NewzIntel.com

Category: Education

  • MIL-OSI Global: The psychology behind anti-trans legislation: How cognitive biases shape thoughts and policy

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Julia Standefer, Ph.D. Student in Psychology, Iowa State University

    Protesters fill the Iowa state Capitol to denounce a bill that will strip the state civil rights code of protections based on gender identity. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

    A state law signed Feb. 28, 2025, removes gender identity as a protected status from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, leaving transgender people vulnerable to discrimination. The rights of transgender people – those who present gender characteristics that differ from what has historically been expected of someone based on their biological sex traits – are under political attack across the United States. There are now hundreds of anti-trans bills at various points in the legislative process.

    But why?

    Reasons given usually center on protecting children, protecting cisgender women’s rights in bathrooms and sports competitions, and on removing funding for gender-affirming care. Some efforts appear to stem from fear-driven motives that are not supported by evidence.

    Bias against trans people may not always feel like bias. For someone who believes it to be true, saying there can only be biological men who identify as men and biological women who identify as women may feel like a statement of fact. But research shows that gender is a spectrum, separate from biological sex, which is also more complex than the common male-female binary.

    We are social psychologists who study and teach about the basic social, cognitive and emotion-based processes people use to make sense of themselves and the world. Research reveals psychological processes that bias people in ways they usually aren’t aware of. These common human tendencies can influence what we think about a particular group, influence how we act toward them, and prompt legislators to pass biased laws.

    Root of negative views of transgender people

    Social psychology theory and research point to several possible sources of negative views of transgender people.

    Part of forming your own identity is defining yourself by the traits that make you unique. To do this, you categorize others as belonging to your group – based on characteristics that matter to you, such as race, age, culture or gender – or not. Psychologists call these categories in-groups and out-groups.

    There is a natural human tendency to have inherent negative feelings toward people who aren’t part of your in-group. The bias you might feel against fans of a rival sports team is an example. This tendency may be rooted deep in evolutionary history, when favoring your own safe group over unknown outsiders would have been a survival advantage.

    A trans person’s status as transgender may be the most salient thing about them to an observer, overshadowing other characteristics such as their height, race, profession, parental status and so on. As a small minority, transgender people are an out-group from the mainstream – making it likely out-group bias will be directed their way.

    Anti-trans feeling may also result from fear that transgender people pose threats to one’s personal or group identity. Gender is part of everyone’s identity. If someone perceives their own gender to be determined by their biological sex, they may perceive other people who violate that “rule” as a threat to their own gender identity. Part of identity formation is not just out-group derogation but in-group favoritism. A cisgender person may engage in “in-group boundary protection” by making sure the parameters of “gender” are well defined and match their own beliefs.

    Once you hold negative feelings about someone in an out-group, there are other social psychological processes that may solidify and amplify them in your mind.

    The illusion of a causal connection

    People tend to form illusory correlations between objects, people, occurrences or behaviors, particularly when those things are infrequently encountered. Two distinctive things happening at the same time makes people believe that one is causing the other.

    Some superstitions result from this phenomenon. For example, you might attribute an unusual success such as winning money to wearing a particular shirt, which you now think of as your lucky shirt.

    If a person only ever hears about negative events when they see or hear about a transgender person, an immigrant or a member of some other minority group, then an illusory correlation can form between the negative events and the minority group. That connection is the starting point for prejudice: automatic, negative feelings toward a group of people without justification.

    Of course, it is possible that individuals from the group in question have committed some offense. But to take one individual’s bad deed and attribute it to an entire group of people isn’t justified. This kind of extrapolation is the natural human tendency of stereotyping, which can bias people’s actions.

    ‘That’s exactly what I thought’

    Human minds are biased to confirm the beliefs they already hold, including stereotypes about trans people. A few interconnected processes are at play in what psychologists call confirmation bias.

    First, there’s a natural tendency to seek out information that fits with what you already believe. If you think a shirt is lucky, then you’re more likely to look for positive things that happen when you wear it than you are to look for negative events that would seem to disconfirm its luckiness.

    If you think transgender people are dangerous, you are more likely to conduct an internet search for “transgender people who are dangerous” than “transgender people are victims of crime.”

    There’s a second, more passive process in play as well. Rather than actively seeking out confirming information, people also simply pay attention to information that confirms what they thought in the first place and ignore contradictory information. This can happen without you even realizing.

    People also tend to interpret ambiguous events in line with their beliefs – “I must be having a good day, despite some setbacks, because I’m wearing my lucky shirt.” That confirmation bias could explain someone with anti-trans attitudes thinking “that transgender person holding hands with a child must be a pedophile” instead of “that transgender mother is showing love and care for her kid.”

    Finally, people tend to remember things that confirm their beliefs better than things that challenge them.

    Confirmation bias can strengthen an illusory correlation, making it even more likely to influence subsequent actions – whether compulsively wearing a lucky shirt to an anxiety-inducing appointment or not hiring someone because of discriminatory thoughts about the group they belong to.

    Moving past biases

    Awareness of biases is the first step in avoiding them. Setting bias aside allows people to make fair decisions, based on accurate information, and in line with their values.

    However, this is not an easy task in the face of another social psychological process called group polarization. This phenomenon occurs when individuals’ beliefs become more extreme as they talk and listen only to people who hold the same beliefs they do. Think of the social media bubbles that result from interacting only with people who share your perspective.

    Efforts to stifle or prohibit educators’ and librarians’ ability to teach and discuss gender and sexuality topics, openly and fairly, add another challenge. Education through access to impartial, evidence-based information can be one way to help neutralize inherent bias.

    Montana state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who is transgender, in discussion with a colleague.
    AP Photo/Tommy Martino

    As a final, hopeful point, social psychological research has identified one strategy for overcoming intergroup conflict: forming close contacts with individuals from the “other” group. Having a friend, loved one or trusted and valued colleague who belongs to the out-group can help you recognize their humanity and overcome the biases you hold against that out-group as a whole.

    A relevant and recent example of this scenario came when two transgender state representatives convinced their fellow lawmakers to vote against two extreme anti-trans bills in Montana by making the issue personal.

    All of these decision-making biases influence everyone, not just the lawmakers currently in power. And they can be quite complex, with particular in-group and out-group memberships being hard to define – for instance, factions within religious groups who disagree on particular political issues.

    But understanding and overcoming the biases everyone falls prey to means that optimal decisions can be made for everyone’s well-being and economic vitality. After all, psychology research has repeatedly demonstrated that diversity is good for the bottom line while it simultaneously promotes an equitable and inclusive society. Even from a solely financial perspective, discrimination is bad for all Americans.

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

    – ref. The psychology behind anti-trans legislation: How cognitive biases shape thoughts and policy – https://theconversation.com/the-psychology-behind-anti-trans-legislation-how-cognitive-biases-shape-thoughts-and-policy-251691

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Radioisotope generators − inside the ‘nuclear batteries’ that power faraway spacecraft

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Benjamin Roulston, Assistant Professor of Physics, Clarkson University

    Voyager 1, shown in this illustration, has operated for decades thanks to a radioisotope power system. NASA via AP

    Powering spacecraft with solar energy may not seem like a challenge, given how intense the Sun’s light can feel on Earth. Spacecraft near the Earth use large solar panels to harness the Sun for the electricity needed to run their communications systems and science instruments.

    However, the farther into space you go, the weaker the Sun’s light becomes and the less useful it is for powering systems with solar panels. Even in the inner solar system, spacecraft such as lunar or Mars rovers need alternative power sources.

    As an astrophysicist and professor of physics, I teach a senior-level aerospace engineering course on the space environment. One of the key lessons I emphasize to my students is just how unforgiving space can be. In this extreme environment where spacecraft must withstand intense solar flares, radiation and temperature swings from hundreds of degrees below zero to hundreds of degrees above zero, engineers have developed innovative solutions to power some of the most remote and isolated space missions.

    So how do engineers power missions in the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond? The solution is technology developed in the 1960s based on scientific principles discovered two centuries ago: radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs.

    RTGs are essentially nuclear-powered batteries. But unlike the AAA batteries in your TV remote, RTGs can provide power for decades while hundreds of millions to billions of miles from Earth.

    Nuclear power

    Radioisotope thermoelectric generators do not rely on chemical reactions like the batteries in your phone. Instead, they rely on the radioactive decay of elements to produce heat and eventually electricity. While this concept sounds similar to that of a nuclear power plant, RTGs work on a different principle.

    Most RTGs are built using plutonium-238 as their source of energy, which is not usable for nuclear power plants since it does not sustain fission reactions. Instead, plutonium-238 is an unstable element that will undergo radioactive decay.

    Radioactive decay, or nuclear decay, happens when an unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously and randomly emits particles and energy to reach a more stable configuration. This process often causes the element to change into another element, since the nucleus can lose protons.

    Plutonium-238 decays into uranium-234 and emits an alpha particle, made of two protons and two neutrons.
    NASA

    When plutonium-238 decays, it emits alpha particles, which consist of two protons and two neutrons. When the plutonium-238, which starts with 94 protons, releases an alpha particle, it loses two protons and turns into uranium-234, which has 92 protons.

    These alpha particles interact with and transfer energy into the material surrounding the plutonium, which heats up that material. The radioactive decay of plutonium-238 releases enough energy that it can glow red from its own heat, and it is this powerful heat that is the energy source to power an RTG.

    The nuclear heat source for the Mars Curiosity rover is encased in a graphite shell. The fuel glows red hot because of the radioactive decay of plutonium-238.
    Idaho National Laboratory, CC BY

    Heat as power

    Radioisotope thermoelectric generators can turn heat into electricity using a principle called the Seebeck effect, discovered by German scientist Thomas Seebeck in 1821. As an added benefit, the heat from some types of RTGs can help keep electronics and the other components of a deep-space mission warm and working well.

    In its basic form, the Seebeck effect describes how two wires of different conducting materials joined in a loop produce a current in that loop when exposed to a temperature difference.

    The Seeback effect is the principle behind RTGs.

    Devices that use this principle are called thermoelectric couples, or thermocouples. These thermocouples allow RTGs to produce electricity from the difference in temperature created by the heat of plutonium-238 decay and the frigid cold of space.

    Radioisotope thermoelectric generator design

    In a basic radioisotope thermoelectric generator, you have a container of plutonium-238, stored in the form of plutonium-dioxide, often in a solid ceramic state that provides extra safety in the event of an accident. The plutonium material is surrounded by a protective layer of foil insulation to which a large array of thermocouples is attached. The whole assembly is inside a protective aluminum casing.

    An RTG has decaying material in its core, which generates heat that it converts to electricity.
    U.S. Department of Energy

    The interior of the RTG and one side of the thermocouples is kept hot – close to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) – while the outside of the RTG and the other side of the thermocouples are exposed to space. This outside, space-facing layer can be as cold as a few hundred degrees Fahrenheit below zero.

    This strong temperature difference allows an RTG to turn the heat from radioactive decay into electricity. That electricity powers all kinds of spacecraft, from communications systems to science instruments to rovers on Mars, including five current NASA missions.

    But don’t get too excited about buying an RTG for your house. With the current technology, they can produce only a few hundred watts of power. That may be enough to power a standard laptop, but not enough to play video games with a powerful GPU.

    For deep-space missions, however, those couple hundred watts are more than enough.

    The real benefit of RTGs is their ability to provide predictable, consistent power. The radioactive decay of plutonium is constant – every second of every day for decades. Over the course of about 90 years, only half the plutonium in an RTG will have decayed away. An RTG requires no moving parts to generate electricity, which makes them much less likely to break down or stop working.

    Additionally, they have an excellent safety record, and they’re designed to survive their normal use and also be safe in the event of an accident.

    RTGs in action

    RTGs have been key to the success of many of NASA’s solar system and deep-space missions. The Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and the New Horizons spacecraft that visited Pluto in 2015 have all used RTGs. New Horizons is traveling out of the solar system, where its RTGs will provide power where solar panels could not.

    However, no missions capture the power of RTGs quite like the Voyager missions. NASA launched the twin spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in 1977 to take a tour of the outer solar system and then journey beyond it.

    The RTGs on the Voyager probes have allowed the spacecraft to stay powered up while they collect data.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Each craft was equipped with three RTGs, providing a total of 470 watts of power at launch. It has been almost 50 years since the launch of the Voyager probes, and both are still active science missions, collecting and sending data back to Earth.

    Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are about 15.5 billion miles and 13 billion miles (nearly 25 billion kilometers and 21 billion kilometers) from the Earth, respectively, making them the most distant human-made objects ever. Even at these extreme distances, their RTGs are still providing them consistent power.

    These spacecraft are a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who first designed RTGs in the early 1960s.

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

    – ref. Radioisotope generators − inside the ‘nuclear batteries’ that power faraway spacecraft – https://theconversation.com/radioisotope-generators-inside-the-nuclear-batteries-that-power-faraway-spacecraft-248504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Abolishing NHS England could shift power from the centre – but health service overhauls rarely go well

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Judith Smith, Professor of Health Policy and Management, University of Birmingham

    The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has announced plans to abolish NHS England, the organisation that oversees and manages the NHS in England, employing 19,000 people.

    He declared he was bringing the NHS back under “democratic control” and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy by moving oversight of the NHS back into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This will reverse plans put in place by the Conservative-led coalition government in 2013 when it tried to “take the politics out of the NHS” by having NHS England as an independent body.

    The NHS is the largest public sector organisation in England, seeing 1.7 million people each day including in patients’ own homes, local GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals. It employs 1.7 million people, is funded largely out of general taxation, and has an annual budget of about £190 billion.

    The NHS is, however, one of the most centrally organised health systems in the world. This contrasts with many European and other countries where there is typically a national ministry of health to set strategy, with the detail of how this is implemented being left to regional and local councils, health authorities and hospitals.

    Some analysts have suggested that the NHS has become even more centrally managed in recent years, but the truth is it has always been held very close by its political masters.

    On the face of it, there are advantages to abolishing NHS England, allowing DHSC to focus on clarifying politicians’ priorities for how and on what NHS funding will be spent. These will include reducing waiting lists for operations, making it easier to get an appointment with a GP, and ensuring that emergency departments can deal quickly with patients without resorting to “corridor care”.

    In turn, local NHS organisations such as integrated care boards (who among other things organise GP, dental, pharmacy and optometry services) and NHS trusts (who run hospitals, community, mental health and ambulance services) can concentrate on making sure these policy priorities are put into practice in ways that work best for local communities.

    NHS England has a range of other important roles that will need to be reallocated, whether to an expanded DHSC or elsewhere. These include planning the training of healthcare staff, organising vaccination and screening programmes, purchasing medicines, and collating huge amounts of data about NHS activity and performance.

    The government has also announced plans to halve staffing in the 42 local integrated care boards, so any move of former NHS England roles to this level will probably only happen if these local boards merge, which now seems likely.

    The government appears therefore to have signalled another NHS management “redisorganisation” – something the NHS has suffered on a periodic basis, a consequence of its highly centralised and political nature. Research evidence is clear that management reorganisations struggle to achieve their objectives, causing instead significant distraction away from work to improve services for patients.

    In his major review of the NHS for the new Labour government in September 2024, Lord Ara Darzi – a former Labour health minister – highlighted the urgent need for more skilled and effective managers to support NHS staff in restoring and improving the service after years of economic austerity and the challenges of the pandemic. This seems to run counter to recent announcements about “cutting bureaucracy”.

    With careful planning, there is, however, potential for the abolition of NHS England to lead to a slimmer DHSC (more akin to some of its European counterparts) with a smaller number of well-resourced and managed integrated care boards who could effectively steer, support and monitor local NHS trusts and primary care services.

    In 2002, Alan Milburn, then secretary of state for health in Tony Blair’s government, issued a white paper called Shifting the Balance of Power Within the NHS. Milburn is now a leading figure in the Starmer government’s health team, so it is perhaps not surprising that we have these new plans to slim the policy centre, shift power and decision-making more locally, and enable stronger accountability to politicians and the public.

    What is likely to happen?

    What will matter as much as what is done is how these changes are made. The government has Lord Darzi’s clear and comprehensive diagnosis of the NHS’s problems. It now needs to prioritise what should be done first and what can wait, and has made a good start on this with its recent planning guidance to the NHS.

    What will be much more difficult will be to decide exactly how to reduce and then abolish NHS England – doing this in a way that ensures important roles are moved smoothly to DHSC, integrated care boards and NHS trusts.

    History is not encouraging. There is a big risk that NHS managers will find themselves focusing too much attention on handling a major reorganisation when they (and patients) would rather they concentrate on improving services.

    The government clearly wants to hold on to setting policy direction for the NHS while letting go of the detail of implementation to local level. But ultimately, it will be held to account by a population impatient for improvements to NHS services.

    Judith Smith receives funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research for research and evaluation of health services. She has been funded by the Health Foundation to provide expert primary care policy advice. Judith is Trustee and Chair of Health Services Research UK and Director of Health Services Research with Birmingham Health Partners. She is a Senior Associate of the Nuffield Trust.

    – ref. Abolishing NHS England could shift power from the centre – but health service overhauls rarely go well – https://theconversation.com/abolishing-nhs-england-could-shift-power-from-the-centre-but-health-service-overhauls-rarely-go-well-252240

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Waiting lists, crumbling buildings, staff burnout: five years on, COVID is still hurting the financial health of the NHS

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Catia Nicodemo, Professor of Health Economics, Brunel University of London

    The NHS was hit hard by COVID. And no amount of appreciative clapping or painted rainbows could distract from the vulnerabilities which were exposed by the pandemic – or the challenges it created.

    Some of those challenges – like the staggering backlog in patient care, or the huge mental and physical toll experienced by staff – will take years to overcome.

    And anyone compelled to attend a hospital in the UK at the moment can see the evidence at first hand. Wards are very busy and staff are overstretched.

    This is part of the legacy of a fast-spreading virus which killed 232,112 people in the UK and left an estimated 2 million suffering from the effects of long-COVID. It demanded urgent action from hospitals and health workers and brought immediate and widespread disruption to routine care, with appointments for elective surgery, cancer screenings and chronic disease management all delayed.

    One 2024 study I worked on analysed appointment cancellations for cancer patients during the pandemic, and found that they waited an average of 19 days longer than before for rescheduled appointments. (Mortality rates remained stable though, indicating that the NHS effectively prioritised the most urgent cases.)

    This kind of disruption has left the healthcare system facing a monumental backlog, with treatment waiting lists soaring to record levels. According to the British Medical Association, there are over 7.5 million people now on waiting lists (compared to 4.5 million before the pandemic) – and those waiting times are longer.

    Cutting this waiting list is apparently one of the prime ministers’s priorities. But there is no easy fix.

    The basic infrastructure of the NHS – the buildings, IT equipment, offices – is creaking, with outdated facilities, insufficient beds and a lack of specialised equipment. And one study suggests that capital funding – investment in assets that will be used for more than a year – for NHS trusts in England is down by 21% over the past five years.

    This is primarily because the Department of Health and Social Care has been diverting long-term investment funds to cover day-to-day operational costs such as staff salaries and medicines.

    Since 2019, £500 million of capital investment has been cancelled or postponed. And while overall NHS budgets have been growing, the increased spending has often been absorbed by inflation, rising demand and the need to address immediate pressures. This leaves little for infrastructure upgrades, new equipment or technological advancements.

    The Health Foundation has warned that the lack of a long-term capital funding strategy could further jeopardise patient care in the future. Many NHS facilities no longer meet the needs of a modern health service, with some hospitals requiring complete refurbishment or replacement rather than just repairs.

    And of course, treating patients is not just about equipment and buildings. Nurses and doctors are under extreme pressure, facing unprecedented levels of stress, burnout and trauma. A recent survey revealed that one in three NHS doctors are experiencing extreme tiredness, impairing their ability to treat patients effectively.

    NHS key workers wave from inside Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, May 2020.
    Guy William/Shutterstock

    A similar number said their ability to practice medicine may have been negatively affected by fatigue, with some even reporting cases of patient harm or a near-miss incident.

    Stressed NHS

    And although the NHS workforce has actually grown over the past five years, it has not been sufficient to reduce waiting lists, deal with growing demand, or improve staff morale. Anxiety, stress and depression accounted for for over 624,300 working days lost in one month last year.

    Without a healthy and motivated workforce, the NHS’s recovery efforts will remain severely hampered. Other contributing factors include increased demand for healthcare services, partly due to an ageing population and the growing prevalence of chronic conditions.

    To address these challenges, the NHS needs a modernised approach to patient care. Research suggests that technology including telemedicine (online consultations) and AI-driven diagnostics, could streamline services and reduce waiting times.

    Other possible steps include the expansion of community diagnostic centres, to ease access to tests, and screenings, to improve efficiency.

    Overall, the pandemic has underscored the critical importance of a robust and resilient healthcare system. As the NHS navigates its own path to recovery, it must prioritise both immediate solutions to the backlog crisis and long-term strategies. This will require significant investment, but also a commitment to innovation and the wellbeing of healthcare workers.

    The road ahead for the NHS will be tricky, but with the right measures in place, it could emerge stronger and more resilient than ever. The lessons learned from COVID should serve as a catalyst for transformative change, ensuring that the UK’s healthcare system is better prepared to face whatever the future may hold.

    Catia Nicodemo 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. Waiting lists, crumbling buildings, staff burnout: five years on, COVID is still hurting the financial health of the NHS – https://theconversation.com/waiting-lists-crumbling-buildings-staff-burnout-five-years-on-covid-is-still-hurting-the-financial-health-of-the-nhs-251637

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: People in this career are better at seeing through optical illusions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Martin Doherty, Associate Professor in Psychology, University of East Anglia

    fran_kie/Shutterstock

    Optical illusions are great fun, and they fool virtually everyone. But have you ever wondered if you could train yourself to unsee these illusions? Our latest research suggests that you can.

    Optical illusions tell a lot about how people see things. For example, look at the picture below.

    The Ebbinghaus illusion.
    Hermann Ebbinghaus

    The two orange circles are identical, but the one on the right looks bigger. Why?
    We use context to figure out what we are seeing. Something surrounded by smaller things is often quite big. Our visual system takes context into account, so it judges the orange circle on the right as bigger than the one on the left.

    This illusion was discovered by German psychologist Herman Ebbinghaus in the 19th century. This and similar geometrical illusions have been studied by psychologists ever since.

    How much you are affected by illusions like these depends on who you are. For example, women are more affected by the illusion than men – they see things more in context.

    Young children do not see illusions at all. To a five-year-old, the two orange circles look the same. It takes time to learn how to use context cues.

    Neurodevelopmental conditions similarly affect illusion perception. People with autism or schizophrenia are less likely to see illusions. This is because these people tend to pay greater attention to the central circle, and less to the surrounding ones.

    The culture you grew up in also affects how much you attend to context. Research has found that east Asian perception is more holistic, taking everything into account. Western perception is more analytic, focusing on central objects.

    These differences would predict greater illusion sensitivity in east Asia. And true enough, Japanese people seem to experience much stronger effects than British people in this kind of illusion.

    This may also depend on environment. Japanese people typically live in urban environments. In crowded urban scenes, being able to keep track of objects relative to other objects is important. This requires more attention to context. Members of the nomadic Himba tribe in the almost uninhabited Namibian desert do not seem to be fooled by the illusion at all.

    Gender, developmental, neurodevelopmental and cultural differences are all well established when it comes to optical illusions. However, what scientists did not know until now is whether people can learn to see illusions less intensely.

    A hint came from our previous work comparing mathematical and social scientists’ judgements of illusions (we work in universities, so we sometimes study our colleagues). Social scientists, such as psychologists, see illusions more strongly.

    Researchers like us have to take many factors into account. Perhaps this makes us more sensitive to context even in the way we see things. But also, it could be that your visual style affects what you choose to study. One of us (Martin) went to university to study physics, but left with a psychology degree. As it happens, his illusion perception is much stronger than normal.

    Training your illusion skills

    Despite all these individual differences, researchers have always thought that you have no choice over whether you see the illusion. Our recent research challenges this idea.

    Radiologists need to be able to rapidly spot important information in medical scans. Doing this often means they have to ignore surrounding detail.

    Radiologists train extensively, so does this make them better at seeing through illusions? We found it does. We studied 44 radiologists, compared to over 100 psychology and medical students.

    Below is one of our images. The orange circle on the left is 6% smaller than the one on the right. Most people in the study saw it as larger.

    The orange circle on the left is actually smaller.
    Radoslaw Wincza, CC BY-NC-ND

    Here is another image. Most non-radiologists still saw the left one as bigger. Yet, it is 10% smaller. Most radiologists got this one right.

    Does the left orange circle look bigger or smaller to you?
    Radoslaw Wincza, CC BY-NC-ND

    It was not until the difference was nearly 18%, as shown in the image below, that most non-radiologists saw through the illusion.

    Most people get this one right.
    Radoslaw Wincza, CC BY-NC-ND

    Radiologists are not entirely immune to the illusion, but are much less susceptible. We also looked at radiologists just beginning training. Their illusion perception was no better than normal. It seems radiologists’ superior perception is a result of their extensive training.

    According to current theories of expertise, this shouldn’t happen. Becoming an expert in chess, for example, makes you better at chess but not anything else. But our findings suggest that becoming an expert in medical image analysis also makes you better at seeing through some optical illusions.

    There is plenty left to find out. Perhaps the most intriguing possibility is that training on optical illusions can improve radiologists’ skills at their own work.

    So, how can you learn to see through illusions? Simple. Just five years of medical school, then seven more of radiology training and this skill can be yours too.

    Martin Doherty received funding from the British Academy/Leverhulme Trust who partially supported this work. He continues to receive funding from the Leverhulme Trust.

    Radoslaw Wincza 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. People in this career are better at seeing through optical illusions – https://theconversation.com/people-in-this-career-are-better-at-seeing-through-optical-illusions-251984

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: China’s dwindling marriage rate is fuelling demand for brides trafficked from abroad

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ming Gao, Research Scholar of East Asia Studies in History Division, Lund University

    Fewer people in China are opting to get married. imtmphoto / Shutterstock

    China’s marriage rate is in steep decline. There were 6.1 million marriage registrations nationwide in 2024, down from 7.7 million the previous year. This decline has prompted Chen Songxi, a Chinese national political adviser, to propose lowering the legal marriage age from 22 to 18.

    The drop in China’s marriage rate has been driven by a combination of factors. These include increased economic pressures, evolving social attitudes towards marriage, and higher levels of education.

    Urban Chinese women, in particular, are increasingly pushing back against traditional gender expectations, which emphasise marriage and childbearing as essential life milestones. Rising living costs are also making it increasingly difficult for many young people to afford to get married.

    At the same time, China is grappling with a longstanding gender imbalance, a legacy of the country’s sweeping one-child policy and cultural preference for male children. In the early 2000s, when the imbalance was at its peak, China’s sex ratio at birth reached 121 boys for every 100 girls. For every 100 girls born in some provinces, there were more than 130 boys.

    The gender imbalance is particularly pronounced among those born in the 1980s, a generation I belong to. This is due to the widespread use of ultrasound technology from the mid-1980s onward, which offered parents the ability to terminate pregnancies if their child was female.

    Unmarried men in China have become part of the so-called “era of leftover men” (shengnan shidai in Chinese). This is an internet term that loosely refers to the period between 2020 and 2050, when an estimated 30 million to 50 million Chinese men are expected to be unable to find a wife.

    A Chinese couple walk through Beijing with their child in 2015.
    TonyV3112 / Shutterstock

    The conundrum is that many of these “leftover” men want to marry – I know this firsthand. Some of my peers from primary and secondary school have been desperately searching for a wife, but have struggled to find a spouse. A widely used phrase in China, “difficulty in getting married” (jiehun nan), encapsulates this struggle.

    Unable to find a domestic spouse, some Chinese men have turned to “purchasing” foreign brides. The growing demand for these brides, particularly in rural areas, has fuelled a rise in illegal marriages. This includes marriages involving children and women who have been trafficked into China primarily from neighbouring countries in south-east Asia.

    According to a Human Rights Watch report released in 2019 on bride trafficking from Myanmar to China “a porous border and lack of response by law enforcement agencies on both sides [has] created an environment in which traffickers flourish”.

    The Chinese government has now pledged to crack down on the industry. In March 2024, China’s Ministry of Public Security launched a campaign against the transnational trafficking of women and children, calling for enhanced international cooperation to eliminate these crimes.

    ‘Purchased’ foreign brides

    These marriages are often arranged through informal networks or commercial agencies, both of which are illegal according to China’s state council.

    Human Rights Watch says that women and girls in neighbouring countries are typically tricked by brokers who promise well-paid employment in China. They find themselves at the mercy of the brokers once they reach China, and are sold for between US$3,000 (£2,300) and US$13,000 to Chinese men.

    Determining the extent of illegal cross-border marriages in China is challenging due to the clandestine nature of these activities. But the most recent data from the UK’s Home Office suggests that 75% of Vietnamese human-trafficking victims were smuggled to China, with women and children making up 90% of cases.

    The Woman from Myanmar, an award-winning documentary from 2022, follows the story of a trafficked Myanmar woman who was sold into marriage in China. The film exposes the harsh realities faced by many trafficked brides.

    It captures not only the coercion and abuse many of these women endure, but also their struggle for autonomy and survival in a system that treats them as commodities. Larry, a trafficked woman who features in the documentary, explained that she saw her capacity to bear children as her pathway to survival.

    The Chinese authorities constantly warn of scams involving brides purchased from abroad. In November 2024, for example, two people were prosecuted over their involvement in an illegal cross-border matchmaking scheme. Chinese men were lured into extremely expensive “marriage tours” abroad with promises of “affordable” foreign wives.

    There have also been cases where the undocumented brides themselves have disappeared with large sums of money before marriage arrangements are completed.

    Most of the foreign brides are trafficked into China from neighbouring countries in south-east Asia.
    MuchMania / Shutterstock

    China’s marriage crisis has far-reaching implications for the country’s demographic future. A shrinking and ageing population is often cited as the greatest challenge for Chinese economic growth and social stability. Beijing has resisted this characterisation, saying that constant technological innovations will continue to drive economic growth.

    The labour force is undoubtedly important when it comes to economic growth. But according to Justin Lin Yifu, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference advisory body, what matters more is effective labour – the product of both the quantity and quality of the labour force.

    China has increased its investment in education continually over recent years in anticipation of future challenges surrounding its ageing population.

    But, notwithstanding this, an even greater concern is the large number of leftover men, as this could pose a serious threat to social stability. Studies have found a positive correlation between high male-to-female sex ratios and crime rates both in China and India, where there is also a significant gender imbalance.

    In China, research has found that skewed male sex ratios have accounted for around 14% of the rise in crime since the mid-1990s. And in India, modelling suggests that a 5.5% rise in the male sex ratio would increase the odds of unmarried women being harassed by more than 20%.

    The question of who China’s leftover men will marry is becoming a pressing issue for Beijing. The government’s response will shape the country’s future for decades to come.

    Ming Gao receives funding from the Swedish Research Council. This research was produced with support from the Swedish Research Council grant “Moved Apart” (nr. 2022-01864). Ming Gao is a member of Lund University Profile Area: Human Rights.

    – ref. China’s dwindling marriage rate is fuelling demand for brides trafficked from abroad – https://theconversation.com/chinas-dwindling-marriage-rate-is-fuelling-demand-for-brides-trafficked-from-abroad-250860

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Notes from the Field: What’s on a sparrow’s dinner menu?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    “Notes From the Field” news articles highlight the continued importance of bird banding. This article was contributed by Tabitha Olsen who is currently working on her PhD dissertation examining the diet of sparrows wintering in the post-oak ecoregion of Texas. 

    Today, banding allows scientists to investigate bird behavior, migration, lifespans, populations, diseases and levels of environmental contaminants. Information gathered through the North American Bird Banding Program helps inform management and conservation decisions for game and non-game species, such as protecting or restoring habitat, setting hunting regulations and determining plans for human-led development. The North American Bird Banding Program depends on a network of over 10,000 permitted bird banders working in the United States, Canada and Trust Territories. Each year these banders help us add up to 1.2 million new banding records to our century-long dataset.

    A bander gently scrapes a sparrow fecal sample into a microcentrifuge tube for storage. Photo courtesy of Gautam Apte.
    What is your bird banding/marking project? 

    As part of a larger PhD dissertation, we are examining the diet of sparrows wintering in the post-oak ecoregion of Texas. This study will take place during the winter season of November 2024-March 2025 and November 2025-March 2026. We use mist-nets to capture sparrows to collect morphometric data and a fecal sample to assess diet. To obtain the fecal sample, the birds are placed in paper bags, with a sterile platform for them to stand on. Once the birds are banded, measured, and a sample is collected, they are released. 

    How/why was this project started? What question(s) are you trying to answer through your research?  

    During the winter in Texas, the distribution of migratory sparrows such as White-throated Sparrows (Zonotichia albicollis), Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), and Melospiza sparrows (Lincoln’s Sparrow [M. lincolnii], Swamp Sparrow [M. georgiana], Song Sparrow [M. melodia]), overlap. These species often utilize many of the same habitats during the winter and inadvertently interact. Since these sparrows are similar in how they forage and what they consume, we wondered how they minimized competitive interactions. By examining diet, we aim to quantify the dietary breadth of each wintering sparrow species, as well as determine the level of dietary overlap or partitioning that occurs between interacting sparrows. We can extract DNA from fecal samples and obtain a detailed look of what individuals are consuming. We predict that sparrows will display high overlap at broad taxonomic levels (e.g., the consumption of seeds, plants, and invertebrates), but display some partitioning in the specific species of organisms being consumed or even in the proportions consumed. Additionally, we are using physical measurements of individuals (e.g., bill depth, tarsus, wing chord, etc.) to determine whether any divergence in diet is reflected in physical differences.

    White-throated Sparrow being held prior to morphometric data being collected. Photo courtesy of Pourya Sardari. 
    How does banding/marking help you answer your research questions and achieve objectives? 

    Each sparrow we capture and sample is banded with a metal USGS band, which allows us to make individual-level assessments of diet and morphology. Individual-level comprehensive diet analyses are traditionally difficult to conduct without lethally harvesting individuals. However, by banding and collecting fecal samples, we are able to non-invasively sample birds and still achieve fine taxonomic resolution of samples. Additionally, since each bird is individually marked, we are able to re-capture and re-sample individuals to obtain data at multiple time-points to monitor changes in diet. 

    What have you found so far? Any surprises? Major accomplishments?   

    While our first field season is still ongoing, we have banded and collected fecal samples from over 120 sparrows, including White-throated, White-crowned (Zonotrichia leucophrys), Lincoln’s, Song, Swamp, Vesper (Pooecetes gramineus), Chipping (Spizella passerina), and Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis). Additionally, we’ve collected fecal samples from an Eastern Towhee x Spotted Towhee hybrid (Pipilo erythrophthalmus x P. maculatus), a hybrid that is suspected to be common in our region of Texas but is generally under-recorded. This project is extremely early in its development and is currently in the sample collection phase. However, we are excited to begin the next phase of DNA extraction in the coming months.

    What are the next short- and long-term steps for your research project? What questions remain or what new questions have been raised by what you have found so far?  

    As we proceed through our field season, we are interested in examining specialization of individual birds as well as species. Our data are unique, as banding allows us to identify individuals, so we can quantify the variability of diet within each population as well as over time through recapture samples. We hope to further expand this idea in our examination of White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, both of which are generally understood to be generalist foragers, how variation in diet measured among individuals influences the diversity in diet measured within populations or species.

    White-throated Sparrow being evaluated for molt limits. Bander is gently opening the wing to examine the wear on the primary coverts. Photo courtesy of Pourya Sardari. 
    Why is your study species particularly interesting?  

    Sparrows (or ‘little brown birds’ as some refer to them) are often overlooked by bird watchers and the public due to their tendency to be present everywhere, having song and call similarities, and their brown, drab appearance. However, sparrows are hidden gems that allow us to formulate seemingly simple questions such as “What do they eat?” into complex answers regarding competition, niche establishment, and community interactions. These migratory, ‘little brown birds’ are often the first faces of winter for our region of Texas. With a deeper understanding of winter diet dynamics, they may become faces of conservation for the post-oak savanna and its associated flora and fauna. 

    Who is involved in your project (individuals, university, partners, collaborators)? 

    This project is a chapter of a larger PhD dissertation and is affiliated with Texas A&M University. Specific individuals involved with the project include:

    • Tabitha Olsen (PhD student who designed the project for her dissertation)
    • Dr. Christopher Butler (Lab PI)
    • Inland Bird Banding Association (Funding)
    • Schubot Center for Avian Health (Funding)
    Opening mist-nets as dawn approaches. Early start to make sure the site is in working order before the birds wake up and begin to move. Photo courtesy of Pourya Sardari. 
    How long have you been working in biology? How long have you been banding or marking birds?  How has bird banding/marking changed over the course of your career or during this project? 

    I have been banding birds since 2018 when I was an undergraduate student in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. During that period, I co-led the University’s Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) Banding Station where we focused on undergraduate skill-building, community engagement, and individual project development. Since then, I have been working in the avian ecology field for my entire career, including my Master’s and now my PhD. Banding birds has been a consistent part of my career, whether it be owls, rails, or passerines. 

    Why do you think projects like yours are so important?  

    Everyone needs to eat something, but organisms cannot typically eat everything that is within their environment. Improving our understanding of how organisms utilize the world around them helps us to better connect habitat use to the species of interest. Diet is a fundamental part of an organism’s life and ecology and, until recently, a fine-scale assessment of how and what individuals consume has been difficult to obtain. Studies like this are an example of how new tools can be used to ask age-old questions: What’s for dinner?

    Where can I get more information about your project (project website, publications etc.)?  

    You can receive more information and updates regarding this project at Tabitha Olsen’s ResearchGate or her OrcID. Publications will be added to these sites as they are released.

    Is there anything else you think is important to mention about your project/research?  

    We are grateful for the support of the Inland Bird Banding Association and the Schubot Center for Avian Health for providing funding for this work.

    Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.  

    All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the USGS BBL.  

    The “Notes From the Field” series highlights current banding projects and the continued importance of bird banding and the Bird Banding Lab. Want to see your project featured in a future “Notes From the Field” article? Email Kyra Harvey kharvey@usgs.gov for submission details.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Marshall and Senator Coons Introduce Bill Connecting Trade School Graduates with Small Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kansas Roger Marshall
    Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware) introduced the Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act.
    This legislation amends the Small Business Act to add a requirement for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to educate small businesses on identifying career opportunities for graduates of career and technical education (CTE) programs. It also requires SBDCs and WBCs to educate graduates of CTE programs on how to start a small business of their own.
    “By addressing the shortage of skilled trade workers, we can secure Kansas’ long-term economic prosperity,” said Senator Marshall. “The Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act helps close the gap by connecting CTE graduates with employers, strengthening our workforce, supporting small businesses, and driving economic growth. I urge the Senate to quickly pass this commonsense legislation.”
    “Graduates of career and technical education programs are ready to succeed in the valued jobs that small businesses in Delaware and across the country urgently need to fill,” said Senator Coons. “The Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act can help bridge the gap between capable CTE graduates and small businesses in high-growth industries like health care and education, science and technology, food and agriculture, and manufacturing and logistics. I’m thrilled to reintroduce this bipartisan bill alongside Senator Marshall to empower workers and support small businesses nationwide.”
    U.S. Representative Roger Williams (R-Texas-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
    “We thank Senator Marshall for his leadership on the Connecting Small Businesses with Career Technical Education Graduates Act,” said Chairman Roger Williams. “This important legislation will create greater opportunities for small businesses to employ high-quality technical graduates and support hard-working Americans seeking to improve their lives through technical education.”
    The bill is supported by Skills USA, Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area. 
    BACKGROUND:
    America is facing a worker shortage crisis. In Kansas, there are only 51 available workers for every 100 open jobs.
    The job market is experiencing a high demand for skilled workers, particularly in fields like technology, healthcare, and construction.
    This legislation is a step in addressing the worker shortage crisis facing our country and empowering career and technical education graduates with the resources and connections they need to enter the workforce and thrive.
    Click HERE to read the full bill text.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King, Sheehy Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Veteran Suicide

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT), members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee (SVAC), introduced bipartisan legislation to reduce the risk of veteran suicide. The Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act would authorize a program through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide free firearm lockboxes to veterans to put time and space between at-risk individuals and lethal means, such as firearms.
    Firearms are the most common means used by veterans who die by suicide. Approximately 75% of male veteran suicide deaths and 45% of female veteran suicide deaths are with firearms, rates that greatly exceed those of non-veterans. The high-risk phase of many suicidal crises arise quickly. Studies have found that nearly half of suicide attempts are done within 10 minutes after the decision to end one’s life. Limiting the ease by which at-risk individuals can access firearms — such as with lockboxes — has been shown to prevent suicide deaths.
    “Our veterans represent the very best of Maine and our nation — making countless sacrifices to protect and defend our country,” said Senator King. “We have an obligation to provide our veterans with as many resources as possible to keep them safe during some of their most vulnerable moments. The Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act would provide free firearm lockboxes to every veteran who requests one; studies have shown that the extra space between a veteran in crisis and their firearm could mean the difference between life and death. This commonsense bill makes a critical investment in protecting America’s best asset — its people.”
    “As a combat veteran, who is married to a combat veteran, I know firsthand how critical it is for us to provide those who have served our country with the support they need in good times and bad,” said Senator Sheehy. “I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation that supports our mission to combat veteran suicide and fight to ensure veterans have the resources they need to achieve the same American Dream they fought to defend.”
    Since 2012, the VA’s Suicide Prevention Program has distributed free firearm cable locks to any veteran who requests one. However, veterans and other firearm owners overwhelmingly favor lockboxes and safes to secure their guns. Currently, there is a program that offers free lockboxes to veterans enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who are at elevated risks for suicide or self-harm.
    The Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act would build upon this program by:
    Offering lockboxes to veterans with or without identified risks, and with or without VHA-enrollment;
    Allocating sufficient funding for lockboxes;
    Distributing lockboxes both through the VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) and firearm retailers;
    Promoting public education campaigns.
    Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmen Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Greg Landsman (D-OH) and John James (R-MI).
    The Saving Our Veterans’ Lives Act is endorsed by the following organizations: Disabled American Veterans (DAV), GIFFORDS, Everytown for Gun Safety, Brady, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), NAMI-Maine, American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Psychological Association (APA), and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. In February, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. Senator King was recently honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.” In a recent SVAC hearing, Senator King stressed the importance of supporting servicemembers shifting to civilian status; the first few months after leaving active duty are often the most fragile for veterans and put them at an increased risk for self-harm and suicide.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Accelerated Timeline For Suffolk Reconstruction Project

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul and New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that the construction of the bridge at the junction of State Route 347 and Nicolls Road (Suffolk County Route 97) is being accelerated and will now start six years earlier than previously planned. Originally scheduled to start in 2034, the Department of Transportation is now progressing the project to begin construction on the bridge in late 2028 to minimize future construction costs while reducing travel times for motorists. Department engineers are currently engaged in the preliminary design phase for a grade separated interchange to better suit the needs of motorists.

    “Reliable, accessible transportation is the backbone of every society and is a right every community must have, which is why I’m proud to support and celebrate this much-needed project in Suffolk County.” Governor Hochul said. “This overpass will bring a new driving experience to those who live, work and commute in Suffolk County, and I’m looking forward to seeing its completion. By accelerating this project, we are not only improving safety and efficiency for motorists, but we are also strengthening Long Island’s infrastructure to support future growth and economic development.”

    New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “Governor Hochul is committed to responding to the needs of the community through investments in transportation infrastructure — and here on Long Island, the community has spoken and the State has listened. The new bridge at Route 347 and Nicolls Road will be coming soon and years ahead of schedule. The State Route 347 corridor is in the process of a major transformation thanks to strong community input coupled with a dedicated Chief Executive, Kathy Hochul, and the team at NYSDOT. This new overpass will bring a whole new driving experience to those who live, work and commute in Suffolk County, and we are excited to move this bridge project forward.”

    The bridge project will also reconstruct State Route 347 beyond Nicolls Road for about one mile east through Mark Tree Road. This will better accommodate motorists and emergency vehicles accessing Nicolls Road on their way to school, work, retail shopping centers and nearby Stony Brook University Hospital.

    Construction is currently expected to be completed in 2031 and estimated to cost between $110 million and $140 million.

    To date, the State Department of Transportation has invested over $200 million towards transforming State Route 347 from an antiquated highway into a 21stCentury boulevard with new travel lanes, a decorative highway median, a shared-use path for multi-modal travel, lush greenery, bus stops with solar powered lighting and enhanced safety features. Six projects have already been completed stretching from State Route 454 (Veterans Memorial Highway) to Hallock Road and at the intersection with State Route 112. A seventh section, which will reconstruct the thoroughfare between Hallock Road and Nicolls Road, is currently expected to begin this summer.

    Nicolls Road is a Suffolk County limited access highway stretching from Montauk Highway in Bayport on the South Shore to State Route 25A in historic Stony Brook on the North Shore. It offers connections to residences, commercial shopping, the Ammerman Campus of Suffolk County Community College and Stony Brook University’s flagship campus and award-winning hospital.

    Following the bridge’s completion, additional improvements on State Route 347 will take place from Mark Tree Road to Old Town Road and from Old Town Road to State Route 25A, all within the Town of Brookhaven.

    State Senator Anthony Palumbo said “Today’s announcement by Governor Hochul and the New York State Department of Transportation to accelerate the overpass project at State Route 347 and Nicolls Road by six years is great news for our region and local residents. These thoroughfares are a gateway to the State’s flagship University at Stony Brook and are important roadways for the area’s businesses, residents and college students. The acceleration of this project underscores the Governor’s understanding of the need to invest in Long Island’s infrastructure projects.”

    State Senator Dean Murray said “I’m very excited that the Route 347 and Nicolls Road bridge project has been expedited and is now targeted for 2028. This is a major project that will impact both commuters and businesses. I very much appreciate the NYSDOT making this a priority.”

    Assemblymember Rebecca Kassay said “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her commitment to upgrading Brookhaven’s roads and investing in Long Island’s essential infrastructure. The 347 Reconstruction Project is critical to our district: reducing traffic congestion upon completion; improving the look and feel of this state highway; further managing stormwater to mitigate flooding; and helping to make 347 safer for cyclists and pedestrians. I thank the NYSDOT for responding to our district’s residents who have long advocated for Route 347 improvements and an overpass at Nicolls Road. I will continue to collaborate with the Governor, NYSDOT, local government officials, and my constituents to see that this project improves residents’ and visitors’ experience on our roads.”

    Assemblymember Doug Smith said, “The acceleration of this critical infrastructure project is welcome news for Suffolk County residents, businesses, and commuters. The improvements to State Route 347 and Nicolls Road will enhance safety, reduce congestion, and support our local economy. I appreciate Governor Hochul and the Department of Transportation for recognizing the importance of this project and working to deliver these much-needed upgrades years ahead of schedule.”

    Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, “For more than a decade I have advocated for this project to be prioritized. This bridge will help alleviate the traffic congestion that has plagued Route 347, improve the quality of life for the surrounding residents and increase safety in the area. Thank you to DOT for accelerating this project and we hope to see some real progress in the newly designated time frame.”

    Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico said, “Today’s news is extremely positive, logical and gratifying for all those who have rallied for this proposal. Investments in our infrastructure create good-paying jobs and provide solutions for our collective future. Here we will eliminate a traffic choke point for Brookhaven’s residents to the only Level one Trauma Center in Suffolk County at Stony Brook Hospital. Brookhaven certainly appreciates this news and thanks all those involved in moving this project up.”

    Stony Brook University Interim President Richard McCormack said “On any given day, we have tens of thousands of students, faculty, staff and patients commuting to our university and hospital. An elevated bridge at State Route 347 and Nicolls Road will significantly reduce traffic at this major intersection and we thank the Governor and Commissioner Dominguez for accelerating this critical infrastructure project.”

    About the Department of Transportation
    It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

    Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

    For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. Updates from DOT’s Long Island region are also available on X. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Democratic Caucus Chair Sen. Elena Parent to Hold Post-Crossover Day Town Hall

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (March 14, 2025) — On Tuesday, March 18, at 6:30 p.m., Chair of the Democratic Caucus, Sen. Elena Parent (D–Atlanta), will hold a town hall for a post-Crossover Day legislative update with Representatives Omari Crawford (D–Decatur) and Saira Draper (D–Atlanta).

    EVENT DETAILS:                      

    • Date: Tuesday, March 18, 2025
    • Time: 6:30 p.m.
    • Where: Ronald E. McNair Middle School, 2190 Wallingford Dr., Decatur, GA 30032
    • This Event is Open to the Public.

    To attend the town hall via Zoom, please sign up using the following link: bit.ly/LegTH2025

    To submit questions in advance, please use the following link: bit.ly/LegTH2025Questions

    MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES:

    We kindly request that members of the media confirm their attendance in advance by contacting Jantz Womack at SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    # # # #

    Sen. Elena Parent serves as Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Caucus. She represents the 44th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Clayton County. She may be reached at her office at (404) 656-5109 or by email at elena.parent@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA’s 2025 National Small Business Week Will Take Place May 4-10

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration announced its list of state and territory Small Business Persons of the Year ahead of this year’s National Small Business Week, which will take place May 4-10, 2025. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler will kick off the week with a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where she will name the National Small Business Person of the Year before embarking on a national small business roadshow. Over the course of the week, she will visit four cities to highlight the impact, economic contributions and importance of small business owners in communities across the nation.

    “For more than 60 years, National Small Business Week has honored the risk takers, innovators and job creators who are the backbone of the American economy,” Administrator Loeffler said. “I congratulate the more than 50 state and territory winners on their recognition and look forward to this week of education and appreciation for entrepreneurship – as we highlight the small business owners who fuel prosperity, growth, and opportunity in communities across our country.”

    After the Washington, D.C., ceremony on May 5, which will crown the National Small Business Person of the Year and other national award winners, Administrator Loeffler plans to visit Boise, Idaho; Phoenix, Ariz.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Hartford, Conn. While on the road, she will meet with local entrepreneurs, lenders and other community leaders to share SBA’s mission of empowering job creators, delivering disaster relief and driving economic growth.

    Along with the awards and roadshow, National Small Business Week is slated to feature a two-day virtual summit, community events across the country honoring small businesses, educational sessions featuring key topics such as manufacturing, digital marketing, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency, as well as online business resources and renowned speakers.  

    State and territory awardees in consideration for the National Small Business Person of the Year and runner-up include:

    Alabama: Kimberly Lewis, ProjectXYZ Inc., Huntsville

    Alaska: Christine Hopkins, ASCI Federal Services LLC, Anchorage

    Arizona: Virginia Saldivar, Metro Accounting and Professional Services, Goodyear

    Arkansas: Kimberly Stinson, Lil Lions Daycare LLC, Bismarck

    California: Qais Salem Alkurdi, HQE Systems, Temecula

    Colorado: Larisa Hegenbarth, Novastar, Englewood

    Connecticut: Michelle Nicholson, The Flour Girl Bakery Cafe, Hebron

    Delaware: Alison Schuch, Tangerine Goods, Bethany Beach

    District of Columbia: Craig Williams, Cyber Synergy Consulting Group LLC

    Florida: Benjamin Nagengast, Point Summit, Largo

    Georgia: Patrick Wells, Piedmont Landscape Management, Augusta

    Guam: Robert Salas II, Pacific Federal Management Inc., Tumon

    Hawaii: Pamela Cariaga, P&S Plumbing LLC, Kailua-Kona

    Idaho: Patrick Buchanan, Buchanan Insurance and Financial Services Inc., Hailey

    Illinois: Eric Cup, Bridgewater Studios, Chicago

    Indiana: Sudhansu (Sam) Yadav, Quest Safety Products Inc., Indianapolis

    Iowa: Jamie Jackson, Jake Oakland and Joni Campidilli, Percival Scientific Inc., Perry

    Kansas: Cang Quoc Phu and Tuan Lai, QuikTek Machining LLC, Wichita

    Kentucky: Crinda Francke, ExecuTrain Corp., Lexington

    Louisiana: Ronald “Rocky” Ortego III, Red Bison Services LLC, Kenner

    Maine: Carrie Gervais and Jennifer Cousins, Stepping Stones Montessori School, Chelsea

    Maryland: Jaqueline Lopez, Premier Enterprise Solutions, Upper Marlboro

    Massachusetts: Pablah Ferraz Schwartz-Linhares, Fresscafe Inc., Framingham

    Michigan: Greg McArthur and Shelly McArthur, NTL Industries, Sterling Heights

    Minnesota: Beth Benike, Busy Baby, Oronoco

    Mississippi: David Kittrell and Karen Kittrell, Kittrell’s Industrial and Supply, Petal

    Missouri: Tamara Keefe, Clementine’s Creamery, St. Louis

    Montana: Jerry Stroot, Superior Meats Inc., Superior

    Nebraska: Joseph Hodges Jr., Lion’s Gate Security Solutions Inc., Omaha

    Nevada: Kristen Corral-Marin, Carlos Corral-Marin, Dan Simmons and Regina Simmons, Tacotarian, Las Vegas

    New Hampshire: Tanya Lawson, Inbloom Health and Medispa, Londonderry

    New Jersey: Nichole Ann Bryson, FT Mobility LLC, Saddle Brook

    New Mexico: Victor D’Andrea and Jeffrey Giangiuli, TechSource Inc., Los Alamos

    New York: Melissa Baidme, C.K. Natural Fruit Juice, LLC, Westfield

    North Carolina: Mamie Hoffer and Jason Futrell, Hoffer Flow Controls Inc., Elizabeth City

    North Dakota: Dee Decimus, All Embrace Home Caring, Grand Forks

    Ohio: Victor Omar D’Angelo, Barroluco LLC, Columbus

    Oklahoma: Shawn Collins, Sisemore & Associates, Tulsa

    Oregon: Tadd Mick, Tradewinds Charters, Depoe Bay 

    Pennsylvania: Sheree Beth Thomas, SB Thomas & Associates Inc., Pittsburgh

    Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands: Yoel Rivera Santos, Ultimate Solutions Corp., Caguas, P.R.

    Rhode Island: Kaitlyn Roberts, Easy Entertaining Inc., Providence

    South Carolina: Michael Haldeman, SpokeWorks Bicycle Workshop, Summerville

    South Dakota: Tara Olson, Valley Ag Supply Inc., Gayville

    Tennessee: Reggie Polk, Polk & Associates Construction Inc., Brentwood

    Texas: Gabe Wander, Wander Staffing, Austin

    Utah: Alfonso Porras, Sir Walter Candy Corp., South Salt Lake

    Vermont: Christopher Swasey, Lewis Creek Builders, Essex Junction

    Virginia: Donald Mills, Mills Marine and Ship Repair, Suffolk

    Washington: Courtni Doherty and Stephen Doherty, Circle Creek Therapy PLLC, Auburn

    West Virginia: Cathy Jo Higgins, The Developmental Advantage LLC, Charleston

    Wisconsin: Mark Bula and Shawn Bula, Signature Farms II LLC, Grand Marsh

    Wyoming: Lauren Heerschap, Brunton International LLC, Riverton

    Details on National Small Business Week, the virtual summit, registrations and speakers are featured on National Small Business Week and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on Find upcoming events and identifiable by searching with #SmallBusinessWeek.  

    # # #

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Announces Members of Task Force for Child Care and Early Education

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Announces Members of Task Force for Child Care and Early Education

    Governor Stein Announces Members of Task Force for Child Care and Early Education
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    On Monday, Governor Josh Stein announced the new North Carolina Task Force on Child Care and Early Education. The task force seeks to identify solutions to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care and early education across North Carolina and to support and grow the child care workforce.  

    “Access to high-quality child care ensures that North Carolina’s children can learn and thrive during their formative years, which shapes their educational trajectory,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Child care should be affordable and accessible. I am proud to bring together providers, legislators, business leaders, parents, community partners, and industry experts to figure out how we can best support North Carolina’s parents, early childhood educators, and the economy.”

    Click here for a fact sheet on Governor Stein’s task force.

    This week, Governor Stein highlighted gaps in North Carolina’s child care system during his first State of the State address. In North Carolina, there is only 1 child care spot for every 5 families who want one. Child care is also difficult to afford for many families in the state, with four in five families paying more than the recommended 7% of their income for infant care. Furthermore, the poverty rate for early childhood educators is 17.6% higher than the average of all NC workers, contributing to a shortage in the child care workforce.

    Governor Stein remains committed to ensuring that North Carolina’s children are able to learn and thrive in safe, nurturing, and supportive child care and early education settings. These investments will also support parents and employers by reducing the number of people who are pushed out of the workforce due to lack of child care.

    The members of the task force are as follows:

    • Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt (co-chair)
    • Senator Jim Burgin (co-chair)
    • Senator Jay Chaudhuri
    • Senator Ralph Hise 
    • Representative Sarah Crawford
    • Representative David Willis, Owner & Operator of Kiddie Academy
    • Mary Elizabeth Wilson, Chief of Staff and General Counsel, North Carolina Department of Commerce 
    • Candace Witherspoon, Division Director, Division of Child Development and Early Education, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 
    • Noelle Talley, Deputy Secretary for Advocacy, North Carolina Department of Administration 
    • Amar Majmundar, Policy Director, North Carolina Office of State Human Resources 
    • Amy Rhyne, Senior Director, Office of Early Learning, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction 
    • Dr. Mary Olvera, State Director of Teacher Education, Public Services, and Perkin Special Populations, North Carolina Community College System Offices
    • Rhonda Rivers, North Carolina Child Care Commission Chair; President of the Executive Board, North Carolina Early Education Coalition; Managing Partner/Co-owner of LeafSpring Schools of North Carolina
    • Gary Salamido, President and Chief Executive Officer, NC Chamber 
    • Amy Cubbage, President, North Carolina Partnership for Children
    • Lori Jones-Ruff, Interim Executive Director, Southwestern Child Development Commission, Inc.
    • Dan Rockaway, President, NC Licensed Child Care Association; Co-Founder and Owner of Sounds and Colors Child Care Centers
    • Ellen Pancoast, Vice President People Operations, Cone Health 
    • Michelle Logan, Vice President General Manager, Drug Product North America, Thermo Fisher
    • Ashton Clemmons, Associate Vice President, P12 Strategy and Policy, University of North Carolina System
    • Beth Messersmith, NC Senior Director, MomsRising; North Carolina Child Care Commission member; parent who has navigated the child care system
    • Erica Palmer Smith, Executive Director, NC Child
    • Theresa Roedershimer, Executive Director, North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation 
    • Meka Sales, Director, Special Initiatives, The Duke Endowment; Co-Chair, Invest Early, NC
    • Susan Gale Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Child Care Aware of America

    Read below for coverage of the announcement:

    Mar 14, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Top Floor Learning Receives the SBB Research Group Foundation Grant 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Top Floor Learning received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. 

    Top Floor Learning, based in Palmer, MA, provides low-cost or free tutoring and educational programs for adults in Western and Central Massachusetts. For over 35 years, the organization has helped individuals build essential skills through personalized instruction tailored to each learner’s goals. Initially founded as Literacy Volunteers of Quaboag Valley, the organization was formally incorporated as a nonprofit in 2003 and has since expanded its offerings to serve a broader population.

    Operating independently within the Palmer Public Library, Top Floor Learning remains a self-funded nonprofit, relying on donations and in-kind support from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Volunteer tutors play a key role in delivering instruction, offering one-on-one sessions in areas such as basic literacy, high school equivalency preparation, English language learning, and citizenship education. Additional programs include specialized tutoring for standardized tests and licensing exams, as well as digital literacy classes.

    Recognizing the growing need for technology education, Top Floor Learning has partnered with Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), both affiliated with AARP, to provide free technology classes for individuals aged 60 and older. These programs empower participants with digital skills necessary for modern communication and online safety.

    “Our goal is to provide accessible, high-quality education to those who need it most,” said Donna Kimball, Director from Top Floor Learning. “By equipping individuals with knowledge and skills, we help them take meaningful steps toward personal and professional growth.”

    Through its diverse programming and dedicated volunteers, Top Floor Learning continues to foster lifelong learning opportunities, reinforcing the value of education in strengthening communities. Its commitment to accessibility ensures that individuals of all backgrounds have the support they need to achieve their educational goals.

    “Top Floor Learning’s commitment to accessible education and lifelong learning is making a lasting impact, and we are happy to support their mission,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation. 

    About the SBB Research Group Foundation 

    The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the philanthropic mission of SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), a Chicago-based investment management firm led by Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven. The Foundation provides grants to support ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the SBBRG STEM Scholarship, which supports students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. 

    Contact: Erin Noonan 
    Organization: SBB Research Group Foundation 
    Email: grants@sbbrg.org 
    Address: 450 Skokie Blvd, Building 600, Northbrook, IL 60062, United States 
    Phone: 1-847-656-1111 
    Website: https://www.sbbrg.org 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Peters Introduce Bill to Safeguard Access to High Quality Cancer Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) Value-Based Program Act, bipartisan legislation that would modernize Medicare reimbursement for radiation therapy, safeguarding access to high-quality cancer care and improving outcomes.
    “The ROCR Act modernizes Medicare’s payment system to ensure cancer patients receive the best care possible,” said Senator Tillis. “Current reimbursement policies reward quantity over quality, making it harder for physicians to provide the tailored, high-quality care cancer patients deserve. This bipartisan bill fixes this by shifting to a fair, bundled payment model that removes incentives for longer treatments, supports innovation, and ensures continued access to world-class care.” 
    “Radiation oncology is a highly effective tool for fighting certain cancers, but outdated Medicare reimbursement policies prevent many Americans from being able to utilize this treatment,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan bill that would reduce barriers to this essential care for cancer patients and ensure oncologists can prescribe the best treatment available for their patients.”
    “In place of repeated Medicare payment cuts and outdated policies, ROCR offers a stable, sustainable payment framework that ensures Americans can access high quality, lifesaving cancer treatments in their communities,” said Dr. Howard M. Sandler, Chair of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Board of Directors. “ASTRO applauds Sen. Tillis, Sen. Peters, Rep. Fitzpatrick, Rep. Panetta, Rep. Joyce and Rep. Tonko for their bipartisan leadership in prioritizing patient needs and quality for our nation’s cancer care infrastructure.”
    More than 80 organizations have endorsed the ROCR Act, representing a diverse group of radiation oncology stakeholders, patient advocates, medical professionals, independent clinics, hospital systems, and technology companies. This includes Advocate Health, American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO), American College of Radiology, American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Boston Scientific, University of North Carolina, US Oncology Network, and more. 
    Background: 
    ROCR is designed to reverse more than a decade of declining Medicare payments for radiation therapy, a lifesaving treatment relied upon by over a million cancer patients annually. Despite its critical role in patient care and cost-effectiveness for the Medicare system, radiation oncology has suffered more than a 20% cut in Medicare Physician Fee Schedule reimbursements over the past decade—one of the largest reductions of any medical specialty. These cuts threaten patient access to essential cancer treatments, particularly in community and rural settings.
    By building on the framework of the indefinitely delayed Medicare-proposed Radiation Oncology Alternative Payment Model, ROCR retains the advantages of episode-based payments while fixing major flaws, including excessive payment cuts and burdensome quality reporting. By ensuring fair and sustainable reimbursement, ROCR safeguards patient access to high-quality, evidence-based radiation therapy, helping to close treatment gaps and strengthen the nation’s cancer care system. 
    The ROCR Act:
    Implements a patient-centric, episode-based payment system that aligns financial incentives with clinical care guidelines.
    Promotes the use of evidence-based, shorter treatment course when clinically appropriate, reducing physical and financial strain on patients. 
    Enhances quality and safety standards by incentivizing practice accreditation and timely adoption of new technologies for improved care.
    Provides targeted assistance to address transportation barriers that prevent patients in rural and underserved areas from accessing or completing treatment. 
    Standardizes technical payments across hospital-based and free-standing practice settings.
    Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis Mourns Loss of Senator Al Simpson

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement on the passing of former Wyoming Senator Al Simpson. 

    “Today, our state and country mourn the passing of our dear Senator Alan Kooi Simpson,” Lummis said. “Al was larger than life and spent his entire life working on behalf of the state and people he loved. For 18 years in the U.S. Senate, 12 years in the Wyoming House of Representatives, and 28 years as an elder statesman – he worked to make Wyoming a better place for our citizens and an even greater place to work and raise a family. There was no stronger advocate for the needs, industries, and interests of Wyoming. During his Senate tenure, he was repeatedly elected by his colleagues to serve in leadership as the Republican Whip and was a close friend of both President Reagan and President Bush. 

    “Known for his famous humor and wit, Al was loved both in Wyoming and far outside our borders. Those who met Al knew that he never forgot a face or interaction. In addition to his service in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Senate, Al repeatedly stepped forward as a private citizen to work on important issues like the Iraq Study Group and the Simpson-Bowles Fiscal Responsibility Commission. In a deserving tribute commemorating his lifetime of service, Al was honored in 2022 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

    “A proud son of Cody, Wyoming, Al came from an early pioneer family dedicated to public service. Wyoming and our nation have benefited greatly from Al Simpson’s many decades of work and leadership. At every gathering Al Simpson attended, people flocked to Al for a moment with a man each considered one of their closest friends. That’s the incredible effect he had on the people he served. I extend my deepest thoughts and prayers to his wife of more than 70 years, Ann, his children Colin, William, and Susan, and his grandchildren during this difficult time.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Mountain America Credit Union Donates $17,500 to the American Red Cross of Utah

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANDY, Utah, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mountain America Credit Union continues its tradition of supporting the American Red Cross of Utah with a recent $17,500 donation. Since 2018, Mountain America has contributed annually to the American Red Cross, reinforcing its commitment to helping communities in times of need. As part of the ongoing effort, Mountain America adds $50 to the total donation amount for every three-point shot made by the Brigham Young University (BYU) men’s basketball team. This latest gift brings the total funds donated to the American Red Cross of Utah since 2018 to $157,000.

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

    “Every three-pointer represents more than just points on the board—it symbolizes our commitment to leave a lasting mark on the communities we serve,” said Nathan Andersen, chief operating officer and executive vice president at Mountain America. “With the American Red Cross and BYU, we are turning on-court success into meaningful community impact.”

    The American Red Cross will use the funds to assist Utah communities in preparing for, preventing, and responding to emergencies, including house fires. They have been serving the state for more than 100 years, delivering services across the Greater Salt Lake Area chapter, Northern Utah chapter, and Central Southern Utah chapter.

    “We’re so grateful for the yearslong support of Mountain America Credit Union,” said Adam S. Whitaker, chief development officer for the Utah Nevada Region of the American Red Cross. “Their partnership with BYU athletics is inspiring and exciting in the way it lifts people in real and measurable need here at home and around the country. Mountain America’s generosity does that, and we couldn’t do our work without them.”

    For more information about Mountain America’s community involvement activities, visit macu.com/newsroom.

    About Mountain America Credit Union
    With more than 1 million members and $20 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across multiple states, and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—guiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Papineauville

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Papineauville, Quebec, March 13, 2025 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Stéphane Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizens’ Services, and Paul-André David, Mayor of Papineauville.

    Date:
    Monday, March 17, 2025

    Time:
    10:00 a.m. EDT

    Location:
    Community Centre
    (Located behind Louis-Joseph Papineau High School)
    378c rue Papineau
    Papineauville, Quebec J0V 1R0

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Uncovers New Clue on What is Leading to Neurodegenerative Diseases Like Alzheimer’s and ALS

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    In Nature Neuroscience, UConn School of Medicine researchers have revealed a new scientific clue that could unlock the key cellular pathway leading to devastating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, and the progressive damage to the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes in frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) and the associated disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

    Courtesy of the Murphy Lab.

    The study, “Endothelial TDP-43 Depletion Disrupts Core Blood-Brain Barrier Pathways in Neurodegeneration,” was published on March 14, 2025. The lead author, Omar Moustafa Fathy, an MD/Ph.D. candidate at the Center for Vascular Biology at UConn School of Medicine, conducted the research in the laboratory of senior author Dr. Patrick A. Murphy, associate professor and newly appointed interim director of the Center for Vascular Biology. The study was carried out in collaboration with Dr. Riqiang Yan, a leading expert in Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration research.

    Patrick Murphy, Ph.D., interim director of the Center for Vascular Biology at UConn School of Medicine (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health).

    This work provides a novel and significant exploration of how vascular dysfunction contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, exemplifying the powerful collaboration between the Center for Vascular Biology and the Department of Neuroscience. While clinical evidence has long suggested that blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction plays a role in neurodegeneration, the specific contribution of endothelial cells remained unclear. The BBB serves as a critical protective barrier, shielding the brain from circulating factors that could cause inflammation and dysfunction. Though multiple cell types contribute to its function, endothelial cells—the inner lining of blood vessels—are its principal component.

    “It is often said in the field that ‘we are only as old as our arteries’. Across diseases we are learning the importance of the endothelium. I had no doubt the same would be true in neurodegeneration, but seeing what these cells were doing was a critical first step,” says Murphy.

    Omar, Murphy, and their team tackled a key challenge: endothelial cells are rare and difficult to isolate from tissues, making it even harder to analyze the molecular pathways involved in neurodegeneration.

    To overcome this, they developed an innovative approach to enrich these cells from frozen tissues stored in a large NIH-sponsored biobank. They then applied inCITE-seq, a cutting-edge method that enables direct measurement of protein-level signaling responses in single cells—marking its first-ever use in human tissues.

    Omar Moustafa Fathy, graduate assistant in the Center for Vascular Biology at UConn School of Medicine (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health).

    This breakthrough led to a striking discovery: endothelial cells from three different neurodegenerative diseases—Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD)—shared fundamental similarities that set them apart from the endothelium in healthy aging. A key finding was the depletion of TDP-43, an RNA-binding protein genetically linked to ALS-FTD and commonly disrupted in AD. Until now, research has focused primarily on neurons, but this study highlights a previously unrecognized dysfunction in endothelial cells.

    “It’s easy to think of blood vessels as passive pipelines, but our findings challenge that view,” says Omar. “Across multiple neurodegenerative diseases, we see strikingly similar vascular changes, suggesting that the vasculature isn’t just collateral damage—it’s actively shaping disease progression. Recognizing these commonalities opens the door to new therapeutic possibilities that target the vasculature itself.”

    The research team believes this newly identified subset of endothelial cells could provide a roadmap to targeting this endothelial disfunction to stave off disease, and also to develop new biomarkers from the blood of patients with disease.

    Funding was provided by startup funds from the UConn School of Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, Center for Vascular Biology and Calhoun Cardiology Center, American Heart Association Innovative Project Award 19IPLOI34770151 (to P.A.M.); NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Grants K99/R00-HL125727 and RF1-NS117449 (to P.A.M); American Heart Association Predoctoral award 23PRE1027078 (to O.M.F.O.) R01-AG046929 and R01-NS074256 (to R.Y.) and NIH GM135592 (to B.H.).

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Long Island DRI and NY Forward Winners Announced

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that Hempstead will receive $10 million in funding as the Long Island winner of the eighth round of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, and Farmingdale will receive $4.5 million as the Long Island winner of the third round of NY Forward. For Round 8 of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and Round 3 of the NY Forward Program, each of the State’s 10 economic development regions receive awards from each program, to make for a total State commitment of $200 million in funding and investments to help communities boost their economies by transforming downtowns into vibrant neighborhoods.

    “Long Island’s downtowns are more than hubs for business, they’re the infrastructure that inspires people to build a better world around them,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing nearly $15 million in revitalizing Hempstead and Farmingdale, we’re creating stronger communities that honor their history and possibility — paving a path for generations of Long Islanders to experience all they have to offer.”

    To receive funding from either the DRI or NY Forward program, localities must be certified under Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities Program — an innovative policy created to recognize and reward municipalities actively working to unlock their housing potential. Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities initiative allocates up to $650 million each year in discretionary funds for communities that pledge to increase their housing supply; to date, 287 communities across New York have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. This year, Governor Hochul is proposing an additional $100 million in funding to cover infrastructure projects necessary to create new housing in Pro-Housing Communities, and a further $10 million to technical assistance to help communities seeking to foster housing growth and associated municipal development.

    Many of the projects funded through the DRI and NY Forward support Governor Hochul’s affordability agenda. The DRI has invested in the creation of more than 4,400 units of housing — 1,823 of which are affordable or workforce. The programs committed over $8.5 million to 11 projects that provide affordable or free child care and child care worker training. DRI and NY Forward have also invested in the creation of public parks, public art (such as murals and sculptures) and art, music and cultural venues that provide free outdoor recreation and entertainment opportunities.

    $10 Million Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award for the Village of Hempstead
    Hempstead’s Main Street is the social, retail and civic heart of the community, serving as a key destination for the Village, Town and County. Its strategic location offers walkable access to essential transit services, commercial corridors and cultural institutions, including restaurants, Denton Green and the Nassau County African American Museum. Signature buildings with distinctive facades line the street, adding to its character and enhancing its unique visual identity. With a vibrant mix of arts, culture and retail, Hempstead seeks to transform its Main Street into a thriving hub of activity, community and commerce. Specific community goals include creating a broad mix of housing opportunities, increasing business and service offerings, enhancing cultural arts and fostering recreation and entertainment.

    $4.5 Million NY Forward Award for the Village of Farmingdale
    The Village of Farmingdale’s downtown is a compact area mixed with small parcels and dense building coverage, mixed land uses and charming architecture. It is situated among some of the most popular tourist destinations in New York State. Due to the Village’s characteristics, Farmingdale is focusing on projects that will yield dramatic and positive effects, thereby advancing an active downtown with a strong sense of place. The Village seeks to attract new businesses, encourage a diverse population, improve downtown living and quality of life and enhance the pedestrian walkability and cyclability of the downtown.

    New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Residents and visitors of Long Island have witnessed first-hand how impactful the Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs have been for countless communities and the entire region. Now, the Villages of Hempstead and Farmingdale will receive this critical funding that will help to jumpstart their downtowns and join in on the wave of revitalization that is sweeping our state. Congratulations to both of these communities, and we look forward to working with you throughout this process!”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Downtown Revitalization Initiative and NY Forward programs continue to be transformative forces for communities across Long Island. With these strategic investments in Hempstead and Farmingdale, New York State is supporting locally-driven solutions that will create vibrant, walkable downtowns while expanding housing opportunities and strengthening local economies. These projects demonstrate the State’s commitment to building sustainable, prosperous communities that attract both residents and businesses.”

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Today’s $14.5 million in transformative NY Forward and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative investments demonstrate Governor Hochul’s continued commitment to rewarding communities that are serious about expanding housing and economic opportunities for current and future residents. As two of the 287 current participants in the Governor’s Pro-Housing Communities program, Farmingdale and Hempstead have unlocked access to today’s funding that will enrich their neighborhoods and grow the housing supply through targeted investment. We thank these communities for their commitment to improving housing supply and congratulate them on today’s awards.”

    LIREDC Co-Chairs Linda Armyn, President & CEO at Bethpage Federal Credit Union and Dr. Kimberly R. Cline, President of Long Island University, said, “Hempstead and Farmingdale presented compelling visions for their downtown corridors that will create new opportunities for housing, business growth, and community engagement. The Village of Hempstead’s focus on enhancing its historic Main Street while expanding housing and cultural amenities, coupled with Farmingdale’s plans to strengthen its walkable downtown core, exemplify the kind of forward-thinking development that will benefit Long Island for generations to come. We look forward to working with both communities as they implement their strategic investment plans.”

    State Senator Siela Bynoe said, “This Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant will provide much-deserved investment to the Village of Hempstead. As we’ve seen in Westbury Village, this grant will have a transformational impact on Hempstead’s downtown by improving walkability, and creating opportunities through investment in the Village’s commercial downtown. In Westbury Village, the Downtown Revitalization Initiative provided a blueprint for innovation to address our housing and infrastructure needs, and it is exciting to see Hempstead have this same opportunity. I’d like to thank the Governor and the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council for their commitment to helping to empower our communities.”

    Assemblymember Noah Burroughs said, “I’m pleased to hear that finally the Village Of Hempstead is being recognized as the great hub in Nassau County as well as Long Island. Today I was notified that the Village of Hempstead has been awarded the downtown revitalization initiative. I would like to thank Governor Hochul for seeing the vision we have in the 18th assembly district. This brings us one step closer to having a downtown that the residents could be proud to visit, shop, dine and enjoy on a daily basis.”

    Village of Hempstead Mayor Waylyn Hobbs said, “Hempstead is a proud, hardworking community, and this $10 million investment will go a long way in making our downtown a place where families, businesses, and visitors can thrive. We’re incredibly grateful to Governor Hochul for believing in Hempstead and for giving us the tools to build a stronger, more vibrant future. This funding means more opportunities for local businesses, more housing for our residents, and a downtown that truly reflects the energy and diversity of our village. We’re excited to get to work and make this vision a reality.”

    Village of Farmingdale Mayor Ralph Ekstrand said, “On behalf of Myself and the Board of Trustees, all Farmingdale Village Residents, Our Merchants & Local Community; we are thrilled to have won a $4.5 million grant for a Performing Arts Center! Thank you to New York State! We are so fortunate and thankful for the incredible efforts of all involved who helped secure the grant, it’s truly spectacular news for our community! As everyone knows, Farmingdale Village has been going through an incredible Revitalization and has become a downtown destination. Our (BID) Business Improvement District was formed in 2021, and shortly thereafter; our Downtown was designated as “the Culinary Quarter Mile”. Farmingdale Village was also voted Best LI Downtown 2025 – in the Four Leaf (Formerly BFCU), Annual contest, the last 10 out of 11 years! In the Village; we all work as a team; and there are also many Music Fests (“Music on Main, etc..); Art Shows and basically Culture Everywhere! But the one desire was always for a Cultural Arts Center! So this is the Icing on the Cake; the Farmingdale Village Cake! We are beyond thrilled and our community will be dancing in the street! (Literally!) Thank You!”

    Nassau County Legislator Scott Davis said, “Thank you, Governor Hochul, for selecting the Village of Hempstead as a recipient of the 2025 Downtown Revitalization Program Award in the amount of $10,000,000. These funds will provide much needed assistance in helping to make the vision of a vibrant downtown become a reality. I look forward to seeing the village continue on the path toward a promising future for residents and a destination for visitors.”

    Hempstead and Farmingdale will now begin the process of developing a Strategic Investment Plan to revitalize their downtowns. A Local Planning Committee made up of municipal representatives, community leaders and other stakeholders will lead the effort, supported by a team of private sector experts and state planners. The Strategic Investment Plan will guide the investment of DRI and NY Forward grant funds in revitalization projects that are poised for implementation, will advance the community’s vision for their downtown and that can leverage and expand upon the State’s investment.

    The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council conducted a thorough and competitive review process of proposals submitted from communities throughout the region and considered all criteria before recommending these communities as nominees.

    About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
    The Downtown Revitalization Initiative was created in 2016 to accelerate and expand the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all ten regions of the state to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for investment. Led by the Department of State with assistance from Empire State Development, Homes and Community Renewal and NYSERDA, the DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation and results in compact, walkable downtowns that are a key ingredient to helping New York State rebuild its economy from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to achieving the State’s bold climate goals by promoting the use of public transit and reducing dependence on private vehicles. Through eight rounds, the DRI will have awarded a total of $900 million to 89 communities across every region of the State.

    About the NY Forward Program
    First announced as part of the FY22 Enacted Budget, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The program works in concert with the DRI to accelerate and expand the revitalization of smaller and rural downtowns throughout the State so that all communities can benefit from the State’s revitalization efforts, regardless of size, character, needs and challenges.

    NY Forward communities are supported by a professional planning consultant and team of State agency experts led by DOS to develop a Strategic Investment Plan that includes a slate of transformative, complementary and readily implementable projects. NY Forward projects are appropriately scaled to the size of each community; projects may include building renovation and redevelopment, new construction or creation of new or improved public spaces and other projects that enhance specific cultural and historical qualities that define and distinguish the small-town charm that defines these municipalities. Through three rounds, the NY Forward program will have awarded a total of $300 million to 60 communities across every region of the State.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Innovation centre zoning upheld

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Town Planning Board (TPB) today upheld its decision of rezoning the 4.72-hectare site for proposed Global Innovation Centre by the University of Hong Kong (HKU) in Pok Fu Lam from “Other Specified Uses” annotated “Global Innovation Centre” to “Undetermined” in the interim.

    The TPB reached the decision at today’s meeting after thoroughly considering 1,861 further representations (FRs), including 30 with further responses to departmental comments as well as the views and responses of the Planning Department, bureaus and departments.

    The board members noted that the grounds and views in the opposing FRs were mainly related to designation of “Undetermined” zoning; suitability of the site for the centre; and procedural issues. They also took note that most issues were similar to those raised in the representations and were duly deliberated by the board at the representation stage. 

    The TPB considered it prudent to maintain the “Undetermined” zoning for the site at this stage, which would allow time for HKU to review the development proposal for the centre, conduct technical assessments including potential traffic impacts during construction and operational stages, further consult the community and submit a revised proposal for the Government and TPB’s consideration within a reasonable time.

    Any proposed development of the site would be effected through rezoning in accordance with section 5 of the Town Planning Ordinance, whereby the public will have the opportunity to submit representations and the board would conduct hearings to deal with the representations.

    TBP members agreed that HKU should be invited to report on the latest developments of the project within three months, which should include its decision on site selection with detailed justifications, a development timeline for the project as well as an update on engagement with stakeholders.

    They also reaffirmed the importance of constructive engagement with stakeholders and emphasised their expectation that HKU should enhance its engagement with the community.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Picturing the Pandemic

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    A new exhibit of words, images, and audio collected from around the world during the COVID-19 pandemic now on display at Homer Babbidge Library offers a rare glimpse at how people captured history even as it was being made.

    Picturing the Pandemic, created by the Pandemic Journaling Project (PJP) and Seeing Truth: Art, Science, Museums, and Making Knowledge, opened at UConn Storrs on Thursday, Mar. 6.  

    Anthropologists Sarah Willen (UConn) and Katherine Mason (Brown University) started the PJP five years ago to collect people’s reflections on how the pandemic was affecting their lives as it happened.

    “We cared about giving people a space to reflect and we cared about documenting, chronicling, and preserving people’s real-time record of their experiences during a time that none of us understood,” said Willen, a professor of anthropology at UConn and co-director the Research Program on Global Health and Human Rights at the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute.

    From May 2020 to May 2022, the PJP collected weekly journal entries that allowed people to chronicle the countless ways the pandemic and its attendant disruptions manifested in their lives. In its first wave, the project collected nearly 27,000 entries from 1,800 people around the world. 

    Sarah Willen, co- creator of the Pandemic Journaling Project, describes the new exhibit at Homer Babbidge Library (Danielle Faipler / UConn Photo)

    The goal was to create an archive that would exist into the future so people could better understand how the pandemic was experienced by people living through it. 

    “We wanted to make an archive that would last and that would be useful to other people in the future, and we made a promise that people would be able to keep everything that they contributed,” said Willen. 

    The exhibit at Babbidge Library consists of panels featuring photographs and excerpts from journal submissions, highlighting a key component of the project: the variety of ways participants were able to express themselves and document their lives.  

    “We wanted ‘journaling’ to be defined as broadly as possible. People could write, they could upload audio journal entries, or they could upload photographs,” said Willen. 

    At the opening ceremony, Willen and other members of the UConn community who supported the development of the project spoke about its growth since the start of the pandemic. 

    Willen thanked the University and other sponsors for supporting the project, including the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, the Humanities Institute, and the Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP). 

    “Documents, diaries, letters, drawings and memoirs created by those who participated in or witnessed events of the past tell us something that even the best written article or book may not convey,” said Anne Langley, Dean of UConn Library. 

    “Its global dimension is really critical; The multiple languages which were used, the fact that you could audio journal or video journal,” said Kathryn Libal, professor of social work and human rights and director of the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute. “It opens up a new way for us to think about collective archiving in the present for future commemoration and scholarly works.”

    Kathryn Libal, director of the Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute, speaks at the opening of the new Pandemic Journaling Project exhibit at Homer Babbidge library (Danielle Faipler / UConn Photo)

    The exhibition was curated by Willen, Mason, and Alexis Boylan, professor of art and art history at UConn, along with PJP postdoctoral fellow Heather Wurtz and a large team of students and curation partners.

    “The images will not let us forget. They remind us of feelings that we had that we maybe put away, of ideas of things and people that we wanted to be but maybe did not work out in that moment, but that we still remember and hold on to,” said Boylan.  

    With the exhibit located in the middle of a heavily visited area at UConn, many students, faculty, staff, and visitors will have a chance to reflect on their lives in the five years since the pandemic. 

    Globally, as well as in the United States, people are repressing a lot about the impact the pandemic had, and continues to have, on our lives, said Willen. By offering visitors a chance to look back on this time, the exhibition invites people to consider how their own lives, and the broader world, have changed. 

    Before coming to Storrs, the exhibition made earlier stops in Hartford, Providence, Heidelberg (Germany), Mexico City and Toronto. For this new iteration, the curators added a new center panel that recognizes the importance of science and of having an infrastructure for knowledge building and social interaction.  

    “If we pull apart the components of that infrastructure, a lot of things fall apart,” said Willen. “Our capacity to do science falls apart. Our capacity to prepare people for their careers falls apart. Our capacity to provide public spaces in which we can come together and interact with each other – like libraries and museums – falls apart.”

    “We’re hoping that this will be a chance for people to see the structures we’ve built in our society to support, connect with, and nurture each other, and to help each other understand who we are in the world, will only exist if we protect them,” said Willen. 

    Willen especially urges student visitors to the exhibit to think deeply about how their majors, fields, and research can help us collectively confront the problems that society is facing.  

    “Let’s not lose sight of those values, of how we can put our tools to work to grapple with real-life problems using data and our capacities for analysis and reflection,” said Willen. 

    The Pandemic Journaling Project and the Picturing the Pandemic exhibition were only possible because UConn believed in them, said Willen. 

    “We brought our skills to the table, and our students brought theirs, and many different institutes and departments at the university said, yes, this is worthwhile, and they gave us the resources to start collecting people’s narratives and experiences,” said Willen. “Bringing the exhibit to Babbidge Library is our thank you note to UConn.” 

     

    Picturing the Pandemic: Images from the Pandemic Journaling Project will be on display in the entryway to the Homer Babbidge Library from March 5 to March 20.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Helport AI Announces CFO Transition

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company Names 25-Year+ Seasoned Financial Executive, Amy Fong, as Interim Chief Financial Officer

    SINGAPORE and SAN DIEGO, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Helport AI Limited (NASDAQ: HPAI) (“Helport AI” or the “Company”), an AI technology company serving enterprise clients with intelligent customer communication software, services, and solutions, today announced that Mr. Tao Ke is no longer serving as Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of the Company, effective March 12, 2025. The Company has appointed Amy Fong, President and Director of Helport AI, as interim CFO, effective immediately.

    “We take this opportunity to thank Tao for his contributions in assisting Helport AI in its transition into a public company this past year and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said Guanghai Li, Chief Executive Officer of Helport AI. “We believe that Amy’s extensive financial and operational leadership experience, coupled with her deep understanding of capital markets, makes her well-positioned to oversee our finance functions, as we search for a permanent replacement for this role.”

    Ms. Fong, who was appointed President and Director of Helport AI in January 2025, brings over 25 years of experience as a seasoned professional across multiple industries, including banking, private equity, management consulting, and the not-for-profit sector. Prior to joining Helport AI, she was the Chief Operating Officer and later Managing Director of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives at FountainVest Partners (Asia) since 2019, before transitioning to the role of Senior Advisor in 2024. She previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of Save the Children Hong Kong, a non-governmental organization, and spent two decades in financial services with JP Morgan, Credit Suisse, and Merrill Lynch in both the U.S. and Asia. She holds an MBA degree in Finance from Columbia Business School and a BSBA degree in Accounting and International Finance from Georgetown University.

    “I look forward to working closely with our talented teams and supporting the identification of a suitable candidate to serve as our permanent Chief Financial Officer,” said Amy Fong. “We believe that Helport AI is at an exciting inflection point, and we remain focused on accelerating growth and delivering value to our customers and shareholders.”

    About Helport AI

    Helport AI (NASDAQ: HPAI) is an AI technology company dedicated to optimizing customer communication through its digital platform and intelligent software solutions. Offering enterprise-level customer contact services, Helport AI’s mission is to empower everyone to work as an expert. Learn more at www.helport.ai.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, Helport AI’s business plan and outlook. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on Helport AI’s current expectations and projections about future events that Helport AI believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “approximates,” “believes,” “hopes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may” or other similar expressions. Helport AI undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although Helport AI believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and Helport AI cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in Helport AI’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Helport AI Investor Relations:
    Website: https://ir.helport.ai/
    Email: ir@helport.ai

    External Investor Relations Contact:
    Chris Tyson 
    Executive Vice President
    MZ North America
    Direct: 949-491-8235
    HPAI@mzgroup.us
    www.mzgroup.us

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: VeeMost Technologies Announces E-Rate Wins, New Vendor Partnerships, and Contracts with a Government Services Provider in the Defense Sector

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Red Bank, NJ, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — VeeMost Technologies Inc. (OTC: $GDVM) is pleased to announce several key business achievements, reinforcing its commitment to growth and innovation in the IT and cybersecurity sectors.

    Major E-Rate Wins Strengthen Position in Education Sector

    VeeMost has successfully won Nine E-Rate bids to provide technology solutions for schools, with additional contract awards expected in the coming weeks. This marks a significant step forward in the company’s continued success within the E-Rate program, which enables schools and libraries to access affordable IT infrastructure and cybersecurity solutions.

    “As an experienced technology provider in the education sector, we are proud to support schools with the critical IT services and products they need to enhance learning environments,” said Mr. Ejiogu, President at VeeMost. “These wins validate our expertise and position us for continued success as more E-Rate funding is allocated.”

    Expansion into the Defense Industry

    VeeMost has also secured multiple contracts with a defense industry company, strengthening its role in providing secure, high-performance IT solutions to critical infrastructure and national security sectors. These deals mark an important milestone as the company expands its capabilities to serve defense and government-related clients.

    New Vendor Partnerships with Vertiv, Nutanix, and Lenovo

    To enhance its portfolio of solutions, VeeMost has established new strategic partnerships with vendors such as Vertiv, Nutanix, Lenovo and more. These partnerships will allow the company to continue to provide cutting-edge IT, cloud, and infrastructure solutions to its clients, including businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions.

    “With the addition of these key partners, we are positioned to deliver even more comprehensive and scalable solutions to our customers,” said Mr. Ejiogu. “Our goal is to continuously expand our offerings and meet the evolving needs of our clients.”

    Progress Toward GSA Schedule Approval

    VeeMost has officially begun the process of obtaining a GSA Schedule contract, which will provide direct access to federal, state, and local government contracts. To streamline this process, VeeMost has engaged the services of Government Services Exchange (GSE), a leading consulting firm specializing in helping businesses obtain GSA certification and secure government contracts.

    “GSE has an outstanding track record of guiding companies through the GSA approval process, and we are confident that their expertise will help us achieve certification efficiently,” said Mr. Ejiogu. “The GSA Schedule is a key part of our long-term growth strategy, opening doors to significant government business opportunities.”

    CEO Honored with Lifetime Gratitude Award at Prestigious Gala

    VeeMost Technologies is also proud to announce that Mr. Melvin Ejiogu was honored with a Lifetime Gratitude Award at the 50th Gala Celebration of a leading educational institution in Cleveland, Ohio, for contributions to education technology. This recognition highlights the company’s deep commitment to supporting schools through cybersecurity, networking, and IT infrastructure solutions.

    “This recognition underscores the impact VeeMost has had on the education sector, not just as a service provider but as a true partner in shaping the future of learning,” said Mr. Ejiogu. “It reflects our dedication to making a meaningful difference in communities through technology.”

    Looking Ahead

    With multiple contract wins, new contracts in a key sector, strong vendor partnerships, and progress toward GSA certification, VeeMost Technologies continues to execute its vision for expansion. The company remains committed to delivering cutting-edge IT solutions and driving value for its shareholders.

    For more information about VeeMost Technologies, please visit www.veemost.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “continue,” “estimates,” “projects,” “intends,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to successfully execute its expanded business strategy, including by entering into definitive agreements with suppliers, commercial partners and customers; general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, delays in completing various engineering and manufacturing programs, changes in customer order patterns, changes in product mix, continued success in technical advances and delivering technological innovations, shortages in components, production delays due to performance quality issues with outsourced components, regulatory requirements and the ability to meet them, government agency rules and changes, and various other factors beyond the Company’s control.

    CONTACT:
    VeeMost Technologies Inc.
    info@veemost.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Depot Appoints Chris Ryan as Chief Legal Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Depot (NASDAQ: BTM), a U.S.-based Bitcoin ATM (“BTM”) operator and leading fintech company, announced today that Chris Ryan has been appointed Chief Legal Officer. With a strong background in financial services, cryptocurrency, and regulatory compliance, Ryan will be instrumental in guiding the company’s legal operations as it continues expanding access to Bitcoin.

    As Chief Legal Officer, Ryan will lead Bitcoin Depot’s legal and compliance strategy, advising the executive team on governance, risk management, and regulatory matters. He will also oversee partnerships, legal operations, and policy initiatives to support the company’s continued expansion.

    Before joining Bitcoin Depot, Ryan served as Deputy General Counsel at MoneyGram International, where he led global legal teams working on cryptocurrency initiatives, regulatory strategy, and commercial partnerships across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Africa. With over a decade of experience, he has negotiated high-profile fintech deals, advised on blockchain product strategies, and developed compliance frameworks for digital assets and payments. He has also worked closely with policymakers on evolving cryptocurrency regulations and overseen key areas like AML, KYC, and financial compliance. His expert understanding of risk management, corporate transactions, and regulatory affairs will be key as Bitcoin Depot continues to strengthen its position as the largest Bitcoin ATM operator in the U.S.

    “Chris has spent his career navigating complex financial and regulatory landscapes while leading high-performing legal and compliance teams,” said Brandon Mintz, CEO and founder of Bitcoin Depot. “His experience in fintech, blockchain, and global regulatory strategy will be invaluable as we continue expanding access to Bitcoin, enhancing compliance, and positioning Bitcoin Depot for long-term success. With the cryptocurrency industry evolving rapidly, Chris’s leadership will ensure we remain ahead of the curve.”

    “Bitcoin Depot is at the forefront of making Bitcoin more accessible to people everywhere, and I’m excited to join at such a transformational time,” said Ryan. “With the crypto industry rapidly evolving, building a strong regulatory and compliance foundation is more important than ever. I look forward to working alongside the team to support Bitcoin Depot’s growth and advance its mission of bringing Bitcoin to the masses through its cash-to-crypto model.”

    Ryan holds a J.D. from the Florida Coastal School of Law and a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Dayton.

    About Bitcoin Depot 
    Bitcoin Depot Inc. (Nasdaq: BTM) was founded in 2016 with the mission to connect those who prefer to use cash to the broader, digital financial system. Bitcoin Depot provides its users with simple, efficient and intuitive means of converting cash into Bitcoin, which users can deploy in the payments, spending and investing space. Users can convert cash to bitcoin at Bitcoin Depot kiosks in 48 states and at thousands of name-brand retail locations in 29 states through its BDCheckout product. The Company has the largest market share in North America with approximately 8,400 kiosk locations as of December 31, 2024. Learn more at www.bitcoindepot.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release and any oral statements made in connection herewith include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact, and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expectations of plans, business strategies, objectives and growth and anticipated financial and operational performance, including our growth strategy and ability to increase deployment of our products and services, our ability to strengthen our financial profile, and worldwide growth in the adoption and use of cryptocurrencies. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current beliefs, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as “anticipate,” “appears,” “approximately,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “designed,” “effect,” “estimate,” “evaluate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “initiative,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “outlook,“ ”plan,“ ”potential,“ ”priorities,“ ”project,“ ”pursue,“ ”seek,“ ”should,“ ”target,“ ”when,“ ”will,“ ”would,” or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In making these statements, we rely upon assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as, a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond our control.

    These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political and legal conditions; failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the business combination; risks relating to the uncertainty of our projected financial information; future global, regional or local economic and market conditions; the development, effects and enforcement of laws and regulations; our ability to manage future growth; our ability to develop new products and services, bring them to market in a timely manner and make enhancements to our platform; the effects of competition on our future business; our ability to issue equity or equity-linked securities; the outcome of any potential litigation, government and regulatory proceedings, investigations and inquiries; and those factors described or referenced in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. If any of these risks materialize or our assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that we do not presently know or that we currently believe are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect our expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date of this press release. We anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our assessments to change.

    We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law. All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

    Contacts: 

    Investors  
    Cody Slach 
    Gateway Group, Inc.  
    949-574-3860  
    BTM@gateway-grp.com 

    Media  
    Brenlyn Motlagh, Ryan Deloney  
    Gateway Group, Inc. 
    949-574-3860  
    BTM@gateway-grp.com 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ab09ac94-e75b-4fd6-9010-b8652a89fc74

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: SalesHood Recognized in the 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Digital Sales Rooms

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SalesHood, a leading AI-driven sales enablement platform, is proud to announce its recognition as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for Digital Sales Rooms.

    According to Gartner, “Digital Sales Rooms (DSRs) can optimize the buyer experience and improve engagement and collaboration between buyers and sellers, resulting in higher-quality deals.” The report also predicts that “by 2028, 30% of all B2B sales cycles will be primarily run through a DSR. which will be used to manage the entire customer life cycle”

    SalesHood’s Digital Sales Rooms, known as Client Sites, empower revenue teams with a centralized, buyer-centric digital environment to streamline deal execution. With mutual action plans, AI-powered insights, and seamless CRM integrations, SalesHood helps organizations accelerate sales cycles and drive revenue growth.

    “We are thrilled to be recognized in the Gartner Market Guide for Digital Sales Rooms,” said Elay Cohen, CEO of SalesHood. “This recognition reinforces our commitment to equipping sales and success teams with innovative tools that enhance buyer engagement, improve sales efficiency, and ultimately drive predictable revenue outcomes.”

    SalesHood’s Client Sites provide a persistent digital workspace where sellers and buyers can collaborate in real time or asynchronously. Key features include:

    • Collaborative Mutual Action Plans – Buyers and sellers align on key milestones and next steps.
    • AI-Driven Buyer Engagement Insights – Real-time visibility into deal progression.
    • Seamless CRM and Stack Integrations – Enabling a connected digital sales process.

    To learn more about how SalesHood’s Digital Sales Rooms can help your organization improve sales execution, visit www.saleshood.com.

    Gartner Disclaimer:
    Gartner, Market Guide for Digital Sales Rooms, Melissa Hilbert, Luke Tipping, et al., , 24 February 2025.
    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact.

    About SalesHood:

    SalesHood is an AI-driven revenue enablement platform proven to deliver repeatable revenue. SalesHood’s purpose-built AI activates content to ramp readiness, personalize selling and measure impact. Rated #1 in results and usability, SalesHood is easy to use, fast to deploy, and proven to drive in-quarter revenue growth. Trusted by high-growth, high-performing companies like Copado, SmartRecruiters and Frontline Education boost win rates by 50-200% while reducing coaching time for managers and giving sellers more time to sell. To learn more, visit www.saleshood.com.

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Navigating a Slanted River

    Source: NASA

    Written by Denise Buckner, student collaborator at University of Florida 

    Perseverance is hard at work on Mars, overcoming obstacles for scientific exploration! Just a few sols after successfully sealing the challenging Green Gardens core, Perseverance roved on to the Broom Point workspace to collect another sample called Main River. Broom Point is situated a few hundred meters down-slope from where Green Gardens was collected, and the Science Team chose to explore this area because orbiter images show some intriguing, alternating light and dark layers.
    Upon reaching the workspace, images captured by Perseverance confirm that these distinct layers are visible on the ground, as well. Layers are interesting because they record different geological events that occurred in the planet’s past, which may include deposition of sediments, lava flows, or volcanic ash. By conducting proximity science with rover instruments and collecting a core to return to Earth for future analyses, the team is investigating what this material is composed of and how it was emplaced. 
    When the team is planning to collect a sample from an outcrop, the first step is to abrade the rock, grinding away the top few millimeters and smoothing out the surface so the SHERLOC and PIXL instruments can move in and conduct their scans. Although Perseverance has abraded more than 30 rocks across Jezero crater, new rocks still present unique challenges. While abrading the Slants River target at Broom Point, the rock unexpectedly fractured, resulting in an uneven surface. SHERLOC and PIXL require just a few millimeters of clearance to safely approach the rock, and while PIXL was able to reach the broken surface, the topography looked a little more dicey for SHERLOC.
    The team’s engineers and rover planners took stock of the situation and decided to use WATSON, SHERLOC’s companion camera, to snap some images of the abrasion patch from another angle. These images built a surface model of the small cracks and crevices, and with this knowledge in hand, the team found a way to safely maneuver the instrument to the same spot that PIXL scanned, and collected a co-located spectroscopy map. Once this abrasion proximity science was completed, the rover went on to drill and seal the Main River core, an activity that went off without a hitch.
    With another core in the bag, Perseverance is off to the next workspace, ready to tackle whatever challenges may lie ahead!

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 3.13.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Mar 13, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Andrew King, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Data Operations Strategy at the Office of Data and Innovation. King has been Manager of the Data Operations Section at the California Air Resources Board since 2023, and has held several positions since 2018, including Staff Air Pollution Specialist, Air Pollution Specialist for the Transportation Analysis Section, and Air Pollution Specialist for the Criteria Pollutant Inventory Section. He was an Economist at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2017 to 2018. King was a Managing Consultant at Red Peak Economic Consulting from 2013 to 2017. He was a Senior Accountability Analyst at the California Charter Schools Association from 2012 to 2013. King earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $168,468. King is a Democrat.

    Lavelle Parker, of Rancho Cucamonga, has been appointed Warden of California Institution for Women, where he has been serving as Acting Warden since 2024 and was Chief Deputy Warden in 2024. Lavelle was Chief Deputy Warden at California Rehabilitation Center from 2020 to 2024. He was Associate Warden at California Institution for Men from 2012 to 2020. Lavelle held several positions at California State Prison, Los Angeles from 1992 to 2012, including Correctional Counselor III, Correctional Captain, Correctional Counselor II Supervisor, Correctional Counsel I, and Correctional Officer. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $193,524. Parker is registered without party preference.

    Yolanda Franco-Clausen, of Hayward, has been appointed to the California Sex Offender Management Board. Franco-Clausen has served as a Police Officer for the City of Palo Alto Police Department since 2016. They were a Job Development Coordinator at Employment and Community Options in 2016. Franco-Clausen was the Co-Founder and Executive Director of PLAYNICE Productions, Inc., from 2013 to 2014. They are a member of the Palo Alto Police Officers Association. Franco-Clausen earned a Juris Doctor degree from Northwestern California School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Franco-Clausen is a Democrat.

    Sarah Metz, of Alameda, has been appointed to the California Sex Offender Management Board. Dr. Metz has been Director of the Division of Trauma Recovery Services in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco since 2019. She was a Staff Psychologist and Clinical Coordinator at the University of California, San Francisco Trauma Recovery Center from 2015 to 2019. Dr. Metz was a Clinical Psychologist at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System from 2011 to 2015, where she was previously a Healthcare Specialist from 2010 to 2011. She earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College in Maryland, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from Towson University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Dr. Metz is a Democrat.

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Mar 13, 2025

    News What you need to know: California is expanding its collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to leverage cutting-edge technologies to protect public health and help Los Angeles rebuild.  LOS ANGELES – As part of the state’s ongoing actions to support…

    Mar 12, 2025

    News What you need to know: Californians are urged to take precautions now as severe weather sets in throughout the state. SACRAMENTO – With severe weather expected to impact much of California today through Friday, Governor Gavin Newsom and state emergency officials…

    Mar 12, 2025

    News What you need to know: California continues to lead in technology as home to the majority of the nation’s top AI companies. SACRAMENTO – Home to Silicon Valley and the birthplace of the tech industry, California continues to dominate this sector as the leader in…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-41 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE COALITION SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROTECT STUDENTS

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    2025-41 ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE COALITION SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROTECT STUDENTS

    Posted on Mar 13, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI

    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI

     

    DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

    KA ʻOIHANA O KA LOIO KUHINA

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D.
     GOVERNOR

    KE KIAʻĀINA

     

    ANNE LOPEZ

    ATTORNEY GENERAL

    LOIO KUHINA

    ATTORNEY GENERAL LOPEZ LEADS MULTISTATE COALITION SUING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO STOP DISMANTLING OF U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PROTECT STUDENTS

    News Release 2025-41

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       

    March 13, 2025

     HONOLULU – Attorney General Anne Lopez today led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education. On March 11, the Trump administration announced that the U.S. Department of Education would be firing approximately 50 percent of its workforce as part of its goal of a “total shutdown” of the department. Attorney General Lopez and the coalition today filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the targeted destruction of this critical federal agency that ensures tens of millions of students receive a quality education and critical resources.  

    “Neither a president nor his administration can abolish or render useless a department of the United States on a whim. Students in Hawaiʻi—from K-12 to the University of Hawaiʻi—rely upon the U.S. Department of Education, its programs and its public servants because they are supported by federal laws passed by Congress,” said Attorney General Lopez. “There is no higher calling in government than to fight for a better future for our children. My department will proudly fight for that future, including for federal support for low-income children and students with disabilities and for combatting discrimination in education.”

    “The U.S. Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring that students—especially those with the greatest needs—have access to the resources and opportunities they deserve. Federal education dollars support essential services in our public schools, including special education and school meal programs, and provide salaries for more than 1,100 of our dedicated full-time educators and staff,” said Hawaiʻi Department of Education Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi. “Any effort to dismantle this agency threatens not only these vital programs but also the stability of our entire public education system. We appreciate the leadership of Attorney General Lopez in standing up for students, families and educators, and we remain committed to advocating for the resources necessary to best support our students.”

    “The proposed elimination of 50% of U.S. Department of Education employees raises serious concerns about the future of critical student services and programs that support educational access,” said University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel. “While the full impact on our university system is still unknown, we anticipate significant disruptions if these reductions move forward as planned. Currently, more than 270 positions across our 10-campus system are funded through U.S. Department of Education resources. These employees and the programs they administer play a crucial role in supporting our students—particularly through initiatives such as Title III, which strengthens UH’s capacity to serve Native Hawaiian students, and Title VII, which upholds essential protections against discrimination. Any reduction in these areas would not only affect our institution but also diminish opportunities for the many communities we serve.”

    Solicitor General Kalikoʻonālani Fernandes and Special Assistant to the Attorney General Dave Day jointly stated: “We are all molded by the education we receive as children and young adults. The Department of the Attorney General will challenge all unlawful attempts to deprive the next generation of educational opportunities and privileges promised to them by the laws of this nation.” Hawaiʻi is represented in this litigation by Solicitor General Fernandes, Special Assistant to the Attorney General Day, and Deputy Solicitor General Ewan Rayner.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s programs serve nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million K-12 students attending roughly 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools throughout the country. Its higher education programs provide services and support to more than 12 million postsecondary students annually. Students with disabilities and students from low-income families are some of the primary beneficiaries of U.S. Department of Education services and funding. U.S. Department of Education funds for special education include support for assistive technology for students with disabilities, teacher salaries and benefits, transportation to help children receive the services and programming they need, physical therapy and speech therapy services, and social workers to help manage students’ educational experience. The U.S. Department of Education also supports students in rural communities by offering programs designed to help rural school districts that often lack the personnel and resources needed to compete for competitive grants.

    As Attorney General Lopez and the coalition assert in the lawsuit, dismantling the U.S. Department of Education will have devastating effects for states like Hawaiʻi. The administration’s lay-off is so massive that the U.S. Department of Education will be incapacitated and unable to perform essential functions. As the lawsuit asserts, the administration’s actions will deprive students with special needs of critical resources and support. They will gut U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which protects students from discrimination and sexual assault. They would additionally hamstring the processing of financial aid, raising costs for college and university students who will have a harder time accessing loans, Pell Grants, and work study programs.  

    With this lawsuit, Attorney General Lopez and the coalition are seeking a court order to stop the administration’s policies to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education by drastically cutting its workforce and programs. Attorney General Lopez and the coalition argue that the administration’s actions to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education are illegal and unconstitutional. The department is an executive agency authorized by Congress, with numerous different laws creating its various programs and funding streams. The coalition’s lawsuit asserts that the Executive Branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally incapacitate or dismantle it without an act of Congress.

    This lawsuit is led by Attorney General Lopez and the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts, and New York. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

    A link to the virtual press conference Attorney General Lopez held today with California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, and New York Attorney General Letitia James can be found here. 

    # # #

    Media contacts:

    Dave Day

    Special Assistant to the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1284                                                  

    Email: [email protected]        

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    Toni Schwartz

    Public Information Officer

    Hawai‘i Department of the Attorney General

    Office: 808-586-1252

    Cell: 808-379-9249

    Email: [email protected] 

    Web: http://ag.hawaii.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: IronFX Launches Trading Education Blog to Enhance Market Awareness

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LIMASSOL, Cyprus, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IronFX, a global online CFD and forex broker, has introduced a dedicated trading education blog designed to provide traders with in-depth market analysis, expert insights, and practical trading strategies. The initiative reinforces IronFX’s commitment to supporting traders with educational resources amid evolving market conditions.

    Comprehensive Market Insights for Traders at All Levels

    The IronFX blog features a range of articles tailored to traders with varying levels of experience. Beginner traders can access foundational content on technical and fundamental analysis, market dynamics, and trading psychology. More experienced traders receive regular updates on trends in forex, commodities, indices, and energy markets.

    Expert-Led Analysis on Key Market Developments

    Authored by experienced analysts, the blog provides analysis on key market assets, including gold, oil, and stocks. Coverage extends to significant stock market developments, corporate earnings, and price movements in commodities. Additionally, articles explore economic events and their impact on financial markets, offering insights into geopolitical shifts, monetary policy decisions, and macroeconomic data.

    Part of a Broader Educational Initiative

    The blog complements IronFX’s existing suite of educational resources, including the IronFX Academy, which offers webinars, eBooks, comprehensive courses, and a financial glossary.

    Established in 2010, IronFX provides trading platforms and services to retail and institutional clients in over 180 countries. The broker supports trading across multiple asset classes through its MetaTrader 4 platform and WebTrader interface.

    About IronFX

    IronFX is a leading global online trading broker offering forex and CFD trading services to clients worldwide. Established in 2010, the company provides access to a wide range of financial instruments, including currencies, commodities, indices, and stocks. IronFX serves both retail and institutional traders, offering trading solutions through the MetaTrader 4 platform and WebTrader interface. With a strong focus on education and market insights, IronFX aims to support traders in making informed decisions.

    For more information, users can visit the https://www.ironfx.com/.

    Contact

    Media Coordinator

    Nicolas Georgiadis

    IronFX

    support@ironfx.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/133f9209-ae6c-4d43-ab66-23cbdb422517

    The MIL Network –