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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Global: Immortality at a price: how the promise of delaying death has become a consumer marketing bonanza

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amy Errmann, Senior Lecturer, Marketing & International Business, Auckland University of Technology

    Living forever has become the wellness and marketing trend of the 2020s. But cheating death – or at least delaying it – will come at a price.

    What was once the domain of scientists and the uber rich is increasingly becoming a consumer product. Those pushing the idea, spearheaded by tech billionaire Bryan Johnson’s “Don’t Die” movement, believe death isn’t inevitable, but is a solvable problem.

    The global longevity market – spanning gene therapies, anti-ageing drugs, diagnostics and wellness plans – is projected to hit US$610 billion this year. At its core, the marketing of these products feeds off the age-old fear of mortality and the desire to stay young.

    But while the marketing is reaching the masses, this is still very much a luxury product. Immortality is being sold as exclusive, aspirational and symbolic. It’s not just about living longer – it’s about signalling status, controlling biology and being your “best future self”.

    Tapping into long-held fears

    What’s known as “terror management theory” puts forward the idea that humans and other animals have an instinctive drive for self-preservation. But humans are not only self-aware, they are also able to anticipate future outcomes – including the inevitability of death.

    The messaging behind the push to extend life taps into this internal tension between knowledge of our own mortality and the self-preservation instinct. And to be fair, it is not a new phenomenon.

    Cryonics – the preservation of bodies and brains at extremely low temperatures with the hope medical advancements will allow for their revival at some point in the future – was first popularised in Robert Ettinger’s 1962 book The Prospect of Immortality.

    Since then, the super-rich have invested in various companies promising to preserve their bodies for some unknown future date. It now costs US$200,000 to freeze your body, or $80,000 for just your brain.

    What’s truly new is how death is being marketed – not as fate, but as a flaw. Longevity isn’t just about living longer; it’s about turning mortality into a design problem, something to delay, manage and eventually solve.

    “Biohacking” sells the idea that with the right data, tools and discipline, you can upgrade your biology – and become your best, most future-proof self.

    This pitch targets high-income consumers aged 30 to 60, people already fluent in the language of optimisation – a mindset focused on maximising performance, productivity and longevity through data.

    The brands behind the living forever movement sell control, optimisation and elite identity. Ageing becomes a personal failure. Anti-ageing is self-discipline. Consumers are cast as CEOs of their own health – tracking sleep, fixing their gut and taking supplements.

    From biohacks to consumer branding

    There are now more than 700 companies working in the longevity market. Startups such as Elysium Health and Human Longevity Inc. offer DNA testing, supplements and personalised health plans.

    These aren’t medical treatments – they’re sold as tools to age “smarter” or “slower” and are pitched with the language of control over what once might have seemed uncontrollable.

    Don’t Die’s Bryan Johnson spends over US$2 million annually on his personal anti-ageing experiment.

    But the real pitch is to consumers: buy back time, one premium subscription at a time. Johnson’s company Blueprint offers diagnostics, supplements and exercise routines bundled into monthly plans starting at $333 and climbing to over $1,600.

    Longevity products promise more than health. They promise time, control and even immortality. But the quest to live forever, or at least a lot longer, raises moral and ethical questions about who benefits, and what kind of world is being created.

    Without thoughtful oversight, these technologies risk becoming tools of exclusion, not progress. Because if time becomes a product, not everyone will get to check out at the same counter.

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

    – ref. Immortality at a price: how the promise of delaying death has become a consumer marketing bonanza – https://theconversation.com/immortality-at-a-price-how-the-promise-of-delaying-death-has-become-a-consumer-marketing-bonanza-257009

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Measles cases are surging globally. Should children be vaccinated earlier?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Meru Sheel, Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases, Immunisation and Emergencies (IDIE) Group, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

    EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images

    Measles has been rising globally in recent years. There were an estimated 10.3 million cases worldwide in 2023, a 20% increase from 2022.

    Outbreaks are being reported all over the world including in the United States, Europe and the Western Pacific region (which includes Australia). For example, Vietnam has reportedly seen thousands of cases in 2024 and 2025.

    In Australia, 77 cases of measles have been recorded in the first five months of 2025, compared with 57 cases in all of 2024.

    Measles cases in Australia are almost all related to international travel. They occur in travellers returning from overseas, or are contracted locally after mixing with an infected traveller or their contacts.

    Measles most commonly affects children and is preventable with vaccination, given in Australia in two doses at 12 and 18 months old. But in light of current outbreaks globally, is there a case for reviewing the timing of measles vaccinations?

    Some measles basics

    Measles is caused by a virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus. Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose and a rash. While it presents as a mild illness in most cases, measles can lead to severe disease requiring hospitalisation, and even death. Large outbreaks can overwhelm health systems.

    Measles can have serious health consequences, such as in the brain and the immune system, years after the infection.

    Measles spreads from person to person via small respiratory droplets that can remain suspended in the air for two hours. It’s highly contagious – one person with measles can spread the infection to 12–18 people who aren’t immune.

    Because measles is so infectious, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two-dose vaccination coverage above 95% to stop the spread and achieve “herd immunity”.

    Low and declining vaccine coverage, especially since the COVID pandemic, is driving global outbreaks.



    Read more:
    What are the symptoms of measles? How long does the vaccine last? Experts answer 6 key questions

    When are children vaccinated against measles?

    Newborn babies are generally protected against measles thanks to maternal antibodies. Maternal antibodies get passed from the mother to the baby via the placenta and in breast milk, and provide protection against infections including measles.

    The WHO advises everyone should receive two doses of measles vaccination. In places where there’s a lot of measles circulating, children are generally recommended to have the first dose at around nine months old. This is because it’s expected maternal antibodies would have declined significantly in most infants by that age, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

    If maternal measles antibodies are still present, the vaccine is less likely to produce an immune response.

    Research has also shown a measles vaccine given at less than 8.5 months of age can result in an antibody response which declines more quickly. This might be due to interference with maternal antibodies, but researchers are still trying to understand the reasons for this.

    A second dose of the vaccine is usually given 6–9 months later. A second dose is important because about 10–15% of children don’t develop antibodies after the first vaccine.

    In settings where measles transmission is under better control, a first dose is recommended at 12 months of age. Vaccination at 12 months compared with nine months is considered to generate a stronger, longer-lasting immune response.

    In Australia, children are routinely given the measles-mumps- rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV, with “varicella” being chickenpox) vaccine at 18 months.

    Babies at higher risk of catching the disease can also be given an additional early dose. In Australia, this is recommended for infants as young as six months when there’s an outbreak or if they’re travelling overseas to a high-risk setting.

    A new study looking at measles antibodies in babies

    A recent review looked at measles antibody data from babies under nine months old living in low- and middle-income countries. The review combined the results from 20 studies, including more than 8,000 babies. The researchers found that while 81% of newborns had maternal antibodies to measles, only 30% of babies aged four months had maternal antibodies.

    This study suggests maternal antibodies to measles decline much earlier than previously thought. It raises the question of whether the first dose of measles vaccine is given too late to maximise infants’ protection, especially when there’s a lot of measles around.

    Should we bring the measles vaccine forward in Australia?

    All of the data in this study comes from low- and middle-income countries, and might not reflect the situation in Australia where we have much higher vaccine coverage for measles, and very few cases.

    Australia’s coverage for two doses of the MMR vaccine at age two is above 92%.

    Although this is lower than the optimal 95%, the overall risk of measles surging in Australia is relatively low.

    Nonetheless, there may be a case for broadening the age at which an early extra dose of the measles vaccine can be given to children at higher risk. In New Zealand, infants as young as four months can receive a measles vaccine before travelling to an endemic country.

    But the current routine immunisation schedule in Australia is unlikely to change.

    Adding an extra dose to the schedule would be costly and logistically difficult. Lowering the age for the first dose may have some advantages in certain settings, and doesn’t pose any safety concerns, but further evidence would be required to support this change. In particular, research is needed to ensure it wouldn’t negatively affect the longer-term protection that vaccination offers from measles.

    Making sure you’re protected

    In the meantime, ensuring high levels of measles vaccine coverage with two doses is a global priority.

    People born after 1966 are recommended to have two doses of measles vaccine. This is because those born before the mid-1960s likely caught measles as children (when the vaccine was not yet available) and would therefore have natural immunity.

    If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, you can check this through the Australian Immunisation Register. If you don’t have a documented record, ask your doctor for advice.

    Catch-up vaccination is available under the National Immunisation Program.

    Meru Sheel receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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

    – ref. Measles cases are surging globally. Should children be vaccinated earlier? – https://theconversation.com/measles-cases-are-surging-globally-should-children-be-vaccinated-earlier-257942

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Additional funding to attract 72,000 more visitors to New Zealand

    Source: New Zealand Government

    A new $13.5 million investment in international tourism marketing is expected to deliver an extra 72,000 international visitors to our shores, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.

    “The additional funding into Tourism New Zealand will drive international visitor numbers and will be targeted towards our core markets of Australia, the United States and China over the next few years” Louise Upston says.

    “We know how important marketing is to attract visitors, with around 14 per cent of international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing activity.

    “This is the first investment in the Government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap, which sets out a series of Government initiatives and investments for the Government and industry to work together to double the value of tourism exports by 2034. 

    “International visitors bring billions of dollars into the economy and these markets are the driving force behind our tourism sector.

    “This investment is expected to generate around $300 million in spending, which is a very strong return on investment. International visitor numbers continue to climb and this boost will help drive further economic growth throughout the entire country.

    “Encouraging more visitors means more people staying in our hotels, eating in our cafés, spending in our shops and visiting our attractions. This creates jobs and drives economic growth.

    “We want people to know New Zealand is open for business and we welcome visitors with open arms.”

    Funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2025/26.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 9, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 9, 2025.

    Israeli forces intercept Gaza freedom aid boat Madleen – cut communications
    Pacific Media Watch Contact has been lost with the Gaza Freedom Flotilla humanitarian aid boat Madleen after Israeli commandos intercepted it in international waters. The commandos demanded that everyone on board turn off their phones, and the boat lost contact with Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist Omar Faiad as well as its live feed, reports the

    NZ homes are notorious for being cold and damp. Here are 4 ways to make yours feel warmer this winter
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Tookey, Professor of Construction Management, Auckland University of Technology New Zealand has just been hit by the first big cold snap of 2025 and, like every year, many New Zealanders will be reaching for an extra jumper, slippers and maybe a blanket to try and keep

    2-million-year-old pitted teeth from our ancient relatives reveal secrets about human evolution
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Towle, Research Fellow in Biological Anthropology, Monash University Ian Towle / The Conversation The enamel that forms the outer layer of our teeth might seem like an unlikely place to find clues about evolution. But it tells us more than you’d think about the relationships between

    Curious Kids: Why do dolphins jump out of the water?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katharina J. Peters, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Will Falcon/Shutterstock Why do dolphins jump out of the water? Charlize, age 8, Melbourne Have you ever seen images of dolphins jumping out of the waves and performing impressive acrobatics in the air? Or maybe you’ve seen

    How Trump’s trade war is supercharging the fast fashion industry
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mona Mashhadi Rajabi, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney Jade Gao/Getty Images When US President Donald Trump introduced sweeping new tariffs on Chinese imports the goal was to bring manufacturing back to American soil and protect local jobs. However, this process of re-shoring is complex and

    Can Israel still claim self-defence to justify its Gaza war? Here’s what the law says
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University On October 7 2023, more than 1,000 Hamas militants stormed into southern Israel and went on a killing spree, murdering 1,200 men, women and children and abducting another 250 people to take back to Gaza. It was the

    Measles cases are surging globally. Should children be vaccinated earlier?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meru Sheel, Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases, Immunisation and Emergencies (IDIE) Group, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images Measles has been rising globally in recent years. There were an estimated 10.3 million cases worldwide in 2023, a 20% increase from 2022. Outbreaks

    What can you do if you don’t like your child’s friends?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachael Murrihy, Director, The Kidman Centre, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney Getty Images/ Wander Woman Collective Many parents will be familiar with this situation: your child has a good or even best friend, but you don’t like them. Perhaps the friend is bossy, has poor

    Immortality at a price: how the promise of delaying death has become a consumer marketing bonanza
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Errmann, Senior Lecturer, Marketing & International Business, Auckland University of Technology Living forever has become the wellness and marketing trend of the 2020s. But cheating death – or at least delaying it – will come at a price. What was once the domain of scientists and

    Why bystanders defend bad behaviour at work — even when they know it’s wrong
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zhanna Lyubykh, Assistant Professor, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University Rather than intervening, supporting targets or reporting the misconduct, bystanders may downplay it, withdraw support or even blame the target, which ultimately reinforces the mistreatment. (Shutterstock) “You always mess things up. Why are you even on

    Phil Goff: Israel doesn’t care how many innocent people it’s killing in Gaza
    COMMENTARY: By Phil Goff “What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation: indiscriminate, limitless, cruel and criminal killing of civilians. It’s the result of government policy — knowingly, evilly, maliciously, irresponsibly dictated.” This statement was made not by a foreign or liberal critic of Israel but by the former Prime Minister

    New Zealand’s foreign policy stance on Palestine lacks transparency
    COMMENTARY: By John Hobbs It is difficult to understand what sits behind the New Zealand government’s unwillingness to sanction, or threaten to sanction, the Israeli government for its genocide against the Palestinian people. The United Nations, human rights groups, legal experts and now genocide experts have all agreed it really is “genocide” which is being

    The blow-up between Elon Musk and Donald Trump has been entertaining, but how did things go so bad, so fast?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Maher, Lecturer in Politics, Department of Government and International Relations, University of Sydney A no-holds-barred and very public blow-up between the world’s richest man and the president of the United States has had social media agog in recent days, with each making serious accusations against the

    Gaza plea: RSF, CPJ and 150+ media outlets call on Israel to open Strip to foreign journalists, protect Palestinian reporters
    Pacific Media Watch More than 150 press freedom advocacy groups and international newsrooms have joined Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in issuing a public appeal demanding that Israel grant foreign journalists immediate, independent and unrestricted access to the Gaza Strip. The organisations are also calling for the full protection

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stevie Wonder Owner of KJLH Radio Honors Congresswoman Maxine Waters at KJLH 25th Annual Women’s Health Expo

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

    Congresswoman Maxine Waters delivered a powerful speech to a packed crowd at KJLH’s 25th Annual Women’s Health Expo. The KJLH Women’s Health Expo is one of the largest health events for women in the state. This year’s theme – The Silver Lining: 25 Years of Building Generational Health – honors the legacy and impact of the event, as well as the dedication to advancing the health and empowerment of women and families across Southern California. Under Stevie Wonder’s leadership, this annual event continues to grow and features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing health, wellness, beauty, fitness, and lifestyle resources, tailored to women and families.

    The Congresswoman released the following statement:

    “Each year since the expo was founded, I am so pleased to join KLJH in advancing the health and wellness of women and families. The founders of this Expo knew that women wanted information about their health and needed better connections with health care providers, so that they could take control of their health and the health of their families.

    As the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, I’ve been raising the alarm – in the halls of Congress and back here in Los Angeles — about the disastrous impact of Donald Trump’s policies. I was absolutely appalled to learn of the Trump administration’s plans to slash more than $30 billion from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in his budget for next year. That is more than one quarter of the department’s budget.

    This cruel and senseless budget would dismantle the life-saving programs that enable Americans to stay healthy – from medical research by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to disease prevention by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – from substance use treatment by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to the training of our nation’s future health care workforce.

    You might be wondering: What can I do, as an ordinary citizen, to fight back against Trump’s attack on our institutions and way of life? What can I do to stop cuts to Medicaid and other life-saving health care programs?

    We have to be out there in the streets. We need to make our voices heard and show that we won’t stand silently by while they take away our benefits and destroy our government. Trump’s relentless assault on our institutions and individual freedoms is not just dangerous; it is a coup in slow motion. And we all must be committed to defending our democracy before it’s too late”.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ homes are notorious for being cold and damp. Here are 4 ways to make yours feel warmer this winter

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Tookey, Professor of Construction Management, Auckland University of Technology

    New Zealand has just been hit by the first big cold snap of 2025 and, like every year, many New Zealanders will be reaching for an extra jumper, slippers and maybe a blanket to try and keep warm.

    New Zealand’s housing stock has long been criticised for being damp, cold and ill-suited to the climate.

    In the 2018 Census, households were asked about the state of their homes. According to Stats NZ, 318,891 homes in New Zealand (21.5%) were affected by dampness and 252,855 (16.9%) had visible mould larger than A4 size at least some of the time.

    While the World Health Organization recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 18˚C, many homes in New Zealand fall below these thresholds, with some experiencing temperatures less than 16°C.

    Even when homes are built to code, there can still be issues and health risks. A lot of New Zealand’s housing is not fit for purpose – particularly at this time of the year.

    While improving heating and standards is a homeowner choice, for landlords it is increasingly a requirement. Over recent years landlords have faced increasing costs to achieve legal heating, ventilation and insulation requirements within 90 days of a new or renewed tenancy.

    For everyone else, there are ways to make homes more efficient to heat and comfortable to live in. Here are four ways to keep heat in your home this winter – some simple and affordable, while others are more of an investment.

    Insulation is your friend

    Firstly, insulation is our friend in winter. Double glazing is excellent but expensive (between NZ$450/m2 and $1500/m2) and subject to restrictions in heritage buildings. There are other options.

    Secondary glazing with glass, acrylic or applique plastic sheets can be a significantly more cost-effective option.

    Where possible, home owners should be looking at ways to add to thermal efficiency by increasing insulation.

    Walls can be retrofitted with cavity fillers. If your budget can stretch to it, rigid insulation board is also effective. Under the floor and in the roof spaces are favourites for these upgrades. They are relatively cheap improvements to make and generally pay for themselves.

    Target draughts

    Secondly, a warm and dry home requires finding and eliminating draughts.

    For many years, building scientists have sought to achieve airtight homes. An airtight home substantially reduces heat loss in winter.

    Temporary and permanent improvements can be made by buying or making some draught excluders and door sweeps for doorways. But specialist products such as adhesive-backed foam tape or V-strip weatherstripping around door and window frames are also very effective.

    Even just using masking tape during winter to seal the gaps in unused windows can help keep warmth in the home.

    Windows and a compass

    Third, use your window orientation strategically. Invest in heavier curtains (or blinds) that insulate windows. Then use a compass (you probably have a compass app on your phone) to work out which way is north.

    North-facing windows catch the sun during the day, and contribute to thermal gain in a house. South-facing windows are in shadow all day and tend to act as a heat sink, losing energy throughout the day.

    During the day, ensure curtains and blinds are open on the north side and closed on the south side. As soon as night falls, close the curtains to retain maximum heat. Try to keep unused rooms closed off and stick to the naturally warmer spaces.

    Move heat around

    Fourth, use ceiling fans, heat pumps, and dehumidifiers to maximise the available heat in your house.

    Heat will stratify into layers in your house. It is always going to be warmer near the ceiling of each room. Usually, the loft space is the warmest of all through maximum thermal gain during the day.

    Using a ducted heat pump can recycle that heat to the living spaces. Similarly, if you set the ceiling fan to move air around the room you will make the most of what you have. Ideally, run the ceiling fan backwards (clockwise) if it has that option, to create an updraught rather than a downdraught to aid circulation.

    Dehumidifiers are extremely useful in increasing the feeling of warmth in a house. During operation, they release some latent heat while condensing water. Dry air is easier to heat, making your heating more efficient.

    Your home can make you sick

    Cold damp homes can have significant health impacts, including respiratory issues, rheumatic fever and skin infections – particularly for children and vulnerable people.

    Targeting heat loss and dampness can help improve conditions. Will it ensure every home is warm and toasty? No. But these steps can make their homes just a little bit warmer – and healthier – this winter.

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

    – ref. NZ homes are notorious for being cold and damp. Here are 4 ways to make yours feel warmer this winter – https://theconversation.com/nz-homes-are-notorious-for-being-cold-and-damp-here-are-4-ways-to-make-yours-feel-warmer-this-winter-257893

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Men’s Health Week chance to check in on your mental health

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Men’s Health Week is a good and timely reminder that no one should ever feel ashamed or afraid to reach out for support with their mental health challenges in their time of need, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says.
    “New Zealand has made strides over the last couple of decades in reducing stigma and discrimination when it comes to talking about mental health in New Zealand, however we know that there’s still more work needed to continue breaking down the barriers,” Mr Doocey says.
    “We know men are less likely to reach out for help and are overrepresented in New Zealand’s suicide statistics. This Government is working at pace to increase access to support so we can ensure when people are reaching out for support, they receive it when and where they need it.
    “However, we know that there are still too many Kiwis who aren’t reaching out in their time of need. That is why this Government is making help more accessible through grassroots organisations and nationally available digital and telehealth services.
    “More people are now able to access free counselling sessions through Gumboot Friday, we’ve used the Mental Health Innovation Fund to scale up and support great initiatives like Mates in Construction, YouthLine and the Mental Health Foundation.
    “This Government has also boosted spending on mental health in the Budget and prioritised frontline services, strengthened the focus on early intervention and prevention to take action earlier when someone is confronting a challenge.
    “As New Zealand’s first Minister for Mental Health, I’ve been leading a programme of work to improve access to support and make sure we have the workforce to answer the call when someone needs help.
    “Whether it’s men’s health week or any other day, talking to your mates, family or a mental health practitioner, I would encourage you to have the conversation about how you’re really doing. The first step is often the hardest but it’s important to remember asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Legacy of dedication and innovation

    Source:

    Peter Langridge’s legacy is one of dedication, innovation and an unwavering commitment to protecting those who serve on the frontline.

    His leadership and commitment to research have transformed CFA’s approach to firefighter health, safety and rehabilitation, and has earned him an Australian Fire Services Medal in today’s King’s Birthday Honours. 

    “When I found out I was receiving an AFSM I was surprised at first and then when it sunk in, I felt honoured to have been nominated and to be receiving this award,” Peter said.  

    The strong safety culture enshrined in CFA is a reflection of the important contribution volunteer and staff member Peter Langridge AFSM has made over his long and distinguished career at CFA as both a volunteer and staff member.

    Peter has dedicated more than 40 years to CFA and the emergency services sector, demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in firefighter health, safety and wellbeing during that time.

    A CFA volunteer for more than 20 years, Peter has been a member at Lilydale (1982-1985) and Mooroolbark brigades (2003-2006), and is a current member at Yellingbo. He was also a founding member of the District 13 Headquarters Brigade and its captain for seven years. The first registered headquarters brigade in CFA, its members continue to offer essential incident management and welfare support during major emergency operations. 

    “I joined as a volunteer after moving to a CFA area in 1982. One of my neighbours was a CFA member and he told me about the brigade at Lilydale, so I went along to have a chat with the captain and decided to join,” Peter said.

    “In hindsight, it was probably not the best year to join as I went straight into a very bad fire season being the year of the Ash Wednesday fires. But being thrown into the deep end, I learned a lot very quickly – and I did stay on as a volunteer.”

    With 11 years as an Ambulance Victoria paramedic and highly regarded as an experienced health researcher and practitioner, Peter’s genuine interest in CFA volunteers and their health and safety has led to many significant changes at CFA and in the fire and emergency management space.

    As CFA’s Manager, Health Monitoring and Rehabilitation, Peter has been instrumental in improving firefighter health practices, establishing health programs, leading innovative research initiatives and advocating for firefighter safety. He has also transformed CFA’s approach to health monitoring and firefighter rehabilitation through the implementation of a health monitoring program for firefighters.

    In 2015 he established a network of Firefighter Rehabilitation Units across the state, setting a national standard for real-time health checks in fire and hazardous material incidents. There are now 22 CFA volunteer-led Rehab Units available for dispatch to incidents. They are making a real and tangible difference to members, with a reduction in the number of heat-related incidents. In addition to supporting CFA firefighters, the units provide health monitoring and support to our partner agencies including DEECA, FRV and Victoria Police.

    Peter has led large-scale health monitoring operations during significant fires including the 2009 fires, the 2019-20 fires, Kaladbro peat fire, Somerton tip fire, Portland ship fire and Coolaroo Recycling Plant fire. He spent 45 days at the site of the Hazelwood coal mine fire (2014) to ensure the safety of members and fellow emergency services workers. More than 62,000 health tests and carbon monoxide tests were conducted on more than 7,000 firefighters and 1,600 mine staff for the duration of the firefight to ensure their levels were within safety standards.

    “The Hazelwood mine fire in 2014 stands out as a key moment of my time at CFA,” Peter said.

    “We learned many lessons during the 2004 and 2008 Hazelwood mine fires and each time had to modify how we managed these incidents.

    “After 2008 we developed a plan for any future fires of this kind, and this helped immensely in our management of the 2014 fire. This plan is now part of EMV’s State Smoke Framework.”

    In addition to managing large-scale health monitoring operations, Peter’s research into firefighter health has seen the implementation and development of new programs, equipment and training: 

    • Health Program innovations: Led the development of HealthWatch,  Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Program and Medical Review Program, shaping CFA’s approach to firefighter health.
    • Health research leadership: Conducted pivotal studies on firefighter physiology, leading to advancements in breathing techniques, heat stress management and cardiovascular risk reduction safety guidelines and training both in Australian and international fire agencies. 
    • Health innovation: Assisted volunteer firefighter Peter Schaede to design and develop Arm Core Coolers in 2016 together to reduce firefighter core body temperature both relieving heat stress and speeding up recovery during fire-related incidents. These are often used by members prior to Rehab Units arriving on the fireground. 

    Peter’s expertise, commitment and forward-thinking approach were also pivotal to CFA’s successful pandemic response, reinforcing his reputation as a leader in firefighter health and safety. Central to this was the training he developed and delivered across the sector to ensure members were kept safe whilst on the fireground. He also facilitated cross-agency training for CFA, VICSES and EMV on key COVID-19 roles to ensure firefighters and emergency responders could continue operations safely.

    His work continues to shape best practice at CFA to safeguard the lives of those who protect our communities.

    Submitted by CFA media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stage 3 of major Auckland hospital upgrade funded

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced a major investment to strengthen critical infrastructure at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre, as part of the third tranche of the Facilities Infrastructure Remediation Programme. 

    “This Government is committed to investing in and upgrading critical infrastructure that supports our health system – and that includes ensuring the hospitals we rely on every day are safe, modern, and fit for purpose,” Mr Brown says.

    “Over the next three years, tranche three of the Facilities Infrastructure Remediation Programme in Auckland will fund critical upgrades and replacements to the power, heating, building management, and safety systems that support clinical services at Auckland City Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre. 

    “These upgrades are about ensuring Auckland Hospital is able to deliver reliable care for patients and has increased resilience through upgraded systems.”  

    This third investment tranche is part of the Government’s $1 billion Budget 2025 hospital infrastructure investment includes:

    • Upgrades to the high voltage power supply to improve power security at Auckland City Hospital.
    • Replacement of the ageing steam heating system to boost reliability and reduce utility costs.
    • Improvements to electrical monitoring and building management systems at both sites.
    • Design work for the next stage of the Auckland hot water pipes replacement project, with construction on the first stage already underway.

    “Replacing the hot water pipe system in the main building of Auckland City Hospital is a priority within the Health Infrastructure Plan, and this investment will help speed up delivery by funding the design work for the next stage of this project. Getting ahead on the design work now will mean we can fast-track the next stage by eight months.”

    This tranche builds on the first two stages of the remediation programme, which addressed the most urgent infrastructure issues at these sites and are scheduled for completion by the end of 2025.

    Health New Zealand is carefully managing this work to minimise any disruption to clinical services, and ensure patients and staff are not impacted as this vital infrastructure is upgraded.

    “This is about investing in the future of Auckland’s health services – getting the basics right so frontline teams can keep delivering high-quality care to New Zealanders.

    “As we continue to invest in hospitals across the country, projects like this are key to ensuring our infrastructure can keep pace with growing demand and support better health outcomes over the long term,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Body of Hamas commander M. Sinwar recovered from Gaza tunnel – IDF

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    JERUSALEM, June 8 (Xinhua) — The Israeli military said Sunday it has recovered the body of Hamas military chief Mohammed Sinwar from a tunnel in the southern Gaza Strip and brought it to the Jewish state.

    The identification procedure confirmed that “the body of Mohammed Sinwar was found in an underground tunnel beneath the European Hospital in Khan Yunis,” the Israeli army said in a statement.

    M. Sinwar and Muhammad Shabana, the commander of the Hamas brigade in Rafah, were killed in a tunnel on May 13 by the Israeli military and the General Security Service (Shin Bet), the statement said.

    The bodies were found in the area during an operation that began on June 4 and was accompanied by intense airstrikes. The Israeli military added that the operation was still ongoing.

    “During the search along the underground tunnel route, several items belonging to M. Sinwar and M. Shabana were found, as well as additional intelligence data. These were handed over for further investigation,” the statement said. No further details were given.

    During the operation, other bodies were also found, and the identities of those killed are currently being established, the Israeli Armed Forces added.

    In late May, the Israeli army said for the first time that Sinwar had been killed in an airstrike. At least six people were killed and 40 wounded in the attack, according to Gaza health officials. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Measles cases are surging globally. Should children be vaccinated earlier?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meru Sheel, Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases, Immunisation and Emergencies (IDIE) Group, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney

    EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images

    Measles has been rising globally in recent years. There were an estimated 10.3 million cases worldwide in 2023, a 20% increase from 2022.

    Outbreaks are being reported all over the world including in the United States, Europe and the Western Pacific region (which includes Australia). For example, Vietnam has reportedly seen thousands of cases in 2024 and 2025.

    In Australia, 77 cases of measles have been recorded in the first five months of 2025, compared with 57 cases in all of 2024.

    Measles cases in Australia are almost all related to international travel. They occur in travellers returning from overseas, or are contracted locally after mixing with an infected traveller or their contacts.

    Measles most commonly affects children and is preventable with vaccination, given in Australia in two doses at 12 and 18 months old. But in light of current outbreaks globally, is there a case for reviewing the timing of measles vaccinations?

    Some measles basics

    Measles is caused by a virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus. Symptoms include a fever, cough, runny nose and a rash. While it presents as a mild illness in most cases, measles can lead to severe disease requiring hospitalisation, and even death. Large outbreaks can overwhelm health systems.

    Measles can have serious health consequences, such as in the brain and the immune system, years after the infection.

    Measles spreads from person to person via small respiratory droplets that can remain suspended in the air for two hours. It’s highly contagious – one person with measles can spread the infection to 12–18 people who aren’t immune.

    Because measles is so infectious, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends two-dose vaccination coverage above 95% to stop the spread and achieve “herd immunity”.

    Low and declining vaccine coverage, especially since the COVID pandemic, is driving global outbreaks.



    Read more:
    What are the symptoms of measles? How long does the vaccine last? Experts answer 6 key questions

    When are children vaccinated against measles?

    Newborn babies are generally protected against measles thanks to maternal antibodies. Maternal antibodies get passed from the mother to the baby via the placenta and in breast milk, and provide protection against infections including measles.

    The WHO advises everyone should receive two doses of measles vaccination. In places where there’s a lot of measles circulating, children are generally recommended to have the first dose at around nine months old. This is because it’s expected maternal antibodies would have declined significantly in most infants by that age, leaving them vulnerable to infection.

    If maternal measles antibodies are still present, the vaccine is less likely to produce an immune response.

    Research has also shown a measles vaccine given at less than 8.5 months of age can result in an antibody response which declines more quickly. This might be due to interference with maternal antibodies, but researchers are still trying to understand the reasons for this.

    A second dose of the vaccine is usually given 6–9 months later. A second dose is important because about 10–15% of children don’t develop antibodies after the first vaccine.

    In settings where measles transmission is under better control, a first dose is recommended at 12 months of age. Vaccination at 12 months compared with nine months is considered to generate a stronger, longer-lasting immune response.

    In Australia, children are routinely given the measles-mumps- rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 months and the measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV, with “varicella” being chickenpox) vaccine at 18 months.

    Babies at higher risk of catching the disease can also be given an additional early dose. In Australia, this is recommended for infants as young as six months when there’s an outbreak or if they’re travelling overseas to a high-risk setting.

    A new study looking at measles antibodies in babies

    A recent review looked at measles antibody data from babies under nine months old living in low- and middle-income countries. The review combined the results from 20 studies, including more than 8,000 babies. The researchers found that while 81% of newborns had maternal antibodies to measles, only 30% of babies aged four months had maternal antibodies.

    This study suggests maternal antibodies to measles decline much earlier than previously thought. It raises the question of whether the first dose of measles vaccine is given too late to maximise infants’ protection, especially when there’s a lot of measles around.

    Should we bring the measles vaccine forward in Australia?

    All of the data in this study comes from low- and middle-income countries, and might not reflect the situation in Australia where we have much higher vaccine coverage for measles, and very few cases.

    Australia’s coverage for two doses of the MMR vaccine at age two is above 92%.

    Although this is lower than the optimal 95%, the overall risk of measles surging in Australia is relatively low.

    Nonetheless, there may be a case for broadening the age at which an early extra dose of the measles vaccine can be given to children at higher risk. In New Zealand, infants as young as four months can receive a measles vaccine before travelling to an endemic country.

    But the current routine immunisation schedule in Australia is unlikely to change.

    Adding an extra dose to the schedule would be costly and logistically difficult. Lowering the age for the first dose may have some advantages in certain settings, and doesn’t pose any safety concerns, but further evidence would be required to support this change. In particular, research is needed to ensure it wouldn’t negatively affect the longer-term protection that vaccination offers from measles.

    Making sure you’re protected

    In the meantime, ensuring high levels of measles vaccine coverage with two doses is a global priority.

    People born after 1966 are recommended to have two doses of measles vaccine. This is because those born before the mid-1960s likely caught measles as children (when the vaccine was not yet available) and would therefore have natural immunity.

    If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, you can check this through the Australian Immunisation Register. If you don’t have a documented record, ask your doctor for advice.

    Catch-up vaccination is available under the National Immunisation Program.

    Meru Sheel receives funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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

    – ref. Measles cases are surging globally. Should children be vaccinated earlier? – https://theconversation.com/measles-cases-are-surging-globally-should-children-be-vaccinated-earlier-257942

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Immortality at a price: how the promise of delaying death has become a consumer marketing bonanza

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Errmann, Senior Lecturer, Marketing & International Business, Auckland University of Technology

    Living forever has become the wellness and marketing trend of the 2020s. But cheating death – or at least delaying it – will come at a price.

    What was once the domain of scientists and the uber rich is increasingly becoming a consumer product. Those pushing the idea, spearheaded by tech billionaire Bryan Johnson’s “Don’t Die” movement, believe death isn’t inevitable, but is a solvable problem.

    The global longevity market – spanning gene therapies, anti-ageing drugs, diagnostics and wellness plans – is projected to hit US$610 billion this year. At its core, the marketing of these products feeds off the age-old fear of mortality and the desire to stay young.

    But while the marketing is reaching the masses, this is still very much a luxury product. Immortality is being sold as exclusive, aspirational and symbolic. It’s not just about living longer – it’s about signalling status, controlling biology and being your “best future self”.

    Tapping into long-held fears

    What’s known as “terror management theory” puts forward the idea that humans and other animals have an instinctive drive for self-preservation. But humans are not only self-aware, they are also able to anticipate future outcomes – including the inevitability of death.

    The messaging behind the push to extend life taps into this internal tension between knowledge of our own mortality and the self-preservation instinct. And to be fair, it is not a new phenomenon.

    Cryonics – the preservation of bodies and brains at extremely low temperatures with the hope medical advancements will allow for their revival at some point in the future – was first popularised in Robert Ettinger’s 1962 book The Prospect of Immortality.

    Since then, the super-rich have invested in various companies promising to preserve their bodies for some unknown future date. It now costs US$200,000 to freeze your body, or $80,000 for just your brain.

    What’s truly new is how death is being marketed – not as fate, but as a flaw. Longevity isn’t just about living longer; it’s about turning mortality into a design problem, something to delay, manage and eventually solve.

    “Biohacking” sells the idea that with the right data, tools and discipline, you can upgrade your biology – and become your best, most future-proof self.

    This pitch targets high-income consumers aged 30 to 60, people already fluent in the language of optimisation – a mindset focused on maximising performance, productivity and longevity through data.

    The brands behind the living forever movement sell control, optimisation and elite identity. Ageing becomes a personal failure. Anti-ageing is self-discipline. Consumers are cast as CEOs of their own health – tracking sleep, fixing their gut and taking supplements.

    From biohacks to consumer branding

    There are now more than 700 companies working in the longevity market. Startups such as Elysium Health and Human Longevity Inc. offer DNA testing, supplements and personalised health plans.

    These aren’t medical treatments – they’re sold as tools to age “smarter” or “slower” and are pitched with the language of control over what once might have seemed uncontrollable.

    Don’t Die’s Bryan Johnson spends over US$2 million annually on his personal anti-ageing experiment.

    But the real pitch is to consumers: buy back time, one premium subscription at a time. Johnson’s company Blueprint offers diagnostics, supplements and exercise routines bundled into monthly plans starting at $333 and climbing to over $1,600.

    Longevity products promise more than health. They promise time, control and even immortality. But the quest to live forever, or at least a lot longer, raises moral and ethical questions about who benefits, and what kind of world is being created.

    Without thoughtful oversight, these technologies risk becoming tools of exclusion, not progress. Because if time becomes a product, not everyone will get to check out at the same counter.

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

    – ref. Immortality at a price: how the promise of delaying death has become a consumer marketing bonanza – https://theconversation.com/immortality-at-a-price-how-the-promise-of-delaying-death-has-become-a-consumer-marketing-bonanza-257009

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wilson, Nadler Reintroduce Bill Providing a Tax Credit to Living Organ Donors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

    Washington, D.C. – Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY) reintroduced the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act. The bill will provide a $5,000, one-time, refundable tax credit to living organ donors who were not reimbursed for the costs of organ donation by the National Living Organ Donor Assistance Center (NLDAC), or any other entity.

         Our nation’s transplant shortage is dire. Seventeen people die every day waiting for a viable organ, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration. Currently, there are around 93,000 Americans on the kidney transplant waitlist, with some having to wait as long as six years to receive a transplant, according to UNOS. Patients waiting for a transplant on average cost the U.S. government at least $77,000 a year for dialysis, which adds up to more than $20 billion a year, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Removing the barriers to organ donation will not only increase the number of living donors, therefore saving lives, but also will save the taxpayers money. This tax credit would apply to living kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, intestine, and bone marrow donors, as well as any other viable living organ donation.

         “The gift of living donation is truly priceless. The donors who choose the selfless act of giving a lifesaving organ are making a major life decision, whether gifting to a stranger or a loved one. That lifechanging decision should not be burdened by the costs of donation, and this bill will remove that disincentive to ensure that everyone is able to donate an organ if they choose to, regardless of their financial situation,” said Rep. Wilson. “My predecessor, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Floyd Spence, miraculously received a double lung transplant as the thirtieth in the world to receive the experimental procedure, living an additional 13 years serving America. We are grateful for Dr. Sesshadri Raju at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi for performing the procedure in 1988. I previously worked in the South Carolina State Senate to add a red heart for organ donors to South Carolina Driver’s Licenses at the time of registration. Today, I am grateful to expand this piece of Floyd Spence’s legacy.”

         “When an organ donor decides to donate one of their organs to someone else, they aren’t just saving someone’s life—they’re making one of the most selfless, difficult decisions anyone could ever make. However, donors can face tremendous and often prohibitive costs associated with surgery, including the cost of travel, lodging, follow up care, and lost wages in connection to transplantation. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. Wilson and continue my work to remove roadblocks to organ donation.” said Rep. Nadler.

         The bill has been endorsed by the American Association of Kidney Patients, American Kidney Fund (AKF), American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN), American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), American Society of Transplantation (AST), Coalition to Modify NOTA, National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation, Renal Support Network (RSN), and Waitlist Zero.  

         “We need better public policy to increase living organ donation. The Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2025 represents a positive step forward in helping people who selflessly decide to give the gift of life by donating a kidney by providing a refundable tax credit for associated costs of live organ donation such as lost wages, travel or childcare. People with limited resources should have every opportunity to help save a life.” LaVarne Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund.

         “The American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN) applauds the reintroduction of the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act by Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Jerry Nadler (D-NY).  Rates of living kidney donation are declining in the US in both the pediatric and adult populations. This decline persists despite the fact that living donor kidney transplant is well established as the optimal treatment for children and adults with end stage kidney disease due to superior graft and patient survival. This important legislation will encourage living donors and we urge its swift passage,” said President Meredith Atkinson of the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology (ASPN). 

         “On behalf of the American Society of Transplantation (AST), representing a majority of the nation’s transplant professionals, our Society strongly applauds and endorses the re-introduction of the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act. AST is grateful for the steadfast leadership of Congressmen Wilson (R-SC) and Nadler (D-NY) to protect and support living donation. The Living Donor Tax Credit Act is a patient-focused bill seeking to address financial and policy barriers that might otherwise prevent an individual from providing a lifesaving donor organ.  AST greatly appreciates this bipartisan and patient centric legislation. We look forward to working with you to advance this key legislation in this 119th Congress,” said Dr. Jon Kobashigawa, President of the American Society of Transplantation (AST). 

         “The National Kidney Foundation strongly supports the Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act as an important step toward removing financial barriers to living donation. This legislation provides tax relief solely for documented, unreimbursed expenses actually incurred by the donor—costs like child/elder care, travel, and lost income. Living donors often face unexpected costs that can reach thousands of dollars, and these expenses should never prevent someone from saving a life. By allowing tax credits for legitimate expenses while maintaining strict documentation requirements, this bill supports donors without compromising the altruistic foundation of organ donation that the National Kidney Foundation has always championed. We applaud Reps. Wilson and Nadler for their leadership and urge Congress to pass this measure that will help save lives while preserving the integrity of our transplant system,” said Kevin Longino, CEO, National Kidney Foundation and a transplant recipient.

         “There’s currently no cure for PKD, and while we await scientific breakthroughs, organ donation remains the most effective long-term treatment,” said Susan Bushnell, President and CEO of the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Foundation. “This common-sense, compassionate, and cost-effective policy to reimburse living donors for some of the costs of donation will help to remove needless financial barriers, save more lives, and reduce the burden on our federal health system by decreasing reliance on costly, time-consuming, and often unpleasant dialysis treatments. The PKD Foundation is deeply grateful for the longtime leadership of Representatives Wilson and Nadler in championing living donation,” said Susan Bushnell, PKDF’s President & CEO. 

         “Living donors are true heroes who should not incur financial losses for the life-saving gift they provide. A tax credit is a straightforward method to acknowledge their generosity while simplifying the reimbursement process,” said Lori Hartwell, President & Founder of RSN and kidney transplant recipient.

         “Why should donors go into debt to give the gift of life? Representative Wilson and Representative Nadler’s Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act will ease the financial strain and empower more people to say yes to donation. For the past 25 years, the number of living kidney donors has remained stagnant. Waitlist Zero proudly supports this crucial bill,” said Elaine Perlman, Executive Director of Waitlist Zero and President of the Coalition to Modify NOTA.

         A copy of the legislation can be found here. 

    # # # 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eating wild meat carries serious health risks – why it still happens along the Kenya-Tanzania border

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ekta Patel, Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute

    Pastoralist communities, their livestock and diverse wildlife species coexist within a biodiversity-rich landscape stretching along the Kenya–Tanzania border.

    However, at this wildlife-livestock interface, local communities face mounting challenges. Shifts in land use, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall patterns and increasing land degradation are placing growing pressure on the landscape. In addition, conflict between people and wildlife is on the rise, and many households rely on wild animals for food.

    Communities in the region eat a wide range of wild animals, from rodents, elephant shrews and birds to small antelopes and larger ungulates like bushbuck. This meat (“bush meat” as it is also popularly known in Africa) provides a valuable source of animal protein and minerals, especially where alternative domestic protein sources are scarce.

    Although hunting and consuming wild animals is illegal in Kenya, this is not the case in Tanzania, where certain forms of hunting for wild animals are permitted. Yet in both countries, many people eat wild meat regularly, often without awareness of the risks. These risks include zoonotic disease transmission and potential impacts on wildlife populations.

    Wild meat is a known source of zoonotic infections and disease spillover to humans. In fact, as many as three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife. Illnesses such as anthrax, mpox, Ebola, and HIV have all been linked to close interactions between humans and wild animals.

    Despite these risks, wild meat consumption remains widespread, with some households eating it daily or weekly. Preventing future disease outbreaks requires a clear understanding of these health risks, as well as the underlying social, cultural and economic reasons that drive people to rely on wild meat.

    We set out to understand why people were eating wild meat along the Kenya-Tanzania border and whether they understood the risks of zoonotic diseases. Cases of anthrax have already been reported in this area.

    Our study involved interviews in border communities during the COVID pandemic – the most famous case of zoonotic disease transmission in recent times. We wanted to know whether communities understood the pandemic’s link to wild meat and if this affected their consumption of it.

    What stood out was that people at the border settlements kept eating wild meat or even ate more of it. This shows that economic necessity, cultural preferences and limited alternatives remain key drivers even when the world is in crisis.

    Though this research was done during COVID-19, it gives us insights into how people react when things get tough, especially when it comes to food and health.

    What’s driving wild meat consumption

    We found that several factors drove wild meat consumption, despite growing awareness of the health risks.

    Poverty

    Economic factors, particularly household income and limited financial means, strongly influenced wild meat consumption, particularly in communities with limited alternative protein sources. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on local economies. Tourism, a key source of income for border communities, experienced sharp declines. As household revenues fell, reliance on wild meat as an affordable protein source increased.

    Economic stability plays a crucial role in shaping consumption behaviours: 81% of those surveyed at the border settlements indicated they would stop eating wild meat if cheaper alternatives were available.

    The type of animal

    Perceptions of disease risks varied depending on the species consumed.

    Approximately 79% of respondents believed that certain animals posed a higher risks of zoonotic disease transmission. Hyenas were perceived as the most dangerous, followed by primates and snakes. These findings suggest that while economic necessity influences wild meat consumption, risk perception also shapes dietary choices.

    Gender plays a role

    Men expressed more concern over conservation and health risks than women. Men were also more likely to advocate against selling wild meat. Women exhibited lower concern regarding zoonotic disease risks, including COVID-19. These insights highlight the need for gender-sensitive interventions to address wild meat consumption.

    Education levels

    Education levels also influenced risk perception. Respondents with formal education displayed a stronger awareness of zoonotic transmission pathways. They were also more receptive to conservation and public health messaging. This highlights the importance of education in promoting safer and more sustainable practices within communities.

    National policies

    Despite sharing ecosystems and wildlife populations, Kenya and Tanzania have adopted fundamentally different governance approaches to wild meat. This in turn shapes outcomes for conservation, biodiversity and public health.

    Kenya follows a centralised and protectionist model. Hunting and consumption of wild animals are prohibited under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. This zero-tolerance policy is rooted in strong conservation principles aimed at protecting biodiversity.

    However, in practice, it has driven the activity underground, creating a thriving black market. This undermines conservation and enforcement efforts. It also increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission due to unregulated handling and consumption of wild animals.

    Tanzania, by contrast, uses a decentralised, regulated slaughterhouse model. Licensed wild meat hunting and consumption is legal under regulation, particularly through game-controlled areas and permits introduced in 2020. This approach is meant to enable communities to benefit economically from wildlife and reduce incentives for illegal hunting.

    The existence of two divergent systems across a porous border creates challenges. These include illegal cross-border trade, conflicting conservation objectives, and uneven protection of biodiversity. There are also difficulties in implementing coordinated surveillance or public health interventions.

    The contrasting regulations in Kenya and Tanzania significantly influence wild meat consumption choices.

    In Kenya, where wild meat is strictly prohibited, consumption appears to be through informal and unregulated channels. This increases health risks and limits consumer awareness. In contrast, Tanzania’s regulated licensing system provides a legal pathway for access. This makes wild meat consumption more visible and, in some cases, perceived as safer. These differing policies shape how communities access, justify and engage with wild meat, often driving cross-border trade and complicating enforcement and risk communication efforts.

    What’s next?

    Addressing the risks associated with wild meat trade requires a multifaceted strategy that balances health, equity and sustainability.

    We suggest an intervention that prioritises economic stability and ensuring affordable alternative protein sources are accessible, especially in food-insecure settings.

    Public health education is also essential. An increasing awareness of zoonotic disease risks can help shift consumption behaviour.

    Because men and women perceived the dangers of wild meat consumption differently, gender-sensitive approaches should be integrated. It should also be noted that, although women are rarely the primary hunters, they are often prosecuted for possession or sale of wild meat. Gender disparities on how laws are applied must be addressed.

    Legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened to address cross-border wildlife trade, particularly in regions with differing policies like Kenya and Tanzania. They should also reduce the risks faced by individuals who may unknowingly engage in illegal practices due to a lack of clarity.

    We continue to work with national and regional stakeholders. This includes government bodies and technical partners who are actively engaging with us to co-develop One Health solutions. These solutions integrate public health, environmental sustainability and community well-being.

    Finally, community engagement and participation should be at the core of any intervention. This will ensure that policies are locally relevant, culturally sensitive and supported by those directly affected to reduce the risks of zoonotic disease spillover.

    – Eating wild meat carries serious health risks – why it still happens along the Kenya-Tanzania border
    – https://theconversation.com/eating-wild-meat-carries-serious-health-risks-why-it-still-happens-along-the-kenya-tanzania-border-252947

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Health Minister Nadda launches FSSAI’s ‘Stop Obesity’ campaign on World Food Safety Day 2025

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday addressed the World Food Safety Day 2025 event, themed “Stop Obesity by Eating Safe and Healthy,” held at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru. Organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the event emphasized the critical role of food safety and nutrition in combating obesity and non-communicable diseases.

    The event saw the launch of FSSAI’s “Awareness Initiative to Stop Obesity” under the Eat Right India programme, aimed at raising nationwide awareness about the health risks of obesity. Nadda highlighted the alarming rise in obesity, citing the ICMR–India Diabetes (INDIAB) study, which reported a 39.6% increase in urban India and a 23.1% increase in rural areas between 2008 and 2020. He warned that by 2050, one-third of India’s population could be obese if current trends persist.

    “For a Viksit Bharat, a healthy India is necessary, and that can be ensured through the right types of food, healthy food habits, and lifestyle,” Nadda said. He urged stakeholders to support the Prime Minister’s call to reduce oil consumption by 10% and emphasized the need to revive traditional foods like millets. He also stressed the vulnerability of children to unhealthy food marketing and called for early awareness to foster better dietary habits.

    The campaign promotes inclusivity with communication materials in regional languages and sign language, alongside media outreach through FM radio, railway announcements, and digital platforms. A video featuring chef Ranveer Brar supporting the campaign was also released. Additionally, Nadda launched the Eat Right Activity Book – Your Guide to Eat Right at School, a resource under the Eat Right School initiative, designed to engage schoolchildren in learning about food safety, hygiene, and nutrition through age-appropriate activities.

    Nadda praised FSSAI’s innovative “Sugar and Oil Boards,” visual tools placed in schools, workplaces, and public spaces to highlight hidden sugars and fats in everyday foods. He suggested incorporating calorie intake information to enhance their impact and advocated for including food safety awareness in school curricula.

  • MIL-OSI Global: Eating wild meat carries serious health risks – why it still happens along the Kenya-Tanzania border

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Ekta Patel, Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute

    Pastoralist communities, their livestock and diverse wildlife species coexist within a biodiversity-rich landscape stretching along the Kenya–Tanzania border.

    However, at this wildlife-livestock interface, local communities face mounting challenges. Shifts in land use, prolonged droughts, erratic rainfall patterns and increasing land degradation are placing growing pressure on the landscape. In addition, conflict between people and wildlife is on the rise, and many households rely on wild animals for food.

    Communities in the region eat a wide range of wild animals, from rodents, elephant shrews and birds to small antelopes and larger ungulates like bushbuck. This meat (“bush meat” as it is also popularly known in Africa) provides a valuable source of animal protein and minerals, especially where alternative domestic protein sources are scarce.

    Although hunting and consuming wild animals is illegal in Kenya, this is not the case in Tanzania, where certain forms of hunting for wild animals are permitted. Yet in both countries, many people eat wild meat regularly, often without awareness of the risks. These risks include zoonotic disease transmission and potential impacts on wildlife populations.

    Wild meat is a known source of zoonotic infections and disease spillover to humans. In fact, as many as three-quarters of emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife. Illnesses such as anthrax, mpox, Ebola, and HIV have all been linked to close interactions between humans and wild animals.

    Despite these risks, wild meat consumption remains widespread, with some households eating it daily or weekly. Preventing future disease outbreaks requires a clear understanding of these health risks, as well as the underlying social, cultural and economic reasons that drive people to rely on wild meat.

    We set out to understand why people were eating wild meat along the Kenya-Tanzania border and whether they understood the risks of zoonotic diseases. Cases of anthrax have already been reported in this area.

    Our study involved interviews in border communities during the COVID pandemic – the most famous case of zoonotic disease transmission in recent times. We wanted to know whether communities understood the pandemic’s link to wild meat and if this affected their consumption of it.

    What stood out was that people at the border settlements kept eating wild meat or even ate more of it. This shows that economic necessity, cultural preferences and limited alternatives remain key drivers even when the world is in crisis.

    Though this research was done during COVID-19, it gives us insights into how people react when things get tough, especially when it comes to food and health.

    What’s driving wild meat consumption

    We found that several factors drove wild meat consumption, despite growing awareness of the health risks.

    Poverty

    Economic factors, particularly household income and limited financial means, strongly influenced wild meat consumption, particularly in communities with limited alternative protein sources. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on local economies. Tourism, a key source of income for border communities, experienced sharp declines. As household revenues fell, reliance on wild meat as an affordable protein source increased.

    Economic stability plays a crucial role in shaping consumption behaviours: 81% of those surveyed at the border settlements indicated they would stop eating wild meat if cheaper alternatives were available.

    The type of animal

    Perceptions of disease risks varied depending on the species consumed.

    Approximately 79% of respondents believed that certain animals posed a higher risks of zoonotic disease transmission. Hyenas were perceived as the most dangerous, followed by primates and snakes. These findings suggest that while economic necessity influences wild meat consumption, risk perception also shapes dietary choices.

    Gender plays a role

    Men expressed more concern over conservation and health risks than women. Men were also more likely to advocate against selling wild meat. Women exhibited lower concern regarding zoonotic disease risks, including COVID-19. These insights highlight the need for gender-sensitive interventions to address wild meat consumption.

    Education levels

    Education levels also influenced risk perception. Respondents with formal education displayed a stronger awareness of zoonotic transmission pathways. They were also more receptive to conservation and public health messaging. This highlights the importance of education in promoting safer and more sustainable practices within communities.

    National policies

    Despite sharing ecosystems and wildlife populations, Kenya and Tanzania have adopted fundamentally different governance approaches to wild meat. This in turn shapes outcomes for conservation, biodiversity and public health.

    Kenya follows a centralised and protectionist model. Hunting and consumption of wild animals are prohibited under the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act. This zero-tolerance policy is rooted in strong conservation principles aimed at protecting biodiversity.

    However, in practice, it has driven the activity underground, creating a thriving black market. This undermines conservation and enforcement efforts. It also increases the risk of zoonotic disease transmission due to unregulated handling and consumption of wild animals.

    Tanzania, by contrast, uses a decentralised, regulated slaughterhouse model. Licensed wild meat hunting and consumption is legal under regulation, particularly through game-controlled areas and permits introduced in 2020. This approach is meant to enable communities to benefit economically from wildlife and reduce incentives for illegal hunting.

    The existence of two divergent systems across a porous border creates challenges. These include illegal cross-border trade, conflicting conservation objectives, and uneven protection of biodiversity. There are also difficulties in implementing coordinated surveillance or public health interventions.

    The contrasting regulations in Kenya and Tanzania significantly influence wild meat consumption choices.

    In Kenya, where wild meat is strictly prohibited, consumption appears to be through informal and unregulated channels. This increases health risks and limits consumer awareness. In contrast, Tanzania’s regulated licensing system provides a legal pathway for access. This makes wild meat consumption more visible and, in some cases, perceived as safer. These differing policies shape how communities access, justify and engage with wild meat, often driving cross-border trade and complicating enforcement and risk communication efforts.

    What’s next?

    Addressing the risks associated with wild meat trade requires a multifaceted strategy that balances health, equity and sustainability.

    We suggest an intervention that prioritises economic stability and ensuring affordable alternative protein sources are accessible, especially in food-insecure settings.

    Public health education is also essential. An increasing awareness of zoonotic disease risks can help shift consumption behaviour.

    Because men and women perceived the dangers of wild meat consumption differently, gender-sensitive approaches should be integrated. It should also be noted that, although women are rarely the primary hunters, they are often prosecuted for possession or sale of wild meat. Gender disparities on how laws are applied must be addressed.

    Legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms must be strengthened to address cross-border wildlife trade, particularly in regions with differing policies like Kenya and Tanzania. They should also reduce the risks faced by individuals who may unknowingly engage in illegal practices due to a lack of clarity.

    We continue to work with national and regional stakeholders. This includes government bodies and technical partners who are actively engaging with us to co-develop One Health solutions. These solutions integrate public health, environmental sustainability and community well-being.

    Finally, community engagement and participation should be at the core of any intervention. This will ensure that policies are locally relevant, culturally sensitive and supported by those directly affected to reduce the risks of zoonotic disease spillover.

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

    – ref. Eating wild meat carries serious health risks – why it still happens along the Kenya-Tanzania border – https://theconversation.com/eating-wild-meat-carries-serious-health-risks-why-it-still-happens-along-the-kenya-tanzania-border-252947

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • Nari Shakti: A decade of women’s empowerment under Modi government

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over the past 11 years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has witnessed a transformative shift in women’s empowerment, redefining their role from passive beneficiaries to active nation-builders. With women and children comprising 67.7% of India’s population, the Modi government has made Nari Shakti(women’s power) a cornerstone of national progress, driving policies that empower women across health, education, housing, sanitation, financial inclusion, and leadership. As India strides into Amrit Kaal, women are leading the charge toward a stronger, more inclusive nation.

    A Lifecycle Approach to Empowerment

    “Women are not just homemakers; they are nation-builders,” Prime Minister Modi has repeatedly emphasized. Since 2014, the government has adopted a comprehensive, lifecycle-based approach to empower women at every stage of life. From landmark legislation like the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves 33% of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women, to schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Mission Shakti, the focus has shifted from women’s development to women-led development. These initiatives have boosted women’s participation in education (especially STEM), entrepreneurship, public service, and even defense, fostering inclusive and sustainable growth.

    Health and Nutrition: Building a Strong Foundation

    The government’s fight against malnutrition has gained momentum through Mission POSHAN 2.0, a ₹1.81 lakh crore initiative (2021–26) targeting children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. By integrating nutrition, health, and community efforts, POSHAN Abhiyaan (launched in 2018) uses digital tools like the Poshan Tracker—winner of the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration 2024—to drive real-time monitoring and behavioral change. As of March 2025, 99.02% of beneficiaries are Aadhaar-verified, and a face authentication module ensures transparency in distributing Take-Home Rations.

    Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi, 24,533 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) have been upgraded into Saksham Anganwadis, with a target of transforming 2 lakh AWCs by 2026. The Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi initiative has trained 36,463 State-Level Master Trainers and 4,65,719 Anganwadi workers to provide quality pre-school education alongside nutrition. The Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan, launched in December 2024, rewards 1,000 Gram Panchayats for exemplary work in improving nutrition outcomes.

    Maternal and neonatal care has also seen significant advancements. The Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) has supported over 16.60 crore beneficiaries since 2014, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for antenatal and postnatal care. The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) has aided 11.07 crore women by promoting institutional deliveries, while Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) ensures zero-cost healthcare for pregnant women and newborns in 90,015 certified facilities. The Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) provides ₹5,000 cash benefits to support maternal health, and the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) ensures early detection of high-risk pregnancies.

    Dignity Through Infrastructure

    The Modi government has prioritized dignity in daily life through transformative schemes. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) has provided homes to 2.75 crore beneficiaries, with 73% being women, granting them security and decision-making power. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has distributed 10.33 crore LPG connections, freeing women from hazardous cooking fumes. The Swachh Bharat Mission has built over 12 crore toilets, ensuring safety and hygiene for women, with 93% reporting reduced fear of harm or infection. The Jal Jeevan Mission has delivered 15.6 crore tap water connections, empowering women by saving time and involving them in water management.

    Education and Financial Security

    The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign has improved the sex ratio at birth from 918 (2014–15) to 930 (2023–24) and increased girls’ school enrollment to 78% by 2023–24. The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), celebrating a decade in 2025, has opened over 4.2 crore accounts, securing the financial future of girls.

    Women in Leadership

    Women are breaking barriers across sectors. The first batch of female cadets graduated from the National Defence Academy in May 2025, and women have played pivotal roles in missions like Chandrayaan-3. India leads globally in female STEM graduates and pilots. Legal reforms such as the abolition of Triple Talaq, the proposal to raise the minimum marriage age for women from 18 to 21 years, and the extension of maternity leave to 26 weeks have significantly advanced women’s empowerment in India. These measures have supported greater access to education and employment for women, while also promoting their health and well-being. Additionally, the abrogation of Article 35A has granted women in Jammu & Kashmir equal property rights, further strengthening gender equality in the region.

    Economic Empowerment

    The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) has sanctioned ₹34.11 lakh crore across 52.5 crore loan accounts, with 68% benefiting women entrepreneurs. The Stand-Up India Scheme has provided over ₹47,704 crore to 2.04 lakh women borrowers. The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has mobilized 10.05 crore women into 90.90 lakh Self-Help Groups, with the Lakhpati Didi Initiative enabling 1.48 crore women to earn ₹1 lakh annually.

    Safety and Security: Mission Shakti

    Mission Shakti, with its Sambal and Samarthya pillars, ensures women’s safety and self-reliance. Sambal includes 819 operational One Stop Centres (OSCs), assisting 10.98 lakh women, and the Women Helpline, handling 214.78 lakh calls. The SHe-Box Portal addresses workplace harassment, and Nari Adalat promotes women-led justice at the grassroots. Samarthya supports 2.92 lakh women through Shakti Sadan and 5.07 lakh through Sakhi Niwas. The AbKoiBahanaNahi campaign, launched in November 2024, combats gender-based violence.

    A New Era for Nari Shakti

    Over the past decade, the Modi government has transformed women’s welfare into a movement of leadership and agency. From space missions to grassroots governance, Indian women are shaping the nation’s destiny.

  • MIL-OSI Australia: A glimpse into free school camps at Birrigai

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Campers get to make, cook and taste their own damper.

    In brief:

    • ACT public primary school students have begun attending free school camps at Birrigai Outdoor School.
    • The ACT Government launched the free camps program in February 2025.
    • This article looks at what students experience on a Birrigai camp.

    Since the ACT Government launched its free camps program in February this year, over 640 students have experienced one at Birrigai Outdoor School, near Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve.

    Another 370 students are booked to attend their free camp by the end of Term 2, which means Birrigai will have hosted more than 1000 students from 13 schools for free camps by mid-year.

    Camp is a fun and important part of schooling. But have you ever wondered what students actually get up to?

    This article looks at what ACT public primary school students can expect on their free overnight camp.

    The free camps program

    The free camps program gives one year group from each ACT public primary school a free overnight camp at Birrigai each year.

    This ensures all ACT public primary school students attend a free camp during their primary school years.

    Free camps mean all students can attend, with no one missing out due to cost.

    All ACT public primary schools will have their first free camp in 2025 or 2026.

    The campers’ itinerary

    Birrigai offers different programs aligned with the curriculum. Themes include:

    • First Nations culture
    • Outdoor adventure and science
    • Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities.

    Outdoor activities are central to the experience. On camp, students may take part in:

    • adventure bush walks
    • team-building exercises like team treks and rope courses
    • campfires, damper cooking and seed grinding (and enjoying Birrigai biscuits)
    • challenges such as the crate climb, Vertical Playpen and Giant’s Ladder
    • a connection to Country experience with Birrigai Aboriginal rangers
    • learning about plants and living creatures, including kangaroos, emus, yabbies, Bogong moths and Muliyan (eagles)
    • arts and craft – from sketching their environment to building a shelter
    • play-based learning, storytelling and singing
    • self-directed exploration
    • collecting data as part of Birrigai’s ongoing EcoSurvey.

    Programs vary due to the age and size of the group, the season and weather conditions.

    The Birrigai experience

    Local parents and carers may recall their own school camps at Birrigai, which was established in 1980.

    The outdoor school is surrounded by mountains, woodland and streams. It is of historical and ongoing significance to the Ngunnawal people.

    Students can see archaeological sites over 25,000 years old. There’s also plenty of wildlife to spot.

    Birrigai camps help students view the world differently and connect or re-connect to Country.

    Food and accommodation

    Students experience the novelty of sleeping in bunk-style cabins.

    These are heated and air-conditioned and have shared internal bathrooms.

    There are also facilities to cater for people with additional needs.

    At mealtimes, everyone eats together in Birrigai’s large dining hall.

    Meals are freshly prepared by an in-house catering team. Food aligns with the National Healthy School Canteen Guidelines.

    The team can accommodate specific dietary needs. Birrigai is a nut-free site.

    Ensuring equity in education

    The free camps program complements other initiatives aimed at helping Canberra families with school costs. These include:

    Find out more at education.act.gov.au

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Bringing families together with Parent Boost

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is delivering on its commitment to support parents living offshore to visit and stay with their families in New Zealand for longer, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford say. 

    Beginning in September, a new ‘Parent Boost’ visa would grant the parents of New Zealand citizens and residents multi-entry access for up to five years, provided they meet specific health, income, and insurance requirements.

    “In order to drive economic growth, we need to incentivise skilled migrants to choose New Zealand,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. 

    “Ensuring we continue to attract the right people with the skills this country needs will deliver significant economic and social benefits for all New Zealanders.” 

    “We know that a longer-term visitor visa for parents is an important consideration for migrants who are deciding where they want to build their lives,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.

    “Whether it be welcoming a new child, additional support during health challenges or providing childcare so parents can work, there is nothing quite like having family support close by.” 

    “We are proud to deliver this coalition agreement between National and ACT, which will make the New Zealand proposition more appealing and more competitive.”

    To be eligible for a Parent Boost visa, applicants must:

    • have an eligible sponsor who is a New Zealand citizen or resident
    • meet Acceptable Standard of Health requirements
    • demonstrate they have at least one year of health insurance coverage which provides emergency medical cover (of at least up to $250,000), repatriation, return of remains and cancer treatment (of at least $100,000) and maintain this insurance for the entire duration they are in New Zealand
    • meet character requirements and be a bona fide / genuine visitor
    • while offshore during the 3rd year of the multiple entry visitor visa, complete a new medical assessment and demonstrate they have maintained their insurance
    • The sponsor must earn the median wage to sponsor one parent, joint sponsors must earn 1.5x the median wage; or
    • The parent/s have an ongoing income aligning with the single rate of New Zealand Superannuation for a single parent and the couple rate for a couple; or
    • The parent/s have available funds of $160,000 for a single parent and $250,000 for a couple to support themselves for the duration of their visa

    One of the following income requirements must also be met:  

    “The Parent Boost Visa strikes the balance of making New Zealand more attractive for people who want to make our beautiful country their home, without putting additional strain on public services,” Ms Stanford says.

    “We are committed to delivering an efficient and predictable immigration system that drives economic growth to take New Zealand forward.” 

    Parent Boost applications open on 29 September 2025. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Construction has begun on Watson Health Precinct

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The upgraded facilities will provide a welcoming, secure and inclusive environment for people as they recover.

      In brief:

    • Construction on the Watson Health Precinct has begun.
    • The upgrades will provide new purpose-built facilities to support alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services.
    • A new residential rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be built.

    Construction has begun on the Watson Health Precinct redevelopment.

    The new facilities will support better health services for young people and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Canberra.

    The precinct will include:

    • facilities to support alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services
    • a residential mental health care facility for young people
    • a residential rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

    Improved care facilities for young people

    The Ted Noffs Foundation will provide live-in alcohol and other drug rehabilitation services for young people.

    Residential care for young people experiencing mental health challenges will be provided by Marymead CatholicCare.

    Image: Artist impression of CatholicCare courtyard.

    A rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

    A residential rehabilitation facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander will be built.

    Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services (Winnunga) will run the service.

    Winnunga has led the design of the new facility.

    This partnership helps ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive culturally appropriate care to support their recovery.

    Construction is expected to be completed in mid-2026.

    Find out more about the government’s health projects on the Built for CBR website.

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    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schakowsky, Taylor Introduce Bill Requiring Price Transparency for Prescription Drugs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

    Full Text of Bill (PDF)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Congressman Dave Taylor (OH-02) introduced the bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers Act of 2025, which would require drug companies to include the list price of prescription drugs in all direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements. This bill is the identical House version of its Senate companion, which was introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in the United State Senate on January 23, 2025.

    “For years, Big Pharma has poured billions of dollars into advertisements to push overpriced prescription drugs on consumers. The United States is one of just two countries in the world that allows pharmaceutical companies to advertise directly to patients. These heavily advertised drugs are often some of the most expensive on the market, driving huge costs on patients,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “Consumers deserve to know the price of a product before they buy it. This is why Congressman Taylor and I are introducing the Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act to ensure that the costs of medications are made clear in ads.”

    “The price of medicine should not be a secret,” said Congressman Dave Taylor. “Disclosing the price of prescription drugs in advertisements will empower patients to make informed decisions and ultimately lead to lower health care costs. Not only will it increase competition, it will ultimately empower Americans to make the best decisions for their health and budget.”

    “Transparency is important to driving competition and lowering costs, and older Americans are tired of being kept in the dark about the high prices of prescription drugs they see advertised every day,” said Bill Sweeney, AARP Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense step toward giving consumers the information they need to make more informed choices and to push back against skyrocketing drug costs. AARP applauds Reps. Taylor and Schakowsky for putting patients first and standing up to the drug companies’ marketing practices.”

    “CSRxP commends Rep. Taylor and Rep. Schakowsky for their introduction of a U.S. House companion to the bipartisan Drug-price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act, that will help deter price-gouging by requiring disclosure of the prices set by brand name drug companies on blockbuster products in advertising directly targeting consumers,” said a spokesperson from the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP).

    ​​In 2023, pharmaceutical companies in the United States spent nearly $14 billion on DTC drug advertising, including advertisements on TV, in magazines, and on social media. Yet over 70% of prescription drugs that were advertised are rated as having “low therapeutic value,” meaning that these advertisements exist to increase demand for drugs a doctor might not otherwise prescribe. Analysis has additionally shown that DTC advertising produces a return on investment of 100-500% for drug companies, as patients are directed to ask their doctor to prescribe a drug they’ve seen advertised.

    By increasing demand for largely low-benefit drugs, costs to government health programs also increase, leaving taxpayers on the hook. A GAO report found that from 2016 to 2018, Medicare spent $320 billion on drugs that were DTC-advertised (58% of Medicare’s total drug spending).

    This proposal has garnered support from consumers across the Nation, with a Kaiser Family Foundation survey finding that 88% of Americans support requiring drug companies to include the list price of medication in advertisements.

    AARP, the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, Patients for Affordable Drugs Now, the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Neurology, and the Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing are supporting organizations of this bill.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China targets nationwide expansion of labor pain relief services

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

    A nurse holds a newborn baby and interacts with the mother in a hospital in Xuzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, May 12, 2024. (Photo by Bai Xue/Xinhua)

    China is stepping up efforts to expand access to labor pain relief as part of a broader push to upgrade maternal healthcare and promote a birth-friendly society.

    According to a circular issued Thursday by Chinese authorities, all third-grade medical institutions that offer obstetric services are expected to provide painless childbirth options by the end of 2025. These institutions represent the highest level in China’s three-tier hospital classification system.

    By 2027, coverage will be extended to include all second-grade and higher medical institutions with obstetric departments nationwide, according to a document jointly issued by the National Health Commission and other government agencies.

    Painless childbirth, technically known as labor analgesia, involves administering medication into the mother’s spinal canal to reduce pain during delivery significantly. The technique is widely regarded as safe, effective and well-established by medical professionals, yet its use in China remained limited to a narrow group of mothers until recent years.

    Xu Qian, a veteran obstetrician at Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital with over 30 years of experience, recalled that labor analgesia technology was available in China in the 1980s and 90s but attracted little attention at the time. “Even many doctors believed that pain was an inevitable part of childbirth,” she said.

    Meanwhile, multiple studies have suggested that the rate of cesarean sections in China was more than 40 percent around the 2010s, with figures even higher in more developed regions — significantly above the rates observed in many other countries.

    In 2018, China launched a national pilot program to promote labor pain relief, participated in by more than 900 hospitals. As a result, the average rate of pain relief use in these pilot facilities increased from 27.5 percent in 2015 to 60.2 percent by 2022.

    Acceptance of labor analgesia has been growing significantly following strong awareness campaigns and improved support systems, according to Xia Wei, an obstetrician at the West China Second University Hospital of Sichuan University, one of the pilot hospitals in southwest China’s metropolis of Chengdu.

    “Now our hospital handles around 10,000 natural deliveries each year, and more than 8,000 of those mothers opt for labor analgesia,” Xia said.

    As one of the beneficiaries, a female surnamed Qin living in Chengdu gave birth to her second child with pain relief by epidural anesthesia, experiencing a “much smoother” delivery compared with her first one eight years ago.

    “Without pain relief methods, the pain lasted for a day and a night during my first delivery,” she said. “But this time, the pain was much more manageable.”

    However, access remains uneven. While some hospitals report usage rates above 80 percent, facilities in central and western regions, particularly at the county level, still lag behind.

    Experts believe that public misconceptions, a shortage of anesthesiologists, and the rather high labor pain relief costs for many remain major challenges.

    “Some young mothers want labor analgesia, but their elders object,” said Xu from Qingdao Women and Children’s Hospital. She noted that the grandparents worried that the anesthesia might harm the babies’ brains, prolong labor, or affect breastfeeding.

    Expectant mothers, especially those who lack knowledge about epidural anesthesia, need a detailed introduction and explanation from the authorities and doctors to make informed choices.

    “Besides official education channels, we should also use social media and prenatal checkups to share accurate information about pain relief options,” said Chen Li, an anesthesiologist at Jilin Women and Children’s Hospital.

    According to Gao Yu, an obstetrician at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in southern China’s Guangdong Province, a majority of expectant mothers are interested in labor pain relief and willing to undergo an epidural after being informed of its safety and advantages.

    Experts say the procedure is especially beneficial for expectant mothers with conditions such as high blood pressure or mild heart disease, as unmanaged labor pain can cause spikes in blood pressure and increase delivery risks.

    “Among the pregnant women we see, 80 to 90 percent ask about painless childbirth in advance,” Gao said. “After evaluation, most choose this method. Only about 10 percent have concerns.”

    To ensure service quality and safety, Thursday’s circular calls for enhanced monitoring and management of labor analgesia practices.

    Medical institutions are required to follow strict protocols for intraspinal analgesia, including preoperative preparation, puncture techniques, and proper anesthetic dosing. They are also asked to conduct joint emergency drills between obstetrics and anesthesiology departments and enhance their ability to handle emergencies.

    Beyond safety concerns, some expectant mothers who want pain relief face logistical hurdles.

    Labor analgesia requires an anesthesiologist to be present throughout the procedure, but China faces a national shortage of such professionals. In large hospitals with heavy surgical workloads, anesthesiologists are often stretched thin. In smaller, county-level hospitals, the option is rarely promoted due to limited staffing.

    “Labor often starts unpredictably, sometimes in the middle of the night,” said Chen Yan, an obstetrician at Chengdu First People’s Hospital. “It’s hard for smaller hospitals to keep anesthesiologists on standby.”

    To address this, the circular urges medical institutions to strengthen the training of professionals in labor analgesia by incorporating standardized pain relief techniques into residency programs for obstetrics and anesthesiology.

    Additionally, the document calls for the formation of labor analgesia teams comprising staff from obstetrics, anesthesiology and hospital management. It also urges public hospitals to adjust compensation systems to better reflect the expertise and workload involved.

    In China, the costs of an epidural during labor usually ranges from 1,000 yuan (140 U. S. dollars) to 3,000 yuan in public hospitals, which could be regarded as a high price by some families. Since 2022, several national policy documents aimed at boosting birth rates and building a birth-friendly society have encouraged local governments to include labor pain relief in basic health insurance schemes.

    Some provinces have already introduced reimbursement policies to ease the financial burden on families. In east China’s Jiangsu Province, as of March, 79,000 women had received epidural labor analgesia since it was included in the medical insurance coverage in July 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of 70 percent.

    Chen Li believes that the inclusion of labor pain relief in basic health insurance is another major boost for promoting labor analgesia.

    “We hope to see faster implementation of the measure and stronger public awareness campaigns across the country,” she said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney announces new parliamentary secretary team

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced a new parliamentary secretary team focused on building Canada strong.

    Canadians elected this new government with a mandate to define a new economic and security relationship with the United States, to build a stronger economy, to bring down costs, and to keep our communities safe. Parliamentary secretaries will support their respective cabinet ministers and secretaries of state to deliver on this mandate.

    The new parliamentary secretary team is appointed as follows:

    • Karim Bardeesy becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
    • Jaime Battiste becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
    • Rachel Bendayan becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
    • Kody Blois becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister
    • Sean Casey becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
    • Sophie Chatel becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
    • Madeleine Chenette becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Sport)
    • Maggie Chi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health
    • Leslie Church becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families (Persons with Disabilities)
    • Caroline Desrochers becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
    • Ali Ehsassi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy (Canada-U.S. Trade)
    • Mona Fortier becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
    • Peter Fragiskatos becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
    • Vince Gasparro becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Combatting Crime)
    • Wade Grant becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    • Claude Guay becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    • Brendan Hanley becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs
    • Corey Hogan becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    • Anthony Housefather becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience
    • Mike Kelloway becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
    • Ernie Klassen becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries
    • Annie Koutrakis becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Jobs and Families
    • Kevin Lamoureux becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
    • Patricia Lattanzio becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
    • Ginette Lavack becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services
    • Carlos Leitao becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry
    • Tim Louis becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the King’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy (Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy)
    • Jennifer McKelvie becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing and Infrastructure
    • Marie-Gabrielle Ménard becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism)
    • David Myles becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Nature)
    • Yasir Naqvi becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (International Development)
    • Taleeb Noormohamed becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation
    • Rob Oliphant becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs
    • Tom Osborne becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board
    • Jacques Ramsay becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety
    • Pauline Rochefort becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Rural Development)
    • Sherry Romanado becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence
    • Jenna Sudds becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Defence Procurement)
    • Ryan Turnbull becomes Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue and Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State (Canada Revenue Agency and Financial Institutions)

    Prime Minister Carney also announced that Élisabeth Brière will serve as Deputy Chief Government Whip, and Arielle Kayabaga will serve as Deputy Leader of the Government in the House of Commons.

    Quote

    “Canada’s new parliamentary secretary team will deliver on the government’s mandate for change, working collaboratively with all parties in Parliament to build the strongest economy in the G7, advance a new security and economic partnership with the United States, and help Canadians get ahead.”

    Quick Fact

    • Parliamentary secretaries are chosen by the Prime Minister to assist ministers and secretaries of state.

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Announces Final Day of Phase 6 Presale at $6 per Token

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), a next-generation blockchain platform engineered for speed, decentralization, and smart contract utility, today announced the final day of Phase 6 of its presale. Priced at $6 per token, this marks the last opportunity for early supporters to participate before the next price increase to $7, with the public launch set at $20.

    With over 11,000 participants and $3 million raised, Bitcoin Solaris is gaining recognition for its unique architecture, high-performance infrastructure, and rapidly growing community.

    Bitcoin Solaris: The $6 Infrastructure of Tomorrow

    BTC-S isn’t just a token—it’s a full-scale ecosystem designed for speed, decentralization, and long-term utility. At its foundation is a dual-consensus blockchain that merges security with scalability.

    • PoW Base Layer: Uses SHA-256 for Bitcoin miner compatibility and stable 5-minute block times.
    • DPoS Solaris Layer: 21 rotating validators, 15-second blocks, dynamic scalability up to 100,000 TPS.
    • Validator rotation every 24 hours and slashing penalties keep the system secure and fair.
    • Energy efficiency exceeds 99.95% compared to legacy PoW chains.

    This isn’t just a fast chain—it’s a secure, audited, and community-driven one.

    Audited, Trusted, and Fully Scalable

    What truly separates Bitcoin Solaris from the sea of short-term plays is its rigorous infrastructure. Every line of smart contract code has been thoroughly examined through smart contract audits by Cyberscope and Freshcoins.

    These Rust-based contracts power real-world applications in:

    • DeFi and synthetic asset trading
    • Tokenized real estate and enterprise systems
    • Healthcare data, educational credentials, and IoT payments
    • Play-to-earn ecosystems and low-fee NFT markets

    It’s a smart contract engine that’s fast, functional, and ready to host apps that do more than just meme.

    A Presale That’s Turning Heads Fast

    The buzz is getting louder. Bitcoin Solaris is in Phase 6 of its presale—the last day of this phase, in fact. At $6 per token, with the next jump to $7 and a launch price set at $20, early buyers are staring down a possible 233% gain before BTC-S even hits the market.

    What’s more, this isn’t just hype. Over 11,000 investors have already joined the movement, and more than $3 million has been raised in what’s now being dubbed one of the shortest and strongest presales in 2025.

    The Future of Decentralization Is Already Mining—Start with BTC-S

    Crypto influencers are already taking notice. A recent video review by Ben Crypto walks through the architecture, audits, and upside—reinforcing why BTC-S is rising as the serious choice for those tired of chasing rug pulls.

    Where the Riches Are Really Made

    The real engine behind BTC-S isn’t just its price—it’s its reward distribution model that empowers early holders and network participants:

    • 40% of rewards go to miners on the Base Layer.
    • 25% flow to validators on the Solaris Layer.
    • 20% go directly to stakers.
    • 10% fund development.
    • 5% support the community.

    This reward system factors in your contribution score, device type, network demand, and even how long you’ve been involved. It’s built to grow wealth—not just price charts.

    A Roadmap with Real Momentum

    BTC-S isn’t just a concept—it’s a timeline in motion. Here’s how the future looks:

    Bitcoin Solaris Roadmap Summary

    • Q2–Q4 2025: Presale launched, whitepaper finalized, community building underway
    • Q1 2026: Testnet goes live, Solana bridge integration, security audits deepen
    • Q2 2026: Mainnet prep and major exchange listing strategy
    • Q3 2026: Full mainnet launch, governance activated, AI-enhanced Solaris Nova platform debuts
    • Q4 2026: Launch of a Mining Power Marketplace and major dApp accelerator
    • 2027 and beyond: Layer-2 scaling, quantum resistance, Fortune 500 partnerships, AI optimization, and cross-chain dominance

    The Final Window of Opportunity

    Bitcoin Solaris isn’t fighting for clout—it’s building an empire. While meme coins spike and vanish, BTC-S offers architecture, audits, rewards, and real momentum. If there was ever a time to jump in early on a project with the speed of Solana, the security of Bitcoin, and the accessibility of a $6 entry point—it’s now. Blink, and this presale might already be gone
    .For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X: https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

    Media Contact
    Xander Levine
    press@bitcoinsolaris.com
    Press Kit: Available upon request

    Disclaimer: This is a paid post and is provided by Bitcoin Solaris. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8074dafe-6d70-40d7-87f3-6f37b112e0c5
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a0977bce-c8c0-4a5b-917b-410cf112aee2
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/385dc1b0-63e2-4239-af0e-c4a7f0d2794d
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/515b9cf0-727b-45fa-909d-a6470d3fca15

    The MIL Network –

  • Seeds of change: India’s agricultural evolution under PM Modi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Agriculture has long been the soul of India’s economy and society. Over the past eleven years, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India’s agricultural landscape has been redefined by a holistic, inclusive, and tech-driven approach that is embodied in the principle of Beej Se Bazaar Tak, or Seed to Market. This transformation puts the farmer at the center of policy-making, with a focus on income security, smart farming, traditional wisdom, and global competitiveness.

    Rising investment in the agriculture sector

    Recognising the critical role of agriculture, the government substantially increased funding to the sector. The Budget Estimates for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare rose from ₹27,663 crore in 2013–14 to ₹1,37,664 crore in 2024–25. This more than fivefold jump in allocation has enabled investments in infrastructure, innovation, and farmer welfare.

    Growth in foodgrain and climate-resilient crops

    India’s foodgrain production has grown significantly, from 265.05 million tonnes in 2014–15 to an estimated 347.44 million tonnes in 2024–25. This includes major staples like rice, wheat, pulses, and oilseeds. The focus has also shifted toward increasing production of climate-resilient and nutrition-rich crops, with support for coarse grains, pulses, and oilseeds witnessing sharp growth.

    Strengthening procurement and minimum support prices

    The government has significantly increased Minimum Support Prices and procurement. Between 2014 and 2025, procurement of 14 Kharif crops reached 7871 LMT, compared to 4679 LMT in the previous decade. The MSP for wheat rose from ₹1,400 in 2013–14 to ₹2,425 in 2024–25, and payments to farmers more than doubled. The MSP for paddy increased from ₹1,310 to ₹2,369 per quintal in the same period. Procurement and MSP support for pulses and oilseeds grew exponentially, empowering farmers in previously underserved regions.

    Financial empowerment through direct benefit and credit

    Financial empowerment of farmers has become a central theme. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, ₹3.7 lakh crore has been directly transferred to over 11 crore farmers, ensuring income support with full transparency via Direct Benefit Transfer. Kisan Credit Cards have been issued to 7.71 crore farmers, enabling credit access worth ₹10 lakh crore. The credit limit has been raised from ₹3 to ₹5 lakh.

    Insurance, irrigation and sustainable practices

    Risk management and sustainability are also key components of the new agricultural strategy. The PM Fasal Bima Yojana has enrolled over 63 crore farmers and paid ₹1.75 lakh crore in crop loss claims. The PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana has invested ₹93,000 crore in irrigation infrastructure, making farming more drought-resistant. The Soil Health Card Scheme has issued 1.75 crore cards and upgraded 8,272 testing labs, encouraging balanced fertiliser use.

    Laying the foundation for long-term prosperity

    With increased investment, income support, insurance, and irrigation, India’s agricultural foundation has been strengthened. These reforms are not just about enhancing output, but about empowering every farmer with dignity, stability, and opportunity.

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Death in Custody Investigation – Darwin

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating on behalf of the coroner after a man died in Royal Darwin Hospital earlier today.

    Around 1pm on 30 May 2025, the Australia Federal Police (AFP) received reports of an intoxicated 68-year-old man, unable to board a flight out of Darwin.

    The male was taken into protective custody by AFP officers and was initially conveyed to the Palmerston Watchhouse. Before being admitted and whilst still in AFP custody, the Custody Sergeant and nurse assessed the male where it was deemed necessary to convey the man to Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) for further assessment.

    Upon arrival at RDH, AFP members noticed the man had lost consciousness. Medical staff were alerted, who immediately commenced CPR. Resuscitation efforts were successful, and he was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit in a stable condition for ongoing treatment for what was a suspected medical event.

    Earlier today, the man passed away in the ICU. The cause of the man’s death remains undetermined pending a post mortem.

    The incident is being investigated as a death in custody, as the man was in the custody of the AFP at the time of him first losing consciousness. The Northern Territory Police Force is now investigating on behalf of the Coroner.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Releases Intent-to-Veto List

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Office of the Governor — News Release — Gov. Green Releases Intent-to-Veto List

    Posted on Jun 6, 2025 in Latest Department News, Newsroom, Office of the Governor Press Releases

    STATE OF HAWAIʻI 
    KA MOKU ʻĀINA O HAWAIʻI 
     
    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR
    KE KIAʻĀINA 
     

    GOVERNOR GREEN RELEASES INTENT-TO-VETO LIST 

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 6, 2025

    HONOLULU – Governor Josh Green, M.D., today informed legislative leaders and stakeholders of his intent to veto 19 bills passed during the 2025 regular session of the Hawai‘i State Legislature.

    Governor Green is not required to veto every bill indicated on the Intent-to-Veto list, but cannot veto a bill that is not included. The release of this list provides additional time to continue ongoing discussions with key stakeholders concerning implementation and impact. Due to the record-setting number of bills enrolled to the governor this legislative session, potential changes to the state’s federal funding and reduced revenue projections from the Council on Revenues, additional time to analyze bills will ensure each bill is given the nuanced, thoughtful consideration it deserves. Governor Green has until July 9 to issue final vetoes. All other bills will become law by July 9.

    “Let me be clear: of the 320 bills passed by the Legislature this session, 19 are on our Intent-to-Veto list,” said Governor Green. “Our team has completed a review of every measure and the overwhelming majority of legislation will become law. Each bill on today’s list is based on thorough legal and fiscal analysis, and as always, was guided by what will best serve the people of Hawai‘i, protect our resources and strengthen our future.”

    To date, Governor Green has signed 200 bills into law benefiting the people and ‘āina of Hawai‘i, with core themes including environmental stewardship, educational access and success, as well as public safety. These represent key focus areas so far; additional bills awaiting signature will build upon this foundation to address state priorities. The remaining 101 bills are on track to become law by July 9.

    Over 300 bills were reviewed by state departments and agencies, the Attorney General and the Governor in the last month. The Governor has until July 9 to issue final vetoes from today’s list.

    The following bills are being considered for vetoes, line-item vetoes, or reductions.

    Fiscal Bills:

    HB126: RELATING TO PROPERTY FORFEITURE

    Bill Description: Increases transparency and accountability surrounding property forfeiture. Clarifies which property is subject to forfeiture. Amends the authorized disposition of forfeited property and the proceeds thereof. Requires the Attorney General to adopt rules necessary to carry out the purpose of the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act. Repeals language that requires the Hawaiʻi Omnibus Criminal Forfeiture Act to be construed liberally.

    Veto Rationale: Asset forfeiture serves as a powerful deterrent against and punishment for criminal activity. The one-year deadline to return seized property for which the owner has not been charged with a covered offense, significantly weakens the efficacy of this dual deterrent and punishment. Many covered offenses, including felonies, often involve complex investigations that extend beyond a year, rendering this bill’s one-year deadline for law enforcement to file charges unrealistic. Seized property can serve as critical evidence in investigations, and its return before an investigation’s completion would severely hamper the investigation as well as the administration of justice at large.

    HB300: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET

    Bill Description: Appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

    Veto Rationale: Potential shifts in federal funding, coupled with recent projections from the Hawaiʻi Council on Revenues, require the state to reevaluate its budget to ensure essential services and priorities remain supported. Specific line-item reductions based on program feasibility, stability, and sustainability will help the state enter the fiscal year with a balanced budget and sound financial plan.

    HB302: RELATING TO CANNABIS
    Bill Description: Part I: Authorizes DOH to inspect qualifying patient medical records held by the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or hospice provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient. Amends and adds definitions for purposes of the medical use of cannabis law. Clarifies the conditions of use for the medical use of cannabis. For purposes of issuing written certifications, authorizes the establishment of a provider-patient relationship via telehealth and limits the maximum amount of fees that can be assessed by providers. Authorizes the sale of hemp products and accessories for the medical use of cannabis at retail dispensing locations, except in waiting rooms. Clarifies transportation requirements for certain inter-dispensary sales of cannabis and manufactured cannabis products. Part II: Establishes criminal penalties for the unlicensed operation of a medical cannabis dispensary. Part III: Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances related to illegal cannabis and hemp products and medical cannabis dispensaries and appropriates funds from the Special Fund to the AG’s Drug Nuisance Abatement Unit for these purposes, including establishing positions. Part IV: Beginning 1/1/2028, prohibits the cultivation of cannabis without a cannabis cultivator license issued by DOH.

    Veto Rationale: This administration remains committed to Hawai‘i’s existing medical cannabis program and supports efforts to expand access to medical cannabis for any medical condition. Although this bill’s authorization of medical cannabis certifications via telehealth expands access to medical cannabis, provisions authorizing the inspection of patients’ medical records without warrant constitute a grave violation of privacy. Given that the federal government classifies cannabis as a Schedule I substance, patients’ reasonable fears of repercussions based upon information gained from inspection of their personal medical records may deter patients from participating in the medical cannabis program.

    HB496: RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA

    Bill Description: Prohibits the use of certain words and misleading Hawaiian imagery, place names, and motifs on the label of a consumer package that contains or includes tea or dried leaves from the plant Pipturus albidus, unless 100% of the tea or dried leaves were cultivated, harvested, and dried in the state. Appropriates funds for a Measurement Standards Inspector position.

    Veto Rationale: While the intent of this measure is to ensure consumer protection and reliable Made in Hawai‘i labeling, the bill imposes overly strict labeling requirements that could harm small businesses and māmaki producers who responsibly blend leaves from multiple sources. Prohibiting the labeling of products composed of less than 100% māmaki tea as “māmaki” ignores the economic contributions of and impacts to producers who mix or process māmaki with other herbs, undermining producers who support local māmaki farmers while meeting broader demand.

    HB796: RELATING TO TAX CREDITS

    Bill Description: Requires that income tax credits existing on 12/31/2025 or established or renewed after 12/31/2025 include a five-year sunset or an annual one-third reduction, beginning with the sixth year of the credit.

    Veto Rationale: This bill would have a significant long-term impact on income tax credits across a variety of industries, including film and television, research, and renewable energy. These tax credits are critical to supporting economic development and diversification, particularly within growing and emerging sectors. Categorically sunsetting income tax credits will not only disincentivize future investors from doing business in Hawai‘i, but will destabilize existing businesses that currently rely upon these tax credits.

    HB1369: RELATING TO TAXATION 

    Bill Description: Amends and repeals certain exemptions under the general excise tax and use tax laws.

    Veto Rationale: The amendments to the general excise tax and use tax contained in this bill would impact sugarcane producers, commercial fishing vessels and securities exchanges. Removing the specific tax exemptions afforded to these entities would provide little financial benefit to the state while harming, in particular, sugarcane producers.

    SB583: RELATING TO NAMING RIGHTS

    Bill Description: Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility and Convention Center Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived from advertising or marketing in or on the Stadium Facility or Convention Center Facility to be deposited into the appropriate special fund of the facility. Authorizes the display of the name of any entity that leased the naming rights to a stadium operated by the Stadium Authority on the exterior of the stadium.

    Veto Rationale: Pursuant to section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution, each bill may only contain one subject, which must pertain to the bill’s title. The exemption of concessions in the stadium facility and Convention Center from typical concession procurement procedures may violate section 14, article III, of the Hawai‘i State Constitution since the exemption appears to fall outside the titular scope of the bill, naming rights.

    SB589: RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY

    Bill Description: Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish an installation goal for customer-sited distributed energy resources in the state. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish tariffs to achieve the installation goal and for grid services programs, microgrids and community-based renewable energy. Ensures that certain levels of compensation are provided for solar and energy storage exports from customer-sited distributed energy resources as part of grid service programs and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish grid service compensation values. Clarifies when a person who constructs, maintains, or operates a new microgrid is not considered a public utility. Authorizes wheeling of renewable energy and requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish policies and procedures to implement wheeling and microgrid service tariffs.

    Veto Rationale: Maintaining Hawai‘i’s leadership in clean energy through established goals and initiatives remains a priority. The Public Utilities Commission has already opened or plans to open proceedings relating to microgrid services tariffs and customer-sited distributed energy resources and grid services. The mandates contained in this bill therefore risk duplication and delay of already existing efforts.

    Non-Fiscal Bills: 

    HB235: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY

    Bill Description: Requires the Department of Transportation, after the City and County of Honolulu educates the public and adjusts any systems, to expand the use of photo red light imaging detector systems and automated speed enforcement systems to locations on the North Shore of O‘ahu.

    Veto Rationale: The Department of Transportation has developed specific criteria for the selection of communities within which to implement traffic safety systems. This criteria incorporates data-driven crash, citation and traffic volume metrics, which ensure communities are chosen based on need and potential for greatest impact. Ignoring this criteria in favor of legislatively mandated location selection threatens the integrity of the photo red light imaging detector system and automated speed enforcement system programs.

    HB800: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT

    Bill Description: Provides for the transfer of certain parcels in the Liliha Civic Center area and Iwilei Fire Station area from various state agencies to the City and County of Honolulu. Provides for the transfer of the parcel of land upon which Ali‘i Tower is sited from the City and County of Honolulu to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Exempts the lands transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources from the definition of public lands for purposes of Chapter 171, HRS.

    Veto Rationale: The land transfers provided in the bill would negatively impact the City and County of Honolulu, which relies upon Ali‘i Tower’s land lease revenues and office spaces. Additionally, the state would face indeterminate additional costs, as Ali‘i Tower’s age likely necessitates capital improvements and ongoing maintenance. Although the intent of this bill is to reduce the state’s reliance on private commercial office space, no analysis exists identifying the amount of office space the acquisition of Aliʻi Tower would provide the state.

    HB958: RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION

    Bill Description: Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of “bicycle” for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines “electric bicycle” in place of “low-speed electric bicycle.” Defines “electric micro-mobility device” and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters to apply to electric micro-mobility devices. Prohibits a person under the age of 16 from operating a class 3 electric bicycle. Authorizes a person under the age of 14 to operate class 2 electric bicycles under supervision. Prohibits a person from riding a class 3 electric bicycle on a sidewalk. Authorizes a person to ride a class 1 or class 2 electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of 18 without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes and substitutes the term “motor-driven cycle” with the term “motor scooter.”

    Veto Rationale: While mopeds and motorcycles are exempt from the prohibition established within this bill, on “high-speed electric devices” driving on public roadways, electric cars are not exempt. Such a prohibition would likely violate the Commerce Clause and Equal Protection Clause of the United States Constitution and conflict with the administration’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    HB1296: RELATING TO THE MAJOR DISASTER FUND

    Bill Description: Establishes timely notice and reporting requirements to the Legislature by the Governor regarding the transfer of appropriations to the Major Disaster Fund. Effective 7/1/2025. Sunsets 7/1/2026.

    Veto Rationale: The administration is committed to the transparent, efficient management of state funds. During times of emergency, flexibility and the quick release of funds is necessary to respond to rapidly changing situations. This bill disrupts the delicate balance between reporting requirements facilitating government transparency and fiscal flexibility undergirding efficient response and recovery efforts. Placing additional administrative oversight over funds expended for emergencies jeopardizes public safety.

    SB15: RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION 

    Bill Description: Amends the definition of “historic property” to require that the property is over 50 years old and meets the criteria for inclusion in the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places. Excludes proposed projects on existing residential property and proposed projects that are in nominally sensitive areas from the State’s Historic Preservation Program review, under certain circumstances.

    Veto Rationale: Exempting proposed projects on any existing residential property from historic preservation review fails to consider properties that have never undergone such a review and may contain historically significant artifacts or iwi kūpuna. This categorical exclusion increases the risk for desecration of iwi kūpuna and historical resources. Although Governor Green supports amending the historic preservation review process to facilitate housing production, a more nuanced approach to protecting iwi kūpuna is needed, such as that advanced in SB 1263.

    SB31: RELATING TO PROPERTY

    Bill Description: Authorizes a person who discovers a recorded discriminatory restrictive covenant to take certain actions, without liability, to invalidate the covenant. Defines discriminatory restrictive covenant.

    Veto Rationale: By enabling any person, including those without any interest in the specified real property, to record a statement that a real property’s title includes a discriminatory restrictive covenant, this bill provides a statutorily authorized mechanism for the circulation of disinformation. This disinformation has the potential to negatively affect the marketability of a property. Because the person who recorded the statement claiming a discriminatory restrictive covenant exists is waived of any liability, no recourse is available to those who suffer financial loss due to inaccurate claims concerning their property’s title.

    SB38: RELATING TO HOUSING

    Bill Description: Requires the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation to provide counties with an opportunity to comment on certain housing development projects. Prohibits the legislative body of a county from imposing stricter conditions than the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, stricter area median income requirements, or a reduction in fee waivers to housing development proposals that would increase the cost of the project.

    Veto Rationale: County councils have expressed concerns that this bill hampers their ability to work with developers to modify housing projects to reflect the specific needs of their communities. While the administration supports measures intended to facilitate the production of affordable housing, further dialogue with the counties on this measure’s implementation is required.

    SB66: RELATING TO HOUSING

    Bill Description: Establishes procedures and requirements for single-family and multifamily housing project applicants to apply for an expedited permit, including requirements for completeness of expedited permit applications, duties of licensed professionals and the counties during construction, and applications for owner-builder exemptions. Takes effect 7/1/2026. Sunsets 6/30/2031.

    Veto Rationale: By allowing any qualified professional to determine a project’s impact on historical resources, this bill permits a project proponent to evaluate and determine the impact of its own projects on historical resources. This is a conflict of interest that allows for self-serving determinations, undermines the authority and purpose of regulatory agencies’ independent evaluations, and increases risk to iwi kūpuna.

    SB104: RELATING TO CORRECTIONS

    Bill Description: Beginning 7/1/2026, restricts the use of restrictive housing in state-operated and state-contracted correctional facilities, with certain specified exceptions. Establishes a restrictive housing legislative working group to develop and recommend more comprehensive laws, policies and procedures regarding restrictive housing for members of vulnerable populations by 1/8/2027. Requires the Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission to review restrictive housing placements on an annual basis. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by 12/1/2027, to implement policies and procedures recommended by the restrictive housing working group related to committed persons. Requires interim and final reports to the Legislature and Hawaiʻi Correctional System Oversight Commission.

    Veto Rationale: The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has policies in place governing the use of restrictive housing. These policies and procedures comply with National Institute of Corrections and American Correctional Association standards. Rather than improve the health and safety of those in the department’s care, the implementation of certain requirements proposed in this bill will jeopardize the safety, security and good governance of the department’s facility, negatively impacting inmates. In lieu of this measure and to address stakeholders’ concerns, the department is working with the Hawaiʻi Correctional Systems Oversight Commission to amend its policies and procedures.

    SB447: RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH PILOT PROGRAM

    Bill Description: Establishes a Hiring Pilot Program within the Department of Health, which includes an amended hiring procedure for delegated position classifications, certain flexibilities regarding minimum qualifications for positions having a salary range at or below SR-10, the ability to directly hire certain individuals into a civil service position if certain conditions are met, and the authority to make certain temporary appointments at the merited civil service pay scale without step limitation. Applies to recruitments initiated before 7/1/2028. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 7/1/2028.

    Veto Rationale: The governor strongly supports efforts to streamline the state’s hiring process to address our workforce vacancies, especially those in our state’s public health sector. However, this bill conflicts with state civil service law, undermining the state’s merit-based civil service system. Disparities in hiring, classification and compensation throughout the state are expected to occur should this bill become law.

    SB1102: RELATING TO THE AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING UNIT

    Bill Description: Specifies the appointment processes and terms for the Fire Chief of the Hawaiʻi State Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit of the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation.

    Veto Rationale: The appointment process proposed in the bill is inconsistent with the selection process for other department leadership positions. Further, due to the need to obtain legislative approval for the appointment of the Fire Chief, following the appointment process contained in this bill may delay the appointment of this critical leadership position, impacting airport operations, safety and readiness.

    # # #

    Media Contacts:  
    Erika Engle
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawai‘i
    Office: 808-586-0120
    Email: [email protected] 

    Makana McClellan
    Director of Communications
    Office of the Governor, State of Hawaiʻi
    Cell: 808-265-0083
    Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 7, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 7, 2025.

    ‘They cannot block us,’ says activist on Madleen flotilla aid ship to Gaza
    Pacific Media Watch One of the 12 activists on board the Gaza Freedom Flotilla aid vessel Madleen has posted an update on their progress, saying the mission would not be deterred by Israel’s threats to block them. In a video posted to X, Thiago Ávila said the crew, which includes high-profile Swedish climate activist Greta

    Jeremy Rose: Mister Netanyahu have you no sense of decency?
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  • MIL-OSI USA: August Egg Company Recalls Shell Eggs Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    June 06, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    June 06, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Salmonella

    Company Name:
    August Egg Company
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Multiple brand names

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs

    Company Announcement
    August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA is recalling 1,700,000 dozen brown cage free and brown certified organic eggs, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
    The eggs were distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 15, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 4, 2025, within California and Nevada. The eggs were distributed at retail locations including Save Mart, FoodMaxx, Lucky, Smart & Final, Safeway, Raleys, Food 4 Less and Ralphs.
    The eggs were also distributed from February 3, 2025, through May 6, 2025, with sell by dates from March 4, 2025, to June 19, 2025, to Walmart locations in California, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois.
    The recalled eggs will have printed on the carton or package a plant code number P-6562 or CA5330 with the Julian Dates between 32 to 126. The recalled retail eggs will be in fiber or plastic cartons, with the above codes printed on one side of the carton. (See photo following for Julian date location.)

    Item Name
    Plant Number
    Carton UPC

    Clover Organic Large Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    070852010427

    First Street Cage Free Large Brown Loose 1 case=150 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    041512039638

    Nulaid Medium Brown Cage Free 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    071230021042

    Nulaid Jumbo Brown Cage Free 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    071230021011

    O Organics Cage Free Large Brown 6 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    079893401522

    O Organics Large Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    079893401508

    O Organics Large Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    079893401546

    Marketside Organic Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    681131122771

    Marketside Organic Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    681131122801

    Marketside Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    681131122764

    Marketside Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    681131122795

    Raley’s Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    046567033310

    Raley’s Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    046567040325

    Raley’s Organic Large Cage Free Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    046567028798

    Raley’s Organic Large Cage Free Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    046567040295

    Simple Truth Medium Brown Cage Free 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    011110099327

    Simple Truth Large Brown Cage Free 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    011110873743

    Sun Harvest Organic Cage Free Large Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    041512131950

    Sun Harvest Organic Cage Free Large Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    041512131950

    Sunnyside Large Brown Cage Free 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    717544211747

    Sunnyside Large Brown Cage Free 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    717544211754

    Sunnyside Organic Cage Free Large Brown 12 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    717544201441

    Sunnyside Organic Cage Free Large Brown 18 eggs
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    717544211761

    Loose Small Brown Cage Free-1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs)
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    NA

    Loose Medium Brown Cage Free -1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs)
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    NA

    Loose Medium Brown Organic -1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs)
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    NA

    Loose Large Brown Organic-1 box= 6 flats (1 flat= 30 eggs)
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    NA

    Loose Jumbo Brown Cage Free -1 box=5 flats(1 flat=20 eggs)
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    NA

    Loose Jumbo Brown Organic -1 box=5 flats(1 flat=20 eggs)
    P-6562 or CA-5330
    NA

    This recall is associated with an ongoing outbreak investigation of Salmonella Enteritidis illnesses. Products were distributed in AZ, CA, IL, IN, NE, NM, NV, WA and WY.
    August Egg Company is not selling fresh shell eggs at this time. Our firm has voluntarily been diverting eggs to an egg-breaking plant for over 30 days, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any potential foodborne pathogens.
    Consumers who may have eggs produced in this plant, as identified by the plant code on one side of the egg carton, should return it to their place of purchase for a full refund. Further questions may be directed to the company at 1-800-710-2554, between 9am and 5pm PT.
    ######
    Additional Comments from August Egg Company:
    “August Egg Company of Hilmar, CA is voluntarily recalling 1,700,000 dozen shell eggs processed at our California plant and sold to various grocery customers. This recall has been initiated due to possible Salmonella enteritidis contamination, which poses a health risk. With that in mind, we believe it is appropriate out of an abundance of caution to conduct this voluntary recall, as consumers may still have these eggs in their homes.
    “It is important to know that when our processing plant identified this concern, we immediately began diverting all eggs from the plant to an egg-breaking facility, which pasteurizes the eggs and kills any pathogens.
    “August Egg Company’s internal food safety team also is conducting its own stringent review to identify what measures can be established to prevent this situation from recurring. We are committed to addressing this matter fully and to implementing all necessary corrective actions to ensure this does not happen again.”

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Customer Service
    800-710-2554

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Tim Scott Introduces Legislation to Enhance Employer-Provided Healthcare Options

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott

    WASHINGTON — Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced the Employee Access to Worksite Health Services Act to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for American workers. 

    The bill would address an existing provision in the Internal Revenue Code Section 223 that unintentionally disincentivizes employer-sponsored health clinics. Specifically, the bill ensures that employees who utilize services provided through worksite health clinics will not be deemed ineligible to contribute pretax dollars to their HSAs. Additionally, the bill broadens the scope of services offered through these clinics to ensure compliance and expand healthcare options for employees.

    “Empowering employers to provide accessible and comprehensive health services directly at the worksite is a win for workers and businesses alike,” said Senator Scott.“This legislation takes important steps to remove barriers that limit innovative healthcare solutions and supports healthier, more productive communities.”

    The proposed legislation is expected to have a transformative impact on health access, benefiting employees in numerous municipalities and companies across the manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, and food processing sectors. 

    “The Corporate Health Care Coalition (CHCC) supports the Employee Access to Worksite Health Clinics Act, which amends the tax code to encourage employees to access the care they need when they need it at worksite health clinics without added costs. CHCC member companies strive to provide innovative health care solutions for their employees, and worksite health clinics are one of many tools employers use to promote employee wellness by increasing access to preventive and primary care services at the worksite. Worksite health clinics are critical to ensuring a healthy workforce, and CHCC applauds Senator Tim Scott for introducing this important legislation to improve access to health care for millions of employees nationwide,” said Kate Hull, Executive Director, Corporate Health Care Coalition.

    “Employers recognize the immense value and cost savings of providing primary care to their employees. Many make this care as accessible as possible for their workforce through near- or on-site clinics that deliver affordable primary and preventive care that is responsive to employee needs. PBGH supports the reintroduction of legislation by Senator Scott that would parallel this commitment, allowing employees with HSAs to receive high-value primary care from these clinics,” said Elizabeth Mitchell, President and CEO, Purchaser Business Group on Health. 

    Full text of the bill can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –