NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI: Ascend Learning Announces Acquisition of Clover Learning to Expand Allied Health Education Offerings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LEAWOOD, Kan., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning software company, today announced the acquisition of Clover Learning, a pioneer in online diagnostic imaging education. Clover Learning enhances Ascend’s portfolio of allied health brands, furthering its mission to provide comprehensive training and certification solutions to healthcare professionals.

    As the US population ages, demand for medical imaging services is increasing and contributing to staffing challenges and shortages in the radiology workforce. Learning and upskilling to aid in retention and attracting new talent are critical needs in this workforce.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Clover Learning to our growing portfolio of allied health brands as this acquisition aligns with our shared mission to bring skilled workers to the healthcare industry,” said Kathy Hunter, Allied Health category leader at Ascend Learning. “Clover’s innovative approach to education and their commitment to excellence will help us continue to serve the allied health professions and ultimately create better-qualified healthcare professionals to serve patients.”

    Clover Learning is an established leader in online diagnostic imaging market training, certification exam preparation, and continuing education through its innovative platform that leverages evidence-based learning methodologies and interactive experiences. With a 96% pass rate on certification exams, Clover Learning’s transformative courses are designed to ignite curiosity and encourage critical thinking among healthcare students and professionals.

    Ascend Learning’s Allied Health offerings include National Healthcareer Association (NHA), a market leader in preparing and certifying healthcare students for high demand allied health professions with nationally recognized accredited credentials. NHA’s offerings include learning resources, exam preparation, and professional development solutions. Together, Ascend’s NHA and Clover Learning will expand and enhance support for these critical professions.

    “Joining forces with Ascend Learning is an incredible opportunity for Clover Learning,” said Ari Blum, Founder and CEO of Clover Learning. “With Ascend Learning’s significant resources and long-standing expertise in healthcare learning, we will have opportunities to scale our imaging offerings and continue to provide best-in-class training, prep materials, continuing education, and cross-training solutions to the imaging market. Together, we can continue transforming healthcare education and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.”

    “The acquisition of Clover Learning underscores Ascend Learning’s ongoing commitment to improve patient care by equipping healthcare professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce and continue to succeed in these critical professions,” said Lissy Hu, MD, CEO of Ascend Learning. “Clover Learning enables us to further strengthen and enhance the training and development of allied health professionals, indispensable members of healthcare teams, across more disciplines and professions.”

    Tyton Partners served as the exclusive financial advisor to Clover.

    About Ascend Learning: 
    Ascend Learning is a leading healthcare and learning technology company. With products that span the learning continuum, Ascend Learning focuses on high-growth careers in a range of industries, with a special focus on healthcare and other licensure-driven occupations. Ascend Learning products, from testing to certification, are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Learn more at www.ascendlearning.com.

    About Clover Learning: Clover Learning, Inc. is a pioneer in online healthcare education for the diagnostic imaging field. Founded in 2017, Clover Learning has become one of the fastest-growing companies in the industry, offering engaging video lessons, quizzes, assessments, and certification exam prep tools. Clover Learning’s mission is to transform students into professionals and professionals into experts through personalized, innovative, and accessible online education.

    Media Contact
    V2 Communications for Ascend Learning
    ascend@v2comms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Losing your job is bad for your health, but there are things you can do to minimize the harm

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeffrey Anvari-Clark, Assistant Professor of Social Work, University of North Dakota

    Losing your job can hurt you in many ways. Maskot/Getty Images

    The Trump administration’s firing and furloughing of tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors have obviously caused economic hardship for Americans employed in national parks, research labs and dozens of government agencies.

    As a professor of social work who studies how people’s finances affect their physical and mental well-being, I’m concerned about the health hazards they’ll face too.

    My research shows that losing your job can seriously harm your physical and mental health, especially when you see the situation as a catastrophe rather than a temporary setback.

    Power of financial perception

    When people lose their jobs, they do have real problems. Typically, for example, their income and savings decline. They might struggle to keep up on their rent or mortgage payments and might not be able to afford to maintain the same standard of living they had beforehand.

    However, research shows that your perspective regarding your financial situation can do more harm to your health than your actual financial circumstances – even as your savings dwindle.

    Someone might view losing their job as a temporary setback and remain relatively calm, while another person might experience the same circumstances as a disaster, triggering intense stress that cascades into serious health problems, such as depression and substance abuse. This difference in perspective often determines whether somebody will suffer significant health problems when they lose their job or experience a similar financial setback.

    In a study I published in 2023 with social work scholar Theda Rose, we found that how a person felt about a decline in income mattered 20 times more than the actual financial change itself.

    This finding comes from our analysis of data from the 2018 National Financial Capability Study, which surveyed more than 27,000 American adults. We used advanced statistical methods to examine how different financial factors affected people’s health and financial decision-making, looking specifically at financial strain, confidence in managing money and overall financial satisfaction.

    The study confirmed earlier work about the vastly different psychological and physical responses two people can have when their income falls by the same amount, based on how they perceive this change.

    Pathway to illness

    Previous research has typically viewed what’s known as “financial precarity” – not having enough money to get by – in either purely technical terms, such as being able to come up with US$400 in an emergency, or in terms related to your feelings about that situation, such as persistent worrying about your finances.

    However, we found that both aspects of financial precarity can influence health and behavior.

    Among the many variables we explored, a decline in income surprisingly contributed much more in terms of worry than just not being able to pay the bills.

    This distress caused by economic hardship isn’t just a psychological problem – it can produce physical changes that may have long-term health implications, such as high blood pressure.

    A fired IRS employee, right, talks to a recruiter during a jobs fair for laid-off federal workers on March 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.
    AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

    Mental health suffers

    There’s also a toll on your mental health.

    Losing a job can lead to anxiety, depression and lower self-esteem.

    Interestingly, people who face ongoing financial challenges but don’t get stressed about their situation aren’t more likely to develop depression symptoms than people without any financial stress.

    A systematic review of 65 studies found clear connections between debt and mental health problems, depression and even suicide attempts.

    Physical health troubles

    Losing your job can harm your body in two main ways.

    First, the stress from financial worries can affect people’s bodies directly – for example, by increasing blood pressure. Being in debt is associated with other ailments, including back pain and obesity.

    Second, when money is tight, people often try to save money by skipping doctor visits or forgoing prescription drugs. Even with health insurance, high deductibles can mean paying thousands of dollars out of pocket before insurance helps. When choosing between paying for rent, food and health care, people often put their medical needs last.

    Unhealthy coping methods

    Some people turn to alcohol, tobacco or other substances to cope with the loss of their jobs. These habits are bad for your health and may empty your wallet, adding to the financial strain.

    Others turn to gambling or excessive shopping to cope, which can also make money problems even worse.

    Marriage and other relationships may fray amid financial stress too. Borrowing money excessively from friends and family or snapping at your loved ones when you feel stressed out can weaken ties with those closest to you.

    Moving on in healthy ways

    To be sure, some people become more resilient after losing their job by adopting positive coping strategies.

    Whenever you lose a job, try reaching out. Your friends and loved ones can help protect your health while you move on.

    In addition to applying for new positions, spend time networking. Reach out to former colleagues, join professional groups and attend events related to your career.

    Try to volunteer. It will help you sharpen or expand your skills while expanding your networks and perhaps lead you to a new job.

    And consider starting or expanding a side hustle. It will generate some income, give you a greater sense of control over your life and keep you feeling productive during the monotony of sending out applications.

    It’s also essential to stick to self-care basics: Regular exercise reduces stress hormones. Getting enough sleep improves cognitive function, and maintaining a busy social life provides emotional support.

    Keeping healthy habits is always important. But they could protect your mental and physical health during challenging times. Losing a paycheck is hard enough. Losing your health over it is even worse.

    Jeffrey Anvari-Clark received nominal funding from Bank Roll’d in support of his forthcoming book: “Financial and Behavioral Health for Helping Professionals.”

    – ref. Losing your job is bad for your health, but there are things you can do to minimize the harm – https://theconversation.com/losing-your-job-is-bad-for-your-health-but-there-are-things-you-can-do-to-minimize-the-harm-252270

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 March 2025 Living with scoliosis: the story of Yeliza

    Source: World Health Organisation

    At 15, Yeliza Natali began to notice a deformation in her spine, but no one around her paid much attention since she was too thin, and some bones protruded more than others. Growing up in rural Colombia, her constant back pain was attributed to hard work in the fields. Over the years, the discomfort became a barrier to her daily life, even forcing to change her job as a waitress to a lower-paying one, that was less physical.  

    At the age of 24, her reality changed when she was diagnosed with scoliosis. The medical recommendation was blunt: surgery. The possibility of undergoing surgery on her spine generated fear and uncertainty. However, before reaching that point, she was recommended to do rehabilitation with a physiotherapist to strengthen the muscles surrounding her spine. Thus began a long process of transformation.  

    The key to her recovery was her rehabilitation through a physical therapist, Marcela Bustamante, who accompanied her through every stage of the treatment, both physically and psychologically. In the beginning, the sessions were uncomfortable and challenging, but Yeliza stuck to the idea of avoiding surgery. As time passed, the results were evident: her posture improved, her pain decreased, and her mobility increased significantly. When she finally returned to the neurosurgeon’s office, the news was startling: her recovery had been so effective that surgery was no longer necessary.  

    But her road to a pain-free life did not end there. In total, her rehabilitation program spanned three years.  

    Access to therapy was not easy. The lack of a specialized center in her town forced her to travel six hours to Medellín, bearing the cost of transportation, lodging and per diems. Although the so-called Colombian Health Promoting Entities (EPS) covered the physiotherapy sessions, the long waits for appointments with specialists and the lack of resources in her community complicated her recovery. 

    Despite all the challenges faced, Yeliza was able to transform her life. Today, free of pain, she has her own catering business and enjoys activities that once seemed unthinkable. Her story is a testament to the power of rehabilitation.  

    “If I hadn’t undergone rehabilitation, I wouldn’t even be able to walk today without help,” she says. Her call to the authorities is clear: investing in rehabilitation is urgent. “Health is the most valuable thing we have.”  

    Yeliza’s story highlights Colombia’s lack of access to rehabilitation services, especially in rural areas. As long as rehabilitation services are not available in small towns, many people will continue to face economic and logistical barriers to receiving the treatment that can change their lives.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 26 March 2025 Departmental update WHO Launches Online Training to Strengthen Filovirus Outbreak Response

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO Launches Online Training to Strengthen Filovirus Outbreak Response

    The World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva has introduced FiloTREAT, a new online training program designed to help countries manage outbreaks of Ebola and Marburg viruses. Developed according to WHO’s rigorous training standards, the course is available in English and French and aims to equip healthcare providers and policymakers with essential outbreak preparedness and response skills.

    Participants will learn about filovirus history, transmission dynamics, infection control measures, and the critical components of a safe and efficient treatment center. The course also covers optimized supportive care for infected patients, including recognizing and managing common complications.

    Enroll now:

    FiloTREAT (English)

    FiloTREAT (French)

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: MissionSquare Retirement welcomes Joshua Hsu as vice president and head of firm strategy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Washington, D.C., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MissionSquare Retirement is pleased to announce the appointment of Joshua Hsu as the firm’s new vice president and head of firm strategy. Hsu joined the team on Feb. 18, bringing a broad range of experience from his tenure at McKinsey & Company, where he previously served as an associate partner in the Wealth and Asset Management Practice.

    “We are excited to welcome Joshua to MissionSquare Retirement,” said Andre Robinson, chief executive officer and president of MissionSquare Retirement. “Joshua’s extensive experience in strategy design and execution, coupled with his innovative approach to growth and transformation, will be invaluable as we continue to enhance our offerings and expand our impact in the retirement services industry.”

    In his newly created role as vice president and head of firm strategy, Hsu will play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of MissionSquare. He reports directly to Drue Holloway, chief strategy officer, helping to support efforts to drive strategic development and ensure alignment with the organization’s goals.

    “Joshua’s leadership will be crucial as we navigate the evolving landscape of retirement services,” added Holloway. “His focus on operational excellence and ability to drive innovation aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional retirement solutions to our customers.”

    During his time at McKinsey, Hsu led numerous growth transformations and bottom-line impact initiatives for financial services clients, resulting in significant revenue increases and operational efficiencies. He spearheaded McKinsey’s consumer research around the latest shifts in pre-retiree and retiree needs to shape innovation in the retirement ecosystem. His expertise in customer experience, capability building, and digital transformations was instrumental in driving sustainable growth for his clients.

    Hsu holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

    About MissionSquare Retirement

    Since its founding in 1972, MissionSquare Retirement has been dedicated to simplifying the path to retirement security for public service employees. As a mission-based, nonstock, nonprofit financial services company, we manage and administer over $72.0 billion in assets.* Our commitment to delivering results-oriented retirement plans, education, investments, and personalized advice sets us apart. Explore how we enable public service workers to build a secure financial future. For more information, visit www.missionsq.org or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.

    *As of December 31, 2024. Includes 457(b), 401(a), 403(b), Retirement Health Savings (RHS) plans, Employer Investment Program (EIP) plans, affiliated IRAs, and investment-only assets.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milton — RCMP dismantles Cannabis network that had approximately 17,000 illegal plants

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Ontario RCMP have seized and destroyed cannabis grown at three large-scale illegal grow sites. The RCMP’s Greater Toronto Area Trans-National Serious & Organized Crime Section (GTA-TSOC) has charged six individuals for operating a complex illicit cannabis production and distribution network in Ontario.

    This investigation began in the Summer of 2022, after the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) referred the matter for investigation to the RCMP. During the investigation, approximately 17,000 cannabis plants were seized and destroyed. The RCMP estimate that these operations could have an annual production value of over $16 million dollars. Each of the sites were staffed with full-time live-in workers, none of whom have legal status to work and grow cannabis in Canada. The criminal network was also linked to the operation of two other illicit cannabis production sites in Ontario which were dismantled by the OPP and the Toronto Police Service. The criminal network exported the illicit cannabis to the United States and Hong Kong, with further plans to expand distribution into Europe.

    The RCMP allege millions of dollars in profits from this operation were laundered through the Canadian banking system by a sophisticated identity fraud scheme. They applied for Health Canada authorizations to produce medicinal cannabis using the identity of individuals who were not aware of the applications. These authorizations were then used to obtain commercial leases and expand the group’s cannabis production.

    As a result of the investigation, the following individuals were charged:

    Shao Bo “Barry” Xie (age 45) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act (x3);
    • Unlawful possession of cannabis for the purpose of selling, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conceal/convert proceeds of crime, contrary to Sec 462.31 of the Criminal Code;
    • Identity Theft, contrary to Section 402.1 of the Criminal Code;
    • Use forged document, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code;
    • Make false document, contrary to Section 366 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of theCriminal Code.

    Feng Gao (age 42) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conceal/convert proceeds of crime, contrary to Sec 462.31 of the Criminal Code;
    • Identity Theft, contrary to Section 402.1 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code.

    Shan “Sam” Gao (age 34) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Use forged document, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code;
    • Make false document, contrary to Section 366 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code.

    Xu Han (age 26) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code.

    Fang Han (age 30) of Toronto, Ontario

    • Unlawful cultivation of cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act;
    • Conspiracy to cultivate cannabis, contrary to Section 12 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to sell cannabis, contrary to Section 10 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to export cannabis, contrary to Section 11 of the Cannabis Act and Section 465 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conceal/convert proceeds of crime, contrary to Sec 462.31 of the Criminal Code.

    Zdena “Denise” Mesko (age 61) of Sarnia, Ontario

    • Identity Theft, contrary to Section 402.1 of the Criminal Code;
    • Use forged document, contrary to Section 368 of the Criminal Code;
    • Possession of property/proceeds of crime, contrary to Section 354 of the Criminal Code;
    • Conspiracy to impersonate for advantage, contrary to Section 403 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code; and
    • Conspiracy to use forged document, contrary to Section 368 and Section 465 of the Criminal Code

    All of the accused were arrested at the RCMP Toronto West Detachment and released on an undertaking. Their first court appearance is scheduled to be held on May 7th, 2025, at the Ontario Court of Justice located at 10 Armoury Street in Toronto, Courtroom 1001 at 09:00 a.m.

    The RCMP would like to thank a number of law enforcement and partner agencies including the Ontario Provincial Police-led Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team (OPP-PJFCET), Peel Regional Police Service (PRPS), Toronto Police Service (TPS), Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Health Canada, and the United States Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

    “The collaboration and teamwork between the RCMP Federal Police and our provincial and municipal law enforcement partners underscores our collective commitment to battling transnational organized crime at all levels in Ontario, Canada and abroad.”
    Inspector Nicole Noonan, Officer in charge of Federal Policing – Transnational, Serious & Organized Crime, Toronto West Detachment, Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Law enforcement agencies work diligently to make our communities a safer place to live but your assistance in remaining vigilant and informing us of any suspicious activities will help us be even more effective. If you have any information in relation to illicit cannabis production, you can contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), at any time.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Christina McKelvie, 1968-2025

    Source: Scottish National Party

    Christina McKelvie’s partner, Keith Brown, along with her sons, Lewis and Jack, are deeply saddened to announce her passing this morning at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

    Christina’s sons Lewis and Jack and I are heartbroken to announce the death of Christina at Glasgow Royal Infirmary this morning.

    Christina was an MSP from 2007, serving her constituents in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse, from 2011. She convened two committees before becoming a Minister in 2018. She loved her job, and she loved her party and was always a champion for the people of Scotland and an advocate for social justice and for Scotland to be an independent nation in Europe.

    To us, she was our beloved mum, partner and gran to Maeve and Leo. She was always hard working and enthusiastic and lit up every room she was in with her positivity and bright smile. She was always proud of her working class roots in Easterhouse and often said she could not have dreamt of becoming a government minister for the Scottish Government.

    We are immensely proud of all Christina achieved. She was passionate about many issues, including advocating for people living with MND and sponsoring the first Wear It Pink at the Scottish Parliament in support of Breast Cancer Now many years before her own diagnosis with breast cancer, after which she used every opportunity to encourage women to check themselves and go to screening appointments.

    As a Parliamentarian, she was proud of her work as convener of two Committees – European and External Relations and then the Equalities Committee which added Human Rights to its title and remit under her convenership. She also championed policy and legislation through promoting ‘Clare’s Law’ – to allow the disclosure of previous violent and abusive behaviour to those at risk. As a Minister, she launched the world’s first strategy to tackle social isolation and loneliness as a health issue, tackled the stigma surrounding menopause, and introduced legislation banning FGM.

    As a constituency MSP, Christina worked hard to support her constituents and many local groups and absolutely loved every part of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. Christina was also a committed trade unionist and long-standing member of Unison from her time working in social work services in Glasgow.

    Today, we have lost our much loved Christina and know she will be very much missed by all our family and also her many, many friends, staff and constituents.

    Christina was born on 4 March 1968. She became an MSP in 2007, latterly representing Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse from 2011. She was Minister for Equalities from 2008 to 2023, when she became Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, and was Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy from February 2024. As an MSP, she was Convener of the European and External Relations Committee and a member of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe between 2016 and 2018, and then Convener of the Equalities and Human Rights Committee from September 2016 till she became a Minister in 2018.

    Christina took medical leave last August to undergo treatment for secondary breast cancer.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Professor Examines the Health Risks of Life on the Road

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    They’re on our highways and our state roads.

    We see them at rest stops and service plazas.

    They move our economy. Literally.

    They’re tractor-trailer trucks, and they’re a vital part of the U.S. economy, hauling 70% of consumer and industrial goods and logging about 200 billion miles annually in the United States.

    Trucks, and the men and women who drive them, play an indispensable role in U.S. society.

    But truck driving is a high-stress, high-risk profession.

    Long-haul truck drivers work irregular hours under protracted and repeated stretches of continuous effort that can be exacerbated by road construction, traffic conditions, and changes in weather. For most, finding safe and suitable parking while on the road is a constant challenge.

    Many drivers deal with elevated stress levels and fatigue, and they have limited opportunities for physical activity and limited access to fresh, healthy foods.

    And moreover, life on the road is extremely isolating and lonely, with drivers often spending days or weeks away from home at a time, while coping with the constant pressure to log as many miles as they can, in order to earn as much money as possible, in an industry that has experienced significant consolidation in recent years.

    The impact of those occupational conditions – especially the risks that long-haul truck drivers face of developing multiple adverse health conditions due to the conditions they face on-the-job – recently caught the attention of Merrill Singer, a professor emeritus in the Department of Anthropology at UConn.

    “I began to read the literature on long-haul truck drivers, and the multiplicity of diseases that their jobs put them at special risk for, and how the political economy of truck driving is organized and controlled has increased the pressure on truck drivers – over time, it’s made their life more stressful,” says Singer. “And I started to explore the concept of occupational syndemics and how it related to the kinds of jobs that put people at heightened vulnerability.”

    A medical anthropologist who researches and explores the relationships between culture, health, and disease, Singer developed the public health concept of syndemics, which refers to the clustering of diseases in certain populations and the biological interaction of multiple comorbid diseases in populations.

    “Syndemics involves two or more diseases interacting and some set of social conditions that interact with those diseases and make people vulnerable, which then makes these diseases more harmful,” Singer explains.

    In recent years, Singer has been examining how syndemics can be used to assess the ways that living and working conditions can promote disease clustering and further the adverse interactions of comorbid diseases and other health factors.

    He looked at other high-risk occupation populations – including gold and coal mineworkers in South Africa and commercial fishermen – before turning his syndemics lens to long-haul truck drivers. He published his syndemic analysis on the biosocial health of long-haul truck drivers in the February 2025 edition of the Journal of Transport & Health.

    In his analysis, Singer notes studies that found that long-haul truck drivers frequently experienced elevated cortisol levels and are often subject to problems with sleep, including inadequate sleep, insomnia, and disrupted sleep linked to obstructive sleep apnea. Reduced sleep duration has been linked to fatigue, drowsiness, job performance lapses, slowed reaction time, and impaired driving ability.

    Long-haul truck drivers are also more likely to be cigarette smokers, to engage in binge drinking, and to use other substances. They often struggle with mental health disorders or chronic stress.

    Because of their working conditions, they typically eat while driving or dine at truck stops and fast-food outlets, factors that limit their available food choices. The occupation is highly sedentary as well – few rest stops offer any sort of exercise equipment, and opportunities for physical activity while on the road are infrequent.

    More than half of long-haul truck drivers report living with one or more health problems, while 80% report at least one serious health condition, including obesity, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and diabetes and metabolic disorders.

    Getting regular medical care to help treat these conditions is also a struggle, as there aren’t medical providers on the road and drivers always face pressure to cover more miles.

    “A grave consequence of syndemics of the road,” Singer writes in his paper, “is family disruption and divorce, high turnover rate (employer hopping), a national shortage of drivers, a high and untreated disease burden, shortened lifespan, heightened rates of suicide, increased medical costs, and injurious and deadly highway crashes.”

    The challenges faced by long-haul truck drivers only intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Workers in the transportation/logistics sector have one of the highest per-capita excess mortality rates due to the COVID-19 virus, Singer notes. He recommends multipronged and multilayered syndemic interventions to help address the structural factors that place economically crucial long-haul truck drivers in the U.S. at risk.

    “In the case of [long-haul truck drivers],” he wrote, “this would involve advocacy for public policy changes, as part of state and federal infrastructure planning, that address an array of health, social, environmental, and economic challenges…[c]oupled with this kind of advocacy, there is a need for  funding to support direct structured health interventions for drivers that simultaneously address multiple health issues in this population.”

    In the current public health climate, where officials are closely monitoring the spread of bird flu into other mammals – including humans – policymakers and industry officials would be especially wise to consider the syndemics of the road, Singer says.

    “Once an infectious agent transitions from whatever its original host was to mammals, it makes it much easier to make the next transition into other mammals, which it’s already started to do,” Singer says.

    “If bird flu begins to spread directly human-to-human, it’s interaction with all of what else is going around, and in people with other preexisting conditions – diabetes, cancer, tuberculosis, et cetera – has the potential for another massive pandemic.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Recovers Over $5 Million From Nonprofit for Failing to Serve New York City Residents with Developmental Disabilities

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today secured over $5 million from Community Options, Inc. and Community Options NY, Inc. (Community Options) for failing to properly provide services for people with developmental disabilities and knowingly submitting false claims to Medicaid for services. Community Options is a nonprofit that provides “day habilitation” services to adults with developmental disabilities in New York City, ensuring they have enriching and educational community-based activities. A joint investigation between the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU), and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (USAO-SDNY) revealed that Community Options failed to follow regulations and requirements designed to ensure the people it serves are receiving safe and adequate care. Under settlements with OAG and USAO-SDNY, Community Options will repay Medicaid over $5 million in reimbursements it received for day habilitation services that it failed to provide and document in compliance with state regulations.

    “New Yorkers with developmental disabilities rely on quality, community-based activities to lead fulfilling and independent lives,” said Attorney General James. “Community Options ignored the rules meant to ensure it was delivering the services it promised, depriving vulnerable New Yorkers of opportunities to participate in valuable programs that meet their needs. I thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this investigation that will ensure New Yorkers with developmental disabilities get the care and services they deserve.”

    Community Options’ services include the Day Habilitation Without Walls Program, where recipients can take part in activities, cultural events, and volunteer opportunities in their community. Medicaid and the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) set requirements for day habilitation service providers to follow in order to receive Medicaid reimbursement. These requirements ensure organizations are providing an adequate number of services for enough time, are providing the correct types of services, and are documenting the services they provide.

    The OAG’s investigation found that Community Options violated the law by failing to meet these requirements for day habilitation services for which it billed New York’s Medicaid Program from January 1, 2017 to September 13, 2023. Community Options employees routinely failed to provide and document services in accordance with the OPWDD requirements. As a result, the adults with developmental disabilities that Community Options served did not receive the full benefits that the organization promised.

    The investigation also revealed that in January 2022, Community Options violated the law by failing to return overpayments it received from New York’s Medicaid program for services that it knew did not meet the state’s requirements. During a non-routine review, Community Options determined that it had failed to create and maintain monthly summary documents for dozens of day habilitation clients in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, affecting hundreds of claims for reimbursement. Despite a Community Options employee stating that these failures required Community Options to return payments for these claims, the senior Community Options employee overseeing day habilitation services instructed their subordinate to fraudulently create and back-date all of the missing monthly summary notes, in many instances up to a year after the services in question were purportedly provided.

    As a result of Attorney General James’ enforcement, Community Options will repay the over $5 million it improperly billed Medicaid, including paying approximately $2.8 million back to New York’s Medicaid program. The case against Community Options was initiated by a former employee, who will receive a portion of the settlement because the former employee filed a whistleblower lawsuit under the federal and New York False Claims Acts, which allow people to file civil actions under seal on behalf of the government and share in any recovery.

    The investigation and settlements were the result of a coordinated effort between OAG and USAO-SDNY. Attorney General James thanks USAO-SDNY for their partnership and assistance.

    For OAG’s MFCU, the investigation was conducted by Deputy Regional Chief Auditor Matthew Tandle, Auditor-Investigator Doni Corso, and Auditor-Investigator Che Cass, under the supervision of Chief Auditor Dejan Budimir, and Detective-Investigator Natalie Shifrin, under the supervision of Detective Supervisor Dominick DiGennaro. The settlement was handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Tiffany Castleman-Smith of the Civil Enforcement Division, under the supervision of Deputy Chief Diana Elkind. The Civil Enforcement Division is led by Chief Alee Scott. MFCU is led by Director Amy Held and Assistant Deputy Attorney General Paul J. Mahoney. MFCU is part of the Division for Criminal Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General José Maldonado and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

    Reporting Medicaid Provider Fraud: MFCU defends the public by addressing Medicaid provider fraud and protecting nursing home residents from abuse and neglect. If an individual believes they have information about Medicaid provider fraud or about an incident of abuse or neglect of a nursing home resident, they can file a confidential complaint online or call the MFCU hotline at (800) 771-7755. If the situation is an emergency, please call 911.

    New York MFCU’s total funding for federal fiscal year (FY) 2025 is $70,502,916. Of that total, 75 percent, or $52,877,188, is funded from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The remaining 25 percent, totaling $17,625,728 for FY 2025, is funded by New York State.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Radiotherapy Market Expected to Reach $9.62 Billion By 2030 Realizing Growth Due to Technological Advancements

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALM BEACH, Fla., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FN Media Group News Commentary – Industry experts see the global radiotherapy market continuing to grow in the years to come. A recent report from MarketsAndMarkets said that the global radiotherapy market, which was valued at US$6.23 billion in 2022, grew at a robust CAGR of 4.9%, and reached US$7.21 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach an impressive US$9.62 billion by 2030. It said: “During the forecast years, the growth of the market is attributed to the focus on advancements in radiotherapy treatment technology growing patient population, increasing initiatives to promote radiotherapy awareness. Increasing use of particle therapy for cancer treatment among market players are also expected to support the growth of this market during the forecast period.” The report continued: “Technological advancements in radiotherapy methods, increasing cases of cancers, and the growing demand for radiotherapy services are areas of opportunity in this market. Market growth in North America is attributed to the favorable reimbursement scenario and the presence of key market players in the region. Emerging markets such as China, India are offering high growth opportunities for players operating in this market. Radiotherapy is a complex process that involves understanding the principles of medical physics, dosimetry, radiotherapy planning radiobiology, delivery and interaction of radiation therapy with other treatment modalities and the radiation safety.”   Active biotech and pharma companies in the markets this week include Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM), Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY), Eli Lilly and Company’s (NYSE: LLY), Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN).

    MarketsAndMarkets continued: “The development of advanced radiotherapy technologies has, in turn, resulted in an increased complexity of operations. Also, a high level of accuracy is needed at every step of the process to achieve maximum tumor control with minimal risk to normal tissue. The ecosystem market map of the overall radiotherapy market comprises the elements present in this market and defines these elements with a demonstration of the bodies involved. Ecosystem analysis elucidates the interdependencies among various components in the radiotherapy market. At the forefront, product, technology, and the application of radiotherapy analyzers serve as the cornerstones, facilitating consumables used in analysis.”

    Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE AMERICAN: ATNM) Announces Supply Agreement with Eckert & Ziegler for Ac-225 Radioisotope to Support Comprehensive Development Activities – Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Actinium or the Company), a pioneer in the development of targeted radiotherapies, recently announced it has entered into an agreement for the supply of Actinium-225 (Ac-225) with Eckert & Ziegler. Under this agreement, Actinium Pharmaceuticals will have access to Eckert & Ziegler’s high-quality Actinium-225 to further develop its lead product Actimab-A as well as additional early and late-stage development candidates for both U.S. and international clinical trials.

    Targeted radiotherapies using Ac-225 have shown great promise in the treatment of cancer. The radioisotope releases powerful alpha particles with high energy and low penetration depth, enabling precise targeting of tumor cells, including hard-to-reach micrometastases, while minimizing effects on surrounding healthy tissue. Actimab-A is an Ac-225 based radiotherapy agent, directed against CD33, a receptor overexpressed in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other myeloid indications.

    Sandesh Seth, Chairman and CEO at Actium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. commented: “We believe that targeted radiation therapy with Actinium-225 is one of the most promising approaches for treating patients with myeloid malignancies and solid tumors. As we have highlighted recently, we are advancing our lead targeted radiotherapy Actimab-A into a pivotal Phase 2/3 trial for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia and in the frontline setting in a Phase 1 trial under our CRADA with the NCI. Additionally, we have launched our Actimab-A solid tumor program to combine with PD-1 checkpoint inhibitors KEYTRUDA and OPDIVO for patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer in multiple trials. As a pioneer in the development of target radiotherapies, we have aggressive plans to expand our clinical pipeline to address indications with high unmet needs. With this supply agreement with Eckert & Ziegler, we will have access to reliable and constant supply of Ac-225 to advance our product development both in the U.S. as well as internationally.”

    “We are happy to contribute to the continuous expansion of indications for Actinium-225, which is significantly being advanced by Actinium Pharmaceuticals,” explained Dr. Harald Hasselmann, CEO of Eckert & Ziegler SE. “The progress we have made in our Ac-225 project over the past year marks only the start of our program to address the global shortage of this vital radionuclide.”

    Eckert & Ziegler reliably supplies high-quality Gallium-68, Lutetium-177, Yttrium-90, and Actinium-225 to leading pharmaceutical companies, and research institutions worldwide. With expertise in radioisotope production and global logistics, the company is committed to continuously support the development and delivery of innovative radiopharmaceuticals. CONTINUED… Read this full press release and more news for Actinium Pharmaceuticals at:   https://ir.actiniumpharma.com/press-releases

    Other recent developments in the biotech industry of note include:

    Bristol Myers Squibb (NYSE: BMY) recently announced that the European Commission (EC) has granted approval to Breyanzi® (lisocabtagene maraleucel; liso-cel), a CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy, for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) after two or more lines of systemic therapy.

    “This additional approval for Breyanzi in FL represents a critical step forward in our mission to deliver on the transformational promise of cell therapy for more patients across Europe,” said Emma Charles, senior vice president, Europe Region, Bristol Myers Squibb. “While significant advancements have been made in the last two decades, there still remains unmet need for patients. Newer treatments for FL, like Breyanzi, have shown impactful results in clinical trials, with the opportunity to deliver lasting results in the routine care setting.”

    New results show Eli Lilly and Company’s (NYSE: LLY) EBGLYSS achieved deep and sustained response for patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (eczema) at three years. These findings from the ADjoin long-term extension study will be presented at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meeting, taking place March 7-11 in Orlando.

    EBGLYSS is an interleukin-13 (IL-13) inhibitor that selectively blocks IL-13 signaling with high binding affinity. The cytokine IL-13 is a primary cytokine in atopic dermatitis, driving the type-2 inflammatory cycle in the skin, leading to skin barrier dysfunction, itch, skin thickening and infection.

    Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) recently announced that oral Fabhalta® (iptacopan) has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of adults with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), to reduce proteinuria, making it the first and only treatment approved for this condition.

    “C3G is a debilitating disease often affecting young people, impacting many aspects of their physical and emotional health, and our previous treatment options came with significant challenges,” said Carla Nester, M.D., M.S.A., F.A.S.N., Professor of Pediatrics-Nephrology at the University of Iowa and Fabhalta APPEAR-C3G Study Co-Investigator. “This approval of Fabhalta is historic for the entire C3G community as now, for the first time, we have a therapy that is believed to treat the underlying cause of the disease, providing the potential for a new standard of care for patients.”

    AstraZeneca PLC (NASDAQ: AZN) – New study results presented at the European Lung Cancer Congress (ELCC) 2025, March 26 to 29, demonstrate the role of AstraZeneca’s TAGRISSO® (osimertinib), as monotherapy and as the backbone for novel combinations, across stages and settings of epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Highlights include:

    Myung-Ju Ahn, MD, PhD, Professor of Hemato-Oncology at the Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea, said: “A critical goal in treating every patient with lung cancer is to not only extend a patient’s life but also maintain quality of life while on treatment. The continued overall survival trend seen here at ELCC in the unresectable Stage III setting and the promising data for combinations that can address progression in the advanced setting, together reinforce osimertinib as an effective, safe and convenient treatment for patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer across stages and lines of treatment.”

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    DISCLAIMER: FN Media Group LLC (FNM), which owns and operates FinancialNewsMedia.com and MarketNewsUpdates.com, is a third party publisher and news dissemination service provider, which disseminates electronic information through multiple online media channels. FNM is NOT affiliated in any manner with any company mentioned herein. FNM and its affiliated companies are a news dissemination solutions provider and are NOT a registered broker/dealer/analyst/adviser, holds no investment licenses and may NOT sell, offer to sell or offer to buy any security. FNM’s market updates, news alerts and corporate profiles are NOT a solicitation or recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. The material in this release is intended to be strictly informational and is NEVER to be construed or interpreted as research material. All readers are strongly urged to perform research and due diligence on their own and consult a licensed financial professional before considering any level of investing in stocks. All material included herein is republished content and details which were previously disseminated by the companies mentioned in this release. FNM is not liable for any investment decisions by its readers or subscribers. Investors are cautioned that they may lose all or a portion of their investment when investing in stocks. For current services performed FNM was compensated twenty five hundred dollars for news coverage of the current press releases issued by Actinium Pharmaceuticals, Inc. by the Company. FNM HOLDS NO SHARES OF ANY COMPANY NAMED IN THIS RELEASE.

    This release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and such forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. “Forward-looking statements” describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies and are generally preceded by words such as “may”, “future”, “plan” or “planned”, “will” or “should”, “expected”, “anticipates”, “draft”, “eventually” or “projected”. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, and other risks identified in a company’s annual report on Form 10-K or 10-KSB and other filings made by such company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements included herein, and not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements in this release are made as of the date hereof and FNM undertakes no obligation to update such statements.

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    SOURCE: FN Media Group

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Former Brazilian president Bolsonaro will stand trial over alleged coup attempt

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Felipe Tirado, PhD Candidate in Law, King’s College London

    Bazil’s Supreme Court has unanimously accepted a complaint against former president Jair Bolsonaro and seven allies for attempting a coup d’état.

    Bolsonaro governed Brazil between 2019 and 2022, but lost his attempt at re-election to current president Luiz Inácio “Lula” da Silva.

    The decision is unprecedented. For the first time in the country’s history, a former president and high-ranking military officers are defendants alleged of crimes linked to a coup d’état.

    Besides Bolsonaro, there are other five members of the military accused of being at the heart of a plot. These are General Braga Netto, who was Bolsonaro’s minister and vice-presidential candidate; General Heleno, who was minister of the office of institutional security; General Nogueira, who was minister of defence; Admiral Garnier, former commander of the navy; and Lieutenant-Colonel Mauro Cid, Bolsonaro’s former main aid, who had become a whistleblower.

    The other two defendants are Anderson Torres, former minister of justice, and federal congressman Alexandre Ramagem, former director of the Brazilian intelligence agency.

    The indictment

    In February, the general prosecutor had indicted these individuals for the crimes of attempting to abolish the democratic state of law, coup d’état, qualified damage and damage to listed heritage, and armed criminal organisation. The sentences could exceed 30 years in prison.

    In all, 34 people were indicted. The next complaints to be examined by the court concern the “military nucleus”, responsible for tactical actions. Then, the court will judge complaints regarding the nucleus responsible for organising the actions. Finally, it will analyse claims concerning those accused of coordinating the disinformation initiatives.

    The only element that doesn’t have a trial date concerns the spread of disinformation outside Brazil.

    The judgement on the complaint

    All members of the panel voted to accept the charges. The rapporteur, Justice Alexandre de Moraes, stated that the judiciary “will not be intimidated by digital militias, whether national or foreign, because Brazil is a sovereign country”.

    Justice Moraes argued that the organisation sought to undermine the democratic rule of law, acting until January 2023. He also indicated that Bolsonaro led this structure, using disinformation about the elections to instigate the coup attempt.

    Other justices pointed out that the defences did not deny the coup attempt, but focused on maintaining their clients’ innocence. All justices repudiated acts that undermine the democratic rule of law and Brazilian institutions.

    Next steps

    Now that the complaint has been accepted, the panel will set the dates for the hearings and testimonies of the witnesses and the defendants. Then it will analyse the evidence produced throughout the process.

    After these phases, the panel will summon the defendants and the prosecution for their closing arguments. It is then that the panel will decide on a possible conviction. If the defendants are convicted, they will begin serving their sentences only after the appeals are over.

    The process is expected to develop over the next few months. Because of the 2026 elections, there is some expectation that the process will be finalised this year.

    Another Brazilian example

    The decision can be seen as yet another example that Brazil is setting for the world. Many believe the country can yet be a model for secure and efficient elections. Judicial initiatives to combat disinformation have become a reference to other countries.

    State institutions have already responded to the insurrection of 8 January 2023. This unprecedented decision that made a former president and high-ranking officers defendants for an attempted coup d’état reinforce the central role of the justice system in the defence of democracy.

    Felipe Tirado receives funding from the Centre for Doctoral Studies – King’s College London.

    – ref. Former Brazilian president Bolsonaro will stand trial over alleged coup attempt – https://theconversation.com/former-brazilian-president-bolsonaro-will-stand-trial-over-alleged-coup-attempt-253198

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Liquidia Announces Poster Presentations at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Data from the ASCENT study of LIQ861 (YUTREPIA™) in PH-ILD patients highlights safety, tolerability, exploratory changes in six-minute walk distance, cardiac effort and quality of life

    – Case study highlights the long-term safety and tolerability of LIQ861 (YUTREPIA) in a PAH patient transitioning from parenteral treprostinil in INSPIRE study

    MORRISVILLE, N.C., March 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Liquidia Corporation (NASDAQ: LQDA), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease, today announced the company will present three posters at the American Thoracic Society (ATS) 2025 International Conference, taking place May 18-21, 2025, in San Francisco. Two posters will highlight new data from the company’s open-label ASCENT study of LIQ861 (YUTREPIA) in PH-ILD patients with a focus on safety, tolerability, exploratory changes in 6-minute walk distance, quality of life, and changes in cardiac effort. A third poster is a case study of a patient with PAH participating in the open-label extension study (INSPIRE).

    Poster Discussion Session: Poster Board #1404
    Date and time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. PT
    Presenting Author: Rajan Saggar, MD
    Abstract: An ASCENT to Week 8: Initial Safety and Exploratory Efficacy Data on LIQ861 Dry Powder Inhaled Treprostinil in PH-ILD Patients

    Poster Discussion Session: Poster Board #1401
    Date and time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. PT
    Presenting Author: Daniel Lachant, MD
    Abstract: Changes in Cardiac Effort in Pulmonary Hypertension-Interstitial Lung Disease: Insights From the ASCENT Trial

    Poster Discussion Session: Poster Board #1464
    Date and time: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. PT
    Presenting Author: Rodolfo Estrada, MD
    Abstract: Transitioning From Parenteral Treprostinil to LIQ861 in a Patient With PAH

    Following the presentations, each poster will be available on the Publications page of Liquidia’s website at https://liquidia.com/publications.

    About YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) Inhalation Powder 
    YUTREPIA is an investigational, inhaled dry-powder formulation of treprostinil delivered through a convenient, low-effort, palm-sized device. In August 2024, the FDA issued tentative approval of YUTREPIA for the PAH and PH-ILD indications. YUTREPIA was designed using Liquidia’s PRINT® technology, which enables the development of drug particles that are precise and uniform in size, shape and composition, and that are engineered for enhanced deposition in the lung following oral inhalation. Liquidia has completed INSPIRE, or Investigation of the Safety and Pharmacology of Dry Powder Inhalation of Treprostinil, an open-label, multi-center phase 3 clinical study of YUTREPIA in patients diagnosed with PAH who are naïve to inhaled treprostinil or who are transitioning from Tyvaso® (nebulized treprostinil). YUTREPIA is currently being studied in the ASCENT trial, an Open-Label Prospective Multicenter Study to Evaluate Safety and Tolerability of Dry Powder Inhaled Treprostinil in Pulmonary Hypertension, with the objective of informing YUTREPIA’s dosing and tolerability profile in patients with PH-ILD. YUTREPIA was previously referred to as LIQ861 in investigational studies.

    About Liquidia Corporation
    Liquidia Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for patients with rare cardiopulmonary disease. The company’s current focus spans the development and commercialization of products in pulmonary hypertension and other applications of its proprietary PRINT® Technology. PRINT enabled the creation of Liquidia’s lead candidate, YUTREPIA™ (treprostinil) inhalation powder, an investigational drug for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and pulmonary hypertension associated with interstitial lung disease (PH-ILD). The company is also developing L606, an investigational sustained-release formulation of treprostinil administered twice-daily with a next-generation nebulizer, and currently markets generic Treprostinil Injection for the treatment of PAH. To learn more about Liquidia, please visit www.liquidia.com.

    Contact Information

    Investors:
    Jason Adair
    Chief Business Officer
    919.328.4350
    jason.adair@liquidia.com

    Media:
    Patrick Wallace
    Director, Corporate Communications
    919.328.4383
    patrick.wallace@liquidia.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Launches Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force

    Source: US State of California

    Task Force Invites Public Input Targeting Red Tape that Hinders Free Market Competition

    Today, the Justice Department launches an Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force to advocate for the elimination of anticompetitive state and federal laws and regulations that undermine free market competition and harm consumers, workers, and businesses. The Antitrust Division has a long history of advocacy against laws and regulations that create unnecessary barriers to competition.  The Task Force will surge resources to these efforts and invite public comments to support the Administration’s mission to unwind laws and regulations that hinder business dynamism and make markets less competitive.    

    “Realizing President Trump’s economic Golden Age will require unwinding burdensome regulations that stifle free market competition. This Antitrust Division will stand against harmful barriers to competition whether imposed by public regulators or private monopolists,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We look forward to working with the public and with other federal agencies to identify and eliminate anticompetitive laws and regulations.”

    On Jan. 31, President Trump signed Executive Order 14192 declaring “the policy of the executive branch” to be that federal agencies should “alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people.” Consistent with this policy, on Feb. 19, President Trump signed Executive Order 14219 directing agencies to “initiate a process to review all regulations” and identify regulations that, among other things, “impose undue burdens on small businesses and impede private enterprise and entrepreneurship.” Consistent with longstanding practice, the Antitrust Division will support federal agencies’ deregulatory initiatives by sharing its market expertise on regulations that pose the greatest barriers to economic growth.

    Regulatory capture is a well-studied phenomenon in which agencies become “captured” by special interests and big businesses, rather than serving the interests of the American people. But when regulations serve the few and impose undue burdens on small businesses, private enterprise, and entrepreneurs, they also harm competition and ultimately hurt American consumers, workers, and businesses. For example, regulations can increase compliance costs, preventing businesses from competing on a level playing field with powerful corporations. Regulations can also discourage or even intentionally prohibit small businesses and new products from entering markets and lowering prices for American families. In contrast, eliminating unnecessary anticompetitive regulations makes it easier for businesses to compete. More competition empowers the American people — not government regulators — to drive economic progress and innovation. When every American has a fair opportunity to enjoy the benefits of competitive free markets, every American has an opportunity to realize the American dream.

    By identifying and working with state and federal agencies to revise or eliminate these laws and regulations, the Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force will contribute to making the American dream a reality. As a first step, the Antitrust Division will initiate a public inquiry to identify unnecessary laws and regulations that raise the highest barriers to competition. In particular, the Division will seek information from the public about laws and regulations that make it more difficult for businesses to compete effectively, especially in markets that have the greatest impact on American households, including:

    • Housing: Americans spend more than one-third of their monthly income on housing, and the cost of owning or renting a home continues to rise. Laws and regulations in housing markets can contribute to these problems by making it more difficult for companies to build and ordinary Americans to rent or buy.
    • Transportation: Laws and regulations in areas like airlines, rail, and ocean shipping can grant antitrust immunities, outright monopolies, or safe harbors for conduct that undermines competition. As a result, Americans pay more for travel, fuel, and a variety of other products.
    • Food and Agriculture: By the end of the Biden-Harris Administration, grocery prices were 27% higher than at the end of the first Trump Administration. Eliminating unnecessary anticompetitive regulations will help farmers, growers, and ranchers increase the amount of food they produce and unlock lower prices for American consumers.
    • Healthcare: Laws and regulations in healthcare markets too often discourage doctors and hospitals from providing low-cost, high-quality healthcare and instead encourage overbilling and consolidation. These kinds of unnecessary anticompetitive regulations put affordable healthcare out of reach for millions of American families.
    • Energy: Reliable and affordable energy is essential to modern American life — whether in homes, businesses, manufacturing plants, schools, hospitals, sporting events, or data centers. Laws and regulations can undermine reliability and affordability by protecting incumbent electricity providers from competition or disruptive innovation.

    The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than May 26. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov. All market participants are invited to provide comments in response to this inquiry, including consumers, consumer advocates, small businesses, employers, trade groups, industry analysts, and other entities that are impacted by anticompetitive state or federal laws and regulations.

    In addition to reviewing responses from the public, the Task Force will bring together attorneys, economists, and other staff from across the Division, together with interagency partners, to identify state and federal laws and regulations that unnecessarily harm competition. The Antitrust Division will then take appropriate action, including helping agencies revise or eliminate these regulations.

    The Task Force will also consider other ways to advocate for the removal of anticompetitive laws and regulations. The Division routinely files amicus briefs and statements of interests in private litigation, and it will continue to do so to promote competition and oppose anticompetitive laws and regulations. The Division also provides comments on proposed legislation in the states on the request of state legislators. These efforts will continue with an eye toward protecting competition and interstate commerce in light of dormant Commerce Clause principles.

    The Justice Department has a long history of serving as the Executive Branch’s chief competition advocate by working with agencies to identify and eliminate unnecessary regulations. In 2018, the Justice Department released a report on how regulations can harm competition. Following this report, the Justice Department submitted dozens of comments to federal agencies supporting efforts to eliminate unnecessary regulations and increase competition. For example, the Justice Department, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, submitted a comment opposing  regulations that would have protected incumbent electricity transmission companies from much-needed competition in energy markets across the country. The Justice Department filed comments aimed at making it easier for individuals and small businesses to navigate the federal government bureaucracy. The Justice Department also provided technical assistance and trainings to federal agencies to help them analyze how new and existing regulations might affect competition, or whether competition may be a better alternative to regulation altogether.

    The Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force will continue these efforts, supporting ongoing efforts across the Trump Administration to unleash competition by eliminating unnecessary, burdensome, and wasteful government regulations. For more information on the Task Force, including contact information, see the Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force page on the Division’s website.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AnticompetitiveRegulations@usdoj.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Launches Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Task Force Invites Public Input Targeting Red Tape that Hinders Free Market Competition

    Today, the Justice Department launches an Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force to advocate for the elimination of anticompetitive state and federal laws and regulations that undermine free market competition and harm consumers, workers, and businesses. The Antitrust Division has a long history of advocacy against laws and regulations that create unnecessary barriers to competition.  The Task Force will surge resources to these efforts and invite public comments to support the Administration’s mission to unwind laws and regulations that hinder business dynamism and make markets less competitive.    

    “Realizing President Trump’s economic Golden Age will require unwinding burdensome regulations that stifle free market competition. This Antitrust Division will stand against harmful barriers to competition whether imposed by public regulators or private monopolists,” said Assistant Attorney General Abigail Slater of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division. “We look forward to working with the public and with other federal agencies to identify and eliminate anticompetitive laws and regulations.”

    On Jan. 31, President Trump signed Executive Order 14192 declaring “the policy of the executive branch” to be that federal agencies should “alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens placed on the American people.” Consistent with this policy, on Feb. 19, President Trump signed Executive Order 14219 directing agencies to “initiate a process to review all regulations” and identify regulations that, among other things, “impose undue burdens on small businesses and impede private enterprise and entrepreneurship.” Consistent with longstanding practice, the Antitrust Division will support federal agencies’ deregulatory initiatives by sharing its market expertise on regulations that pose the greatest barriers to economic growth.

    Regulatory capture is a well-studied phenomenon in which agencies become “captured” by special interests and big businesses, rather than serving the interests of the American people. But when regulations serve the few and impose undue burdens on small businesses, private enterprise, and entrepreneurs, they also harm competition and ultimately hurt American consumers, workers, and businesses. For example, regulations can increase compliance costs, preventing businesses from competing on a level playing field with powerful corporations. Regulations can also discourage or even intentionally prohibit small businesses and new products from entering markets and lowering prices for American families. In contrast, eliminating unnecessary anticompetitive regulations makes it easier for businesses to compete. More competition empowers the American people — not government regulators — to drive economic progress and innovation. When every American has a fair opportunity to enjoy the benefits of competitive free markets, every American has an opportunity to realize the American dream.

    By identifying and working with state and federal agencies to revise or eliminate these laws and regulations, the Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force will contribute to making the American dream a reality. As a first step, the Antitrust Division will initiate a public inquiry to identify unnecessary laws and regulations that raise the highest barriers to competition. In particular, the Division will seek information from the public about laws and regulations that make it more difficult for businesses to compete effectively, especially in markets that have the greatest impact on American households, including:

    • Housing: Americans spend more than one-third of their monthly income on housing, and the cost of owning or renting a home continues to rise. Laws and regulations in housing markets can contribute to these problems by making it more difficult for companies to build and ordinary Americans to rent or buy.
    • Transportation: Laws and regulations in areas like airlines, rail, and ocean shipping can grant antitrust immunities, outright monopolies, or safe harbors for conduct that undermines competition. As a result, Americans pay more for travel, fuel, and a variety of other products.
    • Food and Agriculture: By the end of the Biden-Harris Administration, grocery prices were 27% higher than at the end of the first Trump Administration. Eliminating unnecessary anticompetitive regulations will help farmers, growers, and ranchers increase the amount of food they produce and unlock lower prices for American consumers.
    • Healthcare: Laws and regulations in healthcare markets too often discourage doctors and hospitals from providing low-cost, high-quality healthcare and instead encourage overbilling and consolidation. These kinds of unnecessary anticompetitive regulations put affordable healthcare out of reach for millions of American families.
    • Energy: Reliable and affordable energy is essential to modern American life — whether in homes, businesses, manufacturing plants, schools, hospitals, sporting events, or data centers. Laws and regulations can undermine reliability and affordability by protecting incumbent electricity providers from competition or disruptive innovation.

    The public will have 60 days to submit comments at Regulations.gov, no later than May 26. Once submitted, comments will be posted to Regulations.gov. All market participants are invited to provide comments in response to this inquiry, including consumers, consumer advocates, small businesses, employers, trade groups, industry analysts, and other entities that are impacted by anticompetitive state or federal laws and regulations.

    In addition to reviewing responses from the public, the Task Force will bring together attorneys, economists, and other staff from across the Division, together with interagency partners, to identify state and federal laws and regulations that unnecessarily harm competition. The Antitrust Division will then take appropriate action, including helping agencies revise or eliminate these regulations.

    The Task Force will also consider other ways to advocate for the removal of anticompetitive laws and regulations. The Division routinely files amicus briefs and statements of interests in private litigation, and it will continue to do so to promote competition and oppose anticompetitive laws and regulations. The Division also provides comments on proposed legislation in the states on the request of state legislators. These efforts will continue with an eye toward protecting competition and interstate commerce in light of dormant Commerce Clause principles.

    The Justice Department has a long history of serving as the Executive Branch’s chief competition advocate by working with agencies to identify and eliminate unnecessary regulations. In 2018, the Justice Department released a report on how regulations can harm competition. Following this report, the Justice Department submitted dozens of comments to federal agencies supporting efforts to eliminate unnecessary regulations and increase competition. For example, the Justice Department, in consultation with the Federal Trade Commission, submitted a comment opposing  regulations that would have protected incumbent electricity transmission companies from much-needed competition in energy markets across the country. The Justice Department filed comments aimed at making it easier for individuals and small businesses to navigate the federal government bureaucracy. The Justice Department also provided technical assistance and trainings to federal agencies to help them analyze how new and existing regulations might affect competition, or whether competition may be a better alternative to regulation altogether.

    The Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force will continue these efforts, supporting ongoing efforts across the Trump Administration to unleash competition by eliminating unnecessary, burdensome, and wasteful government regulations. For more information on the Task Force, including contact information, see the Anticompetitive Regulations Task Force page on the Division’s website.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: AnticompetitiveRegulations@usdoj.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Contract extensions for day services supporting adults in Plymouth

    Source: City of Plymouth

    The future of day services that support hundreds of adults with a wide range of social care needs, including those with disabilities and dementia, has been confirmed.   

    Day services help people to remain as independent as possible by offering a range of activities and support. This can prevent or delay the need for more intensive support packages while ensuring adults are safe and supported to live within their local community.  

    Plymouth City Council has extended its contract with 10 local providers of day services until October 2026, so that residents continue to receive the support they need while allowing time for a review of how these services are delivered.   

    Each provider has a different offer and supports people with different needs, but they all work to reduce social isolation, improve health and wellbeing and encourage involvement in the community.  

    Councillor Mary Aspinall, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “We’re committed to making sure that adults with social care needs in Plymouth receive the right support for them and that they are empowered to live as independently as possible.  

    “The range of day services on offer really helps by giving people the opportunity to socialise and make friends, learn new skills and try new activities. I’m really pleased that we’ve extended these contracts to ensure that the services continue while we explore plans for how these services may be look and be delivered in the future.”  

    The 10 providers of day services in Plymouth are: Age UK, Headway Plymouth, I-Grow Care and Support, Improving Lives Plymouth, Plymouth Highbury Trust, Plymouth Independent Living, Salutem Care & Education, Selborne Care, PLUSS and Yourway.  

    They work with adults with learning and physical disabilities, dementia, sensory impairments and those with mental health needs, as well as older people who experience social isolation and loneliness. Headway also works specifically with adults who have an acquired brain injury.  

    The service delivered by PLUSS focuses more on employability and helping people to develop their independence and skills, with clients having gone on to take on volunteering roles, paid employment and supported internships.  

    Collectively, the 10 providers deliver nearly 500 sessions per week and support more than 190 adults in Plymouth. 

    The total budget to provide these services in Plymouth is £1.5 million per year. Over the next 20 months, the Council will be seeking views from service users, their families and carers, professionals and service providers to help determine what the future of day services in the city looks like.  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free 24/7 support app for Island parents and parents-to-be 27 March 2025 Launch of free 24/7 support app for newborn care, baby feeding and growing families on the Isle of Wight

    Source: Aisle of Wight

    Parents and parents-to-be on the Isle of Wight can now access expert parenting support anytime, anywhere with the launch of free premium access to the Anya App.

    Isle Of Wight Council’s Family Hubs and Start for Life Infant Feeding Programme have partnered with Anya to support parents with newborn care, baby feeding and early parenting – all from their mobile phones.

    Anya App provides a wealth of resources including: videos, articles, 3D Breastfeeding Animations and expert one-to-one support all on your phone:

    • Explore extensive library resources including videos, articles, personalised programmes and more. 
    • Join a supportive community of parents and connect 1:1 with parenting and infant feeding specialists who truly understand your journey.
    • Ask Anya anything 24/7. Your virtual companion. Get instant answers anytime of the day – perfect for any middle-of-the-night worries.

    Research highlights that the first 1,001 days – from pregnancy until a child’s second birthday – are a crucial period for development, shaping a child’s health, wellbeing, and future outcomes. The Anya App is dedicated to supporting families through the first 1,001 days of parenthood with confidence.

    Island parents and carers from pregnancy until their child’s second birthday can claim free access to the Anya App and benefit from this virtual parenting companion. The premium version provides unlimited access to 24/7 evidence-based information and support through its carefully designed features such as specialist chat, live infant feeding web drop-ins, interactive breastfeeding animations and a rich content library of on-demand resources to support parents on the Isle of Wight on their early parenting journey.

    The Family Hubs, Start for Life Programme, and Breastfeeding Friendly Spaces, all form part of the extensive support for all families that is available across the Island – the Anya App is another way expecting and new parents can access support to give their baby the best start in life by now providing them with access to support anytime, anywhere.

    Anya App CEO, Dr. Chen Mao Davies, who is a fellow of the NHS innovation accelerator program, which helped develop Anya Health App, said: “I am proud to welcome the Isle of Wight Council as a partner in our mission to provide round-the-clock support for parents in their early parenting journey. Anya’s AI virtual companion is here to empower families with 24/7 support on pregnancy, parenting, and infant feeding for children aged 0-2 years. Together, we will enhance the parenting experience and ensure that every family has access to the resources they need for the best start to life.”

    Isle of Wight residents can download Anya at www.anya.health/isleofwight or by searching ‘Anya Health’ in their preferred app store. Once you have downloaded the Anya App, simply enter your Island postcode to get free premium access for 1,001 days (up until baby’s second birthday).

    Download the Anya app

    Infant feeding advice for the Isle of Wight

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FestivALL stages major celebration of inclusion at Foyle Arena

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    FestivALL stages major celebration of inclusion at Foyle Arena

    27 March 2025

    The Foyle Arena in Derry was buzzing with activity this week as hundreds of people came together to promote diversity and inclusion during the two-day FestivALL programme.

    The events were delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council, in partnership with the Public Health Agency, with a series of activities including multi-sports, music and dance, aimed at reducing the barriers faced by people with disabilities, carers and older people.

    Throughout the months of February and March, disability lead organisations and performers from Ardnashee Tribe Dance Troupe, Foyle Down Syndrome Trust, The Hub, Knockavoe School and Destined, have all been putting in the hours to prepare some show-stopping performances for the festival showcase event. 
    Foyle Arena came alive with Arndashee Choir opening the event and included performances from local artists Renegade Zoo and High-End Dead.
    The second day of FestivALL offered multi sports activities to participants including taster sessions on the climbing wall and accessible bikes.

    Chair of Council’s Health and Community Committee, Councillor Caitlin Deeney, attended the opening event, which drew participants from a wide range of local organisations.

    “FestivALL is a wonderful and joyous celebration that helps to improve wellbeing by breaking down the physical, communicational, social, and economic restrictions faced by people with disability,” she explained.

    “It also provides a positive platform for performers with disability to show off their talents and creativity.
    “I had an amazing time meeting everyone and I want to congratulate all involved for bringing so many people together to share in such an uplifting and empowering experience.

    “FestivALL sends a positive message about working together to create a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone and highlights Council’s commitment to promoting access to and inclusion across Derry and Strabane.”
    For more information on Derry and Strabane Council’s Access and Inclusion Projects visit www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/inclusion

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Imported dengue cases reach record high

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Imported dengue cases reach record high

    In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, up from 631 in 2023.

    New data from UK Health Security Agency show imported dengue cases in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI) have reached their highest level since dengue surveillance began in 2009.  All cases are linked to travel abroad.

    In 2024, 904 dengue cases were reported in returning travellers across EWNI, up from 631 in 2023. Most cases were linked to travel to Southern and South-Eastern Asia. UKHSA is developing enhanced surveillance of dengue cases to better understand where people are acquiring infections and what mosquito bite precautions they were using, in order to help inform public health interventions in future.

    Dengue cases have been increasing globally since 2010 with historic highs reported in 2019. In 2023, The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a post-pandemic global increase in both dengue cases and deaths, including in regions previously considered dengue-free, with significant increases particularly noted in Asia and the Americas. A range of factors, including climate change, changing distributions of the mosquito vector, and periodic weather events leading to rising temperatures, heavy rainfall and humidity are driving this increase globally.

    The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recently recommended dengue vaccination for some travellers.

    Imported cases of Chikungunya, another mosquito-borne infection, have also risen in EWNI. In 2024, 112 cases were reported, more than double the 45 cases in 2023, with most linked to travel in Southern Asia. These changing patterns may reflect several factors including differences in testing practices, disease burden, global epidemiology, clinician awareness and travel trends.

    Zika virus disease cases increased to 16 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland during 2024, compared to 8 cases in 2023, with most travellers returning from South-Eastern Asia. Although Zika virus cases are rarely reported and don’t often cause serious illness, the infection poses a significant risk to pregnant women, as it can be passed to the foetus. There is no drug or vaccine to prevent Zika virus infection, and the most effective way of preventing infection is minimising mosquito bites.

    Mosquito-borne infections like dengue, chikungunya and Zika can cause symptoms including fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. These are not always present, and some people will experience no symptoms.

    Dr Philip Veal, Consultant in Public Health at the UK Health Security Agency, said:  

    It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as dengue while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk of mosquito-borne infections. Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination, including any recommended vaccinations. Even if you’ve been to a country before, remember that you don’t have the same level of protection against infections as permanent residents and are still at risk.

    The Travel Health Pro website, supported by the UK Health Security Agency, has information on health risks in countries across the world and is a one-stop-shop for information to help people plan their trip abroad. Ideally travellers should consult their GP, practice nurse, pharmacist, or travel clinic 4 to 6 weeks before their trip for individual advice, travel vaccines and malaria prevention tablets, if relevant for their destination.

    In countries with insects that spread diseases like dengue, malaria or Zika, travellers can protect themselves  by using insect repellent, covering exposed skin, and sleeping under a treated bed net where air conditioning is not available.   

    It is also important for travellers to:   

    • ensure your routine childhood vaccines are up to date
    • have any recommended travel related vaccines
    • Follow the ABCD of malaria prevention- ‘Awareness of risk, Bite prevention, Chemoprophylaxis and Diagnose promptly and treat without delay’
    • Carry sufficient medications to cover the whole trip
    • get valid travel insurance to cover your entire trip and planned activities

    As well as mosquito borne infections, UKHSA is reminding travellers that there is an ongoing outbreak of mpox in some countries in Africa. Currently, the risk to most travellers is low and vaccination against mpox infection is not recommended for the majority of people.

    Those travelling to areas affected by the ongoing outbreak should take sensible precautions to protect themselves from the risk of infection by reducing touch or sexual contact, especially with individuals with a rash.

    You can see a list of countries where cases of mpox clade I have been reported on the Travel Health Pro website. We recommend that anyone planning to travel to affected countries check the latest guidance.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration: Baroness Chapman’s speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Launch of the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration: Baroness Chapman’s speech

    Baroness Chapman gave a speech at the launch of a new Global Compact on Nutrition Integration on the eve of the Nutrition for Growth Summit in Paris.

    Welcome everyone. Thank you to our co-hosts – the Government of Nigeria, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the World Bank, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and thank you to the Government of France for bringing us together.

    It is great to see such a diverse group of people gathered here – from Gavi and the Green Climate Fund, to private sector investors, philanthropy, and civil society networks, to countries deeply affected by malnutrition, including members of the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement.

    I know that for some of you this is your life’s work. And as the UK’s Minister for International Development, and for Latin America and Caribbean, it is a pleasure to welcome you all on the eve of the fourth Nutrition for Growth Summit, and to share a few reflections before we hear from you.

    Thanks in no small part to many of you – the work we have done together over many decades has shown that we can make a difference. Lives changed and lives saved.

    This agenda can serve as an example of how coming together, being more than the sum of our parts, can help us maximise our impact.

    Now, before going into more detail about our collective work on nutrition, I want to address something head on. I know many of you will have seen our announcement about our ODA budget in recent weeks –  as the UK responds to the world as it is now – less stable, more insecure.

    It was a decision we neither relish, nor take lightly. But I hope my presence here, the work of our dedicated experts, and our continued efforts on this important agenda, demonstrates the UK will never turn its back on the world – or on international development. Far from it.

    How we work has to change, but I promise, what we all care about is not. The task for all of us now is to make sure we secure the reforms we need to meet the challenges and opportunities of our times.

    That includes making the case for development anew. And thinking afresh about the kind of genuine, respectful, modern partnerships we pursue, and the commitment, energy and expertise we bring to forums like this – not just how much public money we have to spend.

    And as we work through the difficult choices before us now, my focus is on making sure this new reality gives even greater impetus to modernising the UK’s approach to international development. That is already underway. And it is how we maximise the impact of every pound of public money we are able to put in – and our collective impact.

    So let me talk about our impact.

    Over a decade after the world came together in the UK for the first of these important summits, the UK has helped to improve the nutrition of over 50 million women and children – from Nigeria, to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and beyond.

    That spans everything from getting micronutrient supplements, specialist support, and therapeutic foods to treat malnutrition in women and children, to helping farmers grow more nutritious foods like vegetables and legumes, to improve the diets of their families and communities.

    I talked a moment ago about the importance of working in partnership – we need to learn from our successes. Partnerships like the Child Nutrition Fund. Alongside UNICEF, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, and the Gates Foundation, we are aiming to prevent, detect, and treat malnutrition for 70 million women and 230 million children in 23 countries, from Afghanistan, to DRC, Malawi, Madagascar, Somalia, and South Sudan.

    At the end of last year, a new partnership with the World Food Programme, World Health Organisation, and UNICEF got underway – focused on preventing the most horrible and deadliest form of malnutrition, child wasting.

    It’s a dreadful and shameful phrase to even say – and we must keep our minds on that, as we stand here together in these wonderful surroundings, to reaffirm all our commitments and initiatives.

    Commitments like those we made at the last summit in Tokyo 4 years ago, on integrating nutrition across everything we do, from climate to health – such as developing nutritious crops that help us address a lack of key nutrients. So that the 2 billion people who don’t get the nutrition they need can have a healthier life.

    It means working with Gavi, the Government of Ethiopia, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation to reach vulnerable mothers and children with life-saving immunisation and nutrition.

    And, when it comes to nutrition, we all know what is at stake in every country in the world. Combating malnutrition is vital for a healthy population and healthy economies – malnutrition translates into a loss of 10% of GDP for countries most affected. It’s a good investment – every pound, euro or dollar we invest pays for itself 23 times over.

    We know how to make our work even more effective. Invest in science. Go for solutions supported by the evidence. Put nutrition at the heart of everything we do – from health, to water, hygiene, and sanitation, food systems, social protection, and our wider resilience.

    So, this evening, it’s fantastic we have all come together to launch the Global Compact on Nutrition Integration.

    Tomorrow, we convene a new coalition of signatories. And I am looking forward to hearing from some of you this evening, about your commitment to this vital cause.

    As we learn from each other, challenge each other, push each other to do more, and keep going – not just at summits like this where we all get together. That is how we maximise the impact we can achieve.

    So, thank you all once again for being here.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Domestic violence – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force has arrested a 53-year-old male in relation to a domestic violence incident that occurred in Alice Springs early this morning.

    Around 1:25am, a female presented to the Alice Springs Police Station to report she had been assaulted by her partner with a blunt weapon at a residence in Braitling.

    The victim sustained injuries to her head, face and arm, and was conveyed to the Alice Springs Hospital by St John Ambulance for treatment.

    Police attended the residence and arrested a 53-year-old male at 2am.

    He remains in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

    Police urge anyone with information to call 131 444 and quote reference P25083467. Anonymous reports can also be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

    If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800737732) or Lifeline 131 114.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Disturbances – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information in relation to disturbances that occurred in Alice Springs yesterday.

    Around 12:30pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre (JESCC) received multiple reports of groups fighting in the Alice Springs CBD. Police responded and the group dispersed.

    A 37-year-old female was conveyed to the Alice Springs Hospital with minor injuries, along with a second victim with non-life-threatening injuries.

    A 22-year-old female was arrested in relation to this incident and is expected to be charged.

    Around 2:35pm, further alleged fighting occurred between the same groups on Hartley Street, with some participants allegedly armed with weapons.

    Multiple police units responded, and the group once again dispersed.

    Investigations are ongoing and police urge anyone with information to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference P25082836. You can also report anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local businesses and projects to be boosted with grants

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    More than £1million is to be given in grants to local businesses and organisations to help boost their offer to city communities.

    Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday agreed the money for the projects which include Tall Ships event site business opportunities, Business Support Grant schemes, and a Digital Skills Programme in conjunction with Business Gateway.

    Councillor Ian Yuill, Council Co-leader, said: “This investment is especially important for city businesses which are at their start up stage. It is good to cooperate with local entrepreneurs to help them develop digital skills. This year we need to grasp the opportunity to maximise any commercial benefits from the Tall Ships event coming to the city. The Council will continue to do what it can to offer support and to make a positive difference for the private sector through available grant schemes and forms of assistance.”

    Committee convener Councillor Alex McLellan said: “The Council is committed to working with businesses to increase help available to them which in turn will help the city to be an even better place to visit, work, shop, live , invest, and do business.”

    The Tall Ships event, which is the largest free family festival in Europe and will include more than 50 sailing ships from around the world, returns to Aberdeen in July.

    The funding for the event will assist with the costs of the commercial programme for businesses, charities and visitor attractions engaged in marketing, trade and revenue generating activity. The constraints of the event site mean that all business facilities are of a temporary nature requiring marquees and stands including health and safety compliant installation, site management, security and servicing, onsite marketing provision, access assistance, and a derig after the event finishes. The grant funding will help to pay for vital infrastructure such as marquees, contribute toward supply of power and water, ensure adequate critical resourcing such as stewarding and security, and cover digital marketing to support businesses on the event site and in the wider city.

    The Business Start-Up Grant Scheme would provide seed capital to support new businesses, offering one-off grant awards of either £1,000 or £3,000, where the new business is taking on a commercial room, premise or property.

    The availability of a start-up grant scheme further supports the incorporation of the Business Gateway service in-house to Aberdeen City and Shire Councils. Applicants will only be eligible for a grant award if engaging with, and are assigned to, a dedicated Business Gateway officer. This will ensure the applicant is accessing business support, as well as the grant, and maximise likelihood of business success.

    The Digital Skills Programme will support businesses to develop digital skills and assets which is important in order for them to stay ahead, continue to innovate and grow. This project builds upon work undertaken by the Digital Boost Programme.

    Other projects which are to receive grants include the Healthy Minds Project, the Aberdeen Creative Industries Skills Development Initiative, the Tall Ships Young Person Development and Employability Project; the Paid Work Placement Initiative, the HMP Grampian Project, the Green Skills Project, the People in Recovery Project, and the Life Skills Project.

    The grants were from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund managed by Aberdeen City Council.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 27 March 2025 Departmental update A unified call for One Health: driving implementation, science, policy and investment for global impact

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Issued at the Third Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting, 25–27 March 2025, WOAH headquarters, Paris

    As global leaders in human, animal and environmental health, the Quadripartite collaboration comprising the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reaffirms its unwavering commitment to advancing the One Health approach. This integrated approach is essential to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems and to address health risks at the human-animal-environment interface. Meeting at WOAH headquarters in Paris for the Third Quadripartite Executive Annual Meeting, we call for urgent, strategic and sustained support and investments to scale up One Health implementation worldwide.

    Advancing the One Health agenda

    Since its establishment in March 2022, the Quadripartite has made significant progress in four strategic priority areas.

    1. Implementation of the One Health Joint Plan of Action (OH JPA). Over the past year, the Quadripartite has strengthened cross-sectoral collaboration through regional and sub-regional One Health workshops in Europe, central Asia, and Pacific islands, leading to increased adoption of the OH JPA at the national level. Capacity-building efforts have expanded, with multiple country-level workshops focusing on workforce development, joint risk assessments and multisectoral coordination mechanisms. Additionally, key implementation tools have been translated into multiple languages, increasing their accessibility and adoption.
    2. Strengthening One Health science and evidence. The second term of the Quadripartite One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) has been established, broadening its expertise to include social sciences, economics and governance. Key scientific deliverables will include mapping international legal and policy instruments that have a bearing on One Health and analysing barriers and enablers of One Health implementation. The Quadripartite One Health Knowledge Nexus serves as an interactive space for collective knowledge generation and co-learning. Under this platform, a joint Community of Practice was launched in November 2023 on the return on investment for One Health. A new community of practice on One Health governance is planned to be launched in 2025. In 2024, the Quadripartite contributed actively to the 8th World One Health Congress and several other international scientific fora to strengthen partnerships with the scientific community.
    3. Enhancing political engagement and advocacy. The Quadripartite played a significant role in global political processes, advocating for the inclusion of One Health in major discussions and declarations. This includes supporting the adoption of a UN General Assembly political declaration on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and advocating for One Health integration in G20 health ministerial discussions and declarations. Additionally, the Quadripartite contributed to the adoption of a Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health at the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) and hosted a high-level One Health event at UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) to promote climate-health policy integration.
    4. Mobilizing investments for One Health. The Quadripartite is developing a Joint Offer – a unified advocacy document for targeted One Health investments. This effort will be bolstered by structured outreach to funding partners through roundtable discussions and high-level dialogues. The Quadripartite continues to advocate for embedding One Health in existing financial mechanisms, and strengthening regional and national One Health investment planning to catalyse broader financial commitments, ensuring sustainable investments at national and global levels.

    Investing in One Health now

    The complexity of today’s health challenges – ranging from AMR and zoonotic diseases to food safety risks and climate-related health threats, amongst others – demands an integrated and well-resourced One Health response. Investing in One Health is not an option; it is an imperative. It is a strategic and cost-effective approach to preventing future health crises, reducing economic losses, strengthening global health security and promoting sustainable development.

    The Quadripartite underscores that investing in One Health today is an investment in a safer, healthier and more resilient future. The world cannot afford to wait. We call on policymakers, donors and global leaders to act decisively, turning commitments into concrete actions and ensuring that One Health is effectively implemented, leaving no one behind.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to New York Times reporting that the Trump administration intends to end funding for Gavi

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Scientists comment on news that the Trump administration are intending to stop funding for Gavi (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation). 

    Professor Sir Andrew Pollard, Director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, University of Oxford, said:

    “The funding cuts in the first 3 months of this year affecting USAID, ODA, WHO and now Gavi are suffocating global health. With this scale of withdrawal of funding some estimates indicate that millions could die from hunger and vaccine-preventable infections. Institutions are reluctant to speak out in case they are targeted and individuals are self-censoring to protect themselves. We must wake up to the moral case for supporting the remarkable global health efforts that help the poor of the world, but also remember that it is in our own interest to defend global health. As the Covid19 pandemic reminds us, infectious diseases cross borders and put all of us at risk. “

     

    Dr David Elliman, Honorary Senior Associate Professor in Child Health at University College London, said:

    “GAVI has enabled many low income countries to deliver vaccinations to children where they would not otherwise be affordable. This is an important contribution to the prevention of millions of deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases around the world. It is estimated that vaccine programmes save something like 6 lives every minute. The withdrawal of funding from GAVI would inevitably lead to a loss of lives, that could otherwise have been saved. This is not only cruel, but is not in the interests of anyone. If diseases such as measles and TB increase anywhere in the world, it is a hazard to us all.  Measles is already on the increase in many parts of the world, including Europe and USA. This could easily happen to other diseases. Ensuring that children “the other side of the world” are protected, contributes substantially to the protection of our own children in high income countries.

    “Similar to the reduction in other forms of aid, this would add to the misery of millions of children. It is an utterly misguided measure, whether considered on ethical grounds or out self interest. Let us hope that this rumour is just that and does not become action.”

    https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/health/usaid-cuts-gavi-bird-flu.html

    Declared interests

    Professor Sir Andrew Pollard: “Professor Pollard is chair of JCVI which provides independent scientific advice on vaccines to DHSC.  The comment above is given in a personal capacity.”

    Dr David Elliman: I have no conflicts of interest

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases rising in England

    Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently.

    New provisional STI surveillance data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows a rise in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea cases, including extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains.

    While most gonorrhoea infections can be treated effectively, certain resistant strains present significant treatment challenges. Ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea is of particular concern. As the primary antibiotic used to treat gonorrhoea, resistance to ceftriaxone can make infections difficult to treat.

    Since first being detected in England in 2015, 42 cases of ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea have been reported. Fifteen of these cases were extensively drug-resistant (XDR), which means that they were resistant to ceftriaxone and to second line treatment options.

    Although numbers remain low, cases are being detected more frequently. In the 15 months from January 2024 to 20 March 2025, there were 17 cases of ceftriaxone resistant gonorrhoea reported (13 in 2024 and 4 in 2025 so far). This compares to 16 across the previous 2 years (January 2022 to December 2023).

    XDR cases are also rising. From January 2024 to March 2025 there were 9 XDR cases (6 in 2024 and 3 in 2025 to date). This compares to 5 cases in total in the previous 2 years (between January 2022 and December 2023).

    Most cases are linked to travel to or from the Asia-Pacific region, where ceftriaxone resistance is common. While transmission within England has been limited so far, the increasing number of cases in recent years is concerning as it increases the chance of wider spread and treatment challenges.

    Typical symptoms of gonorrhoea include a thick green or yellow discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, pain and discomfort in the rectum and, in women and other people with a uterus or ovaries, lower abdominal pain and bleeding between periods. However, many people infected with gonorrhoea will have no symptoms, especially for infections in the throat, vagina or rectum. This lack of symptoms makes it important to test regularly when having sex with new or casual partners.

    Untreated gonorrhoea can lead to serious health complications including infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the female reproductive system, which includes the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

    Dr. Katy Sinka, Consultant Epidemiologist and Head of the STI section at UKHSA, said:

    Gonorrhoea is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, which could make it untreatable in future. If left untreated, it can cause serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility.

    The best way to stop STIs is by using a condom. If you’ve had condomless sex with a new or casual partner, get tested, whatever your age, gender or sexual orientation. This includes when you are having sex abroad. Early detection not only protects your health but prevents transmission to others. Many STIs show no symptoms, which is why regular testing is so important. Testing is quick, free and confidential.

    The latest provisional data on gonorrhoea overall shows approximately 54,965 gonorrhoea diagnoses at sexual health services in the first 9 months of 2024, compared to over 85,000 recorded in the whole of 2023. The latest data indicates that gonorrhoea diagnoses are starting to level, remaining relatively high.

    Meanwhile, around 7,000 syphilis cases were recorded between January and September 2024, compared to 9,513 in the whole of 2023. UKHSA reminds healthcare professionals to remain vigilant for syphilis symptoms, as untreated infections can lead to serious, irreversible complications affecting the brain, heart and nerves.

    Both gonorrhoea and syphilis are easy to catch. If you are having condomless sex with new or casual partners, regular testing for STIs and HIV is essential to maintain good sexual health. Testing is free and can be accessed through local sexual health clinics, university and college medical centres or through self-sampling kits ordered online and sent discreetly through the post.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrating British-Turkmen education collaboration

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Celebrating British-Turkmen education collaboration

    The Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia project at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages has been successfully completed.

    British Ambassador, Stephen Conlon, presents books to the Rector of the World Languages Institute.

    On 19 March we celebrated the successful completion of the British Council’s Accelerating English Language Learning in Central Asia (AELLCA) project at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. The project was funded by the UK Government and implemented by Nottingham Trent University.

    British Ambassador, Stephen Conlon speaks at the closing ceremony.

    The British Ambassador, Stephen Conlon was delighted to speak at the closing ceremony and noted that educational cooperation between the United Kingdom and Turkmenistan has been steadily progressing, with significant achievements since last year.

    British Ambassador and Rector of the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages present teachers with certificates.

    The event showcased the remarkable strides made in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages. The Ambassador presented teachers with well-deserved certificates from Nottingham Trent University, recognising their dedication and hard work.

    Doctor Samuel Barclay of Nottingham Trent University.

    Special thanks to Dr Samuel Barclay of Nottingham Trent University for sharing with participants his insightful findings and reflections, highlighting the lasting impact of this initiative.

    As part of the project, the British Council has also arranged study visits to the UK for members of the Dovletmammet Azadi Turkmen National Institute of World Languages and the International University for Humanities and Development, to enhance their understanding of school-based continuing professional development practices.

    Together, we’re building bridges through language and education – fostering stronger connections and future opportunities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 27 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU researchers discover new risk factor after heart surgery

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Scientists from Novosibirsk State University, as a result of a study conducted jointly with colleagues from the Meshalkin National Medical Research Center, have identified metabolic markers that warn of a high risk of developing certain complications in patients in the postoperative period.

    Statistics show that approximately 30% of patients after open-heart surgery develop delirium (“postoperative psychosis”) as a reaction to drug anesthesia. Such patients require special postoperative care, and the ability to predict the risk of developing such a condition in advance would be of significant help to doctors in this.

    As the researchers note, this reaction does not occur due to the drug, but rather due to the presence of certain prerequisites for the possibility of developing delirium in a person. And anesthesia in this case acts only as a “trigger”. Therefore, the solution to the problem was sought in the field of metabolomic research, which makes it possible to understand how metabolism occurs in the body and study the interrelations of biochemical reactions.

    — Metabolomics is part of omics technologies, which have been rapidly developing in the last couple of decades, largely due to the opportunities that processing large biological data gives us. With their help, it is possible to reconstruct biochemical networks through several “omics” layers (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics). And this is very important, since living organisms are integral systems and they need to be studied in a comprehensive manner, — explained the head of the Department of Fundamental Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, NSU Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Andrey Pokrovsky.

    Metabolomics makes it possible to understand how metabolism occurs in the body, to study the interrelations of biochemical reactions. As a result, it is possible to obtain a metabolic profile of a number of compounds in the body, to understand their role in physiological processes.

    And here the level of detail of the patient’s metabolic profile plays a major role. A conventional biochemical analysis covers about 10-20 different metabolites, but the method used by NSU researchers allows increasing their number to several hundred.

    “Within the framework of this project, we were able to examine about one hundred and fifty patients and, using our approach, identified certain molecules that can be used to predict the occurrence of delirium with a fairly high degree of accuracy,” said Andrey Pokrovsky.

    Using a biochemical blood test, doctors can already identify patients who are at risk of developing this postoperative complication before surgery and adjust their treatment strategy accordingly.

    In the future, scientists are considering the possibility of using the same approach to try to find similar markers of the risk of developing delirium not only after heart surgery – studies have already been published abroad indicating the presence of similar risks developing after other operations, also accompanied by long-term drug anesthesia.

    The study itself became part of a large-scale project carried out by NSU scientists to study the metabolic profiles of patients with various diseases in order to find new markers for their better diagnosis and prediction of the risks of various complications.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: How a Muscovite and her family help SVO participants and residents of new territories

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Every day Muscovites help participants of the special military operation (SVO) and people living in new and border territories of Russia. They transfer patronage aid, as well as humanitarian aid collected at headquarters “Moscow helps”.

    Many city residents create volunteer squads and their own organizations that send everything they need to those who need support. One of them is Oksana Chelmodeeva, director of the center for assistance and development “OkVeAn” and head of humanitarian missions. She began volunteering in 2006, helping to find missing people. In 2016, she joined social projects, and three years later, she opened her own center.

    Training in resource center competency development programs “Mosvolonter” helped Oksana Chelmodeeva to competently build interaction with the team. In 2020, over 80 volunteers from the center took part in the mutual aid campaign “We are together”, delivering food and medicine to Muscovites forced to stay at home.

    With the start of the special military operation, Oksana Chelmodeeva and her team continued to support people, but already within the framework of the humanitarian project “Moscow Helps”. Volunteers participated in the “Let’s Get a Child Ready for School” campaign, providing children living in new territories with the necessary school supplies. In addition, the center regularly sends the collected aid to one of the headquarters in TiNAO. Since 2022, volunteers have also been working in Donetsk. They distribute humanitarian supplies coming from the capital.

    In total, since March 2022, the center has organized more than 60 aid shipments to SVO participants, hospitals, orphanages, shelters, rehabilitation centers and residents of new regions. In addition, more than 500 tons of sponsorship aid for fighters, special technical equipment, machinery and humanitarian aid for residents were transferred to the new territories. In Moscow, support was provided to more than 2.5 thousand displaced families. Many of them themselves joined the center’s volunteer headquarters to help those in need.

    Big team

    In 2024, Oksana Chelmodeeva created a humanitarian center “OkVeAn-Donbass”. It provides regular assistance to a specialized children’s home, the M.I. Kalinin Clinical Hospital and the Psychoneurological Hospital No. 2. Humanitarian aid is also delivered to guardianship and trusteeship authorities in nine districts of Donetsk: Budyonnovsky, Voroshilovsky, Kirovsky, Kalininsky, Kievsky, Kuibyshevsky, Leninsky, Petrovsky and Proletarsky. The center provides patronage assistance to more than 25 military units.

    “It is my duty to my Motherland to help the participants of the SVO and residents of the new territories. I would like to volunteer in the SVO zone, but my disability did not allow it. My whole family helps with me. I have three children, and they have been actively involved in volunteering since childhood. My son participates in loading and unloading humanitarian aid. Together, we have made more than 40 trips to the new territories. Now he lives in Donetsk and helps at the OkVeAn-Donbass center. The youngest daughter is the commander of the Young Army detachment. She participates in social and patriotic projects,” said Oksana Chelmodeeva.

    The Muscovite has a large team. Searchers send requests to factories, plants, production facilities and stores to collect the required amount of resources. At the warehouse, volunteers sort and form cargo into categories. Another team is responsible for transporting aid to the regions. Also among the volunteers are those who write posts about the work done, process citizens’ requests, and lawyers and psychologists provide support to the population and military personnel.

    The center not only provides social assistance, but also conducts military-patriotic work, organizes search expeditions and supports veterans of the Great Patriotic War. The military-patriotic club “Bylina” and a search squad operate on its basis. Together with the Moscow sports and leisure center “Atlant”, a youth army association was created, which was joined by 67 teenagers.

    “I first met caring helpers during a serious illness. People helped me and my family for free. When I recovered, I decided to devote myself to helping people. Now I actively involve children in the world of good. Such values as patriotism, historical memory and continuity of generations are eternal. They help to cultivate a sense of pride in the Motherland and its history, to awaken in them love for their native land, language, traditions and customs,” shared Oksana Chelmodeeva.

    For her active assistance to SVO participants, residents of new territories and the development of the volunteer movement in the city, the Muscovite received many awards. For example, the state medal “For assistance and mercy”, the honorary badge “For contribution to the development of the region”, the medal “Parental valor”, the honorary diploma of the People’s Council of the DPR, as well as letters of gratitude for personal contribution to patriotic education and pre-conscription training of the younger generation, for active public work and for a significant contribution to the development of the volunteer movement in the capital.

    You can find out more about the volunteer movement in the capital on the resource center website “Mosvolonter”, on his social network page “VKontakte” Andtelegram channel.

    Organizing volunteer activities and involving young people in city events are in line with the objectives of the national project “Youth and Children” and the federal project “We are together”.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/151795073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Excursions, master classes, training: what Moscow parks have prepared for March 29 and 30

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Moscow parks will host excursions, master classes, lectures, games, health training and walks on March 29 and 30. The events and conditions for visiting them were reported in the capital’s Department of Culture.

    Saturday, March 29

    The race will take place in Angarskiye Prudy Park at 09:00. The morning will begin with a warm-up at 08:45 at the boat station of the Bolshoy Angarskiy Pond. The start is at 09:00. Each participant will be able to feel the adrenaline and joy of running in the fresh air. The preferred age of athletes is 12 years and older. The event is free.

    From 13:00 to 15:00, a historical excursion “History of Voroshilovsky Park” will be held on the territory of Filevsky Park. It will tell about the history of the previous owners of these places: Solodovnikovs, Soldatenkovs, Shelaputins. It will be interesting for guests aged six and older. Registration is not required.

    And at 20:15 in Filevsky Park there will be a parkrun for a distance of five kilometers. It is timed to coincide with the beginning of the running season in Moscow and will be the first evening parkrun in 2025. Athletes will gather near the main entrance. Registration is not required. Age category – from 18 years and older.

    From 13:00 to 14:00, the Babushkinsky Park Center for Creativity and Leisure will host a musical and educational lesson called “There Will Be a Song.” It is designed for children aged five to eight. A teacher from the Tertsia Center for Contemporary Art will immerse children in the world of music in an interactive way. Participants will learn what musical signs and notes look like, explore cartoon characters through melodies, learn songs by Russian composers, take part in logorhythmic games, solve musical riddles, and complete tasks for creative development. Admission is free.

    A lesson in courage will be held in the Severnoye Tushino Park by a military unit of the Russian National Guard. This event is aimed at patriotic education of children and teenagers, familiarization with the exploits of the people, outstanding figures of Russia and the formation of respect for the history of their country. Participants over 12 years old will learn about the military and labor achievements of their ancestors, understand the importance of protecting the Motherland and develop personal responsibility. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. in the Severnoye Siyaniye center, admission is free.

    The “Mezen Cube” master class will be held in the “Development and Creativity Club” pavilion at the southern entrance to the park. Participants will get acquainted with one of the northernmost types of Russian folk painting, learn to create patterns in traditional white, black and red colors, and then decorate their own cube. The event starts at 2:00 p.m. Children from six years old can participate. Admission is free.

    The master class “Spring Park” from the series “Drawing Basics for Everyone” will be held in the gazebo near the amphitheater of the Friendship Park. Visitors over six years old will learn techniques for depicting trees and foliage, create a spring landscape, and learn how to convey the depth of space in a drawing. Starts at 14:00. Registration is not required.

    At 18:00, a lecture entitled “Qigong. Traditional Chinese Medicine” will be held in one of the outbuildings of the Vorontsovo estate. It will be given by the president of the All-Russian Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine Doctors, a reflexologist, a qigong and taijiquan instructor, and a doctor for the Russian national gymnastics team. Guests will be immersed in the basics of traditional Chinese medicine and have a practical lesson in health qigong. The venue will be held at 8 Vorontsovsky Park from 18:00 to 19:30. Residents of the capital aged 12 and over are invited. The event is paid, tickets can be purchased by link.

    Sunday, March 30

    At 11:00 on the wooden podium behind the main stage of the Severnoye Tushino Park, there will be an open training session in joint gymnastics by the Bodrost hardening club. At 13:00 near the Bodrost pavilion on the park embankment, hardening exercises will begin. Experienced athletes of the club will tell about hardening methods, help participants take the first steps towards strengthening their immunity. Dousing, air baths and breathing exercises will charge you with energy and a good mood. Those wishing to participate are advised to bring towels, slippers and bathing suits. There are no age restrictions. Admission is free.

    At 2:00 p.m., adults and young park guests will be able to take part in a walk-talk called “Bird Day.” They will learn about migratory birds, their characteristics and migration routes, and will also go on a short excursion around the park with binoculars to observe the birds in their natural environment. Anyone aged six and over is invited. Admission is free.

    At 12:00, everyone is invited to a walking tour of the Hermitage Garden. An experienced guide will take you around the most theatrical garden in Moscow, tell you what was on the site of the Hermitage before it appeared, thanks to whom it was opened, and also share interesting facts about the cultural life of the garden with a 130-year history. Visitors will hear a story about how the pearl of the garden and park ensemble became the center of attraction for opera, ballet, and dramatic art. The meeting place is the main entrance (from Karetny Ryad Street), near the white fountain. Required registration.

    An English conversation club will open in the Bauman Garden on March 30. Students will watch films and TV series together, and listen to songs in the original language to learn to understand spoken English and communicate. After each lesson, a discussion of ideas and an exchange of opinions is planned. Meetings will be held every Sunday from 12:00 to 14:00 in the chess club. Participants over six years old are welcome. Participation is free, the number of places is limited, a registration.

    From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the Babushkinsky Park Center for Creativity and Leisure will host the “Game Library for Everyone.” Fans and experts of board games, as well as those who are interested in and want to try something new, are invited to the event. Participants will enjoy a cozy company and a pleasant, friendly atmosphere. Here, everyone will be able to find a game to their taste. The Game Library is live communication, interesting board games, people who will teach them the rules, and a pleasant pastime. Admission is free. Organizers: the SoBytie Foundation for the Support of Social Integration of Teenagers and the regional children’s public organization Soyuz Zvezdny.

    A master class on painting “Street in a Southern Town” from the “Magic Colors” series will be held in the gazebo near the amphitheater in Druzhby Park. At 2:00 p.m., participants will analyze the features of depicting white buildings, the rules for placing accents, and learn how perspective and reflexes work. Admission is free.

    The exhibition “Melnikov’s Moscow” has opened in the Maxim Gorky Central Park of Culture and Leisure behind the main entrance arch. The joint project with the A.V. Shchusev State Research Museum of Architecture is dedicated to the work of the famous avant-garde architect Konstantin Melnikov, one of the most controversial masters of the 1920s and 1930s, whose ideas combine both traditional approaches and those that were decades ahead of their time. Among his most famous works are the Rusakov Union of Communal Workers Club, the Kauchuk Plant Club, the Bakhmetevsky Garage, the garage on Novorizhanskaya Street, and the architect’s own house on Krivoarbatsky Lane. The exhibition will also tell about the architect’s projects for buildings in the capital that were not implemented. These are competition projects for the People’s Commissariat of Heavy Industry and the Palace of Soviets, urban development projects for the reconstruction of Luzhniki and Gorky Park. Admission is free.

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

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    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/151815073/

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  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tech and Security – Latest privacy breach at Health NZ should be a wake-up call to reverse IT cuts – PSA

    Source: PSA

    The Government must urgently reverse the proposed deep cuts at Health NZ’s IT workforce in the wake of the latest privacy breach at the organisation.
    Health NZ today confirmed an IT security incident in October 2024 that resulted in unauthorised access to some staff information from 2020 to 2024 at Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley, and Wairarapa districts.
    “This is just more proof that the damaging cuts to Data and Digital must be reversed, or more sensitive patient and staff information will be put at risk,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
    Health NZ Te Whatu Ora announced in December plans to cut 47% of roles in the Data and Digital Directorate, resulting in the loss of 1120 roles (including vacancies), all to save $100m.
    “This is another wake-up call, one nobody should need, that the IT systems protecting sensitive information are already fragile – we urge the Minister of Health to do the right thing and tell his Ministry to reverse these cuts before it’s too late.
    “Data & Digital staff warned Health NZ last year about the rising risks if the cuts went ahead but these fell on deaf ears.
    “It’s why we asked the Privacy Commissioner to investigate because of the huge gamble with patient privacy and safety we believe Health NZ is taking with these poorly thought through cuts.
    “New Zealanders rightly expect that their private information as patients is held securely, but how can anyone have confidence that the proposed cuts won’t make the situation worse?
    “Health NZ has important obligations under the Health Information Privacy Code and the Privacy Act, but we don’t believe the risks of breaching these obligations have been properly analysed in the rush to save money.
    “The Data & Digital workforce is already under incredible pressure keeping legacy systems going and introducing new modern state of the art systems for our centralised health organisation.
    “Enough is enough. The latest breach should be ringing alarm bells in the Beehive. We urge the Minister to stop the cuts and reassure New Zealanders their information will be safe and secure.”
    The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –