NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Abolition of MPF offsetting arrangement comes into effect today (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​The abolition of the use of the accrued benefits derived from employers’ mandatory contributions under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) System to offset severance payment (SP) and long service payment (LSP) (the abolition of offsetting arrangement) takes effect today (May 1, 2025 (i.e. the transition date)). 
     
    Starting from the transition date, employers can no longer use the accrued benefits of their mandatory MPF contributions to offset employees’ SP/LSP in respect of their employment periods after the transition date. The accrued benefits derived from employers’ voluntary contributions and contractual gratuities based on employees’ length of service can continue to be used to offset SP/LSP. The abolition of the offsetting arrangement has no retrospective effect. Current employees’ SP/LSP in respect of their employment periods before the transition date can still be offset after May 1.
     
    The abolition of the offsetting arrangement is also applicable to occupational retirement schemes under the Occupational Retirement Schemes Ordinance (Cap. 426), the two school provident funds under the Grant Schools Provident Fund Rules (Cap. 279C) and Subsidized Schools Provident Fund Rules (Cap. 279D), and overseas occupational retirement schemes joined by employees from outside Hong Kong which are exempted from the MPF System.
     
    To tie in with the abolition of the offsetting arrangement, the Labour Department on the same day launches the 25-year Subsidy Scheme for Abolition of MPF Offsetting Arrangement (SSA) to share out the SP/LSP expenses of employers after the abolition. The SSA is open for application from today. Employers are required to pay SP/LSP to employees in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Ordinance before submitting subsidy applications to the Labour Department. To learn more about the SSA and the application details, please visit the Labour Department’s TransitionEase Portal (www.offsettingsubsidy.gov.hk/en), call the Scheme Hotline (2989 1001), send by email (enquiry@ssasc.hk) or fax (2989 1012), or enquire in person at the SSA Service Centre (address: 18/F, Tower A, Manulife Financial Centre, 223 Wai Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Leads Measure to Overturn President Trump’s Effort to Close the Department of Education

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    WASHINGTON – Today, as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions considered education legislation, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced and urged consideration of her amendment to overturn President Trump’s recent executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education. Every Republican member of the Committee voted to prevent consideration of the amendment.
    “It is absurd that as we are talking about the important work that the Department of Education does in helping students pursue higher education, the President is working to entirely eliminate the Department of Education,” said Senator Hassan when introducing the amendment. “My amendment would prevent the President’s reckless and misguided assault on the Department of Education’s critical work to support students and schools across the country.”
    Senator Hassan’s amendment would overturn President Trump’s Executive Order 14242, which the President issued to begin the process of abolishing the U.S. Department of Education. The Department of Education helps students in the Granite State and across the country learn, grow, and thrive. New Hampshire schools receive more than $51 million in federal Title 1 funding through the Department of Education – funding that helps New Hampshire schools hire teachers, provide tutoring services, offer career and technical education, and prevent class sizes from growing. Additionally, the Department of Education plays a critical role in helping to ensure that students experiencing disabilities are fully included in public schools. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Department of Education currently provides more than $57 million to New Hampshire schools through the IDEA Grants to States program to help fund the education of children ages three through 21. New Hampshire has 31,000 students with disabilities – reflecting 17% of New Hampshire’s student population.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Exercise NZ – Pilates Rising: One of the Fastest-Growing Fitness Trends Globally – Celebrating International Pilates Day 2025

    Source: Exercise NZ

    The first Saturday of May — May 3rd — marks International Pilates Day. Pilates is officially one of the fastest-growing fitness trends in the world, with the global industry forecast to grow by over 10.8% in the next 10 years. Alongside global trends in core conditioning and functional training, Pilates is gaining momentum in New Zealand, with 64% of Gen Z gym members doing reformer Pilates classes and 55% taking part in mat-based Pilates.

    As momentum builds, ExerciseNZ, in association with Pilates Aotearoa, is encouraging Kiwis to celebrate International Pilates Day and experience first-hand why this dynamic, research-backed form of movement — developed by Joseph Pilates during World War I — is transforming lives everywhere.

    “In a world where wellbeing and vitality have never been more important, the Pilates method offers a holistic, sustainable approach to thriving — supporting not just physical wellness but emotional resilience and mindful movement. More than just a fitness fad, the practice of various forms of Pilates has earned its place as a powerful tool for building strength, enhancing mobility, and boosting mental wellbeing,”
    — Stephanie Hadley, Chair, Pilates Aotearoa

    As Pilates continues to grow in popularity, International Pilates Day offers a timely opportunity to explore the evidence behind this global trend. Studies show that regular Pilates practice can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by up to 30%, while improving balance, flexibility, and core strength — critical factors in preventing falls and supporting healthy ageing.

    Research from the University of Sydney found that Pilates delivers mental health benefits comparable to other major forms of exercise therapy. Clinical research published in Physiotherapy shows that participating in Pilates twice a week can reduce fall risk by up to 40% among older adults, significantly improving functional strength and stability. Findings published in The Open Public Health Journal also show that after just eight weeks, participants experience higher body confidence, improved mood, and reduced stress.

    Whether you’re a newbie, a regular participant, or a seasoned pro, there’s a place for everyone on the mat. ExerciseNZ, in partnership with Pilates Aotearoa, invites all New Zealanders to celebrate International Pilates Day — no matter your age, fitness level, or experience.

    Why Pilates Works: Evidence-Based Benefits

    Pilates can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression by up to 30%.
    Practising Pilates twice a week can lower fall risk by up to 40% in older adults.
    After eight weeks, Pilates can significantly improve mood, reduce stress, and increase body confidence.
    Research shows Pilates offers mental health benefits on par with other major exercise therapies.

    This International Pilates Day, take a moment for yourself, connect with your community, and be part of a global movement towards better health and vitality through Pilates.

    Pilates Aotearoa will also be hosting events for their members to celebrate the classical method on Saturday, May 3rd.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for May 1, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on May 1, 2025.

    What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shawna Mastro Campbell, Assistant Professor Clinical Psychology, Bond University Volurol/Shutterstock If you live with young children, there’s a good chance you’ve been on the receiving end of a child yelling, screaming, crying, throwing or hitting things. But how do parents know what is typical and age-related boundary

    Is WA Health having final say over edits of Paramedics ‘censorship’? Yes. But it’s necessary
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Cattoni, Lecturer, Screen Production, CQUniversity Australia Australian reality TV debuted in 2006 with Bondi Rescue. The show featured a winning formula of sun, surf, heroes and danger. It sparked many similar programs featuring police, helicopter crews and paramedics. Paramedics (2018–), as the title suggests, follows Australian

    Savvy athletes and new technology are flipping traditional sports marketing on its head
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Cairney, Professor and Head of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences; Director, The Queensland Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies, The University of Queensland Not so long ago, life was pretty simple for sports leagues and teams when it came to connecting with fans: the contests and

    3 years on from the ‘integrity’ election, how is Australia tracking on corruption reforms?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Democracy Deputy Program Director, Grattan Institute Taras Vyshnya/Shutterstock At the last federal election, the then opposition leader Anthony Albanese pledged to “change the way politics operates in this country”. Integrity was a key issue in 2022, and Australians voted for a change of government and

    Are side hustles really a way to escape the rat race, or just passion projects for a privileged few?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Farrugia, ARC Future Fellow, School of Education, Deakin University PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock Is a “side hustle” really the only thing separating you from the life you desire? Listening to some influencers on social media could certainly have you thinking so. Side hustles encompass a range

    Feuding mob families, mind control and a murder at the White House: what to watch in May
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Lecturer, Digital Communication, RMIT University Disney+/Prime/Netflix/Paramount+/The Conversation It’s May! Where did the year go? It must be all the amazing TV we’re watching that’s making the time whiz by. This month’s lineup of expert picks is packed with standout shows across all genres. Whether you’re

    How does consciousness work? Duelling scientists tested two big theories but found no winner
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Bayne, Professor of Philosophy, Monash University cdd20 / Unsplash “Theories are like toothbrushes,” it’s sometimes said. “Everybody has their own and nobody wants to use anybody else’s.” It’s a joke, but when it comes to the study of consciousness – the question of how we have

    Australians are warming to minority governments – but they still prefer majority rule
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Biddle, Professor of Economics and Public Policy, ANU College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University Minority governments have been part of Australia’s political history since Federation. In the country’s early decades, Prime Ministers Edmund Barton, Alfred Deakin, Chris Watson, George Reid and Andrew Fisher

    Donald Trump has cast a long shadow over the Australian election. Will it prove decisive?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Shortis, Adjunct Senior Fellow, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University Donald Trump is everywhere, inescapable. His return to power in the United States was always going to have some impact on the Australian federal election. The question was how disruptive he would be.

    Playing politics with AI: why NZ needs rules on the use of ‘fake’ images in election campaigns
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn Isaacs, Lecturer, Anthropology, University of Waikato Laurence Dutton/Getty Images Seeing is no longer believing in the age of images and videos generated by artificial intelligence (AI), and this is having an impact on elections in New Zealand and elsewhere. Ahead of the 2025 local body elections,

    When it comes to health information, who should you trust? 4 ways to spot a dodgy ‘expert’
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hassan Vally, Associate Professor, Epidemiology, Deakin University Surface/Unsplash When it comes to our health, we’re constantly being warned about being taken in by misinformation. Yet for most of us what we believe ultimately comes down to who we trust, including which “experts” we trust. The problem is

    What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amal Elawady, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University A downburst blasts Bangkok, Thailand, in 2017. Natapat Ariyamongkol/iStock/Getty Images Plus From a distance, a downburst can look like a torrent of heavy rain. But at ground level, its behavior can be far more destructive.

    Confirmed: Australian weapons sold to Israel, reveals Declassified Australia
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – SPECIAL REPORT: By Michelle Fahy The Australian counter-drone weapons system seen at a weapons demonstration in Israel recently is actually just one of a few that were sold by the Canberra-based company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) and sent through its wholly-owned US subsidiary to Israel, Declassified

    Amid Dutton’s ‘hate media’ and Trump’s despotism, press freedom is more vital than ever
    COMMENTARY: By Alexandra Wake Despite all the political machinations and hate towards the media coming from the president of the United States, I always thought the majority of Australian politicians supported the role of the press in safeguarding democracy. And I certainly did not expect Peter Dutton — amid an election campaign, one with citizens

    Election Diary: post-election rate cut and phone call from Trump in the pipeline
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra It used to be de rigueur for the prime minister and opposition leader to turn up to the National Press Club in the final week of the election campaign. But now Liberal leaders are not so keen. Scott Morrison gave

    Inaccurate 1News reporting on football violence breached broadcasting standards, rules BSA
    Broadcasting Standards Authority New Zealand’s Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) has upheld complaints about two 1News reports relating to violence around a football match in Amsterdam between local team Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv. The authority found an item on “antisemitic violence” surrounding the match, and another on heightened security in Paris the following week,

    People’s mental health goes downhill after repeated climate disasters – it’s an issue of social equity
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ang Li, ARC DECRA and Senior Research Fellow, NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Healthy Housing, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne Across Australia, communities are grappling with climate disasters that are striking more frequently and with greater intensity. Bushfires, floods and

    Older Australians are also hurting from the housing crisis. Where are the election policies to help them?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Victoria Cornell, Research Fellow, Flinders University shutterstock beeboys/Shutterstock It would be impossible at this stage in the election campaign to be unaware that housing is a critical, potentially vote-changing, issue. But the suite of policies being proposed by the major parties largely focus on young, first home

    Inflation is easing, boosting the case for another interest rate cut in May
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Daria Nipot/Shutterstock Australia’s headline inflation rate held steady at a four-year low of 2.4% in the March quarter, according to official data, adding to the case for a cut in interest rates at

    Is your child anxious about going on school camp? Here are 4 ways to prepare
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Micah Boerma, Researcher, School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland Nitinai Thabthong/Shutterstock One of the highlights of the school year is an overnight excursion or school camp. These can happen as early as Year 3. While many students are very excited about the chance to

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The global costs of the US-China tariff war are mounting. And the worst may be yet to come

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kai He, Professor of International Relations, Griffith University

    The United States and China remain in a standoff in their tariff war. Neither side appears willing to budge.

    After US President Donald Trump imposed massive 145% tariffs on Chinese imports in early April, China retaliated with its own tariffs of 125% on US goods.

    US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week it’s up to China to de-escalate tensions. China’s Foreign Ministry, meanwhile, said the two sides are not talking.

    The prospect of economic decoupling between the world’s two largest economies is no longer speculative. It is becoming a hard reality. While many observers debate who might “win” the trade war, the more likely outcome is that everyone loses.

    A convenient target

    Trump’s protectionist agenda has spared few. Allies and adversaries alike have been targeted by sweeping US tariffs. However, China has served as the main target, absorbing the political backlash of broader frustrations over trade deficits and economic displacement in the US.

    The economic costs to China are undeniable. The loss of reliable access to the US market, coupled with mounting uncertainty in the global trading system, has dealt a blow to China’s export-driven sectors.

    China’s comparative advantage lies in its vast manufacturing base and tightly integrated supply chains. This is especially true in high-tech and green industries such as electric vehicles, batteries and solar energy. These sectors are deeply dependent on open markets and predictable demand.

    New trade restrictions in Europe, Canada and the US on Chinese electric vehicles, in particular, have already caused demand to drop significantly.

    China’s GDP growth was higher than expected in the first quarter of the year at 5.4%, but analysts expect the effect of the tariffs to soon bite. A key measure of factory activity this week showed a contraction in manufacturing.

    China’s economic growth has also been weighed down by structural headwinds, including industrial overcapacity (when a country’s production of goods exceeds demand), an ageing population, rising youth unemployment and persistent regional disparities. The property sector — once a pillar of the country’s economic rise — has become a source of financial stress. Local government debt is mounting and a pension crisis is looming.

    Negotiations with the US might be desirable to end the tariff war. However, unilateral concessions on Beijing’s part are neither viable nor politically palatable.

    Regional coordination

    Trump’s tariff wars have done more than strain bilateral relationships; they have shaken the foundations of the global trading system.

    By sidelining the World Trade Organization and embracing a transactional approach to bilateral trade, the US has weakened multilateral norms and emboldened protectionist tendencies worldwide.

    One unintended consequence of this instability has been the resurgence of regional arrangements. In Asia, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), backed by China and centred on the ASEAN bloc in Southeast Asia, has emerged as a credible alternative for economic cooperation.

    Meanwhile, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) continues to expand, with the United Kingdom joining late last year.

    Across Latin America, too, regional blocs are exploring new avenues for integration, hoping to buffer themselves against the shocks of resurgent protectionism.

    But regionalism is no panacea. It cannot replicate the scale or efficiency of global trade, nor can it restore the predictability on which exporters depend.

    Looming dangers

    The greater danger is the world drifting into a Kindleberger Trap — a situation in which no power steps forward to provide the leadership necessary to sustain global public goods, or a stable trading system.

    Economist Charles Kindleberger’s account of the Great Depression remains instructive: it was not the presence of conflict but the absence of leadership that brought about the global economy’s systemic collapse.

    Without renewed global coordination, the economic fragmentation triggered by Trump’s tariff wars could give way to something far more dangerous than a recession – rising geopolitical and military tensions that no region can contain.

    The political landscape is already fraught. The Chinese Communist Party, for instance, has long tethered its legitimacy to the promise of eventual unification with Taiwan. Yet the costs of using force remain prohibitively high.

    Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent designation of China as a “foreign hostile force” have sharpened tensions. Beijing’s response has been calibrated – military exercises intended more as a warning than a prelude to conflict.

    However, the intensifying trade war with the US may become the final straw that exhausts Beijing’s patience, leaving Taiwan as collateral damage in a US-China final showdown.

    A role for collective leadership

    China alone is neither able nor inclined to assume the mantle of global leadership. Its current focus is more on domestic priorities – sustaining economic growth and managing social stability – than on foreign policy.

    Yet, Beijing can still play a constructive role in shaping the international environment through its cooperation with Europe, ASEAN and the Global South.

    The objective is not to replace American hegemony, but to support a more multi-polar and collaborative system — one capable of sustaining global public goods in an era of uncertainty.

    Paradoxically, a more coordinated effort by the rest of the world may ultimately help bring the US back into the fold. Washington may rediscover the strategic value of engagement — and return not as the sole leader, but as an indispensable partner.

    In the short term, other states may seek to gain an advantage from the great power standoff. But they should remember that what begins as a clash between giants can quickly engulf bystanders.

    In this volatile landscape, the path forward does not lie in exploiting disorder. Rather, nations must cautiously advance the shared interest in restoring a stable, rules-based global order.

    Kai He receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. The global costs of the US-China tariff war are mounting. And the worst may be yet to come – https://theconversation.com/the-global-costs-of-the-us-china-tariff-war-are-mounting-and-the-worst-may-be-yet-to-come-254583

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Discover midtown’s hidden art gems

    Source: Auckland Council

    Etched into the walls of our city, street culture never grows old.

    This arts season, discover some exciting and mysterious art that you might never have noticed before.

    Auckland Council Head of City Centre Programmes Jenny Larking calls it a hidden collection of our art history.

    “Standing in a single spot in Durham Lane West it’s possible to take in the city’s oldest existing piece of graffiti culture, a mid-1990s view of place, and a contemporary portrayal of what our feet stand on beneath the central city.

    “Some of these artworks are a celebration of Te Waihorotiu stream, which flows underground, a treasured stream that’s also honoured in the name of the new station taking shape in the area,” she says.  

    Here’s more about this unique urban experience:

    Durham Lane West

    Lane Change by John Radford 1995 – in Durham Lane West.

    Artist John Radford’s Lane Change, on the wall of an underpass off Durham Lane West, remembers a slice of Auckland’s history. The artwork cements a replica façade of an 1880s building, which was in Shortland Street, into the wall.

    Directly opposite Lane Change is a John Radford mural ‘…that was then, and that was then…’ completed in 1994 in this backstreet shrine to street culture.

    This artwork also explores themes of buildings past. Both artworks were funded from a donation by a property development company responsible for a large development in the area at the time, part of Auckland City Council’s incentive scheme for the creation of public art and public spaces by private companies.

    In ‘…that was then, and that was then…’ words and phrases overlap and intersect to represent the passage of time. The words draw from Auckland’s history and include the names of Māori pā sites, natural features, and local businesses that have been built over and around in the landscape of Tāmaki Makaurau.

    In 2010 an unknown contractor inadvertently painted over the mural. The artist, John Radford, restored the work leaving some of the grey paint to add to the evolution and meaning of the artwork.

    “I think it adds to the look of the work. There are now more traces of layers on the wall,” the artist told The Aucklander at the time.

    Walk further into the underpass and discover the Queen Street City Beat mural created in 1986 by Opto & Dick Clique (Otis and Dick Frizzell).   

    In 1986, 15-year-old Otis Frizzell recruited his well-known artist father as free labour to help him with this historic graffiti mural painted in the alleyway. Otis recalls the council of the time wanted to brighten up the inner city and he was commissioned to create the mural.   

    The only real graffiti art reference available at the time was the movie Beat Street, so the artist wrote QUEEN STREET CITY BEAT. The mural depicts a characterisation of Queen Street at the time featuring recognisable buildings – the Classic Cinema, Auckland Town Hall, Keans Jeans, the neon cowboy and McDonalds. 

    Otis Frizzell says: “I’m stoked to get a chance to breathe some new life into this old mural. Of course when I painted this with my Dad back in ’86 I had no idea it would last so long, and eventually become one of the oldest existing Street Art pieces in Aotearoa.”

    Opposite the Frizzell work is Holly Mafaufau’s Tāmaki Makaurau completed in 2024.

    Holly enjoys the conceptual, problem-solving aspect of design and takes a similar approach to the walls she paints. She says that words are weapons, and public walls are an opportunity to speak to people.

    “This artwork acknowledges the historic bodies of water of the area and their importance in the provision of kai (food). It was created with the intention to soften a hard urban space while contributing to the collection of existing artworks in this space,” Holly says.   

    Airedale Street  

    Artist Poi Ngawati.

    Exciting new artworks curated by Ross Liew for Auckland Council have transformed the Airedale Street steps, a popular pathway between Auckland University of Technology and Queen Street.

    A mural has been created by artist Poi Ngawati (Waikato Tainui, Ngāti Patupo, Ngāti Whawhaki, Ngāti Mahuta, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Hine). 

    Titled Te Huinga Tai – The gathering of tides, this vibrant piece of street art talks about the meeting of tides from all around the world. Depicted via a modern Māori stylised pūhoro design, the work reflects five key values; people first, pursue excellence, embrace change, act with integrity and serve our world. 

    The north facing walls are painted in shades of violet purple and the south facing walls shades of teal. This colour combination speaks of day and night, light and dark, and how the waters of Te Waihorotiu continue to flow beneath the streets.

    Accompanying the mural is a new collaborative light work suspended in the tree above, created by Poi Ngawati and Angus Muir to complete the transformation of this space. The design speaks to the connection between the stars, ocean, and iwi guiding our journeys and shaping our stories.

    The flowing forms represent rain, linking Ranginui and Papatūānuku. By day, it moves with the environment; by night, it connects to the stars above. 

    Midtown street parties

    On the way to or from the next midtown street party – on the third Thursday of each month – Aucklanders are encouraged to stroll to Durham Lane West and Airedale Street to witness street art they might never have noticed before.

    Midtown street parties are enabled by Auckland Council to build vibrancy and support local businesses in the newly-emerging neighbourhood around Te Waihorotiu Station, with funds from the city centre targeted rate.

    Read the midtown street party schedule at OurAuckland.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is WA Health having final say over edits of Paramedics ‘censorship’? Yes. But it’s necessary

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jan Cattoni, Lecturer, Screen Production, CQUniversity Australia

    Australian reality TV debuted in 2006 with Bondi Rescue. The show featured a winning formula of sun, surf, heroes and danger. It sparked many similar programs featuring police, helicopter crews and paramedics.

    Paramedics (2018–), as the title suggests, follows Australian paramedics at work, and airs on Nine. Previous seasons focused on staff of Ambulance Victoria and SA Ambulance. The latest season, being filmed now in Perth, follows paramedics of St John Ambulance Western Australia.

    Last week, the ABC reported WA Health has issued a directive that filming must end “at the time of entering a hospital ramp” and no filming is to happen at hospitals.

    They also stipulate “vision that is used to negatively portray the WA Health system, including but not limited to perceived capacity constraints, is not permitted to be used”.

    This move drew criticism from WA Shadow Health Minister, Libby Mettam, and WA president of the Australian Medical Association, Michael Page, who claimed it amounts to censorship of healthcare delivery issues, in particular issues of “ramping” – ambulances waiting outside emergency departments until space becomes available.

    I created and directed the reality series Chopper Rescue (2009–11) for ABC, following real rescue helicopter crews saving lives in regional and remote north Queensland. Here’s what to consider when it comes to obtaining permissions to record factual television shows like these.

    Sharing stories

    These shows occupy a complex position between service provision and entertainment, creating inherent conflicts of interest.

    I developed the concept for Chopper Rescue from dual perspectives: as a filmmaker and as an experienced PICU (paediatric intensive care unit) nurse who had participated in many retrievals.

    I wanted to share stories of the incredible rescue crews: unassuming individuals undertaking extensive training, available 24/7. They might just happen to be the person sitting on the train opposite you travelling home after an all night saga.

    I wanted audiences to appreciate how lucky we are to have such services.

    From my first experience retrieving a child from a small regional clinic in the middle of the night, I was struck by the human drama and visual spectacle. Flying low at dawn over a sleeping city and safely delivering a sick child to expert care adhered to a perfect narrative structure.

    The success of shows like Chopper Rescue and Paramedics depends on the willingness of professionals to share their knowledge, and of those being rescued agreeing to have their stories aired. The most successful shows are a partnership, where those in front of the camera are able to exercise some agency in how they are represented on screen.

    By the time viewers see such content, multiple layers of permission have been negotiated.

    Seeking consent

    The most complex negotiation is the access agreements with organisations who have jurisdiction over the entities involved. For Paramedics, agreements would have been negotiated with St John’s Ambulance and WA Health.

    Such agreements always include conditions to protect individuals and professional reputations.

    Production companies must obtain signed consent from everyone identifiable onscreen. This is a complicated process when filming in emergency departments where multiple personnel might be attending to critically unwell patients.

    Production release forms typically assign worldwide rights to use recordings, while indemnifying the company against claims. Individuals can request variations, such as viewing content before release, but this requires understanding this option exists. Ethical documentary practice would explore individuals’ options at the time of signing the release.

    If someone doesn’t consent, their face is typically blurred. This highlights the tension between legal and ethical practice: blurring of identity meets legal requirements, but overlooks an individual’s choice not to participate.

    Then there is the case of organisational access agreements. Post production facilities are intense spaces where editors, directors and producers make decisions about episodes, creating perfect cuts and dramatic effects. What’s often missing in the edit suite is professional knowledge to determine whether a scene, while being dramatically successful, might contain actions by a professional that could be viewed critically by peers.

    There is little scope for the acknowledgement of human error once a show is aired, but human error occurs – particularly in high stakes situations.

    Access agreements and filming protocols ensure edited content is reviewed by those familiar with the setting. In the case of the new season of Paramedics, this responsibility will fall to WA Health.

    Is this censorship? Yes. Is it necessary? I would say yes, given these shows offer entertainment, not expository documentaries.

    Our human vulnerability

    There is another hidden risk for those being rescued: the presence of cameras capturing professionals at work.

    Awareness that millions might be watching on can potentially distract paramedics, doctors and pilots – with potentially disastrous consequences.

    And what about patients’ rights to receive assistance without the presence of microphones and cameras? Can we assume that patients are informed in advance that they may be filmed and have the option to decline? Clear protocols for filming are essential to ensure such patient rights are protected.

    As a filmmaker, I recognise the appeal of these shows. Viewers access normally restricted spaces, witnessing emergency calls and human drama. Such moments can be potent, allowing reflection on our human vulnerability. The educational potential is also significant, sharing important information about health conditions and interventions.

    It is unclear whether similar restrictions were requested in other states, but there is nothing unusual in WA Health seeking conditions to film in their facilities.

    However, to specifically exclude ambulance ramping has potentially left them vulnerable to criticism, rather than requesting general content approval.

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

    – ref. Is WA Health having final say over edits of Paramedics ‘censorship’? Yes. But it’s necessary – https://theconversation.com/is-wa-health-having-final-say-over-edits-of-paramedics-censorship-yes-but-its-necessary-255417

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shawna Mastro Campbell, Assistant Professor Clinical Psychology, Bond University

    Volurol/Shutterstock

    If you live with young children, there’s a good chance you’ve been on the receiving end of a child yelling, screaming, crying, throwing or hitting things.

    But how do parents know what is typical and age-related boundary pushing, what is a tantrum and what is a meltdown?

    What’s the difference anyway?

    What’s a tantrum?

    In general, a tantrum is considered behavioural. The child has learned that the behaviour (like screaming or crying in defiant protest) can help them get what they want.

    The behaviour may be a natural reaction for a child who is still learning how to regulate their emotions.

    Sometimes, the outcome a child wants is a parent’s attention. So if a parent yells and negotiates with their child, this can reinforce tantrums and make them more likely in the future.

    Once a child has obtained the desired outcome, the behaviour can decrease in the short term. But as the child has learned a tantrum is an effective way to get what they want, this may contribute to further tantrums in the long term.

    What’s a meltdown?

    A meltdown relates to having difficulty in regulating (usually distressing) emotions. We may still see the same types of behaviours and emotional outbursts as those in a tantrum. But a dysregulated child in a meltdown typically cannot de-escalate quickly, and offering a desired outcome is of little comfort.

    Usually, a meltdown happens because a child’s brain is overwhelmed, overloaded or under-resourced (for instance, if they are tired, hungry and don’t have skills to stay regulated). Their nervous system kicks into an “out of control” state of emotional dysregulation. In this situation, their brain is not yet able to learn, engage in rational discussion, or meaningfully apologise.

    Sometimes behaviours start as tantrums, quickly spiral into a feeling of being emotionally out of control, before a shift to “meltdown”.

    This can be especially relevant for children who are neurodevelopmentally divergent, such as autistic children or children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who may have less capacity to regulate their emotions.

    How to react?

    Dealing with tantrums and meltdowns involves parents being responsive, and labelling and understanding their child’s emotions.

    Empathy is the key to defusing big emotions and strengthening relationships. An empathetic response allows your child to feel connected to an understanding parent, which can de-escalate a conflict.

    For instance, if your child is crying and yelling after you tell them to power off the iPad before dinner, you might say:

    I can see you were enjoying watching that. It’s really tricky to stop doing something we like, like watching Bluey. I struggle to switch off my favourite show, too. But, it is time for dinner, so we will turn off the iPad now.

    How we hold boundaries is also important. For example, you might respond to a meltdown that includes hitting or throwing things with:

    You are allowed to be upset but you are not allowed to hurt me, hurt yourself, or our house.

    Not all behaviour is dangerous – such as swearing, using a silly voice, or using toilet-talk (saying things like “poo”). So it’s OK to pick your battles and ignore those behaviours by looking or turning away and not responding.

    However, if you are worried your child might harm themselves or someone else – perhaps by running away, or climbing on a table – an appropriate reaction is to ensure physical safety and say:

    It is my job to help you keep your body safe, so I’m going to help you make a safe choice.

    Dinner time! You know what usually happens next, a tantrum. But you can defuse the situation with some empathy.
    Steve Heap/Shutterstock

    What not to do

    Being harsh to yourself or worrying about strangers judging your parenting won’t help end the tantrum or meltdown any quicker.

    Distracting your child is rarely effective while a tantrum or meltdown is happening. This might even give children the impression they should avoid their feelings.

    Decades of research has also shown using forms of physical punishment such as smacking does not deter problematic behaviour, and contributes to worsening mental health in the short and long term.

    How about preventing tantrums and meltdowns?

    We cannot avoid tantrums or meltdowns entirely. Having intense emotions is part of normal child development. It is also not possible to always respond perfectly. Trying to meet your child’s needs for connection and boundary setting most of the time is “good enough”.

    But praising appropriate behaviour is the key preventative buffer against tantrums and meltdowns. You can also admire the unique and special qualities in your child.

    Both increase the quality of your relationship, let your child know what types of behaviour are appropriate, and makes them feel good about themselves – and you.

    Are you overwhelmed?

    Having patience for children having a tantrum or meltdown while their brain develops can be a challenge. But in the short term, you can be empathetic towards your child and yourself by saying:

    My child is learning, and so am I.

    For a longer-term perspective, say:

    This is a phase.

    If you feel overwhelmed, quick strategies can mean the difference between responding with empathy and boundaries, or reacting with accidental reinforcement, such as yelling or giving in. Try:

    • taking a few deep, slow breaths

    • counting to five before reacting

    • taking a break – make a cup of tea, get a drink of water

    • checking if you are tired, hungry, or have an unmet need

    • saying nothing if you have nothing nice to say

    • labelling your own feelings, and describing what you are going to do to calm down.

    Susan Rowe is a current member of the Gold Coast Primary Health Network Clinical Advisory Council.

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

    – ref. What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown? – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-tantrum-and-a-meltdown-245762

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Universities – Drinking water plumbing a hotspot for antimicrobial resistant pathogens – Flinders

    Source: Flinders University

    A growing threat of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens poses a critical public health threat – and drinking water plumbing systems serve as significant but overlooked reservoirs of these problematic microbes.

    Despite international efforts to combat AMR, surveillance has primarily focused on clinical cases, while environmental reservoirs – such as drinking water plumbing systems – remain poorly understood.

    A recent study by researchers from Flinders University and other leading institutions revealed alarming findings about bacterial persistence in Australian drinking water plumbing, and identified significant transmission risks in both hospital and residential environments.

    “The presence of these antimicrobial resistant bacteria in residential and hospital plumbing systems highlights a pressing public health concern that requires immediate attention,” says Flinders University’s Professor Harriet Whiley.

    Published in the Journal of Hospital Infection, the study assessed the prevalence of key AMR threats – being methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), plus carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa andAcinetobacter baumannii – in hospital and residential drinking water and biofilm samples across Australia.

    Key findings showed:

    73% of residential water and biofilm samples tested positive for at least one AMR pathogen, compared to 38% of hospital samples.
    45% of residential drinking water plumbing fixtures had at least two of the targeted AMR pathogens, highlighting the risks in home environments.
    Drain biofilms were identified as a major reservoir for AMR bacteria, contributing to their persistence even after disinfection efforts.
    Carbapenem resistance genes were found in biofilm samples that tested negative for P. aeruginosa, suggesting biofilms may act as long-term reservoirs for AMR genes, which will allow resistance to spread even after the original bacteria have died.
    MRSA, typically associated with dry, high-touch surfaces such as bed rails and doorknobs, was detected in both water and biofilm samples. This indicates that AMR pathogens that are not traditionally considered waterborne may thrive in plumbing systems.

    Antimicrobial resistance is among the most pressing 21st century global health challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that by 2050, AMR infections could cause 10 million deaths a year, and would therefore surpass cancer as the leading cause of death worldwide.

    Resistant infections already lead to prolonged hospital stays, higher medical costs and an increasing reliance on last-resort antibiotics, which are becoming less effective.

    “Our research underscores the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions to mitigate the risks posed by AMR pathogens in drinking water systems, especially in home healthcare settings,” said lead researcher Dr Claire Hayward.

    This study calls for improved strategies to manage AMR risks in water infrastructure, particularly in environments housing vulnerable populations, such as hospitals and aged care facilities.

    Strengthening water system hygiene, routine monitoring, and innovative biofilm control methods could play a crucial role in addressing this growing threat.

    The research – “Drinking water plumbing systems are a hot spot for antimicrobial resistant pathogens”, by Claire Hayward, Kirstin Ross, Melissa Brown, Richard Bentham, Jason Hinds and Harriet Whiley – has been published in the Journal of Hospital Infection. For access to the full study, visit: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0195670125000593

    Funding statement: This work was supported by the Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researcher and Flinders Foundation grant 2021.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Shawna Mastro Campbell, Assistant Professor Clinical Psychology, Bond University

    Volurol/Shutterstock

    If you live with young children, there’s a good chance you’ve been on the receiving end of a child yelling, screaming, crying, throwing or hitting things.

    But how do parents know what is typical and age-related boundary pushing, what is a tantrum and what is a meltdown?

    What’s the difference anyway?

    What’s a tantrum?

    In general, a tantrum is considered behavioural. The child has learned that the behaviour (like screaming or crying in defiant protest) can help them get what they want.

    The behaviour may be a natural reaction for a child who is still learning how to regulate their emotions.

    Sometimes, the outcome a child wants is a parent’s attention. So if a parent yells and negotiates with their child, this can reinforce tantrums and make them more likely in the future.

    Once a child has obtained the desired outcome, the behaviour can decrease in the short term. But as the child has learned a tantrum is an effective way to get what they want, this may contribute to further tantrums in the long term.

    What’s a meltdown?

    A meltdown relates to having difficulty in regulating (usually distressing) emotions. We may still see the same types of behaviours and emotional outbursts as those in a tantrum. But a dysregulated child in a meltdown typically cannot de-escalate quickly, and offering a desired outcome is of little comfort.

    Usually, a meltdown happens because a child’s brain is overwhelmed, overloaded or under-resourced (for instance, if they are tired, hungry and don’t have skills to stay regulated). Their nervous system kicks into an “out of control” state of emotional dysregulation. In this situation, their brain is not yet able to learn, engage in rational discussion, or meaningfully apologise.

    Sometimes behaviours start as tantrums, quickly spiral into a feeling of being emotionally out of control, before a shift to “meltdown”.

    This can be especially relevant for children who are neurodevelopmentally divergent, such as autistic children or children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who may have less capacity to regulate their emotions.

    How to react?

    Dealing with tantrums and meltdowns involves parents being responsive, and labelling and understanding their child’s emotions.

    Empathy is the key to defusing big emotions and strengthening relationships. An empathetic response allows your child to feel connected to an understanding parent, which can de-escalate a conflict.

    For instance, if your child is crying and yelling after you tell them to power off the iPad before dinner, you might say:

    I can see you were enjoying watching that. It’s really tricky to stop doing something we like, like watching Bluey. I struggle to switch off my favourite show, too. But, it is time for dinner, so we will turn off the iPad now.

    How we hold boundaries is also important. For example, you might respond to a meltdown that includes hitting or throwing things with:

    You are allowed to be upset but you are not allowed to hurt me, hurt yourself, or our house.

    Not all behaviour is dangerous – such as swearing, using a silly voice, or using toilet-talk (saying things like “poo”). So it’s OK to pick your battles and ignore those behaviours by looking or turning away and not responding.

    However, if you are worried your child might harm themselves or someone else – perhaps by running away, or climbing on a table – an appropriate reaction is to ensure physical safety and say:

    It is my job to help you keep your body safe, so I’m going to help you make a safe choice.

    Dinner time! You know what usually happens next, a tantrum. But you can defuse the situation with some empathy.
    Steve Heap/Shutterstock

    What not to do

    Being harsh to yourself or worrying about strangers judging your parenting won’t help end the tantrum or meltdown any quicker.

    Distracting your child is rarely effective while a tantrum or meltdown is happening. This might even give children the impression they should avoid their feelings.

    Decades of research has also shown using forms of physical punishment such as smacking does not deter problematic behaviour, and contributes to worsening mental health in the short and long term.

    How about preventing tantrums and meltdowns?

    We cannot avoid tantrums or meltdowns entirely. Having intense emotions is part of normal child development. It is also not possible to always respond perfectly. Trying to meet your child’s needs for connection and boundary setting most of the time is “good enough”.

    But praising appropriate behaviour is the key preventative buffer against tantrums and meltdowns. You can also admire the unique and special qualities in your child.

    Both increase the quality of your relationship, let your child know what types of behaviour are appropriate, and makes them feel good about themselves – and you.

    Are you overwhelmed?

    Having patience for children having a tantrum or meltdown while their brain develops can be a challenge. But in the short term, you can be empathetic towards your child and yourself by saying:

    My child is learning, and so am I.

    For a longer-term perspective, say:

    This is a phase.

    If you feel overwhelmed, quick strategies can mean the difference between responding with empathy and boundaries, or reacting with accidental reinforcement, such as yelling or giving in. Try:

    • taking a few deep, slow breaths

    • counting to five before reacting

    • taking a break – make a cup of tea, get a drink of water

    • checking if you are tired, hungry, or have an unmet need

    • saying nothing if you have nothing nice to say

    • labelling your own feelings, and describing what you are going to do to calm down.

    Susan Rowe is a current member of the Gold Coast Primary Health Network Clinical Advisory Council.

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

    – ref. What’s the difference between a tantrum and a meltdown? – https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-tantrum-and-a-meltdown-245762

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Savvy athletes and new technology are flipping traditional sports marketing on its head

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Cairney, Professor and Head of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences; Director, The Queensland Centre for Olympic and Paralympic Studies, The University of Queensland

    Not so long ago, life was pretty simple for sports leagues and teams when it came to connecting with fans: the contests and athletes were the stars of the show, with the on-field action covered and celebrated by sports media accordingly.

    Things are rapidly changing.

    Sport used to primarily be about performance, competition and entertainment. Now, sport and the athletes who play it are often dynamic media platforms.

    This paradigm shift is being driven by the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), data mining, immersive technology and the creator economy. Each exposes anomalies in the old model and demands a new framework for how sport is consumed, valued and organised.



    Read more:
    The social media games: why sports teams and leagues aren’t just competing on the field

    A changing landscape

    In today’s modern sporting landscape, many leagues, teams and even mega-events are fully functioning media companies.

    Athletes are both product and producer.

    They not only generate performance-based content (highlights, stats) but also personal narratives, political positions, or cultural influence.

    They are creators and media entities in the full sense — with their own brands, platforms and followers.

    Professional leagues and events must reckon with the power shift these actions imply.

    There is extraordinary opportunity in leveraging athletes’ identities for deeper fan engagement. But there is also caution: narratives may not always align with league and team/owner agendas.

    Consider some recent examples.

    Former No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player Naomi Osaka used her platforms to create a brand that spans fashion, media and activism.

    Her 2021 withdrawal from the French Open, which she announced on her own terms on social media, stemmed from her decision to skip post-match press conferences to protect her mental health.

    Osaka’s move highlighted both the opportunity created by authentic, athlete-driven engagement and the challenge it posed to traditional tournament control.

    In 2024, Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball phenomenon, offered a different but related case.

    A dominant pitcher and elite hitter, Ohtani signed a record-breaking US$700 million (A$1.1 billion) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the most lucrative deal in baseball history.

    Since joining the Dodgers, he has tightly curated his public image, favouring controlled, self-managed media content over traditional press access.

    His control over access and messaging means the Dodgers and Major League Baseball can’t fully shape his story.

    Ash Barty’s post-retirement career offers a compelling Australian parallel.

    Since stepping away from tennis in 2022 while ranked No. 1, Barty has carefully balanced commercial endorsements, a memoir and media appearances.

    Like Osaka and Ohtani, Barty’s example speaks to a new form of athlete agency: one where narrative control, emotional transparency and strategic silence all play a role in reshaping sport’s public conversation.

    All these cases illustrate a shifting paradigm — where athletes are no longer just performers but powerful media outlets, often with more influence than the familiar institutions they represent.

    The influence of AI

    This opens important questions around ownership, intellectual property, image rights and the ethical stewardship of public platforms.

    It also means if athletes, players and leagues are media companies, monetisation is a function — but not the sole purpose. Successful media ecosystems don’t just sell content, they also build belonging.

    This means investing in and influencing community, culture and shared values — not just launching branded apps, paid streaming services, or spin-off content that extend the brand.

    AI, in this context, becomes a community-builder, not just a recommendation engine. Its ability to support personalised experiences and micro-segmented fan journeys allows for mass intimacy: experiences that feel deeply individual yet can be scaled broadly.

    With the help of data and machine learning, leagues and teams can now deliver mass customisation not just of products but of experiences and narratives — tailoring highlight reels, merchandise, content and even storylines for each fan. This shift enables a deeper, more emotional form of engagement.

    The National Basketball Association (NBA)’s upgraded app and NBA ID platform bring this to life, using Microsoft Azure AI to serve fans personalised highlight reels, real-time stat overlays and exclusive content based on their favourite teams and players.

    These “fan journeys of one” show how leagues can turn data into connection — building not just audiences but communities, powered by AI.

    As to what the future may hold, some key questions in this space are:

    • How does AI reshape the power dynamics between leagues, athletes and fans?
    • What new business models will emerge when the fan is also a co-creator?
    • Can AI be used to foster social good through sport, not just drive engagement metrics?

    This ongoing tension between “brand-dom” (controlled or innovative messaging) and “fandom” (grassroots, emotionally driven engagement) will continue to evolve as technology also evolves.

    Sport’s future won’t just be something we watch — it will be shaped by fans, athletes and technology working together, and it will keep changing faster than ever.

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

    – ref. Savvy athletes and new technology are flipping traditional sports marketing on its head – https://theconversation.com/savvy-athletes-and-new-technology-are-flipping-traditional-sports-marketing-on-its-head-254596

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: HHS Folds to Grassley Oversight, Reverses Course on $89 Billion Biden-Era Contract Awarded to Shady Nonprofit

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Washington Free Beacon: HHS to Reevaluate $89 Billion Contract Awarded to Shadowy University of California Nonprofit
    Sen. Chuck Grassley hails agency’s decision to reverse Biden’s ‘outrageous’ award
    Andrew Kerr
    April 30, 2025

    The National Institutes of Health is having second thoughts about a behemoth $89 billion contract it awarded to a seemingly dormant California nonprofit organization during the final days of former president Joe Biden’s term.

    The National Cancer Institute, a subsidiary of the NIH, awarded a 25-year, $89 billion contract to the Alliance for Advancing Biomedical Research to operate a cancer research lab at Maryland’s Fort Detrick on January 17, just three days before Biden left office. The reward marked a remarkable turn of fortune for the nascent nonprofit organization, which shares close ties to the University of California’s National Laboratories but hadn’t raised or spent a penny since its founding in 2022, according to its available Form 990 tax filings. The nonprofit group exists with the “specific purpose to operate exclusively for the benefit of, to perform the functions of, and/or to carry out the purposes of The Regents of the University of California,” according to its 2022 tax filing.

    But the Alliance for Advancing Biomedical Research now risks seeing its multibillion-dollar taxpayer-funded windfall slip through its fingers, according to an April 8 notice obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, showing that the Department of Health and Human Services—NIH’s parent agency—is reevaluating all the original bids for the contract and will possibly award it to another company.

    The agency’s move came just weeks after Sen. Chuck Grassley (R., Iowa) sent a letter in late February to the NIH demanding to know why the agency awarded the massive contract to an untested nonprofit with close ties to the University of California, a system that, according to the senator, not only has a history of spending around 40 percent of its federal research funding on administrative costs, but also has a dubious record of leaving its laboratories open to national security breaches by the Chinese Communist Party.

    “It’s outrageous Biden’s NIH shoved a nearly $90 billion contract out the door just days before President Trump returned to office,” Grassley told the Free Beacon. “Even worse, the money would have flowed to an organization that can’t clearly protect itself from adversaries like China. I’m very glad HHS heeded my calls to reverse course and is now re-evaluating its initial proposal. I urge the department to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars as it works to defeat cancer and save lives.”

    …

    The nonprofit’s close ties to the University of California was of great concern to Grassley, who noted in his February 26 letter to NIH acting director Matthew Memoli that the university has a record of keeping about 40 percent of its federal research funding for research costs, a figure that far exceeds the Trump administration’s cap on such expenditures at 15 percent.

    “It is critical to ensure taxpayer-funded research dollars are actually spent on research, not university administrative expenses,” Grassley wrote in his letter.

    Grassley also said he was concerned about the University of California’s well-documented failure to protect its labs from security breaches by China’s government.

    “It has been reported that between 1987 and 2021, at least 162 scientists who had worked at Los Alamos [National Laboratory] returned to China to support a variety of domestic research and development programs, including at least 59 who were involved with China’s talent programs,” Grassley wrote. “It appears that the University of California’s inability to keep China out of U.S. R&D is an issue that spans nearly four decades.”

    …

    HHS notified Leidos on April 9 that NIH had taken the “voluntary corrective action” to reevaluate the initial contract proposals and possibly make a new reward determination, according to a letter obtained by the Free Beacon.

    …

    -30-

    ?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Delivers Remarks Honoring Fred Wertheimer As He Receives The Senator Paul H. Douglas Award For Ethics In Government

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    April 30, 2025

    In his remarks, Durbin praised the Paul Douglas Award recipient, Fred Wertheimer, for his dedication to strengthening American democracy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered remarks honoring Fred Wertheimer, this year’s recipient for the University of Illinois System’s Senator Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government.  In his remarks, Durbin praised Mr. Wertheimer’s work as founder and President of Democracy 21, a nonpartisan, nonprofit dedicated to strengthening American democracy, safeguarding election integrity, and promoting government accountability.

    Named for the late Illinois Senator, the Senator Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government is presented to a person whose public actions and contributions have demonstrated a deep understanding and respect for ethical behavior and standards in government.  Past recipients include former President Barack Obama, the late Senator Paul Simon, the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and former Representative Liz Cheney.

      

    Photos of Durbin delivering his remarks can be found here.

    Durbin’s remarks as prepared for delivery are below:

    U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Remarks at Paul Douglas Award Ceremony

    April 30, 2025

    As prepared for delivery

    Thank you, President Killeen, for those kind words.  I want to welcome my dear friends, Jean Douglas Bandler and Ned Bandler, Senator Douglas’s daughter and son-in-law, his great-grandson, Matthew Douglas.

    It is always an honor to join the Douglas family, the University of Illinois, and its outstanding Institute of Government and Public Affairs in presenting the Senator Paul H. Douglas Ethics in Government Award.

    People ask me how I’ve survived 42 years in Congress.  The short answer is:  I try to follow the Gospel of St. Paul—by which I mean, I try to follow the examples of Paul Simon and Paul Douglas.

    They showed me that the bedrock of a long career in public service is a commitment to honesty and integrity.  Without that North Star to guide you, you are liable to get lost. I’ve seen it happen. 

    Paul Douglas held himself to high ethical standards—even stronger than Congress required—because he understood when people lose faith in their government, democracy crumbles.  That basic truth is also what has driven Fred Wertheimer for more than 50 years.

    I have known Fred for many of those years.  I admire him greatly.  I am also a big fan of his brilliant wife, Linda Wertheimer.  We’re honored that you could join us, Linda.

    For more than five decades—first at Common Cause and then at Democracy 21—he has been a leading voice in advancing the causes of honesty and integrity in government, free and fair elections, and protecting Americans’ right to vote.  The bedrock issues of democracy.

    Fred Wertheimer is not intimidated by Big Money or long odds, and he is not afraid of bullies—which means he is exactly the kind of leader America needs, urgently, now.

    Today is Day 101 of the second Trump Administration.   If America had been invaded by a hostile nation, I’m not sure they could have done so much damage, in such a short period of time, to our economy, our democracy, and our standing in the world.

    What would Professor Paul Douglas say about an Administration threatening to withhold federal funding for education and research—and jeopardizing universities’ solvency–in order to dictate what can be taught, and who can teach?

    What would economist Paul Douglas think of a President who needlessly drives up costs for America’s families and businesses and harms the global economy at risk by waging an

    incoherent trade war against our foes and allies?

    Our government is being dismantled, essential services are being crippled, and tens of thousands of federal workers are being fired, many illegally, on instructions from the richest man on Earth, who bought his influence in this Administration with hundreds of millions of dollars in cold, hard campaign cash.

    The autocrats and oligarchs are at the gate.  If Paul Douglas were here, he would be appalled, as we all should be.

    So, what do we do to save our democracy?  First, we need to break the corrupt chokehold of unlimited, unaccountable special interest money on our elections and public policies. 

    Second, we need to protect the right to vote.

    I know that you are committed to both of these imperatives, Fred, and I am with you.

    Finally, we must safeguard the independence and integrity of the judiciary.

    During the Biden Administration, Democrats held a majority, and I held the gavel on the Senate Judiciary Committee. And the Senate confirmed 235 federal judges of impeccable character and qualifications—including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

    These and other federal judges are now holding the line against his most serious assaults on the rule of law.  We must continue to defend this line.  Without the rule of law, there is no democracy.

    In 1970, when John Gardner founded Common Cause, he knew he wanted Fred Wertheimer to spearhead its campaign finance reform efforts.  He warned Fred that that, quote: “Reform is not for the short-winded.”

    Fortunately, in the race to make our democracy more open, honest, and accountable, Fred Wertheimer is a long-distance runner and a champion.  He is a leader for these times, and a worthy recipient of the 2025 Senator Paul H. Douglas Ethics in Government Award.

    Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Fred, and thank you for your decades of service to our democracy.

    And now, it is my pleasure to introduce Senator Douglas’ great-grandson Matthew Douglas, who is representing the Douglas family.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. pronounces provincial day of remembrance and mourning for victims of tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival

    The Province of British Columbia has declared Friday, May 2, 2025, an official day of remembrance and mourning for the victims of the tragedy at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on April 26, 2025.  

    Eleven people were killed and dozens more injured while celebrating Filipino culture and history in a senseless attack at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver. As we learn more about the victims, we are also learning their loss is felt deeply across the province.

    This tragedy has had profound impact on the Filipino community in B.C. and many others in Vancouver and throughout the province.

    The day of remembrance and mourning is an opportunity for people in British Columbia to come together, grieve the loss of innocent lives and recognize the contributions the victims made to their communities and the province. It is also a time to offer comfort to all of those impacted, including those who have lost loved ones, those recovering and those who witnessed the horrific scene, and to offer deep appreciation to community partners, the police, paramedics and those working at the hospitals for their dedicated service at a trying time. Hundreds of volunteers and community members are also stepping up to help at a trying time.

    A backgrounder follows.

    People in British Columbia impacted by the tragic events at Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu Day Festival can access the following supports:

    • Anyone who witnessed or experienced trauma at the event is encouraged to access resources through the VPD Victim Services Unit: 604 717-3321 and VictimLinkBC: call or text 1 800 563-0808, or email 211-victimlinkbc@uwbc.ca to be connected to services that can help, including counselling resources. For details, visit: https://victimlinkbc.ca/
    • ICBC supports are available for people who have been injured, as well as witnesses and the family members of those killed, including counselling. For more information, visit: https://icbc.com/about-icbc/newsroom/2025-04-27-lapu-lapu-tragedy
    • B.C.’s crisis line at 310-6789 (no area code needed) is available for anyone who needs mental-health supports. Crisis lines provide immediate support in the moment, as well as connections to ongoing supports.
    • Crime Victim Assistance Program benefits are available to victims, immediate family members and witnesses: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are-a-victim-of-a-crime/victim-of-crime/financial-assistance-benefits
    • School districts are also taking action to support students, staff and families, including making more counsellors available. A list of resources has also been sent out to districts throughout the province to provide to students and their families looking for support.
    • Supports are available for first responders and health-care workers who are on the front lines, and we encourage all workers to reach out to their employers and/or unions if they are struggling.
    • BC Emergency Health Service’s (BCEHS) Critical Incident Management Stress team is providing mental-health and wellness support to employees who have been affected by these events in addition to the support provided by BCEHS leaders and supervisors. 
    • Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) staff and medical staff can contact the VCH Employee and Family Assistance Program to access confidential counselling and wellness any time, 24/7.

    The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR) is working closely with the City of Vancouver and meeting with Filipino BC, the Vancouver Emergency Management Agency (VEMA), the Red Cross, United Way and other partners to identify further supports required.

    Those wishing to sign the book of condolences for victims of this tragedy can visit the Hall of Honour at the B.C. legislature or visit: https://submit.digital.gov.bc.ca/app/form/submit?f=f4944988-5402-45a8-bb9c-7b2a95f928d9

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China passes new law in major push to bolster private sector

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

    BEIJING, April 30 — China’s national lawmakers on Wednesday voted to adopt the country’s first fundamental law dedicated to promoting the private sector, underscoring support for a key part of the world’s second-largest economy.

    After over a year of legislative process, the private sector promotion law, passed at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, will take effect on May 20, 2025.

    The law stipulates that the promotion of the sustainable, healthy and high-quality development of the private economy is a significant and long-term policy of China.

    From ensuring fair market access and financing support to enhancing services and protection of original innovation, the 78-article law cements efforts to encourage, support and guide the growth of the private sector.

    The law will provide a clearer and more solid legal guarantee for the private sector, said Li Shuguang, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law.

    This marks China’s latest step in strengthening the sector — recognized by the law as a key component of the socialist market economy — amid efforts to tackle economic headwinds both at home and abroad.

    Officials and analysts view the formation and adoption of the law as “highly timely and absolutely essential,” given the private sector’s significant role in the economy.

    Boosting the private sector should feature prominently on the country’s economic policy agenda: Whether it is to stimulate domestic demand, expand the domestic market, or boost production and improve the quality of supply, private businesses will be a key participant and contributor, according to Anbound, an independent think tank in China.

    Private enterprises have long been a key driving force behind China’s economic growth, contributing more than 60 percent of GDP and 80 percent of urban employment. By the end of March 2025, the country’s more-than-57-million registered private enterprises made up over 92 percent of all businesses in China.

    From electric vehicle maker BYD to artificial intelligence innovator DeepSeek and robotics pioneer Unitree Robotics, private enterprises have also become key players in China’s push for innovation-driven growth.

    Yet, industry insiders note that challenges remain — domestically, private businesses may face financing constraints and invisible market access barriers in some sectors; while abroad, they must navigate increasing impact from external shocks.

    The law will transform policy support into legal guarantees, giving entrepreneurs greater reassurance and motivation to keep moving forward, said Qi Xiangdong, chairman of cybersecurity firm Qi-Anxin and vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.

    “The rule of law is the best business environment,” Qi said.

    In February, the country held a high-level symposium on private enterprises, which was widely viewed as a strong signal to boost the confidence and growth of the private sector.

    A month later, at the “two sessions”, the country reiterated support for private enterprises, vowing to take effective moves to stimulate the vitality of all market entities.

    To support the private sector, China has established a special bureau under the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) dedicated to serving the sector’s development. Multiple provincial-level regions, including Guangdong, Shanxi, Qinghai and Zhejiang, have all set up such bureaus.

    Efforts to level the playing field are also underway. Last week, the NDRC unveiled the new version of the market access negative list, which specifies fields that are off-limits to both domestic and overseas business entities, reducing the number of items on the list from 117 to 106.

    Nan Yi, chairman of Wontai Group, said the law will support private firms’ entry into sectors such as infrastructure and energy, and provide a strong guarantee for their continuous investment in research and development.

    “The enactment of this law will inject strong impetus into the sound development of the private economy,” Nan said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Newhouse Supports U.S. Department of Education’s OSPI Investigaton

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

    Headline: Newhouse Supports U.S. Department of Education’s OSPI Investigaton

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement on the United States Department of Education’s investigation into the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

    “I commend the U.S Department of Education for initiating this investigation as we work to restore common sense and fairness in Washington classrooms and athletics. The state of Washington is actively ignoring an executive order and threatening federal funds to schools in the process. OSPI must be held accountable for their attack on parental rights.” 

    The U.S. Department of Education announced the first-ever joint investigation under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA), and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. The investigation into OSPI is for allegedly forcing gender ideology polices on school districts, contrary to the aforementioned federal laws.

    Rep. Newhouse elevated numerous cases of potential violations from Washington’s Fourth District to the White House that supported the Department of Education’s grounds for an investigation.  

    Read the announcement by the U.S. Department of Education here.  

    ###  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WAYNE COUNTY – Governor’s Advisory Commissions Highlight Governor Josh Shapiro’s Proposed Investments to Recruit and Retain Child Care Workers, Expand Access to Quality Services in Honesdale

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    May 01, 2025 – Honesdale, PA

    ADVISORY – WAYNE COUNTY – Governor’s Advisory Commissions Highlight Governor Josh Shapiro’s Proposed Investments to Recruit and Retain Child Care Workers, Expand Access to Quality Services in Honesdale

    The Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women and Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs will be joined by state legislators, local leaders, and childcare advocates to discuss Governor Shapiro’s proposed investment of $55 million to support childcare workforce recruitment and retention bonuses.

    During his first two years in office, Governor Shapiro signed into law a historic expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit and created a new tax credit for businesses who want to contribute to their employees’ child care costs. Those two initiatives helped make child care more affordable – and the Governor’s proposal this year would make child care more available through an investment of $55 million to support child care workforce recruitment and retention grants.

    WHO:
    Ashley Walkowiak, Executive Director of Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women
    Olga Negron, Executive Director of Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs
    State Senator Rosemary Brown, 40th Legislative District
    Kristen Mang, Owner/Director of Tiny Steps Learning Center of Cherry Ridge
    Pantea Shademani, Education Director for Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance

    WHEN:
    Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 11:45AM

    WHERE:
    Tiny Steps Learning Center of Cherry Ridge
    2555 Lake Ariel Highway
    Honesdale PA

    RSVP: Press who are interested in attending must RSVP to ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEW: Baldwin Exposes Trump Administration for Stopping $47 Million from Treatment for Cancer Patients

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education Subcommittee, exposed that the Trump administration has stopped $47 million in funding for critical cancer treatment at nine National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Centers across the country. NCI Cancer Centers are some of the top medical and research institutions that lead the fight against cancer through research, treatment, and public education. At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on biomedical research, Baldwin asked Emily Stenson, whose daughter with stage 4 cancer participated in clinical trials funded by NCI at Seattle Children’s Hospital, what threats to this care mean to similar families.

    “The Trump administration is at it again – as families battling cancer are relying on clinical trials or treatment to fight another day, the Trump administration is pulling the rug out from under them and defunding the very cancer centers that patients rely on to get lifesaving care,” said Senator Baldwin. “They think we won’t notice, but I do. Cancer treatment is not something that can just be put on hold or stopped – ask any family who is in this fight. President Trump is squeezing Wisconsin families – now, including cancer patients – every way he can, all so he can fund a tax break for his wealthy allies, and it needs to stop.”

    The funding that has been halted at NCI-designated cancer centers across the country includes, cancer centers at Dana Faber, Dartmouth, Ohio State, Duke, University of Virginia, University of Colorado, New York University, St. Jude, and Rutgers University. NCI Cancer Centers are responsible for developing cutting-edge and innovative approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Senator Baldwin uncovered that nearly half of NCI’s Cancer Center Support Grants had renewal dates in the first few months of 2025 have not been awarded or funded.  

    At the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Mrs. Stenson discussed her daughter Charlie’s pediatric cancer diagnosis and the clinical trials at Seattle Children’s Hospital that Charlie participated in.

    During the first 100 days, the Trump Administration has taken unprecedented actions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that are having devastating impacts on biomedical research, innovation, national security, and America’s competitiveness. Last month, Senator Baldwin revealed that the Trump administration halted $65 million in funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at 14 research institutions across the country. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Head Start Alum Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Blast Attacks to Head Start, Demand RFK Jr. Immediately Release Funding, Reverse Firings

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Head Start Alum Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Blast Attacks to Head Start, Demand RFK Jr. Immediately Release Funding, Reverse Firings

    Senators Reverend Warnock and Patty Murray led a total of 41 lawmakers in demanding answers on Trump administration’s actions undermining Head Start, as President Trump reportedly plans to eliminate the program

    Senator Reverend Warnock is one of two Head Start alum currently serving in the Senate

    Senator Reverend Warnock is a founding member of the Head Start Caucus

    Senator Reverend Warnock previously introduced the bipartisan HEADWAY Act (Head Start Education and Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act), which would boost the childcare workforce and increase access to Early Head Start programs

    Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers: “Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children”

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) led 41 of their Senate colleagues in an effort calling out the Trump administration’s direct attacks on Head Start. The letter, addressed to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., highlighted his legal obligation to administer the program, and demanded HHS immediately release Head Start funding and reverse the mass firing of Head Start staff and gutting of the offices that help ensure high-quality services are available for thousands of children and families across the country.

    “We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year,” wrote the lawmakers. “It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.”

    “You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center,” the lawmakers continued, contrasting that statement of support with the Trump administration’s actions. “However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.”

    Importantly, they note that without funding, which has so far not gone out the door, many more programs could be forced to close.

    “[W]e urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of Head Start, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to Head Start programs across this country,” the Senators warned, concluding the letter.

    As a Head Start alum, Senator Warnock has been a strong advocate for the program. Senator Warnock introduced his bipartisan HEADWAY Act (Head Start Education and Development Workforce Advancement and Yield Act). The legislation, which was co-led by Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), would address early child care workforce shortages by allowing Early Head Start classroom teachers to teach and earn their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential simultaneously. Additionally, in August of 2023, Senator Warnock returned to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia, to tour Early Head Start classrooms at the Economic Opportunity Authority (EOA) for Savannah-Chatham County and hear from local early learning leaders about the workforce shortages impacting this critical early education program serving low-income families and their children.

    In addition to Senator Murray, the letter was authored by Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and in addition to Senator Warnock the letter was signed by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Peter Welch (D-VT), Gary Peters (D-MI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Christopher S. Murphy (D-CT), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tim Kaine (D-MN), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA).

    The letter can be viewed HERE and is below.

    Dear Secretary Kennedy:

    We write to express our strong opposition to the actions you have taken to directly attack and undermine the federal Head Start program. Since day one, this Administration has taken unacceptable actions to withhold and delay funding, fire Head Start staff, and gut high-quality services for children. Already this year, this Administration has withheld almost $1 billion in federal grant funding from Head Start programs, a 37 percent decrease compared to the amount of funding awarded during the same period last year. It is abundantly clear that these actions are part of a broader effort to ultimately eliminate the program altogether, as the Administration reportedly plans to do in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.

    Head Start provides early childhood education and comprehensive health and social services to nearly 800,000 young children every year in communities across this country, and employs about 250,000 dedicated staff. Head Start is a critical source of child care for working families, particularly in rural and Tribal communities, where Head Start programs are often the only option for high-quality child care services. HeadStart programs ensure children receive appropriate health and dental care, nutrition support, and referrals to other critical services for parents, such as job training, adult education, nutrition services, and housing support.

    You even acknowledged the value of Head Start following a recent visit to a Virginia Head Start center, where you said, “I had a very inspiring tour. I saw a devoted staff and a lot of happy children. They are getting the kind of education and socialization they need, and they are also getting a couple of meals a day.”

    However, as a result of your actions to withhold and delay funding and undermine the administration of this vital program, Head Start centers are in serious jeopardy and have already had their day to day operations impacted. Programs are increasingly worried that they will not be able to make payroll, pay rent, and remain open to serve the hundreds of thousands of children and families who depend on their services in communities across the nation.

    Since the very start of this Administration, Head Start programs have been under attack. On January 27th, 2025, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo (M-25-13) that suddenly froze the disbursement of grant funding for federal programs and services government-wide, including Head Start. Despite the Administration’s clarification that Head Start programs would not be the target of the funding freeze, many Head Startprograms across the country were unable to draw down their grant funds through the Payment Management System (PMS) for weeks. At one point, the National Head StartAssociation reported 37 programs serving nearly 15,000 children across the country could not access their federal funding. Head Start programs operate with thin margins and on short-term budgets from HHS, and without any communication from the Administration about the status of funding, programs were forced to temporarily close or to lay off staff. In Wisconsin, the National Centers for Learning Excellence, which serves more than 200 children and their families, shut down for a week and laid off staff due to the funding freeze.

    On April 1st, you abruptly closed five of the ten regional offices that help local grantees administer Head Start programs in 22 states. This left hundreds of programs without dedicated points of contact to address mission critical issues like approving grant renewals and modifications, investigating child health and safety incidents, and providing training and technical assistance to ensure high-quality services for children. While some grantees were assigned a new program specialist, we understand many have not been receiving responses to their inquiries. This is on top of the estimated 97 Office of Head Start central office staff that were terminated due to their probationary status and the recent reduction in force. You promised “radical transparency” as Secretary, yet it is unclear how these actions will improve Head Start programs, and you and your staff refuse to respond to basic inquiries and requests for information.

    On March 14th, 2025, the Office of Head Start (OHS) notified all Head Start programs that “the use of federal funding for any training and technical assistance or other program expenditures that promote or take part in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives” will not be approved and that any questions should be directed to regional offices. Programs have not received any guidance for what would be considered “DEI” but this policy is potentially in direct conflict with statutory and regulatory program requirements, such as providing culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional services for English learners. Many programs cannot direct questions to regional staff, as half of regional offices were abruptly closed, and as unprecedented actions are being taken to delay and withhold funding, Head Start programs have been intentionally left with little to no guidance.

    Head Start programs are now arbitrarily required to provide justifications for each draw down of funds that is necessary to operate their programs, despite already receiving a federal grant award for these purposes. As of April 14th, Head Start programs have reportedly received correspondence from an email address “defendthespend@hhs.gov” requiring programs to submit a “specific description of why the funds are necessary and why they are aligned to the award” before programs can have funding disbursed. It has been reported that political appointees must sign off on every draw down of funds. This creates an illusion of improving oversight but only serves to add unnecessary red tape by requiring the manual sign off on hundreds of thousands of individual actions annually across the Department based on two to three sentence justifications. Already some grantees have reported delays in receiving funds, and have reported that furloughs or closures are imminent if funds are not released. For an administration that purports to value local autonomy and efficiency in federally funded programs, your actions have achieved the exact opposite.

    Finally, Head Start grantees are still waiting on payments and grant renewals from the Office of Head Start, including programs whose grants end on April 30th, 2025. These notices should have gone out by now, yet we are concerned to hear programs report they have received little to no correspondence regarding their grant renewals. Additionally, because we started fiscal year 2025 under a short-term continuing resolution, as is usual, some grantees have only received partial funding for the first few months of the year. But with a full year funding bill in place, these grantees should have received full funding by now, yet some are reporting that they have not received the full amount of their grants and will run out of funds this month or next. On Wednesday, April 16th, the delays in Head Start funding led to the closure of Head Start centers serving more than 400 children in Sunnyside, Washington.

    The Administration has a legal and moral obligation to disburse Head Start funds to programs and to uphold the program’s promise to provide high-quality early education services to low income children and families across this country. The fiscal year 2025 appropriations act provided $12.3 billion for Head Start, the same as the fiscal year 2024 level. The Head Start Act includes an explicit formula for how appropriated funds should be allocated. There is no justifiable reason for the delay in funding we have seen over the last two months, and you have refused to offer any kind of explanation. However, this week’s leaked fiscal year 2026 budget documents indicated the Office of Management and Budget was directing the Department, consistent with the Administration’s proposal to eliminate Head Start in fiscal year 2026, to “ensure to the extent allowable FY2025 funds are available to close out the program.” If this explains any of the delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 funding, we want to be clear, no funds were provided in fiscal year 2025 to “close out the program,” and it would be wholly unacceptable and likely illegal if the Department tries to carry out this directive.

    Finally, the leaked budget documents provided a justification, albeit brief, for eliminating Head Start in fiscal year 2026 that makes this Administration’s priorities clear and puts the Department’s actions over the last several months in context. The Administration argues that eliminating Head Start, “is consistent with the Administration’s goals of returning education to the States and increasing parental choice.” It is shocking to see an argument that eliminating a program that provides comprehensive early childhood care and education to 800,000 children and their families would increase parental choice. It is particularly concerning to see that argument in the context of the significant delay in awarding fiscal year 2025 appropriated funds and what that indicates about the intent behind the Department’s actions. We believe it is obvious that eliminating Head Start would be detrimental to hundreds of thousands of children and families. Similarly, we believe it is obvious that delaying funding like we have seen over the last two months, forcing Head Start programs to close, and leaving families to scramble to find quality, affordable alternatives puts the education and well-being of some of the most vulnerable young children in America at risk. In our view, that is unacceptable.

    Therefore, we urge you to immediately reinstate fired staff across all Offices of HeadStart, and cease all actions to delay the awarding and disbursement of funding to HeadStart programs across this country.

    Please provide us with a written response to the questions below no later than 10 days from receipt:

    1. Will you reinstate the staff who administer Head Start programs and reopen the closed regional offices responsible for overseeing Head Start programs in 22 states?
      1. When is HHS going to share information on the reorganization plan for the consolidation of the regional offices?
      2. Please provide the contact information for each program specialist designated to the 22 states who lost their regional office.
      3. Who is responsible for ensuring there are no delays or lapses in funding, nor any disruptions to Head Start program operations now that these states do not have a regional office?
    1. How many employees at the Offices of Head Start have been terminated, including the five regional offices and the central office?
      1. Which officials at HHS were involved in the staffing reduction decisions for OHS and what planning, if any, was undertaken prior to these reductions? Please describe the events that unfolded and name each office that was involved in the decision. Further, please name the official(s) who approved the staffing reductions.
    1. Can you confirm that the Administration will distribute all Head Start funds appropriated by Congress to Head Start programs in FY 25, as required by the HeadStart Act?
    1. Please provide a list of all grantees with 5-year Head Start grant renewals that start between now and the end of the fiscal year: May 1st, June 1st, July 1st, August 1st, and September 1st.
      1. Will any funding be delayed for grantees that are due to receive their annual funding on May 1st or beyond?
    1. Why are funding awards delayed for grantees that received partial awards during the first continuing resolution for FY25?
      1. When can HHS guarantee that all funds will be awarded for partially funded Head Start programs?
    1. What is the “Tier 2” department for review that is delaying drawn down for HeadStart programs in the Payment Management System?
      1. When should programs expect to receive their funds?
      2. Please provide all communication that went to Head Start grantees on the new review process.
    1. What guidance and clarifications have been provided to Head Start grantees on DEI expenditures?
      1. How is HHS evaluating Head Start programs’ expenditures and grant awards for DEI?
      2. What justifications are being used to prohibit DEI?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Kelly, Sen. Young, Rep. Garamendi, Rep. Kelly Introduce SHIPS for America Act to Boost American Shipbuilding, Strengthen US Economy and National Securit

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Trent Kelly (R-Miss)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) re-introduced the Ship-building and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act, comprehensive legislation to revitalize the United States shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries. Other cosponsors in the Senate include Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA).

    There are currently 80 U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce while China has 5,500. The SHIPS for America Act aims to close this gap and boost the U.S. Merchant Marine by establishing national oversight and consistent funding for U.S. maritime policy, making U.S.-flagged vessels commercially competitive in international commerce by cutting red tape, rebuilding the U.S. shipyard industrial base, and expanding and strengthening mariner and shipyard worker recruitment, training, and retention.

    “After decades of dangerously neglecting our shipbuilding industry, we’re finally doing something about it. The SHIPS for America Act is the most ambitious effort in a generation to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding and commercial maritime industries and counter China’s dominance over the oceans,” said Senator Kelly, a U.S. Navy veteran and the first U.S. Merchant Marine Academy graduate to serve in Congress. “Building and staffing more U.S.-flagged ships will create good-paying American jobs, make our supply chains more resilient, lower costs, and strengthen our ability to resupply our military at times of war. We’ll keep working with our colleagues in Congress, this administration, and our partners in the industry to make our country safer and competitive by passing the SHIPS for America Act.”

    “America has been a maritime nation since our founding, and seapower was a significant contributor to our rise to being the most powerful nation on earth. Unfortunately, the bottom line now is America needs more ships. Shipbuilding is a national security priority and a stopgap against foreign threats and coercion. Our bill will revitalize the U.S. maritime industry, grow our shipbuilding capacity, rebuild America’s shipyard industrial base, and support nationwide workforce development in this industry. This legislation is critical to our warfighting capabilities and keeping peace with China,” said Senator Young, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate.

    “Strengthening America’s shipbuilding capacity and revitalizing our commercial maritime industry is critical to national security and economic resilience. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re prioritizing these vital sectors. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Mark Kelly, Senator Todd Young, and Congressman John Garamendi to help safeguard our maritime future,” said Congressman Kelly.

    “With China’s growing influence in the global maritime sector, the United States can no longer afford to overlook our maritime industries. The SHIPS for America Act will give our shipyards and merchant mariners the tools they need to rebuild America’s maritime industry and create good-paying American jobs,” said Congressman Garamendi. “I’m proud to lead this effort alongside Senator Kelly, Senator Young, and Representative Kelly to strengthen America’s national security, economic strength, and global leadership on the high seas.”

    “Because of our vast geography, the maritime industry is uniquely vital to Alaska, with many of our coastal communities relying on a strong U.S.-flagged fleet for everything from everyday logistics, to commercial fishing and homeland defense. I am proud to cosponsor the SHIPS Act, which advances common-sense solutions that will invest in the workforce and revitalize our nation’s shipbuilding, increasing Alaska’s resilience and security,” said Senator Murkowski.

    When it comes to maintaining our competitive edge against China, failure is not an option. The SHIPS for America Act will help the United States compete with China’s production of ships while creating new manufacturing jobs in shipyards across the nation,” said Senator Fetterman. “Not only will this strengthen our national security, but it’ll also grow our local economies and support working families right here in Pennsylvania. I’m proud to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will help us build more ships in America and stand up to China.”

    The SHIPS for America Act would:
    • Coordinate U.S. maritime policy by establishing the position of Maritime Security Advisor within the White House, who would lead an interagency Maritime Security Board tasked with making whole-of-government strategic decisions for how to implement a National Maritime Strategy. The bill also establishes a Maritime Security Trust Fund that would reinvest duties and fees paid by the maritime industry into maritime security programs and infrastructure supporting maritime commerce.
    • Establish a national goal of expanding the U.S.-flag international fleet by 250 ships in 10 years by creating the Strategic Commercial Fleet Program, which would facilitate the development of a fleet of commercially operated, U.S.-flagged, American crewed, and domestically built merchant vessels that can operate competitively in international commerce.
    • Enhance the competitiveness of U.S.-flagged vessels in international commerce by establishing a Rulemaking Committee on Commercial Maritime Regulations and Standards to cut through the U.S. Coast Guard’s bureaucracy and red tape that limits the international competitiveness of U.S.-flagged vessels, modify duties to make cargo on U.S.-flagged vessels more competitive, requiring that government-funded cargo move aboard U.S.-flagged vessels, and requiring a portion of commercial goods imported from China to move aboard U.S.-flagged vessels starting in 2030.
    • Expand the U.S. shipyard industrial base, for both military and commercial oceangoing vessels, by establishing a 25 percent investment tax credit for shipyard investments, transforming the Title XI Federal Ship Financing Program into a revolving fund, and establishing a Shipbuilding Financial Incentives program to support innovative approaches to domestic ship building and ship repair.
    • Make historic investments in maritime workforce by supporting a Maritime Workforce Promotion and Recruitment Campaign, allowing mariners to retain their credentials through a newly established Merchant Marine Career Retention Program, investing in long-overdue infrastructure needs for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and supporting State Maritime Academies and Centers for Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education. The bill also makes long-overdue changes to streamline and modernize the U.S. Coast Guard’s Merchant Mariner Credentialing system.

    The legislation will be introduced in two pieces in the Senate, the SHIPS for America Act and the Building SHIPS in America Act.

    Background:
    Since first introducing the SHIPS for America Act in December, the urgency to boost American shipbuilding has emerged as a priority of bipartisan consensus this year, particularly after the U.S. Trade Representative revealed its findings regarding China’s shipbuilding dominance and President Trump signed a shipbuilding executive order.

    Sen. Kelly earned his B.S. degree in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) and later an M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School. He spent 25 years in the United States Navy as a pilot and is the first ever USMMA alumnus to serve in Congress. In 2023, he was elected chair of the USMMA Board of Visitors for the 118th Congress.

    The following organizations have endorsed the SHIPS for America Act:
    Keystone Shipping Company, American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association, Navy League, General Dynamics-NASSCO, American Waterway Operators, American Maritime Partnership, San Jacinto College, Oceantic Network, California State University Maritime Academy, Maine Maritime Academy, Senesco Marine, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Great Lakes Maritime Academy, USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation, American Maritime Officers, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development (MIRAID), International Propeller Club, Crowley, American Maritime Officers Service, The Pasha Group, Saltchuk, Tropical, Saltchuk Marine, Overseas Shipholding Group, Core Power, Govini, US Ocean, Small Shipyard Grant Coalition, The American Club, Transportation Institute, Blue Water Autonomy, American Bureau of Shipping, With Honor Action, Texas A&M Maritime Academy, National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA), American Iron and Steel Institute, Shipbuilders Council of America, Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ, United Steelworkers, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Matson, American Legion, Inc., Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association (M.E.D.A.), Ocean Shipholdings, Inc, Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), Hanwha Philly Shipyard, Ports America, Seafarers International Union (SIU), U.S. Marine Management, AUVSI, Maritime Accelerator for Resilience, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Chamber of Shipping of America, National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE), Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP), California Forever, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Alliance for American Manufacturing, Nucor, Steel Manufacturers Association, Blue Sky Maritime, New American Industrial Alliance, and Ship Operations and Marine Technical Support (SOMTS).

    See what maritime leaders and stakeholders are saying about the SHIPS for America Act:
    “The USA Maritime coalition supports the SHIPS for America Act and has been honored to work with Senators Kelly and Young and Congressmen Garamendi and Kelly as the bill has taken shape over the last two years. This bill represents the most comprehensive maritime policy initiative in more than half a century. Now, more than ever, the United States needs a strong, vibrant and growing Merchant Marine, capable of carrying a substantial portion of our foreign commerce and supporting our military in time of war. This initiative will ensure our country has the U.S.-Flag ships and American mariners needed to preserve, protect and defend America and our economic security. We look forward to continuing to work with Congress on this legislation,” said Brian W. Schoeneman, Chair, USA Maritime.

    “The Shipbuilders Council of America commends Senator Kelly, Congressman Kelly, Senator Young, and Congressman Garamendi for their leadership in advancing the SHIPS for America Act. This legislation represents a significant step forward in strengthening the nation’s shipyard industrial base and establishing a comprehensive national maritime strategy. We are encouraged by its focus on bolstering American shipbuilding and ensuring a robust maritime sector capable of supporting our nation’s economic and national security. SCA is committed to continuing its engagement with these Congressional members and staff to refine and enhance the legislation, especially to better support our domestic ship repair industry, and we look forward to collaborating with policymakers to ensure the success of initiatives that secure the future of America’s shipyard industrial base and maritime workforce,” Matthew Paxton, President, Shipbuilders Council of America.

    “The Navy League applauds the introduction of the SHIPS for America Act, a landmark legislative achievement that will comprehensively meet the needs of the U.S. merchant marine and bolster our shipbuilding industrial base. In today’s global threat environment, arguably the most perilous since the end of the Cold War, the United States must not only maintain the finest Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard on the seas, but also ensure a robust U.S.-flag merchant marine and a resilient shipbuilding industrial base. These elements are crucial for safeguarding our national and economic security in the event of large-scale military conflict. The SHIPS for America Act addresses these vital considerations and reaffirms that America is, and always will be, a maritime nation,” said Mike Stevens, CEO, Navy League.

    “In any conflict with China, the outcome will hinge on our ability to project power across the Pacific via military sealift. The vast majority of the USN Strategic Sealift Officers are service-obligated graduates of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. We are deeply grateful to the sponsors of the SHIPS for America Act for recognizing that the USMMA campus at Kings Point, NY, built in the 1940s, urgently requires modernization to meet the demands of today’s national security threats,” said Captain James F. Tobin ’77, President/CEO, USMMA Alumni Association and Foundation.

    “The Masters, Mates & Pilots strongly supports the SHIPS for America Act. This comprehensive and pragmatic maritime policy initiative will create and support jobs for American mariners, ensuring that our country has the maritime manpower needed to protect and enhance our nation’s economic and military security,” said Captain Don Josberger, International President, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots.

    “The International Propeller Club is a steadfast advocate for the SHIPS for America Act. Our nation’s maritime industry is at a critical crossroads. This comprehensive maritime policy initiative will protect and enhance foreign policy, national security, and economic prosperity through increased U.S.-flag shipping capability and a revitalization of the domestic shipbuilding industry,” said Maria Conatser, International President, International Propeller Club.

    “The Consortium of State Maritime Academies strongly supports the SHIPS for America Act, and is grateful for the bipartisan and bicameral leadership of Sen. Kelly, Sen. Young, Rep. Kelly, and Rep. Garamendi. The Consortium is united in our goal of working with our elected officials to support passage of this Act. Once enacted, the SHIPS Act will result in the United States Merchant Marine once again playing a leading role on the global stage, and the growth of the American maritime industry, a strategically important industry that provides thousands of well paid positions for the nation,” said the Consortium of State Maritime Academies.

    “With Honor Action applauds Senator Mark Kelly, a Navy veteran, and Senator Todd Young, a Marine Corps veteran, for proposing real solutions to revitalize our nation’s shipbuilding base and create more job opportunities for Americans. As advocates for bipartisan, principled veteran leadership in Congress, we are pleased to see veterans who have chosen to continue to serve in Congress working together to address the critical issues facing our nation,” said Ryan Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO, With Honor.

    “NDTA supports the strategic rebuilding of the United State’s fleet of ships who fly our flag. We must have a fleet of ocean-going vessels to protect the economic security of our nation. The SHIPS for America Act is truly a significant step in the right direction. Everyone in America needs to get educated about the importance of this bill. Rebuilding our U.S. fleet, our shipbuilding capacity, and workforce is a national imperative,” said William A. Brown, Vice Admiral, USN (Retired), President and CEO, NDTA The Association for Global Logistics and Transportation.

    “U.S. economic and national security is inexorably tied to our nation’s shipbuilding capacity. Yet, for too long, China has dominated this critical sector, costing the U.S. tens of thousands of jobs across the shipbuilding supply chain and leaving us less secure as we rely on foreign-made vessels to meet our needs. Our union commends Sens. Kelly and Young and Reps. Garamendi and Kelly as they introduce the SHIPS for America Act. USW members stand ready to contribute their skills in manufacturing the plate steel, coatings, cable, glass, rubber, engines and countless other products we’ll need to revitalize American shipbuilding,” said Dave McCall, President, USW International.

    “In the United States, we have a small number of shipyards focused on building Navy and Coast Guard ships, and a far smaller amount focused on building ocean-going vessels for commercial use. At the shipbuilding supplier level, we have many components that are provided by a manufacturer who may be one of the few, if not the sole, remaining means of production. As noted in the SHIPS Act, we must work with our industrial partners in NATO and Allied nations, but also invest in our American workforce and capabilities. The elements of Buy America legislation incorporated in this Bill are important to reaching this goal,” said Roger Camp, President and CEO, American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association.

    “The reintroduction of the SHIPS for America Act marks as a vital step forward in strengthening our maritime supply chain and revitalizing the U.S. commercial shipbuilding industry. This legislation will help ensure that American goods move on American-built ships, operated by American mariners, supporting our economic security and national resilience. We appreciate the inclusion of legislation that would authorize terminal operators to establish tax free accounts for the purchase of cargo handling equipment knowing this will help our industry provide state-of-the-art services. Ports and terminal operators across the country are ready to meet the future with modern infrastructure and a highly skilled workforce – but we need a commercial fleet that can match that capability. The SHIPS for America Act helps close that gap and brings long-overdue investment to a sector critical to our competitiveness. NAWE applauds Senators Kelly and Young for their bipartisan leadership and looks forward to working alongside Congress to advance this important legislation,” said Carl Bentzel, President, National Association of Waterfront Employers (NAWE).

    “Hanwha Philly Shipyard recognizes and commends U.S. Senators Mark Kelly and Todd Young, and Congressmen Trent Kelly and John Garamendi for their maritime policy leadership in reintroducing the bipartisan SHIPS for America Act. This bill offers tangible incentives to the domestic maritime industry with the goal of expanding the U.S. flag ocean-going fleet. It supports a major recapitalization of the shipbuilding infrastructure in the U.S., provides substantial incentives for the purchase of U.S.-built commercial vessels, and supports the national security and naval shipbuilding goals of the U.S. We see tremendous value in this legislation and believe it would have a long-term positive impact on Hanwha Philly Shipyard, other shipbuilders in the U.S. and Hanwha’s investments in America’s shipping industry and maritime industrial base,” said David Kim, CEO, Hanwha Philly Shipyard.

    “For too long, the United States has allowed its maritime strength to decline. In an era of rising great-power competition, revitalizing our maritime capabilities and sending strong signals to the private sector is more essential than ever. The American Legion, on behalf of our 1.6 million dues-paying members, is proud to support this legislation,” said James A. LaCoursiere, Jr., National Commander, The American Legion.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Business First Bancshares, Inc. Appoints Alejandro M. Sanchez to its Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BATON ROUGE, La., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Business First Bancshares Inc. (Nasdaq: BFST), the holding company for b1BANK, has announced the appointment of Alejandro M. Sanchez to the Business First Bancshares, Inc. Board of Directors and b1BANK Board of Directors, effective March 27, 2025.

    Sanchez is the president and CEO of Salva Financial Group of Florida, a consulting group advising financial institutions on strategic planning, regulatory compliance and crisis management. He also serves as an executive advisor to Nasdaq and holds board positions with Popular, Inc. (Nasdaq: BPOP), the holding company for Popular Bank and Republic Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq: RBCAA), the holding company for Republic Bank & Trust, contributing expertise in governance, risk management and audit oversight.

    Sanchez led the Florida Bankers Association as president and CEO from 1998 to 2023, advocating for the state’s banking industry. He was nominated by President George W. Bush as one of three Presidential appointees for the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board from 2002 to 2010 and was invited by President Obama to serve an additional two years.

    “Alex’s deep experience guiding financial institutions through complex regulatory environments and strategic transformations aligns closely with our growth strategy and governance objectives,” said Jude Melville, chairman and CEO of b1BANK. “His leadership and seasoned perspective will help us thoughtfully navigate opportunities and challenges, enhancing our capacity to serve our clients and communities effectively.”

    “It is an honor to join the Business First Bancshares board,” said Sanchez. “I look forward to contributing to the company’s strategic vision and ongoing success.”

    Sanchez holds a Doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law and a Bachelor of Science from Troy University. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1976 to 1981.

    About Business First Bancshares Inc.

    As of March 31, 2025, Business First Bancshares, Inc., (Nasdaq: BFST) through its banking subsidiary b1BANK, has $7.8 billion in assets, $7.1 billion in assets under management through b1BANK’s affiliate Smith Shellnut Wilson, LLC (SSW) (excludes $0.9 billion of b1BANK assets managed by SSW) and operates Banking Centers and Loan Production Offices in markets across Louisiana and Texas providing commercial and personal banking products and services. b1BANK is a 2024 Mastercard “Innovation Award” winner and multiyear winner of American Banker Magazine’s “Best Banks to Work For.” Visit b1BANK.com for more information.

    Media Contact: Misty Albrecht
    b1BANK
    225.286.7879
    Misty.Albrecht@b1BANK.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b9e3cc0-4786-4497-9e7c-ce188ece6be6

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) Introduces House Bill to Expand Nationwide Background Checks for Contractors Working with Children

    Source:

    Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) Introduces House Bill to Expand Nationwide Background Checks for Contractors Working with Children

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced the Comprehensive Health & Integrity in Licensing and Documentation Act (CHILD Act) of 2025, along with Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL). This bill ensures that all individuals with unsupervised access to children— whether full-time employees or independent contractors—are eligible for nationwide background checks.

    The CHILD Act of 2025 aims to close a dangerous loophole created by the Child Protection Improvements Act of 2018, which inadvertently limited access to FBI background checks for contractors working in schools and other child-focused settings.

    The National Child Protection Act (NCPA) of 1993 encouraged states to use federal background checks for people working with vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, or those with disabilities. In 2018, a law was introduced that narrowed who could be checked, leaving out many contractors—including those working directly with kids. The CHILD Act of 2025 fixes this by allowing schools, afterschool programs, and similar organizations to run full federal background checks on anyone, including contractors, who may have access to children and vulnerable groups.

    In South Carolina, independent contractors who work with children are typically required to pass FBI and SLED background checks. However, some states lack the NCPA statute, and contractors can’t directly access the federal system unless they work through a state agency or local school district—leading to confusion, inconsistency, and potential risk. Other states have even weaker protections, with some relying only on name-based checks or allowing individual school districts to decide for themselves.

    “This is about consistency and accountability,” said Congressman Fry. “Parents shouldn’t have to wonder if individuals who have unsupervised contact with their kids, such as after-school tutors, nurses, school bus drivers, transportation providers, or other contracted personnel, have been fully vetted or not. The CHILD Act would fix this loophole and provide parents with peace of mind and students with a safe environment.”

    “Parents shouldn’t have any question that the teachers, staff, and other personnel taking care of their kids at school have been thoroughly vetted,” said Congressman Moskowitz. “That’s why I’m helping lead the CHILD Act, a bipartisan bill to fix an oversight in the law and ensure contractors who work with kids are subject to nationwide background checks. It’s the right thing to do for our kids and a commonsense fix to help keep our schools safe.”

    This is the House companion bill to legislation introduced in the Senate by the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL).

    “Parents should feel more confident that every individual who works with their children has been properly and thoroughly vetted,” said Senator Grassley. “My bipartisan legislation with Senator Durbin would amend the Child Protection Improvements Act to help ensure all child care workers, including contractors, undergo nationwide background checks,” Grassley said. “Our legislative fix will help keep kids safe and give parents greater peace of mind.”

    “When parents drop their kids off at school, they shouldn’t have to worry if their children are safe in the care of the school’s faculty,” said Senator Durbin. “While the Child Protection Improvements Act was passed with the intent of keeping children safe, it created an inadvertent complication in securing nationwide background checks for all personnel with unsupervised access to children, namely contractors hired by schools. Schools often rely on contractors for a number of services geared toward children, including providing safe transportation. Today, I’m introducing bipartisan legislation with Senator Grassley to correct the current patchwork approach to securing nationwide background checks for those who work with children.”

    The CHILD Act of 2025 is supported by HopSkipDrive, the National District Attorneys Association, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Student Transportation & Education Equity, Roundtable, Parents Helping Parents, Inc., National Diversity Coalition, RaisingHOPE, Inc., National Center on Adoption and Permanency, and Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE).

    “Safety has always been, and will always be, our top priority at HopSkipDrive and background checks are an integral component of our 15-step certification process,” said Joanna McFarland, Co-Founder and CEO of HopSkipDrive. “We are proud to support the bipartisan CHILD Act to amend the National Child Protection Act and enhance access to safe, reliable student transportation. This crucial amendment will help ensure the highest standards of safety are met nationwide, and we extend our gratitude to the bill sponsors for their leadership on this important issue.”

    “NDAA is happy to support the CHILD Act of 2025, which safeguards our most vulnerable populations by allowing businesses and organizations to conduct thorough background checks of individuals that are under contract with a qualified entity,” said Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association.

    The supporting organizations also submitted this letter.

    Congressman Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. To stay up to date with Congressman Fry and his work for the Seventh District, follow his official Facebook, Instagram, and X pages and visit his website at fry.house.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Screen Australia empowers 100+ distinctive Australian narratives

    Source: AMP Limited

    01 05 2025 – Media release

    All The Boys Are Here writer/director Goran Stolevski and It’s All Going Very Well No Problems At All writer/director/producer/star Tilda Cobham-Hervey (Tilda photo credit Matt Loxton).  
    Screen Australia has today announced a significant investment for local scripted projects, reflecting the agency’s commitment to rich Australian narrative content and meaningful creator pathways.
    Across feature film, television and online, $7.6 million has been shared across more than 100 projects, contributing a substantial amount to the overall direct production and development funding provided in the 24/25 financial year so far. The mix of projects showcases a wide range of themes and formats, speaking to the evolving scripted landscape and highlighting the importance of reaching Australian audiences where they are watching.
    Among the projects is the debut feature film from writer/director/producer/star Tilda Cobham-Hervey set in an aged care home, It’s All Going Very Well No Problems At All; animated children’s series Jidoo & Ibis, about the relationship between a grumpy Grandpa and Australia’s beloved bin chicken; comedy series for TikTok CEEBS about two friends on a mission to save their local youth centre from imminent closure; and a series inspired by a true story, DIVA, about 21-year-old Elly who balances his strict, religious Samoan life with ambitions of becoming a professional wrestler in drag.
    Screen Australia Director of Narrative Content Louise Gough said, “Screen Australia is uniquely positioned to support a thriving pipeline of Australian stories that connect with audiences across multiple platforms and genres. This funding reflects our commitment to both emerging and established creatives, reinforcing the strength and diversity of our industry.”
    “Demand on Screen Australia funding remains high, and our recent survey was a reminder of the value that the sector places on our direct funding. In an ever-changing landscape, one thing remains constant – Australian screen storytelling is a vital cultural force that continues to resonate with audiences here at home and across the world. We’re proud to back this extensive collection of distinct and ambitious projects,” said Gough.
    Screen Australia has also supported 11 major television series for production to be announced in coming months, sharing in $12 million of direct funding and with a total production value of over $117 million. The agency has recently supported Stan Original Series’ He Had it Coming and comedy-horror Gnomes. Also recently announced is Bus Stop Films’ first feature film Boss Cat, beginning production in June and starring Olivia Hargroder, Penny Downie and Julia Savage.
    The supported projects include:

    It’s All Going Very Well No Problems At All: This drama is the debut feature film from writer/director Tilda Cobham-Hervey (A Field Guide to Being a 12 Year Old Girl, I am Woman) and is produced by Liam Heyen (Jimpa, Latecomers), Dev Patel (Lion, Monkey Man), Jomon Thomas (Hotel Mumbai, Monkey Man) and Cobham-Hervey, with Natalya Pavchinskaya and Cyna Strachan executive producing. The film follows Audrey (Cobham-Hervey), a young artist teetering on the edge of a quiet collapse, who finds solace and understanding through a profound connection with Harold, an elderly resident at the care home where she works. Major production investment from Screen Australia and S’ya Concept in association with the South Australian Film Corporation, with support from the Adelaide Film Festival Investment Fund. Local distribution by Kismet. The film is a Mad Ones and Minor Realm production.
    Jidoo & Ibis: Inspired by the real-life shenanigans between the creator’s father and the hungry bin chickens who flock to his garden, Jidoo & Ibis is from writer/producer Wendy Hanna (Beep & Mort) with writers Michael Drake (Beep & Mort) and Clare Madsen (Little J & Big Cuz). It is a 40-part animated series in development for young pre-schoolers about unexpected problems and unexpected friendships – told through the relationship between grumpy Grandpa Jidoo and an all too familiar larrikin, Ibis.
    CEEBS: This 18-part comedy for TikTok is from director Harry Lloyd (Rock Island Mysteries) and writers Betiel Beyin and Leigh Lule, some of the team behind Turn up the Volume. Nikki Tran (Girl, Interpreted) and Amie Batalibasi (Blackbird) are producing. CEEBS follows recent high-school graduates, Zion and Ruby, as they run for ‘Youth President’ to save their local youth centre from imminent closure – all while trying to ensure their lifelong friendship doesn’t get caught in the crossfire. It has received principal production funding from Screen Australia in association with VicScreen.
    DIVA: Inspired by a true story, DIVA is created by producer Jessica Magro (Bad Ancestors) and executive producer Jason Dewhurst, working alongside producer Lauren Brown (Thou Shalt Not Steal) and writer Nick Coyle (Bump, It’s Fine, I’m Fine). It is also executive produced by Charlie Aspinwall and Daley Pearson. This eight-part series in development from Ludo Studio and Purple Carrot Entertainment follows 21-year-old Elly as he attempts to balance his strict, religious Samoan life and his secret queer identity as a professional wrestler in drag.
    Dreamboat: A feature comedy in development celebrating the enduring power of BFFs, second chances, and embracing life’s next chapter, from writer Joan Sauers (Ladies in Black, Wakefield), producers Courtney Botfield and Kate Riedl, script editor Megan Simpson Huberman and script consultant Zoë Coombs Marr. In Dreamboat, Suzy’s plans for a cruisy retirement are capsized when best friend, Val, takes her on a cruise to Antarctica.
    All The Boys Are Here: From Causeway Films (Talk to Me), this queer romance feature film is created by writer/director Goran Stolevski (Of An Age, You Won’t Be Alone) and produced by Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings of Talk to Me. It is about a New York novelist who, while attending a family funeral in Vienna, discovers a German relative’s illicit queer love affair with a Jewish man during WW2 – sending him on a journey through the past that changes his future. It has received major production investment from Screen Australia in association with the Polish Film Institute, with Maslow Entertainment distributing and New Europe Film Sales and Charades managing international sales.
    A Model Family: A 10-part comedy in development for the whole family from some of the team behind The Disposables, including creator/writers Keir Wilkins and Sonia Whiteman, creator/writer/producer Renny Wijeyamohan, creator/producer/executive producer Karen Radzyner, producer Linda Micsko (The Office Australia) and executive producer Oliver Lawrance, with Guy Edmonds (Spooky Files) and Emmanuelle Mattana (Fwends) attached as writers. In A Model Family, five ultra-lifelike AIs have escaped from a secret research facility in the Australian countryside and must pass for a human ‘nuclear’ family to survive.
    Fear is the Rider: This horror-thriller is from the team behind The Forgiven, including writer/director/producer John Michael McDonagh, producers Elizabeth Eves, Kate Glover, Nick Gordon and Trevor Matthews, and executive producer Natalie Coleman. In Fear is the Rider, a lone woman searching for her missing mother is pursued into the Australian Outback by a terrifying family of cannibalistic serial killers, with only an ex-con and a young girl willing to help her. Major production investment from Screen Australia and financed with support from Screen NSW’s Made in NSW Fund. Local distribution by Umbrella Entertainment, with international sales by Film Constellation and CAA.
    After All: From writer/director/producer Jess Murray (Moments of Clarity) and writers Tom Ward and Declan O’Byrne-Inglis, After All is a six-part comedic adult YouTube animation set against a post-apocalyptic wasteland. After living in a bunker for most of their lives, mutant filmmakers Flynn and Marshall venture out to make “the best movie ever made”, but quickly realise that stardom is not as important as friendship. It has received principal production funding from Screen Australia and financed with assistance from Screen Tasmania.
    Bluebottle: A thriller-comedy feature film from director Jim Weir and writer/director Jack Clark of Birdeater, producers Gal Greenspan (Moja Vesna), Rachel Forbes (Strange Creatures) and Ryan Bartecki (The Novice), and executive producers Joel Edgerton (Boy Swallows Universe), Ari Harrison (Lesbian Space Princess, The Moogai) and Jane Badler. During the final night of ‘Schoolies’ in an isolated coastal town, three local dropouts battle three handsome older men for the affection of three private school girls – tackling social issues of class, consent and identity. Major production investment from Screen Australia, with Co Created Media co-financing and Umbrella Entertainment distributing locally.

    CEEBS
    For the list of announced projects funded across the Narrative Content Department this financial year, visit:

    For more information about Screen Australia funding and to apply, click here.
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    Media enquiries
    Maddie Walsh | Publicist
    + 61 2 8113 5915  | [email protected]
    Jessica Parry | Senior Publicist (Mon, Tue, Thu)
    + 61 428 767 836  | [email protected]
    All other general/non-media enquiries
    Sydney + 61 2 8113 5800  |  Melbourne + 61 3 8682 1900 | [email protected]

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: At Hearing, Senator Murray Slams Trump Administration for Threatening Biomedical Research and Jeopardizing Americans’ Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    ***WATCH AND READ: Senator Murray’s opening remarks***

    ***WATCH: Senator Murray’s questioning***

    ***WATCH AND READ: Emily Stenson’s testimony***

    Washington, D.C. – Today—at a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on biomedical research—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, underscored why the investments we make in biomedical research are so vital, what’s at stake for patients and families as Trump takes a wrecking ball to this research, and why Congress must forcefully push back.

    In just 100 days, President Trump and his administration have taken unprecedented actions across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that are having devastating impacts on biomedical research, innovation, and ultimately, the lives of millions of patients and families. The Trump administration’s actions are delaying funding and stalling research for lifesaving treatments and cures, weakening our biomedical workforce, cancelling vital ongoing studies and trials, and threatening to undo decades of hard-won progress.

    At the hearing, Senator Murray shared the story of Emily Stenson, a mom and patient advocate from Washington state whose daughter Charlie was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer at just three years old but who, thanks to a National Cancer Institute clinical trial at Seattle Children’s Hospital, has been cancer free since December 2024. You can WATCH and READ Emily’s testimony here.

    Senator Murray emphasized that these lifesaving cancer trials are now on the chopping block as the Trump administration terminates $137 million in cancer research grants and plans to cut the NIH budget in half, and asked Emily, “If half of the cancer clinical trials were suddenly cancelled—what would that mean for patients like Charlie and the people you know on the cancer ward at Seattle Children’s?”

    Emily replied, “It would be devastating. There’s no other option often than a clinical trial. And how can you look at these families and say, we’re taking away the only option to save your child. There’s no funding. It feels like the government doesn’t care about families like ours if they take that away. It will be futures left in the balance.”

    Senator Murray also asked Dr. Sudip Parikh, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and Dr. Barry Sleckman, Director of the University of Alabama Comprehensive Cancer Center, about the impact Trump’s attacks on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have on the future of biomedical research and Americans’ health.

    Senator Murray noted that over the last three months, NIH has awarded billions less in funding than over the same period in previous years, which is unprecedented for an agency that typically awards 60,000 grants a year. All the while, Trump has fired or pushed out nearly 5,000 NIH employees, including grant administrators whose job it is to award this funding. Senator Murray asked Dr. Parikh, “At this rate, do you think NIH will be able to spend the $47 billion Congress passed and President Trump signed into law?”

    Dr. Parikh responded, “Thank you for that. If the will is there they can because I know the program folks that are still there, and they will work harder than anybody to work with the scientists in the field, to do the peer review, to get those dollars out. Because those dollars are not just about getting money out the door, it’s about funding the ideas that have been proposed, and there are plenty of proposals, there are plenty of good ideas. We don’t fund enough; the pay lines are already at 20 and 10 percent. We need to make sure that we do get those out, because otherwise it will be impoundment by default.”

    “Well, we know that they have canceled peer review panels and they’re firing staff. So, can they get that funding out the door effectively?” Senator Murray followed up.

    “Only if it becomes a priority. Only if it becomes a priority. We have to make sure that it can go out. I am confident that it can, if they make it a priority. I have not seen that yet,” Dr. Parikh replied.

    Senator Murray pressed, “Who’s the ‘they’?”

    “The ‘they’ is the NIH. The NIH administrators, leaders, and the Department of Health and Human Services. We have to be able to say that we are going to start awarding these grants at the rate that it requires to get the fully appropriated amount that you all approved at the end of last fiscal year,” Dr. Parikh responded.

    “To your knowledge, has that been done?” inquired Senator Murray.

    Dr. Parikh stated, “Not yet, the rate isn’t quite there yet.”

    Senator Murray also discussed the Trump administration’s announcement that they would stop funding the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), which they later claimed they would reverse. WHI studies cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women—and thanks to this research, 126,000 cases of breast cancer and 76,000 cases of heart disease were prevented over a decade. The Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle is the clinical coordinating center for WHI and one of four regional centers. Senator Murray noted that: “The annual funding for these centers costs about $10 million, that’s less than half by the way of what taxpayers spend on President Trump’s golf trips just in case you were keeping track over the last 3 months—$10 million!”

    “How important, I wanted to ask you, is sex in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, and do you think now is the time to be cutting breast cancer research?” Senator Murray continued by asking Dr. Sleckman.

    Dr. Sleckman replied, “Thank you for that question, Senator. You know, let me make a comment first about the Women’s Health Study. These types of studies are essential for cancer and understanding the basis of cancer. This is a very long-term study, not a five-year grant. Something where they’ve been following women for decades and using that information to understand about cancer risk and then make informed decisions about cancer prevention. These types of studies could only be funded in a large, organized way through the federal government, the NIH and the NCI. Getting back to your question, is that it’s extremely important to study the biological difference between men and women when it comes to cancer risk, cancer progression, and cancer treatment—extremely important. There are large groups at pretty much all NCI cancer centers that either take that into account when they’re designing a trial or are studying it specifically—absolutely important. Thank you for that question.” 

    ____________________________

    As the largest public funder of biomedical research in the world, NIH has long been considered one of America’s crown jewels with a long history of strong bipartisan support from Congress. Less than 1 percent of the federal budget goes to medical research, yet NIH research drives our economy at the national and local levels by supporting thousands of jobs in every state. More than 83 percent of NIH’s budget goes to more than 300,000 research personnel at over 3,000 universities, medical schools, and other research institutions. NIH directly and indirectly supports more than 550,000 jobs across the country. It pays off: local communities see $2.56 of economic activity for every dollar invested in this research. NIH-funded research contributed to 354 out of 356 drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) between 2010 to 2019. The FDA plays an intricate role in advancing the biomedical research ecosystem in the United States, by regulating, promoting, and supporting the approval of new drugs, biologics, and medical devices coming on the market.

    Despite this, President Trump has systematically undermined NIH and the research it funds, as well as the FDA. He has terminated nearly 800 NIH grants across the country, cutting off more than $1.1 billion in essential research and trials. So far this year, he has slow walked roughly $2 billion in vital NIH funding that should be going out the door to fund the research that might discover the next treatment or cure that will change—or save—a patient’s life. Funding for Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and cancer research are just a few examples of large multi-million-dollar research grants that we know are being held hostage. He has illegally sought to cut billions in funding for universities to conduct this vital research by illegally capping the indirect cost rate in direct violation of bipartisan appropriations law. President Trump has pushed out nearly 5,000 NIH employees and 4,000 FDA employees—decimating the very work responsible for discovering lifechanging treatments and cures and ensuring they can safely get to market. He also reportedly plans to propose to nearly halve NIH’s budget.

    As a longtime appropriator and former Chair of the Senate HELP Committee, Murray has led Congressional efforts to boost biomedical research. Previously, over her years as Chair of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Murray secured billions of dollars in increases for biomedical research at NIH, and during her time as Chair of the HELP Committee she established the new ARPA-H research agency as part of her PREVENT Pandemics Act to advance some of the most cutting-edge research in the field. Senator Murray was also the lead Democratic negotiator of the bipartisan 21st Century Cures Act, which delivered a major federal investment to boost NIH research, among many other investments. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pressley Applauds Release of Mohsen Mahdawi, Renews Call for Release of Rümeysa Öztürk, Mahmoud Khalil, and Others

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Yesterday, Pressley Rallied With Colleagues at State Dept. to Demand Mahdawi’s Release and Due Process for All

    Pressley Recently Met with Constituent Rümeysa Öztürk, Mahmoud Khalil at ICE Detention Centers in Louisiana

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement applauding the release of Mohsen Mahdawi, Columbia University student and lawful permanent resident who was detained on April 14 after his naturalization interview in Vermont. Yesterday, at a rally outside the State Department, Congresswoman Pressleyjoined Congresswoman Becca Balint (VT-AL)and their colleagues to call for Mahdawi’s immediate release and demand due process for all. Congresswoman Pressley recently met with constituent Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil, two students who have been unlawfully detained by ICE and transported to Louisiana from their homes in retaliation for their protected speech.

    “Mohsen’s release is an encouraging step in the fight to defend our democracy and the constitutional rights that Donald Trump is working overtime to rip away,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “Due process and free speech are fundamental rights. I am relieved and encouraged that Mohsen was released from detention today, and I continue to demand the immediate release of my constituent Rümeysa Öztürk, as well as Mahmoud Khalil, and the residents across the nation who may not have made headlines but similarly have been unjustly detained by this hostile administration. We have not forgotten about you and we will fight for your rights daily.”

    Mahdawi, a Vermont permanent resident for the last ten years, was abruptly arrested earlier this month by masked, hooded ICE agents without being charged with a crime. In response to his arrest, Rep. Balint, Rep. Pressley, and 66 other House Democrats demanded to know the Administration’s alleged reason for his arrest from Secretaries Rubio and Noem and received no response. 

    A full transcript of her remarks at yesterday’s rally is available below and video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Colleagues Demand Due Process for All at “Free Mohsen Mahdawi” Rally
    U.S. State Department
    April 29, 2025

    We keep using the word shame, and this is a shame that we find ourselves here. 

    And it is also a sham. 

    These extremist acts to disappear people from society have nothing to do with immigration. They have nothing to do with law and order. They have everything to do with power.

    And Donald Trump is abusing power. That is what dictators do. Dictators mean to silence any dissenting voices – and the only way to beat a dictator is with defiance, and that’s what brings us all here today. 

    I’m so glad that you all are awake. The other side wants you to be asleep. They’re anti-woke because they want a citizenry that is ignorant and uninformed, that is indifferent to the suffering of their neighbors, and that is inactive. 

    So you’re already winning, and you give me hope and make it easier to practice the discipline of hope – because you could have been anywhere else today, but you chose to be here to say that these abuses of power will not go unchecked.

    I know that I am speaking to the choir as I go to refer to my notes and enumerate these facts, but I preach to the choir for one reason, because I need the choir to sing. 

    When you leave here, I need you to sing about these injustices. I need you to sing about the fact that this is not about whether or not we can weather the next four years, that this is about shaping the next one hundred.

    I need you to sing about the fact that this is the moment and the opportunity to be better ancestors than descendants. 

    Who is Mohsen?

    Mohsen was raised in a Palestinian refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. He is a man who loves and is loved, who is connected to family, who is connected to community.

    Mohsen is a green card holder and lawful permanent resident of the United States.

    Mohsen is a scholar, a senior at Columbia University and co-founder of Columbia’s Palestinian Student Union.

    And now, shamefully, Mohsen is a political prisoner. 

    Instead of celebrating his graduation and preparing for his Master’s program in the fall, he was on the verge of becoming a US citizen, after 10 years of living and learning and contributing in the United States. 

    Instead, his life has been upended, and he is awaiting his future from the confines of a detention center. Shameful.

    In Donald Trump’s America, Mohsen’s story is becoming shamefully all too familiar to all of us. 

    He was whisked away and disappeared off of the streets, just like my constituent, Somerville resident and PhD student, Rümeysa Öztürk.

    Make no mistake, these abductions are not isolated. 

    They are part and parcel of Trump’s precise, intentional, and coordinated attack on our democracy and our constitutional rights. 

    They serve no purpose other than to silence dissent, restrict due process, and to sow fear in our communities – which is exactly how a dictator operates. 

    But again, we will not allow these abuses of power to go unchecked or unanswered. 

    Last week, I went to conduct some real-time oversight. I visited our sister Rümeysa Öztürk and our brother Mahmoud Khalil in Louisiana at the ICE detention facilities where they are being held. 

    Allow me to digress for a moment to remind people that this is a for-profit carceral system, and the same way that there are billionaire corporations that benefit from for-profit prisons and mass incarceration, the same billionaire corporations are benefiting from for-profit detention centers and the disappearing of immigrants. These things are all connected. 

    So if someone at home is saying, “Why should I care about this?”

    If you care about mass incarceration, you need to care about mass deportation. If you care about mass deportation, you need to care about mass incarceration. 

    So last week, I went for a wellness check, which also again, was real-time congressional oversight. What I saw and heard from Rümeysa and Mahmoud was harrowing, heartbreaking, and infuriating. 

    Mahmoud spoke of growing up in Syria under Assad. He said, “I know what an authoritarian regime looks like – and this is it.”

    Rümeysa thanked me for being there, along with my colleagues in our CODEL and said the women at this detention facility have questioned if God has forgotten about us, if the world has forgotten about us.

    They are being denied proper medical care, deprived of sleep. They’re not receiving nutritious meals, no religious accommodation. A nurse, without consent, removed Rümeysa’s hijab.

    The cruelty is the point. 

    Look family, what’s happening to Mohsen, Rümeysa, Mahmoud and so many others is a damning injustice. They’ve been charged with no crimes, and are being detained simply for exercising their right to free speech, for speaking out about the Israeli government’s genocide in Gaza. 

    Now let me be clear, regardless of your position on that issue or any other, this should outrage everyone and anyone with a moral conscience. 

    I do not journey to rural Louisiana because I am a Democrat. I journeyed to rural Louisiana because I’m a human being who gives a damn about other human beings. 

    In America we have a fundamental right to freedom of speech, and that’s what makes us who we are. So this blatant, flagrant violation of our First Amendment rights through these abductions should outrage everyone, regardless of your personal beliefs. 

    And as I close, because our freedoms and our destinies are tied, in his letter to Angela Y. Davis, James Baldwin wrote, “If they take you in the morning, dear sister, they will surely be coming for us that night.” And that is the truth. 

    Today, it is Mohsen, it is Rümeysa, it is Mahmoud, and tomorrow it could be you. 

    It could be you for reading a banned book. It could be you for suffering a miscarriage. It could be you for practicing Diversity Equity and Inclusion. 

    So today, we refuse to accept these abuses as inevitable. We demand due process and accountability for all, and we will keep working to protect our Constitution and everyone who calls this country home. 

    Free Mohsen Mahdawi. Free Rümeysa Öztürk. Free Mahmoud Khalil. Save our democracy.

    This is not about weathering the next four years. This is about shaping the next one hundred.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor celebrates National Apprenticeship Day 2025, highlighting limitless potential of apprenticeships for American workers

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer celebrated National Apprenticeship Day today by welcoming the International Association of Fire Fighters for a ceremonial signing event highlighting the importance of apprenticeships and ways the program can unlock a multitude of possibilities for the American worker.

    The National Apprenticeship Day 2025 event recognized IAFF’s new National Apprenticeship Guideline Standards and honored the union’s commitment to training their firefighters and emergency personnel through the Registered Apprenticeship model. 

    Since its inception in 2015, National Apprenticeship Week has been an annual nationwide celebration for employers, educators, state agencies, unions, and many others to showcase how Registered Apprenticeships improve and expand career pathways for American workers, while helping employers drive economic growth across all industries. In those 10 years, more than 1.9 million people participated in more than 10,000 National Apprenticeship Week events, and over 1,800 proclamations have been issued in support of Registered Apprenticeships. Typically celebrated in the fall, National Apprenticeship Week will move to the spring beginning in 2026 following stakeholder feedback. 

    The Trump Administration has committed to enhancing and expanding the National Apprenticeship system, with two recent executive orders, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future” and “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.” These decisive actions will unlock the limitless potential of the American worker by strengthening Registered Apprenticeships, modernizing workforce development programs, educating America’s youth to keep up with technology advancements, and investing in upskilling workers to meet current labor market demands.

    National Apprenticeship Day 2025 will include nearly 1,000 events and proclamations in all 50 states and territories across the country. These events highlight innovation and cooperation between employers, apprentices and apprentice graduates, educational institutions, community-based organizations, federal partners, industry associations, intermediaries, labor unions, state agencies, elected officials, and many others. 

    “As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Day, this administration remains committed to expanding and strengthening registered apprenticeships, guaranteeing the skilled workforce necessary for businesses to thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I will personally ensure the Labor Department is helping to fulfill our bold goal of exceeding one million active apprentices and empower American workers to fill high-demand jobs that will secure economic prosperity. I was honored to host firefighters with the International Association of Fire Fighters today as we celebrated progressing toward that goal with new apprenticeship standards for first responders.”  

    Find a National Apprenticeship Day event near you and learn how to participate. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Feuding mob families, mind control and a murder at the White House: what to watch in May

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Lecturer, Digital Communication, RMIT University

    Disney+/Prime/Netflix/Paramount+/The Conversation

    It’s May! Where did the year go? It must be all the amazing TV we’re watching that’s making the time whiz by. This month’s lineup of expert picks is packed with standout shows across all genres.

    Whether you’re in the mood for laugh-out-loud comedies, powerful historical fiction, or sci-fi that will leave your brain rattling for days, there’s something binge-worthy waiting for you.

    MobLand

    Paramount+

    Lately, I’ve found myself counting down the days each week for a new episode of MobLand to drop on Paramount+ on Sunday afternoon. The crime series is executive produced (and the first two episodes directed) by Guy Ritchie, and stars Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren – along with a heavyweight supporting cast – in a story about two rival mob families in London.

    When tensions escalate after a night out, Hardy’s “fixer” character, Harry, works to keep the peace between the Harrigans and the Stevensons – be it with a quiet word or brutal force.

    MobLand is as twisty, gruesome and fun as we’ve come to expect from Ritchie’s popular gangster titles. But while others have been regularly criticised for their lack or limited portrayal of female characters, MobLand benefits from the scheming and swearing of the inimitable Helen Mirren as matriarch Maeve Harrigan, and the quiet fury of Joanne Froggatt as Harry’s wife, Jan, as she tries to force the enforcer into marriage counselling.

    The series has been a huge success for Paramount+ in Australia – becoming the largest launch in the platform’s history. And while some may find the weekly episode drop frustrating, for me it adds to the suspense.

    – Alexa Scarlata

    The Residence

    Netflix

    Faced with Donald Trump, show makers turn to alternative visions of leadership. The latest: a gay president, who is only a bit of a player, in a ridiculously entertaining picture of a crime within the White House.

    At a US state dinner for visiting Australian Prime Minister Stephen Roos (Julian McMahon), the dead body of the chief usher is discovered, and the world’s greatest detective, Cordelia Cupp (Uzo Aduba), is called in. Not only is Cupp an avid bird-watcher, she is also an Agatha Christie devotee who likes to assemble all her suspects for a prolonged denouement.

    The Residence is full of oblique references to current US politics. One former senator, Al Franken, plays a fictional senator named Aaron Filkins. And Tripp Morgan (Jason Lee), US President Perry Morgan’s odious brother, has several real-life precursors.

    The series is also a guide to the White House itself, complete with the sort of lavish detail we’d expect from Shondaland productions. And it’s nice to see Netflix acknowledging Australians. Even if they couldn’t persuade Hugh Jackman to actually show up, there’s plenty of other home-grown talent – including cameos by Kylie Minogue.

    – Dennis Altman

    Last One Laughing UK

    Prime Video

    Last One Laughing is a battle royale for stand-ups. Ten comedians, one room, surrounded by cameras. Laugh once and they’re warned. Laugh again, and they’re out. Last comic left wins.

    An international TV phenomenon in 29 countries, the latest season is from the United Kingdom, hosted by Jimmy Carr and featuring comedians like Bob Mortimer, Sara Pascoe and Joe Lycett.

    Comedy takes time, but laughter can take less than a moment. Richard Ayoade nearly catches out two players when, asked what his childhood hobbies were, he replies: “I don’t know. I cried a lot?”

    Last One Laughing doubles our laughs. We watch the actual joke, we get it, we laugh. And then we see comedians desperately trying not to laugh – but we know that they get the joke too! And so we get an unexpected second look at the joke.

    Last One Laughing helps us understand why we laugh at our own jokes, why we can’t always explain what’s funny, and why gags don’t need words. We’re watching professional comedians get the joke (as we do!) without laughing (as we expect?) but we know that it’s all OK. And, however briefly, we glimpse the world anew.

    – Fergus Edwards



    Read more:
    We’re hardwired to laugh – this is why watching comedians try to be the ‘Last One Laughing’ is so funny

    Dying for Sex

    Disney+

    Based on a popular podcast by Molly Kochan and Nicki Boyer, Dying for Sex is a funny, raunchy, heartfelt exploration of pleasure and death.

    When Molly (Michelle Williams) finds out her cancer is back and this time it is terminal, she seeks out sexual desire and satisfaction in unusual places, making profound discoveries along the way.

    The show is rated R for good reason: the depiction of sexual acts is graphic, but not exploitative or voyeuristic. Rather it embraces the messiness of having a body that is dying but seeking joy.

    While Molly’s sexual adventures feature heavily (and explicitly), the heart of the show is Molly’s friendship with Nicki (Jenny Slate), which feels achingly real. Molly and Nicki are long-term friends, as such they adore and encourage each other’s idiosyncrasies and perceived flaws.

    Williams is luminous and well-matched with Slate, who brings a levity and longing to caring for her best friend and supporting her new goals. Despite its relatively short runtime of just eight 30 minute episodes, we are treated to nuanced renderings of Molly’s complex relationships with her mother (Sissy Spacek), husband (Jay Duplass) and neighbour (Rob Delaney).

    Dying for Sex is infuriating and heartbreaking, as well as absurdly funny – kinda like death.

    – Jessica Ford

    Black Mirror, season seven

    Netflix

    The seventh season of Black Mirror is an ominous return to the dark world of modern technology. This season comprises six new episodes, two of which are sequels to episodes from previous seasons.

    Common People is a powerful opening to the season, starring two of the most famous actors to appear throughout. Amanda (Rashida Jones) and Mike (Chris O’Dowd) are an ordinary suburban couple struck by tragedy in the form of a serious medical emergency – a narrative turn that is compounded by an unexpected departure from Jones and O’Dowd’s comedic reputations. The collapse of their life reaches greater and greater depths, before culminating in a horrifying final scene.

    The other five episodes of the season are not as dismal. USS Callister: Into Infinity, in particular, provides some resolution that the earlier episode USS Callister had not. Plaything, the sequel to the interactive film Bandersnatch, echoes USS Callister’s interest in video gaming, but takes its invasion of human life to an even more powerful conclusion. Bête Noire similarly toys with the idea of mind control.

    Hotel Reverie and Eulogy are quieter episodes, and not as overtly critical of technological advance as the others. Both are very moving, and like Common People, are interested in the lengths one might go to for the people they love.

    Black Mirror’s seventh season is both a warning and a guide for how to be human – and how not to.

    – Jessica Gildersleeve

    The Wheel of Time, season three

    Prime Video

    The Wheel of Time is Prime’s most recent entry into the increasingly popular epic fantasy genre. Despite a lacklustre first two seasons, season three finally rewards fans for their patience.

    Adapted from Robert Jordan’s sprawling 14-book series, the new season begins full throttle with a violent battle between the all-female One Power-wielding Aes Sedai. While some episodes lag due to overly complicated exposition and agonising character development (just embrace the wolf already, Perrin), for the most part showrunner Rafe Judkins maintains the propulsive momentum established in the spectacular opening.

    Episode four, The Road to the Spear, is a standout sure to please die-hard Jordan fans and new audiences alike. Cinematic in scope, the episode faithfully recounts Rand (Josha Stradowski) and Moiraine’s (Rosamund Pike) journey to Rhuidean in the Aiel Waste where Rand is confirmed as the Dragon Reborn.

    Pike continues to provide much-needed gravitas as the steely Moiraine and Stradowski is a revelation. It doesn’t hurt that the episode makes good use of its deliciously vampy leather-clad villain Lanfear (Natasha O’Keeffe).

    No doubt references to Jordan’s expansive lore might continue to baffle some viewers. However, the sumptuous costumes, increasingly assured performances and modernised relationships suggest the series has finally found its footing.

    Long may The Wheel of Time continue to turn.

    – Rachel Williamson

    The Narrow Road to the Deep North

    Prime Video

    The Narrow Road to the Deep North stands as some of the most visceral and moving television produced in Australia in recent memory, marking a new accessibility and confidence to director Justin Kurzel.

    Dorrigo Evans (Jacob Elordi/Ciarán Hinds) is a doctor sent to World War II. Captured during the Battle of Java he is taken as a prisoner of war (POW), where he is forced to lead his Australian soldiers on the building of the Burma-Thailand Railway.

    Rather than an executor of violence, he is a pacifist and victim. Ultimately he has to make peace with his own trauma and guilt of survival when many around him perished – some of whom he knowingly sent to their inevitable death to ensure his own survival.

    Faithfully adapted from Richard Flanagan’s novel in a screenplay by Shaun Grant, this production effectively creates interchanging timelines (seamlessly edited by Alexandre de Francesch) including prewar, war and postwar, and then flashes forward to Dorrigo in his mid-70s.

    Structurally immaculate, The Narrow Road to the Deep North is not defined by its brutal torture of the POWs or comradeship of the starving soldiers (though they are powerful to watch). Instead, it points us towards the quieter visions of characters having to sit alone with their distorted memories.

    Contemporary television is rarely this good.

    – Stephen Gaunson



    Read more:
    Contemporary television is rarely as good as The Narrow Road to the Deep North

    Andor, season two

    Disney+

    Andor returns for a second season, as we follow the early days of the Rebel Alliance leading up to events in Rogue One.

    One year after the events of season one, we open with Cassian (Diego Luna) impersonating an Imperial test pilot so he can steal a prototype Imperial ship. After stealing the ship, he must navigate a ragtag brigade whose infighting becomes violent.

    Elsewhere on planet Mina-Rau, Bix (Adria Arjona) and other undocumented farm workers await Cassian’s arrival with the ship. Over on Chandrila, Imperial Senator Mon (Genevieve O’Reilly) navigates the diplomacy of her daughter’s wedding while continuing to discreetly support the rebellion.

    The most chilling scenes in the opening episodes are perhaps those that show Imperial supervisor Dedra Meero (Denise Gough) attend a top-secret meeting where they strategise how best to cleanse the population of Gorman so they can mine a rare mineral.

    As film academic Daniel Golding notes in an article about how Andor takes on the era of Trump 2.0, showrunner Tony Gilroy takes inspiration from several real world revolutionary events. Given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel’s assault on Gaza and Trump’s increasing authoritarianism, it will be interesting to see how the revolution in this season continues to reflect real-world precarity.

    I recommend refreshing your memory of season one before diving in, as the new season’s complexity relies on considerable assumed knowledge.

    – Stuart Richards

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

    – ref. Feuding mob families, mind control and a murder at the White House: what to watch in May – https://theconversation.com/feuding-mob-families-mind-control-and-a-murder-at-the-white-house-what-to-watch-in-may-255222

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Are side hustles really a way to escape the rat race, or just passion projects for a privileged few?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Farrugia, ARC Future Fellow, School of Education, Deakin University

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Is a “side hustle” really the only thing separating you from the life you desire? Listening to some influencers on social media could certainly have you thinking so.

    Side hustles encompass a range of self-directed entrepreneurial activities undertaken while also working a job. For young people with limited access to capital, they’re the most accessible opportunity to engage in entrepreneurship.

    Yet, we still know very little about who takes them on and why, and what kind of impact they have on working life in economies like Australia.

    Our new report – Side Hustles – How Young People Are Redefining Work – presents the first wave of findings from an ongoing three-year, mixed-methods study that seeks to answer these questions.

    In our first year of data collection, we surveyed 1,497 side hustlers aged 18-34 and interviewed a further 68. Our findings raise questions about the merits of entrepreneurship as a solution to youth unemployment or a pathway to financial freedom.

    What makes a side hustle?

    To be included in our project, a young person had to be employed, but also carrying out some form of entrepreneurship.

    We defined entrepreneurship as self-directed economic activity, where the side hustler has some measure of control over when they work, who they work for and what they charge.

    The most popular side hustle among participants was selling goods (42.9%). Others included:

    • services such as gardening, dog-walking or moving furniture (29.2%)
    • creating media content (16.5%)
    • creative work such as graphic design or photography (11.3%).

    Side hustling could include some “gig work” through online platforms, but only when these platforms allow workers to negotiate prices with clients and make choices about their work. As such, we excluded rideshare and food delivery drivers from the project.

    Gardening services were one common side hustle.
    Ultraskrip/Shutterstock

    Projects for the privileged

    While some people may assume that young people start a side hustle out of financial stress, we found side hustlers are actually a relatively privileged cohort.

    They are a well-educated group. Almost two-thirds of our sample had university degrees and many of the remainder were studying. They also generally report their financial wellbeing as comfortable.

    Why is this? Side hustles often don’t make much money, cost money to set up, and carry risk – all of the hallmarks of entrepreneurship.

    Median hourly earnings from their side hustles are less than what they would make working in retail or hospitality, and on average they are about 50% what they make in their main job.

    As one e-commerce side-hustler put it:

    If I really put my time and energy into the consideration, I would say we’re not making much money at all […] It’s just something I enjoy doing in my free time.

    Their side-hustle earnings are also uncertain: 65% say they are unsure what their earnings will look like in three months.

    In other words, you need to be financially secure already to even contemplate a side hustle.

    Passion over pay

    Side hustles don’t make enough to help someone who is really financially struggling, and they are unlikely to be a pathway out of the employment “rat race”.

    Despite this, our participants are overwhelmingly satisfied with their side hustles and say they have good work-life balance. So what motivates them?

    Side hustlers often earned less than they would taking on a second job.
    BAZA Production/

    The top motivation reported in our study is passion and enjoyment. Side hustlers say they want work that relates to their interests and enjoy the autonomy and flexibility that a side hustle allows.

    Even though side hustles are often less profitable than a second job, the second-highest motivation was still money.

    That’s likely because they offer a way of making some supplementary income in a way that is flexible and autonomous.

    They’re often a source of “play money”. One 33-year-old man with an e-commerce side hustle told us:

    If I was to pick up a second job, like […] Uber driving at night time, I won’t be happy, I’ll be tired, I’ll be stressed out trying to do that

    Whereas, I think because I’ve got the passion for it here, I’m happy to do it because, like I said, I’m doing it at my own pace.

    Pressure to be productive

    Our research suggests that rather than being a pathway out of unemployment, side hustles actually represent a broader social and economic trend: more and more of young people’s lives are being encompassed by work.

    Interviewees frequently talked about feeling like they needed to make their time outside of work productive in some way. For some, it was as though they could not justify leisure time unless it was financially profitable.

    One participant told us:

    You obviously want to enjoy life and have a bit of a chill time, but some days you just go like, “What am I doing? Just sitting at home and just relaxing watching Netflix or whatever. I should probably be out there making more money”.

    Blurring work life boundaries?

    Most participants were also not very concerned about growing their side hustles into businesses.

    Instead, they aspired for balanced working lives with a side hustle offering passion, flexibility and autonomous work, and paid employment supporting them financially and offering the option of a traditional career.

    They also did not necessarily see the time spent on their side hustles as work, being much more personally invested and self-directed in their side hustles than in their paid jobs.

    But this means that much of their “leisure” time looks very much like work, and more and more of their lives are dedicated to being productive.

    David Farrugia receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Brendan Churchill receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Kim Allen receives funding from the ESRC

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

    – ref. Are side hustles really a way to escape the rat race, or just passion projects for a privileged few? – https://theconversation.com/are-side-hustles-really-a-way-to-escape-the-rat-race-or-just-passion-projects-for-a-privileged-few-255002

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Before they vote: How schools shape young citizens

    Source:

    01 May 2025

    Politicians have a duty to move beyond tokenistic gestures and engage seriously with young people’s ideas and concerns.

    As politicians continue the campaign trail with carefully scripted messages and media spin, researchers from the University of South Australia say young people are watching – and learning the wrong lessons about democracy.

    With children and teens already engaging with political issues on social media, the election period is a critical opportunity to shape how they understand democratic participation.

    The call follows recommendations from the Australian Parliament’s report for a nationally consistent approach to civics and citizenship in education, with a focus on digital literacy to help young people decipher misinformation through social media.

    UniSA’s Associate Professor Joel Windle says politicians have a duty to move beyond tokenistic gestures and engage seriously with young people’s ideas, concerns and capacities for civic engagement.

    “Australia’s democracy depends on citizens being informed and engaged, especially in a system of compulsory voting. Yet rising misinformation, disengagement, and distrust pose serious challenges,” Assoc Prof Joel Windle says.

    “For young people and children, election campaigns present a master class in deflecting questions, talking to pre-set points, controlling and shutting down debates and, at all costs, avoiding controversy.

    “So rather than arming voters and young people with valuable information upon which to base decisions, politicians are demonstrating the exact opposite.”

    The researchers say that to engage young people and encourage children to grow into active, connected citizens, we need to model, not undermine, democratic values.

    “Civics is also often under-prioritised, outdated, and disconnected from students’ lives, with many teachers lacking the confidence to address contemporary or controversial issues,” Assoc Prof Windle says.

    “From our research, we know that upper-primary school children are more than capable of tackling complex social and political topics. And, with the right support, can investigate anything from local concerns such as unsafe streets, to global challenges like climate change.

    “We also know that they are excellent producers of podcasts and digital content. Blend these together, and you get students who can research, reflect, and represent issues in balanced, thoughtful ways, while navigating and filtering digital content. That’s the essence of democratic citizenship.

    “With the federal election highlighting the gap between political practice and civic ideals, it’s more urgent than ever to ensure young people learn that democracy is about dialogue, accountability and action – starting in the classroom.”

    The UniSA team’s new book – Being Heard: Remixing Critical Literacy for Active Citizenship – offers practical, research-backed strategies for teachers to build student voice and agency in the primary classroom.

    The research team includes: Assoc Prof Joel Windle, Assoc Prof David Caldwell, Assoc Prof Melanie Baak and Dr Aidan Windle.

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

    Contact for interview:  Assoc Prof Joel Windle M: +61 414 577 454 E: Joel.Windle@unisa.edu.au
    Media contact: Annabel Mansfield E: Annabel.Mansfield@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025 North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest Winners Celebrate State’s Beauty and Diversity

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Gov. Kelly Armstrong along with North Dakota Commerce Tourism and Marketing Director Sara Otte Coleman and North Dakota Council on the Arts Rhea Beto, presented the winning entries from the 21st annual North Dakota Governor’s Photo Contest during the North Dakota Travel Industry Conference in Minot.

    There were 732 submissions from 136 photographers celebrating the beauty of North Dakota’s four seasons and unique experiences through the lens of talented artists.

    “This year’s Governor’s Photo Contest brilliantly captures North Dakota’s year-round beauty and vibrant experiences,” Armstrong said. “The exceptional talent displayed in these submissions will be invaluable in showcasing our state as a premier travel destination.”

    The 2025 contest embraced the state’s diverse climate and activities by introducing new categories based on seasons. Winners were chosen for stunning scenery across all four seasons (Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter) as well as captivating activities for each (Fall Activities, Spring Events, Summer Activities, Winter Activities).

    2025 Governor’s Photo Contest Winners:

    Marshall Lipp won the Best in Show award for his photo “Storm Passing in a July Morning Sunrise” which captures Sweet Briar Lake in rural Morton County as the sun breaks through the clouds after a summer storm passes.

    Fall Category Winners:

    Fall Scenery: Clint Fleckenstein, Bismarck, N.D. – “A Brilliant Autumn Tree Over an Earth Lodge Village”

    • Honorable Mention: Kayla Gilberston, Jamestown, N.D. – “The Buffalo’s View”
    • Honorable Mention: Warren Abrahamson, Jamestown, N.D. – “Hay There, North Dakota”

    Fall Activities: Sashay Schettler, Bismarck, N.D. – ” “Early Fall Ride on the Lewis and Clark Riverboat

    • Honorable Mention Grant Lannoye, Cando, N.D. – “Eyes on Irvine”
    • Honorable Mention: Chad martin Olson, Minot, N.D. – “Linus with a Pheasant After a Hunt”
    Spring Category Winners:

    Spring Scenery: Jessica Schmidt, Mandan, N.D. – “God’s Grace Overlooking the Missouri River”

    • Honorable Mention: Casey Helling, Golden Valley, N.D. – “Sproutin”
    • Honorable Mention: Corey Serr, Minot, N.D. – “Badlands Sunrise”

    Spring Activities: Chad Martin Olson, Minot, N.D. – “Western Meadowlark Singing its Prairie Song”

    • Honorable Mention: Miranda Lindstrom, Amenia, N.D. – “Baby Robins Awaiting Food”
    • Honorable Mention: Kayli Richards, Bismarck, N.D. – “Grandpa Teaching Granddaughter How to Fish”
    Summer Category Winners:

    Summer Scenery: Marshall Lipp, Mandan, N.D. – ” “Storm Passing in a July Morning Sunrise”

    • Honorable Mention: Candance Berg, Devils Lake, N.D. – ” “Double the Sunshine”
    • Honorable Mention: Rebecca Raber, Bismarck, N.D. – “Wait up, Mom” 

    Summer Activities: Miranda Lindstrom, Amenia, N.D. – “Checking out the Post Cemetery”

    • Honorable Mention: Christian Cairy, Jamestown, N.D. – “Firing the Cannon at Fort Seward”
    • Honorable Mention: Christian Cairy, Jamestown, N.D. – “American Nights at the Rodeo”
    Winter Category Winners:

    Winter Scenery: Melissa Bingham, Dickinson, N.D. – “Wild horses”

    • Honorable Mention: Chad Martin Olson, Minot, N.D. – “Running Pheasant”
    • Honorable Mention: Grant Kraft, Fargo, N.D. – “Winter Theatrics”

    Winter Activities: Marshall Lipp, Mandan, N.D. – “A Selfie Under the Northern Lights”

    • Honorable Mention: Christian Cairy, Jamestown, N.D. – “Walking up the Snowy Hill for More Winter Fun”

    These prints will be on display at the North Dakota State Capitol, 18th floor, for the month of May. We’d also like to express our gratitude to the American Automobile Association (AAA) for their continued support as a partner in the Governor’s Photo Contest.

    Find descriptions of all winners and honorable mentions along with the complete gallery at https://belegendary.link/GovernorsPhotoContest. 

    MIL OSI USA News –