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Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Global: Did ‘induced atmospheric vibration’ cause blackouts in Europe? An electrical engineer explains the phenomenon

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian, Professor of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology

    The lights are mostly back on in Spain, Portugal and southern France after a widespread blackout on Monday.

    The blackout caused chaos for tens of millions of people. It shut down traffic lights and ATMs, halted public transport, cut phone service and forced people to eat dinner huddled around candles as night fell. Many people found themselves trapped in trains and elevators.

    Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has said the exact cause of the blackout is yet to be determined. In early reporting, Portugal’s grid operator REN was quoted as blaming the event on a rare phenomenon known as “induced atmospheric vibration”. REN has since reportedly refuted this.

    But what is this vibration? And how can energy systems be improved to mitigate the risk of widespread blackouts?

    How much does weather affect electricity?

    Weather is a major cause of disruptions to electricity supply. In fact, in the United States, 83% of reported blackouts between 2000 and 2021 were attributed to weather-related events.

    The ways weather can affect the supply of electricity are manifold. For example, cyclones can bring down transmission lines, heatwaves can place too high a demand on the grid, and bushfires can raze substations.

    Wind can also cause transmission lines to vibrate. These vibrations are characterised by either high amplitude and low frequency (known as “conductor galloping”), or low amplitude and high frequency (known as “aeolian vibrations”).

    These vibrations are a significant problem for grid operators. They can place increased stress on grid infrastructure, potentially leading to blackouts.

    To reduce the risk of vibration, grid operators often use wire stabilisers known as “stock bridge dampers”.

    What is ‘induced atmospheric vibration’?

    Vibrations in power lines can also be caused by extreme changes in temperature or air pressure. And this is one hypothesis about what caused the recent widespread blackout across the Iberian peninsula.

    As The Guardian initially reported Portugal’s REN as saying:

    Due to extreme temperature variations in the interior of Spain, there were anomalous oscillations in the very high voltage lines (400 kV), a phenomenon known as “induced atmospheric vibration”. These oscillations caused synchronisation failures between the electrical systems, leading to successive disturbances across the interconnected European network.

    In fact, “induced atmospheric vibration” is not a commonly used term, but it seems likely the explanation was intended to refer to physical processes climate scientists have known about for quite some time.

    In simple terms, it seems to refer to wavelike movements or oscillations in the atmosphere, caused by sudden changes in temperature or pressure. These can be triggered by extreme heating, large-scale energy releases (such as explosions or bushfires), or intense weather events.

    When a part of Earth’s surface heats up very quickly – due to a heatwave, for example – the air above it warms, expands and becomes lighter. That rising warm air creates a pressure imbalance with the surrounding cooler, denser air. The atmosphere responds to this imbalance by generating waves, not unlike ripples spreading across a pond.

    These pressure waves can travel through the atmosphere. In some cases, they can interact with power infrastructure — particularly long-distance, high-voltage transmission lines.

    These types of atmospheric waves are usually called gravity waves, thermal oscillations or acoustic-gravity waves. While the phrase “induced atmospheric vibration” is not formally established in meteorology, it seems to describe this same family of phenomena.

    What’s important is that it’s not just high temperatures alone that causes these effects — it’s how quickly and unevenly the temperature changes across a region. That’s what sets the atmosphere into motion and can cause power lines to vibrate. Again, though, it’s still unclear if this is what was behind the recent blackout in Europe.

    Atmospheric waves can sometimes be seen in clouds.
    Jeff Schmaltz/NASA

    More centralised, more vulnerable

    Understanding how the atmosphere behaves under these conditions is becoming increasingly important. As our energy systems become more interconnected and more dependent on long-distance transmission, even relatively subtle atmospheric disturbances can have outsized impacts. What might once have seemed like a fringe effect is now a growing factor in grid resilience.

    Under growing environmental and electrical stress, centralised energy networks are dangerously vulnerable. The increasing electrification of buildings, the rapid uptake of electric vehicles, and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources have placed unprecedented pressure on traditional grids that were never designed for this level of complexity, dynamism or centralisation.

    Continuing to rely on centralised grid structures without fundamentally rethinking resilience puts entire regions at risk — not just from technical faults, but from environmental volatility.

    The way to avoid such catastrophic risks is clear: we must embrace innovative solutions such as community microgrids. These are decentralised, flexible and resilient energy networks that can operate independently when needed.

    Strengthening local energy autonomy is key to building a secure, affordable and future-ready electricity system.

    The European blackout, regardless of its immediate cause, demonstrates that our electrical grids have become dangerously sensitive. Failure to address these structural weaknesses will have consequences far worse than those experienced during the COVID pandemic.

    Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian 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. Did ‘induced atmospheric vibration’ cause blackouts in Europe? An electrical engineer explains the phenomenon – https://theconversation.com/did-induced-atmospheric-vibration-cause-blackouts-in-europe-an-electrical-engineer-explains-the-phenomenon-255497

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: On ‘moral panic’ and the courage to speak – the West’s silence on Gaza

    Palestinians do not have the luxury to allow Western moral panic to have its say or impact. Not caving in to this panic is one small, but important, step in building a global Palestine network that is urgently needed, writes Dr Ilan Pappé

    ANALYSIS: By Ilan Pappé

    Responses in the Western world to the genocide in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank raise a troubling question: why is the official West, and official Western Europe in particular, so indifferent to Palestinian suffering?

    Why is the Democratic Party in the US complicit, directly and indirectly, in sustaining the daily inhumanity in Palestine — a complicity so visible that it probably was one reason they lost the election, as the Arab American and progressive vote in key states could, and justifiably so, not forgive the Biden administration for its part in the genocide in the Gaza Strip?

    This is a pertinent question, given that we are dealing with a televised genocide that has now been renewed on the ground. It is different from previous periods in which Western indifference and complicity were displayed, either during the Nakba or the long years of occupation since 1967.

    During the Nakba and up to 1967, it was not easy to get hold of information, and the oppression after 1967 was mostly incremental, and, as such, was ignored by the Western media and politics, which refused to acknowledge its cumulative effect on the Palestinians.

    But these last 18 months are very different. Ignoring the genocide in the Gaza Strip and the ethnic cleansing in the West Bank can only be described as intentional and not due to ignorance.

    Both the Israelis’ actions and the discourse that accompanies them are too visible to be ignored, unless politicians, academics, and journalists choose to do so.

    This kind of ignorance is, first and foremost, the result of successful Israeli lobbying that thrived on the fertile ground of an European guilt complex, racism and Islamophobia. In the case of the US, it is also the outcome of many years of an effective and ruthless lobbying machine that very few in academia, media, and, in particular, politics, dare to disobey.

    The moral panic phenomenon
    This phenomenon is known in recent scholarship as moral panic, very characteristic of the more conscientious sections of Western societies: intellectuals, journalists, and artists.

    Moral panic is a situation in which a person is afraid of adhering to his or her own moral convictions because this would demand some courage that might have consequences. We are not always tested in situations that require courage, or at least integrity. When it does happen, it is in situations where morality is not an abstract idea, but a call for action.

    This is why so many Germans were silent when Jews were sent to extermination camps, and this is why white Americans stood by when African Americans were lynched or, earlier on, enslaved and abused.

    What is the price that leading Western journalists, veteran politicians, tenured professors, or chief executives of well-known companies would have to pay if they were to blame Israel for committing a genocide in the Gaza Strip?

    It seems they are worried about two possible outcomes. The first is being condemned as antisemites or Holocaust deniers. Secondly, they fear an honest response would trigger a discussion that would include the complicity of their country, or Europe, or the West in general, in enabling the genocide and all the criminal policies against the Palestinians that preceded it.

    This moral panic leads to some astonishing phenomena. In general, it transforms educated, highly articulate and knowledgeable people into total imbeciles when they talk about Palestine.

    It disallows the more perceptive and thoughtful members of the security services from examining Israeli demands to include all Palestinian resistance on a terrorist list, and it dehumanises Palestinian victims in the mainstream media.

    Lack of compassion
    The lack of compassion and basic solidarity with the victims of genocide was exposed by the double standards shown by mainstream media in the West, and, in particular, by the more established newspapers in the US, such as The New York Times and The Washington Post.

    When the editor of The Palestine Chronicle, Dr Ramzy Baroud, lost 56 members of his family — killed by the Israeli genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip — not one of his colleagues in American journalism bothered to talk to him or show any interest in hearing about this atrocity.

    On the other hand, a fabricated Israeli allegation of a connection between the Chronicle and a family, in whose block of flats hostages were held, triggered huge interest by these outlets.

    This imbalance in humanity and solidarity is just one example of the distortions that accompanies moral panic. I have little doubt that the actions against Palestinian or pro-Palestinian students in the US, or against known activists in Britain and France, as well as the arrest of the editor of the Electronic Intifada, Ali Abunimah, in Switzerland, are all manifestations of this distorted moral behaviour.

    A similar case unfolded just recently in Australia. Mary Kostakidis, a famous Australian journalist and former prime-time weeknight SBS World News Australia presenter, has been taken to the federal court over her — one should say quite tame — reporting on the situation in the Gaza Strip.

    The very fact that the court has not dismissed this allegation upon its arrival shows you how deeply rooted moral panic is in the Global North.

    But there is another side to it. Thankfully, there is a much larger group of people who are not afraid of taking the risks involved in clearly stating their support for the Palestinians, and who do show this solidarity while knowing it may lead to suspension, deportation, or even jail time. They are not easily found among the mainstream academia, media, or politics, but they are the authentic voice of their societies in many parts of the Western world.

    The Palestinians do not have the luxury of allowing Western moral panic to have its say or impact. Not caving in to this panic is one small but important step in building a global Palestine network that is urgently needed — firstly, to stop the destruction of Palestine and its people, and second, to create the conditions for a decolonised and liberated Palestine in the future.

    Dr Ilan Pappé is an Israeli historian, political scientist, and former politician. He is a professor with the College of Social Sciences and International Studies at the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom, director of the university’s European Centre for Palestine Studies, and co-director of the Exeter Centre for Ethno-Political Studies. This article is republished from The Palestine Chronicle, 19 April 2025.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why do dogs eat poo? A canine scientist explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mia Cobb, Research Fellow, Animal Welfare Science Centre, The University of Melbourne

    nygi/Unsplash

    When miniature dachshund Valerie was captured after 529 days alone in the wilds of Australia’s Kangaroo Island, experts speculated she survived partly by eating other animals’ poo.

    While this survival tactic may have saved the resilient sausage dog, it highlights a behaviour that makes many dog owners cringe.

    This type of “recycling” is surprisingly common in our canine companions. But why would dogs, even those with full food bowls, choose to indulge in such a revolting habit?

    Here’s why some dogs can’t resist a faecal feast, known more technically as coprophagia.

    What is coprophagia?

    Coprophagia or coprophagy is the scientific term for eating faecal matter (poo). It’s a behaviour displayed across a number of animal species.

    Around half of all dogs try eating poo at some stage – either their own, another dog’s, or other animals’. Research suggests about one in four dogs have made it a regular habit.

    In wild canids like foxes and wolves, mothers will eat their puppies’ stools to keep dens clean and reduce scents that might attract predators.

    It’s also thought that eating fresh faeces could reduce the likelihood of intestinal parasites being spread, offering an evolutionary benefit to our dogs’ wild counterparts.

    Modern dogs still actively clean their puppies’ poo away in the first few weeks of life, a behaviour that puppies observe and can learn.

    Licking away ‘waste’ from their puppies is a normal maternal behaviour in dogs.
    Anurak Pongpatimet/Shutterstock

    Nutritional factors

    As unpalatable as it might seem to us, poo still contains considerable nutrients that offer valuable compounds as a food source when times are tough.

    Dogs do have different preferences to us in terms of texture, taste and odour of their food, so we should not be hasty to dismiss what might appeal to them.

    Medical reasons

    The links between diet, gut flora and diseases that might influence behaviours like coprophagia are still emerging. At this stage, there seems to be no apparent link with age or diet.

    There could be underlying health reasons for your dog seeking out a sneaky snack, so do mention it to your vet and get a health check if your dog is known to frequent the kitty litter box, for example.

    Punishment in toilet training, living conditions that don’t provide enough to do or room to explore (like kennel facilities), and psychological distress have all been linked to dogs eating their own poo.

    Shelters and kennel facilities are often built for hygiene and safety, not to keep dogs’ minds and bodies active.
    Evgenii Bakhchev/Shutterstock

    A strain on relationships

    Our typical response to seeing dogs eat any kind of poo ranges from disgust to concern. At best it makes us less likely to want a lick to the face, at worst it can really strain our human-animal bonds.

    One study from the United Kingdom showed that dogs eating their own poo after rehoming was in the top ten reasons for the adoption failing in the first four weeks when dogs were returned to the shelter.

    Dogs can potentially transmit parasites and bacteria to humans through licking, regardless of whether they eat poo. This serves as a good reminder to ensure your dog receives appropriate parasite control and encourage all household members to follow good hygiene practices, like washing hands before eating.



    Read more:
    Is it okay to kiss your pet? The risk of animal-borne diseases is small, but real

    Help, my dog keeps eating poo

    While Valerie’s tale of survival shows us coprophagia may be life-saving in extreme situations, most of our doggo companions aren’t facing wilderness survival challenges.

    Thankfully, coprophagia is often manageable.

    Understanding why our dogs might eat poo – whether based on evolutionary instinct, medical issues or psychological triggers – can help us address this canine behaviour with compassion rather than just disgust.

    If your dog indulges often, providing appropriate stimulation through regular exercise, social connection with people and other dogs, offering toys and safe chews can help. Sometimes, a trip to the vet might be needed to rule out any underlying health issues.

    Offering fun activities is one way to reduce the chance of your dog eating poo.
    Kojirou Sasaki/Unsplash

    Dogs reprimanded for toileting accidents might eat the evidence to avoid future punishment, creating a new problem behaviour. Instead, rewarding your puppy or dog for toileting in the right location (and giving them frequent opportunities to do so) is likely to establish toileting routines you will approve of, making coprophagia less likely.

    By the same token, dogs can’t eat what isn’t left lying around. Regular poo-pickups in your yard, dog park, kitty litter box and other likely locations will remove temptation and help set your dog up for success.

    If Valerie has taught us anything, it’s that what might be considered our dogs’ most revolting habits are actually remarkable adaptations that deserve our understanding and empathy, even if we can’t rally enthusiastic support.

    Mia Cobb 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. Why do dogs eat poo? A canine scientist explains – https://theconversation.com/why-do-dogs-eat-poo-a-canine-scientist-explains-234361

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Appointments – Three Fellows Selected for 2025 Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship

    Source: East-West Center

    HONOLULU (Apr. 29, 2025) – The East-West Center is pleased to announce that historian John Delury and journalists Mengyu Dong and Sylvie Zhuanghave been selected as the 2025 recipients of the Melvin MS Goo Writing Fellowship. Supported by a generous endowment from the Melvin MS Goo Memorial Fund, the fellowship awards financial support via the East-West Center Foundation to individuals for projects that enhance understanding between the United States and China. 2025 projects will cover Chinese migration to the US via Central America, technological competition between the two nations, and US-China relations through a Roman Empire lens.

    About the Fellows

    John Delury, visiting professor of political science at John Cabot University in Rome

    An American historian of modern China and East Asian affairs, John Delury has authored two books and contributed numerous essays featured in Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, New Statesman, and The New York Times. As a Goo Fellow, Delury is developing a longform feature piece examining US-China relations through the lens of the Roman Empire. Delury is hopeful this piece “can enhance mutual understanding between the peoples of China and the United States at a critical moment in their relationship. Written from the vantage point of Rome, it’s an ambitious essay, and I am grateful for the fellowship’s support to make it possible.”
     
    Mengyu Dong, senior editor for China Digital Times

    Based in Northern California, journalist Mengyu Dong’s reporting on migrant communities has appeared in the BBC, Radio Free Asia, and Initium Media, among others. As part of the Goo Fellowship, Dong is writing a book chronicling the personal stories behind the latest wave of Chinese migration to the United States via Central America, known within the Chinese community as zouxian, or “the walk route.”
     
    Sylvie Zhuang, China desk reporter for South China Morning Post

    A Beijing-based journalist and former research consultant at the World Bank, Sylvie Zhuang reports on Chinese politics and US-China technological rivalry. Through the Goo Fellowship, she will explore how advancements in AI and space exploration impact human society and geopolitical power. Zhuang said she will also be examining tech rivalries “from the perspective of Chinese science fiction, which presents a unique set of philosophies, pointing to the hopes and fears of a shared future.”  

    “These projects mark an exciting and meaningful continuation of the Fellowship’s mission,” said East-West Center Goo Fellowship Coordinator Devon Grandy. “The selection committee was particularly pleased by the breadth of topics and distinctive approaches offered by this year’s cohort. We’re confident that their stories will resonate with audiences in the United States, China, and beyond.”

    “We are very pleased that we were able to award three excellent writing fellowships this year,” said Susan Kreifels, East-West Center Journalism Program Manager. “We believe each unique story will help serve Melvin MS Goo’s legacy of understanding between the people of China and the United States.”

    About the Melvin MS Goo Memorial Fund

    The Melvin MS Goo Memorial Fund was established through a gift of the Melvin MS Goo Revocable Living Trust to memorialize Mr. Goo’s intent for his legacy gift to enhance understanding between the United States and China. Melvin MS Goo was a veteran journalist who led a 34-year career in the United States and Asia prior to his passing in 2016. Born in Macau and graduating high school in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Mr. Goo worked for 18 years as a reporter, editor, and editorial writer at The Honolulu Advertiser. In 1977 he was awarded the prestigious Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University. Mr. Goo continued his career in Asia, rising to Chief News Editor at The Nikkei Weekly and later Editor-in-Chief at Taiwan News.
     
    The East-West Center, established by the US Congress in 1960, promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative research, study, and dialogue. The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the US government, and additional support provided by individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region. The East-West Center Foundation is a private non-profit organization, established in 1982 to broaden and diversify private support for the Center.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Sick of eating the same things? 5 ways to boost your nutrition and keep meals interesting and healthy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Collins, Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Newcastle

    Loquellano/Pexels

    Did you start 2025 with a promise to eat better but didn’t quite get there? Or maybe you want to branch out from making the same meal every week or the same lunch for work almost every day?

    Small dietary changes can make a big difference to how you feel, how your body functions and health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

    You can meet your nutrient needs by eating a range of foods from the key food groups:

    • vegetables and fruit
    • protein (legumes, beans, tofu, meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds)
    • grains (mostly wholegrain and high-fibre)
    • calcium-rich foods (milk, yoghurt, cheese, non-dairy alternatives).

    But you also need a variety of foods to get enough vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients from plant foods. Phytonutrients have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and other functions that help keep you healthy.

    Use these five dietary tweaks to boost your nutrient intake and add variety to what you eat.

    1. Include different types of bran to boost your fibre intake

    Different types of dietary fibre help improve bowel function through fermentation by gut microbes in the colon, or large bowel. This creates larger, softer bowel motions that then stimulate the colon to contract, leading to more regular bowel movements.

    Add different types of dietary fibre – such as oat bran, wheat bran or psyllium husk – to breakfast cereal or add some into recipes that use white flour:

    • psyllium husk is high in soluble fibre. It dissolves in water forming viscous gel that binds to bile salts, which get excreted and your body is then not able to convert them into cholesterol. This helps lower blood cholesterol levels as well as with retaining water in your colon, making bowel motions softer. Soluble fibre also helps slow the digestive process, making you feel full and slows the normal rise in blood sugar levels after you eat

    • wheat bran is an insoluble fibre, also called roughage. It adds bulk to bowel motions, which helps keep your bowel function regular

    • oat bran contains beta-glucan, a soluble fibre, as well as some insoluble fibre.

    Try keeping small containers topped up with the different fibres so you don’t forget to add them regularly to your breakfast.

    Psyllium husk is high in soluble fibre, which dissolves in water and slows digestion.
    Shawn Hempel/Shutterstock

    2. Add a different canned bean to your shopping list

    Dried beans are a type of legume. From baked beans to red kidney beans and chickpeas, the canned varieties are easy to use and inexpensive. Different colours and varieties have slightly different nutrient and phytonutrient profiles.

    Canned beans are very high in total dietary fibre, including soluble fibre and resistant starch, a complex carbohydrate that resists digestion in the small intestine and then passes into the colon where it gets fermented.

    The body digests and absorbs the nutrients in legumes slowly, contributing to their low glycemic index. So eating them makes you feel full.

    Regularly eating more legumes lowers blood sugar levels, and total and LDL (bad) cholesterol.

    Add legumes to dishes such as bolognese, curry, soups and salads (our No Money No Time website has some great recipes).

    3. Try a different wholegrain, like buckwheat or 5-grain porridge

    Wholegrain products contain all three layers of the grain. Both the inner germ layer and outer bran layer are rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals, while the inner endosperm contains mostly starch (think white flour).

    Wholegrains include oats, corn (yes, popcorn too), rye, barley, buckwheat, quinoa, brown rice and foods made with wholegrains, like some breads and breakfast cereals such as rolled oats, muesli and five-grain porridge.

    Wholegrains aren’t just breakfast and lunch foods. Dinner recipe ideas include tuna and veggie pasta bake,
    chicken quesadillas and buckwheat mushroom risotto.

    4. Try a different vegetable or salad mix every week

    A review of the relationship between plant-based diets and dying of any cause followed more than half a million people across 12 long-term studies.

    It found people who ate the most plants had a lower risk of dying during the study and follow-up period than those who ate hardly any.

    Add a rainbow coleslaw to your meal.
    Kiian Oksana/Shutterstock

    Try adding a new or different vegetable or salad item to your weekly meals, such as rainbow coleslaw, canned beetroot, raw carrot, red onion, avocado or tomatoes.

    Or try a stir-fry with bok choy, celery, capsicum, carrot, zucchini and herbs.

    The more variety, the more colour, flavour and textures – not to mention phytonutrients.

    5. Go nuts

    Cashews, walnuts, almonds, macadamias, pecans and mixed nuts make a great snack.

    (Peanuts are technically a legume because they grow in the ground but we count them as nuts because their nutrient profile is very similar to the tree nuts.)

    You have to chew nuts well, which means your brain receives messages that you are eating and should expect to soon feel full.

    Nuts are energy-dense, due to their high fat content. A matchbox portion size (30 grams) contains about 15 grams of fat, 5 grams of protein and 740 kilojoules.

    While some people think you need to avoid nuts to lose weight, a review of energy restricted diets found people who ate nuts lost as much weight as those who didn’t.

    My colleagues and I at the University of Newcastle have created a free Healthy Eating Quiz where you can check your diet quality score, see how healthy your usual eating patterns are and how your score compares to others. You can also get some great ideas to make your meals more interesting .

    Clare Collins AO is a Laureate Professor in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Newcastle, NSW and a Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) affiliated researcher. She is a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership Fellow and has received research grants from NHMRC, ARC, MRFF, HMRI, Diabetes Australia, Heart Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, nib foundation, Rijk Zwaan Australia, WA Dept. Health, Meat and Livestock Australia, and Greater Charitable Foundation. She has consulted to SHINE Australia, Novo Nordisk, Quality Bakers, the Sax Institute, Dietitians Australia and the ABC. She was a team member conducting systematic reviews to inform the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines update, the Heart Foundation evidence reviews on meat and dietary patterns and current Co-Chair of the Guidelines Development Advisory Committee for Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Obesity.

    – ref. Sick of eating the same things? 5 ways to boost your nutrition and keep meals interesting and healthy – https://theconversation.com/sick-of-eating-the-same-things-5-ways-to-boost-your-nutrition-and-keep-meals-interesting-and-healthy-245672

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days in Office

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    04.29.25
    Cantwell Statement on Trump’s First 100 Days in Office
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today marks 100 days since President Donald Trump took office. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, released the following statement:
    “The first 100 days of President Trump’s Administration have been so chaotic it’s hard to pick what actions will cause the most lasting damage.
    “Was it unilaterally launching chaotic trade wars across the globe with tariffs that harm American businesses and consumers?
    “Was it gutting the workforce at NOAA, where dedicated staff help us track climate change, monitor weather patterns, and fight devastating wildfires?
    “Was it ignoring due process — illegally detaining and deporting U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States?
    “Was it slamming the brakes on vital scientific research that is helping us cure cancer and prevent another pandemic, while elevating a science denier to lead HHS?
    “Was it attacking the independent judiciary and threatening the rule of law?
    “Was it dismantling the Department of Education, which will have devastating impacts for students and schools across Washington state?
    “I know what we didn’t see: A single action that would lower costs for Americans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy Op-ed For The Roosevelt Institute: A Good Life Starts In A Good Hometown

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    April 29, 2025

    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Tuesday authored an op-ed for the Roosevelt Institute examining how the American economic system’s consolidation of corporate power and economic opportunity in a handful of big cities has hollowed out local communities and disconnected millions of people from the relationships that give life meaning. Murphy argues that progressives must start rebuilding power, connection, and identity in the neighborhoods and hometowns where most Americans actually live and stand up to concentrated corporate power.
    “Study after study finds that, far more than money or career success, the quality of our relationships makes the most impact on our likelihood to feel happy and fulfilled. Those relationships start in our hometowns. At their best, the physical places we live—the town, the neighborhood, the block—are places where people are embedded in a thick web of ties to family and friends that helps form the core of their identity and builds community,” Murphy wrote. “The world is becoming more connected, and lots of opportunity comes with having immediate access to anything and everything, anywhere and everywhere. But it can also feel overwhelming to have no limits on your existence. The flood of never-ending inputs can be dizzying and disabling. Being identified as a “global citizen”—one grain of sand in a desert of 8 billion—feels empty and meaningless to many.”
    Murphy argued that most people want the ability to live a meaningful and secure life in their hometowns, without having to relocate to a few major cities to find success: “Most Americans are not willing to simply give up their local identity and become citizens of the world. And not everyone sees value in chasing professional achievement across the country. Many Americans say our culture should define success as building a decent life in the place you were raised—the place your family has roots—rather than being forced to move to find career reward. More than half of young adults live within 10 miles of where they grew up, but increasingly the base of the progressive movement is higher income and more mobile. As a result, we’ve become disconnected from what most Americans want—an economy and culture built around thousands of independent healthy places, rather than a nationalized economy and culture where opportunity is concentrated in a few major cities.”
    Murphy underscored how concentrated corporate power is destroying the social and economic ties that hold communities together: “Rebuilding local communities is less about turning the dials of government spending and more about unrigging the system of concentrated economic power that holds them down. Big companies are easily able to move money, markets, and jobs overseas, giving them an advantage over workers and families who cannot move so readily. Business leaders who use accounting gimmicks to raise profits are not focusing on the innovation and investment that creates good jobs and raises living standards. Monopolies drive the small shops that help form local commercial identity out of business. Big Tech firms tilt their platforms to accumulate more power and profits at the expense of small business, in-person connection, and local journalism. Corporations fight tooth and nail to keep local workers from forming connection through labor unions.”
    Murphy concluded: “Where are we left when so many Americans feel they have to choose between their hometowns and economic opportunity and increasingly cannot find connection through a meaningful relationship to the place they live? Americans have fewer friends than we used to. We spend more time alone. Roughly half of American adults say they are lonely. We trust each other less than before, and we are losing faith in each other as partners in democratic governance. In 1997, Pew found that 64 percent of Americans trusted the wisdom of the American people to make political choices; only 39 percent felt the same by 2019. Creating a society where more Americans can live a good life starts by rebuilding power, vitality, connection, and unique identity at the neighborhood and community level. That means standing up to concentrated power and instead siding with the people in neighborhoods and towns across America who are working to build a better life for their families and communities.”
    Read the full op-ed HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Joins Sanders and Over 100 Lawmakers in Reintroduction of Medicare for All

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla Joins Sanders and Over 100 Lawmakers in Reintroduction of Medicare for All

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and over 100 lawmakers in reintroducing the Medicare for All Act, historic legislation that would guarantee health care as a fundamental human right to all people in the United States regardless of income or background.

    Despite spending twice as much per person on health care as other wealthy nations, more than 85 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured, one out of every four Americans cannot afford their prescription drugs, over half a million people go bankrupt due to medically-related debt, and more than 60,000 die because they cannot afford to go to a doctor.

    “Every American deserves access to high quality, affordable health care, regardless of their zip code or tax bracket,” said Senator Padilla. “As the Trump Administration recklessly attacks essential public health services that millions of Californians and Americans across the country depend on, guaranteeing the fundamental right to health care is more important than ever. No American should go bankrupt because of medical costs, and Congress must do better to ensure that everyone has equitable access to care.”

    “The American people understand, as I do, that health care is a human right, not a privilege and that we must end the international embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all of its citizens,” said Senator Sanders. “It is not acceptable to me, nor to the American people, that over 85 million people today are either uninsured or underinsured. Today, there are millions of people who would like to go to a doctor but cannot afford to do so. This is an outrage. In America, your health and your longevity should not be dependent on your wealth. Health care is a human right that all Americans, regardless of income, are entitled to and they deserve the best health care that our country can provide.”

    Under this legislation, Medicare would provide comprehensive health care to every American with no premiums, no co-payments, and no deductibles. It would also expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision care, and it would give every American the freedom to choose their doctors without endless paperwork or fighting their insurance company. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that Medicare for All would save our health care system $650 billion a year. Further, researchers at Yale University have estimated that Medicare for All would save 68,000 lives a year.

    Senator Sanders, Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), and Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06) lead the legislation. Including Senator Padilla, the legislation has 16 cosponsors in the Senate and 104 cosponsors in the House. The total number of cosponsors represents an increase from last Congress and also includes Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

    “Nurses see the failure of our country’s profit-driven health care system every time we clock in to work,” said Nancy Hagans, President of National Nurses United. “In the richest country on earth, nobody should be forced to choose between taking their medications and putting food on the table. Yet countless families are pushed to the breaking point while greedy corporations charge astronomical, ludicrous fees for care that our patients have every right to receive. Nurses are fighting for a future in which our patients’ health is put first always and that’s why we are proud to continue our support for Medicare for All. When we guarantee health care for all, corporations and billionaires will no longer be able to deny anyone the care that they need.”

    “We are long overdue for a universal health care system that guarantees care for all — free of copays, deductibles, and job-based coverage restrictions,” said Dr. Diljeet K. Singh, M.D., Dr.P.H., and President of Physicians for a National Health Program. “With the passage of the Medicare for All Act, physicians can focus on healing patients, not battling insurers over denials and delays. Patients will finally be able to seek care without the constant fear of crushing medical bills. Physicians for a National Health Program proudly stands with our legislators in the fight to make excellent health care a reality for everyone in America.”

    “As Donald Trump, Robert Kennedy and Congressional Republicans rush to strip health care from millions of Americans, we know this: We must not only block their cruel cuts but move America to a system that provides health care to everyone as a matter of right,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen. “America spends much more than other wealthy countries on health care only to have the worst health outcomes. The system works for health insurers, Big Pharma, hospital chains and private equity firms – but no one else. Medicare for All would ensure everyone in America can get the care they need throughout their lives. It is the realistic, humane, just and efficient reform we need.”

    “Postal workers know the value of affordable, universal services, grounded in a commitment to putting people over profits. That’s the type of service we are committed to provide communities across the country, day in and day out,” said Mark Dimondstein, President of American Postal Workers Union. “For too long, greedy corporations and their Wall Street investors have been able to deny the people of the country the quality, affordable, universal health care working people deserve. Medicare for All, health care as a human right, will make us all healthier and financially better off. A health care system that works for working people, not the profits of the insurance companies, is long overdue. It’s time for Medicare for All.”

    “Health care should be a human right. But every time we negotiate with a boss for the right to see a doctor, they nickel and dime us until people have to choose between their health and putting food on the table,” said Shawn Fain, President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). “We’re sick of having to go on strike just to have decent health care. We’re sick of corporate America asking us to give up raises, retirement security, or work-life balance at the bargaining table so working-class people can avoid medical bankruptcy. Our current health care system is a con job that only works for the billionaire class. Medicare for All is common sense, and it’s what the working class needs. The UAW is proud to support this bill.”

    “If you want to renew the public’s faith in our political system, pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025,” said Alan Minsky, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America. “This one piece of legislation will instantly end the era, which has lasted far too long, when profits and wealth accumulation are more important than human life, including yours. MFA will return the general welfare, and the well-being of every individual, to the heart of our social contract. That will renew faith in America.”

    “Health care is a right, not a privilege. The reintroduction of the Medicare for All Act is a crucial step toward ending a system that profits from people’s pain,” said Analilia Mejia and DaMareo Cooper, Co-Executive Directors of Popular Democracy. “Too many Americans are forced to choose between paying their rent and paying for life-saving medication, while corporations rake in billions. Medicare for All isn’t just a policy—it’s the lifeline working families desperately need. Our communities deserve a health care system that prioritizes people over profits. We will fight until we win the health care we deserve.”

    “Health care is a human right and a basic need. Yet instead of getting health care, Americans get delays, denials, and bills they cannot afford. Today, predatory insurance CEOs are poised to reap the windfall from the tax scam giveaways earmarked for billionaires and corporations. The oligarchs that put Donald Trump and Dr. Oz in power want everything we have. We get sicker, make impossible choices, and go broke. They boost the stock prices of corporations – like UnitedHealth – that profit off our pain, and buy more mansions and yachts. We can put an end to those warped priorities through Medicare for All,” said Sulma Arias, executive director of People’s Action Institute. “Working people have made this the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, and there is more than enough if we don’t let the corporate crooks and billionaires steal it. So it’s time to choose: Our health care or their greed?”

    Senator Padilla has long been a leader in the fight to make health care more equitable in the United States. Last year, Padilla, Senator Hirono, and Senator Booker introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (HEAA) of 2024 to address health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities as well as women, the LGBTQ+ community, rural populations, and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities across the United States. Additionally, Padilla and Booker introduced the Equal Health Care for All Act, bicameral legislation that would make equal access to medical care a protected civil right to help address the racial inequities and structural failures in America’s health care system.

    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Reconsider Student Visa Revocations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 28, 2025
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with 35 Senate Democrats in pressing the Trump Administration to reconsider recent decisions to revoke student visas in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons.
    The Senators began by urging the Administration to undo unlawful student visa revocations, citing a recent reversal of some terminations, writing: “We recently learned that your agencies have been revoking student visas and terminating Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records across the country. These actions to end student status reflected an unannounced change in policy and were inconsistent with existing laws, regulations, policies, and agency guidance governing the maintenance and termination of student status—that is why we welcomed the news late last week that in response to litigation around the country, ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations. We now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance and ensure that all future actions to end student status fully comply with the law.”
    The Senators continued by highlighting the lack of reasoning provided in many of these visa revocations, writing: “[S]tudents across the country—who by all accounts appear to have followed all of the applicable laws and agency guidance—have reported visa revocations with no clear explanation as to the basis to terminate status. SEVP has completed at least 4,736 total terminations of student visa holders’ SEVIS records. By DHS’s own admission, the statute and regulations do not provide SEVP the authority to terminate nonimmigrant status by terminating a SEVIS record. Your decision to reverse such terminations is therefore prudent and required by law.”
    The Senators then outlined the Trump Administration’s apparent violation of federal law in revoking these visas, writing: “Current laws, regulations, and agency guidance also require notice to be provided when a student’s status is being terminated or revoked. Here, it is not clear that students were provided the notice required by law. Many students were notified by universities that they have lost their student status when their SEVIS records have been terminated, without being provided any information about potential reinstatement. Some students received emails that their visas were revoked and were directed to self-deport, with no clear information as to the basis for their revocation or means by which they can appeal the revocation. Some students only learned about losing status when arrested by masked federal agents. These reports suggest that students were not given notice of the termination of their status in a manner consistent with existing laws, regulations, and agency guidance.”
    The Senators conclude with an appeal to the Administration to reconsider these visa revocations and warning to adhere to federal law, before making a series of immigration requests, writing: “Students who have entered through our legal immigration system and followed the law remain unsure of what, if any, steps they may take to maintain their status and safeguard themselves from immigration enforcement. While we are relieved that ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations, we now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance. Finally, we understand that you are contemplating additional actions to end student status. Any such changes must be consistent with applicable statutes, including requirements for notice with respect to changes that would deprive a student of their status and ability to live and study in the United States and place them at risk of detention.”
    In addition to Duckworth and Durbin, the letter is co-signed by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennett (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM),  Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
    A full copy of the letter is available below and on Senator Duckworth’s website.
    Dear Secretary Noem, Secretary Rubio, and Acting Director Lyons:
    We recently learned that your agencies have been revoking student visas and terminating Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records across the country.  These actions to end student status reflected an unannounced change in policy and were inconsistent with existing laws, regulations, policies, and agency guidance governing the maintenance and termination of student status—that is why we welcomed the news late last week that in response to litigation around the country, ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations. We now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance and ensure that all future actions to end student status fully comply with the law.
    Foreign students must navigate a complicated mix of agencies to maintain their status.  Under current regulations and policy, students who enter into the United States on an F-1 student visa or J-1 exchange visitor visa are admitted to the United States for “duration of status.” This essentially means that F-1 and J-1 visa holders may be in good standing as long as they comply with the terms and conditions of their status, even if their visa has expired. Students who enter on an M-1 visa for vocational education are admitted for a fixed time period to complete their course of study. The Office of Student Exchange and Visitor Programs (SEVP), within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), works with universities and program administrators to determine whether F-1 and M-1 students are meeting requirements for their visas and terminate SEVIS records as appropriate under SEVP regulations.  The Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the J-1 exchange visitor visa, but their records are maintained by SEVIS. Existing regulations and agency guidance inform students and other visa holders of how they might lose their student status, including that they cannot be convicted of serious crimes, cannot work unless authorized by DHS, and must be completing the education or program related to their visa. However, students across the country—who by all accounts appear to have followed all of the applicable laws and agency guidance—have reported visa revocations with no clear explanation as to the basis to terminate status. SEVP has completed at least 4,736 total terminations of student visa holders’ SEVIS records. By DHS’s own admission, the statute and regulations do not provide SEVP the authority to terminate nonimmigrant status by terminating a SEVIS record. Your decision to reverse such terminations is therefore prudent and required by law.
    Current laws, regulations, and agency guidance also require notice to be provided when a student’s status is being terminated or revoked. Here, it is not clear that students were provided the notice required by law.  Many students were notified by universities that they have lost their student status when their SEVIS records have been terminated, without being provided any information about potential reinstatement. Some students received emails that their visas were revoked and were directed to self-deport, with no clear information as to the basis for their revocation or means by which they can appeal the revocation. Some students only learned about losing status when arrested by masked federal agents. These reports suggest that students were not given notice of the termination of their status in a manner consistent with existing laws, regulations, and agency guidance.
    Once a student’s visa is revoked, although their status is not automatically terminated, removal proceedings may be initiated against them, allowing them to be detained at the discretion of DHS. Similarly, when a student’s SEVIS record is terminated, the student is no longer in an authorized period of stay in the United States, and students and their universities cannot regularly maintain student records in SEVIS, as is required to maintain student status. In addition, upon SEVIS record termination, the student must depart the United States or take other action to restore legal status, and DHS “may investigate to confirm the departure of the student.”
    Students who have entered through our legal immigration system and followed the law remain unsure of what, if any, steps they may take to maintain their status and safeguard themselves from immigration enforcement.  While we are relieved that ICE has reversed these SEVIS terminations, we now urge you to undo other actions to end student status that are inconsistent with such laws, regulations, and agency guidance.  Finally, we understand that you are contemplating additional actions to end student status. Any such changes must be consistent with applicable statutes, including requirements for notice with respect to changes that would deprive a student of their status and ability to live and study in the United States and place them at risk of detention.
    We also request information to better understand how your departments are implementing any new, unannounced policies with respect to identifying students for status revocation.  Please provide the following information by May 12, 2025:
    Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing the revocations of nonimmigrant visas, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing how nonimmigrants are to be notified of visa revocations, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing the terminations of SEVIS records, issued from January 20, 2025 to April 25, 2025.
    Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS governing how student visa holders are to be notified of SEVIS terminations, issued from January 20, 2025 to April 25, 2025.
    Any guidance issued by DOS, DHS, and/or the Department of Justice governing the initiation of removal proceedings or immigration enforcement against student visa holders and other nonimmigrants, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    Any guidance issued by DOS and/or DHS regarding the use of artificial intelligence to search national databases, criminal records, and social media to identify nonimmigrants for visa revocation or to otherwise end status, issued from January 20, 2025 to date.
    The total number of student visas (F-1, M-1, or J-1 visas) that have been revoked since January 20, 2025 to date, disaggregated by:
    Student’s country of origin;
    Consulate or embassy that issued the visa;
    Visa category/Optional Practical Training (OPT);
    Date of revocation:
    University of study;
    Type of degree or field of study;
    Notice provided;
    Legal basis for revocation;
    Any grace period to allow students to make travel or other arrangements, and
    Whether the student’s SEVIS record was also terminated.
    The total number of SEVIS record terminations that have been issued since January 20, 2025, to April 25, 2025, disaggregated by—
    Student’s country of origin;
    Visa category/Optional Practical Training (OPT);
    Date of revocation:
    University of study;
    Type of degree or field of study;
    Whether the termination was initiated by the university or by DHS, etc.
    Basis for termination;
    Notice provided;
    Any grace period to allow students to make travel or other arrangements, and
    Whether the student’s visa was revoked.
    The number of student visa holders on F-1, M-1, J-1 nonimmigrant status issued Form I862, Notice to Appear, initiating removal proceedings.
    Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter.
    Sincerely,
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Durbin Introduce Bill to Support Special Resources Study on Cahokia Mounds

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    April 29, 2025
    By conducting a Special Resources Study on the site, Cahokia Mounds can then be considered for a National Historical Site designation
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.]  –  U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act to require the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a Special Resources Study (SRS) on Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and its satellite sites.  Durbin and Duckworth have long pushed for Cahokia Mounds to receive a National Historical Site designation from NPS, but in a congressional hearing in the 117th Congress, NPS indicated that a SRS must first be conducted on the site.  If Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site were to be elevated beyond its current designation as a National Historic Landmark, the site would be given additional protections for the ancient mounds in St. Clair and Madison Counties along with Sugarloaf Mound in St. Louis – the city’s only remaining mound.
    “The Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is of extraordinary cultural and historical importance to our state and to this country,” Duckworth said.  “After pushing for Cahokia Mounds to receive a National Historical Site designation from the National Park Service, I’m proud to introduce this bill alongside Senator Durbin to conduct a special resources study on the site and make progress toward properly recognizing this site at the federal level.”
    “Cahokia Mounds is an important natural, archeological, and cultural landmark that represents the indigenous peoples and landscapes that once made up America’s first cities in the Western Hemisphere,” said Durbin. “With the Cahokia Mounds Mississippian Culture Study Act, we can take another step forward in obtaining a National Historic Site designation for Cahokia Mounds, recognizing it as the cultural asset that it is and preserving the area for generations to come.”
    The City of Cahokia was inhabited from 700 A.D. to 1400.  At its peak, from 1050 to 1200, the city covered nearly six square miles, larger than London at that time, and between 10,000 and 20,000 people lived there.  More than 120 mounds were built over time.  The site is named for the Cahokia subtribe of the Illinois tribe, who moved into the area in the 1600s.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Advocacy – Voting ban “undermines democratic principles” says justice group

    Source: People Against Prisons Aotearoa

    The Government has announced the total disenfranchisement of people incarcerated in New Zealand prisons. This replaces a partial ban, and will see all prisoners prevented from participating in elections. The move violates a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that stripping prisoners of the right to vote violated the Bill of Rights. People Against Prisons Aotearoa spokesperson and University of Auckland criminologist Dr. Emmy Rākete says the ban is undemocratic.

    “The right to vote is the basis of democratic government. Legitimate governments cannot arbitrarily remove people from the pool that elects them. If the Government strips New Zealanders of the right to vote, it is attacking the democratic principles it claims to be founded on.”

    “The Supreme Court has already ruled that banning prisoners from voting is unlawful. The Government is spitting on the rule of law.”

    Corrections data show that the prison population is currently more than 50% Māori.

    “Aotearoa has been subjected to months of racist meltdowns from Government ministers over hysterical claims that co-governance or abiding by Te Tiriti unfairly favours Māori. Now, on a whim, those same teary-eyed ministers will arbitrarily ban thousands of primarily Māori people from participating in their precious democratic institutions.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Peace in our time? Why NZ should resist Trump’s one-sided plan for Ukraine

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert G. Patman, Professor of International Relations, University of Otago

    GettyImages Getty Images

    Is it possible to reconcile increased international support for Ukraine with Donald Trump’s plan to end the war? At their recent meeting in London, Christopher Luxon and his British counterpart Keir Starmer seemed to think so.

    Starmer thanked New Zealand for its “support” for a “coalition of the willing” that would safeguard the implementation of a potential peace deal concluded by the Trump administration.

    But unless something drastically changes in the near future, all the signs point to the US president envisaging a Ukraine peace settlement on Russian president Vladimir Putin’s terms.

    According to that view, peace can only be achieved if Ukraine is prepared to accept that territories wholly or partially annexed by Russia now belong to Moscow.

    In 2014, Russia seized Crimea on the Black Sea. Following the illegal 2022 invasion, Russia claimed four parts of eastern and southern Ukraine as its own – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and the Zaporizhzhia region.

    At the same time, Trump’s peace deal includes a provision that rules out NATO membership for Ukraine. This meets a key Russian demand that seeks to deny Ukraine’s sovereign right to choose its own security arrangements.

    According to Trump, Putin’s major concession is the promise that Russia will not annex the rest of Ukraine – something Moscow has been trying to do for the past three years.

    To accept this, however, liberal democracies such as New Zealand and Britain would be tacitly signalling they share common values and interests with the Trump administration and its apparent enthusiasm for a geopolitical partnership with Putin’s dictatorship.

    And in some ways, Trump’s Ukraine peace initiative is a bigger challenge for New Zealand than it is for Britain.

    Keir Starmer and Christopher Luxon speak to the media during a visit to a UK military base training Ukrainian troops, April 22.
    Getty Images

    Lessons of the past

    Like Britain, New Zealand fought in two world wars in the 20th century to advance, among other things, certain key international principles. These included state sovereignty and a prohibition on the use of force to change borders, principles subsequently enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

    But unlike Britain, New Zealand is a relatively small state that does not have a veto in the UN Security Council to protect its interests. Consequently, it is even more dependent on an international rules-based order for its security and prosperity.

    For New Zealand, Trump’s current Ukraine peace plan is a clear and present danger because it would set such a terrible precedent.

    Under the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons (left over from when it was part of the Soviet Union) in return for assurances from Russia, the US and UK that recognised Ukrainian independence and the inviolability of its existing borders.

    The Trump administration’s plan, however, insists Ukraine must accept the illegal and partial dismemberment of its territory to attain peace with Russia.

    Rewarding Russian aggression in this way is tantamount to a failure to learn the historical lessons of the 20th century. In particular, it seems to forget the period during the 1930s when Britain tried in vain to appease an expansionist Nazi regime in Germany.

    Trump’s peace plan basically endorses the idea that “might is right” and that it is fine for great powers or big countries to steal land from smaller countries.

    Adjusting NZ foreign policy

    In Trump’s top-down world view, multilateral institutions and international law are regarded as superfluous at best and an enemy at worst.

    In such a world, relatively small powers such as New Zealand, with “no cards to play” at the top table, must either submit to the dominance of great powers (including the US) or suffer the consequences.

    Moreover, there is a real risk that Trump’s stance toward Putin’s regime will be viewed as weakness by China, Russia’s most important backer. This could embolden Beijing to increasingly assert itself in the Indo-Pacific, including the Pacific Islands region, where New Zealand has core strategic interests.

    Trump’s plan for Ukraine brings into sharp focus what has already been evident from other recent trends: a domestic slide toward autocracy in Washington, the unilateral imposition of tariffs, and territorial threats against close allies Canada and Denmark.

    As European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen put it, “The West as we knew it no longer exists.”

    The transactional nature of Trump’s leadership – including that peace in Ukraine can be bought with mineral rights and territorial trade-offs – suggests the US can no longer be relied on to provide a security guarantee for liberal democracies in Europe or elsewhere.

    The current New Zealand government needs to find the self-confidence and resolve to admit Trump is backing Putin’s imperial project in Ukraine. And it needs to adjust its foreign policy accordingly.

    This does not mean Wellington should weaken its traditional friendship with the US.

    On the contrary, many Americans might expect and welcome the prospect of New Zealand clearly and publicly standing against their president’s dangerous alignment with an authoritarian regime at Ukraine’s expense.

    Robert G. Patman 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. Peace in our time? Why NZ should resist Trump’s one-sided plan for Ukraine – https://theconversation.com/peace-in-our-time-why-nz-should-resist-trumps-one-sided-plan-for-ukraine-255495

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Financial education will help disadvantaged kids succeed

    Source: ACT Party

    ACT’s Education spokesperson Laura McClure has welcomed the Government’s move to embed financial education into the school curriculum for Years 1 to 10, saying it will make a real difference – especially for disadvantaged students.

    “Every young Kiwi should leave school equipped to navigate a market economy. Knowing how to earn, save, budget, and invest is an essential part of being successful in a civilised society,” says McClure.

    “For students who don’t learn these lessons at home, financial education can be life-changing. It gives every student, no matter their background, a better footing to succeed later in life.

    “These curriculum changes are part of a broader shift to refocus education on real-world skills instead of ideology. I’m proud to be part of a Government that is taking politics out of the classroom and putting practical skills back in.

    “Financial literacy is a great equaliser. The left should welcome a reform that lifts disadvantaged students up, rather than dragging everyone else down.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘A living collective’: study shows trees synchronise electrical signals during a solar eclipse

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Monica Gagliano, Research Associate Professor in Evolutionary Biology, Southern Cross University

    Zenit Arti Audiovisive

    Earth’s cycles of light and dark profoundly affect billions of organisms. Events such as solar eclipses are known to bring about marked shifts in animals, but do they have the same effect on plants?

    During a solar eclipse in a forest in Italy’s Dolomites region, scientists seized the chance to explore that fascinating question.

    The researchers were monitoring the bioelectrical impulses of spruce trees, when a solar eclipse passed over. They left their sensors running to record the trees’ response to the eclipse – and what they observed was astonishing.

    The spruce trees not only responded to the solar eclipse – they actively anticipated it, by synchronising their bioelectrical signals hours in advance.

    This forest-wide phenomenon, detailed today in the journal Royal Society Open Science, reveals a new layer of complexity in plant behaviour. It adds to emerging evidence that plants actively participate in their ecosystems.

    Lead author Monica Gagliano discusses the research findings.

    Do trees respond collectively?

    The research was led by Professor Alessandro Chiolerio of the Italian Institute of Technology, and Professor Monica Gagliano from Australia’s Southern Cross University, who is the lead author on this article. It also involved a team of international scientists.

    A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, fully or partially blocking the Sun’s light.

    An eclipse can inspire awe and even social cohesion in humans. Other animals have been shown to gather and synchronise their movements during such an event.

    But scientists know very little about how plants respond to solar eclipses. Some research suggests the rapid transitions from darkness to light during an eclipse can change plant behaviour. But this research focuses on the responses of individual plants.

    The latest study set out to discover if trees respond to a solar eclipse together, as a living collective.

    Alessandro Chiolerio and Monica Gagliano at the site of the study.
    Simone Cargnoni

    What the research involved

    Charged molecules travel through the cells of all living organisms, transmitting electrical signals as they go. Collectively, this electrical activity is known as the organism’s “electrome”.

    The electrical activity is primarily driven by the movement of ions across cell membranes. It creates tiny currents that allow organisms, including humans, to coordinate their body and communicate.

    The researchers wanted to investigated the electrical signals of spruce trees (Picea abies) during a partial solar eclipse on October 25, 2022. It took place in the Costa Bocche forest near Paneveggio in the Dolomites area, Italy.

    The study took place in the Dolomites in northeast Italy.
    Monica Gagliano

    The scientists set out to understand the trees’ electrical activity during the hour-long eclipse. They used custom-built sensors and wired them to three trees. Two were healthy trees about 70 years old, one in full sun and one in full shade. The third was a healthy tree about 20 years old, in full shade.

    They also attached the sensors to five tree stumps – the remnants old trees, originally part of a pristine forest, but which were devastated by a storm several years earlier.

    For each tree and stump, the researchers used five pairs of electrodes, placed in both the inner and outer layers of the tree, including on exposed roots, branches and trunks. The electrodes were connected to the sensors.

    This set-up allowed the scientists to monitor the bioelectrical activity from multiple trees and stumps across four sites during the solar eclipse. They examined both individual tree responses, and bioelectrical signals between trees.

    In particular, the scientists measured changes in the trees’ “bioelectrical potentials”. This term refers to the differences in voltage across cell membranes.

    The scientists attached electrodes and sensors to the trees to monitor their electrical activity.
    Zenit Arti Audiovisive

    What did they find?

    The electrical activity of all three trees became significantly more synchronised around the eclipse – both before and during the one-hour event. These changes occur at a microscopic level, such as inside water and lymph molecules in the tree.

    The two older trees in the study had a much more pronounced early response to the impending eclipse than the young tree. This suggests older trees may have developed mechanisms to anticipate and respond to such events, similar to their responses to seasonal changes.

    Solar eclipses may seem rare from a human perspective, but they follow cycles which can occur well within the lifespan of long-lived trees. The scientists also detected bioelectrical waves travelling between the trees. This suggests older trees may transmit their ecological knowledge to younger trees.

    Such a dynamic is consistent with studies showing long-distance signalling between plants can help them coordinate various physiological functions in response to environmental changes.

    The two older spruce trees in the study had a much more pronounced early response to the impending eclipse than the young tree.
    Zenith Audiovisual Arts

    The researchers also detected changes in the bioelectrical responses of the stumps during the eclipse, albeit less pronounced than in the standing trees. This suggests the stumps were still alive.

    The research team then used computer modelling, and advanced analytical methods including quantum field theory, to test the findings of the physical experiment.

    The results reinforced the experimental results. That is, not only did the eclipse influence the bioelectrical responses of individual trees, the activity was correlated. This suggests a cohesive, organism-like reaction at the forest scale.

    The researchers also detected changes in the bioelectrical responses of the stumps during the eclipse.
    Zenit Arti Audiovisive

    Understanding forest connections

    These findings align with extensive prior research by others, highlighting the extent to which trees in forest ecosystems are connected.

    These behaviours may ultimately influence the forest ecosystem’s resilience, biodiversity and overall function, by helping it cope with rapid and unpredictable changes.

    The findings also underscore the importance of protecting older forests, which serve as pillars of ecosystem resilience – potentially preserving and transmitting invaluable ecological knowledge.

    This research is featured in a documentary, Il Codice del Bosco (The Forest Code), premiering in Italy on May 1, 2025.

    The findings underscore the importance of protecting older forests. Pictured: the Dolomites region.
    Zenith Audiovisual Arts

    Monica Gagliano received funding for this research from the Templeton World Charity Foundation.

    Prudence Gibson 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. ‘A living collective’: study shows trees synchronise electrical signals during a solar eclipse – https://theconversation.com/a-living-collective-study-shows-trees-synchronise-electrical-signals-during-a-solar-eclipse-255499

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Young bats learn to be discriminating when listening for their next meal

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Logan S. James, Research Associate in Animal Behavior, The University of Texas at Austin

    A frog-eating bat approaches a túngara frog, one of its preferred foods. Grant Maslowski

    It is late at night, and we are silently watching a bat in a roost through a night-vision camera. From a nearby speaker comes a long, rattling trill.

    Cane toad’s rattling trill call.

    The bat briefly perks up and wiggles its ears as it listens to the sound before dropping its head back down, uninterested.

    Next from the speaker comes a higher-pitched “whine” followed by a “chuck.”

    Túngara frog’s ‘whine chuck’ call.

    The bat vigorously shakes its ears and then spreads its wings as it launches from the roost and dives down to attack the speaker.

    Bats show tremendous variation in the foods they eat to survive. Some species specialize on fruits, others on insects, others on flower nectar. There are even species that catch fish with their feet.

    The calls male frogs use to attract mates also attract eavesdropping predators. Here, a frog-eating bat consumes an unlucky male túngara frog.
    Marcos Guerra, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

    At the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama, we’ve been studying one species, the fringe-lipped bat (Trachops cirrhosus), for decades. This bat is a carnivore that specializes in feeding on frogs.

    Male frogs from many species call to attract female frogs. Frog-eating bats eavesdrop on those calls to find their next meal. But how do the bats come to associate sounds and prey?

    We were interested in understanding how predators that eavesdrop on their prey acquire the ability to discriminate between tasty and dangerous meals. We combined our expertise on animal behavior, bat cognition and frog communication to investigate.

    How do bats know the sound of a tasty meal?

    There are nearly 8,000 frog and toad species in the world, and each one has a unique call. For instance, the first rattling call that we played from our speaker came from a large and toxic cane toad. The second “whine chuck” came from the túngara frog, a preferred prey species for these bats. Just as herpetologists can tell a frog species by its call, frog-eating bats can use these calls to identify the best meal.

    Over the years, our research team has learned a great deal from frog-eating bats about how sound and echolocation are used to find prey, as well as the role of learning and memory in foraging success. In our newly published study, we focused on how associations between the sounds a bat hears and the prey quality it expects arise within the lifespan of an individual bat.

    Adult bats like the one pictured have extensive acoustic repertoires and remember specific frog calls year after year. Young bats must learn which calls to respond to – and, critically, which to ignore – over time through experience.
    Grant Maslowski

    We considered whether the associations between sound and a delicious meal are an evolved specialty that bats are born with. But this possibility seemed unlikely because the bat species we study has a large geographic distribution across Central and South America, and the species of frogs found across this range vary tremendously.

    Instead, we hypothesized that bats learn to associate different sounds with food as they grow up. But we had to test this idea.

    First, we and our collaborators spent time in the forest and at ponds to record the mating calls from 15 of the most common frog and toad species in our study area in Panama.

    Rachel Page, one of the lead authors on the study, takes a bat out of a mist net in Panama.
    Jorge Alemán, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute

    Then, we set up mist nets along streams in Soberanía National Park to capture wild bats for the study.

    Frog call, bat response

    For the testing, each bat was housed individually in a large, outdoor flight chamber. From a speaker on the ground in the center, we played calls from one frog species on loop for 30 seconds and measured the behavior of the bat, which was hanging from a cloth roost. As we expected, adult bats were generally uninterested in the sounds of species that were unpalatable, such as those with toxins or those that are too large for the bat to carry.

    But it was a different story for young bats. Juveniles responded with significantly more predatory behaviors in response to the calls of toxic toads compared with the adults. They also responded more weakly than adults to the sounds of túngara frogs, a palatable, abundant prey that adult bats prefer.

    Thus it seems that juvenile bats must learn the associations between sounds and food over the course of their lives. As they grow up, we believe they learn to ignore the calls of frogs that aren’t worth the trouble and zero in on the calls of frogs that will be a good meal.

    To better understand how sounds drive prey associations, we measured the acoustic properties of the different calls. We found that some of the most noticeable features of the calls correlated with body size: Larger frogs produce lower-frequency calls – that is, their voices are deeper. Both the adult and juvenile bats responded more strongly to larger species, which would provide larger meals.

    However, there was a clear exception in the responses of adults, where the toxic toads and very large frogs elicited much weaker responses than expected for their body size. This finding led us to hypothesize that bats have early biases to pay attention to sounds associated with larger body size. Then they must learn through experience that meal quality is not only about size. Some large meals are toxic or impossible to carry, making them unpalatable.

    Once the researchers have studied each frog-eating bat for a few days, they safely release it where it was originally captured. Footage courtesy of Léna de Framond-Bénard and Eric de Framond-Bénard, compiled by Caroline Rogan.

    After the bats spent a few days with us, we released each one back at its original site of capture. The bats departed, taking with them a small RFID tag, just like the ones pet owners use to identify their dogs and cats, in case we meet again as part of a future study.

    As the bats go on with their lives in the wild, we continue our quest to deepen our understanding of the subtleties of information discrimination. How do individuals weed through information overload to make choices that make sense and benefit them? That’s the same challenge we all face each day.

    Logan S. James receives funding from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, McGill University, and the Earth Species Project.

    Rachel Page receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

    Ximena Bernal receives funding from the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.

    – ref. Young bats learn to be discriminating when listening for their next meal – https://theconversation.com/young-bats-learn-to-be-discriminating-when-listening-for-their-next-meal-253321

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Transforming financial education in schools

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Financial education will be embedded as a core element of the refreshed social sciences curriculum for Year 1-10 students, set to be available for use from 2026, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. 

    “Embedding essential skills into the curriculum will ensure our young people are better prepared to make informed financial decisions in a complex financial world. This will positively impact their lives and the broader economy,” says Minister Stanford. 

    For younger students the curriculum will cover key financial skills, such as identifying needs versus wants, having a bank account, earning, spending and saving. Older students will gain the knowledge needed to understand more complex concepts, such as budgeting, investment, interest, taxes, and insurance to help to build lifelong financial skills. We have already included financial maths in the new maths curriculum, which is being delivered this year.   

    To support the implementation of financial education in the new curriculum, a variety of tools and resources, developed in collaboration with financial organisations, banks, and charitable trusts, will be available to schools, ensuring they can effectively deliver the curriculum.

    A new partnership between the Ministry of Education and the Retirement Commission will map the offerings from financial education providers against the updated curriculum.  The Retirement Commission’s work with providers will ensure consistent curriculum-aligned supports and resources, giving schools confidence in their delivery. 

    This resource map will be extended into senior secondary years with guidance and resources for Year 11-13 students, supporting schools to flexibly deliver ongoing financial education to their students. 

    “As the Minister responsible for the Retirement Commission, I absolutely believe that strengthening financial education is crucial to our Government’s focus on economic growth. We are all consumers, and financial literacy can set young Kiwis up to be savvy consumers – whether it’s knowing how to invest wisely, choose the best loan at a bank, or even identify a scam,” Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.  

    “We know that New Zealand parents have long called for financial education to be a priority. This curriculum update answers those calls, ensuring students are equipped with the knowledge to thrive in both personal and financial aspects of their lives,” says Minister Stanford. 

    This initiative marks a significant step forward in New Zealand’s education system, placing a strong emphasis on real-world skills that will empower students to take control of their financial futures. 

    Notes to Editor: 

    Providers working with the Retirement Commission include:  

    • Sorted in Schools (Retirement Commission) 
    • Banqer
    • MoneyTime
    • Life Education
    • Young Enterprise Trust
    • Savvy
    • Westpac
    • ASB
    • Kiwi bank
    • BNZ

    A draft of the updated social sciences learning area will be available in Term 4, 2025 for feedback. An updated version will be available for schools to use in 2026, and is planned to be required from 2027.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Neguse Demand Commerce Department Reverse Planned Cuts to NOAA, Colorado-Based Research Centers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, along with Representative Joe Neguse, urged Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to preserve funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Cooperative Institutes (CIs) following recent reports that the Trump administration plans to cut funding for NOAA in its upcoming budget proposal.

    “Cooperative Institutes are integral to solving some of our biggest problems and making all of us safer and better prepared for short-term and long-term hazards. Any plan to terminate funding for NOAA CIs would be detrimental not just to the people of Colorado, but to people across the entire country,” wrote the lawmakers.

    Colorado is the only state in the nation to house two CIs, which are academic and nonprofit research centers that provide invaluable support to NOAA’s mission.

    • The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), located at the University of Colorado Boulder, is the oldest and largest CI. It employs nearly 800 researchers, support staff, and students focused on research related to drought, wildfire, and space weather.
    • The Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA), located at Colorado State University, employs nearly 200 individuals who are working to improve weather and fire forecasting.

    “We strongly condemn any such plan and believe terminating this funding would be extremely short-sighted and costly to the American people and economy in the long run,” continued the lawmakers. 

    Read their full letter HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kaine Leads Colleagues in Releasing Report Highlighting Harm to Seniors and People with Disabilities During Trump’s First 100 Days

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a report highlighting President Trump’s first 100 days in office and his disastrous policies hurting older Americans and people with disabilities. The report details Republican attacks on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security; the mass layoff of federal employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education (ED), and Social Security Administration (SSA); and proposals to further cut funding for programs that Americans rely on, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

    “During President Trump’s first 100 days in office, he has enacted horrendous policies that will have negative consequences for Americans for decades to come,” said Kaine. “Today, I’m releasing this report with my colleagues highlighting the reprehensible harm that President Trump and his Administration have caused for older Americans and people with disabilities. From gutting HHS and other federal agencies to rolling back policies that make it easier for Americans to access health care and afford prescription drugs, the Trump Administration has made it clear that they do not care about the well-being of our nation’s seniors or people with disabilities. I’ve heard from older Americans and individuals with disabilities in Virginia, including at a recent roundtable in Wytheville, about their concerns with what the Trump Administration is doing. I will keep pushing to protect important federal programs that support older Americans and people with disabilities, and fight against Republican proposals to slash Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.”

    “In his first 100 days, Mr. Trump has made it abundantly clear that seniors and people with disabilities do not matter. Instead of protecting the programs and services working families rely on, Trump is getting ready to give more tax breaks for billionaires, while making it harder for Americans to access Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security & veterans benefits. That is morally obscene,” said Sanders.

    “Just last week, RFK callously called for a ‘registry’ of people with autism. He’s spent 100 days firing scientists and working with this Administration to rob research facility dollars used to cure cancer and Alzheimer’s. His boss Donald Trump is trying to gut Medicaid to pay for billionaire tax cuts at the expense of vulnerable communities. It is clear that those who have been leading our country these last 100 days and making decisions about our health care are not only wildly unqualified, they are dangerous. Our families deserve better, we are sick of it,” said Alsobrooks.  

    The full report is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Social workers urged to embed Aboriginal cultural practices in First Nations communities

    Source:

    30 April 2025

    Social workers in First Nations communities need to incorporate Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing at the heart of their supervision practices on Country.

    That’s the recommendation from University of South Australia (UniSA) researchers in a new study published in Australian Social Work.

    First author Jamie Sorby – a Kamilaroi woman, qualified social worker and UniSA lecturer – says that current supervision practices in social work are centred on Western practices that overlook a community-grounded approach that is valued in First Nations culture.

    “Western models of supervision often focus on managerial oversight, risk aversion and clinical outcomes, and are disconnected from the lived realities of both workers and clients in Aboriginal communities,” Sorby says.

    “They tend to favour formal, hierarchical structures and overlook cultural values, emotional safety and relational trust.

    “For Aboriginal workers, this can feel alienating and unsafe. Supervision should be a space of support, growth and cultural reflection, but often it’s not. This is why culturally responsive models are urgently needed,” she says.

    The authors argue that traditional Western approaches to supervision often fail to acknowledge the lived experience of Aboriginal workers or the intergenerational trauma stemming from colonisation. As a result, these approaches contribute to staff burnout, mistrust, and poor retention of First Nations workers in social services.

    The study introduces a suite of conceptual maps and visual artefacts that guide supervisors and practitioners to embed cultural safety into their practice.

    The work was born out of conversations on Country between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal practitioners who wanted to challenge the status quo and embed Indigenous knowledges into professional development.

    “For decades, Aboriginal communities have expressed concerns about social work practices often operating from individualistic models that don’t reflect our collectivist values or ways of being,” Sorby says.

    “The issue is not new, it’s just that it hasn’t been listened to or acted on at a systemic level and we want that to change.”

    Sorby says the impact on First Nations communities would be “transformative” if social workers were guided by Aboriginal perspectives, working with communities, not on them.

    Notes for editors

    “Supervision on Country: Enhancing Culturally Safe Social Work Supervision Through First Nations Knowledges” is published in Australian Social Work. DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2025.2462304

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

    Contact for interview: Jamie Sorby E: Jamie.Sorby@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    Other articles you may be interested in

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Government meeting (2025, No. 15)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    1. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 788656-8 “On Amendments to Article 21 of the Federal Law “On Limited Liability Companies””

    The draft amendments take into account the comments and suggestions made during the consideration of the bill in the State Duma.

    2. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 26 of the Federal Law “On Banks and Banking Activities” (in terms of providing information on transactions, accounts and deposits of individuals and legal entities for the purpose of implementing the powers to suspend transactions with cash, electronic money)

    The bill is aimed at increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of combating crimes committed using information and communication technologies.

    3. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at establishing legal grounds for extrajudicial suspension of transactions with cash, electronic money, and advance payments used in criminal activities.

    4. On the draft federal law “On Amendments to Article 187 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation”

    The bill is aimed at improving legal mechanisms for combating crimes committed using electronic means of payment and access to them, which are used to circulate funds obtained through criminal means.

    5. On the draft federal law “On Amending Article 5 of the Federal Law “On Concession Agreements””

    The draft law was developed with the aim of granting state and (or) municipal unitary enterprises the authority to participate on the side of the concession grantor in obligations under the concession agreement, including the transfer to the concessionaire of the right to own and use the property of the air transport infrastructure, without formalizing the intermediate transfer of this property to the concession grantor.

    6. On the allocation of budgetary appropriations to Rosmorrechflot in 2025 from the reserve fund of the Government of the Russian Federation for the purpose of financial support for the implementation of urgent work to localize emergency zones in the areas where parts of the tankers Volgoneft-212 and Volgoneft-239 sank as a result of their wreck in the Kerch Strait on December 15, 2024

    The adoption of the draft order will ensure the localization and elimination of possible oil spills from tankers that sank as a result of the wreck in the Kerch Strait on December 15, 2024.

    7. On the draft federal law “On the All-Russian public organization “Russian Red Cross””

    The draft federal law was developed with the aim of defining the legal status of the Russian Red Cross, the main areas of its activities, and the procedure for interaction with state authorities and local governments.

    8. On the draft amendments of the Government of the Russian Federation to the draft federal law No. 797740-8 “On Amending Article 32.4 of the Code of the Russian Federation on Administrative Offenses”

    The draft amendments were prepared in order to clarify the procedure for the disposal of confiscated unmarked goods.

    9. On the allocation of budgetary appropriations from the reserve fund of the Government of the Russian Federation to the Ministry of Education of Russia in 2025 for the provision of subsidies from the federal budget to the budgets of individual constituent entities of the Russian Federation for the implementation of regional projects that provide for measures to create educational and industrial clusters in individual constituent entities of the Russian Federation within the framework of the federal project “Professionalism”

    The draft order is aimed at ensuring the expansion of the federal project “Professionality”.

    Moscow, April 29, 2025

    The content of the press releases of the Department of Press Service and References is a presentation of materials submitted by federal executive bodies for discussion at a meeting of the Government of the Russian Federation.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pilot project delivers promising results for sustainable urban design

    Source: Auckland Council

    Advocates for living roofs, those lush, plant-covered patches of green on our city buildings, have long championed these slices of eco-paradise in our urban jungle. Now, thanks to a pioneering project between Auckland Council and the University of Auckland, we have the data to prove their value.

    The Living Roof Monitoring project was launched to assess how well these verdant rooftops perform compared to conventional ones. After months of careful monitoring, the results highlight their effectiveness as a sustainable urban solution.

    Stormwater superstars

    Auckland Council’s Senior Healthy Waters Specialist Rachel Devine highlights the global success of integrating nature into urban infrastructure. She explains that planting vegetation on rooftops is one of the ways that cities can effectively absorb rainfall, reduce flooding and mitigate the stormwater network from becoming overwhelmed.

    “But now, having the local data to back this up gives us context that is relevant to Auckland’s climate and environment,” Ms Devine says.

    University of Auckland Professor Asaad Shamseldin who leads the research with Dr Kilisimasi Latu and Dr Conrad Zorn, is pleased with the robust dataset collected by the team’s PhD students Aung Naing Soe and Sihui Dong, which focuses on assessing the benefits of plants over conventional coverings on rooftops.

    Their findings show living roofs significantly reduce stormwater runoff, with some substrate types retaining nearly 80 per cent of rainfall, even during heavy downpours. And that almost every drop is retained in light rainfall, demonstrating the excellent absorption potential of these gardens.

    Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee Councillor Richard Hills says the findings of this research are very promising for roof gardens, helping to prevent flooding and water pollution in built-up urban areas like the inner city. 

    “This preliminary research indicates that if we could retrofit roof gardens all over Auckland’s city centre it would not only enhance our place as a clean green city on the global stage but would also be a viable aid in reducing heat and help prevent or reduce flooding in parts of the city centre.

    “It would also make the city look more beautiful for residents in high rise apartments, staying in hotels or working in offices and provide tangible environmental benefits, including providing habitats for native plants and birds.

    “Stormwater run-off in the city centre also contributes to the pollution of the Waitematā and the Hauraki Gulf, and these findings point to roof gardens curtailing much of this run-off into our precious oceans and harbours.

    Nature’s air conditioner: cooling our concrete jungles

    Professor Shamseldin adds it is important to remember living roofs aren’t just about stormwater management; they are also very effective at keeping things cool.

    “When urban temperatures rise, green roofs act like nature’s air conditioners,” says Professor Shamseldin.

    In Auckland’s hottest months, when temperatures can exceed 25°C, the data shows living roofs lower rooftop surface temperatures by an impressive 32 per to 56 per cent. The research even uncovered a surprising ally in urban cooling: the wind.

    “During the day, sea breezes help cool green roofs and delay peak temperatures, while at night, city-to-sea winds help reduce the temperature difference between green and conventional rooftops,” explains Associate Professor Shamseldin.

    This translates to tangible energy savings for buildings and a potential reduction in the Urban Heat Island effect – truly, a breath of fresh air from above.

    A living legacy: onshore islands

    The pilot study was inspired by Auckland’s Central City Library living roof, a project developed in partnership with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei that was launched five years ago.

    Featuring over 2,000 hardy native plants, the roof reflects a shared commitment to enhance urban biodiversity and live in harmony with te taiao (the natural world).

    Native grasses flourishing in the Auckland Central Library living roof.

    “Kaupapa like this green roof are examples of cultural infrastructure, they integrate nature into our cities and allow us to actively elevate the mauri of our taiao,” says Etienne Neho of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

    Greener cities, smarter cities: a vision for the future

    This collaboration already has the potential to influence Auckland’s future. By providing policymakers and urban planners with data, the project can inform smarter, greener development decisions that enhance urban environments.

    “If we want to create a sustainable, healthy city, one that future generations can enjoy – working with nature is a must,” adds Ms. Devine.

    “These results prove what we’ve long suspected: nature-based solutions can help our journey towards becoming a more sustainable and resilient city.”

    The research team continues to monitor additional biodiversity benefits, and more updates will follow as the data flourishes. Although urbanisation and climate change present numerous challenges, one thing is certain, working with nature is a positive step towards a healthier urban environment.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. Q1 2025 Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEATTLE, April 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) (Nasdaq: SFBC), the holding company for Sound Community Bank (the “Bank”), today reported net income of $1.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, or $0.45 diluted earnings per share, as compared to net income of $1.9 million, or $0.74 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and $770 thousand, or $0.30 diluted earnings per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The Company also announced today that its Board of Directors declared a cash dividend on the Company’s common stock of $0.19 per share, payable on May 23, 2025 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 9, 2025.

    Comments from the President / Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer

    “Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, we remained focused on lowering our cost of deposits and originating new loans at higher rates, which contributed to a 12-basis point improvement in our net interest margin compared to the prior quarter. This reflects the team’s strong efforts to build full banking relationships by addressing both the lending and deposit needs of our consumer and business clients,” remarked Laurie Stewart, President and Chief Executive Officer.

    “We continue to prioritize expense management, even though expenses increased compared to the previous quarter. The quarter-over-quarter increase was largely due to typical year-end accrual adjustments and annual expenses that are recognized in the first quarter. However, when compared to the first quarter of 2024, we have seen reductions in combined salaries and benefits, and operational expenses, thanks to our investments in technology. We also expect the year-over-year growth in data processing costs to moderate as the year progresses,” explained Wes Ochs, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

    Mr. Ochs continued, “While we did see an increase in nonperforming loans this quarter mainly due to two specific credits, one of which has since been repaid, we have not observed broader signs of stress in the loan portfolio. Importantly, we also successfully exited a $17 million loan that had been rated as special mention, which contributed to the decline in overall loan balances. Notably, 83% of our nonperforming loans are tied to just four loans, each with its own unique circumstances. These loans are well-secured, and we are actively working toward resolutions in the near-term.”

     

    Q1 2025 Financial Performance
    Total assets increased $75.6 million or 7.6% to $1.07 billion at March 31, 2025, from $993.6 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $17.5 million or 1.6% from $1.09 billion at March 31, 2024.     Net interest income decreased $149 thousand or 1.8% to $8.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, from $8.2 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and increased $611 thousand or 8.2% from $7.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
           
    Loans held-for-portfolio decreased $13.9 million or 1.5% to $886.2 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $900.2 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $11.7 million or 1.3% from $897.9 million at March 31, 2024.      Net interest margin (“NIM”), annualized, was 3.25% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to 3.13% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 and 2.95% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
           
    Total deposits increased $72.5 million or 8.7% to $910.3 million at March 31, 2025, from $837.8 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $6.5 million or 0.7% from $916.9 million at March 31, 2024. Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $5.8 million or 4.4% to $126.7 million at March 31, 2025 compared to $132.5 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $2.0 million or 1.5% compared to $128.7 million at March 31, 2024.      A $203 thousand release of provision for credit losses was recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to a $14 thousand provision and a $33 thousand release of provision for credit losses for the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. At March 31, 2025, the allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans outstanding was 0.95%, compared to 0.94% at December 31, 2024 and 0.96% at March 31, 2024.
           
    The loans-to-deposits ratio was 98% at March 31, 2025, compared to 108% at December 31, 2024 and 98% at March 31, 2024.      Total noninterest income decreased $62 thousand or 5.3% to $1.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and was virtually unchanged compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
           
    Total nonperforming loans increased $2.2 million or 28.9% to $9.7 million at March 31, 2025, from $7.5 million at December 31, 2024, and increased $600 thousand or 6.6% from $9.1 million at March 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans to total loans was 1.09% and the allowance for credit losses on loans to total nonperforming loans was 86.95% at March 31, 2025.      Total noninterest expense increased $856 thousand or 12.1% to $7.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024, and increased $258 thousand or 3.4% compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024.
           
           The Bank continued to maintain capital levels in excess of regulatory requirements and was categorized as “well-capitalized” at March 31, 2025.

    Operating Results

    Net Interest Income after (Release of) Provision for Credit Losses

        For the Quarter Ended   Q1 2025 vs. Q4 2024   Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   Amount
    ($)    		   Percentage (%)   Amount
    ($)    		   Percentage (%)
        (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)
    Interest income   $ 13,706     $ 14,736   $ 13,760     $ (1,030 )   (7.0) %   $ (54 )   (0.4) %
    Interest expense     5,635       6,516     6,300       (881 )   (13.5) %     (665 )   (10.6) %
    Net interest income     8,071       8,220     7,460       (149 )   (1.8) %     611     8.2 %
    (Release of) provision for credit losses     (203 )     14     (33 )     (217 )   (1550.0) %     (170 )   515.2 %
    Net interest income after (release of) provision for credit losses     8,274       8,206     7,493       68     0.8 %     781     10.4 %
                                                       

    Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024

    The decrease in interest income from the prior quarter was primarily due to a lower average balance of loans, investments and interest-earning cash, an eight basis point decline in the average yield on loans, a 41 basis point decline in the average yield on interest-bearing cash, and a 57 basis point decline in the average yield on investments.

    Interest income on loans decreased $482 thousand, or 3.7%, to $12.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $13.1 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The average balance of total loans was $896.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from $900.8 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The decrease in the average balance of total loans was primarily due to declines in construction and land loans and one-to-four family loans, offset by growth in commercial and multifamily loans and home equity loans. The average balances for manufactured home loans, floating home loans, commercial business loans, and other consumer loans remained relatively flat from the fourth quarter of 2024. The average yield on total loans was 5.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from 5.77% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. The decline was primarily due to interest that was reversed on nonaccrual loans during the first quarter, as well as interest that had been recognized on those loans in the fourth quarter. This was partly offset by new loans being made at higher interest rates and some variable-rate loans adjusting upward. Interest income on investments was $108 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $132 thousand for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. Interest income on interest-bearing cash decreased $524 thousand to $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $1.5 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. This decrease was a result of both lower average yields and average balances during the quarter.

    The decrease in interest expense during the current quarter from the prior quarter was primarily the result of lower average balances and rates paid on all categories of interest-bearing deposits. The average cost of deposits was 2.37% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from 2.58% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024 as higher costing deposits repriced lower due to market interest rate cuts beginning in September 2024. The average cost of FHLB advances was 4.25% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from 4.31% for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

    A release of provision for credit losses of $203 thousand was recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, consisting of a release of provision for credit losses on loans of $85 thousand and a release of provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $118 thousand. This compared to a provision for credit losses of $14 thousand for the quarter ended December 31, 2024, consisting of a release of provision for credit losses on loans of $73 thousand and a provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $87 thousand. The decrease in the provision for credit losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024 resulted primarily from a smaller loan portfolio and a reduced balance of unfunded commitments, partially offset by an additional qualitative adjustment applied to certain loan segments, specifically consumer and construction loans, reflecting increased uncertainty in market conditions tied to the impact of tariffs and other external factors affecting our clients. Expected credit loss estimates consider various factors, including market conditions, borrower-specific information, projected delinquencies, and anticipated effects of economic trends on borrowers’ ability to repay.

    Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024

    Interest income on loans increased $355 thousand, or 2.9%, to $12.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $12.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The average balance of total loans was $896.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, up from $895.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The average yield on total loans was 5.69% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, up from 5.49% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The increase in the average loan yield during the current quarter, compared to the same quarter in 2024, was primarily due to the origination of new loans at higher interest rates. Additionally, variable-rate loans resetting to higher rates contributed to the increase in average yield compared to the first quarter of 2024. Interest income on investments was $108 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $111 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Interest income on interest-bearing cash decreased $406 thousand to $1.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to $1.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The decrease was a result of both a lower average yield and average balance.

    The decrease in interest expense during the current quarter from the same quarter a year ago was primarily the result of a $18.9 million decrease in the average balance of interest-bearing demand and NOW accounts, a $25.5 million decrease in the average balance of certificate accounts, and a $15.0 million decrease in the average balance of FHLB advances, as well as lower average rates paid on all categories of interest-bearing deposits; resulting from lower market interest rates generally. These average-balance decreases were partially offset by a $51.0 million increase in the average balance of savings and money market accounts. The average cost of deposits was 2.37% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from 2.57% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. The average cost of FHLB advances was 4.25% for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, down from 4.31% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

    A release of provision for credit losses of $203 thousand was recorded for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, consisting of a release of provision for credit losses on loans of $85 thousand and a release of provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $118 thousand. This compared to a release of provision for credit losses of $33 thousand for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, consisting of a release of provision for credit losses on loans of $106 thousand and a provision for credit losses on unfunded loan commitments of $73 thousand. The larger release recorded in the current quarter primarily reflected the factors discussed above.

    Noninterest Income

        For the Quarter Ended   Q1 2025 vs. Q4 2024   Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   Amount
    ($)    		   Percentage (%)   Amount
    ($)    		   Percentage (%)
        (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)
    Service charges and fee income   $ 684     $ 619   $ 612     $ 65     10.5 %   $ 72     11.8 %
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance (“BOLI”)     195       127     177       68     53.5 %     18     10.2 %
    Mortgage servicing income     269       277     282       (8 )   (2.9) %     (13 )   (4.6) %
    Fair value adjustment on mortgage servicing rights     (99 )     77     (65 )     (176 )   (228.6) %     (34 )   52.3 %
    Net gain on sale of loans     49       53     90       (4 )   (7.5) %     (41 )   (45.6) %
    Other income     —       7     —       (7 )   (100.0) %     —     100.0 %
    Total noninterest income   $ 1,098     $ 1,160   $ 1,096     $ (62 )   (5.3) %   $ 2     0.2 %
     

    Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024

    The decrease in noninterest income during the current quarter compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was primarily related to

    • a $176 thousand downward adjustment in fair value of mortgage servicing rights due to a smaller servicing portfolio, partially offset by :
    • an increase of $68 thousand in earnings from BOLI primarily due to the strategic decision to surrender and exchange existing policies into higher yielding policies in the first quarter, offset by fluctuations in financial markets which decreased the values of policies; and
    • a $65 thousand increase in service charges and fee income due to a volume incentive paid by Mastercard in the first quarter of 2025 and higher interchange income.

    Loans sold during the quarter ended March 31, 2025, totaled $2.0 million, compared to $3.5 million and $4.2 million of loans sold during the quarters ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024

    The increase in noninterest income during the current quarter compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to

    • a $72 thousand increase in service charges and fee income primarily due to the reasons noted above, and
    • an $18 thousand increase in earnings from BOLI primarily due to the strategic decision to surrender and exchange existing policies into higher yielding policies in the first quarter, offset by fluctuations in financial markets, which reduced the values of policies. The increases in service charges and fee income and in earnings from BOLI were partially offset by
    • a $13 thousand decrease in mortgage servicing income as a result of the portfolio paying down at a faster rate than originations replace repayments;
    • a $34 thousand decrease in the fair value adjustment on mortgage servicing rights due to a smaller servicing portfolio; and
    • a $41 thousand decrease in net gain on sale of loans due to fewer loans sold.

    Noninterest Expense

        For the Quarter Ended   Q1 2025 vs. Q4 2024   Q1 2025 vs. Q1 2024
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024    		   Amount
    ($)    		   Percentage (%)   Amount
    ($)    		   Percentage (%)
        (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)
    Salaries and benefits   $ 4,595   $ 3,920     $ 4,543   $ 675   17.2 %   $ 52     1.1 %
    Operations     1,365     1,329       1,457     36   2.7 %     (92 )   (6.3) %
    Regulatory assessments     221     189       189     32   16.9 %     32     16.9 %
    Occupancy     437     409       444     28   6.8 %     (7 )   (1.6) %
    Data processing     1,293     1,232       1,017     61   5.0 %     276     27.1 %
    Net loss (gain) on OREO and repossessed assets     3     (21 )     6     24   (114.3) %     (3 )   (50.0) %
    Total noninterest expense   $ 7,914   $ 7,058     $ 7,656   $ 856   12.1 %   $ 258     3.4 %
     

    Q1 2025 vs Q4 2024

    The increase in noninterest expense during the current quarter from the quarter ended December 31, 2024 was primarily a result of:

    • a $675 thousand increase in salaries and benefits related to higher salaries expense, partially due to accrual reversals in the fourth quarter 2024, along with an annual deferred compensation contribution for key executives made in the first quarter of each year, higher 401(k) contributions, and higher payroll taxes related to annual bonus payments;
    • a $32 thousand increase in regulatory assessments due to a higher estimated accrual for exam costs;
    • a $28 thousand increase in occupancy due to higher annual property charges and maintenance fees recognized in the first quarter;
    • a $61 thousand increase in data processing due to higher vendor fees associated with annual subscription renewals; and
    • a $24 thousand increase in OREO and repossessed assets due to the addition of a new property in the first quarter of 2025 and the absence of property sales in the prior quarter.

    Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024

    The increase in noninterest expense during the current quarter from the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was primarily a result of:

    • a $276 thousand increase in data processing expenses due to various project implementations that began amortizing in the third quarter of 2024 and the reimbursement of expenses by a software vendor in the first quarter of 2024;
    • a $32 thousand increase in regulatory assessment expenses due to a higher estimated accrual for exam costs.

    These increases were partially offset by a $92 thousand decrease in operations expense, primarily due to the recognition of annual fee reimbursements from Mastercard beginning in the first quarter of 2025 and lower expenses across various accounts resulting from ongoing cost saving initiatives and process improvements.

    Balance Sheet Review, Capital Management and Credit Quality

    Assets at March 31, 2025 totaled $1.07 billion, up from $993.6 million at December 31, 2024 and down from $1.09 billion at March 31, 2024. The increase in total assets from December 31, 2024 was primarily due to an increase in cash and cash equivalents, partially offset by a lower balance of loans held-for-portfolio. The decrease from one year ago was primarily a result of lower balances of cash and cash equivalents and loans held-for-portfolio.

    Cash and cash equivalents increased $87.9 million, or 201.3%, to $131.5 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $43.6 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $6.5 million, or 4.7%, from $138.0 million at March 31, 2024. The increased cash and cash equivalents from the prior quarter-end was primarily due to the strategic decision to sell reciprocal deposits at the end of 2024, which reduced our cash balances. These reciprocal deposits returned to our balance sheet in the first quarter of 2025.

    Investment securities decreased $110 thousand, or 1.1%, to $9.8 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $9.9 million at December 31, 2024, and decreased $462 thousand, or 4.5%, from $10.3 million at March 31, 2024, as pay-offs and paydowns of investments exceeded new purchases. Held-to-maturity securities totaled $2.1 million at both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and totaled $2.2 million at March 31, 2024. Available-for-sale securities totaled $7.7 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $7.8 million at December 31, 2024 and $8.1 million at March 31, 2024.

    Loans held-for-portfolio were $886.2 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $900.2 million at December 31, 2024 and $897.9 million at March 31, 2024. The decrease from both prior dates was primarily due to the payoff during the first quarter of 2025 of one $17.0 million loan that was risk rated special mention.

    Nonperforming assets (“NPAs”), which are comprised of nonaccrual loans (including nonperforming modified loans), other real estate owned (“OREO”) and other repossessed assets, increased $2.2 million, or 29.4%, to $9.7 million at March 31, 2025, from $7.5 million at December 31, 2024 and decreased $49 thousand, or 0.5%, from $9.7 million at March 31, 2024. The increase in NPAs from December 31, 2024 was primarily due to the addition of six loans totaling $2.4 million to nonaccrual status, including two commercial real estate loans of $1.1 million and $988 thousand. The increase also included $41 thousand of other real estate owned properties. These additions were partially offset by $207 thousand in regular loan payments. Subsequent to quarter-end, the $988 thousand commercial real estate loan added during the quarter was paid-off. The decrease in NPAs from one year ago was primarily due to payoffs totaling $2.1 million, the return of $522 thousand of loans to accrual status, the sale of two other real estate owned properties for $690 thousand, and regular loan payments. These decreases were partially offset by the placement of an additional $3.6 million of loans on nonaccrual status, which included the two commercial real estate loans noted above.

    NPAs to total assets were 0.91%, 0.75% and 0.90% at March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively. The allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans outstanding was 0.95% at March 31, 2025, compared to 0.94% at December 31, 2024 and 0.96% at March 31, 2024. Net loan charge-offs for the first quarter of 2025 totaled $21 thousand, compared to $13 thousand for the fourth quarter of 2024, and $56 thousand for the first quarter of 2024.

    The following table summarizes our NPAs at the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Nonperforming Loans:                  
    One-to-four family $ 762     $ 537     $ 745     $ 822     $ 835  
    Home equity loans   368       298       338       342       83  
    Commercial and multifamily   5,627       3,734       4,719       5,161       4,747  
    Construction and land   22       24       25       28       29  
    Manufactured homes   501       521       230       136       166  
    Floating homes   2,363       2,363       2,377       2,417       3,192  
    Commercial business   —       11       23       —       —  
    Other consumer   10       3       32       3       1  
    Total nonperforming loans   9,653       7,491       8,489       8,909       9,053  
    OREO and Other Repossessed Assets:                  
    Commercial and multifamily   —       —       —       —       575  
    Manufactured homes   41       —       115       115       115  
    Total OREO and repossessed assets   41       —       115       115       690  
    Total NPAs $ 9,694     $ 7,491     $ 8,604     $ 9,024     $ 9,743  
                       
    Percentage of Nonperforming Loans:                  
    One-to-four family   7.9 %     7.3 %     8.7 %     9.1 %     8.5 %
    Home equity loans   3.8       4.0       3.9       3.8       0.9  
    Commercial and multifamily   58.0       49.8       54.8       57.2       48.7  
    Construction and land   0.2       0.3       0.3       0.3       0.3  
    Manufactured homes   5.2       7.0       2.7       1.5       1.7  
    Floating homes   24.4       31.5       27.6       26.8       32.8  
    Commercial business   —       0.1       0.3       —       —  
    Other consumer   0.1       —       0.4       —       —  
    Total nonperforming loans   99.6       100.0       98.7       98.7       92.9  
    Percentage of OREO and Other Repossessed Assets:                  
    Commercial and multifamily   —       —       —       —       5.9  
    Manufactured homes   0.4       —       1.3       1.3       1.2  
    Total OREO and repossessed assets   0.4       —       1.3       1.3       7.1  
    Total NPAs   100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
     

    The following table summarizes the allowance for credit losses at the dates and for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands, unaudited):

      At or For the Quarter Ended:
      March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Allowance for Credit Losses on Loans                  
    Balance at beginning of period $ 8,499     $ 8,585     $ 8,493     $ 8,598     $ 8,760  
    (Release of) provision for credit losses during the period   (85 )     (73 )     106       (88 )     (106 )
    Net charge-offs during the period   (21 )     (13 )     (14 )     (17 )     (56 )
    Balance at end of period $ 8,393     $ 8,499     $ 8,585     $ 8,493     $ 8,598  
    Allowance for Credit Losses on Unfunded Loan Commitments                  
    Balance at beginning of period $ 234     $ 147     $ 245     $ 266     $ 193  
    Provision for (release of) provision for credit losses during the period   (118 )     87       (98 )     (21 )     73  
    Balance at end of period   116       234       147       245       266  
    Allowance for Credit Losses $ 8,509     $ 8,733     $ 8,732     $ 8,738     $ 8,864  
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans   0.95 %     0.94 %     0.95 %     0.96 %     0.96 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total loans   0.96 %     0.97 %     0.97 %     0.98 %     0.99 %
    Allowance for credit losses on loans to total nonperforming loans   86.95 %     113.46 %     101.13 %     95.33 %     94.97 %
    Allowance for credit losses to total nonperforming loans   88.15 %     116.58 %     102.86 %     98.08 %     97.91 %
                                           

    Total deposits increased $72.5 million, or 8.7%, to $910.3 million at March 31, 2025, from $837.8 million at December 31, 2024 and decreased $6.5 million, or 0.7%, from $916.9 million at March 31, 2024. The increase in total deposits compared to the prior quarter-end was primarily a result of the movement of reciprocal deposits off balance sheet for strategic objectives at year-end, followed by the return of those deposits to our balance sheet in the first quarter of 2025, and a decrease in one high cost money market deposit relationship as part of our strategic decision to decrease our overall cost of funds. Noninterest-bearing deposits decreased $5.8 million, or 4.4%, to $126.7 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $132.5 million at December 31, 2024 and decreased $2.0 million, or 1.5%, from $128.7 million at March 31, 2024. Noninterest-bearing deposits represented 13.9%, 15.8% and 14.0% of total deposits at March 31, 2025, December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2024, respectively.

    FHLB advances totaled $25.0 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $25.0 million at both December 31, 2024, and March 31, 2024. FHLB advances are primarily used to support organic loan growth and to maintain liquidity ratios in line with our asset/liability objectives. FHLB advances outstanding at March 31, 2025 had maturities ranging from early 2026 through early 2028. Subordinated notes, net totaled $11.8 million at both March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, and $11.7 million at March 31, 2024.

    Stockholders’ equity totaled $104.4 million at March 31, 2025, an increase of $765 thousand, or 0.7%, from $103.7 million at December 31, 2024, and an increase of $3.4 million, or 3.4%, from $101.0 million at March 31, 2024. The increase in stockholders’ equity from December 31, 2024 was primarily the result of $1.2 million of net income earned during the current quarter, $81 thousand in share-based compensation, and $21 thousand in common stock options exercised, partially offset by a $17 thousand increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax and the payment of $487 thousand in cash dividends to the Company’s stockholders.

    Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc., a bank holding company, is the parent company of Sound Community Bank, which is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and has full-service branches in Seattle, Tacoma, Mountlake Terrace, Sequim, Port Angeles, Port Ludlow and University Place. Sound Community Bank is a Fannie Mae Approved Lender and Seller/Servicer with one loan production office located in the Madison Park neighborhood of Seattle. For more information, please visit www.soundcb.com.

    Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

    When used in this press release and in documents filed or furnished by Sound Financial Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in the Company’s other press releases or other public or stockholder communications, and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project,” “intends” or similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, which are based on various underlying assumptions and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events and may turn out to be wrong because of inaccurate assumptions we might make, because of the factors listed below or because of other factors that we cannot foresee that could cause our actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

    Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, include, but are not limited to: adverse impacts to economic conditions in the Company’s local market areas, other markets where the Company has lending relationships, or other aspects of the Company’s business operations or financial markets, including, without limitation, as a result of employment levels, labor shortages and the effects of inflation or deflation, a recession or slowed economic growth, as well as supply chain disruptions; changes in the interest rate environment, including increases and decreases in the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the Federal Reserve) benchmark rate and the duration at which such interest rate levels are maintained, which could adversely affect our revenues and expenses, the values of our assets and obligations, and the availability and cost of capital and liquidity; the impact of inflation and the current and future monetary policies of the Federal Reserve in response thereto; the effects of any federal government shutdown; the impact of bank failures or adverse developments at other banks and related negative press about the banking industry in general on investor and depositor sentiment; changes in consumer spending, borrowing and savings habits; fluctuations in interest rates; the risks of lending and investing activities, including changes in the level and direction of loan delinquencies and write-offs and changes in estimates of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses; the Company’s ability to access cost-effective funding; fluctuations in real estate values and both residential and commercial real estate market conditions; demand for loans and deposits in the Company’s market area; secondary market conditions for loans;expectations regarding key growth initiatives and strategic priorities; environmental, social and governance goals and targets; results of examinations of the Company or the Bank by their regulators; increased competition; changes in management’s business strategies; legislative changes; changes in the regulatory and tax environments in which the Company operates; disruptions, security breaches, or other adverse events, failures or interruptions in, or attacks on, our information technology systems or on our third-party vendors; the potential for new or increased tariffs, trade restrictions, or geopolitical tensions that could affect economic activity or specific industry sectors; the effects of climate change, severe weather events, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, acts of war or terrorism, civil unrest and other external events on our business; and other factors described in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with or furnished to the SEC, which are available at www.soundcb.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The risks inherent in these factors could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company and could negatively affect the Company’s operating and stock performance.

    The Company does not undertake—and specifically disclaims any obligation—to revise any forward-looking statement to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement.

    CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

        For the Quarter Ended
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Interest income   $ 13,706     $ 14,736     $ 14,838   $ 14,039     $ 13,760  
    Interest expense     5,635       6,516       6,965     6,591       6,300  
    Net interest income     8,071       8,220       7,873     7,448       7,460  
    (Release of) provision for credit losses     (203 )     14       8     (109 )     (33 )
    Net interest income after (release of) provision for credit losses     8,274       8,206       7,865     7,557       7,493  
    Noninterest income:                    
    Service charges and fee income     684       619       628     761       612  
    Earnings on bank-owned life insurance     195       127       186     134       177  
    Mortgage servicing income     269       277       280     279       282  
    Fair value adjustment on mortgage servicing rights     (99 )     77       101     (116 )     (65 )
    Net gain on sale of loans     49       53       40     74       90  
    Other income     —       7       —     30       —  
    Total noninterest income     1,098       1,160       1,235     1,162       1,096  
    Noninterest expense:                    
    Salaries and benefits     4,595       3,920       4,469     4,658       4,543  
    Operations     1,365       1,329       1,540     1,569       1,457  
    Regulatory assessments     221       189       189     220       189  
    Occupancy     437       409       414     397       444  
    Data processing     1,293       1,232       1,067     910       1,017  
    Net (gain) loss on OREO and repossessed assets     3       (21 )     —     (17 )     6  
    Total noninterest expense     7,914       7,058       7,679     7,737       7,656  
    Income before provision for income taxes     1,458       2,308       1,421     982       933  
    Provision for income taxes     291       389       267     187       163  
    Net income   $ 1,167     $ 1,919     $ 1,154   $ 795     $ 770  
     

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    ASSETS                    
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 131,494     $ 43,641     $ 148,930     $ 135,111     $ 137,977  
    Available-for-sale securities, at fair value     7,689       7,790       8,032       7,996       8,115  
    Held-to-maturity securities, at amortized cost     2,121       2,130       2,139       2,147       2,157  
    Loans held-for-sale     2,267       487       65       257       351  
    Loans held-for-portfolio     886,226       900,171       901,733       889,274       897,877  
    Allowance for credit losses – loans     (8,393 )     (8,499 )     (8,585 )     (8,493 )     (8,598 )
    Total loans held-for-portfolio, net     877,833       891,672       893,148       880,781       889,279  
    Accrued interest receivable     3,540       3,471       3,705       3,413       3,617  
    Bank-owned life insurance, net     22,685       22,490       22,363       22,172       22,037  
    Other real estate owned (“OREO”) and other repossessed assets, net     41       —       115       115       690  
    Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value     4,688       4,769       4,665       4,540       4,612  
    Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock, at cost     1,734       1,730       2,405       2,406       2,406  
    Premises and equipment, net     4,591       4,697       4,807       4,906       6,685  
    Right-of-use assets     3,546       3,725       3,779       4,020       4,259  
    Other assets     6,957       7,031       6,777       6,995       4,500  
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,069,186     $ 993,633     $ 1,100,930     $ 1,074,859     $ 1,086,685  
    LIABILITIES                    
    Interest-bearing deposits   $ 783,660     $ 705,267     $ 800,480     $ 781,854     $ 788,217  
    Noninterest-bearing deposits     126,687       132,532       129,717       124,915       128,666  
    Total deposits     910,347       837,799       930,197       906,769       916,883  
    Borrowings     25,000       25,000       40,000       40,000       40,000  
    Accrued interest payable     586       765       908       760       719  
    Lease liabilities     3,828       4,013       4,079       4,328       4,576  
    Other liabilities     10,774       9,371       9,711       9,105       9,578  
    Advance payments from borrowers for taxes and insurance     2,450       1,260       2,047       812       2,209  
    Subordinated notes, net     11,770       11,759       11,749       11,738       11,728  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     964,755       889,967       998,691       973,512       985,693  
    STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:                    
    Common stock     25       25       25       25       25  
    Additional paid-in capital     28,515       28,413       28,296       28,198       28,110  
    Retained earnings     76,952       76,272       74,840       74,173       73,907  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax     (1,061 )     (1,044 )     (922 )     (1,049 )     (1,050 )
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     104,431       103,666       102,239       101,347       100,992  
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 1,069,186     $ 993,633     $ 1,100,930     $ 1,074,859     $ 1,086,685  
     

    KEY FINANCIAL RATIOS
    (unaudited)

        For the Quarter Ended
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Annualized return on average assets   0.45 %   0.70 %   0.42 %   0.30 %   0.29 %
    Annualized return on average equity   4.53 %   7.40 %   4.50 %   3.17 %   3.06 %
    Annualized net interest margin(1)   3.25 %   3.13 %   2.98 %   2.92 %   2.95 %
    Annualized efficiency ratio(2)   86.31 %   75.25 %   84.31 %   89.86 %   89.48 %
    (1) Net interest income divided by average interest earning assets.
    (2) Noninterest expense divided by total revenue (net interest income and noninterest income).
       

    PER COMMON SHARE DATA
    (unaudited)

        At or For the Quarter Ended
        March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   September 30, 2024   June 30, 2024   March 31, 2024
    Basic earnings per share   $ 0.45   $ 0.75   $ 0.45   $ 0.31   $ 0.30
    Diluted earnings per share   $ 0.45   $ 0.74   $ 0.45   $ 0.31   $ 0.30
    Weighted-average basic shares outstanding     2,554,265     2,547,210     2,544,233     2,540,538     2,539,213
    Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding     2,578,609     2,578,771     2,569,368     2,559,015     2,556,958
    Common shares outstanding at period-end     2,566,069     2,564,907     2,564,095     2,557,284     2,558,546
    Book value per share   $ 40.70   $ 40.42   $ 39.87   $ 39.63   $ 39.47
                                   

    AVERAGE BALANCE, AVERAGE YIELD EARNED, AND AVERAGE RATE PAID
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

    The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the total dollar amount of interest income from average interest-earning assets and the resultant yields, as well as the interest expense on average interest-bearing liabilities, expressed both in dollars and rates. Income and yields on tax-exempt obligations have not been computed on a tax equivalent basis. All average balances are daily average balances. Nonaccrual loans have been included in the table as loans carrying a zero yield for the period they have been on nonaccrual (dollars in thousands).

      Three Months Ended
      March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024
      Average Outstanding Balance   Interest Earned/Paid   Yield/Rate   Average Outstanding Balance   Interest Earned/Paid   Yield/Rate   Average Outstanding Balance   Interest Earned/Paid   Yield/Rate
    Interest-Earning Assets:                                  
    Loans receivable $ 896,822     $ 12,588   5.69 %   $ 900,832     $ 13,070   5.77 %   $ 895,430     $ 12,233   5.49 %
    Interest-earning cash   95,999       1,010   4.27 %     130,412       1,534   4.68 %     107,361       1,416   5.30 %
    Investments   12,924       108   3.39 %     13,263       132   3.96 %     14,038       111   3.18 %
    Total interest-earning assets $ 1,005,745       13,706   5.53 %     1,044,507     $ 14,736   5.61 %   $ 1,016,829       13,760   5.44 %
    Interest-Bearing Liabilities:                                  
    Savings and money market accounts $ 335,419       2,058   2.49 %   $ 350,495       2,476   2.81 %   $ 284,455       1,866   2.64 %
    Demand and NOW accounts   140,905       108   0.31 %     144,470       128   0.35 %     159,762       141   0.35 %
    Certificate accounts   289,960       3,039   4.25 %     301,293       3,413   4.51 %     315,495       3,696   4.71 %
    Subordinated notes   11,766       168   5.79 %     11,756       168   5.69 %     11,724       168   5.76 %
    Borrowings   25,000       262   4.25 %     30,546       331   4.31 %     40,000       429   4.31 %
    Total interest-bearing liabilities $ 803,050       5,635   2.85 %   $ 838,560       6,516   3.09 %   $ 811,436       6,300   3.12 %
    Net interest income/spread     $ 8,071   2.68 %       $ 8,220   2.52 %       $ 7,460   2.32 %
    Net interest margin         3.25 %           3.13 %           2.95 %
                                       
    Ratio of interest-earning assets to interest-bearing liabilities   125 %             125 %             125 %        
    Noninterest-bearing deposits $ 126,215             $ 130,476             $ 132,438          
    Total deposits   892,499     $ 5,205   2.37 %     926,734     $ 6,017   2.58 %     892,150     $ 5,703   2.57 %
    Total funding (1)   929,265       5,635   2.46 %     969,036       6,516   2.68 %     943,874       6,300   2.68 %
    (1) Total funding is the sum of average interest-bearing liabilities and average noninterest-bearing deposits. The cost of total funding is calculated as annualized total interest expense divided by average total funding.
       

    LOANS
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Real estate loans:                    
    One-to-four family   $ 262,457     $ 269,684     $ 271,702     $ 268,488     $ 279,213  
    Home equity     28,112       26,686       25,199       26,185       24,380  
    Commercial and multifamily     392,798       371,516       358,587       342,632       324,483  
    Construction and land     42,492       73,077       85,724       96,962       111,726  
    Total real estate loans     725,859       740,963       741,212       734,267       739,802  
    Consumer Loans:                    
    Manufactured homes     42,448       41,128       40,371       38,953       37,583  
    Floating homes     86,626       86,411       86,155       81,622       84,237  
    Other consumer     18,224       17,720       18,266       18,422       18,847  
    Total consumer loans     147,298       145,259       144,792       138,997       140,667  
    Commercial business loans     14,690       15,605       17,481       17,860       19,075  
    Total loans     887,847       901,827       903,485       891,124       899,544  
    Less:                    
    Premiums     688       718       736       754       808  
    Deferred fees, net     (2,309 )     (2,374 )     (2,488 )     (2,604 )     (2,475 )
    Allowance for credit losses – loans     (8,393 )     (8,499 )     (8,585 )     (8,493 )     (8,598 )
    Total loans held-for-portfolio, net   $ 877,833     $ 891,672     $ 893,148     $ 880,781     $ 889,279  
     

    DEPOSITS
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Noninterest-bearing demand   $ 126,687   $ 132,532   $ 129,717   $ 124,915   $ 128,666
    Interest-bearing demand     143,595     142,126     148,740     152,829     159,178
    Savings     63,533     61,252     61,455     63,368     65,723
    Money market     287,058     206,067     285,655     253,873     241,976
    Certificates     289,474     295,822     304,630     311,784     321,340
    Total deposits   $ 910,347   $ 837,799   $ 930,197   $ 906,769   $ 916,883
     

    CREDIT QUALITY DATA
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

        At or For the Quarter Ended
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
    Total nonperforming loans   $ 9,653     $ 7,491     $ 8,489     $ 8,909     $ 9,053  
    OREO and other repossessed assets     41       —       115       115       690  
    Total nonperforming assets   $ 9,694     $ 7,491     $ 8,604     $ 9,024     $ 9,743  
    Net charge-offs during the quarter   $ (21 )   $ (13 )   $ (14 )   $ (17 )   $ (56 )
    Provision for (release of) credit losses during the quarter     (203 )     14       8       (109 )     (33 )
    Allowance for credit losses – loans     8,393       8,499       8,585       8,493       8,598  
    Allowance for credit losses – loans to total loans     0.95 %     0.94 %     0.95 %     0.96 %     0.96 %
    Allowance for credit losses – loans to total nonperforming loans     86.95 %     113.46 %     101.13 %     95.33 %     94.97 %
    Nonperforming loans to total loans     1.09 %     0.83 %     0.94 %     1.00 %     1.01 %
    Nonperforming assets to total assets     0.91 %     0.75 %     0.78 %     0.84 %     0.90 %
                                             

    OTHER STATISTICS
    (Dollars in thousands, unaudited)

        At or For the Quarter Ended
        March 31,
    2025    		   December 31,
    2024    		   September 30,
    2024    		   June 30,
    2024    		   March 31,
    2024
                         
    Total loans to total deposits     97.53 %     107.64 %     97.13 %     98.27 %     98.11 %
    Noninterest-bearing deposits to total deposits     13.92 %     15.82 %     13.95 %     13.78 %     14.03 %
                         
    Average total assets for the quarter   $ 1,051,135     $ 1,089,067     $ 1,095,404     $ 1,070,579     $ 1,062,036  
    Average total equity for the quarter   $ 104,543     $ 103,181     $ 102,059     $ 100,961     $ 101,292  
                                             

    Contact

    Financial:
    Wes Ochs  
    Executive Vice President/CFO
    (206) 436-8587  
       
    Media:
    Laurie Stewart  
    President/CEO
    (206) 436-1495  
       

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove, Adams Convene Roundtable to Address Black Higher Education and Strengthening HBCUs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Congressional Black Caucus Whip Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus Chair Alma Adams (NC-12) held a roundtable discussion with Reps. Sewell (AL-07),Hayes (CT-05), Sykes (OH-13), Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Brown (OH-11), and Figures (AL-02), HBCU leadership, students, and advocacy organizations to highlight the impacts of Trump Administration policies on the HBCUs that have played a vital role in empowering Black students across the country. Photos are available here.

    The roundtable included presidents from Howard University, Bowie State University, Morgan State University, and Virginia Union University and representatives from Texas Southern University, the United Negro College Fund, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the 1890 Foundation to discuss student life concerns, academic access and funding, infrastructure and facilities, and the role of the federal government. 

    “Our HBCUs continue to face systemic challenges that impact student success, campus quality-of-life, and institutional growth. Shamefully, the Trump Administration’s attacks on DEI initiatives and higher education funding have only made these challenges worse,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “Now is the time for policymakers, education leaders, and students to engage in direct dialogue about solutions to protect and uplift Black students.”

    “HBCUs have always punched above their weight, producing the leaders, innovators, and changemakers who move this country forward,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Despite their success though, they face historic underfunding that force them to do more with less. It’s time we meaningfully invest in HBCUs so they can continue serving their students for generations to come.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mfume Joins Elfreth, Maryland House Colleagues to Press for Answers on Behalf of International Students Attending Maryland Universities

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) led a letter with Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem on behalf of Maryland university international students who have been arrested or had their student visas revoked by the Trump Administration. To date, over 1,700 visas have been revoked and 4,736 students have had their status terminated across the country by this Administration.

    “We write with profound concern that the Department of State revoked the status of student visas in the United States and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a number of students without any transparency or explanation of why they are being targeted,” the lawmakers wrote. 

    “Students have been picked up in the street – in some cases by plain clothed immigration agents in unmarked cars – and being held in detention facilities with no warning and limited information as to why they are being deported. These students should be entitled to the fundamental rights of due process and freedom of speech – just as our Framers intended,” the lawmakers continued. “The Administration’s egregious policies have already had serious impacts at Maryland universities, including Johns Hopkins University, University of Maryland College Park, and University of Maryland, Baltimore County. These students are from different countries, in different programs, and have been in the U.S. for different lengths of time, yet are suffering the consequences of the indiscriminate policies of this Administration without explanation.”

    In their letter, the lawmakers press for information on the following:

    • The number of student visas revoked from Maryland Universities
    • If the Department of State plans to reissue these visas
    • How many Maryland students have had their legal status terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by ICE, including: the specific legal status terminated and the legal authority for termination
    • A timeline for SEVIS record termination framework
    • The criteria the Department of State and ICE use to identify students for visa revocation and termination of legal status in SEVIS

    Beyond the international students’ fundamental rights of due process and freedom of speech, international students enrolled in English language programs at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $371.3 million and supported 2,691 jobs to the U.S. economy during the 2023-2024 academic year.

    Congresswoman Elfreth, a former Maryland college professor, issued an original statement on the rights of international students at the beginning of April, which is available HERE.

    The full text of the letter is available HERE. 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 100 Days, 100 Stories

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — Today, Speaker Johnson released a list of 100 American citizens who have felt the benefits from President Trump’s historic first 100 days in office. Speaker Johnson highlighted citizens who were unjustly detained abroad, business owners who will benefit from new apprenticeship opportunities, and families devastated by previous open borders policies, among many others. 

    Click here to read the full list

    “President Donald J. Trump entered the White House with the most decisive mandate in modern history. In just 100 days, he’s done more for America than Joe Biden managed in four years,” Speaker Johnson said. “The American people can feel the tangible impact of President Trump’s swift and decisive action. From coast to coast, North to South, the American First agenda is helping Americans from across our great country.

    “Republicans in Congress are proud to stand with the President as he secures our border, restores accountability in government, fights for common sense, and defends the liberty and prosperity of generations of Americans to come,” Speaker Johnson continued. “Today, as we mark 100 historic days, we celebrate the many ways President Trump has delivered for the American people.”

    Since his inauguration on January 20th, President Trump has taken bold action to secure the border, drive down inflation, restore American strength on the world stage, clean up our communities, secure trillions of dollars in new investments and jobs, and return common sense to Washington. These 100 American stories illustrate that.  

    Read 20 stories below, and the full list here.

    Alexis Nungaray, Angel Mother – Alexis Nungaray is the mother of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl who was tragically murdered by illegal aliens in June of 2024. Jocelyn’s life was tragically cut short because of the Biden Administration’s failure to close our borders and protect American citizens from dangerous illegal aliens. On March 5, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order honoring her life by renaming Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge to Jocelyn Nungaray Wildlife Refuge in Anahuac, Texas. Since Jocelyn’s murder, her mother Alexis has been advocating alongside the Trump Administration and Senator Ted Cruz for stronger immigration laws.

    Marianna Montoya, Florida Resident – During President Trump’s first 100 days, Marianna was able to open up her very first Roth IRA and begin contributing on a monthly basis. President Trump’s work to reverse the devastating consequences of Bidenomics has given her hope that she and her husband will be able to retire peacefully.

    Frank Windsor, Rinnai America President – In late 2024, the Biden Administration issued a rule that effectively banned an entire niche of American manufacturing: non-condensing tankless water heaters. The rule specifically targeted Rinnai America Corporation, the only U.S. facility producing these water heaters. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the House passed a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the rule, keeping Rinnai’s doors open and protecting nearly 300 American jobs.

    Sarah Taylor, Iowa Parent – Sarah and her husband, Dan, both attended private Catholic elementary schools and knew they wanted the same faith-based education for their daughters, Hannah and Millie. Thanks to expanding educational freedom and school choice, the Taylors were empowered to choose the school that best fit their family’s values. For the Taylor family, school choice has meant more than access. It’s meant opportunity. Their story is one of many that show the power of giving parents the freedom to choose what’s best for their children.

    Kelly Wilson, Small Business Owner – Kelly Wilson’s family has owned and operated a small business in Colorado for 80 years, but after mass flows of illegal aliens began arriving in Denver under the Biden Administration, her family discussed moving to another state. In the face of budget cuts to Denver’s police force and sanctuary city policies that have failed Denver families, Kelly began speaking out for her community. Since day one, the Trump Administration has made cracking down on sanctuary cities and states a top priority. Today, communities like Kelly’s are safer, thanks to President Trump’s work to restore the rule of law.

    Jim Chilton, Rancher – The Chilton Ranch has been operated within the Chilton family for generations, a family legacy that Jim and Sue Chilton have preserved mere miles away from the Southern Border. However, under the Biden Administration, they were forced to shoulder the consequences of President Biden’s border crisis. During April of 2024 alone, the Chiltons experienced 5,640 immigrant encounters on their ranch. The last time they checked with the Border Patrol, in April of this year, there were zero crossers over the course of three weeks. Thanks to President Trump’s work to reverse the Biden administration’s radical open-border policies, the Chilton family’s beloved ranch and livelihood are no longer under threat.

    Ben Paulding, CPA – Ben hosts South Dakota’s first federally subsidized CPA Apprenticeship Program. After navigating months of red tape under the Biden Administration, he can finally onboard his first interns. Thankfully, President Trump has ended burdensome mandates on programs like Ben’s, enabling him to refocus his attention on merit-based, equal opportunity hiring without the DEI red tape.

    George Glezmann, Former Hostage – George Glezmann, a Georgia native and Delta Airlines mechanic, was arrested by the Taliban in 2022 during a planned tourist visit. Despite no formal charges being filed, Glezmann was held for over 2 years in an Afghanistan prison. On March 20, 2025, he was released as a gesture of “goodwill” by the Taliban following trilateral negotiations between Qatar, the U.S., and the Taliban. Upon returning to the U.S., he said, “I feel like I’m born again, I’m in debt to President Trump. Thank God he’s in the White House and thank God he got me out.”

    Michelle Root, Angel Mother – Michelle Root is the mother of Sarah Root, a 21-year-old Iowan who was killed by an illegal alien drunk driving in 2016. Instead of answering for his crimes, the illegal alien posted bail, was released from jail, and was never seen again. Fortunately, this criminal was found in Honduras and the Trump Administration worked with Honduran authorities to extradite him to the United States to face justice. President Trump also signed the Laken Riley Act, which included Sarah’s Law – introduced by Congressman Randy Feenstra from Iowa – to ensure that any illegal alien who harms or kills an American citizen is swiftly detained and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The Root Family is grateful to President Trump and Congressman Feenstra for honoring their precious daughter’s memory.

    Marc Fogel, Schoolteacher/Former Hostage – Marc Fogel, an American schoolteacher, was wrongfully detained by Russian authorities in 2021 after being arrested on drug charges related to medical marijuana. Despite having a valid prescription in the U.S., he was sentenced to 14 years in a Russian prison. However, on February 11, 2025, Fogel was released and returned to the United States through a diplomatic deal negotiated by President Trump. He was warmly greeted by the President upon his arrival back to the United States and expressed his gratitude, saying, “I feel like the luckiest man alive.”

    Tony Campbell, East KY Power Cooperative CEO – Tony Campbell serves as the CEO and President of East Kentucky Power Cooperative. He and his colleagues have faced significant challenges under burdensome regulations that targeted the coal industry—an industry that has powered American homes and cities for generations. Through executive action, President Trump strengthened the reliability and affordability of American energy, safeguarded American jobs, and preserved critical coal plants, delivering on his promise to create jobs and uphold America’s energy independence.

    Joseph Knowles, Detroit Autoworker – Joseph Knowles is a Detroit autoworker for Stellantis who was laid off during the Biden Administration and later reinstated after President Trump’s election victory. After attending President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress, Knowles declared he had left the Democratic Party for good. “I got very good hope for the Republican Party,” Knowles said, “More and more people are seeing the true colors of the Democrats.”

    Lawrence Rosen, Cra-Z-Art Founder – Lawrence Rosen is the owner of Cra-Z-Art, the largest toy maker in the United States. Since Liberation Day, Lawrence has seen the benefits of President Trump’s tariffs firsthand on domestic manufacturing. Because of President Trump’s decisive action in the first 100 days, Rosen is expanding their domestic production by 50% and investing millions of dollars into factories across the country.

    Elliston Berry, Texas High School Student – Elliston Berry was only 14-years-old when one of her classmates took an innocent selfie of her and ran it through AI to make a deep-fake pornographic image, which was later circulated throughout her school. Her painful experience motivated her to become an advocate against deepfake pornography, with her efforts leading to legislative action by Senator Ted Cruz. The “Take it Down Act”, which First Lady Melania Trump has championed, protects victims, enhances protections for users, and introduces accountability for AI platforms passed the House in April.

    Kirk Davis, Bob Davis Electric CEO – Kirk Davis, owner of Bob Davis Electric, is one of many business leaders benefiting from President Trump’s action to tackle America’s workforce challenges. Thanks to the President’s Executive Order on apprenticeships, Kirk has been able to recruit, train, and retrain the skilled electricians needed to meet rising power demands and grow his business.

    Dakota Meyer, U.S. Marine – President Trump’s Department of Defense has championed a warrior culture in America’s armed forces that has generated massive results for military recruiting. In April, Secretary Hegseth announced the U.S. Army had surpassed its 2025 reenlistment goal six months early. Dakota Meyer, a Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, is just one of the many brave Americans who have reenlisted, deciding to reenter the Army after a 15-year hiatus. “I’m damn proud of the men and women who are standing in uniform,” said Meyer, “and I’m so proud I get to be one of them again.”

    Steven McCain, Sheriff – In Grant Parish, illegal aliens are using drones to drop off drugs and other paraphernalia at a large federal prison. It’s been a significant problem for the prison, but now that President Trump has returned to the White House, the situation has changed. Sheriff McCain has noticed a sharp increase in cooperation from ICE, the United States Attorney’s Office, and other local officials. Working together, law enforcement from all levels will be able to crack down on these drones.

    Brian Riley, CEO of Guardian Bikes – Citing his support for President Trump’s tariffs, Brian announced a $19 million investment to move Guardian’s bike production out of China and into Seymour, Indiana.

    Dino Mavrookas, CEO of Saronic – President Trump has called for the restoration of America’s maritime dominance, and Dino Mavrookas, CEO of the defense startup Saronic, has been a leader in answering this call. To help build the next-generation of autonomous vessels, Saronic acquired Gulf Craft, a Louisiana-based shipbuilder. By preserving Gulf Craft’s skilled workforce, creating hundreds of new, good-paying jobs, and investing over $2.5 billion to develop Port Alpha, Saronic is strengthening our economy, rebuilding America’s maritime strength, and supporting our national defense.

    Gary Hamrick, Senior Pastor – Senior Pastor Gary Hamrick became the target of anti-Christian bias when he and his church were charged by the IRS for so-called Johnson Amendment violations. Under President Trump, the Department of Justice has established a task force to eradicate anti-Christian bias in the federal government and safeguard the religious liberty of all Americans.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Huffman Announces Winner of 2024 Congressional App Challenge

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

    April 29, 2025

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced that Rehan Nazeem, a Junior at San Marin High School in Novato, is the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for California’s Second Congressional District.Rehan’s winning submission, Terrain Fire Risk Analyzer, predicts the fire risk associated with a terrain and provides fire mitigation recommendations.

    “Every year, I’m impressed by the smart and talented high school students who participate in the Congressional App Challenge – and Rehan’s app has really raised the bar when it comes to pairing technological capabilities with the pressing needs of our time,” said Rep. Huffman. “Terrain Fire Risk Analyzer addresses one of the biggest problems facing our community right now – helping people stay safe and prepared for wildfires through this easy-to-use tech. Congratulations to Rehan and well done to the restof this year’s participants.”

    After witnessing devastating wildfires in 2016 and 2017 firsthand, Rehan was inspired to explore ways to prevent further disasters. He considers his fire-risk app as the beginning of his commitment to building tools that help communities stay safe and prepared in the face of wildfires.

    Watch Rehan’s demonstration of his app, Terrain Fire Risk Analyzer, here.

    Established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge competition invites high school students from all participating congressional districts to compete by creating and exhibiting their software application for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. This year’s Congressional App Challenge set new records, with an unprecedented 382 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions. 

    Apps are judged based on the following criteria: quality of the idea, including creativity and originality; implementation of the idea, including user experience and design; and demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills.

    Read more about the House Student App Challenge here.

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    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Jayapal, Sanders, Dingell, Hundreds of Health Care Workers Introduce Medicare for All

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (VT), and U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today introduced the Medicare for All Act with hundreds of nurses, health care providers and workers from around the country at a press conference in front of the Capitol.

    In America today, despite spending twice as much per person on health care as other wealthy nations, more than 85 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured, one out of every four Americans cannot afford their prescription drugs, over half a million people go bankrupt due to medically-related debt, and more than 60,000 die because they cannot afford to go to a doctor.

    “It is a travesty when 85 million people are uninsured or underinsured and millions more are drowning in medical debt in the richest nation on Earth,” said Jayapal. “We don’t suffer from scarcity in America, we suffer from greed. That’s most clear in our broken health care system, which is why we need Medicare for All. People deserve and want comprehensive health care that covers mental health, long-term care, reproductive care, dental, vision and hearing, all without copays, private insurance premiums, sky-high deductibles or other hidden fees. Health care is a human right, that is exactly why it’s time to pass Medicare for All.”

    “The American people understand, as I do, that health care is a human right, not a privilege and that we must end the international embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all of its citizens,” said Sanders. “It is not acceptable to me, nor to the American people, that over 85 million people today are either uninsured or underinsured. Today, there are millions of people who would like to go to a doctor but cannot afford to do so. This is an outrage. In America, your health and your longevity should not be dependent on your wealth. Health care is a human right that all Americans, regardless of income, are entitled to and they deserve the best health care that our country can provide.”

    “Every American has the right to health care, period. If you’re sick, you should be able to go to the doctor without being worried about the cost of treatment or prescription medicine. Too many families must decide between putting food on the table and getting medical care that they desperately need,” said Dingell. “A health care system that ties coverage to employment will always leave patients vulnerable. It’s flat-out wrong and Medicare for All would put a stop to it. We’ve been fighting this fight since the 1940s, when my father-in-law helped author the first universal health care bill. It’s time to get this done.”

    Under this legislation, Medicare would provide comprehensive health care to every American with no premiums, no co-payments and no deductibles. It would also expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision care, and it would give every American the freedom to choose their doctors without endless paperwork or fighting their insurance company. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that Medicare for All would save our health care system $650 billion a year. Further, researchers at Yale University have estimated that Medicare for All would save 68,000 lives a year.

    This legislation would also create a health care system that finally puts people over profits. In fact, since 2001, the top health care companies in America spent 95 percent of their profits, $2.6 trillion, not to make Americans healthy but to make their CEOs and stockholders obscenely rich. While nearly one out of four Americans cannot afford the life-saving medicine their doctors prescribe, ten top pharma companies made $102 billion in profits in 2024. Meanwhile, the CEOs of just 4 prescription drug companies – Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, and Merck – together made over $100 million last year.

    “Nurses see the failure of our country’s profit-driven health care system every time we clock in to work,” said Nancy Hagans, President of National Nurses United. “In the richest country on earth, nobody should be forced to choose between taking their medications and putting food on the table. Yet countless families are pushed to the breaking point while greedy corporations charge astronomical, ludicrous fees for care that our patients have every right to receive. Nurses are fighting for a future in which our patients’ health is put first always and that’s why we are proud to continue our support for Medicare for All. When we guarantee health care for all, corporations and billionaires will no longer be able to deny anyone the care that they need.”

    “We are long overdue for a universal health care system that guarantees care for all — free of copays, deductibles, and job-based coverage restrictions,” said Dr. Diljeet K. Singh, M.D., Dr.P.H., and President of Physicians for a National Health Program. “With the passage of the Medicare for All Act, physicians can focus on healing patients, not battling insurers over denials and delays. Patients will finally be able to seek care without the constant fear of crushing medical bills. Physicians for a National Health Program proudly stands with our legislators in the fight to make excellent health care a reality for everyone in America.”

    “As Donald Trump, Robert Kennedy and Congressional Republicans rush to strip health care from millions of Americans, we know this: We must not only block their cruel cuts but move America to a system that provides health care to everyone as a matter of right,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen. “America spends much more than other wealthy countries on health care only to have the worst health outcomes. The system works for health insurers, Big Pharma, hospital chains and private equity firms – but no one else. Medicare for All would ensure everyone in America can get the care they need throughout their lives. It is the realistic, humane, just and efficient reform we need.”

    “Postal workers know the value of affordable, universal services, grounded in a commitment to putting people over profits. That’s the type of service we are committed to provide communities across the country, day in and day out,” said Mark Dimondstein, President of American Postal Workers Union. “For too long, greedy corporations and their Wall Street investors have been able to deny the people of the country the quality, affordable, universal health care working people deserve. Medicare for All, health care as a human right, will make us all healthier and financially better off. A health care system that works for working people, not the profits of the insurance companies, is long overdue. It’s time for Medicare for All.”

    “Health care should be a human right. But every time we negotiate with a boss for the right to see a doctor, they nickel and dime us until people have to choose between their health and putting food on the table,” said Shawn Fain, President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). “We’re sick of having to go on strike just to have decent health care. We’re sick of corporate America asking us to give up raises, retirement security, or work-life balance at the bargaining table so working-class people can avoid medical bankruptcy. Our current health care system is a con job that only works for the billionaire class. Medicare for All is common sense, and it’s what the working class needs. The UAW is proud to support this bill.”

    “If you want to renew the public’s faith in our political system, pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025,” said Alan Minsky, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America. “This one piece of legislation will instantly end the era, which has lasted far too long, when profits and wealth accumulation are more important than human life, including yours. MFA will return the general welfare, and the well-being of every individual, to the heart of our social contract. That will renew faith in America.”

    “Health care is a right, not a privilege. The reintroduction of the Medicare for All Act is a crucial step toward ending a system that profits from people’s pain,” said Analilia Mejia and DaMareo Cooper, Co-Executive Directors of Popular Democracy. “Too many Americans are forced to choose between paying their rent and paying for life-saving medication, while corporations rake in billions. Medicare for All isn’t just a policy—it’s the lifeline working families desperately need. Our communities deserve a health care system that prioritizes people over profits. We will fight until we win the health care we deserve.”

    “Health care is a human right and a basic need. Yet instead of getting health care, Americans get delays, denials, and bills they cannot afford. Today, predatory insurance CEOs are poised to reap the windfall from the tax scam giveaways earmarked for billionaires and corporations. The oligarchs that put Donald Trump and Dr. Oz in power want everything we have. We get sicker, make impossible choices, and go broke. They boost the stock prices of corporations – like UnitedHealth – that profit off our pain, and buy more mansions and yachts. We can put an end to those warped priorities through Medicare for All,” said Sulma Arias, executive director of People’s Action Institute. “Working people have made this the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, and there is more than enough if we don’t let the corporate crooks and billionaires steal it. So it’s time to choose: Our health care or their greed?”

    The legislation has an additional 102 cosponsors in the House: Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-7), Troy Carter (LA-02), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-09), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), William Keating (MA-09), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Ted W. Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James P. McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

    The legislation also has an additional 15 cosponsors in the Senate: Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

    It is also endorsed by dozens of organizations, which can be found here. 

    Issues: Health Care

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Dmitry Chernyshenko met with volunteers from the Zaporizhia region

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmytro Chernyshenko, as part of a working visit to the city of Melitopol in the Zaporizhia region, held a meeting with representatives of the 80th Anniversary of Victory volunteer corps and activists of the “Volunteers of Victory” movement at the Youth Center. The event was also attended by the Governor of the Zaporizhia region Yevhen Balitsky.

    The meeting took place in the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland and on the eve of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The Deputy Prime Minister discussed with the volunteers their participation in the preparation for the celebration, assistance to veterans, and the projects that the guys plan to implement.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized the importance of the volunteer movement in the country and noted the contribution of volunteers to preserving historical memory and supporting veterans.

    He spoke about his personal involvement in the creation of the volunteer movement in Russia and its role in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

    “Now volunteers have even more responsibility on their shoulders. You are helping our country cope with the difficulties its residents are facing. I would like to thank you for giving the most precious thing you have, an irreplaceable resource – time. I am sure that by giving, you also get satisfaction from what you do, you feel a sense of involvement in a great cause. And the only way to repay volunteers in a good way is recognition,” he added.

    At the Youth Center, the Deputy Prime Minister got acquainted with the eco-workshop, the creative project “Art-Yug”, the work of the regional headquarters “We are together”, the media studio and the center for preparation for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory. Since the opening of the Youth Center, about 12 thousand people have taken part in its events.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also visited a number of sports and educational facilities in Melitopol, where significant transformations took place with the support of the Government.

    One of them, the Spartak stadium, is being built practically from scratch. The first stage of work has been completed, and the second stage will begin soon – the arrangement of stands, installation of lighting poles, installation of video surveillance and utility networks. It is expected that the Spartak stadium will become one of the largest football grounds in Donbass and Novorossiya.

    The Deputy Prime Minister spoke with the young football players and presented his team with a certificate for the development of the material and technical base.

    “This year, declared the Year of the Defender of the Fatherland, we are approaching a significant date – May 9. Every family keeps the memory of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers who fought for their native land. Today, our brothers continue this fight in the special military operation zone. We remember and honor their feat. As a sign of support and respect, we have brought you a gift that we hope will help you in your training. We wish you to grow up to be strong athletes, achieve success in the Russian Football Premier League and take worthy places,” he said.

    In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko met with the students of the Children’s and Youth Sports School No. 1 and presented the team with a certificate for the purchase of sports equipment and gear.

    The school was launched in September last year by President Vladimir Putin.

    “In less than a year, a major overhaul of the building and premises was carried out here: the gyms, locker rooms, showers, utility rooms were completely renovated, the ventilation was replaced, a new fire-fighting system and new sports equipment were installed. The territory was also improved. More than 6 thousand children are involved in the system of children’s and youth sports schools of the region, and this number is constantly growing. Only at the Melitopol Youth Sports School No. 1, about a thousand children are involved in sports,” said the governor of the Zaporizhia region, Yevgeny Balitsky.

    At Melitopol State University (MelSU), Dmitry Chernyshenko assessed the progress of major repairs. The comprehensive program for modernizing MelSU infrastructure includes academic buildings, student dormitory buildings, gyms, canteens, a library, boiler houses and other facilities. By September 1, 2025, it is planned to complete major repairs of four academic buildings.

    “More than 13 thousand students receive higher education at Melitopol State University, last year more than 5.5 thousand students from 73 regions of Russia entered MelSU, which once again demonstrates the demand and development of education in the Zaporizhzhya region, which is fully integrated into the educational field of the Russian Federation,” added Evgeniy Balitsky.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko presented Melitopol University with a certificate for the purchase of printing equipment. The Deputy Prime Minister laid flowers at the monuments to Hero of the Soviet Union Nikolai Malyuga and twice Hero of Socialist Labor Dmitry Motorny.

    In Melitopol, Dmitry Chernyshenko also got acquainted with the multimedia historical park “Russia – My History”. He paid special attention to the exhibition dedicated to the celebration of Victory Day.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Dismisses Half Century Old Louisiana Consent Decree

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Justice Department Dismisses Half Century Old Louisiana Consent Decree

    In 1966, the United States sued Plaquemines Parish School Board seeking to desegregate its schools. By 1975, the Court found the schools had been properly integrated, but the case was never removed from the Court system. Thus, for nearly a half century the case remained open.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Sanders, Jayapal, Dingell, Hundreds of Health Care Workers Introduce Medicare for All

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
    WASHINGTON, April 29 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), alongside Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), today introduced the Medicare for All Act. Hundreds of nurses, health care providers and workers from around the nation joined the lawmakers for a press conference in front of the Capitol.
    In America today, despite spending twice as much per person on health care as other wealthy nations, more than 85 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured, one out of every four Americans cannot afford their prescription drugs, over half a million people go bankrupt due to medically-related debt, and more than 60,000 die because they cannot afford to go to a doctor.
    “The American people understand, as I do, that health care is a human right, not a privilege and that we must end the international embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on earth that does not guarantee health care to all of its citizens,” said Sanders. “It is not acceptable to me, nor to the American people, that over 85 million people today are either uninsured or underinsured. Today, there are millions of people who would like to go to a doctor but cannot afford to do so. This is an outrage. In America, your health and your longevity should not be dependent on your wealth. Health care is a human right that all Americans, regardless of income, are entitled to and they deserve the best health care that our country can provide.”
    “It is a travesty when 85 million people are uninsured or underinsured and millions more are drowning in medical debt in the richest nation on Earth,” said Jayapal. “We don’t suffer from scarcity in America, we suffer from greed. That’s most clear in our broken health care system, which is why we need Medicare for All. People deserve and want comprehensive health care that covers mental health, long-term care, reproductive care, dental, vision and hearing, all without copays, private insurance premiums, sky-high deductibles or other hidden fees. Health care is a human right, that is exactly why it’s time to pass Medicare for All.”
    “Every American has the right to health care, period. If you’re sick, you should be able to go to the doctor without being worried about the cost of treatment or prescription medicine. Too many families must decide between putting food on the table and getting medical care that they desperately need,” said Dingell. “A health care system that ties coverage to employment will always leave patients vulnerable. It’s flat-out wrong and Medicare for All would put a stop to it. We’ve been fighting this fight since the 1940s, when my father-in-law helped author the first universal health care bill. It’s time to get this done.”
    Under this legislation, Medicare would provide comprehensive health care to every American with no premiums, no co-payments and no deductibles. It would also expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision care, and it would give every American the freedom to choose their doctors without endless paperwork or fighting their insurance company. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that Medicare for All would save our health care system $650 billion a year. Further, researchers at Yale University have estimated that Medicare for All would save 68,000 lives a year.
    This legislation would also create a health care system that finally puts people over profits. In fact, since 2001, the top health care companies in America spent 95 percent of their profits, $2.6 trillion, not to make Americans healthy but to make their CEOs and stockholders obscenely rich. While nearly one out of four Americans cannot afford the life-saving medicine their doctors prescribe, ten top pharma companies made $102 billion in profits in 2024. Meanwhile, the CEOs of just 4 prescription drug companies – Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, and Merck – together made over $100 million last year.
    The legislation has 104 cosponsors in the House and has 16 cosponsors in the Senate – an increase in the number of Senate cosponsors from last Congress – including Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).
    “Nurses see the failure of our country’s profit-driven health care system every time we clock in to work,” said Nancy Hagans, President of National Nurses United. “In the richest country on earth, nobody should be forced to choose between taking their medications and putting food on the table. Yet countless families are pushed to the breaking point while greedy corporations charge astronomical, ludicrous fees for care that our patients have every right to receive. Nurses are fighting for a future in which our patients’ health is put first always and that’s why we are proud to continue our support for Medicare for All. When we guarantee health care for all, corporations and billionaires will no longer be able to deny anyone the care that they need.”
    “We are long overdue for a universal health care system that guarantees care for all — free of copays, deductibles, and job-based coverage restrictions,” said Dr. Diljeet K. Singh, M.D., Dr.P.H., and President of Physicians for a National Health Program. “With the passage of the Medicare for All Act, physicians can focus on healing patients, not battling insurers over denials and delays. Patients will finally be able to seek care without the constant fear of crushing medical bills. Physicians for a National Health Program proudly stands with our legislators in the fight to make excellent health care a reality for everyone in America.”
    “As Donald Trump, Robert Kennedy and Congressional Republicans rush to strip health care from millions of Americans, we know this: We must not only block their cruel cuts but move America to a system that provides health care to everyone as a matter of right,” said Robert Weissman, co-president of Public Citizen. “America spends much more than other wealthy countries on health care only to have the worst health outcomes. The system works for health insurers, Big Pharma, hospital chains and private equity firms – but no one else. Medicare for All would ensure everyone in America can get the care they need throughout their lives. It is the realistic, humane, just and efficient reform we need.”
    “Postal workers know the value of affordable, universal services, grounded in a commitment to putting people over profits. That’s the type of service we are committed to provide communities across the country, day in and day out,” said Mark Dimondstein, President of American Postal Workers Union. “For too long, greedy corporations and their Wall Street investors have been able to deny the people of the country the quality, affordable, universal health care working people deserve. Medicare for All, health care as a human right, will make us all healthier and financially better off. A health care system that works for working people, not the profits of the insurance companies, is long overdue. It’s time for Medicare for All.”
    “Health care should be a human right. But every time we negotiate with a boss for the right to see a doctor, they nickel and dime us until people have to choose between their health and putting food on the table,” said Shawn Fain, President of the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). “We’re sick of having to go on strike just to have decent health care. We’re sick of corporate America asking us to give up raises, retirement security, or work-life balance at the bargaining table so working-class people can avoid medical bankruptcy. Our current health care system is a con job that only works for the billionaire class. Medicare for All is common sense, and it’s what the working class needs. The UAW is proud to support this bill.”
    “If you want to renew the public’s faith in our political system, pass the Medicare for All Act of 2025,” said Alan Minsky, Executive Director, Progressive Democrats of America. “This one piece of legislation will instantly end the era, which has lasted far too long, when profits and wealth accumulation are more important than human life, including yours. MFA will return the general welfare, and the well-being of every individual, to the heart of our social contract. That will renew faith in America.”
    “Health care is a right, not a privilege. The reintroduction of the Medicare for All Act is a crucial step toward ending a system that profits from people’s pain,” said Analilia Mejia and DaMareo Cooper, Co-Executive Directors of Popular Democracy. “Too many Americans are forced to choose between paying their rent and paying for life-saving medication, while corporations rake in billions. Medicare for All isn’t just a policy—it’s the lifeline working families desperately need. Our communities deserve a health care system that prioritizes people over profits. We will fight until we win the health care we deserve.”
    “Health care is a human right and a basic need. Yet instead of getting health care, Americans get delays, denials, and bills they cannot afford. Today, predatory insurance CEOs are poised to reap the windfall from the tax scam giveaways earmarked for billionaires and corporations. The oligarchs that put Donald Trump and Dr. Oz in power want everything we have. We get sicker, make impossible choices, and go broke. They boost the stock prices of corporations – like UnitedHealth – that profit off our pain, and buy more mansions and yachts. We can put an end to those warped priorities through Medicare for All,” said Sulma Arias, executive director of People’s Action Institute. “Working people have made this the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, and there is more than enough if we don’t let the corporate crooks and billionaires steal it. So it’s time to choose: Our health care or their greed?”
    Read the bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –