fossil fuel industry, which was the trade-off that preservationists made decades ago when they crafted the funding model.

    In the 1970s, amid the national energy crisis, conservation of existing buildings was seen as a worthy ecological goal, since demolition and new construction required fossil fuels. To preservationists, diverting federal carbon royalties seemed like a power play.

    But with the effects of climate change becoming impossible to ignore, some preservationists are starting to more openly critique both the ethics and the wisdom of tapping into a pool of money created through the profits of the oil and gas industry. I’ve recently wondered myself if continued depletion of fossil fuels means that preservationists won’t be able to count on the Historic Preservation Fund as a long-term source of funding.

    That said, you’d be hard-pressed to find a preservationist who thinks that destroying the Historic Preservation Fund would be a good first step in shaping a more visionary policy.

    For now, Trump’s administration has only sown chaos in the field of historic preservation. Already, Ohio has laid off one-third of the staffers in its State Historic Preservation Office due to the impoundment of federal funds. More state preservation offices may follow suit. The National Council of State Historic Preservation Officers predicts that states soon could be unable to perform their federally mandated duties.

    Unfortunately, many people advocating for places important to their towns and neighborhoods may end up learning the hard way just what the Historic Preservation Fund does.

    Michael R. Allen is a member of the Advisor Leadership Team of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

    – ref. Trump administration aims to slash funds that preserve the nation’s rich architectural and cultural history – https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-aims-to-slash-funds-that-preserve-the-nations-rich-architectural-and-cultural-history-258889

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why power skills – formerly known as ‘soft skills’ – are the key to business success

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sandra Sjoberg, Vice President and Dean, Academic Programs, Western Governors University School of Business

    What does it take to lead through complexity, make tough decisions and still put people first? For me, the answer became clear during a defining moment early in my career – one that changed my path entirely.

    Today I am a business-school educator, but I began my career in the corporate world. I faced a challenge so intense that it motivated me to go back to school and earn a Ph.D. so I could help others lead with greater purpose and humanity.

    Back then, I was working for a multinational home goods company, and I was asked to play a role in closing a U.S. factory in the Midwest and moving its operations abroad. It was, by every business metric, the right economic decision. Without it, the company couldn’t stay competitive. Still, the move was fraught with emotional and ethical complexities.

    Witnessing the toll on employees who lost their jobs, and the broader effects on their community, changed how I thought about business decision-making. I saw that technical skills alone aren’t enough. Effective leadership also requires emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning and human-centered thinking.

    That experience was a turning point, leading me to higher education. I wanted to fulfill a greater purpose by equipping future business leaders with critical human-centric skills. And to do that, I needed to learn more about these skills – why they matter, how they shape outcomes, and how we can teach them more effectively.

    Often called “soft skills” or “people skills,” these are also, more appropriately, referred to as “power skills” or “durable skills.” And they aren’t just nice to have. As my own experience shows and as research confirms, they are central to success in today’s business world.

    Power skills: Underappreciated, yet in demand

    Research on power skills dates back to at least 1918, when the Carnegie Foundation published A Study of Engineering Education. That report concluded that 85% of engineering professionals’ success came from having well-developed people skills, and only 15% was attributed to “hard skills.” These early findings helped shape our understanding of the value of nontechnical skills and traits.

    Today, employers arguably value these skills more than ever. But while demand for these skills is growing across industries, there’s not enough supply. For example, nearly 7 in 10 U.S. employers plan to prioritize hiring candidates with “soft” or “power” skills, according to LinkedIn’s most recent Global Talent Trends report.

    Yet 65% of employers cite soft skills as the top gap among new graduates, according to Coursera’s 2025 Micro-Credentials Impact Report. New hires are struggling in the areas of communication, active listening, resilience and adaptability, the survey found.

    Power skills are transferable across roles, projects and industries, which makes them especially valuable to hiring managers. And research continues to show that these skills drive innovation, strengthen team dynamics and help organizations navigate uncertainty — key reasons why employers prioritize them.

    Three power skills to prioritize

    So what does it look like to lead with power skills? Here are three key areas that have shaped my own journey — and that I now help others develop:

    Adaptability: Adaptability goes beyond simply accepting change. It’s the ability to think, feel and act effectively when the situation changes – which, in today’s business environment, is all the time.

    Consider a company expanding into a new international market. To succeed, it must invest in cultural research, adapt its operations to regional norms and align with local regulations – demonstrating adaptability at both strategic and operational levels.

    That’s why adaptability is one of the most in-demand skills among employers, according to a recent LinkedIn study. Adaptable workforces are better equipped to respond to shifting demands. And with the rise of artificial intelligence and rapid tech disruption, organizations need agile, resilient employees more than ever.

    Empathy: As I learned firsthand during my time in the corporate world, empathy – or the ability to understand and respond to the feelings, perspectives and needs of others – is essential.

    Empathy not only fosters trust and respect, but it also helps leaders make decisions that balance organizational goals with human needs. More broadly, empathetic leaders create inclusive environments and build stronger relationships.

    At Western Governors University, we have an entire course titled “Empathy and Inclusive Collaboration,” which teaches skills in active listening, creating culturally safe environments and cultivating an inclusive mindset.

    Inclusivity: Effective communication and teamwork consistently rank high as essential workforce skills. This is because organizations that excel in communication and collaboration are more likely to innovate, adapt to change and make informed decisions.

    While managing a global transition, I saw how hard and necessary it was to listen across cultural lines, to foster collaboration across borders and departments. When teams collaborate well, they bring diverse perspectives that can foster creativity and efficiency. The ability to communicate openly and work together is crucial for navigating complex problems and driving organizational success.

    The business landscape is evolving rapidly, and technical expertise alone is no longer enough to drive success. Power skills like adaptability, empathy and inclusivity are crucial, as both research and my own experiences have taught me. By prioritizing power skills, educators and businesses can better prepare leaders to navigate complexity, lead with purpose and thrive in a constantly changing world.

    Sandra Sjoberg is affiliated with Western Governors University.
    Sandra Sjoberg is a member of the industry association, American Marketing Association.
    Sandra Sjoberg was a former employee at Amerock, a division of Newell Rubbermaid that, while not mentioned directly in the article, is the basis for the corporate experience shared in the article.

    – ref. Why power skills – formerly known as ‘soft skills’ – are the key to business success – https://theconversation.com/why-power-skills-formerly-known-as-soft-skills-are-the-key-to-business-success-257310

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ hit movie theaters

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Stephanie Otts, Director of National Sea Grant Law Center, University of Mississippi

    Filming ‘The Perfect Storm’ in Gloucester Harbor, Mass.
     The Salem News Historic Photograph Collection, Salem State University Archives and Special Collections, CC BY

    Twenty-five years ago, “The Perfect Storm” roared into movie theaters. The disaster flick, starring George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, was a riveting, fictionalized account of commercial swordfishing in New England and a crew who went down in a violent storm.

    The anniversary of the film’s release, on June 30, 2000, provides an opportunity to reflect on the real-life changes to New England’s commercial fishing industry.

    Fishing was once more open to all

    In the true story behind the movie, six men lost their lives in late October 1991 when the commercial swordfishing vessel Andrea Gail disappeared in a fierce storm in the North Atlantic as it was headed home to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

    At the time, and until very recently, almost all commercial fisheries were open access, meaning there were no restrictions on who could fish.

    There were permit requirements and regulations about where, when and how you could fish, but anyone with the means to purchase a boat and associated permits, gear, bait and fuel could enter the fishery. Eight regional councils established under a 1976 federal law to manage fisheries around the U.S. determined how many fish could be harvested prior to the start of each fishing season.

    Fishing has been an integral part of coastal New England culture since its towns were established. In this 1899 photo, a New England community weighs and packs mackerel.
    Charles Stevenson/Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

    Fishing started when the season opened and continued until the catch limit was reached. In some fisheries, this resulted in a “race to the fish” or a “derby,” where vessels competed aggressively to harvest the available catch in short amounts of time. The limit could be reached in a single day, as happened in the Pacific halibut fishery in the late 1980s.

    By the 1990s, however, open access systems were coming under increased criticism from economists as concerns about overfishing rose.

    The fish catch peaked in New England in 1987 and would remain far above what the fish population could sustain for two more decades. Years of overfishing led to the collapse of fish stocks, including North Atlantic cod in 1992 and Pacific sardine in 2015.

    As populations declined, managers responded by cutting catch limits to allow more fish to survive and reproduce. Fishing seasons were shortened, as it took less time for the fleets to harvest the allowed catch. It became increasingly hard for fishermen to catch enough fish to earn a living.

    Saving fisheries changed the industry

    In the early 2000s, as these economic and environmental challenges grew, fisheries managers started limiting access. Instead of allowing anyone to fish, only vessels or individuals meeting certain eligibility requirements would have the right to fish.

    The most common method of limiting access in the U.S. is through limited entry permits, initially awarded to individuals or vessels based on previous participation or success in the fishery. Another approach is to assign individual harvest quotas or “catch shares” to permit holders, limiting how much each boat can bring in.

    In 2007, Congress amended the 1976 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to promote the use of limited access programs in U.S. fisheries.

    Ships in the fleet out of New Bedford, Mass.
    Henry Zbyszynski/Flickr, CC BY

    Today, limited access is common, and there are positive signs that the management change is helping achieve the law’s environmental goal of preventing overfishing. Since 2000, the populations of 50 major fishing stocks have been rebuilt, meaning they have recovered to a level that can once again support fishing.

    I’ve been following the changes as a lawyer focused on ocean and coastal issues, and I see much work still to be done.

    Forty fish stocks are currently being managed under rebuilding plans that limit catch to allow the stock to grow, including Atlantic cod, which has struggled to recover due to a complex combination of factors, including climatic changes.

    The lingering effect on communities today

    While many fish stocks have recovered, the effort came at an economic cost to many individual fishermen. The limited-access Northeast groundfish fishery, which includes Atlantic cod, haddock and flounder, shed nearly 800 crew positions between 2007 and 2015.

    The loss of jobs and revenue from fishing impacts individual family income and relationships, strains other businesses in fishing communities, and affects those communities’ overall identity and resilience, as illustrated by a recent economic snapshot of the Alaska seafood industry.

    When original limited-access permit holders leave the business – for economic, personal or other reasons – their permits are either terminated or sold to other eligible permit holders, leading to fewer active vessels in the fleet. As a result, the number of vessels fishing for groundfish has declined from 719 in 2007 to 194 in 2023, meaning fewer jobs.

    A fisherman unloads a portion of his catch for the day of 300 pounds of groundfish, including flounder, in January 2006 in Gloucester, Mass.
    AP Photo/Lisa Poole

    Because of their scarcity, limited-access permits can cost upward of US$500,000, which is often beyond the financial means of a small businesses or a young person seeking to enter the industry. The high prices may also lead retiring fishermen to sell their permits, as opposed to passing them along with the vessels to the next generation.

