NewzIntel.com

Category: Health

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Concludes Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 27, 2025 [Image 4 of 8]

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    Issued by: on

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (June 27, 2025) U.S. Public Health Service Lt. Cmdr. Lusi Martin-Braswell, Dietician deployed in support of Pacific Partnership 2025 (PP-25), receives a Tongan ceremonial garland during a closing ceremony at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel as part of PP-25 in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 27, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Moises Sandoval/Released)

    Date Taken: 06.27.2025
    Date Posted: 06.29.2025 22:12
    Photo ID: 9138788
    VIRIN: 250627-N-ED646-9695
    Resolution: 7924×5282
    Size: 7.85 MB
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
    Web Views: 0
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Concludes Mission Stop in Nuku’Alofa, Tonga, June 27, 2025 [Image 8 of 8], by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: “It Is Those Who Can Least Afford It Who Are Going To Be Hit The Hardest”– In Speech on Senate Floor, Cantwell Shows How GOP’s Budget Sells Out the American People

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    06.29.25

    “It Is Those Who Can Least Afford It Who Are Going To Be Hit The Hardest”– In Speech on Senate Floor, Cantwell Shows How GOP’s Budget Sells Out the American People

    Cantwell: From kicking 17 million Americans off Medicaid & other health insurance to effectively cancelling state AI protections, the budget proposed by Congressional Republicans is a cash grab for corporations & the rich — at the expense of everyone else

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, as the Senate prepares to vote on a new budget that would gut $930 billion from Medicaid, funnel resources to special interests via massive corporate tax breaks, and add $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) delivered a speech on the Senate floor to highlight how various provisions included in the 940-page document ultimately sell out the American people.

    “This bill would make the entire health care system less responsive and more expensive for everyone by dismantling Medicaid and shifting more of the cost burden on to states — and threatening the very existence of rural hospitals. This bill also sells spectrum out from under our national defense and safety agencies and forces states to choose between protecting their citizens from dangerous AI or providing broadband service, and just gives away big breaks to companies like Meta — that’s Facebook — or Google, who I’m sure at this point in time don’t really need that additional tax break. Clearly, though, the most [egregious] and certainly most destructive part of the bill, of this reconciliation, is the changes to health care,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “You’re going to increase the cost of uncompensated care. You’re going to make people wait to go to emergency rooms and then they’re going to be sicker,” she said. “It’s ten times more expensive to deal with somebody at an emergency room than just get health insurance and get covered.”

    “Yes, extending the 2017 tax cuts does help some middle-class families, and we would support that. But all the hits in other areas — like health insurance — mean they will lose money overall. The lowest 20% of income brackets are hit even harder. In this massive bill, it is those who can least afford it who are going to be hit the hardest,” Sen. Cantwell concluded.

    Her speech can be watched in full HERE; a transcript is HERE.

    Sen. Cantwell, who serves as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has been fighting this proposed budget every step of the way.

    To sound the alarm on proposed Medicaid cuts, Sen. Cantwell hosted a virtual press conference on Friday with Republican leaders from red states – Utah, North Carolina, and Missouri. On Monday, she delivered another speech on the Senate floor highlighting the story of the Winterrose family in Richland, WA, who rely on Medicaid to ensure their 5-year-old daughter can live at home. Last month, she convened a group of health care providers across Washington state for a virtual press conference to highlight statewide opposition to the cuts.  The same day, 23 Republican members of the Washington state legislature sent a letter to the entire Washington state federal congressional delegation, urging the delegation to “protect Medicaid funding for Washington State.”

    When details of her Republican colleagues’ plan to slash Medicaid were made public earlier this year, Sen. Cantwell toured the state to hear from folks who would be directly impacted by the cuts. Doctors, patients, and health care providers in Seattle, Spokane, the Tri-Cities, and Wenatchee warned that such cuts would devastate Washington state’s health care system and limit access to lifesaving care. 

    Sen. Cantwell also released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that Medicaid cuts would have on Washington state’s highly-ranked long-term care system for seniors and people with disabilities. In February, she released a snapshot report that demonstrated how cuts would harm health care access in Washington state, and she followed up with a report in March that dove into impacts on the Puget Sound region. Last week, the Senator released a fact sheet that warned of dire consequences for reproductive health care in Washington state if the Republican reconciliation bill is passed.

    In her remarks today, Sen. Cantwell also discussed new analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), available here, of the impact of the Republican plan’s cuts to Medicaid.  In addition, a Joint Economic Committee (JEC) fact sheet, available here, provides updated estimates for all 50 states and D.C. of the estimated number of people losing their health insurance. The JEC data broken down by Congressional District is available here.

    A previous version of the bill included a provision that would have required the federal government to sell off millions of acres of public land. On Tuesday, Sen. Cantwell held a virtual press conference with the mayor of Boise, professional climbers, a leader from outdoor gear retailer REI, and a spokesperson for a hunting and angling advocacy group to fight back – yesterday, the provision was dropped.

    Earlier this week, Sen. Cantwell criticized new reconciliation bill language released by U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) which forces states receiving Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding to choose between expanding broadband or protecting consumers from harms caused by artificial intelligence for ten years. Cruz’s new language would also auction spectrum critical to national defense: “The newly released language by Chair Cruz continues to hold $42 billion in BEAD funding hostage, forcing states to choose between protecting consumers and expanding critical broadband infrastructure to rural communities,” Sen. Cantwell said earlier this week. “Forty state attorneys general oppose the AI moratorium that would leave every American vulnerable to AI-assisted fraud, theft, and abuse at a time when we should be strengthening consumer protections. This bill would auction off spectrum essential for military drone operations and risk grounding both civilian and military aircraft due to interference with airplane altimeters. It would jeopardize our weather tracking radar systems and the bands we rely on for WiFi connectivity. And for what? So telecommunications companies—the same ones that failed to protect Americans from Salt Typhoon—can profit and Trump can hawk more of his $47.45 phone plans. This is a fundamental threat to our national defense and a massive giveaway to China.” Sen. Cruz claims that the ten-year moratorium on states’ enforcement of AI laws applies only to a new $500 million appropriation. However, concerns remain that the bill’s text still leverages broadband funding to deny states the ability to protect their citizens from AI-assisted fraud, theft, and abuse.

    The Senate is currently scheduled to vote on the budget bill late tonight or early tomorrow morning. If the bill passes the Senate, it will go back to the House for at least 72 hours of consideration before a House vote.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pacific Partnership 2025 Concludes Mission Stop in the Kingdom of Tonga, June 27, 2025

    Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

    NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Pacific Partnership 2025 concluded its mission stop in Nuku’alofa, Tonga with a closing ceremony at the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel on June 27, 2025.

    Pacific Partnership 2025 strengthened bonds between the United States and Tonga through joint medical engagements, infrastructure improvements, and knowledge exchanges, fostering deeper understanding and cooperation between the two nations.

    “The success of Pacific Partnership 2025 is a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Tonga partnership,” said Capt. Mark B. Stefanik, mission commander of Pacific Partnership 2025. “The experiences and relationships forged during this mission will serve as a foundation for continued collaboration and mutual support. We deeply appreciate the relationships formed during our time in the Kingdom of Tonga and the U.S. Navy looks forward to working with Tonga long into the future to address shared challenges and opportunities.”

    During their stop in the Kingdom of Tonga, the Pacific Partnership medical team, consisting of U.S. Navy, Army, Public Health Service and Tongan Ministry of Health personnel, conducted over 30 community health engagements in the fields of Optometry, Clinical Pharmacy, Veterinary Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, and Nutrition. The joint U.S. and Tongan Optometry team engagements spanned eight days and distributed 350 prescription eyeglasses to local patients at Vaiola Hospital and Mu’a Health Center. The Nutrition and Dietetic component of the Pacific Partnership 2025 medical team reviewed and revised the Vaiola Hospital patient menu, training more than 25 food service attendants in food preparation, handling and storage as well as the development of tailored meals for hospital patients. The public health division of Pacific Partnership 2025 assisted and trained staff from the Ministry of Health on how to use a Palintest kit to collect and analyze the quality of water from six different public water source sites in order to identify and address several health concerns posed by harmful contaminants.
    “I’m proud of the team supporting Pacific Partnership 2025: Tongans, Americans, and our other partners,” said Marcus R. Jackson, Chargé d’affaires, a.i. of United States Embassy Nukuʻalofa. “From engineering workshops to community health fairs, it has been inspiring to see Tongans and Americans working closely together. The friendship between Tonga and the United States is strong and long standing, and exercises like Pacific Partnership make that relationship practical.”

    Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4 (NMCB 4) and Tongan engineers forged the Pacific Partnership 2025 engineering team to create standard operating procedure manuals for the operation, maintenance and preservation of two Mobile Utilities Support Equipment generators, powering several health facilities at the Vaiola Hospital. Also at Vaiola Hospital, the NMCB 4 Sailors constructed and installed four storage shelves into the clinical pharmacy facility, contributing to a better organized and efficient medication filing system. The engineering team also worked together to break ground on the 2-month long renovation of a technical classroom building located on the campus of Tonga College ‘Atele, where local students learn and practice their technical and mechanical engineering trades.

    Now in its 21st iteration, Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. Pacific Partnership works collaboratively with host and partner nations to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships in the Indo-Pacific.

    Date Taken: 06.27.2025
    Date Posted: 06.29.2025 21:59
    Story ID: 501835
    Location: NUKU’ALOFA, TO
    Web Views: 7
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN  

    This work, Pacific Partnership 2025 Concludes Mission Stop in the Kingdom of Tonga, June 27, 2025, by PO2 Moises Sandoval, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Republicans’ Bill to Cut Health Care & Food Assistance for Michiganders to Give Tax Breaks to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) took to the Senate floor to voice his opposition to Senate Republicans’ bill that would take away health care and food assistance from millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, in order to cut taxes for billionaires. The bill would also add trillions of dollars to the national debt. 

    “This bill will blow up our national debt, kick millions of people off of their health care, and take food off of families’ tables while cutting food assistance,” Peters said during his speech. “And for what? What are our colleagues mortgaging our country’s future for? What are they slashing health care and food assistance to pay for? Well, they’re doing it for tax cuts for billionaires.” 

    Peters underscored that the legislation does not address the issues that matter to the American people, like bringing down the cost of living and lowering the national debt.  

    “This is not what our constituents want us to be focused on. They want us to help make their life better,” Peters said. “But instead of focusing on that, here we are on the brink of passing a bill so irresponsible that it will destroy our country’s economic health, harm millions of Americans, all so a handful of billionaires, the wealthiest of the wealthy, can have another tax break. Mr. President, I will never support a such a reckless and catastrophic plan.” 

    To watch the full video of Peters’ speech on the Senate floor, click here.

    Peters has heard from more than 10,000 Michiganders about the harm they would face if Republicans pass their bill to cut Medicaid – which provides access to quality, affordable health care for millions of children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. During his speech, Peters shared their stories to highlight how this bill would be detrimental to the health and economic security of families all across Michigan.  

    Affording Medicine: “Take Isaac from Lansing, for example, who says Medicaid is the only lifeline he has to pay for the medicine that literally keeps him alive.” 

    Access to Elderly Care: “Take Gwen from Grand Rapids, who says she wouldn’t be able to pay for an assisted living facility for her grandmother without Medicaid.” 

    Support for Americans with Disabilities: “Many of us know someone or maybe even love someone who lives with a disability. Thanks to Medicaid, people with disabilities can get the care that allows them to live healthy and independent lives. That is the case for Wanda from Westland, who takes medication for an eye condition. Without Medicaid, she would not be able to afford her medication, and she could actually go blind.” 

    Keeping Our Children Healthy: “I heard from Gladys, a mother from Flint, who says Medicaid is the only reason her kids can get their asthma medication or have regular health checkups.” 

    Health Care Access in Rural Communities: “Under this bill, rural communities will be especially impacted by cuts to Medicaid. In some counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there’s only one health care provider, meaning some Michiganders will have to travel up to 50 miles to get routine or emergency care. Medicaid helps keep these hospitals open, and if this bill passes, people in these rural communities are going to be cut off from basic health services.” 

    Pre and Post Natal Care for Expecting Mothers: “Expecting mothers also reached out to share their concerns. While she is busy preparing to welcome a newborn baby into the world, Chelsea from Fennville is now afraid that she will lose her access to both pre and post natal care under this absolutely disastrous bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Republicans’ Bill to Cut Health Care & Food Assistance for Michiganders to Give Tax Breaks to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) took to the Senate floor to voice his opposition to Senate Republicans’ bill that would take away health care and food assistance from millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, in order to cut taxes for billionaires. The bill would also add trillions of dollars to the national debt. 

    “This bill will blow up our national debt, kick millions of people off of their health care, and take food off of families’ tables while cutting food assistance,” Peters said during his speech. “And for what? What are our colleagues mortgaging our country’s future for? What are they slashing health care and food assistance to pay for? Well, they’re doing it for tax cuts for billionaires.” 

    Peters underscored that the legislation does not address the issues that matter to the American people, like bringing down the cost of living and lowering the national debt.  

    “This is not what our constituents want us to be focused on. They want us to help make their life better,” Peters said. “But instead of focusing on that, here we are on the brink of passing a bill so irresponsible that it will destroy our country’s economic health, harm millions of Americans, all so a handful of billionaires, the wealthiest of the wealthy, can have another tax break. Mr. President, I will never support a such a reckless and catastrophic plan.” 

    To watch the full video of Peters’ speech on the Senate floor, click here.

    Peters has heard from more than 10,000 Michiganders about the harm they would face if Republicans pass their bill to cut Medicaid – which provides access to quality, affordable health care for millions of children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. During his speech, Peters shared their stories to highlight how this bill would be detrimental to the health and economic security of families all across Michigan.  

    Affording Medicine: “Take Isaac from Lansing, for example, who says Medicaid is the only lifeline he has to pay for the medicine that literally keeps him alive.” 

    Access to Elderly Care: “Take Gwen from Grand Rapids, who says she wouldn’t be able to pay for an assisted living facility for her grandmother without Medicaid.” 

    Support for Americans with Disabilities: “Many of us know someone or maybe even love someone who lives with a disability. Thanks to Medicaid, people with disabilities can get the care that allows them to live healthy and independent lives. That is the case for Wanda from Westland, who takes medication for an eye condition. Without Medicaid, she would not be able to afford her medication, and she could actually go blind.” 

    Keeping Our Children Healthy: “I heard from Gladys, a mother from Flint, who says Medicaid is the only reason her kids can get their asthma medication or have regular health checkups.” 

    Health Care Access in Rural Communities: “Under this bill, rural communities will be especially impacted by cuts to Medicaid. In some counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there’s only one health care provider, meaning some Michiganders will have to travel up to 50 miles to get routine or emergency care. Medicaid helps keep these hospitals open, and if this bill passes, people in these rural communities are going to be cut off from basic health services.” 

    Pre and Post Natal Care for Expecting Mothers: “Expecting mothers also reached out to share their concerns. While she is busy preparing to welcome a newborn baby into the world, Chelsea from Fennville is now afraid that she will lose her access to both pre and post natal care under this absolutely disastrous bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders on The Worst Bill in Modern U.S. History

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    WASHINGTON, June 29 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate opposing President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” which is a gift to the billionaire class while causing massive pain for working families.

    Sanders remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched HERE:

    M. President: President Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” now on the floor of the Senate, is the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country. It is a gift to the billionaire class, while causing massive pain for low income and working class Americans.

    Actually though, M. President, I’m wrong. This is not a gift to the billionaire class. They paid for it.

    This bill is an absolute reflection of a corrupt campaign finance system that allows billionaires to buy elections. And when billionaires spend hundreds of billions of dollars trying to elect a president, or a senator or a member of Congress, they’re not making that investment just for the fun of it. They want something in return. This legislation is what they are getting in return.

    So what is in this bill they invested in?

    Well, if you are in the top 1%, you and the class you represent will receive a $975 billion tax break – at a time when the richest people in this country have never had it so good.

    Further, if you are among the wealthiest 0.2%, you will be able to pay zero taxes on your $30 million inheritance. All of you folks out there who are waiting to inherit at least $30 million, today is a good day for you. Collectively, you will receive approximately $211 billion in tax breaks. For the top 0.2%, congratulations. You hit the jackpot.

    If you are a large corporation and you want to throw workers out on the street and replace them with artificial intelligence or you want to shift your profits to the Cayman Islands or other tax havens, you are going to get a $918 billion tax break. Congratulations to the CEOs of large, profitable corporations.

    But while the rich and large corporations make out like bandits in this bill, what does it do for low-income and working families? Let me say a few words on that.

    If you are concerned about health care, this bill throws over 16 million people off of the health insurance they have, according to the Congressional Budget Office, by cutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by over $1.1 trillion.

    In other words, the top 1% are getting a $975 billion tax break, and that is coming directly from throwing 16 million people off of the health insurance they have.

    This bill, for the first time, forces millions of Medicaid recipients who make as little as $16,000 a year to pay a $35 co-payment each time they visit a doctor’s office.
    What is the impact of all of that?

    This is not my view — this is what the Yale School of Public Health and the University of Pennsylvania determined based on a study that they did. And this is the result. It is almost so horrific, so grotesque, that it is difficult to speak about. But they estimate that if this bill goes through with all of these cuts in health care — if 16 million people are thrown off the health care they have — over 50,000 Americans will die unnecessarily every year.

    Fifty thousand Americans will die unnecessarily in order to give tax breaks to billionaires who don’t need them. In other words, this bill is literally a death sentence for low-income and working-class Americans.

    Further, if this legislation is enacted, rural hospitals all over the country that are already struggling are going to shut down or aren’t going to be able to provide the level of services they do today. In other words, this bill would be a disaster for rural America.

    It would also make massive cuts to community health centers and nursing homes, who are very heavily dependent on Medicaid funding.

    The bottom line is that this legislation is the most significant attack on the health care needs of the American people in our country’s history. 

    We already have a health care system which is broken and dysfunctional, and instead of addressing it — instead of doing what every other major country on Earth does: guarantee health care to all people — we are throwing 16 million people off the health insurance they have. But it’s not just health care.

    The future of America rests with our children. And yet, in a nation which now has the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on Earth, this bill wipes out nutrition assistance for millions of hungry kids in America.

    We are literally taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids to give tax breaks to Mr. Bezos, Mr. Musk, Mr. Zuckerberg and the other multi-billionaires.

    If we understand that if we’re going to compete effectively in the global economy, we need to have the best education system in the world, this bill makes $350 billion in cuts in education with the result that working class kids will find it much harder to get the higher education they need to succeed in life.

    If you are concerned about the existential threat of climate change, this bill decimates investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy like wind and solar and moves us in exactly the wrong direction when it comes to energy.

    If you are concerned about our role in never-ending wars, this bill makes a bad situation even worse by handing out another $150 billion to the Pentagon – a 15% increase in an already bloated Pentagon budget.

    We don’t have enough money to feed hungry children. We don’t have enough money to make sure that people continue to have the health care that they need. We don’t have enough money to make sure that kids can get a decent education. But somehow, the military industrial complex is going to get another $150 billion.

    M. President: In my view, nobody in the Senate or the House should vote for this legislation. And I applaud all of the Democrats for voting against it. And I want to congratulate two Republicans — Senator Paul and Senator Tillis for voting against it — for different reasons than I have.

    But I do find it interesting that when one of those senators, Senator Tillis, voted against it because he thought it was not a good bill for the people of his home state, North Carolina, suddenly the President of the United States went after him in a very vicious way. And today, he announced that he will not be seeking reelection.

    It appears now that the Republican Party has really become the party of the cult of the individual. The only thing you have to do now as a Republican is say, “I agree with President Trump,” “I love President Trump,” “President Trump is right all of the time.” Hey, that’s all you have to do now to be a good Republican.

    There was a day when Republicans and Democrats understood that they were elected by their constituents. There was an understanding that they were elected to represent their constituents and not simply to pay homage and bow down to every wish and whim of the president.

    M. President, during the vote-a-rama, I will be offering several amendments which I hope will win support.

    At a time when 22% of our nation’s seniors are trying to survive on less than $15,000 a year, my first amendment would fundamentally improve their lives in two significant ways:

    Number one, it would cut the price of prescription drugs under Medicare in half by making sure that our nation’s seniors don’t pay more than the Europeans or Canadians pay for the same exact drugs.

    And number two, with those savings, we’re going to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing. In other words, instead of throwing people off of health care, we’re going to expand Medicare to provide a number of services that seniors desperately need and want.

    Secondly, at a time of massive wealth and inequality, my second amendment would eliminate the $211 billion estate tax break for the top 0.2% that is included in this bill.

    And lastly, at a time when we spend more on the military than the next nine nations combined, at a time when the Pentagon cannot account for trillions of dollars in assets, we are going to end the provision that allows the Pentagon to receive another $150 billion.

    The bottom line, Mr. President, is this country faces many crises — a high rate of childhood poverty, kids going hungry, an education system in deep trouble and a health care system that is completely broken. And in virtually every single area, this bill takes us in precisely the wrong direction.

    When the wealthiest people in this country have never ever had it so good, it is totally insane to be offering them $1 trillion in tax breaks so that we can cut health care, education and nutrition.

    This bill is not what the American people want, and I hope very much we can defeat it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PREPARED REMARKS: Sanders on The Worst Bill in Modern U.S. History

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders

    WASHINGTON, June 29 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today gave remarks on the floor of the Senate opposing President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” which is a gift to the billionaire class while causing massive pain for working families.

    Sanders remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below and can be watched HERE:

    M. President: President Trump’s so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill,” now on the floor of the Senate, is the most dangerous piece of legislation in the modern history of our country. It is a gift to the billionaire class, while causing massive pain for low income and working class Americans.

    Actually though, M. President, I’m wrong. This is not a gift to the billionaire class. They paid for it.

    This bill is an absolute reflection of a corrupt campaign finance system that allows billionaires to buy elections. And when billionaires spend hundreds of billions of dollars trying to elect a president, or a senator or a member of Congress, they’re not making that investment just for the fun of it. They want something in return. This legislation is what they are getting in return.

    So what is in this bill they invested in?

    Well, if you are in the top 1%, you and the class you represent will receive a $975 billion tax break – at a time when the richest people in this country have never had it so good.

    Further, if you are among the wealthiest 0.2%, you will be able to pay zero taxes on your $30 million inheritance. All of you folks out there who are waiting to inherit at least $30 million, today is a good day for you. Collectively, you will receive approximately $211 billion in tax breaks. For the top 0.2%, congratulations. You hit the jackpot.

    If you are a large corporation and you want to throw workers out on the street and replace them with artificial intelligence or you want to shift your profits to the Cayman Islands or other tax havens, you are going to get a $918 billion tax break. Congratulations to the CEOs of large, profitable corporations.

    But while the rich and large corporations make out like bandits in this bill, what does it do for low-income and working families? Let me say a few words on that.

    If you are concerned about health care, this bill throws over 16 million people off of the health insurance they have, according to the Congressional Budget Office, by cutting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by over $1.1 trillion.

    In other words, the top 1% are getting a $975 billion tax break, and that is coming directly from throwing 16 million people off of the health insurance they have.

    This bill, for the first time, forces millions of Medicaid recipients who make as little as $16,000 a year to pay a $35 co-payment each time they visit a doctor’s office.
    What is the impact of all of that?

    This is not my view — this is what the Yale School of Public Health and the University of Pennsylvania determined based on a study that they did. And this is the result. It is almost so horrific, so grotesque, that it is difficult to speak about. But they estimate that if this bill goes through with all of these cuts in health care — if 16 million people are thrown off the health care they have — over 50,000 Americans will die unnecessarily every year.

    Fifty thousand Americans will die unnecessarily in order to give tax breaks to billionaires who don’t need them. In other words, this bill is literally a death sentence for low-income and working-class Americans.

    Further, if this legislation is enacted, rural hospitals all over the country that are already struggling are going to shut down or aren’t going to be able to provide the level of services they do today. In other words, this bill would be a disaster for rural America.

    It would also make massive cuts to community health centers and nursing homes, who are very heavily dependent on Medicaid funding.

    The bottom line is that this legislation is the most significant attack on the health care needs of the American people in our country’s history. 

    We already have a health care system which is broken and dysfunctional, and instead of addressing it — instead of doing what every other major country on Earth does: guarantee health care to all people — we are throwing 16 million people off the health insurance they have. But it’s not just health care.

    The future of America rests with our children. And yet, in a nation which now has the highest rate of childhood poverty of almost any major country on Earth, this bill wipes out nutrition assistance for millions of hungry kids in America.

    We are literally taking food out of the mouths of hungry kids to give tax breaks to Mr. Bezos, Mr. Musk, Mr. Zuckerberg and the other multi-billionaires.

    If we understand that if we’re going to compete effectively in the global economy, we need to have the best education system in the world, this bill makes $350 billion in cuts in education with the result that working class kids will find it much harder to get the higher education they need to succeed in life.

    If you are concerned about the existential threat of climate change, this bill decimates investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy like wind and solar and moves us in exactly the wrong direction when it comes to energy.

    If you are concerned about our role in never-ending wars, this bill makes a bad situation even worse by handing out another $150 billion to the Pentagon – a 15% increase in an already bloated Pentagon budget.

    We don’t have enough money to feed hungry children. We don’t have enough money to make sure that people continue to have the health care that they need. We don’t have enough money to make sure that kids can get a decent education. But somehow, the military industrial complex is going to get another $150 billion.

    M. President: In my view, nobody in the Senate or the House should vote for this legislation. And I applaud all of the Democrats for voting against it. And I want to congratulate two Republicans — Senator Paul and Senator Tillis for voting against it — for different reasons than I have.

    But I do find it interesting that when one of those senators, Senator Tillis, voted against it because he thought it was not a good bill for the people of his home state, North Carolina, suddenly the President of the United States went after him in a very vicious way. And today, he announced that he will not be seeking reelection.

    It appears now that the Republican Party has really become the party of the cult of the individual. The only thing you have to do now as a Republican is say, “I agree with President Trump,” “I love President Trump,” “President Trump is right all of the time.” Hey, that’s all you have to do now to be a good Republican.

    There was a day when Republicans and Democrats understood that they were elected by their constituents. There was an understanding that they were elected to represent their constituents and not simply to pay homage and bow down to every wish and whim of the president.

    M. President, during the vote-a-rama, I will be offering several amendments which I hope will win support.

    At a time when 22% of our nation’s seniors are trying to survive on less than $15,000 a year, my first amendment would fundamentally improve their lives in two significant ways:

    Number one, it would cut the price of prescription drugs under Medicare in half by making sure that our nation’s seniors don’t pay more than the Europeans or Canadians pay for the same exact drugs.

    And number two, with those savings, we’re going to expand Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing. In other words, instead of throwing people off of health care, we’re going to expand Medicare to provide a number of services that seniors desperately need and want.

    Secondly, at a time of massive wealth and inequality, my second amendment would eliminate the $211 billion estate tax break for the top 0.2% that is included in this bill.

    And lastly, at a time when we spend more on the military than the next nine nations combined, at a time when the Pentagon cannot account for trillions of dollars in assets, we are going to end the provision that allows the Pentagon to receive another $150 billion.

    The bottom line, Mr. President, is this country faces many crises — a high rate of childhood poverty, kids going hungry, an education system in deep trouble and a health care system that is completely broken. And in virtually every single area, this bill takes us in precisely the wrong direction.

    When the wealthiest people in this country have never ever had it so good, it is totally insane to be offering them $1 trillion in tax breaks so that we can cut health care, education and nutrition.

    This bill is not what the American people want, and I hope very much we can defeat it.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters Takes to Senate Floor to Oppose Republicans’ Bill to Cut Health Care & Food Assistance for Michiganders to Give Tax Breaks to Billionaires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) took to the Senate floor to voice his opposition to Senate Republicans’ bill that would take away health care and food assistance from millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of Michiganders, in order to cut taxes for billionaires. The bill would also add trillions of dollars to the national debt. 
    “This bill will blow up our national debt, kick millions of people off of their health care, and take food off of families’ tables while cutting food assistance,” Peters said during his speech. “And for what? What are our colleagues mortgaging our country’s future for? What are they slashing health care and food assistance to pay for? Well, they’re doing it for tax cuts for billionaires.” 
    Peters underscored that the legislation does not address the issues that matter to the American people, like bringing down the cost of living and lowering the national debt.  
    “This is not what our constituents want us to be focused on. They want us to help make their life better,” Peters said. “But instead of focusing on that, here we are on the brink of passing a bill so irresponsible that it will destroy our country’s economic health, harm millions of Americans, all so a handful of billionaires, the wealthiest of the wealthy, can have another tax break. Mr. President, I will never support a such a reckless and catastrophic plan.” 
    To watch the full video of Peters’ speech on the Senate floor, click here.
    Peters has heard from more than 10,000 Michiganders about the harm they would face if Republicans pass their bill to cut Medicaid – which provides access to quality, affordable health care for millions of children, seniors, and Americans with disabilities. During his speech, Peters shared their stories to highlight how this bill would be detrimental to the health and economic security of families all across Michigan.  
    Affording Medicine: “Take Isaac from Lansing, for example, who says Medicaid is the only lifeline he has to pay for the medicine that literally keeps him alive.” 
    Access to Elderly Care: “Take Gwen from Grand Rapids, who says she wouldn’t be able to pay for an assisted living facility for her grandmother without Medicaid.” 
    Support for Americans with Disabilities: “Many of us know someone or maybe even love someone who lives with a disability. Thanks to Medicaid, people with disabilities can get the care that allows them to live healthy and independent lives. That is the case for Wanda from Westland, who takes medication for an eye condition. Without Medicaid, she would not be able to afford her medication, and she could actually go blind.” 
    Keeping Our Children Healthy: “I heard from Gladys, a mother from Flint, who says Medicaid is the only reason her kids can get their asthma medication or have regular health checkups.” 
    Health Care Access in Rural Communities: “Under this bill, rural communities will be especially impacted by cuts to Medicaid. In some counties in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there’s only one health care provider, meaning some Michiganders will have to travel up to 50 miles to get routine or emergency care. Medicaid helps keep these hospitals open, and if this bill passes, people in these rural communities are going to be cut off from basic health services.” 
    Pre and Post Natal Care for Expecting Mothers: “Expecting mothers also reached out to share their concerns. While she is busy preparing to welcome a newborn baby into the world, Chelsea from Fennville is now afraid that she will lose her access to both pre and post natal care under this absolutely disastrous bill.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: RFK Junior is stoking fears about vaccine safety. Here’s why he’s wrong – and the impact it could have

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Julie Leask, Professor, School of Public Health, University of Sydney

    The United States used to be a leader in vaccine research, development and policymaking. Now US Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr is undermining the country’s vaccine program at the highest level and supercharging vaccine skepticism.

    Two weeks ago, RFK Jr sacked the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices responsible for reviewing the latest scientific evidence on vaccines. RFK Jr alleged conflicts of interest and hand-picked a replacement panel.

    On Wednesday, RFK Jr announced the US would stop funding the global vaccine alliance, Gavi, because he claimed that “when the science was inconvenient today, Gavi ignored the science”. RFK Jr questioned the safety of COVID vaccines for pregnant women, as well as the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine.

    On Thursday, when the new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met, the person who first drew RFK Jr into vaccine scepticism, Lyn Redwood, shared disproved claims about a chemical called thimerosal in flu vaccines being harmful.

    The undermining of regulation, advisory processes and funding changes will have global impacts, as debunked claims are given new levels of apparent legitimacy. Some of these impacts will be slow and insidious.

    So what should we make of these latest claims and funding cuts?

    Thiomersal is a distraction

    Thiomersal (thimerosal in the the US) is a safe and effective preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal contamination of the vaccine contained in a multi-dose vial. It’s a salt that contains a tiny amount of mercury in a safe form.

    Thiomersal is no longer used as a preservative in any vaccines routinely given in Australia. But it’s still used in the Q fever vaccine.

    Other countries use multi-dose vials with thiomersal when single-dose vials are too expensive.

    In the US, just 4% of adult influenza vaccines contain thiomersal. So focusing on removing vaccines containing thimerosal is a distraction for the committee.

    COVID vaccines in pregnancy prevent severe illness

    On Wednesday, RFK criticised Gavi’s encouragement of pregnant women to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

    A COVID-19 infection before and during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage two- to four-fold, even if it’s only a mild infection.

    Conversely, there is good evidence vaccination during pregnancy is safe and can reduce the chance of hospitalisation of pregnant people and of infants by passing antibodies through the placenta.

    In Australia, pregnant people who have never received a primary COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to have one. However, they are not generally recommended to have booster unless they have underlying risk conditions or prefer to have one. This is due to population immunity.

    COVID-19 vaccine advice should adapt to changes in disease risk and vaccine benefit. It doesn’t mean previous decisions were wrong, nor that vaccine boosters are unsafe.

    RFK’s criticism of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy may influence choices individuals make in other countries, even when unvaccinated pregnant women are encouraged to consider vaccination.

    The diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine is safe

    RFK Jr also questioned the safety of the combined diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine as he announced the withdrawal of US funding support for Gavi.

    In the early 2000s, three community-based observational studies reported a possible association between increased chance of death in infants and use of the DTP vaccine.

    A few subsequent studies also reported associations, with higher risk in girls, prompting a World Health Organization (WHO) review of safety.

    Real world studies are complicated and the data can be difficult to interpret correctly. Often, the very factors that influence whether someone gets vaccinated can also be associated with other health risks.

    When the WHO committee reviewed all the studies on DTP safety in 2014, it did not indicate serious adverse events. It concluded there was substantial evidence against these claims.

    What will de-funding Gavi mean for vaccination rates?

    Gavi, the vaccine alliance, supports vaccine purchasing in low-income countries.

    The US has historically accounted for 13% of all donor funds.

    However, RFK Jr said Gavi needed to re-earn the public trust and “consider the best science available” before the US would contribute funding again.

    Gavi predicted in March that the impact of US funding cuts could result in one million deaths through missed vaccines.

    Could something like this happen in Australia?

    Australia is fortunate to be buffered from these impacts.

    Our vaccine advisory body, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, has people with deep expertise in vaccination. We have robust decision processes that weigh evidence critically and make careful recommendations to government.

    Our governments remain committed to vaccination. The federal government released the National Immunisation Strategy in mid-June with a comprehensive plan to continue to strengthen our program.

    The federal government also announced A$386 million to support the work of Gavi from 2026 to 2030.

    All of this keeps our vaccine policies strong, preventing disease and increasing life expectancy here and overseas.

    But to mitigate the possible influence of the US in Australia, our governments, health professionals and the public need to be ready to rapidly tackle the misinformation, distortions and half-truths RFK Jr cleverly packages – with quality information.

    Julie Leask receives research funding from NHMRC, WHO, US CDC, NSW Ministry of Health. She received funding from Sanofi for travel to an overseas meeting in 2024. She has consulting fees from RTI International and the Task Force for Global Health.

    Catherine Bennett has received honoraria for contributing to independent advisory panels for Moderna and AstraZeneca, and has received NHMRC, VicHealth and MRFF funding for unrelated projects. She was the health lead on the Independent Inquiry into the Australian Government COVID-19 Response .

    – ref. RFK Junior is stoking fears about vaccine safety. Here’s why he’s wrong – and the impact it could have – https://theconversation.com/rfk-junior-is-stoking-fears-about-vaccine-safety-heres-why-hes-wrong-and-the-impact-it-could-have-259986

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: RFK Junior is stoking fears about vaccine safety. Here’s why he’s wrong – and the impact it could have

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Julie Leask, Professor, School of Public Health, University of Sydney

    The United States used to be a leader in vaccine research, development and policymaking. Now US Secretary of Health Robert F. Kennedy Jr is undermining the country’s vaccine program at the highest level and supercharging vaccine skepticism.

    Two weeks ago, RFK Jr sacked the entire Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices responsible for reviewing the latest scientific evidence on vaccines. RFK Jr alleged conflicts of interest and hand-picked a replacement panel.

    On Wednesday, RFK Jr announced the US would stop funding the global vaccine alliance, Gavi, because he claimed that “when the science was inconvenient today, Gavi ignored the science”. RFK Jr questioned the safety of COVID vaccines for pregnant women, as well as the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine.

    On Thursday, when the new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices met, the person who first drew RFK Jr into vaccine scepticism, Lyn Redwood, shared disproved claims about a chemical called thimerosal in flu vaccines being harmful.

    The undermining of regulation, advisory processes and funding changes will have global impacts, as debunked claims are given new levels of apparent legitimacy. Some of these impacts will be slow and insidious.

    So what should we make of these latest claims and funding cuts?

    Thiomersal is a distraction

    Thiomersal (thimerosal in the the US) is a safe and effective preservative that prevents bacterial and fungal contamination of the vaccine contained in a multi-dose vial. It’s a salt that contains a tiny amount of mercury in a safe form.

    Thiomersal is no longer used as a preservative in any vaccines routinely given in Australia. But it’s still used in the Q fever vaccine.

    Other countries use multi-dose vials with thiomersal when single-dose vials are too expensive.

    In the US, just 4% of adult influenza vaccines contain thiomersal. So focusing on removing vaccines containing thimerosal is a distraction for the committee.

    COVID vaccines in pregnancy prevent severe illness

    On Wednesday, RFK criticised Gavi’s encouragement of pregnant women to receive COVID-19 vaccines.

    A COVID-19 infection before and during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage two- to four-fold, even if it’s only a mild infection.

    Conversely, there is good evidence vaccination during pregnancy is safe and can reduce the chance of hospitalisation of pregnant people and of infants by passing antibodies through the placenta.

    In Australia, pregnant people who have never received a primary COVID-19 vaccine are recommended to have one. However, they are not generally recommended to have booster unless they have underlying risk conditions or prefer to have one. This is due to population immunity.

    COVID-19 vaccine advice should adapt to changes in disease risk and vaccine benefit. It doesn’t mean previous decisions were wrong, nor that vaccine boosters are unsafe.

    RFK’s criticism of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy may influence choices individuals make in other countries, even when unvaccinated pregnant women are encouraged to consider vaccination.

    The diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine is safe

    RFK Jr also questioned the safety of the combined diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis (DTP) vaccine as he announced the withdrawal of US funding support for Gavi.

    In the early 2000s, three community-based observational studies reported a possible association between increased chance of death in infants and use of the DTP vaccine.

    A few subsequent studies also reported associations, with higher risk in girls, prompting a World Health Organization (WHO) review of safety.

    Real world studies are complicated and the data can be difficult to interpret correctly. Often, the very factors that influence whether someone gets vaccinated can also be associated with other health risks.

    When the WHO committee reviewed all the studies on DTP safety in 2014, it did not indicate serious adverse events. It concluded there was substantial evidence against these claims.

    What will de-funding Gavi mean for vaccination rates?

    Gavi, the vaccine alliance, supports vaccine purchasing in low-income countries.

    The US has historically accounted for 13% of all donor funds.

    However, RFK Jr said Gavi needed to re-earn the public trust and “consider the best science available” before the US would contribute funding again.

    Gavi predicted in March that the impact of US funding cuts could result in one million deaths through missed vaccines.

    Could something like this happen in Australia?

    Australia is fortunate to be buffered from these impacts.

    Our vaccine advisory body, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, has people with deep expertise in vaccination. We have robust decision processes that weigh evidence critically and make careful recommendations to government.

    Our governments remain committed to vaccination. The federal government released the National Immunisation Strategy in mid-June with a comprehensive plan to continue to strengthen our program.

    The federal government also announced A$386 million to support the work of Gavi from 2026 to 2030.

    All of this keeps our vaccine policies strong, preventing disease and increasing life expectancy here and overseas.

    But to mitigate the possible influence of the US in Australia, our governments, health professionals and the public need to be ready to rapidly tackle the misinformation, distortions and half-truths RFK Jr cleverly packages – with quality information.

    Julie Leask receives research funding from NHMRC, WHO, US CDC, NSW Ministry of Health. She received funding from Sanofi for travel to an overseas meeting in 2024. She has consulting fees from RTI International and the Task Force for Global Health.

    Catherine Bennett has received honoraria for contributing to independent advisory panels for Moderna and AstraZeneca, and has received NHMRC, VicHealth and MRFF funding for unrelated projects. She was the health lead on the Independent Inquiry into the Australian Government COVID-19 Response .

    – ref. RFK Junior is stoking fears about vaccine safety. Here’s why he’s wrong – and the impact it could have – https://theconversation.com/rfk-junior-is-stoking-fears-about-vaccine-safety-heres-why-hes-wrong-and-the-impact-it-could-have-259986

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health and Housing – Many rentals may still fall short as healthy homes deadline arrives

    Source: Asthma and Respiratory Foundation

    As winter grips the country, many Kiwis will go to sleep tonight in rental homes that may still be putting their health at risk.
    From midnight tonight, all private residential landlords must ensure their properties fully comply with the Healthy Homes Standards – a legal requirement introduced in 2019 to make rental homes warmer, drier, and healthier. These standards introduced minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
    Yet despite having six years to prepare, questions remain about how many rental homes will truly be compliant come July 1.
    The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ warns that without effective enforcement, these standards risk leaving tenants, especially those with respiratory conditions, exposed to cold, damp homes that threaten their health.
    Foundation Medical Director Professor Bob Hancox says one thing we have learnt from research into housing and health in New Zealand is that many homes are too cold and too damp.
    “Having a warm and dry house is very important for respiratory health, particularly for people with respiratory diseases such as asthma or COPD.
    “Improving the quality of housing is one of the best ways to help people stay well through the winter.”
    Currently, landlords can self-certify that their property meets the Healthy Homes Standards, and there is no requirement for an independent, physical inspection of the property.
    “Implementing the healthy homes standard would go a long way to keep people out of hospital and GP clinics, but at the moment, we don’t know how well the standards are being applied,” Professor Hancox says.
    The Foundation is renewing its call to the Government to require independent, accredited assessments of all rental homes to ensure that the Healthy Homes Standards are actually being met.
    New Zealand Institute of Building Inspectors Chief Executive Neville Scott says the fact that landlords can self-certify is a loophole that undermines the intent of the law.
    “We fully support the Foundation in their call to Government, as we see – all too often – cases where properties are signed off by landlords but clearly fall short of the standards.
    “Without qualified, independent inspections, there’s no way to guarantee consistency or integrity in the process,” he says.
    “It’s like letting drivers issue their own warrants of fitness.”
    According to Tenancy Services NZ, more than 600,000 households rent in New Zealand, and research shows that rental stock is of poorer quality than owner-occupied homes.
    A recent report by Stats NZ on housing in New Zealand revealed that almost 30 per cent of households that did not own their home experienced dampness at least some of the time. Those same households were more likely to experience visible mould over A4 size at least some of the time (22.9 per cent).
    Dr Lucy Telfar-Barnard, public health researcher and member of the Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, says the current state of many rental properties is both unacceptable and avoidable.
    “We’re still seeing families living in mouldy, poorly ventilated homes that actively worsen chronic conditions like asthma.
    “Effective enforcement of the healthy homes standards is essential for protecting our most vulnerable populations and reducing health inequities.”
    The Foundation’s call is part of its ongoing commitment to improve the health outcomes of those living with respiratory conditions in NZ.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Horses lead the way in helping children heal from trauma

    Source:

    30 June 2025

    A new Australian study is shining a spotlight on the healing power of horses, revealing that equine-assisted therapy could help address the growing mental health crisis among children.

    As childhood mental illness rates spiral, compounded by lengthy waiting times for counsellors and the limitations of many conventional treatments, some social workers are turning to horses for the answers.

    University of South Australia researchers have captured the lived experiences of 10 social workers and mental health practitioners delivering equine-assisted interventions (EAI) to children. Their findings are published in the Journal of Social Work Practice.

    EAI is a type of on-ground therapy involving horses, offered by qualified health practitioners in conjunction with highly-skilled equine practitioners.

    The evidence in its favour is compelling, with practitioners describing how a child’s emotional world can be transformed through working with horses in a natural setting.

    UniSA Social Work graduate Morgyn Stacy, who led the study as part of her Honours project, says that many children don’t respond to sitting in a room with a therapist or clinician, which can be intimidating.

    “But give them the space to be outside, to connect with a horse, and something powerful happens. They begin to feel safe, calm, and ready to open up,” Morgyn says.

    The research shows that horses are highly sensitive to human emotions and body language, allowing them to mirror and respond to a child’s emotional state. They offer a natural, non-judgemental environment, helping to build trust and emotional safety.

    One practitioner described the experience as “being seen through the eyes of a horse,” a moment of emotional connection that can be life-changing.

    And it’s not just the horses that help. The natural, open-air setting – often in paddocks surrounded by trees and wildlife – helps children feel relaxed and grounded.

    Practitioners spoke of using sensory-rich activities like walking barefoot in sand, observing animal tracks, or simply standing quietly with a horse to promote mindfulness and connection.

    “The benefits go beyond mental health,” Morgyn says. “Children often gain confidence, improve communication skills, and build stronger emotional resilience.”

    Even children who were initially afraid of horses found strength in overcoming their fears, with therapists carefully matching each child to the right animal.

    Senior UniSA researcher and qualified social worker, Dr Fatin Shabbar, says equine-assisted therapy is particularly effective for children who have experienced trauma, including those in the child protection system.

    “Practitioners in the study described deeply moving examples of children bonding with horses in ways that sparked emotional breakthroughs where other therapies had failed,” Dr Shabbar says.

    But while this approach is gaining popularity, it’s not yet widely accessible. Sessions can be expensive due to the cost of caring for horses and maintaining rural properties. Unless families receive funding from bodies such as the NDIS and child protection agencies, many are forced to pay out of pocket, or miss out altogether.

    “Another concern is the lack of regulation in Australia,” Dr Shabbar says. “Without clear guidelines, unqualified practitioners may offer equine-assisted services without appropriate training, which puts both children and the animals at risk.”

    And those practitioners who are highly qualified still face an uphill battle to gain recognition of equine-assisted therapy as an evidence-based practice.”

    The researchers say the findings are a strong call to action for professional bodies like the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) to provide clearer guidance and ethical standards for working with animals in therapy.

    “This research shows that equine-assisted therapy can be a deeply healing experience. But for it to reach more children, we need formal recognition, ethical guidelines and proper funding.”

    “Healing in relationships, the power of equine-assisted mental health interventions” is published in the Journal of Social Work Practice. 10.1080/02650533.2025.2495741

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: AI chatbots could spread ‘fake news’ with serious health consequences

    Source:

    30 June 2025

    Trust your doctor, not a chatbot. That’s the stark lesson from a world-first study that demonstrates why we shouldn’t be taking health advice generated by artificial intelligence (AI).

    Chatbots can easily be programmed to deliver false medical and health information, according to an international team of researchers who have exposed some concerning weaknesses in machine learning systems.

    Researchers from the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Harvard Medical School, University College London, and the Warsaw University of Technology have combined their expertise to show just how easy it is to exploit AI systems.

    In the study, published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers evaluated the five foundational and most advanced AI systems developed by OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, Meta and X Corp to determine whether they could be programmed to operate as health disinformation chatbots.

    Using instructions available only to developers, the researchers programmed each AI system – designed to operate as chatbots when embedded in web pages – to produce incorrect responses to health queries and include fabricated references from highly reputable sources to sound more authoritative and credible.

    The ‘chatbots’ were then asked a series of health-related questions.

    According to UniSA researcher, Dr Natansh Modi, the results were disconcerting.

    “In total, 88% of all responses were false,” Dr Modi says, “and yet they were presented with scientific terminology, a formal tone and fabricated references that made the information appear legitimate.

    “The disinformation included claims about vaccines causing autism, cancer-curing diets, HIV being airborne and 5G causing infertility.”

    Out of the five chatbots that were evaluated, four generated disinformation in 100% of their responses, while the fifth generated disinformation in 40% of its responses, showing some degree of robustness. 

    As part of the study, Dr Modi and his team also explored the OpenAI GPT Store, a publicly accessible platform that allows users to easily create and share customised ChatGPT apps, to assess the ease with which the public could create disinformation tools.

    “We successfully created a disinformation chatbot prototype using the platform and we also identified existing public tools on the store that were actively producing health disinformation.

    “Our study is the first to systematically demonstrate that leading AI systems can be converted into disinformation chatbots using developers’ tools, but also tools available to the public.”

    Dr Modi says that these findings reveal a significant and previously under-explored risk in the health sector.

    “Artificial intelligence is now deeply embedded in the way health information is accessed and delivered,” he says.

    “Millions of people are turning to AI tools for guidance on health-related questions.

    “If these systems can be manipulated to covertly produce false or misleading advice then they can create a powerful new avenue for disinformation that is harder to detect, harder to regulate and more persuasive than anything seen before.

    “This is not a future risk. It is already possible, and it is already happening.”

    While the study has revealed deficiencies in these AI systems, Dr Modi says that the findings highlight a path forward, but it will require buy-in and collaboration from a range of stakeholders.

    “Some models showed partial resistance,” he says, “which proves the point that effective safeguards are technically achievable.

    “However, the current protections are inconsistent and insufficient. Developers, regulators and public health stakeholders must act decisively, and they must act now.

    “Without immediate action, these systems could be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate public health discourse at scale, particularly during crises such as pandemics or vaccine campaigns.”

    The research article, ‘Assessing the System-Instruction Vulnerabilities of Large Language Models to Malicious Conversion into Health Disinformation Chatbots’ is published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the world’s most cited internal medicine journal. DOI:10.7326/ANNALS-24-03933

    …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    Contact for interview:  Dr Natansh Modi E: Natansh.Modi@unisa.edu.au

    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Further details on welfare reforms published ahead of Second Reading

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Further details on welfare reforms published ahead of Second Reading

    New details on the Government’s welfare reforms will be published today (Monday 30 June 2025) ahead of Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on Tuesday.

    • Terms of reference for the first comprehensive review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment in a decade to be published today.
    • Comes alongside draft regulations for the new Right to Try Guarantee – enshrining protections in law for disabled people and people with health conditions who want to try work.
    • Reforms to deliver greater certainty, independence, and dignity for disabled people, while ensuring the system is fair, sustainable, and fit for the future as part of the Plan for Change.

    New details on the government’s welfare reforms will be published today (Monday 30 June 2025) ahead of Second Reading of the Universal Credit (UC) and PIP Bill on Tuesday.

    The terms of reference for the first ever comprehensive review of the PIP assessment in over a decade will be published today. The review – led by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms – will ensure the system is fair, supportive and reflects the realities of modern life.

    It will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and MPs with the core objective of delivering better experiences and better outcomes for disabled people and people with health conditions.

    The review aims to respond to the changing picture of population health over the last decade including the rising prevalence of long-term health conditions and disability in the working-age population.

    Monthly PIP awards have more than doubled since the pandemic, rising from 13,000 to 34,000 – a rate of around 1,000 new claims per day, or the population of Leicester every year. Much of this increase is driven by mental health conditions with awards for anxiety and depression having tripled from 2,500 per month in 2019 to 8,200 in 2023.

    To better help those with mental ill health, the government has recruited more than 6,700 extra mental health workers since July while rolling out more access to occupational health services and developing digital resources, so employers better support their staff’s mental wellbeing.

    Many people have also reported poor experiences with the assessment process. The current system often fails to reflect the real-world impact of disability on daily life and is no longer fit for purpose – making reform urgent and essential.

    Alongside the review, draft regulations for the new Right to Try Guarantee will be laid in Parliament. This will, for the first time, enshrine in law the right for people receiving health and disability benefits to try work without fear of reassessment. This includes disabled people and people with health conditions – such as those recovering from illness – who want to return to work now their health has improved.

    This responds directly to concerns raised by disabled people and people with health conditions – 37% of whom say they want to work but are held back by fear of losing their benefits according to a DWP survey.

    Fixing the broken welfare system this government inherited is central to breaking down barriers to opportunity and driving up living standards – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change. The government’s reforms will ensure disabled people have the support they need to live independently, with dignity, and will unlock opportunities to get into work without facing the prospect of losing the help they need.

    Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said:

    We must build a welfare system that provides security for those who cannot work and the right support for those who can. Too often, disabled people feel trapped – worried that if they try to work, they could lose the support they depend on.

    That is why we are taking action to remove those barriers, support disabled people to live with dignity and independence, and open routes into employment for those who want to pursue it.

    This is about delivering a fairer, more compassionate system as part of our Plan for Change which supports people to thrive, whatever their circumstances.

    The Government will also set out details today of the changes they intend to make to the Bill as part of the government’s welfare reforms. The Government has listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the social security system.

    That’s why ministers have confirmed that as part of the Bill:

    • All existing PIP recipients will remain on the current system and the proposed changes to eligibility as part of the bill will only apply to new claims from November 2026.
    • 200,000 individuals in the Severe Conditions Criteria group – individuals with the most severe, lifelong conditions who are unlikely to recover – will not be called for a UC reassessment.
    • All existing recipients of the UC health element and new customers with 12 months or less to live or who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria will see their standard allowance combined with their Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) rise at least in line with inflation every year from 2026/27 to 2029/30.

    Nearly 4 million households will receive an income boost with the main rate of UC set to increase above inflation every year for the next four years – estimated to be worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household aged 25 or over. This is around £250 higher than an inflation only increases.

    The Bill will also rebalance UC rates by reducing the health element for new UC claims to the equivalent of £50 per week from April 2026, fixing a system which incentivises people to define themselves as incapable of work by paying health element recipients more than double the standard amount.

    These reforms will be also underpinned by a significant investment in employment support. Funding will be brought forward to accelerate tailored employment, health and skills support to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into work as part of our Pathways to Work guarantee.

    £300 million will be brought forward over the next three years, increasing total employment support by £2.2 billion over four years – upholding our commitment to spend £1 billion per year by the end of the decade.

    This investment will accelerate the pace of new planned investment in employment support programmes, building on and learning from successes such as the Connect to Work programme, which already provides disabled people and people with health conditions with one-to-one support at the point when they feel ready to work.

    And for people whose health challenges make it difficult to find or stay in work, our initiative in partnership with the NHS, WorkWell, will offer personalised support to help individuals manage their health while preparing for or returning to employment. This will build on progress already made to get 384,000 people into work since this government entered office and will come alongside fundamental reforms to patient support as part of the landmark 10 Year Health Plan.

    Health professionals will be on hand to connect people with services like physiotherapy, mental health support, and more. They will also be supported by a dedicated employment adviser who understands their specific health needs and guide them every step of the way.

    For too long, meaningful reform to our welfare system has been ducked and delayed – stunting productivity, slowing down growth and ultimately holding British people and our country back. The government is taking decisive action and the difficult decisions needed to restore trust and faith in the system, providing opportunities for those who can work, and security for those who cannot.

    Further information

    • The UC and PIP Bill is scheduled for Second Reading in the House of Commons Parliament on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
    • The UC and PIP Bill legislates for:
    • A new additional eligibility requirement for the daily living component of PIP so that from November 2026 new claimants must score a minimum of 4 points must be scored on at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component.
    • Rebalancing of UC health and standard elementsincluding reducing the health top-up for new claims to £50 per week from April 2026.
    • Ensure that all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria and/or that has their claims considered under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) – will receive the higher UC health payment after April 2026.
    • Increasing the UC standard allowance above inflation for the next four years – worth an estimated £725 by 2029/30 for a single adult aged 25 or over.
    • Exemptions from reassessment for those with the most severe, lifelong conditions.
    • The Government has also confirmed that it will amend the Bill at Commons Committee stage to:
    • Provide protection for existing PIP claimants—ensuring they remain on the current system and are unaffected by new eligibility rules.
    • For all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria and/or that has their claims considered under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) – the LCWRA rate for this group will now be uprated each year this Parliament to ensure their combined rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance and LCWRA is protected in real terms.
    • The Bill currently includes a 13-week transitional period for the PIP changes, but this will be superseded by long-term protections for existing claimants.
    • The Terms of reference for the PIP review, draft regulations for the Right to Try Guarantee, the draft amendment to the Bill which will enact the change to PIP, and analysis of poverty impacts will be published later today.
    • The DWP work aspirations survey can be found here: Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers: Interim findings – GOV.UK; PDF, 1.2MB
    • Latest data published last week shows almost one-in-four adults in England have common mental health conditions – and that adults with problem debt and those out of work are far more likely to experience mental health conditions.
    • To better help those with mental ill health, the government is boosting access to support, with more than 6,700 extra mental health workers since July, marking a significant milestone towards its goal of 8,500 by the end of this Parliament.
    • It has also started rolling out more access to occupational health services and developing digital resources so employers can better support their staff’s mental wellbeing as part of its drive to get people back to health and back to work.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Reforms to Building Safety Regulator to accelerate housebuilding

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Reforms to Building Safety Regulator to accelerate housebuilding

    Reforms to the Building Safety Regulator bring new leadership, investment and process to accelerate housebuilding

    • New Fast Track Process to enhance the review of newbuild applications, unblock delays and boost sector confidence   

    • Measures will help delivery of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes and speed up remediation  

    • Reforms pave the way for the creation of a single construction regulator, as recommended by the Grenfell Tower Inquiry

    Delays to building new high-rise homes will be unblocked through a new package of reforms to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) announced today. These reforms, which include a new Fast Track Process, changes to leadership and fresh investment, aim to support the delivery of 1.5 million safe, high-quality homes and take early steps toward establishing a single construction regulator – a key recommendation from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. 

    Andy Roe KFSM has been appointed as non-executive chair of a new board of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to take on the functions of the BSR as part of initial steps towards creating a single construction regulator.   

    Andy brings a wealth of experience in safety regulation and leadership from his previous role as Commissioner of London Fire Brigade and he will be supported by a new Chief Executive Officer for the BSR, Charlie Pugsley.   

    Alex Norris, Minister for Building Safety, said:  

    “The establishment of the Building Safety Regulator has been fundamental to centralising safety in the construction process and it’s time to take the next steps to build on that precedent and create a system that works for the sector whilst keeping residents and their safety at the heart of the process.   

    “That’s why we’re announcing a package of reforms to the BSR today to enhance operations, reduce delays, and unlock the homes this country desperately needs – delivering on our Plan for Change.”  

    This new organisational structure reflects the government’s commitment to prioritising building safety in its drive to build 1.5m new homes, and builds on the strong foundation created by the HSE in establishing the BSR, which has played a pivotal role in placing raising safety standards across the sector.   

    To support industry in achieving the government’s ambitious housebuilding targets, the BSR is also introducing a new Fast Track Process which will bring building inspector and engineer capacity directly into the BSR to enhance the processing and review of existing newbuild cases and remediation decisions. This will respond to concerns in the sector around delays whilst crucially keeping building and residents’ safety at the core of the process.   

    Alongside these improvements, long-term investment in the capacity of the BSR is being bolstered with the addition of over 100 new members of staff to support with enhancing operations, reducing delays and supporting progress towards building 1.5m safe, high-quality homes as part of our Plan for Change.       

    Andy Roe, non-exec Chair of the BSR, said:   

    “The creation of the new Building Safety Regulator was a watershed moment for housing and construction in this country.    

    “However, it is also clear that the BSR processes’ need to continue to evolve and improve, to ensure that it plays its part in enabling the homes this country desperately needs to be built.   

    “I look forward to working with colleagues both in industry and the BSR to tackle the current issues and delays head on and help get those homes built safely.”   

    HSE Chair, Sarah Newton said:  

     “Setting up an entirely new regulator has been complex and huge progress has been made in a short space of time.   

    “Protecting residents and making sure there is never another tragedy like Grenfell has been our priority throughout this process. We wish the new BSR team well in this most important mission.  

    “We are very proud of the work we have done to establish the BSR. It was always an option that once the new regulator was established that it would move out of HSE to enable the Government to implement the Grenfell Public Inquiry recommendations and we will work hard to enable the smooth transition to the next stage.”   

    Notes to editors: 

    • Government and the BSR are also working constructively with the sector to help industry meet the BSR’s requirements and demonstrate compliance with the law to reduce the number of rejected and unsuccessful applications.   

    • The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places, and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.  

    • The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is an independent body established by the Building Safety Act, 2022 and is part of HSE. The government asked HSE to establish BSR in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster and following recommendations in the ‘Building a Safer Future’ report by Dame Judith Hackitt.  

    • A new arm’s length body to MHCLG is being established with the intention for this to take on the functions of the BSR from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in due course. Andy Roe has been appointed to a shadow board pending its establishment as Executive Agency.  

    • BSR regulates the safe design, construction and occupation of higher-risk buildings in England and provides oversight for the safety and standards of all buildings, promoting competence across industry.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell, Red State Leaders Warn Entire Communities Will Suffer if Residents Lose Health Insurance Due to Medicaid Cuts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    06.29.25
    Cantwell, Red State Leaders Warn Entire Communities Will Suffer if Residents Lose Health Insurance Due to Medicaid Cuts
    Misguided legislation would leave 16 million Americans without health insurance; Officials on the ground in MO, UT, and NC say fewer federal resources means more uninsured Americans, cuts in services, and even hospital closures – with states & counties left to pick up the slack
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined local leaders from red states for a virtual press conference to warn that cutting 16 million Americans off of health insurance will put a dramatic strain on the budgets and health of their communities.
    “Policies in this legislation hamper the abilities for states to fund their Medicaid programs,” said Sen. Cantwell. “To make up for lost federal dollars, state governments will have to consider cutting reimbursements to providers, cutting types of services, cutting people from Medicaid rolls, or raising everyone’s taxes. All these decisions lead to poor health outcomes. They increase the cost for taxpayers and strain our healthcare system.”
    “We have a dramatic shortage of mental health beds in our state, and our jails have come become the largest repository for individuals,” said Steve Hobbs, Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director and former Missouri State Representative (R-21), who called into the virtual presser from inside a skid steer at his farm. “Any changes to the premium tax would have a huge impact on our rural hospitals — all of our hospitals, our nursing homes, and so we’re really concerned about those changes as well.”
    “No one knows exactly where the shrapnel will fall, but it will be a very large change to our state budget and the services that we can provide. So I’m really hoping we can find some other, better way forward,” said Utah State Representative Ray Ward (R-19).
    In total, 16 million Americans – including over 300,000 Washingtonians –  will lose the health care coverage they need to get regular check-ups, behavioral health care, family planning services, long-term care, urgent care, and more if the pending reconciliation bill passes the U.S. Senate and is signed into law. Those living in rural areas – which have a higher proportion of residents who rely on Medicaid for health insurance coverage, and where smaller hospitals operate on slimmer margins – would be hit hardest.
    People without health insurance tend to wait until their health problem is an emergency before seeking care in local hospitals. This leads to more crowded emergency rooms for everyone. And hospitals must factor the uncompensated cost of additional uninsured patients into already strained finances – finances which are especially strained at rural hospitals.
    The additional stress and costs to the system will be shared by everyone as premiums rise, hospitals close or cut services, and localities increase taxes to keep up with greater demand for first responders and law enforcement.
    The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) published its updated analysis, available here, after the House of Representatives narrowly passed their budget reconciliation bill with over $800 billion in cuts and significant changes to Medicaid. A Joint Economic Committee (JEC) fact sheet, available here, provides updated estimates for all 50 states and D.C. of the estimated number of people losing their health insurance. The JEC data broken down by Congressional District is available here.
    Sen. Cantwell was joined at today’s virtual press conference by:
    Steve Hobbs, Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director and former Missouri State Representative [link to footage]
    Ray Ward, Utah State Representative (R-19) [link to footage]
    Kevin Leonard, North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Executive Director [link to footage]
    Wendy Sisk, CEO of Peninsula Behavioral Health
    Tristan Twohig, Emergency Department Registered Nurse at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane
     Video of today’s virtual press conference is available HERE; a transcript is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Log trailer lifting failure lead to important safety changes on and off ports

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    Incidents where log trailers fell while being lifted, seriously endangering workers, have led to important safety changes on ports and at other sites where log trailers are lifted onto trucks.

    The Port Health and Safety Leadership Group identified working with suspended loads as one of the key risks on ports in its Port Sector Insights Picture and Action Plan.

    The incidents with log trailers were a call to action for everyone involved to create solutions that will be applied on and beyond ports. Transport and stevedoring companies, Maritime NZ, WorkSafe and industry organisations were all involved, and port operators and others were kept informed.

    The changes are:

    • The Log Transport Safety Council has issued a safety alert to transport operators to upgrade hammerlocks and chains to heavier gauges. The alert also advises that the Council is reviewing and updating its code for checking lifting chains and clarifying who the code defines as ‘competent persons’ to carry out inspections.
    • Prototype equipment and work practices for its use are being trialled at Picton and Nelson. These include a system of tethers, and truck lane and position indicators. The tethers stop log trailers moving when they’re lifted, removing the need for manual handling to try to control trailers while they’re off the ground. Lane and position indicators help drivers line trucks up correctly before trailers are lifted off the road and then again when trucks are reversed for the trailers to be loaded onto the trucks.

    The incident and follow up

    Maritime NZ was notified that lifting gear had failed while hoisting a log trailer at Picton. The trailer fell, narrowly missing workers.

    Maritime NZ inspected the work site and identified two related issues: the strength and inspection of the lifting equipment, and the work practices of drivers and stevedores working with suspended loads while lifting trailers.

    Collaboration with WorkSafe NZ confirmed that similar incidents had occurred outside ports, with log trailers falling when lifting equipment failed. The two agencies understood the solutions would be applicable to many work sites where logging trailers were lifted, not only on ports.

    Both the transport and stevedore company acknowledged the unsafe situation and demonstrated a strong commitment to correcting the issue.

    Maritime NZ accepted a voluntary agreement on the basis that it was confident the two companies involved would work together to develop solutions to manage the risk of working with suspended loads and lifting failure, in a way that included other transport companies.

    The Log Transport Safety Council, which is recognised as a trusted source of log transport research and industry knowledge, has been proactive with the findings and acknowledged this was an industry-wide issue. As a result, following this incident, the Council issued its safety alert.

    Both WorkSafe and Maritime NZ attended a recent Council meeting. They spoke about the incident, how all involved responded, and the prototype systems developed in collaboration by the transport and stevedore companies and being trialled at Port Nelson and Port Marlborough.

    Collaboration for a better outcome

    The Leadership Group says this is a very good example of the positive outcomes from a recommendation in its Action Plan. That is, that Maritime NZ be the regulator responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with health and safety legislation on ports, as well as on ships, and collaborate with WorkSafe to resolve issues, particularly where they have wider impact than solely on ports.

    The genuinely tripartite way the Leadership Group works together (industry, unions and regulators) has built trust and understanding.

    When these dangerous incidents occurred, those relationships helped all involved to collaborate, identify the risks and causes behind the incident, and then allowed industry-led, innovative solutions to be formulated.

    If you would like more information, please email [email protected].
     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Amendments to Senate Republicans’ Tax Bill Aim to Protect Health Care and Support Rural Hospitals, Food Assistance Programs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Trump and Republicans’ so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ will kick millions off Medicaid and SNAP, explode deficits
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, today proposed changes to President Trump and Senate Republicans’ disastrous One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will pay for tax cuts for billionaires by kicking millions of Americans off Medicaid and closing rural hospitals, cutting food assistance programs, and tanking the economy.
    Senator Welch’s changes to the Republican tax bill would protect Vermonters’ access to health care, food assistance, and other critical programs. The Senator’s proposed changes include provisions to prevent harm to rural hospitals, strengthen access to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, block cuts and policies that weaken the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs, protect home energy efficiency tax credits and the home efficiency workforce, and support federal public defenders.  
    “Republicans’ so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ is a betrayal of American values and an abdication of our responsibility as United States Senators to look out for our constituents. All of us say we are here to help working families in every state succeed, but this bill will only cause bipartisan pain—all to pay for a tax break for those who need it least,” said Senator Welch. “This bill is un-fixable and needs a major rewrite. But I’ll continue to do everything I can to protect the health care, food assistance, and federal programs Vermonters need.” 
    Senator Welch offered amendments and changes to the Republican budget resolution to:   
    Protect Access to Health Care and Support Rural Hospitals: 

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to rewrite the bill to prevent harm to rural health care and the fiscal wellbeing of rural hospitals; 
    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to exempt managed care programs operated by state governments like Vermont from any changes proposed to state directed payments. 
    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to strike any changes to provider taxes, including changes that would impact states like Vermont with Medicaid expansion; 
    Welch proposed requiring the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee to make it easier to verify eligibility for the Affordable Care Act’s premium tax credits, and expand special enrollment periods under certain circumstances.

    Defend Food Assistance Programs: 

    Welch proposed requiring the Agriculture Committee to strike any cost-shifts of administering  SNAP to states, which would kick American families off the food assistance they need and strain state budgets; 
    Welch proposed an amendment to strike administrative cost-shifts for SNAP; 
    Welch proposed an amendment to adjust the Thrifty Food Plan for cities, counties, and regions where the price of food is 10% higher than the national average; 
    Welch proposed an amendment that places a floor on SNAP allotments to households instead of a ceiling; 
    Welch proposed requiring the Agriculture Committee to rewrite the bill to allow volunteer work to qualify under SNAP’s work requirements.  

    Protect Programs and Government Services: 

    Welch proposed requiring the Finance Committee to rewrite the bill to maintain the energy efficient home improvement tax credit at current levels through 2028; 
    Welch proposed an amendment to strike the repeal of several home energy efficiency tax credits, including credits for home energy, rooftop solar, energy efficient homes for homebuilders, and more; 
    Welch proposed striking language in the bill that would rescind funding for state-based contractor training grants, as required in Welch’s HOPE for HOMES Act, passed as part of the Inflation Reduction Act; 
    Welch proposed striking language in the bill that would institute taxes on international remittances. 
    Welch proposed an amendment to dedicate funding for residential reentry centers, which are needed in Vermont; 
    Welch proposed an amendment to dedicate funding for the federal public defenders program, which is currently underfunded. 

    Senator Welch has been an outspoken opponent of the Republicans’ tax bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Republicans are advancing through reconciliation process without Democratic support. Welch has slammed the bill for threatening access to health care and cutting food assistance, and has sounded the alarm about how this bill will add more than $4 trillion to the national debt and tank the economy.  
    Learn more about Senator Welch’s work by visiting his website or by following him on social media. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ cities are getting hotter: 5 things councils can do now to keep us cooler when summer comes

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Getty Images

    Stand on any car park on a sunny day in February and the heat will radiate through your shoes. At 30°C air temperature, that asphalt hits 50–55°C – hot enough to cause second-degree burns to skin in seconds.

    Right now, in the northern hemisphere summer, 100 million Americans are dealing with 38°C temperatures. Britain is preparing for hundreds of heat deaths. In New Zealand, of course, we’re still lighting fires and complaining about the cold.

    But that gives us time to prepare for our own heatwaves. Open-air car parks that sit empty for 20 hours a day could become cooling infrastructure instead. Transport routes can become cooling corridors.

    Replace asphalt with trees, grass and permeable surfaces, and you can drop surface temperatures by 12°C. It’s not complicated. It’s not even expensive.

    It’s getting hotter

    NIWA data shows New Zealand is already experiencing extreme temperatures five times more frequently than historical baselines. Wellington hit 30.3°C and Hamilton 32.9°C in January, both all-time records. Marine heatwaves are persisting around South Island coasts months longer than usual.

    Aucklanders will face 48 additional days above 25°C annually by 2099, as summer temperatures increase by 3.6°C. Auckland Council has already adopted the most severe warming scenario (3.8°C) for infrastructure planning, acknowledging previous models underestimated the pace of change.

    Even Wellington’s famously cool winds won’t offset the estimated 79% increase in residential cooling energy demand by 2090, driven by hotter, longer summers and more extreme-heat days.

    A quarter of New Zealand’s population will be over 65 by 2043, an age when heat regulation becomes harder and fixed incomes make cooling costs a real burden.

    Currently, 14 heat-related deaths occur annually among Auckland’s over-65 population when temperatures exceed just 20°C. As the mercury rises, our older population will be at a greater risk.

    Summer in the city: a vendor sells drinks and ice cream during a severe heat wave in Washington DC, June 23.
    Getty Images

    Greener is cooler

    While global average temperature increases of 1.5°C might appear modest, the actual temperatures we experience in our cities is far more extreme. The built environment – all that concrete and asphalt – traps heat like an oven.

    But converting car parks back to green space can knock the temperature down dramatically.

    Research from Osaka Prefecture in Japan recorded surface temperature reductions of up to 14.7°C when comparing asphalt to grass-covered parking during sunny summer conditions.

    Another study found temperature differences averaging 11.79°C between asphalt and grass surfaces, with air temperature differences of 7-8°C at human height.

    Trees are the heavy lifters here. Stand under a tree on a hot day, and it can feel 17°C cooler than standing in the sun. Add rain gardens (shallow, planted areas designed to capture and filter stormwater) and ground cover for another 2-4°C reduction. Layer these elements together, and you get cooling that works even on overcast days.

    Roads as cooling corridors

    Grassy and tree-covered car parks are just a starting point. Auckland’s 7,800 kilometres of roads could become the city’s cooling system. Every bus lane, cycleway and walking path is an opportunity for green infrastructure.

    If we stop thinking of transport corridors as merely a way to get from one place to another, and see them as multifunctional cooling networks, the possibilities multiply while the costs remain relatively low.

    Melbourne’s COVID-era parklet program proved this works: 594 small conversions created 15,000 square metres of public space at just A$300–900 per square metre.

    Converting even a small percentage of New Zealand’s parking infrastructure could create connected cooling corridors throughout our cities.

    Protecting cycleways with a tree canopy would encourage active transport while cooling neighbourhoods. Bus lanes with rain garden medians would improve service reliability while managing stormwater.

    5 things councils can do

    Summer is six months away – maybe not enough time to do all the work needed, but certainly enough to get a plan in place. Here are five things councils could do.

    1. Plant trees now: winter is planting season. Focus on car parks and heat-vulnerable neighbourhoods. Use fast-growing natives and protective rings to ensure survival. Trees planted now will provide shade by December.

    2. Install modular planters: test cooling locations with movable infrastructure before committing to permanent changes. Order now for spring placement when residents can see the benefits.

    3. Schedule paving replacements: when resurfacing is needed, switch to permeable options and get heat-reducing surfaces in place before summer.

    4. Design shade structures: plan and budget pop-up shade for the hottest areas. Having designs ready means quick installation when temperatures spike.

    5. Organise spring planting days: line up community groups now, source trees through winter nursery contracts, and hit the ground running in September. Small investments in coordination yield big cooling dividends.

    Auckland Council’s NZ$1 billion climate action package includes grants of $1,000 to $50,000 for climate projects. Wellington’s Climate and Sustainability Fund and Christchurch’s 50-year Urban Forest Plan provide similar frameworks.

    The Ministry for the Environment’s National Policy Statement on Urban Development creates opportunity by removing minimum parking requirements. This frees up land for trees, gardens and public spaces instead of underused asphalt, maximising climate co-benefits: cooler surfaces, better stormwater management and more pleasant streetscapes.

    By next February, we can either be thanking ourselves for planting trees and converting car parks, or feeling the heat from that 50°C asphalt.

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

    – ref. NZ cities are getting hotter: 5 things councils can do now to keep us cooler when summer comes – https://theconversation.com/nz-cities-are-getting-hotter-5-things-councils-can-do-now-to-keep-us-cooler-when-summer-comes-259885

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Hanna Tervanotko, Associate professor, Religious Studies, McMaster University

    The Sola Busca tarot deck from Italy, circa 15th century. (Artist unknown), CC BY

    More than 30 per cent of Americans believe in some sort of esoteric knowledge and regularly consult astrology, tarot readers or fortune tellers, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Centre.

    Even though the survey says these Americans are doing so “just for fun” and claim they rely on the information gained by divination “only a little,” the persistence — and apparent rise — of these practices suggests something deeper is at play.

    Tarot card: The High Priestess (Waite–Smith deck), c. 1909.
    (Pamela Colman Smith), CC BY

    People have always turned to divinatory methods to search for unanswered questions and to gain additional knowledge that could help them to prepare for the future, especially in times of uncertainty. For example, searches for “tarot cards” increased by more than 30 per cent during the pandemic.

    I study ancient divination, but to better understand how diviners work, I have observed contemporary diviners at work and talked with them about their practices. They say their clients request tarot consultations more frequently than they did in the past.

    What is divination?

    Anthropologists define “divination” methods as “practice(s) that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omen or by the aid of supernatural powers.”

    Divination methods, including tarot and astrology, offer a way to ask questions when other systems fail to provide answers. These questions can be highly personal and difficult to address in a formal religious setting. The divinatory answers allow people to feel they’ve gained insight, which in turn gives a perception of control over an uncertain future.

    Apart from astrology and tarot, some of the best known divination methods include: the interpreting of dreams, reading coffee cups or tea leaves, observing animals and nature, reading palms and other body features such as nose shape and eye placement.

    When a diviner uses things, such as cards, tea leaves, dice or shells, the connecting thread to many of these methods is that people cannot control the signs they produce. For example, divination consultants typically mix the tarot card deck to make sure the result are randomized. People should not manipulate the results.

    Divination as alternative ways of knowing

    Pew Centre data reveals that young people, women and LGBTQ Americans are among the most likely to consult divinatory methods. Religious studies professor Marcelitte Failla has also written about contemporary Black women who have reclaimed the tarot deck to creatively address their spiritual needs.

    Many people turn to religion when they face the unknown in their lives. They address their insecurities in worship, asking for divine help.

    But there have always been people who did not have access to organized religion. Divinatory practices can be especially appealing to those who have been excluded from traditional religion and had to come up with alternative ways to address uncertainties.

    They perhaps lived in remote areas and could not attend worship sites such as temples. Or possibly, they were excluded from organized religion for identity reasons. For example, women regularly stayed home to care for children and sick. Sometimes, they were denied access because of their bodily “impurities,” menstruation or recent childbirth.

    LGBTQ+ individuals were also denied access. In the U.S., discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals remains one of the leading reasons for leaving traditional religious institutions. In Canada, the churches’ discriminatory treatment of different sexual minorities has been one of the top reasons people dissolve membership.

    Divination in times of uncertainty

    In an age marked by ongoing anxiety, political instability and waning trust in institutions, centuries-old divination rituals offer alternative ways for folks to seek entertainment but also to gain a sense of insight, agency and connection. What may seem like harmless fun can also serve as a serious response to a chaotic world. Divinatory practices can provide both spiritual exploration and emotional validation.

    It’s understandable that a new situation, like the COVID-19 pandemic, triggered anxiety and uncertainty for people.

    People continue to experience more anxiety than they did before the pandemic. Some of the main concerns include world politics, job security and personal finances.

    As we try to make sense of the new, confusing and constantly changing situations, many create different theories, some questionable. Some people turn to alternative approaches like divination to make sense of the world.

    Tarot: Thinking through emotions

    People are checking out tarot readings on online platforms. And many social media accounts feature tarot.

    Besides increasing political insecurity, another reason for the increased interest in tarot may be the visual aspect. Increased interest in the decorated cards may be a reflection of our highly visual culture. Interest in the cards with images may reflect interest in other images we watch. They are like photos with messages.

    The fascination with tarot may also speak about a need to control the consultation as a diviner and their client see exactly the same thing. The images in the cards are also symbolic, and they can be interpreted in different ways.

    That means rather than providing a straightforward answer to a question, the cards are tools that can help think through one’s emotions and feelings.

    Tarot is not a religion. The object that is consulted is paper is not an image of the divine or a symbol of transcendence. This lack of alignment with any particular religion allows different people to consult tarot as a spiritual practice.

    In principle, the cards can be consulted anywhere without particular preparations. The only material one needs is a deck of cards. The accessible materiality may be adding to their popularity.

    Playful aspects of divination

    Many divinatory methods include a playful aspect. For instance, the objects used for the lot oracle — pebbles, stones, four-sided knucklebones or dice — are the same ones people used for playing board games.

    Ancient images show people consulting the objects or playing, suggesting the boundaries of some of the divinatory methods were always fluid.

    As randomizing is an important element of divinatory consultation, the new insights various methods produce can be both surprising and entertaining.

    Hanna Tervanotko receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us – https://theconversation.com/why-centuries-old-astrology-and-tarot-cards-still-appeal-to-us-258993

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Hanna Tervanotko, Associate professor, Religious Studies, McMaster University

    The Sola Busca tarot deck from Italy, circa 15th century. (Artist unknown), CC BY

    More than 30 per cent of Americans believe in some sort of esoteric knowledge and regularly consult astrology, tarot readers or fortune tellers, according to a recent report by the Pew Research Centre.

    Even though the survey says these Americans are doing so “just for fun” and claim they rely on the information gained by divination “only a little,” the persistence — and apparent rise — of these practices suggests something deeper is at play.

    Tarot card: The High Priestess (Waite–Smith deck), c. 1909.
    (Pamela Colman Smith), CC BY

    People have always turned to divinatory methods to search for unanswered questions and to gain additional knowledge that could help them to prepare for the future, especially in times of uncertainty. For example, searches for “tarot cards” increased by more than 30 per cent during the pandemic.

    I study ancient divination, but to better understand how diviners work, I have observed contemporary diviners at work and talked with them about their practices. They say their clients request tarot consultations more frequently than they did in the past.

    What is divination?

    Anthropologists define “divination” methods as “practice(s) that seeks to foresee or foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge usually by the interpretation of omen or by the aid of supernatural powers.”

    Divination methods, including tarot and astrology, offer a way to ask questions when other systems fail to provide answers. These questions can be highly personal and difficult to address in a formal religious setting. The divinatory answers allow people to feel they’ve gained insight, which in turn gives a perception of control over an uncertain future.

    Apart from astrology and tarot, some of the best known divination methods include: the interpreting of dreams, reading coffee cups or tea leaves, observing animals and nature, reading palms and other body features such as nose shape and eye placement.

    When a diviner uses things, such as cards, tea leaves, dice or shells, the connecting thread to many of these methods is that people cannot control the signs they produce. For example, divination consultants typically mix the tarot card deck to make sure the result are randomized. People should not manipulate the results.

    Divination as alternative ways of knowing

    Pew Centre data reveals that young people, women and LGBTQ Americans are among the most likely to consult divinatory methods. Religious studies professor Marcelitte Failla has also written about contemporary Black women who have reclaimed the tarot deck to creatively address their spiritual needs.

    Many people turn to religion when they face the unknown in their lives. They address their insecurities in worship, asking for divine help.

    But there have always been people who did not have access to organized religion. Divinatory practices can be especially appealing to those who have been excluded from traditional religion and had to come up with alternative ways to address uncertainties.

    They perhaps lived in remote areas and could not attend worship sites such as temples. Or possibly, they were excluded from organized religion for identity reasons. For example, women regularly stayed home to care for children and sick. Sometimes, they were denied access because of their bodily “impurities,” menstruation or recent childbirth.

    LGBTQ+ individuals were also denied access. In the U.S., discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals remains one of the leading reasons for leaving traditional religious institutions. In Canada, the churches’ discriminatory treatment of different sexual minorities has been one of the top reasons people dissolve membership.

    Divination in times of uncertainty

    In an age marked by ongoing anxiety, political instability and waning trust in institutions, centuries-old divination rituals offer alternative ways for folks to seek entertainment but also to gain a sense of insight, agency and connection. What may seem like harmless fun can also serve as a serious response to a chaotic world. Divinatory practices can provide both spiritual exploration and emotional validation.

    It’s understandable that a new situation, like the COVID-19 pandemic, triggered anxiety and uncertainty for people.

    People continue to experience more anxiety than they did before the pandemic. Some of the main concerns include world politics, job security and personal finances.

    As we try to make sense of the new, confusing and constantly changing situations, many create different theories, some questionable. Some people turn to alternative approaches like divination to make sense of the world.

    Tarot: Thinking through emotions

    People are checking out tarot readings on online platforms. And many social media accounts feature tarot.

    Besides increasing political insecurity, another reason for the increased interest in tarot may be the visual aspect. Increased interest in the decorated cards may be a reflection of our highly visual culture. Interest in the cards with images may reflect interest in other images we watch. They are like photos with messages.

    The fascination with tarot may also speak about a need to control the consultation as a diviner and their client see exactly the same thing. The images in the cards are also symbolic, and they can be interpreted in different ways.

    That means rather than providing a straightforward answer to a question, the cards are tools that can help think through one’s emotions and feelings.

    Tarot is not a religion. The object that is consulted is paper is not an image of the divine or a symbol of transcendence. This lack of alignment with any particular religion allows different people to consult tarot as a spiritual practice.

    In principle, the cards can be consulted anywhere without particular preparations. The only material one needs is a deck of cards. The accessible materiality may be adding to their popularity.

    Playful aspects of divination

    Many divinatory methods include a playful aspect. For instance, the objects used for the lot oracle — pebbles, stones, four-sided knucklebones or dice — are the same ones people used for playing board games.

    Ancient images show people consulting the objects or playing, suggesting the boundaries of some of the divinatory methods were always fluid.

    As randomizing is an important element of divinatory consultation, the new insights various methods produce can be both surprising and entertaining.

    Hanna Tervanotko receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Why centuries-old astrology and tarot cards still appeal to us – https://theconversation.com/why-centuries-old-astrology-and-tarot-cards-still-appeal-to-us-258993

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Cape Town completes major refurbishment of key athletics stadiums

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, June 29, 2025

    The City of Cape Town has completed a major refurbishment at Vygieskraal Athletics Stadium in Athlone, enhancing the facility’s usability.

    The upgrade to the stadium included the installation of brand-new floodlighting, roofing repairs valued at nearly R1 million, and the restoration of the shot put and long jump areas. 

    In a statement on Saturday, the city said plumbing and electrical systems have also been improved, while new spectator seating will enhance the visitor experience. Further upgrades include ongoing work on the effluent line as part of scheduled maintenance.

    These works form part of a wider investment intended to improve the stadium’s functionality. The adjacent rugby facility has also seen upgrades, with parking and fencing projects completed during the current financial year. Additional lighting will be installed in the new financial year.

    “These milestones demonstrate the city’s commitment to quality public sporting infrastructure. By investing in these upgrades, we’re ensuring that athletes of all ages and abilities have safe, welcoming, and well-equipped spaces to train and compete. 

    “It will ensure our sports facilities offer safe, quality spaces for communities. By continuing to invest in these refurbishments, we are creating lasting value and supporting a healthier lifestyle for residents,” Member of Mayoral Committee for Community Services and Health, Francine Higham said. 

    The city said that work on the Wesfleur Athletics Track in Atlantis and the Blue Downs Athletics Track is still in progress and is expected to be completed before the upcoming athletics season.

    The total investment in the reinstatement of athletics tracks at both of these facilities is approximately R60 million. 

    The athletics refurbishments are part of a strategic citywide programme guided by a 2021 Athletics Study, with the goal of achieving Safety at Sports and Recreational. Events Act (SASREA) compliance and expanding access to facilities across Cape Town. The objective is to secure SASREA grading and ensure safer, more accessible facilities across Cape Town. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to ‘Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic’, as press released by DHSC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Experts comment on a new press release sent out by the government entitled ‘Healthy food revolution to tackle obesity epidemic’.

    Prof Andrew Prentice, Professor of International Nutrition at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:

    “I’m delighted to see government working hand in hand with food manufacturers and retailers. As industry is perceived by many as being part of the problem in creating an obesogenic environment, they must be part of the solution.’

    “The devil will be in the detail and it is a bit concerning to read that ‘large retailers including supermarkets will set a new standard’ but this may be careless wording in the press release. Elsewhere it is clear that the Food Strategy Advisory Board will lead the charge.

    “Mandatory reporting of healthy/unhealthy food sales is an important first step but will presumably only affect the largest outlets. Other initiatives will be required for the thousands of smaller food producers and outlets.’

    “The issue of government creating a level playing field is key. This will help companies reduce sugar and fat from products without fear of losing out to competitors who do not.”

    Prof Tom Sanders, Professor Emeritus of Nutrition and Dietetics, King’s College London, said:

    “The claim made in the Press Release that Public Health experts believe that reducing daily diet by just 50 calories would lift 340,000 children and 2 million adults out of obesity is not a view that most experts in nutrition would share.

    “In theory, very small reductions in daily calorie intake (50 kcal) should stop unhealthy weight gain. But there is little evidence to support this because in practice individuals adapt to small reductions or increases in calorie intake by reducing or increasing energy expenditure. Put into perspective, 50 kcal is the energy expended by 10 minutes brisk walking.

    “There is very limited evidence from one randomised controlled trial in children showing that swapping a can of full sugar drink for a can of diet drink consumed five times a week for a year and a half reduced unhealthy weight gain by just over 1kg. The results of that study found the weight gain was far less than predicted.

    “Most randomised controlled trials show you need to reduce calories intake by at least 300 kcal for a sustained period time to lose weight. Weight gain also tends to occur during periods of excessive consumption (e.g. Christmas and festive periods) or when physical activity is low.

    “Discretionary foods consumed outside the home (crisps, morning goods, cakes, ice-cream) as well as alcoholic drinks are particularly fattening and recent reports suggest we need to focus on these and change eating behaviours, which continue to get worse.

    “Food manufacturers have already reduced portion sizes of foods by ‘shrinkflation’ (less food at higher prices) but so far this has had little impact on obesity.

    “Tackling obesity can only be effective if it changes the obesogenic environment which is characterised by sedentary behaviour and over-exposure to high calorie food.”

    * www.gov.uk/government/news/healthy-food-revolution-to-tackle-obesity-epidemic

    Declared interests

    Prof Tom Sanders: “I have received grant funding for research on vegans in the past. I have been retired for 10 years but during my career at King’s College London, I formerly acted as consultant for companies that made artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes.

    “I am a member of the Programme Advisory Committee of the Malaysia Palm Oil Board which involves the review of research projects proposed by the Malaysia government.

    “I also used to be a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Global Dairy Platform up until 2015.

    “I did do some consultancy work on GRAS affirmation of high oleic palm oil for Archer Daniel Midland more than ten years ago.

    “My research group received oils and fats free of charge from Unilever and Archer Daniel Midland for our Food Standards Agency Research.

    “I was a member of the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee that recommended that trans fatty acids be removed from the human food chain.

    “Member of the Science Committee British Nutrition Foundation.  Honorary Nutritional Director HEART UK.

    “Before my retirement from King’s College London in 2014, I acted as a consultant to many companies and organisations involved in the manufacture of what are now designated ultraprocessed foods.

    “I used to be a consultant to the Breakfast Cereals Advisory Board of the Food and Drink Federation.

    “I used to be a consultant for aspartame more than a decade ago.

    “When I was doing research at King’ College London, the following applied: Tom does not hold any grants or have any consultancies with companies involved in the production or marketing of sugar-sweetened drinks.  In reference to previous funding to Tom’s institution: £4.5 million was donated to King’s College London by Tate & Lyle in 2006; this funding finished in 2011. This money was given to the College and was in recognition of the discovery of the artificial sweetener sucralose by Prof Hough at the Queen Elizabeth College (QEC), which merged with King’s College London. The Tate & Lyle grant paid for the Clinical Research Centre at St Thomas’ that is run by the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trust, it was not used to fund research on sugar. Tate & Lyle sold their sugar interests to American Sugar so the brand Tate & Lyle still exists but it is no longer linked to the company Tate & Lyle PLC, which gave the money to King’s College London in 2006.”

    Andrew Prentice: “I sit on the Global Nutrition Science Council for the Nestlé Nutrition Institute (NNI), an educational initiative, and create content for them (lectures, articles and podcasts for health care professionals).”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: World Health Organization (WHO) supporting Guinea restore vaccine capacity after fire damage


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    Following a fire accident at a vaccine depot in Guinea’s capital Conakry, World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the authorities to devise urgent measures, including securing remaining vaccine stocks, to limit loss and prolonged impact of the damage. 

    A crisis cell has been set up and contingency plans are being reinforced. 

    WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene, UNICEF, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, World Bank, Médecins Sans Frontières and other partners to mobilize the resources to replenish vaccine stocks, relaunch vaccination campaigns and restore cold chain infrastructures.

    The fire, which was brought under control thanks to the rapid intervention by the fire brigade and security forces, caused huge losses. According to official estimates, around 36% of the vaccines were destroyed, or more than 4 million doses, valued at US$ 6.7 million. Three out of the six cold storage facilities were destroyed – a 61% loss of the total storage capacity. Medical, IT and logistical equipment were also damaged, representing a further loss of US$ 2.4 million.

    “WHO stands in solidarity with the people of Guinea following this tragic incident. We remain fully committed to supporting Guinea to rapidly restore its vaccination capacity and ensure the continuity of essential health services,” said Dr Jean Marie Kipela, WHO Representative in Guinea.

    In collaboration with partners, WHO is commitment to supporting Guinea assess the damage, implement emergency measures and restock essential vaccines. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Guinea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash – Bulla

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The Northern Territory Police Force is investigating a fatal crash that occurred approximately 5 kilometres east of Bulla this morning.

    Around 8:30am, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a single vehicle rollover carrying two occupants on Victoria Highway. A 39-year-old female was allegedly thrown from the vehicle and a 19-year-old female required extraction.

    An off-duty nurse arrived on scene not long after the crash and the 39-year-old female was declared deceased.

    Emergency services crews from police and NT Fire and Emergency Services from Timber Creek attended shortly after and extracted the 19-year-old female who was conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital by Careflight in a critical condition.

    The Major Crash Investigation Unit has been deployed and a crime scene was established.

    The next of kin has been notified. Investigations remain ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

    Victoria Highway remains impacted on both lanes and traffic diversions are in place.

    Police urge anyone with information, particularly those with dash cam footage of the incident, to make contact on 131 444. Please quote reference number P25174133.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrea: Vocational Training for Students of College of Medicine and Science


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    Vocational training programs lasting from three to five months have been provided to 146 students, including 90 female students, at the College of Medicine and Science.

    Mr. AbrhaleyAsefaw, Head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students at the college, stated that the training, offered alongside the students’ regular academic curriculum, covered topics such as graphic design, sign language, Arabic language, electronics, and music.

    Mr. Elias Teages, Director of Student Affairs at the college, emphasized that the knowledge gained from the training would significantly benefit the students in their daily lives. He urged them to apply their new skills for both personal advancement and community service.

    Ms. Mensura Ismail, Head of the Union branch in Sawa and Higher Education Institutions, encouraged the trainees to further develop their skills through practice and to share their knowledge with their peers.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Solaris Presale Surges Past $5M as Phase 9 Begins, Offering Early Investors a 150% Upside Before July Launch

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TALLINN, Estonia, June 29, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S), the next-generation blockchain platform focused on scalability and real-world utility, has crossed a major milestone in its ongoing presale—raising over $5 million as it enters Phase 9. With the token price now at $9 and a public launch target of $20, early investors are eyeing a potential 150% gain before the scheduled launch in just under six weeks. Amidst ongoing crypto market volatility, Bitcoin Solaris is emerging as a rare opportunity grounded in technical innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation.

    Introducing Bitcoin Solaris: Crypto Stability Meets Next-Gen Design

    Bitcoin Solaris (BTC-S) is designed to offer scalability, energy efficiency, and everyday accessibility without sacrificing decentralization. By integrating a hybrid consensus model with cross-chain functionality and smart contract support, it delivers the tools needed for a sustainable and high-performance blockchain ecosystem.

    One of the standout features is the dual-consensus architecture that merges Proof-of-Work for base-level security with Delegated Proof-of-Stake for speed and efficiency. This hybrid ensures that BTC-S remains secure while still handling up to 100,000 transactions per second on the Solaris Layer.

    What Makes Bitcoin Solaris Technically Superior

    The strength of BTC-S lies in its layered infrastructure. Let’s break it down:

    • Base Layer (PoW): Uses SHA-256, ensures security, and anchors validator data
    • Solaris Layer (DPoS): Processes blocks in 15 seconds, rotates validators daily, and enforces slashing for bad actors
    • Smart Contracts: Rust-based, compatible with Solana tools, and optimized for dApps and DeFi
    • Security: Defenses include 51% attack resistance, Byzantine fault tolerance, and optional zero-knowledge proofs
    • Scalability: Supports up to 3,000 TPS on the Base Layer and 100,000 TPS on the Solaris Layer

    These features enhance performance and ensure long-term sustainability and growth.

    Real Utility Across Multiple Industries

    Bitcoin Solaris isn’t just theory. Its architecture is built to support:

    • DeFi platforms, lending markets, and high-speed DEXs
    • Tokenized real estate and digital ID systems
    • Healthcare apps, educational certifications, and supply chain solutions
    • Gaming ecosystems, NFT marketplaces, and content monetization

    With such a vast application layer, BTC-S is more than a coin—it’s an ecosystem ready to support global infrastructure.

    The Rewards System: Designed for Inclusion and Long-Term Value

    Bitcoin Solaris uses an inclusive reward system that balances incentives across all key roles in the ecosystem:

    • 40% of rewards go to miners securing the Base Layer
    • 25% to validators on the Solaris Layer
    • 20% to stakers supporting network stability
    • 10% funds development for future growth
    • 5% supports community initiatives

    This dynamic approach evaluates factors like device type, network contribution, and user longevity. It ensures that rewards flow to those adding the most value.
    More details about the system can be seen through the official documentation.

    Market Voices Are Taking Notice

    A growing number of influencers are calling Bitcoin Solaris one of the most exciting projects of 2025. One detailed review by Token Empire breaks down why this hybrid model is capturing serious attention. Across Telegram chats and Twitter threads, more investors are highlighting BTC-S for its real-world potential and inclusive design.

    Presale Performance Signals Massive Potential

    Investors are acting fast. The presale is now in phase 9, with the current price at $9 and a launch target of $20 a 150% upside for early believers. Over $5 million has been raised, and momentum continues to grow.

    • Bonus currently sits at 7%
    • Less than 6 weeks remain before launch
    • Over 12,300 users have joined
    • One of the shortest and most explosive presales this cycle

    This is not just a token drop – it’s a timed opportunity. One of the most talked-about presales across influencer platforms and audit trackers.

    And yes, both Cyberscope and Freshcoins have completed extensive audits, making this one of the best-reviewed launches of 2025.

    Final Verdict

    Bitcoin Solaris doesn’t follow market hype—it rewrites the rulebook. At a time when most cryptocurrencies ride volatile waves, BTC-S is anchoring its value in real utility, community-driven validation, and inclusive mining. It offers something many thought was no longer possible in 2025: a fair shot at crypto wealth for the average investor.

    For more information on Bitcoin Solaris:
    Website: https://www.bitcoinsolaris.com/
     Telegram: https://t.me/Bitcoinsolaris
     X (Twitter): https://x.com/BitcoinSolaris

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

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

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: S. Korean president names ministers, secretaries

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

    South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, who took office on June 4, named six ministers and two senior secretaries, the presidential office said Sunday.

    Koo Yun-cheol, former vice finance minister, was selected to lead the Ministry of Economy and Finance and double as deputy prime minister for economic affairs.

    Lee Jin-sook, former president of Chungnam National University, was picked as education minister who doubles as deputy prime minister for social affairs.

    Jeong Seong-ho, five-term lawmaker of the ruling liberal Democratic Party, was nominated as justice minister, while the Democratic Party’s five-term lawmaker, Yoon Ho-jung, was named as interior minister.

    Kim Jung-kwan, president of the country’s major plant builder Doosan Enerbility, was nominated as industry minister, while former Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong was picked as minister of health and welfare.

    President Lee also appointed senior presidential secretaries for civil affairs and for non-governmental organizations as well as deputy chiefs of the National Intelligence Service.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • From WHO to ILO, PM Modi highlights India’s achievements in health, social security

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India is making steady progress across various sectors, particularly in healthcare and social protection. He cited major milestones such as the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring the country Trachoma-free and the significant increase in the number of people covered under social security schemes.

    Addressing the 123rd episode of his monthly radio programme ‘Mann ki Baat’, PM Modi said that India is advancing in every sphere – from healthcare to social security – with a strong focus on inclusion and achieving saturation.

    He began by highlighting the nation’s success in eliminating Trachoma, a bacterial eye infection that can lead to blindness, calling it a major public health achievement.

    “A lot of you must have heard about Trachoma. There was a time when it was common in many parts of India. If neglected, this disease could lead to blindness. But we resolved to eliminate it, and I am delighted to share with you that the World Health Organization has declared India Trachoma-free,” PM Modi said.

    He credited the success to the relentless efforts of health workers and initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Jal Jeevan Mission.

    “This success belongs to our health workers who fought this disease tirelessly. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan played a major role in its elimination. The Jal Jeevan Mission also contributed significantly. As clean water is reaching households through taps, the risk of such diseases has greatly reduced,” he noted.

    The Prime Minister added that the WHO appreciated India not only for eliminating the disease but also for addressing its root causes.

    Turning to social security, PM Modi cited a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    “According to a recent ILO report, more than 64 per cent of Indians are now covered under some kind of social protection. Social security coverage in India is among the largest in the world,” he said.

    “Today, around 95 crore people are benefiting from various social security schemes, whereas in 2015, the number was less than 25 crore. This reflects a significant shift towards social equity,” he said.

    The Prime Minister said such achievements are a testament to India’s commitment to inclusive growth.

    “From health to social security, the country is moving forward with the goal of saturation. This is also a reflection of our commitment to social justice. These successes inspire confidence that the future will be brighter and India will become even stronger at every step,” he said.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China tackles cancer in the elderly with early detection and TCM

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) — With its rapidly aging population, China is facing a new pressing health problem: cancer among the elderly.

    According to the latest data, people over 60 now account for 60.7 percent of all new cancer cases in the country, making cancer care for the elderly one of the most urgent priorities in China’s efforts to ensure health for all.

    A week-long national campaign has been launched in China to raise awareness of cancer among older people. Medical experts are calling for earlier detection, evidence-based treatment and more public education to combat myths that often cause older people to delay or avoid treatment.

    China’s demographic shift is accelerating: People aged 60 and over now make up more than 20 percent of the population. That figure is expected to reach 30 percent by 2035, with the elderly population surpassing 400 million.

    A report from the Chinese Cancer Association shows that lung and gastrointestinal cancers are most common among older adults, accounting for about 65 percent of malignancies in this age group. Other commonly diagnosed cancers include liver, lymphoma, prostate, and various blood cancers.

    “Cancer is not uncommon among the elderly, and it is closely related to the accumulation of genetic mutations over time,” says Xue Dong, a specialist in geriatric oncology at Peking University Cancer Hospital. Cell aging, decreased immunity, and long-term exposure to carcinogens greatly increase vulnerability, Xue Dong explains.

    Early diagnosis remains the most powerful tool in the fight against cancer, experts say.

    In response, China’s National Health Commission has called for expanded public health services, including nationwide health checks for adults aged 65 and above, with more frequent screenings for high-risk groups.

    Local initiatives are also underway. In Yancheng, east China’s Jiangsu Province, residents aged 60 to 69 are now being tested for 12 common tumor markers for free. In Daqing, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, authorities are offering citizens aged 45 to 74 free screening for five major cancers – lung, breast, liver, upper gastrointestinal tract, and colon.

    In addition to cancer screenings, doctors also promote healthy living. Zhang Tong, an oncology specialist at Xiyuan Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medicine, advises older adults to eat a balanced diet and engage in traditional Chinese fitness exercises such as tai chi and baduanjin, which are known to boost energy and immune function.

    Doctors also emphasize that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can play a supporting role in combination with Western treatment methods.

    During chemotherapy, treatments such as acupuncture and spot treatments can help reduce side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite, and constipation. Herbal baths and steam therapy can help with radiation-related symptoms such as skin damage and mouth sores.

    Li Yuanqing, Xue Dong’s colleague at the same hospital, noted that clinical experience shows that these approaches can ease patient discomfort during chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

    Experts also warn of deeply ingrained misconceptions. Many older patients believe in miracle cures or folk remedies, while others fear that traditional treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy will only accelerate their deterioration.

    “Treating older cancer patients requires a balance,” Xue Dong said. “We can’t just apply treatments designed for younger people, nor should we discard treatments because of age. The key is individualized treatment based on both the patient’s medical needs and physical and emotional readiness.”

    “Thanks to the science and compassion we use, more and more elderly cancer patients will be able to live a dignified life,” says Xue Dong. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –