Category: Health

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government expands access to Melatonin and Psilocybin

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister David Seymour says the Government is delivering on its promise to cut red tape and give Kiwis greater access to more treatments, starting with melatonin and medicinal psilocybin.

“Many New Zealanders have asked me why people can buy melatonin overseas but they can’t buy it from their local pharmacy. Medsafe has assessed this and decided there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be available on pharmacy shelves right here at home,” says Mr Seymour.

Melatonin, a medicine used to treat insomnia and jet lag, has previously been tightly restricted in New Zealand. Right now, only a few melatonin products are approved for people aged over 55.

“In time, adults will be able to buy melatonin directly from a pharmacy with no prescription needed. This is a commonsense decision that will make melatonin more accessible in New Zealand than in many other countries and encourage suppliers bring more products to our shelves.

Melatonin will remain prescription-only for children and adolescents, following expert clinical advice to ensure proper oversight when used by younger patients.

“In another win for patients, Medsafe has also approved the prescription of medicinal psilocybin outside of clinical trials for the first time in New Zealand,” says Mr Seymour.

“Psilocybin remains an unapproved medicine, but a highly experienced psychiatrist has been granted authority to prescribe it to patients with treatment-resistant depression.

“This is huge for people with depression who’ve tried everything else and are still suffering. If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the tools to try.

“The psychiatrist involved has previously prescribed psilocybin in clinical trials and will operate under strict reporting and record-keeping requirements.

“New Zealand is now in line with Australia, where authorised prescribers have been using psilocybin in clinical settings for some time.

“Kiwis shouldn’t be left counting sheep or desperate for options when other countries are already using these medicines. The Government is committed to putting patients first.”

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Legal Issues – Charges filed by Maritime NZ against KiwiRail following investigation into 2024 grounding of Interislander ferry north of Picton

Source: Maritime NZ

Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after completing a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry, Aratere last year.

The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on 21 June last year, it had 47 people on-board at the time. Thankfully, all passengers and crew were safely returned to shore. The ferry was re-floated the following evening.

Maritime NZ’s Chief Executive, Kirstie Hewlett, says the two charges filed against KiwiRail under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 relate to failures by the operator to keep crew and passengers safe while on-board the ferry.

“This was a complex incident and important investigation given it focussed on KiwiRail bringing in new systems to older vessels and broader safety management. It required us to look at systems, policies and procedures, culture, within KiwiRail in relation to the incident. A significant number of interviews were conducted, as well as collating and reviewing a substantial amount of relevant documentation and evidence.

“The time taken to undertake this investigation, collate and review the evidence, and decide on compliance action is consistent with other complex and major incidents.

As we have now filed charges in court, we cannot talk about what our investigation found,” Kirstie Hewlett says.

Charges:

Charge 1: s48 charge – in that it had a duty as a PCBU, namely to ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those passengers and crew who would sail aboard the Aratere and that failure exposed crew members and passengers to the risk of death or serious injury. Maximum penalty $1.5m

Charge 2: s49 charge under HSWA – in that it had a duty as a PCBU, failed to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of those passengers and crew who would sail aboard the Aratere. Maximum penalty: $500,000

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: CFA and community groups recognised at Good Friday Appeal celebration

Source:

On Tuesday 17 June, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and the Good Friday Appeal hosted a special event to thank community groups and fundraisers for their incredible efforts in raising a record-breaking $23,822,792 for the 2025 Appeal.

The evening was hosted by Vascular Access Specialist Nurse Consultant Eloise Borello and Novalie Morris, a current RCH patient and rising star who captivated the audience with her warmth and charm.

Chief Executive Officer of The Royal Children’s Hospital Dr Peter Steer addressed attendees to express his heartfelt gratitude to the community and supporters of the Appeal. He outlined how the funds will support life-changing advancements at the hospital, including a $3 million contribution towards regional health services.

Representing CFA was Deputy Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic and members from Bulla, Craigieburn, Pomonal, Werribee, and Epping brigades.

CFA has proudly supported the Good Friday Appeal for 74 years, and in 2025, our volunteers — with the support of their generous local communities — raised an impressive $1,888,912. This brings CFA’s total contribution over the years to a remarkable $41 million.

Across the state, CFA volunteers could be seen at traffic lights and in fire trucks collecting donations in their local communities, continuing a long-standing tradition of support for the RCH.

Funds raised through the Good Friday Appeal help ensure the hospital remains at the forefront of paediatric care, offering world-class treatment, the latest medical equipment, and vital research to give sick children the best possible start in life.

To learn more about the extraordinary impact of this support, we encourage you to read the latest Community Report, which highlights the many initiatives made possible through the funds raised and showcases the large number of volunteers, partners and donors who come from across Victoria to support the RCH.

Submitted by Georgina Hill

MIL OSI News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – Primary care funding must be passed on to nurses

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Increases in primary care funding must be passed onto nurses to fix chronic staff shortages so New Zealanders can get in to see their doctors, the Nurses Organisation Tōputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.

The Government funds GP clinics based on the number of enrolled patients they have, regardless of the services they receive, through what’s called the capitation system.

NZNO College of Primary Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says a capitation increase of 4% last year was widely condemned as forcing general practices to hike their fees.

Capitation funding for this year is set to increase to 9.13% conditional on general practices agreeing to limit any fee rises to 3%, according to documents leaked to NZ Doctor. The cost-pressure uplift for those who don’t limit their fee rises will be an increase of 6.43%.

Nurses are urging primary care employers to pass this funding increase onto them via their wages, Tracey Morgan says.

“This will help stem the flow of nurses out of primary care and into hospitals.

“A skilled nursing workforce is desperately needed to keep care in the community, ease pressure on hospital emergency departments and prevent long term conditions worsening.

“During collective agreement bargaining last year, primary care nurses were 16-18% behind their hospital-based colleagues in pay. The employers told the union that if the money was available, they would willingly pass it on to nurses.”

Primary care nurses will receive a 3% increase in July through their collective agreement which also gave them a further 5% on ratification earlier this year, Tracey Morgan says.

“However, this will still have them 10% behind hospital nurses with the same qualifications.

“The Government claims it is focused on shorter wait times for New Zealanders to get in to see their doctor. The ability to recruit and retain primary health nurses is vital to achieving this,” Tracey Morgan says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Dopamine can make it hard to put down our phone or abandon the online shopping cart. Here’s why

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney

Vardan Papikyan/Unsplash

Ever find yourself unable to stop scrolling through your phone, chasing that next funny video or interesting post?

Or maybe you’ve felt a rush of excitement when you achieve a goal, eat a delicious meal, or fill your online shopping cart.

Why do some experiences feel so rewarding, while others leave us feeling flat? Well, dopamine might be responsible for that. Here’s what it does in our brains and bodies.

It’s a chemical messenger

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter – a chemical messenger that facilitates communication between the brain and the central nervous system. It sends messages between different parts of your nervous system, helping your body and brain coordinate everything from your movement to your mood.

Dopamine is most known for its role in short-term pleasure, and the boost we get from things such as eating tasty foods, drinking alcohol, scrolling social media or falling in love.

Dopamine also assists with learning, maintaining focus and attention, and helps us store memories.

It even plays a role in kidney function by regulating the levels of salt and water we excrete.

Conversely, low levels of dopamine have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.

How dopamine motivates us to pursue pleasure

Dopamine is not just active when we do pleasurable things. It’s active beforehand and it drives us to pursue pleasure.

Say I go to a cafe and decide to buy a doughnut. When I bite into the doughnut, it tastes fantastic. Dopamine surges and I experience pleasure.

The next time I walk past the cafe, dopamine is already active. It remembers the doughnut I had last time and how delicious it was. Dopamine drives me to walk back into the cafe, purchase another doughnut and eat it.

Dopamine drives us to do things that felt good last time.
Fotios Photos/Pexels

From an evolutionary perspective, dopamine was incredibly important and it ensured survival of the species. It motivated behaviours such as hunting and foraging for food. It reinforced the pursuit of finding shelter and safety and keeping away from predators. And it motivated people to seek out mates and to reproduce.

However, modern technology has amplified the effects of dopamine, leading to negative consequences. Activities such as excessive social media use, gambling, consuming alcohol, drug use, sex, pornography and gaming can stimulate dopamine release, creating cycles of addiction and compulsive behaviours.

Our dopamine levels can vary

Our brain is constantly releasing small amounts of dopamine at a “baseline” rate. This is because dopamine is crucial to the functioning of our brain and body, irrespective of pleasure.

Everyone has a different baseline, influenced by genetic factors such as our DRD2 dopamine receptor genes. Some people produce and metabolise dopamine faster than other people. Our baseline levels can also be influenced by sleep, nutrition and stress in our lives.

Given we all have a baseline of dopamine, our experience of pleasure at any given time is relative to our baseline rate and relative to what has come before.

If I play games on my phone all morning and get a dopamine release from that, then I eat something tasty for morning tea, I may not experience the same level of fulfilment or enjoyment that I would have had I not played those games.

The brain works hard to regulate itself and it won’t allow us to be in a constant state of dopamine “highs”. This means we can build a tolerance to certain exciting activities if we seek them out too much, as the brain wants to avoid being in a state of constant dopamine “highs”.

Healthy ways to get a dopamine boost

Thankfully, there are healthy, non-addictive ways to boost your dopamine levels.

Exercise is one of the most effective methods for boosting dopamine naturally. Physical activities such as walking, running, cycling, or even dancing can trigger the release of dopamine, leading to improved mood and greater motivation.

Running can also give you a dopamine boost.
Leandro Boogalu/Pexels

Research has shown listening to music you enjoy makes your brain release more dopamine, giving you a pleasurable experience.

And of course, spending time with people whose company we enjoy is another great way to activate dopamine.

Incorporating these habits into daily life can support your brain’s natural dopamine production and help you enjoy lasting improvements in motivation, mood and overall health.

Anastasia Hronis is the author of The Dopamine Brain: Your Science-Backed Guide to Balancing Pleasure and Purpose, published by Penguin Books Aus & NZ.

– ref. Dopamine can make it hard to put down our phone or abandon the online shopping cart. Here’s why – https://theconversation.com/dopamine-can-make-it-hard-to-put-down-our-phone-or-abandon-the-online-shopping-cart-heres-why-254811

MIL OSI Analysis –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI China: US retail sales drop, miss expectations amid tariff fears

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

U.S. retail sales declined sharply in May, missing analysts’ expectations, amid concerns that President Donald Trump’s tariffs could damage the economy, according to data released on Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC).

Retail sales fell 0.9 percent, exceeding the 0.6 percent drop that economists had forecast.

The decline reflected growing worries that the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs might slow down consumer activity.

One major factor in the decline was a drop in auto sales. Many consumers made large purchases earlier in anticipation of tariff announcements, avoiding car dealerships in May.

In addition to auto sales, building materials and garden supply stores saw a 2.7 percent decline. Lower energy prices led to a 2 percent drop in revenue at gas stations. Sales at food and beverage stores were down 0.7 percent, including a 0.8 percent decline at grocery stores. Health and personal care store sales edged down 0.1 percent.

“Today’s data suggests consumers are downshifting,” Ellen Zentner, chief economic strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, told reporters.

Following the report, U.S. stock futures remained in negative territory, and Treasury yields also fell.

MIL OSI China News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Delivering better orthopaedic care for Northland

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is delivering on its commitment to improve healthcare access across the country, with expanded orthopaedic services now reaching more patients in Northland, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“New Zealanders deserve timely, high-quality healthcare no matter where they live – and that’s exactly what we’re delivering for both urban and rural Northlanders,” Mr Brown says.

In a major boost to orthopaedic services, Health New Zealand has welcomed three new orthopaedic surgeons to the Northland region. Their arrival has significantly increased the capacity to see and treat more patients, including through outreach clinics in rural areas.

“These additional surgeons mean around 160 more people can be seen every month, including through specialist clinics, follow-ups and first specialist assessments.

“This will help to reduce wait times and improve access to care – particularly for people in more remote areas.”

One of the new surgeons is also running a weekly diabetic foot clinic, with plans to expand this into a multidisciplinary service aimed at improving outcomes, preventing amputations, and reducing hospital admissions.

Meanwhile, Kaitaia Hospital has achieved a significant milestone with the completion of its first total knee replacement surgery – bringing advanced orthopaedic care even closer to home for Far North residents.

“This is a fantastic result for patients in the Far North. Kaitaia is over two and a half hours from Whangārei and being able to access this level of care locally means people can recover in their own community, supported by family and familiar surroundings.”

“These developments reflect our Government’s clear focus on improving access to health services, reducing pressure on the system, and ensuring better outcomes for all New Zealanders.

“We’re backing our health workforce, investing in regional capacity, and ensuring care is delivered where it’s needed most.

“This is about delivering practical, meaningful improvements to healthcare in the regions – and making sure Northlanders get the care they need, closer to home,” Mr Brown says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Courts Partially Blocks Trump-Vance Administration’s Anti-Science Meddling and Cuts to Pandemic Prevention Programs

Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

Municipalities in Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, and Missouri and Public Sector Union Win Injunction to Prevent Cuts at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Court Declines to Issue Nationwide Relief

Washington, D.C. — A coalition of major municipalities across the nation — including Harris County, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee; and Kansas City, Missouri — and public service workers represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) were granted an injunction today in their challenge to unlawful funding termination by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). That termination would have canceled grants that those municipalities and their public health workforce rely on to protect their constituents from infectious diseases and pandemics.

The injunction will stop the unlawful HHS funding termination, requiring the Department to issue the grants while the case proceeds. The court declined to issue a nationwide injunction, but left open the possibility of extending needed relief later in the case to public health employees across the country.

The municipalities filed suit in April in District Court for the District of Columbia, and the case is Harris County et al. v. Kennedy. Nashville and Davidson County, Kansas City, and Columbus are represented by Democracy Forward and the Public Rights Project. AFSCME is also represented by Democracy Forward. Harris County is represented by Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.

“This ruling is a win for Harris County residents and public health departments across the country. The federal government cannot simply ignore Congress and pull the plug on essential services that communities rely on. Today’s decision ensures we can keep doing the work that protects our residents — from tracking disease outbreaks to providing vaccinations and supporting vulnerable families,” said Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee.

“When the executive branch claims virtually unlimited powers, we all rely on the courts to uphold the Constitution. Nashville cannot easily replace the five individuals laid off when the cancellation of the grant was initially announced, but we are grateful to the partners that pushed for this injunction and skillfully articulated why no administration has the authority to rescind grants previously authorized by Congress,” said Metro Nashville’s Director of Law, Wally Dietz.

“We are pleased the judge ruled that it was unlawful and a violation of the Constitution for the administration to rip this critical public health funding from our communities; however, we are disappointed by the decision to only deliver limited relief,” said AFSCME President Lee Saunders. “Every tax dollar withheld means fewer staff responding to outbreaks, fewer vaccinations, and greater risk to the public — especially those most vulnerable. But this fight isn’t over. We will continue to push our case forward to ensure public dollars remain invested in public health.”

On March 24, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unlawfully eliminated congressionally-mandated federal funding designed to keep local governments safe from COVID-19 and from future pandemics. The terminated appropriations provided more than $11 billion worth of federal grants to local municipalities for the vital public health work of identifying, monitoring, and addressing infectious diseases; ensuring access to necessary immunizations, including immunizations for children; and strengthening emergency preparedness to avoid future pandemics.

“This injunction is important for public health,” said Joel McElvain, Senior Legal Advisor at Democracy Forward. “The Trump-Vance administration’s destructive agenda threatens to deprive residents of essential public health services in the midst of continuing dangers posed by COVID-19 and other diseases, including a deadly measles outbreak centered in Texas that has spread to Ohio, Tennessee, and other states across the country. The stakes here are real and immediate, and this injunction reflects that urgency. Democracy Forward is honored to represent this coalition, which is fighting to preserve crucial and lifesaving public health efforts.”

“This case is about stopping federal abuse of power that puts lives at risk,” said Jill Habig, founder and chief executive officer of Public Rights Project. “Local governments rely on this funding to track disease, maintain vaccinations and staff essential health programs. This ruling ensures communities nationwide — not just the ones that sued — can continue to count on these vital services.”

Though the reasoning offered by the Trump administration for canceling the grants was the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the programs canceled were not limited to work on COVID-19, and include work to stop outbreaks of avian flu and measles, two infectious diseases currently spreading in American neighborhoods.

The Democracy Forward legal team working on the matter includes counsel Joel McElvain,
Pooja Boisture, and Skye L. Perryman.

Please find the full complaint here and today’s ruling here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Williams, Pressley Introduce Resolution Condemning Anti-Abortion Laws that Continue to Harm People including Adriana Smith
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

June 17, 2025

Today, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced a resolution recognizing the tragic and deeply disturbing case of Adriana Smith, a Black mother who was declared brain dead in February 2025 and has since been kept on artificial life support without her family’s consent. On Friday, June 13, 2025, her infant son, named Chance, was born prematurely at approximately 4:41 a.m. via emergency Cesarean section. Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces and is currently in the NICU. Adriana Smith is being taken off life support today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

The resolution calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to protect the rights, autonomy, and dignity of pregnant people — particularly Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic medical neglect and restrictive anti-abortion laws.

Representative Sara Jacobs said: “My heart breaks for Adriana Smith, her family, and new baby Chance, who had to enter the world this way. Georgia’s fetal personhood law denied Adriana Smith’s family the ability to say goodbye to her on their own terms. Instead, she was kept on life support, breathing through machines for nearly four months to serve as an incubator. Women are worth more than their ability to get pregnant and give birth – we are human beings who should be trusted to make our own health care decisions. It’s devastating that Adriana is the latest casualty of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and anti-abortion laws – but let’s ensure she’s the last. This needs to be the watershed moment to end anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws and guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “I extend my sympathies to Adriana Smith’s family as they spend their final moments with Adriana on their terms. Adriana Smith deserved better at every point of this tragedy. Her family, along with baby Chance, remain in my family’s prayers as they navigate life after this unimaginably devastating situation that Georgia’s laws imposed on them.

“From my service in the State Senate when the LIFE Act was passed in 2019, I know that the bill was drafted in a way that created uncertainty among medical providers and my constituents in Georgia’s 5th District about what is permitted under the law and how the law would be enforced. The clear intention of this was to create a chilling effect on doctors providing essential maternal healthcare services and on patients seeking lifesaving medical treatment. We are now seeing this lack of clarity result in unimaginable cruelty to Adriana Smith and her family.”

“Adriana Smith was a beloved daughter, a devoted mother, and a compassionate nurse denied dignity and basic human rights,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “She and her family were failed by a broken system that ignored her pain and then forced them to endure months of trauma under cruel, dehumanizing laws. These laws stripped Adriana of her dignity and denied her family the right to make deeply personal medical decisions. I hope their experiences compel Congress and the states to finally end cruel abortion bans, end fetal personhood laws, and confront the Black maternal morbidity crisis once and for all. I am proud to join Congresswoman Williams and our colleagues on this resolution to honor Adriana’s life, uplift her family, and recommit ourselves to fighting for reproductive freedom, Black maternal health, the right to abortion care and the bodily autonomy of every person who calls this country home. We join Adriana’s family members in praying for strength for baby Chance and mourning the loss of Adriana.”

Adriana Smith, a nurse and mother, sought medical care for symptoms, including an extreme headache, in early February but was not given adequate treatment. She returned the next day as her condition worsened and was declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant on February 19. She has been kept on artificial support until her pregnancy reaches 32 weeks and the fetus can be delivered, meaning her bodily functions will have been supported for more than 5 months. Due to Georgia’s LIFE Act and uncertainty surrounding fetal personhood laws, Emory University Midtown Hospital began maintaining Adriana’s bodily functions without consent from her family.

The resolution urges the government to:
- Repeal state laws that ban or criminalize abortion and abortion-related services;
- Repeal laws that exclude pregnant people from having their advance directives come into effect;
- Clarify how anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws should be interpreted in medical settings;
- Reaffirm and guarantee autonomy and dignity to pregnant people over their lives, well-being, and medical needs.
While Georgia’s Attorney General has stated that nothing in the LIFE Act explicitly mandates keeping a brain-dead patient on life support, the lack of a formal legal opinion or prosecutorial guidance leaves families and doctors in limbo.

Anti-abortion laws deprive people who can become pregnant of their autonomy by prioritizing the life of the fetus over the health, medical decisions, and rights of the pregnant person — a dehumanizing practice that violates their civil rights and reinforces systemic control over their bodies.

Out of fear of criminalization, family separation, or mistreatment like what Adriana Smith is experiencing, many pregnant people avoid healthcare settings even when they desire care, putting their health and the health of their fetus at risk.

The resolution declares that the House of Representatives stands with Adriana Smith’s family in their efforts to return dignity and justice to their family, condemns giving fetuses rights and taking them away from pregnant people in our laws, and condemns the troublingly common experience that Black women face in medical settings of having their pain not given full credence or treatment.

Read the full resolution here.

Read a one-pager on the resolution here.

MIL OSI USA News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Williams, Pressley Introduce Resolution Condemning Anti-Abortion Laws that Continue to Harm People including Adriana Smith
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53)

June 17, 2025

Today, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) introduced a resolution recognizing the tragic and deeply disturbing case of Adriana Smith, a Black mother who was declared brain dead in February 2025 and has since been kept on artificial life support without her family’s consent. On Friday, June 13, 2025, her infant son, named Chance, was born prematurely at approximately 4:41 a.m. via emergency Cesarean section. Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces and is currently in the NICU. Adriana Smith is being taken off life support today, Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

The resolution calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to protect the rights, autonomy, and dignity of pregnant people — particularly Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic medical neglect and restrictive anti-abortion laws.

Representative Sara Jacobs said: “My heart breaks for Adriana Smith, her family, and new baby Chance, who had to enter the world this way. Georgia’s fetal personhood law denied Adriana Smith’s family the ability to say goodbye to her on their own terms. Instead, she was kept on life support, breathing through machines for nearly four months to serve as an incubator. Women are worth more than their ability to get pregnant and give birth – we are human beings who should be trusted to make our own health care decisions. It’s devastating that Adriana is the latest casualty of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and anti-abortion laws – but let’s ensure she’s the last. This needs to be the watershed moment to end anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws and guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “I extend my sympathies to Adriana Smith’s family as they spend their final moments with Adriana on their terms. Adriana Smith deserved better at every point of this tragedy. Her family, along with baby Chance, remain in my family’s prayers as they navigate life after this unimaginably devastating situation that Georgia’s laws imposed on them.

“From my service in the State Senate when the LIFE Act was passed in 2019, I know that the bill was drafted in a way that created uncertainty among medical providers and my constituents in Georgia’s 5th District about what is permitted under the law and how the law would be enforced. The clear intention of this was to create a chilling effect on doctors providing essential maternal healthcare services and on patients seeking lifesaving medical treatment. We are now seeing this lack of clarity result in unimaginable cruelty to Adriana Smith and her family.”

“Adriana Smith was a beloved daughter, a devoted mother, and a compassionate nurse denied dignity and basic human rights,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “She and her family were failed by a broken system that ignored her pain and then forced them to endure months of trauma under cruel, dehumanizing laws. These laws stripped Adriana of her dignity and denied her family the right to make deeply personal medical decisions. I hope their experiences compel Congress and the states to finally end cruel abortion bans, end fetal personhood laws, and confront the Black maternal morbidity crisis once and for all. I am proud to join Congresswoman Williams and our colleagues on this resolution to honor Adriana’s life, uplift her family, and recommit ourselves to fighting for reproductive freedom, Black maternal health, the right to abortion care and the bodily autonomy of every person who calls this country home. We join Adriana’s family members in praying for strength for baby Chance and mourning the loss of Adriana.”

Adriana Smith, a nurse and mother, sought medical care for symptoms, including an extreme headache, in early February but was not given adequate treatment. She returned the next day as her condition worsened and was declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant on February 19. She has been kept on artificial support until her pregnancy reaches 32 weeks and the fetus can be delivered, meaning her bodily functions will have been supported for more than 5 months. Due to Georgia’s LIFE Act and uncertainty surrounding fetal personhood laws, Emory University Midtown Hospital began maintaining Adriana’s bodily functions without consent from her family.

The resolution urges the government to:
- Repeal state laws that ban or criminalize abortion and abortion-related services;
- Repeal laws that exclude pregnant people from having their advance directives come into effect;
- Clarify how anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws should be interpreted in medical settings;
- Reaffirm and guarantee autonomy and dignity to pregnant people over their lives, well-being, and medical needs.
While Georgia’s Attorney General has stated that nothing in the LIFE Act explicitly mandates keeping a brain-dead patient on life support, the lack of a formal legal opinion or prosecutorial guidance leaves families and doctors in limbo.

Anti-abortion laws deprive people who can become pregnant of their autonomy by prioritizing the life of the fetus over the health, medical decisions, and rights of the pregnant person — a dehumanizing practice that violates their civil rights and reinforces systemic control over their bodies.

Out of fear of criminalization, family separation, or mistreatment like what Adriana Smith is experiencing, many pregnant people avoid healthcare settings even when they desire care, putting their health and the health of their fetus at risk.

The resolution declares that the House of Representatives stands with Adriana Smith’s family in their efforts to return dignity and justice to their family, condemns giving fetuses rights and taking them away from pregnant people in our laws, and condemns the troublingly common experience that Black women face in medical settings of having their pain not given full credence or treatment.

Read the full resolution here.

Read a one-pager on the resolution here.

MIL OSI USA News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Charges filed by Maritime NZ against KiwiRail following investigation into 2024 grounding of Interislander ferry north of Picton.

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Maritime NZ has filed two charges against KiwiRail after completing a comprehensive and wide-ranging investigation into the grounding of the Interislander ferry, Aratere last year.

The Aratere grounded just north of Picton on 21 June last year, it had 47 people on-board at the time. Thankfully, all passengers and crew were safely returned to shore. The ferry was re-floated the following evening.

Maritime NZ’s Chief Executive, Kirstie Hewlett, says the two charges filed against KiwiRail under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 relate to failures by the operator to keep crew and passengers safe while on-board the ferry.

“This was a complex incident and important investigation given it focussed on KiwiRail bringing in new systems to older vessels and broader safety management. It required us to look at systems, policies and procedures, culture, within KiwiRail in relation to the incident. A significant number of interviews were conducted, as well as collating and reviewing a substantial amount of relevant documentation and evidence.

“The time taken to undertake this investigation, collate and review the evidence, and decide on compliance action is consistent with other complex and major incidents.

As we have now filed charges in court, we cannot talk about what our investigation found,” Kirstie Hewlett says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025

Submitted by	Georgina Hill

MIL-OSI: Diversified Royalty Corp. Announces Acquisition of US-Based Cheba Hut Franchising, Inc.’s Trademarks, a 10% Dividend Increase, and an Increase in Size of its Acquisition Facility

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Diversified Royalty Corp. (TSX: DIV and DIV.DB.A) (the “Corporation” or “DIV”) is pleased to announce that it has acquired the trademarks and certain other intellectual property used by Cheba Hut Franchising, Inc. (“Cheba Hut”) of Fort Collins, Colorado, adding a ninth royalty stream (and the second based in the United States) to DIV’s portfolio. All dollar amounts in this news release, unless specifically denominated in U.S. dollars, are represented in Canadian dollars.

Highlights

Acquisition of Cheba Hut’s worldwide trademark portfolio and certain other intellectual property rights for US$36 million and certain additional consideration
Initial annual royalty revenue from Cheba Hut of US$4 million, representing approximately 7% of DIV’s pro-forma adjusted revenue¹
The royalty grows at a fixed rate equal to the greater of 3.5% and the U.S. Consumer Price Index (“U.S. CPI”) + 1.5% per year
Annual dividend on DIV’s common shares to be increased 10% from 25 cents per share to 27.5 cents per share, effective July 1, 2025
DIV’s strong balance sheet enabled it to fund the Transaction without the need to raise equity

1. Pro-forma adjusted revenue is a non-IFRS financial measure and as such, does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. For additional information, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in this news release.

Acquisition Overview

DIV and its wholly-owned subsidiary Cheeb Royalties Limited Partnership (“Cheeb LP”) entered into an acquisition agreement dated June 17, 2025 (the “Acquisition Agreement”) with Cheba Hut and an affiliate of Cheba Hut pursuant to which Cheeb LP acquired (the “Acquisition”) Cheba Hut’s worldwide trademarks portfolio and certain other intellectual property rights utilized by Cheba Hut in its fast casual, toasted sub sandwich restaurants (the “Cheba Rights”) for a purchase price (the “Purchase Price”), of US$36 million cash. The Purchase Price was funded with (i) approximately US$18 million drawn from DIV’s amended acquisition facility (further details below) (the “Acquisition Facility”), (ii) approximately US$8 million from DIV’s cash on hand, (iii) US$5 million drawn from a new senior credit facility issued to Cheeb LP (the “Cheeb Credit Facility”), and (iv) US$5 million drawn from a new senior term credit facility issued to DIV (the “Additional Term Facility”).

Immediately following the closing of the Acquisition, DIV licensed the Cheba Rights in the United States back to Cheba Hut for 50 years, in exchange for an initial royalty payment of US$4 million per annum (the “Royalty” and together with the Acquisition, the “Transaction”). The Royalty will be automatically increased at a rate equal to the greater of 3.5% and the U.S. CPI + 1.5% per year without any further consideration payable by DIV or Cheeb LP. Cheba Hut may also increase the annual royalty payable on April 1^st of each year following the closing (each an “Adjustment Date”) subject to Cheba Hut satisfying certain royalty coverage tests. The amount of each royalty increase cannot be less than US$500,000 per annum and must, in respect of amounts over that threshold, be in increments of US$100,000 per annum. In consideration for a royalty increase on an Adjustment Date, Cheeb LP will pay an amount to Cheba Hut in cash, based on a multiple between 7 and 8 times (depending on certain conditions being met) the incremental annual royalty purchased, as additional consideration for the Cheba Rights.

Payment of the Royalty will be secured by a general security agreement granted by Cheba Hut to Cheeb LP, and by secured corporate guarantees to be granted to Cheeb LP by several affiliates of Cheba Hut.

The Acquisition is expected to increase DIV’s tax pools by approximately $51 million to a total of approximately $424 million, which can be depreciated over time to reduce DIV’s cash taxes. Amounts paid for incremental annual royalties will also increase DIV’s tax pools.

Founded in 1998, Cheba Hut has 77 fast casual, toasted sub sandwich restaurants in the US. All of Cheba Hut’s locations are franchised, except for two corporate stores and substantially all future growth is currently expected to result from opening additional franchised locations. Cheba Hut had US$149 million of system sales² and SSSG² of 5% in 2024. Cheba Hut is forecasting over US$187 million in system sales² in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.

2. System sales and same store sales growth (SSSG) are supplementary financial measures and as such, do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. For additional information, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in this news release.

Sean Morrison, Chief Executive Officer of DIV, stated, “The Cheba Hut trademark acquisition and royalty agreement adds a ninth royalty stream to DIV’s portfolio, representing approximately 7% of DIV’s pro-forma adjusted revenue³ and is another step in our strategy of purchasing royalties from a diverse group of proven multi-location businesses and franchisors. We believe Cheba Hut’s impressive track record of growth is a result of its strong store-level economics, quality of its franchisees and experience of its management team. Scott Jennings, the founder of Cheba Hut, and his management team represent a great partner for DIV, as they strongly believe in the continued success of Cheba Hut over the long term and therefore partnering with DIV was far superior to selling equity ownership. We look forward to working with Scott and Cheba Hut’s management team to continue expanding the business across the U.S.

DIV has worked to promote its royalty model in the U.S. market and now, with its second US-based royalty transaction, is building significant momentum in that market. Such continued momentum in the U.S. franchisor market will become significant to DIV as it scales its business going forward.

Further, DIV’s strong balance sheet (cash on hand, under-levered existing royalty LP’s, an unused acquisition facility) enabled it to fund the Transaction without the need to raise equity. DIV’s less than 100% payout ratio⁴, automated DRIP program and ability to refinance existing LP’s will enable it to substantially pay down the acquisition facility within 12 months. This is a game-changer for DIV as all prior trademarks acquisitions have been funded concurrently, or shortly thereafter, with a sizeable equity raise.”

Scott Jennings, stated, “DIV understands and believes that leaving us in control of our company keeps us in the best position to sustain our controlled growth. In addition, we can continue to take care of our product, partners, crew, and most importantly our CUSTOMERS the way we have for the last 27 years. We thank DIV for believing in Cheba Hut and helping us stay in excellent position to keep our soul intact for the next 50 years and beyond!!!”

3. Pro-forma adjusted revenue is a non-IFRS financial measure, and as such, does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS. For additional information, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in this news release.

Amendment to Acquisition Facility

DIV amended its Acquisition Facility to increase the size from $50 million to $70 million and extend the maturity date to May 30, 2027, and thereafter to June 17, 2028 (if certain conditions are met).

DIV and Cheeb LP Credit Facilities

Cheeb LP financed US$5 million of the Purchase Price with new bank debt having a term of three years from closing. The Cheeb Credit Facility is non-amortizing and has a floating interest rate equal to SOFR + 2.5% per annum; however, DIV will have 90 days following closing to effectively fix the interest rate on 75% of the amount borrowed under this facility through an interest rate swap. The Cheeb Credit Facility is secured by the Cheba Rights and the Royalty payable by Cheba Hut, and has covenants customary for this type of a credit facility.

DIV financed approximately US$18 million of the Purchase Price from the Acquisition Facility as amended and described above. The approximately US$18 million drawn on the Acquisition Facility is interest-only for twelve months and thereafter amortizes over a 60-month period. In connection with the Transaction, DIV financed US$5 million of the Purchase Price from an Additional Term Facility of US$5 million with a term of approximately 18 months. The Additional Term Facility is non-amortizing and has a floating interest rate based on SOFR plus a spread based on prevailing market rates. The Additional Term Facility is secured by a general security interest over the assets of the Corporation and, if requested by the lender, may be secured by specific assignments of certain material agreements entered into by the Corporation from time to time, and has covenants customary for this type of credit facility. DIV intends to pay down the Acquisition Facility through a combination of cash flows, debt refinancings and/or capital markets transactions.

Dividend Policy Increase

DIV’s board of directors has approved an increase in DIV’s dividend policy to increase its annualized dividend from 25.0 cents per share to 27.5 cents per share effective July 1, 2025, an increase of 10%. DIV estimates its pro-forma payout ratio⁴ will be approximately 94.9% (pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP is approximately 83.0%)⁴.

4. Pro-forma payout ratio and pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP are non-IFRS ratios, and as such, do not have standardized meanings under IFRS. For additional information, refer to “Non-IFRS Measures” in this news release.

Investor Conference Call

Management of DIV will host a conference call on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at 7:00 am Pacific Time (10:00 am Eastern Time). To participate by telephone across Canada, call toll free at 1 (800) 717-1738 or 1 (289) 514-5100 (conference ID 02753). The presentation will be followed by a question-and-answer session. An archived telephone recording of the call will be available until Wednesday, September 17, 2025, by calling 1 (888) 660-6264 or 1 (289) 819-1325 (playback passcode: 02753 #). The management presentation for the conference call will be available on DIV’s website https://www.diversifiedroyaltycorp.com/investors/investor-presentation/ prior to the call. Alternatively, the link to the webcast of the conference can be found below:

https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=AE82A2E9-8F95-4F22-BF7D-3DF54A94A39D

About Diversified Royalty Corp.

DIV is a multi-royalty corporation, engaged in the business of acquiring top-line royalties from well-managed multi-location businesses and franchisors in North America. DIV’s objective is to acquire predictable, growing royalty streams from a diverse group of multi-location businesses and franchisors.

DIV currently owns the Mr. Lube + Tires, AIR MILES®, Sutton, Mr. Mikes, Nurse Next Door, Oxford Learning Centres, Stratus Building Solutions, BarBurrito and Cheba Hut trademarks. Mr. Lube + Tires is the leading quick lube service business in Canada, with locations across Canada. AIR MILES® is Canada’s largest coalition loyalty program. Sutton is among the leading residential real estate brokerage franchisor businesses in Canada. Mr. Mikes operates casual steakhouse restaurants primarily in western Canadian communities. Nurse Next Door is a home care provider with locations across Canada and the United States as well as in Australia. Oxford Learning Centres is one of Canada’s leading franchisee supplemental education services. Stratus Building Solutions is a leading commercial cleaning service franchise company providing comprehensive janitorial, building cleaning, and office cleaning services primarily in the United States. BarBurrito is the largest quick service Mexican restaurant food chain in Canada. Cheba Hut is a fast casual toasted sub sandwich franchise with locations across 19 U.S. states.

DIV’s objective is to increase cash flow per share by making accretive royalty purchases and through the growth of purchased royalties. DIV intends to continue to pay a predictable and stable monthly dividend to shareholders and increase the dividend over time, in each case as cash flow per share allows.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute “forward-looking information” or “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable securities laws that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or financial outlook. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “will”, ”project”, “should”, “believe”, “confident”, “plan” and “intends” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking information, although not all forward-looking information contains these identifying words. Specifically, forward-looking information or financial outlook in this news release includes, but are not limited to, statements made in relation to: the increase in DIV’s annual dividend; statements related to the expected tax implications of the Acquisition on DIV; substantially all future growth for Cheba Hut is currently expected to result from opening additional franchised locations; Cheba Hut’s forecasted system sales in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025; the expected financial impact of the Transaction on DIV, including on its pro-forma payout ratio, pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP and pro-forma adjusted revenue; DIV intends to pay down the Acquisition Facility through a combination of cash flows, debt refinancings and/or capital markets transactions; the continued expansion in the U.S. franchisor market and the expected effect on DIV and its business; DIV’s intention to continue to pay a predictable and stable monthly dividend to shareholders and increase the dividend over time; and DIV’s corporate objectives. The forward-looking information and financial outlook contained herein involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events, performance, or achievements of DIV to differ materially from those anticipated or implied therein. DIV believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information and financial-outlook are reasonable but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In particular there can be no assurance that: DIV will realize the expected benefits of the Transaction, or that it will be accretive; the actual tax implications of the Acquisition and the Transaction on DIV will be consistent with the tax implications expected by DIV; Cheba Hut will pay the Royalty and otherwise comply with its obligations under the agreements governing the Transaction; Cheba Hut will not be adversely affected by the other risks facing its business; DIV may not complete any further royalty acquisitions; DIV may not increase its dividend in accordance with the currently expected timing or amounts; DIV will be able to make monthly dividend payments to the holders of the DIV common shares; or DIV will achieve any of its corporate objectives. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned that forward-looking information and financial outlook included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance, and such forward-looking information and financial outlook should not be unduly relied upon. More information about the risks and uncertainties affecting DIV’s business and the businesses of its royalty partners can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of its Annual Information Form dated March 24, 2025 and the “Risk Factors” section of its management’s discussion and analysis for the three months ended March 31, 2025 that are available under DIV’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

In formulating the forward-looking statements contained herein, management has assumed that, among other things, Cheba Hut will be successful in meeting its stated corporate objectives, including its growth targets; DIV will realize the expected benefits of the Transaction; the Cheba Hut business will not suffer any material adverse effect; the actual tax implications of the Acquisition, the Transaction and the payment of the Royalty will be consistent with the tax implications expected by DIV; and the business and economic conditions affecting DIV and Cheba Hut will continue substantially in the ordinary course, including without limitation with respect to general industry conditions, general levels of economic activity and regulations. These assumptions, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect.

To the extent any forward-looking information in this news release constitute a “financial outlook” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, such information is being provided to assist investors in understanding the potential financial impact of the Transaction, the Cheeb Credit Facility, the Additional Term Facility and the dividend increase and may not appropriate for other purposes.

All of the forward-looking information and financial outlook disclosed in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors contained herein, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments contemplated thereby will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on, DIV contemplated by such forward-looking information and financial outlook contained herein. The forward-looking information and financial outlook included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and DIV assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law.

Non-IFRS Measures

Management believes that disclosing certain non-IFRS financial measures, non-IFRS ratios and supplementary financial measures provides readers with important information regarding the Corporation’s financial performance and its ability to pay dividends, the performance of its royalty partners and the financial impacts to DIV of the Transaction. By considering these measures in combination with the most closely comparable IFRS measure, management believes that investors are provided with additional and more useful information about the Corporation, its royalty partners and the Transaction than investors would have if they simply considered IFRS measures alone. The non-IFRS financial measures, non-IFRS ratios and supplementary financial measures used in this news release do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Investors are cautioned that non-IFRS financial measures should not be construed as a substitute or an alternative to net income or cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with IFRS.

The non-IFRS financial measure used in this news release is pro-forma adjusted revenue, which includes as components the following non-IFRS financial measures: DIV royalty entitlement, adjusted revenue and run-rate adjusted revenue. Run-rate adjusted revenue is calculated as the sum of DIV’s adjusted revenue for each of the three months ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, multiplied by two for purposes of annualizing such amount, plus the amount of Mr. Lube’s roll-in of royalties from 5 net new store locations on May 1, 2025. Pro-forma adjusted revenue is calculated as the run-rate adjusted revenue plus the amount of the initial adjusted revenue contribution payable by Cheba Hut. DIV management believes run-rate adjusted revenue provides useful information as it provides supplemental information regarding DIV’s consolidated revenues, and pro-forma adjusted revenue provides useful information as it provides supplemental information regarding DIV’s consolidated revenues after giving effect to the Transaction. For an explanation of the composition of DIV royalty entitlement and adjusted revenue, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS measure, see the disclosure under the heading “Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures” in DIV’s management discussion and analysis for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 and three months ended March 31, 2025, copies of which are available under DIV’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, which is incorporated by reference herein.

The following table reconciles revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025 to pro-forma adjusted revenue and run-rate adjusted revenue:

(Cdn$000’s)	(a) Q4 2024	(b) Q1 2025	=(a+b) x 2 Annualized
Revenues	17,032	15,639	65,342
DIV royalty entitlement	1,320	1,329	5,298
Adjusted revenue	18,352	16,968	70,640

Adjustment:
Mr. Lube roll-in – May 1, 2025⁽¹⁾			668
Run-rate adjusted revenue			71,308

Cheba Hut contribution⁽²⁾			5,600
Pro-forma adjusted revenue			76,908

1) Adjustment for Mr. Lube’s roll-in of royalties from 5 net new store locations on May 1, 2025, assuming incremental annual net system sales (system sales is a non-IFRS supplementary measure and as such, does not have a standardized meaning under IFRS – see the disclosure under the heading “Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures” in DIV’s management discussion and analysis for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 and three months ended March 31, 2025) of $8.4 million, multiplied by 7.95% royalty rate

2) Cheba Hut contribution is calculated as the initial adjusted revenue contribution of USD$4,000,000 payable by Cheba Hut, multiplied by a USD to CAD exchange rate of $1.4:1

The non-IFRS ratios used in this news release are pro-forma payout ratio and pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP, which include as components the following non-IFRS financial measures: EBITDA, normalized EBITDA, distributable cash, run-rate distributable cash, pro-forma distributable cash, pro-forma dividends declared and DIV royalty entitlement net of NND Royalties LP expenses. Run-rate distributable cash is calculated as the sum of DIV’s distributable cash for each of the three months ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, multiplied by two for purposes of annualizing such amount, plus the after-tax amount of Mr. Lube’s roll-in of royalties from 5 net new store locations on May 1, 2025, less adjustments for interest income and current tax. Pro-forma distributable cash is calculated as run-rate distributable cash plus the amount of the initial adjusted revenue contribution payable by Cheba Hut, less incremental operating expenses, interest expenses and taxes. DIV management believes run-rate distributable cash provides useful information as it provides supplemental information regarding DIV’s ability to generate cash available for payment of dividends after adjusting for non-recurring expenses and pro-forma distributable cash provides useful information as it provides supplemental information regarding DIV’s ability to generate cash available for payment of dividends after giving effect to the Transaction. Pro-forma dividends declared is calculated as DIV’s new annualized dividend of $0.275 per share multiplied by the number of DIV common shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025. Pro-forma dividends declared is used to calculate the pro-forma payout ratio, and thus management believes that it provides useful information as to DIV’s expected future aggregate annualized dividend payments. Pro-forma payout ratio is calculated as pro-forma dividends declared divided by pro-forma distributable cash. Pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP is calculated as the difference of (X) pro-forma dividends declared less (Y) dividends paid by DIV in the form of DIV common shares issued under DIV’s dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) at an estimated participation rate of 12.5%, divided by pro-forma distributable cash. For an explanation of the composition of EBITDA, normalized EBITDA, distributable cash and DIV royalty entitlement net of NND Royalties LP expenses, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable IFRS measure, see the disclosure under the heading “Description of Non-IFRS Financial Measures, Non-IFRS Ratios and Supplementary Financial Measures” in DIV’s management discussion and analysis for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 and three months ended March 31, 2025, copies of which are available under DIV’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, which is incorporated by reference herein. DIV management believes that (i) pro-forma payout ratio provides useful information as it provides supplemental information regarding DIV’s ability to generate cash to pay dividends following the completion of the Transaction and the increase to the dividend, and (ii) pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP provides useful information as it provides supplemental information regarding DIV’s ability to generate cash to pay dividends following the completion of the Transaction and the increase to the dividend after adjusting for dividends paid by DIV in the form of DIV common shares issued under the DRIP.

The following table reconciles net income for the three months ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025, to run-rate distributable cash and pro-forma distributable cash and illustrates the calculation of pro-forma payout ratio and pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP:

(Cdn$000’s)	(a) Q4 2024	(b) Q1 2025	=(a+b) x 2 Annualized
Net income	4,015	7,993	24,016

Interest expense on credit facilities	3,368	3,150	13,036
Income tax expense	1,653	2,997	9,300
Depreciation expense	25	24	98
EBITDA	9,061	14,164	46,450

Adjustments:
Share-based compensation	645	368	2,026
Other finance costs, net	(2,044)	995	(2,098)
Fair value adjustment on financial instruments	15	(904)	(1,778)
Payment of lease obligations	(28)	(28)	(112)
DIV royalty entitlement net of NND Royalties LP expenses	1,314	1,325	5,278
Impairment loss	8,204	–	16,408
Normalized EBITDA	17,167	15,920	66,174
Add: interest income	139	135	548
Less: Distributions on exchangeable MRM units	(34)	(48)	(164)
Less: current tax expense	(1,301)	(1,719)	(6,040)
Less: interest expense on credit facilities	(3,368)	(3,150)	(13,036)
Distributable cash	12,603	11,138	47,482

Adjustment:
Mr. Lube roll-in – May 1, 2025, net of taxes⁽¹⁾			487
Interest income adjustment			(493)
Current tax adjustment			(2,000)
Run-rate distributable cash			45,476
Cheba Hut distributable cash contribution⁽²⁾			3,075
Pro-forma distributable cash			48,551

Pro-forma dividends declared⁽³⁾			46,081
Pro-forma payout ratio			94.9%

Pro-forma dividends declared, net of DRIP⁽⁴⁾			40,321
Pro-forma payout ratio, net of DRIP			83.0%

2) Cheba Hut contribution is calculated as the initial adjusted revenue contribution of USD$4,000,000, multiplied by a USD to CAD exchange rate of $1.4:1, less incremental operating expenses of $50,000, interest expense of $1,890,000 and taxes of $586,000

3) Calculated as the number of DIV common shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2025 (167,567,468) multiplied by the new annualized dividend of $0.275 per share

4) Calculated as pro-forma dividends declared, multiplied by 1 minus the effective DRIP rate of 12.5%

System Sales is a supplementary financial measure and is a reference to the top-line sales revenue reported to Cheba Hut by all Cheba Hut franchisees. System sales is a supplementary financial measure and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. The Corporation believes system sales is a useful measure as it provides investors with an indication of performance of the franchisees underlying Cheba Hut’s business.

Same store sales growth or SSSG is a supplementary financial measure and is a reference to the percentage increase in system sales over the prior comparable period for Cheba Hut locations that were in operation in both the current and prior periods, excluding stores that were permanently closed. The Corporation believes that SSSG is a useful measure as it provides investors with an indication of the change in year-over-year sales of Cheba Hut locations.

Third Party Information

This news release includes information obtained from third party reports and other publicly available sources as well as financial statements and other reports provided to DIV by its royalty partners and Cheba Hut. Although DIV believes these sources to be generally reliable, such information cannot be verified with complete certainty. Accordingly, the accuracy and completeness of this information is not guaranteed. DIV has not independently verified any of the information from third party sources referred to in this news release nor ascertained the underlying assumptions relied upon by such sources.

THE TORONTO STOCK EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR THE ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.

Additional Information

Additional information relating to the Corporation and other public filings, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Contact:
Sean Morrison, President and Chief Executive Officer
Diversified Royalty Corp.
(236) 521-8470

Greg Gutmanis, Chief Financial Officer and VP Acquisitions
Diversified Royalty Corp.
(236) 521-8471

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025

MIL-OSI: Purpose Investments Inc. Announces June 2025 Distributions

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TORONTO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Purpose Investments Inc. (“Purpose”) is pleased to announce distributions for the month of June 2025 for its open-end exchange traded funds and closed-end funds (“the Funds”).

The ex-distribution date for all Open-End Funds is June 26, 2025. The ex-distribution date for all closed-end funds is June 30, 2025.

Open-End Funds	Ticker Symbol	Distribution per share/unit	Record Date	Payable Date	Distribution Frequency
Apple (AAPL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units	APLY	$0.1667	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Canadian Financial Income Fund – ETF Series	BNC	$0.1225¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Global Bond Fund – ETF Units	BND	$0.0866	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units	BRKY	$0.1000	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Units	BTCY	$0.0850	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units	BTCY.B	$0.0970	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Bitcoin Yield ETF – ETF USD Units	BTCY.U	US $0.0815	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund – ETF Units	CROP	$0.0875	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Credit Opportunities Fund – ETF USD Units	CROP.U	US $0.0975	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Ether Yield – ETF Units	ETHY	$0.0405	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Non-Currency Hedged Units	ETHY.B	$0.0500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Ether Yield ETF – ETF Units Non-Currency Hedged USD Units	ETHY.U	US $0.0395	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – ETF Units	FLX	$0.0461	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units	FLX.B	$0.0551	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Global Flexible Credit Fund – Non-Currency Hedged USD – ETF Units	FLX.U	US $0.0385	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Global Bond Class – ETF Units	IGB	$0.0860¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Microsoft (MSFT) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF units	MSFY	$0.1300	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Active Balanced Fund – ETF Units	PABF	$0.1650	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Quarterly
Purpose Active Conservative Fund – ETF Units	PACF	$0.1900	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Quarterly
Purpose Active Growth Fund – ETF Units	PAGF	$0.1550	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Quarterly
Purpose Enhanced Premium Yield Fund – ETF Series	PAYF	$0.1375¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Total Return Bond Fund – ETF Series	PBD	$0.0590¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Core Dividend Fund – ETF Series	PDF	$0.1050¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Enhanced Dividend Fund – ETF Series	PDIV	$0.0950¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Real Estate Income Fund – ETF Series	PHR	$0.0720¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose International Tactical Hedged Equity Fund – ETF Series	PHW	$0.1500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Quarterly
Purpose International Dividend Fund – ETF Series	PID	$0.0780	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Monthly Income Fund – ETF Series	PIN	$0.0830¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Multi-Asset Income Fund – ETF Units	PINC	$0.0840	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Diversified Real Asset Fund – ETF Series	PRA	$0.2100	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Quarterly
Purpose Conservative Income Fund – ETF Series	PRP	$0.0600¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Premium Yield Fund – ETF Series	PYF	$0.1100¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Premium Yield Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Series	PYF.B	$0.1230¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Premium Yield Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF USD Series	PYF.U	US $0.1200¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Core Equity Income Fund – ETF Series	RDE	$0.0875¹	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Emerging Markets Dividend Fund – ETF Units	REM	$0.0950	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Canadian Preferred Share Fund – ETF Units	RPS	$0.0950	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose US Preferred Share Fund – ETF Series	RPU	$0.0940	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose US Preferred Share Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units2	RPU.B / RPU.U	$0.0940	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Strategic Yield Fund – ETF Units	SYLD	$0.0970	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
AMD (AMD) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YAMD	$0.2500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Amazon (AMZN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF- ETF Units	YAMZ	$0.4000	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Broadcom (AVGO) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YAVG	$0.1800	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Coinbase (COIN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YCON	$0.3000	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Costco (COST) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YCST	$0.1200	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Alphabet (GOOGL) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units	YGOG	$0.2500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Tech Innovators Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YMAG	$0.2000	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
META (META) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YMET	$0.2400	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Netflix (NFLX) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YNET	$0.1500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
NVIDIA (NVDA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units	YNVD	$0.7500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Palantir (PLTR) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YPLT	$0.2500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Tesla (TSLA) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Units	YTSL	$0.5500	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
UnitedHealth Group (UHN) Yield Shares Purpose ETF – ETF Series	YUNH	$0.1100	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly

Closed-End Funds	Ticker Symbol	Distribution per share/unit	Record Date	Payable Date	Distribution Frequency
Big Banc Split Corp, Class A	BNK	$0.1200¹	06/30/2025	07/14/2025	Monthly
Big Banc Split Corp – Preferred Shares	BNK.PR.A	$0.0700¹	06/30/2025	07/14/2025	Monthly

Estimated June 2025 Distributions for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund

The June 2025 distribution rates for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund are estimated to be as follows:

Fund Name	Ticker Symbol	Estimated Distribution per unit	Record Date	Payable Date	Distribution Frequency
Purpose USD Cash Management Fund – ETF Units	MNU.U	US $0.3405	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose Cash Management Fund – ETF Units	MNY	$0.2175	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose High Interest Savings Fund – ETF Units	PSA	$0.1030	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly
Purpose US Cash Fund – ETF Units	PSU.U	US $0.3375	06/26/2025	07/03/2025	Monthly

Purpose expects to issue a press release on or about June 25, 2025, which will provide the final distribution rate for Purpose USD Cash Management Fund, Purpose Cash Management Fund, Purpose High Interest Savings Fund, and Purpose US Cash Fund. The ex-distribution date will be June 26, 2025.

Dividend is designated as an “eligible” Canadian dividend for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and any similar provincial and territorial legislation.
Purpose US Preferred Share Fund Non-Currency Hedged – ETF Units have both a CAD and USD purchase option. Distribution per unit is declared in CAD, however, the USD purchase option (RPU.U) distribution will be made in the USD equivalent. Conversion into USD will use the end-of-day foreign exchange rate prevailing on the ex-distribution date.

About Purpose Investments Inc.

Purpose Investments is an asset management company with more than $21 billion in assets under management. Purpose Investments has an unrelenting focus on client-centric innovation and offers a range of managed and quantitative investment products. Purpose Investments is led by well-known entrepreneur Som Seif and is a division of Purpose Unlimited, an independent technology-driven financial services company.

For further information please contact:
Keera Hart
Keera.Hart@kaiserpartners.com
905-580-1257

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investment fund investments. Please read the prospectus and other disclosure documents before investing. Investment funds are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government deposit insurer. There can be no assurance that the full amount of your investment in a fund will be returned to you. If the securities are purchased or sold on a stock exchange, you may pay more or receive less than the current net asset value. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

The MIL Network –

June 18, 2025

MIL-OSI United Nations: 17 June 2025 Departmental update Jordan’s new drink-driving law will save lives on the roads

Source: World Health Organisation

Jordan has taken a bold step to make its roads safer with the ratification of a new drink-driving law that meets World Health Organization (WHO) best practice criteria.

With technical support from WHO, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan introduced legislation that lowers the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers to 0.05 grams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood for the general population, bringing the country closer to global standards that save lives.

Drinking and driving significantly increases the risk and severity of road crashes. In low- and middle-income countries, where 92% of road deaths occur, between 33% and 69% of drivers killed in crashes have consumed alcohol.

“Jordan’s landmark drink-driving law is a major step forward in efforts to reduce road deaths,” said Dr Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative to Jordan. “This builds on the commendable progress in reducing preventable road fatalities in recent years. Looking forward, WHO is here to help implement the new law and advance road safety however we can.”

With an estimated 1514 road traffic fatalities each year and a fatality rate of 13.6 deaths per 100,000 population, Jordan is slightly below the global average of 15 deaths per 100,000 population. Yet while road deaths are declining, the country faces challenges related to legislation around speed limits, seatbelt use, child restraints, helmet use and impaired driving.

The adoption of the new law follows extensive engagement with WHO, including a series of consultations with countries across the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region that focused on developing laws that address key road user behaviours.

The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023 notes 166 countries report having drink-driving laws, yet only 53 UN Member States meet all three WHO best practice criteria. This requires countries to have a drink-driving law in place, to set blood alcohol concentration at 0.05 grams or below per decilitre for the general population and at 0.02 grams per decilitre or below for novice drivers. Jordan’s new law meets two of the three criteria.

With WHO support, efforts will focus on ensuring the law is effectively implemented, properly enforced and clearly communicated to enforcement authorities and the public. The WHO Drink-Driving Manual for Decision Makers notes that laws must be evidence-based, context-relevant and supported by robust enforcement and public awareness to save lives.

“Jordan’s progress demonstrates what is possible when leadership, evidence and commitment come together. With the new drink-driving law in place, the country is taking meaningful action to protect lives and build a safer future on its roads,” said Dr Iman Shankiti, WHO Representative to Jordan.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to Dutch study looking at sexual function in transgender adults who had had puberty blockers in adolescence and then cross-sex hormones

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

June 18, 2025

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine & Research looks at sexual function of transgender adults who had taken puberty blockers during adolescence.

Prof Kevin McConway, Emeritus Professor of Applied Statistics, Open University, said:

“I should start by saying that I’m no expert in sexual medicine, and certainly not in the sexual problems and issues faced by trans people. It does seem to me, as a non-expert, that much of the information in this new study will be useful to those who do work with trans people on these matters (and to trans people themselves).

“I do, however, have expertise in the design and interpretation of research studies, and because of that I have some doubts about the interpretation of some of the findings, including how they are described in the press release. (The press release does generally match what is said in the research paper.)

“The research paper tells us that, of their group who had been treated with puberty blockers and later with gender-affirming hormones, 58% of the trans men and 50% of the trans women reported at least one sexual dysfunction. 52% of the trans men and 40% of the trans women said they were satisfied with their sex lives. My doubts are mostly about some comparisons within these groups in the study, and particularly about comparisons with other groups that weren’t in the study (trans people who did not have puberty blockers, and cis people).

“The first issue to note is that the number of participants was pretty small for trans men (50 of them) and very small for trans women (just 20). This in itself limits how far the findings can be generalized beyond people attending the clinic where the research was done.

“But how do these rates of sexual dysfunction compare to other groups? Are those percentages large or small? Some comparisons between groups are made in the research paper and reported in the press release, and here I have some doubts.

“Some comparisons are made within the participants in the study. For instance, a quote in the release says, “There was also no difference between people who started puberty blockers early or later in puberty.” That does generally match what the research paper says. However, this was an observational study. In observational studies, there are always doubts about what is causing what. That’s because there will be differences between the groups being compared in terms of other factors, and perhaps the other factors are causing any observed differences in the outcomes. This extends to doubts about whether a lack of difference between people who got puberty blockers at different stages is because the stage of starting the blockers has no real effect – maybe it does have an effect but that is masked by some other factors.

“Typically in this kind of study, the researchers would make statistical adjustments to try to allow for the effects of other factors that differed between subgroups of the participants. But in this study, that could not be done because the number of participants was too small. So there must remain some doubt about whether the puberty stage when puberty blockers began does affect the level of sexual problems later. It might not, or it might.

“However, the researchers make comparison with other groups too, groups on which this study did not itself collect any data. It’s always very awkward to make comparisons between findings from different studies that might use different measurement methods – different questionnaires in this case – and possibly very different populations of participants, where differences in other factors may be very important.

“In the research paper, the researchers make informal comparisons about the level of sexual problems between the people in their own study, who all had puberty blockers and then, later, gender-affirming hormones, with people in a different study who had gender-affirming treatment that started in adulthood, and so had no puberty blockers. They report that the other study (reference 26 in the new paper) found that 54% of sexually active trans men and 69% of sexually active trans women reported at least one sexual difficulty. Those rates are higher than the rates in the new study, but (as the paper points out) there are several differences between the new study and the one used for comparison. But nevertheless the press release says, “The frequency of sexual problems was consistent with previous studies among transgender adults who did not start hormone therapy until adulthood.” Given the small numbers of participants, and the fact that there are reasonably substantial differences between the two studies in terms of sexual difficulties, I think that’s going a bit too far.

“Also, part of a quote in the press release says, “This [the level of satisfaction with their sex lives of the participants in the new study] corresponds to the sexual satisfaction of the cisgender population.” I think that’s going too far as well: The research article quotes rates of sexual dysfunction in cis women in young women in the Netherlands and adult women in the US as 42% and 43% respectively, and in the new study, 50% of the trans women reported at least one sexual dysfunction. (But remember there were only 20 trans women in the new research.) For adult cis men in the US and England, the researchers quote that 31% and 34% reported sexual dysfunction. In the new study, 58% of the trans men reported at least one sexual dysfunction.

“I think the best we can say is that all these percentages are in roughly the same ballpark. But does it make sense to say that they ‘correspond’? How far does it make sense at all to compare data on adults, on average much older than the people in the new study, and to compare recent data (in the new study) with data going back to1998 and 2000 for the UK and US results? And anyway, to what extent might all these figures represent what participants want to tell researchers, rather than what they truly think about their own sex lives?”

Dr Channa Jayasena, Associate Professor in Reproductive Endocrinology, Imperial College London, said:

“Puberty blockers ‘switch off’ a hormone signal from the brain which tells the body to develop male or female adult characteristics. Puberty blockers are approved in many countries to stop puberty in children with gender dysphoria who do not want to go through puberty aligned with their birth sex. In the UK, puberty blockers cannot be given, and a clinical trial is planned to investigate how well they treat symptoms in children with gender dysphoria.

“The current study used questionnaires to investigate rates of sexual problems in patients who had been treated with puberty blockers starting from the ages of 11-18 years. The size and design of the study is like other studies investigating sexual symptoms in patients. The authors found that about half of transgender individuals who were given puberty blockers between ages 11 and 18 years reported sexual satisfaction as adults; the authors state that levels of sexual satisfaction reported in their study were similar to levels of satisfaction reported previously for individuals starting treatment for gender dysphoria as adults. It would have been helpful to have included another group of young people without gender dysphoria, to judge how much gender dysphoria affects sexual satisfaction. In addition, we currently do not know whether puberty blockade alters sexual satisfaction for young people with gender dysphoria if given

‘Sexual satisfaction and dysfunction in transgender adults following puberty suppression treatment during adolescence’ by Isabelle S. van der Meulen et al. was published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine & Research at 01:01 UK time on Wednesday 18 June 2025.

Declared interests

Prof Kevin McConway: “No conflicts.”

Dr Channa Jayasena: “None.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s Statement on Adriana Smith
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Adriana Smith’s Family Was Denied the Right to Make Medical Decisions for Months, After She Was Declared Brain Dead, Due to Georgia Abortion Ban

Pressley Joins Williams, Jacobs in Introducing Resolution Condemning Anti-Abortion Laws that Denied Smith’s Dignity and Human Rights

Adriana’s Son Chance was Delivered via Postmortem Emergency C-Section and Adriana Will be Taken Off Life Support

Resolution Text (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) released the following statement on the tragic case of Adriana Smith, a 30-year-old Georgia mother who was declared brain dead in February and had been kept on artificial life support without her family’s consent. The Georgia hospital where Adriana died indicated that the state’s extreme abortion ban mandated Adriana remain on life support because she was 9 weeks pregnant at the time of her death. On Friday, June 13, 2025, her infant son, named Chance, was born prematurely at approximately 4:41 a.m. via a postmortem emergency Cesarean section. Chance weighs about 1 pound, 13 ounces and is currently in the NICU. Adriana is being taken off life support today.

“Adriana Smith was a beloved daughter, a devoted mother, and a compassionate nurse denied dignity and basic human rights,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. “She and her family were failed by a broken system that ignored her pain and then forced them to endure months of trauma under cruel, dehumanizing laws. These laws stripped Adriana of her dignity and denied her family the right to make deeply personal medical decisions. I hope their experiences compel Congress and the states to finally end cruel abortion bans, end fetal personhood laws, and confront the Black maternal morbidity crisis once and for all. I am proud to join Congresswoman Williams and our colleagues on this resolution to honor Adriana’s life, uplift her family, and recommit ourselves to fighting for reproductive freedom, Black maternal health, the right to abortion care and the bodily autonomy of every person who calls this country home. We join Adriana’s family members in praying for strength for baby Chance and mourning the loss of Adriana.”

In light of this solemn update, Congresswoman Pressley joined Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-51) in introducing a resolution recognizing the deeply disturbing case of Adriana Smith.

The resolution calls for urgent legislative and policy changes to protect the rights, autonomy, and dignity of pregnant people — particularly Black women, who are disproportionately impacted by systemic medical neglect and restrictive anti-abortion laws.

“I extend my sympathies to Adriana Smith’s family as they spend their final moments with Adriana on their terms. Adriana Smith deserved better at every point of this tragedy. Her family, along with baby Chance, remain in my family’s prayers as they navigate life after this unimaginably devastating situation that Georgia’s laws imposed on them. From my service in the State Senate when the LIFE Act was passed in 2019, I know that the bill was drafted in a way that created uncertainty among medical providers and my constituents in Georgia’s 5th District about what is permitted under the law and how the law would be enforced. The clear intention of this was to create a chilling effect on doctors providing essential maternal healthcare services and on patients seeking lifesaving medical treatment. We are now seeing this lack of clarity result in unimaginable cruelty to Adriana Smith and her family,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams.

“My heart breaks for Adriana Smith, her family, and new baby Chance, who had to enter the world this way. Georgia’s fetal personhood law denied Adriana Smith’s family the ability to say goodbye to her on their own terms,” said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. “Instead, she was kept on life support, breathing through machines for nearly four months to serve as an incubator. Women are worth more than their ability to get pregnant and give birth – we are human beings who should be trusted to make our own health care decisions. It’s devastating that Adriana is the latest casualty of our nation’s Black maternal health crisis and anti-abortion laws – but let’s ensure she’s the last. This needs to be the watershed moment to end anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws and guarantee the rights and dignity of everyone to make the best health care decisions for themselves and their families.”

Adriana Smith, a nurse and mother, sought medical care for symptoms, including an extreme headache, in early February but was not given adequate treatment. She returned the next day as her condition worsened and was declared brain dead while nine weeks pregnant on February 19. She has been kept on artificial support until her pregnancy reaches 32 weeks and the fetus can be delivered, meaning her bodily functions will have been supported for more than 5 months. Due to Georgia’s LIFE Act and uncertainty surrounding fetal personhood laws, Emory University Midtown Hospital began maintaining Adriana’s bodily functions without consent from her family.

The resolution urges the government to:
- Repeal state laws that ban or criminalize abortion and abortion-related services;
- Repeal laws that exclude pregnant people from having their advance directives come into effect;
- Clarify how anti-abortion and fetal personhood laws should be interpreted in medical settings;
- Reaffirm and guarantee autonomy and dignity to pregnant people over their lives, well-being, and medical needs.
While Georgia’s Attorney General has stated that nothing in the LIFE Act explicitly mandates keeping a brain-dead patient on life support, the lack of a formal legal opinion or prosecutorial guidance leaves families and doctors in limbo.

Anti-abortion laws deprive people who can become pregnant of their autonomy by prioritizing the life of the fetus over the health, medical decisions, and rights of the pregnant person — a dehumanizing practice that violates their civil rights and reinforces systemic control over their bodies.

Out of fear of criminalization, family separation, or mistreatment like what Adriana Smith is experiencing, many pregnant people avoid healthcare settings even when they desire care, putting their health and the health of their fetus at risk.

The resolution declares that the House of Representatives stands with Adriana Smith’s family in their efforts to return dignity and justice to their family, condemns giving fetuses rights and taking them away from pregnant people in our laws, and condemns the troublingly common experience that Black women face in medical settings of having their pain not given full credence or treatment.

A copy of the resolution text can be found here.

On June 5, Rep. Pressley delivered an impassioned speech on the House floor demanding justice for Adriana Smith and sharing her family’s story. Pressley connected the horrific mistreatment of Adriana Smith to the brutal history of medical violence Black women have faced in America for centuries.

Last month, as Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, Rep. Pressley and Co-Chair Diana DeGette (CO-01) released a statement calling for the state of Georgia and the hospital in question to respect the fundamental rights of Adriana Smith and her family and condemned GOP abortion bans.

###

MIL OSI USA News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: New York ETO promotes biotechnology and academic ties with Boston (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

New York ETO promotes biotechnology and academic ties with Boston
At the June 15 (Boston time) welcome dinner for the Hong Kong delegation at BIO 2025, Ms Ho highlighted Hong Kong’s status as a global hub for biotech innovation and fundraising. She also noted Hong Kong’s strong presence at BIO 2025, showcasing the depth and diversity of the city’s biotechnology sector, including pharmaceuticals, immunotherapies, gene editing, diagnostics and stem cell technologies.

The Hong Kong delegation included representatives from the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation and its delegation of 16 leading biotech portfolio companies, the medical faculties of the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, as well as representatives from the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises, Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. At the Hong Kong Pavilion, they showcased the city’s life and health sciences capabilities, aiming to attract global enterprises, talent, and investment, and reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a global biotech hub.

At the “Hong Kong x Boston Biotech Disrupt Night” on June 16 (Boston time) hosted by Invest Hong Kong, Ms Ho spoke on Hong Kong’s strategic advantages in biotechnology, citing world-class infrastructure, strong intellectual property protection, top-tier universities, and a vibrant start-up ecosystem. She also emphasised government support, funding and initiatives such as InnoLife Healthtech Hub and the New Industrialisation Acceleration Scheme. The event, attended by over 140 biotech industry representatives and investors, also featured a panel discussion featuring Hong Kong and Boston’s biotech leaders where they had an insightful exchange on the potential of Boston biotech companies in leveraging Hong Kong for their Asian market expansion.

“Hong Kong offers a nurturing environment for life sciences—combining policy support, research excellence, and regulatory certainty. As the world’s second-largest fundraising hub for biotech IPOs, we also offer deep access to capital and a highly international talent pool. With our world-class infrastructure, common law system, robust IP protections, and proximity to Mainland China and Asia, we serve as a gateway and global launchpad for biotech companies aiming to scale and internationalise”, she said.

While in Boston, Ms Ho also met with representatives of the academia to explore areas of mutual interests and promoted Hong Kong’s various talent admission schemes and the city’s commitment to become an international education and research hub. Her meetings included discussions with Visiting Fellow of Practice at Harvard University’s Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies Mr Mitchell Presnick; and representatives from the University of Massachusetts Boston, including the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Mr Joseph B. Berger; the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Ms Karen Ferrer-Muñiz; and the Vice Provost of Research and Strategic Initiatives, Mr Bala Sundaram. She also attended a reception hosted by the Mayor of Boston Ms Michelle Wu for key international biotech leaders and stakeholders.
Issued at HKT 7:40

NNNN

CategoriesMIL-OSI

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Innovative Welsh exporter puts Britain at the forefront of global immunisation efforts
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Innovative Welsh exporter puts Britain at the forefront of global immunisation efforts

UK Export Finance supports renewable energy tech company Dulas to deliver life-saving vaccine refrigerators to over 80 countries worldwide.
Government backing helps secure British manufacturing jobs and strengthen UK’s position in global health innovation

A Welsh renewable energy company is helping to protect millions of people against preventable diseases in developing countries with backing from UK Export Finance (UKEF) – the government’s export credit agency – and HSBC UK.

The Machynlleth-based company developed the world’s first mass-produced solar-powered vaccine refrigerator in 1982. Since then, its pioneering technology has supported vital immunisation efforts for some of the hardest-to-reach communities in over 80 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

In 2022, following the challenges of the Covid pandemic, Dulas approached Stephen Wilson, UKEF’s Export Finance Manager for Wales. Through Wilson’s assistance, HSBC UK provided a £600,000 finance package backed by UKEF’s General Export Facility (GEF). This finance enabled the Welsh company to future-proof its operations and maintain consistent production capabilities.

Since that first financial package, the successful partnership between Dulas, UKEF and HSBC UK has been reviewed and renewed annually, with new facilities for £600,000 in 2023 and £800,000 in 2024. This has enabled the company to provide critical equipment to even more immunisation programmes across the world.

The company has grown to employ around 100 staff at its headquarters in Mid Wales, its branch office in Inverness (Scotland) and its manufacturing facility in Bognor Regis (West Sussex).

Gareth Thomas, Minister for Exports, said:

We’re committed to removing barriers to trade and helping more businesses of all sizes across the country reach new overseas markets.

I’m delighted to see Dulas expanding production of their world-leading technology thanks to government support.

Jo Stephens, Secretary of State for Wales, said:

Dulas is a fantastic success story and demonstrates how Welsh expertise can lead to a brilliant UK-wide and global operation.

I’m delighted to see UK Export Finance supporting a Welsh business that is not only driving our economy forward but also contributing to international goals in health and renewable energy.

As the only UK manufacturer of vaccine fridges certified with the World Health Organisation’s Performance, Quality and Safety standard (PQS), Dulas’s cold chain products can be confidently deployed by UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations across programmes worldwide. Research and development support from the Welsh Government has helped Dulas to enhance its product portfolio and meet the stringent PQS accreditation.

Tim Reid, CEO at UK Export Finance, said:

Dulas exemplifies the best of British innovation – combining renewable energy expertise with life-saving healthcare technology.

Their story provides a fantastic example how UK Export Finance can help our businesses supply vital equipment across the globe, while supporting quality manufacturing jobs at home.

Ruth Chapman, Executive Managing Director at Dulas, said:

The GEF facility has been an invaluable tool for our export business, supporting us to manage our business in a challenging, but very rewarding, sector.

We are very proud to manufacture our products within the UK and to contribute towards global efforts to eradicate common childhood illnesses, and international humanitarian efforts.

Orders for Dulas’s vaccine fridges often follow unpredictable situations such as conflict or natural disasters. Although buyers may request a high number of units – ranging last year between 100 to 300 per order – the frequency of orders can fluctuate significantly. UKEF’s support has enabled Dulas to smooth out the peaks and troughs between production and demand, ensuring cash flow and consistent factory operations.

Lyndsey Connor, Relationship Director, Corporate Banking at HSBC UK, said:

At HSBC UK, we’re committed to supporting innovative businesses as they expand into global markets. Dulas exemplifies the type of forward-thinking company that drives sustainable economic growth and creates skilled jobs in Wales and elsewhere in the UK.

Working alongside UKEF, we’ve been able to provide a financing solution that addresses Dulas’ unique business cycle challenges.

Contact

Media enquiries:

Email newsdesk@ukexportfinance.gov.uk

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Published 18 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Carter Introduces Resolution Congratulating St. Joesph’s Hospital in Savannah for 150 years of Service

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter Introduces Resolution Congratulating St. Joesph’s Hospital in Savannah for 150 years of Service

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter introduced a resolution celebrating the 150^th Anniversary of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah, Georgia.

In 1997, St. Joseph’s began its joint affiliation with Candler Hospital, forming the largest and most experienced health care provider in Southeast Georgia.

“Since 1875, the fantastic staff of St. Joseph’s Hospital have served the people of Georgia’s First Congressional District faithfully. They have worked tirelessly to save lives and keep our friends and neighbors healthy. We are so grateful for their 150 years of resolute service to our district and excited for the many years to come,” said Rep. Carter.

“Throughout St. Joseph’s Hospital’s history, we have been blessed with steadfast support from our community leaders. That support continues today, and we are grateful for this recognition from Congressman Carter, celebrating our 150th anniversary of serving the healthcare needs of southeast Georgia,” said Paul P. Hinchey, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s/Candler.

Read the full resolution here.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Update 5: Alberta wildfire update (June 17, 3 p.m.)
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
Current situation (as of 3 p.m., June 17)
- There are 57 wildfires currently burning across Alberta in the Forest Protection Area, and three mutual aid fires.
  
  22 are classified as out of control, nine are being held and 26 are under control.
  
  There have been nine new wildfires since yesterday.
- Since Jan. 1, there have been 567 wildfires in the Forest Protection Area, burning more than 660,000 hectares.
- More than 1,500 Alberta firefighters, contract firefighters and imported firefighters are currently battling wildfires across the province.
- Resources currently being used include heavy equipment, air tankers, helicopters and night vision helicopters.
- Alberta has imported firefighters and aircraft from Yukon, British Columbia, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Australia, Washington State, Oregon, Idaho, Hawaii and the United States Forest Service.
- Information about wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.
Orders and alerts
- Updates on evacuation orders are available on www.alberta.ca/emergency.
- On June 17, Dene Tha’ First Nation lifted its evacuation order for the community of Chateh, allowing all residents to return home. Residents of Chateh must remain prepared to evacuate again if conditions change.
- On June 16, the Town of Swan Hills lifted its evacuation alert.
- On June 13, the County of Grande Prairie No. 1 lifted its evacuation order, allowing all residents to return home. An evacuation alert remains in place for everyone north of Township Road 710 to 740, east of the provincial border with British Columbia to Range Road 132.
- On June 13, Saddle Hills County updated its evacuation order, which now includes everyone located between Township Road 794 and Highway 680 (Township Road 802), and Range Road 95 and Highway 725, as well as the Crown Land north of Township Road 800 and south of the Blueberry Mountain Grazing Reserve. The surrounding areas remain on evacuation alert.
- On June 13, Lac La Biche County lifted its evacuation alert for southern Winefred Lake and Grist Lake.
- The Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council’s evacuation orders for Loon Lake 235, Peerless Lake and Trout Lake remain in effect.
  
  Registration centre at 10451 170 Street, Edmonton.
- The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation order for Red Earth Creek remains in effect.
  
  Reception centre at the Baytex Energy Centre, 9810 73 Avenue, Peace River.
- The Municipal District of Opportunity No. 17’s evacuation order for Chipewyan Lake also remains in effect.
  
  Reception centre at Lakeview Sports Centre, 102 Opportunity Drive, Wabasca-Desmarais.
- Residents of the following additional areas must also remain prepared to evacuate if necessary:
  
  Hamlet of Marten Beach – Municipal District of Slave River
  
  Hawk Hills area – County of Northern Lights
- Alberta Emergency Alerts are issued by local authorities and are updated at their discretion. For the best source of information on the status of evacuation orders and alerts, residents are encouraged to follow their local authorities’ preferred communication channels for updates.
- People living in Alberta are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.
Fire bans
- A fire ban is in effect for the High Level Forest Area as well as parts of the Fort McMurray and Calgary forest areas.
- Under this ban, all outdoor wood fires, barbecue charcoal briquettes, fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited, and existing fire permits are suspended.
- Please confirm advisories, restrictions or bans for your area at alberta.ca/fire-bans.
- Fire bans outside the Forest Protection Area are the responsibility of municipalities and counties.
- Everyone has a role to play in wildfire prevention. Follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts. If you see smoke or flames in the forest, call 310-FIRE to report it.
- Applying FireSmart principles to homes and property can mitigate the risk of wildfire damage. Removing flammable materials and vegetation around the property and preventing embers from accumulating can help protect your home from wildfires. To learn more, visit FireSmart Alberta.
Air quality
- Visit Wildfire Smoke Information for air quality monitoring information to make informed decisions about outdoor activities to protect your health. While wildfire smoke is affecting air quality in parts of Alberta, the presence of smoke does not necessarily mean there is fire near your community. Find information about the status of active wildfires and wildfire updates at Alberta Wildfire.
Roads and highways
- Highway 686 between Red Earth Creek and Trout Lake is currently closed due to a wildfire.
- Highway 671/Kelly Lake Road at the Alberta/British Columbia border to Range Road 130, southwest of Hythe, is now open.
- 511 Alberta is the best source of real time information as conditions change on our highways. Follow on X (formerly known as Twitter) @511alberta.
- Alberta highways that are affected by the wildfires will open and close frequently depending on safety and weather conditions. Be patient and respect the staff at the closure/detour sites – they are there with your safety in mind.
Health
- As of June 16, following the end of the community’s four-hour evacuation order, Alberta Health Services is actively working to restore acute care services at Swan Hills Healthcare Centre.
- For information about wildfire resources, including mental health, visit Wildfire Resources | Alberta Health Services.
Education
- Six schools are currently closed in response to community evacuations:
  
  Dene Tha’ Community School, in Chateh
  
  Kateri School, in Trout Lake
  
  Elizabeth Quintal School, in Peerless Lake
  
  Clarence Jaycox School, in Loon Lake
  
  Red Earth Creek School, in Red Earth Creek
  
  Chipewyan Lake School, in Chipewyan Lake
- Swan Hills School, in Swan Hills, reopened on Monday, June 9.
- Parents and guardians should reach out to local school authorities for the most current information on impacts to schooling.
- All impacted school authorities had plans in place to ensure displaced students have access to educational programming.
Child care
- One child-care centre is currently closed in response to community evacuations:
  
  Opportunity Childcare, in Red Earth Creek
- Licensed child-care programs are required to notify Child Care Connect if they close unexpectedly.
- Parents and guardians should reach out to their child-care provider for information on closures.
Justice and Court Services
- The Chateh and Red Earth Creek courthouses are closed until further notice due to evacuations. Visit the Alberta Courts website for the most current information regarding court scheduling.
Related information
- Active emergency updates
- Alberta Emergency Alerts
- Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts app
- Download the Alberta Wildfire app
- How to prepare for an emergency
- Wildfire smoke information
- Emergency evacuation payments
- Free admission to provincial museums and historic sites
MIL OSI Canada News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Historic Investment at SUNY Downstate Hospital
Source: US State of New York

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SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “Governor Hochul is making a historic investment in SUNY Downstate and Central Brooklyn, which will create a state-of-the-art, modern teaching hospital for generations of Brooklynites. This more than $1 billion investment, as part of a reasonable, scalable, and fiscally responsible plan, will ensure SUNY Downstate’s hospital moves forward and maintains all essential inpatient and outpatient services, as it expands to continue serving the needs of the community.”

The advisory board’s task was to consider recommendations to establish a reasonable, scalable and fiscally responsible plan for the financial health, viability, and sustainability of SUNY Downstate within a range of available funds. Over the course of their deliberations, the advisory board:
- Held four public hearings (one more than statutorily required) on January 22, February 27, March 13, and April 28, with two in Community Board #9 and two in Community Board #17
- Met with numerous community stakeholders including the SUNY Downstate Medical School Department Chairs, the Brooklyn for Downstate advocacy group (twice), the leadership at SUNY Downstate, and other regional health care providers
- Carefully reviewed analysis of the community health needs (including the Brooklyn for Downstate data needs analysis and recommendations for the future of SUNY Downstate, the Community Health Needs Assessment 2022 prepared by the NYC Health & Hospitals, and the New York State Department of Health’s Study of Healthcare System Inequities and Perinatal Access in Brooklyn report), Downstate Hospital’s financials, and the condition of Downstate Hospital’s physical plant
- Engaged a team of consultants to provide expert analysis, infrastructure assessment, financial modeling, architectural and engineering scenarios, and coordination to independently assess the reasonableness of the financial modeling and identify options to reduce the ongoing operating deficit.
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University President Dr. Wayne J. Riley said, “This plan represents an extraordinary investment in SUNY Downstate’s teaching hospital–University Hospital at Downstate–and a brighter future for our patients, students, faculty, and staff. I thank Governor Hochul, the Brooklyn legislative delegation, the SUNY Board of Trustees, Chancellor King, the faculty and staff of SUNY Downstate, and the faith leaders, labor organizations, and other community stakeholders who have worked together to envision a strong and achievable future for SUNY Downstate.”

The SUNY Board of Trustees said, “Governor Hochul has committed significant resources to ensure that SUNY Downstate can do more for the health and wellbeing of the Brooklyn community. We are grateful to the Governor, the Downstate Community Advisory Board, including SUNY Chancellor John King, as well as to Senior Vice Chancellor for Health and Hospital Affairs Valerie Grey, and all those who provided comments during this comprehensive review.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James V. McDonald said, “This historic investment will transform the landscape of accessible, affordable health care services at SUNY Downstate Hospital for years to come. As a vital community hospital, SUNY Downstate has consistently led efforts to address health disparities and emerging health care needs of the New Yorkers it serves. With Governor Hochul’s investment and the support and collaboration of SUNY and the community, this investment will bring about sustainable improvements that will modernize the facility, ensuring the hospital has the capacity to deliver quality health care for years to come.”

SUNY Downstate Chair of the Department of Community and Family Health Dr. Enitza George, M.D., MBA, MSAI. said, “After six months of working with the DCAB members, I believe these recommendations truly reflect our commitment to listening to the community. We carefully considered what’s needed and balanced it with what’s possible given the current funding. I’m genuinely excited about what’s next—for Brooklyn as a whole and for Downstate in particular.”
“Every New Yorker deserves access to innovative, high-quality care. This historic $1 billion investment into SUNY Downstate’s hospital will contribute to modernization and infrastructure efforts that will lead to a brighter future for this community.”

Governor Kathy Hochul

SUNY Downstate Community Advisory Board Member Pastor Louis Hilton Straker Jr. said, “Reinvesting in Downstate will not only mean improved care, it will also mean a sense of safety and dignity for Central Brooklynites. Over the last year, we’ve seen how different voices and perspectives can enter a room and come together to deliver for our communities. Let Downstate serve as a sign of hope on what we can do when New Yorkers stand by each other and insist on solutions.”

SUNY Downstate Community Advisory Board Member Dr. Lesly Kernisant said, “In my decades of caring for Brooklyn patients, a simple fact is clear: modern facilities and comprehensive services lead to improved care. This investment in SUNY Downstate’s future–which includes vital support for maternal health care–marks an important moment in the collective effort to reduce health disparities and secure a better future for our community.”

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “Securing this historic $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate is a major victory for Brooklyn. It preserves critical services, modernizes the hospital, and reaffirms our commitment to equitable, high-quality care. SUNY Downstate is not only a vital healthcare provider, but a lifeline and anchor in Brooklyn. I’m proud that the Senate Majority worked closely with Governor Hochul to deliver the funding needed to fully revitalize this essential institution, and I applaud Senator Myrie and all my Brooklyn colleagues whose tireless advocacy made this moment possible.”

Senator Kevin Parker said, “This historic investment demonstrates the impact of government that truly listens to the people it serves. SUNY Downstate’s inpatient and outpatient services are not just critical—they are life-saving resources for thousands of Brooklyn residents. Preserving these essential programs while committing to their modernization and expansion is a bold affirmation of our community’s right to accessible, high-quality care. It reflects a deep and overdue investment in the health, dignity, and future of Central Brooklyn. I applaud Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, and the entire Brooklyn delegation for their leadership in securing this transformative win.”

Senator Roxanne J. Persaud said, “This historic investment in SUNY Downstate is not only a commitment to health equity but a powerful example of what happens when government truly listens to the community,” said Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership and the tireless work of the Community Advisory Board, we now have a fiscally responsible plan to modernize Downstate Hospital and ensure it remains a pillar of care, education, and opportunity in Central Brooklyn for generations to come.”

Senator Zellnor Myrie said, “Last year, Central Brooklyn fought back against a proposal that would have closed SUNY Downstate and sent its patients elsewhere for care. Instead, we secured a commitment to invest in Downstate’s future, modernizing its facilities and preserving its services. I am grateful to the Advisory Board members for their work, to the community for demanding world-class healthcare, and to the Governor and SUNY Chancellor for committing to implement these recommendations. Downstate has been there for Central Brooklyn in our hour of need, and we will always work to protect and strengthen Downstate.”

Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “For decades, marginalized communities have been forced to accept crumbling infrastructure and underfunded care. This $1 Billion investment in SUNY Downstate is a people-powered win, driven by community voices, labor, and public health advocates fighting for what we deserve: high-quality, publicly funded care that puts patients and workers first. Thank you to the Governor for her work with the Advisory Board and her commitment to increasing funding for healthcare access with our state legislature. We look forward to seeing shovels in the ground.”

Assemblymember Maritza Davila said, “I commend Governor Hochul for this historic $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate Hospital. This commitment ensures that Brooklyn retains access to critical inpatient and outpatient services while advancing health equity through long-overdue infrastructure upgrades. As teaching hospital that provides staffing for hospitals all over Brooklyn and beyond, it is vital to keep SUNY Downstate as a full-service hospital.”

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Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn said, “SUNY Downstate was founded 165 years ago, and served as a vital healthcare institution and safety-net hospital, helping over 300,000 Brooklynites annually, regardless of their ability to pay. In recent years, our borough’s only academic medical center kept trying to provide innovative, high-quality-care for all, while its 19th century infrastructure crumbled; putting the Downstate Hospital in serious peril; while leaving our most vulnerable constituents with next-to-nothing for healthcare. Gov. Hochul took decisive action, when other leaders swept this problem under the rug, and worked with the Brooklyn Delegation and our communities to deliver a one billion-dollar solution ensuring a bright future for SUNY Downstate and the Brooklynites who depend on it. Thank you to the Advisory Board for providing a blueprint to revitalize SUNY Downstate into a world-class, state-of-the-art health center that will truly save the lives of Brooklynites today and for decades to come.”

Assemblymember Jo Ann Simon said, “The historic $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate ensures what the community has long fought for: a full-service state hospital that meets the needs of the people it serves. I’m proud that community leaders, along with the Downstate Advisory Board and Governor Hochul, shaped a plan that centers around patient care, preserves vital services, and invests in health equity. This is a critical step forward, and we will continue working to ensure that the voices of patients, workers, and neighbors remain at the forefront.”

Assemblymember Latrice Walker said, “The release of the Downstate Community Advisory Board’s proposal for the reinvestment of more than $1 billion is a victory for the entire Central Brooklyn community, including the constituents of my district who rely on SUNY Downstate Hospital. I’d like to thank all the people who have fought so hard to get us to this point. That includes advocates, lawmakers, union leaders, and members of the faith and medical communities. And, of course, we would not be at this critical juncture without the leadership of Gov. Kathy Hochul and SUNY Chancellor John King. The proposal, which follows months of community input, retains kidney transplant and maternity services – which are priorities for my community, as we battle high rates of diabetes and fight for better Black maternal health outcomes. I look forward to the modernization of the emergency department, infrastructure upgrades and many other improvements stemming from the proposal. We have collectively struck a decisive blow in the ongoing effort to combat health disparities in Brooklyn communities of color. The quality of one’s care should not be determined by zip code.”

Assemblymember Jamie Williams said, “I’m glad to see the governor securing an additional $1 billion for SUNY Downstate’s Hospital. This critical investment will allow for much-needed infrastructure repairs and upgrades, and support for the wide variety of programs SUNY Downstate offers patients throughout New York City. I applaud the governor and look forward to seeing the benefits this investment in our healthcare system will have on our communities.”

Assemblymember Robert Carroll said, “I was proud to join my colleagues in voting to invest in SUNY Downstate in the State’s budget and commend Governor Hochul for the commitment of $1 billion in total as recommended by the SUNY Downstate Advisory Board. With this investment we are ensuring the modernization and sustainability of this institution, which is vital to the health and wellbeing of Brooklyn’s diverse communities and an important center for medical education and research.”

Assemblymember Stefani Zinerman said, “This $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate will help close longstanding health equity gaps, preserve critical medical services, and strengthen a trusted institution that trains the next generation of healthcare professionals,” said Assemblymember Stefani L. Zinerman (56th District). “Central Brooklyn owes a debt of gratitude to the unions, healthcare workers, clergy, and community leaders who fought tirelessly for a plan that will serve our families for generations to come.”

Assemblymember Brian Cunningham said, “This is what it looks like when government shows up for neighborhoods too often left behind. This $1 billion reinvestment in SUNY Downstate reflects the power of advocacy, partnership, and persistence. I am proud to have stood alongside Governor Hochul and the community to help deliver the resources this hospital has needed for far too long.”

Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman said, “For decades, SUNY Downstate’s University Hospital has served as a lifeline—providing critical care, training for our next generation of healthcare professionals, and anchoring the wellbeing of communities that have historically been underserved, but this historic investment will shift the trajectory for healthcare in our state, in unprecedented ways. With this investment, we are making a bold commitment in people and in the future of our public health system, while providing access that transcends zipcodes. Thank you to Governor Hochul for working with us to secure an allocation of over $1 billion to support significant infrastructure improvements and the overall modernization of this institution that we have advocated for, for much time.

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis said, “I wholeheartedly applaud Governor Hochul for this historic and transformative $1 billion investment in SUNY Downstate Medical Center—a bold commitment that demonstrates extraordinary leadership and responsiveness to the urgent needs of Central Brooklyn residents. Knowing that this funding will restore full inpatient and outpatient care over 200 beds is a massive achievement in our fight to save this institution. As our community continues to advocate for a transformative and responsive investment, I am proud that our concerns were heard to bring modernized facilities and high-quality services to the working-class families of Central Brooklyn. Governor Hochul listened to the needs of our neighborhoods and I look forward to the strengthening of this essential institution.”

New York City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse said, “This $1 billion investment and the restoration of 225 beds are crucial steps in ensuring Downstate stays open and continues to serve our community. I am deeply grateful to Governor Hochul for her leadership and unwavering commitment to preserving this essential healthcare institution in Central Brooklyn. By implementing the majority of the Downstate Community Advisory Board’s recommendations, we are listening to those who know best and ensuring a brighter, healthier future for all who rely on Downstate.”

Bishop Orlando Findlayter said, “We’ve seen private hospitals across the city close or limit services in recent years, which has been a rising threat to the healthcare of New Yorkers in underserved communities. But thanks to leadership from the Governor and our local community, Downstate will ensure the long-term commitment of all existing inpatient and outpatient services, and will serve as a beacon of care and community.”

To review the Executive Summary Slides click here. For more information please visit downstateadvisoryboard.org/.

MIL OSI USA News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: We tracked Aussie teens’ mental health. The news isn’t good – and problems are worse for girls
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scarlett Smout, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use and Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank, University of Sydney

skynesher/Getty Images

We know young people in Australia and worldwide are experiencing growing mental health challenges.

The most recent national survey from the Australian Bureau of Statistics found nearly two in five (38.8%) 16- to 24-year-olds experienced symptoms of a mental disorder in the previous 12 months.

This was substantially higher than the last time the survey was run in 2007, when the figure was 26%.

We’ve published a new study today looking at the rates of mental health problems among Australian high school students specifically. We found almost one in four high school students report mental health problems by Year 10 – and things are worse for girls and gender-diverse teens.

Tracking teens’ mental health

In our study, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, we looked at mental health symptoms in more than 6,500 Australian teens, and how these symptoms changed over time.

We surveyed high school students from 71 schools annually from Year 7 (age 12/13) to Year 10 (age 15/16). Our sample, while not nationally representative, includes a large cross-section of schools in New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.

We found symptoms of mental health problems increased steadily over time:
- in Year 7, 17% of students we surveyed reported symptoms which met the criteria for probable depression, increasing to 28% by Year 10
- some 14% of students reported high psychological distress in Year 7, rising to 24% in Year 10
- the proportion reporting moderate-to-severe anxiety grew from 16% in Year 7 to 24% by Year 10.
Which teens were hardest hit?

We looked at how mental health symptoms over time were linked to different social factors, such as gender, cultural background and family affluence. We also looked at school factors, such as how advantaged a student’s school is.

We found clear differences in mental health by gender, affluence, and school advantage. Girls and gender diverse teens had higher symptoms in Year 7 and a steeper rise in symptoms over the four years, when compared to their male peers.

By Year 10, compared to males, females had average symptom scores that were 88% higher for depression, 34% higher for anxiety, and 55% higher for psychological distress (in models that adjusted for other factors).

Again compared to males and in adjusted models, gender diverse teens had symptom scores at Year 10 that were 121% higher for depression, 55% higher for anxiety, and 89% higher for psychological distress.

Teens from the least affluent families had 7% higher depressive symptoms than those from the most affluent families in adjusted models, while teens attending the least advantaged schools had 9% higher anxiety symptoms than teens attending the most advantaged schools.

We then examined how gender and affluence interacted to influence mental health. Girls in the lowest affluence group experienced heightened anxiety and depressive symptoms over and above the effects of affluence or gender alone.

This shows how multiple factors can stack up, creating greater risk of poor mental health for certain young people.

Gender-diverse teens were more likely to have poor mental health in our study.
SeventyFour/Shutterstock

While we were able to explore a wide range of factors, a limitation of our study was that we could not examine all social factors that may impact mental health. For example, we couldn’t ascertain the potential differences experienced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander teens or those living in remote and very remote areas.

How does this data compare to other studies?

Recent Australian data from similar-aged adolescents is scarce. However, the 2015 Young Minds Matter study found 14.4% of 12- to 17-year-olds experienced a mental disorder in the prior 12 months.

The higher rates of mental health challenges we observed in our study are likely consistent with recent evidence suggesting “cohort effects” – where each generation has worse mental health than the one before it. Research is still investigating the reasons behind these trends, with avenues of inquiry spanning everything from social media to climate change. But it appears no single factor is to blame.

The COVID pandemic has also played a role, with young people seeming to be hit particularly hard by mental health impacts of the pandemic.

Notably, the gender differences between girls and boys are supported by data from global studies, showing this is not a uniquely Australian phenomenon.

What can we do about the gender divide in mental health?

With a mental health-care system stretched beyond capacity, it’s crucial we prevent and address mental health problems early. While this requires a multilayered approach, aiming to reduce these gender inequities in mental health is an important place to start.

While outside the scope of this study, a growing field of research is interrogating why there are gender differences in mental health. Factors identified include:
- experiences of gender-based violence
- gender differences in lifestyle behaviours (for example, diet, physical activity and screen time)
- gendered norms that place pressure on girls to meet unrealistic gender standards
- gender differences in family and social relationships
- biological differences related to hormones and menstruation.
These areas indicate avenues for potential solutions, but addressing these factors requires wraparound investment.

Promisingly, many of these factors are mentioned in the National Women’s Health Strategy. With women’s health a central platform for the Albanese government’s election campaign, hopefully we will see more investment in research and policy to address these issues.

Importantly, our study found gender inequities in mental health were even more stark for gender diverse teens, so focus should not solely be on girls and women.

We must design solutions with young people

Adolescent mental health isn’t something we can tackle with a one-size-fits-all approach. We need strategies that are meaningfully co-designed with young people themselves. Initiatives can then be tailored to meet their unique needs and reflect their diverse experiences.

When we work directly with priority groups, such as girls, gender diverse teens and those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage, we can offer safe, culturally appropriate and affirming solutions. This helps teens feel seen, heard and supported – all key ingredients for better mental health.

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800.

Scarlett Smout receives funding from the BHP Foundation and provides academic support for Australia’s Mental Health Think Tank.

Katrina Champion receives funding from the Medical Research Future Fund and via University of Sydney Horizon Fellowship.

– ref. We tracked Aussie teens’ mental health. The news isn’t good – and problems are worse for girls – https://theconversation.com/we-tracked-aussie-teens-mental-health-the-news-isnt-good-and-problems-are-worse-for-girls-259044
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Data shows mental health access improving

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed the latest quarterly results for the Government’s mental health and addiction targets, saying the access targets reflect real progress in delivering faster, more accessible support to New Zealanders.
“I’m pleased to see that at a national level, 84.3 per cent of people are accessing primary mental health and addiction services within one week, well above the 80 per cent target and well above the quarter one result of 80.8 per cent,”Mr Doocey says.
“In addition, 82.4 per cent of people are being seen by specialist services within three weeks of referral, also exceeding expectations and two per cent higher than the quarter one result.”
While the positive national trends in access are encouraging, the Minister acknowledged that performance remains uneven across regions and emphasised the need to lift results in underperforming districts.
“I have been meeting with Health NZ’s Regional Deputy Chief Executives to understand the challenges and plans to lift performance.
“In particular, performance on reducing emergency department (ED) stays for mental health related presentations remains a challenge. The national result rose to 66.1 per cent in quarter three, up from 63.5 per cent in quarter one.”
This average result falls short of the 74 per cent milestone for the Shorter Stays in ED target, twelve of the twenty districts have reached it in quarter three.
“We know that EDs aren’t always the best place to seek mental health support for a number of reasons, but every year thousands of Kiwis turn up at EDs look for mental health support. That is why we are investing in peers support specialists in eight large hospitals over two years. We are also opening 6 new crisis cafes and boosting telehealth and our community services,” Mr Doocey says.
“These results show we’re making good progress, but we’re not there yet. This Government is committed to partnering with those working on the frontline to ensure they have the support they need to support others in when they need it.
“As New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, I have consistently said that accountability is vital and that we will continue to take a proactive approach to improving access and providing timely mental health and addiction support when and where it’s needed.”
Note to editors:

Factsheets for quarter three results can be found here.
Faster access to specialist mental health and addiction services: target of 80 percent of people accessing specialist mental health and addiction services are seen within three weeks.

82.4 percent of people were seen by specialist mental health service within three weeks in quarter 3, compared with 80.4 percent in quarter 1.

Faster access to primary mental health and addiction services: target of 80 percent of people accessing primary mental health and addiction services through the Access and Choice programme are seen within one week.

84.3 per cent of people were seen by primary mental health service within one week in quarter 3, compared with 80.8 percent in quarter 1.

Shorter mental health and addiction-related stays in emergency departments: target of 95 percent of mental health and addiction-related emergency department presentations are admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours.

66.1 per cent of people were admitted, discharged, or transferred from an emergency department within six hours in quarter 3, compared with 63.5 percent in quarter 1.

Increased mental health and addiction workforce development: target of training 500 mental health and addiction professionals each year.

Increased mental health and addiction workforce development – 349 (This number includes semester one intake only)

Strengthened focus on prevention and early intervention: target of 25 percent of mental health and addiction investment is allocated towards prevention and early intervention.
24.4% of investment allocated towards prevention and early intervention

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Democrats Defend NIH Grants Against Trump Administration’s Unlawful Termination

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

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Litigation and Response Task Force led 152 House Democrats in filing an amicus brief challenging the Trump Administration’s illegal and devastating cuts to life-saving medical research grants at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The brief defends Congress’s Article I authority to appropriate federal funds and speaks up for every American who relies on crucial life-saving biomedical and public health research conducted at universities, medical schools, research hospitals, and other scientific institutions across the country.

House Democrats’ amicus brief was filed in the consolidated cases Commonwealth of Massachusetts v. NIH, Association of American Medical Colleges v. NIH, and Association of American Universities v. Department of Health and Human Services, all currently before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. These cases challenge the Trump Administration’s unlawful and unconstitutional efforts to reduce indirect cost reimbursements for projects funded by the NIH.

In early February, the Trump Administration arbitrarily slashed the NIH reimbursement rate for indirect research costs. Without fair reimbursement for indirect costs, more than 300,000 scientists and researchers at 2,500 institutions that receive NIH funding will face devastating impacts, and Americans could be left without access to lifesaving and life-extending treatments. The ramifications would also ripple through global collaboration and the development of our future scientific leadership and workforce, limiting our ability to enhance health and reduce illness and disability in the future.

The full brief is available HERE.

The effort was led by Task Force Co-Chair Joe Neguse and Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Ranking Members of the Appropriations and Energy and Commerce Committees, Representatives Rosa DeLauro and Frank Pallone.

See what they had to say below:

“The unconstitutional decision by the Trump administration to gut the NIH should shock the conscience. Donald Trump and Elon Musk are illegally destroying our public health infrastructure and canceling research programs—including pediatric cancer research—in order to hand massive tax breaks to billionaires,” said Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “Congress appropriated these funds and only Congress has the power to claw them back. House Democrats will continue to push back on this blatant disregard of science and the Constitution, and I thank Reps. Neguse, Raskin, DeLauro and Pallone and the Rapid Response Task Force and Litigation Working Group for their leadership.”

“The Trump Administration’s reckless and illegal cuts to NIH grants, funded through congressionally appropriated dollars, not only violate Congress’s Article I powers, but also represent an affront to Americans across the country who are left reeling without access to lifesaving and life-extending treatments. This directive has upended critical medical research at our nation’s leading labs, hospitals, research centers, and scientific institutions—and has immediate consequences, including canceled clinical trials and patients losing access to treatments,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse. “In filing this brief, House Democrats are pushing back against the harm being inflicted on everyday Americans and reinforcing the constitutional authority of Congress.”

“Trump’s latest attack on science is dangerous, cruel, and unconstitutional,” said Ranking Member Jamie Raskin. “By slashing NIH grant funding appropriated by Congress, the Trump Administration is jeopardizing lifesaving research conducted by scientists across the country and all the patients who depend on it. He’s also trampling Congress’s clear constitutional authority over federal spending. As president, Trump’s job is to faithfully execute the laws enacted by Congress, not rewrite them and not impound them. Therefore, NIH funds must be delivered exactly as directed by Congress. I’m proud to join my colleagues in defending both the Constitution and the future of essential American biomedical progress.”

“Once again, President Trump and OMB Director Russ Vought are acting in direct violation of the law. In this case, they are causing irreparable damage to ongoing research to develop cures and treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, ALS, Diabetes, Mental Health disorders, opioid abuse, genetic diseases, rare diseases, and other diseases and conditions affecting American families. The Trump Administration is stealing critical funds promised to scientific research institutions funded by the NIH, despite an explicit legal prohibition against this action. By taking an axe to our efforts to find cures to diseases and disorders that are tearing apart families across the country, President Trump and Russ Vought are risking lives and putting the United States on a path to decline,” said Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro.

“The Trump Administration’s NIH grant funding cuts are not only illegal, they’re also incredibly harmful to the American people,” said Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. “Stealing these funds that support research will further interrupt clinical trials and patient care, delay medical research for new cures and treatments, and undermine America’s scientific research institutions. Democrats are fighting to ensure this critical funding is restored and to protect Americans’ access to lifesaving treatment and innovations.”

Background on the Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force:

The Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force first took the unprecedented step of filing a trial court amicus brief to defend American consumers from predatory lenders and bad actors. They were successful in this case after a federal judge blocked efforts to dismantle the CFPB, citing the group’s argument multiple times throughout the 112-page ruling. The Task Force was also able to effectively prevent the Trump Administration from dismantling the Department of Education, filing another such brief that led to a federal court demanding the immediate rehiring of unlawfully terminated staff. House Democrats have so far filed nine amicus briefs in cases against Administration lawlessness.

For more information on House Democrats efforts to protect Americans against the unlawful actions of the Trump Administration, visit litigationandresponse.house.gov.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Slams Republican Attempt to Ban Abortion Nationwide, Defund Basic Health Care in Big Ugly Betrayal Bill

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

***VIDEO OF SENATOR MURRAY’S REMARKS HERE***

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, delivered the following remarks at a press conference on Republicans’ efforts to ban abortion nationwide as part of their One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which they are pushing through Congress via the budget reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority to pass in each Chamber.

In addition to kicking 16 million people off their health insurance through massive cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the legislation also seeks to make abortion care impossible to access everywhere by defunding Planned Parenthood—which would threaten the closure of 200 health centers across the country and rip away care from 1.1 million patients—and by banning ACA marketplace health plans from covering abortion services.

Senator Murray’s full remarks are below and HERE:

“Well, you know there is a lot to be mad about in Republicans’ big, ugly, betrayal, and I want to make sure one hugely important issue does not get missed.

“Because I’ve come to know by now there is not a day that ends in Y, where Republicans are nottrying to ban abortion here in Congress. Republicans just can’t help themselves! If they can find a way to attack abortion care—they do it.

“And wouldn’t you know it? They snuck what essentially amounts to a backdoor abortion ban into the health provisions of this big, ugly, betrayal. That’s right, not only does this Republican monstrosity of a bill make health care more expensive, and harder to get—they are trying to stop health plans from covering abortion care altogether.

“This bill would effectively ban health insurance on the ACA marketplaces from covering abortion. This would send a shock wave through the country and put abortion care out of reach for countless women.

“It would be a nightmare for states like mine that require these plans to cover abortion. And it would be yet another blow for women across the country, as abortion access gets pushed farther and farther out of reach by right-wing politicians who think they should get to make deeply personal decisions about women’s health and lives.

“And the attacks don’t stop there. Because Republicans want to shut the doors of one of the biggest health care providers in the country. They want to defund Planned Parenthood.

“That is wildly unpopular with the American people. And it is widely dangerous for patients who turn to Planned Parenthood for a wide spectrum of care—including cancer screenings, and pap smears, and birth control.

“And if it were successful, Republicans would be closing the doors to 200 health centers—and that includes cutting the number of Planned Parenthood health centers in states with abortion access by half—and stripping away people’s access to abortion and other reproductive health care.

“It is hard to understate how devastating that would be. We are talking clinics shuttering across the country, overwhelmingly in states where abortion is legal. We are talking women left with no options for the care that they need.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a rape survivor, or you have a medical emergency, or if you simply do not want to become a parent. Whatever your reason—and whatever state you are in—if Republicans get their way, abortion care will be a lot more expensive, and a lot less accessible. For some patients, it will simply be impossible to get the care they need regardless of how badly they need it.

“We have already seen, with painful clarity, how dangerous abortion bans can be for patients. We have already seen patients pushed to the brink—and even killed—because they could not get the care they needed. And now, Republicans are about to mark the anniversary of the Dobbs decision by taking their extremism to new heights.

“We are not going to be silent about this big, ugly, betrayal, including what it means for reproductive rights. We are not going to be silent about Republicans’ backdoor efforts to ban abortion nationwide, and we are not going to stop pushing back to make sure this bill goes nowhere—except the garbage bin.”

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Luxembourg: EIB backs Artec 3D’s cutting-edge RDI in 3D scanning technologies
Source: European Investment Bank
- Luxembourg-based 3D scanning developer lands EIB venture debt financing to advance its RDI in next-generation scanning technologies
- EIB funding supports Artec 3D’s investments taking place in its research facilities in both Luxembourg and Portugal.
- The financing marks the EIB’s first venture debt operation in Luxembourg backed under the European Commission’s InvestEU initiative.
The European Investment Bank and Luxembourg-based 3D scanning developer Artec 3D enter into a long-term partnership with €15 million committed to R&D support over the first three years. The EIB’s venture debt will enable Artec 3D to advance its next-generation 3D scanning technologies and algorithms for processing 3D data, thus supporting critical European technology and innovation. The investments that Artec 3D will pursue into new product and software development activities will also feature the use of AI. The R&D will take place primarily in Luxembourg and partially in Portugal. The EIB financing is supported by the European Commission’s InvestEU programme.

The EIB’s financing agreement was ceremonially signed at the Luxembourg Nexus technology exhibition in the presence of H.E. Luxembourg Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, as well as Anne Calteux, Head of the European Commission’s representation to Luxembourg.

“Companies like Artec 3D showcase Luxembourg as a powerhouse of European innovation.” said EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot. “Innovative companies like Artec 3D can get the financing they need to scale-up right here in Europe. The EIB offers funding for critical technology to remain within the EU. That is why initiatives like InvestEU, and our new TechEU programme, are so important. We are happy to put our venture debt behind Artec 3D, to ensure that this advanced technology can grow in Europe.”

Artec 3D’s innovations are already driving digital transformation across various infrastructures, including energy, transportation, aerospace, healthcare, cultural heritage, education, and defence worldwide. Its in-house developed technologies include advanced 3D scanning equipment as well as the software needed to create digital twins of real-life objects. A key differentiating factor is that Artec 3D scanners are portable, versatile, and integrate seamlessly with its proprietary data processing software. This combination allows users to turn objects of all shapes, sizes, and complexity into high-resolution 3D models, while significantly reducing the time and effort required.

“Cooperation with the European Investment Bank is, first and foremost, a recognition of Artec 3D’s role as a leader in interdisciplinary R&D, both in AI and computer vision on the high-tech map of Europe,” said Artec 3D CEO and Co-founder Art Yukhin. “For 18 years, our expert team has been developing breakthrough 3D technologies that set new standards in 3D scanning and digital twin capture. With the EIB’s support, we are scaling our R&D and accelerating the development of next-generation, industry-ready solutions that strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in the global arena.”

“The European Investment Bank’s support for Artec 3D’s innovative work through the InvestEU programme is great news for Luxembourg and Europe. Promoting European excellence in 3D-scanning technologies and strengthening the EU’s technological leadership is very important at a time when the EU is striving to close the innovation gap. This support will directly empower the company to drive innovation and job creation in Luxembourg and across the Union. We look forward to the positive impact of their research and development activities.” added Anne Calteux, Head of the EC representation in Luxembourg.

On a technical level, the financing will support the development of Artec 3D’s short-range, high-precision 3D scanners and advanced 3D software, enabling fast and accurate data capture for a variety of applications. The Company was the first to introduce “target free” scanning with handheld scanners, making data capture much faster and simpler than with traditional scanners that rely on fixed equipment and reference markers. Artec 3D scanning is designed to meet the varying needs of end users in many applications ranging from jewellery customization to industrial manufacturing. It can also help to preserve cultural heritage, allowing for in-depth study without risking damage to fragile artifacts.

Background information

The European Investment Bank is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It finances investments that contribute to EU policy objectives. EIB projects bolster competitiveness, drive innovation, promote sustainable development, enhance social and territorial cohesion, contribute to peace and security, and support a just and swift transition to climate neutrality. The Group’s AAA rating allows it to borrow at favourable conditions on the global markets, benefiting its clients within the European Union and beyond. The Group has the highest ESG standards and a tier one capital ratio of 32%.

The InvestEU programme provides the European Union with crucial long-term funding by leveraging substantial private and public funds in support of a sustainable economy. It helps generate additional investments in line with EU policy priorities, such as the European Green Deal, the digital transition and support for small and medium-sized enterprises. InvestEU brings all EU financial instruments together under one roof, making funding for investment projects in Europe simpler, more efficient, and more flexible. The programme consists of three components: the InvestEU Fund, the InvestEU Advisory Hub, and the InvestEU Portal. The InvestEU Fund is implemented through financial partners who invest in projects using the EU budget guarantee of €26.2 billion. This guarantee increases their risk-bearing capacity, thus mobilising at least €372 billion in additional investment.

Luxembourg-based Artec 3D designs and manufactures high-precision 3D scanners and smart 3D software for fast and accurate data capture. This allows customers to quickly, easily create a 3D model of any real-life object, then reverse engineer, inspect, or reproduce that item on-demand. Artec 3D’s products and services can be used in many industries, such as in Engineering, Medicine, Design, Metrology, CGI, Heritage preservation, security technology, and more.
MIL OSI Europe News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Provision Banning Taxpayer Funding of ‘Gender Transition’ Surgeries Included in Senate’s Big Beautiful Bill

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after his Stop Funding Genital Mutilation Act, a bill that would prohibit federal funding from Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) from going towards gender transition procedures at any age, was included in the Senate Finance Committee’s legislative text for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act:

“No American taxpayer should have to fund radical gender transition surgeries, and I am proud that my bill to prohibit federal dollars from funding these dangerous procedures has been included in the Senate’s One Big Beautiful Bill,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I will continue to fight alongside President Trump to protect our most vulnerable and ensure taxpayer dollars are no longer used to advance the far left’s woke agenda.”

Background:

A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) review of gender dysphoria medical interventions “highlights a growing body of evidence pointing to significant risks—including irreversible harms such as infertility—while finding very weak evidence of benefit.”

Nearly 30 states have laws or policies that limit access to gender transition procedures for minors, including Texas. Texas prohibits health care providers from prescribing, administering or dispensing hormone or puberty blocking medications or providing gender transition surgeries to minors. Other countries have begun putting limits on these procedures over concerns about the long-term effects. In 2024, NHS England began limiting access to puberty blockers as “routine treatment” for children under 18. Finland, Sweden, and Denmark have also limited access to these procedures for minors.

The Stop Funding Genital Mutilation Act, which was cosponsored by Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), would prohibit CHIP and Medicaid federal funds from being used to provide gender transition procedures at any age. It makes exceptions for those needing puberty blocking drugs or medical procedures for medically necessary reasons, including medically verifiable sex development disorders or injury from previous gender transition procedures.

This bill builds on President Trump’s Executive Order, signed on January 28, 2025, which called for cutting federal funding for gender transition procedures for minors and directs federally run insurance programs, including Medicaid, to stop covering these services.

The legislation aligns with language included in the House’s version of Pres. Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Eliminating the bureaucratic vortex in hospitals
Since Alberta’s government announced plans to refocus the health care system in November 2023, a consistent message has emerged from patients, front-line health care workers and concerned Albertans alike about the flaws of the prior system. Alberta Health Services’ current zone-based leadership structure is overly complex and bureaucratic. It lacks the flexibility and responsiveness needed to effectively support facilities and staff – particularly when it comes to hiring, securing supplies and adopting necessary technologies.

That’s why Alberta’s government is changing to a hospital-based leadership structure. On-site leadership teams will be responsible for hiring staff, managing resources and solving problems to effectively serve their patients and communities. Hospitals will now have the flexibility to respond, freedom to adapt and authority to act, so they can meet the needs of their facilities, patients and workforce in real time.

“What works in Calgary or Edmonton isn’t always what works in Camrose or Peace River. That’s why we’re cutting through bureaucracy and putting real decision-making power back in the hands of local hospital leaders, so they can act fast, hire who they need and deliver better care for their communities.”

Danielle Smith, Premier

“Hospital-based leadership ensures decisions on hiring, supplies and services are made efficiently by those closest to care – strengthening acute care, supporting staff and helping patients get the timely, high-quality care they need and deserve.”

Matt Jones, Minister of Hospital and Surgical Health Services

“By rethinking how decisions are made, we’re working to improve health care through a more balanced and practical approach. By removing delays and empowering our on-site leaders, we’re giving facilities the tools to respond to real-time needs and ultimately provide better care to Albertans.”

Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services

AHS’ health zones will be eliminated, and acute care sites will be integrated into the seven regional corridors. These sites will operate under a new leadership model that emphasizes site-level performance management. Clear expectations will be set by Acute Care Alberta, and site operations will be managed by AHS through a hospital-based management framework. All acute care sites will be required to report to Acute Care Alberta based on these defined performance standards.

“Standing up Acute Care Alberta has allowed AHS to shift its focus to hospital-based services. This change will enable the local leadership teams at those hospitals to make site-based decisions in real and tangible ways that are best for their patients, families and staff. Acute Care Alberta will provide oversight and monitor site-level performance, and I’m confident overall hospital performance will improve when hospital leadership and staff have more authority to do what they know is best.”

Dr. Chris Eagle, interim CEO, Acute Care Alberta

“AHS is focused on reducing wait times and improving care for patients. By shifting to hospital-based leadership, we’re empowering hospital leaders to make real-time decisions based on what’s happening on the ground and respond to patient needs as they arise. It also means leaders can address issues we know have been frustrating, like hiring staff where they’re needed most and advancing hospital operations. This change enables front-line teams to act on ideas they see every day to improve care.”

Andre Tremblay, interim president & CEO, Alberta Health Services

The Ministry of Hospital and Surgical Health Services, Acute Care Alberta and Alberta Health Services will work collaboratively to design and establish the new leadership and management model with an interim model to be established by November 2025, followed by full implementation by summer 2026.

Quick facts
- Countries like the Netherlands and Norway, and parts of Australia have already made the shift to hospital-based leadership.
- The interim hospital-based leadership model will be implemented at one site before being implemented provincewide.
- Hospital-based leadership, once implemented, will apply only to AHS acute care facilities. Other acute care organizations will not be affected at the time of implementation.
Related information
- Hospital-based Leadership
- Refocusing health care in Alberta
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- Ensuring a successfully refocused health system (Nov. 18, 2024)
MIL OSI Canada News –
June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CFS finds ethylene oxide in sample of prepackaged black pepper

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

â€‹The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (June 17) that a sample of prepackaged black pepper was found to contain a pesticide, ethylene oxide. Members of the public should not consume the affected product. The trade should also stop using or selling the affected product immediately if they possess it.

Product details are as follows:

Product name: I Love Black Pepper with Grinders 170g
Brand: CAPE FOODS
Place of origin: South Africa
Net weight: 170 grams
Best-before date: November 18, 2027
Distributor: EASTERN ZONE CO. LTD.

A spokesman for the CFS said, “The CFS collected the above-mentioned sample from an online vendor for testing under its routine Food Surveillance Programme. The test result showed that the sample contained a pesticide, ethylene oxide. The CFS has informed the vendor concerned of the irregularity and instructed it to stop sales and remove from shelves the affected product. According to the CFS’s instructions, the distributor concerned has initiated a recall on the affected product. Members of the public may call its hotline at 2898 8632 for enquiries about the recall of the product concerned.”

The spokesman continued, “The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified ethylene oxide as a Group 1 carcinogen. According to the Pesticide Residues in Food Regulation (Cap. 132CM), a food for human consumption containing pesticide residue may only be sold if consumption of the food is not dangerous or prejudicial to health. An offender is liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for six months upon conviction.”

The CFS will alert the trade, continue to follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. An investigation is ongoing.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

June 18, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Budd Joins Peters, Colleagues to Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Critical Drug Supply Chains & Mitigate Shortages

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C) joined Senators Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) in reintroducing the bipartisan Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug (RAPID) Reserve Act to help increase supply chain resiliency for critical generic drugs and their key ingredients by bolstering supply reserves and domestic production capacity through federal contracts. The RAPID Reserve Act would help reduce drug shortages, enhance preparedness, and mitigate national security threats from U.S. overreliance on China for critical medications and their key ingredients.

“For far too long, America has faced a drug shortage that not only threatens patients’ health but poses a national security risk by forcing us to rely on Communist China’s supply chains for essential medications. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan RAPID Reserve Act to bring drug manufacturing back to the U.S., prioritize sufficient medication reserves, and support increased production in emergencies to reliably meet patient demand,” said Senator Budd.

“Every American should be able to get the medicine they need when they need it. Increasing domestic and reliable manufacturing capacity for our critical, lifesaving medications is essential to addressing drug shortages that can compromise patient care. This bipartisan bill will help ensure Americans receive the essential medications they need while strengthening our ability to respond to future public health crises,” said Senator Peters.

Read the full bill text HERE.

Background

The RAPID Reserve Act would direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award contracts to quality manufacturers of critical generic drug products who are based in the United States or in a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in order to maintain reserves of critical medications and their key ingredients while building the capacity to surge production when needed. Through these contracts, which would prioritize domestic manufacturers, the RAPID Reserve Act would help strengthen vulnerable supply chains by ensuring that when there is a disruption in supply, manufacturers can draw on reserves and surge production to meet demand.

Senators Budd, Peters, Blackburn, and Kaine have also sent a letter to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting the agency examine underutilized domestic manufacturing capacity and federal efforts to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities.

The RAPID Reserve Act is supported by the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA), and Phlow.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 18, 2025

Category: Health

On Tuesday 17 June, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) and the Good Friday Appeal hosted a special event to thank community groups and fundraisers for their incredible efforts in raising a record-breaking $23,822,792 for the 2025 Appeal.

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

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