    These economic forces have significantly altered the fishing industry, leading to more corporate and investor ownership, rather than the family-owned operations that were more common in the Andrea Gail’s time.

    Similar to the experience of small family farms, fishing captains and crews are being pushed into corporate arrangements that reduce their autonomy and revenues.

    Consolidation can threaten the future of entire fleets, as New Bedford, Massachusetts, saw when Blue Harvest Fisheries, backed by a private equity firm, bought up vessels and other assets and then declared bankruptcy a few years later, leaving a smaller fleet and some local business and fishermen unpaid for their work. A company with local connections bought eight vessels from Blue Harvest along with 48 state and federal permits the company held.

    New challenges and unchanging risks

    While there are signs of recovery for New England’s fisheries, challenges continue.

    Warming water temperatures have shifted the distribution of some species, affecting where and when fish are harvested. For example, lobsters have moved north toward Canada. When vessels need to travel farther to find fish, that increases fuel and supply costs and time away from home.

    Fisheries managers will need to continue to adapt to keep New England’s fisheries healthy and productive.

    One thing that, unfortunately, hasn’t changed is the dangerous nature of the occupation. Between 2000 and 2019, 414 fishermen died in 245 disasters.

    Stephanie Otts receives funding from the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program through the U.S. Department of Commerce. Previous support for fisheries management legal research provided by The Nature Conservancy.

    – ref. Checking in on New England fisheries 25 Years after ‘The Perfect Storm’ hit movie theaters – https://theconversation.com/checking-in-on-new-england-fisheries-25-years-after-the-perfect-storm-hit-movie-theaters-255076

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Blocking exports and raising tariffs is a bad defense against industrial cyber espionage, study shows

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By William Akoto, Assistant Professor of Global Security, American University

    Cutting off China’s access to advanced U.S. chips is likely to motivate Chinese cyber espionage. kritsapong jieantaratip/iStock via Getty Images

    The United States is trying to decouple its economy from rivals like China. Efforts toward this include policymakers raising tariffs on Chinese goods, blocking exports of advanced technology and offering subsidies to boost American manufacturing. The goal is to reduce reliance on China for critical products in hopes that this will also protect U.S. intellectual property from theft.

    The idea that decoupling will help stem state-sponsored cyber-economic espionage has become a key justification for these measures. For instance, then-U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai framed the continuation of China-specific tariffs as serving the “statutory goal to stop [China’s] harmful … cyber intrusions and cyber theft.” Early tariff rounds during the first Trump administration were likewise framed as forcing Beijing to confront “deeply entrenched” theft of U.S. intellectual property.

    This push to “onshore” key industries is driven by very real concerns. By some estimates, theft of U.S. trade secrets, often through hacking – costs the American economy hundreds of billions of dollars per year. In that light, decoupling is a defensive economic shield – a way to keep vital technology out of an adversary’s reach.

    But will decoupling and cutting trade ties truly make America’s innovations safer from prying eyes? I’m a political scientist who studies state-sponsored cyber espionage, and my research suggests that the answer is a definitive no. Indeed, it might actually have the opposite effect.

    To understand why, it helps to look at what really drives state-sponsored hacking.

    Rivalry, not reliance

    Intuitively, you might think a country is most tempted to steal secrets from a nation it depends on. For example, if Country A must import jet engines or microchips from Country B, Country A might try to hack Country B’s companies to copy that technology and become self-sufficient. This is the industrial dependence theory of cyber theft.

    There is some truth to this motive. If your economy needs what another country produces, stealing that know-how can boost your own industries and reduce reliance. However, in a recent study, I show that a more powerful predictor of cyber espionage is industrial similarity. Countries with overlapping advanced industries such as aerospace, electronics or pharmaceuticals are the ones most likely to target each other with cyberattacks.

    Why would having similar industries spur more spying? The reason is competition. If two nations both specialize in cutting-edge sectors, each has a lot to gain by stealing the other’s innovations.

    If you’re a tech powerhouse, you have valuable secrets worth stealing, and you have the capability and motivation to steal others’ secrets. In essence, simply trading with a rival isn’t the core issue. Rather, it’s the underlying technological rivalry that fuels espionage.

    For example, a cyberattack in 2012 targeted SolarWorld, a U.S. solar panel manufacturer, and the perpetrators stole the company’s trade secrets. Chinese solar companies then developed competing products based on the stolen designs, costing SolarWorld millions in lost revenue. This is a classic example of industrial similarity at work. China was building its own solar industry, so it hacked a U.S. rival to leapfrog in technology.

    China has made major investments in its cyber-espionage capabilities.

    Boosting trade barriers can fan the flames

    Crucially, cutting trade ties doesn’t remove this rivalry. If anything, decoupling might intensify it. When the U.S. and China exchange tariff blows or cut off tech transfers, it doesn’t make China give up – it likely pushes Chinese intelligence agencies to work even harder to steal what they can’t buy.

    This dynamic isn’t unique to China. Any country that suddenly loses access to an important technology may turn to espionage as Plan B.

    History provides examples. When South Africa was isolated by sanctions in the 1980s, it covertly obtained nuclear weapons technology. Similarly, when Israel faced arms embargoes in the 1960s, it engaged in clandestine efforts to get military technology. Isolation can breed desperation, and hacking is a low-cost, high-reward tool for the desperate.

    If decoupling won’t end cyber espionage, what will?

    There’s no easy fix for state-sponsored hacking as long as countries remain locked in high-tech competition. However, there are steps that can mitigate the damage and perhaps dial down the frequency of these attacks.

    One is investing in cyber defense. Just as a homeowner adds locks and alarms after a burglary, companies and governments should continually strengthen their cyber defenses. Assuming that espionage attempts are likely to happen is key. Advanced network monitoring, employee training against phishing, and robust encryption can make it much harder for hackers to succeed, even if they keep trying.

    Another is building resilience and redundancy. If you know that some secrets might get stolen, plan for it. Businesses can shorten product development cycles and innovate faster so that even if a rival copies today’s tech, you’re already moving on to the next generation. Staying ahead of thieves is a form of defense, too.

    Ultimately, rather than viewing tariffs and export bans as silver bullets against espionage, U.S. leaders and industry might be safer focusing on resilience and stress-testing cybersecurity firms. Make it harder for adversaries to steal secrets, and less rewarding even if they do.

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

    – ref. Blocking exports and raising tariffs is a bad defense against industrial cyber espionage, study shows – https://theconversation.com/blocking-exports-and-raising-tariffs-is-a-bad-defense-against-industrial-cyber-espionage-study-shows-258243

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: More than half of US teens have had at least one cavity, but fluoride programs in schools help prevent them – new research

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christina Scherrer, Professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Kennesaw State University

    The research looked at the results of 31 studies and a total sample of more than 60,000 students. monkeybusinessimages/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    Programs delivering fluoride varnish in schools significantly reduce cavities in children. That is a key finding of our recently published study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

    Fluoride varnish is a liquid that is applied to the teeth by a trained provider to reduce cavities. It does not require special dental devices and can be applied quickly in various settings.

    Our research team found that school fluoride varnish programs, implemented primarily in communities with lower incomes and high cavity risk among children, achieve meaningful rates of student participation and reduced new cavities by 32% in permanent teeth and by 25% in primary – or “baby” – teeth.

    We also found that school fluoride varnish programs reduced the progression of small cavities to more severe cavities by 10%. This positive impact held true among school children of various ages in preschool through high school, in rural or urban areas and in communities with and without fluoridated tap water. Fluoride varnish remained effective when delivered by various providers, including dentists, hygienists or trained lay workers.

    This research was a large team collaboration on a systematic review, led by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and from our universities. A systematic review is when researchers carefully collect and study all the best available research on a specific topic to figure out what the overall evidence shows.

    Ultimately, our conclusions were based on 31 published studies that were reported in 43 peer-reviewed articles involving 60,780 students.

    Diets high in sugar promote cavities.

    Why is this important?

    Although preventable, dental cavities are very common, with well over half of teenagers affected.

    Untreated tooth decay can diminish a child’s ability to eat, speak, learn and play, and can negatively affect school attendance and grades.

    Reducing tooth decay in youths is a national health objective.

    In addition, we believe that since there is a growing movement in the U.S. to remove water fluoridation, other ways of protecting teeth with fluoride, such as toothpaste and varnish, will become more important. About three-quarters of the U.S. population using public water systems has been receiving fluoridated water at levels designed to strengthen enamel and prevent cavities. They will be at higher risk for cavities if fluoride is removed from their drinking water.

    Fluoride varnish is recommended by the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and others. However, many children don’t receive recommended preventive dental services, including fluoride varnish, at dental visits, with some estimates as low as 18% for children from families in low-income households.

    This makes schools an important setting for delivery of fluoride varnish to increase access. Students typically receive a dental exam, oral health education and supplies, and referrals for dental care. Depending on state regulations, the varnish can be applied by dental and medical professionals or trained lay workers.

    Our work led to the recommendation of school fluoride varnish by the Community Preventive Services Task Force, an independent panel of nationally recognized public health experts that provides evidence-based recommendations on programs and services to protect and improve health in the United States.

    What still isn’t known

    Limited funds are a barrier. We believe that further understanding the ways to reduce the cost of these programs would help to expand them and reach more students.

    One key opportunity is relaxing the restrictions on application by health professionals such as medical assistants and registered nurses, which is allowed in some states but not others.

    Programs also sometimes struggle to get schools and families fully engaged. More research could help us determine the best ways to increase the percentage of families that return their consent forms and make school fluoride programs easier to run.

    Another barrier is that many states only provide insurance reimbursement for these programs through age 6. Thus, increasing the eligibility age served by medical providers can serve more children, increase the number of these programs and protect more children’s teeth from decay – supporting oral and overall health.

    The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

    Christina Scherrer receives funding related to this research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Shillpa Naavaal received funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) related to this research. She is an executive board member and treasurer of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry.

    – ref. More than half of US teens have had at least one cavity, but fluoride programs in schools help prevent them – new research – https://theconversation.com/more-than-half-of-us-teens-have-had-at-least-one-cavity-but-fluoride-programs-in-schools-help-prevent-them-new-research-259124

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Philly psychology students map out local landmarks and hidden destinations where they feel happiest

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Eric Zillmer, Professor of Neuropsychology, Drexel University

    Rittenhouse Square Park in Center City made it onto the Philly Happiness Map. Matthew Lovette/Jumping Rocks/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    What makes you happy? Perhaps a good night’s sleep, or a wonderful meal with friends?

    I am the director of the Happiness Lab at Drexel University, where I also teach a course on happiness. The Happiness Lab is a think tank that investigates the ingredients that contribute to people’s happiness.

    Often, my students ask me something along the lines of, “Dr. Z, tell us one thing that will make us happier.”

    As a first step, I advise them to spend more time outside.

    Achieving lasting and sustainable happiness is more complicated. Research on the happiest countries in the world and the places where people live the longest, known as Blue Zones, shows a common thread: Residents feel they are part of something larger than themselves, such as a community or a city.

    So if you’re living in a metropolis like Philadelphia, where, incidentally, the iconic pursuit of happiness charge was ratified in the Declaration of Independence, I believe urban citizenship – that is, forming an identity with your urban surroundings – should also be on your list.

    The Greek island of Ikaria in the Aegean Sea is a Blue Zone famous for its residents’ longevity.
    Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Safety, social connection, beauty

    Carl Jung, the renowned Swiss psychoanalyst, wrote extensively about the relationship between our internal world and our external environment.

    He believed that this relationship was crucial to our psychological well-being.

    More recent research in neuroscience and functional imaging has revealed a vast, intricate and complex neurological architecture underlying our psychological perception of a place. Numerous neurological pathways and functional loops transform a complex neuropsychological process into a simple realization: I am happy here!

    For example, a happy place should feel safe.

    The country of Croatia, a tourist haven for its beauty and culinary delights, is also one of the top 20 safest countries globally, according to the 2025 Global Peace Index.

    The U.S. ranks 128th.

    The availability of good food and drink can also be a significant factor in creating a happy place.

    However, according to American psychologist Abraham Maslow, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology, the opportunity for social connectivity, experiencing something meaningful and having a sense of belonging is more crucial.

    Furthermore, research on happy places suggests that they are beautiful. It should not come as a surprise that the happiest places in the world are also drop-dead gorgeous, such as the Indian Ocean archipelago of Mauritius, which is the happiest country in Africa, according to the 2025 World Happiness Report from the University of Oxford and others.

    Happy places often provide access to nature and promote active lifestyles, which can help relieve stress. The residents of the island of Ikaria in Greece, for example, one of the original Blue Zones, demonstrate high levels of physical activity and social interaction.

    A map of 28 happy places in Philadelphia, based on 243 survey responses from Drexel students.
    The Happiness Lab at Drexel University

    Philly Happiness Map

    I asked my undergraduate psychology students at Drexel, many of whom come from other cities, states and countries, to pick one place in Philadelphia where they feel happy.

    From the 243 student responses, the Happiness Lab curated 28 Philly happy places, based on how frequently the places were endorsed and their accessibility.

    Philadelphia’s founder, William Penn, would likely approve that Rittenhouse Square Park and three other public squares – Logan, Franklin and Washington – were included. These squares were vital to Penn’s vision of landscaped public parks to promote the health of the mind and body by providing “salubrious spaces similar to the private garden.” They are beautiful and approachable, serving as “places to rest, take a pause, work, or read a book,” one student told us.

    Places such as the Philadelphia Zoo, Penn’s Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art are “joyful spots that are fun to explore, and one can also take your parents along if need be,” as another student described.

    The Athenaeum of Philadelphia, a historic library with eclectic programming, feels to one student like “coming home, a perfect third place.”

    Some students mentioned happy places that are less known. These include tucked-away gardens such as the John F. Collings Park at 1707 Chestnut St., the rooftop Cira Green at 129 S. 30th St. and the James G. Kaskey Memorial Park and BioPond at 433 S. University Ave.

    The James G. Kaskey Memorial Park and BioPond in West Philadelphia is an urban oasis.
    M. Fischetti for Visit Philadelphia

    My students said these are small, unexpected spots that provide an excellent opportunity for a quiet, peaceful break, to be present, whether enjoyed alone or with a friend. I checked them out and I agree.

    The students also mentioned places I had never heard of even though I’ve lived in the city for over 30 years.

    The “cat park” at 526 N. Natrona St. in Mantua is a quiet little park with an eclectic personality and lots of friendly cats.

    Mango Mango Dessert at 1013 Cherry St. in Chinatown, which is a frequently endorsed happiness spot among the students because of its “bustling streets, lively atmosphere and delicious food,” is a perfect pit stop for mango lovers. And Maison Sweet, at 2930 Chestnut St. in University City, is a casual bakery and cafe “where you may end up staying longer than planned,” one student shared.

    I find that Philly’s happy places, as seen through the eyes of college students, tend to offer a space for residents to take time out from their day to pause, reset, relax and feel more connected and in touch with the city.

    Happiness principals are universal, yet our own journeys are very personal. Philadelphians across the city may have their own list of happy places. There are really no right or wrong answers. If you don’t have a personal happy space, just start exploring and you may be surprised what you will find, including a new sense of happiness.

    See the full Philly Happiness Map list here, and visit the exhibit at the W.W. Hagerty Library at Drexel University to learn more.

    Read more of our stories about Philadelphia.

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

    – ref. Philly psychology students map out local landmarks and hidden destinations where they feel happiest – https://theconversation.com/philly-psychology-students-map-out-local-landmarks-and-hidden-destinations-where-they-feel-happiest-258790

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Grover Norquist’s lasting influence on the GOP and US economic policy

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gibbs Knotts, Professor of Political Science, Coastal Carolina University

    Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, speaks on Capitol Hill on Nov. 7, 2017. Alex Wong/Getty Images

    In the “one, big, beautiful bill,” President Donald Trump has called for substantial decreases in federal domestic spending. However, a schism emerged between Republican lawmakers during the budget debates in Congress.

    Some Republicans in blue states called for a tax increase for the wealthiest Americans, prompting longtime anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist to call the increase an “incredibly destructive idea economically, and very foolish politically.”

    As he has done since the 1980s, Norquist demonstrated his influence over the GOP. Since Trump’s second inauguration, he has appeared in several high-profile news stories about the budget, including a Washington Post article where he said, “Tax cuts are income to Americans and a loss to the bureaucracy.”

    Ultimately, the tax increase was defeated, and the Trump budget proposal passed the House on May 22, 2025.

    Norquist praised the leadership from Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, saying taxpayers owe them “bigly for managing a narrow Republican House Majority that was united and committed to reducing taxes on the American people.”

    As scholars of U.S. politics, we examined Norquist’s emergence, traced debates about the scope and size of the American government and assessed Norquist’s relevance in the Donald Trump era, where he continues to wield considerable sway in the Republican Party.

    The conscience of a conservative

    In 1960, a slim, 123-page book changed the trajectory of American conservative thought.

    “The Conscience of a Conservative,” written by Barry Goldwater, laid out the premise that an expansive federal bureaucracy was the root evil of government.

    Four years later, Ronald Reagan launched his political career with a speech supporting Goldwater. His words echoed Goldwater: “No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size … a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we’ll ever see on this earth.”

    Reagan ended the speech by noting, “You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.” Goldwater wouldn’t manifest that destiny, but Reagan, 16 years later, took this vision of fiscal conservatism to the White House.

    By the 1980s, Goldwater’s limited government creed had become part of Republican dogma. Government wasn’t just bloated, according to Reagan. It was, as he noted, the problem. The Reagan presidency ushered in the doctrine of supply-side economics, which rests on the premise that tax cuts are key to stimulating economic growth.

    Norquist’s emergence

    Into this landscape stepped a young Norquist.

    He had cut his teeth at the National Taxpayer’s Union, a fiscally conservative taxpayer advocacy group. Then, in 1981, he became the executive director of the College Republican National Committee.

    In the first issue of CR Report, a college Republican newsletter, Norquist’s position as executive director was announced, and he provided a list of suggested readings. Among the titles he recommended were Goldwater’s “Conscience,” Milton Friedman’s “Capitalism and Freedom” and Friedrich Hayek’s “The Road to Serfdom.”

    In 1985, Norquist founded Americans for Tax Reform to support his tax reduction efforts. As Norquist noted, “The tax issue is one thing everyone agrees on.”

    He and his organization effectively institutionalized a permanent tax revolt in Congress supported by his “Taxpayer Protection Pledge,” a promise made starting in 1986 to oppose all efforts to increase marginal tax rates or reduce deductions or credits.

    The pledge became a litmus test for fiscally conservative GOP candidates and cemented the party’s anti-tax stance.

    Feeling this pressure, GOP nominee George H.W. Bush delivered his famous line, “read my lips, no new taxes,” at the 1988 Republican National Convention. Those six words were repeatedly used by primary challenger Pat Buchanan and Bush’s opponent in the general election, Bill Clinton, to raise questions about Bush’s honesty – since he made a pledge that he was unable to keep.

    Newt Gingrich, speaker of the House of Representatives, holds up a copy of the ‘Contract With America’ during a speech on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in April 1995.
    Richard Ellis/AFP via Getty Images

    With Clinton in the White House in 1994, Norquist helped House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich write the “Contract with America” to legislate fiscal conservatism. Weaponizing government shutdowns and setting a more confrontational tone, congressional Republicans successfully rolled back welfare programs, reduced the size of government and cut taxes.

    In 1995, they came two votes shy in the Senate of approving an amendment to the Constitution that would have required the federal budget to be balanced – with no borrowing – every year.

    Anti-tax conservatism in the 21st century

    In 2001, Norquist told a reporter at The Nation: “My goal is to cut government in half in twenty-five years to get it down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub.”

    This objective would have to wait during the George W. Bush presidency. Resulting in part from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration saw dramatic expansions of federal power and spending in homeland security, defense and Medicare, as well as a large increase in the budget deficit.

    The tea party movement, a fiscally conservative political group, was formed in response to these Bush-era increases and two signature programs of the Barack Obama administration: the massive stimulus package, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and his signature health care reform, the Affordable Care Act.

    Norquist reveled in renewed attention to tax policies and the size of government, urging readers of The Guardian to “join the Tea Party movement.”

    Norquist’s continuing legacy

    For more than four decades, Norquist has been a relentless advocate for fiscal conservatism. He is the living embodiment of an ideological thread that stretches from Goldwater to Reagan to Gingrich to current GOP leadership.

    Grover Norquist waits for the arrival of President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House on March 21, 2019.
    AP Photo/Evan Vucci

    The ongoing debates about the Trump budget are just the latest example of Norquist’s influence. He continues to play an active role in debates about the federal budget and still has considerable sway with Republicans.

    However, Norquist’s uncompromising stance on taxes has coincided with increases in federal spending, surging budget deficits and increased national debt.

    That additional debt is accumulating because many Republicans have adopted his anti-tax position while simultaneously increasing defense budgets, maintaining or expanding entitlement spending and lowering taxes on the wealthiest Americans.

    Nevertheless, Norquist continues to be the fiscal conscience of the Republican Party. Politicians come and go. Powerful ideas, and those who champion them, endure.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Grover Norquist’s lasting influence on the GOP and US economic policy – https://theconversation.com/grover-norquists-lasting-influence-on-the-gop-and-us-economic-policy-256978

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory F. Treverton, Professor of Practice in International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

    Iranians protest the U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Tehran on June 22, 2025. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    The Trump administration’s decision to bomb Iran dramatically marks the now nearly half-century of hostility between the United States and Iran, which began in 1979 with Iran’s takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the taking of 52 diplomatic hostages.

    It remains uncertain whether the Iran-Israel ceasefire will hold, given President Donald Trump’s seemingly impulsive policy decisions and an Israeli leader who critics say pursues war to stay in power.

    Additional unpredictability can be seen in a weakened Iran government that is unpopular with its own people but must also bet that standing up to the U.S. and Israel will induce its people to rally around the flag, even if they don’t like who holds that flag.

    As a U.S. international relations scholar, I think whatever comes next will be well informed by what has already happened in U.S.-Iran history. That includes an offer from Trump – who considers himself the consummate negotiator – to Iran to return to the negotiating table.

    The shah’s last visit to Washington

    The opening bracket in modern U.S.-Iran relations was the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi,“ whom a CIA covert action had restored to leadership a quarter-century earlier.

    As a young National Security Council staffer, I stood on the South Lawn of the White House as the shah’s helicopter landed in 1977 for a state visit to his close ally, the United States.

    The episode was perhaps a metaphor for the two countries’ relationship. I stood next to a colleague who had written for President Jimmy Carter remarks that included fulsome praise of the shah, but his crack to me was: “You’ll recognize the shah. He’s the one with blood under his fingernails.” Beneath a formal alliance, there was a good deal of cynicism on the U.S. part about the shah’s repressive regime and use of secret police to suppress opposition.

    Pro- and anti-shah protesters were demonstrating at the bottom of the Ellipse, the park south of the White House grounds. The U.S. Park Police, understandably but unwisely, sought to separate them with tear gas, which then wafted over the proceedings on the South Lawn.

    The Shah of Iran wipes tear gas from his eyes as President Jimmy Carter speaks on the South Lawn of the White House on Nov. 15, 1977.
    AP Photo

    The impact of the hostage crisis

    It’s impossible to overstate the effect of the 1979 hostage crisis, when Iranian students seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, holding 62 American hostages for 444 days.

    The Carter administration negotiated the Algiers Accords, which led to the release of the hostages in January 1981. There have been persistent accounts, none ever fully validated, that the incoming Reagan administration dealt with Iran to delay the release until after the new president’s inauguration.

    The crisis not only cost Carter his job, but it also cast an enduring shadow over the U.S.-Iran relationship, compounding Americans’ difficulty in understanding a regime that was not only theocratic but Muslim.

    The 1980s witnessed a whipsaw of relations.

    From 1980 to 1988, as Iran and Iraq fought a bloody war to a stalemate, the U.S. saw the power of both countries contained, but it did provide intelligence and logistical support to Iraq.

    Then came the Iran-Contra Affair of 1985 to 1987. It was the Reagan administration’s most serious scandal, in which White House officials illegally sold sanctioned arms to Iran and secretly diverted the proceeds to the Nicaraguan Contras. In a moment straight out of comic opera, National Security Council aides brought a goodwill chocolate cake to Tehran during a secret diplomatic mission in May 1986.

    Unidentified U.S. hostages arrive on Jan. 21, 1981, at Rhein-Main U.S. Air Force base in Frankfurt, West Germany, one day after their release from Iran.
    AP Photo

    In 1988, a U.S. ship struck an Iranian mine in the Persian Gulf. The U.S. retaliated by destroying oil platforms and damaging Iranian ships in “Operation Praying Mantis,” and tragically – and mistakenly – shot down Iran Air Flight 655, killing 290 civilians.

    The 1990s and 2000s again displayed the limits of the relationship.

    In 1995, President Bill Clinton imposed an oil and trade embargo against Iran, and Congress passed the Iran–Libya Sanctions Act in 1996, which imposed economic sanctions on companies doing business with Iran and Libya.

    In 1998, Iranian President Mohammad Khatami called for a “dialogue of civilizations,” prompting cautious U.S. signals of engagement.

    Then, in 2002, President George W. Bush labeled Iran part of the “axis of evil,” a sharp rhetorical escalation. For its part, Iran alleged U.S. drone incursions and covert operations. Limited diplomatic back channels emerged, but to no outcome.

    In 2009, President Barack Obama reached out to Tehran amid post-election unrest in Iran, but two years later Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for oil shipments to the West.

    In 2015, the two countries were party to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, with Iran agreeing to limit its nuclear program under international oversight.

    Two years later, though, President Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal and reimposed sweeping sanctions in a “maximum pressure” campaign.

    In 2019 and 2020, a series of tit-for-tat escalations culminated in the Jan. 3, 2020, U.S. drone strike that assassinated senior Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on U.S. bases in the region.

    U.S. sanctions continued in the Biden administration as Iran pursued deeper ties with Russia, China and nonstate proxies, especially Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen.

    What lessons?

    What can be learned from this tangled history?

    First, that negotiations are possible between the two countries, but they are neither easy nor likely to produce more than limited outcomes. Indeed, high-level indirect talks mediated by Oman began in April 2025, though they were in suspension when the U.S. bombers struck.

    Second, despite the Iran regime’s unpopularity, regime change in Iran is unlikely. Assassinating Ayatollah Ali Khameini would likely abet the “rally ‘round the flag” effect, as did the assassination of Soleimani.

    Third, Iran has been careful in its responses even to Israeli aggression but especially in engaging the U.S. in military conflict, a caution the American B-2 bombings on June 21 can only underscore.

    Iran had to retaliate, so the attack on the U.S. base in Qatar came as no surprise. But Iran was careful in retaliating, even notifying the U.S. in advance.

    The dropping of U.S. bombs, followed by Iran’s careful retaliation, was the opportunity for Trump to make an offer Iran couldn’t refuse.

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

    – ref. What happens next in US-Iran relations will be informed by the two countries’ shared history – https://theconversation.com/what-happens-next-in-us-iran-relations-will-be-informed-by-the-two-countries-shared-history-259607

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mitochondria can sense bacteria and trigger your immune system to trap them – revealing new ways to treat infections and autoimmunity 

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andrew Monteith, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, University of Tennessee

    Neutrophils (yellow) eject a NET (green) to ensnare bacteria (purple). Other cells, such as red blood cells (orange), may also get trapped. CHDENK/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Mitochondria have primarily been known as the energy-producing components of cells. But scientists are increasingly discovering that these small organelles do much more than just power cells. They are also involved in immune functions such as controlling inflammation, regulating cell death and responding to infections.

    Research from my colleagues and I revealed that mitochondria play another key role in your immune response: sensing bacterial activity and helping neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, trap and kill them.

    For the past 16 years, my research has focused on understanding the decisions immune cells make during infection and how the breakdown of these decision-making processes cause disease. My lab’s recent findings shed light on why people with autoimmune diseases such as lupus may struggle to fight infections, revealing a potential link between dysfunctional mitochondria and weakened immune defenses.

    Mitochondria do so much more than just produce energy.
    OpenStax, CC BY-SA

    The immune system’s secret weapons

    Neutrophils are the most abundant type of immune cell and serve as the immune system’s first responders. One of their key defense mechanisms is releasing neutrophil extracellular traps, or NETs – weblike structures composed of DNA and antimicrobial proteins. These sticky NETs trap and neutralize invading microbes, preventing their spread in the body.

    Until recently, scientists believed that NET formation was primarily triggered by cellular stress and damage. However, our study found that mitochondria can detect a specific bacterial byproduct – lactate – and use that signal to initiate NET formation.

    Lactate is commonly associated with muscle fatigue in people. But in the context of bacterial infections, it plays a different role. Many bacteria release lactate as part of their own energy production. My team found that once bacteria are engulfed by a compartment of the cell called the phagosome, neutrophils can sense the presence of this lactate.

    Inside the phagosome, this lactate communicates to the neutrophil that bacteria are present and that the antibacterial processes are not sufficient to kill these pathogens. When the mitochondria in neutrophil cells detect this lactate, they start signaling for the cell to get rid of the NETs that have entrapped bacteria. Once the bacteria are released outside the cell, other immune cells can kill them.

    Here, a neutrophil engulfs MRSA bacteria (green).

    When we blocked the mitochondria’s ability to sense lactate, neutrophils failed to produce NETs effectively. This meant bacteria were more likely to escape capture and proliferate, showing how crucial this mechanism is to immune defense. This process highlights an intricate dialogue between the bacteria’s metabolism and the host cell’s energy machinery.

    What makes this finding surprising is that the mitochondria within cells are able to detect bacteria trapped in phagosomes, even though the microbes are enclosed in a separate space. Somehow, mitochondrial sensors can pick up cues from within these compartments – an impressive feat of cellular coordination.

    Targeting mitochondria to fight infections

    Our study is part of a growing field called immunometabolism, which explores how metabolism and immune function are deeply intertwined. Rather than viewing cellular metabolism as strictly a means to generate energy, researchers are now recognizing it as a central driver of immune decisions.

    Mitochondria sit at the heart of this interaction. Their ability to sense, respond to and even shape the metabolic environment of a cell gives them a critical role in determining how and when immune responses are deployed.

    For example, our findings provide a key reason why patients with a chronic autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus often suffer from recurrent infections. Mitochondria in the neutrophils of lupus patients fail to sense bacterial lactate properly. As a result, NET production was significantly reduced. This mitochondrial dysfunction could explain why lupus patients are more vulnerable to bacterial infections – even though their immune systems are constantly activated due to the disease.

    This observation points to mitochondria’s central role in balancing immune responses. It connects two seemingly unrelated issues: immune overactivity, as seen in lupus, and immune weakness like increased susceptibility to infection. When mitochondria work correctly, they help neutrophils mount an effective, targeted attack on bacteria. But when mitochondria are impaired, this system breaks down.

    Neutrophils unable to effectively produce NETs may contribute to the development of lupus.
    Luz Blanco/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases via Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA

    Our discovery that mitochondria can sense bacterial lactate to trigger NET formation opens up new possibilities for treating infections. For instance, drugs that enhance mitochondrial sensing could boost NET production in people with weakened immune systems. On the flip side, for conditions where NETs contribute to tissue damage – such as in severe COVID-19 or autoimmune diseases – it might be beneficial to limit this response.

    Additionally, our study raises the question of whether other immune cells use similar mechanisms to sense microbial metabolites, and whether other bacterial byproducts might serve as immune signals. Understanding these pathways in more detail could lead to new treatments that modulate immune responses more precisely, reducing collateral damage while preserving antimicrobial defenses.

    Mitochondria are not just the powerhouses of the cell – they are the immune system’s watchtowers, alert to even the faintest metabolic signals of bacterial invaders. As researchers’ understanding of their roles expands, so too does our appreciation for the complexity – and adaptability – of our cellular defenses.

    Andrew Monteith receives funding from the National Institute of Health.

    – ref. Mitochondria can sense bacteria and trigger your immune system to trap them – revealing new ways to treat infections and autoimmunity  – https://theconversation.com/mitochondria-can-sense-bacteria-and-trigger-your-immune-system-to-trap-them-revealing-new-ways-to-treat-infections-and-autoimmunity-255939

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –