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Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI USA: MEMO: How Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze Affects Colorado

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Head Start programs, Meals on Wheels, Veterans’ suicide prevention programs, COPS grants to police departments all affected
    In a chaotic late-night, two-page memo, President Trump immediately froze federal grants and loans. While the order is blatantly illegal, below is a memo outlining what programs are being affected by this sudden, ill-thought out freeze of funding. 
    “What does this mean for Colorado? Funding to our police departments, our hospitals, programs for homeless veterans. Nearly 9,000 kids in Colorado Head Start programs may be locked out. Trump is sacrificing working Americans,” said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper.
    TO: Interested Parties
    FROM: Office of U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper
    SUBJECT: Effects of Trump Executive Order Freezing Federal Funds 
    DATE: January 28, 2025 
    OMB Memo to Pause Spending: On Monday night, the acting director of the White House Office of Management and Budget sent a two-page memorandum to all federal agency heads directing them to “temporarily pause all activities related to obligations or disbursement of Federal financial assistance.” The order is set to take effect at 3pm MT today. The memo also requires that agencies review all financial assistance programs to ensure activities are “consistent with the President’s policies and requirements,” citing several executive orders directed to pause all spending on foreign aid, the green new deal, “woke gender ideology,” and DEI programs. Agencies must provide OMB detailed information on program spending by February 10th, and assign “responsibility and oversight” to a senior political appointee. Below you can find priority programs and projects in Colorado that may be impacted by this pause. 
    COLORADO IMPACTS
    The order is expected to impact tens of billions of dollars in payments for Colorado. Federal funds make up approximately 25 percent of  Colorado’s total budget.
    The latest Biden administration data lists total IRA/BIL/CHIPS public investment in Colorado at $10.586 billion
    IRA/BIL climate-focused programs: Estimated $600M-$900M 
    Halts programs at Colorado’s rural hospitals: Pauses funding to increase health care access, support community health centers, treat substance abuse issues, and improve care quality for small rural hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals across the state. 
    For example, some of the programs and areas that will be affected:
    $1,420,601 for rural hospital improvements and Medicare flexibility in Arapahoe County
    $1,250,000 to battle the opioid crisis and increase access to substance abuse programs in Moffat County
    $784,031 to help screen patients suffering from black lung disease Denver County
    $499,847 to battle the opioid crisis and increase access to substance abuse programs in Adams County 
    $200,000 to improve access to health care providers in San Miguel County 
    $100,000 to expand rural health care development in Archuleta County 
    $100,000 to expand rural health care development in Mesa County
    Additional programs paused include cancer research, rural telehealth options, and infectious disease preparation.
    Medicaid portal down nationwide: Our office has heard from Colorado hospitals that the Medicaid payment system has been turned off. With Medicaid portals down, doctors and hospitals in Colorado are unable to receive funds through the system. Reports have circulated that other states are running into the same issue and have been shut off from Medicaid. 
    Takes food away from 40 percent of Colorado school kids: Halts federal payments for school breakfast and lunch programs. 40% of Colorado kids rely on these programs to stay fed and healthy. 
    Cuts off 83,000+ low-income families from heating their homes in the dead of winter: Halts funding disbursements for low-income Colorado families who rely on LIHEAP funding to keep their home warm this winter. In FY24, 83,800+ households depended on LIHEAP. 
    25,000+ Colorado seniors will be unsure where their next meal will come from: Local Meals on Wheels providers are unsure whether they will be able to serve meals. 25,000+ Colorado seniors utilize Meals on Wheels to access food. 
    Strips $182 million from the budgets of our local public schools: Will strip Colorado public schools of $182 million in federal funding, straining the budget of our local public schools even further.
    19,000+ kids unable to attend child care or Head Start programs: Facilities will not be able to access reimbursements that help provide low-income kids with the early childhood education, health, and nutrition that they need. In FY23, nearly 9,000 kids were enrolled in Head Start in Colorado. Head Start programs around the country are already reporting being locked out of the portal to access reimbursements.
    Federal funding to provide child care assistance to low-income families will also be paused, with over 10,000 kids in Colorado between the ages of 0-5 were supported by Child Care and Development Block Grant funding last year. 
    Hits our farmers and producers where it hurts when food prices are already too high for working families: This threatens funding to programs that benefit producers and consumers alike, including the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program (LFPA). Since 2022, LFPA has contributed over $2M to local ag in Colorado, and enabled food banks to distribute over 1.2 million pounds of nutritious food to Coloradans in need. The order also pauses funding to agriculture research and meat, poultry, and egg product inspection.  
    Pauses critical loans for thousands of Colorado small businesses: All SBA loans, including disaster relief, will be paused. This will cripple local small businesses as they will be unable to make payroll, their leasing payment, or more. Over 5,000 Colorado small businesses have been approved for SBA loans in the past three years. 
    Deny Colorado communities funding to fight opioid misuse: Last year, Colorado received $20.8 million to fund addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery services across the state.
    Weakens our public safety and undermines our law enforcement: Pauses crucial funding used to prevent terrorism, hire more police officers, prevent school violence, and crack down on drug trafficking. 
    For example, some of grants that boost public safety in Colorado that will be impacted include: 
    $12.2 million to the Colorado Department of Public Safety to prevent terrorism 
    $9 million in Office of Violence Against Women grants in FY24 for Colorado organizations for victims assistance as well as state and local police  
    $680,798 awarded to Colorado Springs to reduce drug trafficking and drug production
    $336,629 for the Colorado Department of Public Safety to crack down on drug trafficking 
    Strips Colorado’s 365,000+ veterans of the support and resources they’ve earned: Halts funding for community-based suicide prevention efforts, organizations that provide care for veterans experiencing homelessness, and services for veterans living with disabilities or struggling with mental health crises. Health care programs that support family members of disabled veterans as well as educational programs, such as the Montgomery GI Bill and post-9/11 education benefits, will be paused. Funds will also be frozen for the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, which supports surviving family members. Federal funding that helps veterans secure good-paying jobs through job training and support services is also threatened. 
    For example, organizations, such as the Colorado Coalition for Homeless, won’t be able to access their regular funding to help support veterans pay their monthly rent.  
    Cuts off 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Pauses funding for the suicide and life crisis hotline that offers real-time support for those struggling with a mental health crisis, emotional distress, and alcohol or durg use.  
    After our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has already invested $5.3 billion in Colorado, all DOT grant programs will be paused and reviewed. Many Colorado projects are at risk, including all major programs impacting highways, aviation, safety, rail, and more.
    Appeases China by allowing them to continue having a hold in our rural communication networks: Hickenlooper successfully secured $3.08 billion for the Federal Communications’s Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program, or the Rip and Replace program for short. Colorado was awarded the highest outstanding amount. That funding is now paused, leaving our rural small businesses in the dust and our telecommunications networks at risk.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein Announces Interim Utilities Commission Appointments

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein Announces Interim Utilities Commission Appointments

    Governor Josh Stein Announces Interim Utilities Commission Appointments
    bwood

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, following the resignation of Utilities Commission Chair Charlotte Mitchell, Governor Josh Stein appointed Floyd B. McKissick Jr. to carry out the remainder of Mitchell’s term, which goes through June 30, 2029. Governor Stein also appointed Steve Levitas to fill McKissick’s position through June 30, 2025. 

    “Floyd McKissick currently serves on the Utilities Commission, and he brings decades of conscientious experience in public service to the role,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful for his willingness to continue serving on the Utilities Commission, and I am proud to be bringing on Steve Levitas, a utilities expert who is a practical problem-solver, to finish Floyd’s current term.” 

    McKissick has served on the State Utilities Commission since 2019 and currently serves on the following committees through the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC): International Relations, Critical Infrastructure, Consumers and the Public Interest, and Energy Resources and the Environment. He is also the 2nd Vice President of the Southeastern Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (SEARUC). He previously represented Durham and Granville counties in the North Carolina State Senate for 13 years, including serving as the Senior Deputy Democratic Leader. He has practiced law since 1984, representing both Fortune 500 corporations and small businesses.   

    Levitas is a solar industry veteran and nationally respected authority on energy policy. His areas of expertise include competitive procurement program design, voluntary customer programs, PURPA implementation, integrated resource planning, and transmission and interconnection policies and procedures. In 2023, he received the North Carolina Sustainable Energy’s Association Lifetime Achievement Award. Prior to his involvement in the renewable energy sector, he spent more than 25 years working in the field of environmental law and policy, including serving as the Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Health and Natural Resources.

    Jan 28, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fort Anderson Will Mark 160th Anniversary with Living History Demonstrations and Programming

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Fort Anderson Will Mark 160th Anniversary with Living History Demonstrations and Programming

    Fort Anderson Will Mark 160th Anniversary with Living History Demonstrations and Programming
    jejohnson6

    On Saturday, Feb. 15, Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site will commemorate the 160th anniversary of Fort Anderson’s capture by U.S. forces in 1865. The site will host two public events, starting with a free day of living history. This will be followed by a ticketed nighttime reenactment of the bombardment and evacuation of the fort.

    Living history demonstrations will run from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Nineteenth-century weapons demonstrations will occur at 11 and 11:30 a.m., 1, 2, and 2:30 p.m. Visitors are invited to interact with ongoing living history demonstrations of Civil War camp life and view interpretive displays throughout the event. Speaker Wade Sokolosky will present “Disaster on the Lower Cape Fear: The Role of Confederate Hospitals through the Fall of Wilmington” at noon.

    Site Manager Jim McKee will lead a tour of Fort Anderson at 4 p.m. A full event schedule will be available on Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site’s website and social media channels.

    Admission to the living history event is free. Parking is available at the Visitor Center, located at 8884 St. Philip’s Rd SE, in Winnabow. Food trucks will be onsite at the Visitor Center from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

    The nighttime program, “Plunging Shot and Screaming Shell,” starts at 6 p.m. The night sky will come alive with a realistic reenactment of the bombardment and evacuation of the fort. This event will be a rare opportunity to witness a heavy artillery duel after dark. The event will go on in the event of rain, provided there is no thunder and lightning.

    Admission for the nighttime event is $10 for ages 16 and up. Children 15 and under are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at the Friends of Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson’s website, https://friends-of-brunswick-townfort-anderson.square.site/upcoming-events.

    About Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site
    Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site is a major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina’s Cape Fear River. Brunswick was abandoned and burned during the American Revolution and never fully recovered. During the Civil War, Fort Anderson was constructed atop the old village site and served as part of the Cape Fear River defenses below Wilmington before the fall of the Confederacy. Colonial foundations dot the present-day tour trail, which crosses the earthworks of the Confederate fort. The site is located at 8884 St. Philip’s Rd SE, Winnabow, N.C. 28479. For more information, visit https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/brunswick-town-and-fort-anderson/plan-your-visit or call (910) 371-6613.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jan 27, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Scott, Cassidy, Colleagues to Introduce Resolution Recognizing National School Choice Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Tim Scott
    WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus and member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.), are introducing a Senate resolution recognizing January 26 – February 1 as National School Choice Week. Congressman John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), and Congressman Burgess Owens (R-Utah) introduced the House version of the resolution.
    “During school choice week, we celebrate the transformative impact education freedom has on the lives of so many students and families. But school choice week also serves as a stark reminder that the magic of a quality education is still out of reach to countless children who desperately need it,” said Senator Scott. “Leaving our kids’ education and the future of America’s children to chance is simply not an option. Transforming our nation’s education system and ensuring every child has access to a quality education must be our call to action every single day.” 
    “All families should be able to choose the school that best fits their child’s needs, regardless of zip code or income,” said Dr. Cassidy. “School choice empowers parents and ensures children have every opportunity to succeed.” 
    “Parents and students deserve to have the chance to pursue the best education available to them, one that provides the best environment for learning. School choice gives students the opportunity to achieve their highest potential with an education that fits their needs. Recent years have shown again how important it is for parents to have a role in their child’s education. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues as we introduce this resolution to recognize parents’ rights,” said Congressman Moolenaar.
    “This week and every week we celebrate empowering families by giving them the opportunity to choose what school will best suit their child’s unique needs. Thanks to school choice policies, students have a wide range of options and are not limited by their zip code. Our children are our future; it is our duty to ensure they have access to a high-quality education. I applaud Rep. Moolenaar for introducing this education freedom resolution,” said Chairman Walberg.
    “Millions of kids in failing school districts can’t meet basic reading and writing standards, and our national test scores are plummeting. Our education system is failing America’s students, and school choice is how we turn it around. Parents should have the power to make the best decisions for their kids, and students should have access to an education that fits their needs, not one determined by their zip code. During School Choice Week, we continue the fight to ensure every family is empowered and every child has the opportunity to reach their God-given potential,” said Congressman Owens.
    The Senate resolution is cosponsored by Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Todd Young (R-Ind.), and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.).
    In the House, the resolution is also cosponsored by Representatives Randy Weber (R-Texas), Aaron Bean (R-Fla), Dan Meuser (R-Pa.), Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.), Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.), Dale Strong (R-Ala.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Rich McCormick (R-Ga.), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Mike Kelly (R-Pa.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), Tim Moore (R-N.C.), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Neal Dunn (R-Fla.), Tom Barrett (R-Mich.), Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), and John James (R-Mich.).
    The text of the resolution can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kauri dieback: clean bill of health for Hūnua Ranges

    Source: Auckland Council

    A Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui / Hūnua Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Survey just published, has revealed no detectable signs of kauri dieback (P. agathidicida) in the Hūnua Ranges.

    The health monitoring survey, the first for the Hūnua Ranges, was carried out between March and November 2023. It was designed to establish the health of kauri, including whether the pathogen might be present in the ranges and collected comprehensive data on 561 kauri trees. 

    The survey was a collaborative effort between Auckland Council, the Department of Conservation, and ngā iwi mana whenua o Te Ngāherehere o Kohukohunui – Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho, Ngāti Whanaunga, and Ngāti Tamaterā.

    Results indicate a robustly healthy kauri population, with over 95 per cent of trees surveyed in excellent health – a much higher rate than the 55 per cent of sites observed in the 2021 Waitākere survey.

    Furthermore, over 92 per cent of surveyed sites showed the presence of healthy seedlings or saplings, indicating strong regeneration and a healthy ecosystem. Importantly, the survey found no evidence of kauri dieback within the study area.

    Chair of the Policy and Planning Committee Councillor Richard Hills says Auckland Council has made significant investment into both kauri protection and surveillance since 2018 and the report shows these efforts are paying off.

    “The kauri dieback pathogen has been detected in most regions where kauri grows in New Zealand, so to have 97 to 99.9 per cent confidence the Hūnua Ranges area is dieback free, is remarkable,” says Councillor Hills.

    “As a popular destination, recreational activity in the Hūnua Ranges is high and the results demonstrate the importance the community places on protecting this special area and supporting the council in its efforts to keep kauri healthy and thriving.

    “The assurance this report affords us is critical for ongoing forest management and underscores the necessity for proactive conservation efforts and community engagement to preserve the health of the Hūnua Ranges and all of our precious forests.”

    Auckland Council’s Principal Biosecurity Advisor, Dr Sarah Killick says protecting kauri from the threat of dieback is paramount to ensuring the specie’s survival.

    “The findings of this survey provide a baseline for monitoring kauri health and will guide future prevention strategies to safeguard this precious ecosystem.”

    The survey’s risk assessment highlighted areas most vulnerable to pathogen introduction.

    A similar survey in the Waitākere Ranges in 2022 indicated kauri dieback was strongly associated with historical and recent soil disturbances. In areas where it occurred, kauri appeared to be more prone to poor health and vulnerable to disease.

    Evidence indicates soil and forest disturbances are introduction pathways for kauri dieback, emphasising the importance of preventing soil movement as key to protecting the health of this forest.

    Enhanced AI and machine learning tools have helped map kauri, building on the successes of similar efforts in the Waitākere Ranges.

    Dr Killick says ongoing monitoring will be critical to track changes in kauri health over time, considering factors such as land use, environmental management, and climate change.

    The survey will continue to be carried out every five years.

    Read the 2023 Hūnua Ranges Kauri Population Health Monitoring Report here

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – $500k vape kit deal ‘reeks of tobacco tactics’ – Asthma Foundation

    Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

    The Government has forked out more than half a million dollars on vapes to help adults quit smoking – despite these products not being approved for smoking cessation.
    The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ can reveal that the Government bought 3000 RELX Essential Vape Devices for $575,000 to help achieve its Smokefree 2025 goal.
    The vapes are provided for free to some smokers trying to quit – but the Foundation says it has serious concerns not just about their effectiveness but also about the lack of consultation, the purchase process, and quality control.
    Health NZ told the Foundation there was no tender process for the free vape kits as it purchased the vapes from a New Zealand company, which it says is “compliant with all relevant regulations”.
    RELX vaping products are produced by vaping and e-cigarette giant, RELX International, which has its headquarters in China.
    Foundation Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says regardless of whether this is in the combustible form or the vape form, this whole process reeks of tobacco tactics.
    “Public health policy must be guided by evidence and transparency, not behind-closed-door deals.”
    It is unclear whether an analysis of these products has been performed to ensure that nicotine levels are as labelled and that they contain no harmful substances, Ms Harding says.
    The nicotine content of the vapes are 28.5mg/ml – the maximum level available to purchase legally in NZ. Health NZ says the flavours on offer are watermelon, tobacco and mint.
    Health NZ’s advice to stop smoking practitioners is that vaping devices should be provided to those who have previously made quit attempts using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescription medications.
    However, in individual cases, after an assessment has been conducted, providers may use their discretion to provide clients with a vaping device.
    Foundation Medical Director Professor Bob Hancox says there are already evidence-based, medically approved products that we know have gone through robust clinical trials and are available in New Zealand to help people quit smoking.
    “Who will take responsibility if people suffer adverse effects from these unapproved devices?
    “These vapes have been sent to smoking cessation providers to give to their clients, but Medsafe has not approved them to ensure their safety.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Tech – Essential medical imaging services now more accessible in the Bay of Plenty

    Source: RHCNZ

    RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group is excited to announce that Bay Radiology’s new flagship clinic on 17th Avenue in Tauranga is now fully open. Phase One of the clinic, which includes Bay Radiology’s first PET-CT scanner, opened in September 2024. Phase Two opened last week, completing this state-of-the-art facility. The new purpose-built clinic is designed to future-proof medical imaging services for Bay of Plenty residents.
    Spanning over 3,000 square metres, this extensive clinic is the largest medical imaging clinic in New Zealand. It is equipped with the latest technology including a high-tech Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanner as well as state-of-the-art MRI, CT, x-ray and ultrasound equipment. The clinic offers a comprehensive range of medical imaging services to meet the community’s needs, including interventional radiology, mammography and fluoroscopy.
    Managing Radiologist for Bay Radiology, Dr Kunaal Rajpal, emphasises that removing barriers to patients accessing healthcare has become a key focus for Bay Radiology.
    “Equity of access to healthcare for people living in regional New Zealand is an issue that concerns all healthcare providers, so we are proud to be able to provide better access to high quality imaging locally.”
    Dr Rajpal adds
    “Our radiologists have a wide range of sub-specialities including Musculoskeletal, Interventional, Breast, Body Imaging, Oncology, Neuroradiology, Abdominal, and Head and Neck Imaging. Patients can feel confident knowing that if the need arises, highly specialised expertise is right on their doorstep.”
    A phased design enabled some parts of the building to be safely used while other parts were still under construction. Consequently, Bay Radiology commenced their PET-CT scanning last September. This advanced technology plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
    Nicola Daisley, Regional Manager, notes
    “Since opening in September our PET-CT team have delivered diagnostic results for over 100 patients, enabling their lead care specialists to provide the best possible health-care treatment plans. We are delighted to now be offering a full suite of modalities from one central and easily accessible location, streamlining the diagnostic process for our community.”
    RHCNZ Medical Imaging Group CEO Terry McLaughlin says that this new clinic, strategically located in Tauranga, is a significant step in supporting the healthcare needs of the Bay of Plenty community.
    “Our 17 th Ave clinic is the heart of our Bay Radiology operations, providing patients access to the full suite of medical imaging services in one convenient location. Bay Radiology has been supporting the local community with their healthcare needs for over 30 years. We look forward to at least another 30 years of better health outcomes for Bay and Eastern Bay of Plenty residents,” said Mr. McLaughlin.
    A traditional blessing ceremony for 17 th Ave was held on Friday, 20 December 2024. The ceremony was led by local Iwi leader Tamati Tata of Ngati Ranginui and attended by staff members and the building’s architects.
    Conveniently located in central Tauranga, the clinic is adjacent to Tauranga Hospital, easily accessible from medical centres and specialist consulting rooms and is on main public transport routes.
    BAY RADIOLOGY is the Bay of Plenty’s leading radiology provider with 9 clinics in Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, Papamoa, Katikati, Matamata and Whakatane. Bay Radiology offers MRI, CT, PET CT, interventional radiology, ultrasound, pregnancy ultrasound, x-ray, mammography, fluoroscopy and PRP services.
    RHCNZ MEDICAL IMAGING GROUP is New Zealand’s leading private radiology provider with over 140 specialist radiologists working in 74+ clinics nationwide. This New Zealand owned company operates 3 longstanding brands – Auckland Radiology Group, Bay Radiology and Pacific Radiology Group. RHCNZ stands for Radiology Holding Company New Zealand.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Demand that Trump Exempt Veterans Affairs Employees from Hiring Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined a group of their Senate colleagues in demanding that President Donald Trump exempt all positions at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from President Trump’s Executive Order to institute an immediate hiring freeze across the federal civil service. In the lawmakers’ letter to Trump, the senators raised concerns that unless the VA were exempted from the hiring freeze, delivery of health care and benefits to veterans across the country could be delayed or otherwise negatively impacted.
    “As written, this Memorandum could dramatically impair the ability of veterans across the country to get the care and benefits they desperately need,” wrote the senators. “It could also delay or deny various other services across VA – from burial services to job training to assistance for homeless veterans to life-saving assistance from the Veterans Crisis Line.”
    “And despite assurances that VA benefits would be exempt,” they continued. “We have become aware the hiring freeze will extend to the Veterans Benefits Administration – a decision that will dramatically impact the processing of disability claims, growing the backlog and making it more difficult for veterans to access their earned benefits, including those promised in the PACT Act. Additionally, there is no explicit exemption for employees serving the more than 9.2 million veterans enrolled in VA health care.”
    Following concerns from senators and veterans, the VA announced certain positions would be exempted from the hiring freeze. However, the order continues to require the Veterans Benefits Administration to take additional steps before filling vacancies, which would dramatically impact the processing of disability claims. The order also does not exempt certain support staff who provide important inpatient services at VA medical centers, including housekeepers, cooks, and boiler room employees.
    Warner and Kaine have both long advocated for ensuring access to health care, housing, employment, and other benefits for veterans and military families. In December 2024, both senators joined their colleagues in a unanimous vote to pass the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, which will cut down wait times for veterans seeking health care and improve pay for VA health care employees. In September 2024, Warner and Kaine announced over $4.5 million in federal funding for veteran suicide prevention efforts in Virginia. And in August 2022, Warner and Kaine helped pass the PACT Act to expand benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxins as a result of their military service.
    The letter was led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and joined by Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Peter Welch (D-VT).
    The full text of the letter is available below.
    Dear President Trump,
    We write with urgent concerns about the Presidential Memorandum issued on January 20, 2025, which instituted an immediate hiring freeze, with few exceptions, across the federal civil service. Veterans have earned and deserve the best quality health care and benefits possible. Delivering on that sacred promise starts with ensuring the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has the appropriate personnel in place to serve them. As written, this Memorandum could dramatically impair the ability of veterans across the country to get the care and benefits they desperately need. It could also delay or deny various other services across VA – from burial services to job training to assistance for homeless veterans to life-saving assistance from the Veterans Crisis Line. That is why it is imperative for you to provide an immediate, clear, and full exemption to this hiring freeze for VA so it can continue to deliver on its sacred mission for veterans.
    In your Memorandum, little detail is provided to understand the scope of its exemptions. And despite assurances that VA benefits would be exempt, we have become aware the hiring freeze will extend to the Veterans Benefits Administration – a decision that will dramatically impact the processing of disability claims, growing the backlog and making it more difficult for veterans to access their earned benefits, including those promised in the PACT Act. Additionally, there is no explicit exemption for employees serving the more than 9.2 million veterans enrolled in VA health care.
    Veterans deserve the best care possible from the best medical professionals in the country. To deliver on that obligation, VA continues to utilize various hiring authorities and incentives provided by Congress to address chronic medical workforce shortages, particularly in rural areas. Instead of building upon those efforts, one of your first actions was to stop them entirely, and to issue new directives to VA personnel across the country to not only leave vacancies unaddressed, but to revoke job offers that have already been made. That is a betrayal of trust to veterans on day one of your Administration, and it is a betrayal of trust to prospective VA employees intent on serving veterans – an action that will undoubtedly have long-term impacts on VA’s ability to effectively recruit and retain the physicians, nurses, and other critical positions that make VA the preferred option for care for veterans.
    Mr. President, to prevent the delay or denial of life-saving services and benefits for our nation’s heroes, we urge you to provide an immediate, clear, and full exemption to VA personnel from your hiring freeze. Thanks largely to the PACT Act and the leadership of the Biden Administration, VA is providing more care and more benefits to more veterans than at any time in its history. We are hopeful to work with you to build upon our nation’s promise to these men and women, but we also vow to fight every effort that dishonors their service and reneges upon that sacred promise. 
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Discount Doctor to Visit United Kingdom in Support of Investment Trusts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RYE, N.Y., Jan. 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — David Schachter, Senior Vice President of GAMCO Investors, Inc., will visit the United Kingdom to convey support for the British investment trust industry.

    With over 40 years of experience exclusively with retail, long term, closed-end fund investors, Mr. Schachter, a most senior and experienced veteran of the U.S. Closed End Fund industry, was recently given the title of Discount Doctor by the Trustees of The GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (GNT), which trades on the NYSE.

    Mr. Schachter said, “The way I see it, the United States owes a debt to the British Investment Trust Industry, which helped build our railroads in the 1800s. Last week in his inauguration speech, President Trump spoke of America’s achievements stating, ‘In America, the impossible is what we do best…Together they laid down the railroads …and triumphed over every single challenge that they faced.’”

    During the 19th century, capital was raised through closed-end funds. These funds helped build the railroads, which linked the American continent from sea to sea and led to the nation’s economic success.

    Today, in the early 21st century, closed-end funds are being threatened for elimination by hedged activists for short-term and short-sighted value extraction.

    “Closed-end funds are a metaphor for long-term, patient capital, but they also represent freedom for investors who, in a sector where mass redemptions could force portfolio managers to sell, is an essential ability to those who may not want to be herded into selling.”

    Mr. Schachter plans to visit the offices of the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) and speak with the press and interested U.K. investors.

    He remarked that recent activism is emblematic of short-termism and notes activist claims of being aligned with “Mom and Pop” investors as being absurd. “When it comes to activism, the playing field isn’t level at all…unlike Mom and Pop, sophisticated activists are hedged on a fund’s underlying portfolio.” Schachter commented, “As the Discount Doctor, it is critical to cure the ill without killing the patient in the process.”

    Financial professionals and investors are invited to contact Mr. Schachter directly at (914) 921-5057 or (800) GABELLI.

    Gabelli Funds, LLC is the adviser to thirteen closed-end funds which trade on the NYSE: Gabelli Equity Trust (NYSE: GAB), Gabelli Convertible & Income Securities Fund (NYSE: GCV), Gabelli Multimedia Trust (NYSE: GGT), Gabelli Utility Trust (NYSE: GUT), Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust (NYSE: GDV), Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust (NYSE American: GLU), GAMCO Global Gold Natural Resources & Income Trust (NYSE American: GGN), The GDL Fund (NYSE: GDL), Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRX Trust (NYSE: GRX), GAMCO Natural Resources, Gold & Income Trust (NYSE: GNT), Gabelli Global Small and Mid-Cap Value Trust (NYSE: GGZ), Bancroft Fund (NYSE American: BCV) and Ellsworth Growth & Income Fund (NYSE American: ECF). As of December 31, 2024, the thirteen Gabelli closed-end funds had total assets of $7.3 billion.

    Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of a Fund before investing. For more information regarding the Funds, call:

    David Schachter
    (914) 921-5057

    A Fund’s NAV per share will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. Stocks are subject to market, economic, and business risks that cause their prices to fluctuate. Investors acquire shares of the Fund on a securities exchange at market value, which fluctuates according to the dynamics of supply and demand. When Fund shares are sold, they may be worth more or less than their original cost. Consequently, you can lose money by investing in a Fund.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Government Employee Pleads Guilty to Fraud and Theft for Billing Same Hours to Two Employers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant Billed Substantially Same Hours to DC Department of Health and U.S. Department of Defense Over Nine-Month Period

                WASHINGTON – Idris Ahmad, 53, of Maryland, pleaded guilty in DC Superior Court yesterday to two counts of second-degree fraud and two counts of second-degree theft for submitting fraudulent timesheets to the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. for the District of Columbia, and District of Columbia Inspector General Daniel W. Lucas.

                The Honorable Robert R. Rigsby accepted Ahmad’s guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for February 11, 2025.

                According to court documents, Ahmad accepted a job in 2017 as a pest control supervisor with DOH while maintaining a second job with DoD as a pest controller on a night shift at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB). However, when he was later moved to a day shift at JBAB, he continued working for both employers despite his new shift substantially overlapping with his daily shift at DOH. Ahmad admitted in court that beginning in September of 2020, and continuing through June of 2021, he submitted timesheets to both employers for substantially identical hours and lied to both employers about this double-billing in order to keep collecting paychecks from each one.

                This case was investigated by the D.C. Office of the Inspector General, with assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense. The case was prosecuted by the late Special Assistant United States Attorney Bayly Leighton, Special Assistant United States Attorney Micah Bluming, and Assistant United States Attorneys Caroline Huether and Anna Forgie.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren Slams Defense Nominee for Improperly Withholding Aid to Ukraine, Violating U.S. Constitution, Disregarding Congressional Authority

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    January 28, 2025

    Michael Duffey is responsible for holding up aid to Ukraine, leading to President Trump’s first impeachment

    “[I]f you are confirmed…the Senate would be supporting the confirmation of an individual who has shown disregard for the Constitution, Congressional authority, and our nation’s laws.”

    Text of Letter (PDF) 

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, wrote to Mr. Michael Duffey, nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) of the Department of Defense (DoD), ahead of his confirmation hearing, with serious concerns about his record, which include violating the law, disregarding Congressional authority, and his involvement in Project 2025. Mr. Duffey also played a direct role in Trump’s withholding of funding to Ukraine, an action that resulted in the impeachment of Donald Trump. It is especially alarming given he would oversee a DoD requested acquisition budget of $311 billion and procurement programs already at high-risk for fraud, waste, and abuse. 

    Mr. Duffey’s Role in the Unlawful Freezing of Aid to Ukraine

    In December 2019, President Trump was impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors for illegally seeking assistance from Ukraine to help him win the 2020 election against President Joe Biden. In his role at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Mr. Duffey helped President Trump block aid to Ukraine in an effort to pressure them to open an investigation into President Biden. He did so despite under-oath testimony and emails showing that career officials raised concerns with him that this could violate the law and disrupt DoD’s ability to train and equip Ukraine to strengthen their security forces. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), a non-partisan independent government watchdog, concluded that freezing this aid violated the Impoundment Control Act of 1974. 

    “Your actions in the course of these events give the strong appearance that you knowingly violated the law and the Constitution – and that you were an important participant in events that ultimately resulted in the President’s impeachment,” said Senator Warren.

    Duffey’s Disregard for Congressional Authority and Oversight

    Mr. Duffey also refused to comply with a deposition request as part of the impeachment inquiry and ignored a subpoena from the three House committees that led the impeachment inquiry. His refusal to comply with the subpoena – at the direction of President Trump – was so significant that it was one of the reasons that President Trump was charged with the second article of impeachment for Obstruction of Congress and that Mr. Duffey was listed by name in the impeachment resolution.

    Duffey’s Direct Involvement in Project 2025

    Mr. Duffey also had direct involvement in Project 2025, developing several policies for the report. One of the chapters Mr. Duffey contributed to calls for “using government contracts to push back against woke policies in corporate America.” The senator raised concerns about whether Mr. Duffey would use his position to police the personnel and Human Resources decisions of defense contractors, rather than prioritizing government contracts that advance U.S. national security and support our servicemembers. Project 2025 also calls for “reducing the number of procurement competitions” and a new system that allows decision makers of federal contracts to “bypass unnecessary departmental regulations.”  

    “I am concerned by whether these policy plans will reduce necessary competition and favor the biggest – or most politically connected – defense contractors,” wrote Senator Warren. 

    Duffey’s Plan to Address Risks of Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in DoD Acquisition

    Given Mr. Duffey’s past behavior, especially that which led to President Trump’s first impeachment, the senator raised concerns about whether he will ensure DoD contracts are awarded fairly and based on the best interests of taxpayers and national security. 

    Already, DoD’s acquisition program has been a target of “contracting-related fraud schemes” and DoD’s contracting processes have been found to be “vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse.” This concern is heightened as major DoD contractors, including Lockheed Martin and Boeing, made donations to President Trump’s second inauguration in order to ingratiate themselves with the new administration in an effort to avoid regulation and win government contracts.

    “[I]f you are confirmed…the Senate would be supporting the confirmation of an individual who has shown disregard for the Constitution, Congressional authority, and our nation’s laws,” concluded Senator Warren. She requested his written answers to questions by February 3, 2025. 

    Senator Warren has led efforts, including bipartisan action, to hold DoD accountable and transparent to ensure taxpayers are not being price gouged and the defense industrial base remains resilient:  

    • In January 2025, Senator Warren sent Elon Musk, Chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a letter detailing over 30 proposals that would cut at least $2 trillion of wasteful government spending over the next decade.
    • In September 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), reintroduced the Streamline Pentagon Spending Act, bipartisan legislation to repeal statutory requirements to provide unfunded priorities lists, reduce wasteful reporting burdens, and enhance civilian oversight over the budgetary process.
    • In May 2024, Senators Warren, then-Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), then-Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Budget, led a letter with Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) demanding the Department of Defense (DoD) provide answers about military contractors’ price gouging tactics that cost the Pentagon billions of dollars every year in overpayments. 
    • In May 2024, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), raised concerns about DoD contractor, SpaceX, which is owned by Elon Musk, undermining U.S. allies and national security goals. Senator Warren questioned Mr. John D. Hill, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space and Missile Defense, about SpaceX’s work to stop its Starlink technology from being illegally acquired by Russia. These illegal terminals may have provided Russia a major advantage in their invasion of Ukraine.  
    • In March 2024, at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senator Warren questioned General Anthony J. Cotton, USAF, Commander of United States Strategic Command about significant cost overruns and mismanagement of the Sentinel program. 
    • In February 2024, Senator Warren and Representative Garamendi (D-Calif.), sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, expressing concerns with the Department of Defense’s (DoD) insufficient review process for consolidation in the defense industrial base and the resulting impact on supply chains, innovation, and national security.
    • In November 2023, after reports that defense contractor TransDigm refused to provide cost and pricing information needed to prevent price gouging of taxpayers and the DoD, Senator Warren and Representative Garamendi sent letters to the DoD and TransDigm, pressing them to provide transparency on cost and pricing data to ensure that taxpayers aren’t being overcharged for expensive DoD contracts. 
    • In August 2023, Senator Warren, then-Chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and top officials during a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on August 23rd. The congressional delegation’s trip coincided with Ukraine’s Independence Day celebration on August 24th and demonstrated strong bipartisan support from the U.S. Senate for the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion. 
    • In July 2023, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, Senator Warren called out the Department of Defense for wasting billions in taxpayers dollars due to price gouging by defense contractors for services and in health care, and identified opportunities for cost savings when DoD buys personnel-related goods and services. 
    • In July 2023, Senator Warren sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Director of the Defense Health Agency, Lieutenant General Telita Crosland, regarding a series of DoD Inspector General reports finding that the DoD is failing to prevent price gouging and overpayments to contractors in the TRICARE health program.
    • In June 2023, Senator Warren, Senator Mike Braun, and Representative Garamendi reintroduced the bipartisan Stop Price Gouging the Military Act which would close loopholes in current acquisition laws, tie financial incentives for contractors to performance, and provide the Department of Defense the information necessary to prevent future rip-offs.
    • In May 2023, Senator Warren and Representative Garamendi sent letters to Boeing, TransDigm, and the Department of Defense, calling out the defense contractors for their refusal to provide cost and pricing data to the Department of Defense (DoD), as required by law. The lawmakers also called on DoD to take action to address these contractors’ refusals to provide cost and pricing data. 
    • In October 2022, Senator Warren obtained a commitment from DoD not to increase contract prices due to inflation.
    • In October 2022 Senator Warren sent a letter to DoD urging them to insist on receiving certified cost or pricing data to justify any contract adjustments.
    • In June 2022, Senator Warren and Representative Garamendi introduced the bicameral Stop Price Gouging the Military Act, which would enhance DoD’s ability to access certified cost and pricing data. Part of Senator Warren’s legislation was incorporated into the FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Act reported to the Senate.
    • In March 2022, at a SASC hearing, Senator Warren criticized DoD for failing to consider alternatives to the Sentinel program in order to justify unsustainable nuclear weapons spending.
    • In September 2020, Senator Warren and Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) formally requested that the Department of Defense (DoD) Inspector General (IG) investigate reports that the Pentagon redirected hundreds of millions of dollars of funds meant for COVID-19 response via the Defense Production Act (DPA) to defense contractors for “jet engine parts, body armor and dress uniforms.”
    • In May 2020, Senator Warren wrote to the Department requesting clarification on how the Department would prevent profiteering following a recent change to increase payments to contractors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    • In August 2017, Senator Warren traveled to Eastern Europe and Germany to learn more about plans to counteract Russian efforts to damage European democracies.
    • In May 2017, Senator Warren wrote to the DoD Inspector General, requesting an investigation into TransDigm for potential waste, fraud, and abuse in the military spares market.
    • In October 2015, Senator Warren visited Ukraine and other European countries for a visit focused on economic issues and the Syrian refugee crisis. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Does Bird Flu Affect My Food?

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Bird flu (avian influenza) has become an increased concern in the health community throughout the United States.

    Within the past year, the disease has spread to cattle, and 68 people in North America have become ill from the disease and one has died.

    The thought of the potential risk of contracting the disease from store-bought foods prepared and consumed at home is concerning to many consumers.

    Here, UConn Extension educators provide information on how to prevent risk from bird flu exposure and how to prepare food properly to ensure food safety.

    What is Bird Flu and How Does it Spread?

    “Bird flu” is the name that has been used to describe a disease caused by the avian influenza virus (H5N1). It can spread among wild birds, poultry, cattle, pigs, and other animals.

    Although uncommon, in a few cases the avian influenza virus has crossed over and caused illness in people. Human infection can occur through contact with bodily fluids or feces (poop) of infected birds or animals, and from touching surfaces that have been in contact with infected birds or animals.

    Farm workers, hunters, and people who handle birds and animals for pets or livestock can be a risk for bird flu.

    How Can I Protect Myself from Bird Flu?

    Those who attend agricultural fairs, or visit farms should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling or petting birds and animals. Many areas have placed tighter restrictions on events such as petting zoos to minimize risk.

    Proper food safety practices including hand washing and kitchen hygiene reduce the risk and spread of foodborne illnesses, including bird flu.

    Thoroughly cooking poultry and meats kills harmful bacteria and viruses. Safely prepared and cooked poultry are safe to eat.

    Proper food safety practices are important every day. In addition to proper processing, proper handling and cooking of poultry provides protection from viruses and bacteria, including bird flu.

    Consuming raw milk can be risky because raw milk may contain viruses and bacteria. Pasteurization, a heat treatment process, effectively kills these harmful viruses and bacteria.

    How to Prepare Foods Safely

    Remember, follow these four basic food safety steps: Clean, Separate, Cook, and Chill.

    • Cook poultry to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Ground beef should have a cooked temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
    • Whole cuts of beef should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit after resting for three minutes.
    • Keep raw poultry and meats separated from cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination.
    • Thoroughly wash all surfaces, utensils, and hands after handling raw and cooked foods.

    For more information, visit the CDC website or the USDA website. For more UConn Extension publications, visit the UConn Extension website.

    This work relates to CAHNR’s Strategic Vision area focused on Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally.

    Follow UConn CAHNR on social media

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Attacks on reproductive health will have devastating consequences worldwide story Jan 28, 2025

    Source: Doctors Without Borders –

    “There are deadly consequences anytime access to sexual and reproductive health care is restricted,” said MSF USA CEO Avril Benoît. “In the countries where MSF works, our staff see the lifesaving impact of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services—and we have seen patients who have died or suffered life-altering injuries because they were denied access to care. In emergency cases where urgent care is needed, delays in access to safe abortion care pose substantial risks to patients’ health and wellbeing. While MSF stands committed to ensuring people have access to essential medical services, we can’t do it alone. Across the world, we work closely with other health providers who are now essentially banned from doing their jobs and providing patients with essential information, referrals, and direct services.”

    An MSF nurse holds medication for an abortion with pills. A safe abortion with pills is over 95% effective and is extremely safe, with less than a 1% chance of severe complications. The risk of death from a safe abortion is lower than from an injection of penicillin or from carrying a pregnancy to term. | Mozambique 2023 © Miora Rajaonary

    Far-reaching and harmful consequences for any person who can become pregnant

    The Geneva Consensus Declaration is a non-binding political statement which asserts that country governments have no obligation to facilitate abortion care. The Geneva Consensus Declaration purposefully distorts the meaning of international agreements on health and human rights in support of this position to rationalize restrictions on patient-centered sexual and reproductive health services. The consequences of the Global Gag Rule and influence of the Geneva Consensus Declaration will be far-reaching and harmful for any person who can become pregnant, including people seeking health care in crisis- and conflict-affected settings, like those in which MSF operates.

    MSF does not accept US government funding and its programs are not directly affected by the Global Gag Rule. However, MSF health care providers have seen firsthand how policies impeding access to sexual and reproductive health services harm patients and communities globally.

    When safe abortion care is not accessible, it increases the likelihood that individuals will seek out unsafe abortion methods, one of the leading causes of maternal death and injury worldwide. The risk of unsafe abortion is elevated in humanitarian settings where it’s even harder for people to access medical services. In 2023, MSF provided more than 31,000 consultations for post-abortion care, most of which were due to complications related to unsafe abortion. With the reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule, MSF expects these already troubling numbers to increase.

    “The reinstatement of the Global Gag Rule will have devastating consequences for health,” said Rachel Milkovich, global health policy specialist at MSF USA. “It means that people around the world will have fewer points of service for their sexual and reproductive health needs, fewer safe places to talk about their medical options, and fewer providers to go to for help during medical emergencies. Health care providers should not be forced to navigate political considerations and complexities before providing patients with essential and lifesaving sexual and reproductive health services.”

    About the Global Gag Rule

    In 2017, President Trump expanded the Global Gag Rule to all US global health assistance, affecting an estimated $12 billion, including more than 1,300 global health grants in more than 70 countries. Previously, the policy only applied to US assistance for family planning and reproductive health. The expanded policy impacted projects related to HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, malaria, nutrition, sexual and gender-based violence, tuberculosis, and other health programs. The Global Gag Rule exacerbates the harm of the Helms Amendment, which prohibits all US-funded organizations from using US foreign assistance to fund abortion-related services.

    When the Global Gag Rule was last in place, from 2017 to 2021, health advocates reported widespread clinic closures, termination of mobile outreach programs, loss of integrated health programs, weakened health advocacy coalitions, and fractured referral networks. Even four years after the policy’s rescindment, organizations are still trying to rebuild programs lost due to the Global Gag Rule.

    The Global Gag Rule puts organizations in an impossible position. Either they must comply with the policy to receive US government funding—restricting the provision of sexual and reproductive health services and information to the communities they serve—or decide not to comply and lose access to significant financial support, which many organizations rely on to operate. Those unable to access alternative funding may be forced to cut staff or services. Some may be forced to close their programs altogether. In either scenario, patients lose access to vital health services.

    The Global Gag Rule has been repeatedly reinstated or rescinded for the last 40 years, according to the will of the administration in power. It is not feasible or sustainable for organizations to constantly adjust their services each time there is a change in the US government’s political priorities.

    To stop the pervasive harm caused by the Global Gag Rule, MSF USA is calling for a permanent end to the policy. MSF USA supports the Global Health, Empowerment, and Rights (Global HER) Act, which would permanently repeal the Global Gag Rule, and preserve access to safe abortion care.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Paris Agreement & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (28 January)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Briefings
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Paris Agreement
    Deputy Secretary-General/Travels
    UNRWA
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Syria
    Sudan
    Honour Roll

    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Turning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This morning the Secretary-General spoke to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, as well as with the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame. During his conversation with the President of Rwanda, they discussed the situation in the DRC, with an emphasis on the protection of civilians.
    This afternoon, at 3pm, the Security Council will meet to discuss the situation in the country. Vivian van de Perre, the Deputy Special Representative for Protection and Operations for the UN peacekeeping operations – MONUSCO – is expected to brief from Goma.
    On the ground, in Goma, the security situation remains extremely volatile. M23 forces are inside the city and UN peacekeeping personnel and troops have largely been forced to take shelter in bunkers.
    Medical facilities in Goma are reportedly overwhelmed, and essential services are disrupted.
    Currently, M23 forces control the airport and there are real risks of breakdown of law and order in the city. The Mission has also seen credible reports of prisoners who have escaped from the Goma prison, as well as looting by civilians. Non-essential UN personnel have been temporarily relocated from Goma and the surrounding area.
    The movement of essential supplies and personnel is an urgent concern. Armed clashes continue in multiple regions, including Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo, further displacing civilians and complicating humanitarian efforts.
    Peacekeepers also report that protests in Kinshasa over the ongoing situation in eastern DRC have turned violent, with demonstrators setting fires outside UN premises [MONUSCO and UN agencies] and targeting several embassies. Looting has also been reported in Kinshasa.
    For its part, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tells us that the humanitarian situation in and around Goma remains worrying. Hospitals in Goma continue to be overwhelmed, struggling to manage the influx of wounded people.
    Two ambulances from a local NGO were targeted in the city of Goma today while attempting to evacuate wounded people.
    According to humanitarian partners, there are also reports of gender-based violence; the looting of property, including several humanitarian warehouses; and humanitarian and health facilities being struck in the fighting.
    Electricity and water supplies are still disrupted. The phone network is operational, but the Internet is not.
    OCHA reiterates that all parties must do all they can to spare civilians in military operations. Schools, hospitals and other civilian infrastructure must be protected.
    If the situation remains calm tomorrow, aid workers are planning to resume their efforts to respond to the enormous humanitarian needs.
    WFP tells us that access to food in Goma has been impacted. They remain focused on supporting the 7.1 million most vulnerable women, men, and children and also aim to resume delivering assistance as soon as circumstances allow.

    Paris Agreement
    The United States of America notified the Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary, of its withdrawal, on 27 January 2025, from the Paris Agreement of 12 December 2015.
    The United States had signed the Paris Agreement on 22 April 2016 and expressed its consent to be bound by the Agreement by acceptance on 3 September 2016.
    It then withdrew from the Agreement effective on 4 November 2020, before accepting it again as of 19 February 2021.
    According to Article 28, paragraph 2, of the Paris Agreement, the withdrawal of the United States will take effect on 27 January 2026.
    The UN reaffirms its commitment to the Paris Agreement and to support all efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

    Deputy Secretary-General/Travels
    The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, attended the second and final day of the Africa Energy Summit in Tanzania today. In her opening remarks, she called on the African leaders present to advance energy access by 2030. To realize this vision, the Deputy Secretary-General stressed the need for strong institutions, effective multilateral cooperation and investments from the public and private sectors to scale up implementation of energy projects.
    The Deputy Secretary-General engaged with Heads of State and Government, ministers, and other high-level representatives to discuss cooperation with the United Nations towards achieving the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.
    She will return to New York on Wednesday.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=28%20January%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxsVYtU2DEg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Future Ready: India’s Digital Economy to Contribute One-Fifth of National Income by 2029-30

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 7:23PM by PIB Delhi

    The Indian economy has been digitalising at a remarkable pace over the last decade. Quantifying and understanding the role of the digital economy in driving economic growth, employment, and sustainable development are essential for both policymakers and the private sector. According to the State of India’s Digital Economy Report 2024, India is the third largest digitalised country in the world in terms of economy-wide digitalization, and 12th among the G20 countries in the level of digitalisation of individual users.

    India’s digital economy is expected to grow almost twice as fast as the overall economy, contributing to nearly one-fifth of national income by 2029-30. This means that, in less than six-years, the share of digital economy will become larger than that of agriculture or manufacturing in the country. In the short run, the highest growth is likely to come from the growth of digital intermediaries and platforms, followed by higher digital diffusion and digitalisation of the rest of the economy. This will eventually lower the share of digitally enabling ICT industries in the digital economy.

    India’s digital economy has emerged as a significant contributor to its economic growth, accounting for 11.74% of the GDP (INR 31.64 lakh crore or USD 402 billion) in 2022-23. Employing 14.67 million workers (2.55% of the workforce), the digital economy is nearly five times more productive than the rest of the economy. The digitally enabling industries such as ICT services and manufacturing of electronic components, computers, and communication equipment, which form the core, contributed 7.83% of GVA (Gross Value Added), while digital platforms and intermediaries added another 2% of GVA. Furthermore, digitalisation in traditional sectors like BFSI, retail, and education added 2% of GVA, showcasing the pervasive impact of digital transformation. Projections indicate the digital economy’s share will grow to 20% of GVA by 2029-30, outpacing agriculture and manufacturing. Key growth drivers include the rapid adoption of AI, cloud services, and the rise of global capability centers (GCCs), with India hosting 55% of the world’s GCCs. GCCs are offshore centres established by multinational corporations to provide a variety of services to their parent organisations, including R&D, IT support, and business process management.

    India’s progress in digital advancements

    Source: ESTIMATION AND MEASUREMENT OF INDIA’S DIGITAL ECONOMY REPORT, January 2025 (Page 15)

    Digitalisation of traditional sectors

    The primary survey and stakeholder discussions highlighted interesting facts about how different sectors are digitalising and their contribution to the revenue generated by firms. Not all aspects of businesses are digitalising uniformly. For example, retail sales are digitalising much more than wholesale sales. Firms are also investing in digital methods for customer acquisition and business development. Chatbots and AI applications are fairly commonplace.

    • In the BFSI sector, over 95% of banking payment transactions are digital, but revenue-generating activities like loans and investments remain largely offline, with financial services less digitalised overall.
    • Retail is shifting to omni-channel models, with e-tailers adding physical stores, while AI chatbots and digital inventory tools enhance efficiency.
    • Education has begun adopting offline, online, and hybrid models, with most institutions favoring hybrid approaches
    • Hospitality and logistics are embracing AI, metaverse, and digital tools, with large firms fully digitalising operations, while smaller players lag behind.

    The Way Forward

    By 2030, India’s digital economy is projected to contribute nearly one-fifth of the country’s overall economy, outpacing the growth of traditional sectors. Over the past decade, digital-enabling industries have grown at 17.3%, significantly higher than the 11.8% growth rate of the economy as a whole. Digital platforms, in particular, have expanded rapidly, with an anticipated growth rate of approximately 30% in the coming years. In 2022-23, the digital economy accounted for 14.67 million workers, or 2.55% of India’s workforce, with the majority of these jobs (58.07%) in the digital-enabling industry. Though the workforce is predominantly male, digital platforms have contributed to increasing job opportunities for women, especially in sectors where mobility and safety concerns were previously barriers.

    India’s digital economy is a key driver of both economic growth and employment, with an increasing role in empowering women in the workforce and creating new opportunities across various sectors. The rapid expansion of digital platforms signals an ongoing transformation that is set to shape the future of work in India.

    References:

    https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2095260

    https://www.meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Report_Estimation_Measurement.pdf

    Click here to see in PDF:

    Santosh Kumar/ Sarla Meena/ Kritika Rane

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mahakumbh 2025: Over 1000 Medical Personnel deployed for the safety of Devotees on Mauni Amavasya; 300 Specialist Doctors stationed at the Super Speciality Hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar

    Source: Government of India

    Mahakumbh 2025: Over 1000 Medical Personnel deployed for the safety of Devotees on Mauni Amavasya; 300 Specialist Doctors stationed at the Super Speciality Hospital in Mahakumbh Nagar

    High-tech arrangements for Minor Operations to Major Surgeries done in every sector; Over 2 lakh patients have already availed OPD services, with over 2.5 lakh Pathology Tests conducted in Mahakumbh Nagar

    Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

    On the auspicious occasion of Mauni Amavasya, the Uttar Pradesh government has deployed over 1000 medical personnel in Mahakumbh Nagar, keeping in mind the safety and health of the devotees. Modern medical facilities have been provided in every sector of the Mahkumbh, with arrangement in place for minor operations to major surgeries.

    In Mahakumbh Nagar, 300 specialist doctors have been stationed at the Super Speciality Hospital, ready to handle any emergency situation. So far, over 2 lakh patients have benefitted from OPD services at central and other hospitals, and more than 2.5 lakh pathology tests have been conducted.

    Easily Accessible Health Services

    Dr. Gaurav Dubey, the nodal medical officer for the Mahakumbh Mela, stated that devotees coming from across the country and abroad are receiving medical care in Mahakumbh Nagar. The government has taken all possible measures to make the Mela safe and healthy with modern medical facilities.

    Further, with the support of the government, saints from monasteries, temples, and akhadas are also helping devotees with medicines and tests. These saints are organizing various camps, through which devotees are being provided with Ayurvedic, Homeopathic treatment and medicines.

    *****

    AD/VM

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Department of Chemicals & petrochemicals conducts 4th training programme on “Chemical and Petrochemical Industrial Safety” at Chennai; motto: “Safety First, Sustainability Always: Protecting People and Planet!”

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 28 JAN 2025 3:41PM by PIB Delhi

    As a part of Government of India’s Action Plan for Viksit Bharat@2047, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals conducted 4th training programme on “Chemical and Petrochemical Industrial Safety” at Chennai during 23-24th January 2025 at Institute of Petrochemicals Technology (IPT) – Chennai, a centre of Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET), with focus on Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units in Chemical and Petrochemical Sector.

    This program is the part of a series of training programmes that are being organised by the Department on Industrial Chemical Safety covering 2393 Major Accident Hazard units identified across the country. A total of 48 training programmes are planned to cover all these MAH Units over the period of next five years. This training programme witnessed participation of 113 representatives across 65 MAH industries.

    Technical Experts from CLRI, Anna University, Dr. MGR Educational and Research Institute, Thirumalai Chemicals and various consulting firms delivered lectures on various aspects related to safety, Environment & Hazardous waste Management.

    Thematic areas that were covered under the training programme included Safety & Health at work, Process safety Management, Advance Risk Assessment techniques, Toxicology, Hazard Identification techniques, Emergency preparedness, Role of ICT and other technologies in Chemical Safety, Global Harmonized System, Loss statistics and loss Prevention, Environmental Prevention and Spill prevention, Hazardous Waste Management, Labelling of chemicals and Safety data Sheet (SDS) & Fire and Explosion Safety.

    To give the industrial employees a hands on experience, a mock drill was also conducted in coordination with Kothari Petrochemicals at CIPET: IPT Chennai.

    ****

    MV/AKS

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Children killed in Darfur hospital attack, date set for US climate pact withdrawal, WHO leads call to fight neglected diseases

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    At least one girl and three boys were killed, and three boys injured, during an attack on the Saudi Hospital in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, North Darfur, on Friday. 

    The children were among the patients being treated in the hospital’s emergency ward for injuries from previous bombings in the area, said the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF.

    “This heinous attack is a blatant violation of children’s rights. Children are being killed and injured in the very places where they should be safest from harm,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

    “Such attacks exacerbate the dire situation for children and families who are trapped in areas affected by conflict, insecurity, and lack of protection.”

    70 per cent of hospitals out of action

    In Sudan, over 70 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are currently non-operational due to damage, destruction, lack of supplies, or being used as shelters.

    The delivery of medical supplies, vaccines, and routine immunisation has been hindered by ongoing security concerns and lack of access, worsening the humanitarian crisis and putting countless lives, especially those of children, at significant risk.

    Under International Humanitarian Law, hospitals enjoy special protection and must not be targeted. Attacks on them undermine the essential care and relief the facilities provide to civilians, including children. All parties to the conflict have an obligation to ensure the protection of civilians, including children, and refrain from any actions that could impede access to life-saving medical services.

    “Continued attacks on health facilities endanger children’s lives and restrict their access to lifesaving medical care, which can have immediate and long-term impacts on their health,” said Ms. Russell. “The violence must end now. Children in Sudan cannot wait any longer.”

    US with pull out of Paris Agreement 27 January next year

    The United States has officially notified the Secretary-General of its withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, effective 27 January 2026, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Tuesday.

    The historic accord reached by 193 countries in December 2015 in a bid to keep temperature rises to below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, was signed by the US on 22 April 2016.

    During the first Trump administration the US withdrew from the Agreement effective 4 November 2020, before his successor took the country back into the accord on 19 February 2021.

    Fight continues against global warming

    The UN Spokesperson said the latest withdrawal would not lead to any slowdown in the UN’s efforts to combat climate change.

    “We reaffirm our commitment to the Paris Agreement and to support all effective efforts to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” said Mr. Dujarric.

    The international community continues to work towards the goals set by the Agreement, despite the US’s decision to withdraw.

    UN health agency leads call to fight neglected disease scourge

    Health news now, and an appeal from the UN World Health Organization (WHO) for concerted action to tackle neglected tropical diseases, which impact more than one billion people – often with devastating health, social and economic consequences.

    Every year, around 800 to 900 million people are treated for at least one neglected tropical disease, according to the UN health agency, which warned that global warming has emerged as a threat in this field of medicine.

    Long list

    The list of tropical diseases is a long one and includes Buruli ulcer, Chagas disease, dengue, chikungunya and dracunculiasis. They tend to thrive among vulnerable people who live in poverty and are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and toxins.

    Progress in tackling these diseases remains hampered by a lack of investment and conflict, the WHO said, ahead of World Neglected Tropical Disease Day on Thursday.

    Today, 54 countries have successfully eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease; WHO’s goal is for 100 countries to do the same by 2030. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Briefing – Foot and mouth disease: Fresh cause for concern – 28-01-2025

    Source: European Parliament

    It has been 14 years since the last outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in a European Union (EU) country. However, three water buffaloes have recently tested positive for the disease in Germany. While FMD poses no risk to human health, it is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect various cloven-hoofed animals. The speed with which the disease spreads makes it essential to cull all animals hosted on the affected farm once an outbreak is detected, and to apply strict biosecurity measures. This results in significant economic losses. As a result of the 2001 outbreak in the United Kingdom (UK), over 6 million animals were culled in one year, costing more than £3 billion (more than €6.5 billion at current prices) in public expenditure and having a huge impact on the tourism sector. The EU has legislation in place outlining rules for the prevention and control of animal diseases such as FMD, including a notification system integrated into the World Animal Health Information System to facilitate a coordinated approach. The European Commission also cooperates with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to fight the spread of the disease. Since 1990, the use of preventive vaccines against FMD has been prohibited in the EU, except for in certain cases and in emergencies. Although conventional FMD vaccines protect livestock from developing the disease, vaccinated animals may still become infected and carry the disease.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – DANA in Spain and the risk of medicine and vaccine shortages – E-002481/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The European Medicines Agency (EMA), together with the Member States, continuously monitors and investigates signals of potential supply disruptions escalated to EU level by national competent authorities to prevent their occurrence and mitigate their effects as far as possible.

    The potential impact of the situation in Spain on the supply of medicinal products is closely monitored. Thus far, no critical shortage requiring EU coordination actions has been identified in this context.

    In the context of the flood emergency and upon request from the Spanish authorities, the EU Copernicus satellite mapping system[1] was activated on 29 October 2024, and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism[2], on 8 November 2024.

    As a result, 83 maps were produced, and several Member States offered in-kind assistance, in the form of heavy vehicles and pumps. The Commission deployed two liaison officers to help coordinate the assistance. The EU’s strategic reserve, rescEU,[3] was not mobilised as the requests were fulfilled by the offers of Member States.

    A virtual warehouse for data on vaccine needs and stocks has not been set up yet, apart from the existing IT tool CECIS 2.0, in the area of civil protection.

    As part of the implementation of EMA’s extended mandate[4], the European Shortages Monitoring Platform, launched in November 2024, will be used to report shortages and monitor supply, demand, and stock levels of medicinal products for preparedness activities, and during a public health emergency or major event.

    As part of the pharmaceutical reform[5], the Commission has proposed to further expand the platform to cover structural shortages and security of supply of critical medicines.

    • [1] https://emergency.copernicus.eu/mapping/#zoom=2&lat=13.56036&lon=33.82273&layers=0BT00
    • [2] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/eu-civil-protection-mechanism_en
    • [3] https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en
    • [4] http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/123/oj
    • [5] https://health.ec.europa.eu/medicinal-products/pharmaceutical-strategy-europe/reform-eu-pharmaceutical-legislation_en

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Unequal access to medicinal products approved for use across the EU – E-002559/2024(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    1. As explained in the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe[1], companies are currently not under a legal obligation in the EU to market a medicine in all Member States. Access disparities, with smaller and less affluent countries especially affected, can be due to various factors. This includes national pricing and reimbursement policies, market size and the organisation of health systems. It can also be due to marketing decisions of individual companies.

    2. The Commission is committed to addressing the issue of access to affordable medicines for all EU citizens while respecting national competences on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in line with Article 168(7) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The proposed reform of the general pharmaceutical legislation[2] includes stronger incentives to launch innovative medicines in all Member States; measures for earlier entry of generics and biosimilars and for faster and simpler authorisation procedures. The Commission also supports and encourages cooperation between Member States on pricing, reimbursement and procurement policies in the group of National Competent Authorities on Pricing and Reimbursement and Public Healthcare Payers (NCAPR), based on mutual learning and best-practice exchange, to improve the affordability and cost-effectiveness of medicines and health system’s sustainability.

    • [1] COM(2020) 761 final.
    • [2] Commission proposals, COM(2023) 192 final and COM(2023) 193 final.
    Last updated: 28 January 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: VA Resources to End Veteran Homelessness 01.14.2025

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    This webinar provides VA CFBNP partners with information about the VA’s resources and efforts to End Veteran Homelessness. This presentation is open to Veterans, their families, their beneficiaries, and the general public.

    The panelists for this training are:

    1. Shawn Liu, Director of Communications, Homeless Programs Office, Veterans Health Administration, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkjMwGjT5mo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Security: From Humans to Canines: NMRTC Twentynine Palms corpsmen cross-train with Army vets

    Source: United States Navy (Medical)

    Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Twentynine Palms corpsmen have been participating in cross-training sessions with Army veterinarians at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), enhancing their readiness to provide medical care to military working dogs (MWDs) in field and deployed settings.

    The initiative, spearheaded by Army Capt. Andrea Lin, Officer in Charge of the MCAGCC Veterinary Section, and Navy Lt. Cmdr. Neal Petersen, provides corpsmen with hands-on experience in veterinary care. Since September of 2024, corpsmen have been invited to attend bi-monthly training sessions to observe and practice key veterinary techniques, including intravenous (IV) catheter placement, endotracheal intubation, and anesthesia monitoring. These skills are critical for providing point-of-injury care and stabilizing MWDs when veterinary specialists are unavailable.

    “This cross-training is invaluable for fostering collaboration and ensuring we’re prepared to care for MWDs,” said Lin, who joined the Army two years ago after working as a civilian veterinarian for over eight years. “It’s also a great opportunity for our team to develop leadership skills and confidence by teaching others.”

    The Veterinary Section at MCAGCC is responsible for the medical care of the installation’s MWDs, including 24/7 emergency services and routine health maintenance. The team also ensures food safety for service members, families, and civilians by inspecting commissaries, mess halls, and other food facilities on base.

    During recent training sessions, corpsmen observed and assisted with various procedures, including a spay (ovariohysterectomy) on a husky, a neuter (orchiectomy) on a shepherd mix, and suturing a laceration on a visiting MWD. These sessions also included detailed comparisons of medications and techniques used in human versus veterinary medicine.

    MWDs are indispensable members of the armed forces, serving in roles ranging from explosive detection to patrol. However, they face unique health challenges, including musculoskeletal injuries, paw pad lacerations, and heat-related conditions. Cross-training ensures that corpsmen can provide immediate, effective care in the absence of veterinary staff.

    “There are not enough Veterinary Corps Officers (VCOs) or Army Veterinary Care Specialists (68T) to provide all MWD care in a deployment setting. We rely on the first line medics such as Army 68W and Navy Corpsmen to know and apply Canine TCCC (Tactical Combat Casualty Care) in the field,” explained Lin. “Training like this bridges gaps and enhances inter-branch collaboration.”

    “Training with the corpsmen allows for better care in the field when there may not frequently be an Army vet staff member present, so that the working dogs can get the immediate first aid that they need before they can be transferred to a better location for more extensive treatment,” added Pfc. Amelia Knosp, an Animal Care Specialist from Fremont, Nebraska. “Personally, it has also allowed me to interact with more of my peers on base and given me opportunities to teach that I may not have gotten in other settings, especially as a lower enlisted member.”

    Corpsmen participating in the program have brought a wealth of enthusiasm and curiosity, impressing the Army veterinarians with their skills and confidence.

    “The corpsmen are a lot of fun to work with,” expressed Angela Adkerson, an experienced civilian Animal Health Assistant from Brisbane, Australia who moved to Twentynine Palms with her family in 2014. “While they may not know the ins and outs of veterinary medicine, many of them enjoy noting the differences between human medical care and animal medical care. They enjoy the new opportunities they get to try, like using our model dog as a learning tool for things such as IV placement, intubation, and CPR.”

    The training has also allowed corpsmen to draw parallels between human and veterinary medicine.

    “The vets were great with medical education. They allowed me to help them with procedures and observe their work. I saw how preoperative and postoperative care are similar,” said Hospitalman Jessica Sanderson from San Tan Valley, Arizona. “My takeaway from this experience is you’ll never know what kind of patient you’ll have. Being ready with proper training will help with future triaging and understanding that there can always be something new to learn.”

    “The most challenging aspect of observing the surgeries was learning about the anatomical differences between canines and humans, especially while finding landmarks for intubation and with the actual spay or neuter,” explained Hospitalman Hailey Alaguena, a corpsman from San Jose, California. “It was interesting as well to learn about how certain medications used in the clinic have reversal agents that would otherwise not work if administered to humans.”

    “I observed how quickly and efficiently veterinary teams must work to minimize an animal’s time under anesthesia,” said Hospitalman John Udanoh, a corpsman from Detroit, Michigan. “Working closely with a veterinary team teaches you a lot about precision, quick decision making and the unique aspect of animal care. As a corpsman, this helps improve our adaptability and overall skills.”

    The cross-training program not only enhances medical readiness but also fosters camaraderie and mutual respect among service members from different branches.

    “We’re all on the same team,” said Lin. “Collaborating in this way prepares us to better support each other in a deployed setting.”

    As the program continues, the participating corpsmen at NMRTC Twentynine Palms are gaining valuable skills that will enhance their ability to provide comprehensive care to animals when needed, helping ensure mission readiness across both branches of service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s in the supplements that claim to help you cut down on bathroom breaks? And do they work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University

    Christian Moro/Shutterstock

    With one in four Australian adults experiencing problems with incontinence, some people look to supplements for relief.

    With ingredients such as pumpkin seed oil and soybean extract, a range of products promise relief from frequent bathroom trips.

    But do they really work? Let’s sift through the claims and see what the science says about their efficacy.

    What is incontinence?

    Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control, leading to the unintentional leakage of urine or faeces. It can range from occasional minor leaks to a complete inability to control urination and defecation.

    This condition can significantly impact daily activities and quality of life, and affects women more often than it affects men.

    Some people don’t experience bladder leakage but can sometimes feel an urgent need to go to the bathroom. This is known as overactive bladder syndrome, and occurs when the muscles around the bladder tighten on their own, which greatly reduces its capacity. The result is the person feels the need to go to the bathroom much more frequently.

    There are many potential causes of incontinence and overactive bladders, including menopause, pregnancy and child birth, urinary tract infections, pelvic floor disorders, and an enlarged prostate. Conditions such as diabetes, neurological disorders and certain medications (such as diuretics, sleeping pills, antidepressants and blood-pressure drugs) can also contribute.

    While pelvic muscle rehabilitation and behavioural techniques for bladder retraining can be helpful, some people are interested in pharmaceutical solutions.

    What’s in these products?

    A number of supplements are available in Australia that include ingredients used in traditional medicine for urinary incontinence and overactive bladders. The three most common ingredients are:

    • Cucurbita pepo (pumpkin seed extract)

    • glycine max (soybean extract)

    • an extract from the bark of the Crateva magna or nurvala (Varuna) tree.

    The supplements have common ingredients.
    Author

    How are they supposed to work?

    Pumpkin seeds are rich in plant sterols that are thought to reduce the testosterone-related enlargement of the prostate, as well as having broader anti-inflammatory effects. The seed extracts can also contain oleic acid, which may help increase bladder capacity by relaxing the muscles around the organ.

    Soybean extracts are rich in isoflavones, especially daidzen and genistein. Like olieic acid, these are thought to act on the muscles around the bladder. Because isoflavones are similar in structure to the female hormone oestrogen, soy extracts may be most beneficial for postmenopausal women who have overactive bladders.

    Crateva extract is rich in lupeol- and sterol-based chemicals which have strong anti-inflammatory effects. This has benefits not just for enlarged prostates but possibly also for reducing urinary tract infections.

    Do they actually work?

    It’s important to note that the government has only approved these types of supplements as “listed medicines”. This means the ingredients have only been assessed for safety. The companies behind the products have not had to provide evidence they actually work.

    A 2014 clinical trial examined a combined pumpkin seed and soybean extract called cucurflavone on people with overactive bladders. The 120 participants received either a placebo or a daily 1,000mg dose of the herbal mixture over a period of 12 weeks.

    By the end of study, those in the cucurflavone group went to the bathroom around three fewer times per day, compared with people in the control group, who only went to the bathroom on average one fewer time each day.

    In a different trial, researchers examined a combination of Crateva bark extract with herbal extracts of horsetail and Japanese evergreen spicebush, called Urox.

    For the 150 participants, the Urox formulation helped participants go to the bathroom less frequently when compared with placebo treatment.

    After eight weeks of treatment, participants in the placebo group were going to the bathroom to urinate 11 times per day. Those in the Urox group were only going around to 7.5 times per day. And those who took Urox also needed to go to the bathroom one fewer time during the night.

    Finally, another study also examined a Creteva, horsetail and Japanese spicebush combination, but this time in children. They were given either a 420mg dose of the supplement or a placebo, and then monitored for how many times they wet the bed.

    After two months of taking the supplement, slightly more than 40% of the 24 kids in the supplement group wet the bed less often.

    While these results may look promising, there are considerable limitations to the studies which means the data may not be reliable. For example, the trials didn’t include enough participants to have reliable data. To conclusively provide efficacy, final-stage clinical trials require data for between 300 and 3,000 patients.

    From the studies, it is also not clear whether some participants were also taking other medicines as well as the supplement. This is important, as medications can interfere with how the supplements work, potentially making them less or more effective.

    What if you want to take them?

    If you have incontinence or an overactive bladder, you should always discuss this with your doctor, as it may due to a serious or treatable underlying condition.

    Otherwise, your GP may give you strategies or exercises to improve your bladder control, prescribe medications or devices, or refer you to a specialist.

    If you do decide to take a supplement, discuss this with your doctor and local pharmacist so they can check that any product you choose will not interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

    Nial Wheate in the past has received funding from the ACT Cancer Council, Tenovus Scotland, Medical Research Scotland, Scottish Crucible, and the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance. He is a fellow of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, a member of the Australasian Pharmaceutical Science Association and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Nial is the chief scientific officer of Vaihea Skincare LLC, a director of SetDose Pty Ltd (a medical device company) and was previously a Standards Australia panel member for sunscreen agents. Nial regularly consults to industry on issues to do with medicine risk assessments, manufacturing, design, and testing.

    – ref. What’s in the supplements that claim to help you cut down on bathroom breaks? And do they work? – https://theconversation.com/whats-in-the-supplements-that-claim-to-help-you-cut-down-on-bathroom-breaks-and-do-they-work-245755

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: With Israeli Laws Set to Take Effect in 48 Hours, UN Palestine Refugee Agency Chief Warns Security Council of Risks to Gaza Ceasefire, Recovery Efforts

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    While Many Speakers Support Agency as Lifeline, Israel’s Delegate Says It Failed

    The implementation of Israel’s legislation on 30 January — curtailing the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) — will undermine the ceasefire and sabotage Gaza’s recovery and political transition, a senior UN official told the Security Council today.

    Expressing hope that the long-awaited ceasefire — which began nine days ago — “will hold and then the tremendous suffering in Gaza will subside”, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, welcomed the return of Israeli hostages and imprisoned Palestinians to their families. He also recognized the marked improvement in the flow of humanitarian aid and operating conditions.  As the largest UN presence in Gaza — with 13,000 personnel and 300 premises — the Agency is critical in supporting a shattered population under a ceasefire, he emphasized.

    Yet, in two days, “our operations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory will be crippled as legislation passed by Israel takes effect”, he warned, adding that the fate of millions of Palestinians is at stake. “In the wake of the ceasefire, we must contend with the devastation of the last 15 months and the enormity of the challenges ahead,” he said, pointing to a peer-reviewed study of death by traumatic injury in Gaza, which reveals that the mortality figure provided by the Ministry of Health is “a minimum estimate”.  In fact, 46,000 deaths is likely an undercount by over 40 per cent, with the majority of those killed being women, children and the elderly.  The study also confirms that those who escaped death by bombardment, starvation and disease have emerged shell-shocked.

    Tens of thousands of people are now returning to the decimated north “to search for the living and to bury the dead”, he said, noting UNRWA’s unique mandate to provide public-like services to an entire population. He rejected Israel’s claim that the Agency plays “a negligible role” in providing humanitarian assistance in Gaza and that its services can be transferred to other entities.  UNRWA constitutes half the emergency response, having delivered two thirds of all food assistance, provided shelter to over a million displaced persons and vaccinated a quarter of a million children against polio since October 2023.  Less quantifiable, but critical for the humanitarian response and the ceasefire, is community acceptance:  “Palestinians know and trust UNRWA,” he stressed.

    Furthermore, Israel’s Government is investing significant resources to portray the Agency as a terrorist organization and its staff as terrorists or terrorist sympathizers.  Billboards and ads accusing UNRWA of terrorism recently appeared in major cities worldwide.  The political attacks on the Agency are motivated by the desire to strip Palestinians of their refugee status and erase their history and identity.  Underscoring the need to allow the Agency to progressively conclude its mandate within the framework of a political process, he stated: “We are determined to stay and deliver until it is no longer possible to do so.”

    Jan Egeland, Secretary-General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, recalled his visit to Gaza City in December 2024 and expressed shock at the destruction: clearing over 50 million tons of rubble in the aftermath of Israel’s bombardment “could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion”.  For two decades, children will have nowhere to play in the rubble and debris caused by this war, having to fear unexploded bombs. “The principles of proportionality, distinction and military necessity have been thoroughly violated,” he stated. 

    While his organization managed to have 18 trucks of humanitarian cargo enter Gaza last week, looting and attacks on aid convoys remain a major concern.  He recalled that, on 12 September 2024, the Israeli National Security Council admitted to the Knesset that Israel was no longer issuing visas to employees of international non-governmental organizations — apparently part of a broader effort to undermine humanitarian work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. However, as the occupying Power, Israel is legally obliged to facilitate humanitarian operations — in Gaza and in the West Bank alike.

    Addressing the urgent humanitarian need, he called for full unrestricted access to northern Gaza, including the immediate opening of the Netzarim Corridor to facilitate the movement of civilians, humanitarian personnel and life-saving supplies.  He further voiced alarm over intensified Israeli military operations and settler attacks across the occupied West Bank, urging the Council to “put all of our energies into achieving a peaceful resolution to the question of Palestine”. 

    …

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Greensboro Laboratory and Owner Agree to Pay $850,000 to Resolve Allegations of False Claims for Urine Drug Testing

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    GREENSBORO, N.C. – Substance Abuse Treatment Labs, located in Greensboro, and its owner, Paul Fribush, have agreed to pay $850,000 to resolve civil allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by billing North Carolina Medicaid for medically unnecessary urine drug screening tests (UDT), announced Acting U.S. Attorney Randall Galyon.

    The United States and the State of North Carolina alleged that, between January 2018 and January 2022, Substance Abuse Treatment Labs and Fribush submitted false claims for the highest level of urine drug testing to Medicaid. These claims, which reimbursed providers at the highest dollar amount for urine drug tests, were submitted to Medicaid despite clear signs that the tests were not medically necessary.

    “Protecting taxpayer dollars used to provide medical benefits to those who need it most is essential to this Office’s mission.” said Acting United States Attorney Randall Galyon. “We will continue to identify and hold accountable those providers that seek to enrich themselves off taxpayers through submitting such false claims. I am thankful for our partnership with the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office to assist us in this mission in pursuing justice on behalf of Medicaid.”

    “Submitting false claims to Medicaid undermines the program’s integrity and wastes valuable taxpayer dollars,” said Special Agent in Charge Kelly Blackmon of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG). “HHS-OIG remains dedicated to safeguarding the integrity of Medicare and Medicaid and protecting the people these programs serve.”

    The resolutions obtained in this matter were the result of a coordinated effort among the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina; the Medicaid Investigations Division of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office; and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Counsel to the Inspector General. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca Mayer and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Petracca.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Than $100M Awarded to Pro-Housing Communities

    Source: US State of New York

    January 28, 2025

    Albany, NY

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced new investments of more than $100 million for projects located in certified Pro-Housing Communities, part of a total $123 million allocated as part of the latest round of the State’s Regional Economic Development Council initiative. Governor Hochul’s Pro-Housing Communities initiative allocates up to $650 million each year in discretionary funds for communities that pledge to modestly increase their housing supply; to date, 273 communities across New York have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. This year, Governor Hochul is proposing an additional $110 million in funding to cover infrastructure and planning costs for Pro-Housing Communities.

    “There’s only one solution to New York’s housing affordability crisis: we’ve got to build more housing,” Governor Hochul said. “The Pro-Housing Communities initiative is delivering the incentives communities are looking for, and this latest round of grant funding will make a real difference in every region of New York. We’re proud of all the certified Pro-Housing Communities in New York and look forward to seeing their continued growth.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “The Round XIV awards demonstrate how local priorities align with the state’s economic development goals – especially in our Pro-Housing Communities. The overwhelming response to the new Capital Improvement Grants program reflects how municipalities are eager to strengthen their foundations while addressing critical housing needs. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we continue to create new and dynamic opportunities to create jobs and generate sustainable and equitable growth throughout New York State.”

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Governor Hochul has been clear – municipalities who share our vision for smart housing growth will be rewarded. Through these $100 million awards announced today, Pro-Housing Communities will receive a financial boost to their efforts to upgrade infrastructure, strengthen their economies, and embark on projects that improve the quality-of-life for New Yorkers. We thank the Governor for her continued leadership and applaud our partners at the local level who are working diligently in every region of the state to find solutions to the housing shortage.”

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    Regional Economic Development Council Round XIV

    Round XIV of the Regional Council initiative further advanced Governor Hochul’s housing agenda by including a new program featuring funding earmarked for projects located in Pro-Housing Communities, as certified by Homes and Community Renewal (HCR). The Capital Improvement Grants for Pro-Housing Communities Program, administered by Empire State Development (ESD), made up to $40 million available to municipalities, counties and not-for-profits to support capital improvement and placemaking projects within Pro-Housing Communities. Due to an overwhelming response in applications and high demand, more than $55 million is being awarded to support these projects, reflecting the strong pro-housing commitment of the State’s municipalities.

    Three other programs in Round XIV were included in the Pro-Housing Community designation: ESD’s Grants and Market New York programs, and HCR’s New York Main Street program. Additionally, more than $9 million in Excelsior Jobs Program tax credits have been awarded to support the job creation and investment goals in projects located throughout the State. In the coming weeks, more than $250 million will be awarded to Pro-Housing Communities from the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, New York Forward and Mid-Hudson Momentum Programs.

    Select projects in Pro-Housing Communities from Round XIV include:

    • Capital Region – Schenectady Community Action Program – SCAP Campus: In partnership with DePaul Properties, Inc., SCAP will construct a building to house a new child care center, program space and administrative offices for its wide array of family support services, including employment services, supportive housing services and individual and family crisis intervention. The new site is in a New York State-designated child care desert and will provide new classrooms for comprehensive child care slots. The building is expected to be part of a larger mixed-use redevelopment that will create a one-of-a-kind campus in the City of Schenectady where housing, child care and family support services are co-located. ESD Grant – $4.975 million; Total Project Cost – $12.4 million.
    • Central New York – SEED Syracuse, Inc. – Chimes Building: The not-for-profit group will redevelop the Chimes Building into a mixed-use, mixed-income building. The project will create several residential units available to a mix of incomes and includes commercial space to house telecommunications tenants that serve as a fiber optic hub, providing internet access for roughly half of the City of Syracuse, including hospitals, fire departments, local businesses and residential users. ESD Grant – $1.25 million; Total Project Cost – $40.7 million.
    • Finger Lakes – Rochester Housing Authority – Fernwood Avenue Library & Mixed-Use Development: The project includes building a new branch of the Rochester Public Library System within a four-story, 80,000 square foot mixed-use building that includes affordable housing. The site will include 65 housing units with space for the new library to also provide support services, computer training and workforce development. Community Action Agencies will help coordinate and administer an integrated system of support services, creating new opportunities for success through targeted education and training efforts. The new building will be located on a Brownfield site. Capital Improvement for Pro-Housing Communities – $775,000; Total Project Cost – $4 million.
    • Long Island – Town of Riverhead – Downtown Riverfront Amphitheater: The Town will create a riverfront amphitheater and public park. Due to their location below the flood plain and increasing flood risks from climate change, the buildings will be relocated to the northern end of the property and elevated on new foundations. The southern end, with a 13-foot slope, will be converted into tiered seating with a stage and bandshell near the Peconic River. This design leverages the natural slope to protect the buildings while creating a flood barrier. The amphitheater will double as a public park, hosting activities like exercise classes, movie nights and children’s events. Capital Improvement Grant for Pro-Housing Communities – $1.4 million; Total Project Cost – $2.8 million.
    • Mid-Hudson – Habitat for Humanity of Dutchess County, Inc. – Taylor Ave. Development: Working in partnership with the City of Poughkeepsie, HFHDC will undertake the site preparation and construction of a mixed-use development that includes a child care center and housing units, with a portion of the units dedicated to senior and workforce housing. The project involves comprehensive site planning, modular townhouse designs, and the integration of necessary infrastructure such as roads, utilities and green spaces. ESD Grant – $1.6 million; Total Project Cost – $14.5 million.
    • Mohawk Valley – Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Utica (People First) – THRIVE Cornhill: This project will integrate two mixed-use buildings in the Cornhill section of Utica, offering two Community Impact Centers and several mixed-income apartments. The Impact Centers will support community-focused programs including a multipurpose gym, urban grocery, coworking space, test kitchen, entrepreneurial incubator, dance, art space and a courtyard. Capital Improvements for Pro-Housing Communities – $3 million; Total Project Cost – $17.6 million.
    • New York City – Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation – Center for Planetary Health: The Center will establish a cutting-edge biotech innovation hub at Newlab in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. C4PH is purpose-built to accelerate the commercialization of non-therapeutic life sciences that can be applied to address climate change. The Center will be able to support over 30 companies, focusing on sectors like agriculture, textiles and building materials. ESD Grant – $1.6 million; Total Project Cost – $8 million.
    • North Country – Village of Massena – Raw Water Capital Project: The Village will construct a secondary raw water transmission line from the Massena Intake Dam to the water treatment plant. The new line will provide redundancy in the case of an emergency or routine maintenance, should the older main line fail. It will provide critical water service to residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Village and Town of Massena, plus Norfolk and Louisville. The line will also include new taps for the extension of raw water service to the proposed Air Products Green Hydrogen Facility. Capital Improvement Grant for Pro-Housing Communities – $2.34 million; Total Project Cost – $4.69 million.
    • Southern Tier – Village of Dryden – Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements: The Village will upgrade its water and sewer infrastructure as the first phase in having several hundred workforce apartments being built as Ezra Village in Tompkins County. The water improvements include extending water mains, and the sewer infrastructure upgrades include replacing several thousand feet of pipeline. Capital Improvements for Pro-Housing Communities – $1.82 million; Total Project Cost – $3.64 million.
    • Western New York – Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo, Inc. – Workforce Child Care Initiative: The project includes the construction of a two-story child care center on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus that will provide much needed service and provide specialized space for children with special needs. Partnerships within the campus like BestSelf Behavior Health and Buffalo Hearing and Speech will enable the new center to offer specialized resources and services to children in need, and a space to host these services for parents and their children. ESD Grant – $3 million; Total Project Cost – $8.2 million.

    More information on the projects awarded through the 2024 Regional Economic Development Council initiative, including a full list of awardees, is available here.

    There’s only one solution to New York’s housing affordability crisis: we’ve got to build more housing.”

    Governor Hochul

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

    Today, Governor Hochul announced that 273 municipalities have been certified as Pro-Housing Communities. The Governor is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers.

    As part of her 2025 State of the State, Governor Hochul proposed a bold plan to make owning and renting a home more affordable. The Governor proposed bolstering the Pro-Housing Community Program by investing $100 million to support critical housing infrastructure projects and providing $10.5 million technical assistance grants to help communities adopt pro-housing policies. The Governor also proposed creating the State’s first revolving loan fund to spur mixed-income rental development outside of New York City, as well as legislation to address rent-price fixing collusion by landlords, increase the effectiveness of State tax credits that support affordable housing development, and extending security deposit protections that market rate tenants currently have to rent-regulated tenants.

    Additionally, Governor Hochul proposed new steps to make homeownership more accessible and affordable to all New Yorkers, including funding for starter home development and first-time homebuyer downpayment assistance, and disincentivizing private equity firms from buying single-family and two-family homes across the State. The State of the State also proposes increased support for supportive housing that serves some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

    As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain State-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on State-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners.

    In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 55,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    Embedded Flickr Album

    State Senator Brian Kavanagh said, “Addressing our statewide housing shortage requires that we use all the tools we have. Today’s announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul underscores our collective commitment to fostering vibrant, sustainable communities, while incentivizing localities to be open to producing more housing. I am proud to support the State budget that makes these funds available and I commend the Governor, Housing Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas, and their colleagues in the administration for effectively implementing and growing the Pro-Housing initiative.”

    State Senator Sean Ryan said, “New York’s housing affordability crisis is a problem we can solve, but it’s going to require creative ideas and consistent support for a wide range of programs to deal with this problem’s many causes. I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to meeting this challenge, and I look forward to continuing to work together to implement solutions that address the unique problems facing Upstate communities.”

    Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal said, “Communities in every region of the state need to step up to the plate to build a more affordable New York. With the latest round of funding awarded by the Regional Economic Development Council, public housing authorities and non-profit organizations will be able to create much-needed affordable housing for those who are struggling to stay financially afloat in the Empire State. As we look toward the start of another budget season, I am once again committed to fighting for every available cent to build and preserve our state’s affordable housing stock. I applaud the Governor’s tenacity in addressing the housing crisis and her continued partnership on this critical issue.”

    Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, “Today’s announcement of ESD Round XIV grants truly benefits the Pro-Housing Communities as well as addresses critical needs throughout the state. Here in Central New York, SEED Syracuse, Inc. received funding for their project creating mixed income housing and commercial space in the City of Syracuse by redeveloping an iconic 1929 office building. Funding local projects in Pro-Housing Communities strengthens the fundamental economic base in these municipalities. Whether it is supporting child care, water infrastructure, innovative technologies, or libraries, all contribute to enhancing the daily lives of New Yorkers and the health of their neighborhoods and the region. Governor Hochul has taken the lead to address the state’s housing needs while, at the same time, reinforcing job creation and a spectrum of economic development opportunities.”

    Assemblymember Angelo Santabarbara said, “This initiative is about more than housing—it’s about creating opportunity and building a foundation for families to thrive. Growing up in the City of Schenectady, I saw how challenging it was for families like mine to get by without the resources we’re now able to provide. Investments like these in affordable housing, child care, and support services give families the tools they need to build a brighter future. I’m grateful for the collaboration and shared vision that made this possible, and I look forward to seeing how these projects transform our communities for generations to come.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill to Increase Price Transparency on Prescription Drug Advertising

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is cosponsoring legislation to promote transparency, boost competition, and bring down the cost of prescription drugs. The bipartisan Drug-Price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act would require price disclosures on advertisements for prescription drugs in order to inform patients who are considering certain medications after seeing television commercials. By requiring direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertisements for prescription drugs to include a disclosure of the list price, patients can make informed choices when inundated with drug commercials and pharmaceutical companies may reconsider their pricing and advertising tactics. 
    Each year, the pharmaceutical industry spends $6 billion in DTC drug advertising to fill the airwaves with ads, resulting in the average American seeing nine DTC ads each day. Studies show that these commercials often steer patients to more expensive drugs, even when a patient may not need the medication or a lower-cost generic is available. Studies show that patients are more likely to ask their doctor, and ultimately receive a prescription, for a specific drug when they have seen ads for it.  For these reasons, most countries have banned DTC prescription drug advertising — the United States and New Zealand are the only industrialized nations that allow these ads.
    “Current advertisement practices in the pharmaceutical industry allow drug companies to unfairly inflate the efficacy of their products while concealing their exorbitant prices,” said Senator King. “The Drug-Price Transparency for Consumers (DTC) Act would ensure that Maine people have more transparency, choice, and competition in the prescription drug marketplace. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for putting Americans first above the profits of big pharma.”
    The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has found that prescription drugs advertised directly to consumers accounted for more than half of Medicare’s spending on drugs between 2016 and 2018, while a 2023 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that two-thirds of advertised drugs offered “low therapeutic value.” Additionally, a Kaiser survey found that 88 percent of Americans support this price disclosure policy for advertisements.
    Below are some key findings from the GAO report:
    Two-thirds of pharma’s spending between 2016 and 2018 on DTC ads ($12 billion out of $18 billion total) was concentrated on just 39 drugs.
    During this period, these advertised drugs accounted for 58 percent of Medicare’s spending on drugs ($320 billion out of $560 billion). 
    Among the top 10 drugs with the highest cost to Medicare, four were also in the top 10 for advertising spending (Humira, Eliquis, Keytruda, Lyrica).
    Joining King on this bill are Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).
    Senator King has consistently worked to lower healthcare costs and increase transparency for Maine people. Last year, he introduced bicameral legislation to prohibit direct-to-consumer drug advertising of pharmaceutical drugs in the first three years after the drug receives Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Senator King also cosponsored the Health Care Affordability Act which permanently extends enhanced Premium Tax Credits (PTCs) — tax subsidies that increase the amount of financial assistance available to people buying their own health insurance. Additionally, Senator King has introduced legislation to prohibit pharmaceutical drug manufacturers from claiming tax deductions for consumer advertising expenses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The value of AI: How Microsoft’s customers and partners are reinventing how they do business today

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: The value of AI: How Microsoft’s customers and partners are reinventing how they do business today

    Organizational leaders in every industry around the world are evaluating ways AI can unlock opportunities, drive pragmatic innovation and yield value across their business. At Microsoft, we are dedicated to helping our customers accelerate AI Transformation by empowering human ambition with Copilots and agents, developing differentiated AI solutions and building scalable cybersecurity foundations. At Microsoft Ignite we made over 100 announcements that bring the latest innovation directly to our customers and partners, and shared how Microsoft is the only technology leader to offer three distinct AI platforms for them to build AI solutions:

    1. Copilot is your UI for AI, with Copilot Studio enabling low-code creation of agents and extensibility to your data.
    2. Azure AI Foundry is the only AI app server for building real-world, world-class, AI-native applications.
    3. Microsoft Fabric is the AI data platform that provides one common way to reason over your data —no matter where it lives.

    All three of these platforms are open and work synchronously to enable the development of modern AI solutions; and each is surrounded by our world-class security offerings so leaders can move their AI-first strategies forward with confidence.

    As we look ahead to what we can achieve together, I remain inspired by the work we are doing today. Below are a handful of the many stories from the past quarter highlighting the differentiated AI solutions our customers and partners are driving to move business forward across industries and realize pragmatic value. Their success clearly illustrates that real results can be harnessed from AI today, and it is changing the way organizations do business.

    To power its industrial IoT and AI platform, ABB Group leveraged Microsoft Azure OpenAI Service to create Genix Copilot: a generative AI-powered analytics suite aimed at solving some of the most complex industrial problems. The solution helps customers analyze key functions in their operations —such as asset and process performance, energy optimization and emission monitoring — with real-time operational insights. As a result, customers are seeing up to 35% savings in operations and maintenance, and up to 20% improvement in energy and emission optimization. ABB also saw an 80% decrease in service calls with the self-service capabilities of Genix Copilot.

    Serving government healthcare agencies across the US, Acentra Health turned to Microsoft to help introduce the latest AI capabilities that maximize talent and cut costs in a secure, HIPAA-compliant manner. Using Azure OpenAI Service, the company developed MedScribe — an AI-powered tool reducing the time specially trained nursing staff spend on appeal determination letters. This innovation saved 11,000 nursing hours and nearly $800,000, reducing time spent on each appeal determination letter by about 50%. MedScribe also significantly enhanced operational efficiency, enabling nurses to process 20 to 30 letters daily with a 99% approval rate.

    To ease challenges for small farmers, Romanian agribusiness group Agricover revolutionized access to credit by developing MyAgricover. Built with help from partner Avaelgo, the scalable digital platform utilizes Microsoft Azure, Azure API Management and Microsoft Fabric to automate the loan process and enable faster approvals and disbursements. This has empowered small farmers to grow their businesses and receive faster access to financing by reducing loan approval time by 90 percent — from 10 working days to a maximum of 24 hours.

    Building on its status as a world-class airline with a strong Indian identity, Air India sought ways to enhance customer support while managing costs. By developing AI.g, one of the industry’s first generative AI virtual assistants built on Azure OpenAI Service, the airline upgraded the customer experience. Today, 97% of customer queries are handled with full automation, resulting in millions of dollars of support costs saved and improved customer satisfaction — further positioning the airline for continued growth.

    BMW Group aimed to enhance data delivery efficiency and improve vehicle development and prototyping cycles by implementing a Mobile Data Recorder (MDR) solution with Azure App Service, Azure AI and Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS). The solution achieved 10 times more efficient data delivery, significantly improved data accessibility and elevated overall development quality. The MDR monitors and records more than 10,000 signals twice per second in every vehicle of BMW’s fleet of 3,500 development cars and transmits data within seconds to a centralized cloud back end. Using Azure AI Foundry and Azure OpenAI Service, BMW Group created an MDR copilot fueled by GPT-4o. Engineers can now chat with the interface using natural language, and the MDR copilot converts the conversations into KQL queries, simplifying access to technical insights. Moving from on-premises tools to a cloud-based system with faster data management also helps engineers troubleshoot in real time. The vehicle data covered by the system has doubled, and data delivery and analysis happen 10 times faster.

    Coles Group modernized its logistics and administrative applications using Microsoft Azure Stack HCI to scale its edge AI capabilities and improve efficiency and customer experience across its 1,800 stores. By expanding its Azure Stack HCI footprint from two stores to over 500, Coles achieved a six-fold increase in the pace of application deployment, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and enabling rapid innovation without disrupting workloads. The retailer is also using Azure Machine Learning to train and develop edge AI models, speeding up data annotation time for training models by 50%.

    Multinational advertising and media company Dentsu wanted to speed time to insights for its team of data scientists and media analysts to support its media planning and budget optimization. Using Microsoft Azure AI Foundry and Azure OpenAI Service, Dentsu developers built a predictive analytics copilot that uses conversational chat and draws on deep expertise in media forecasting, budgeting and optimization. This AI-driven tool has reduced time to media insights for employees and clients by 90% and cut analysis costs.

    To overcome the limitations of its current systems, scale operations and automate processes across millions of workflows, Docusign created the Intelligent Agreement Management (IAM) platform on Azure. Using Azure AI, Azure Cosmos DB, Azure Logic Apps and AKS, the platform transforms agreement data into actionable insights to enhance productivity and accelerate contract review cycles. IAM also ensures better collaboration and unification across business systems to provide secure solutions tailored to diverse customer needs. For example, its customer KPC Private funds reported a 70% reduction in time and resources dedicated to agreement processes.

    Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) transformed its manufacturing operations by leveraging a hybrid environment with Azure Arc, Azure Stack HCI and Azure Kubernetes Service. This digital manufacturing platform resulted in 86% cost savings for AI image and video analytics and a 13-fold improvement in AI response times. The seamless hybrid cloud architecture has enhanced EGA’s operational efficiency and agility, supporting its Industry 4.0 transformation strategy.

    EY collaborated with Microsoft to enhance the inclusivity of AI development using Azure AI Studio. By involving neurodivergent technologists from EY’s Neuro-Diverse Centers of Excellence, they improved the accessibility and productivity of AI tools, resulting in more inclusive AI solutions, fostering innovation and ensuring that AI tools unlock the potential of all users. With an estimated 20% of the global workforce identifying as neurodivergent, inclusive AI solutions are crucial for maximizing creativity and productivity. Neurodivergent EY technologists also collaborated with Microsoft developers to make Azure AI Foundry more inclusive and help all users work productively to create innovative AI solutions.

    Colombian household appliance manufacturer Haceb integrated AI to optimize processes, reduce costs and improve service quality. Using Microsoft Copilot Studio and Azure OpenAI Service, the company created a virtual technical support assistant, saving its 245 technicians 5 minutes per visit — a total of 5,000 minutes saved daily. This AI solution has enhanced efficiency and boosted customer satisfaction by allowing for faster issue resolution. Haceb’s AI adoption has also empowered employees, boosted productivity and positioned the company as a leader in AI innovation in Colombia.

    To better serve its global patients, Operation Smile — in collaboration with partner Squadra — leveraged Azure AI, Machine Learning and Microsoft Fabric to develop an AI-powered solution to predict surgical outcomes and optimize resource allocation. This innovation resulted in a 30% increase in surgical efficiency, a 90% reduction in translation errors and improved patient outcomes. Additionally, report generation is now up to 95% quicker, and repeated medical events have decreased by 15%, enabling Operation Smile to provide better care to more children worldwide.

    Ontada — a McKesson business dedicated to oncology data and evidence, clinical education and point-of-care technologies — needed a way to generate key insights across 150 million unstructured oncology documents. Using Microsoft Azure AI and Azure OpenAI Service, Ontada developed a data platform solution called ON.Genuity to provide AI-driven insights into the patient journey, enhance patient trial matching and identify care gaps. The company also implemented large language models to target nearly 100 critical oncology data elements across 39 cancer types, enabling the company to analyze an estimated 70% of previously inaccessible data, reduce processing time by 75% and accelerate product time-to-market from months to just one week.

    As the UK’s largest pet care company, Pets at Home sought a way to combat fraud across its retail operations — particularly as its online business continued to grow. Working closely with its fraud team, it adopted Copilot Studio to develop an AI agent that quickly identifies suspicious transactions. The agent autonomously gathers relevant information, performs analysis and shares it with a fraud agent to enable a manual, data-intensive investigative process while ensuring a human remains in the loop. With this low-code agent extending and seamlessly integrating into existing systems, the company’s fraud department can act more quickly; what used to take 20 to 30 minutes is now handled by the AI agent within seconds. The company is identifying fraud 10 times faster and is processing 20 times more cases a day. Now, the company can operate at scale with speed, efficiency and accuracy — with savings expected to be in the seven figures as it continues to build more agents.

    Revenue Grid, a technology company specializing in sales engagement and revenue optimization solutions, partnered with Cloud Services to modernize its data infrastructure and develop a unified data warehouse capable of handling unstructured, semi-structured and structured data. By migrating to Microsoft Fabric, Revenue Grid can now deliver data-powered revenue intelligence, driven by a unified platform, elastic scalability, enhanced analytics capabilities and streamlined operations. Revenue Grid has reduced infrastructure costs by 60% while enhancing its analytical capabilities to improve real-time data processing, empowering sales teams with accurate and diverse data. 

    To better manage and integrate employee data across diverse regions and systems, UST built a comprehensive Employee Data platform on Microsoft Fabric. In under a year, UST migrated 20 years of employee data with all security measures to enhance data accessibility and employee productivity. The Meta Data Driven Integration (MDDI) framework in Fabric also helped the company cut data ingestion time by 50% so employees can focus more on analysis than preparation. As a result of this implementation, the company has seen an increase in collaboration and innovation from employees, helping put its values into action.

    The Microsoft Commercial Marketplace offers millions of customers worldwide a convenient place to find, try and buy software and services across 140 countries. As a Marketplace partner, WeTransact is helping independent software vendors (ISVs) list and transact their software solutions — and find opportunities for co-selling and extending their reach to enterprise customers through development of the WeTransact platform. Powered by Azure OpenAI Service, the platform is changing the way partnerships are being built by using AI pairing to facilitate a “plug and play” reseller network. More than 300 ISVs worldwide have joined the Microsoft Commercial Marketplace using the WeTransact platform, cutting their time to publish by 75%.

    The opportunity for AI to create value is no longer an ambition for the future — it is happening now, and organizational leaders across industries are investing in AI-first strategies to change the way they do business. We believe AI should empower human achievement and enrich the lives of employees; and we are uniquely differentiated to help you accelerate your AI Transformation responsibly and securely. Choosing the right technology provider comes down to trust, and I look forward to what we will achieve together as we partner with you on your AI journey.

    Tags: AI, Azure, Azure AI, Azure AI Foundry, Azure AI Studio, Azure Arc, Azure OpenAI Service, Azure Stack HCI, Copilot, Copilot Studio, Microsoft Fabric, Microsoft Ignite 2024

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why fizzy water won’t help you lose weight – despite what some studies might suggest

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Duane Mellor, Visiting Academic, Aston Medical School, Aston University

    Fizzy water will probably not have a measurable effect on metabolism and weight. Jari Hindstroem/ Shutterstock

    For years it has been claimed that sparkling water may aid weight loss by helping you feel fuller – reducing your desire to snack and overeat.

    Now, a recent hypothesis has suggested that sparkling water may help you lose weight by boosting your body’s blood sugar (glucose) uptake and metabolism.

    But before you go and stock your fridge up with fizzy water, it’s important to actually take a look at the study itself and how it was conducted. This publication makes it clear that it isn’t new research – rather, it’s a new hypothesis formed by referencing the results of a study published in 2004 — alongside additional supplementary research to support the theory.

    It should be noted that the old study was not even looking at the effect of fizzy water on body weight. It was actually an observation of what happens to blood when it goes through a kidney dialysis machine (haemodialysis) and how it might lower blood glucose. No fizzy water was consumed as part of this study either.

    The effect of haemodialysis is said to mimic the effect of carbon dioxide in the blood – which increases the pH or alkalinity inside red blood cells. This then encourages the red blood cells to metabolise more glucose.

    Using the figures from the 20-year-old paper, it’s estimated that a four hour dialysis session seems to increase glucose use by 9g – only around 36 additional calories burned.

    But the study the hypothesis was based on wasn’t looking at the effects of carbon dioxide in the blood. Rather, it was looking at how haemodialysis changes the pH of red blood cells — and how that affects blood glucose. This makes it difficult to compare how the carbon dioxide in fizzy water may affect blood glucose when it enters the bloodstream.

    So why the fuss?

    The paper itself contains a valid scientific idea worthy of discussion. But unfortunately, some of its nuance has been lost in the way the study has been promoted – with media headlines exaggerating the paper’s findings.

    To understand whether this hypothesis stands, research will need to be done which investigates whether a significant amount of carbon dioxide actually does enter our bloodstream when we drink sparkling water, and how quickly this is absorbed by the body – which will tell us how long the potential effects last.

    But a glass of sparkling water contains less than a gram of carbon dioxide – and this will be absorbed in minutes. This amount of carbon dioxide is a tiny fraction compared to the kilogram our body naturally produces in an average day) through respiration – how our body uses energy.

    Unfortunately, it looks like sparkling water isn’t a miracle weight loss remedy.
    Christian Moro/ Shutterstock

    Looking at these numbers, fizzy water will probably not have a measurable effect on blood carbon dioxide levels – and therefore no effect on metabolism and weight.

    The hypothesis’s author itself is careful to state in the paper that carbonated water is not a standalone solution for weight loss and that healthy diet and physical activity are both key.

    Does fizzy water at least help with appetite?

    Another claim that has sometimes been made about fizzy water in the media and in other studies (though not by the author of this latest hypothesis) is that it can help you feel fuller for longer, which may aid in weight loss. However, the evidence here is not conclusive.

    While some studies have found that people who drank carbonated water reported it helped them feel fuller for longer, other studies have actually shown it may have the opposite effect. Research in rats that looked specifically at weight and appetite hormones found that sparkling water increased both weight and levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. In a parallel study these researchers conducted on 20 men, it was shown that fizzy water also increased their ghrelin levels. This suggests fizzy water could actually make people more hungry.

    It seems the data is not conclusive about the effect of fizzy water on hunger. In theory, fizzy water might help to stretch our stomach causing us to feel full. However, the data does not seem to agree with this theory.

    In order for fizzy water to do this, it would need to stay in the stomach longer than still water – and science suggests this isn’t the case. A study which compared drinking fizzy water versus drinking still water after a meal found both seem to leave the stomach at the same rate.

    What’s more, drinking water with meals does not have a significant effect on appetite and feeling full. This is all down to the shape of the stomach and how it churns and breaks down our food. The bottom curve of our stomach has a channel called the Magenstrasse or “stomach road” which allows liquids to flow quickly into the small intestine where it can be absorbed.

    While we might wish a glass of sparkling water could help support weight loss or at least help us feel fuller for longer, there’s currently little to no data to support this. The only real effect that drinking fizzy water (or even still water) has on body weight seems to be that when people use it to replace sugary drinks, it means they consume fewer calories on average.

    The Conversation has spoken with Akira Takahashi, doctor of medicine and head of department at Tesseikai Neurosurgical Hospital, the author of the hypothesis. He writes that based on the 2004 study’s findings, it would be difficult to simulate the effect of haemodialysis through drinking carbonated water – and that it’s unlikely fizzy water alone could lead to weight loss.

    He states that the mechanism shown in the haemodialysis study, by which CO2 can reduce blood sugar levels, may behave similarly to the CO2 absorbed from drinking fizzy water — and that this may result in glucose consumption in the blood near the stomach. However, he says more research will be needed to measure blood sugar levels before and after drinking carbonated water to validate this effect. Takahashi also thinks the feeling of fullness caused by drinking carbonated beverages warrants further research, as carbon dioxide releases bubbles that stimulate the stomach’s stretch receptors – creating a sensation of fullness.

    Takahashi writes: “It is important to note that carbonated water alone is unlikely to contribute significantly to weight loss. A balanced diet and regular exercise remain essential for effective weight management.”

    Duane Mellor a member of the British Dietetic Association. He has in the past undertaken advisory and consultative work with the soft drinks, sweetener and sugar industry.

    – ref. Why fizzy water won’t help you lose weight – despite what some studies might suggest – https://theconversation.com/why-fizzy-water-wont-help-you-lose-weight-despite-what-some-studies-might-suggest-247940

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –