Category: Australia

MIL-OSI Australia: First students for Aunty Agnes Shea High School
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The new school’s logo and uniform design derive from an artwork created by Aunty Agnes Shea’s granddaughter.
In brief:
- The first students are now attending Canberra’s newest public school – Aunty Agnes Shea High School.
- The school is named after late senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Agnes Shea.
- This week, over 50,000 students return to public schools across the ACT.
The brand-new Aunty Agnes Shea High School in Taylor welcomes its first students this week.

The ACT’s 92nd public school, it will cater to up to 800 years 7–10 students in the growing suburbs of north Gungahlin.

The new school’s students are among over 50,000 returning to public schools across Canberra.

Named for a great Canberran

The new school’s name honours late senior Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Agnes Shea.

The school’s logo and uniform design derive from the artwork ‘Journeys’ about Aunty Agnes Shea.

Artist Selina Walker is Aunty Agnes Shea’s granddaughter. She gifted ‘Journeys’ to the school.

The logo was co-designed with Aunty Agnes Shea’s family. The school’s first cohort of students and their families also contributed to how ‘Journeys’ is shown on the school uniform.

Contemporary facilities

The school features state-of-the-art learning spaces. It is also fully electric in its operations. The buildings use sustainable materials and a large solar panel array.

Students can also enjoy:
- a double gym with basketball, netball, futsal, volleyball and badminton markings
- a covered hard court suitable for basketball and netball
- kickabout spaces for ball sports
- external fitness equipment.
Spaces in the school are available for community use.

Aunty Agnes Shea OAM

Aunty Agnes Josephine Shea OAM dedicated most of her life to bettering the world for future generations of Aboriginal Australians.

She worked tirelessly in many different roles for the varying range of communities that call Ngunnawal Country home.

Aunty Agnes Shea’s achievements and dedication have been recognised over the years.

In 2001 she was awarded the Centenary Medal. In 2004, she received the Medal of the Order of Australia.

In 2010 she was awarded an ACT Senior Citizen of the Year award. She also gained a place on the ACT Honour Walk that same year.

Find more on the Aunty Agnes Shea High School website.

^{The brand-new school offers state-of-the-art facilities.}

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MIL OSI News –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Your guide to adopting a dog in Canberra
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
- This story includes some lesser-known considerations for adopting a dog.
Dogs are wonderful companions that bring joy to their families.

Owning a dog can help people to:
be more active
feel less lonely
socialise more
find a sense of purpose.
Before you bring a dog into your family, there are a few things to consider. Here are a few points that people don’t often talk about:

Each dog has a different personality

You may have expected that your new pup will love fetch and swimming. But then find they prefer tug and digging instead.

Spend some time getting to know your dog. Discovering their personality and temperament can be rewarding. Their genetics and history can inform how they react to different people, toys and other animals. Breed can also play a part in their temperament.

It can take three months for your dog to adjust to their new environment

Moving into a new home can be stressful for a dog. This is common for dogs who have come from a noisy shelter environment.

In the first three days, your dog will be decompressing. They may seem scared or unsure. During this time, you might not see their ‘true’ personality.

After three weeks, your pup will start settling in. Their personality will start to show as they get more comfortable. After three months it’s likely that your dog will be comfortable and trust you. It’s important to take this time with them and not try to rush them

You will always need to care for your dog – even on your hardest days

Taking your dog on a walk on a beautiful Sunday is wonderful, but not every day will be easy.

Remember that dogs still need to go for a walk even when you don’t feel like it. Your dog will still need to be looked after when you’re feeling sick, sad or stressed. Consider if you need a support system to help you look after your pet on difficult days.

Owning a dog will change the way your home looks

When you have a dog, your floor may always have a few toys strewn about. There may also be stray pieces of dog food and dog hair on it.

You may also need to change the way you decorate your home. This is to keep fragile items out of your dog’s reach. You should also consider if you are ready to clean up after your dog potentially having toileting accidents inside.

Your social life will look a bit different

Most dogs can be left alone for hours at a time. There are also pet-friendly venues around Canberra.

Even so, you should prepare for times where you need to leave an event early to be with your dog.

There may also be times where your pet is unwell. You may need to miss social occasions to care for them. Consider if these are sacrifices you are willing to make for your pet.

Travelling can be more challenging

Looking for dog-friendly accommodation while traveling can be difficult and expensive. It can also be hard to find someone to look after your pet if you plan on leaving them at home.

Before getting a dog, ask friends or family if they would be willing to look after your pet while you travel. You can also check out the costs of pet-boarding or pet-sitters. It’s important to be aware of these potential costs before getting a dog.

Dogs cost money

In addition to buying dog food, toys, and other treats, in the ACT, owners must register, microchip, de-sex their dog which costs money. There are also licences and permits you may need to obtain if you wish to breed your dog or if there are 4 or more dogs living at your residence.

Dogs also need regular check-ups and vaccinations to keep them happy and healthy. Dogs can also have accidents from time-to-time which need to be seen to by a veterinarian, often at short notice. Consider whether you can financially look after a dog to give it the best life possible.

Moving your pet interstate and overseas can be costly

Most Australian airlines will not allow pets in the cabin. You might want to consider if you’re comfortable with your pet in the cargo hold, or if you’re comfortable driving interstate with your pet.

If an international move is on the cards during your pets’ lifespan, you need to factor in the extra cost of bringing them. Moving your pet internationally can be costly.

Having realistic expectations of what having a dog looks like is important for making informed decisions. A common reason for dogs being surrendered is because owners weren’t aware of the challenges of pet ownership.
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MIL OSI News –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 216

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL6

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 216
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
535 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Northwest Georgia

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 535 PM until
1100 PM EDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph possible
Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Clusters of storms will spread eastward from northern
Alabama into northwest Georgia through late evening with the
potential to produce occasional damaging gusts up to 65 mph and
large hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 35
statute miles east and west of a line from 45 miles north northeast
of Rome GA to 30 miles southeast of Rome GA. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU6).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW
211…WW 212…WW 213…WW 214…WW 215…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 55 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
27025.

…Thompson

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW6
WW 216 SEVERE TSTM GA 022135Z – 030300Z
AXIS..35 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
45NNE RMG/ROME GA/ – 30SE RMG/ROME GA/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 30NM E/W /14E GQO – 31NW ATL/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..55 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 27025.

LAT…LON 34958425 34048419 34048541 34958548

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU6.

Watch 216 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (10%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low ( 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (40%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Low (20%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (70%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025

MIL-OSI: Element Announces Annual Meeting Voting Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Element Fleet Management Corp. (TSX:EFN) (“Element” or the “Company”), the largest publicly traded, pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world, confirmed today that all ten nominees listed in its management information circular dated March 19, 2025 were elected as directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 2, 2025 (the “Meeting”), with each director receiving strong support as demonstrated by the results below. A total of 349,202,443 common shares (approximately 86.53% of the outstanding common shares) were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

“We would like to thank our shareholders for their engagement, as demonstrated by turnout of over 86% of shares voted, and also for their continued support as evidenced by the strong voting outcomes,” said Kathleen Taylor, Chair of the Board.

The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors at the Meeting are set out below:

	Votes for	% for (of votes cast)	Votes withheld	% withheld (of votes cast)
Virginia Addicott	345,419,049	99.34%	2,280,069	0.66%
Laura Dottori-Attanasio	347,680,044	99.99%	19,074	0.01%
Paolo Ferrari	347,637,313	99.98%	61,805	0.02%
G. Keith Graham	344,482,652	99.07%	3,216,466	0.93%
Joan Lamm-Tennant	323,535,370	93.05%	24,163,748	6.95%
Rubin J. McDougal	347,674,592	99.99%	24,526	0.01%
Tracey McVicar	347,429,704	99.92%	269,414	0.08%
Andrea Rosen	343,956,622	98.92%	3,742,496	1.08%
Kathleen Taylor	342,901,957	98.62%	4,797,161	1.38%
Luis Tellez	344,043,244	98.95%	3,655,874	1.05%

In addition, shareholders approved an advisory resolution (say on pay) on executive compensation with 97.51% of votes cast in favour of the resolution, and approved the re-appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent auditors.

For complete results on all matters voted on at the Meeting, see Element’s Report of Voting Results filed on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com.

About Element Fleet Management

Element Fleet Management (TSX: EFN) is the largest publicly traded pure-play automotive fleet manager in the world. As a Purpose-driven company, we provide a full range of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions to optimize and enhance fleet performance for our clients across North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Our services address every aspect of our clients’ fleet requirements, from vehicle acquisition, maintenance, route optimization, risk management, and remarketing, to advising on decarbonization efforts, integration of electric vehicles and managing the complexity of gradual fleet electrification. Clients benefit from Element’s expertise as one of the largest fleet solutions providers in its markets, offering economies of scale and insight used to reduce operating costs and enhance efficiency and performance. At Element, we maximize our clients’ fleet so they can focus on growing their business. For more information, please visit: https://www.elementfleet.com

Contact:

This press release includes forward-looking statements regarding Element and its business. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and views of future events. In some cases the forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “believe” or the negative of these terms, or other similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause Element’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements or information. Such risks and uncertainties include those regarding the fleet management and finance industries, economic factors, regulatory landscape and many other factors beyond the control of Element. A discussion of the material risks and assumptions associated with this outlook can be found in Element’s annual MD&A, and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, each of which has been filed on SEDAR+ and can be accessed at www.sedarplus.com. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Element undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

The MIL Network –

May 3, 2025

MIL-OSI Australia: Driver arrested on North-South Motorway

Source: New South Wales – News

A man was arrested after trying to flee police on the North-South Motorway last night.

Police spotted the man’s vehicle on Bower Road, Semaphore just before 11pm on Friday 2 May but it took off and they called in the police helicopter to follow the black Holden sedan as it turned onto Causeway to head to the Port River Expressway.

The vehicle travelled at high speeds, taking the Northern Connector onto the North-South Motorway, before crashing into a roundabout near the Waterloo Corner Road exit.

The driver abandoned his vehicle and was walking east towards Port Wakefield Road but was easily spotted by police and arrested without further incident.

The 41-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.

He was charged with excessive speed, speed dangerous and drive unlicensed and unregistered. He did not apply for bail and will appear in the Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 5 May.

MIL OSI News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Man arrested after trying to evade police at Parafield Gardens

Source: New South Wales – News

A man has been arrested after trying to evade police at Parafield Gardens last night.

At 8.30pm on Friday 2 May police spotted a red Holden sedan on Martins Road, Parafield Gardens and directed the driver to stop.

The driver refused and took off at speed. The vehicle wasn’t pursued by police as fortunately PolAir was in the area and tracked the vehicle from above. The vehicle was tracked onto John Rice Avenue and the Grove Way where it will be alleged it reached speeds of 120 km/h.

Patrols successfully spiked the vehicle on two occasions on the Grove Way.

The vehicle continued into Fairview Park before stopping on Hamilton Road and the driver attempted to run from the car.

He was swiftly arrested after a short foot chase.

Checks revealed the 32-year-old driver from Banksia Park was currently disqualified from driving.

He was arrested and charged with fail to stop, drive dangerously to escape police, speed dangerous, drive disqualified and resist police.

His vehicle was impounded, and he was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 18 June.

MIL OSI News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 215

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL5

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 215
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
310 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
West Central Texas

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 310 PM until
1000 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Widely scattered supercell thunderstorms are expected to
develop this afternoon across the watch area. These storms will
drift southeastward through the early evening, posing a risk of very
large hail and damaging winds. A tornado is also possible.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 65
statute miles east and west of a line from 80 miles north of Del Rio
TX to 15 miles west southwest of Cotulla TX. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW
211…WW 212…WW 213…WW 214…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
28025.

…Hart

SEL5

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 215
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
310 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
West Central Texas

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 310 PM until
1000 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Widely scattered supercell thunderstorms are expected to
develop this afternoon across the watch area. These storms will
drift southeastward through the early evening, posing a risk of very
large hail and damaging winds. A tornado is also possible.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 65
statute miles east and west of a line from 80 miles north of Del Rio
TX to 15 miles west southwest of Cotulla TX. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU5).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW
211…WW 212…WW 213…WW 214…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
28025.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW5
WW 215 SEVERE TSTM TX 022010Z – 030300Z
AXIS..65 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
80N DRT/DEL RIO TX/ – 15WSW COT/COTULLA TX/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 55NM E/W /56SSW SJT – 53N LRD/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..3 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 28025.

LAT…LON 30529983 28369838 28360052 30520201

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU5.

Watch 215 Status Report Messages:

STATUS REPORT #1 ON WW 215

VALID 022025Z – 022140Z

THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA.

..LYONS..05/02/25

ATTN…WFO…EWX…SJT…

&&

STATUS REPORT FOR WS 215

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

TXC013-019-105-127-137-163-265-267-271-323-325-385-435-463-465-
507-022140-

TX
. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ATASCOSA BANDERA CROCKETT
DIMMIT EDWARDS FRIO
KERR KIMBLE KINNEY
MAVERICK MEDINA REAL
SUTTON UVALDE VAL VERDE
ZAVALA
$$

THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE
REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL
INFORMATION ON COUNTIES…INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES
CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES.
$$

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (20%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low ( 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

High (70%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Mod (60%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (>95%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Microchip Technology Appoints Long-Time TSMC Executive Rick Cassidy to Its Board of Directors

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

CHANDLER, Ariz., May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (NASDAQ: MCHP) – Microchip Technology Incorporated, a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions, today announced that Rick Cassidy, Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy Development at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC) and Chairman of TSMC Arizona, will join the Board of Directors of Microchip effective May 2, 2025.

Regarding Mr. Cassidy’s appointment to the board, Microchip’s President and CEO, Steve Sanghi, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Rick Cassidy to Microchip’s Board of Directors. During his nearly three decades at TSMC, Rick has held significant leadership roles which include President and CEO of TSMC North America, and the founding President and CEO of TSMC Arizona, where today he holds the title of Chairman. He has been instrumental in shaping corporate strategy and driving the success of the fabless semiconductor model. Rick’s extensive background, which also includes key positions at National Semiconductor and service on the Global Semiconductor Alliance Board, brings invaluable expertise in strategy, customer trust, and industry leadership. We are confident that Rick will be a tremendous asset to Microchip, and we look forward to his contributions to our continued success.”

Mr. Cassidy commented, “I am honored to join Microchip’s Board of Directors and look forward to contributing to its ongoing achievements. Microchip’s dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction aligns with my values, and I am excited to help drive strategic growth and further strengthen its position in the semiconductor industry.”

About Microchip:

Microchip Technology Incorporated is a leading provider of smart, connected and secure embedded control solutions. Its easy-to-use development tools and comprehensive product portfolio enable customers to create optimal designs, which reduce risk while lowering total system cost and time to market. The company’s solutions serve approximately 112,000 customers across the industrial, automotive, consumer, aerospace and defense, communications and computing markets. Headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Microchip offers outstanding technical support along with dependable delivery and quality. For more information, visit the Microchip website at www.microchip.com.

The Microchip logo and name are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated.

INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Sajid Daudi — Head of investor Relations
(480) 792-7385

The MIL Network –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IOS SAGAR IN PORT VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 MAY 2025 5:13PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR, arrived at Port Victoria, Seychelles on 01 May 25, marking another important milestone in her ongoing operational deployment across the South-West Indian Ocean Region. The ship’s arrival follows the successful completion of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance mission of Mauritius, undertaken in coordination with National Coast Guard Mauritius.

The ship was accorded a warm welcome and received by the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles, and the Defence Adviser. The port call will feature a host of professional and cultural exchanges, including cross-deck visits involving multinational crew, and interactions with the CDF and senior officers of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and a joint Yoga session.

These engagements aim to reinforce longstanding defence ties and mutual trust between India and Seychelles while deepening the spirit of cooperation among regional maritime partners.

INS Sunayna, designated as IOS Sagar, has embarked a multinational crew comprising 44 naval personnel from 09 friendly foreign nations of the South-West Indian Ocean Region. The deployment exemplifies India’s commitment to fostering regional maritime cooperation and capacity-building in the spirit of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Earlier, the ship made port calls at Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nacala (Mozambique), and Port Louis (Mauritius), engaging with local navies and maritime security stakeholders to train together, exchange best practices, and enhance interoperability and mutual understanding.

The ship is scheduled to depart Port Victoria on 02 May 25 for her final port of call, Male, Maldives, where she will continue her collaborative maritime security and regional outreach mission.

INS Sunayna, a state-of-the-art Saryu class NOPV is equipped with medium and close-range gunnery weapons and modern electronic warfare suites, including missile defence measures. She can also carry a helicopter, which enhances her operational and surveillance capability.

_____________________________________________________________

VM/SKS 97/25

(Release ID: 2126198) Visitor Counter : 49

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 214

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL4

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 214
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
155 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Northern Alabama

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 155 PM until
800 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph likely
Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will continue to spread eastward and across
the watch area through the afternoon and early evening. The
strongest cells will pose a risk of locally damaging wind gusts and
hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
statute miles north and south of a line from 40 miles west northwest
of Tuscaloosa AL to 45 miles northeast of Gadsden AL. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU4).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW
211…WW 212…WW 213…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 55 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
25025.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW4
WW 214 SEVERE TSTM AL 021855Z – 030100Z
AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
40WNW TCL/TUSCALOOSA AL/ – 45NE GAD/GADSDEN AL/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM N/S /13E IGB – 37SSW GQO/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..55 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25025.

LAT…LON 34168826 35158552 33718552 32728826

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU4.

Watch 214 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (10%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low (5%)

Wind

Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

Mod (60%)

Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

Low (10%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (50%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Low (20%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (90%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: During Veterans Hearing, King Receives Support for Lockbox Bill to Save Veterans Lives

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a hearing of the Senate Veterans Affairs (SVAC) Committee, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) spoke with Dr. Thomas O’Toole, the Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Health for Clinical Services and the Deputy Medical Officer for Veterans’ Health Administration for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, about the need to prioritize preventative measures to mitigate veteran suicide. During the exchange, Dr. O’Toole agreed that Senator King’s bipartisan legislation to provide veterans with a firearm lockbox would decrease veteran suicide by creating a time and space barrier between suicidal ideation and lethal action.
“I want to turn to one other point. 74% of veteran suicides involve firearms. With female veterans it is even higher. Senator Sheehy from Montana and I have a bill that basically would have the V.A. provide a free lockbox to veterans who ask for them. They don’t have to be connected to the V.A., they just have to be veterans. It is a voluntary program. The whole idea is to have some space between the idea of suicide and going through with it. Lock boxes are one way to do that. Is this something that makes sense to you?” questioned Senator King.
“It is, Senator. I think anything we could do to create space between the idea and the action is critically important and the literature in the data supports that. I know that is not one of the bills we are here to discuss today, but the notion of lethal means safety and strategies for how to best facilitate that, including the use of lockboxes, is something the V.A. is very interested in working with the committee on,” replied Dr. O’Toole.
“I’m hoping to get the bill in the next round. It seems to me the glaring number, 74%, involving firearms, that gives us a place where we need to focus,” said Senator King.
Introduced with Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) in March, the Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act would:
Offer lockboxes to veterans with or without identified risks, and with or without VHA-enrollment;
Allocate sufficient funding for lockboxes;
Distribute lockboxes both through the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) and firearm retailers;
Promote public education campaigns.
Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans” and in February, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. In a recent SVAC hearing, Senator King stressed the importance of supporting servicemembers shifting to civilian status; the first few months after leaving active duty are often the most fragile for veterans and put them at an increased risk for self-harm and suicide.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: New recycling facility contract announced
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

An artist’s impression of the new materials recovery facility to be built in Hume.
In brief:
- A new recycling facility for the ACT will be built in Hume.
- Veolia will partner with the ACT Government to design, build and operate the new facility.
- The facility will have world-leading technology to recover and sort recyclable materials.
- It is expected to be operational in 2028.
A new recycling facility for Canberra is on the way.

Veolia will partner with the ACT Government to design, build and operate the new facility.

This will be built within the current bounds of the Hume Resource Recovery Estate on Recycling Road in Hume.

Construction is expected to begin in 2026.

World-leading technology

The Government selected Veolia as its industry partner after a competitive procurement process last year.

Veolia is a leader in water, energy, and waste management. It will bring world-leading technology to Canberra to build one of the country’s most advanced materials recovery facilities.

Veolia will run the facility under a long-term contract for 20 years, once it is operational.

A state-of-the-art facility

The new facility will be able to sort paper and cardboard, glass, plastic, steel and aluminium.

Its sophisticated technology will increase recovery rates, producing high purity in materials for recycling and resource recovery.

Technology includes:
- a glass purification plant
- sophisticated automatic recognition
- screens to separate paper
- laser optical identification with air jets to separate plastics
- powerful magnets to extract metals.
Supporting Canberra and its future

The new, larger facility will be able to process up to 115,000 tonnes of mixed recyclables per year.

This supports a growing Canberra and changing consumer behaviour that is contributing to increases in recoverable material over time.

Additional benefits

The project will create more than 130 new jobs.

Removing the need to transport the ACT’s recyclable materials interstate will have a further environmental impact.

A new education space will also be built. This will allow the community and school groups to visit and learn about how recyclable products are processed, to be transformed into renewed items.

Capabilities and features of the new facility include:

Improved recycling facilities
- Sorting: advanced optical sorting to better separate, identify, sort and segregate recycling to higher purity levels, reducing contaminants for better quality end market products.
- Glass recycling: glass crushing and washing facilities to provide better quality crushed glass that can be used in a wider range of products.
- Container recycling: improved and expanded baling processes for Container Deposit Scheme materials.
Improved environmental aspects
- Greenstar rating: the building will be designed to meet specific Greenstar requirements to reduce the facility’s carbon footprint.
- Wastewater management: wastewater capture treatment and reuse with stormwater management infrastructure to achieve environmental compliance.
Advanced management systems
- Fire management: advanced fire detection and suppression systems.
- Data collection: sophisticated data collection, management, and analysis systems.
- Flexibility to incorporate new innovations, improvements in technology and adapt to changing recycling priorities and materials.
State-of-the-art fire detection, mitigation and control systems will safeguard the site from fires. These can be caused by items such as lithium batteries or gas bottles finding their way into the recycling stream.

Non-recyclable or flammable items should not be put in recycling bins. This does happen from time to time, though, warranting the need for these extra safety measures.

Interim recycling

Canberrans can rest assured that the items they put in their yellow household bins are still being recycled.

Until the new facility is complete, recycling services will continue to be delivered by the current contractor, Re.Group.

The new recycling facility is funded via a joint investment of $26 million from the ACT and Australian governments.

The construction program includes the demolition of the previous material recovery facility, which is expected to commence around mid-2025.

The facility is expected to be operational in 2028.

Read more like this

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MIL OSI News –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 213

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL3

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 213
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
200 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Southeast Indiana
Eastern Kentucky
Southweest Ohio
East Tennessee
Extreme Southwest Virginia

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 200 PM until
900 PM EDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Lines and clusters of thunderstorms over central Kentucky
and middle Tennessee will track northeastward across the watch area
through the afternoon, posing a risk of damaging winds and large
hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 90
statute miles east and west of a line from 15 miles northwest of
Cincinnati OH to 5 miles southeast of Chattanooga TN. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW
211…WW 212…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
24030.

…Hart

SEL3

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 213
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
200 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Southeast Indiana
Eastern Kentucky
Southweest Ohio
East Tennessee
Extreme Southwest Virginia

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 200 PM until
900 PM EDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
Scattered large hail events to 1.5 inches in diameter possible

SUMMARY…Lines and clusters of thunderstorms over central Kentucky
and middle Tennessee will track northeastward across the watch area
through the afternoon, posing a risk of damaging winds and large
hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 90
statute miles east and west of a line from 15 miles northwest of
Cincinnati OH to 5 miles southeast of Chattanooga TN. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU3).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW
211…WW 212…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
1.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
24030.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW3
WW 213 SEVERE TSTM IN KY OH TN VA 021800Z – 030100Z
AXIS..90 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
15NW LUK/CINCINNATI OH/ – 5SE CHA/CHATTANOOGA TN/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 80NM E/W /15NNE CVG – 1NNE GQO/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..1.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24030.

LAT…LON 39248294 34978355 34978673 39248630

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU3.

Watch 213 Status Report Messages:

STATUS REPORT #1 ON WW 213

VALID 021805Z – 021940Z

THE SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES ACROSS THE ENTIRE WATCH AREA.

..LYONS..05/02/25

ATTN…WFO…LMK…ILN…JKL…MRX…

&&

STATUS REPORT FOR WS 213

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

INC019-025-043-061-115-123-155-021940-

IN
. INDIANA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

CLARK CRAWFORD FLOYD
HARRISON OHIO PERRY
SWITZERLAND
$$

KYC005-011-013-015-017-021-023-025-027-029-037-041-045-049-051-
063-065-067-069-073-077-079-081-085-091-093-095-097-103-109-111-
113-117-121-123-125-129-131-135-137-147-151-153-155-161-163-165-
167-173-175-179-181-183-185-187-189-191-193-197-199-201-203-205-
209-211-215-223-229-231-235-237-239-021940-

KY
. KENTUCKY COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ANDERSON BATH BELL
BOONE BOURBON BOYLE
BRACKEN BREATHITT BRECKINRIDGE
BULLITT CAMPBELL CARROLL
CASEY CLARK CLAY
ELLIOTT ESTILL FAYETTE
FLEMING FRANKLIN GALLATIN
GARRARD GRANT GRAYSON
HANCOCK HARDIN HARLAN
HARRISON HENRY JACKSON
JEFFERSON JESSAMINE KENTON
KNOX LARUE LAUREL
LEE LESLIE LEWIS
LINCOLN MCCREARY MADISON
MAGOFFIN MARION MASON
MEADE MENIFEE MERCER
MONTGOMERY MORGAN NELSON
NICHOLAS OHIO OLDHAM
OWEN OWSLEY PENDLETON
PERRY POWELL PULASKI
ROBERTSON ROCKCASTLE ROWAN
SCOTT SHELBY SPENCER
TRIMBLE WASHINGTON WAYNE
WHITLEY WOLFE WOODFORD
$$

OHC001-015-025-061-071-021940-

OH
. OHIO COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ADAMS BROWN CLERMONT
HAMILTON HIGHLAND
$$

TNC001-007-009-011-013-025-065-093-105-107-115-121-123-129-139-
143-145-151-153-173-021940-

TN
. TENNESSEE COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ANDERSON BLEDSOE BLOUNT
BRADLEY CAMPBELL CLAIBORNE
HAMILTON KNOX LOUDON
MCMINN MARION MEIGS
MONROE MORGAN POLK
RHEA ROANE SCOTT
SEQUATCHIE UNION
$$

VAC105-021940-

VA
. VIRGINIA COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

LEE
$$

THE WATCH STATUS MESSAGE IS FOR GUIDANCE PURPOSES ONLY. PLEASE
REFER TO WATCH COUNTY NOTIFICATION STATEMENTS FOR OFFICIAL
INFORMATION ON COUNTIES…INDEPENDENT CITIES AND MARINE ZONES
CLEARED FROM SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WATCHES.
$$

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (10%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low ( 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (50%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Low (20%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (90%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Auslan service now at Access Canberra

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Our CBR is the ACT Government’s key channel to connect with Canberrans and keep you up-to-date with what’s happening in the city. Our CBR includes a monthly print edition, email newsletter and website.

You can easily opt in or out of the newsletter subscription at any time.

MIL OSI News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Prioritizing mental health for successful school communities
Source: Microsoft

Headline: Prioritizing mental health for successful school communities

Explore resources for Mental Health Awareness Month. Enhance well-being, develop a growth mindset, and support mental health awareness in education.

The month of May in the US is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness Month, and it serves as a reminder for all of us to reflect on the role wellness plays in building thriving communities. Mental health awareness in education is crucial for both learning and teaching. When educators are grounded and supported, they can communicate more clearly, teach more efficiently, and build stronger relationships. A focus on well-being helps create a more positive and productive learning environment for everyone.

Healthy classrooms—where students understand their emotions, educators feel empowered, and empathy is a shared value—often create the best conditions for success. There are many ways to support wellness across your school community, including tools and resources from Microsoft Education. We’re here to help make it easier to prioritize mental health for both you and your students—for Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 and throughout the school year.

The global well-being crisis demands a bold shift in education—one that recognizes emotions as central to learning, decision-making, and achieving goals. Emotional intelligence is the foundation for life’s most essential skills: clear communication, good judgment, resilience, and strong relationships—key drivers of personal well-being and success in any career.

Marc Brackett, Ph.D., Author of Permission to Feel and Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

Foster well-being for success

Support mental wellness and build a foundation for success with social-emotional learning (SEL) resources.

Cultivate collaboration and connection with Minecraft Education

Minecraft Education is a game-based learning platform that promotes skill building, teamwork, and problem-solving. It provides students with a safe space to express themselves, collaborate and practice empathy, and navigate their emotions in a low-stress environment. With Minecraft Education, you can help your students develop essential skills with immersive and engaging educational experiences.

Spin the Wheel of Steve and discover the magic of teamwork in this fun, skills-based adventure inspired by A Minecraft Movie! Students will venture through the Overworld competing in five team-based challenges designed to strengthen creativity, communication, connection, and critical thinking. Witness the wonder of collaboration when precious gems are at stake!

Spin the Wheel of Steve

Use these additional Minecraft Education activities and worlds as they are, or as a starting point to adapt to your students’ needs:
- Reflect World – Students practice emotional processing strategies, encourage teamwork, and visualize emotions to develop empathy and self-awareness.
- Building Community – Students work together to discuss what resources and services help people thrive and then build a community together within Minecraft.
- Empathy Train – Explore what it means to think about other people’s feelings by constructing a diorama that captures a peer’s thoughts and feelings.
Build social, emotional, and academic skills with Reflect

Reflect, a Learning Accelerator, can make it easy to bring emotional check-ins and SEL into your daily practice. With Reflect, everyone has the opportunity to feel heard while learning to identify, understand, and manage emotions. Reflect offers:
- Intentional emotional check-ins – Quickly survey students about their feelings and help them develop their emotional vocabulary with age-appropriate reflection.
- Ready-to-use activities – Explore a variety of fun activities for you and your students to practice well-being skills.
- Data-driven insights – Understand the emotional patterns and needs for each student and the whole class so you can better support their well-being and academic success.
- Easy access and seamless integration – Access Reflect through your web browser (sign in required), via the Windows app, Microsoft Teams for Education, and through integrations into learning management systems (LMS).
Get started with Reflect

Additionally, Reflect Compass is a tool within Reflect that helps you navigate student check-in results with evidence-based strategies to enhance well-being, engagement, and a sense of belonging. It’s built on the expertise of Challenge Success and grounded in over 20 years of research at the Stanford University Graduate School of Education.

Enhance educator well-being and connection

Reflect isn’t just for students, it supports your wellness, too. You can access breathing exercises, meditation, and mindfulness activities from Reflect—great for moments when you need a mental reset or want to model self-regulation for your students.

Reflect also helps school leaders foster a healthier, more connected work environment. Staff check-ins in Reflect give colleagues a safe space to share how they’re feeling—creating opportunities to be heard, supported, and seen.

Create a staff check-in with Reflect

If you’re a team owner, follow these steps to get started:
1. Open your staff team in Microsoft Teams for Education.
2. Navigate to the General channel.
3. Select the Reflect tab.
4. Choose a question from the gallery.
5. Publish your check-in to give staff space for personal and community reflection.
Focusing on your own wellness not only contributes to a positive learning environment, but it’s also a meaningful investment in yourself. Nurture yourself by taking a moment to recharge. Calm, the leading mental health brand, integrates mindfulness and movement activities into Reflect. Use a variety of engaging activities from Calm to foster a happier, healthier, and more balanced school community. As a bonus, educators and students can enjoy an exclusive 40% discount on a subscription to Calm, providing a wealth of activities designed specifically for personal rejuvenation.

View the offer

Balance your workload with AI

We understand that your time and energy are precious. AI can assist you by streamlining everyday tasks and freeing up your time so you can stay focused on what matters most—whether spending time on individualized instruction or taking time to support your own well-being. By reducing the administrative burden, AI can help you to dedicate more attention to your students, their learning experiences, and your needs.

Microsoft 365 Copilot is your AI assistant for everyday tasks, helping you support student learning outcomes, boost productivity, and save time. No matter your role, Copilot can help securely empower everyone at your institution, making it easier to work smarter and stay organized. Schools using Copilot have seen tangible benefits, with educators in Brisbane, Australia, reporting an average savings of 9.3 hours per week on routine tasks.

Try Copilot Chat

This time savings is especially crucial—and hopeful—in a profession where burnout is common. As St Francis College Principal John Marinucci highlights, Copilot can transform education by streamlining administrative tasks that often overwhelm educators. This means teachers can now devote more energy and time to their core mission of helping students be successful and grow.

To help you and your team build competency with AI and Copilot, check out the AI for educators learning path which walks you through AI uses and tools in education.

Prioritizing mental health and wellness isn’t just a moment, it’s a movement. This Mental Health Awareness Month, and throughout the year, you have the opportunity to lead a classroom where emotional intelligence, empathy and well-being are foundational to learning. Make mental health awareness and SEL a natural part of your day—supporting your students and yourself in meaningful, lasting ways.

Discover SEL resources
MIL OSI Economics –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 212

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL2

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 212
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1240 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central Texas

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1240 PM until
800 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will intensify and become more widespread
through the afternoon, within a very moist and unstable air mass.
Supercells capable of very large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps a
tornado will be possible.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 95
statute miles north and south of a line from 70 miles west northwest
of Austin TX to 25 miles south southeast of Lufkin TX. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW 211…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
25030.

…Hart

SEL2

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 212
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1240 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central Texas

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1240 PM until
800 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 3
inches in diameter likely
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will intensify and become more widespread
through the afternoon, within a very moist and unstable air mass.
Supercells capable of very large hail, damaging winds, and perhaps a
tornado will be possible.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 95
statute miles north and south of a line from 70 miles west northwest
of Austin TX to 25 miles south southeast of Lufkin TX. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU2).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…WW 211…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
25030.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW2
WW 212 SEVERE TSTM TX 021740Z – 030100Z
AXIS..95 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
70WNW AUS/AUSTIN TX/ – 25SSE LFK/LUFKIN TX/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 85NM N/S /54E JCT – 17SSE LFK/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..3 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25030.

LAT…LON 32069879 32279459 29529459 29319879

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU2.

Watch 212 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (20%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low ( 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

High (70%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Mod (60%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (>95%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How Trump’s tariffs could hit developing economies – even those not involved in the trade war

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Selim Raihan, Professor of Economics, University of Dhaka

The world has witnessed a resurgence of protectionism since Donald Trump returned to the White House. So-called “reciprocal” tariffs, imposed on all US trading partners at varying degrees based on the tax they charge on American goods, have been one of the hallmark features of Trump’s economic policy. They aim to correct what he perceives as “unfair” trade practices.

In early April, Trump said many countries had “ripped us off left and right” and declared “now it’s our turn to do the ripping”. His administration swiftly imposed sweeping tariff increases, with some of the highest rates falling on poorer countries like Laos and Lesotho.

A 90-day suspension was eventually made for most of these tariffs, and Trump has now softened duties on imported cars and car parts. But the danger remains high. No one can be certain that the initial reciprocal tariffs will not be reinstated.

Developing countries, many of which rely heavily on the export of manufactured goods to the US, will be keeping a keen eye on what happens next.

We employed the Global Trade Analysis Project model to analyse the possible effects of US tariffs on trade and economic growth. The model captures interactions and feedback among economic agents (households, firms and governments), markets, sectors and regions in the world economy.

It can be used to forecast the effect of trade reforms on various indicators such as production, welfare, income, prices and trade flows. Based on certain assumptions, the changes are likely to be seen in between two and three years.

We used simulations to compute the effects of Trump’s tariff regime under two alternative scenarios. In the first, which reflects the global trade situation at the time of writing, baseline tariffs are levied on all countries at 10%. The duties are 25% on goods from Canada and Mexico, and 145% on China. Retaliatory duties by China on US goods are set at 125%.

In the second, across-the-board reciprocal tariffs are imposed on countries at the levels Trump declared in his initial plan on April 2. This is in addition to the 145% tariff on Chinese goods, 25% on those from Canada and Mexico and a 125% duty by China on imports from the US.

Winners and losers

As shown by the graph below, our simulations suggest the US tariff regime will distort export patterns worldwide. The most painful effects will fall on China and the US itself.

Chinese exports would shrink by 10.8% in the first scenario and 10.9% in the second. The US would suffer an even larger loss of 11.7% and 14.9%, respectively.

The model suggests that other major US trading partners such as Canada and Mexico would also experience deep export declines of over 5% in both scenarios. Roughly 75% of Canada’s exports head south towards the US.

Among the developing Asian economies, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines would experience substantial export declines. This is particularly the case in the second scenario, with losses ranging from 2% to 4.4%. These countries are particularly vulnerable to reciprocal tariffs because they rely heavily on exports and are deeply tied to global supply and production chains.

Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam may benefit in the first scenario due to a possible diversion of trade. These countries, which are known for having some of the lowest labour costs in the world, offer cheap alternatives for goods that US importers would previously have sourced from China.

But they are expected to lose the majority of these benefits in the second scenario under a full reciprocal tariff regime. The exceptions are Cambodia and Indonesia, which our simulations suggest will retain positive export growth – albeit reduced to 1.6% from 4% for Cambodia and unchanged at 0.7% for Indonesia.

This may be because Cambodia and Indonesia have slightly more diversified export baskets than countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and trade with more partners. However, these gains are likely to be short lived if global uncertainties continue.

Major advanced economies such as Japan, the UK and EU will lose exports by a moderate amount. And the Middle East, north Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America (excluding Brazil) will see similar declines.

The second graph presents a concerning picture of how trade disruption could affect GDP, which economists use to measure the size of a country’s economy. The US and China are again set to suffer the steepest GDP losses, of 0.3% in the US and 1.9% in China under the second scenario. This confirms the well-established economic consensus that trade wars are mutually destructive.

Under the second scenario, most emerging and developing economies would suffer modest GDP declines between 0.3% and 1%. Thailand (1%), Malaysia (0.9%), Brazil (0.9%) and Vietnam (0.9%) are the worst hit countries in this category.

Like most of the developing countries in Asia, which are not directly involved in the trade war, many countries in Latin America, the Middle East, north Africa and sub-Saharan Africa would still face hits to their GDP. This underscores the global interconnectedness of trade and investment flows.

The simulations confirm what economists have been asserting for years: trade wars do not have winners. While some countries do benefit in the short term by way of trade diversion, the total losses are high and developing countries are not immune from the damage.

However, there are strategies developing countries can employ to improve their resilience to global trade disruptions. This includes diversifying their export markets by, for example, establishing stronger trade ties in regional blocs.

One example is the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, a free trade agreement between the Asia-Pacific nations of Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Such ties can be strengthened further.

Developing countries should also use this turbulent period to streamline customs, upgrade port infrastructure and improve logistics. This can reduce costs, enhance competitiveness and help developing economies engage more deeply in international trade.

No country is exempt from disruptions to global trade. But those with diversified economies, strong regional linkages and resilient trade infrastructure will weather the turbulence more successfully.

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. How Trump’s tariffs could hit developing economies – even those not involved in the trade war – https://theconversation.com/how-trumps-tariffs-could-hit-developing-economies-even-those-not-involved-in-the-trade-war-255435

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Historical films and TV shows are embracing diversity – but real historical voices are still overlooked

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Éadaoin Agnew, Senior lecturer in English literature, Kingston University

In the Disney+ television series, A Thousand Blows, Malachi Kirby plays Hezekiah Moscow, a Jamaican immigrant in London who is part of an underground boxing ring in the 1880s.

The character, like many in the show, is based on a real-life figure. However, as historian David Olusoga recently explained in a comment to the Radio Times, Moscow is typical of many people who have come from the Caribbean or Africa in that we only have a fractured biography in the British historical records. We get flashes of information before he disappears.

In recent years, there have been increasing creative efforts to fill these historical gaps. This suggests there is a willingness, at least in some spheres, to acknowledge the long history of multiculturalism in Britain and to see people of colour in 19th-century histories (see also 2019’s David Copperfield starring Dev Patel and the multicultural cast of Bridgerton).

These costume dramas build on decades of scholarly work. There are now many excellent historical studies that document the various ways in which the Atlantic slave trade and imperialism produced routes and reasons for travel to Britain.

Most people who arrived here from the colonies in the 18th and 19th centuries did not have the means to write their own stories, so we glance their lives through incomplete historical records. But, there were also British subjects of colour who were educated in English with a degree of relative privilege and who produced compelling and popular accounts of their experiences in Britain or life in the colonies. They also wrote fascinating fiction and beautiful poetry.

These narratives directly challenge the general perception that multiculturalism emerged in Britain after the Windrush (Caribbean immigrants who arrived in Britain after the second world war to rebuild the nation) and that 19th-century English literature emerged only from Britain. Yet, there remains an unwillingness to centre these stories and to allow diverse voices to speak for themselves.

My own work on the AHRC-funded Victorian Diversities Research Network seeks to recuperate and promote these stories.

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

Historical writers of colour and writers from other marginalised communities are continually excluded from school curricula, literary anthologies and TV adaptations. This is a kind of cultural gate-keeping that reinforces imperialist ideas about literary value.

One example of this literary exclusion is Mary Seacole (1805-1881). Born in Jamaica to a Creole mother and Scottish father, she is now remembered in Britain for her contributions to nursing during the Crimean War. She is commemorated for her work by a statue at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London and by John Aagard’s wonderful poem Checking Out Me History (2019).

Even so, there is a notable neglect of her fantastic memoir. Published in 1857, Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands is a funny, insightful and interesting account of her fulsome life. It clearly shows an affinity for Britain, while also acknowledging the difficulties she experienced there.

One of two known photographs of Mary Seacole, taken circa 1873.
Wiki Commons

Another example is Ham Mukasa (1870-1956), who penned an account of his travels to England as part of an official African delegation in 1902 titled Uganda’s Katikiro in England. Written in a light and lively manner, his travelogue offers a fascinating picture of London at the turn of the century, as seen from a unique perspective.

When Mukasa visited the British Museum not long after arriving in the metropolis, he admired the displays of “wonderful things of long ago”. He explains to his readers that these items are stored behind glass so visitors cannot touch them. It’s a fact that becomes particularly pertinent when he comes across several Ugandan artefacts donated to the museum by British travellers:

We saw different articles from our country; some had been brought by Sir H. H. Johnston, who had given a great many things, and others by other Englishmen … the Rev. R. P. Ashe had given a great many, and others too had given things from our country of Uganda.

It is a powerful image: the Ugandan men standing in a British institution looking at their own indigenous culture through a glass. The encounter speaks directly to contemporary debates about museum collections and the need for inclusive cultural spaces.

Both Mukasa and Seacole, as people of colour and colonial subjects, articulate feelings of belonging and unbelonging in the metropolitan centre. They find much to admire in British culture and society while also acknowledging the fact of racial marginalisation.

As such, they give historical and literary expression to the affects of mobility, migration and multiculturalism. As professor of global literatures Ruvani Ranasinha argues, current debates on citizenship rights, migration policy, what constitutes “Englishness” and multiculturalism were prompted and anticipated by the presence of colonial subjects within Britain over a century ago.

Ignatius Sancho by Thomas Gainsborough (1768).
National Gallery of Canada

In a 2019 paper, he explains that “Britain was always ‘multicultural’ even before multiculturalism was theorised: multicultural in terms of a sense of (un)belonging, a redrawing of culturally and racially defined borders and remapping of British identities”. And so, Ranashina notes, we must do more than simply acknowledge the historical presence of marginalised people and start engaging with diverse cultural contributions.

This is vital because an inclusive canon more accurately represents the multiple stories that make up English literary history.

It also makes important critical and cultural contributions to the creation of an inclusive society today. This is acknowledged by actor and writer Paterson Joseph who recently fictionalised the letters of Ignatius Sancho, a writer and composer, who was born on a slave ship crossing the Atlantic Ocean:

“I was once timid about my place here in the UK, but researching Sancho’s story … has given me a deep sense of belonging, of a shared history with a nation that sometimes ignores, sometimes rejects, my people’s right to an equal role in its storytelling.”

Éadaoin Agnew receives funding from AHRC for the Victorian Diversities Research Network https://victoriandiversities.co.uk

– ref. Historical films and TV shows are embracing diversity – but real historical voices are still overlooked – https://theconversation.com/historical-films-and-tv-shows-are-embracing-diversity-but-real-historical-voices-are-still-overlooked-253191

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 211

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL1

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 211
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1210 PM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Southeast Arkansas
Central and Northern Louisiana
Central Mississippi
East Texas

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1210 PM until
700 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter possible
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will continue to intensify along an axis
from western Louisiana into central Mississippi through the
afternoon. A moist and very unstable air mass will promote the risk
of severe storms capable of damaging wind gusts and large hail. An
isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 60
statute miles north and south of a line from 75 miles west of Fort
Polk LA to 25 miles south southeast of Columbus MS. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU1).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…WW 210…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
25030.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW1
WW 211 SEVERE TSTM AR LA MS TX 021710Z – 030000Z
AXIS..60 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
75W POE/FORT POLK LA/ – 25SSE CBM/COLUMBUS MS/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 50NM N/S /16ESE LFK – 16SE IGB/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25030.

LAT…LON 31919445 34168828 32438828 30189445

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU1.

Watch 211 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (20%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low (5%)

Wind

Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

High (70%)

Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

Low (10%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (50%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Mod (30%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (>95%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 210

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL0

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 210
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1250 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central and Northern Ohio
Northwest Pennsylvania
Lake Erie

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1250 PM until
700 PM EDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter possible
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms are developing over northwest Ohio along a
weak cold front. These storms will spread eastward across the watch
area through the afternoon, posing a risk of damaging winds and
large hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
statute miles north and south of a line from 5 miles north of Dayton
OH to 30 miles south southeast of Jamestown NY. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 55 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
24030.

…Hart

SEL0

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 210
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1250 PM EDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Central and Northern Ohio
Northwest Pennsylvania
Lake Erie

* Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 1250 PM until
700 PM EDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter possible
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 65 mph possible

SUMMARY…Thunderstorms are developing over northwest Ohio along a
weak cold front. These storms will spread eastward across the watch
area through the afternoon, posing a risk of damaging winds and
large hail.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 50
statute miles north and south of a line from 5 miles north of Dayton
OH to 30 miles south southeast of Jamestown NY. For a complete
depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline update
(WOUS64 KWNS WOU0).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 209…

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 55 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
24030.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW0
WW 210 SEVERE TSTM OH PA LE 021650Z – 022300Z
AXIS..50 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
5N DAY/DAYTON OH/ – 30SSE JHW/JAMESTOWN NY/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 45NM N/S /21SSW ROD – 27S JHW/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..55 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24030.

LAT…LON 40708422 42477903 41037903 39258422

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU0.

Watch 210 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (10%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low ( 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (50%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Mod (30%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (80%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Bingeable comedy, a Jim Crow-era vampire thriller and William Morris mania – what to watch, read and do this week

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

I recently bought a Now TV subscription because we are in prime prestige TV season and I needed it to watch The White Lotus and The Last of Us. Deep into those big, confronting shows (which are brilliant but, let’s be honest, a lot), I was looking for something that was comforting and easy. If this is what you are also craving right now, I could not recommend Hacks more.

Hacks is a whip-smart and hilarious show with 30-minute episodes. It follows Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), an edgy comedy writer who isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and spiky Las Vegas comedy veteran Deborah Vance (Jean Smart). This pair are shoved together by their shared manager when Ava is fired from a writing gig for making an off-colour joke on social media, and Deborah loses her headline slot on the Vegas strip as the city moves on without her.

The trailer for season four of Hacks.

Since its first season, Hacks has provided insightful commentary on the male-dominated world of comedy. The push and pull relationship between Ava and Deborah is hilarious as they clash over generational differences on everything from comedy to sexuality. The show has been rightly lauded for its brilliant writing, which manages to go all the way up to the line without being hateful – a skill many comedians who argue that it’s hard to make comedy in our politically correct age could learn from.

Now in its fourth season, our reviewer, Jacqueline Ristola, an expert in the media industry and comedy, says Hacks has managed to maintain the quality (and hilarity) while finding new ground to explore women’s precarious place in the entertainment industry.

Read more:
Hacks season four tackles late-night TV – and is as funny and perceptive as ever

Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

If you are in the mood for something a bit moodier and serious, then Sinners might be for you. The film follows twin brothers Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) who have returned home to Mississippi in an attempt to leave their troubles behind. What they find waiting for them, however, is much worse.

Sinners is set in Jim Crow-era Mississippi, a time of harsh segregation and racial injustice. While the horrors of this period are certainly enough to scare anyone, director Ryan Coogler has decided to tell a story grounded in supernatural evil. Vampires aside, there is a lot of history in Sinners too. Criminology expert Rachel Stuart found it interesting how the real stories of Irish and Choctaw oppression informed the film.

Read more:
Sinners: how real stories of Irish and Choctaw oppression inform the film

The trailer for Sinners.

If you’re looking for something to read, we recommend the memoir Red Pockets. In this piece, Alice Mah, a professor in urban and environmental studies, writes about why she was inspired to create this book after a personal detour to her ancestral village she took while on a research trip.

In Red Pockets, Mah chronicles her journey from the rice villages of south China back to postindustrial England. Her research on pollution leads to growing eco-anxiety, and paired with this trip leaves her in spiritual crisis. Part memoir, part cultural history and environmental exploration, this book explores what we owe our ancestors and also future generations.

Read more:
Travelling to my ancestral home in China unearthed tragedy tinged by the climate crisis – it inspired me to write Red Pockets

Inky worlds and popular patterns

Also moody and brilliant is the Victor Hugo exhibition at the Royal Academy in London. I did not know that the French writer was an avid artist, and this exhibition is a wonderful and rare opportunity to gaze into the dark and surreal world of the mind behind Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Hugo’s inky paintings and drawings of townscapes and watery underworlds invoke a sort of nightmarish and apocalyptic reality. The low lighting in which these extremely fragile works must be kept adds to the whole foreboding atmosphere. The exhibition’s title comes from Van Gogh’s opinion of Hugo’s work as “astonishing things”, and they really are. Our review, expert in fine art Martin Lang, found “the sense of uncertainty to feel oddly relevant to today”.

Read more:
Astonishing Things: The Drawings of Victor Hugo at the Royal Academy is dark and brilliant

Another man whose art has had enduring appeal is designer William Morris. Most people probably have or know of someone who owns something adorned with one of his hypnotising patterns. His work has remained incredibly popular since he first started producing it in the 1860s. A new exhibition at the William Morris exhibition, Morris Mania: How Britain’s Greatest Designer Went Viral, explores how his work proliferated to such a degree.

While you may be able to spot a Morris, you might not know much about the man. He was a fervent socialist who championed a principle of handmade production that didn’t chime with the Victorian era’s focus on industrial “progress”. These ideals sit in opposition to how his work has come to be used today.

Our reviewer, an expert in applied art, found that the exhibition was sensitive to this, championing “ethical and bespoke production, while confronting the darker currents that move objects around our world”.

Read more:
William Morris: new exhibition reveals how Britain’s greatest designer went viral

– ref. Bingeable comedy, a Jim Crow-era vampire thriller and William Morris mania – what to watch, read and do this week – https://theconversation.com/bingeable-comedy-a-jim-crow-era-vampire-thriller-and-william-morris-mania-what-to-watch-read-and-do-this-week-255742

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pressley, Tonko Demand Investigation Into Trump’s Attack on Smithsonian Museums, Brazen Attempt to Whitewash History
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Lawmakers Warn Funding Cuts, Politically Motivated Attacks Will Undermine Integrity of Smithsonian, Accuracy of Exhibits

“Conditioning funding on adherence to prescribed, right-wing ideology jeopardizes the Smithsonian’s legal compliance oversight and its capacity to document American history and culture accurately,”

Text of Letter (PDF) | Pressley Floor Speech (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Co-Chair of the Congressional Museum Caucus, led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation of the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women’s History Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – attempting to erase histories of marginalized communities.

Earlier this year, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

Created by Congress in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has a clear mandate to operate as a non-partisan and autonomous museum, education, and research complex, free from political influence. Not only is it home to dozens of museums, libraries, education and research centers, and the National Zoo within Washington, D.C., but the Smithsonian also coordinates with over 200 affiliate organizations in nearly every state – all of which could be impacted by the proposed cuts and erasure of race and culture in the Executive Order.

“On March 27, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14253, which would infringe on the independence of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out its core mission to provide Americans and the world with the tools and information we need to forge our shared future,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to Smithsonian Inspector General Nicole Angarella. “The funding cuts and content directives will undoubtedly have a devasting impact on the preservation and integrity of American history and culture.”

The Trump Administration’s executive order specifically directs the Smithsonian Institution to remove exhibits and narratives it considers ‘divisive’ or ‘race-centered’, politicizing the Smithsonian’s foundational purpose and eroding public trust. Both the National Museum of African American History and Culture Act and the National Museum of the American Latino Act were enacted with strong bipartisan support, reflecting a shared commitment across party lines to explore, document, and interpret the central role of race and cultural identity in American history. Additionally, the funding cuts and content mandates would have a significant trickle-down effect on local museums and cultural organizations across the United States, diminishing the Smithsonian’s ability to provide guidance, professional development, and travel exhibits to smaller museums.

“Conditioning funding on adherence to prescribed, right-wing ideology jeopardizes the Smithsonian’s legal compliance oversight and its capacity to document American history and culture accurately,” the lawmakers continue. “It is both ironic and self-defeating to demand that the Smithsonian Institution adhere to content mandates banning race, as doing so undermines the very rationale for the creation of these museums.”

The lawmakers are requesting an inspector general investigation and report on findings including:
- An audit of the operational and financial implications of the proposed content mandate and funding cuts, including the consequences on the Smithsonian Affiliates;
- An audit of the expected impact on existing contractual obligations;
- An analysis of EO 14253’s compliance with statutory requirements established by Congress;
- Any documentation of deaccessioned artifacts following EO 14253 and plan to prevent the destruction or sale of cultural and historical artifacts; and
- A recommendation for the Smithsonian Board of Regents on how to adhere to statutory law and the institutions’ public trust responsibilities.
“Our shared responsibility is to ensure that the Smithsonian remains a source of inspiration and learning for all, free from undue political interference,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter was also signed by Representatives Gabe Amo (RI-01), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Troy Carter (LA-02), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny Davis (IL-07), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-12), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), ValeriE Foushee (NC-04), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús García (IL-04), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), William Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Norton (DC-AL), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Scott Peters (CA-50), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (IL-09), Robert Scott (VA-03), Terri Sewell (AL-08), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Derek Tran (CA-45), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

A copy of the letter is available here.

Rep. Pressley has been an outspoken champion for intellectual freedom and diversity, equity, and inclusion program, and has been on the front lines of the fight against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to ban books and erase Black history.

In April, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

Rep. Pressley is also the author of the Books Save Lives Act legislation to confront the rise of book bans in America and ensure inclusive learning environments.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Nature in the City grants now open
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Plants and natural materials help cool urban areas.
In Brief:
- The Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb grants program is now open for applications.
- The program supports projects that make urban areas cooler using plants and natural materials.
- This story describes eligibility criteria and projects that have secured funding from previous rounds.
Grants are now open for the ‘Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb’ program.

What is the program for?

The grants support innovative projects to make the hottest areas in Canberra cooler.

A total of $150,000 in grant funding is now available for local projects that:
- use plants and natural materials to make urban areas cooler
- protect suburbs from the harsh impacts of climate change.
As the heat continues to rise, Canberrans are more likely to suffer from ‘urban heat island effect’. This is when surfaces and infrastructure like pavement, roads and buildings soak up the heat from the sun. It then radiates back into suburbs.

What kind of projects are eligible for funding?

Up to $50,000 per project is available for projects that will benefit the community through:
- providing natural shade
- capturing rainwater
- improving water absorption
- showcasing creative ways to keep suburbs cool.
These projects may include:
- replacing hard and hot surfaces with plants and natural materials
- installing a combination of shade structures and plants, or
- installing landscaping features that retain water, like swales.
Up to $10,000 is also available for eligible organisations to conduct feasibility studies that explore new ways to make an area cooler with nature-based solutions.

Which projects have received grant funding before?

Three Mills Bakery is a local business that received funding in the last round of the program. They are working to transform an urban concrete hotspot in Woden into a publicly accessible oasis.

They are installing canopy trees and other plants in planter boxes. The vegetation and planters will reduce urban heat and retain water.

“The external environment plays a huge role in creating remarkable hospitality experiences”, Jarrod Deaton, founder of Three Mills Bakery said.

“The Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb grant will help us to transform a harsh concrete environment into a softer, greener space that people can enjoy.”

How can I find out more?

An online information session will be held on 12 December 2024 for those who are interested in applying for a grant and wish to find out more about the program and application process.

Applications for the 2024-25 ‘Nature in the City: Cooling Your Suburb’ grants program are now open until midnight 9 February 2025.

For more information on the grant program and how to apply, visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.

Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:
MIL OSI News –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Kootenay Silver Inc. to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference May 6th 2025
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kootenay Silver Inc. (TSXV: KTN; OTCQX: KOOYF), based in Vancouver, BC, focused on the Columba High-Grade Silver Project, Chihuahua, Mexico, today announced that James McDonald, President & CEO of Kootenay Silver Inc., will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on May 6, 2025

DATE: May 6, 2025
TIME: 12:30 PM EST
LINK: REGISTER HERE
Available for 1×1 meetings: May 6-7th, 9th, 12-13th

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- Drill Hole CDH-24-153: 1.35 Meters of 920 gpt Silver and 11 Meters of 481 gpt Silver
- Drill Hole CDH-22-125: 2.45 Meters of 5,840 gpt Silver and 34.45 Meters of 540 gpt Silver
- Drill Hole CDH-21-103: 6 Meters of 2,035 gpt Silver and 44 Meters of 333 gpt Silver
- NI 43-101 Global Silver Eqv. Resources of 214 Million M&I & 54.9 Million Inf. Ounces
About Kootenay Silver Inc.

Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the Sierra Madre Region of Mexico. Supported by one of the largest junior portfolios of silver assets in Mexico, Kootenay continues to provide its shareholders with significant leverage to silver prices. The Company remains focused on the expansion of its current silver resources, new discoveries and the near-term economic development of its priority silver projects located in prolific mining districts in Sonora, State and Chihuahua, State, Mexico, respectively.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:
Kootenay Silver Inc.
James McDonald
President & CEO
Ph: +1-403-880-6016
Email: makwaexploration@gmail.com
Website: kootenaysilver.com

Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Amex Exploration to Present at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference May 6th
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MONTREAL, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Amex Exploration Inc. ((TSXV: AMX) (FSE: MX0) (OTCQX: AMXEF)), based in Quebec, Canada, focused on the development and expansion of their high-grade gold Perron Project, today announced that Victor Cantore, President and CEO, will present live at the Metals & Mining Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on May 6^th

DATE: May 6^th
TIME: 11:30 am ET
LINK: REGISTER HERE
Available for 1×1 meetings: May 6 to 9^th

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

Recent Company Highlights
- Amex Awards Environmental Baseline Study Contract to Norda Stelo
- Amex Exploration Completes Acquisition of Perron West Project
- Amex Expands Central Polymetallic Zone – Drills 39.06 g/t Au, 331.92 g/t Ag, 1.14% Cu, 3.38% Zn, and 2.35% Pb over 1.30 m
- Amex to Acquire Strategic Perron West Property – Forms District Scale Land Package at Perron
- Amex Hunts for More High-Grade Gold at Perron – Outlines 2025 Expansion and Regional Drill Programs
About Amex

Amex Exploration Inc. has made significant high-grade gold discoveries, along with copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) zones, at its 100%-owned Perron Gold Project, located approximately 110 kilometres north of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The project comprises 117 contiguous claims (45.18 km²) and hosts both bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold mineralization styles.

When combined with the adjacent Perron West Project-which includes 48 claims (17.37 km²) in Quebec and 35 claims (134.55 km²) in Ontario-the consolidated land package spans a district-scale 197.52 km². This extensive property lies within highly prospective geology favourable for both high-grade gold and VMS mineralization.

The project benefits from excellent infrastructure: it is accessible by a year-round road, located just 20 minutes from an airport, and approximately 8 km from the town of Normétal. It is also in close proximity to several milling operations owned by major gold producers.

About Virtual Investor Conferences^®
Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:
Virtual Investor Conferences
John M. Viglotti
SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access
OTC Markets Group
(212) 220-2221
johnv@otcmarkets.com

The MIL Network –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Protections Against Foreign Threats to U.S. Networks

Source: US Representative Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07)

Contact: Riley Pingree

(May 1, 2025) WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 906, the Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) Act.

Currently, U.S. law does not require public disclosure of companies tied to foreign adversaries operating in our technology and telecommunications markets. Although the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is prohibited from issuing new licenses to entities deemed national security threats, some companies linked to adversarial governments still hold certain approvals.

This bicameral, bipartisan legislation, introduced by U.S. Representative Robert Wittman (VA-01) and co-led by Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), would require the FCC to publish a list of companies that both hold FCC authorizations and have any ownership ties to adversarial foreign governments, including China, Russia, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and North Korea.

“This week, Congress voted to protect the security and privacy of every American,” said Congressman Kean. “I am pleased to have co-led this bipartisan effort, which strengthens the FCC’s ability to hold foreign adversaries like China and Russia accountable for exploiting our telecommunications infrastructure. The FACT Act is necessary to securing our networks and ensures Americans are no longer left in the dark about who has access to them. It is important that we work across the aisle to recognize this threat and to reinforce our national security.”

Congressman Wittman (VA-01) said, “The House’s passage of my bipartisan FACT Act marks real progress in countering foreign threats to our tech infrastructure. The Chinese Communist Party continues to use every tool at its disposal to surveil Americans and infiltrate our telecommunications and technology markets. This legislation is a critical step toward exposing the CCP’s malign influence and preventing foreign adversaries from having unfettered access to our telecommunications infrastructure. I’ll continue advocating for strong, bipartisan action to protect our national security.”

Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce said, “The enemies of America have made a concerted effort to destabilize and undermine our communications networks. The FACT Act will increase awareness of whether companies with licenses or other authorizations to access our networks have ties to adversaries like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. I thank Rep. Kean for his work gathering overwhelming bipartisan support for this legislation to secure our infrastructure and improve our national security.”

Read the full text of the bill here.

Congressman Kean was the Republican lead of the FACT Act on the Energy and Commerce Committee, making this his first co-led bill and fourth cosponsored bill to pass the House during the 119th Congress.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SPC Severe Thunderstorm Watch 209

Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Note: The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
SEL9

URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Severe Thunderstorm Watch Number 209
NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
1000 AM CDT Fri May 2 2025

The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Watch for portions of
Northwest Alabama
East Central Arkansas
Southern Kentucky
Northern Mississippi
Western and Middle Tennessee

* Effective this Friday morning and afternoon from 1000 AM until
500 PM CDT.

* Primary threats include…
Scattered damaging wind gusts to 70 mph likely
Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2
inches in diameter possible
A tornado or two possible

SUMMARY…Multiple lines and clusters of thunderstorms will track
across the watch area through the afternoon. A very moist and
unstable air mass will promote a risk of damaging winds and large
hail in the stronger storms.

The severe thunderstorm watch area is approximately along and 70
statute miles north and south of a line from 55 miles southwest of
Memphis TN to 75 miles east southeast of Bowling Green KY. For a
complete depiction of the watch see the associated watch outline
update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU9).

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

REMEMBER…A Severe Thunderstorm Watch means conditions are
favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.
Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for threatening
weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible
warnings. Severe thunderstorms can and occasionally do produce
tornadoes.

&&

AVIATION…A few severe thunderstorms with hail surface and aloft to
2 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind gusts to 60 knots. A
few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean storm motion vector
25035.

…Hart

Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
SAW9
WW 209 SEVERE TSTM AL AR KY MS TN 021500Z – 022200Z
AXIS..70 STATUTE MILES NORTH AND SOUTH OF LINE..
55SW MEM/MEMPHIS TN/ – 75ESE BWG/BOWLING GREEN KY/
..AVIATION COORDS.. 60NM N/S /49SW MEM – 58WSW LOZ/
HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..60 KNOTS.
MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 25035.

LAT…LON 35499066 37568517 35538517 33469066

THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
FOR WOU9.

Watch 209 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

Note: Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

Low (20%)

Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

Low (5%)

Wind

Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

High (70%)

Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

Low (20%)

Hail

Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

Mod (50%)

Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

Mod (30%)

Combined Severe Hail/Wind

Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

High (>95%)

For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Plan ahead: SR 18 to close for five full days at I-90 bridges starting May 15
Source: Washington State News 2

Extended closure will help complete diverging diamond interchange project this summer

SNOQUALMIE – Both directions of State Route 18 will close around the clock for more than five days beginning Thursday night, May 15, near Interstate 90 to build the southern end of a new diverging diamond interchange.

This extended closure should allow crews to complete the interchange portion of the I-90/SR 18 Interchange Improvements project this summer. Travelers should seek detour routes and add extra travel time to their plans during the closure.

SR 18 closure details

From 9 p.m. Thursday, May 15, through 5 a.m. Wednesday, May 21, traffic will not be allowed on either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges.

Any closure is disruptive, but the Washington State Department of Transportation chose these closure dates to avoid busy travel weekends on Mother’s Day (May 11) and Memorial Day (May 26). The work requires dry weather and may be rescheduled if it rains.

The extended closure will eliminate the need for 10 consecutive nights of ramp and intersection closures near the interchange and fewer traffic shifts, which improves safety for workers and people driving through the work zone. It also reduces the chances that opening the new interchange is delayed.

During the closure, contractor crews working for WSDOT will install new drainage and electrical crossings, pave the new roadway and build concrete islands that will form a portion of the new I-90/SR 18 diverging diamond interchange. The work also includes constructing a left turn pocket for traffic turning from westbound SR 18 onto Southeast 104th Street and a signalized U-turn south of I-90 that will allow eastbound SR 18 traffic to head westbound toward Auburn.

The extended closure will allow both the left turn pocket from westbound SR 18 to Southeast 104th Street and the signalized U-turn to westbound SR 18 to open while work on the rest of the interchange is completed.

What to expect

Eastbound and westbound I-90 traffic will not be affected during the closure, but people traveling through the area should be aware that:
- Vehicles will not be permitted on either direction of SR 18 beneath the I-90 bridges.
- Traffic on the eastbound I-90 off-ramp will only be able to turn south onto westbound SR 18. No left turns onto eastbound SR 18/Snoqualmie Parkway will be allowed.
- Traffic on the westbound I-90 off-ramp will only be able to turn north onto Snoqualmie Parkway or continue onto the westbound I-90 on-ramp. No left turns onto westbound SR 18 will be allowed.
- Eastbound SR 18 traffic must use the eastbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.
- Southbound traffic on Snoqualmie Parkway must use the westbound I-90 on-ramp and follow a detour.
Detour options

People can detour around the closure using eastbound and westbound I-90 and loop around at the Preston-Fall City (exit 22) and Southeast North Bend Way (exit 27) interchanges.

Westbound I-90 freight traffic should use either the Preston-Fall City exit to loop back and take westbound SR 18 or continue on westbound I-90 to southbound I-405. Freight traffic should not use Issaquah city streets or Issaquah-Hobart Road, which are not suitable for semi-trucks. Similarly, eastbound SR 18 freight traffic cannot use Issaquah city streets to access I-90.

All people traveling through the I-90/SR 18 interchange during the closure should expect delays and add time to their travel plans. Real-time traffic information is available on the WSDOT app and WSDOT’s statewide travel map and social media channels.

After the closure

When SR 18 reopens Wednesday, May 21, most of the construction on the southern end of the new interchange will be complete. Work remains under the I-90 bridges and on the northern end of the project before traffic can be shifted into the final diverging diamond configuration later this summer.

In addition to building the new interchange, the project is:
- Widening more than 2 miles of SR 18 south of I-90 to two lanes in each direction.
- Building new four-lane bridges over Lake and Deep creeks that will allow fish and wildlife to pass beneath SR 18.
- Constructing a new two-lane bridge over Raging River next to the existing SR 18 bridge.
SR 18 widening is expected to finish later this year.

MIL OSI USA News –
May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: King, Moran Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Access to Veteran Disability Claims Exams

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Jerry Moran (R-KS), members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), are introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently authorize a successful pilot program to expand access to medical disability exams for veterans filing claims for a service-connected disability. The legislation would allow any eligible health care professional with a current unrestricted license and a contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide medical disability exams to veterans across state lines. This builds off a pilot program established by Congress in 2020 that expanded requirements and allowed certain licensed medical professionals to provide contract medical disability examinations across state lines for the VA.
“We have an obligation to our veterans to return the service they gave to us while minimizing bureaucracy and delay,” said Senator King. “By allowing veterans to visit any VA approved licensed medical professional to perform their benefits exam, we can help alleviate the patient backlogs and ensure veterans receive the benefits they’ve earned in a timely manner. This bipartisan bill is yet another way we can express our gratitude to the brave men and women who have served.”
“Greater access to medical disability exams will enable more veterans to receive timely, high-quality care and the benefits they have earned,” said Senator Moran. “As more veterans file for VA care and benefits following their military service, this legislation will help increase the number of licensed, health care professionals who are certified to provide medical disability exams, providing quick and accurate exams for veterans.”
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King is a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation to help reduce suicides among veterans by providing free secure firearm storage to veterans. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families. Senator King has also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. Earlier this year, he cosponsored the bipartisan Major Richard Star Act that would provide more combat-injured veterans with their full earned benefits.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 3, 2025
MIL-OSI: Coalesce Honors Data Leaders Driving Innovation with 2025 GOAT Awards
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

SAN FRANCISCO, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coalesce, the AI-powered data transformation and governance company, announced the 2025 Greatest of All Transformers (GOAT) award recipients, honoring data professionals at the forefront of modern data management practices.

In an industry that’s driving business analytics and AI innovation, it’s easy to forget that behind every breakthrough is a team of humans—data engineers, data architects, data scientists, data analysts, and data ops—who make the magic happen. At Coalesce, we call them Data Transformers.

We created the Greatest of All Transformers (GOAT) program to honor the people doing the hard, often invisible work of building the foundation for business intelligence and AI innovation, ultimately transforming how organizations manage and deliver data.

Now in its second year, the GOAT program recognizes members of Coalesce’s Data Transformers community—forward-thinking data engineers, data architects, and industry leaders, who share a passion for solving real-world challenges while redefining what is possible with data. These leaders represent a global community pushing the boundaries of innovation and shaping the future of business through cutting-edge data solutions, automation, and collaboration.

2025 GOAT of the Year Award

In addition to recognizing the full class of 2025 GOATs, Coalesce is proud to name Gu Xie, Head of Data at Group 1001, as the 2025 GOAT of the Year—a singular honor awarded to an individual who leads the way in innovation while upholding best practices in data engineering and data operations to ensure long-term success. Gu’s work exemplifies leadership in building future-ready data infrastructure, streamlining operations, and driving long-term strategic success across the enterprise.

Under Gu’s leadership, the data team at Group 1001 Innovations has modernized its data stack, strengthened data quality, and built scalable systems that enable faster, smarter decision-making across the business.

The Class of 2025 GOAT Honorees

Alongside Gu, Coalesce is also recognizing the Class of 2025 GOAT Honorees—a cohort of standout contributors whose work drives the future of the data industry. The list includes data professionals from Fortune 500 enterprises, fast-moving startups, sports teams, and consulting firms from around the world. These GOATs demonstrate excellence in practice, leadership in community, and an unrelenting focus on solving complex data challenges.

“The GOAT program is our way of recognizing the people who are actively shaping the future of the data industry through innovation and collaboration,” said Armon Petrossian, CEO and co-founder of Coalesce. “Gu Xie and the entire class of 2025 GOATs exemplify leadership in this ever-evolving space. We’re excited to support and celebrate their accomplishments now and in the future.”

Class of 2025 GOAT Honorees

North America
- Frank Bell, ITS Consulting
- Dane Bernhardt, HUB International
- Ajay Bidani, Powell Industries
- Patrick Buell, Hakkoda
- Jimmy Ched’homme, TubeScience
- Naveen Chidiri
- Andrew Crisp, UCBI
- Amanuel Dandena, Alterman
- Blake Davidson, PetIQ
- Lee Derks, DigBI Consulting
- Brennan DiChiara, Tampa Bay Rays
- Parker Dillon, 3STEP
- Juan Dominguez, Tampa Bay Rays
- Christopher Elliott, Denny’s
- Matt Florian, Hakkoda
- Jesse Fry, ECS Tuning
- Munish Gandevia, 3STEP Sports
- Jay Gimple, CDAO
- Kent Graziano, The Data Warrior
- Justin Grimme, Snowflake
- Brandon Harris, Oshkosh Corporation
- Joe Horton, WSECU
- Susan Kolesnikov, Group 1001
- Nicholas Mann, Stratos
- Erik McConathy, CKE Restaurants
- Shyam Nair, Texas Capital Bank
- Hilda Olekangal, Q2
- Deborah Reinagel, Alterman
- Sarah Siron, PetIQ
- Joel Stanley, ECS Tuning
- Sam Stein, MERU
- Matt Tischler, Blue Cardinal Home Services Group
- Kelly White, UCBI
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
- Chris DeVogel, Medtronic
- Fabian Geist, Heraeus
- Ivo Goudzwaard, Boels Rental
- Ralph Knoops, Nextview Consulting
- Lachlan Macpherson, N-Able
- Christopher Rüge, RSG
- Ronald Seinen, Medtronic
- Chris Tabb, LEIT Data
- Sojin Yoon, Heraeus
Australia-New Zealand (ANZ)
- John (JC) Cosgrove, Cloudwerx
- Adam Courtier, Mitre 10
- Ravi Nath, Esri Australia
- Martin Norgrove, Qrious
- Quintus van Wyk, Mitre 10
About Coalesce
Coalesce transforms how data teams work by simplifying data development and governance. The platform enables data practitioners of all skill levels to build, discover, and scale data projects with unprecedented speed and quality. Designed for flexibility, Coalesce empowers organizations to accelerate the delivery and consumption of trusted, enterprise-ready data—while reducing time and effort tenfold. Learn more at Coalesce.io.

The MIL Network –
May 3, 2025

Category: Australia

In brief:

Named for a great Canberran

Contemporary facilities

Aunty Agnes Shea OAM

Read more like this:

Each dog has a different personality

It can take three months for your dog to adjust to their new environment

You will always need to care for your dog – even on your hardest days

Owning a dog will change the way your home looks

Your social life will look a bit different

Travelling can be more challenging

Dogs cost money

Moving your pet interstate and overseas can be costly

In brief:

World-leading technology

A state-of-the-art facility

Supporting Canberra and its future

Additional benefits

Capabilities and features of the new facility include:

Interim recycling

Read more like this

Cultivate collaboration and connection with Minecraft Education

Build social, emotional, and academic skills with Reflect

Enhance educator well-being and connection

Create a staff check-in with Reflect

Balance your workload with AI

Winners and losers

Inky worlds and popular patterns

In Brief:

What is the program for?

What kind of projects are eligible for funding?

Which projects have received grant funding before?

How can I find out more?

Extended closure will help complete diverging diamond interchange project this summer

SR 18 closure details

What to expect

Detour options

After the closure