NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Givi Mikanadze appointed as new Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    TBILISI, June 30 (Xinhua) — Givi Mikanadze has been appointed Minister of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia. The new minister was introduced by Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze at a briefing at the Georgian government administration on Monday.

    G. Mikanadze replaced Alexander Tsuladze in the ministerial post, who announced his resignation on Monday.

    Before his appointment, G. Mikanadze was the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Youth Affairs.

    A. Tsuladze has held the post of Minister of Education, Science and Youth since October 2024. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting and respecting Europe’s cultural identity within the EU institutions – P-001372/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    EU institution staff are recruited from all Member States. Each staff member brings their own cultural background under the banner united in diversity. The EU institutions strive to build a working environment where everyone feels included.

    The European University Institute (EUI) is an intergovernmental organisation. As such, it is created and regulated by an international treaty — the Convention Setting up the EUI — signed by its contracting states.

    According to Article 1(1)(b) of the High Council Decision N. 10/2020 of 15 December 2020[1], a representative of the European Parliament, a representative of the European Commission and a representative of the Council of the European Union shall take part in meetings of the High Council but shall not have the right to vote.

    The Commission is not aware of any intention on the part of the contracting states to amend the Convention.

    • [1] https://www.eui.eu/Documents/web2021/high-council-decision-10-2020-rules-of-procedure-of-the-high-council.pdf.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Protecting and respecting Europe’s cultural identity within the EU institutions – P-001372/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    EU institution staff are recruited from all Member States. Each staff member brings their own cultural background under the banner united in diversity. The EU institutions strive to build a working environment where everyone feels included.

    The European University Institute (EUI) is an intergovernmental organisation. As such, it is created and regulated by an international treaty — the Convention Setting up the EUI — signed by its contracting states.

    According to Article 1(1)(b) of the High Council Decision N. 10/2020 of 15 December 2020[1], a representative of the European Parliament, a representative of the European Commission and a representative of the Council of the European Union shall take part in meetings of the High Council but shall not have the right to vote.

    The Commission is not aware of any intention on the part of the contracting states to amend the Convention.

    • [1] https://www.eui.eu/Documents/web2021/high-council-decision-10-2020-rules-of-procedure-of-the-high-council.pdf.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Latest news – DKOR ordinary meeting, 3 July 2025, 10.00-11.30, SPINELLI 5E2 – Delegation for relations with the Korean Peninsula

    Source: European Parliament

    ***In camera***

    4. Exchange of views with H.E. María CASTILLO FERNÁNDEZ, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea

    5. Exchange of views with H.E. Jeonghyun RYU, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Belgium, European Union (EU) and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

    ***End of in camera***

    6. Exchange of views following the 3 June elections in RoK and the implications for the relations with the EU with:

    · Prof. Jae-Seung LEE, Director of Ilmin International Relations Institute and Director of the Jean Monnet EU Center of Excellence, Korea University

    · Ms Lin GOETHALS, Director of the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS)

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – The wreck of the ‘Sea Diamond’ on the seabed of Santorini for 18 years as toxic waste – E-001879/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The Commission carried out an informal dialogue with Greek authorities and assessed the study of the Technical University of Crete and the report of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research of 2012[1] in order to verify compliance with the Waste Framework Directive[2] as interpreted by the Court of Justice of the EU in Case C-135/05[3].

    The Commission concluded that based on the available evidence[4] regarding the reports and actions already taken by the Greek authorities after the accident (impact study on pollution, continuous monitoring of the zone affected, etc.), no breach of EU law could be established.

    However, the Commission also informed the Greek authorities that they should remain vigilant as the adverse effects of the shipwreck could be revealed after a prolonged period of time.

    The Commission is not aware of any judicial expert opinions from 2019 and 2020 quoted by the Honourable Member.

    Member States have a primary responsibility to monitor the application of the relevant legal provisions and to take the necessary steps for enforcement. In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation and may decide to take appropriate action.

    The Commission aims to swiftly follow up on systemic issues involving the application of EU law in EU countries. However, one-off instances are better dealt with at national level, as long as there are available remedies, including judicial ones. In these cases, it is up to the national courts to apply and enforce citizens’ rights under EU law.

    Should new elements arise, including pollution of the area, national courts are competent to verify the adequacy of the measures implemented by the Greek authorities with national and EU legislation.

    • [1] Report entitled ‘Μελέτη των επιπτώσεων της ρύπανσης που προκλήθηκε από το ατύχημα του κρουαζιερόπλοιου “Sea Diamond” στον όρμο Αθηνιος της Νήσου Θήρας » transmitted to the Commission by the Greek authorities.
    • [2] Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives, OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3-30, as amended by Directive (EU) 2018/851 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109-140.
    • [3] https://curia.europa.eu/juris/liste.jsf?language=en&num=c-135/05.
    • [4] i.e.  absence of clear-cut evidence of the deterioration of the marine environment.
    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Davis Holds Service Academy Dinner Honoring NC-01 Appointees

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    Rocky Mount, N.C. – On Wednesday, June 18, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) hosted a Service Academy Dinner at his Rocky Mount district office. The event celebrated a group of exceptional young high school graduates from eastern North Carolina who received appointments to the United States Military Service Academies.

     

    [Front row, from left: Leonardo Fletcher-Fontana, and Congressman Don Davis. Back row, from left: Abel Dees, Nicholas Santiago, and Parker Stokes. Not pictured: Dylan Sawyer]

    “These young leaders represent the very best of eastern North Carolina,” said Congressman Davis. “Their drive, discipline, and desire to serve our country inspire us all. It was a true honor to recognize their hard work and celebrate this milestone with their families.”

    The dinner highlighted the achievements of each appointee and recognized the rigorous process required for nomination and acceptance into the academies. 

    Abel Dees of Nash County and Parker Stokes of Pitt County, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, were honored for their academic excellence, high GPAs and test scores, and strong leadership in student government and athletics. Leonardo Fletcher-Fontana of Pitt County will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was recognized for his JROTC leadership and dedication to mental health advocacy and community service. Nicholas Antonio Santiago of Perquimans County, appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, was celebrated for achievements in academics, athletics, the arts, and volunteerism, including service as a part-time firefighter. Dylan Sawyer of Pitt County, also appointed to the Naval Academy, was acknowledged in absentia for academic distinction at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and his involvement in STEM, leadership programs, and youth engagement.

    The evening concluded with a message of gratitude from the Congressman to the families and communities supporting these students.

    “Behind every appointee is a circle of support: parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors, who have helped them reach this point,” said Congressman Davis. “We all know these students will go on to do wonderful things in the future.” 

    Congressman Davis can nominate students to four U.S. service academies: West Point, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine; the Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. A nomination is required but does not guarantee admission. These academies offer a full scholarship in exchange for military service after graduation.

    For more information about service academies, please contact (252) 999-7600. 

    Congressman Don Davis serves as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Davis Holds Service Academy Dinner Honoring NC-01 Appointees

    Source: US Congressman Don Davis (NC-01)

    Rocky Mount, N.C. – On Wednesday, June 18, Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) hosted a Service Academy Dinner at his Rocky Mount district office. The event celebrated a group of exceptional young high school graduates from eastern North Carolina who received appointments to the United States Military Service Academies.

     

    [Front row, from left: Leonardo Fletcher-Fontana, and Congressman Don Davis. Back row, from left: Abel Dees, Nicholas Santiago, and Parker Stokes. Not pictured: Dylan Sawyer]

    “These young leaders represent the very best of eastern North Carolina,” said Congressman Davis. “Their drive, discipline, and desire to serve our country inspire us all. It was a true honor to recognize their hard work and celebrate this milestone with their families.”

    The dinner highlighted the achievements of each appointee and recognized the rigorous process required for nomination and acceptance into the academies. 

    Abel Dees of Nash County and Parker Stokes of Pitt County, appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, were honored for their academic excellence, high GPAs and test scores, and strong leadership in student government and athletics. Leonardo Fletcher-Fontana of Pitt County will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy. He was recognized for his JROTC leadership and dedication to mental health advocacy and community service. Nicholas Antonio Santiago of Perquimans County, appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy, was celebrated for achievements in academics, athletics, the arts, and volunteerism, including service as a part-time firefighter. Dylan Sawyer of Pitt County, also appointed to the Naval Academy, was acknowledged in absentia for academic distinction at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and his involvement in STEM, leadership programs, and youth engagement.

    The evening concluded with a message of gratitude from the Congressman to the families and communities supporting these students.

    “Behind every appointee is a circle of support: parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors, who have helped them reach this point,” said Congressman Davis. “We all know these students will go on to do wonderful things in the future.” 

    Congressman Davis can nominate students to four U.S. service academies: West Point, Naval, Air Force, and Merchant Marine; the Coast Guard Academy does not require a nomination. A nomination is required but does not guarantee admission. These academies offer a full scholarship in exchange for military service after graduation.

    For more information about service academies, please contact (252) 999-7600. 

    Congressman Don Davis serves as the vice ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittees on Tactical Air and Land Forces and Readiness. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1994 and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – The Digital Services Act and Google Overview – E-002492/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002492/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Christel Schaldemose (S&D), Stine Bosse (Renew)

    Google has launched its new AI Overview. This means that Google itself decides what is displayed when people do Google searches.

    Google controls critical infrastructure and flows of information.

    The media depends on Search traffic, and that traffic will be drastically reduced by AI Overview, which gives the user a full answer. What’s more, Google can design/manipulate its answers as it sees fit, thereby directly influencing children, young people and citizens in general, and promoting its own narratives. Studies show that chatbots have shifted to the right since January 2025.

    What is the Commission’s view on this, and is it in line with the Digital Services Act?

    Submitted: 20.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Türkiye slices Aegean in two in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – E-002431/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002431/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Kefalogiannis (PPE)

    As part of its so-called ‘Blue Homeland’ doctrine, Türkiye, in violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, has submitted its own maritime spatial planning map to UNESCO, slicing the Aegean Sea in two. The Turkish maps reflect Ankara’s well-known revisionist approach, which calls into question the influence of the Greek islands and reinstates the theory of a ‘midline’ between Türkiye and mainland Greece. The map, designed by the University of Ankara and formally submitted to UNESCO as ‘scientific proof’, calls into question the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the Greek Aegean islands. It was published in response to Greece’s spatial planning, which is already contained in the EU acquis. The difference is that the Turkish map has no basis in international law or in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which has been signed by 168 countries, and is not directed at an international organisation that imposes an obligation to submit such maps. Greece will insist on its policy of principles, as is its obligation under international law.

    Can the Commission therefore say:

    What action will it take with regard to the Turkish map on maritime spatial planning, which calls into question the influence of Greek islands and Greek sovereignty?

    Submitted: 17.6.2025

    Last updated: 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON THE RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF REP. DWIGHT EVANS

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Congressman Dwight Evans announced he would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

    For more than four decades, Dwight Evans has served his hometown of Philadelphia as a teacher, community organizer, State Representative and Congressman. He has spent his entire career being a voice for the voiceless and fighting for economic justice in the urban communities that are too often left behind. 

    In Congress, Rep. Evans has served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, where he has worked to protect Medicare and Social Security and ensure that our nation’s tax code works for everyone – not just the wealthiest 1%. During the 115th Congress as a freshman Member, Dwight introduced and ushered H.R. 6347, the Real Estate Appraisal Harmonization Act, into law to help small business owners get loans. As Republicans push their budget scheme to slash healthcare and nutritional assistance, Dwight has remained in steadfast opposition to this disastrous legislation on behalf of the people he is privileged to represent. 

    Throughout his Congressional career, Dwight has remained rooted in his beloved Philadelphia and has never lost sight of the people back home. He has been a trusted friend to me and so many others in the People’s House and I wish him the best as he begins this next chapter. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republicans Reject Sen. Markey Effort to Protect Rural Hospitals from Republican Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

    Over 300 Rural Hospitals at Disproportionate Risk of Closure, Conversion, or Service Reductions Due to GOP Cuts

    Watch: Senator Markey forces vote on Senate floor

    Washington (June 30, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today forced a vote on a motion to cut any provision of Trump’s so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” that would make it more likely that rural hospitals close or cut services altogether. Republicans overwhelmingly voted down the amendment from passing. The motion failed by a vote of 49-51.

    Earlier this month, Senator Markey released a list of more than 300 rural hospitals across the United States at disproportionate risk of closure, conversion, or service reductions due to proposed health care cuts in the bill. Republicans are proposing over $1.6 trillion in draconian spending cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and SNAP to pay for tax cuts for people with incomes over $500,0000. These cuts include $930 billion to Medicaid, $500 billion to Medicare, and $300 billion to the Affordable Care Act. 

    Below is an excerpt from Senator Markey’s remarks on the Senate floor.

    “A few weeks ago, I released a list of more than 300 rural hospitals across the country at risk of closing or stopping services because of ANY major cuts to Medicaid or Medicare. Today, that’s what Republicans are guaranteeing with the $1 trillion cut to our health care system they would create with this bill.

    “My Republican colleagues know these risks are real, which is why they’ve tried to create a so-called Medicaid Cuts Replacement Fund that is just a fraction of what they’re taking from Americans’ health care to give to billionaires. This Fund is like giving aspirin to a cancer patient. It is pathetically insufficient.

    “No billionaire tax break or Donald Trump pat on the back is worth the risk to people’s lives and livelihoods. Stop these cuts.”

    Previously, Senator Markey, along with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y), Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, released detailed data from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concluding that Republican health care cuts in the House Republican-passed bill could place over 300 rural hospitals across the U.S. at disproportionate risk of closure, conversion, or service reductions. This includes 33 hospitals in Louisiana, 35 hospitals in Kentucky, and 21 hospitals in Oklahoma.

    In the face of these Republican cuts, a majority of adults living in rural areas are concerned that health care cuts will “negatively impact hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care providers in [their] community.” Rural hospitals are struggling; in 2023, there were 50 fewer rural hospitals than in 2017, and a lack of health care access in rural America is contributing to worse health outcomes. Faced with additional cuts to their revenue, many rural hospitals may be forced to stop providing certain services, including obstetric, mental health, and emergency room care, convert to clinics or standalone emergency centers, or close altogether. Rural hospitals are often the largest employers in rural communities, and when a rural hospital closes or scales back their services, communities are not only forced to grapple with losing access to health care, but also with job loss and the resulting financial insecurity.

    The 338 rural hospitals at-risk of reducing service lines, converting to a different type of health care facility, or closing include:

    Alaska

    Providence Valdez Medical Center

    Providence Seward Medical & Care Cen

    Prov. Kodiak Island Medical Center

    Cordova Community Medical Center

    Ketchikan Medical Center

    Alabama

    Community Hospital Inc.

    Marion Regional Medical Center

    Lawrence Medical Center

    Bullock County Hospital

    Hill Hospital of Sumter County

    Arkansas

    Wadley Medical Center at Hope

    Arizona

    Page Hospital

    Winslow Memorial Hospital

    Copper Queen Community Hospital

    Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital

    Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center

    California

    Adventist Health St. Helena

    Mad River Community Hospital

    Oroville Hospital

    St. Elizabeth Community Hospital

    Adventist Health Reedley

    Hi – Desert Medical Center

    Barstow Community Hospital

    Adventist Health Ukiah Valley

    Pioneers Mem. Hospital

    Memorial Hospital – Los Banos

    Eastern Plumas Health Care

    Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley

    Southern Inyo Hospital

    John C. Fremont Healthcare District

    Mayers Memorial Hospital

    Jerold Phelps Community Hospital

    Biggs-Gridley Memorial Hospital

    Mountains Community Hospital

    Kern Valley Healthcare District

    Trinity Hospital

    Fairchild Medical Center

    Adventist Health Clearlake

    Sutter Lakeside Hospital

    Modoc Medical Center

    Bear Valley Community Hospital

    Mee Memorial Hospital

    Hazel Hawkins Mem. Hospital

    Coalinga Regional Medical Center

    Colorado

    Delta County Memorial Hospital

    Conejos County Hospital

    Grand River Hospital District

    Prowers Medical Center

    Southwest Memorial Hospital

    Arkansas Valley Regional Med Center

    Connecticut

    Sharon Hospital

    Delaware

    Nanticoke Memorial Hospital

    Florida

    Lakeside Medical Center

    Georgia

    Washington Co Reg Med Center

    Irwin County Hospital

    Fannin Regional Hospital

    Flint River Community Hospital

    Hawaii

    Kau Hospital

    Kohala Hospital

    Molokai General Hospital

    Lanai Community Hospital

    Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital

    Hale Hoola Hamakua

    Iowa

    MercyOne – Newton Medical Center

    Manning Regional Healthcare Center

    Idaho

    Power County Hospital District

    St. Lukes Jerome Ltd

    Cassia Regional Hospital

    Illinois

    Katherine Shaw Bethea Hospital

    OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center

    Richland Memorial Hospital

    Harrisburg Medical Center Inc.

    Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital

    Franklin Hospital

    Massac Memorial Hospital

    Hardin County General Hospital

    Crawford Memorial Hospital

    Indiana

    Daviess Community Hospital

    Memorial Hospital Logansport

    Community Hospital of Bremen Inc.

    Ascension St. Vincent Randolph

    Ascension St. Vincent Jennings

    Ascension St. Vincent Clay

    Ascension St Vincent Salem

    IU Health Jay Hospital

    Franciscan Health Rensselaer

    Sullivan County Community Hospital

    Adams Memorial Hospital

    Harrison County Hospital

    Kansas

    Centura Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital

    UKHS Great Bend Campus

    Kiowa County Memorial Hospital

    Rush County Memorial Hospital

    Norton County Hospital

    Great Plains of Smith County, Inc.

    Kentucky

    Whitesburg ARH

    Highlands Regional Medical Center

    UofL Health-Shelbyville

    T.J. Samson Community Hospital

    St. Claire Medical Center

    Middlesboro ARH

    Spring View Hospital

    AdventHealth Manchester

    Bourbon Community Hospital

    Harlan ARH

    Deaconess Henderson Hospital

    Saint Joseph Mount Sterling

    Tug Valley ARH

    Owensboro Health Twin Lakes Medical

    Baptist Health Corbin

    Clark Regional Medical Center

    Baptist Health Madisonville

    The Medical Center of Albany

    Three Rivers Medical Center

    Kentucky River Medical Center

    TJ Health Columbia

    Pineville Community Health Center

    Marcum & Wallace Memorial Hospital

    Our Lady of The Way

    Casey County Hospital

    Carroll County Memorial Hosp

    The Medical Center at Caverna

    Fort Logan Hospital

    Mary Breckinridge Hospital

    Jane Todd Crawford Hospital

    Barbourville ARH Hospital

    Saint Joseph Berea

    Russell County Hospital

    McDowell ARH

    Fleming County Hospital

    Louisiana

    Ochsner St. Mary

    Savoy Medical Management Group Inc.

    Iberia Medical Center

    West Carroll Health Systems LLC

    North Louisiana Medical Center

    Winn Parish Medical Center

    Avoyelles Hospital

    Oakdale Community Hospital

    Morehouse General Hospital

    Desoto Regional Health System

    Allen Parish Hospital

    Franklin Medical Center

    Minden Medical Center

    Richland Parish Hospital Service District 1-B

    Byrd Regional Hospital

    Mercy Regional Medical Center

    Citizens Medical Center

    Caldwell Memorial Hospital

    East Carroll Parish Hospital

    Sabine Medical Center

    Our Lady of The Angels Hospital Mc

    Southeast Regional Medical Center

    Acadian Medical Center

    St. Helena Parish Hospital

    Union General Hospital Inc.

    West Feliciana Parish Hospital

    West Ascension Parish Hospital

    Hood Memorial Hospital

    Franklin Foundation Hospital

    Christus Coushatta Health Care Center

    Madison Parish Hospital

    Trinity Medical

    Lallie Kemp Regional Medical Center

    Massachusetts

    Baystate Franklin Medical Center

    Maine

    The Aroostook Medical Center

    Maine Coast Memorial Hospital

    Michigan

    Mclaren Central Michigan

    Carson City Hospital

    Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital

    Ascension Borgess-Lee Hospital

    Minnesota

    Range Regional Health Services

    Mayo Clinic Health System-Fairmont

    Missouri

    Bothwell Regional Health Center

    Scotland County Memorial Hospital

    Parkland Health Center – Bonne Terre

    Lafayette Regional Health Center

    Mississippi

    Alliance Healthcare System

    Delta Health-Northwest Regional

    Baptist Mem Hospital Booneville

    Greenwood Leflore Hospital

    Jeff Anderson Regional Medical Center

    Highland Community Hospital

    Panola Medical Center

    Baptist Medical Center – Yazoo

    Montana

    Northeast Montana Healthcare-Poplar

    Prairie Community Hospital

    Garfield Co. Health Center

    Logan Health Cutbank

    Big Horn Hospital

    Northeast Montana Health Services

    Providence St Joseph Medical Center

    Big Sky Medical Center

    North Carolina

    UNC Rockingham Hospital

    Person Memorial Hospital Inc.

    Chatham Hospital Inc.

    MH Angel Medical Center LLLP

    Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

    North Dakota

    Nelson County Health System-Hospital

    Presentation Medical Center

    Mercy Hospital

    Nebraska

    Avera Creighton Hospital

    Ogallala Community Hospital

    New Hampshire

    Cheshire Medical Center

    New Mexico

    Alta Vista Regional Hospital

    Eastern New Mexico Medical Center

    Espanola Hospital

    Plains Regional Medical Center – Clovis

    Rehoboth Mckinley Christian Hospital

    Carlsbad Medical Center

    Covenant Health Hobbs Hospital

    Roosevelt General Hospital

    Lovelace Regional Hospital-Roswell

    Socorro General Hospital

    Dr. Dan C. Trigg Memorial Hospital

    Lincoln County Medical Center

    Miner Of Colfax Medical Center

    Mimbres Memorial Hospital

    Holy Cross Hospital

    Nevada

    Battle Mountain General Hospital

    Humboldt General Hospital

    New York

    Wyoming County Community Hospital

    Newark Wayne Community Hospital

    Geneva General Hospital

    Bon Secours Community Hospital

    Westfield Memorial Hospital

    Claxton Hepburn Medical Center

    Massena Memorial Hospital

    Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills

    Clifton-Fine Hospital

    Gouverneur Hospital

    Lewis County General Hospital

    Ohio

    Southern Ohio Medical Center

    Wayne Hospital Company

    East Liverpool City Hospital

    Coshocton Regional Medical Center

    Twin City Hospital

    Harrison Community Hospital

    Bucyrus Community Hospital

    Holzer Medical Center Jackson

    Galion Community Hospital

    Adams County Regional Medical Center

    Fayette County Memorial Hosp

    Oklahoma

    Integris Miami Hospital

    Blackwell Regional Hospital

    McAlester Regional Health Center

    Hillcrest Hospital Cushing

    Choctaw Memorial Hospital

    Sequoyah County City of Sallisaw Hos

    Integris Grove Hospital

    Perry Memorial Hospital

    Wagoner Hospital Authority

    Adair County Health Center

    Hillcrest Hospital Henryetta

    Lindsay Municipal Hospital Authority

    Mercy Hospital Watonga

    Mercy Hospital Tishomingo

    Mercy Health/Love County

    Mercy Hospital Healdton Inc.

    Cleveland Area Hospital

    Carnegie Tri-County Municipal Hospital

    Haskell Regional Hospital

    Harmon Memorial Hospital

    Memorial Hospital of Texas County

    Oregon

    Silverton Hospital

    Providence Seaside Hospital

    St Charles Madras

    Good Shepherd Medical Center

    Pennsylvania

    UPMC Jameson

    UPMC Northwest Hospital

    UPMC Kane

    UPMC Horizon Hospital

    Highlands Hospital

    South Carolina

    Oconee Memorial Hospital

    MUSC Health Chester Medical Center

    MUSC Health Marion Medical Center

    The Regional Medical Center

    Abbeville Area Medical Center

    South Dakota

    Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center

    Bennett County Hospital

    Tennessee

    Unicoi County Hospital

    Wayne Medical Center

    Baptist Mem Hospital Huntingdon

    West Tn Healthcare Volunteer Hospital

    Dyersburg Regional Medical Center

    St Thomas Dekalb Hospital

    Saint Thomas Highland Hospital

    Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital

    Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital

    Texas

    Anson General Hospital

    Ascension Seton Smithville

    Val Verde Regional Medical Center

    Falls Community Hospital and Clinic

    Covenant Hospital Plainview

    Scenic Mountain Medical Center

    El Campo Memorial Hospital

    Covenant Hospital Levelland

    North Runnels Hospital District

    Palacios Community Medical Center

    Haskell Memorial Hospital

    Mitchell County Hospital

    TMC Bonham Hospital

    Mid Coast Medical Center-Central

    Baylor Scott & White – Marble Falls

    Utah

    Fillmore Community Hospital

    Blue Mountain Hospital

    Beaver Valley Hospital

    Virginia

    Southampton Memorial Hospital

    Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center

    Community Memorial Hospital

    Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital

    Rappahannock General Hospital

    Lee County Community Hospital

    Washington:

    Samaritan Hospital

    Toppenish Community Hospital

    Summit Pacific Medical Center

    Odessa Memorial Hospital

    Coulee Medical Center

    Providence St Joseph’s Hospital

    Prosser Memorial Health

    Klickitat Valley Health

    Othello Community Hospital

    Three Rivers Hospital

    Forks Community Hospital

    Mid-Valley Hospital

    Astria Sunnyside Hospital

    Mason General Hospital

    Wisconsin:

    Holy Family Memorial Inc.

    MCHS Oakridge

    Aspirus Stanley Hospital

    West Virginia:

    Logan Regional Medical Center

    Welch Community Hospital

    Broaddus Hospital Association

    Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center

    Grafton City Hospital

    Montgomery General Hospital

    Jackson General Hospital

    Wyoming

    Summit Medical Center LLC

    Platte County Memorial Hospital

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A student of the State University of Management became the author of the best startup in Russia: the results of the All-Russian competition “Startup as a Diploma” have been announced

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On June 27, 2025, the final of the All-Russian competition of final qualification works in the format “Startup as a Diploma” was held at the National Center “Russia”, the winner of which was a student of the State University of Management.

    The author of the best startup in Russia, a 4th-year student of the Institute of Industry Management of the State University of Management of the educational program “Small and Medium Business Management” Danila Yakovlev, has developed a glass processing technology that allows obtaining a finished product for sale – glass pebbles. The project “

    The Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, the Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Olga Petrova and the Deputy Director of the Department of State Youth Policy and Educational Activities of the Ministry of Education and Science Alexander Vedekhin, as well as the First Deputy Chair of the Committee on Science and Higher Education of the State Duma Ksenia Goryacheva addressed the young entrepreneurs and guests of the event with welcoming words.

    Our student’s performance did not leave the members of the expert jury indifferent – following the results of the final pitches, Danila Yakovlev became the absolute winner of the competition and took 1st place. In addition, he received a special prize from the Moscow School of Management “Skolkovo”, a certificate for participation in the acceleration program “Academy of Innovators” and other gifts from the competition partners. The scientific director of the project Victoria Degtyareva received special gratitude.

    Only 14 finalists presented their innovative ideas to the expert jury. The podium of honor looks like this:
    1st place – startup “Innovative glass pebbles”#Proesklo “, State University of Management;
    2nd place – startup “Automated irrigation system – Control’s”, Russian State Agrarian University – MSCHA named after K.A. Timiryazeva;
    3rd place – Startup Recyclix – plastic processing, Far Eastern Federal University.

    The event brought together over 400 participants – students from different regions of Russia, experts, entrepreneurs, industry representatives, universities and government bodies. The hosts were Olga Serebryannikova, Director of the Project Office for the Development of Youth Entrepreneurship in Higher Education Institutions, and Andrey Goryachev, a finalist of the 2024 Startup as a Diploma competition. The young entrepreneurs and guests of the event were addressed with welcoming speeches by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Valery Falkov, First Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Science and Higher Education of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Ksenia Goryacheva, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova and Deputy Director of the Department of State Youth Policy and Educational Activities of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Alexander Vedekhin.

    The final became an important part of the large-scale joint work of university teams, mentors and partners in the development of youth entrepreneurship. Students and employees of the State University of Management, including his scientific supervisor, Associate Professor of the Department of Innovation Management Victoria Degtyareva, came to support Danila at the final stage of the competition. Also on the day of the final, an exhibition of the TOP-50 projects of the Startup as a Diploma competition of 2025 was held at the site of the National Center “Russia”, where one could get acquainted with another innovative development of the State University of Management – the project of the Business Incubator resident Mikhail Zorin HolterTECH (a wireless Holter designed to monitor the work of the heart), which was also highly appreciated by the experts of the competition this year.

    We asked Danila Yakovlev for details about his project.

    «

    What is unique about your product and what advantages does it provide? — The technology itself is not unique, but for some reason large businesses do not use it. Construction companies tried to make materials cheaper with this technology, but we transferred the product to another industry where people are willing to pay for beauty and comfort. In addition, we were able to significantly reduce the time and labor costs of the processing process, which allows us to save on electricity and human resources. Plus, given the integration into an existing business, our raw material cost is negative, that is, the waste generator pays us to take this glass from them. It should also be added that the production line can fit on 100 square meters, and only two operators can control it. In terms of numbers, this is a very promising project.

    What investments will be required to fully launch the project? – We have outlined several stages of investment. At the first stage, we will need 3.5 million rubles to purchase equipment to complete the first line, launch and adjust the process.

    What difficulties do you face in the process of project implementation and how do you overcome them? — The main problem today is that I have 24 hours in a day, like everyone else. I understand that all entrepreneurs are busy people. Every hour is not that expensive, but it is very valuable. Sometimes there is simply not enough time to sleep or spend time with family. In addition, unemployment in Russia is now extremely low, everyone works somewhere, but for some reason no one wants to here. Fortunately, there are young ambitious students who are eager to work not for money, but for the sake of prospects. And in general, you can’t say “problems”. There are tasks that need to be solved. And there are dreams. I invite everyone to achieve them together. We now need a warehouse manager, even a young one with no experience, we need simple warehouse employees, sales managers. We need everyone. If you want, we will accept everyone. We have a lot of ideas, we have an agreement with the State University of Management and students can do paid internships with us. I think together we can build a cool future.

    How do you see the future?

    The full interview with Danila Yakovlev will soon be available on the GUU channel on RuTube.

    We are posting Danila’s contact on Telegram for those who would like to join his project or do an internship: https://t.me/yakovleff_dan

     

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn’s Sir Cato T. Laurencin Recognized as Springer Nature Editor of Distinction

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dr. Cato T. Laurencin is the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, recognized as the leading voice in the field, published by Springer Nature.

    “We are proud to work with Professor Sir Cato Laurencin on the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. As the Founding Editor-in-Chief of this important journal, he has made great strides in the advancement of research on racial and ethnic health disparities. The journal’s 2024 CiteScore is 7.5, ranking 5 out of 524 journals in the Anthropology category,” said Katherine Lang, executive publisher, Journals – Springer Nature.

    Professor Sir Cato T. Laurencin is the University Professor at UConn and Albert and Wilda Van Dusen Distinguished Endowed Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn School of Medicine, professor of Chemical Engineering, professor of Materials Science and Engineering, and professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Connecticut. He is the chief executiveoOfficer of The Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering, a cross-university institute created and named in his honor at UConn.

    He completed his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering at Princeton. At the same time, he completed the Program in African-American Studies at Princeton. He received his M.D., Magna Cum Laude from the Harvard Medical School and his Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology from M.I.T. Under the auspices of King George III of England, Laurencin was bestowed Knighthood by the Governor-General of St. Lucia.

    Laurencin is a professor of Africana Studies at the University of Connecticut and chaired the Inaugural World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, held in 2025 in St. Lucia. He received the Herbert V. Nickens Award from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) for his work in advancing social justice and fairness. The NAACP awarded him the Spingarn Medal, given for “the highest or noblest achievement by an African American.” Previously the award was given to Dr. Charles Drew, Martin Luther King Jr., and Maya Angelou, among others. The W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute and the National Medical Association created the Cato T. Laurencin Lifetime Research Achievement Award in his honor, bestowed at the opening ceremonies of the National Medical Association meeting.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Entrepreneur Aims to Revolutionize Men’s Health Care

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    When former President Joe Biden revealed in May that he had been diagnosed with an advanced and aggressive form of prostate cancer, the news rattled UConn’s Reza Amin ’18 Ph.D., ’19 MS.

    Amin is the CEO and Founder of Bastion Health, the first and largest virtual urology group in the country. Bastion, a UConn startup, addresses men’s health care through at-home diagnostics, specialist-led care, and elimination of impediments to medical attention.

    Detecting prostate cancer in its most treatable stage is more than a professional interest for Amin. He lost his grandfather to the disease and wants to spare others from that heartbreak.

    “Prostate cancer is a cruel disease because it can often be asymptomatic and, without testing, men don’t know they have it,’’ he says. “The good news is that if prostate cancer is diagnosed early, the survival rate is close to 100 percent. Diagnosed later, it falls to about 40 percent.

    “Our work at Bastion is about changing that equation—by offering early, accessible, and private care for our male patients,’’ he says. Bastion also addresses prostate, hormonal, and reproductive issues, as well as cancer prevention.

    “Improving men’s access to care is at the heart of what we do. We’re building a future where men don’t delay care because of stigma, access issues, or inconvenience,’’ he says. “When care is confidential, virtual, and designed around them, men are more willing to use it.’’

    Men’s Health a Growing Concern

    Bastion Health is based at the UConn Technology Incubation Program (TIP) in Farmington, which unites research, facilities, and business support for high-impact startups.

    The company, created in 2020, contracts with large employers who offer the medical service to their employees. Some 120,000 men—in all 50 states— have access to Bastion’s services. The company is growing quickly and is set to expand, adding multiple Fortune 500 employers to its ranks next year.

    The statistics about men’s health are concerning. About one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. In the last seven years or so, there has been a spike in men being diagnosed with late-stage disease.

    Reza Amin (courtesy of Bastion Health)

    Bastion offers at-home testing, supported by a team of more than 60 board-certified urologists, who deliver comprehensive virtual care and guide patients every step of the way, offering fast referrals when in-person support is needed.

    New patients begin with an app-based intake, followed by a nurse practitioner visit and at-home diagnostic kits delivered to their door. The tests cover blood, urine, semen, and stool. Samples are processed by certified labs, and results are reviewed by board-certified urologists to initiate treatment.

    “The clinical accuracy matches traditional in-office care, but with greater convenience, faster follow-through, and a better patient experience,’’ Amin says.  The normalization of telehealth following the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated Bastion’s growth, making virtual specialty care not just viable—but preferred, he added.

    The traditional health care system hasn’t evolved with men’s needs, and as a result, many men bypass it, Amin says. Long waits in a doctor’s office, missed time at work, embarrassing test requirements, and difficulty scheduling follow-up appointments result in men avoiding life-enhancing or life-saving care.

    “Men deserve care that’s private, seamless, and designed for them, especially when it comes to issues ‘under the belt,’” Amin says. “We’re a team of technologists, physicians, nurses, and health professionals building the future of men’s health. With AI-powered telehealth, nationwide urologist access, and integrated at-home testing, we’re redefining specialty care—delivered from home, anywhere in the country. We are always keeping the patient in mind in whatever we do.”

    The medical service not only improves outcomes and prevents late-stage diagnoses, but also reduces health care spending for employers and payers.

    “Not only are we saving lives, but we are also saving companies a great deal of money. Every cancer patient who is diagnosed early saves employers and payers $300,000. That’s just huge,” Amin says. “In many cases that savings alone covers the cost of the program for the entire employee population.’’

    From Avid Researcher to Business Entrepreneur

    Amin’s business idea began 10 years ago when he was completing a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, with a focus on medical diagnostic system design, at UConn. He published his first paper on at-home testing and how it can help with cancer detection.

    “It started as an idea on paper, but it pieced things together,’’ he says. As the idea took root, Amin realized he wanted to create something more impactful than a testing company. He wanted to transform access to care.

    “We dove into everything—regulations, diagnostics, emerging tech,” he says. “Today, we’re an AI-powered virtual care platform integrating at-home testing and automated clinical workflows. With help from AI, we streamline medical documentation, enhance clinical decision-making, and engage patients more effectively, improving the experience for both patients and providers. It’s about reducing friction, increasing satisfaction, and delivering high-quality care at scale.”

    The year after completing his Ph.D., Amin added a master’s degree in global entrepreneurship from UConn to his resume. He is also the co-founder of Encapsulate, a precision personalized cancer therapy program.

    Urologists Often Difficult to Find

    Because urology practices are most frequently located in cities, some 62% of United States counties don’t have a single urologist, Amin says. That makes it difficult for many men, even those who are health-conscious, to get an appointment and schedule follow-ups if a problem is detected.

    At Bastion, the team tries to make accessing care as seamless as possible. A dedicated care coordinator alerts men to appointments, testing, and medication refills. If follow-up care is needed, the patient is quickly referred to a health care system that can address even complex treatment.

    If men are comfortable receiving care at home, let’s bring it to them there. We are leading the market but not abandoning high-quality service. &#8212 Reza Amin, Bastion Health

    Through Bastion’s focus on patient satisfaction, Amin and his team reviewed and adopted technologies designed with the male patient experience in mind—making it easy to collect blood, urine, semen, and stool from home.

    “We strive to be tech-savvy and futuristic thinking,” he says. “If men are comfortable receiving care at home, let’s bring it to them there. We are leading the market but not abandoning high-quality service.”

    UConn Instrumental in Bastion’s Success

    Bastion Health has also benefitted from numerous UConn entrepreneurship programs through the School of Business, College of Engineering, the Werth Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and the Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. As an entrepreneur, Amin says, he ran into many people who discouraged his efforts. The support from UConn offset the challenges.

    “Our company is a UConn spinoff. We’re Huskies through and through. We’ve had great support, lab and office space, and we utilize talent from UConn,” Amin says.

    Amin has also competed in prestigious entrepreneurship competitions, including Connect Next, Mayo Clinic Incubator, Mass Challenge, and Plug & Play.

    Bastion has been recognized in Forbes twice and as a Top 100 Healthcare Tech Company by Healthcare Tech Report Nation. He was also chosen as a “40 Under Forty” award recipient by the Hartford Business Journal.

    “In growing this business, I realized that talent is key. I wanted to spend enough time to find the right people. Technology and funding are important, but it is talent that brings the ideas, builds the culture, and shares the vision that creates value,’’ he says. “Our partnerships and alignment are very important.’’

    ‘It Impacts Everyone and Everything’

    Although Amin is focused on caring for men’s health, he recognizes the work he does has a profound ripple effect.

    “Whether you’re addressing men’s health, women’s health, or children’s health, it is all family health,” he says. “Everyone wants a healthy family and if any one member has a problem, it impacts everyone and everything, from fear and disruption to employment and income concerns.”

    “Losing lives to conditions that are treatable, when solutions exist and can’t be accessed, is failure,” he says. “We hope to save many families from going through the terrible experience of advanced prostate cancer.’’

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Expand Access to Good Jobs with Good Wages

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Expand Access to Good Jobs with Good Wages

    Governor Stein Highlights Ongoing Efforts to Expand Access to Good Jobs with Good Wages
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today at Central Piedmont Community College, Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships announced its first report, outlining its goals to expand access to good jobs with good wages that will support a family. 

    “You shouldn’t have to get a four-year degree to get a good job and support your family,” said Governor Stein. “That’s why I am committed to creating more good-paying jobs and pursuing the goals in this report so that our people have the skills and knowledge they need to build strong careers and bright futures in a changing economy.”

    “The Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships featured the expertise of representatives from everyone in our workforce system, from employers and labor to educators and state officials,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Meeting the goals adopted by the Council will be vital to continuing North Carolina’s economic success, because our talented people give us our competitive edge.”

    “Communities in every corner of the state, whether they are urban or rural, all need workers with the right skills for the jobs of today and tomorrow,” said Senator Eddie Settle. “The Council’s goals identify the top priorities for North Carolina to continue building an exceptional business climate, while allowing all workers to have opportunities for rewarding careers.”

    “Building upon North Carolina’s strong tradition of collaboration in workforce development, the Council has highlighted important ways that we can use education, training, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning partnerships to meet the needs of employers,” said Dr. Jeff Cox, president of the N.C. Community College System. “Our outstanding 58 community colleges look forward to playing a key role in meeting these goals.” 

    The 11 goals approved by the Council and submitted to Governor Stein are:

    1. Ensure 2 million North Carolinians aged 25-44 will have earned an industry-valued credential or degree.

    2. By graduation, ensure that every high school student has completed coursework that results in transferable credit or credentials/certifications in preparation for the postsecondary pathway of their choice. The coursework includes dual enrollment, Career & Technical Education (CTE) concentrator, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC), Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate, and work-based learning courses. 

    3. For graduating high school students, increase postsecondary enrollment, employment, or enlistment in the military within 12 months of high school graduation.

    4. Double the number of registered apprentices.

    5. Increase participation in work-based learning:

    • Double the number of work-based learning experiences through the NCWorks system with funding from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I and the Native American Workforce Program.
    • Double the number of high school students participating in work-based learning.
    • Increase by 25% the number of community college students participating in work-based learning courses.
    • Increase by 25% work-based learning experiences including Correction Enterprises roles and work-release at state correctional facilities.
    • Increase by 15% work-based learning experiences for individuals with disabilities through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title IV funds.
    • Double the number of students participating in the state government internship program.

    6. Engage 50,000 employers to partner with the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships on achieving its goals.

    7. Establish and expand coordinated partnerships between education and workforce agencies and employers to increase alignment of resources to better address current and projected employer needs. Partnerships will result, on an annual basis, in the identification of local industry-valued training across the education continuum, shared planning for educational courses to meet these training needs, and increased use of available federal and state funds to support training in these programs.

    8. Create statewide sector-based workforce development strategies for at least 3 key industries, including, but not limited to, advanced manufacturing, education, and health care.

    9. Develop a plan to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills development into sector-based strategies and work-based learning in key industries to build a future-ready workforce.

    10. Reduce state government vacancy rate to 15%.

    11. Launch a coordinated statewide public outreach effort to broaden awareness and participation in workforce development programs by employers, learners, jobseekers, and incumbent workers, with an emphasis on reaching under-tapped talent pools like rural communities, veterans and their families, individuals with disabilities, and justice-involved people.

    Established through Executive Order No. 11 as an advisory body within the NCWorks Commission, the Council is co-chaired by N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, N.C. Senator Eddie Settle, and N.C. Community College System President Dr. Jeff Cox. The Department of Commerce and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) provide administrative support for the Council’s work. The Council will continue to meet and will develop a second report, due in December 2025, detailing proposed strategies to attain each goal.

    Since January 1st, Governor Stein has announced business expansions or new projects that will make more than $16.3 billion of new capital investment in North Carolina and create more than 18,000 new good-paying jobs.

    Read the Council’s report here. 

    Jun 30, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Holds Virtual Educational Briefing on Federal SNAP and Medicaid Proposals

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Holds Virtual Educational Briefing on Federal SNAP and Medicaid Proposals

    NCDHHS Holds Virtual Educational Briefing on Federal SNAP and Medicaid Proposals
    jawerner

    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services invites members of the media to a virtual educational briefing on Tuesday, July 1, at 10 a.m. to provide clarity on recent federal proposals that could significantly impact Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in North Carolina. The briefing will outline the major differences between the House and Senate budget proposals, including how each could affect access to health care and nutrition assistance for North Carolinians.

    This educational session is designed to support accurate and informed reporting as federal negotiations continue.

    What: Virtual Media Briefing on Federal Medicaid and SNAP Proposals

    Who:  Secretary Dev Sangvai
              Jonathan Kappler, NCDHHS Chief of Staff
              Karen Wade, NCDHHS Policy Director
              Jay Ludlam, NCDHHS Deputy Secretary of NC Medicaid

    When: Tuesday, July 1
                10 a.m.

    Where: Zoom. Please RSVP to news@dhhs.nc.gov if you can attend and to receive the link.

    Jun 30, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Plastics Recycling With Enzymes Takes a Leap Forward

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Key Process Improvements Save Energy and Cut Costs for Recycling Polyester With Enzymes

    NREL and collaborators made key improvements at each stage of an enzymatic recycling process—from the breakdown of plastics to the efficient recovery of building blocks for high-value materials—which resulted in an economically viable process for industry. Pictured from NREL (back row left to right): Manar Alherech, John E. McGeehan, Stephen H. Dempsey, Gregg T. Beckham; (front row left to right): Kelsey J. Ramirez, Natasha P. Murphy, Jason S. DesVeaux, Christine A. Singer, Hannah M. Alt, Elizabeth L. Bell. Photo by Josh Bauer, NREL

    A successful collaboration involving a trio of research institutions has yielded a road map toward an economically viable process for using enzymes to recycle plastics.

    The researchers, from NREL, the University of Massachusetts Lowell, and the University of Portsmouth in England, previously partnered on the biological engineering of improved PETase enzymes that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET). With its low manufacturing cost and excellent material properties, PET is used extensively in single-use packaging, soda bottles, and textiles.

    The new study combines the previous fundamental research with advanced chemical engineering, process development, and techno-economic analysis to lay the blueprints for enzyme-based PET recycling at industrial scale.

    While current methods exist for recycling PET, they are often incompatible with typical low-quality plastic waste. A potential solution lies with enzymes, which can selectively break down PET, even from contaminated and colored plastic waste streams. The researchers’ new design focuses on improvements at each stage of the process, from plastic deconstruction with enzymes, to efficient recovery of the resulting building blocks, or monomers. These monomers can be used to make new plastic or upcycled to generate higher value materials, saving energy and resources.

    The key to making such a process viable is to reduce the energy and cost requirements, which in turn yields a cheaper product. The team has achieved this by innovations that change the reaction conditions and separations technologies to reduce expensive acid and base additions by more than 99%, reduce annual running costs by 74%, and reduce energy use by 65%.

    “Despite the advantages of enzymatic recycling for complex plastic waste streams, the field has encountered multiple challenges for realistic implementation,” said Gregg Beckham, a senior research fellow at NREL and colead of the study. “Here we have taken a multidisciplinary approach that incorporates multiple innovations to realize an economically viable and scalable process.”

    The modeled cost of the resulting enzyme-recycled PET are now below those of U.S. domestic virgin PET ($1.51/kg vs. $1.87/kg), making this an attractive option for industry investment and scale-up.

    According to a 2022 NREL study, 86% of plastics were landfilled in the United States in 2019—materials with enough embodied energy to supply 5% of the power needs of the U.S. transportation sector. With global plastic production anticipated to increase between two and four times current levels by 2050, recovering and valorizing more postconsumer plastics is an opportunity to recapture that energy for domestic materials manufacturing.

    “We see a significant opportunity to design, test, and optimize new recycling technologies to efficiently valorize postconsumer plastics into feedstock for new materials,” said Natasha Murphy, a biochemist at NREL and co-first author of the new paper.

    The paper, “Process innovations to enable viable enzymatic poly(ethylene terephthalate) recycling,” appears in the journal Nature Chemical Engineering. Other co-authors from NREL are Stephen Dempsey, Jason DesVeaux, Taylor Uekert, Swarnalatha Mailaram, Manar Alherech, Hannah Alt, Kelsey Ramirez, Brenna Norton-Baker, Elizabeth Bell, Christine Singer, and John McGeehan.

    McGeehan, who recently joined NREL from the University of Portsmouth, said, “I am delighted to be part of a team that is dedicated to translate fundamental science toward real-world application and look forward to working closely between NREL and our industry partners to accelerate the design and construction of the first U.S. enzymatic plastic recycling plant.”

    Research funds came from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office and Bioenergy Technologies Office. This work was performed as part of the Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLETM) consortium.

    Explore NREL bioenergy and bioeconomy research, including recyclable-by-design materials research.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Firearms Possession Lands Lawton Man in Federal Prison for Seven Years Following Domestic Violence Conviction

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    OKLAHOMA CITY – RAYMOND IVAN MUNOZ, 22, of Lawton, has been sentenced to serve 84 months in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms after conviction of a previous misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    On September 4, 2024, a federal Grand Jury returned a two-count Indictment against Munoz, charging him with being a drug user in possession of a firearm and, on a separate occasion, possession of firearms by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. According to public record, on February 14, 2023, officers with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Police Department encountered Munoz unconscious under the influence of drugs in the front passenger seat of a vehicle with an AK-47 loaded with an extended magazine resting between his legs. Later, on May 10, 2024, Lawton Police Department investigators observed one of Munoz’s social media posts in which he displayed a firearm while driving in a vehicle. Later that evening, officers observed Munoz, whom they knew to have a suspended license and active warrants, driving that vehicle in Lawton. When they attempted a traffic stop, Munoz initiated a pursuit in which his speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour, at times on the wrong side of the road and with his headlights off. He eventually reached his residence where he hid inside for approximately two hours before being arrested. Upon execution of a search warrant at the residence, detectives located two firearms hidden in a bathroom.

    Public record further reflects that Munoz was convicted of domestic assault and battery in Comanche County District Court case number CM-2020-810.

    On February 7, 2025, Munoz pleaded guilty to Count 2 of the Indictment and admitted that he possessed firearms despite having previously been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

    At the sentencing hearing on June 25, 2025, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Munoz to serve 84 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the Court specifically noted the threat that Munoz poses to society and the necessity of a substantial sentence to protect the public.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Police Department, and the Lawton Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. This case is also part of “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN, which prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Addressing classroom aggression and complexity

    [. To address these issues head on, Alberta’s government is creating an action team composed of teachers and education partners that will provide recommendations to help guide new policy and address complex classrooms.

    “We have heard loud and clear from teachers and parents that we need to do something about aggression in classrooms, and that is exactly what we are doing. Every student and staff member deserves to feel safe, supported and respected at school, and the action team will help reach that goal. Creating this action team is one of several concrete steps we are taking to improve school safety and better support students’ diverse needs.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare

    The team, named the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team, will make recommendations to Alberta’s government on short- and long-term actions that will support students and educators. The action team will consist of 20 education system leaders including representatives from school boards in Edmonton and Calgary and the Alberta Teachers’ Association. To ensure their work is informed by front-line experience, the action team will also work closely with teachers, education support workers, school resource officers and representatives from student and family advocacy groups. The list of action team members will be published online once finalized.

    “Alberta School Boards Association (ASBA) appreciates government’s commitment to address classroom complexities. ASBA looks forward to this collaborative effort, including local school board perspectives, to help shape meaningful, long-term solutions that support students and educators.”

    Marilyn Dennis, president, Alberta School Boards Association

    The action team will deliver a report with advice and recommendations to Alberta Education and Childcare to inform a combination of practical solutions and policy by fall 2025. Some recommendations could begin rolling out as soon as the 2025-26 school year. The action team may also continue to be engaged to provide advice to Alberta Education and Childcare on implementation of policy or program changes that result from its recommendations.

    “The College of Alberta School Superintendents recognizes the growing complexity within today’s classrooms and the impact it has on learning, safety and well-being. We welcome the creation of the Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team as an important step in addressing these challenges. By working collaboratively with government, educators and community partners, we can help ensure classrooms remain safe, supportive spaces where every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

    Mike McMann, president, College of Alberta School Superintendents

    Quick facts

    • In December 2023, a survey published by the ATA found that more than half of Alberta teachers experienced aggression in the first three months of the school year.
    • Most respondents reported lacking training and confidence to manage aggression, and many were dissatisfied with how incidents were handled.

    Related information

    • Aggression and Complexity in Schools Action Team

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Twelve Appointments to Various Boards and Commissions

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 27, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced twelve appointments to various boards and commissions.

    Casey Burton, Ph.D., of St. James, was appointed to the State Board of Health and Senior Services.

    Mr. Burton is the executive director of research and governmental affairs at Phelps Health in Rolla, Missouri. He also serves as an adjunct assistant professor of chemistry at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) where he develops and leads sponsored research involving noninvasive disease detection and characterization. Burton also serves on the boards of the Ozark Biomedical Initiative, Missouri Ozarks Community Action, Inc., Phelps County Community Resource Center, and more. Burton earned his doctorate in analytical chemistry and bachelor’s in chemistry from Missouri S&T.

    James Carter Jr., of St. Charles, was appointed to the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

    Mr. Carter currently serves as an Advanced American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter and is certified and licensed by the Board of Evaluation of Interpreters in both Illinois and Missouri. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Carter is a member of the World Association of Sign Language Interpreters (WASL), World Federation of the Deaf (WFD), and Deaf in Government (DIG). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Lincoln Christian University.

    Earl Crawford, of Excelsior Springs, was reappointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Mr. Crawford currently serves as executive director at Missouri Inclusive Housing Development Corporation. He has previous experience as a special education teacher, superintendent of a rehabilitation center, and an education consultant, among other positions. In addition to his professional experience, Crawford has served on the Marshall Parks and Recreation Board, Marshall School Board, Marshall Chamber of Commerce, Missouri Valley College Board of Trustees, and Midland Empire Resources of Independent Living (MERIL), as well as vice president of the Marshall Chamber of Commerce. He holds a Master of Special Education from the University of Central Missouri.

    Betty Davidson, Ph.D., of St. Louis, was reappointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Ms. Davidson is a retired educational professional and expert in disability studies and inclusive practices. She previously served as the director of visually or orthopedically impaired students at the Special School District of St. Louis County. She also  serves as the chair of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AER), the president of Inclusivity Media, the vice president of the St. Clare Hospital Auxiliary for SSM Health, and more. Dr. Davidson earned a doctorate in higher education from Saint Louis University, a master’s in special education from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and her bachelor’s degree from Harris-Stowe State College. 

    Aaron Durso, of Taneyville, was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Mr. Durso currently serves as Bull Creek Village Clerk. He has previous experience as burough manager and the municipal authority manager in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and Senior Pastor at LOVE Christian Fellowship. A disabled veteran of the United States Air Force, Durso was honorably discharged in 1993. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Newburg Theological Seminary, Master of Ministry at Chesapeake Theological Seminary, and Bachelor of Religious Education at the University of Valley Forge.

    Ronald Hack, of Sunset Hills, was reappointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Mr. Hack is a retired lawyer, formerly serving as a partner at Evans & Dixon, LLC and Gallop Johnson & Neuman, L.C. He has been an active community volunteer for more than 30 years, currently serving on the boards of the Sunset Hills Conservation Foundation and the Southwest Area Chamber of Commerce. Hack earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from Westminster College.

    Katie Jones, of St. Peters, was reappointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Ms. Jones is the chief program officer for Boone Center Inc. (BCI). She previously worked as supervisor for Cardinal Ritter Senior Services and a case manager for the Child Abuse and Neglect Unit for the Division of Family Services. In addition to her professional career, Jones is also a member of the Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services, Missouri Association of Sheltered Workshop Managers, and the Legislative Committee of St. Charles Coalition. Jones earned her Bachelor of Science in Social Work and Sociology from Lindenwood University.

    Jennifer Meyer, of O’Fallon, was appointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Ms. Meyer currently serves as principal at J. Meyer Strategies. She has previous experience as director of field operations for Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer and district field director for Senator Roy Blunt. In addition to her professional experience, Ms. Meyer serves as an executive board member for both the Freedom 13 and the North County Police Business Association. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

    Susan Orton, of St. Louis, was reappointed to the Governor’s Council on Disability.

    Ms. Orton currently serves as a realtor and sales associate with Coldwell Banker Realty – Gundaker. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she is a member of the St. Louis Realtors Association, Member Inclusion Advisory Committee, and Brain Injury Association of Missouri. Orton is a graduate of Towson High School.

    Paul Ogier, of Chesterfield, was appointed to the Health and Educational Facilities Authority of the State of Missouri.

    Mr. Ogier is a retired certified public accountant (CPA), providing limited consulting services to not-for-profits in the senior housing industry. He also serves as the chief financial officer for the Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus in a part-time capacity. Ogier is an active member of his community, previously serving on the board of the Leading Age Missouri, Missouri Health Care Association, and the Treasurer of the Nursing Facilities Agent Corporation. Ogier earned his bachelor’s degree from the Missouri State University.

    Jill Wedemeier, of Leopold, was reappointed to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board.

    Ms. Wedemeier is a judicial assistant and law clerk for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. She previously served as the Cape Girardeau assistant prosecuting attorney. She is an active member of the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence board, and the Leopold R-III School District Foundation. Wedemeier earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Tennessee College of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Southeast Missouri State University.

    Claire West, of Jefferson City, was reappointed to the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System (LAGERS) Board of Trustees.

    Prior to her retirement, Ms. West owned and operated Claire West Consulting LLC, a retirement consulting firm. She has previous experience as executive director of the Joint Committee on Public Employee Retirement. Additionally, West served on the board of the Missouri Association of Public Employee Retirement Plans from 2000 to 2007. She holds an associate’s degree in business from Columbia College.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Appointment to 18th Judicial Circuit

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JUNE 27, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced a judicial appointment to the 18th Judicial Circuit.

    Sean Pilliard, of Sedalia, was appointed as the Associate Circuit Judge for Pettis County in the 18th Judicial Circuit.

    Mr. Pilliard is a seasoned attorney specializing in a wide range of legal areas including bankruptcy, criminal defense, and family law, based in the Law Offices of Sean P. Pilliard. Pilliard is a member of the Pettis County Bar Association, Sedalia and Pettis County Economic Development, and the Sedalia Park Band board. He also serves as a volunteer for several area youth activities. Pilliard earned his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri. He will fill the vacancy left by Judge R. Paul Beard II.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE and JSC Nanotronika launch strategic partnership in electronic engineering

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Photo: JSC “MNTs MIET”

    At the industry conference “Electronic Engineering – 2025” held in early June MIEM HSE University and JSC Nanotronika (part of the Element Group of Companies) signed a strategic partnership agreement. The conference was held on the campus of SberUniversity and brought together more than 600 participants from 200 organizations, including leading enterprises, research centers, and universities. The event was supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Belarus.

    The conference was actively attended by HSE Vice-Rector and MIEM Director Dmitry Kovalenko, Institute Advisor and Lecturer in the Department of Electronic Engineering Vladimir Vetrov, HSE Full Professor and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Konstantin Petrosyants and MIEM Head of the Department of Electronic Engineering Boris Lvov.

    Dmitry Kovalenko and Konstantin Petrosyants spoke at the conference. The report by the MIEM Director touched upon the problems of training and developing the industry’s human resources potential in the context of the country’s course to strengthen technological sovereignty. Dmitry Kovalenko presented a detailed picture of the institute’s educational technologies aimed at solving modern problems in the field of electronic engineering, placing special emphasis on the mechanisms of interaction with technological partners from the industry implemented by the institute: large companies, leading research and financial organizations. The report was presented as part of the round table “Human Resources for Electronic Engineering”. Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Konstantin Petrosyants presented a report on the testing and implementation of a subsystem for determining the parameters of SPICE models of electronic components for industrial circuit CAD systems.

    The main event of the conference for MIEM was the conclusion of an agreement with JSC Nanotronika, one of the young and most promising companies in the field of microelectronics and equipment, part of the Element Group. The agreement opens up new horizons for cooperation. The document provides for comprehensive interaction affecting educational, scientific and design areas of activity.

    Among the priorities of the joint work is the organization of educational events with the participation of specialists and managers of the company “Nanotronika”. Representatives of the company will regularly give lectures to students, conduct practical classes and master classes, providing students with knowledge and skills relevant to the labor market.

    An important element of the partnership will be project and research activities. The Nanotronika company will form a pool of projects, participation in which will allow MIEM students to gain real experience in solving modern engineering and technological problems. It is also envisaged to conduct joint scientific research and experimental design work (R&D), organize conferences, seminars and round tables with the participation of both parties.

    The agreement pays special attention to the organization of industrial and pre-graduation practice. Students will be able to get acquainted with the high-tech production of the Nanotronika company, which will allow them to improve their professional competence and successfully adapt to industry enterprises after completing their studies. The company, for its part, will regularly inform MIEM about vacancies and employment opportunities for graduates who have proven themselves during practice and training.

    In addition, the parties agreed to jointly prepare and publish scientific articles, reports and teaching aids reflecting the results of joint projects. One of the most important steps in implementing the agreement will be the creation of a joint workshop in the field of electronic engineering. This workshop will be equipped with modern tools and technologies and will become a practical platform where students and specialists of the company will be able to jointly develop and test innovative technologies.

    “The development of electronic engineering today is of strategic importance for ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country,” says Dmitry Kovalenko. “In the context of global restrictions and growing demands on domestic microelectronics, the need to create our own infrastructure is growing – from design to production. The issue of personnel is especially acute: the industry requires highly qualified engineers capable of developing, implementing and servicing the most complex technological systems. This is why partnerships between leading universities and industrial companies are becoming not just desirable, but vital for the formation of a sustainable innovation ecosystem.”

    “JSC Nanotronika specializes in the development and production of special technological equipment for microelectronics,” says Yulia Sukhoroslova, CEO of JSC Nanotronika. “It is impossible to provide Russian electronic components manufacturers with domestic high-tech installations without qualified personnel. Therefore, it is especially important for us to develop cooperation with universities and form teams of specialists with the necessary competencies. One of the most effective ways to train personnel is to involve students in solving real scientific and industrial problems. Our company, as an industrial partner, provides future specialists with the opportunity to participate in advanced projects and gain unique experience in developing the most modern equipment.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Evans Announces He Won’t Seek Re-Election, Will Serve Full Term Ending Jan. 3, 2027

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dwight Evans (2nd District of Pennsylvania)

    PHILADELPHIA (June 30, 2025) – Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) today announced that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026, concluding a distinguished career in public service spanning over four decades.

    “Serving the people of Philadelphia has been the honor of my life,” said Evans. “And I remain in good health and fully capable of continuing to serve. After some discussions this weekend and thoughtful reflection, I have decided that the time is right to announce that I will not be seeking re-election in 2026. I will serve out the full term that ends Jan. 3, 2027. I am deeply proud of what I have been able to accomplish over my 45 years in elected office — from revitalizing neighborhoods block by block to fighting for justice, economic opportunity, investments in infrastructure and education. I cannot express the gratitude that I have for the trust that voters put in me as their voice in both state and federal office. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to serve as their advocate in government.”

    Evans emphasized that he will continue to serve his constituents fully until the end of his term, that his offices will remain open, and that he will support a smooth transition for his successor.

    A Legacy of Service to Philadelphia

    Born in North Philadelphia and raised in the Germantown and West Oak Lane neighborhoods, Dwight Evans began his career as a teacher in the city’s public schools and as a community organizer with the Urban League. In 1980, at just 26 years old, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, where he served for 36 years. He made history as the first African-American chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, serving in that powerful role for two decades.

    Among his signature accomplishments in Harrisburg was spearheading the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative, which brought healthy grocery stores and thousands of jobs to underserved communities and became a national model for bringing healthy food to food deserts in both urban and rural areas. He was also instrumental in the creation of Pennsylvania’s Children’s Health Insurance Program, which became the model for nationwide CHIP.

    In 2016, Evans was elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District (later redistricted as the 3rd), succeeding longtime Congressman Chaka Fattah. In Congress, he serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee, which oversees Social Security, Medicare, taxes and trade, and has served on the Small Business Committee and Agriculture Committee, advocating for equitable economic development, criminal justice reform, funding for school repairs, affordable housing, and access to health care and healthy food.

    In 2025, Evans has fought to defend gains made during the Biden-Harris administration and against the pending Trump “Reverse Robin Hood” bill that would give the richest another tax cut and cut Medicaid and SNAP food aid. He fought the bill during a nearly 18-hour markup in the Ways and Means Committee, and voted against it in the full House – a vote two Republicans slept through, including one 31 years younger than Evans. He will vote against it again if the Senate returns it to the House.

    Evans has been a vocal supporter of key legislation including the American Rescue Plan, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. He also introduced bills to address gun violence, finance repairs to schools, invest in historically Black colleges and universities, and promote economic empowerment in urban communities.

    Throughout his time in public office, Evans remained rooted in his neighborhood — living just blocks from where he grew up — and never wavered in his commitment to building a better Philadelphia for all.

    Evans represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Northwest and West Philadelphia and parts of North, South, Southwest and Center City Philadelphia. He recently announced that his office returned to or saved $4.5 million for constituents in 2024 in cases involving federal agencies such as the IRS, Social Security Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs. The 2024 figure brings Evans’ office’s total to more than $45.5 million returned to or saved for constituents during his first eight full years in Congress.

    Evans serves on the influential House Ways and Means Committee, including its Subcommittee on Health. The committee oversees Social Security, Medicare, taxes, and trade. Evans’ website is evans.house.gov and his social media handle is @RepDwightEvans on YouTube, Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Threads.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bacon to Retire at End of 119th Congress

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

    Bacon to Retire at End of 119th Congress

    Touts Accomplishes and Pledges to Continue Outstanding Service and Pursue Legislative Initiatives

    Omaha, Neb. – Today, Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee’s (HASC) Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation Subcommittee (CITI), announced he will not seek reelection in 2026 and will retire at the end of the 119th Congress. 

    “After consultation with my family and much prayer, I have decided not to seek reelection in 2026 and will fulfill my term in the 119th Congress through January 2, 2027. After three decades in the Air Force and now going on one decade in Congress, I look forward to coming home in the evenings and being with my wife and seeing more of our adult children and eight grandchildren, who all live near my home. I’ve been married for 41 years, and I’d like to dedicate more time to my family, my church, and the Omaha community. I also want to continue advocating for a strong national security strategy and a strong alliance system with countries that share our love of democracy, free markets and the rule of law. 

    “During the remainder of the 119th Congress, we will be focused on finishing the job. Providing top-notch constituent services in the district, for which we were recognized in 2021 with the Congressional Management Foundation’s Democracy Awards for Constituent Services in 2021, will be a priority as it always has been.  

    “To date, we have processed close to 8,500 casework/requests for assistance; we have helped people who were wrongly marked as deceased, helped citizens in distress around the world return home; helped people devasted by disasters such as flood and tornadoes, literally climb out of the ruble and connect them with resources; we have solved problems with Medicare, Social Security and IRS problems, passports and immigration, and so much more. Our team has worked diligently every day to advocate for and deliver on behalf of our constituents. 

    “Legislatively, I aim to work to get five agricultural bills passed that were included as part of the Farm Bill, including the increase of defenses for our nation’s food supply chain and removing barriers for the next generation of farmers seeking to establish their operations. I will continue my work on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and lay the groundwork for a new VA hospital in Omaha.  

    “My service to our great nation started in the Air Force, where I served sixteen assignments, five commands and four deployments and will continue in Congress until the end of the 119th Congress. I’d like to find new ways to serve our great country.  I have a love for national security, and I’ll always be a proponent for old-fashioned Ronald Reagan Conservative values.  It has been an honor to serve the 2nd District of Nebraska and the nation, and I thank our constituents for trusting me to represent them. I am proud of the work we have done and will continue to do until the lights in the office are turned off for the last time. Thank you, and God bless America.” 

    Highlights from Rep. Bacon’s Congressional Career 

    Legislative Record 

    • Most bills signed into law in the 118th Congress and bill totals as of Jan. 2025 

    ·         Total number of stand-alone bills enacted into law: 2 

    ·         Total numbers of bills enacted through NDAA: 33 

    ·         Total number of bills enacted through non-NDAA legislation: 3 

    ·                     Total number of bills introduced that became law: 38 

    Defense 

    Rebuilt and Improved Offutt AFB & Camp Ashland 

    • Delivered forceful congressional advocacy for Offutt Air Force Base, one of the district’s leading engines of economic growth and prosperity 
    • Led the fight in the House to secure critical resources to respond to the devasting 2019 floods 
    • Engaged with the Secretary of the Air Force to prevent the permanent loss of the flying mission 
    • Secured more than $1.5 billion for the cleanup, rebuild and critical improvements to Offutt AFB – one of the largest employers in the region – including a new runway 
    • Worked tirelessly to protect, modernize, and replace aircraft fleets at Offutt AFB including the RC-135, WC-135 and E-4B 

    Confederate Base Names: Original co-sponsor for H.R. 7155, National Commission on Modernizing Military Installation Designations Act, the bi-partisan legislation in the House to re-designate military bases named after Confederate generals 

    Spearheaded the Restoration of DoD Electronic Warfare Capability 

    • Drove major legislative reforms requiring the Pentagon to develop a new EW strategy, implementation plan and other organizational reforms 
    • Secured more than $1.5 billion to double the size of the USAF’s fleet of EA-37B Compass Call aircraft, the most powerful and sophisticated electronic attack aircraft in the world 
    • Helped guide the establishment of the Joint EMSO Center (JEC) at STRATCOM 

    Relentlessly Championed Initiatives to Modernize America’s Strategic Nuclear Deterrent 

    • Secured more than $75 million establish the NC3 technical engineering and development hub in Nebraska 
    • Advocacy helped speed the establishment of the new 95th Wing at Offutt focused on NC3 operations 
    • Helped secured more than $500 million to advance development of the future E-4C SAOC aircraft which will be based at Offutt 

    Championed Improvements to Military Quality of Life  

    • Led the most significant and comprehensive package of legislative reforms to improve the quality of life for military servicemembers and families in US history 
    • Largest single-year increase for junior enlisted pay ever (14.5%) 
    • Billions in critical improvements to military housing and barracks  
    • Major expansion and improvements to childcare for military families 
    • Fought for employment reforms and RIF protections for federally employed military spouses  

    Conference Committee 

    • Passage of major national defense legislation in 2017, 2018 and 2019 that reversed the dangerous decline in military readiness after years of neglect and funded the modernization of US military capabilities 
      • Named to select House-Senate Armed Service Conference Committee for 3 straight years 

    Agriculture 

    • Responsible for numerous provisions in the Farm Bill, including language related to the Foot-and-Mouth Disease vaccine and measures to address foreign ownership of farmland and improve SNAP administration 
    • Original sponsor of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which established lynching as a federal hate crime 

    Education 

    • STOP School Violence Act of 2018 (co-sponsor) – Provides DOJ money for grants to states and local governments to improve security including the placement and use of metal detectors and other deterrents measures at schools and school grounds. Fighting for $125 million in FY’20 to fund these grants 

    Civil Rights and Holocaust Education 

    • House Republican lead for Anti-Lynching Legislation making lynching a federal crime – Language was amended into H.R. 35 and passed House 2/26/20) 
    • Helped lead effort to push H.R. 943 – Never Again Education Act which was signed by the President 5/29/20 
    • Worked with state leaders on getting Holocaust Education requirements enacted into state statute 
    • Leader on support for non-profit security grants for religious institutions 

    Veterans Affairs 

    • Finalized additional funding for the VA’s Ambulatory Care Center and pushed House Leadership to go ahead and pass the bill while my friend Brad Ashford was still in office 
      • CHIP IN Bill: Congressman Bacon’s CHIP IN Bill, H.R. 3888, was incorporated into HR 5293: Department of Veteran Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2021, extending the program through 2025 
      • HR: 217 in the 119th – seeks to extend the program and expand authorities to include minor projects and non-recurring maintenance projects (passed House) 
    • Led Congressional efforts to support Gold Star families and survivors; championed significant legislation to care for and honor these families 
      • Lifetime installation access for survivors 
      • Major reforms to military veterans transition assistance programs 
      • Mandated regular meetings with DoD leadership and surviving families 

    Infrastructure and Jobs Act:  

    • Voted for the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which provided $165 million for Nebraska’s 2nd District: Eppley, modernization of natural gas lines and other projects 

    Eppley Airfield 

    • Over $77.1 million of improvements to Eppley Airfield from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding and other sources 
      • Make it a true international airport 
      • Increase flights and inspection areas 
      • Streamline process of checking in and TSA for consumers 

    Other Community Funding projects of note: 

    • (2024) Wahoo Airport Runway – $4.3 million 
    • 2024) Saunders County Emergency Radio Equipment – $2.6 million 
    • (2024) City of Omaha N. 24th Street Lighting Project – $4.17 Million 
    • (2023) OPPD Grid Resiliency and Modernization – $7.7 million 
    • (2023) City of Omaha North 24th Street Streetscape Improvement Projects Phase II – $4 million 
    • (2023) Blackstone Business Improvement District – $2 million 
    • (2022) North 24th St. Streetscape Improvements – $3 million 
    • (2022) the CHOICE $50 million federal grant to redevelop the Southside Terrace Garden Apartments and the surrounding Indian Hill neighborhood in South Omaha. 
    • (2019) the CHOICE neighborhood grant program, which awarded $25 million for the 75 North project to the City of Omaha and Omaha Housing Authority for 5 years 

    Other Accomplishments/Recognitions 

    • Founded the bipartisan For Country Caucus 
      • Co-chair of bipartisan Caucus made up of 30 veteran members of Congress, evenly divided between R’s and D’s 
      • Objective of the Caucus is to work in a nonpartisan way towards a more productive government. Members serve with integrity, civility and courage 
    • Restarted the Main Street Caucus 
    • Co-chair of the Congressional Electronic Warfare Caucus, leading voice in Congress to advance and reform US capabilities to defend and dominate the electromagnetic spectrum
    • In 2023, appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council by former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy 
    • Center for Effective Lawmaking 
      • One of the top ten effective legislators in the 118th congress, 2nd most effective Republican 
      • Most effective Republican in the 117th Congress and fourth overall, despite being in the minority party 
    • Rated #1 Most bi-partisan Republican 117th Congress-Common Ground Committee 
      • Earned a perfect score by the Common Ground Committee of 110 (2024) 
      • Rated #1 in 2022 by Common Ground Committee with a score of 104 out of 110 
    • 2021 Democracy Awards-Constituent Services, Congressional Management Foundation  
      • Over the course of 8 and ½ years, the office has processed close to 8,500 casework/requests for assistances including people who were erroneously marked as deceased; devastated by disasters such as floods and tornadoes literally climb out of the rubble and connect them with resources to rebuild; and in distress around the globe trying to return home. 
      • Other cases include problems with Medicare, passports or immigration, helping veterans get their benefits, cutting through red tape to solve Social Security and IRS problems, and others. 
    • 2024 Democracy Awards- Workplace Environment, Congressional Management Foundation  

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Griffith Announces $1,068,364 HHS Grant to Scott County Public School Head Start

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

    Griffith Announces $1,068,364 HHS Grant to Scott County Public School Head Start

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Scott County Public School Head Start, based in Weber City, Virginia, a $1,068,364 grant. The funding supports head start and early head start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

    “Local communities in Scott County receive services from Scott County Public School Head Start.

    “This grant for more than $1 million helps Scott County Public School Head Start administer services through its head start and early head start programs.”

    BACKGROUND

    According to its website, Scott County Public School Head Start provides high quality care and early education programs designed to support child development and promote school readiness. The program serves a total of 147 young children within the service area, with 12 different Center locations.

    Recently in a Health Subcommittee hearing with Congressman Griffith present, Secretary Kennedy noted President Trump’s Budget request recommends Head Start continue to receive funding equal to the FY 2025 enacted level.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressional Delegation Requests Documents and Demands Answers on Detention of Georgetown Scholar Badar Khan Suri

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

    U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) and 21 additional Members of Congress demanded relevant documentation and information related to the arrest and detention of Georgetown postdoctoral fellow Dr. Badar Khan Suri. In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, lawmakers sought urgent clarification regarding the justification for Dr. Khan Suri’s arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 17, 2025, and his subsequent detention. The lawmakers also requested the disclosure of key documents and evidence substantiating the federal government’s claims and actions, citing serious concerns about due process violations and the misuse of immigration authorities.

    The documents and key information requested by the lawmakers include:

    • The full and complete March 15th State Department memo, including all attachments, that describe Secretary Rubio’s finding that Dr. Khan Suri’s presence or activities in the United States would have potentially serious foreign policy consequences for the United States and would compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest.
    • Dr. Khan Suri’s I-213 Record of Deportable/Inadmissible Alien from the Department of Homeland Security, including details about Dr. Khan Suri’s apprehension, criminal history, prior immigration encounters, and other relevant information that supports potential grounds for deportation or inadmissibility. 
    • Any and all evidence in the Department of Homeland Security’s possession related to the activities referred to in a X (formerly Twitter) post from DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin, stating that “Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. Khan Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas.”
    • The Department of Homeland Security’s documented reasons for Dr. Badar Khan Suri’s transfer to the Prairieland Detention Facility in Alvarado, TX.
    • Any information provided from outside groups such as Canary Mission.

    Dr. Badar Khan Suri is a legally admitted visiting scholar with no prior criminal record, was never charged with a crime, and the obscure immigration provision with which he was charged is not a ground for mandatory detention. The Administration has made no credible argument to support his arrest or detention. However, Dr. Khan Suri was held in ICE custody at the Prairieland Detention Center, where he was deemed a high-risk custody detainee requiring maximum security control and supervision until his court-ordered release on May 14, 2025. The circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention violate Dr. Khan Suri’s constitutional rights, including his First Amendment and due process rights.

    Full text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here.

    ***

    Dear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem:

    We write to request key information and documents pertaining to the case of Georgetown postdoctoral fellow Dr. Badar Khan Suri, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 17th. Specifically we seek the following: from the State Department, the attachments cited in the March 15th memo issued by the Secretary presenting the finding that Dr. Khan Suri’s presence and activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences and would compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest, including “Tab 1- DHS Letter on Badar Khan Suri” and “Tab 2- HSI Subject Profile of Badar Khan Suri” and the time and content of the notice provided to relevant Congressional committees; and from the Department of Homeland Security, Dr. Khan Suri’s I-213, his Notice of Custody Determination, the documented reasons for the detainee transfer, context pertaining to Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin’s March 19th comments as well as context pertaining to how Dr. Khan Suri was identified by DHS.

    Dr. Badar Khan Suri held J-1 visa status as a visiting scholar and postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University at the Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding. He was duly admitted to the United States on this visa in December 2022. He is married to a U.S. citizen, with whom he has three children: a nine-year-old son and five-year-old twins—a boy and a girl. At the time of his arrest, he was teaching a course as an adjunct professor on Majoritarianism & Minority Rights in South Asia at Georgetown University. He has spent his life studying peace and conflict resolution and hopes to become a university professor and embark on a career in academia and teaching. Dr. Khan Suri and his wife moved to the United States because it ensures religious freedom for all, and they wanted to raise their children in a society that values religious tolerance.

    Dr. Khan Suri was charged with removability under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 237(a)(4)(C)(i) and detained pursuant to INA § 236(a).  Masked and physically unidentifiable Homeland Security agents arrested Suri at approximately 9:30 p.m. in Arlington, Virginia on the evening of March 17, 2025 pursuant to a Warrant for Arrest of Alien, Form I-200.  The Constitution establishes due process rights for “all ‘persons’ within the United States, including [noncitizens], whether their presence here is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or permanent.”  The government has not disclosed information to support that the detention of Mr. Suri was justified. It has not demonstrated that Mr. Suri—a husband to a U.S. citizen, a father of three young children, and with no criminal history—needed to be detained. An ICE officer involved in his booking stated that they knew he was not a criminal and did not do anything wrong.

    The law limits the government’s authority to deport people under INA § 237(a)(4)(C)(i) and imposes key requirements in such instances. The Executive Branch does not have the authority to deny visas to foreigners solely because of the foreigner’s political beliefs or because of their anticipated speech in the United States. When Congress passed the Moynihan Amendment in 1987, the Senate Committee warned that “[f]or many years the United States has embarrassed itself by excluding prominent foreigners from visiting the United States solely because of their political beliefs…individuals had done no more than exercise rights to freedom of expression and association…constitutionally protected for all U.S. citizens.”  The Secretary’s authority to determine that entry would compromise foreign policy interests should be used “sparingly and not merely because there is a likelihood that an alien will make critical remarks about the United States or its policies, and that the “compelling foreign policy interest” standard should be applied strictly. 

    If a reasoning has been made on foreign policy grounds, the Secretary of State cannot exclude or condition entry based on a noncitizen’s “past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations, if such beliefs, statements, or associations would be lawful within the United States,” unless the Secretary personally certifies to Congress that admitting the individual would compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest.  Therefore, we request the full and complete March 15th memo, including all attachments that describe Secretary Rubio’s finding that Dr. Khan Suri’s presence or activities in the United States would have potentially serious foreign policy consequences for the United States and would compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest. We also require the notice (including when it was provided and justification therein) provided to the Chairs of the Committees on the Judiciary and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives and of the Committees on the Judiciary and Foreign Relations of the Senate.

    Department policy also requires additional procedures for detainees in custody of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE Policy 11022.1, “Detainee Transfers,” prohibits the transfer of individuals from one Field Office’s area of responsibility to another if, inter alia, they have immediate family, an attorney of record, pending or ongoing removal proceedings within the area, or if they have been granted bond or requested a bond hearing, unless a Field Office Director or their designee deems the transfer necessary for one of the seven specific reasons identified in the policy.  The policy states that “[t]he Immigration Officer will conduct a review to determine whether any of these factors exist. Before a transfer is made in a case where one or more of these factors exist, the transfer must be approved at the Assistant Field Office Director level or higher, and the reasons for the transfer must be documented in the detainee’s A-File. The policy also states that ICE is required to notify the attorney of record that the individual “is being transferred and include the reason for the transfer and the name, location, and telephone number of the new facility as soon as practicable on the day of the transfer, but in no circumstances later than twenty-four (24) hours after the transfer occurs.” Please provide the documented reasons for the transfer of Dr. Khan Suri.

    Additionally, ICE Directive 11064.3, “Interests of Noncitizen Parents and Legal Guardians of Minor Children or Incapacitated Adults” requires the Field Office Director to refrain from transferring detained noncitizens outside of the Field Office’s area of responsibility where their child or children are located unless dictated by exceptional circumstances or court order. Even when transfer is dictated, the Field Office Director must place the noncitizen as close as practicable to the minor child or children.  At the time of his transfer to Louisiana and then Texas, Dr. Khan Suri had a wife and three young children, and an attorney of record, in Virginia. Please share the justification provided either by exceptional circumstances or the court order provided for the transfers to Louisiana and Texas as well as the justification for how Texas was determined to be as close as practicable.

    On March 19, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs McLaughlin posted on X that “Suri was a foreign exchange student at Georgetown University actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. Khan Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas.” Please share any and all evidence, if you possess it, to the activities referred to in this post, accompanied by clarification of which activities were used as supporting information for his detention and under what grounds it was included.

    In addition, as part of Dr. Khan Suri’s detention, he was issued a Notice of Custody Determination and an I-213. Please provide those documents in full. In each of these requests for documentation, we ask that you also provide assurance of authentication for each document. In the event that documentation does not exist and therefore cannot be produced, please indicate as such. In the event that documentation contains classified information, please indicate and provide a vehicle through which Members and Congressional staff with appropriate security clearance can view such information in a congressional SCIF.

    Lastly, it would appear as if DHS targeted Dr. Khan Suri because of his identification by Canary Mission, a group that is involved in a McCarthyistic doxxing campaign towards individuals and their associates that champion pro-Palestinian viewpoints. In another recent case, a district court judge found DHS and DOS acted on a tweet from Betar and pressure from Canary Mission to strip someone of a student visa.  Please share if information identified by or communication by/with Betar, Canary Mission, Middle East Forum, or another outside group was used as evidence or support in the case of Dr. Khan Suri. If yes, what steps were taken to authenticate their evidence.

    Dr. Khan Suri is a scholar on conflict resolution who has no criminal record, and the Administration has made no credible argument to support his arrest and detention. His arrest and detention appear to violate Dr. Khan Suri’s constitutional rights, including the First Amendment and the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The Administration must explain and document its actions in this case, which appear to have flagrantly abused and possibly violated statutory authorities, and which have hitherto been carried out with a disturbing lack of transparency to the public.

    The Administration has done nothing to demonstrate its claims that Dr. Badar Khan Suri is a threat to the public, or to justify holding him with minimal outside contact 1,300 miles away from his wife and young children. This situation is intolerable, and demands urgent and speedy remedy, and we therefore request a response no later than July 11, 2025.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Kaltura Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape: Worldwide AI-Enabled Enterprise Video Platform 2025 Vendor Assessment

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, June 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kaltura (Nasdaq: KLTR), the AI Video Cloud, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape Worldwide AI-Enabled Enterprise Video Platform 2025 Vendor Assessment (doc # US52036124, June 2025). This is the first IDC MarketScape assessment to focus specifically on AI-powered video platforms, evaluated vendors on their strategies and capabilities for delivering intelligent video solutions to support modern enterprise needs. 

    Enterprise video platforms are mission-critical for modern organizations, with AI transforming how companies communicate, engage, and innovate. Kaltura’s AI Video Experience Cloud empowers businesses across sectors—Enterprise, Technology, Higher Education, Financial Services, Healthcare, Government, and Media & Entertainment—to deliver real-time, live, and on-demand video for use cases ranging from internal communications and employee learning to marketing, customer engagement, and virtual events. 

    “As one of the first global assessment reports that has been issued that focuses on AI and video platforms for enterprise, we are thrilled to have been positioned as a Leader by the IDC MarketScape,” said Ron Yekutiel, Co-founder, President, Chairman and CEO of Kaltura. “We believe this recognition reflects our commitment to equipping organizations with intelligent video tools that not only scale but also adapt to their evolving needs. We look at AI as value activation. It helps our customers transform generic content into hyper-personalized experiences at scale, driving greater impact and ROI. We are thrilled to be leading our customers through this transformative revolution.” 

    Kaltura’s full-spectrum platform, built for both internal and external use cases, stands out for its modular, API-first architecture, self-service capabilities, and support for content reuse. 

    • Unified platform for internal and external communications: Kaltura’s enterprise-grade solutions power everything from interactive webinars to large-scale virtual town halls and virtual events, enabling organizations to connect with both employees and customers at scale. 
    • Strategic investments in agentic AI: Kaltura’s intelligent agents streamline production, moderation, accessibility, and personalization, helping admins automate repetitive tasks, improve workflows for content creators, and deliver end users tailored content that boosts engagement.  
    • Open, flexible and collaborative: Kaltura is built on an API-first architecture, giving organizations the flexibility to seamlessly integrate, extend, and customize video workflows across their existing tech stack. 
    • Advanced engagement and performance analytics: Real time sentiment analysis and stream health tracking provides producers the ability to deliver high quality broadcasts. Detailed granular and aggregate reports on engagement and content performance helps teams optimize experiences and improve ROI. 
    • Enrichment and repurposing: Content creators can enhance accessibility and compliance with automated captions, summaries, chapters, translations, and video quizzes—while easily repurposing long-form content into snackable clips that boost engagement, saving time and reducing costs. 

    About Kaltura 

    Kaltura’s mission is to create and power AI-infused hyper-personalized video experiences that boost customer and employee engagement and success. Kaltura’s Video Experience Cloud includes a platform for enterprise and TV content management and a wide array of Gen AI-infused video-first products, including Video Portals, LMS and CMS Video Extensions, Virtual Events and Webinars, Virtual Classrooms, and TV Streaming Applications. Kaltura engages millions of end-users at home, at work, and at school, boosting both customer and employee experiences, including marketing, sales, and customer success; teaching, learning, training and certification; communication and collaboration; and entertainment and monetization. For more information, visit  www.corp.kaltura.com 

    About IDC Marketscape 
    IDC MarketScape vendor assessment model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of technology and service suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: EDB holds first “Digital Education Week 2025” kick-off ceremony with EdCity to enlighten future talents with innovative education (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    EDB holds first “Digital Education Week 2025” kick-off ceremony with EdCity to enlighten future talents with innovative education  
    The officiating guests of the launching ceremony include Dr Choi, the First-level Inspector of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr Liu Maozhou, the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Sze Chun-fai, Deputy Secretary for Education, Dr Gloria Chan, Mr Armstrong Lee Hon-cheung, the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR), Dr Anissa Chan Wong Lai-kuen, the Founder and Honorary President and the chairwoman of the Steering Committee of the Smart City Consortium, the Hon Elizabeth Quat and the Chairman of the QEF Steering Committee, Mr Dieter Yih Lai-tak, witnessing an important milestone of digital education development in Hong Kong together.

    To dovetail with the national development of digital education and to nurture talents for the innovation and technology (I&T) sector, the Chief Executive announced the formation of the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education in the 2024 Policy Address. The Committee has identified four key focuses and strategic directions, namely to enhance students’ digital literacy and skills, to strengthen professional training in digital education for teachers, to optimise digital education ancillary infrastructure, as well as to strengthen ties between local, Mainland and international innovation and technology institutions, tertiary institutions, and relevant sectors to enhance synergy and promote high-quality development of digital education. The EDB has rolled out a series of activities, including organising multiple engagement sessions with stakeholders to gauge views on the development of digital education in the schools in Hong Kong. The Committee members also conducted school visits to understand of the latest progress of the implementation of digital education in schools. 
     
    Speaking at the kick-off ceremony of the Digital Education Week, Dr Choi said, “the first Digital Education Week features a wide range of enriching programmes, including the annual flagship event for the education sector, Learning & Teaching Expo 2025, as well as the International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects and Post-Summit Workshop Series. These functions enable teachers to stay abreast of the latest developments in I&T and digital education, fostering professional exchanges and enhancing the effectiveness of learning and teaching. As a close partner of the EDB, the EdCity is stepping up its full efforts to promote digital education and continues to leverage on its advantages to promote the application and education of AI and computational thinking, and enhancing students’ digital literacy and skills.” Dr Choi looked forward to working in collaboration with the community to promote the deep integration of I&T and nurture more I&T talent, thereby contributing to the building of a leading country in education and a strong nation in science and technology.
     
    The Learning & Teaching Expo 2025 will bring together global educational technology resources, set up nearly 600 booths, and host more than 270 keynote speeches, seminars and public demonstration classes to fully showcase the latest teaching solutions and technology trends. While the International Summit on AIinLT will gather education experts from home and abroad to discuss the practical application of AI in various disciplines through 100 paper presentations, teaching demonstrations and 11 in-depth workshops, helping teachers and students enhance their AI literacy.
     
    Mr Lee said, “The Digital Education Week is not just an event, it is an important milestone in shaping the future of education in Hong Kong. As a wholly owned government organisation, the EdCity has been committed to promoting information technology education in Hong Kong, providing an interactive learning platform for teachers, students and parents, and contributing diversified resources and support to enhance teaching effectiveness, promote holistic development and lifelong learning. This year’s expo has newly added a Mainland China Zone, an International Pavilion and an I&T Exchange Circle. The EdCity hopes to further expand the AI education ecosystem to Mainland China and overseas, presenting the most novel and effective innovative education solutions and products from around the world to the Hong Kong education sector, and enhancing the quality of learning and teaching.”
     
    At the event, the EDB announced that the first batch of three deliverables in the e-Learning Ancillary Facilities Programme, which was funded by a provision of $500 million from the QEF, are officially rolled out today. The deliverables of the projects will also be exhibited at the Learning & Teaching Expo 2025 for teachers and students to experience. The programme provides 22 innovative e-learning solutions for primary and secondary, kindergarten and special education students in Hong Kong, 18 of which incorporate AI technology. Three of the project leaders briefed the guests on the functions and vision of the projects.
     
    Dr Anissa Chan said, “Schools and teachers have a key role to play in guiding students to use and control new technologies in an orderly and appropriate manner, rather than being controlled by them. Therefore, while embracing innovative technologies, the education sector should also be equipped with the skills to utilise AI. The inaugural International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects & Post-Summit Workshop Series, co-organised by the EDB, SCOLAR, EdCity, and the Department of English and Communication of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, aims to provide a valuable platform for teachers, researchers and others in the education sector to learn from each other and to share their own insights on the use of AI in the education sector”.
     
    In addition, witnessed by Dr Choi and Mr Lee, the Executive Director of EdCity, Dr Tenny Lam, signed cooperation agreements with the Association of I.T. Leaders in Education (AiTLE), Hong Kong Qianfan Technology and the Hong Kong Association for Computer Education (HKACE) respectively to further promote the development of digital education in Hong Kong. The EDB praised the HKACE and the AiTLE for their contributions to the development of digital education over the years, and also thanked Hong Kong Qianfan Technology and the EdCity for their collaboration to launch innovative projects to support digital education, with a view to introducing innovative technologies to the academic sector and helping the digital transformation of education.
    Issued at HKT 23:27

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyoming Kicks Off America’s 250th withStatehood Day Celebration at the Wyoming Capitol Square

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    June 13, 2025—Cheyenne, Wyo. – On July 10, from Noon to 8 p.m. the Capitol Square will kick off a year of celebration in advance of commemorating America’s 250th anniversary next July. The July 10 celebration coincides with Wyoming statehood day and launches monthly events at the Capitol leading up to the grand celebration of America’s semi-quincentennial on July 4, 2026.

    The July 10 festivities will include guided tours of the Capitol, Wyoming history talks, live entertainment, military vehicle displays, food trucks, and activities for children.  All events are free and open to the public.

    Bring your own picnic blanket or lawn chair to relax and enjoy the entertainment on the north side of the Capitol grounds. This special day offers a meaningful and memorable experience for all ages, celebrating Wyoming’s statehood and its role in our nation’s 250-year history. More details and a full schedule are available at Wyoming’s Kickoff to America’s 250th | Wyoming 250.

    Event Program (Subject to change)

     July 10, 2025: Noon to 8 p.m.

    Food Trucks Open at Noon

    Location: 26th Street

    Enjoy a variety of local food trucks and vendors throughout the day, featuring Mad Flavors, Queso’s Kitchen, Ranch Eats, The Florista (coffee), Fritzzeria (pizza), and Paul Paul’s, serving Asian, Cajun, and soul food, and Sprosty’s Frostys (popsicles).

    Interactive History and Educational Discovery for Kids

    Location: Capitol Extension Rooms W53 and 54 and Capitol Classroom

    Presented by the Wyoming State Museum and the Wyoming Veterans Commission, these interactive exhibits feature military uniforms and a collection of touchable historical artifacts for children and families to explore.

    Military Vehicle Display

    Location: 26th Street

    Presented by the Wyoming Air National Guard and Wyoming Veterans Commission, a variety of historic and modern military vehicles will be on display.

    Wyoming History & Military Talks: Stories of Strength & Legacy

    Discover Wyoming’s rich history through engaging talks throughout the day on the following topics: Wyoming’s Suffrage Story from 1869-1920, The Wyoming State Flag and the Women Who Made it Fly, Buffalo Soldiers, The Johnson County War, Wyoming Girl Guards, 148th Field Artillery & George Ostrom, Camp Douglas POW Camp, Cheyenne B-17 Modification Center and Mountain Men. Presented in partnership with the Wyoming Veterans Commission, Wyoming State Museum, and WyoHistory. See Wyoming’s Kickoff to America’s 250th | Wyoming 250 for specific times.

    Guided Capitol Tours

    Explore the rich history and architecture of the Wyoming Capitol. Reserve your spot for a guided tour here: wyoming250.com/guided-capitol-tour-signup.

    Ribbon Cutting of Exhibits | 2 p.m.

    Join us as we unveil new exhibits detailing Wyoming’s early history and statehood. Visit Suffrage Hall in the west wing on the first level of the Capitol to learn about the citizens who fought for women’s right to vote and hold office.

    Afternoon with Esther | 3 p.m.

    A League of Her Own, sponsored by the Cheyenne League of Women Voters, presents a captivating short performance featuring Wyoming’s suffragists in conversation with Esther Hobart Morris.

     Liberty Bell Rededication | Wyoming State Museum | 4 p.m.

    The Wyoming Liberty Bell has been newly refurbished and is now on display. Come see this iconic replica of American history.

     University of Wyoming Brass Quintet | 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | North Capitol Grounds

    Experience the energy and brilliance of these talented musicians as they deliver a selection of bold and captivating brass performances.

     Music by Jason Buchanan | 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. | North Capitol Grounds

    Come and listen as this talented Wyoming artist showcases a remarkable collection of original music, seamlessly blending soulful vocals with authentic folk elements and deeply reflective lyrics.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New criteria for Holiday Hubs unveiled with applications for the next academic session now open

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    The Council has reinforced its commitment to its highly valued Holiday Hubs.

    The Council has reinforced its commitment to its highly valued Holiday Hubs as it announces a new set of criteria for access to the school holiday provision for children and young people currently in P1 – S6 with Additional Support Needs.

    For over two decades the Council has offered Holiday Hubs for families of children with additional support needs but in recent years this provision has expanded beyond the point at which it is sustainable with differing expectations of the provision and challenges around increasing need and potential inequalities.

    Extensive consultation with families who use and rely on this school holiday support has taken place over the last 6-months as options for a new safe and sustainable model for Holiday Hubs have been discussed and explored.

    Following agreement at Education, Children and Families Committee on 10 June, the City of Edinburgh Council has introduced new eligibility criteria for holiday hub support. The new criteria will ensure that holiday support is directed to children and young people in the City of Edinburgh with the most complex needs and vulnerability.

    The new criteria will be applied to applications for academic session 2025/26 and will ensure that those with the most need will be allocated up to 4 weeks provision across the October break, February break, Easter and the Summer holidays. Details of the new criteria and how to apply can be found on the council website.

    Applications for academic session August 2025 to August 2026 are now open. The closing date for applications is 10 August 2025.

    Parents/carers of children who meet the criteria and wish to be considered for a place at a Holiday Hub, should apply online.

    Families requiring support with their application should contact their school or email holidaysupport@edinburgh.gov.uk

    Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said:

    I warmly welcome the clarity that this new criteria offers families of children with additional support needs who rely on our holiday hub provision. Our focus over the past 6 months has been to secure a safe, achievable and sustainable way forward for Holiday Hubs while also exploring how we can best meet the needs of some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable children, and their families. I want to thank all the parents and carers who have given up their time to share invaluable thoughts and views on holiday hub support. This is a positive step forward and my hope is that it offers reassurance to families as we look ahead to the new school year in August.
     

    Published: June 30th 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –