Category: Health

MIL-OSI Economics: PadChest-GR: A bilingual grounded radiology reporting benchmark for chest X-rays
Source: Microsoft

Headline: PadChest-GR: A bilingual grounded radiology reporting benchmark for chest X-rays

In our ever-evolving journey to enhance healthcare through technology, we’re announcing a unique new benchmark for grounded radiology report generation—PadChest-GR (opens in new tab). The world’s first multimodal, bilingual sentence-level radiology report dataset, developed by the University of Alicante with Microsoft Research, University Hospital Sant Joan d’Alacant and MedBravo, is set to redefine how AI and radiologists interpret radiological images. Our work demonstrates how collaboration between humans and AI can create powerful feedback loops—where new datasets drive better AI models, and those models, in turn, inspire richer datasets. We’re excited to share this progress in NEJM AI, highlighting both the clinical relevance and research excellence of this initiative.

A new frontier in radiology report generation

It is estimated that over half of people visiting hospitals have radiology scans that must be interpreted by a clinical professional. Traditional radiology reports often condense multiple findings into unstructured narratives. In contrast, grounded radiology reporting demands that each finding be described and localized individually.

This can mitigate the risk of AI fabrications and enable new interactive capabilities that enhance clinical and patient interpretability. PadChest-GR is the first bilingual dataset to address this need with 4,555 chest X-ray studies complete with Spanish and English sentence-level descriptions and precise spatial (bounding box) annotations for both positive and negative findings. It is the first public benchmark that enables us to evaluate generation of fully grounded radiology reports in chest X-rays.

Figure 1. Example of a grounded report from PadChest-GR. The original free-text report in Spanish was ”Motivo de consulta: Preoperatorio. Rx PA tórax: Impresión diagnóstica: Ateromatosis aórtica calcificada. Engrosamiento pleural biapical. Atelectasia laminar basal izquierda. Elongación aórtica. Sin otros hallazgos radiológicos significativos.”

Spotlight: Blog post

Eureka: Evaluating and understanding progress in AI

How can we rigorously evaluate and understand state-of-the-art progress in AI? Eureka is an open-source framework for standardizing evaluations of large foundation models, beyond single-score reporting and rankings. Learn more about the extended findings.

This benchmark isn’t standing alone—it plays a critical role in powering our state-of-the-art multimodal report generation model, MAIRA-2. Leveraging the detailed annotations of PadChest-GR, MAIRA-2 represents our commitment to building more interpretable and clinically useful AI systems. You can explore our work on MAIRA-2 on our project web page, including recent user research conducted with clinicians in healthcare settings.

PadChest-GR is a testament to the power of collaboration. Aurelia Bustos at MedBravo and Antonio Pertusa at the University of Alicante published the original PadChest dataset (opens in new tab) in 2020, with the help of Jose María Salinas from Hospital San Juan de Alicante and María de la Iglesia Vayá from the Center of Excellence in Biomedical Imaging at the Ministry of Health in Valencia, Spain. We started to look at PadChest and were deeply impressed by the scale, depth, and diversity of the data.

As we worked more closely with the dataset, we realized the opportunity to develop this for grounded radiology reporting research and worked with the team at the University of Alicante to determine how to approach this together. Our complementary expertise was a nice fit. At Microsoft Research, our mission is to push the boundaries of medical AI through innovative, data-driven solutions. The University of Alicante, with its deep clinical expertise, provided critical insights that greatly enriched the dataset’s relevance and utility. The result of this collaboration is the PadChest-GR dataset.

A significant enabler of our annotation process was Centaur Labs. The team of senior and junior radiologists from the University Hospital Sant Joan d’Alacant, coordinated by Joaquin Galant, used this HIPAA-compliant labeling platform to perform rigorous study-level quality control and bounding box annotations. The annotation protocol implemented ensured that each annotation was accurate and consistent, forming the backbone of a dataset designed for the next generation of grounded radiology report generation models.

Accelerating PadChest-GR dataset annotation with AI

Our approach integrates advanced large language models with comprehensive manual annotation:

Data Selection & Processing: Leveraging Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service (opens in new tab) with GPT-4, we extracted sentences describing individual positive and negative findings from raw radiology reports, translated them from Spanish to English, and linked each sentence to the existing expert labels from PadChest. This was done for a selected subset of the full PadChest dataset, carefully curated to reflect a realistic distribution of clinically relevant findings.

Manual Quality Control & Annotation: The processed studies underwent meticulous quality checks on the Centaur Labs platform by radiologist from Hospital San Juan de Alicante. Each positive finding was then annotated with bounding boxes to capture critical spatial information.

Standardization & Integration: All annotations were harmonized into coherent grounded reports, preserving the structure and context of the original findings while enhancing interpretability.

Figure 2. Overview of the data curation pipeline.

Impact and future directions

PadChest-GR not only sets a new benchmark for grounded radiology reporting, but also serves as the foundation for our MAIRA-2 model, which already showcases the potential of highly interpretable AI in clinical settings. While we developed PadChest-GR to help train and validate our own models, we believe the research community will greatly benefit from this dataset for many years to come. We look forward to seeing the broader research community build on this—improving grounded reporting AI models and using PadChest-GR as a standard for evaluation. We believe that by fostering open collaboration and sharing our resources, we can accelerate progress in medical imaging AI and ultimately improve patient care together with the community.

The collaboration between Microsoft Research and the University of Alicante highlights the transformative power of working together across disciplines. With our publication in NEJM-AI and the integral role of PadChest-GR in the development of MAIRA-2 (opens in new tab) and RadFact (opens in new tab), we are excited about the future of AI-empowered radiology. We invite researchers and industry experts to explore PadChest-GR and MAIRA-2, contribute innovative ideas, and join us in advancing the field of grounded radiology reporting.

Papers already using PadChest-GR:

For further details or to download PadChest-GR, please visit the BIMCV PadChest-GR Project (opens in new tab).

Models in the Azure Foundry that can do Grounded Reporting:

Acknowledgement
- Authors: Daniel C. Castro (opens in new tab), Aurelia Bustos (opens in new tab), Shruthi Bannur (opens in new tab), Stephanie L. Hyland (opens in new tab), Kenza Bouzid (opens in new tab), Maria Teodora Wetscherek (opens in new tab), Maria Dolores Sánchez-Valverde (opens in new tab), Lara Jaques-Pérez (opens in new tab), Lourdes Pérez-Rodríguez (opens in new tab), Kenji Takeda (opens in new tab), José María Salinas (opens in new tab), Javier Alvarez-Valle (opens in new tab), Joaquín Galant Herrero (opens in new tab), Antonio Pertusa (opens in new tab)
MIL OSI Economics –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Graham Praises Supreme Court for Protecting Life, Siding with South Carolina in Medina v. Planned Parenthood

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a 6-3 ruling in Medina v. Planned Parenthood. Because of the decision, South Carolina and other states can stop abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, from being funded by Medicaid.

In February, Graham led an amicus curiae – or friend of the court – brief along with U.S. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Representative Ralph Norman (R-South Carolina) in support of South Carolina’s determination that Planned Parenthood does not qualify to receive Medicaid funding.

“This is one of the most consequential rulings in the history of the Supreme Court for the pro-life movement, reaffirming states’ ability to protect the unborn. I led the amicus briefs to the Court in partnership with Senator Scott and Congressman Norman throughout the entire process in support of South Carolina’s law that prohibited Medicaid funds from being used by Planned Parenthood.

“South Carolina’s decision to deny Planned Parenthood the ability to receive Medicaid funding was the right decision for the taxpayer and the pro-life movement.

“I am so proud of Governor McMaster and our state legislature for leading on this issue, taking a stand for the unborn and having their efforts ratified by the Supreme Court of the United States. Well done to everyone involved.”

Background:

Under federal law and guidance, states administer Medicaid plans, including deciding which medical providers qualify to receive payments for certain services. In 2018, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered the state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to disqualify abortion clinics from receiving Medicaid funding. Over the course of three years, Planned Parenthood received over $1.5 billion in state Medicaid reimbursements nationwide, which is one of their largest funding sources.

Following South Carolina’s determination, Planned Parenthood and one of its clients sued the DHHS Director in federal court, claiming a right to force DHHS to reverse that decision.

Graham led amicus briefs with Scott and Norman in support of South Carolina throughout the entire process.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Menachem Lieberman Sentenced to 52 Months for Fraud on Federal Childcare Programs
Source: US FBI

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced that MENACHEM “MAX” LIEBERMAN was sentenced today to 52 months in prison for two fraudulent schemes involving federally funded childcare companies. LIEBERMAN previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Jennifer H. Rearden, who imposed today’s sentence.

“Max Lieberman defrauded federal childcare programs that provide vital services to our most innocent and vulnerable,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “New Yorkers believe in opportunity, particularly for our children, and by defrauding our Head Start and childcare voucher programs, Max Lieberman exploited our collective belief in opportunity for his own financial gain. The women and men of the Southern District of New York are committed to pursuing those who breach the public trust for illicit, personal financial gain.”

According to the Indictment, public court filings, and statements made in court proceedings:

LIEBERMAN participated in two schemes involving federal grant programs meant to provide assistance for childcare to low-income families.

First, between 2019 and January 2023, LIEBERMAN secretly “owned” and exercised control over a non-profit entity, Project Social Care Head Start Inc. (“PSCHS”), that operated in the New York City area (and which, as a non-profit entity, could not legally be privately owned). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”), which administers the Head Start program, annually granted to PSCHS millions of dollars that were to be used exclusively on the Head Start program and from which earning a profit is prohibited by law. Between 2019 and 2021, LIEBERMAN paid co-defendant Martin Handler $4.7 million to obtain “ownership” over PSCHS, and used his control over PSCHS to impermissibly direct PSCHS’s Head Start funding to his own for-profit companies. In order to protect his control over PSCHS’s funding, LIEBERMAN conspired with others to impair HHS’s ability to provide effective oversight of PSCHS by, among other things:
- Misrepresenting to HHS that PSCHS had an independent board of directors that was monitoring PSCHS,
- Submitting a letter to HHS when it began investigating LIEBERMAN’s involvement that falsely stated there were no conflicts of interest or less-than-arms’-length dealings with LIEBERMAN,
- And coordinating false testimony to HHS investigators.
Second, between July 2020 and January 2023, LIEBERMAN perpetrated a separate fraud that caused harm of nearly $2 million to the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (“ACS”), which administers a federally funded childcare voucher program for low-income families. In July 2020, LIEBERMAN submitted an application to ACS on behalf of PSCHS that contained a false signature of the nominal executive director and included fake receipts for six children that purported to show those children were already attending the program, when in fact the program did not exist and no children attended. When questioned by ACS whether the executive director’s signature was legitimate, LIEBERMAN created and submitted a fraudulently notarized document supposedly from the executive director that falsely affirmed that the signature was accurate. From July 2020 through his arrest in January 2023, LIEBERMAN applied for and received over $1.8 million in ACS reimbursements, even though the program did not actually exist and no children attended the program except for a brief period from September 2022 to October 2022.

* * *

In addition to today’s prison sentence, LIEBERMAN, 48, of Brooklyn, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay a fine of $200,000, restitution of $1,854,543.35 to ACS, and forfeit $1,774,543.35.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, and HHS, Office of the Inspector General. Mr. Clayton also thanked U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Inspector General, and the New York City Department of Investigation for their assistance with this investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel H. Wolf, Catherine Ghosh, Jacob R. Fiddelman, and Stephanie Simon are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Nandita Vasantha.

MIL Security OSI –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking: Joint statement

“International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking reminds us of the devastating impact of the illegal drug trade and drug addiction on our society. The traffickers and dealers peddling deadly fentanyl and other narcotics to our most vulnerable are perpetrating suffering for thousands of Albertans.

“We won’t stand idly and let these problems persist. Albertans expect us to act and that’s exactly what our government is doing. We remain steadfast in our commitment to do whatever it takes to disrupt criminal networks, pursue the ill-gotten profits of drug traffickers and save lives.

“Advancing this commitment means working closely with our municipal and community partners throughout the province to connect those in need with life-saving wraparound services, while also ensuring police services and specialized law enforcement, such as our Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) and the Alberta Sheriffs Interdiction Patrol Team, have the support and resources needed to stop the trafficking of illegal drugs.

“On this International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, let us reaffirm our collective commitment to combat the devastating impact of drug abuse and trafficking, recognizing that through united efforts, community support, and steadfast enforcement, we can create a safer, healthier Alberta where every individual is protected and given the opportunity to thrive.”

Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

“The disease of addiction continues to affect individuals, families and communities across Alberta. On this International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, we remember those we’ve lost, we support those still struggling, and we commit ourselves to building a province where recovery is possible for everyone.

“Alberta’s government is leading the way with a recovery-oriented system of care that provides access to a full continuum of mental health and addiction services and supports. From prevention and intervention to treatment and recovery, we are meeting people where they are and supporting them through every step of the way.

“We have made significant investments to increase treatment capacity, including adding more than 10,000 publicly funded addiction treatment spaces, expanding the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program, and building 11 world-class recovery communities across the province, three of which are open and supporting clients.

“In addition, the recently passed Compassionate Intervention Act, a made-in-Alberta model, will allow adult family members, guardians, healthcare professionals, police or peace officers to request a treatment order for those whose addiction or substance use has made them a danger to themselves or others.

“The ultimate goal is to help people reclaim their lives and achieve better health and wellness. Our approach is grounded in the belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue recovery, and we will continue to invest in the people, programs, and partnerships that make recovery accessible to all Albertans when and where they need it.”

Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

MIL OSI Canada News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: UConn School of Nursing Welcomes Class of 2029

Source: US State of Connecticut

Over the summer, UConn holds orientation sessions for its incoming class. Students spend two days on campus where they get to meet faculty and staff in various roles, learn about resources and services the university has to offer, and meet with their advisors from their school/college.

This year, the School of Nursing kicked off its first out of eight orientation sessions on May 27 and they run until the end of summer. In these sessions, students learn about the School of Nursing, academic expectations, and course offerings. Along with picking their classes for their first semester, they are given the necessary tools to succeed as a nursing student.

“Orientation is where students start finding their place in the School of Nursing. College is a big transition, and our advisors are here to help students feel confident, informed, and excited for their time at UConn,” said Chelsea Cichocki, director of student success of admissions and enrollment. “We want every student to leave feeling supported and ready to begin their academic journey and their future in nursing.”

With over 200 students entering the School of Nursing as the class of 2029, they are anything but ordinary. From in-state to out-of-state students, they all share one thing in common – a passion for nursing.

Shaunty Mae Vidad (Contributed Photo)

Shaunty Mae Vidad

First-generation student Shaunty Mae Vidad ‘29 (NURS), developed a passion for nursing after finding out the importance nurses had in saving her life.

As a sepsis baby, Vidad spent a lot of time in the intensive care unit (ICU). Nurses played a huge part in her survival and since then she has gained a deep respect for the profession, so much so, that she wants to do the same.

“The idea of going back to that part of the job that saved my life is something meaningful to me,” said Vidad.

Nursing allows her to combine her love of science and interest in how the human body works. With her personal experience in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), she wants to continue down that pathway and become a NICU nurse.

Vidad shares a passion for nursing with her uncle who is a registered nurse. His experiences and support have helped guide her through her nursing journey.

“Hearing about his life as a nurse helped me understand that this career is about more than just medical care,” she said. “It’s about trust, empathy, and being there when it matters most.”

Up until six years ago, Vidad was living in the Philippines where she also grew up. Since coming to Connecticut, she’s been connected to UConn. She took UConn college credits and was a part of the UConn Connecticut Collegiate Awareness and Preparation (ConnCAP) summer program – a program for students from underserved communities in grades 9-12 and post-secondary level.

When it eventually came down to choosing a university, UConn was her first choice.

Vidad is entering her first year as a certified nurse assistant with certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the automated external defibrillator (AED). These accomplishments have helped her gain confidence in the field and with that she’s ready to continue learning.

“I’m looking forward to growing as a student, a person, and a future healthcare professional,” Vidad said. “Being a Husky means finding a place where I belong, and I believe UConn will give me that opportunity.”

Carlin Sabo (Contributed Photo)

Carlin Sabo

Carlin Sabo ‘29 (NURS) is also a first-generation student who has a passion for nursing. Having been homeschooled in Pennsylvania for most of her life, she’s looking forward to meeting new people, especially those within her major who have similar career aspirations.

“UConn has such a strong community, and I can’t wait to be a part of it. I want to grow not just academically, but personally – becoming more confident and independent,” Sabo said.

In a blended family of eight siblings, Sabo will be the first nurse and being the oldest out of her younger siblings, she knows how to be a leader and protector. She also knows the importance of hard work – a value she learned from being an Irish dancer her whole life.

Irish dancing is “one of the best things to happen in my life. It gives me an outlet to not only connect with my heritage but also travel around the world doing what I love, which is expressing myself through dance,” she said. “Irish dance taught me discipline, confidence, and the value of hard work.”

Sabo plans to join the Irish Dance Team on campus where she can keep that connection to her heritage and her family.

Within her academics, Sabo said she is most excited to learn about health, anatomy, and patient care. Her goal is to become a licensed medical aesthetician – a skincare specialist who works in the medical field – and a nurse injector – a healthcare professional who administers injections. One day, she wants to open her own med spa where she can help people “feel their best through skincare treatments, injectables, and holistic beauty services.”

Being a first-generation student and the first nurse in her family she is empowered to represent them and how far they all have come.

“I’m here today because of my parents’ sacrifices, hard work, and desire to create a better future for myself,” she said. “Nursing became my dream through my love of helping others. I’ve always been drawn to helping people feel and look their best and seeing first-hand how nurses make a big impact in people’s lives inspired me to become a nurse.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: Proto Hologram Secures Federal Trademark for “Beam There”
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Los Angeles, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Proto Inc., the original holographic communications and AI spatial computing platform, has officially been awarded the trademark for the phrase “Beam There” by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). This marks a major milestone for Proto, whose patented technology has defined a new standard for real-time, lifelike presence across distance since 2018.

Widely credited as the inventor of freestanding hologram devices, Proto also developed the proprietary software and operating system that powers them — enabling people to appear and interact remotely with stunning realism. Whether used live or powered by AI, Proto allows anyone to “beam” into another space and be seen, heard, and have a real sense of presence. Since the company’s breakout in 2020, “Beam There” has emerged as a natural shorthand for its sci-fi-inspired mission to dissolve the boundaries of time and geography.

“So if I say to you, ‘Beam There’ — sounds familiar right?” said William Shatner, a Proto Hologram partner. “Proto hologram owns those words: ‘Beam there’… I was recently asked to speak at an important event in Australia. I couldn’t get there in person, but I was able to beam there — And now we can beam anywhere. There’s no telling where this technology will go.”

Watch William Shatner talk about Proto’s “Beam There” trademark in hologram form

David Nussbaum, Proto’s Founder, Inventor, and Chairman, said “This framed document might just look like another certificate… but for us at Proto Hologram, it’s a declaration of where the future is headed. ‘Beam There’ isn’t just a phrase — it’s our mission. From hospitals and classrooms to stages, stores, arenas, and living rooms — we’re enabling people to show up anywhere in the world, in real time, with full presence. Location is no longer a limitation.”

The new trademark expands Proto’s already formidable IP portfolio, which includes multiple issued patents. It further protects the company’s brand leadership as others enter the hologram space — many inspired directly by Proto’s innovations. Proto continues to lead with AI-powered advancements, global partnerships, and commercial momentum, counting more than 20 Fortune 500 companies as clients or partners, 50 universities, teams from every U.S. pro sports league and the biggest names in entertainment. The company has been featured by every major news outlet and was recently honored by TIME, which named Nussbaum to the TIME100 Health List for 2025.

Nussbaum added, “We’re not just building hologram technology. We’re building a new language for spatial communication. To every sci-fi fan, tech optimist, and dreamer who ever wanted to teleport — the future is closer than ever. And we’re just getting started.”

About Proto Inc.: Proto Inc. is the patented leader in hologram technology and AI spatial computing. Proto devices and its platform are in use across enterprise, finance, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, sports and entertainment. Invented in Los Angeles and with showrooms and distribution partners around the globe, Proto distributes the large Proto Epic and Proto Luma, the desktop-sized Proto M2, and a suite of hologram AI and spatial computing services. Learn more at protohologram.com

Attachment
- Proto Hologram Secures Trademark for “Beam There”
The MIL Network –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: In the sky over Iran, Elon Musk and Starlink step into geopolitics – not for the first time

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Joscha Abels, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Institute of Political Science, University of Tübingen

It was the briefest of messages, but the potential consequences could have been significant. Elon Musk posted a four-word tweet on June 14: “The beams are on”. The message prefigured a consequential intervention – not only in Iranian domestic affairs but potentially in the geopolitics of the Middle East. The US billionaire was responding to a request on his online platform X, asking him to activate the Starlink satellite system over Iran in support of anti-government protests.

Following Israel’s military strikes on critical sites in Iran, the Islamic Republic imposed a large-scale internet shutdown that saw a drastic drop in connectivity throughout the county. Nationwide restrictions were placed on access to websites, social media platforms and mobile networks.

This has effectively limited the inflow of media reports to the Iranian public. It has also made it more difficult for Iranians to organise amid violent crackdowns by the regime’s security forces. The activation of Starlink could allow them to bypass government censorship and restore contact with the outside world – and each other.

It is not the first time Iran’s government has restricted internet access to stifle unrest – nor is it the first time that Musk got involved. In 2022, amid nationwide protests following the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, Mahsa Amini, at the hands of the security forces, ostensibly for wearing her hijab incorrectly, Musk activated Starlink over Iran for the first time.

This triggered the smuggling of thousands of Starlink terminals into the country from neighbouring states. These terminals are flat rectangular devices, no larger than a baking tray. It is estimated that around 20,000 of them have found their way into Iran, giving Musk’s latest move a more immediate impact.

Still, reestablishing internet coverage remains difficult. The few available Starlink terminals are traded on the black market at exorbitant prices, and Starlink services in Iran still require payments of a monthly subscription fee. Iran’s government has also issued threats against citizens who use the system.

A new kind of warfare

Starlink is the most advanced communication satellite system in the world. Orbiting Earth at an altitude of about 550kms, its satellites deliver high-speed internet to customers around the globe. Out of more than 12,000 active satellites in orbit, around 7,600 belong to Starlink.

The system is operated by SpaceX, a space tech firm headquartered in Texas. SpaceX has recently become the world’s most valuable privately held company according to Bloomberg, surpassing even ByteDance (TikTok) and OpenAI.

Musk continues to act as the company’s largest stakeholder and chief executive, even while wielding huge political influence (following his recent rift with the US president, there is evidence he still wields considerable political clout in the US).

Starlink owes much of its geopolitical relevance to modern warfare. Secure communications have become essential on today’s data-driven battlefields. The mass availability of drones has fundamentally changed how wars are fought. High-bandwidth connections are needed for drones to transmit live video and receive targeting data.

As land-based connections are vulnerable to sabotage and outright attacks, mega-constellations such as Starlink provide a robust alternative. Comprising thousands of units, several hundreds of kilometres above ground, their services are difficult to disrupt.

Ukraine: a cautionary tale

Nowhere has the importance of satellite communications for geopolitics been more evident than in Ukraine. Russia prepared its invasion by conducting cyberattacks on Ukraine’s Viasat system. Musk responded by activating Starlink, announcing the move in the same casual style that he used for Iran.

The effect was immediate. Starlink quickly became indispensable for Ukraine’s counter-offensive efforts. Amid the Russian onslaught, it provided the nation’s military with secure communications to push back against the invasion. For SpaceX, this yielded not just hugely positive publicity but also substantial financial injections from investors.

Just months into Starlink’s activation, SpaceX initiated a strategic shift. Ukrainian forces reported outages along the front lines, especially when pushing into Russian-occupied territory. In October 2022, Musk floated the idea that SpaceX might withdraw support altogether, citing high operational costs.

By February 2023, the company had begun limiting Starlink’s use for the operation of Ukrainian drones. SpaceX’s chief operating office, Gwynne Shotwell stated that the system was “never intended to be weaponized”.

Power in private hands

Starlink’s role in Ukraine offers a striking example of how modern communications can change the course of conflicts, as I argued in a recent article in the European Journal of International Relations. At the same time, it serves as a cautionary tale about the reliability of critical systems in the hands of private corporations and powerful individuals.

In Ukraine, Musk held the power to effectively veto military operations. No democratic body provided oversight – the signal could be switched off with a tweet. Starlink’s role in Iran raises similarly uncomfortable questions: who decides when – or whether – citizens get to communicate?

While the region is struggling to establish a fragile ceasefire, political unrest in Iran is unlikely to subside soon. The deeper truth remains that communications within Iran’s civil society currently depend on the world’s wealthiest person – and no alternatives are in sight.

Joscha Abels receives funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG), grant 526359979.

– ref. In the sky over Iran, Elon Musk and Starlink step into geopolitics – not for the first time – https://theconversation.com/in-the-sky-over-iran-elon-musk-and-starlink-step-into-geopolitics-not-for-the-first-time-259833

MIL OSI Analysis –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: There is no loneliness epidemic – so why do we keep talking as if there is?

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Brendan Kelly, Professor of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin

fran_kie/Shutterstock.com

Most people experience periods of loneliness, isolation or solitude in their lives. But these are different things, and the proportion of people feeling lonely is stable over time. So why do we keep talking about an epidemic of loneliness?

Before the COVID pandemic, several studies showed that rates of loneliness were stable in England, the US, Finland, Sweden and Germany, among other places, over recent decades.

While COVID changed many things, loneliness levels quickly returned to pre-pandemic levels. In 2018, 34% of US adults aged 50 to 80 years reported a lack of companionship “some of the time” or “often”. That proportion rose to 42% during the pandemic but fell to 33% in 2024.

That’s a lot of lonely people, but it is not an epidemic. In some countries, such as Sweden, loneliness is in decline – at least among older adults.

Despite these statistics, the idea that loneliness is increasing is pervasive. For example in 2023, the US surgeon general warned about an “epidemic of loneliness and isolation”. The UK even has a government minister with an explicit responsibility for addressing loneliness.

Loneliness is a problem, even if it is not an epidemic. Social connection is important for physical and mental health. Many people feel lonely in a crowd or feel crowded when alone. In 2023, the World Health Organization announced a “Commission on Social Connection”. The WHO is right: we need to reduce loneliness in our families, communities and societies.

But the idea that loneliness is an “epidemic” is misleading and it draws us away from sustainable solutions, rather than towards them. It suggests that loneliness is a new problem (it is not), that it is increasing (it is not), that it is beyond our control (it is not), and that the only appropriate reaction is an emergency one (it is not).

In the short term, loneliness is an undesirable psychological state. In the long term, it is a risk factor for chronic ill health.

Loneliness is not a sudden crisis that needs a short-term fix. It is a long-term challenge that requires a sustained response. An emergency reaction is not appropriate – a measured response is. Initiatives by the US surgeon general and WHO are welcome, but they should be long-term responses to an enduring problem, not emergency reactions to an “epidemic”.

Vivek Murthy, the former US surgeon general warned about an epidemic of loneliness in America.
lev radin/Shutterstock

Medicalising normal human experience

Conceptual clarity is essential if true loneliness is to be addressed. Pathologising all instances of being alone risks medicalising normal human experiences such as solitude. Some people feel alive only in crowds, but others were born lighthouse keepers. In a hyper-connected world, loneliness should be solvable, but solitude must be treasured.

So, if there is no loneliness epidemic, why do we keep talking as if there is? Media framing of the issue and the human tendency to panic reinforce each other. We click into news stories based on subjective resonance rather than objective evidence.

Human behaviour is shaped primarily by feelings, not facts. We dramatise, panic, and overstate negative trends. If trends are positive, we focus on minor counter-trends, ignore statistics and make things up.

In the case of loneliness, the problem is real, even if the “epidemic” is not. Loneliness is part of the human condition, but alleviating each other’s loneliness is also part of who we are – or who we can become.

Addressing loneliness is not about solving a short-term problem or halting an “epidemic”. It means learning to live with each other in new, more integrated ways that meet our emotional needs. Loneliness is not the problem. It is a consequence of living in societies that are often disconnected and fragmented.

The solution? We cannot change the essentials of human nature – and nor should we try. But we can be a little kinder to ourselves, speak to each other a little more, and cultivate compassion for ourselves and other people.

We need to connect with each other better and more. We can. We should. We will.

Brendan Kelly 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. There is no loneliness epidemic – so why do we keep talking as if there is? – https://theconversation.com/there-is-no-loneliness-epidemic-so-why-do-we-keep-talking-as-if-there-is-259072

MIL OSI Analysis –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York has the fewest pregnant smokers in Yorkshire

Source: City of York

York has the lowest rate of pregnant women smoking in Yorkshire and the Humber at the time of delivery, new figures have revealed.

According to new data published by NHS England Statistics on Women’s Smoking Status at Time of Delivery: Data tables – NHS England Digital only 4.6 per cent (65 women) smoked in York, at the time of their delivery. This shows a significant drop, when compared to figures in 2020, which were 10.4 per cent (167 women).

Many women have been supported to help quit for good through help from the Health Trainers.

Cllr Lucy Steels- Walshaw, Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care at City of York Council, said “Stopping smoking during pregnancy is a positive step you can take for the health of you and your baby.

“Stopping smoking can be challenging, but you do not have to face this alone. The council’s health trainers can offer support tailored to your needs and look at techniques and strategies to keep you motivated on your journey to becoming smoke free”.

The Health Trainers offer an incentive scheme of £170 in shopping vouchers which are offered, if they continue to quit during their pregnancy and quit for good.

Lucy Evans, from Acomb, gave birth at full term to a 7lb 14oz healthy baby girl, Violet, 12 weeks ago. She stopped smoking a week after her first health trainer appointment early in her pregnancy, and received free nicotine gum and patches as well as one-to-one support sessions.

She has just received her final voucher this week, which she plans to spend on clothes for Violet and a treat for herself.

She said: “I wanted to quit to make sure my baby was healthy and would definitely recommend this scheme, you get so much support and help and it makes you want to quit even more.

“I feel a lot healthier, I’m not coughing as much and am breathing better, and I feel like I can handle stress a lot better as I’m not relying on smoking.”

The service offers personalised, individual support and advice, and signing up is really simple.

Visit York Health Trainers and complete the online referral form, call 01904 553377 or email cychealthtrainers@york.gov.uk

Across the region, the Smoking at Time of Delivery (SATOD) data shows that 7.5 per cent (3,901) of pregnant women across Yorkshire and the Humber were recorded as smoking in 2024/25.

This is 1.8 per cent lower than the previous year, when maternal smoking rates were 9.3 per cent across the region. This equates to 642 fewer women smoking compared to last year.

This is the lowest rate of smoking during pregnancy recorded in Yorkshire and the Humber since data began to be collected. This also reflects improvement across England as a whole, where SATOD rates fell to 6.1 per cent from 7.4 per cent last year.

Smoking during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of harm to both mother and baby. It increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, and sudden infant death. Children born to parents who smoke are also more likely to experience respiratory illness, learning difficulties, and diabetes, and are more likely to grow up to be smokers when compared to children born into smoke-free households.

As well as the health harms caused by smoking during pregnancy, it also adds to the cost of living and pushes families further into poverty. The average smoker spends £3,000 per year on tobacco, with younger women from the most deprived areas being the most likely to smoke and be exposed to second-hand smoke during pregnancy.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Allen Introduces the Employee Rights Act of 2025

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions (HELP), introduced the Employee Rights Act of 2025 (ERA). This legislation seeks to modernize outdated federal labor laws to meet the needs of today’s workers.

The ERA represents the Republican vision for the future of the American workforce—promoting growth, freedom, and innovation—while also ensuring our laws protect workers and guarantees unions are acting in the best interest of union members. After introducing the bill, Congressman Allen issued the statement below:

“Following a four-year assault on workers’ choices and freedoms under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Employee Rights Act puts 21st-century workers first by advancing commonsense labor policies,” said Congressman Allen. “To rebuild a vibrant, pro-growth economy, Congress must empower workers to achieve the American Dream through a variety of innovative pathways, not limit their choices with burdensome regulations and policymaking. I am grateful for Chairman Walberg’s support of this legislation to modernize our outdated labor laws and put the American worker back in the driver’s seat.”

“With Republicans leading the way, our economy is booming like never before—but our federal labor laws are stuck in the past,” said Chairman Walberg. “After years of Biden-Harris efforts to manipulate labor laws to favor activists and union leaders, we need updated policies that protect workers’ independence and interests in today’s evolving workforce. The Employee Rights Act is another strong step in reversing policies that undermine workers’ independence and fail to hold union leadership accountable to their members. I will always support giving workers the right to choose their own path to success.”

“The Employee Rights Act is the most comprehensive labor legislation of this Congress, from protecting the secret ballot and unionization elections, to safeguarding workers from harassment and protecting their privacy, to putting workers in control of their own destiny. It truly puts the American worker first. We applaud Representative Allen for his steadfast leadership and support of worker freedom,” said F. Vincent Vernuccio, President of the Institute for the American Worker.

To read the full bill text, CLICK HERE.
To read a one-pager on the bill, CLICK HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: IAM Veteran Services Department Congratulates Local 1125 Retiree on VA Accreditation

Source: US GOIAM Union

IAM Local 1125 (District 725) member Bob Svenson recently received his long awaited notice that he has cleared the bar and is now a fully accredited Veterans Administration claims representative. He is now able to represent veterans seeking help with VA claims.

The status is hard to achieve because it allows these representatives to act much like an attorney, representing veterans in the claims process, and more.

“Many times the VA will come back and say your condition is not service connected and the veteran will just walk away,” said Svenson, a disabled U.S. Navy veteran. “Maybe one percent of those people will say, ‘Nope,’ and they’ll fight for it. I want to help everyone fight to get what they deserve.”

“Bob fought hard for this accreditation and the VA does not make it easy because it’s a very serious process when processing benefits from the VA,” said IAM Assistant Veterans Services Coordinator Bryan Stymacks. “He was banging on doors and making calls to people that could push the VA to act on his application. It takes three to five years sometimes to get through the process to be accredited.”

The IAM Union launched its Veterans Services Program in January 2021 with one accredited VA claims representative. So far, that representative, IAM Veterans Services Coordinator Rich Evans, has successfully gained more than $406,000 in monthly benefit increases, providing ongoing support to veterans and their 155 spouses and 259 children. The cumulative total of backpay recovered since the start of the program now stands at nearly $3.6 million.

“I sought accreditation on my own from the VA in 2016 and I know how hard it is to fight within the VA system”, said Evans. “So now there are two accredited claims representatives within the IAM Veterans Services Program, and we could probably use about 20.”

The IAM offers representation to IAM members and their families free of charge. Also the first labor organization to be recognized by the VA as a Veterans Service Organization (VSO), much like the DAV and American Legion. Accredited representatives can demand thousands of dollars to help with a claim, but the IAM views the representation as a guaranteed benefit of IAM membership.

The IAM Veterans Services Department continues to grow and and expand its services to military veteran members, many of whom do not realize that benefits like VA Healthcare can work as a supplement to other health insurance, reducing the out of pocket costs for healthcare for the veteran and enrolling the veteran in the proper programs as they become eligible for Medicare at retirement age. You can find out more here: IAM Veterans Services Intake Form

“I have three sets of families; my family that’s blood, my next family is my union family, and then it’s my military,” said Svenson. “I don’t care where on the spectrum they are, those are my families – you don’t mess with them.”

Svenson has been a member of the IAM Veterans Steering Committee since he attended the first veteran’s service training course at the Winpisinger Center in 2020. He is very active in the veterans councils in the western United States, and is based in San Diego with several roles at Local 1125.

The post IAM Veteran Services Department Congratulates Local 1125 Retiree on VA Accreditation appeared first on IAM Union.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth, Booker Renew Push to Ban the U.S. Sale and Manufacturing of “K-Leather” and Protect Kangaroos from Largest Commercial Slaughter in the World

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
June 25, 2025
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced legislation to ban the sale and manufacturing of products made from kangaroo skin, also known as “k-leather.” After years of the two lawmakers leading the charge on this issue, this week Mizuno and UMBRO joined cleat manufacturing giants—including Nike, Adidas, Puma and ASICS—in pledging to halt production of k-leather in their soccer cleats and other products. To help build on this momentum, reverse this inhumane trend and safeguard the kangaroo species from commercial exploitation, Senators Duckworth and Booker are introducing the Kangaroo Protection Act, which would help protect millions of wild kangaroos and their innocent babies who are needlessly killed every year for the use of their leather in commercial products. Additionally, this legislation would empower the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other agencies, to issue civil and criminal penalties of fines up to $10,000 and other regulations.
“The mass killing of millions of kangaroos to make commercial products is needless and inhumane,” said Senator Duckworth. “While it is encouraging that more and more cleat manufacturers are pledging to stop using k-leather, the U.S. must stop incentivizing this cruel practice once and for all. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill with Senator Booker that would help prevent the deadly exploitation of kangaroos and promote the use of more humane alternatives to k-leather.”
“We should not allow the unnecessary killing of animals just so that big corporations can maximize profits,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will help conserve the kangaroo species by ensuring that no one in the United States can distribute kangaroo products for commercial gain.”
The commercial slaughter of kangaroos isn’t just widespread—it’s unnecessarily cruel. It uses similar killing methods and is ten times larger than the infamously brutal Canadian seal hunt, which prompted the United States to ban the import of seal pelts in 1972. Despite having similar import bans for other animals, the U.S. is currently the second largest commercial market for k-leather products in the world. The Senators’ proposed legislation would help change that.
Copy of the bill text is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.
“It’s profit from the sale of skins and other body parts that drives the killing of more than a million kangaroos a year in their native habitats in Australia,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “Senator Duckworth’s bill is a tremendous complement to the decisions by all the big athletic shoe brands to halt sourcing of kangaroo skins for cleats and her measure has the potential to spare the lives of hundreds of thousands of the iconic marsupials every year.”
This legislation is supported by 13 Hands Equine Rescue Team (Clinton Corners, NY), A Place Called Hope (Killingworth, CT), A Voice for the Voiceless (Louisville, KY), Alaqua Animal Refuge & Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, (Freeport, FL), Albuquerque Vegan (NM), Alliance for Animals (Madison, WI), Allied Scholars for Animal Protection, Angels Grove Ranch and Horse Rescue (Bush, LA), Animal & Earth Advocates (Seattle, WA), Animal Advocates of South Central Pennsylvania, Animal Alliance Network, Animal Behavior and Healing (Portland, ME), Animal Care Society (Mathews, VA), Animal Education & Rescue (Libertyville, IL), Animal Kindness Foundation (Las Vegas, NV), Animal Protection Affiliates (NV), Animal Protection League of New Jersey, Animal Protection New Mexico, Animal Rights Foundation of Florida, Animal Rights Initiative, Animal Rights Maine, Animal Save Movement, Animal Welfare Society (Kennebunk, ME), Animal Wellness Action, Animal Wellness Foundation, Animals’ Angels, Anonymous for the Voiceless – Las Vegas (NV), Arizona Humane Society, Arrow Fund (Louisville, KY), Associated Humane Societies, Ballydídean Farm Sanctuary (Clinton, WA), Basin and Range Watch (NV), Berkeley Animal Rights Center (CA), Berkshire Voters for Animals (MA), Bleating Hearts Sanctuary (Golden, CO), Blissful Dreams Rescue Ranch (Huger, SC), Boulder Bear Coalition (CO), Bucky’s Bull Rescue (Cedar Grove, WI), Cedar Cove Conservation & Education Center (Louisburg, KS), Center for, Ethical Science, Charleston Carriage Horse Advocates (SC), Chicago Alliance for Animals (IL), Christian Animal Rights Association, Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research and Experimentation (CAARE), Climate Save Movement, Coalition for NYC Animals, Inc. (NY), Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages (NY), Colorado Voters for Animals, Compassionate Action for Animals (Minneapolis, MN), Compassionate & Responsible Tourism (NY), Connecticut Votes for Animals, DC Voters for Animals, Dead Broke Farm (Raleigh, NC), Defend Them All Foundation (Portland, OR), Difference Makers Media (Wilmette, IL), Direct Action Everywhere (Berkeley, CA), EarthAction, Emerald City Pet Rescue (Seattle, WA), Endangered Habitats League (West Hollywood, CA), Endangered Species Coalition, Environmental Protection Information Center (CA), Equine Collaborative International, Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary (Amado, AZ), Erika’s Equine Center (Nerstrand, MN), Exotic Avian Sanctuary of Tennessee, Fair Start Movement, Fayette Regional Humane Society (Washington Court House, OH), Federation of Humane Organizations of West Virginia, Fish Feel, Footloose Montana, Forever Home Beagle Rescue (Pittsburgh, PA), Four Paws USA (Boston, MA), Friends of Animals of Metro Detroit (MI), Friends of the Merry Meeting Bay (Richmond, ME), Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf and Wildlife, Friends of Washoe (Ellensburg, WA), Georgia Animal Rights and Protection, Georgia Equine Rescue League, Ginger’s Pet Rescue (Seattle, WA), Global Coalition of Farm Sanctuaries, Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, Good Karma Pet Rescue (Pompano Beach, FL), Great Spirit Animal Sanctuary (Snowflake, AZ), Green Mountain Animal Defenders (Burlington, VT), Grit and Grace Farm & Wildlife Rehabilitation (Cynthiana, KY), Hanaeleh Horse Rescue and Advocacy (Trabuco Canyon, CA), Harmony Farm Sanctuary (Bend, OR), Heart of Alabama (Killen, AL), Heartland Equine Rescue (IN), Heartwood Haven (Roy, WA), Hope Haven Farm Sanctuary (Sewickley, PA), Hot Springs Village Animal Welfare League (AR), Hotchkiss Humane Society (CT), Houston Animal Activism (TX), Howling for Wolves (Hopkins, MN), Humane Action Pennsylvania, Humane Action Pittsburgh (PA), Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (PA), Humane Long Island (NY), Humane Society of Central Arizona, Humane Society of Huron Valley (MI), Humane Voters of Washington, In Defense of Animals, In-Sync Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center (Wylie, TX), Indiana Skunk Rescue (North Salem), Indraloka Animal Sanctuary (Dalton, PA), Indraloka Sanctuary Children’s Programs (Dalton, PA), Iowa Farm Sanctuary, Jefferson County Humane Society (OH), Jewish Vegan Life, Keepers of the Wild (Valentine, AZ), Kentuckians Vote for Animals, Kindred Spirits, Rescue Ranch (Darlington, PA), Klamath Forest Alliance (CA), LA Animal Save (Los Angeles, CA), Lancaster Farm Sanctuary (PA), League of Humane Voters – Georgia, League of Humane Voters – New Jersey, Liberty Equine (Park City, UT), Los Angeles Alliance for Animals (CA), Luvin Arms Farm Animal Sanctuary (Erie, CO), Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center (Canelo, AZ), Magical Creatures Sanctuary (Laupahoehoe, HI), Maine Animal Coalition, Maine Friends of Animals, Marley’s Mutts (Tehachapi, CA), Maryland Votes for Animals, Inc., Massachusetts for Elephants, Massachusetts Society for the, Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – Angell, Mauritius Primate Rescue, Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals (NY), Michelson Center for Public Policy, Misfits Coven Animal Haven (Pittsburgh, PA), Mississippi Animal Rescue League, Monmouth County SPCA (Eatontown, NJ), My Pegasus Project (Duncanville, TX), Nevada Paws – The Link, New Hampshire Animal Rights League, Noah’s, Lost Ark Animal Sanctuary (Berlin Center, OH), North Country Animal League (Morrisville, VT), Northeast Equine Rescue (West Newbury, ME), NYC Plover Project (New York City, NY), NYCLASS (New York City, NY), Ocean Conservation Research, Oceanic Preservation Society , OceansWide (Newcastle, ME), Off the Plate Farm Animal Sanctuary (Montgomery, VT), Oregon Animal Rescue, Oregon Horse Rescue, Out to Pasture Animal Sanctuary (Estacada, OR), Off the Table Farm Sanctuary (Westfield, WI), Open Sanctuary Project, Ozarks, Kat and K9 Shelter (Sunrise Beach, MO), Palm Springs Animal Shelter (CA), Panhandle Equine (Cantonment, FL), Partnership to Ban Horse Carriages Worldwide, Pasado’s Safe Haven (Sultan, WA), Patchwork Pastures (Wantage, NJ), Pawsitive Beginnings, Inc. (Key Largo, FL), Peace Ridge Sanctuary (Brooks, ME), Peaceful Planet Foundation, Peaceful Prairie Sanctuary (Deer Trail, CO), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Phoenix Zones Initiative, Piedmont Farm Animal Rescue (Pittsboro, NC), Pigsburgh Squealers (Tarentum, PA), Pittie Posse Rescue (ME), Pittsburgh Vegan Society (PA), Plant Based in Baja (CA), Plant-Based Treaty, Plant Peace Daily (Glorieta, NM), Pollination Project (Marin County, CA), Possums Welcome (San Rafael, CA), Potter’s Angels Rescue (Montpelier, VT), Pride & Joy Horse Rescue (Fargo, ND), Project Animal Freedom (Eureka, MO), Protect Our Wildlife Vermont, Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue (Junction City, KS), Red Robin Song Animal Sanctuary (West Lebanon, NY), Revolution Philadelphia (PA), Rise for Animals, Rocket, Dog Rescue (Oakland, CA), Rowdy Girl Sanctuary (Waedler, TX), Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary (Imlay, NV), Sanctuary Education Advisory Specialists (East Hartford, CT), Santa Fe Vegan (NM), Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center (CA), Save Our Sky Blue Waters (Duluth, MN), Save Your Ass Long Ear Rescue (South Acworth, NH), SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness), Social Compassion in Legislation (Laguna Beach, CA), Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), Southern Cross Animal Rescue, (Laurel, MS), SPCA International, SPCA of Hancock County (ME), Species United (Brooklyn, NY), Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue (Riverhead, NY), Stray Dog Support, Inc., Supporting and Promoting Animal Ethics for the Animal Kingdom (SPEAK) (Tucson, AZ), Switch4Good (Irvine, CA), Tahoe Wolf Center (CA), TevaLand Sanctuary Farm (Hillburn, NY), Texas Humane Legislation Network, The Animal Law Office (San Rafael, CA), The Buddy Fund (New York City, NY), The Center for a Humane Economy, The Parrot Club (Hartford, CT), The Urban Wildlands Group (Los Angeles, CA), The Wild Animal Sanctuary (Keenesburg, CO), Their Turn, Think Wild (Bend, OR), Trailsafe Nevada, Tulsa Vegan Guide (OK), Turtle Island Restoration Network (CA/TX), Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (Boulder, CO), Urban Acres Horse Farm (Omaha, NE), Urban Wildlife Research Project (CA), Vegan Organic Network, Vegan Pittsburgh (PA), Veganville Animal Sanctuary (Seaside, OR), VegMichigan, VENDX (Edgewater, FL), Vermont Wildlife Patrol, Victorian Kangaroo Alliance, Voice for Animals (York, ME), Voices of Wildlife in New Hampshire, Voters for Animal Rights (Brooklyn, NY), West Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare, Western Massachusetts Animal Rights Advocates, Western Wildlife Outreach (WA), WildAid (San Francisco, CA), Wildcare Oklahoma, Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center, Inc. (Delphi, IN), Wildlife for All, Wildlife in Crisis (Weston, CT), Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation, Inc. (San Antonio, TX), Wildlife Watch, Inc., World Vegan Vision (Paterson, NJ), Wynnwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (Elizabethton, TN), Wyoming Untrapped and Wyoming Wildlife Advocates.
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MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Duckworth Joins Hirono, Wyden, Colleagues in Demanding Answers on Trump’s Rescission of EMTALA Abortion Care Guidance, Urging HHS to Reverse Decision

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
June 25, 2025
The Trump Administration’s rescission of EMTALA guidance that reaffirmed nationwide access to emergency abortion care puts patients’ lives in jeopardy and sows chaos for hospitals and providers across the country
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – On the three-year anniversary this week of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) and their colleagues in condemning the Trump Administration’s recent rescission of guidance that reaffirmed hospitals and providers’ obligations under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to provide medically necessary emergency abortion care, regardless of where the patient lives. The letter, sent to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, urges HHS to immediately reverse its decision to rescind this lifesaving guidance.
“While EMTALA remains binding federal law, the rescission will create further confusion for hospitals and providers, especially in states with abortion bans, and will result in medically-necessary care being withheld from pregnant patients in crisis,” wrote the Senators. “When doctors are forced to navigate the complex legal interplay of state abortion bans and federal EMTALA protections, pregnant people experience care delays and may receive substandard care.”
In 1986, Congress enacted EMTALA to require Medicare-participating hospitals to provide necessary stabilizing treatment for any individuals—including pregnant women—experiencing emergency medical conditions. The federal law clearly requires hospitals to offer abortion care in cases where it was deemed medically necessary to prevent serious harm to patients’ health and life. However, since the conservative majority on the Supreme Court handed down the Dobbs decision, more than twenty states have passed laws to ban or severely restrict access to abortion, disrupting decades of certainty for hospitals regarding their legal obligation to provide necessary emergency abortion care under federal law.
In their letter, the Senators assert that by rescinding this guidance—accompanied by the ensuing fear and confusion for hospitals and providers—HHS has needlessly put pregnant patients at severe risk of harm, medical complications, lasting health consequences and preventable death.
“This abrupt decision will further the chaos and confusion that hospitals, physicians, and patients have experienced since the Dobbs decision and will result in negative and deadly consequences for women and families across the United States,” the Senators concluded.
In addition to Duckworth, Hirono and Wyden, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tina Smith (D-MN) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).
The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below.
Dear Secretary Kennedy and Administrator Oz:
We write to express our strong disapproval of your recent rescission of guidance that reaffirmed hospitals and providers’ obligations under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) to provide life-saving abortion care to patients experiencing medical crises. On June 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS” or “the Department”) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS” or “the Agency”) rescinded July 2022 guidance that reminds hospitals of their longstanding obligation under EMTALA and that protects pregnant women’s access to emergency abortion care, regardless of where they live. While EMTALA remains binding federal law, the rescission will create further confusion for hospitals and providers, especially in states with abortion bans, and will result in medically-necessary care being withheld from pregnant patients in crisis.
In 1986, Congress enacted EMTALA to require Medicare-participating hospitals to provide necessary stabilizing screening and treatment for any individuals—including pregnant women—experiencing emergency medical conditions. Under the law, hospitals are required to treat conditions determined by health care providers that, absent immediate medical attention, could reasonably result in placing the patient’s health in serious jeopardy, serious impairment to bodily functions, or serious dysfunction of any bodily organ. EMTALA clearly requires hospitals to offer abortion care for cases in which their health care providers determine it medically necessary to prevent serious harm to their patients’ health and life, including in, but not limited to, cases of ectopic pregnancy, complications of pregnancy loss, or emergent hypertensive disorders, such as preeclampsia with severe features. Since enacting EMTALA, Congress and administrations of both parties have consistently recognized that stabilizing care under the statute includes abortion. As a result, up until a few years ago, medical providers have not had to worry about the government interfering with their clinical judgement to provide necessary stabilizing medical care to pregnant women in emergencies.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health (Dobbs) in June 2022, 22 states passed laws to ban or severely restrict access to abortion, including 6 states with no exception for the health of the pregnant person. This has disrupted decades of certainty that hospitals are required to provide access to emergency abortion care under federal law, sowing chaos for patients and providers alike, and forcing doctors to play lawyers and lawyers to play doctors. When doctors are forced to navigate the complex legal interplay of state abortion bans and federal EMTALA protections, pregnant people experience care delays and may receive substandard care. In response to the confusion caused by these restrictive abortion bans, HHS Secretary Becerra issued guidance in July 2022 restating hospitals’ legal obligation under federal law to provide stabilizing treatment, including necessary abortion care, to pregnant patients in emergency situations. Even with such guidance in place, physicians across the country report that hospitals fail to meet the challenge of supporting doctors in navigating this extraordinary legal environment and, in many cases, hospitals continue to rely on guidance developed pre-Dobbs. While Republican-led states and anti-abortion groups have tried to challenge proper meaning and scope of the federal law, EMTALA has always and will continue to protect emergency abortion care and preempt all state laws to the contrary.
The Trump administration’s decision to rescind this guidance will create more confusion, fear, and stress for hospitals and their staffs about what care they are legally required to provide pregnant patients whose lives are or could be in danger. Moreover, it will undermine patients’ faith that their doctor will be able to act in their best interest in the event of an emergency. State abortion laws with vague medical exceptions and criminal penalties force hospitals and physicians to delay and deny emergency abortion care for pregnant patients, placing patients at higher risk for medical complications, lasting health consequences, and avoidable death.
By rescinding the guidance, HHS has needlessly put pregnant patients at severe risk of harm and preventable death. Given the threat to women’s lives following the rescission of this guidance, we request information and responses to the following questions by July 3, 2025, at 5:00pm ET.
In your recent announcement regarding the decision to rescind the July 2022 guidance, you stated that the July 2022 guidance “d[id] not reflect the policy of this Administration” with respect to EMTALA.
What is the Administration’s policy related to EMTALA for pregnant patients who are experiencing emergency medical conditions that could result in serious bodily harm or death?
When did the Administration develop this policy related to EMTALA?
Which stakeholders and individuals did the Administration consult in the development of this policy?
In the same announcement, you stated that “CMS would continue to enforce EMTALA … [for] all individuals who present to a hospital emergency department seeking examination or treatment.”
How will CMS enforce EMTALA, specifically for pregnant patients or patients experiencing pregnancy loss who are facing life-threatening or other serious emergency medical situations?
How will CMS and its remaining regional offices adjudicate on and refer for investigation EMTALA complaints involving delayed or denied necessary emergency abortion care?
Does CMS and the Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) have sufficient resources and personnel to investigate violations of EMTALA? Please provide detailed information on the number of employees and federal funding that HHS has available to investigate complaints of EMTALA violations.
Please provide a list of EMTALA complaints since June 24, 2022, involving delayed or denied necessary emergency abortion care by state, hospital, incident date, nature of allegation, investigation status, recommended action by surveyors, and final action in accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 USC § 552a).
The announcement also stated, “CMS will work to rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administration’s actions.”
Did CMS provide any advance notice to states – including state survey agencies – about the decision to rescind the July 2022 guidance before it was announced?
Did CMS provide any advance notice to hospitals about the decision to rescind the July 2022 guidance before it was announced?
Did CMS provide any advance notice to professional physician organizations about the decision to rescind the July 2022 guidance before it was announced?
What specific steps will CMS take to address the legal confusion of patients, hospitals, and physicians caused by state abortion bans conflicting with federal law?
Has the Administration created any materials to educate patients, hospitals, and physicians about this policy? If so, please produce them.
The July 2022 guidance reaffirmed the longstanding legal and professional obligation hospitals have to provide patients with emergency abortion care under EMTALA.
Will CMS issue new guidance making it clear to hospitals that they are legally required to follow EMTALA by providing stabilizing treatment for patients experiencing a medical emergency, including where that treatment is an abortion?
Will CMS issue updates or require changes to the Medicare provider agreements for hospitals?
Will CMS issue new guidance to state survey agencies related to EMTALA investigations?
This abrupt decision will further the chaos and confusion that hospitals, physicians, and patients have experienced since the Dobbs decision and will result in negative and deadly consequences for women and families across the United States. HHS should immediately reverse its decision to rescind the guidance.
Sincerely,
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MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI: CBI Home Health Renews Partnership with AlayaCare to Drive National Growth and Innovation

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CBI Home Health, one of Canada’s largest homecare and specialized community services providers, has renewed its agreement with AlayaCare, a market-leading cloud-based home and community care platform, for another three years. This renewal marks a new chapter in a long-standing strategic partnership focused on delivering better outcomes, supporting operational efficiency, and enabling national growth through digital innovation.

Since 2019, CBI Home Health and AlayaCare have worked together to modernize operations, beginning with the sale of CBI’s proprietary LinC and QCare software to AlayaCare in the original agreement. Since then, CBI Home Health has transitioned all legacy platforms to AlayaCare’s core platform, consolidating systems and aligning operations across the country. This has supported more consistent and efficient delivery of care services at scale

“This renewed agreement is a reflection of the trust we’ve built over the years and our shared commitment to delivering exceptional care,” said Adrian Schauer, founder and CEO of AlayaCare. “We’re proud to continue working alongside CBI Home Health as they scale operations and elevate service delivery through technology.”

Throughout the partnership, the organizations have navigated the evolving healthcare landscape together, building resilience and deepening their collaboration. The decision to renew the agreement reflects a shared belief in the strength of their relationship and the value AlayaCare’s technology continues to bring to CBI Home Health’s operations.

“Over nearly seven years, we’ve built a strong, resilient relationship with CBI Home Health,” said Schauer. “This renewal represents a shared belief in the platform’s value and in our ability to drive impact together as Canadian healthcare innovators.”

From CBI Home Health’s perspective, the renewal signals both continuity and a shift in strategic focus.

“This renewal reflects our continued confidence in the platform’s ability to enable operational efficiencies and long-term value,” said Andrew Prahalad, Vice-President of IT at CBI Home Health. “It allows us to shift from implementation to optimization — unlocking the full strategic potential of operating on a national digital platform.”

Neil King, President and COO of CBI Home Health also emphasized the broader impact of the partnership:

“Our partnership has been a cornerstone of our digital transformation and operational progress. This renewal marks the beginning of an exciting new phase — one that builds on a strong foundation and opens the door to continued innovation. Together, we’re advancing our shared commitment to delivering the highest care possible for our clients, their families and for the communities we serve.”

AlayaCare’s platform offers a unified foundation for CBI Home Health’s operations across Canada, enabling digitization across intake, scheduling, care planning, and reporting. With this renewed commitment, CBI Health is shifting its focus from system stabilization to growth, leveraging a trusted and familiar platform to scale services and innovate for the future.

By continuing to invest in AlayaCare’s technology, CBI Home Health strengthens its ability to deliver integrated, high-quality, community-based care across home, clinic, and facility settings. With a shared vision for the future of care in Canada, this partnership reaffirms both organizations’ dedication to improving outcomes for patients, caregivers, and communities alike.

About CBI Health
As part of CBI Health, CBI Home Health has been helping Canadians achieve their healthcare goals for more than 50 years. We are one of Canada’s largest home care and specialized community services providers, operating in more than 800 communities. Every day, we deliver quality care to thousands of Canadians while working with hospitals, governments, funders and other healthcare partners to shape the future of community healthcare. Learn more at cbihomehealth.ca.

About AlayaCare

AlayaCare is an end-to-end platform designed to serve public, private, and non-profit home and community care organizations that manages the entire client lifecycle, including needs assessments, care plans, scheduling, visit and route optimization, and visit verification. Founded in 2014 and now with over 600 employees, AlayaCare combines traditional in-home and virtual care solutions that enable care providers to lower the cost of care and achieve better outcomes for their clients. For more information, visit: AlayaCare.com

AlayaCare Press Contact:
Steph Davidson
647-668-6369
steph.davidson@alayacare.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ea9710d-8824-4b72-895a-4e30ec80d2a7

The MIL Network –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: New Initiative Sets Out to Ensure 10 Million Safer Births Under the Patronage of Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark

Source: United Nations Population Fund

Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark, UNFPA, the UN sexual and reproductive health agency, and Danish NGO Maternity Foundation announced the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative in Abuja, Nigeria on 24 June, 2025. The initiative is driven by an ambitious commitment to support 10 million births across Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2030.

Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 70 per cent of all maternal deaths worldwide. Despite a 40 per cent decline in the global maternal mortality rate since 2000, progress has slowed, and multiple global crises now threaten to reverse these gains. Every two minutes, a woman dies from pregnancy or childbirth-related causes, and for every woman who dies, 20-30 suffer acute to severe disability — most of which are preventable.

Her Majesty The Queen of Denmark announced her patronage of the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative.

“No woman should risk life to give life,” said The Queen. “I am honoured to announce my patronage of this very concrete initiative, which aims to ensure 10 million safer births by end 2030 across Sub-Saharan Africa.”

The first phase of the initiative will be able to deliver targeted support to midwives and frontline health workers to strengthen maternal and newborn care in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania.

The support will include the scaling up of Maternity Foundation’s widely used Safe Delivery+ programme, which includes the free Safe Delivery App. The app provides healthcare professionals, particularly midwives in low-resource settings, with access to evidence-based guidelines and video demonstrations on preventative, routine, and emergency maternal and newborn care, on their mobile devices. This enables them to prevent or manage life-threatening situations more effectively, ultimately improving maternal and newborn health and survival rates.

The Government of Denmark and the Gates Foundation are supporting the initiative. Denmark will provide a DKK 32 million (USD 4.9 million) investment. The Gates Foundation intends to allocate an additional USD 1.5 million as part of its support to scaling up midwifery models of care under the Midwifery Accelerator initiative.

“Denmark is proud to support this bold, innovative initiative,” said Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen. “Every woman has the right to give birth safely, and we are committed to making that a reality.”

“Healthy mothers and babies are the foundations of vibrant communities—and midwives play a key role in helping them thrive,” said Dr. Paulin Basinga, Africa Director of the Gates Foundation. “The 10 Million Safer Births initiative is about more than saving lives—it’s about equality. Too many women in Africa face life-threatening risks in childbirth simply because of where they live. By coming together across sectors and borders, we have a real opportunity to close that gap and transform care at the very start of life.”

“Access to quality midwifery care can spell the difference between life and death for women and their babies,” said UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem. “The 10 Million Safer Births Initiative will give midwives the tools to save lives in some of the most challenging settings. UNFPA is grateful to Her Majesty Queen Mary of Denmark and the Danish Government and Gates Foundation supporting this important effort to make childbirth safer.”

“We will not close the gap in maternal mortality by 2030 by doing the same as we always did. We need to rethink the way things are done. This initiative brings together innovation, data, and collaboration across sectors to strengthen maternal care where it’s needed most.,” said Anna Frellsen, CEO of Maternity Foundation. “Together, we can transform outcomes for millions of women and their newborns.”

The 10 Million Safer Births Initiative is a flagship programme implemented through UNFPA’s Maternal and Newborn Health Fund, which provides catalytic support to ensure that every woman, adolescent girl and newborn can access quality sexual, reproductive, maternal and newborn health services.

Further information, please contact:

About the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative

UNFPA and Maternity Foundation have launched the 10 Million Safer Births Initiative to improve access to quality care for mothers and support at least 10 million safer births across Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2030. The initiative builds upon the partners’ longstanding collaboration and combines UNFPA’s expertise in strengthening health systems and advancing care provided by midwives and Maternity Foundation’s proven digital Safe Delivery+ programme to build the capacity of healthcare professionals, such as midwives. The first phase begins in Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Tanzania in collaboration with the national governments, with plans to scale across the region.

About the partners

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, working in over 150 countries to ensure every pregnancy is wanted and every childbirth is safe. Through its Maternal and Newborn Health Fund and Start With Her strategy, UNFPA supports midwives, emergency care, family planning, and maternal death surveillance to improve maternal outcomes. HM The Queen of Denmark is Patron of UNFPA.

Maternity Foundation is an international NGO advancing safer births in fragile and remote settings. Its Safe Delivery+ programme has reached over 455,000 health professionals globally, supported by the Safe Delivery App—a free, evidence-based, offline-capable tool for midwives and frontline providers. HM The Queen of Denmark is Patron of Maternity Foundation.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Former High-Ranking New York State Government Employee and her Husband Charged with Accepting Kickbacks in PPE Fraud Scheme

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

Linda Sun Falsified Information to Cause Approval of NYS Contracts Awarded to Businesses Operated by her Family Member and her Husband

BROOKLYN, NY – A federal grand jury in Brooklyn yesterday returned a second superseding indictment that added charges against Linda Sun and her husband and co-defendant Chris Hu related to a fraudulent scheme involving procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) by the New York State (NYS) government at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the scheme, Sun steered contracts to vendors with whom she had undisclosed personal connections, and she and Hu received millions of dollars from the vendors, including some in the form of kickbacks, which Sun did not disclose to the NYS government. The new charges against Sun and Hu include honest services wire fraud, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, bribery, and conspiracy to defraud the United States. Additionally, Hu is charged with tax evasion. The defendants will be arraigned on Monday, June 30, 2025.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Harry T. Chavis, Jr., Special Agent in Charge, Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI New York), announced the new charges.

“As alleged, Linda Sun not only acted as unregistered agent of the government of the People’s Republic of China, but also enriched herself to the tune of millions of dollars when New York State was at its most vulnerable at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “When masks, gloves, and other protective supplies were hard to find, Sun abused her position of trust to steer contracts to her associates so that she and her husband could share in the profits. We demand better from our public servants, and this Office will continue to hold accountable public officials who enrich themselves at the expense of the New York taxpayers.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Department of Justice’s National Security Division, the New York State Office of the Inspector General, the New York State Police, and the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) for their work on the case. He also thanked the New York State Executive Chamber for its cooperation with the investigation.

“During a global pandemic, Linda Sun allegedly leveraged her authority within the New York State government to secretly steer contracts to selective PPE vendors in exchange for millions of dollars in kickbacks to her and her husband,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “This alleged scheme not only created an unearned and undisclosed benefit for the defendants and their relatives, but it also exploited the state’s critical need for resources in a health crisis. The FBI will never tolerate any public official who abuses their position to profit at the expense of others, especially when their objectives align with foreign agendas.”

“Not only did Sun allegedly use Chinese money and her influence in New York State to benefit the Chinese government, it is further alleged that she used her position to steer multi-million-dollar contracts to companies controlled by family members and friends. With this investigation, this husband-and-wife team with supposed ties to corruption has been rooted out, and they will soon understand that in legitimate government spending, there is no friends and family discount,” stated IRS-CI New York Special Agent in Charge Chavis.

As alleged in the superseding indictment, at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and while working with the team of NYS government employees responsible for obtaining PPE, Sun used her position of influence with the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to coordinate the NYS government’s purchase of PPE from vendors located in the PRC. In addition to certain vendors referred by the PRC government, Sun referred two vendors (the Cousin Company and the Associate Company) that were not recommended by the PRC government but rather had ties to Sun and Hu, while claiming falsely that these, too, were referrals from components of the PRC government. In reality, the Cousin Company was operated by one of Sun’s second cousins, and the Associate Company was operated by Hu and one of Hu’s business associates. With Sun’s assistance, the Cousin Company and the Associate Company each entered into multiple contracts with the NYS government worth millions of dollars apiece.

Sun, the Associate Company, and the Cousin Company did not disclose to the NYS government (1) the fact that Sun and Hu had relationships with the Associate Company and the Cousin Company, or (2) that Sun and Hu received a portion of the profits that the Associate Company and the Cousin Company made as a result of their contracts with the NYS government for PPE, including through kickback payments from the Cousin Company.

To conceal her relationship with the Cousin Company from procurement authorities at the NYS government, Sun falsified a document to suggest that the Jiangsu Department of Commerce had recommended the Cousin Company. On or about March 20, 2020, Sun and other NYS government officials received an email from the U.S. representative to the Jiangsu Trade & Business Representative Office in Albany, New York suggesting four PRC-based vendors who were able to provide PPE for the NYS government. On or about March 21, 2020, Sun forwarded herself an altered version of the email in which she replaced the first suggested vendor—a vendor that produced ventilators—with the Cousin Company and wrote that the Cousin Company was recommended by the Jiangsu Department of Commerce.

On or about March 24, 2020, in an email with the subject line “Already VERIFIED by Linda Sun,” Sun wrote to NYS procurement officials that the Cousin Company “came recommended by Jiangsu Chamber of Commerce,” that the representative had helped “screen potential vendors,” and that the Cousin Company’s surgical mask was the “gold standard.” Below Sun’s message was what purported to be quoted text from the Jiangsu Chamber of Commerce’s email recommending vendors. However, the email in the quoted text was the altered email.

In connection with the Cousin Company contracts with the NYS government, a spreadsheet maintained on Sun and Hu’s personal computer indicated that the Cousin provided payments to Hu (and Sun) totaling approximately $2.3 million during 2020 and 2021. These kickbacks from the Cousin Company represented taxable income. Hu did not report these payments as income to the U.S. government, as required, or pay taxes on this income in Forms 1040 for 2020 and 2021 that he filed on behalf of himself and Sun.

In part, Hu laundered the income from the Cousin Company by having the Cousin make $1.5 million in payments in three $500,000 increments from another entity that the Cousin owned (the Cousin Entity) to U.S. accounts at a financial institution. Hu created these accounts in a close relative’s name instead of his own on April 29, 2020, two days before the final $6 million payment from NYS government to the Cousin Company.

Sun also arranged for the Associate Company to be a vendor for NYS government contracts. On March 14, 2020, Sun wrote an email with the subject “Mask suppliers” to other members of the NYS government PPE task force with procurement authority and listed the Associate Company as a potential supplier. Sun subsequently communicated with the Associate Company by email to obtain a price quote for the contract and provided a status update to the NYS government about the contracts with the Associate Company.

A computer owned by the defendants contained a NYS internal document tracking various state PPE contracts, broken out by vendor. One of the fields in the document contained, for each company, an answer to the question “why did we do business with this vendor?” For the Associate Company, the answer to the question was listed as: “referred by Chinese chamber of commerce.” However, there was no such referral for the Associate Company.

According to a spreadsheet found in one of Hu’s electronic accounts, the total profits Hu expected to reap from the contracts that the Associate Company and the Cousin Company had with the NYS Department of Health totaled $8,029,741. Hu marked the column for these expected profits with the word “me.”

The new charges are in addition to the existing charges against Sun, which include violating and conspiring to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act, visa fraud, alien smuggling, and money laundering, and the existing charges against Hu, which include money laundering conspiracy, money laundering, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud and misuse of means of identification. The charges in the superseding indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Alexander A. Solomon, Robert M. Pollack, and Amanda Shami are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Trial Attorney Eli Ross from the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section and Litigation Analyst Emma Tavangari. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Mantell of the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is handling forfeiture matters.

The Defendants:

LINDA SUN, also known as “Wen Sun,” “Ling Da Sun,” and “Linda Hu”
Age: 41
Manhasset, New York

CHRIS HU
Age: 40
Manhasset, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-346 (S-2) (BMC)

MIL Security OSI –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Ruling that Republicans Can’t Block Marketplace Plans from Covering Abortion Care in Budget Reconciliation Bill

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
ICYMI: Senator Murray Slams Republican Attempt to Ban Abortion Nationwide, Defund Basic Health Care in Big Ugly Betrayal Bill
In Murray-led forum for Dobbs anniversary, Senator Murray laid out how this provision—effectively barring ACA marketplace plans from covering abortion—is part of Republicans’ strategy for a Backdoor Nationwide Abortion Ban
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on the Senate Parliamentarian’s ruling advising that certain provisions in Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act would be subject to a 60-vote threshold if they remain in the bill, including a provision prohibiting federal cost-sharing reduction payments to qualified health plans that cover abortion services (Section 87001), which Senator Murray has repeatedly spoken out against and highlighted as part of Republicans’ efforts to block people everywhere from receiving abortion care:
“As part of their Big Ugly Betrayal Bill, Republicans tried to effectively ban health care plans on the ACA marketplaces from covering abortion altogether, which would have put abortion care out of reach for millions of women in states where abortion is legal. In Washington state, where marketplace plans are required to cover abortion care, this provision would have sent a major shock wave through our health care system and ripped away access to abortion care for countless women, despite our state’s laws protecting abortion rights.
“This effort was part of Republicans’ plan to institute a backdoor nationwide abortion ban by making abortion care inaccessible for everyone, everywhere. Democrats challenged this attack on women’s health care under Senate rules and won—and we will keep fighting every Republican attempt to rip away abortion access every way we can.”
The Parliamentarian continues to review whether Republicans’ can defund Planned Parenthood as part of their One Big Beautiful Bill Act—or whether that provision would be subject to a 60-vote threshold, meaning Republicans wouldn’t have the votes to pass it. Defunding Planned Parenthood would put at least 200 health centers across the country at risk of closure, 90 percent of them in states where abortion is legal—Senator Murray has been the leading voice in the Senate speaking out and raising the alarm against this provision.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Plaid Cymru call for national investigation into maternity services

Source: Party of Wales

Plaid Cymru have called for a national investigation in Wales on the state of maternity services.

This comes after Wes Streeting, the Labour UK Health Secretary called for a similar investigation to be held in England.

Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru spokesperson on health, wrote to the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Jeremy Miles, stating that well-publicised issues over recent years raise similar concerns in Wales, as in England, who have consequently commissioned a national investigation.

A recent Llais Cymru report into maternity services in Singleton Hospital Maternity Unit showed a lack of institutional accountability, with families affected having ‘little confidence’ in the internal review mechanisms.

Mr ap Gwynfor also raised concerns regarding workforce capacity, which contributed to the failings highlighted by the Llais report into Singleton Hospital Maternity Unit. These concerns are illustrated by a 35% decrease in applications for midwifery courses in Wales since 2021, which is larger than the UK average.

Writing to the Cabinet Secretary, Plaid Cymru health spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, said:

“Wales has had the highest stillbirth rates in the UK since 2014, and while both England and Scotland experienced a decline in neonatal mortality rates between 2010 to 2022, they increased in Wales over this period.

“In light of significant and well-publicised issues over recent years at several Welsh health boards, we have similar concerns as to the quality of maternity care here in Wales. Indeed, across several metrics, there is reason to believe that maternity services in Wales are currently in a worse state than those in England.

“As was shown by the latest Llais report into the Singleton Hospital Maternity Unit, a lack of institutional accountability is compounding clinical failures. Undertaking an investigation of this nature would go a long way towards rebuilding the trust of the public after years of deteriorating standards.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Competitive selection for vacant positions of faculty

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

In accordance with Article 332 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation and in connection with the availability of vacant positions of professorial and teaching staff in the 2025/2026 academic year since 01.09.2025, the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering announces a competitive selection to fill the following positions:

assistant; senior lecturer; associate professor; professor in the departments of: architectural and building structures; history and theory of architecture; drawing; mathematics; intercultural communication; management in construction; technosphere safety; transport systems and road and bridge construction.

The term of election is three years for each position.

The competition procedure is determined by the order of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation dated December 4, 2023 No. 1138 “On approval of the Regulation on the procedure for filling the positions of teaching staff related to the faculty” and “Regulations on the organization and procedure for election by competition to positions of teaching staff at SPbGASU” (approved by the decision of the Academic Council of SPbGASU dated 06/27/2024, protocol No. 6 (as amended on 04/24/2025)).

The qualification requirements are defined:

“Unified Qualification Handbook of Positions of Managers, Specialists and Employees” (approved by order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated 11.01.2011 No. 1n);

Requirements for passing the competitive selection of the teaching staff of SPbGASU (approved by the decision of the Academic Council of SPbGASU dated 06/27/2024, protocol No. 6).

To participate in the competitive selection, it is necessary to submit electronically through the personal account portal (HTTPS: // Portal.SPBGASU.ru/ – for employees of SPbGASU, HTTPS: //Conquispps.SPBGASU.ru/ – for applicants who are not employees of SPbGASU) the following documents:

an application addressed to the rector of the university; a copy of the higher education document; a copy of the candidate/doctor of science diploma (if any); a copy of the associate professor/professor certificate (if any); documents confirming the length of service in scientific and pedagogical work (a certificate of teaching experience or a copy of the work record book, certified at the place of work) – for applicants who are not full-time employees of SPbGASU; a list of scientific and educational-methodical works for the last three years; consent to the processing of personal data; documents confirming the absence of restrictions on employment in the field of education (certificate of no criminal record).

The procedure and deadlines for making changes to the terms of the competition, as well as its cancellation:

Amendments to the terms of the competition are formalized by order of the rector before the actual date of the competition.

The originals of the competition documents and educational documents shall be provided by the competition participant in the event of a positive decision of the commission upon conclusion of an employment contract to the Human Resources Department from 29.08.2025 to 30.09.2025 at the address: 190005, St. Petersburg, 2-ya Krasnoarmeyskaya St., Bldg. 4, Human Resources Department, office 125, 126; tel. 316-42-13.

Place, date and time of the competition: 08/27/2025 at 10:00, room 216.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Five ways you can use mantra meditation every day to boost your wellbeing

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jennifer Donnelly, Doctoral Researcher, Meditation-based Interventions in Clinical Settings, Centre of Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Andrii Iemelianenko/Shutterstock

Meditation has become a popular subject on self-improvement podcasts, corporate strategy days and health campaigns. But beyond the buzz, there’s a growing scientific and clinical interest in meditation as a tool to regulate attention and promote relaxation. These are increasingly recognised as central to wellbeing in a world of constant notifications, high demands and information overload.

Mantra meditation has roots in ancient contemplative traditions across many cultures. At its simplest, a mantra is a word, phrase, or sound repeated silently or aloud to focus the mind, steady attention and support relaxation. Depending on the tradition, mantras may carry deep spiritual, linguistic or energetic significance. But in a more personal or secular practice, you might choose or create a mantra that’s meaningful only to you.

It’s important to note that mantra meditation is distinct from focusing on breathing. While both help develop concentration and awareness, the mantra, not the breath, is the primary anchor of attention in mantra meditation. You may notice the breathing naturally while meditating, but the repetition of the mantra is what gently draws your mind back when it wanders.

Emerging research suggests that mantra meditation may have promising benefits, from reducing stress and burnout to improving mood, focus and sleep. Focusing on a mantra to disengage from an overactive mind can be a valuable tool in today’s fast-paced world.

Mantra meditations moments

A simple starting point is to choose a phrase that resonates with you, something easy to remember and calming. For example: “I am … here now.” Or a word like “ease” or “peace”. Some people visualise a calming image, like a steady tree or a gentle wave, repeating it silently in their mind. The key is to return to your chosen anchor, your mantra, each time your mind drifts.

You don’t need a special cushion, app or ritual. Below are five everyday moments when you can try this light mantra-practice:

• On public transport: Use a few minutes of your commute to mentally repeat your mantra. The surrounding noise and movement can actually enhance the practice. When your mind wanders, which it will, gently return to your anchor.

• While brushing your teeth: This brief, repetitive activity is already part of your day. Use the rhythm of brushing as a cue to repeat your mantra internally.

• During your first sips of tea or coffee: Let this be a pause point. Breathe naturally. Repeat your chosen phrase. Even a few seconds of presence can shift the tone of your morning.

Your first morning coffee could become a moment of deep calm in an otherwise hectic day.
NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock

• Instead of scrolling: Replace one moment of habitual phone use with one minute of mantra repetition. Notice the impulse to scroll, and meet it with your mantra instead. You can scroll later if you want; the point is to notice the choice.

• Before stepping out of the car: Pause for 30-60 seconds before entering a new environment, whether that’s work, home or a social setting. This brief ritual can be a surprisingly powerful reset when transitioning to a new destination or activity.

Longer sessions may deepen the effects, but short, consistent moments of practice are what build tolerance and insight. Meditation doesn’t always begin with peace. More often, it starts with the uncomfortable awareness of how distracted our thoughts can become. That moment of noticing is not a failure, it’s the practice.

For parents, especially those with young children, meditation might feel unrealistic. But mantra practice can be adapted. Children often respond well to repetitive, rhythmic exercises. Try counting fingers together, repeating a calming phrase, or simply taking three breaths. It might not look like traditional meditation, but it can still create a shared moment of calm.

Even counting fingers with children could be a way to experience a moment of togetherness and calm.
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock

For those living with chronic pain, health challenges or intense life transitions, meditation can sometimes make discomfort feel more present. In such cases, stillness might initially increase distress.

Some research confirms that meditation can have uncomfortable or adverse effects, and distraction may be necessary at times. Even so, carefully introduced mantra meditation techniques or similar practices may support people living with chronic conditions by helping shift how discomfort is experienced, if approached with care, and suitable supports are offered.

Mantra meditation isn’t about perfect focus, or fixing all our problems. Its strength lies in offering you a portable, repeatable practice to build awareness, one moment at a time.

So before you move on after reading, try this: take 30 seconds, close your eyes, and return to your mantra. Just for now.

Jennifer Donnelly 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. Five ways you can use mantra meditation every day to boost your wellbeing – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-you-can-use-mantra-meditation-every-day-to-boost-your-wellbeing-259313

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Five ways you can use mantra meditation every day to boost your wellbeing

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jennifer Donnelly, Doctoral Researcher, Meditation-based Interventions in Clinical Settings, Centre of Positive Health Sciences, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

Andrii Iemelianenko/Shutterstock

Meditation has become a popular subject on self-improvement podcasts, corporate strategy days and health campaigns. But beyond the buzz, there’s a growing scientific and clinical interest in meditation as a tool to regulate attention and promote relaxation. These are increasingly recognised as central to wellbeing in a world of constant notifications, high demands and information overload.

Mantra meditation has roots in ancient contemplative traditions across many cultures. At its simplest, a mantra is a word, phrase, or sound repeated silently or aloud to focus the mind, steady attention and support relaxation. Depending on the tradition, mantras may carry deep spiritual, linguistic or energetic significance. But in a more personal or secular practice, you might choose or create a mantra that’s meaningful only to you.

It’s important to note that mantra meditation is distinct from focusing on breathing. While both help develop concentration and awareness, the mantra, not the breath, is the primary anchor of attention in mantra meditation. You may notice the breathing naturally while meditating, but the repetition of the mantra is what gently draws your mind back when it wanders.

Emerging research suggests that mantra meditation may have promising benefits, from reducing stress and burnout to improving mood, focus and sleep. Focusing on a mantra to disengage from an overactive mind can be a valuable tool in today’s fast-paced world.

Mantra meditations moments

A simple starting point is to choose a phrase that resonates with you, something easy to remember and calming. For example: “I am … here now.” Or a word like “ease” or “peace”. Some people visualise a calming image, like a steady tree or a gentle wave, repeating it silently in their mind. The key is to return to your chosen anchor, your mantra, each time your mind drifts.

You don’t need a special cushion, app or ritual. Below are five everyday moments when you can try this light mantra-practice:

• On public transport: Use a few minutes of your commute to mentally repeat your mantra. The surrounding noise and movement can actually enhance the practice. When your mind wanders, which it will, gently return to your anchor.

• While brushing your teeth: This brief, repetitive activity is already part of your day. Use the rhythm of brushing as a cue to repeat your mantra internally.

• During your first sips of tea or coffee: Let this be a pause point. Breathe naturally. Repeat your chosen phrase. Even a few seconds of presence can shift the tone of your morning.

Your first morning coffee could become a moment of deep calm in an otherwise hectic day.
NDAB Creativity/Shutterstock

• Instead of scrolling: Replace one moment of habitual phone use with one minute of mantra repetition. Notice the impulse to scroll, and meet it with your mantra instead. You can scroll later if you want; the point is to notice the choice.

• Before stepping out of the car: Pause for 30-60 seconds before entering a new environment, whether that’s work, home or a social setting. This brief ritual can be a surprisingly powerful reset when transitioning to a new destination or activity.

Longer sessions may deepen the effects, but short, consistent moments of practice are what build tolerance and insight. Meditation doesn’t always begin with peace. More often, it starts with the uncomfortable awareness of how distracted our thoughts can become. That moment of noticing is not a failure, it’s the practice.

For parents, especially those with young children, meditation might feel unrealistic. But mantra practice can be adapted. Children often respond well to repetitive, rhythmic exercises. Try counting fingers together, repeating a calming phrase, or simply taking three breaths. It might not look like traditional meditation, but it can still create a shared moment of calm.

Even counting fingers with children could be a way to experience a moment of togetherness and calm.
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock

For those living with chronic pain, health challenges or intense life transitions, meditation can sometimes make discomfort feel more present. In such cases, stillness might initially increase distress.

Some research confirms that meditation can have uncomfortable or adverse effects, and distraction may be necessary at times. Even so, carefully introduced mantra meditation techniques or similar practices may support people living with chronic conditions by helping shift how discomfort is experienced, if approached with care, and suitable supports are offered.

Mantra meditation isn’t about perfect focus, or fixing all our problems. Its strength lies in offering you a portable, repeatable practice to build awareness, one moment at a time.

So before you move on after reading, try this: take 30 seconds, close your eyes, and return to your mantra. Just for now.

Jennifer Donnelly 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. Five ways you can use mantra meditation every day to boost your wellbeing – https://theconversation.com/five-ways-you-can-use-mantra-meditation-every-day-to-boost-your-wellbeing-259313

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mpumalanga Health PPE contracts ‘invalid and unlawful’

Source: South Africa News Agency

Thursday, June 26, 2025

The Special Tribunal has declared two personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts awarded by the Mpumalanga Health Department as unlawful and invalid.

The two contracts – worth a combined R9 million – were awarded to Vitae Zoe to supply 3000 infrared non-contact digital body temperature devices, as well as an additional 1000 devices.

The contracts were set aside following an approach to the court by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

“Furthermore, the Tribunal ordered it to implement financial accountability measures for Vitae Zoe, requiring it to submit audited financial statements for the 2020/2021 financial year to the SIU and the Tribunal Registrar. Additionally, Vitae Zoe (Pty) Ltd must propose a repayment plan within 15 days of a formal demand by the SIU; failing to do so, further legal action may be pursued.

“The SIU has received Vitae Zoe’s financial statement and is currently determining the amount Vitae Zoe must repay. The Tribunal also ordered the company to cover the legal costs of the application,” the SIU said in a statement.

The corruption busting unit described the judgement as a “crucial step in addressing corruption and ensuring accountability in PPE procurement during the COVID-19 pandemic”.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa directed the SIU, under Proclamation R23 of 2020, to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, malpractice, and payments made by State institutions concerning PPE procurement and the conduct of State employees.
“The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to corruption, fraud, or maladministration.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence of criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action,” the statement concluded. – SAnews.gov.za

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MIL OSI Africa –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Eastern Cape flood death toll increases to 101

Source: South Africa News Agency

The death toll from the devastating floods that struck the Eastern Cape earlier this month has risen to 101, the provincial government confirmed on Thursday.

Briefing the media on the provincial government’s response to the June disaster incident on Thursday, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) MEC, Zolile Williams, said the victims include 63 adults and 38 children, with 32 children identified as learners, while two remain missing.

The OR Tambo and Amathole Districts remained the most severely affected areas due to loss of lives and the displacement of families, damaged infrastructure, livestock losses and learners missing examinations.

“The OR Tambo District alone accounts for 77 of the deceased, with Amathole District 10, Alfred Nzo District five, Chris Hani District five, Joe Gqabi District two, and Sarah Baartman District two,” Williams said.

He also noted that among those who lost their lives include public servants, who were the first responders.

Ongoing relief efforts

The MEC said the provincial government remains in the first phase of disaster management response, including Immediate Response and Humanitarian Relief, which is characterised by the provisions made to ensure that all affected people are safe and basic needs are met.

He noted that the provincial government has activated response systems, enabled through the District Development Model (DDM) approach, and in line with National Disaster Response Standard Operating Procedures, as well as in collaboration with non-governmental organisations and the private sector.

Humanitarian partners include Gift of the Givers, Al Imdaad Foundation, the Black Coffee Foundation, and Asfraful Aid. Corporates such as Old Mutual, MTN, and local businesses and supermarkets continues to reach communities whose homes and belongings were destroyed by the floods.

“These collaborations underscore the power of public-private partnerships in responding swiftly to emergencies,” Williams said.

Williams also acknowledged ongoing support from ordinary citizens who have extended a helping hand to those in need, including those whose presence and contributions have brought hope and comfort to the affected families during this time of need.

He said government continues to appeal for continued support from the private sector, businesses, and individuals to assist with donations of food, clothing, blankets, furniture, and other essentials. Some affected families have commenced laying their loved ones to rest.

“Burial support that is being provided has been made possible by AVBOB who have pledged to offer the storage of the bodies, burial services and transportation of the human remains to the area identified by the family for burial.

“From today, we are expecting that 31 of the bodies will be buried across the provinces and this includes two learners from Jumba Senior Secondary School who are being buried in Ngqeleni, as well as Nomonde Ntlabathi, who was an Enrolled Nursing Assistant at Bedford Orthopedic Hospital, who will be buried in Centane on Saturday, together with her three grandchildren,” Williams said.

Through the Department of Education and South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), government has also provided financial assistance to the families to assist with funerals preparations.

“We remain grateful to our social partners who have provided groceries to the families.” – SAnews.gov.za

MIL OSI Africa –

June 27, 2025
ICAI Dubai marks International Yoga Day with focus on holistic health

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India Dubai Chapter marked International Yoga Day with a celebration focused on holistic well-being, mindful living, and the transformative power of yoga. The event brought together members of the accounting fraternity to emphasize the importance of physical and mental health through simple, sustainable habits.

CA Jai Prakash Agarwal, Chairman of ICAI Dubai Chapter, said, “Yoga is a journey of self-discovery that fosters balance, joy, and connection with oneself and others, empowering true health and well-being beyond physical postures.” He encouraged members to remain active, practice yoga regularly, and monitor their health proactively, stressing that “if earning money is important, enjoying it in the long run is impossible without good health.”

The session featured Chartered Accountant Surabhi Gandhi who introduced a unique form of chair yoga tailored for professionals. She advocated for practical routines like the “9 to 1 rule” to improve work-life balance and performance.Shivani Shah, a six-time kettlebell world champion, also shared her personal transformation through fitness and faith. Her journey highlighted the “four wheels of life,” focusing on self-awareness and resilience.

Health experts including Dr. Nidhi Kumar from Aster DM Healthcare addressed the psychological toll of modern stress, urging attendees to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical illnesses. Dr. Brijesh Mittal of Medcare underscored that while death is inevitable, premature death is not. He emphasized preventive care, balanced diets, and stress management over reliance on gadgets or extreme diets.

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Five prescription drugs that can make it harder to cope with the heat

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

Some prescription drugs affect our ability to sweat, which is an important cooling mechanism. Doucefleur/ Shutterstock

As temperatures rise, so does the risk of heat-related illness – especially for people taking certain prescription drugs.

The body uses several mechanisms to regulate temperature: sweating, blood flow to the skin and fluid balance. But some commonly prescribed drugs interfere with these processes, making it harder to stay cool.

Here are a few you should know about this summer:

1. Antidepressants

Two specific types of antidepressants – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclics (TCAs) – may make summer harder to cope with. They could even cause heat intolerance due to how they affect the body’s ability to sweat.

Both these antidepressants are believed to partly work by affecting neurotransmitter levels in the brain – primarily serotonin and noradrenaline. However, they may also affect other neurotransmitters.

For instance, TCAs can block acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter important for sweating. This may cause some patients to sweat less. On a hot day, this could make it hard to cool down.

However, TCAs also increase noradrenaline levels, a neurotransmitter that stimulates sweat glands. This can increase sweating. In fact, both SSRIs and TCAs can increase sweating in users. Data shows up to 14% of antidepressant users experience this side-effect.

SSRIs may also interfere with the hypothalamus – the brain region that controls body temperature and tells the sweat glands to start producing sweat. But this signal may be affected by the increased serotonin levels.

Since sweating is a key cooling mechanism, any disruptions to this process can lead to heat-related illness. Excess sweating may also cause dehydration if fluids aren’t replaced.

2. Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are used to treat psychosis, which can occur in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. They do this by blocking the neurotransmitter dopamine – which in turn affects levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin. This can disrupt the hypothalamus’s ability to sense and respond to body temperature changes.

As a result, someone taking an antipsychotic might not feel overheated or thirsty when it’s hot out. This can cause low blood pressure and reduced heart function. The body then tries to compensate by narrowing the blood vessels and holding in heat. This in turn reduces sweating and makes it harder to cool down properly.

Additionally, antipsychotics have anticholinergic properties. This means they block the action of acetylcholine, making it harder to sweat.

3. Heart medications

Beta-blockers are used to manage heart failure and arrhythmias. They do this by lowering heart rate and reducing how forcefully the heart pumps. But this can limit blood flow to the skin – making it harder for the body to release heat on hot days.

Diuretics are also commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure or heart failure. But as these drugs increase urine output, this may lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during hot weather. With less fluid available, the body may struggle to sweat properly. If you become severely dehydrated, you might actually stop feeling thirsty. Blood pressure can also drop, which may cause dizziness or fainting – especially when standing up.

Various heart medications can increase risk of dehydration in hot weather.
pics five/ Shutterstock

Ramipril and losartan, also used to manage blood pressure, can increase the risk of dehydration as well. These drugs block a system in the body that helps control blood pressure, fluid balance and thirst. This may reduce your natural urge to drink, increasing dehydration risk when it’s hot.

4. Stimulants

Stimulants – such as the amphetamines used for ADHD – affect many brain chemicals, including dopamine and noradrenaline. This can increase body temperature, boost metabolism and change how the body sweats – all of which can make it harder to cool down, especially when exercising or in hot weather. This can also potentially lead to dehydration, overheating or even heatstroke. Stimulants may also reduce the feeling of tiredness, which can cause people to overexert themselves without realising the danger.

However, some recent research shows people with ADHD who take stimulants may actually have a lower chance of heat-related illnesses – but larger trials are needed to investigate further. The researchers hypothesise that this protective effect may be due to factors such as lower body weight and users staying hydrated.

5. Insulin

Warm temperatures cause the body’s blood vessels to dilate (widen) in order to help us cool off. But this action means insulin is absorbed into the bloodstream faster as there’s enhanced blood flow to the area where insulin is injected – making blood sugar drop more quickly. This can lead to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), which may lead to dizziness, shaking, sweating, irritability and even potentially loss of consciousness or seizures.

Faster insulin absorption can also make it harder for people with diabetes to notice signs of low blood sugar in the heat, since common symptoms may be mistaken for being hot.

Heat can also degrade insulin, reducing its effectiveness and making it unsafe. This is why insulin should be stored in the fridge until use – especially in summer. Damaged insulin will change appearance – turning cloudy or changing colour.

Read more:
Drugs and the sun – your daily medications could put you at greater risk of sunburn

Avoiding heatstroke

Older adults, people with chronic conditions (especially those with heart or lung disease) and those taking multiple prescription drugs are especially vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stay safe during summer if you’re taking one of these common prescription drugs.

First, check labels for storage instructions. Avoid leaving medications in hot places, such as in cars or on windowsills. Insulin isn’t the only drug affected by heat – inhalers and EpiPens can also malfunction or become less effective.

Second, stay hydrated when it’s hot – unless your doctor has advised otherwise. Dehydration can actually worsen the effects of many medicines. For example, anti-inflammatory painkillers (such as ibuprofen) are more likely to cause kidney problems and bipolar medicines (including lithium) can become toxic if you’re dehydrated.

Avoid peak heat hours and stay in cool environments when possible. Watch for warning signs of heat-related illness – such as dizziness, confusion, nausea or excessive sweating.

Last, don’t stop taking your prescriptions medication without medical advice. If it’s affecting your ability to cope with the heat, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dipa Kamdar 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. Five prescription drugs that can make it harder to cope with the heat – https://theconversation.com/five-prescription-drugs-that-can-make-it-harder-to-cope-with-the-heat-259479

MIL OSI Analysis –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines: FDA Safety Communication – FDA Approves Required Updated Warning in Labeling Regarding Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following Vaccination

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

AUDIENCE: Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Cardiology
ISSUE: FDA has required and approved updates to the Prescribing Information for Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) manufactured by Pfizer Inc. and Spikevax (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) manufactured ModernaTX, Inc. to include new safety information about the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Specifically, FDA has required each manufacturer to update the warning about the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis to include information about

the estimated unadjusted incidence of myocarditis and/or pericarditis following administration of the 2023-2024 Formula of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and
the results of a study that collected information on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) in people who developed myocarditis after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

FDA also required each manufacturer to describe the new safety information in the Adverse Reactions section of the Prescribing Information and in the Information for Recipients and Caregivers.
The Fact Sheets for Healthcare Providers and for Recipients and Caregivers for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19, which are authorized for emergency use in individuals 6 months through 11 years of age, have also been updated to include the new safety information in alignment with the Comirnaty and Spikevax Prescribing Information and Information for Recipients and Caregivers.
BACKGROUND: Information about myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) following vaccination with these mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has been included in the labeling since 2021. FDA closely monitors the safety of all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, during postmarket use.
RECOMMENDATION:

Suspected adverse events may be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which is co-managed by the FDA and the CDC.

[6/25/2025 – FDA Safety Communication – FDA]

Content current as of:
06/25/2025

Regulated Product(s)

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines: FDA Safety Communication – FDA Approves Required Updated Warning in Labeling Regarding Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following Vaccination

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

AUDIENCE: Pediatrics, Pharmacy, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Cardiology
ISSUE: FDA has required and approved updates to the Prescribing Information for Comirnaty (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) manufactured by Pfizer Inc. and Spikevax (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) manufactured ModernaTX, Inc. to include new safety information about the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis following administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
Specifically, FDA has required each manufacturer to update the warning about the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis to include information about

the estimated unadjusted incidence of myocarditis and/or pericarditis following administration of the 2023-2024 Formula of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and
the results of a study that collected information on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) in people who developed myocarditis after receiving an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

FDA also required each manufacturer to describe the new safety information in the Adverse Reactions section of the Prescribing Information and in the Information for Recipients and Caregivers.
The Fact Sheets for Healthcare Providers and for Recipients and Caregivers for Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19, which are authorized for emergency use in individuals 6 months through 11 years of age, have also been updated to include the new safety information in alignment with the Comirnaty and Spikevax Prescribing Information and Information for Recipients and Caregivers.
BACKGROUND: Information about myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the lining outside the heart) following vaccination with these mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has been included in the labeling since 2021. FDA closely monitors the safety of all vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccines, during postmarket use.
RECOMMENDATION:

Suspected adverse events may be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), which is co-managed by the FDA and the CDC.

[6/25/2025 – FDA Safety Communication – FDA]

Content current as of:
06/25/2025

Regulated Product(s)

MIL OSI USA News –

June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Three Faculty Members Named Board of Trustees Distinguished Professors
Source: US State of Connecticut

The University of Connecticut has named three outstanding faculty members as Board of Trustees Distinguished Professors for the 2024–2025 academic year. This distinction is the highest honor the university confers on faculty and recognizes exceptional achievement in research, teaching, and service.

This year’s honorees are:
- Dr. Peter C. Albertsen, Division of Urology, School of Medicine
- Professor Anne C. Dailey, School of Law
- Dr. Luyi Sun, Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, College of Engineering
The Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor title is awarded annually following a university-wide nomination process and a rigorous review by a faculty and student committee. Final selections are approved by the UConn Board of Trustees, which confirmed this year’s awardees at its June 25, 2025 meeting.

“These faculty have each made a remarkable impact not only through their scholarship, but also through their commitment to their students and colleagues,” said Anne D’Alleva, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Their work strengthens our community, advances their fields, and reflects the excellence that defines UConn.”

Dr. Peter C. Albertsen

Dr. Peter C. Albertsen is a globally respected urologic oncologist whose research and leadership have transformed the understanding and management of prostate cancer. A faculty member at UConn Health since 1987, Dr. Albertsen’s work has shaped national and international treatment guidelines and spared tens of thousands of men from unnecessary surgery and radiation.

(UConn Photo)

He earned his undergraduate degree in biochemistry from Princeton University and his medical degree from Columbia University. He completed his surgical residency at Harvard and his urology training at the Brady Urological Institute at Johns Hopkins. He also holds a master’s degree in medical administration and preventive medicine from the University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Albertsen was among the first to use population-based data to challenge prevailing assumptions about PSA screening and prostate cancer aggressiveness. His landmark publications, including a seminal article in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), demonstrated that many prostate cancers grow slowly and do not require immediate treatment. These findings helped launch a global shift toward active surveillance, now a widely accepted standard of care. He has played key leadership roles in major trials in both the U.S. and the U.K., including serving as Chair of the Cause of Death Committee for the PLCO and ProtecT trials.

He has authored more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and editorials, with over 17,000 citations and an h-index of 63, placing him in the top tier of urologic researchers. His research has been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and other leading journals, and has been supported by more than $5 million in external funding.

As UConn’s Urology Residency Program Director for over 30 years, Dr. Albertsen has trained more than 60 residents, many of whom have gone on to leadership roles in academic medicine and beyond. He is widely praised for his dynamic and discussion-based teaching style and for his long-standing mentorship of medical students and residents.

Dr. Albertsen has served in numerous leadership roles at UConn Health and nationally, including as Associate Dean for Clinical Research and Planning, Division Chief of Urology, and Trustee of the American Board of Urology. He continues to provide exceptional patient care, including to underserved and correctional populations, and is often sought out by colleagues for their own care.

His many honors include the Eugene Fuller Triennial Prostate Award and the Distinguished Contribution Award from the American Urological Association, as well as honorary membership in both the AUA and the German Urological Association. Dr. Albertsen’s research, clinical care, and mentorship have had an enduring impact on the field of urology and the lives of countless patients, making him a most deserving recipient of the University of Connecticut’s highest faculty honor.

Professor Anne C. Dailey

Professor Anne Dailey, Associate Dean for Faculty Development and Intellectual Life and the Ellen Ash Peters Professor of Law at the University of Connecticut School of Law, is a nationally recognized scholar whose work bridges constitutional law, family law, and psychoanalytic theory. A member of the UConn faculty since 1988, Professor Dailey has made transformative contributions to legal scholarship, education, and public service, with far-reaching influence across disciplines and institutions.

(UConn Photo)

She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Yale University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School, where she served as an Articles Editor of the Harvard Law Review. Following law school, she completed a judicial clerkship with Judge José Cabranes of the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut. She has since become a pioneering figure in integrating psychoanalytic theory into legal analysis, most notably through her acclaimed book Law and the Unconscious: A Psychoanalytic Perspective, published by Yale University Press. This work received three prestigious honors: the Book Prize from the American Psychoanalytic Association, the Book Prize from the American Board and Academy of Psychoanalysis, and the Faculty Book Award from the UConn Humanities Institute.

Professor Dailey’s scholarship is widely cited and influential. Her co-authored articles The New Law of the Child and The New Parental Rights, and her sole authored In Loco Reipublicae, all published in top-tier law journals, have shaped the national discourse on children’s constitutional rights, state responsibility for families, and evolving family structures. She is a member of the American Law Institute and the Association for the Study of Law, Culture and Humanities.

She has held visiting faculty appointments at Yale, Harvard, and Penn Law Schools and has been named an Erikson Scholar at the Austen Riggs Center and a Fellow at the Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Professor Dailey is a dedicated and inspiring teacher of family law and constitutional law. She is also a deeply valued mentor to students and junior faculty, and her efforts have helped elevate the national profile of the UConn School of Law.

Professor Dailey’s scholarly distinction, interdisciplinary innovation, and enduring contributions to teaching and service make her a truly worthy recipient of the University of Connecticut’s highest faculty honor.

Dr. Luyi Sun

Dr. Luyi Sun is a globally recognized materials scientist and professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Connecticut, where he also holds a joint appointment in the Institute of Materials Science. Since joining UConn in 2013, he has led an internationally renowned research program focused on nanostructured hybrid materials for functional, environmental, and energy-related applications.

(UConn Photo)

Dr. Sun’s prolific contributions to science are evidenced by over 310 peer-reviewed journal articles in high-impact publications such as Nature Communications, Science Advances, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and Advanced Materials. His work has earned more than 23,000 citations and an h-index of 83, and has been highlighted by MIT Technology Review, Smithsonian Magazine, and New Scientist, among many others. He is the inventor or co-inventor of 28 issued U.S. patents and more than 50 corresponding foreign patents, seven of which have been commercialized/licensed. The materials and devices invented in his lab have been featured in global exhibitions, including at the Material ConneXion Library in New York and the Penn Museum.

Dr. Sun is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Society of Plastics Engineers. He has also been recognized with the Morand Lambla Award from the Polymer Processing Society and was elected to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering.

A dedicated educator and mentor, Dr. Sun has taught rigorous and interdisciplinary courses such as Thermodynamics and Polymer Processing, and has advised dozens of Ph.D. students, M.S. students and postdoctoral researchers, and more than 160 undergraduate research assistants. His students have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry, and many have received prestigious fellowships and national honors.

Dr. Sun has also demonstrated sustained leadership in academic and professional service. As Director of the UConn Polymer Program from 2018 to 2021, he expanded faculty engagement and strengthened the program’s profile. He has held leadership roles in national scientific organizations and organized more than 80 symposia around the world. His editorial work includes serving as Associate Editor of Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials.

Due to his outstanding record of research innovation, teaching, mentorship, and professional service, Dr. Luyi Sun strongly merits recognition as a Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor.

MIL OSI USA News –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of the next Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Appointment of the next Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman

Paula Sussex CBE has been confirmed as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), from 26 June 2025.
Paula Sussex CBE has been confirmed as the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), from 26 June 2025.

Sussex is moving from her role as the Chief Executive of digital identity services provider, OneID and has previously held high-profile roles as Chief Executive at the Student Loans Company and the Charity Commission.

In accordance with Section 1 of the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 and Section 1 of the Health Service Commissioners Act 1993, the appointment will be for a fixed term of five years, with the possibility of a two-year extension.

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Published 26 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 27, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: I’m a physician who has looked at hundreds of studies of vaccine safety, and here’s some of what RFK Jr. gets wrong

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jake Scott, Clinical Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University

Public health experts worry that factually inaccurate statements by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. threaten the public’s confidence in vaccines. Andrew HarnikGetty Images

In the four months since he began serving as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has made many public statements about vaccines that have cast doubt on their safety and on the objectivity of long-standing processes established to evaluate them.

Many of these statements are factually incorrect. For example, in a newscast aired on June 12, 2025, Kennedy told Fox News viewers that 97% of federal vaccine advisers are on the take. In the same interview, he also claimed that children receive 92 mandatory shots. He has also widely claimed that only COVID-19 vaccines, not other vaccines in use by both children and adults, were ever tested against placebos and that “nobody has any idea” how safe routine immunizations are.

As an infectious disease physician who curates an open database of hundreds of controlled vaccine trials involving over 6 million participants, I am intimately familiar with the decades of research on vaccine safety. I believe it is important to correct the record – especially because these statements come from the official who now oversees the agencies charged with protecting Americans’ health.

Do children really receive 92 mandatory shots?

In 1986, the childhood vaccine schedule contained about 11 doses protecting against seven diseases. Today, it includes roughly 50 injections covering 16 diseases. State school entry laws typically require 30 to 32 shots across 10 to 12 diseases. No state mandates COVID-19 vaccination. Where Kennedy’s “92 mandatory shots” figure comes from is unclear, but the actual number is significantly lower.

From a safety standpoint, the more important question is whether today’s schedule with additional vaccines might be too taxing for children’s immune systems. It isn’t, because as vaccine technology improved over the past several decades, the number of antigens in each vaccine dose is much lower than before.

Antigens are the molecules in vaccines that trigger a response from the immune system, training it to identify the specific pathogen. Some vaccines contain a minute amount of aluminum salt that serves as an adjuvant – a helper ingredient that improves the quality and staying power of the immune response, so each dose can protect with less antigen.

Those 11 doses in 1986 delivered more than 3,000 antigens and 1.5 milligrams of aluminum over 18 years. Today’s complete schedule delivers roughly 165 antigens – which is a 95% reduction – and 5-6 milligrams of aluminum in the same time frame. A single smallpox inoculation in 1900 exposed a child to more antigens than today’s complete series.

Jonas Salk, the inventor of the polio vaccine, administers a dose to a boy in 1954.
Underwood Archives via Getty Images

Since 1986, the United States has introduced vaccines against Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis A and B, chickenpox, pneumococcal disease, rotavirus and human papillomavirus. Each addition represents a life-saving advance.

The incidence of Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterial infection that can cause pneumonia, meningitis and other severe diseases, has dropped by 99% in infants. Pediatric hepatitis infections are down more than 90%, and chickenpox hospitalizations are down about 90%. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that vaccinating children born from 1994 to 2023 will avert 508 million illnesses and 1,129,000 premature deaths.

Placebo testing for vaccines

Kennedy has asserted that only COVID-19 vaccines have undergone rigorous safety trials in which they were tested against placebos. This is categorically wrong.

Of the 378 controlled trials in our database, 195 compared volunteers’ response to a vaccine with their response to a placebo. Of those, 159 gave volunteers only a salt water solution or another inert substance. Another 36 gave them just the adjuvant without any viral or bacterial material, as a way to see whether there were side effects from the antigen itself or the injection. Every routine childhood vaccine antigen appears in at least one such study.

The 1954 Salk polio trial, one of the largest clinical trials in medical history, enrolled more than 600,000 children and tested the vaccine by comparing it with a salt water control. Similar trials, which used a substance that has no biological effect as a control, were used to test Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal, rotavirus, influenza and HPV vaccines.

Once an effective vaccine exists, ethics boards require new versions be compared against that licensed standard because withholding proven protection from children would be unethical.

How unknown is the safety of widely used vaccines?

Kennedy has insisted on multiple occasions that “nobody has any idea” about vaccine safety profiles. Of the 378 trials in our database, the vast majority published detailed safety outcomes.

Beyond trials, the U.S. operates the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, the Vaccine Safety Datalink and the PRISM network to monitor hundreds of millions of doses for rare problems. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System works like an open mailbox where anyone – patients, parents, clinicians – can report a post-shot problem; the Vaccine Safety Datalink analyzes anonymized electronic health records from large health care systems to spot patterns; and PRISM scans billions of insurance claims in near-real time to confirm or rule out rare safety signals.

These systems led health officials to pull the first rotavirus vaccine in 1999 after it was linked to bowel obstruction, and to restrict the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 after rare clotting events. Few drug classes undergo such continuous surveillance and are subject to such swift corrective action when genuine risks emerge.

The conflicts of interest claim

On June 9, Kennedy took the unprecedented step of dissolving vetted members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the expert body that advises the CDC on national vaccine policy. He has claimed repeatedly that the vast majority of serving members of the committee – 97% – had extensive conflicts of interest because of their entanglements with the pharmaceutical industry. Kennedy bases that number on a 2009 federal audit of conflict-of-interest paperwork, but that report looked at 17 CDC advisory committees, not specifically this vaccine committee. And it found no pervasive wrongdoing – 97% of disclosure forms only contained routine paperwork mistakes, such as information in the wrong box or a missing initial, and not hidden financial ties.

Reuters examined data from Open Payments, a government website that discloses health care providers’ relationships with industry, for all 17 voting members of the committee who were dismissed. Six received no more than US$80 from drugmakers over seven years, and four had no payments at all.

The remaining seven members accepted between $4,000 and $55,000 over seven years, mostly for modest consulting or travel. In other words, just 41% of the committee received anything more than pocket change from drugmakers. Committee members must divest vaccine company stock and recuse themselves from votes involving conflicts.

A term without a meaning

Kennedy has warned that vaccines cause “immune deregulation,” a term that has no basis in immunology. Vaccines train the immune system, and the diseases they prevent are the real threats to immune function.

Measles can wipe immune memory, leaving children vulnerable to other infections for years. COVID-19 can trigger multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children. Chronic hepatitis B can cause immune-mediated organ damage. Preventing these conditions protects people from immune system damage.

Today’s vaccine panel doesn’t just prevent infections; it deters doctor visits and thereby reduces unnecessary prescriptions for “just-in-case” antibiotics. It’s one of the rare places in medicine where physicians like me now do more good with less biological burden than we did 40 years ago.

The evidence is clear and publicly available: Vaccines have dramatically reduced childhood illness, disability and death on a historic scale.

Jake Scott 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. I’m a physician who has looked at hundreds of studies of vaccine safety, and here’s some of what RFK Jr. gets wrong – https://theconversation.com/im-a-physician-who-has-looked-at-hundreds-of-studies-of-vaccine-safety-and-heres-some-of-what-rfk-jr-gets-wrong-259659

MIL OSI Analysis –

June 27, 2025