NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illumina Inc. to Pay $9.8M to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Arising from Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Genomic Sequencing Systems

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Illumina Inc. has agreed to pay $9.8 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act when it sold to federal agencies certain genomic sequencing systems with cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Illumina is a Delaware corporation, headquartered in California, that manufactured and sold genomic sequencing systems throughout the United States.

    The settlement resolves allegations that, between February 2016 and September 2023, Illumina sold government agencies genomic sequencing systems with software that had cybersecurity vulnerabilities, without having an adequate security program and sufficient quality systems to identify and address those vulnerabilities. Specifically, the United States contended that Illumina knowingly failed to incorporate product cybersecurity in its software design, development, installation, and on-market monitoring; failed to properly support and resource personnel, systems, and processes tasked with product security; failed to adequately correct design features that introduced cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the genomic sequencing systems; and  falsely represented that the software on the genomic sequencing systems adhered to cybersecurity standards, including standards of the International Organization for Standardization and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

    “Companies that sell products to the federal government will be held accountable for failing to adhere to cybersecurity standards and protecting against cybersecurity risks,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This settlement underscores the importance of cybersecurity in handling genetic information and the Department’s commitment to ensuring that federal contractors adhere to requirements to protect sensitive information from cyber threats.”

    “This settlement demonstrates our continuing commitment to combat cybersecurity risks by ensuring that federal contractors protect private and sensitive government information.” said Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Bloom for the District of Rhode Island.

    “This settlement demonstrates our continued commitment to work with our law enforcement partners and the Department of Justice to ensure companies fulfill their contractual obligations,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Silvestro of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) Northeast Field Office, the law enforcement arm of the Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General. “Safeguarding the validity of Department of Defense research and data is vital to supporting the warfighter.” 

    “Significant damage can result from a failure to adhere to required cybersecurity standards, especially when the systems involved include sensitive genomic data,” said Special Agent in Charge Roberto Coviello of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG and our law enforcement partners remain dedicated to ensuring that entities who do business with the government uphold their cybersecurity obligations.”

    The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed under the whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act, which permit private parties to sue on behalf of the government when a defendant has submitted false claims for government funds and receive a share of any recovery. The settlement in this case provides for the whistleblower, Erica Lenore, a former Director for Platform Management, On-Market Portfolio at Illumina, to receive $1,900,000 as her share of the settlement. The qui tam case is captioned United States ex. rel. Lenore v. Illumina Inc., No. 1:23-cv-00372 (D.R.I.).

    The resolution obtained in this matter was the result of a coordinated effort between the Justice Department’s Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Rhode Island, with assistance from DCIS, the Army Criminal Investigation Division, the HHS Office of the Inspector General, and the Department of Commerce Office of the Inspector General.

    The matter was investigated by Trial Attorney Erin Colleran of the Justice Department’s Civil Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Sara Bloom of the District of Rhode Island.

    The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Entrepreneurs across the borough called to write themselves into Northern Ireland’s business success story

    Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

    Lord Mayor, Alderman Stephen Moutray with representatives from all 11 councils across Northern Ireland at the launch of the Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch competition.

    Go Succeed: Ultimate Pitch returns for a second year

    Entrepreneurs from across the Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough are being invited to write the next chapter of their business story, as Go Succeed’s Ultimate Pitch launched at the literary home of one of Ireland’s most celebrated storytellers, Seamus Heaney.

    Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch is returning for a second year, providing entrepreneurs with the opportunity to win up to £6,000 in investment for their business idea.

    The competition, first launched in 2024 by the government-backed enterprise support service, is open to individuals, businesses, and social enterprises of all shapes and sizes and in every sector.

    The local heat will take place on Friday 10th October with entrants making the ‘ultimate pitch’ to an esteemed panel of expert judges.

    The winner will progress to a region-wide final, joined by heat winners across all 11 councils in Northern Ireland, with an overall winner announced at a special event in Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy.

    Last year’s local winner was Joe Garvey of Richmount Health Foods who secured a spot in the final after pitching their idea of converting waste from the local apple processing industry into a health food to a panel of judges from across the local business and civic community.

    Alderman Stephen Moutray, Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon Borough, said:

    “At Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, we are committed to building and maintaining an entrepreneurial ecosystem that encourages and supports entrepreneurs from all sectors at any stage of their business journey.

    “Last year’s Ultimate Pitch competition had an invaluable impact on the local community – it motivated, inspired, and pushed our local entrepreneurs to take their business idea to the next level. The confidence, networking, and pitching skills which each individual gained are essential skills for every entrepreneur, and on top of that – it was great fun too!

    “Whether you are just starting out or already have an established business that is planning to launch a new product or service, we would love to hear from you.”

    In addition to an overall winner who will receive the Go Succeed Ultimate Pitch Award, individual prizes will include the Go Succeed Impact Award for the best social enterprise, the Go Succeed Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award, and the Go Succeed Rising Star Award for the most inspiring 16–25-year-old entrepreneur.

    Meanwhile, members of the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite finalist to win the People’s Choice Award.

    Entrants have until 18th August to apply to the competition, with local heats being held within council areas throughout the autumn. Applicants will also have the opportunity to attend masterclasses on how to make the ultimate pitch ahead of their regional heats.

    The panel of judges will be drawn from across Northern Ireland’s business and civic communities, with the final taking place on Wednesday 19th November, during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

    Go Succeed is funded by the UK Government and delivered by Northern Ireland’s 11 councils. The service supports entrepreneurs, new starts and existing businesses with easy-to-access advice and support – including mentoring, masterclasses, peer networks, access to grant funding and business planning – at every stage of their growth journey.

    To find out more about Go Succeed: The Ultimate Pitch, view the full terms and conditions, and apply, visit: www.go-succeed.com/TheUltimatePitch.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Weight loss drug demand continues to grow in the UK – here’s what’s being done to keep supplies readily available

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Liz Breen, Professor of Health Service Operations, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of Bradford

    Demand for weight loss jabs has surged in the UK. Mohammed_Al_Ali/ Shutterstock

    Over a fifth of people in the UK have tried to access a weight loss drug in the last year, according to a recent poll.

    Weight loss jabs such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) and Wegovy (semaglutide) are very effective in managing obesity. Clinical trials have shown that some people lose up to 26% of their body weight while using these drugs.

    With this impact, it’s no wonder a growing number of people are seeking out these products – often buying them in private clinics or online. But with plans to expand access to these drugs through NHS prescriptions, there are concerns that supply may not meet demand – especially for those people in most need.

    In the UK, NHS prescriptions for weight loss jabs are only approved for people who meet strict eligibility requirements. For example, to qualify early for Mounjaro from your GP, you must have health problems due to your weight and a body mass index greater than 40 (adjusted for ethnicity). People assessed by the NHS and given prescriptions will also have access to additional support – such as advice about diet and physical activity.

    Weight loss drugs can be prescribed by specialist clinics and, increasingly, local GPs. But a lack of time and resources means even those who are eligible are left waiting. Consequently, people who can afford to do so are approaching private providers for access to these medicines – despite the potential risks to their health.

    There’s also evidence that people who aren’t clinically eligible for weight loss jabs prescribed by the NHS are purchasing them from online pharmacies.

    Supply issues

    Demand for weight loss jabs is about to grow, as the provision of Mounjaro via GPs is imminent, pending the creation of an infrastructure to support safe local prescribing.

    The number of monthly GP prescriptions in England for Mounjaro has already risen from under 3,000 in March 2024 (on introduction) to over 200,000 in May 2025. Mounjaro (also marketed in the US as Zepbound) is widely considered to be the best weight loss jab currently available and a great commercial success.

    GP prescriptions of all forms of semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) are more stable, at around 130,000 items per month (including generics and products to treat diabetes).

    While a number of GLP-1 drugs faced shortages last year (including Wegovy and Mounjaro), these shortages have now been resolved. Shortages were spurred by a spike in global demand for these drugs alongside stockpiling by private clinics to feed requests.

    Still, there were reports early this year that certain strengths of Mounjaro were difficult to access. The reasons for this are not clear, but may be due to the novelty of access to this new medication or a lack of access to alternatives.

    Around 220,000 people in England are due to be offered Mounjaro via the NHS over the next three years. However, it’s estimated that 3.4 million people in England could actually be eligible for Mounjaro.

    Mounjaro will initially be offered to 220,000 people on the NHS over the next three years.
    Cynthia A Jackson/ Shutterstock

    Wider NHS access to this drug is being phased to manage staff workload and ensure good support for patients. Phased rollout may also help to ensure there is enough supply for those who need to be prescribed one of these medications.

    Future access

    It’s likely that demand for these weight loss drugs will only continue to grow in the UK, so it’s important that supply is readily available.

    Regulatory agencies have taken some steps to tighten controls of online prescribing of weight loss drugs and prevent misuse. Registered online pharmacies must seek independent verification of key clinical information (such as from a GP or through a person’s medical records) instead of relying on questionnaires or phone calls.

    However, weight loss products remain easy to access for people with money and savvy search skills, but who may be clinically ineligible. The scale of demand from this group is difficult to quantify, but it’s clear more needs to be done to keep patients safe and manage demand.

    Several new weight loss drugs are undergoing trials in the UK. These drugs will work similarly to those already available but may be administered differently (such as an oral tablet). The trials for these and subsequent approvals will not only increase market competition, but also improve patient access and choice.

    Key patents for the manufacture of semaglutide are also due to expire in 2026 and 2031. Once a pharmaceutical product is outside of its patented time frame, other companies can be approved to manufacture it as a generic product.

    A generic product is approved on the basis that it works in the same manner and has equal benefits to the original product. The generics market allows new entrants and new versions of these very popular products onto the market.

    Generic products are usually less expensive and so are bought (where still clinically safe and effective) by the NHS. This change could provide greater access to weight loss medications and save the NHS and patients money in the long term.

    Generic semaglutide products will probably be available in the UK from 2032 but will be initially authorised to treat diabetes rather than weight loss. Still, this should have a positive impact on the availability of prescription drugs used for both diabetes and weight management.

    Generic liraglutide is already available on the NHS for the treatment of diabetes. The liraglutide brand Saxenda is also marketed for weight management. However, liraglutide is less effective than Wegovy or Mounjaro and requires daily injections.

    The number of monthly NHS prescriptions for liraglutide has fallen from over 40,000 in July 2020 to 1,000 in May 2025. This fall was most likely influenced by the discontinuation of the Victoza brand for type 2 diabetes in late 2024. Shortages of all types of GLP-1 drugs, which lasted until the end of 2024, may also have impacted demand for liraglutide.

    For now, NHS staff can report on known demand for these products to inform manufacturing quantities and procurement. What isn’t known is the future demand for online or private purchases of weight management drugs. It’s this “unknown” demand that may mean supply security is challenged and unsustainable.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

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

    – ref. Weight loss drug demand continues to grow in the UK – here’s what’s being done to keep supplies readily available – https://theconversation.com/weight-loss-drug-demand-continues-to-grow-in-the-uk-heres-whats-being-done-to-keep-supplies-readily-available-262065

    MIL OSI –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Kemp Announces 114 Appointments to Boards, Authorities, and Commissions

    Source: US State of Georgia

    Atlanta, GA – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced 114 appointments and reappointments to various state boards, authorities, and commissions.

    Georgia Composite Medical Board

    Srenni Gangasani and David Retterbush were reappointed.

    Kamesha Harbison is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist serving the South Columbus community. She has provided women’s health care in the Chattahoochee Valley for over a decade, delivering comprehensive OB/GYN services and assisting with more than 1,000 births. She has also led community health initiatives, including organizing prenatal education and resource events for expectant mothers. Harbison began her career as a high school biology and chemistry teacher after earning a B.S. and M.Ed. from Xavier University of Louisiana. She later earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and completed her OB/GYN residency at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. As an educator, she developed a mentoring program to address adolescent health, hygiene, and goal setting—laying the foundation for her transition into women’s healthcare. She is recognized for her commitment to patient education, community outreach, and improving health outcomes for women across the region.

    State Workforce Development Board

    Bárbara Rivera Holmes was sworn in as the 11th Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor and the state’s first Latina constitutional officer on April 4, 2025, by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Holmes’ extensive experience includes appointments by former Gov. Nathan Deal to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which oversees Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities, and by former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan as co-chair of the Georgia Innovates Task Force, which helped design the state’s technology blueprint. A former journalist, Holmes has earned awards for excellence in journalism from the Georgia Associated Press. She holds degrees in journalism and Spanish from Florida Southern College and studied at Estudio Sampere Internacional in Spain. A native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Holmes resides in Albany with her husband, David, and their daughter.

    Steve Bradshaw served eight years on the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners. First elected in 2016, he was re-elected in 2020 without opposition. During his tenure, he was twice unanimously elected by his colleagues to serve as Presiding Officer of the Board. He also chaired several key committees, including Finance, Audit and Budget; Public Works and Infrastructure; and County Operations. Prior to public service, Bradshaw spent more than 15 years in the private sector in operations management and business development roles, most recently as business development manager for Delta Global Staffing, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Bradshaw began his professional career as a U.S. Army officer as a tank commander. He served in both domestic and international assignments, including deployment to the Middle East during the First Persian Gulf War. His final military post was as a leadership instructor at the Army Officer Candidate School. He holds a master’s degree in public administration from Georgia State University and later served as an adjunct professor in the university’s Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, teaching both undergraduate and graduate students.

    Hearing Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission

    Richard Hyde was reappointed.

    Georgia Board of Examiners of Licensed Dietitians

    Cicely Thomas was reappointed.

    Alison Sturgill is a licensed and registered dietitian with over a decade of clinical experience specializing in oncology nutrition. She currently serves as a clinical dietitian IV at the Emory Proton Therapy Center, where she provides medical nutrition therapy to patients undergoing radiation treatment for various cancers. Previously, she held a similar role at Emory University Hospital, where she led inpatient oncology nutrition care and served as a preceptor and educator for dietetic interns. Sturgill holds both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Murray State University and is a Certified Specialist in Oncology Nutrition (CSO). Her work has been published in the Journal of Nursing Care Quality, and she remains active in multiple professional organizations, including the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

    Franklin D. Roosevelt Warm Springs Memorial Advisory Committee

    Eric Bentley is retired from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with over three decades of service to Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, including a deep and enduring connection to the Little White House State Historic Site. A graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in forest resources, Bentley began his career at Unicoi State Park before serving in various leadership roles, including park manager at Kolomoki Mounds and Fort Yargo. He was named Manager of the Year in 2009 and later served as Region 3 Manager, where he oversaw operations at the Little White House and F.D. Roosevelt State Park, secured funding, and strengthened partnerships with the Advisory Committee. From 2019 until his retirement in 2022, Bentley served as Assistant Director of State Parks, continuing to advocate for the Little White House and playing a key role in advancing major preservation projects.

    Board of Juvenile Justice

    Lisa Colbert was reappointed.

    State Board of Veterinary Medicine

    Jessica Sewell was reappointed.

    Employee Benefit Plan Council

    Courtney Ware and Christopher Wells were reappointed.

    Angelique McClendon was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) on May 1, 2025. She joined DDS as General Counsel in 2015 and was later promoted to Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Legal and Regulatory Affairs. Her legal career began in 2005 as an assistant solicitor in DeKalb County, followed by her service as an assistant attorney general for the State of Georgia from 2008 to 2015, where she represented public safety agencies, including DDS.  McClendon has provided legal guidance on major state initiatives, including Georgia’s Digital Driver’s License, and is a recognized expert on identity management, digital credentials, and data privacy. She has held leadership roles with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA), helping shape national policy and best practices in driver’s license administration. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University College of Law.

    Board of Community Affairs

    Kwanza Hall, Donna Armstrong Lackey, and Charlie Maddox were reappointed.

    State Board of Technical College System of Georgia

    Mike Long, Fran Millar, and Lisa Winton were reappointed.

    North Georgia Mountains Authority

    Jeff Andrews, Randy Dellinger, Patrick Denney, Dan Garcia, and Paul Shailendra were reappointed.

    State Board of Podiatry Examiners

    Rupal Gupta is a board-certified podiatrist with over 20 years of clinical, academic, and administrative experience. She currently practices at Ankle and Foot Centers of America and has held leadership roles in both hospital and professional association settings, including serving as president of the Georgia Podiatric Medical Association and department chief at Emory Johns Creek Hospital. Gupta completed her residency at Jackson North Medical Center, where she received advanced training in surgical and non-surgical foot and ankle care, trauma, and wound management. She holds a Doctorate in podiatric medicine from Kent State University and a bachelor’s degree from Emory University. Dedicated to advancing podiatric medicine and public health, she has been an active advocate for clinical standards and evidence-based policy and continues to serve on various hospital committees and community initiatives.

    Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority

    Daniel Dooley and Lauren Talley were reappointed.

    Georgia Rural Development Council

    Robert “Bob” Ray, Jr. is managing member of Ray Family Farms, LLC, where he and his siblings continue six generations and over 200 years of family farming, now focused on pecan production and pine timber. Before returning full-time to agriculture, Ray served for 15 years as President and CEO of Flint Energies. Ray’s public service includes his tenure as Assistant Secretary of State and Chief Operating Officer under Secretary of State Cathy Cox, where he directed agency operations and intergovernmental affairs. Earlier in his career, he was legislative director for the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation and also worked as a corporate lending officer with NCNB National Bank. He holds a bachelor’s in finance from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. Ray has served in leadership roles with Georgia EMC, Green Power EMC, GRESCO, and Leadership Georgia, and remains active in agricultural and community organizations statewide.

    Georgia Commission on the Holocaust

    Jon Barry is President and Founder of Spectrum Maintenance Services and leads the company’s marketing and growth strategies. His career in commercial real estate spans four decades, including extensive experience in all aspects of brokerage and property management. Initially formed to support Barry’s shopping center management platform, SMS has grown to become Atlanta’s leading full-service property maintenance company. Barry previously served on the Board of Advisors of the Kennesaw State University Entrepreneurship Center, is a member of CEO NetWeavers, and has served as mentor to numerous rising professionals.

    Georgia Ports Authority

    James Allgood, Jr., Leda Chong, and Doug Hertz were reappointed.

    Georgia Student Finance Commission Board of Commissioners

    John Loud, Sarah Hawthorne, Ed Pease, and David Perez were reappointed.

    State Board of Accountancy

    Emily Farrell and Todd Tolbert were reappointed.

    Carlton Hodges is a certified public accountant with more than four decades of experience in public accounting, specializing in tax compliance and audit services. He began his career in 1980 with SRLS, where he advanced to Tax Manager following a merger with Price Waterhouse. His practice focuses on business, individual, fiduciary, and nonprofit tax returns, as well as audit and accounting engagements in sectors such as construction, services, and government-assisted entities. Carlton holds Bachelor of Business Administration degrees in finance and accounting from Armstrong State College. He is a member of both the Georgia Society of CPAs and the American Institute of CPAs, and serves on the board and leadership council of the Georgia Society, where he also chairs the GSCPA Insurance Trust. His civic involvement includes prior service as a Pooler City Councilman, treasurer of the Savannah-Chatham MPC, and leadership roles with the Armstrong Foundation and Rotary Club of Savannah West.

    State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

    Trent Turk was reappointed.

    Board of Commissioners of the Sheriffs’ Retirement Fund of Georgia

    Billy Hancock and Dan Kilgore were reappointed.

    Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority

    Bill Shanks and Earl Wright were reappointed.

    Phil Schaefer is an award-winning sportscaster whose career spans more than five decades across basketball, football, baseball, and golf. He was the voice of UGA basketball for 17 years, called Atlanta Hawks games for five seasons, and served as a CBS Radio broadcaster for the NCAA Tournament for 20 years. In football, he spent 16 years as UGA’s color commentator, 10 years as the voice of the Peach Bowl, and 20 years as public address announcer for the Atlanta Falcons. Schaefer also covered the Braves for 39 years and the Masters Tournament for 55 consecutive years, earning the Masters Major Achievement Award in 2010. A three-time Georgia Sportscaster of the Year, Schaefer held leadership roles at WSB Radio and later served as Athletic Coordinator for the DeKalb County School System. He is a member of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, and has received over 40 national and regional journalism awards, including a Peabody. He holds degrees from Ohio State University and Georgia State University and is the author of Sins of a Southern Sportscaster.

    Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

    Deb Bailey, Amanda Owens, Bill Slaughter, Jean Sumner, and Jimmy Thomas were reappointed.

    Georgia Behavior Analyst Licensing Board

    Margaret Molony and Robin Osborne were reappointed.

    Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission

    Greg Garrett and Mary Ellen Imlay were reappointed.

    Stephen Lawson is a principal in Dentons’ Regulatory, Public Policy, and Government Affairs practice in Atlanta, with nearly 15 years of experience in public affairs, communications, and political strategy. He has advised Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, trade associations, and elected officials on complex issues including policy strategy, crisis management, media relations, and advocacy. Prior to joining Dentons, Lawson was president of Full Focus Communications, a public affairs firm based in Atlanta. He has served in senior advisory roles for high-profile public officials, including Florida Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis, and in Georgia for Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Congressman Mike Collins, and Speaker of the House Jon Burns.

    George Levert is a retired venture capitalist with more than two decades of experience in technology investment. He was a Founding Partner of Kinetic Ventures, where he led investments in telecommunications, network automation, and internet technologies. He served on the boards of more than a dozen venture-backed companies, including Metricom, Pathfire, and Proficient Networks. Prior to his career in venture capital, he held roles with Oglethorpe Power Corporation, Accenture, Boeing, and the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps during the Vietnam War. Levert holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from Louisiana Tech University and an M.S. in management from Georgia Tech. He has served on numerous civic and nonprofit boards, including the Georgia Tech Foundation, Catholic Charities of Atlanta, the Atlanta Opera, and the American Red Cross. He is also a former board member of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and the Museum of the American Indian. Levert has endowed multiple scholarships and leadership awards and remains active in philanthropic, educational, and faith-based organizations. He and his wife, Dale, live in Atlanta and have two sons and two granddaughters.

    Savannah-Georgia Convention Center Authority

    Bert Brantley, Martin Miller, and Pritpal Singh were reappointed.

    Board of Human Services

    Lisa Hamilton, Scott Johnson, and Jack Williams were reappointed.

    Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

    Nancy Bills, Denise Downer-McKinney, Ron Freeman, Scotty Hancock, and Joe Hood were reappointed.

    Board of Public Health

    James Curran, Lucky Jain, Mitch Rodriguez, Ryan Shin, and T.E. Valliere-White were reappointed.

    Professional Standards Commission

    Angela Byrne has over 11 years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She currently teaches ESOL to K–6 students at Anna K. Davie Elementary in Rome City Schools, where she has served for the past six years. Her previous roles include teaching kindergarten, fourth, and fifth grade. She holds certifications in Elementary Education and Middle Grades Math and Science, with endorsements in ESOL and Online Teaching. She has received the Rome City Schools Central Office Support Employee of the Year and the Anna K. Davie Star Teacher Award. Byrne lives in Rome, Georgia, with her husband, Lewis, and their three children.

    Christy Edwards is an elementary educator with 14 years of experience in the Hall County School System. She currently serves as the Language Lab Teacher at Tadmore Elementary, focusing on data-driven instruction and student performance. She previously taught second, fourth, and fifth grades, as well as Early Intervention Program (EIP) support. She holds a B.S. in early childhood education from the University of North Georgia and an ESOL endorsement from Pioneer RESA. Edwards has served as a Leadership Team member, RTI representative, and professional learning facilitator.

    Zach Miller is a certified elementary educator currently teaching reading, science, and social studies at Roan School in Dalton. He holds a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education from Dalton State College and is certified in Early Childhood Education (P-5), with endorsements in ESOL and K–5 Mathematics. Named Teacher of the Year at Roan School in 2025, Miller focuses on a student-centered approach that integrates project-based learning and relationship-building to drive academic success. He founded the District Elementary Soccer Tournament and mentors students through Soccer for Success. He also leads Roan’s Soccer and Disc Golf Clubs, coordinates the Social Studies Bee, and partners with local nonprofits to support families in need. Miller is active in his church, serving as vice chairman of the deacons at Fellowship Bible Church and leading the soccer portion of Grace Presbyterian Church’s summer sports camp.

    State Rehabilitation Council

    Jo Ellen Hancock is a long-serving advocate and leader in the fields of special education, behavioral health, and community engagement. Since 2005, she has served as the parent mentor for special education with the Cherokee County School District, supporting families and fostering collaboration between schools and parents of students with disabilities. She holds multiple leadership roles across state and local behavioral health organizations, including chair of the Statewide Leadership Council and immediate past chair of the Region 1 Advisory Council for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). She also serves on the Georgia Behavioral Health Planning and Advisory Council and the Behavioral Health Services Coalition. Hancock is a certified peer specialist – parent and currently chairs the Cherokee County Local Interagency Planning Team (LIPT), where she has led efforts to coordinate services for children with complex needs since 2018. She serves on the advisory board for NAMI Georgia and is communications chair for the Holly Springs Optimist Club.

    Charity Roberts assumed the position of State Director (IDEA) for the Office of Federal Programs Division for Exceptional Children on January 1, 2025. She is a quadruple Eagle from Georgia Southern University, obtaining her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in special education. She completed a specialist and doctorate degree in educational leadership. She is certified in multiple fields within general and special education, such as elementary education, reading (P-8), special education preschool, physical and health disabilities, and P-12 special education adaptive and general curriculum. Roberts has over 30 years of experience in special education instruction and leadership in a variety of roles. After serving as a special education teacher, she became a district director of special education. From there, Roberts provided leadership support as a GLRS Director for twelve years before joining the Georgia Department of Education Office of Rural Education and Innovation.

    Board of Community Supervision

    Jimmy Kitchens and Steve Queen were reappointed.

    Judicial Legal Defense Fund Commission

    Christine Hayes serves as Deputy Executive Counsel in the Office of Governor Brian P. Kemp. Prior to joining the Governor’s staff, she was director of governmental affairs for the State Bar of Georgia, where she worked on a variety of legislative issues that affect the judiciary and the legal profession. She also held roles at the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts, Georgia General Assembly, and as an associate at Fields Howell where she focused on insurance coverage issues and related litigation. Hayes holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Florida and a law degree from Emory University. She and her husband, Jonathan, live in Atlanta with their two daughters.

    State Board of Long-term Care Facility Administrators

    Timothy Bush and Laura Cayce were reappointed.

    Suzanne Gerhardt serves as Senior Vice President of Health Services at PruittHealth, Inc., where she oversees skilled nursing center operations across four states. With a career in long-term care that began in 1983, she brings decades of hands-on experience in healthcare management, including roles in business operations, social services, admissions, and auditing. Gerhardt became a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in 1997 and has since managed multiple facilities and regional operations. She is known for her focus on regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and improving patient outcomes. In addition to her leadership at PruittHealth, she has served in various roles with the Georgia Health Care Association, including Chair of the Board and, currently, as immediate past chair.

    Donna Sant is a public policy professional with extensive experience in political organizing, campaign operations, and grassroots leadership. She served as Chairman of the Houston County Republican Party from 2018 to 2024 and has held multiple roles within the Georgia Republican Party, including State Committee Member and County Vice Chair. She has led volunteer efforts, managed election headquarters, coordinated large-scale events, and served as a liaison between voters and candidates. Sant holds a master’s in public policy from Liberty University and a B.F.A. in TV/Film production from Valdosta State College. A graduate of Republican Leadership for Georgia, she is also a recipient of the Ted & Barbara Waddle Award of Excellence. She lives in Elko, Georgia, with her husband. They have three adult children. Sant will serve as the consumer member on the State Board of Long-term Care Facility Administrators.

    Board of Trustees of the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia

    Mary Elizabeth Davis is the Superintendent of Cherokee County Schools, serving 42,000 students. She has spent nearly 20 years in Georgia public education, holding leadership roles in four school districts. Prior to her current role, she served as Superintendent of Henry County Schools for nearly seven years, where she led improvements in operational systems, financial management, and student outcomes. Her previous roles include Chief Academic Officer in Cobb County and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction in Gwinnett County. She began her career as a chemistry teacher and coach in Fairfax County, Virginia. Davis was named one of District Administration’s 100 most influential education leaders in 2024 and is a former finalist for Georgia Superintendent of the Year. She holds a chemistry degree from Messiah College and a Ph.D. in Education Policy from Georgia State University. She lives in Canton, Georgia with her husband and two children.

    Board of Juvenile Justice

    Lisa Colbert was reappointed.

    State Board of Veterinary Medicine

    Jessica Sewell was reappointed.

    Georgia Opioid Settlement Advisory Commission

    Trey Bennett is the general counsel and grants division director for the Georgia Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget. A seasoned attorney and public policy advisor, Bennett has over a decade of legal and governmental experience, including past service as deputy executive counsel to Governor Brian Kemp. He oversees the ethical execution of billions of dollars in federal grant funding, advises on statewide emergency responses, and helps shape key legislation across multiple sectors. Bennett also has substantial courtroom experience, having served as both a criminal prosecutor and a defense attorney in Northeast Georgia. He holds a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law and lives in Hoschton, Georgia, with his wife, Katherine, and their four children.

    Council for the Arts- Chair

    Colt Chambers was reappointed.

    Board of Commissioners of the Superior Court Clerks’ Retirement Fund of Georgia

    Timothy Harper, Linda Hays, Daniel Jordan, Michael King, and Rhett Walker were reappointed.

    Georgia Public Service Commission Advisory Committee

    Jeff Jacques is a civil engineering professional with over 35 years of experience in transportation and utility coordination. He began his career with the Georgia Department of Transportation in 1983 as a civil engineer co-op and held various roles over a 20 year tenure, including district utilities engineer and area maintenance engineer. Since 2007, he has served as worksite utility coordination supervisor and utility coordination manager with CWM. Jacques is actively involved in the Georgia Utility Coordination Council, Georgia 811 Excavator Advisory Council, GHCA Utilities Task Force, and the GUCC Legislative Committee. He also served Franklin County as a Republican member of the Board of Commissioners from 2002 to 2018 and as Chairman from 2023 to 2024. A graduate of Emmanuel College and Southern Tech, Jacques resides in Franklin County with his wife, Christy. They have three adult children, and he is a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Carnesville.

    Disability Services Ombudsman Medical Review Group

    George Leach is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and an attending physician at Grady Memorial Hospital. He has over 15 years of clinical and academic experience, with a focus on quality improvement, systems-based practice, and medical education. Leach completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina and earned his medical degree from Emory University, where he also completed his emergency medicine residency and served as chief resident. His academic contributions include developing a national curriculum for advanced emergency medicine learners and leading peer review process improvements at Grady. He is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the American College of Emergency Physicians and the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine. Dr. Leach has received numerous teaching awards and is actively involved in resident education, mentorship, and committee leadership at Emory and Grady.

    Georgia Environmental Finance Authority

    Jimmy Andrews and Travis Turner were reappointed.

    Georgia Child Support Commission

    Ben Land was reappointed.

    Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission

    Kevin Tanner was reappointed as Chairman.

    Karen Bailey, Melanie Dallas, Jason Downey, Nora Haynes, Miriam Shook, Sarah Vinson, DeJuan White, and Michael Yochelson were reappointed.

    DeAnna Julian serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Frazer Center, a nonprofit providing inclusive early childhood, adult, and behavioral health services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She also serves as President of the Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities (SPADD), where she works to strengthen Georgia’s IDD service network through policy engagement and provider collaboration. A former special education teacher, Julian holds certifications in special education, early childhood, and physical education, along with a master’s degree in education and transition services from the University of Kansas. She previously served as Executive Director of The Arc of Southwest Georgia, leading efforts to expand access and advance systemic reform. With more than 20 years of leadership in education and disability services, Julian has been recognized with honors including the Annette Bowling Advocacy Award and Albany’s Top 40 Under 40. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Steve, and their two adult children.

    Carey Parrott, Sr. is the founder and CEO of Parrott Counseling Services, LLC, with over two decades of experience in addiction and mental health counseling. A licensed clinical social worker, master addictions counselor, certified clinical supervisor, and certified peer specialist for addictive diseases, he provides direct care and specialized services to individuals, families, and justice-involved populations, including re-entry and mandated clients. Parrott is a two-time graduate of the University of Georgia, earning a B.S. in psychology and an M.S.W. He later earned a doctorate in clinical social work leadership from Tulane University. His professional background includes service as caregiver support coordinator at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where he supported veterans and families navigating the challenges of mental illness and substance use. He has also served as a consultant to the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, providing clinical supervision and workforce development for addiction counselors statewide. Parrott began his career working in residential treatment settings and community behavioral health programs. He is recognized for his collaborative, personalized approach and his ongoing commitment to supporting recovery and resilience in the Athens community and beyond.

    Child Advocate Advisory Committee

    Andre Blanchard and Jay Watkins were reappointed.

    Georgia Hotel Motel Tax Performance Review Board

    David Dukes was reappointed. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Luján, Members of N.M. Delegation Call on Trump Administration Demanding Answers on Reported Suspension of Medical Services at Gallup Indian Medical Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico)

    Recent Reporting Indicates Trump Administration Bureaucratic Hurdles Are Causing Delays and Reductions in Patient Care at Gallup Indian Medical Center

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) called on Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Indian Health Service (IHS) Acting Director Benjamin Smith demanding answers regarding recent reports that medical services at the Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) have been suspended or reduced. In the letter, the lawmakers highlight how IHS bureaucratic red tape has made it harder and more expensive for GIMC to deliver timely, effective care and call on HHS and IHS to act swiftly to reverse these harmful decisions and restore critical services.

    “We write today concerned about recent reports that medical services at the Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) have been suspended or reduced, including critical ultrasound services, due to a new Presidential Appointee Approver and Departmental Efficiency Review (PAA-DER) policy in place as of June 30, 2025,” wrote the lawmakers.

    “Unfortunately, these challenges at GIMC are not in isolation, but rather exemplify a disturbing pattern of care disruptions due to administrative delays across the IHS. In short, policies such as PAA-DER are resulting in the exact opposite of efficiency: wasted resources, staffing shortages, and preventable delays in care,” continued the lawmakers.

    “The current situation is unacceptable. Tribal communities deserve the same standard of care and operational efficiency afforded to all Americans. HHS and IHS must act swiftly to reverse these harmful decisions, restore critical services, and fulfill the obligations that the United States has pledged to uphold,” concluded the lawmakers.

    Read the full letter here or below:

    Dear Secretary Kennedy and Acting Director Smith:

    We write today concerned about recent reports that medical services at the Gallup Indian Medical Center (GIMC) have been suspended or reduced, including critical ultrasound services, due to a new Presidential Appointee Approver and Departmental Efficiency Review (PAA-DER) policy in place as of June 30, 2025.

    PAA-DER is reportedly effective throughout the Indian Health Service (IHS), requiring that all IHS contracts and requisitions undergo additional layers of approval. The resulting bottleneck is delaying contract renewals for essential personnel, equipment, and services while also delaying the ability of health care workers to immediately diagnose urgent conditions and putting patients at risk. At GIMC, for example, a patient presenting after hours had to be unnecessarily admitted overnight due to the facility’s inability to access diagnostic imaging. Similar delays have affected general surgery, labor and delivery care, and infectious disease testing. GIMC has faced staffing challenges for years, and these new bureaucratic hurdles imposed by PAA-DER are making it harder and more expensive for GIMC to deliver timely, effective care. Unfortunately, these challenges at GIMC are not in isolation, but rather exemplify a disturbing pattern of care disruptions due to administrative delays across the IHS. In short, policies such as PAA-DER are resulting in the exact opposite of efficiency: wasted resources, staffing shortages, and preventable delays in care.

    You have made clear commitments to Tribal Nations and Tribal citizens that you would protect their health care interests and uphold the trust and treaty obligations in your tenure as HHS Secretary. But policies such as PAA-DER do not align with those commitments; Tribal leaders and health experts have said that PAA-DER in particular has created a system that undermines the federal government’s responsibility and forces Tribes to bear the burden of failed processes they did not create. The ongoing service disruptions are not just bureaucratic missteps, but they are threats to lives and to Tribal sovereignty.

    In light of these impediments to service delivery at GIMC, we request that you answer the following questions:

    1. When did GIMC begin scaling back ultrasound services, general surgery, labor and delivery care, and other medical services? Please be specific.
    2. Prior to GIMC’s recent reductions in service, how many open positions did GIMC have in affected departments? Please include a breakdown by department, if possible.
    3. After GIMC’s recent reductions in service, how many open positions did GIMC have in affected departments? Please include a breakdown by department, if possible.
    4. Please identify any efforts IHS is taking to address longstanding staffing shortages in affected departments.
    5. Following the recent reductions in services, has IHS taken any steps to address the scaling back of ultrasound services at GIMC? If not, why not?
    6. Is IHS taking any steps to address the scaling back of general surgery, labor and delivery care, and reduction in medical-surgical beds at GIMC? If not, why not?
    7. How does IHS plan to address longstanding and new recruitment and retention challenges at GIMC? Please include any specific actions taken to address staffing challenges impacting ultrasound, surgical, and labor and delivery services.
    8. Are you aware of any other challenges faced by GIMC resulting in impacts to services? If so, please describe.

    In addition, we urge HHS to immediately reverse the decisions that have limited or cut services at GIMC and other HIS facilities. Specifically, we request that you:

    1. Ensure all pending contracts and requisitions currently held up by PAA-DER, particularly those impacting direct patient care, at GIMC are expedited.
    2. Exempt IHS from the PAA-DER process, recognizing the unique statutory and trust responsibilities the federal government holds to Tribes.

    The current situation is unacceptable. Tribal communities deserve the same standard of care and operational efficiency afforded to all Americans. HHS and IHS must act swiftly to reverse these harmful decisions, restore critical services, and fulfill the obligations that the United States has pledged to uphold.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • PM Modi to unveil development projects worth around Rs 2,200 crore in Varanasi on August 2

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to gift a major developmental boost to his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, by inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 2,200 crore on August 2. The initiatives span across infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, cultural preservation, urban development, and rural welfare, aiming at holistic urban transformation and improved quality of life for residents.

    The Prime Minister will address the public and unveil key infrastructure projects including the widening and strengthening of the Varanasi–Bhadohi road, Chhitauni–Shool Tankeshwar road, and the inauguration of a railway overbridge at Hardattpur to decongest the Mohan Sarai–Adalpura Road. He will also lay the foundation for road development projects across Dalmandi, Lahartara-Kotwa, Gangapur, and Babatpur, along with two new railway overbridges at Level Crossing 22C and Khalispur Yard.

    To enhance the region’s electricity infrastructure, PM Modi will launch the Smart Distribution Project and underground electrification works worth over Rs 880 crore.

    In a significant boost to tourism and cultural heritage, PM Modi will inaugurate redevelopment works at eight riverfront kuccha ghats, Kalika Dham, Rangildas Kutiya pond and ghat, and Durgakund. He will also lay the foundation stone for the restoration of Kardameshwar Mahadev Temple, redevelopment of Munshi Premchand’s ancestral home in Lamahi, development of Karkhiyaon – the birthplace of several freedom fighters – and the upgradation of museums and city facility centres in Sarnath, Rishi Mandvi, and Ramnagar zones.

    In line with environmental sustainability, the Prime Minister will launch the development of an urban Miyawaki forest at Kanchanpur and the beautification of Shaheed Udyan and 21 additional parks. Water purification and maintenance works will also be initiated at various historical kunds, including Ramkund and Mandakini.

    To bolster rural water access, PM Modi will inaugurate 47 rural drinking water schemes under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

    As part of his commitment to strengthening education, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the upgradation of 53 schools within the municipal limits and lay the foundation stone for several educational infrastructure projects, including a new district library and rejuvenation of government high schools.

    In the health sector, PM Modi will inaugurate state-of-the-art facilities at Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya Cancer Centre and Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital, including robotic surgery and CT scan installations. He will also lay the foundation for a new Homoeopathic College and Hospital, and open an Animal Birth Control Centre and Dog Care Facility.

    For sports and law enforcement, a new synthetic hockey turf will be inaugurated at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Sports Stadium, while a 300-capacity Multipurpose Hall at PAC Ramnagar and Quick Response Team (QRT) Barracks will be unveiled.

    In a major announcement for farmers, the Prime Minister will release the 20th instalment of PM-KISAN, transferring over Rs 20,500 crore to more than 9.7 crore farmers across India. This will take the cumulative disbursement under the scheme to over Rs 3.90 lakh crore.

    To engage the youth and promote local talent, PM Modi will launch the registration portal for the upcoming Kashi Sansad Pratiyogita, covering competitions in sketching, painting, photography, sports, knowledge, and employment-related activities.

    The event will also witness the distribution of over 7,400 assistive aids to Divyangjan and elderly beneficiaries, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusivity and social welfare.

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Business leaders back the UK Government’s Small Business Plan

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Business leaders back the UK Government’s Small Business Plan

    Business leaders from across business representative organisations, small and large businesses have endorsed the launch of the UK Government’s new Small Business Plan.

    Business leaders from across business representative organisations, small and large businesses have endorsed the launch of the UK Government’s new Small Business Plan.

    Small businesses across the UK will benefit from the most comprehensive support package in a generation. From faster payments and easier access to finance, to cutting red tape and launching a new Business Growth Service, we’re backing businesses to thrive.

    Business Groups 

    Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Tina McKenzie, said: 

    Making sure businesses are paid on time, that our high streets thrive, and creating conditions in which everyone can start and succeed in business are crucial priorities for small businesses, communities and the economy. It’s very welcome that the Prime Minister has today made them his Government’s priorities. 

    I’m pleased that FSB and the Government have been able to work in lockstep on the bold and ambitious measures needed to tackle the scourge of late payment through legislation, and other pro-growth, pro-small business measures.  

    Today’s plan is an encouraging commitment from the Government to take the side of small businesses in the great growth challenge ahead. 

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder, Small Business Britain, said:  

    I am thrilled to see the Small Business Plan launched today, putting the nation’s smallest businesses at the heart of Government strategy where it should be. These job creators and economy builders will benefit from a huge boost to funding through the British Business Bank, a boost to skills, support for high streets and a long hoped for legislative backing for getting paid on time. We will not see economic growth without small business growth, so I am eager to get on and help the Government deliver on this agenda – and help small businesses regardless of their background start, grow and thrive. 

    Daniel Woolf, Enterprise Nation’s Head of Policy & Government Relations, said: 

    We welcome the Government’s new Small Business Plan as a serious attempt to reset the relationship between small firms and Government. Many of the commitments like digital adoption and access to affordable finance reflect the everyday challenges our members experience, and several directly align with recommendations Enterprise Nation has set out in recent policy work.   

    We’re particularly pleased to see a comprehensive approach to late payment reform, including shorter payment terms and stronger enforcement through the Small Business Commissioner. 90-day payment terms stop small businesses from investing and growing. 

    This is a strong foundation. Enterprise Nation looks forward to working with government to help ensure these policy ambitions turn into measurable outcomes for small businesses across the UK.  

    Philip Salter, Founder of The Entrepreneurs Network, said: 

    Small businesses are where opportunity begins – new jobs, new skills and new ideas. Practical help, such as being paid on time, easy access to advice and finance, and less administrative burden, makes a real difference. 

    In a world where online banking, accounting software and e-invoicing exist, it’s completely unacceptable that so many burgeoning startups see their growth stall due to late payments. At its worst, they can send perfectly good businesses to the wall – leaving Britain’s economy less dynamic and competitive. Founders in our network will hope the measures outlined today mean it is the beginning of the end for late payments.  

    Fiona Graham, Chief Operating Officer for Family Business UK said:  

    Family Business UK welcomes today’s publication of the Small Business Plan as a positive step towards creating a fairer and more resilient environment for small family-run firms.  We are pleased to see many of the areas highlighted by our members addressed in this plan. 

    Family businesses make up over 85% of all private sector firms in the UK and are deeply rooted in their communities. But like many small businesses, they are held back by red tape and limited access to finance and support – challenges that this plan rightly seeks to address. 

    The announcement of a Business Growth Service will give small family-run businesses the tools they need to grow, scale up and expand into international markets, as well as streamlining essential advice and support into one national platform. This will give small businesses peace of mind that support is readily available and easily accessible when they are looking to invest and grow. 

    We look forward to continuing to support small businesses as the initiatives in this plan are developed and rolled out.  We are also committed to working with DBT in the development of a future strategy to ensure that mid-sized businesses are also getting the bespoke support they need. 

    Liz Barclay, IoD Special Advisor for Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and former Small Business Commissioner, said: 

    We welcome this commitment to ensuring that small businesses are paid on time and that larger suppliers are prevented from imposing unfair contractual payment terms beyond 60 days. This will give small and micro firms the certainty they need to invest, increase productivity, and grow.   

    We look forward to working with the government as the legislation takes shape, ensuring that there are no unintended consequences for businesses.  

    Stephen Phipson, Chief Executive Officer, Make UK, said: 

    Manufacturers across the country will welcome the Government’s decisive action to tackle late payments. For too long, delayed invoices have drained cashflow, delayed innovation, and damaged businesses, particularly the thousands of small and medium-sized firms for whom late payments are one of the most consistent challenges to their survival and success. 

    Today’s announcement rightly recognises that supporting manufacturing SMEs is essential to unlocking wider economic growth. The introduction of the toughest late payment laws in the G7 sends a clear signal that poor payment practices will no longer be tolerated. 

    These reforms, combined with new powers for the Small Business Commissioner, will help create a culture of fairness and accountability across supply chains. Coupled with real enforcement, this Small Business Plan will give manufacturers the confidence and certainty they need to innovate, grow, and create even more high-skill, high-paying jobs in the UK. 

    Alan Vallance, ICAEW Chief Executive, said:  

    The UK’s economy is made up of small businesses, with 99 per cent of the total business population, two-fifths of all private sector employment and over half of the nation’s business turnover. Small businesses are key to growth, and it’s important that they can operate in the best environment to propel them into the business stars of the future, creating more growth, employment and prosperity for all parts of the UK. 

    Chartered accountants are central to this story. As trusted business advisers, they provide expertise and acumen to allow small businesses to thrive and scale up, and often set up small businesses of their own. About 80 per cent of chartered accountancy firms are small businesses themselves, employing four employees or fewer. 

    The publication of the Small Business Strategy is an important development to help small businesses realise their potential. With its ambition on entrepreneurship, business advice, late payments and export potential, as well as its close links to the UK Modern Industrial Strategy and Professional and Business Services Sector Plan, it is clear that chartered accountants will make a strong contribution to its success. 

    Kate Nicholls, Chair of UKHospitality, said:  

    We welcome the Government’s Small Business Plan and the steps that it has put forward to support SMEs across the UK. The wider measures announced today on late payments and access to additional finance sit alongside a raft of new licensing measures that will slash red tape and support the hospitality sector, making it easier to open and operate hospitality venues, create jobs and grow the economy. 

    I’m personally very happy to have worked with Government to move us toward a new and improved licensing system that includes modernised planning and licensing rules, hospitality zones, and protections for existing venues. These can provide a real boost to the nation’s pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels. 

    We’ve worked on some of these issues for more than two decades so we now need swift implementation, while we keep up the momentum on outstanding issues, to deliver a bold, long term plan for the high streets and hospitality. 

    Vicks Rodwell, Managing Director at IPSE, The Self-Employed Association, said: 

    Late payments can force freelancers out of business, but obscenely long payment terms for work can put just as much of a strain on the self-employed. It’s hugely encouraging that the Prime Minister is determined to tackle both these issues with the measures in today’s plan” 

    It’s not right that freelancers can fall behind on their own bills, and even into debt, whilst the money they’ve earned sits in a bank account for months on end. 

    By clamping down on late invoices and long payment terms, government can tear down one of the biggest barriers to growth for freelancers and sole traders. 

    Millie Kendall MBE, CEO of British Beauty Council, said:  

    The beauty industry – encompassing hair, beauty, nails, barbering, spa and wellness – is made up of 95% small businesses and 78% micro-businesses, contributing more than £30bn to the UK GDP. The British Beauty Council welcomes the Government’s Small Business Plan which sees policy-makers put our businesses first. For years, the beauty sector has faced unique challenges when it comes to growth, this plan is a much needed step towards ensuring our industry – which bolsters social mobility and opportunities for underrepresented communities – can sustain growth. 

    Small Businesses  

    Elizabeth Vega OBE DUniv, Group CEO, Informed Solutions: 

    This Small Business Plan is the strongest and clearest we’ve seen in over a decade. It is a compelling way forward for the UK’s economy. 

    The Strategy reflects a truly collegiate and collaborative effort between government, policy experts, and the over 1,000 SMEs that contributed. 

    Having advocated for SME policy that supports economic growth and resilience for over 15 years, it’s been a pleasure to work alongside Minister Gareth Thomas, DBT policy teams, and the Small Business Growth Forum to shape a strategy with clear aims, ambitious objectives, and a holistic integrated approach to policy development. 

    I’m excited to now turn the shared ambitions in this Strategy into action, helping realise the UK’s full economic potential through SME growth and international trade. 

    Simon Groom, CEO of MagnifyB, said:  

    MagnifyB welcomes the UK Government’s action to tackle late payments, which will give small businesses the cash flow stability they need to thrive. Alongside this, there is a clear need to provide micro and small businesses with far more than just a repository of information, including a practical digital toolset to strengthen their operations and improve their chances of long-term success. We hope that the new Small Business Commissioner can be instrumental in bringing together ideas and championing the initiatives needed to make this support a reality. 

    Julianne Ponan MBE, Founder of Creative Nature, a small business that exports top 14 Allergen Free Baking Mixes and Snacks to 16 countries, said:  

    I’m delighted to see the government’s new SME Strategy recognising the critical role small businesses play both at home and globally. 

    From tackling late payments to simplifying access to growth advice and support, these measures are a lifeline for SMEs like mine who often face disproportionate challenges with limited resources. 

    I’m especially encouraged by the commitment to reduce administrative burdens by 25% and improve access to finance both are major barriers to growth for underrepresented founders, including women and ethnic minority entrepreneurs. The focus on revitalising the high street, digital skills, and exporting support shows that the government is listening to the needs of small businesses. 

    Charlie Shaw, owner of Flock and Herd butchers, said: 

    We’re proud to pay every supplier on time and once we receive an invoice, so it’s fantastic to see the government put the Small Business Plan into place tackling the big issue of late payments. We believe this is a fair and honest way to conduct business. It gives us a clear and current understanding of how our business is performing. Our relationships with our suppliers have been amazing and truly beneficial to all parties. 

    Richard Marshall, Founder and CEO of Pall Mall Barbers, said: 

    Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy — and they need access to affordable finance and a fairer tax system to plan and grow. That’s why I look forward to working with the Government to drive down costs on the high street, extend business rates relief, and improve access to finance so SMEs can invest, hire, and build with confidence.  

    Today’s announcement is about backing entrepreneurs with the tools they need to thrive — not just for today, but for the long term. 

    Large Businesses  

    Nick Mackenzie, CEO of Greene King and co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce commented on the licensing response published today. He said:  

    As an industry we welcome the licensing proposals and see this as a positive and necessary step towards updating a planning and licensing system that, for too long, has limited hospitality’s ability to drive economic growth across the UK. I thank the industry and the Taskforce for the serious and meaningful recommendations that we have put forward to bring these proposals to fruition.

    It’s encouraging to see how the Government has worked at pace to take forward the proposals, particularly in areas that matter the most, including the introduction of a new National Licensing Policy Framework.

    Whilst licencing reform won’t offset the significant layered cost of doing business that the industry bears, they form part of wider changes to back the sector, which will support in unlocking opportunities for pubs to further invest in growth across the country.

    Steve Hare, Chief Executive Officer at Sage, said:  

    Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy – they drive growth, create jobs, and fuel innovation. But running a small business isn’t easy. From rising costs and late payments to time-consuming admin, the challenges are real and persistent. Today’s Strategy is a welcome step in the right direction. Giving small businesses better access to finance, helping them break into new markets, and supporting them to adopt the latest technology will go a long way in helping them grow and succeed. 

    Leigh Thomas, Vice President EMEA, Intuit, said:  

    Today’s Small Business Plan is a welcome and much needed initiative for entrepreneurs. Our data shows that with an average of £21,000 owed in unpaid invoices, more than half of our country’s small businesses are now facing cash flow pressures. These pressures can quickly escalate, forcing many small business owners to make difficult financial decisions to keep operations running. Improving payment practices will play a key role in strengthening small business stability, creating the conditions for growth. We look forward to collaborating on this to power prosperity for all. 

    James Holian, Head of Business Banking, NatWest, said:  

    We welcome the Government’s renewed focus on tackling late payments for small businesses. This is a long-standing challenge that we know can hold back growth and innovation, and NatWest is proud to have been recognised for several consecutive years by Good Business Pays for being a leading business in making fast payments to our suppliers.  

    As a leading lender to UK SMEs, we’re committed to playing our part—whether that’s through prompt payment practices, tailored financial support, or initiatives like our accelerator hubs – where this year we’re aiming to support 10,000 businesses for the first time. Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, and we’re proud to support them in building resilience and unlocking their full potential. 

    Tom Wood, Head of Business Banking, HSBC UK, said:  

    We welcome the additional support the Small Business Plan provides, SMEs are key to a strong and resilient economy and we must equip them with the tools to succeed at every stage of their growth journey. It is vital we all work together to deliver long-term, practical solutions, including more transparent and accessible financing to ensure long-term growth and economic stability. Recognising the challenges SMEs face, HSBC UK recently launched the Small Business Growth Programme, providing business owners with resources to help early-stage businesses grow with confidence. 

    Wider Civil Society Organisations 

    Terry Corby, Founder and CEO, Good Business Pays, said:  

    This is what we have been waiting for. The legislative changes the government are planning to tackle our late payment culture are a game-changer. It is no longer seen as good business practice to be making your suppliers wait for a long time to get paid. At Good Business Pays we have been asking for legislative action for five years and it’s great to see these changes to unfair practices being set out in laws. 

    Anthony Impey MBE, CEO of Be the Business, said:  

    A strategic approach is essential to unlock the huge potential of small and medium-sized businesses, and it’s key to driving the country’s productivity and growth. The Small Business Plan is an important step in achieving this.  

    Business Support Services 

    Nicki Clark, Chief Executive of UMi, said:  

    At UMi, we see first-hand the incredible impact small businesses have, but also the challenges they face on a day-to-day basis.  This Small Business Plan, including the launch of the Business Growth Service, is a positive step towards making it easier for small businesses to find and access the support and finance they need to survive and thrive.

    Share this page

    The following links open in a new tab

    • Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
    • Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

    Updates to this page

    Published 31 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-Evening Report: As protesters condemn Western media ‘complicity’, Gaza journalists struggle for survival

    Asia Pacific Report

    Protesters demonstrated outside several major US media outlets in Washington this week condemning their coverage of the genocide in Gaza, claiming they were to blame over misinformation and the worsening catastrophe.

    Banging pots and pans to spotlight the starvation crisis, they accused the media of “complicity in genocide”.

    Banners and placards proclaimed “Stop media complicity in genocide” and “US media manufactures consent for Israel’s crimes”, as the protesters demonstrated outside media offices that included NBC News and Fox News.

    But the irony was that while the protests appeared to have been ignored or overlooked by national media in the US – and certainly in New Zealand, they were strongly reported by at least one global news agency, Turkey’s Anadolu Agensi.

    The protests echoed a series of statements by various news media organisations, such as Agence France-Presse concerned about the safety of their journalists from both under fire and the risk of starvation, and media freedom advocacy groups.

    The Doha-based global television news network Al Jazeera, that has been producing arguably the best and most honest news coverage of Gaza and the occupied West Bank – which earned it being banned last year by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority from reporting inside their territory — called for global action to protect Gaza’s journalists.

    It said in a statement that Isael’s forced starvation of the besieged enclave that threatened Gaza’s entire population, including those “risking their lives to shed light on Israel’s atrocities”.

    Death toll passes 60,000
    On Tuesday this week, the world noted a grim milestone in Gaza, with the Health Ministry announcing that the death toll had surpassed 60,000 (this does not include the tens of thousands of people buried under the rubble and missing, presumed dead).

    Put in perspective, that is one in every 36 people in Gaza killed, and more than 90 people on average slaughtered every day.

    Also, 1157 people have been killed near the notorious Israel and US-backed Gaza “Humanitarian” Foundation food depots condemned as “death traps”, while 154 people have died from starvation, 89 of them children with the numbers rising.


    Israel’s genocide – ‘Everyone in Gaza is starving’       Video: Al Jazeera

    An episode of the weekly media watch programme, The Listening Post, took up the theme as well, criticising the failure of many high profile Western news services from adequately reporting the horror of Israel’s devastating and cruel policies.

    “When trying to stave off starvation becomes part of the job. What it means to be a Palestinian journalist in Gaza. The stories they are determined to tell, the incredible risks they are prepared to take,” said host Richard Gizbert when introducing the programme. He wasted no time firing a few caustic shots.

    Metropolitan police on watch for the pro-Palestinian protesters outside Fox News offices in Washington DC this week. Image: AA screenshot APR

    “What is unfolding in Gaza now has the appearance of a final solution, orchestrated by Israel and the United States, Israel’s other ally: The transformation of parts of the Gaza strip into starvation and concentration camps, a place where famine has been turned into a weapon of war,” he said.

    “Reporting on the reality of this genocide can amount to a death sentence. Palestinian journalists can easily identify with the suffering they are documenting since they too are going hungry.

    “They have been targeted because for [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu, like other genocidal leaders before him, starving a population is much easier to do when no one is watching.

    An Al Jazeera reporter ducks for cover as bombs hit a building behind her in a live broadcast from Gaza . . . featured in The Listening Post’s starvation report. Image: AA screenshot APR

    Perpetrator ‘left out’
    “Across Western mainstream media, news outlets have been unable to ignore this story of mass starvation in Gaza. But in report after report, they have made a habit of leaving out a key detail – naming the perpetrators of the famine, Israel.

    “The missing actors, the sanitised language, the use of the passive grammatical voice, it is all part of the playbook for far too many international news outlets and that is exactly what the few Palestinian journalists still standing are out to tell the world.”

    Gizbert explained that “journalists in Gaza already have the world’s toughest assignment”:
    “Job one for almost 22 months now has been survival; job two, telling heartbreaking stories; documenting a genocide while under fire.”

    Hossam Shabat reports on his colleague Anas al-Sharif’s experience at Al Shifa hospital and the starvation of babies in Gaza. Image: Instagram/@hossam_shbat

    Like, for example, Al Jazeera Arabic’s Anas al-Sharif who was reporting live from outside Al Shifa medical complex when a woman behind him collapsed at the hospital’s gate.

    Al-Sharif, who had reported on the genocide of his own people for more than 650 days without rest or complaint, through Israeli occupation airstrikes, drone attacks, and countless “scenes resembling hell”, suddenly could not take it anymore.

    He broke down: “People are falling to the ground from the severity of hunger,” al-Sharif said through his tears. “They need one sip of water. They need one loaf of bread.”

    Al-Sharif has also been threatened by the Israeli military, accusing him of being a “Hamas militant”, an accusation strongly denied by Al Jazeera, denouncing what it called Tel Aviv’s “campaign of incitement” against its reporters in the Gaza Strip.

    Discredited for bias
    Many Western mainstream media – including BBC, CNN, Sky, ITN, and Australia’s public broadcaster ABC — have been repeatedly discredited for their “pro-Israel bias” by scores of journalists who have acted as whistleblowers about the actions of their own news organisations.

    According to a Declassified UK report, for example, the journalists working for a range of outlets from across the political spectrum have “painted a consistent picture of the obstacles faced by reporters who want to humanise Palestinians or scrutinise Israeli government narratives”. The US media is also under attack and has been putting up a lame defence.

    Last week, more than 100 aid groups warned of “mass starvation” throughout Gaza — predictably denied by Israeli government in the face of overwhelming evidence — with their staff severely impacted by shortages and serious implications for journalists already being threatened with targeting by the Israeli military.

    Israel faces growing global pressure over the enclave’s dire humanitarian crisis, where more than two million people have endured 22 months of war. UN Security Council member France has led a group of countries announcing that they plan to recognise the Palestinian state at the UN in September, with United Kingdom, Canada, Malta and Finland among those following with the total number now almost 150 of the 193 UN member states.

    A statement with 111 signatories, including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children and Oxfam, warned that “our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away”. The groups called for an immediate negotiated ceasefire, the opening of all land crossings and the free flow of aid through UN-led mechanisms.

    Al Jazeera’s Nour Odeh reported from Amman that the Israeli government had accused the UK of supporting the establishment of a “jihadi” state and of derailing efforts to reach a ceasefire.

    “But really,” she said, “the Israeli media, for example, is describing this as a political tsunami, a realisation of how significant the tide is, and how improbable it is to turn it back to countries withholding recognition because Israel said it doesn’t want it.”

    Calling for sanctions
    She also noted how 31 high-profile Israelis, including the former speaker of the Knesset, a former attorney general, and several recipients of Israel’s highest cultural award, were calling on world governments to impose crippling sanctions on Israel to stop the starvation of Palestinians in Gaza and their expulsion

    “This was taboo just a few days ago and has never really been done before, certainly not at this level of prominence of the signatories,” Odeh added.

    “Israel is starving Gazan journalists into silence,” says the CPJ. Image: CPJ screenshot APR

    The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) added its voice to the appeal by aid agencies to call for an end to Israel’s starvation of journalists and other civilians in Gaza, backing the plea for states to “save lives before there are none left to save.”

    In a statement on its website, the CPJ accused Israel of “starving journalists into silence”.

    “Israel is starving Gazan journalists into silence. They are not just reporters, they are frontline witnesses, abandoned as international media were pulled out and denied entry,” said CPJ regional director Sara Qudah.

    “The world must act now: protect them, feed them, and allow them to recover while other journalists step in to help report. Our response to their courageous 650 plus-days of war reporting cannot simply be to let them starve to death.”

    ‘Bearing witness’ videos
    Also, last week the CPJ launched a “bearing witness” series of videos from Gaza giving voice to the challenges the journalists have been facing. In the first video, Moath al Kahlout described how his cousin had been shot dead while awaiting humanitarian aid.

    As Israel partially eased its 11-week total blockade of Gaza that began in May, CPJ published the testimony of six journalists who described how “starvation, dizziness, brain fog, and sickness” had threatened their ability to report.

    Among highlights cited by the CPJ:
    • On June 20, Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al Sharif — the journalist cited earlier in this article — posted online: “I am drowning in hunger, trembling in exhaustion, and resisting the fainting that follows me every moment . . .  Gaza is dying. And we die with it.”
    • Sally Thabet, correspondent for Al-Kofiya satellite channel, told CPJ that she fainted consciousness after doing a live broadcast on July 20 because she had not eaten all day. She regained consciousness in Al-Shifa hospital, where doctors gave her an intravenous drip for rehydration and nutrition. In an online video, she described how she and her three daughters were starving.
    • Another Palestinian journalist, Shuruq As’ad said Thabet had been the third journalist to collapse on air from starvation that week, and posted a photograph of Thabet with the drip in her hand.
    • During a live broadcast on July 20, Al-Araby TV correspondent Saleh Al-Natour said: “We have no choice but to write and speak; otherwise, we will all die.”

    Little of this horrendous state of affairs has made it onto the pages of newspapers, websites of the television screens in the New Zealand mainstream media which seems to have a pro-Israel slant and rarely interviews Palestinian journalists or analysts for balance.

    “Stop media complicity in genocide” says the protest banner in Washington DC. Image: AA screenshot APR

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Committee on Health Welcomes Findings of Health Ombud

    Source: APO


    .

    The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, notes and welcomes the report issued by the Health Ombudsman into the treatment and deaths of psychiatric patients at two Northern Cape hospitals.

    Dr Dhlomo said, the report tabled on Wednesday by the Health Ombud, Dr Taole Mokoena is concerning and disturbing as it reveals a deep lack of care at Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital, and Robert Sobukwe Hospital. “The findings of the report are unacceptable, they exposed patients did not receive the quality care that they duly deserve,” said Dr Dhlomo.

    Mental healthcare is of paramount importance and must always remain under public scrutiny, especially in the light of the tragic event at Life Esidimeni, stated Dr Dhlomo. The report highlights the necessity of ensuring that mental health should always be placed under the microscope as it affects vulnerable people.

    The committee commends the proactive steps initiated by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi who lodged a complaint to the Health Ombud. “This demonstrates a commitment of accountability by the Minister and the department to uncover challenges within psychiatric hospitals and the healthcare system,” added Dr Dhlomo.

    In ensuring that the committee provides adequate oversight, the committee will schedule a meeting and invite the Department of Health so that Members of the committee receive a comprehensive briefing. “The transformation of mental health needs to be safeguarded so that patients are treated with dignity,” emphasised Dr Dhlomo

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 3767, Health Professionals Scholarship Program Improvement Act of 2025

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 3767 would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue employment contracts to participants in the Health Professionals Scholarship Program within 90 days of their completion of the program. The bill would also require VA to report to the Congress semiannually through 2027 on the implementation of that employment requirement. Because VA is already required to employ people who complete the scholarship program, CBO estimates that implementing the provision would not increase staffing levels. Satisfying the reporting requirement would cost less than $500,000 over the 2025–2030 period, CBO estimates. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    The bill also would prohibit smoking on the premises of any Veterans Health Administration facility. According to VA, the department already maintains a smoke-free policy at all such facilities. Thus, CBO estimates that enacting this provision would not affect the federal budget.

    The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Noah Callahan. The estimate was reviewed by Christina Hawley Anthony, Deputy Director of Budget Analysis.

    Phillip L. Swagel

    Director, Congressional Budget Office

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cricket’s great global divide: elite schools still shape the sport

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Habib Noorbhai, Professor (Health & Sports Science), University of Johannesburg

    If you were to walk through the corridors of some of the world’s leading cricket schools, you might hear the crack of leather on willow long before the bell for the end of the day rings.

    Across the cricketing world, elite schools have served as key feeder systems to national teams for decades. They provide young players with superior training facilities, high-level coaching and competitive playing opportunities.

    This tradition has served as cricket’s most dependable talent pipeline. But is it a strength or a symptom of exclusion?

    My recent study examined the school backgrounds of 1,080 elite men’s cricketers across eight countries over a 30-year period. It uncovered telling patterns.

    Read more: Cricket: children are the key to the future of the game, not broadcast rights

    Top elite cricket countries such as South Africa, England and Australia continue to draw heavily from private education systems. In these nations, cricket success seems almost tied to one’s school uniform.

    I argue that if cricket boards want to promote equity and competitiveness, they will need to broaden the talent search by investing in grassroots cricket infrastructure in under-resourced areas.

    For cricket to be a sport that anyone with talent can succeed in, there will need to be more school leagues and entry-level tournaments as well as targeted investment in community-based hubs and non-elite school zones.

    Findings

    South Africa is a case in point. My previous study in 2020 outlined that more than half of its national players at One-Day International (ODI) World Cups came from boys-only schools (mostly private).

    These schools are often well-resourced, with turf wickets, expert coaches and an embedded culture of competition. Unsurprisingly, the same schools tend to produce a high number of national team batters, as they offer longer game formats and better playing surfaces. Cricket’s colonial origins have influenced the structure and culture of school cricket being tied to a form of privilege.

    Read more: Elite boys’ schools still shape South Africa’s national cricket team

    In Australia and England, the story is not very different. Despite their efforts to diversify player sourcing, private schools still dominate. Even in cricketing nations that celebrate working-class grit, such as Australia, private school players continue to shape elite squads.

    The statistics say as much; for example: about 44% of Australian Ashes test series players since 2010 attended private schools, and for England, the figure is 45%. That’s not grassroots, it could be regarded as gated turf…

    Proportion of elite male cricketers by school type. Habib Noorbhai

    Yet not all countries follow this route. The West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka reflect very different models. Club cricket, informal play and community academies provide their players with opportunities to rise. These countries have lower reliance on private schools. Some of their finest players emerged from modest public schooling or neighbourhood cricketing networks.

    India provides an interesting hybrid. Although elite schools such as St. Xavier’s and Modern School contribute players, most national stars emerge from public institutions or small-town academies. The explosion of the Indian Premier League since 2008 has also democratised access, pulling in talent from previously overlooked and underdeveloped cities.

    In these regions, scouting is based on potential, not privilege.

    So why does this matter?

    At first glance, elite schools producing elite cricketers might appear logical. These institutions have the resources to nurture talent. But scratch beneath the surface and troubling questions appear.

    Are national teams truly reflecting their countries? Or are they simply echo chambers of social advantage?

    Read more: Cricket inequalities in England and Wales are untenable – our report shows how to rejuvenate the game

    In South Africa, almost every Black African cricketer to represent the country has come through a private school (often on scholarship). That suggests that talent without access remains potentially invisible. It also places unfair pressure on the few who make it through, as if they carry the hopes of entire communities.

    I found that in England, some county systems have started integrating players from state schools, but progress is slow. In New Zealand, where cricket is less centralised around private institutions, regional hubs and public schools have had more success in spreading opportunities. However, even there, Māori and Pasifika players remain underrepresented in elite squads.

    Four steps that can be taken

    1. One solution lies in recognising that schools don’t have a monopoly on talent. Cricket boards must increase investment in grassroots infrastructure, particularly in under-resourced areas. Setting up community hubs, supporting school-club partnerships and more regional competitions could discover hidden talent.

    2. Another step is to improve the visibility and reach of scouting networks. Too often, selection favours players from known institutions. By diversifying trial formats and leveraging technology (such as video submissions or performance-tracking apps), selectors can widen their net. It’s already happening in India, where IPL scouts visit the most unlikely of places.

    3. Coaching is another stumbling block. In many countries, high-level coaches are clustered in elite schools. National boards should consider optimising salaries as well as rotating certified coaches into public schools and regional academies. They should also ensure coaches are developed to be equipped to work with diverse learners and conditions.

    4. Technology offers other exciting possibilities too. Virtual simulations, motion tracking and AI-assisted video reviews are now common in high-performance centres. Making simplified versions available to lower-income schools could level the playing field. Imagine a township bowler in South Africa learning to analyse their technique using only a smartphone and a free app?

    Fairness in sport

    The conversation about schools and cricket is not just about numbers or stats. It is about fairness. Sport should be the great leveller, not another mechanism of exclusion. If cricket is to thrive, it needs to look beyond scoreboards and trophies. It must ask who gets to play and who never gets seen?

    Read more: Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?

    A batter from a village school in India, a wicket-keeper from a government school in Sri Lanka or a fast bowler in a South African township; each deserves the chance to be part of the national story. Cricket boards, policymakers and educators must work together to make that possible.

    The game will only grow when it welcomes players from all walks of life. That requires more than scholarships. It requires a reset of how we think about talent. Because the next cricket superstar may not wear a crest on their blazer. They may wear resilience on their sleeve.

    – Cricket’s great global divide: elite schools still shape the sport
    – https://theconversation.com/crickets-great-global-divide-elite-schools-still-shape-the-sport-261709

    MIL OSI Africa –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Cricket’s great global divide: elite schools still shape the sport

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Habib Noorbhai, Professor (Health & Sports Science), University of Johannesburg

    If you were to walk through the corridors of some of the world’s leading cricket schools, you might hear the crack of leather on willow long before the bell for the end of the day rings.

    Across the cricketing world, elite schools have served as key feeder systems to national teams for decades. They provide young players with superior training facilities, high-level coaching and competitive playing opportunities.

    This tradition has served as cricket’s most dependable talent pipeline. But is it a strength or a symptom of exclusion?

    My recent study examined the school backgrounds of 1,080 elite men’s cricketers across eight countries over a 30-year period. It uncovered telling patterns.



    Read more:
    Cricket: children are the key to the future of the game, not broadcast rights

    Top elite cricket countries such as South Africa, England and Australia continue to draw heavily from private education systems. In these nations, cricket success seems almost tied to one’s school uniform.

    I argue that if cricket boards want to promote equity and competitiveness, they will need to broaden the talent search by investing in grassroots cricket infrastructure in under-resourced areas.

    For cricket to be a sport that anyone with talent can succeed in, there will need to be more school leagues and entry-level tournaments as well as targeted investment in community-based hubs and non-elite school zones.

    Findings

    South Africa is a case in point. My previous study in 2020 outlined that more than half of its national players at One-Day International (ODI) World Cups came from boys-only schools (mostly private).

    These schools are often well-resourced, with turf wickets, expert coaches and an embedded culture of competition. Unsurprisingly, the same schools tend to produce a high number of national team batters, as they offer longer game formats and better playing surfaces. Cricket’s colonial origins have influenced the structure and culture of school cricket being tied to a form of privilege.



    Read more:
    Elite boys’ schools still shape South Africa’s national cricket team

    In Australia and England, the story is not very different. Despite their efforts to diversify player sourcing, private schools still dominate. Even in cricketing nations that celebrate working-class grit, such as Australia, private school players continue to shape elite squads.

    The statistics say as much; for example: about 44% of Australian Ashes test series players since 2010 attended private schools, and for England, the figure is 45%. That’s not grassroots, it could be regarded as gated turf…

    Yet not all countries follow this route. The West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka reflect very different models. Club cricket, informal play and community academies provide their players with opportunities to rise. These countries have lower reliance on private schools. Some of their finest players emerged from modest public schooling or neighbourhood cricketing networks.

    India provides an interesting hybrid. Although elite schools such as St. Xavier’s and Modern School contribute players, most national stars emerge from public institutions or small-town academies. The explosion of the Indian Premier League since 2008 has also democratised access, pulling in talent from previously overlooked and underdeveloped cities.

    In these regions, scouting is based on potential, not privilege.

    So why does this matter?

    At first glance, elite schools producing elite cricketers might appear logical. These institutions have the resources to nurture talent. But scratch beneath the surface and troubling questions appear.

    Are national teams truly reflecting their countries? Or are they simply echo chambers of social advantage?



    Read more:
    Cricket inequalities in England and Wales are untenable – our report shows how to rejuvenate the game

    In South Africa, almost every Black African cricketer to represent the country has come through a private school (often on scholarship). That suggests that talent without access remains potentially invisible. It also places unfair pressure on the few who make it through, as if they carry the hopes of entire communities.

    I found that in England, some county systems have started integrating players from state schools, but progress is slow. In New Zealand, where cricket is less centralised around private institutions, regional hubs and public schools have had more success in spreading opportunities. However, even there, Māori and Pasifika players remain underrepresented in elite squads.

    Four steps that can be taken

    1. One solution lies in recognising that schools don’t have a monopoly on talent. Cricket boards must increase investment in grassroots infrastructure, particularly in under-resourced areas. Setting up community hubs, supporting school-club partnerships and more regional competitions could discover hidden talent.

    2. Another step is to improve the visibility and reach of scouting networks. Too often, selection favours players from known institutions. By diversifying trial formats and leveraging technology (such as video submissions or performance-tracking apps), selectors can widen their net. It’s already happening in India, where IPL scouts visit the most unlikely of places.

    3. Coaching is another stumbling block. In many countries, high-level coaches are clustered in elite schools. National boards should consider optimising salaries as well as rotating certified coaches into public schools and regional academies. They should also ensure coaches are developed to be equipped to work with diverse learners and conditions.

    4. Technology offers other exciting possibilities too. Virtual simulations, motion tracking and AI-assisted video reviews are now common in high-performance centres. Making simplified versions available to lower-income schools could level the playing field. Imagine a township bowler in South Africa learning to analyse their technique using only a smartphone and a free app?

    Fairness in sport

    The conversation about schools and cricket is not just about numbers or stats. It is about fairness. Sport should be the great leveller, not another mechanism of exclusion. If cricket is to thrive, it needs to look beyond scoreboards and trophies. It must ask who gets to play and who never gets seen?



    Read more:
    Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?

    A batter from a village school in India, a wicket-keeper from a government school in Sri Lanka or a fast bowler in a South African township; each deserves the chance to be part of the national story. Cricket boards, policymakers and educators must work together to make that possible.

    The game will only grow when it welcomes players from all walks of life. That requires more than scholarships. It requires a reset of how we think about talent. Because the next cricket superstar may not wear a crest on their blazer. They may wear resilience on their sleeve.

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

    – ref. Cricket’s great global divide: elite schools still shape the sport – https://theconversation.com/crickets-great-global-divide-elite-schools-still-shape-the-sport-261709

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: 3 CoE Students Pursue In-Depth Research Projects as University Scholars

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    As 2025 University Scholars, three College of Engineering students are spending their last three semesters pursuing personalized research projects.

    Open to all undergraduate students, the University Scholar Program allows students to design an in-depth research or creative project and to craft a learning plan that supports their academic goals during their final three semesters. Each student is mentored by an advisory committee of three faculty.

    Admission to the University Scholars program is based on an application submitted during the first semester of a student’s junior year. Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of faculty members who may select up to 30 University Scholars in any given year.

    The University Scholars and their projects are below:

    Laxmi Chinmaya Vobbineni ’26
    Project Title: The Synergic Role of Electrical and Chemical Stimulation in Wound Healing of Diabetic Patients

    University Scholar Laxmi Vobbineni ’26 is exploring techniques that can help diabetes patients heal faster from wounds.

    People with diabetes often have trouble healing from wounds. Since high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and weaken the immune system, white blood cells struggle to reach the wound. This can slow tissue repair and lead to ongoing inflammation.

    Wounds may heal very slowly, become chronic, or leave scars—and this can be painful and expensive for patients.

    University Scholar Laxmi Vobbineni ’26, a biomedical engineering and molecular and cell biology double major, is working to help diabetic patients heal from wounds faster by using chemical and electrical stimulation.

    “Chemical stimulation, such as ion channel blockers, in conjunction with electrical stimulation may improve the wound healing process for diabetic patients,” she says.

    By combining these treatments with an ionically-conductive biomaterial called scaffolding, ions can help restore electrical signals in the body that guide white blood cells to repair tissue.

    “Our hope is to develop a system that has high potential for clinical use,” Vobbineni says.

    Vobbineni’s advisors are Syam Nukavarapu, professor and department head in Biomedical Engineering; David Daggett, associate professor-in-residence of molecular and cell biology; and Sangamesh Kumbar, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at the UConn Health Center. She also interns at the UConn Health Center under Kumbar, working on projects related to the fields of tissue engineering and drug delivery.

    Vobbineni, a member of the Society of Women Engineers and STEM Scholar Executive Board, volunteers as a nursing aide at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Connecticut. She also holds an executive board position for the UConn FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Lego League Explore Program, which uses Legos and technology to excite youth about robotics and STEM.

    Her involvement in FIRST began in middle school and high school and sparked her interest in innovation. “This is one of the reasons I decided to pursue biomedical engineering,” she says.

    After graduation, Vobbineni plans to pursue medical school and work in the field of emergency medicine.

    Wyeth Haddock ’26
    Project Title: Developing a Copper-Based Medium Entropy Alloy with Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Space Applications

    University Scholar Wyeth Haddock ’26, at left, is working at the National Center for Electron Microscopy in Berkeley, California this summer.

    As a University Scholar, Wyeth Haddock ’26, a materials science and engineering major, is developing a structural material for use in extreme environments with potential applications in space exploration and nuclear energy.

    His project focuses on synthesizing and analyzing an alloy made from copper, dysprosium, and yttrium (Cu-Dy-Y) that exhibits enhanced mechanical properties. By studying the alloy’s microstructure, phase stability, and mechanical behavior across temperature regimes, Haddock hopes to demonstrate improved material performance in extreme conditions and understand unique deformation behavior.

    “If successful, the alloy could support the development of more durable materials for space exploration,” he says.

    Haddock’s advisors include Seok-Woo Lee, associate professor of materials science and engineering and Director of Undergraduate Studies; and Yuanyuan Zhu, associate professor of materials science and engineering and director of the MSE Honors Program.

    Haddock, an honors student from Fairfax, Vermont, is president of the UConn Running Club, and is a member of the UConn Materials Advantage Society, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Alpha Sigma Mu MSE Honor Society, and the ASM Board of Trustees. His jobs on campus include work as a campus tour guide and undergraduate teaching assistant. He recently served as a facilitator for the Honors First Year Experience program and as a Floor Mentor for the Honors 2 Opportunities Learning Community.

    This summer, Haddock is a STROBE Summer Undergraduate Research Scholar at the University of California at Berkeley where he works in the National Center for Electron Microscopy at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

    “Throughout my UConn experience, I’ve immersed myself in collaborative communities, working in a lab, facilitating a first-year course, and traveling nationally to compete in running races,” he says. “These sorts of experiences have allowed me to further my learning, as I seek to positively impact the world around me.”

    Haddock intends to pursue a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, with an emphasis on understanding how atomic structure influences the properties of materials. He hopes to continue research in structural materials, developing the materials necessary for the complex demands of an evolving world.

    Passionate about education and outreach, Wyeth also hopes to continually inspire younger audiences to get involved in materials science and engineering.

    Zhengyang Wei ’26
    Project Title: Stability Analysis on 9D Shear Flow Model by Small-Signal Finite-Gain Lp Stable Theorem

    University Scholar Zhengyang Wei ’26 is exploring ways to improve the stability and performance of aerodynamic designs.

    Turbulence—when fluid flow becomes chaotic—is difficult to control, but preventing it is important in many engineering systems. As a University Scholar, mechanical engineering major Zhengyang Wei ’26 is using mathematical tools to prevent turbulence by studying shear flows. In shear flows, layers of liquid or gas move parallel to each other but at different speeds.

    By finding the conditions that keep the flow stable, Wei’s research can help improve the stability and performance of aerodynamic designs, industrial systems, and other applications. This work contributes to developing effective strategies for controlling shear flows and advancing fluid dynamics research.

    “For example, we can mitigate the transition to turbulence in the wind over an airplane wing, which will make the flight more stable and efficient,” he explains.

    His advisors are Chang Liu, assistant professor in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering; Reza Sheikhi, professor-in-residence in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering; and Jason Lee, professor-in-residence in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Manufacturing Engineering.

    As a member of the FLUids, rEduction, Nonlinearity, and Turbulence (FLUENT) Lab, Wei and Liu published a paper on shear flows in the June 2025 issue of arXiv.

    Wei, a math minor, also is a 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) awardee. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in fluid stability or optimization.

    As University Scholars, Vobbineni, Haddock, and Wei receive a range of benefits designed to support and enrich their academic journey. These include a financial award that covers the General University Fee and Student Health Services Fee for up to three regular semesters, or until graduation from the program. Scholars are also eligible for course credit fee waivers for up to nine credits of summer or intersession courses, and the opportunity to enroll in graduate-level courses with instructor permission.

    Students accepted into a UConn graduate program while in the University Scholar Program may begin working toward their graduate degree as undergraduates, with the ability to apply eligible graduate-level coursework toward that degree.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: On Medicaid’s 60th Anniversary, Hickenlooper Hammers Republicans’ Reckless Decision to Gut Medicaid, Strip Health Care from 15 Million Americans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado

    Hickenlooper: “They are making the people who suffer the most suffer more. That is not the America that I believe in.” 

    Hickenlooper helped introduce new legislation to repeal Republicans’ health cuts, protect rural hospitals, seniors’ nursing care

    WASHINGTON – Today, on Medicaid’s 60th anniversary, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper spoke on the Senate floor to call out the Republicans’ disastrous budget bill that slashes more than $1 trillion in funding for Medicaid and health care services to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. He also joined his Senate Democratic colleagues to introduce two new bills that would repeal the Republicans’ health care cuts in their “Big Beautiful Betrayal.”


    “They cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and food stamps – the programs that help struggling Americans meet their most basic human need for food and health care. Again, just so they could pass the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in the history of our country,”     said Hickenlooper.

    Earlier this month, Republicans narrowly passed their extreme budget bill that will increase prices for Coloradans, lead to 15 million Americans losing their health care, increase the deficit by $4 trillion, and hand out tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans.

    Specifically, their bill slashed more than $1 trillion in Medicaid funding and failed to extend the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. As a result, an estimated 15 million people will lose health benefits.

    In his speech, Hickenlooper highlighted how these cuts to Medicaid will disproportionally hurt rural hospitals like Sunrise Monfort Community Health Clinic in Evans, Colorado.

    “Sunrise’s network of 14 rural health clinics serves 43,000 patients across a broad swath of Northern Colorado. [50%] of them are enrolled in either Medicaid or Medicare,” Hickenlooper continued. “They estimate that those cuts in Medicaid will force between 7,000-14,000 of their patients off of health care. That’s ¼ of their patients. Again, all because lawmakers in Washington had decided to give still bigger tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy.”

    Hickenlooper voted NO on the bill after Republicans voted down critical Democratic-led amendments to prevent cuts to Medicaid, extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, and safeguard small businesses and nursing homes from Medicaid cuts. He fought against the bill in the Senate and has continued to raise alarm about its impacts after Republicans passed it.

    Hickenlooper introduces bills to reverse health care cuts

    Today, Hickenlooper joined the entire Democratic caucus to introduce two new bills that would rollback the Republicans’ disastrous health cuts in their budget bill and protect health care for millions of Americans.

    The Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act would repeal all of the provisions in the health section of the Republicans’ dangerous bill. Specifically, it would prevent millions of Americans from losing their health care and rural health clinics from closure. The legislation would also extend the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax cuts which lower health care costs for millions of Americans. 

    The Restoring Essential Health Care Act would specifically repeal the provision in the Republicans’ reckless bill that defunds Planned Parenthood. The Republican provision restricts Medicaid reimbursements for organizations that offer abortion services, even though it is already illegal to use federal funding for abortion. This week a federal judge blocked the provision.

    To download a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks is available below:

    “Mr. President,

    “The United States is the wealthiest country on earth.

    “I think it’s fair to say it’s the wealthiest country in the history of the world. Probably in the history of the solar system.

    “What we do with that wealth speaks volumes about who we are as a country.

    “And about the responsibility we feel to our fellow Americans. It defines us.

    “Earlier this month, Republicans passed, what I would call, a truly devastating budget bill that gives many of the wealthiest people in this country – many of whom don’t want a tax break – but gives many of the wealthiest people in this country and corporations a $4.5 trillion tax break.

    “That was their goal. They just needed to find a way to pay for it. Well actually, they only paid for a small part of it.

    “But in doing so they cut more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and food stamps – the programs that help struggling Americans meet their most basic human need for food and health care.

    “Again, just so they could pass the largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in the history of our country.

    “That speaks volumes about who this administration values.

    “But what does the bill mean for Americans?

    “Over time, 15 million Americans are going to lose their health care. Are likely to lose their health coverage. 241,000 of them live in Colorado. Hundreds and hundreds of hospitals around the country are at risk of closure, many of them in Colorado.

    “Take the Sunrise Monfort Community Health Clinic in Evans, Colorado.

    “We were there in May, and Sunrise’s network of 14 rural health clinics serves 43,000 patients across a broad swath of Northern Colorado. [50%] of them are enrolled in either Medicaid or Medicare.

    “And we spoke with their CEO back in May, and we were told point blank that gutting Medicaid… will force them to dramatically cut services.

    “They estimate that those cuts in Medicaid will force between 7,000-14,000 of their patients off of health care. That’s ¼ of their patients.

    “Again, all because lawmakers in Washington had decided to give still bigger tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy, and again many of whom don’t want or need tax cuts.

    “It’s nuts. 

    “The administration knew taking health care away from many Americans would be unpopular.

    “So they crafted and snuck in a provision to solve that: most of the Medicaid cuts won’t take place until 2027.

    “Why wait until 2027, you might ask? Well because it’s after the midterm elections at the end of 2026.

    “They basically gutted our social safety net system, and then they found a way to make sure that Republicans would be insulated from the immediate political costs, from their voters.

    “That’s why right now they’re building a massive public relations campaign to go out and sell the bill to Americans.

    “They, so far, completely deny that this bill is going to harm Americans in any way. Instead, they say it’s about government “efficiency” and cutting out waste, fraud, and abuse.

    “Well listen, I’m all for making government more efficient. When I was Mayor of Denver, we made the city smaller. We had a hiring freeze for 2 ½ years. We asked workers to do more with less and they did that. But we did it in increments and we worked to make sure that people knew how much they were valued, and that they could make a difference.

    “When I was Governor of Colorado, we balanced our budget every single year. We went through every board and regulation that we could find on the books – 24,500 rules and regulations. And we simplified or eliminated 11,000. We did all this without cutting services and without cutting resources that people rely on.

    “Now Republicans knew they were going way beyond “waste, fraud, and abuse” – that’s part of the reason it took 24 hours of voting and arm-twisting to pass this, what we call in my family, god-awful bill. They knew they were going to be hurting their constituents, and Americans.

    “The bill itself is a prime example of, what my grandfather used to call, a drunken spending spree –  it’s gonna cost the American people more than $4 TRILLION when you consider the interest payments on the national debt.

    “And none of the arguments that the Republicans have used have legs.

    “Ultimately, the bill isn’t just $1 trillion in cuts from Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act – it really, through these rules and paperwork, creates new barriers to access. That means more paperwork, more hoops for families to jump through.

    “Under Trump’s Big Ugly Bill, government “efficiency” just means rolling out the red tape. Miles and miles of it.

    “And who pays the price?

    “Well, rural Coloradans are going to pay some price. People living in Cortez, Lamar, or Rifle will pay a price when their closest health care center closes.

    “Pregnant women who have to drive 50 miles to get to their closest hospital…

    “Kids who lose their health care because their parents had to navigate so much red tape to prove they do in fact meet the requirements will pay the cost.

    “Adult children who can’t provide sufficient “proof” that their full-time job is taking care of a disabled parent.

    “Now, listen to this. If you’re a single adult in Colorado, you don’t even qualify for Medicaid if you earn [more] than $1,735 a month. That means making less than $10.01 an hour.

    “If you make $10.02 an hour you already don’t qualify for Medicaid. So people making less than $10 an hour have to fill out reams of paperwork to demonstrate that they qualify.

    “They should be able to show their W2 and say ‘Hey, I’m making $9.50 an hour’ and that should be enough.

    “But somehow there’s a worry that people making less than $10 an hour should have to fill out all of this other paperwork. What kind of a bizarre world do we live in?

    “Bottom line: Republicans are cutting costs by punishing the poorest and most needy in our country when they can’t keep up. They are making the people who suffer the most suffer more.

    “That’s not the America that I believe in.

    “The Medicaid system isn’t perfect.

    “It exists in our country, because that country decided that no matter where you live, or how little money you make, working Americans deserve basic health care.

    “Who knows, someday we might get everyone covered. It’s a vow we need to make.

    “And certainly when we created Medicaid it was a vow we made to help take care of many of the neediest people in our country.

    “Because our country is measured not by how we treat the people at the very top, but how we treat large numbers of Americans who start at the bottom, striving for a better life.

    “That’s how our country should be measured.

    “And that’s the dream we are all chasing.

    “And ultimately, it’s the American people who will have the final word.

    “Thank you, Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Equasens: H1 revenue at 30 June 2025: €116.0m

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Villers-lès-Nancy (France), 31 July 2025 – 6:00 PM (CET)

    PRESS RELEASE

    H1 revenue at 30 June 2025: €116.0m
    +7.4% on a reported basis and +6.4% like-for-like

    H1 2025 Group revenue (€m) 2024
    Reported basis    		 2025
    Reported basis    		 Change /
    Reported basis    		 Of which external growth Like-for-like change
    (organic growth)
    Q1 53.3 57.0 3.7 6.9% 0.5 3.2 5.9%
    Q2 54.7 58.9 4.3 7.8% 0.5 3.8 6.9%
    Total 108.0 116.0 8.0 7.4% 1.1 6.9 6.4%
    H1 2025 revenue / Division (€m) 2024
    Reported basis    		 2025
    Reported basis    		 Change /
    Reported basis    		 Of which external growth Like-for-like change
    (organic growth
    Pharmagest 82,1 85,9 3,9 4,7%   3,9 4,7%
    Axigate Link 15,4 16,5 1,0 6,7%   1,0 6,7%
    e-Connect 5,5 7,5 2,0 36,6%   2,0 36,6%
    Médical Solutions 3,9 5,1 1,1 29,1% 1,1 0,1 2,2%
    Fintech 1,1 1,0 -0,1 -7,6%   -0,1 -7,6%
    Total 108,0 116,0 8,0 7,4% 1,1 6,9 6,4%

    As of 30 June 2025, Equasens Group (Euronext Paris™ – Compartment B – FR 0012882389 -EQS), a leading provider of digital solutions for healthcare professionals, reported revenue of €116.0m, up 7.4% from H1 2024 on a reported basis and 6.4% like-for-like.

    Revenue from CALIMED SAS, acquired by the Medical Solutions Division in December 2024, was restated to reflect changes in the scope of consolidation (€1.1m).

    H1 2025 highlights by type of business

    In order to facilitate the analysis of performance, a new breakdown of the Group’s activities is proposed: “maintenance and subscriptions” includes all recurring revenues, and “software and services” mainly includes license sales and revenues from training, consulting, and intermediation.

    • Configuration and hardware sales (+9.9%) remain a major growth driver for the Group, particularly for the Pharmagest (+6.1%) and e-Connect (+125.9%) Divisions
    • Maintenance and subscriptions (+5.5%) grow steadily, benefiting from customer loyalty and the success of SaaS offerings, particularly in the Axigate Link Division (+5.6%). Calimed (Medical Solutions Division) contributed growth of 2.0% to this segment.
    • Software solutions and services (+6.4%) continue to perform very well, driven by license sales, particularly those linked to the Pharmagest Division’s latest product launches (+4.6%) and by new deployments by the Axigate Link Division (+8.9%).
    H1 2025 revenue / Activity (€m) 2024**
    Reported basis    		 2025
    Reported basis    		 Change / Reported basis
    Configurations and hardware 42.9 47.1 4.2 9.9%
    Maintenance and subscriptions 48.7 51.4 2.7 5.5%
    Software and services 16.4 17.4 1.1 6.4%
    Total 108.0 116.0 8.0 7.4%

    * Maintenance and subscriptions: recurring revenues including SaaS
    ** 2024 reported basis: reconstituted data

    H1 2025 highlights by Division
            
    The PHARMAGEST Division recorded H1 revenue of €85.9m (+4.7%).  This performance confirms the positive momentum that began in Q1 2025, driven by innovation and improved customer satisfaction.

    • In France, all business activities grew (+3.4% to €74.0m), driven by:
      • Equipment renewal needs and new equipment offerings, the “electronic labels” business was particularly buoyant in the second quarter.
      • The launch, in early 2025, of differentiating software solutions focused on pharmacy automation, productivity and safety. The market response to these new solutions has been very positive, with over 800 id.genius and 160 id.secure box sold.
      • Electronic invoice management solutions for pharmacies (Digipharmacie), which confirmed its market leadership by adding more than 900 new customers.
      • Only the professional training sector (Atoopharm) is experiencing a slowdown in response to changes in the regulatory environment, and in particular a one-year extension of the training cycle.
    • In Italy, sales grew evenly across both wholesale and pharmacy activities (+16.5% to €7.7m). This positive sales momentum remained strong, with the opening of more than 150 new pharmacies in the first half.
    • In Germany, sales were up (+11.2% to €3.0m) in both the medication adherence and pharmacy management segments, thanks in particular to the success of id.express payment terminals.
    • In Belgium, the return to growth has been confirmed (+6.4% to €1.2m).

    This Division accounts for 74.1% of total revenue.

    The AXIGATE LINK division reported H1 2025 revenue of €16.5m (+6.7%).

    • The Nursing Home sector (+4.5% to €8.4m) has benefited from the ESMS NUMERIQUE public funding in France, resulting in a strong business performance. Titanlink has been deployed at 164 sites since January 2025 in France (789 in total) and 16 in Belgium (58 sites in total).
    • The Homecare sector (+13.9% to €3.9m) has continued to perform well, driven by the signing of new contracts and the success of offers designed for Regional Resource Centres (CRT) and Family Caregiver Support Services (PFR). Expansion into the Home Care Services market has met with a very positive response.
    • The Hospital sector (+16.6% to €2.1m) has been particularly successful, with the signature of contracts for four hospital networks, confirming the growing reputation of the Axigate Hospilink solution in this market.

    This Division accounts for 14.2% of total revenue.

    The E-CONNECT division reported H1 2025 revenue of €7.5m (+36.6%).

    • Building on the momentum of Q1, the Division continued to roll out its Mobility solutions at a rapid pace, notably eS-KAP+, a new solution launched in Q1 2025 that has been very well received by more than 20 key software publishers in this market.
    • Since March 2025, the project to equip smartphones with a digital solution of the French health insurance card (Apps Vitale) has been gradually rolled out in accordance with the regional timetable established by the French national health insurance system.

    This Division accounts for 6.5% of total revenue.

    The MEDICAL SOLUTIONS Division had €5.1m in revenue, up 29.1% on a reported basis and 2.2% like-for-like.

    • The integration of Calimed (acquired at the end of 2024) has been the main driver of this growth as its SaaS offering for surgeons and doctors continues to attract new customers thanks to its high added value for these professions.
    • The Division’s long-standing solutions are benefiting from the very positive response to new offerings like the LOQUii voice-based AI companion and add-on services like online backup, attesting to the loyalty of the customer base and the strength of the recurring model in an intensely competitive environment.

    The Division accounts for 4.4% of total revenue.

    The FINTECH Division had H1 revenue of €1.0m (-7.6%).

    • Efforts are continuing to clean up the customer portfolio to limit risk exposure and improve its quality.
    • Sales remained buoyant in a difficult economic environment.

    The Division accounts for 0.9% of total revenue.

    Material subsequent events after 30 June 2025 Acquisition of the DIS and ResUrgences businesses – Strategic reinforcement of the AXIGATE LINK Division

    On July 1st, 2025, the Group finalized the acquisition of two businesses specialising in solutions for the public healthcare sector: Novaprove (publisher of ResUrgences software) and the business assets of DIS. This strategic acquisition, which adds more than 300 customers from the public healthcare sector and generates annual revenue of around €5m, significantly strengthens the position of the Axigate Link Division in the hospital and medical-social software market.
    ResUrgences, a cloud platform specialising in the management of hospital emergency services, used by eight university hospitals and 75 other establishments, and the DIS range representing a comprehensive suite of digital solutions used by 215 sites (125 healthcare establishments and 90 nursing homes), further enhance the Division’s existing offering. The integration of these new functional modules (Electronic Patient Records, invoicing, accounting, inventory management, and HR) into the Hospilink, Titanlink and Domilink ranges will create a comprehensive ecosystem to support the digital transformation of public and private institutions, in line with the Group’s ambition to become the leading technology partner for the French healthcare system.

    H2 2025 outlook:

    Encouraged by the positive commercial momentum experienced across all of its divisions in H1 2025, Equasens Group looks ahead to the second half with confidence for which it is expecting continuing growth.
    At the same time, Equasens Group remains attentive to the decisions of public authorities regarding the level of financial compensation granted by health insurance for the purchase of generic and biosimilar medicines. These decisions could have an impact on pharmacy economics and the pharmacy network.
    The investment and structural efforts made since 2024 are starting to show results, with the successful rollout of new software solutions for all healthcare professionals. These measures will be maintained for the remainder of FY 2025.
    The integration of DIS and ResUrgences businesses, effective as of 1 July 2025, will start contributing to the performance of the Axigate Link Division in Q3 and will create promising technical and commercial synergies.
    With a solid financial structure, the Group remains attentive to opportunities for external growth, both in France and in Europe that will strengthen its position as a leader in digital healthcare solutions.

    Financial calendar:

    • H1 2025 results: 26 September 2025
    • Presentation of H1 2025 results to analysts (SFAF): 29 September 2025 – Paris
    • Q3 2025 revenue: 5 November 2025
    • FY 2025 revenue: 5 February 2026

    About Equasens Group

    Founded over 35 years ago, Equasens Group, a leader in digital healthcare solutions, today employs over 1.300 people across Europe.
    Equasens Group’s specialised business applications facilitate the day-to-day work of healthcare professionals and their teams, working in private practice, collaborative medical structures or healthcare establishments. The Group also provides comprehensive support to healthcare professionals in the transformation of their profession by developing electronic equipment, digital solutions and healthcare robotics, as well as data hosting, financing and training adapted to their specific needs.
    And reflecting the spirit of its tagline “Technology for a More Human Experience”, the Group is a leading provider of interoperability solutions that improve coordination between healthcare professionals, their communications and data exchange resulting in better patient care and a more efficient and secure healthcare system.

    Listed on Euronext Paris™ – Compartment B

    Indexes: MSCI GLOBAL SMALL CAP – GAÏA Index 2020 – CAC®SMALL and CAC®All-Tradable
    Included in the Euronext Tech Leaders segment and the European Rising Tech label

    Eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (“Service à Réglement Différé” – SRD) and equity savings accounts invested in small and mid caps (PEA-PME).
    ISIN: FR 0012882389 – Ticker Code: EQS

    Get all the news about Equasens Group www.equasens.com and on LinkedIn

    CONTACTS

    EQUASENS Group
    Analyst and Investor Relations:
    Chief Administrative and Financial Officer: Frédérique Schmidt
    Tel: +33 (0)3 83 15 90 67 – frederique.schmidt@equasens.com

    Financial communications agency:
    FIN’EXTENSO – Isabelle Aprile

    Tel.: +33 (0)6 17 38 61 78 – i.aprile@finextenso.fr

    Forward-looking statements
    This press release contains forward-looking statements that are not guarantees of future performance and are based on current opinions, forecasts and assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions about Equasens’ current and future strategy and the environment in which Equasens operates. These involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results or other events, to materially differ from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include those detailed in Chapter 3 “Risk factors” of the Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial market authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers or AMF) on April 29, 2025 under number D.25-0334. These forward-looking statements are valid only as of the date of this press release.

    Attachment

    • EQUASENS_PR_20250731_2025-FY-revenue_EN

    The MIL Network –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Applied Releases Commercial Lines Premium Rate Index Findings for Q2 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, ON, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Applied Systems® today announced the second quarter 2025 results of the Applied Commercial Index™, the Canadian insurance industry’s premium rate index. Overall, the magnitude of rate increases was down across all lines relative to average premium renewals in the same quarter last year with 3.63% in Q2 2025 down from 5.83% in Q2 2024. All lines of business saw decreases compared to the same quarter last year.
    Quarter over quarter, Q2 2025 results showed average renewal rate change decreased across many lines of the most commonly placed Commercial Lines categories, including Real Estate Property, Business and Professional Services, and Construction. Hospitality Services and Retail Services experienced an increase in average renewal rate change.
    Significant findings include:

    • Business and Professional Services: Q2 2025 premium renewal rate change average was 3.00%, down from the Q1 2025 average of 3.99%.
    • Construction, Erection, and Installation Services: Premium renewal rate change average was 3.56% for the quarter, down from the Q1 2025 average of 3.85%.
    • Hospitality Services: Q2 2025 premium renewal rate change average was 4.53%, up from the Q1 2025 average of 3.08%.
    • Real Estate Property: Premium renewal rate change average was 3.38% for the quarter, down from the Q1 2025 average of 3.58%.
    • Retail Services: Premium renewal rate change averaged 4.62%, up from the Q1 2025 average of 4.57%.

    “This quarter’s average premium renewal rate change continues to decrease across the most commonly placed commercial lines of business, except Hospitality Services which saw a spike,” said Steve Whitelaw, SVP and general manager, Canada, Applied Systems. “As we make our way into the second of the year, the Applied Commercial Index will shine light on how current macro trends such as US tariffs and others will affect rates.”
    Access the complete quarterly report here.                                                            

    # # #

    Applied Commercial Index is a trademark of Applied Systems, Inc. All data is fully anonymized when aggregating and analyzing the Applied Commercial Index.

    About Applied Systems
    Applied Systems is the leading global provider of cloud-based software that powers the business of insurance. Recognized as a pioneer in insurance automation and the innovation leader, Applied is the world’s largest provider of agency and brokerage management systems, serving customers throughout the United States, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom. By automating the insurance lifecycle, Applied’s people and products enable millions of people around the world to safeguard and protect what matters most.

    The MIL Network –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Secretary of State Belanger to make important announcement on health care for northern and Indigenous communities 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    July 31, 2025 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan 

    The Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State (Rural Development), will make an important announcement on bringing new health care innovations to northern and Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan.

    A media availability will follow the announcement.

    Date: Friday, August 1, 2025

    Time: 10:00 am (CT)

    Location:
    Virtual Health Hub
    200 – 111 2nd Avenue South
    Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

    Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to confirm their attendance. Media representatives wishing to attend are asked to arrive at 9:30 am (CT) and must present credentials.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EUROPE/ENGLAND – Saint John Henry Newman, from Propaganda Fide seminarian to Doctor of the Church

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Thursday, 31 July 2025

    Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Saint John Henry Newman will be proclaimed a Doctor of the Church. This was established by Pope Leo XIV, who confirmed the decision of the Plenary Session of Cardinals and Bishops, Members of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. The English Cardinal, founder of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England, will be the 38th saint to hold the title of Doctor.Already in 2010, during his apostolic journey to England, Benedict XVI, speaking to journalists during the papal flight, defined Newman as “a figure of a Doctor of the Church for us and for all,” as well as “a bridge between Anglicans and Catholics” (see Fides, 17/9/2010).Born in London on February 21, 1801, to an Anglican family, Newman studied at Great Ealing School, where he fervently embraced Calvinist doctrines. In June 1824, he was ordained a deacon in the Anglican Church and, the following year, a priest. In 1832, he accompanied his friend, Father Froude, on a trip to southern Europe.At the English College in Rome, he met Father Nicholas Wiseman, the future Catholic Archbishop of Westminster. Between 1833 and 1841, Newman and other exponents of the so-called “Oxford Movement” wrote the “Tracts for the Times,” a collection of 90 essays written to support and attest to the Catholic identity of the Anglican Church. The texts were not well received, and the protests they provoked led the Bishop of Oxford to suspend publication of the Tracts. Condemned by the Hebdomadal Board of Oxford University and disavowed by 42 bishops, in April 1842 he retired with some friends to Littlemore to write the famous “Essay development of christian Doctrine.” After these experiences, his decision to join the Catholic Church fully matured.In 1846, he returned to Rome with some Anglicans who had converted to Catholicism. After careful consideration, he decided to join the Congregation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri. He attended the Roman church of Chiesa Nuova and frequented the priests of that community. In 1845, he began his studies to become a priest at the College of Propaganda Fide, then located in the Palazzo Ferratini, overlooking Piazza di Spagna.Cardinal Ivan Dias (1936-2017), Prefect of the then Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, when inaugurating the Missionary Museum of Propaganda Fide in 2010, described the stay of the future Doctor of the Church in the palace designed by Bernini and Borromini as follows: “Newman describes in his letters the great care shown by Cardinal Fransoni, Prefect of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide, by Monsignor Brunelli, his Secretary General, and by Father Bresciani, Rector of the Urban College, to make them feel at home, adapting everything to ‘English customs’. They were quite moved by the fact that their windows in Propaganda overlooked the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, where Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal had appeared three years earlier to Alphonse Ratisbonne, on January 20, 1842: ‘It is so wonderful to be here in Propaganda is like a dream, and yet so calm, so secure, so happy, as if I had always belonged there, as if there had been no violent rupture or vicissitude in my life, indeed, calmer and happier than before.’The eminent theologian, Cardinal Dias further explained, “he found himself among young priests and seminarians, most of whom came from mission countries. Among the 120 or 150 resident students, 32 different languages were spoken. Newman remembers Indians, Africans, Babylonians, Scots, and Americans, and also Chinese (…) Egyptians, Albanians, Germans, and Irish.” He and Ambrose St. John were the only English students. John Henry Newman was ordained a Catholic priest in the Magi Chapel (in the Palace of Propaganda Fide) on May 30, 1847, and celebrated his first Mass in the upper chapel that now bears his name.”The chapel mentioned by Cardinal Dias, which today also houses a relic of the saint, future Doctor of the Church, is the work of Borromini. Conceived as an oratory for the first floor of the palace, Borromini created it with a vault decorated with angels’ heads, represented as six-winged seraphim. Today, on the right wall, you can admire a painting depicting Newman behind a reliquary containing some hairs of the English saint between two candlesticks. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 31/7/2025)

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Your dog can read your mind – sort of

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Laura Elin Pigott, Senior Lecturer in Neurosciences and Neurorehabilitation, Course Leader in the College of Health and Life Sciences, London South Bank University

    Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock.com

    Your dog tilts its head when you cry, paces when you’re stressed, and somehow appears at your side during your worst moments. Coincidence? Not even close.

    Thousands of years of co-evolution have given dogs special ways to tune in to our voices, faces and even brain chemistry. From brain regions devoted to processing our speech to the “love hormone” or oxytocin that surges when we lock eyes, your dog’s mind is hardwired to pick up on what you’re feeling.

    The evidence for this extraordinary emotional intelligence begins in the brain itself. Dogs’ brains have dedicated areas that are sensitive to voice, similar to those in humans. In a brain imaging study, researchers found that dogs possess voice-processing regions in their temporal cortex that light up in response to vocal sounds.

    Dogs respond not just to any sound, but to the emotional tone of your voice. Brain scans reveal that emotionally charged sounds – a laugh, a cry, an angry shout – activate dogs’ auditory cortex and the amygdala – a part of the brain involved in processing emotions.

    Dogs are also skilled face readers. When shown images of human faces, dogs exhibit increased brain activity. One study found that seeing a familiar human face activates a dog’s reward centres and emotional centres – meaning your dog’s brain is processing your expressions, perhaps not in words but in feelings.

    Dogs don’t just observe your emotions; they can “catch” them too. Researchers call this emotional contagion, a basic form of empathy where one individual mirrors another’s emotional state. A 2019 study found that some dog-human pairs had synchronised cardiac patterns during stressful times, with their heartbeats mirroring each other.

    This emotional contagion doesn’t require complex reasoning – it’s more of an automatic empathy arising from close bonding. Your dog’s empathetic yawns or whines are probably due to learned association and emotional attunement rather than literal mind-mirroring.

    The oxytocin effect

    The most remarkable discovery in canine-human bonding may be the chemical connection we share. When dogs and humans make gentle eye contact, both partners experience a surge of oxytocin, often dubbed the “love hormone”.

    In one study, owners who held long mutual gazes with their dogs had significantly higher oxytocin levels afterwards, and so did their dogs.

    This oxytocin feedback loop reinforces bonding, much like the gaze between a parent and infant. Astonishingly, this effect is unique to domesticated dogs: hand-raised wolves did not respond the same way to human eye contact. As dogs became domesticated, they evolved this interspecies oxytocin loop as a way to glue them emotionally to their humans. Those soulful eyes your pup gives you are chemically binding you two together.

    Beyond eye contact, dogs are surprisingly skilled at reading human body language and facial expressions. Experiments demonstrate that pet dogs can distinguish a smiling face from an angry face, even in photos.

    Dogs show a subtle right-hemisphere bias when processing emotional cues, tending to gaze toward the left side of a human’s face when assessing expressions – a pattern also seen in humans and primates.

    When dogs and humans make eye contact, both experience a surge of oxytocin.
    Dmytro Zinkevych/Shutterstock.com

    Dogs rely on multiple senses to discern how you’re feeling. A cheerful, high-pitched “Good boy!” with a relaxed posture sends a very different message than a stern shout with rigid body language. Remarkably, they can even sniff out emotions. In a 2018 study, dogs exposed to sweat from scared people exhibited more stress than dogs that smelled “happy” sweat. In essence, your anxiety smells unpleasant to your dog, whereas your relaxed happiness can put them at ease.

    Bred for friendship

    How did dogs become so remarkably attuned to human emotions? The answer lies in their evolutionary journey alongside us. Dogs have smaller brains than their wild wolf ancestors, but in the process of domestication, their brains may have rewired to enhance social and emotional intelligence.

    Clues come from a Russian fox domestication experiment. Foxes bred for tameness showed increased grey matter in regions related to emotion and reward. These results challenge the assumption that domestication makes animals less intelligent. Instead, breeding animals to be friendly and social can enhance the brain pathways that help them form bonds.

    In dogs, thousands of years living as our companions have fine-tuned brain pathways for reading human social signals. While your dog’s brain may be smaller than a wolf’s, it may be uniquely optimised to love and understand humans.

    Dogs probably aren’t pondering why you’re upset or realising that you have distinct thoughts and intentions. Instead, they excel at picking up on what you’re projecting and respond accordingly.

    So dogs may not be able to read our minds, but by reading our behaviour and feelings, they meet us emotionally in a way few other animals can. In our hectic modern world, that cross-species empathy is not just endearing; it’s evolutionary and socially meaningful, reminding us that the language of friendship sometimes transcends words entirely.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

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

    – ref. Your dog can read your mind – sort of – https://theconversation.com/your-dog-can-read-your-mind-sort-of-261720

    MIL OSI –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Confirmation Hearing, Warren Presses HHS Nominee on Dangerous Anti-Vax, Anti-Abortion View

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    July 31, 2025

    As HHS General Counsel, Michael Stuart would serve as chief legal representative and advisor to RFK Jr., entire agency

    “I am concerned that…you will greenlight Trump Administration policies that will endanger public health, strip Americans of their abortion rights, and cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance.”

    Text of Letter (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Michael Stuart, nominee for General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on his dangerous anti-vaccine views, staunch anti-abortion advocacy, and more. Ahead of his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee later today — at which Senator Warren will question Stuart — Senator Warren sent Stuart a letter outlining her key concerns with his nomination.

    “Given your ideological views, zealous advocacy for restrictions on abortion, and record of anti-vaccine skepticism, I am concerned that, rather than faithfully following the law, you will greenlight Trump Administration policies that will endanger public health, strip Americans of their abortion rights, and cause millions of Americans to lose their health insurance,” wrote Senator Warren.

    As HHS General Counsel, Stuart would serve as the chief legal representative and advisor to Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the entire agency. Stuart’s interpretation of the law would play a key role in ensuring HHS is actually achieving its goal of protecting Americans’ health.

    Stuart’s history of anti-vaccine views threaten to endanger Americans — especially given all that Secretary Kennedy has already done to roll back vaccine access. As a West Virginia state senator, Stuart was a key proponent of Secretary Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” campaign and appears to espouse the same anti-vaccine beliefs. As HHS GC, Stuart would advise Secretary Kennedy on critical vaccine-related decisions, including legal standards related to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

    Senator Warren posed a series of questions about Stuart’s plan to advise HHS on issues related to vaccines, including whether he believes Secretary Kennedy’s decision to fire the entire ACIP panel was done lawfully and whether Secretary Kennedy has the statutory authority to unilaterally change vaccines covered by the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program program.

    Senator Warren also pressed Stuart on HHS’s massive cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, which totaled $2.7 billion in just the first three months of this year.

    “These cuts are under continuing legal scrutiny, and if confirmed, you would be responsible for advising HHS on navigating this legal landscape so as to remain in compliance with the law,” wrote Senator Warren.

    Senator Warren highlighted Stuart’s staunch anti-abortion views, including his track record of advancing harmful misinformation about reproductive rights and supporting extremist pieces of anti-abortion legislation as a West Virginia state senator. As HHS General Counsel, Stuart would be responsible for providing legal guidance on reproductive health policies and regulations

    “President Trump has frozen millions of dollars in family planning funding, issued executive directives to undermine abortion access, amplified misinformation and sowed confusion about the safety of mifepristone, rolled back protections to shield patients and providers from violence, revoked EMTALA guidance that protected women with medical emergencies, eliminated leave and travel benefits for servicemembers, and more,” wrote Senator Warren. “It is crucial that the person serving in this position be capable of interpreting and enforcing laws and regulations concerning women’s access to reproductive health care with a neutral and health-focused lens.”

    Senator Warren also raised concerns about how Stuart will approach Secretary Kennedy’s mass firings at HHS, crack down on abusive tactics in Medicare Advantage, protect Head Start from drastic cuts, and implement Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which is set to slash health care for millions of Americans.

    “HHS carries an enormous responsibility as its services and programming touch millions of American lives every day…The chief legal adviser to the Secretary of HHS must be able to, without bias,

    effectively advise the Secretary to ensure that all actions by HHS are in accordance with the law,” wrote Senator Warren. “I ask that you provide answers to my questions so that the Senate and the American people can better understand how you plan to carry out this role.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNFPA urges governments to act on climate and gender at Global Symposium ahead of COP30

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    Brasília, Brazil, 31 July 2025 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Brazil today issued a powerful Call to Action urging governments to place gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) at the heart of global climate response. The Call to Action was issued as the 2025 Global Symposium on Climate Justice and Impacted Populations draws to a close in Brasilia. 

    Held just months ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, the high-level symposium was convened by UNFPA and the Government of Brazil to mobilize bold, rights-based, and gender-responsive climate action at a pivotal moment as countries revise their national climate plans and realign funding priorities.

    The Call to Action outlines a shared roadmap to put gender equality, SRHR, and protection from gender-based violence (GBV) at the center of global climate response. It identifies concrete steps for governments and institutions to take as they prepare for key COP30 milestones –  including the Belem Health Action Plan, a flagship COP30 initiative focused on strengthening health systems as part of global climate action.

    The Call to Action demands: 

    • More climate finance directed to women and girls, especially in crisis-affected settings
    • Stronger support for national and local partners to include SRHR and protection from GBV in climate policies
    • Greater investment in data and evidence to inform gender-responsive climate action
    • Stronger emergency preparedness and health systems that can withstand climate shocks
    • That SRHR and protection for GBV are finally included in the COP30 Gender Action Plan on climate change

    Women and girls are already paying a steep price for a climate crisis they did not cause. They face rising rates of gender-based violence, worsening maternal health outcomes, and growing barriers to essential services like contraception and safe childbirth. Yet most national climate policies overlook their needs. Key systems, including health, education, and protection services, remain underfunded and overstretched. Just a fraction of global climate finance is allocated to gender equality, and reliable data on how women and girls are affected remains scarce or nonexistent.

    “We are at a pivotal moment in our march against climate change — one that must unite us all. Let us leverage this moment to forge a path forward that ensures climate justice and strengthens the resilience of women and young people in the face of climate change,” said Diene Keita, UNFPA Acting Executive Director, in her opening remarks.

    The three-day hybrid event, which brought together more than 150 policymakers, researchers, youth leaders, and advocates from around the world, built on UNFPA’s first global convening on climate and SRHR, the International Symposium on SRHR, Gender and Climate Change Resilience, held in Pretoria ahead of ICPD25 in 2019. There, participants issued the Future Africa Call to Action – a shared advocacy agenda, urging governments to integrate SRHR and gender equality into climate resilience efforts. This year’s event took that work further, delivering the Brasília Call to Action as the next step to embed gender, health, and equity into climate decision-making — especially as countries prepare new climate commitments ahead of COP30. 

    “Many aspects of climate change and its impacts on populations were examined and further explored during the discussions of this symposium, reinforcing the understanding that it is impossible to advance resilience and sustainable development without integrating gender equality into environmental and climate policies,” said Janja Lula da Silva, First Lady of Brazil and Special Envoy for Women at COP30, who participated in the closing ceremony. “There can be no climate justice without gender equality. And no climate justice without the full participation of women.”

    As the UN’s lead agency on sexual and reproductive health, UNFPA brings a critical rights-based perspective to climate action, grounded in gender equality and the lived realities of diverse women and girls. With decades of experience in humanitarian response, data systems, and frontline health services, UNFPA is working with countries to ensure sexual and reproductive health care and interventions to address GBV and harmful practices remain available during climate shocks. From supporting displaced women during emergencies to strengthening climate-resilient health systems, UNFPA is helping countries respond to today’s risks while preparing for a more uncertain future.

    Press Enquiries:

    Zina Alam; zialam@unfpa.org; media@unfpa.org 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Reducing red tape for adventure activity and amusement ride operators

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden is consulting on health and safety regulations in the recreation and entertainment sectors to reduce unnecessary compliance pressure, while maintaining safety outcomes.  

    “We’re making it easier for recreation providers by making sure only those running genuinely high-risk adventure activities need to meet the stricter safety requirements,” says Ms van Velden.   

    “The first proposed change is to amend the definition of ‘adventure activities’ in the Adventure Activities Regulations. The current definition is so broad that it may require low-risk activities to meet compliance standards designed for higher-risk operations.   

    “There’s a big difference in the level of risk associated with things like white water rafting and bungy jumping versus a bike ride on one of the New Zealand cycle trails,” says Ms van Velden.   

    “I’m proposing this change to ensure only businesses providing higher-risk adventure activities need to meet the stricter higher risk safety requirements. We will be consulting with the sector so that we get the boundary right between high risk and lower risk activities.”   

    The second change is to update the Amusement Device Regulations so that only transportable high-risk amusement devices require a permit from local councils.   

    “I have heard from local councils who say the regulations are outdated and in need of review.   

    “Councils currently permit a wide range of amusement devices regardless of risk. There’s a difference in risk between large Ferris wheels that are frequently dismantled and reinstalled, and small merry-go-rounds or fixed amusement rides that are never moved.   

    “This change will streamline the process, such as the use of low-risk amusement devices at the school fair. It will make it easier for communities to put on local events like Guy Fawkes or Easter shows because the operators from the communities don’t have to get local permits from the Councils,” says Ms van Velden.   

    “I have also heard from a number of groups that recreational organisations are reluctant to organise volunteer work in the outdoors, like checking traps and pest control or trail maintenance, because of concerns about triggering health and safety liabilities.”   

    Social and community groups are having to develop extensive policies and documentation for their volunteer workers, rather than focusing on actions to keep them safe.   

    Local authorities are concerned about extensive health and safety obligations for people who spontaneously volunteer and self-organise during emergencies, over which they may not have much control.   

    “I will be seeking Cabinet approval to include a provision on clarifying the obligations for volunteer organisations in the Health and Safety Reform Bill that I expect to be introduced later this year.   

    “I have asked my officials to consult a wide range of affected groups like the Federated Mountain Clubs, Aotearoa Climbing Access Trust, Department of Conservation, Volunteering NZ, and Local Government NZ.   

    “It is important we get the balance right between encouraging voluntary activities that all New Zealanders benefit from, while keeping people safe.   

    “By targeting regulation better, we’re helping recreation and entertainment businesses spend less time on paperwork and more time delivering safe, enjoyable experiences,” says Ms van Velden.  

    “These changes will save time and costs for businesses and workers as we cut-red-tape to make it easier to do business. When our Kiwi businesses thrive, there are more jobs and lower prices for all New Zealanders.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strickland Introduces Legislation To Boost Funding For Gun Violence Prevention Research 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) re-introduced the bicameral Gun Violence Prevention Research Act, legislation to annually authorize $50 million over the next five years for gun violence prevent research at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

    “Make no mistake: gun violence is preventable. Republicans actively choose to watch children, mothers, fathers, and Americans gunned down in deference to the gun lobby,” said Strickland. “We must root out the gun violence crisis in our nation. This legislation will simply treat gun violence as the public health crisis it is, and allow us to research it so we can take steps toward saving lives.” 

    “Stopping the spread of our nation’s gun violence epidemic requires action on the reforms we know are essential and effective,” said Senator Markey. “We must invest more to study the root causes of violence and develop evidence-based solutions. This legislation would allow our nation’s top medical, scientific, and public health researchers to conduct studies that would save lives. It is critical that we chart a path out of this public health crisis.” 

    “Gun violence is a uniquely American crisis that continues to impact communities across Michigan and our country,” said Senator Slotkin. “As the first Member of Congress to have two mass shootings in my former House district—Oxford High School and Michigan State University—I’ve seen first-hand the devastating toll gun violence has on our communities. As elected officials, our most basic responsibility is to protect our children from the things that are truly harming them. We must treat this epidemic like the national security threat that it is. And that means using every tool in the toolbox. Let’s get this bill across the finish line.” 

    This legislation arrives at a critical time. The Trump Administration has effectively dismantled gun violence prevention efforts, decimating the staff at the CDC and terminating $158 million—more than half—of federal funding for gun violence prevention programs at the Department of Justice.  

    House co-sponsors include: Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-51), Rep. Shontel Brown (OH-11), Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08), Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04), Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02). 

    This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: 

    • Brady United 
    • Everytown for gun Safety 
    • March For Our Lives 
    • GIFFORDS 

    You can read the full bill text here. 

    Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM District 4 Wins Voluntary Recognition for Maryland Veterans Home Nurses

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    In a significant development for healthcare workers at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Maryland, PruittHealth, the management company that runs the Home, has voluntarily recognized IAM District 4 as the official bargaining representative for approximately 80 Registered Nurses (RNs) and Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) employed at the facility.

    The decision came on July 9, 2025, just days before a union election was scheduled to take place. 

    IAM District 4 Organizer Kevin Gallegher had been in the process of bringing the group to a vote before IAM Eastern Territory International Representative Andrew Hounshell and the company’s legal counsel cordially agreed that PruittHealth would forgo a union election process. The company would instead voluntarily recognize IAM Union representation of the nurses based on a majority showing of support for the union through signed authorization cards.

    The bargaining unit includes all full-time and regular part-time RNs and LPNs at the veterans home, excluding managerial and certain supervisory roles. 

    IAM District 4 already represents multiple groups of workers at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, including non-professional and service-related staff. Initial IAM representation at the facility started with maintenance staff, but the successful relationship between IAM Union and Charlotte Hall Veterans Home allowed for the IAM’s representation to grow to cover the entire facility’s non-managerial employees.

    “I’m very excited to see my home shop become completely unionized,” said IAM District 4 Business Representative Bonna McCarthy, who previously won voluntary recognition of drivers and the laundry and housekeeping staff with the company. “I’ve always believed we’re stronger together than divided like we have been for the past eight years. I look forward to preparing for negotiations and getting a fair contract so that the nurses’ voices can be heard.”

    Because of its strong presence at Charlotte Hall and its commitment to uplifting and supporting veterans, the IAM Union has put significant effort into bettering the veterans home to benefit all: In 2022, the IAM installed a new entry sign at the home after completely renovating and upgrading the communal courtyard space, all made possible with funds raised by the 2021 IAM International President’s Capital Classic Golf Tournament. 

    Additionally, IAM Veterans Services conducted collections of household and comfort items at IAM headquarters for Charlotte Hall veterans during the holiday season, and the IAM’s Winpisinger Center staff, which includes Local 4 members, host veterans from the home for lunch multiple times a year.

    “The recognition demonstrates a cooperative approach by PruittHealth to respect workers’ choices and avoid prolonged labor disputes,” said IAM District 4 Directing Business Representative Jay Wadleigh. “We’re proud to represent the staff at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. We’re proud of the work they do, and we’re proud of the mutually beneficial relationship we have with management that ultimately leads to happy staff and well-cared-for veterans.”

    IAM District 4 now looks forward to entering negotiations with McCarthy at the helm to secure a first contract that reflects the needs and priorities of these dedicated nurses and new union members.

    “IAM District 4 is a strong force for good in Southern Maryland,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “Their solidarity and union pride is strong, and we are pleased to welcome the rest of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home staff into our union. These are caregivers of our veterans, and we intend to make all of their lives better through the IAM.”

    The post IAM District 4 Wins Voluntary Recognition for Maryland Veterans Home Nurses appeared first on IAM Union.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH fully committed to promoting and supporting breastfeeding in support of World Breastfeeding Week (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    To support World Breastfeeding Week, the Department of Health (DH) today (July 31), in collaboration with the Hospital Authority (HA), the Hong Kong Committee for United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association, held a celebration event for World Breastfeeding Week 2025 to fully promote and support breastfeeding.
     
    World Breastfeeding Week is observed annually between August 1 and 7. The theme of this year is “Prioritise breastfeeding and create sustainable support systems”, which urges all sectors in the community to attach importance to breastfeeding, collaborate to provide comprehensive support to increase the sustainability of breastfeeding with the aim to enhance overall maternal and child health.
     
    International research shows that breastmilk is the ideal food for infants. Breastmilk is safe, clean and contains antibodies which can help prevent many common childhood illnesses. Breastfed children perform better in intelligence tests, are less likely to become overweight or obese, and are less prone to develop diabetes later in life.
     
    Speaking at the celebration event, the Under Secretary for Health, Dr Cecilia Fan, noted that cross-sector collaboration is crucial in achieving comprehensive support. The Government has long attached importance to the promotion, protection and support for breastfeeding, and has set up a multisectoral Committee on Promotion of Breastfeeding to promote breastfeeding through collaboration and a multipronged approach.
     
    The DH has fully launched and expedited the accreditation process for Baby-Friendly Health Facilities at its Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs). Seven newly accredited Baby-Friendly MCHCs this year received certificates from the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative Hong Kong Association at the event today. Currently, there are 15 Baby-Friendly MCHCs under the DH, while the remaining 14 MCHCs are undergoing the accreditation process. All eight public hospitals with obstetrics departments under the HA have been accredited as Baby Friendly Hospitals (BFHs). Two private hospitals providing delivery services have also started the accreditation process, with one of them already accredited. The Government encourages more private hospitals to join the BFHs. A dedicated working group under the Committee on Promotion of Breastfeeding has been set up to enhance and reinforce baby friendly measures at hospitals with maternity services. Accredited facilities have to formulate infant feeding policies and action plans, provide relevant training to staff members and continue to monitor the implementation of breastfeeding support measures, etc.
     
    Apart from the healthcare systems, the Government is also committed to creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment. Since early 2019, the Government mandated the provision of babycare and breastfeeding facilities in the newly built government premises for public and staff members’ use. Separately, since 2017, the Government has specified detailed requirements in the Conditions of Sale of new commercial land sale sites, including the area and number of babycare facilities and/or lactation rooms that shall be provided in these commercial development projects. Regarding workplaces, the Government encourages the implementation of the Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace policy. The DH issued guidelines for employers and employees with specific advice on supporting breastfeeding to enable working mothers to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. The Health Bureau, the DH and the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF jointly launched the large-scale community-based campaign Say Yes to Breastfeeding since 2015 which aims to enhance breastfeeding support among premises and workplaces. 
     
    Comprehensive support is also provided for premature and critically ill babies. Dr Fan expressed that the Hong Kong Breast Milk Bank (HKBMB) which commenced service early this year, provides the best possible nutrition to many clinically needy infants through breast milk donated by selfless lactating mothers. The celebration event also invited breastfeeding families, a peer counsellor and a mother who benefited from the HKBMB, to share their experiences and feelings, with a view to reaffirming the importance of breastfeeding and appealing to family members, the community and workplace to support breastfeeding.
     
    With the start of the World Breastfeeding Week, a series of promotional activities will be launched by the DH, including displaying of publicity materials across the territory, producing a new Announcement in the Public Interest for TV broadcasts and advocating breastfeeding through radio, newspapers, social media and webpages etc.
     
    The Government will continue to encourage all sectors of the community to further promote, protect and support breastfeeding with a view to creating a breastfeeding-friendly environment and enhancing the sustainability of breastfeeding.
     
    Members of the public can visit the thematic website www.fhs.gov.hk/wbw2025/index.html for more information on World Breastfeeding Week 2025.

                  

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dan Goldman’s Bipartisan Legislation Supporting Families of Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Passes Senate

    Source: US Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)

    Senate Adoption Tees Up Final Passage by the House in the Fall 

    ‘Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act’ Ensures Those Who Give the Ultimate Sacrifice Are Not Unjustly Denied Benefits 

    Read the Bill Here 

    Washington, D.C. – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today celebrated the Senate’s passage of his bipartisan ‘Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act,’ which would ensure the families of law enforcement officers who are killed as a result of their work on behalf of their communities are not unjustly denied benefits due to arbitrary retirement status restrictions. Under current law, families of officers who have retired but are later targeted and killed because of their past service are denied death benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ (PSOB) program. The unanimous Senate vote sets the legislation on a glide path to final passage by the House when members come back in session in September. Congressman Goldman introduced the legislation with Congressman Barr (KY-06) in February.  

    “We have an obligation to care for those who pay the ultimate price while serving in the line of duty, even after they have retired,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “At a time when partisan gridlock is grinding Congress to a halt, I’m encouraged that both parties came together to pass this commonsense legislation honoring our fallen heroes. I urge Republican leadership to bring this bill to the House Floor in September and ensure that any law enforcement officers killed or injured in the line of duty receive the benefits they deserve—regardless of retirement status.” 

    Chief Herbert D. Proffitt dedicated his life to serving others, first as a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and then as a law enforcement officer for 55 years before retiring in 2009 as Chief of the Tompkinsville, Kentucky Police Department. On August 28, 2012, Chief Proffitt was tragically shot and killed in his driveway by an individual he had arrested a decade earlier. Although his murder was a direct retaliation for his service in uniform, his family was denied benefits under the PSOB program simply because he had retired. 

    Congressman Dan Goldman has made safeguarding public safety officers and first responders a key priority of his time in office.   

    In the Winter of 2024, Goldman publicly condemned the House Republican’s rejection of the bipartisan budget bill, which would have fully funded the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP).  
    In the Summer of 2024, Goldman, alongside other New York lawmakers, introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill to address any funding gap or shortfall for World Trade Center Health Program. The ‘9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2024’ intended to secure permanent and mandatory funding for the WTCHP, to prevent any future funding shortfall.   
    In the Fall of 2023, Goldman joined Congressman Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) in introducing the ‘Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act’ (Honor Act). This legislation would recognize occupational cancer deaths as line-of-duty deaths, and ensure fire fighters, police, and EMS personnel receive benefits under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. 

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: VIDEO: Capito Remarks at Markup for FY26 Labor-HHS Funding Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito

    [embedded content]

    Click here or on the image above to watch Senator Capito’s remarks. 

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered remarks at a full Appropriations Committee markup on the FY26 Labor-HHS funding bill.

    Below is the opening statement of Chairman Capito as prepared for delivery:

    “Thank you, Chair Collins and Vice Chair Murray.

    “I applaud your steadfast commitment to returning to regular order, and I hope that our work continues to the Senate floor.

    “As we near the end of these subcommittee markups, I’d like to thank all my fellow committee members for their input.

    “We received 12,548 total member requests for the Labor-H appropriations bill. This bill is always one of the most difficult appropriations bills to negotiate.

    “This is the third year Senator Baldwin and I have been at the helm of the Labor-H Subcommittee, and I’m pleased to once again present a bipartisan bill to the Full Committee.

    “The Labor-H bill allocates limited taxpayer resources to key bipartisan priorities at a lower level than fiscal year 2025.

    “The bill includes a number of bipartisan member priorities such as greater investments in America’s biomedical research, child care, education, mental and rural health, and continued efforts to combat the opioid epidemic.

    “As we work to right-size the federal government, the bill also includes careful, targeted decreases, while ensuring that agencies have appropriate staffing levels to carry out their statutory responsibilities.

    “The bill also maintains long-standing riders and excludes any new controversial riders.

    “I have heard from many West Virginians throughout this process about questions they have regarding funding for programs throughout the state. I am proud that this bill provides critical funding for those worthy initiatives.

    “Our legislation seeks to provide more certainty and support for the work being done in my home state that help improve the lives of so many West Virginians.

    “Our bill provides an increase for the National Institutes of Health to continue prioritizing biomedical research in the United States.

    “This investment includes targeted increases for research in specific areas such as Alzheimer’s, Diabetes, Parkinson’s, women’s health, maternal health, rare diseases, and cancer.

    “We have also maintained funding for NIH’s IDeA program, that provides funding to 23 states that historically had lower levels of NIH funding, including my state of West Virginia.

    “The IDeA state program has been so important for research at West Virginia institutions like WVU and Marshall University.

    “Today’s bill also builds on our efforts to combat substance abuse, which remains a serious problem in West Virginia, by providing funding for addiction treatment, prevention, research, and recovery programs. 

    “This bill also provides resources to support our health workforce, including nurses, geriatric providers, and professionals to respond to the addiction crisis, which will help providers in West Virginia. 

    “The Labor-HHS bill again prioritizes our children starting with early childhood all the way through postsecondary education to make sure our students are prepared for jobs today and in the future.

    “The bill also makes critical investments in our workforce to improve outcomes for workers looking to upskill and advance in their careers.

    “The bill includes funding for apprenticeship grants, including those designed to boost the utility sector workforce, to support the administration’s goal of creating 1 million active apprenticeships.

    “The bill maintains important funding to support workers’ rights and ensure the safety of our workplaces.

    “I’ve just described several bipartisan programs we have included to improve the lives of Americans, and I encourage my colleagues to support this Labor-H bill.

    “I want to briefly thank all the staff that worked to put this product together.

    “On Senator Baldwin’s staff: Mike Gentile, Mark Laisch, Meghan Mott, Kathryn Toomajian, Erin Dugan, Amanda Beaumont, and Janie Dulaney.

    “On my Labor-HHS staff: Emily Slack, Catherine Knowles, Elizabeth Joseph, Heather Wadyka, and Jordan Lawlor.

    “And, I’d like to thank those on the Full Committee staff that help all of our subcommittees: Clint Trocchio, Ben Hammond, and the wonderful GPO team led by Valerie Hutton.

    “Thank you again Chair Collins and Vice Chair Murray.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: BC Coroners Service shares unregulated drug toxicity data for May, June 2025

    According to preliminary data, 145 people in May and 147 people in June 2025 died due to unregulated drug toxicity, as reported by the BC Coroners Service.

    The unregulated drug deaths dashboard includes a new occupation industry page, which includes deaths where occupation industry was known. The two most common industries of current or past employment are trades, transport and equipment operators, and sales and service.

    In 2025, deaths among those between the ages of 30 and 59 accounted for 69% of drug-toxicity deaths in the province, and 78% were male.

    By health authority, in 2025, the highest number of unregulated drug deaths were in Fraser and Vancouver Coastal Health Authorities (269 and 238 deaths respectively), making up 55% of all such deaths this year.

    Fentanyl and its analogues continue to be the most common substance detected in expedited toxicological testing. Decedents who underwent expedited testing in 2025 were found to have fentanyl in their systems (70%), followed by methamphetamine (52%) and cocaine (51%). The number of deaths where carfentanil was detected has increased in recent months.

    It is important to note that data from the report is preliminary and subject to change as additional toxicological results are received and investigations conclude.

    Additional key findings in 2025 include:

    • The number of unregulated drug deaths in May and June were 4.7 and 4.9 deaths per day respectively.
    • The cities experiencing the highest number of unregulated drug deaths so far in 2025 are Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria.
    • The highest rates of deaths reported were in Northern Health (44 per 100,000).
    • Forty-seven per cent of deaths reported occurred in a private residence, compared with 21% outdoors.
    • Smoking continues to be the primary mode of consumption of unregulated toxic drugs, with 64% of investigations indicating the decedent smoked their substances.

    Learn More:

    May and June 2025 drug-toxicity deaths:
    https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiOTRlYmI1NzQtZDhiYy00N2EyLTk2YTktMjQwZjRhYjIyMWVjIiwidCI6IjZmZGI1MjAwLTNkMGQtNGE4YS1iMDM2LWQzNjg1ZTM1OWFkYyJ9

    Youth unregulated drug-toxicity deaths, 2019-23:
    https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/statistical/youth_unregulated_drug_toxicity_deaths_in_bc_2019-2023.pdf

    BC Coroners Service Death Review Panel: An Urgent Response to a Continuing Crisis: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/death-review-panel/an_urgent_response_to_a_continuing_crisis_report.pdf

    B.C. Ministry of Health mental-health and substance-use supports: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

    BC Centre on Substance Use: https://www.bccsu.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: MECHANICSBURG – Shapiro Administration Encourages Pennsylvanians to Become Organ Donors on PA Donor Day

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    August 01, 2025 – Mechanicsburg, PA

    ADVISORY – MECHANICSBURG – Shapiro Administration Encourages Pennsylvanians to Become Organ Donors on PA Donor Day

    Officials from the Departments of Health and Transportation will join area health care providers, organ donation and tissue donation groups, and those impacted by organ donation at UPMC West Shore in Mechanicsburg to encourage all Pennsylvanians to register as organ donors, as part of PA Donor Day.

    PA Donor Day is celebrated on August 1, or 8/1, because one organ donor can save up to eight lives. At any given time, more than 6,000 Pennsylvanians are on the state’s transplant list awaiting an organ donation.

    Regrettably, thousands of Americans die every year waiting for a donated organ. One organ and tissue donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation, and enhance the lives of 75 others through tissue donation. Tissue donation helps patients recover from spinal injuries, burns, vision loss, and more.

    In Pennsylvania, nearly half of current driver’s license and identification card holders are registered as organ donors, or about five million residents. However, increasing the number of residents who are organ donors is key to saving and improving lives throughout the Commonwealth.

    WHO:
    Department of Health Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen
    Department of Transportation Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet
    UPMC Harrisburg, UPMC Community Osteopathic, and UPMC West Shore President Elizabeth Ritter
    UPMC Kidney Transplant Program Surgical Director Dr. Manish Gupta
    Rev. Brenda Alton, Governor’s Organ Donation Advisory Committee
    CJ Adams, organ recipient
    Marilyn Michelle Reynolds, organ donor

    WHEN:
    Friday, August 1, 1:00 PM

    WHERE:
    UPMC Outpatient Services
    2015 Technology Parkway
    Mechanicsburg, PA 17050
    (Entrance #5)

    MEDIA RSVP: Media interested in attending must RSVP with the name of the reporter and photojournalist to ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    August 5, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: CEO and Medical Director Charged in $500M COVID-19 Test Billing Fraud

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DETROIT – Two individuals were charged for their involvement in a $500 million, nationwide scheme that involved billing Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and other health insurance programs for COVID-19 testing services that were never rendered, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. announced today.

    Cemhan “Jimmy” Biricik (age 46) of Boca Raton Florida, and Dr. Martin Perlin (age 74) of Fairfield, Connecticut were charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and more than 50 substantive counts of health care fraud. Biricik was the sole member and Chief Executive Officer of Fast Lab Technologies, LLC (Fast Lab).  Dr. Perlin was Fast Lab’s Medical Director and provider responsible for ordering the majority of the tests. Both defendants were arrested this morning.

    According to the Indictment, during the Covid-19 pandemic, New York-based Fast Lab operated a website offering “free” covid tests.  When individuals went to the website to order tests, they were asked to provide their insurance information.  Fast Lab then used this insurance information to fraudulently bill Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and numerous private insurances for both antigen (“rapid”) and PCR (“laboratory) tests, across multiple dates for each beneficiary. Specifically, Fast Lab’s claims represented that (1) the antigen tests had been observed by medical professionals, (2) saliva samples were collected by medical professionals, and (3) PCR testing was performed on those samples.  In reality, the vast majority of antigen tests—if taken at all—were taken at home and not observed by medical professionals; saliva samples were never collected nor returned to Fast Lab; and PCR testing was never performed. Dr. Perlin was the ordering physician for these tests, despite not having a treating relationship with the beneficiaries.  Further, Fast Lab would regularly submit insurance claims before the test kits were even delivered to the beneficiaries.  In total, Biricik billed or caused to be billed more than $500 million in claims and was paid more than $50 million.

    Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Chicago Regional Office; Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division; Special Agent in Charge Derek M. Holt of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Office of the Inspector General; Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Employee Benefits Security Administration Janet Dhillon (DOL-EBSA); Detroit Division; Acting Special Agent in Charge Christopher Silvestro, Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS); Special Agent in Charge Charles Miller, Detroit Field Office, Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI); Special Agent in Charge Megan Howell, Great Lakes Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG); Acting Inspector in Charge Sean McStravick, U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS); Owen Cypher, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Michigan and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).

    The public is reminded that an Indictment is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This case is being investigated by Special Agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, OPM-OIG, DOL-EBSA, DCIS, MFCU, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, USPIS, and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Regina R. McCullough and Ryan A. Particka.  Assistant United States Attorney Ryan T. Nees of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York also provided assistance. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    August 5, 2025
←Previous Page
1 2 3 4 5 … 608
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress