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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI: EverGen Infrastructure Corp. Announces Private Placement of Common Shares and Entering Into of Share Purchase and Reorganization Agreement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities Laws.

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (“EverGen” or the “Company”) (TSXV: EVGN) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase and reorganization agreement (the “Agreement”) on April 22, 2025, with Ask America, LLC (the “Purchaser”), an arm’s length limited liability company existing under the laws of New Jersey. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Purchaser has agreed to act as the lead investor in a private placement of common shares of the Company (“Common Shares”) for total gross proceeds of up to CAD$7,000,000 (the “Private Placement”). A copy of the Agreement will be accessible on the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Private Placement

    Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company intends to complete the Private Placement of up to an aggregate of 11,666,667 Common Shares at a price of $0.60 per Common Share with the Purchaser and other subscribers for total gross proceeds of up to CAD$7,000,000. In connection with the Private Placement, Purchaser has agreed to subscribe for and purchase 8,333,333 Common Shares in the Private Placement, for gross aggregate proceeds of CAD$5,000,000 (the “Share Purchase”) on the terms and conditions set forth in the Agreement. Upon execution of the Agreement, the Purchaser paid a deposit of CAD$1,800,000 to the Company for the Share Purchase, with the remaining CAD$3,200,000 to be paid by the Purchaser to the Company upon closing of the Private Placement. The Common Shares issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a four month hold period. The Company anticipates using the proceeds of the Private Placement for working capital and general corporate purposes.

    Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, subject to and concurrent with the closing of the Private Placement, the majority of the executive officers and directors of the Company will resign and be replaced with a new management team consisting of Chase Edgelow as Chief Executive Officer, Ron Green as Chief Operating Officer, with Sean Hennessey continuing as Chief Financial Officer and a new board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) consisting of: Chase Edgelow, Varun Anand, Blake Almond, and Mischa Zajtmann (collectively, the “Change of Management”). The foregoing changes will constitute a “Change of Management” (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). The closing of the Private Placement may also result in the Purchaser becoming a new “Control Person” of the Company (as defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange). The completion of the Private Placement and the Change of Management is expected to occur in early May 2025.

    It is also anticipated that, prior to closing of the Private Placement, 1,211,026 options, warrants and other equity settled incentive securities held by current and former members of the Company’s management and the Board will be surrendered for cancellation. Upon completion of the Private Placement, EverGen will have issued and outstanding up to 25,686,352 Common Shares (up to 25,806,225 Common Shares on a fully diluted basis).

    New Management Team & Board

    The new management team and board brings unparalleled knowledge of the Company and its assets, a focused strategy dedicated to improving operational efficiencies and cost structure, and a long-term vision to continue to grow EverGen into a highly strategic and valuable infrastructure platform.

    Chase Edgelow (Director & Chief Executive Officer): Brings a direct hands-on approach as co-founder and former CEO of EverGen, along with 20 years of financial and operational expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He is the founding partner of Chase Capital, a private capital platform dedicated to investing in, advising and growing businesses with a focus on the circular economy and energy transition. He spent over a decade with Macquarie Group specializing in sourcing, structuring and managing private energy and infrastructure investments on behalf of Macquarie and other co-investment partners, in addition to providing traditional M&A, capital raising and advisory services for corporate clients. Holds a degree in Engineering Physics from Queen’s University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) charterholder and Professional Engineer of Alberta (non-practising).

    Ron Green (Chief Operating Officer): An accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in the energy & infrastructure sectors, specializing in operational excellence and team development. Proven track record of driving success in turnaround situations, with expertise in optimizing operations and aligning strategic incentives. Throughout his career, Mr. Green has held key executive roles, including CEO of Promeita Energy, Vice President of Rockwater Energy Solutions, Chief Operating Officer of Pure Energy Services Ltd., and Executive Vice President of Delaney Energy. In addition to his executive leadership roles, Mr. Green is a founding board member of Beyond Energy Services & Technology Corp, which he has guided from a start-up to a >$100m revenue business. He is a graduate of Queens University’s Executive Program and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. With extensive experience in operational leadership and people management, he is a trusted expert in driving sustainable growth and value creation.

    Sean Hennessy (CFO): Sean is a chartered accountant with over 15 years of finance and accounting experience in the clean energy and infrastructure industries, which includes ten years at Altera Infrastructure (previously Teekay Offshore Partners), a global energy infrastructure group and a Brookfield Business Partners portfolio company. Sean obtained his Chartered Accountant designation at PwC New Zealand, where he worked in both the tax and assurance practices, before transitioning to Canada. He is experienced with financial reporting for public companies under both IFRS and US GAAP, on both the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. Sean completed a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (Accounting, Finance and Commercial Law) degree and a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) degree at Victoria University of Wellington.

    Varun Anand (Director): Varun serves as the Outsourced Chief Investment Officer and representative of ASK America LLC. He brings over a decade of global investment experience across public and private markets, with a strong track record of identifying and executing high-quality infrastructure opportunities. An award-winning portfolio manager, Varun has developed particular expertise in the renewable energy sector, having invested extensively in both Canadian and international renewable energy assets. During his tenure at Starlight Capital, he led the investment in the Company’s IPO in 2021 and built one of its largest shareholder positions by 2022. Varun holds a Bachelor of Mathematics with a Finance specialization from the University of Waterloo and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

    Blake Almond (Director): Blake has 17 years of experience in M&A and private & public capital markets including 8 years focused on organics, bioenergy and other circular economy infrastructure assets. He spent 10 years with Macquarie Capital in Sydney where he executed M&A and public & private capital markets deals in bioenergy and natural resources. Today he leads the financial advisory business Circ Partners where he advises global infrastructure private equity funds and industrial sponsor clients on circular economy infrastructure investments. Notably, while at Macquarie Capital, Blake advised on cross-border M&A transactions between Canada and Australia including Viterra Inc on the A$1.6bn acquisition of ABB Grain Ltd and Eldorado Gold Corporation on the A$2.1bn acquisition of Sino Gold Mining Limited. Blake is a Member of the Australian Organics Recycling Association (AORA) and the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR).

    Mischa Zajtmann (Director): Mischa has 15 years of experience providing consulting and executive management expertise for Canadian and American listed companies in the resource sector with projects in South America, Africa, and Asia. He is a co-founder of EverGen. Mischa was a corporate securities lawyer who began his career at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, focused primarily on corporate securities transactions, including M&A and corporate finance. He has advised both purchasers and target companies in a wide variety of M&A transactions—including issuers listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange and underwriters, in connection with public offerings and private placements of equity securities, regulatory compliance, and general corporate and commercial matters. Mischa has a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Saskatchewan Law School and is a member of the British Columbia Bar.

    Corporate Strategy

    With a strengthened balance sheet following the private placement and the appointment of the new management team and board, EverGen is strategically positioned to unlock substantial shareholder value. The Company’s immediate focus is on driving operational excellence, enhancing capital efficiency, and establishing a foundation for scalable growth through the following key pillars:

    Operational Excellence to Maximize Returns: Deployment of performance-driven systems and accountability frameworks across core facilities to drive margin expansion and operational reliability.

    Cost Optimization and Capital Discipline: Allocation of capital to high-impact optimization projects aimed at reducing operating volatility and improving unit economics. Overhead will be streamlined, and opportunities to lower financing costs will be actively pursued to reinforce a lean, agile cost structure.

    Strategic Growth: Upon stabilization of core operations, the Company will leverage industry relationships and execution capabilities to re-initiate disciplined project development and pursue accretive partnership opportunities that support long-term growth and shareholder value creation.

    Shareholder and Stock Exchange Approvals

    Completion of the Private Placement and the Change of Management is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and disinterested holders of Common Shares holding more than 50% of the Common Shares giving consent to the Private Placement and the Change of Management, in accordance with the policies and requirements of the TSX Venture Exchange by executing a written consent (the “Shareholder Written Consent”).

    EverGen Board Approval and Recommendation

    EverGen previously announced on February 28, 2025 that the Board formed a special independent committee (the “Special Committee”) to evaluate and review potential strategic transactions with the goal of maximizing value for EverGen shareholders and other stakeholders of the Company. Based on the recommendation of the Special Committee, the Board has unanimously approved the Agreement and the Private Placement and has determined that the completion of the Change of Management and the Private Placement is in the best interests of EverGen. The Board recommends that the EverGen shareholders execute the Shareholder Written Consent. Any EverGen shareholder wishing to obtain and execute the Shareholder Written Consent should contact EverGen as set forth below.

    About EverGen Infrastructure Corp.

    EverGen, Canada’s Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, is combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a sustainable future. Headquartered on the West Coast of Canada, EverGen is an established independent renewable energy producer which acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates a portfolio of Renewable Natural Gas, waste to energy, and related infrastructure projects. EverGen is focused on Canada, with continued growth expected across other regions in North America and beyond.

    For more information about EverGen Infrastructure Corp. and our projects, please visit www.evergeninfra.com.

    About ASK America LLC

    ASK America LLC is backed by a multi-generational U.S. family office with several decades of investment experience across a broad spectrum of asset classes. The family office has amassed substantial assets under management, fueled by the success of its wholly owned consumer products business as well as the consistent growth of its investment portfolio. Through ASK America LLC, the group brings a combination of operational acumen and patient, long-term capital to its partnerships, with a steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable growth and delivering superior risk-adjusted returns.

    Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Information

    This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “will”, “estimates”, “believes”, “intends” “expects” and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning: the completion of the Private Placement and the terms thereof, including the issuance of Common Shares, the completion of the Change of Management, the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange of the Private Placement and the Change of Management, the offering price of the Common Shares, the cancellation of certain options, warrants and other equity settled incentive securities of the Company, and receipt of the Shareholder Written Consent. EverGen cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of EverGen, including expectations and assumptions concerning EverGen, the Private Placement, the Change of Management, the timely receipt of all required TSX Venture Exchange, shareholder and regulatory approvals and exemptions (as applicable, including the Shareholder Written Consent) and the satisfaction of other closing conditions. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of EverGen. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and EverGen does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.

    This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”)) or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Contacts
    EverGen Infrastructure Corp.
    Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer
    Mischa Zajtmann
    604-202-7004
    mischa@evergeninfra.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA response to Dutch House of Representatives passing four Taiwan-friendly motions

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA response to Dutch House of Representatives passing four Taiwan-friendly motions

    April 16, 2025  

    The House of Representatives of the Netherlands on April 15 adopted four Taiwan-friendly motions, urging the Dutch government to oppose China’s escalation of tensions, strengthen trade relations with Taiwan, send a high-level official delegation to Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization. The motions were proposed by House members from different parties, including Representative Jan Paternotte of Democrats 66, who is also cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China for the Netherlands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates the high level of consensus that Dutch parliamentarians have shown in their support for Taiwan.

    The Dutch House of Representatives simultaneously passed four motions calling on the Dutch government to take a number of concrete actions to support Taiwan. It encouraged the government to oppose China’s launch of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan; attach great importance to cross-strait peace and send another warship through the Taiwan Strait; assist Taiwan in responding to the United States’ tariff policy and enhance economic and trade exchanges with Taiwan; promote high-level official visits between Taiwan and the Netherlands; and explicitly voice support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and other events. These motions concern Taiwan’s core interests and are therefore of great significance.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung recognizes that Taiwan and the Netherlands have forged an increasingly close relationship, that support for Taiwan in the Dutch parliament has grown steadily year after year, and that the Netherlands is an important partner in the promotion of President Lai Ching-te’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors. Taiwan looks forward to engaging in further cooperation with the Netherlands in such critical domains as strengthening resilience of the semiconductor supply chain, security control and information security, and next-generation communications.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Foreign Minister Lin and Tuvaluan Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone witness signing of agreements on labor cooperation and seafarer training and certification

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Foreign Minister Lin and Tuvaluan Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone witness signing of agreements on labor cooperation and seafarer training and certification

    Date：2025-04-16
    Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    April 16, 2025  
    No. 097  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a Tuvaluan delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Panapasi Nelesone and his wife, Madame Corinna Laafai, at the Taipei Guest House on April 15. Together, they witnessed the signing of two bilateral agreements—one on labor cooperation and another on the recognition of training and certification of seafarers. These agreements, which were signed respectively by Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han and Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai for Taiwan and by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Paulson Panapa for Tuvalu, aim to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such domains as labor affairs, fisheries, and seafarer certification. 

    Following the signing ceremony, Minister Lin hosted a banquet for the delegation at the Taipei Guest House. In his speech, he warmly welcomed them and thanked the government of Tuvalu for its long-standing and unwavering support of Taiwan’s international participation, including speaking up for Taiwan at major international events. Minister Lin expressed special appreciation to the Ministry of Labor (MOL) and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) for coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to facilitate the signing of the two agreements. He indicated that they bolstered Taiwan-Tuvalu cooperation and marked the concrete implementation of the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project under the policy of integrated diplomacy. He also noted that they aligned with the concept of every ministry serving as a foreign ministry and every citizen as a diplomat. Minister Lin emphasized that MOFA had actively consolidated the diverse capabilities of government agencies and civil society, leveraging overall national strength to enhance cooperation between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies. Moving forward, he pledged to work hand in hand with the government of Tuvalu to expand exchanges across a variety of domains to promote economic prosperity and the well-being of the peoples of both countries. 

    Speaking at the banquet, Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone stated that in 46 years as diplomatic allies, Taiwan and Tuvalu had jointly responded to numerous challenges and created myriad opportunities for close cooperation in such areas as health care, agriculture, education, and basic infrastructure. He affirmed that the two nations had built a diplomatic alliance founded on freedom and democracy, adding that they shared strong bonds and were like family. On behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, he sincerely thanked Taiwan for its long-term support of his nation’s development and reaffirmed Tuvalu’s staunch commitment to backing Taiwan’s international participation. He expressed the hope that both countries would continue working together to advance their diplomatic partnership, setting an example for the world.

    Guests at the banquet included Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi; Acting Director General of the MOL Workforce Development Agency Chen Shih-chang; Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Agency Lin Ding-rong; Director General of the MOTC Maritime and Port Bureau Yeh Hsieh-lung; Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund Huang Yu-lin; and representatives from the business sector. Participants exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including health care, climate change adaptation, and agricultural and fisheries cooperation. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Caro Holdings Launches AI Chat Agent Platform to Revolutionize Customer Service and Boost Business Efficiency

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHEFFIELD, United Kingdom, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Caro Holdings announces the release of its new AI Chat Agent platform – an intelligent, always-on assistant team built to help businesses save time, cut costs, and deliver top-tier customer service without hiring additional staff.

    Caro’s smart agents handle tasks that typically consume team resources, including:

    • Instant Support – answering FAQs like return policies or product details
    • Appointment Scheduling – enabling bookings through chat
    • Order Tracking – real-time delivery updates
    • Lead Qualification – asking smart questions to identify buyers
    • Feedback Collection – gathering reviews and insights

    Designed to improve conversion rates and streamline onboarding, the platform enhances customer care with intelligent automation.

    “In a world where speed and availability are everything, AI chatbots have become essential,” said Meriesha Rennalls, President of Caro Holdings. “We’ve designed a lineup of specialised AI agents that help businesses do more with less – while keeping their customers happy and engaged.”

    Caro’s offering is built on a strong foundation in enterprise-grade telephony and call centre expertise. Having delivered robust VoIP and virtual support solutions to UK businesses for years, Caro now introduces a new generation of AI agents – combining the depth of human call centre experience with conversational AI. With Meriesha Rennalls’ decades of leadership in telephony and customer engagement, Caro is positioned to transform how businesses connect, interact, and scale – blending human insight with smart automation.

    The launch supports Caro’s broader strategy to support efficient growth for small businesses and platform operators.

    Industry research shows that companies earning between $1–10 million annually can save an estimated $70,000 to $150,000 by using AI chat tools. Broader data supports this, with AI-powered agents reducing customer service costs by up to 30% across businesses of all sizes.

    Caro’s AI chatbots are transforming operations across:

    • Retail & E-commerce
    • Hospitality & Travel
    • Education & Member-Based Associations

    The tools are currently in use across select client projects, with ongoing feature development underway. Caro invites strategic partners and collaborators to co-create solutions that enhance engagement and operations – without adding headcount.

    About Caro Holdings Inc.
    Caro Holdings is dedicated to accelerating the growth of brands through digital innovation and AI-powered solutions. Its comprehensive suite of services includes e-commerce strategy, digital marketing, AI voice technology, and growth capital. Discover more at www.caroholdings.com.

    Caro Holdings Inc.
    +1 786-755-3210
    ir@caroholdings.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: MOFA thanks Saint Christopher and Nevis National Assembly for passing resolution endorsing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    MOFA thanks Saint Christopher and Nevis National Assembly for passing resolution endorsing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations

    Date：2025-04-18
    Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

    April 18, 2025  
    No. 101  

    The National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis on April 17 adopted a resolution proposed by Prime Minister Terrance Drew that endorsed Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates the staunch and unwavering support and friendship that parliamentarians from governing and opposition parties of Saint Christopher and Nevis have shown toward Taiwan through concrete action. 
     
    The resolution pointed out that Saint Christopher and Nevis parliamentarians, as members of the Formosa Club, cherished their country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It stated that over the years the two nations had built a robust friendship based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution lauded Taiwan for its contributions to global public health and recognized Taiwan’s efforts and actions in such fields as renewable energy, climate change adaptation, disaster warning systems, the fight against transnational crime, and the development of international civil aviation. It urged all sectors to support Taiwan’s professional, pragmatic, and constructive participation in the United Nations and other international organizations. 
     
    This marks the third consecutive year that the National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis has passed a Taiwan-friendly resolution, underscoring the close and friendly diplomatic alliance between the two countries. Taiwan will continue to work with Saint Christopher and Nevis and other allies and like-minded nations to make even greater contributions to peace, security, and sustainable development across the globe. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: zfstiftung.de: BaFin warns about ZukunftsFinanz Stiftung

    Source: Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht – In English

    The financial supervisory authority BaFin warns against investment recommendations and investment offers from ZukunftsFinanz Stiftung, particularly via its WhatsApp group. Neither the allegedly Frankfurt-based ZukunftsFinanz Stiftung nor its representative, Dr Max Becker, have been granted a licence to conduct banking, financial and/or investment services in Germany.

    Anyone providing financial or investment services in Germany may do so only with authorisation from BaFin. However, some companies offer these services without the necessary authorisation.

    The information provided by BaFin is based on section 37 (4) of the German Banking Act (Kreditwesengesetz – KWG).

    Please be aware:

    BaFin, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt – BKA) and the German state criminal police offices (Landeskriminalämter) recommend that consumers seeking to invest money online should exercise the utmost caution and do the necessary research beforehand in order to identify fraud attempts at an early stage.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US universities lose millions of dollars chasing patents, research shows

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University

    Every year, American universities spend millions of dollars patenting inventions developed on their campuses. Big names such as Stanford and the University of California system lead the pack in patent activity, but hundreds of other universities are also trying to strike gold by monetizing intellectual property. The idea is simple: By investing in patents and selling or licensing them to industry, the university will profit.

    But in practice, this strategy rarely pays off.

    Indeed, the results of a recent study I conducted using full-cost accounting shows the average American research university is losing millions of dollars on patents annually. One school I examined as a case study lost a staggering $9 million on intellectual property investments in one year.

    These findings come at a critical moment. Universities across the U.S. are under serious financial strain and at risk of losing federal funding under the current administration. Speaking as an engineer and innovation expert, I believe universities can no longer afford to be losing money on schemes meant to generate revenue.

    How universities got into the patent business

    The current system was born out of the 1980 Bayh-Dole Act, which standardized federal policy to encourage university grant recipients to patent their inventions. The goal was to commercialize taxpayer-funded research and to make universities money in the process.

    One result was the rapid expansion of technology transfer offices at universities across the country. These offices are designed to support the commercialization of academic research and development.

    On the surface, this strategy might seem promising. Years of data from the Association of University Technology Managers, which surveys tech transfer offices, suggested large, growing revenues from licensing intellectual property.

    But there’s a major caveat: It costs money for a university to do all this, and the association’s figures don’t take all of those costs into account. They exclude big expenses such as the costs of running technology transfer offices and litigation. When these are included, previous research has shown, just under half of the tech transfer offices pay for themselves.

    And even these analyses are incomplete, as they ignore the opportunity costs to faculty participating in the time-consuming patenting process. After all, every hour a professor spends on patenting is an hour not spent writing grant proposals.

    This raises a crucial question: Do university investments in patenting, taking into account all the costs, actually deliver a positive return on investment?

    To answer this, I developed a formula to determine exactly how much universities spend in patenting, including the costs of faculty time. I then applied that formula to an average R1 research university − about halfway down the list of annual National Science Foundation funding − using real numbers.

    The hidden cost of faculty time

    For the case study university, I found that every single cost category exceeded the intellectual property-related income. The opportunity cost for writing patents instead of grants was more than 33 times the income realized.

    This means that the average U.S. university is literally losing millions of dollars pursuing patents. Research universities could increase research income by simply ignoring intellectual property entirely.

    Using this full-cost accounting method is something university administrators would be wise to consider in their decision-making, given the real opportunity costs of faculty time.

    Administrators may argue that because faculty are salaried, there’s no additional cost to making them spend time writing patents. But this ignores reality: Faculty are among the university’s most productive assets. They generate income through tuition and research grants. Their time isn’t free − and using it inefficiently can come at a steep cost.

    My study looked only at one university that happens to have a very high invention disclosure rate and would, if viewed from afar, seem to be doing really well on intellectual property investment. When all costs are accounted for the university, it becomes apparent that its intellectual property policy is causing the school to hemorrhage money.

    The easy-to-follow methodology I set up can be used by any university to determine its intellectual property’s real return on income. Each university will be slightly different, but for the vast majority, the return on investment will be strongly negative.

    As the costs of university education become increasingly challenging for many Americans, I think it’s time to take a hard look at university “investments” in technology transfer with a negative return.

    Joshua M. Pearce has received funding for research from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, Mitacs, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, U.S. Department of Defense, The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and the National Science Foundation. His past and present consulting work and research is funded by the United Nations, the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, and many companies in the energy and solar photovoltaic fields. He does not have any direct conflicts of interest.

    – ref. US universities lose millions of dollars chasing patents, research shows – https://theconversation.com/us-universities-lose-millions-of-dollars-chasing-patents-research-shows-244270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump administration pauses new mine safety regulation − here’s how those rules benefit companies as well as workers

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeremy M. Gernand, Associate Professor of Environmental Health and Safety Engineering, Penn State

    Federal officials in white hard hats speak with miners in an Indiana coal mine in 2015. AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

    President Donald Trump’s administration has announced its intention to pause or reverse regulations on mine safety, saying it wants to loosen rules that constrain companies. But as a scholar of both engineering and public policy, with a focus on the risk of exposures to air pollutants and other safety issues, I have seen how safety regulations are designed to benefit not only workers but also companies and the public as a whole.

    Federal laws and other regulations require that rules written by federal agencies use scientific evidence about how to minimize risk. And under an executive order signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993 that is still in effect, regulations must be evaluated to make sure they produce more economic benefit for the nation than they cost.

    This is not a simple or quick process. Let’s look at one rule as an example of how this plays out, and how the democratic process of scientific study, public debate and comment helps regulators arrive at a rule that balances the needs and interests of workers, companies and the public.

    Silica dust exposure in mines

    The Trump administration is pausing enforcement of a rule that requires coal-mining companies to protect their workers from exposure to silica dust, a fine powder generated when pulverizing rock that can damage their lungs to the point of needing supplemental oxygen or a lung transplant. Since the 1930s, federal officials have warned about this problem, which was identified in miners as far back as 1700.

    In 1938, the U.S. secretary of labor made a short video warning miners of the dangers of inhaling silica dust.

    The first U.S. regulations about miners’ exposure to silica dust were created in the early 1970s. But over time, safety practices and technology advances become less costly. And life expectancy and national wealth increase, raising the value of preventing a fatality or a disability.

    Efforts to tighten the regulations began in earnest in 1996. Much of that work involved research into how inhaling silica affects a person’s health and how much exposure is required to lead to disease.

    In 2019, the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Labor, opened an opportunity for the public, including mining companies, independent experts, regular citizens and anyone interested, to comment on the idea of reducing mine workers’ exposure to silica.

    Based on all that information, in July 2023 the agency published a proposed rule. Then the agency held three public hearings – in Virginia, West Virginia and Colorado – which were collectively attended by 525 people, with 48 speakers and 157 submissions of written comments.

    In April 2024 the agency published a final rule, which included responses to those comments. It was slated to take effect in April 2025 for coal mines and April 2026 for other types of mines. That final rule runs to 268 pages in the Federal Register, the official publication of all federal documents. It cut in half the amount of silica dust allowed in the air in mines from 100 micrograms per cubic meter to 50.

    The rule was set to begin protecting coal miners on April 14, 2025. But just days before that deadline, the Trump administration announced it would pause enforcement of the rule for an undetermined period.

    National Black Lung Association President Gary Hairston speaks during a public hearing hosted by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration in August 2023 about its draft rule to limit worker exposure to silica dust.
    AP Photo/Leah Willingham

    Costs and benefits

    Evaluating costs and benefits of rule changes can be complicated. Each instance of injury, illness or death that is avoided doesn’t need medical treatment, doesn’t cause people to miss work, earn less and be less productive, and doesn’t shorten someone’s life.

    The Mine Safety and Health Administration estimated that across the mining industry, its rule would avoid 531 deaths and 1,836 cases of silica-related illnesses over the next 60 years. Officials calculated those benefits were worth $294 million a year.

    Regulations do have costs. Some rules may require buying equipment, such as new respirators, ventilation machinery and sensors to monitor dust levels in mines. Workers need to be trained on new procedures and equipment, too. Often, as with the silica dust rule, companies must monitor employees’ health to ensure the measures are working and take steps to correct problems that arise. The estimated total cost of the silica dust rule to all affected companies was $89 million a year.

    The value of the benefits and the expenses of the costs, including of this regulation, often end up being debated in court. Ultimately, the estimated costs of compliance with the rule not only are far less than the estimated benefits, but are just 0.07% of the $124.2 billion in estimated annual revenues for the mining industry.

    Uneven effects

    The effects of the costs and benefits are not always spread evenly. Some companies that are struggling to remain profitable and are using aging, inefficient equipment or working in a particularly challenging mining environment may not have enough money to comply. They might have to shut down operations or sell to a new owner.

    But companies that are more successful would have the money to invest to comply – and perhaps less need for new or upgraded equipment to meet the standards while keeping their workers productive.

    And in fact, many companies already met the standard, even before it was slated to take effect. In a study running from 2016 to 2021, the Mine Safety and Health Administration found that more than 93% of coal miners were exposed to lower levels of silica dust than the proposed new limit. But that meant that about 7% of coal miners were not – and 1.3% of them were exposed to levels higher than the then-current limit of 100 micrograms per cubic meter.

    The effect of a reversal

    When regulations are paused or rescinded, companies may be able to save a little money. They don’t have to immediately take action to reduce exposure and avoid fines.

    Rescinding a regulation is not a trivial task. That process must also involve risk assessment and economic justifications, according to the Administrative Procedure Act.

    And even if a rule is paused or reversed, the dangers still exist. The documentation in the rulemaking history provides a ready recipe for a liability claim against an organization that ignores that information. A worker who developed cancer due to heightened silica exposure would have a mountain of public evidence available for a lawsuit seeking damages.

    Why are regulations necessary?

    Regulations help workers by giving them an understanding of the risks they face in these jobs. Workers don’t have the time, equipment or expertise to conduct their own analyses in each mine operated by each company.

    Regulations also help companies: They ensure competition is on an even playing field by preventing some firms from cutting corners and lowering their prices at the expense of worker safety and health. The companies also have a lower risk of losing experienced workers to illness, injury, death or better working conditions elsewhere. More experienced workers are more productive, earning the companies more money. And longtime workers contribute to safer workplaces, which incur fewer company costs for workers’ compensation claims.

    The public benefits too. Without regulations, companies may be able to escape paying the long-term costs of chronic diseases that appear years after exposure. That cost then falls on the overall health insurance marketplace, or on taxpayer-funded Medicare and Medicaid services, driving up expenses for everyone.

    Jeremy M. Gernand receives funding from the Health Effects Institute and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

    – ref. Trump administration pauses new mine safety regulation − here’s how those rules benefit companies as well as workers – https://theconversation.com/trump-administration-pauses-new-mine-safety-regulation-heres-how-those-rules-benefit-companies-as-well-as-workers-254178

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: From help to harm: How the government is quietly repurposing everyone’s data for surveillance

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Nicole M. Bennett, Ph.D. Candidate in Geography and Assistant Director at the Center for Refugee Studies, Indiana University

    DOGE has been key to attempts to consolidate Americans’ personal data for the government. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

    A whistleblower at the National Labor Relations Board reported an unusual spike in potentially sensitive data flowing out of the agency’s network in early March 2025 when staffers from the Department of Government Efficiency, which goes by DOGE, were granted access to the agency’s databases. On April 7, the Department of Homeland Security gained access to Internal Revenue Service tax data.

    These seemingly unrelated events are examples of recent developments in the transformation of the structure and purpose of federal government data repositories. I am a researcher who studies the intersection of migration, data governance and digital technologies. I’m tracking how data that people provide to U.S. government agencies for public services such as tax filing, health care enrollment, unemployment assistance and education support is increasingly being redirected toward surveillance and law enforcement.

    Originally collected to facilitate health care, eligibility for services and the administration of public services, this information is now shared across government agencies and with private companies, reshaping the infrastructure of public services into a mechanism of control. Once confined to separate bureaucracies, data now flows freely through a network of interagency agreements, outsourcing contracts and commercial partnerships built up in recent decades.

    These data-sharing arrangements often take place outside public scrutiny, driven by national security justifications, fraud prevention initiatives and digital modernization efforts. The result is that the structure of government is quietly transforming into an integrated surveillance apparatus, capable of monitoring, predicting and flagging behavior at an unprecedented scale.

    Executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aim to remove remaining institutional and legal barriers to completing this massive surveillance system.

    DOGE and the private sector

    Central to this transformation is DOGE, which is tasked via an executive order to “promote inter-operability between agency networks and systems, ensure data integrity, and facilitate responsible data collection and synchronization.” An additional executive order calls for the federal government to eliminate its information silos.

    By building interoperable systems, DOGE can enable real-time, cross-agency access to sensitive information and create a centralized database on people within the U.S. These developments are framed as administrative streamlining but lay the groundwork for mass surveillance.

    Key to this data repurposing are public-private partnerships. The DHS and other agencies have turned to third-party contractors and data brokers to bypass direct restrictions. These intermediaries also consolidate data from social media, utility companies, supermarkets and many other sources, enabling enforcement agencies to construct detailed digital profiles of people without explicit consent or judicial oversight.

    Palantir, a private data firm and prominent federal contractor, supplies investigative platforms to agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Department of Defense, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Internal Revenue Service. These platforms aggregate data from various sources – driver’s license photos, social services, financial information, educational data – and present it in centralized dashboards designed for predictive policing and algorithmic profiling. These tools extend government reach in ways that challenge existing norms of privacy and consent.

    The role of AI

    Artificial intelligence has further accelerated this shift.

    Predictive algorithms now scan vast amounts of data to generate risk scores, detect anomalies and flag potential threats.

    These systems ingest data from school enrollment records, housing applications, utility usage and even social media, all made available through contracts with data brokers and tech companies. Because these systems rely on machine learning, their inner workings are often proprietary, unexplainable and beyond meaningful public accountability.

    Data privacy researcher Justin Sherman explains the astonishing amount of information data brokers have about you.

    Sometimes the results are inaccurate, generated by AI hallucinations – responses AI systems produce that sound convincing but are incorrect, made up or irrelevant. Minor data discrepancies can lead to major consequences: job loss, denial of benefits and wrongful targeting in law enforcement operations. Once flagged, individuals rarely have a clear pathway to contest the system’s conclusions.

    Digital profiling

    Participation in civic life, applying for a loan, seeking disaster relief and requesting student aid now contribute to a person’s digital footprint. Government entities could later interpret that data in ways that allow them to deny access to assistance. Data collected under the banner of care could be mined for evidence to justify placing someone under surveillance. And with growing dependence on private contractors, the boundaries between public governance and corporate surveillance continue to erode.

    Artificial intelligence, facial recognition systems and predictive profiling systems lack oversight. They also disproportionately affect low-income individuals, immigrants and people of color, who are more frequently flagged as risks.

    Initially built for benefits verification or crisis response, these data systems now feed into broader surveillance networks. The implications are profound. What began as a system targeting noncitizens and fraud suspects could easily be generalized to everyone in the country.

    Eyes on everyone

    This is not merely a question of data privacy. It is a broader transformation in the logic of governance. Systems once designed for administration have become tools for tracking and predicting people’s behavior. In this new paradigm, oversight is sparse and accountability is minimal.

    AI allows for the interpretation of behavioral patterns at scale without direct interrogation or verification. Inferences replace facts. Correlations replace testimony.

    The risk extends to everyone. While these technologies are often first deployed at the margins of society – against migrants, welfare recipients or those deemed “high risk” – there’s little to limit their scope. As the infrastructure expands, so does its reach into the lives of all citizens.

    With every form submitted, interaction logged and device used, a digital profile deepens, often out of sight. The infrastructure for pervasive surveillance is in place. What remains uncertain is how far it will be allowed to go.

    Nicole Bennett is affiliated with Indiana University’s Center for Refugee Studies and the Indiana University Refugee Task Force.

    – ref. From help to harm: How the government is quietly repurposing everyone’s data for surveillance – https://theconversation.com/from-help-to-harm-how-the-government-is-quietly-repurposing-everyones-data-for-surveillance-254690

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 17 April 2025 Departmental update WHO launches an update on the consolidated guidelines to diagnose tuberculosis

    Source: World Health Organisation

    To support countries and technical agencies in their efforts to strengthen detection of tuberculosis (TB), the World Health Organization (WHO) published the WHO consolidated guidelines on tuberculosis. Module 3: Diagnosis today. When compared with the previous edition issued in 2024, this guideline is the first to:

    • combine the WHO policy guidance on diagnosis of TB infection, disease and drug resistance into a single reference document;
    • present new recommendations on concurrent testing of respiratory and non-respiratory samples among people of all ages living with HIV and children without HIV or with unknown HIV status;
    • establish two new classes of TB diagnostic technologies for the initial detection of TB and resistance to rifampicin; and
    • outline current WHO TB diagnostic class determination and product assessment definitions and pathways.

    “Diagnostic options for people with TB infection and disease are rapidly expanding, driven by intensified manufacturer engagement and groundbreaking research generating new evidence. These innovations are not just scientific milestones – they are lifelines,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global Programme on Tuberculosis and Lung Health. “Ensuring that every person, everywhere, has access to rapid and accurate diagnosis means reaching people with TB earlier, treating them faster, and saving more lives.”

    The WHO operational handbook on tuberculosis. Module 3: Diagnosis will accompany these WHO consolidated guidelines. The WHO operational handbook provides laboratory personnel, clinicians and other clinical staff, as well as ministries of health and technical partners, detailed guidance on implementing the WHO evidence-based recommendations. Updates in the companion Handbook include consolidation of guidance on TB infection, diagnosis and drug resistance testing, considerations for the implementation of new diagnostic classes and concurrent testing strategies, and presentation of policy statements on the use of new or updated interferon gamma release assays for the detection of TB infection, as well as targeted next generation sequencing solutions for the detection of drug-resistant TB. These class and product advances are followed by an overview of the steps and processes required to implement and scale up new tests for TB detection and revised model diagnostic algorithms that reflect the new WHO TB testing policy recommendations.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIH researchers supercharge ordinary clinical device to get a better look at the back of the eye

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    News Release
    Wednesday, April 23, 2025

    New technique brings retina into sharper focus .

    Scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have leveraged artificial intelligence to transform a device designed to see tissues in the back of the eye into one sharp enough to make out individual cells. The technique provides imaging resolution that rivals the most advanced devices available and is cheaper, faster, and doesn’t require specialized equipment or expertise. The strategy has implications for early detection of disease and for the monitoring of treatment response by making what was once invisible now visible.  
    “AI potentially puts next-generation imaging in the hands of standard eye clinics. It’s like adding a high-resolution lens to a basic camera.” said Johnny Tam, Ph.D., investigator at NIH’s National Eye Institute and senior author of the study report, which published in Communications Medicine.
    Imaging devices, known as ophthalmoscopes, are widely used to examine the light-sensing retina in the back of the eye. A scanning laser ophthalmoscope is standard in eye clinics, but its resolution can only make out structures at the tissue level—things such as lesions, blood vessels, and the optic nerve head. Next-generation ophthalmoscopes enabled with adaptive optics—a technology that compensates for light distortion—can make out cellular features, providing greater diagnostic information. However, adaptive optics-enabled imaging is still in the experimental phase.
    Tam and collaborators developed a custom AI system to digitally enhance images of a layer of tissue beneath the light-sensing photoreceptors, known as the retina’s pigmented epithelium (RPE). The first step was to teach the system to recognize image quality as poor, moderate, or good. The researchers did this by feeding the system more than 1,400 images from different areas of the retina, obtained using adaptive-optics ophthalmoscopy. Next, they fed the system corresponding images from the same retinal locations but obtained using standard ophthalmoscopy. An image sharpness test showed that AI improved clarity eightfold.
    “Our system used what it learned from rating the images obtained from adaptive optics to digitally enhance images obtained with standard ophthalmoscopy,” said Tam. “It’s important to point out that the system is not creating something from nothing. Features that we see in RPE cells with standard imaging are there, they’re just unclear.”
    These techniques involve injection of a dye called indocyanine green (ICG) into the bloodstream to increase contrast of anatomical features. In the eye clinic, ICG is usually used to image the blood vessels of the eye.
    “Our ICG imaging strategy allows RPE cells to be quickly and routinely assessed in the clinic,” said Joanne Li, Ph.D., first author of the report and a biomedical engineer in Tam’s lab. “With AI, high quality images of the RPE cells can be obtained in a matter of seconds, using standard clinical imaging instruments.”
    The RPE cells’ function is to nourish and support photoreceptors. A variety of blinding conditions first affect RPE cells, including age-related macular degeneration, vitelliform macular dystrophy, and Stargardt disease. However, RPE cells cannot be easily imaged in the clinic. AI-enhanced ICG ophthalmoscopy puts RPE imaging within reach of the typical eye clinic.##
    This press release describes a basic research finding. Basic research increases our understanding of human behavior and biology, which is foundational to advancing new and better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease. Science is an unpredictable and incremental process— each research advance builds on past discoveries, often in unexpected ways. Most clinical advances would not be possible without the knowledge of fundamental basic research. To learn more about basic research, visit https://www.nih.gov/news-events/basic-research-digital-media-kit.
    NEI leads the federal government’s efforts to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research…driving innovation, fostering collaboration, expanding the vision workforce, and educating the public and key stakeholders. NEI supports basic and clinical science programs to develop sight-saving treatments and to broaden opportunities for people with vision impairment. For more information, visit   https://www.nei.nih.gov.  
    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    References
    Li J, Liu J, Das V, Le H, Aguilera N, Bower Aj, Giannini JP, Lu R, Abouassali S, Chew EY, Brooks BP, Zein WM, Huryn LA, Volkov A, Liu T, Tam J “Artificial intelligence assisted clinical fluorescence imaging achieves in vivo cellular resolution comparable to adaptive optics ophthalmology”. Published April 28, 2025, Communications Medicine

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Foreign Minister Lin and Tuvaluan Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone witness signing of agreements on labor cooperation and seafarer training and certification

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    Foreign Minister Lin and Tuvaluan Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone witness signing of agreements on labor cooperation and seafarer training and certification

    • Date：2025-04-16
    • Data Source：Department of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

    April 16, 2025  

    No. 097  

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a Tuvaluan delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Development Panapasi Nelesone and his wife, Madame Corinna Laafai, at the Taipei Guest House on April 15. Together, they witnessed the signing of two bilateral agreements—one on labor cooperation and another on the recognition of training and certification of seafarers. These agreements, which were signed respectively by Minister of Labor Hung Sun-han and Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai for Taiwan and by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Labour and Trade Paulson Panapa for Tuvalu, aim to deepen bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such domains as labor affairs, fisheries, and seafarer certification. 

    Following the signing ceremony, Minister Lin hosted a banquet for the delegation at the Taipei Guest House. In his speech, he warmly welcomed them and thanked the government of Tuvalu for its long-standing and unwavering support of Taiwan’s international participation, including speaking up for Taiwan at major international events. Minister Lin expressed special appreciation to the Ministry of Labor (MOL) and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) for coordinating with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to facilitate the signing of the two agreements. He indicated that they bolstered Taiwan-Tuvalu cooperation and marked the concrete implementation of the Diplomatic Allies Prosperity Project under the policy of integrated diplomacy. He also noted that they aligned with the concept of every ministry serving as a foreign ministry and every citizen as a diplomat. Minister Lin emphasized that MOFA had actively consolidated the diverse capabilities of government agencies and civil society, leveraging overall national strength to enhance cooperation between Taiwan and its diplomatic allies. Moving forward, he pledged to work hand in hand with the government of Tuvalu to expand exchanges across a variety of domains to promote economic prosperity and the well-being of the peoples of both countries. 

    Speaking at the banquet, Deputy Prime Minister Nelesone stated that in 46 years as diplomatic allies, Taiwan and Tuvalu had jointly responded to numerous challenges and created myriad opportunities for close cooperation in such areas as health care, agriculture, education, and basic infrastructure. He affirmed that the two nations had built a diplomatic alliance founded on freedom and democracy, adding that they shared strong bonds and were like family. On behalf of the government and people of Tuvalu, he sincerely thanked Taiwan for its long-term support of his nation’s development and reaffirmed Tuvalu’s staunch commitment to backing Taiwan’s international participation. He expressed the hope that both countries would continue working together to advance their diplomatic partnership, setting an example for the world.

    Guests at the banquet included Deputy Minister of Health and Welfare Lin Ching-yi; Acting Director General of the MOL Workforce Development Agency Chen Shih-chang; Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries Agency Lin Ding-rong; Director General of the MOTC Maritime and Port Bureau Yeh Hsieh-lung; Secretary General of the International Cooperation and Development Fund Huang Yu-lin; and representatives from the business sector. Participants exchanged views on a wide range of issues, including health care, climate change adaptation, and agricultural and fisheries cooperation. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA response to Dutch House of Representatives passing four Taiwan-friendly motions

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA response to Dutch House of Representatives passing four Taiwan-friendly motions

    • Date：2025-04-16
    • Data Source：Department of European Affairs

    April 16, 2025  

    The House of Representatives of the Netherlands on April 15 adopted four Taiwan-friendly motions, urging the Dutch government to oppose China’s escalation of tensions, strengthen trade relations with Taiwan, send a high-level official delegation to Taiwan, and support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization. The motions were proposed by House members from different parties, including Representative Jan Paternotte of Democrats 66, who is also cochair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China for the Netherlands. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes and appreciates the high level of consensus that Dutch parliamentarians have shown in their support for Taiwan.

    The Dutch House of Representatives simultaneously passed four motions calling on the Dutch government to take a number of concrete actions to support Taiwan. It encouraged the government to oppose China’s launch of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan; attach great importance to cross-strait peace and send another warship through the Taiwan Strait; assist Taiwan in responding to the United States’ tariff policy and enhance economic and trade exchanges with Taiwan; promote high-level official visits between Taiwan and the Netherlands; and explicitly voice support for Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly and other events. These motions concern Taiwan’s core interests and are therefore of great significance.

    Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung recognizes that Taiwan and the Netherlands have forged an increasingly close relationship, that support for Taiwan in the Dutch parliament has grown steadily year after year, and that the Netherlands is an important partner in the promotion of President Lai Ching-te’s Five Trusted Industry Sectors. Taiwan looks forward to engaging in further cooperation with the Netherlands in such critical domains as strengthening resilience of the semiconductor supply chain, security control and information security, and next-generation communications.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Guatemalan alien illegally residing in the US and convicted of sexual battery indicted for fraudulently obtaining custody of an unaccompanied alien child in the United States, following ICE, joint law enforcement partner investigation

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — A federal grand jury indicted an illegal alien, April 17, for his alleged role in smuggling an unaccompanied alien child to the United States and for allegedly submitting a sponsorship application with false statements to the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement to gain custody of the minor after she entered the United States, following a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, FBI, investigation.

    “This case is a testament to ICE’s commitment to hold predators accountable for the harm they inflict on children,” said ICE acting Director Todd Lyons. “We are making every effort to ensure the safety of children released to sponsors across the United States. This is vital work and through their victim centered approach, ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents are perfectly positioned to uncover any similar crimes by predatory sponsors.”

    “The prior administration’s border policies created an environment that enabled human trafficking and allowed bad actors to take advantage of at-risk children,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “We are committed to protecting children from the scourge of human trafficking and will not rest until we deliver justice for those who suffered during the border crisis.”

    According to the indictment, Juan Tiul Xi, 26, a Guatemalan national illegally residing in Cleveland, illegally entered the United States in 2023. Thereafter, Tiul Xi allegedly encouraged and induced a 14-year-old Guatemalan girl to illegally enter the United States and to use the identity of Tiul Xi’s sister as her alias. As a UAC, the Guatemalan girl was placed in the care and custody of ORR. As alleged, Tiul Xi then falsely stated on documents submitted to ORR when he applied to sponsor and obtain custody of the girl that he was the UAC’s brother and that her alias was her actual name. ORR relied on Tiul Xi’s alleged false statements when, on or about Sept. 5, 2023, ORR released the UAC to Tiul Xi’s care.

    Tiul Xi is charged with one count of encouraging or inducing illegal entry for financial gain, one count of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement, and one count of aggravated identity theft. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on the illegal entry count, a maximum penalty of five years in prison on the false statement count, and a mandatory consecutive penalty of two years in prison on the aggravated identity theft count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    “The Office of Refugee Resettlement is committed to continuing vital policy changes that promote the safety and welfare of unaccompanied alien children related into the Unites States,” said ORR Acting Director Angie M. Salazar. “We have significantly increased sponsor vetting with the wellbeing of the child at the core of our process. We hope that our commitment is evident by our collaboration with law enforcement to right previous wrongs and help bring these crimes to light.”

    The indictment is the result of the coordinated efforts of Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA). JTFA, a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, has been elevated and expanded by the Attorney General with a mandate to target cartels and other transnational criminal organizations to eliminate human smuggling and trafficking networks operating in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Colombia that impact public safety and the security of our borders. JTFA currently comprises detailees from U.S. Attorneys’ Offices along the southwest border. Dedicated support is provided by numerous components of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, led by HRSP and supported by the Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, the Office of Enforcement Operations, and the Office of International Affairs, among others. JTFA also relies on substantial law enforcement investment from DHS, FBI, DEA, and other partners. To date, JTFA’s work has resulted in more than 360 domestic and international arrests of leaders, organizers, and significant facilitators of alien smuggling; more than 325 U.S. convictions; more than 270 significant jail sentences imposed; and forfeitures of substantial assets.

    The ICE HSI and FBI Cleveland field offices are jointly investigating with assistance from HSI’s Attaché team in Guatemala. Additionally, HSI’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking in Washington, D.C. and ORR have provided valuable assistance.

    Senior Trial Attorney Christian Levesque of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section, Joint Task Force Alpha detailee/Trial Attorney Spencer M. Perry of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Acting U.S. Attorney Carol Skutnik and Criminal Division Chief Michael L. Collyer for the Northern District of Ohio are prosecuting the case, with assistance from HRSP Analyst/Latin America Specialist Joanna Crandall.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    Individuals across the world can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Student Activities Building a Sense of Belonging at UConn’s Regional Campuses

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    To watch Aylanie Bonilla in action as a UConn Waterbury student ambassador, it’s easy to imagine she’s always been the sociable go-getter who leads campus tours, meets with high schoolers, and participates in multiple clubs.

    But it’s those very activities she credits with giving her a sense of belonging at UConn, where the Storrs campus felt so large to her in her first semester that she transferred to her hometown campus in Waterbury.

    Like thousands of other students at UConn’s four regional campuses, Bonilla ’26 (CLAS) found her voice and her community through student clubs, an on-campus learning community, and other extracurricular activities.

    She jokes that she’s not sure many of her high school teachers would even remember her name since she was so shy and barely spoke up in class. They’d certainly be surprised now to see her comfortably chatting with strangers, joining clubs, and serving as a program assistant for the Walkbury community initiative.

    “When I became an orientation leader on campus, I just started talking, and I haven’t really stopped,” says Bonilla ’26 (CLAS). “It was really easy to get involved here and to make friends in the clubs and the classes. The feeling is like being part of a big family.”

    UConn Avery Point Women’s Basketball team practicing at UConn Avery Point. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

    Overall, about 5,100 of UConn’s estimated 19,800 undergraduates count one of those locations as their home campus.

    With the vast majority of all regional campus students being Connecticut natives, those locations offer the benefits of a UConn education with the convenience of being in communities where students can live, work, and socialize.

    Like the flagship Storrs campus, the campuses in Avery Point, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury each have student government groups, academic and social clubs, and a range of formal and informal activities.

    Regional campus students can also participate in many of the clubs based at Storrs, including having local versions at their own locations. The events are tailored to the unique goals and experiences shared by regional campus students, many of whom balance their classes and clubs with jobs, family obligations, and community activities.

    “It is widely known from student development research, along with the experience of our own students, that engagement in clubs and organizations has dramatic and positive impact on a student’s experience. They also help UConn to attract increasing numbers of top students to our campuses,” says Nathan Fuerst, UConn’s vice president for student life and enrollment.

    Having robust campus activities also helps UConn retain and continue to improve its strong retention and graduation rates as students meet peers, mentors, and others to whom they can turn for help if they’re facing obstacles.

    UConn has prioritized a commitment to expanding its regional campus offerings as part of its Strategic Plan, building on each location’s strengths to make them destinations for students interested in specific majors or programs.

    The clubs are a perfect complement to that work, and part of a wider network of services that also include more advising support and expanded on-site Student Health & Wellness offerings such as nurse navigators, mental health clinical care case workers, and health promotion programs.

    Students playing a game of chess at UConn Hartford. (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

    In addition to the academic and social clubs, each regional campus offers library and research resources, small courses with experienced faculty, and programs to help students engage with the communities in which the campuses are located.

    Each campus offers clubs in which students connect with each other through common cultural backgrounds, volunteer activities, religious affiliations, and other attributes. The clubs also build on the academic, social, and community ties unique to each regional campus.

    At UConn Avery Point, for instance, clubs for sailing and paddling, scuba diving, and marine sciences help students take advantage of the waterfront location and resources – in addition to clubs for learning, relaxation, and cultural connections.

    UConn Hartford’s location in Connecticut’s capital city provides an ideal setting for clubs helping students advance their aspirations in business, social work, healthcare and other professions, while also offering fun opportunities to connect through gaming, dance, and other pursuits.

    At the Stamford campus, students participate in a variety of political, cultural, and professional clubs that take advantage of its curriculum and location, and they can also have some fun in groups for debating, K-pop music, sports, and other activities.

    Bonilla, the UConn Waterbury student, has been active in the K-pop group on that campus, where students participate in clubs that range from a business society focused on networking and professional development to ping pong and improv drama.

    The campuses also provide many informal opportunities for students to connect, be it through casual slime-making sessions or building Chipotle-style burrito bowls – recent activities at UConn Waterbury that drew scores of students, including a line that stretched down the hallway for the burrito bowls.

    Students celebrate the opening of the new Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) at UConn Stamford (Sean Flynn/UConn Photo)

    Bonilla is transferring to UConn Stamford this fall and expects to remain just as actively involved there, finishing her degree in communications and looking forward to finding the same sense of community that she discovered in Waterbury.

    “I’m excited to be in a new area and meet new people, and to look for an internship in my field,” she says. “I know it’s a bigger campus than Waterbury, but I also feel like I have a good start and it’ll be fun to get really involved there like I’ve been here.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: MOFA thanks Saint Christopher and Nevis National Assembly for passing resolution endorsing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations

    Source: Republic of Taiwan – Ministry of Foreign Affairs

    MOFA thanks Saint Christopher and Nevis National Assembly for passing resolution endorsing Taiwan’s participation in international organizations

    • Date：2025-04-18
    • Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs

    April 18, 2025  

    No. 101  

    The National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis on April 17 adopted a resolution proposed by Prime Minister Terrance Drew that endorsed Taiwan’s participation in the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the International Criminal Police Organization, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely appreciates the staunch and unwavering support and friendship that parliamentarians from governing and opposition parties of Saint Christopher and Nevis have shown toward Taiwan through concrete action. 

     

    The resolution pointed out that Saint Christopher and Nevis parliamentarians, as members of the Formosa Club, cherished their country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan. It stated that over the years the two nations had built a robust friendship based on shared values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution lauded Taiwan for its contributions to global public health and recognized Taiwan’s efforts and actions in such fields as renewable energy, climate change adaptation, disaster warning systems, the fight against transnational crime, and the development of international civil aviation. It urged all sectors to support Taiwan’s professional, pragmatic, and constructive participation in the United Nations and other international organizations. 

     

    This marks the third consecutive year that the National Assembly of Saint Christopher and Nevis has passed a Taiwan-friendly resolution, underscoring the close and friendly diplomatic alliance between the two countries. Taiwan will continue to work with Saint Christopher and Nevis and other allies and like-minded nations to make even greater contributions to peace, security, and sustainable development across the globe. (E)

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: No one is forgotten, nothing is forgotten. A number of events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory were held at the State University of Management

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    The closer the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the more thematic events the State University of Management holds.

    The Institute of Personnel Management, Social and Business Communications held a patriotic event on the topic “Military Translators – Contribution to the Great Victory.”

    The students discussed the details of the complex and responsible work of specialists who speak foreign languages. Military translators are needed not only during military operations, but also in peacetime, providing troops with important information. In addition to their main duties, military translators also acted on the battlefield. They provided assistance in rescuing wounded soldiers and participated in special operations.

    One of such specialists was Doctor of Economics, Professor of the State University of Management Boris Ionas. During the Great Patriotic War, he served as a military translator for the intelligence department of the headquarters of the 3rd Guards Tank Army of the 1st Ukrainian Front and reached Berlin with it. He was awarded two Orders of the Red Star, medals “For the Liberation of Prague” and “For the Capture of Berlin”. After the end of the war, from 1949 until his death in 1989, Boris Yakovlevich worked at the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute (currently the State University of Management) in the Department of Construction Economics, including as the head of the department.

    On April 22 at 12:00, near the entrance to the Central Control and Monitoring Center, a grand opening ceremony of the Immortal Regiment exhibition of the Marketing Institute “The Names of Heroes in Our Hearts” took place.

    First-year students majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, staff and teachers of the Institute of Management collected invaluable evidence, photographs and stories that tell of the feat of our heroes.

    During the opening of the exhibition, the director of the Marketing Institute Gennady Azoev said: “Remembering the exploits of our relatives, we create the history of our Motherland! After all, Motherland and relatives are words with the same root! And the names of our relatives are in our hearts!”

    The exhibition will run until May 12.

    On April 22 at 16:00, a joint screening of Mikhail Kalatozov’s film “The Cranes Are Flying” (1957) was held at the Institute of Economics and Finance. The film is the only Soviet film to receive the Palme d’Or at the Cannes International Film Festival.

    After viewing, the students left their feedback.

    Anzhelika Yamshchikova: “The film immerses you in the atmosphere of military events and conveys the tension and drama on the battlefield. The acting is impressive, each character reliably reflects the real emotions and experiences of the soldiers. The direction and camera work create vivid and memorable scenes, making you think about the price of war and heroism.”

    Ilham Usmonov: “Today I watched the work of art “The Cranes Are Flying” for the first time. In the epilogue, we were shown that not all films, as in real life, do not always have a Happy Ending, but this is not a reason to give up or throw in the towel.”

    Immersion in the history of the Great Patriotic War allows the modern generation of students to better understand the significance of the feat of the Soviet people in those years.

    #Scientific regiment

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 23.04.2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: CSIR developing digital systems to support NHI

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government needs several systems in place to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI), which is aimed at providing universal health coverage.

    The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is supporting the implementation of the NHI by developing some of the technology required.

    The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, recently hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa at the CSIR.  

    The President toured various facilities and was given information and demonstrations on several aspects of the CSIR’s work. These included the development of systems to support the NHI, which the President found impressive.

    Matthew Chetty, a trailblazer in digital transformation and the CSIR’s Impact Area Manager for e-Government, briefed the President about the CSIR’s efforts to modernise South Africa’s public sector through the development of smart, integrated digital systems, particularly in the vital arena of healthcare.

    Chetty presented the work done to support the national Department of Health, which will lay the digital foundation for the NHI, explaining that the systems developed were “not just systems,“ but “national digital assets that will support the future of healthcare in this country”.

    One of the core systems displayed was the Health Patient Registration System, which enables the accurate and consistent registration of patients across all public health facilities.  

    By creating a unified digital identity for each beneficiary, the system ensures the continuity of care and strengthens data-driven decision-making.

    Another vital system to which the CSIR contributed is the Electronic Vaccine Data System, which played a central role in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.  

    The system facilitated the real-time scheduling and tracking of millions of vaccine doses, proving that large-scale digital health solutions are both feasible and effective in South Africa.

    The National Electronic Health Record System revolutionises how patient information is stored, accessed and shared across the healthcare network, facilitating the seamless and secure flow of person-centred healthcare information across institutional and provincial boundaries.

    “These systems are critically important in the context of our health environment, especially as we transition towards NHI,“ explained Chetty.

    He believes that the CSIR’s role is to support the State in building robust, secure and scalable systems that make a real difference in people’s lives. 

    “We are not just developing software; we are helping to shape a health system that is future-ready, citizen-focused, and built on trust.

    “It is essential for government leaders, including the President, to understand the progress we’ve made and the strategic role the CSIR plays in enabling these digital solutions.“

    Chetty and his team, driven by the belief that technology should serve people, enhance service delivery, ensure accessibility and promote equity, are committed to building a digitally empowered public sector, not only in the health sphere.

    The CSIR’s e-government initiatives are not only intended to meet current challenges, but also to anticipate future needs, moving South Africa towards an era in which technology, governance and service delivery converge to create meaningful change. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Lower Easter weekend road deaths in Western Cape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Western Cape Provincial Government has expressed encouragement over the slight decline in road-related fatalities during this year’s Easter long weekend. 

    However, road users are urged to continue to make responsible choices, especially with another long weekend approaching.

    Between 17 and 21 April 2025, a total of 22 fatal crashes were recorded in the province, resulting in 22 lives lost. This marks a decline when compared to the 26 road-related fatalities reported over the 2024 Easter period.

    According to the provincial government, the province recorded 22 fatalities, with 14 occurring on municipal roads and eight on provincial routes, with most of these incidents taking place within the Cape Metro area. 

    The fatalities included 14 pedestrians, five passengers, two drivers, and one motorcyclist.

    On Sunday, Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, said early indications showed a significant decrease in fatalities and crashes in all provinces, except Mpumalanga.

    She believes that the public has responded positively to the 2025 Easter Season Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign. 

    Since 20 March 2025, Creecy said officials stopped 782 000 vehicles and issued 116 000 fines. A total of 3 500 drivers were arrested for various offences, and 89 pedestrians were arrested for walking on highways.

    In addition, 2 200 unroadworthy vehicles were prevented from continuing their journey. 

    Meanwhile, the Western Cape Mobility Department said it had conducted 784 integrated operations across the province during the period, including roadblocks, vehicle checkpoints and speed control operations. 

    In the province, over 30 000 vehicles were stopped and checked, resulting in more than 19 000 fines for various offences, including 8 714 speeding violations.

    Emergency Medical Services

    From 7am on Friday last week until Tuesday morning, Emergency Medical Services (EMS) recorded a total of 7 988 incidents. 

    The most frequent types of calls included non-cardiac related pain, with 1 505 incidents, followed by respiratory complaints at 1 049, and assault-related injuries at 597.

    Transport-related emergencies included 85 pedestrian-vehicle accidents, 104 motor vehicle accidents and five incidents involving cyclists. 

    The province’s hospitals also managed high volumes at its emergency centres.

    According to the Hospital Emergency Centre Trauma Information System (HECTIS), 16 395 patient episodes were recorded over Good Friday to Tuesday this week. This includes 3 624 trauma-related cases, while 12 476 were non-trauma incidents. 

    The province also responded to several fatalities over the Easter weekend. These include 23 fatal shootings, six confirmed suicides and one drowning. 

    The Western Cape Health and Wellness MEC, Mireille Wenger, said the sustained demand for healthcare services highlighted the vital role healthcare workers play across the province. 

    “Each call and each hospital visit represents a person in crisis. We are deeply aware of the emotional and physical toll this takes, not only on our staff but also on affected families. Preventing trauma is a shared responsibility.” 

    Wenger urged residents to continue practising road safety, avoid abusing alcohol, and treat healthcare workers with respect. 

    “A safer province is only possible when we all do our part. Thank you to our EMS and hospital teams who worked throughout the long weekend, and for the care and commitment you continue to show our residents.”

    The province expressed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones who lost someone on the roads this weekend. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Public Health Communication Centre

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Mission

    The Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) is dedicated to increasing the reach and impact of public health research, making it more accessible to the public and decision-makers. 

    Positioned at the intersection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s world-class public health research, public understanding, and evidence-informed policy, the PHCC bridges the gap between knowledge and action.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Nhulunbuy

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 42-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Nhulunbuy on Saturday evening.

    Around 8:45pm, police received a report that a male had assaulted another male family member causing the 70-year-old victim to fall and hit his head.

    Police and St John Ambulance attended the scene, and the victim was stabilised before being conveyed to Gove District Hospital with a severe head injury.

    The 70-year-old was later transported to Royal Darwin Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

    A 42-year-old male has since been arrested and charged with Unlawfully cause serious harm and Aggravated assault.

    He is due to appear in court on Thursday 24 April 2025.

    If you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic or family violence, please reach out on 131 444 or in an emergency call 000. You can also anonymously report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for witnesses – Assault – Katherine

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for witnesses in relation to an assault that occurred in Katherine on Monday evening.

    About 8.15pm, a female was allegedly assaulted by an unknown person whilst walking along the footpath beside the Stuart Highway, within the vicinity of Byers Road, rendering her unconscious. At around 9.30pm, the female regained consciousness and walked to her home address, where she sought assistance from a friend and was transported to Katherine Regional Hospital.

    Police are appealing for witnesses in relation to this incident, particularly anyone with dash cam footage from the area at around the same time to make contact on 131 444 and reference job number NTP2500041721.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: Alarming surge in cyberattacks through third-parties

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: Alarming surge in cyberattacks through third-parties

    BASKING RIDGE, NJ – Verizon Business today released its 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), which reveals a significant increase in cyberattacks. The report found that third-party involvement in breaches has doubled to 30%, and exploitation of vulnerabilities has surged by 34%, creating a concerning threat landscape for businesses globally.

    The report, which analyzed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches, found that credential abuse (22%) and exploitation of vulnerabilities (20%) continue to be the leading initial attack vectors, highlighting the critical need for enhanced security measures.

    “The DBIR’s findings underscore the importance of a multi-layered defense strategy,” said Chris Novak, Vice President, Global Cybersecurity Solutions, Verizon Business. “Businesses need to invest in robust security measures, including strong password policies, timely patching of vulnerabilities, and comprehensive security awareness training for employees.”

    Key findings from the report emphasize the urgency for businesses to address cybersecurity threats:

    • Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: This initial attack vector saw a 34% increase, with a significant focus on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs
    • Ransomware: Ransomware attacks rose by 37% since last year, and are now present in 44% of breaches, despite a noticeable decrease in the median ransom amount paid
    • Third-Party Involvement: The percentage of breaches involving third parties doubled, highlighting the risks associated with supply chain and partner ecosystems
    • Human Element: Human involvement in breaches remains high, with a significant overlap between social engineering and credential abuse

    The 2025 DBIR also shed light on industry-specific trends, revealing an alarming rise in espionage-motivated attacks in the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors, and persistent threats to the Education, Financial, and Retail industries. The report also highlighted the disproportionate impact of ransomware on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

    Verizon Business’s 2025 DBIR serves as a wake-up call for businesses to take immediate action to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risks posed by evolving cyber threats. With the median ransom payment to cybercriminals last year being US$115,000, this is a significant amount for many SMBs. By adopting a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, businesses can help safeguard their assets, protect their customers, and ensure their long-term success in an increasingly digital world.

    “This year’s DBIR findings reflect a mixed bag of results. Glass-half-full types can celebrate the rise in the number of victim organizations that did not pay ransoms with 64% not paying vs 50% two years ago. The glass-half empty personas will see in the DBIR that organizations that don’t have the proper IT and cybersecurity maturity – often the SMB sized organizations, are paying the price for their size with ransomware being present in 88% of breaches,” said Craig Robinson, Research Vice President, Security Services at IDC. “While there is no magic pill to swallow that will alleviate the pain of cybersecurity attacks, Verizon’s leadership in educating the public on the types of attacker motives, tactics and techniques is a key head start in raising global awareness and cyber readiness”

    To learn more about cybersecurity and actionable guidance to create a safer digital world visit our Cybersecurity Awareness page.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: System intrusions behind 80% of APAC breaches

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: System intrusions behind 80% of APAC breaches

    SINGAPORE – Verizon Business today released its 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), sounding the alarm on a surge of system intrusions across the Asia-Pacific region. The report reveals that 4 out of 5 data breaches in the region stemmed from such attacks – up from 38% the previous year.

    Now in its 18th year, the report analysed more than 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches spanning 139 countries. Malware increased from 58% last year in APAC to 83% this year, with Ransomware accounting for 51% of breaches.

    “This year’s report reinforces the growing complexity and persistence of cyber threats facing organisations worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region in particular, external actors are targeting critical infrastructure and exploiting third-party vulnerabilities. The rising incidence of breaches highlights the imperative for businesses to reassess their risk frameworks,” said Robert Le Busque, Regional Vice President, Asia Pacific for Verizon Business.

    Key APAC Findings:

    • Social Engineering: The absolute number of Social Engineering breaches has been on the decline since 2021, it only accounts for 20% of breaches in 2025 due, in part, to the sharp increase of system intrusion
    • Malware: Malware in data breaches jumped significantly, from 58% last year to 83% this year with email being the key vector for distributing various types of malware
    • Ransomware: Now accounts for 51% of the total breaches in this region and remains highly visible as threat actors often publicize breaches

    Key Global Findings:

    • Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: This initial attack vector saw a 34% increase, with a significant focus on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs
    • Ransomware: Ransomware attacks rose by 37% since last year, and are now present in 44% of breaches, despite a noticeable decrease in the median ransom amount paid.
    • Third-Party Involvement: The percentage of breaches involving third parties doubled, highlighting the risks associated with supply chain and partner ecosystems
    • Human Element: Human involvement in breaches remains high, with a significant overlap between social engineering and credential abuse

    The 2025 DBIR also shed light on industry-specific trends, revealing an alarming rise in espionage-motivated attacks in the Manufacturing and Healthcare sectors, and persistent threats to the Education, Financial, and Retail industries. The report also highlighted the disproportionate impact of ransomware on small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

    Verizon Business’s 2025 DBIR serves as a wake-up call for businesses to take immediate action to strengthen their cybersecurity posture and mitigate the risks posed by evolving cyber threats. With the median ransom payment to cybercriminals last year being US$115,000, this is a significant amount for many SMBs. By adopting a proactive and comprehensive approach to cybersecurity, businesses can help safeguard their assets, protect their customers, and ensure their long-term success in an increasingly digital world.

    “This year’s DBIR findings reflect a mixed bag of results. Glass-half-full types can celebrate the rise in the number of victim organizations that did not pay ransoms with 64% not paying vs 50% two years ago. The glass-half empty personas will see in the DBIR that organizations that don’t have the proper IT and cybersecurity maturity – often the SMB sized organizations, are paying the price for their size with ransomware being present in 88% of breaches,” said Craig Robinson, Research Vice President, Security Services at IDC. “While there is no magic pill to swallow that will alleviate the pain of cybersecurity attacks, Verizon’s leadership in educating the public on the types of attacker motives, tactics and techniques is a key head start in raising global awareness and cyber readiness”

    Visit our Cybersecurity Awareness page to learn more about data privacy and Verizon’s efforts.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: System intrusion breaches double in EMEA

    Source: Verizon

    Headline: Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report: System intrusion breaches double in EMEA

    LONDON, UK  – Verizon Business today released its 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), revealing a dramatic surge in global data breaches, with EMEA experiencing a significant increase in system intrusion breaches. These breaches have skyrocketed, nearly doubling to 53% of breaches in the region in just one year.

    The 2025 DBIR, which analysed over 22,000 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches, found third-party involvement doubling to 30% in this year’s report and a 34% surge in vulnerability exploitation globally. In EMEA, nearly a third (29%) of breaches originated from within the organisation, a stark contrast to APAC, where only 1% of threats are from internal actors, and North America, where internal threats account for just 5% of breaches. Although EMEA experienced the highest percentage of breaches caused by internal actors, the number of insiders decreased by 41% in 2025. This decline was due to a faster increase in other types of breaches.

    “The alarming rate of employee-driven breaches in EMEA underscores a critical need for businesses to strengthen their internal cybersecurity. Organisations must go beyond guarding against external threats and foster a culture of security awareness and accountability within,” said Sanjiv Gossain, Group Vice President and Head of EMEA of Verizon Business. “The surge in system intrusions across EMEA is a clear warning to organisations to urgently fortify both external defenses and internal controls through comprehensive employee training, robust access controls, and zero-trust frameworks.”

    Key EMEA Findings:

    • System Intrusion Threats: System intrusion breaches surged to 53%, nearly double last year’s rate of 27%
    • Insider Leaks: 29% of breaches originate from within EMEA organisations, with 19% attributed to unintentional mistakes and 8% involving misuse, such as unauthorised use of data that violates the organisation’s policies
    • Social Engineering: The second-most common incident pattern in the region, with phishing appearing in 19% of breaches in EMEA

    Key Global Findings:

    • Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: This initial attack vector saw a 34% increase, with a significant focus on zero-day exploits targeting perimeter devices and VPNs
    • Ransomware: Ransomware attacks rose by 37% since last year, and are now present in 44% of breaches, despite a noticeable decrease in the median ransom amount paid
    • Third-Party Involvement: The percentage of breaches involving third parties doubled, highlighting the risks associated with supply chain and partner ecosystems
    • Human Element: Human involvement in breaches remains high, with a significant overlap between social engineering and credential abuse

    “The DBIR’s findings underscore the importance of a multi-layered defense strategy,” said Chris Novak, Vice President, Global Cybersecurity Solutions, Verizon Business. “Businesses need to invest in robust security measures, including strong password policies, timely patching of vulnerabilities, and comprehensive security awareness training for employees.”

    Sector Spotlight: Manufacturing Hit by Sixfold Surge in Espionage Attacks

    The 2025 DBIR exposes alarming cybersecurity shifts targeting key industries worldwide. Manufacturing has experienced a dramatic, nearly sixfold surge in espionage-motivated breaches, jumping to 20% from just 3% last year. Healthcare similarly faces rising espionage threats, while Education and Financial industries also continue to battle persistent cybersecurity challenges.

    Retail organisations have weathered a 15% increase in cyber incidents since 2024, with attackers now pivoting away from payment card data toward easier targets such as customer credentials, business plans, and reports.

    This year’s findings serve as a critical warning for businesses globally—including those in EMEA—to take immediate, decisive action. Organisations must strengthen their cybersecurity defenses against these evolving threats to protect vital assets, maintain customer trust, and ensure sustainable success in today’s digital landscape.

    “This year’s DBIR findings reflect a mixed bag of results. Glass-half-full types can celebrate the rise in the number of victim organisations that did not pay ransoms with 64% not paying vs 50% two years ago. The glass-half empty personas will see in the DBIR that organisations that don’t have the proper IT and cybersecurity maturity – often the SMB sized organisations, are paying the price for their size with ransomware being present in 88% of breaches,” said Craig Robinson, Research Vice President, Security Services at IDC. “While there is no magic pill to swallow that will alleviate the pain of cybersecurity attacks, Verizon’s leadership in educating the public on the types of attacker motives, tactics and techniques is a key head start in raising global awareness and cyber readiness”

    Visit our Cybersecurity Awareness page to learn more about data privacy and Verizon’s efforts.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Tatyana Golikova: Over 6 years, the number of all IVF cycles performed under compulsory medical insurance has increased by almost 20%

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

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

    Video greeting from Tatyana Golikova to the participants of the IV All-Russian Congress “Right to Life”

    11 hours ago

    Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova addressed a video greeting to the participants of the IV All-Russian Congress “Right to Life”, which is being held from April 23 to 25, 2025 at the National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov:

    Dear colleagues!

    I am pleased to welcome the participants, guests and organizers of the IV All-Russian Congress “Right to Life”, which is taking place at the Academician Vladimir Kulakov Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology.

    The President of the country defined the key national goal – preserving the population, strengthening the health and well-being of people, supporting the family. The protection of motherhood and childhood makes a significant contribution to achieving this goal, and today’s event is an opportunity to once again discuss the most pressing issues in this area with the highest level professionals, exchange experiences, and develop new solutions.

    Over the past 6 years, thanks to the implementation of the national project “Healthcare”, we have significantly updated the infrastructure: built and repaired more than 11 thousand primary care facilities, re-equipped more than 98% of children’s clinics, built 21 children’s hospitals. All this has allowed us to bring medical care closer, and especially preventive care.

    Infrastructure changes along with the introduction of modern perinatal technologies ensured the achievement of a new historical minimum of infant mortality in 2024 – 4.0 per 1,000 children born alive. This is a significant result!

    But we still have much to do.

    The first important block is protecting the reproductive health of our citizens. In 2024, more than 26 million children were covered by preventive medical examinations. Over 97% of adolescents aged 15–17 years – for the purpose of preserving reproductive health. Reproductive system diseases were detected in 5% of girls and 4% of boys. All children were taken under dispensary observation.

    Last year, a medical examination of the adult population aged 18 to 49 years was launched to assess reproductive health. Almost 7 million of our citizens underwent it at the expense of compulsory medical insurance funds. More than 230 thousand diseases affecting the ability to have children were identified. Treatment was organized for all patients.

    From 2022 to 2024, a pilot project “Reproductive Health” was implemented in 7 regions, and a pilot project aimed at stimulating the birth rate was implemented in 3 regions. Based on the results of their implementation, regional programs were adopted in 85 constituent entities of the Russian Federation, including a new set of measures aimed at protecting reproductive health and increasing the birth rate. This work creates the potential for additional births, the main efforts should be aimed at increasing the coverage of medical examinations for the timely correction of reproductive disorders.

    The second block of measures is aimed at preserving nascent life – reducing the number of abortions. For this purpose, new approaches have been developed to working with women in the situation of reproductive choice and supporting pregnant women who find themselves in a difficult life situation.

    This is a set of measures that includes legal, psychological, medical and social support and assistance. Today, such work is being carried out in 900 created women’s consultation offices and social assistance centers. Thanks to these measures, more than 41 thousand pregnancies were saved in 2024. This work must be continued, paying attention to each woman.

    The third block is increasing the availability and effectiveness of IVF. From 2019 to 2024, the number of all IVF cycles performed under compulsory medical insurance increased by almost 20%, and the number of full IVF cycles increased by 14%.

    It is necessary to improve the methods of providing such assistance, increasing its quality. The main criterion should be the achievement of the result – the birth of a healthy baby.

    Last year, more than 32 thousand children were born thanks to reproductive technologies.

    Measures to protect motherhood and childhood will be continued within the framework of the federal project “Protection of Motherhood and Childhood” of the national project “Family”, which was launched on January 1, 2025, by decision of the head of state. 146.7 billion rubles have been allocated from the federal budget for its implementation, of which 76 billion will be allocated in the next three years.

    By 2030, we plan to create 336 women’s consultations, equip 142 perinatal centers and maternity hospitals, 180 children’s hospitals, and purchase 526 mobile medical complexes for children’s clinics. This will ensure the availability of qualified care for women and children, including reproductive health care.

    I thank everyone gathered here for the invaluable contribution you make to the protection of motherhood and childhood in our country.

    I am confident that during today’s fruitful discussions you will exchange experiences and best practices that help preserve the reproductive health of our citizens, save the lives and health of newborn babies, and also develop new solutions so that there are more of us, Russians!

    Good luck to you!

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces appointments 4.22.25

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 22, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

    Claire Cullis, of Carmichael, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Business and Consumer Relations at the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency. Cullis has been Chief of Staff to the First Partner in the Governor’s Office since 2021. She was Founder of Claire Cullis Consulting, LLC from 2018 to 2021. Cullis was the Executive Director of the Institute for Democracy and Justice from 2018 to 2021. She was the Director of Dignitary and Speaker Engagement at the Global Climate Action Summit for the United Nations Foundation in 2018. Cullis was a Consultant to the Special Olympics for the Austria Winter World Games in 2017. She held multiple positions at the United States Department of the Treasury from 2013 to 2017, including Director of Scheduling, Advance, and Administration, and Associate Director of Scheduling and Advance for the Treasury Secretary. Cullis was an Advance Associate at The White House from 2013 to 2017. She was Deputy Parade Director at the Presidential Inaugural Committee from 2012 to 2013. Cullis was National Advance Staff for Obama for America in 2012. She was a Senior Associate at the Dewey Square Group from 2006 to 2012. She was a Teacher at the Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program from 2005 to 2006. Cullis was National Advance Staff for the John Kerry presidential campaign in 2004. Cullis earned her Master of Business Administration degree from Virginia Tech, and her Bachelor of the Arts degree in International Studies and Studio Art from the University of Iowa. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $195,564. Cullis is a Democrat.

    Sophia Carrillo, of Santa Monica, has been appointed Assistant General Counsel of Enforcement at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Carrillo was an Assistant United States Attorney at the United States Attorney’s Office, Central District of California from 2023 to 2025. She was a Deputy Attorney General at the California Department of Justice from 2019 to 2023. Carrillo was a Judicial Law Clerk at the United States District Court, Eastern District of California from 2018 to 2019. She was an Associate Director of the Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments/D.C. Human Resources at the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2015. Carrillo is a member of the Latino Community Foundation’s Los Angeles Giving Circle. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation and compensation is $174,000. Carrillo is a Democrat. 

    Iris “Marlene” De La O, of Berkeley, has been appointed Deputy Secretary of Public Policy at the California Environmental Protection Agency. De La O held several positions at Chemonics International from 2021 to 2025, including Senior Partnerships Manager and Director of Climate Change and Resiliency. She was the Director of Resiliency and Acquisitions at the Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development in 2019. De La O was Deputy Director at the California Strategic Growth Council from 2017 to 2018. She was a Consultant at Inter-American Development Bank from 2015 to 2016. De La O was a Manager and Regional Contracts Specialist at Chemonics International from 2012 to 2015. She earned a Master of Public Policy degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Development Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $175,512. De La O is a Democrat.

    Adam Ebrahim, of Carmichael, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Ebrahim has been the Senior Director of Policy and Continuous Improvement at the Commission on Teacher Credentialing since 2024. He was the Principal Consultant at Azimuth Learning Partners from 2016 to 2024. Ebrahim was the Director of Education Strategy at Parsec Education in 2024. He was a Staff Consultant at the California Teachers Association from 2020 to 2024. Ebrahim was the Director of Local Control and Accountability Plan and Continuous Improvement at San Juan Unified School District from 2019 to 2020. He was a Project Director at Californians Dedicated to Education Foundation from 2016 to 2019. Ebrahim was a Staff Consultant at Fresno County Superintendent of Schools from 2015 to 2016. He was a Teacher at Fresno Unified School District from 2010 to 2015. Ebrahim was an Enlisted Soldier and Commissioned Officer at the California Army National Guard from 2007 to 2012. He received his Master of Education degree in United States Education in a Global Context from National University, a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Washington University in Saint Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $181,344. Ebrahim is a Democrat.

    Vanessa Ejike, of Cerritos, has been appointed to the State Board of Education. Ejike was a Poll Worker for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk and an Intern for Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva in the California State Assembly in 2024. She is the National Partnerships Director for the High School Democrats of America, Local Affairs Director for California High School Democrats, Communications Coordinator for the Pacific Coast Coalition of Girl Up USA, Student Representative for the Legislative and Policy Committee at the ABC Unified School District, and Founder and Chair of the Principal’s Advisory Council at Gretchen Whitney High School. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ejike is not registered to vote. 

    Niki Woodard, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Communications and External Affairs at the California Energy Commission. Woodard has been the Senior Communications Officer at Resources Legacy Fund since 2019. She was the Deputy Assistant Director at the California Department of Water Resources from 2016 to 2019. Woodard was the Communications and Marketing Director at the Center for Climate Protection from 2015 to 2016. She was Founder and Principal of Spiral-PR from 2011 to 2016. Woodard was the Communications Director at Sequoia Riverlands Trust from 2008 to 2011. She was a Research Associate at the Pew Research Center from 2006 to 2008. Woodard earned a Master of the Arts degree in Communications from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of the Arts degrees in Rhetoric and Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and compensation is $160,968. Woodard is a Democrat.

    Lee Herrick, of Fresno, has been reappointed California’s Poet Laureate, where he has served since 2022. Herrick has been an English Professor at Fresno City college since 1997 and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe since 2012. He was the Poet Laureate of the City of Fresno from 2015 to 2017. Herrick was an Adjunct English Professor at Modesto Junior College from 1995 to 1997. He is the Founder of LitHop and an Advisory Board Member of Terrain.org, Sixteen Rivers Press, and Anacapa review, and a Member of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs. Herrick earned a Master of Arts degree in English, Composition and Rhetoric and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literature from California State University, Stanislaus. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the California Arts Council provides an annual stipend. Herrick is a Democrat.

    Press Releases, Recent News

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  • MIL-OSI Global: Brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice – but here’s why you shouldn’t worry

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Iain Brownlee, Associate Professor, Nutrition, Northumbria University, Newcastle

    nesavinov/Shutterstock

    Brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice, according to a recent study from the US. Understandably, that might sound alarming. After all, arsenic is a well-known toxin. But the levels found in brown rice are not a health risk. And brown rice, like other whole grains, is still an important part of a healthy diet.

    To understand the issue, it helps to remember an old principle from toxicology: the dose makes the poison. In other words, harmful substances can be harmless – or even beneficial – at low enough doses.

    Arsenic, while dangerous in high amounts, is naturally found in soil and water and can show up in many foods, including rice.

    The new study makes this very clear: the amount of arsenic in brown rice is far below any level considered risky for human health. What matters is both how much is present and how often it is consumed.

    For most people, the exposure from eating brown rice is minimal and not something to worry about.

    Despite the study’s reassuring conclusion, some news outlets ran with scary headlines. Such as: Toxic metal linked to cancer, autism found in brown rice as scientists say it’s time to rethink healthy option. And: Think brown rice is healthier than white rice? Study finds high level of carcinogen in brown rice in the US.

    Pesticides, preservatives, trace metals – all can sound scary out of context. But for most people, the health risks don’t come from what’s in our food in tiny amounts – they come from our everyday choices.

    What we should be worried about

    In countries like the UK, less than one in 1,000 people follow all aspects of national dietary guidelines. That means most people aren’t eating enough fruit, vegetables and whole grains – and that’s a much bigger problem.

    In fact, poor diet is a bigger cause of illness and early death worldwide than smoking or alcohol. Two of the top dietary risk factors? Eating too much salt and not enough whole grains.

    Cardiovascular disease, the world’s leading cause of death for decades, kills around 20 million people each year. During the COVID pandemic, it remained deadlier than the virus itself. One of the simplest ways to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease is to eat more whole grains.

    A poor diet kills more people than smoking or alcohol.
    Rimma Bondarenko/Shutterstock

    So while it’s true that brown rice has more arsenic than white rice, not eating brown rice (or other whole grains) may pose a greater health risk. (Other whole grains options to choose from include: oats, quinoa, barley and whole wheat pasta and bread.)

    If you’re fortunate enough to have choices about what to eat, take a moment to reflect on how your habits align with national dietary guidelines. If you’re already eating well, great – keep it up. If not, start small: swap in a few whole grains and reduce your salt intake.

    And if you’re still not convinced about brown rice, that’s OK. Choose another whole grain that works for you. Just don’t let a misunderstood detail about arsenic scare you away from one of the most positive foods choices you can make.

    Iain Brownlee currently receives funding from the European Research Agency/Medical Research Council and the National Institute of National Institute of Health and Care Research. He has previously received funding from multiple government organisations in the UK, Singapore and Australia, as well as multiple industry funders including Nestlé/Cereal Partners Worldwide.

    – ref. Brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice – but here’s why you shouldn’t worry – https://theconversation.com/brown-rice-contains-more-arsenic-than-white-rice-but-heres-why-you-shouldnt-worry-254668

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Joint Statement at the conclusion of the State Visit of Prime Minister to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 23 APR 2025 12:44PM by PIB Delhi

    “A Historic Friendship; A Partnership for Progress”

    At the invitation of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Hon’ble Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi paid a State Visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on April 22, 2025.

    This was Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s third visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It followed the historic State Visit of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s visit to India in September 2023 to participate in the G-20 Summit and co-chair the first meeting of the India- Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

    His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at Al-Salam Palace, Jeddah.They held official talks, during which they recalled the strong bonds of historically close friendship between the Republic of India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. India and Saudi Arabia enjoy a strong relationship and close people-to-people ties marked by trust and goodwill. The two sides noted that the solid foundation of the bilateral relationship between the two nations has further strengthened through the strategic partnership covering diverse areas including defense, security, energy, trade, investment, technology, agriculture, culture, health, education, and people-to-people ties. Both sides also exchanged views on current regional and international issues of mutual interest.

    Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Saudi Arabia’s successful bids for World Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.

    The two leaders held constructive discussions on ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The two leaders also co-chaired the second meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council (SPC). The two sides reviewed the progress of the Strategic Partnership Council since their last meeting in September 2023. Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the work of the two Ministerial Committees, namely: (a) the Committee on Political, Security, Social and Cultural Cooperation and their subcommittees and (b) the Committee on Economy and Investment and their Joint Working Groups, in diverse fields. In this context, the Co-Chairs of the Council welcomed the expansion of the Strategic Partnership Council to four Ministerial Committees reflecting the deepening of the Strategic Partnership, by addition of the Ministerial Committees on Defence Cooperation, and Tourism and Cultural Cooperation. The two leaders noted with appreciation the large number of high-level visits across various Ministries that have built trust and mutual understanding on both sides. At the end of the Meeting, the two leaders signed the Minutes of the Second Meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council.

    The Indian side expressed its appreciation to the Saudi side for the continuing welfare of around 2.7 million Indian nationals residing in the Kingdom, reflecting the strong people- to-people bonds and immense goodwill that exists between the two nations. The Indian side also congratulated Saudi Arabia for successfully holding the Haj pilgrimage in 2024 and expressed its appreciation for the excellent coordination between the two countries in facilitating Indian Haj and Umrah pilgrims.

    Both sides welcomed the growth of the economic relationship, trade and investment ties between India and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in recent years. The Indian side congratulated the Saudi side for progress achieved on the goals under Vision 2030. Saudi side expressed appreciation for India’s sustained economic growth and the goal of Viksit Bharat or becoming a developed country by 2047. Both sides agreed to work together in areas of mutual interests to fulfill respective national goals and achieve shared prosperity.

    Both Leaders noted with satisfaction the progress made in the discussions under the High-Level Task Force (HLTF), constituted in 2024 for promoting investment flows between the two countries. Building on the endeavor of Saudi Arabia to invest in India in multiple areas including energy, petrochemicals, infrastructure, technology, fintech, digital infrastructure, telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing and health, it was noted that the High-Level Task Force came to an understanding in multiple areas which will rapidly promote such investment flows. They noted the agreement in the High-Level Task Force to collaborate on establishing two refineries. The progress made by this Task Force in areas such as taxation was also a major breakthrough for greater cooperation in the future. The two sides affirmed their desire to complete negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty at the earliest. The Indian side appreciated the launch of India Desk at the Public Investment Fund (PIF) to act as the nodal point for investment facilitation by PIF. They observed that work of the High-Level Task Force underscores the growing economic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia focusing on mutual economic growth and collaborative investments.

    The two sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening their direct and indirect investment partnership. They commended the outcomes of the Saudi-India Investment Forum, held in New Delhi in September 2023, and the active cooperation it achieved between the public and private sectors from both countries. They also commended the expansion of investment activities by Indian companies in the Kingdom, and appreciated the role of the private sector in enhancing mutual investments.The two sides valued the activation of the Framework of Cooperation on Enhancing Bilateral Investment between Invest India and Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia. Both sides agreed to facilitate enhanced bilateral cooperation in the startup ecosystem, contributing to mutual growth and innovation.

    In the field of Energy, the Indian side agreed to work with the Kingdom to enhance the stability of global oil markets and to balance global energy market dynamics. They emphasized the need to ensure security of supply for all energy sources in global markets. They agreed on the importance of enhancing cooperation in several areas in the energy sector, including the supply of crude oil and its derivatives including LPG, collaboration in India’s Strategic Reserve Program, joint projects across the refining and petrochemical sector, including manufacturing and specialized industries, innovative uses of hydrocarbons, electricity, and renewable energy, including completing the detailed joint study for electrical interconnection between the two countries, exchanging expertise in the fields of grid automation, grid connectivity, electrical grid security and resilience, and renewable energy projects and energy storage technologies, and enhancing the participation of companies from both sides in implementing their projects.

    The two sides emphasized the importance of cooperation in the field of green/clean hydrogen, including stimulating demand, developing hydrogen transport and storage technologies, exchanging expertise and experiences to implement best practices. The two sides also acknowledged the need to work on developing supply chains and projects linked to the energy sector, enabling cooperation between companies, enhancing cooperation in the field of energy efficiency and rationalizing energy consumption in the buildings, industry, and transportation sectors, and raising awareness of its importance.

    With regard to climate change, both sides reaffirmed the importance of adhering to the principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement, and the need to develop and implement climate agreements with a focus on emissions rather than sources. The Indian side commended the Kingdom’s launch of the “Saudi Green Initiative” and the “Middle East Green Initiative”and expressed its support for the Kingdom’s efforts in the field of climate change. The two sides stressed the importance of joint cooperation to develop applications of the circular carbon economy by promoting policies that use the circular carbon economy as a tool to manage emissions and achieve climate change objectives.The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia appreciated India’s contributions to global climate action by pioneering initiatives like International Solar Alliance, One Sun-One World-One Grid, Coalition of Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) and Global Green Credit Initiative.

    Both sides expressed satisfaction at the steady growth in bilateral trade in recent years with India being the second largest trading partner for Saudi Arabia; and Saudi Arabia being India’s fifth largest trading partner in 2023-2024. Both sides agreed to further enhance co-operation to diversify their bilateral trade. In this regard, both sides agreed on the importance of increasing visits of business and trade delegations, and holding trade and investment events. Both sides reiterated their desire for commencing negotiations on the India-GCC FTA.

    The two sides appreciated the deepening of the defence ties as a key pillar of the Strategic Partnership, and welcomed the creation of a Ministerial Committee on Defence Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council. They noted with satisfaction the growth of their joint defence cooperation including numerous ‘firsts’ like the first ever Land Forces exercise SADA TANSEEQ, two rounds of the Naval Exercises AL MOHED AL HINDI, many high-level visits, and training exchanges, towards ensuring the security and stability of the region. They welcomed the outcomes of the 6th meeting of the Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation held in Riyadh in September 2024, noting the initiation of staff-level talks between all three services. Both sides also agreed to enhance defence industry collaboration.

    Noting the continuing cooperation achieved in security fields, both sides highlighted the importance of this cooperation for better security and stability. They also emphasized the importance of furthering cooperation between both sides in the areas of cybersecurity, maritime border security, combating transnational crime, narcotics and drug trafficking.

    Both sides strongly condemned the gruesome terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on 22 April 2025, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians. In this context, the two sides condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, and emphasized that this remains one of the gravest threats to humanity. They agreed that there cannot be any justification for any act of terror for any reason whatsoever. They rejected any attempt to link terrorism to any particular race, religion or culture. They welcomed the excellent cooperation between the two sides in counter-terrorism and the terror financing. They condemned cross-border terrorism, and called on all States to reject the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructure where it exists, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice swiftly. Both sides stressed the need to prevent access to weapons including missiles and drones to commit terrorist acts against other countries.

    The two sides noted the ongoing cooperation in field of health and efforts to combat current and future health risks and health challenges. In this context, they welcomed the signing of the MOU on Cooperation in the Field of Health between the two countries. The Indian side congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for successfully hosting the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance in Jeddah in November 2024. Indian side welcomed the initiatives taken by the Saudi Food and Drug Authority to address issues related to reference pricing and fast track registration of Indian drugs in Saudi Arabia. Both sides also welcomed the extension of the MoU on Co-operation in the Field of Medical Products Regulation between Saudi Food and Drug Authority and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) for a further period of five years.

    Both sides underscored the importance of co-operation in technology including in new and emerging domains such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, semi-conductors etc. Highlighting the importance of digital governance,both sides agreed to explore collaboration in this area. They also expressed satisfaction on signing of the MOU between Telecom Regulatory Authority of India and Communications, Space and Technology Commission of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for cooperation in regulatory and digital sectors.

    Both sides noted that the MoU on space cooperation signed during this visit will pave the way for enhanced cooperation in the field of space, including utilization of launch vehicles, spacecraft, ground systems; applications of space technology; research and development; academic engagement and entrepreneurship.

    Both sides noted the growth of cultural cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of India through active engagement in key sectors such as heritage, film, literature, and performing and visual arts. The creation of a Ministerial Committee on Tourism and Cultural Cooperation under the Strategic Partnership Council marks a significant step toward deepening this partnership.

    Both sides also agreed to enhance cooperation in tourism including through capacity building and sustainable tourism. They also noted the expansion of various opportunities in media, entertainment, and sports, supported by the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries.

    Both sides appreciated the long-standing cooperation between the two countries in the areas of agriculture and food security, including trade of fertilizers. They agreed to pursue long-term agreements for the security of supply, mutual investments and joint projects towards building long-term strategic cooperation in this area.

    The two sides commended the growing momentum in educational and scientific collaboration between the two countries, underscoring its strategic importance in fostering innovation, capacity building, and sustainable development. The Saudi side welcomes the opportunities for leading Indian universities to have presence in Saudi Arabia.The two sides also stressed the value of expanding cooperation in labour and human resources and identifying opportunities for collaboration.

    Both sides recalled the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Principles of an India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor along with other countries in September 2023 during the state visit of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to India and expressed mutual commitment to work together to realize the vision of connectivity as envisaged in the Corridor, including the development of infrastructure that includes railways and port linkages to increase the passage of goods and services, and boost trade among stakeholders, and enhance data connectivity and electrical grid interconnectivity. In this regard, both sides welcomed the progress under the MoU on Electrical Interconnections, Clean/Green Hydrogen and Supply Chains signed in October 2023. Both sides also expressed satisfaction on the increase in shipping lines between the two countries.

    The two sides stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two countries in international organizations and forums, including the G20, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, to bolster efforts to address the challenges facing the global economy. They commended the existing cooperation between them within the Common Framework for Debt Treatment Beyond the Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), which was endorsed by the G20 leaders at the Riyadh Summit 2020. They stressed the importance of enhancing the implementation of the Common Framework as the main and most comprehensive platform for coordination between official creditors (developing country creditors and Paris Club creditors) and the private sector to address the debt of eligible countries.

    The two sides affirmed their full support for the international and regional efforts aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Yemen. The Indian side appreciated the Kingdom’s many initiatives aimed at encouraging dialogue between the Yemeni parties, and its role in providing and facilitating access of humanitarian aid to all regions of Yemen. The Saudi side also appreciated the Indian effort in providing humanitarian aid to Yemen.The two sides agreed on the importance of cooperation to promote ways to ensure the security and safety of waterways and freedom of navigation in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    The following MoUs were signed during the visit:

    • MoU between Department of Space, India, and Saudi Space Agency in the field of space activities for peaceful purposes.

    • MoU between Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Republic of India and Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & on Cooperation in the Field of Health.

    • Bilateral Agreement between Department of Posts, India and Saudi Post Corporation (SPL) for inward foreign surface parcel.

    • MOU between National Anti-Doping Agency of India (NADA), India, and Saudi Arabia Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC) for cooperation in the field of anti-doping and prevention.

    Both sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Strategic Partnership Council on a date mutually agreed upon. As the two nations march ahead with economic and social developments in their respective countries, they also decided, that they will continue communication, coordination and cooperation across various sectors.

    At the end of the visit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the warm reception and generous hospitality extended to him and his accompanying delegation. He also conveyed his best wishes for continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. For his part, His Royal Highness extended his sincere wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the friendly people of India for further progress and prosperity.

    ***

    MJPS/VJ

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  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Health Ministry launches New Competency-Based Curricula for ten Allied and Healthcare Professions in collaboration with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP)

    Source: Government of India

    Union Health Ministry launches New Competency-Based Curricula for ten Allied and Healthcare Professions in collaboration with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP)

    New curricula designed to produce globally competent allied and healthcare professionals to address the increasing prevalence of diseases, and the growing demand for allied services

    India is skilling its healthcare professionals not just for India, but for the globe. The new curricula will set a benchmark for the quality of healthcare professionals: Union Health Secretary

    These curricula will ensure uniformity and an important step in the direction of actualizing the vision of ‘One Nation, One Curriculum’: Chairperson NCAHP

    Posted On: 23 APR 2025 2:38PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), launched competency-based curricula for ten allied and healthcare professions. Union Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava inaugurated the launch event, here today. Also present were Ms Hekali Zhimomi, Addl. Secretary, MoHFW and Dr Yagna Shukla, Chairperson, NCAHP. The curricula will cover a broad spectrum of professions, including Physiotherapy; Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health; Optometry; Nutrition and Dietetics; Dialysis Therapy Technology and Dialysis Therapy; Radiotherapy Technology; Medical Radiology and Imaging Technology; Anaesthesia and Operation Theatre Technology; Health Information Management; and Physician Associates. This strategic initiative is aimed at ensuring uniformity and excellence in the education and training of allied and healthcare professionals across the country, thereby strengthening the healthcare delivery system in accordance with the emerging needs of the nation.

    In her inaugural address, Union Health Secretary underscored the government’s steadfast commitment to strengthening capacity building and improving the quality of education and training across all domains of the healthcare sector. She highlighted that “the comprehensive revision and standardization of the curricula represent a pivotal step toward establishing consistency in educational content and delivery”.

    Highlighting the importance of the new curricula launched, Smt. Srivastava stated that “India is skilling its healthcare professionals not just for India, but for the globe. The curricula launched today will set a benchmark for the quality of healthcare professionals across various faculties.”

    Underlining the importance of the professions for which new curriculum has been launched, Smt. Srivastava stated that “these professions play a crucial role in preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare. This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of skill-based training, better align educational outcomes with industry needs, and promote greater career mobility and professional recognition for allied health professionals nationwide.”

    She further added that “the success of these curricula depends not only on their design and content but also on the strength of the systems that support their rollout. This includes adequate institutional preparedness, faculty training, infrastructure development, and continuous monitoring to uphold quality standards. Digital modules of the curriculum will be crowd sourced to make them available to all for their capacity building so that the vision of Swastha Bharat can be promoted.”

    Smt. Srivastava also emphasized the critical importance of establishing robust regulatory mechanisms and investing in capacity building to ensure the effective implementation of the newly developed curricula.

    Speaking on the occasion, Dr Yagna Unmesh Shukla, chairperson NCAHP, stated that “these curricula will ensure uniformity and an important step in the direction of actualizing the vision of ‘One Nation, One Curriculum’. It is important to note that this marks the first phase of the curriculum rollout. The release of curricula for other professional categories, as outlined under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021, is currently underway and will be completed at the earliest possible opportunity.”

    She further informed that “the new curricula will be mandatorily implemented from 2026.  The new curricula will be available on the NCAHP website”. She also stated that after this phase of curriculum release, other curriculums of professions scheduled under the Act will also be released at the earliest.

    The newly introduced handbooks represent a significant step toward establishing a unified national standard for allied and healthcare education across the country. They provide clear and consistent guidelines regarding course content, eligibility criteria, methods of training delivery, and institutional infrastructure requirements.

    The newly launched curricula are built upon the following principles:

    • Standardization: Establishing minimum educational standards to ensure consistent quality of graduating professionals nationwide.
    • Competency-Based Approach: Emphasizing the practical application of knowledge and skills in real-world healthcare settings, moving beyond theoretical knowledge.
    • Holistic Development: Fostering not only clinical expertise but also essential skills such as communication, teamwork, ethical practice, and lifelong learning.
    • Support for Universal Health Coverage: Preparing a skilled workforce in physiotherapy and renal care to support the government’s vision of Universal Health Coverage.

    The event witnessed the virtual participation of esteemed members from various State Councils, along with distinguished subject matter experts from across the allied and healthcare sectors. Their presence and contributions added significant value to the discussions, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing standardized, high-quality education and professional development within the allied and healthcare professions.

    Background:

    The National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) is an Indian statutory body which regulates and maintains standards of education and services of allied and healthcare professionals. This commission’s objective is to establish and to be equipped with interdependent, Independent and inter referral healthcare practitioner.

    The newly developed curricula aim to cultivate globally competent allied and healthcare professionals, equipped to meet the rising burden of disease and the increasing demand for allied health services. These programs are structured to align with the evolving needs of the healthcare sector, both nationally and internationally.

    The development process involved extensive consultation with academic experts, representatives from professional associations, and key stakeholders across the healthcare ecosystem. A thorough review of existing educational modules was conducted, incorporating insights and feedback from senior technical advisors to ensure relevance and rigor.

    Furthermore, the curricula have been carefully realigned with the regulatory standards and provisions outlined in the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP) Act, 2021. This comprehensive approach ensures that the training of allied and healthcare professionals remains current, responsive, and of the highest quality.

    *****

     

    MV

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