NewzIntel.com

Category: United States of America

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Leads Multistate Effort to Protect Abortion and Gender-Affirming Care Providers from Dangerous Certification Requirements

    Source: US State of New York

    EW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 19 other attorneys general in urging the American Medical Association (AMA) to take stronger action to protect health care providers from potentially dangerous medical board certification requirements. In testimony submitted to AMA, Attorney General James and the coalition argue that requiring abortion and gender-affirming care providers to travel to states that restrict those forms of care in order to get board-certified puts them at legal and physical risk. The attorneys general warn that mandating in-person testing in states that have aggressively criminalized or penalized reproductive and gender-affirming health care endangers providers, especially those who are pregnant or transgender, and threatens access to essential care nationwide.

    “As states weaponize their legal systems to punish doctors for providing essential health care, the American Medical Association must stand strong in defense of providers,” said Attorney General James. “Reproductive health care and gender-affirming care providers should not have to risk their safety or freedom just to advance in their medical careers. Forcing providers to travel to states that have declared war on reproductive freedom and LGBTQ+ rights is as unnecessary as it is dangerous. I urge AMA to act swiftly to prevent these requirements from becoming a tool for harassment and intimidation.”

    Earlier this year, AMA acknowledged the risks posed to health care providers by state laws that restrict abortion and gender-affirming care, adopting a policy encouraging medical boards to provide alternative testing options in states with such restrictions. However, Attorney General James and the coalition assert that AMA’s current stance does not go far enough to protect examinees because it lacks sufficient urgency and fails to provide policy guidance to the specialty boards on concrete steps they should take to protect candidates. The attorneys general call for AMA to go further by recommending such steps, including:

    • Relocating testing sites to non-restrictive states;
    • Shifting to remote testing to eliminate the need for travel to hostile environments; or
    • Granting individual exemptions from in-person exams in restrictive states for those facing heightened legal or physical risks.

    The attorneys general’s testimony highlights the increasingly hostile legal landscape for health care providers in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Following the decision, several states implemented draconian restrictions on abortion and have since taken steps to criminalize patients and providers. Many of the same states have followed by passing a wave of restrictions on gender-affirming care. The attorneys general argue that officials in these anti-choice states have made it clear their goal is to intimidate and punish reproductive health and gender-affirming care providers, no matter where the care was provided.

    Attorney General James and the coalition warn that mandating in-person board certification testing in states that penalize these forms of health care could have far-reaching and harmful consequences. In particular, the attorneys general highlight the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ABOG), which requires OB/GYNs seeking board certification to travel to Texas for in-person testing. Texas has implemented some of the most severe anti-abortion legislation in the country – criminalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy, classifying it as a first-degree felony punishable by life imprisonment, and allowing private citizens to sue providers for up to $10,000 per abortion performed after six weeks into the pregnancy.

    Despite these restrictions, ABOG – which oversees all gynecologists and obstetricians, and even evaluates doctors’ ability to perform abortions as part of the certification process – continues to require in-person certification exams in Texas. The attorneys general assert that ABOG’s refusal to provide accommodations for candidates who fear prosecution or physical harm in Texas places providers at needless risk and endangers access to essential care nationwide. Attorney General James and the coalition note that their offices have engaged with ABOG to identify safer testing alternatives, but ABOG has refused to grant exemptions for candidates who are pregnant or who provide reproductive health care to patients from hostile states, including for the upcoming testing cycle beginning in October.

    Attorney General James and the coalition warn that anti-abortion state officials have publicly stated their intent to prosecute providers who assist patients from Texas in obtaining abortion care in other states. Additionally, Texas recently classified gender-affirming care as “child abuse,” opening the door to additional investigations and potential criminal charges against providers. The attorneys general assert that requiring reproductive health providers to travel to anti-abortion states for certification could result in them being targeted under these laws, even if they are legally providing care in other states.

    The attorneys general emphasize that ensuring the safety of health care providers is essential to maintaining access to reproductive and gender-affirming care in states like New York. The attorneys general are urging AMA to act urgently and forcefully to ensure medical specialty boards adopt concrete, actionable policies that protect providers, warning that failure to act could exacerbate the national health care crisis.

    Joining Attorney General James in submitting this testimony are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and the District of Columbia.

    Attorney General James has been a leading voice in defending reproductive rights and opposing efforts to restrict abortion care. Earlier this month, Attorney General James and 20 other attorneys general called on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to immediately reinstate tens of millions of dollars in federal reproductive health funds. In March 2025, Attorney General James won a lawsuit against an anti-abortion group, Red Rose Rescue, for invading reproductive health care clinics and interfering with access to care. Also in March, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to defend Medicaid recipients’ right to choose their own health care providers, including reproductive health care clinics like Planned Parenthood. In October 2024, Attorney General James filed an amicus brief urging a federal court to maintain access to emergency abortion care. Also in October, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general filed an amicus brief in support of access to mifepristone. In May 2024, Attorney General James sued an anti-abortion group and 11 crisis pregnancy centers for promoting unproven abortion reversal treatment. In April 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general in urging Congress to expand access to reproductive health services and pass the Access to Family Building Act. In January 2024, Attorney General James led a coalition of 24 attorneys general urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect access to mifepristone. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Record Low Gun Violence for NYS

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced that reported gun violence across New York State has continued to decline, reaching the lowest level since the state began tracking this data in 2006. New statistics released by the State Division of Criminal Justice Services show a 15 percent decline in shooting victims and a 9 percent drop in shooting incidents with injury from January 1, 2025, through April 30, 2025, compared to the same period last year, in communities participating in the State’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination initiative.

    “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority. Since taking office, my administration has been laser focused on eliminating gun violence and reducing the number of gun-related injuries and fatalities across the State,” Governor Hochul said. “Our efforts are working, and I am committed to continuing our record level support for gun violence prevention initiatives in our most impacted communities to ensure all New Yorkers are safe.”

    Newly released data comes from the 28 police departments outside of New York City participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative. These police departments report roughly 90 percent of violent crimes involving firearms and 85 percent of violent crime reported outside New York City. Since 2021 when Governor Hochul took office, shootings in New York are down by more than 50 percent and murders are down 30 percent.

    Between January and April 2025, these departments reported 156 shooting victims, down from 183 during the same period in 2024; and 139 shooting incidents with injury, down from 153 in 2024 — data that are the result of a coordinated, data-driven effort to reduce gun violence in the State’s most impacted communities.

    New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, “New York’s strategy is working because it’s grounded in data, backed by funding, and built on strong partnerships. We are proud to support our law enforcement and community partners with the tools they need to make every neighborhood safer.”

    Monroe County Executive Adam Bello said “Monroe County and New York State are committed to working together to keep our community and neighborhoods safe through sustained investments in gun violence prevention programs. Governor Hochul’s continued support for the GIVE initiative demonstrates a clear understanding that addressing gun violence requires data-driven and community-focused strategies. GIVE empowers local law enforcement and community partners with the tools and resources they need to prevent gun violence before it occurs. By prioritizing prevention and intervention, Governor Hochul and New York State are helping to build safe and more resilient communities across the state,”

    Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said “The ongoing efforts to reduce gun violence across the state are making a difference. Collaboration and support amongst many different law enforcement agencies and key community partners will help our continued efforts to promote public safety and to make neighborhoods safer. I thank Governor Hochul and my colleagues at other levels in government for continuing to work on reducing gun violence rates as we reinforce trusted safety measures and prevention methods to make every community safer, especially those disproportionately impacted by crime violent crimes that involve guns. Together we will achieve peace and stability throughout the state.”

    According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) the murder rate in New York declined by 8 percent from 2023 to 2024. Mortality data shows that New York has the second lowest homicide rate of the top 15 most populous states and the lowest homicide rate of the top 10 states. CDC data also shows that New York has the third lowest firearm-related mortality rate, including firearm-related homicides, accidental discharges, and suicides, in the nation behind only Massachusetts and New Jersey.

    Preliminary full year crime data from DCJS shows a 4 percent decline in overall index crime statewide in 2024 compared to 2023. The 57 counties outside New York City reported an 8 percent drop in crimes with 5 percent fewer violent crimes and 9 percent fewer property crimes.

    In the 57 counties outside of New York City, the following categories of crime declined significantly from 2023 to 2024, with robbery and burglary at the lowest levels on record:

    • Motor vehicle theft (-27 percent)
    • Robbery (-11 percent)
    • Burglary (-8 percent)
    • Larceny (-6 percent)

    To build on this progress, Governor Hochul’s recently enacted FY26 Enacted Budget strengthens New York’s public safety efforts, including:

    • $347 million in gun violence prevention programs that have helped drive gun violence down by more than 50 percent when compared to pandemic-era peaks;
    • Reforms to the discovery process aimed at reducing recidivism and ensuring timely justice;
    • Increased support for survivors of domestic and sexual violence;
    • Enhanced protections for transit workers and passengers; and
    • $77 million to partner with NYPD to increase police presence on platforms and trains by temporarily surging patrol levels for six months, among other key safety initiatives.

    The Budget also includes continued funding for DCJS initiatives that support local law enforcement, community-based violence prevention, and victim services. DCJS also recently notified law enforcement and victim service professionals of their first round of funding through its Statewide Targeted Reductions in Intimate Violence (STRIVE) initiative, which directs resources to police, prosecutors and victim assistance providers so they can better address intimate partner violence in high-need communities.

    Detailed data on shooting incidents, victims and homicides by department is available on the DCJS statistics page.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Media Advisory: Coast Guard, state, local first responders to conduct boat drills on Ohio River in Kentucky & Illinois

    Source: United States Coast Guard

    News Release  

    U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
    Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
    Office: 504-671-2020
    After Hours: 618-225-9008
    Eighth District online newsroom

     

    Port conditions change based on weather forecasts, and current port conditions can be viewed on the following Coast Guard homeport webpages:

    For more information follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Government outlines process undertaken on EEIPs’ policy direction in ICT sector

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Government has sought to allay fears that the recently published policy direction on the role of equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector was intended to open a special dispensation for a particular company or an individual.

    On 23 May 2025, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi gave notice of the proposed policy direction to be issued to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) in terms of section 3 of the Electronic Communications Act 36 of 2005 (the ECA) regarding Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) in the ICT Sector.

    The policy direction seeks to provide much-needed policy certainty to attract investment into the ICT sector, and specifically with regards to licensing for broadcasters, internet service providers, mobile networks, or fixed and mobile networks.

    The publishing of the policy direction in the Government Gazette by the Minister on Friday comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Working Visit to the United States (U.S.), where the President met with President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington D.C. to reset and revitalise bilateral relations between South Africa and the U.S.

    Among the U.S.’s delegation was Elon Musk, Special Government Employee, U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), who is also Starlink’s founder and believed to have interests in bringing his company to South Africa to provide internet services.

    Appearing before the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies on Tuesday, the Minister explained that the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has been working on the proposed policy since September last year.

    “Last year, we indicated the efforts from the department around the full recognition of equity equivalent investment programmes (EEIPs) in the ICT sector. This is also reflected in the Medium Term Development Plan for the seventh administration.

    “We are not attempting to open a special dispensation for Starlink or any other company or an individual. There is no conspiracy on our part in relation to the policy direction. There is no underhanded effort in darkness to railroad the South African public,” Malatsi said.

    In a statement issued on Friday, the Minister indicated that currently the rules around who can acquire a licence to provide electronic communications services or to operate an electronic communications network require a minimum of 30% shares to be in the hands of historically disadvantaged individuals. 

    “These regulations do not currently allow companies that can contribute to South Africa’s transformation goals in ways other than traditional ownership, to qualify for individual licences under the Electronic Communications Act (ECA), whether or not they are big international companies that do not usually sell shares to local partners,” the Minister said.

    EEIPs, provided for under the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (Act 53 of 2003) and the ICT Sector Code, allow qualifying multinationals to meet empowerment obligations through alternatives to 30% ownership. Examples of the latter can be in the form of investing in local suppliers, enterprise and skills development, job creation, infrastructure support, research and innovation, digital inclusion initiatives, and funding for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). 

    Despite the legal standing of the ICT Sector Code under the BBBEE Act, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s  (ICASA) Ownership Regulations do not fully reflect its provisions – particularly regarding deemed ownership and EEIPs.

    In the process of developing the policy direction, ICASA was informed on 4 October 2024 by the DCDT of the intention to issue a policy directive to provide policy clarity on the full introduction of the EEIPs in the ICT sector.

    “That was followed by a public comment communication released on that specific day. As required by the process, we submitted the draft policy direction to ICASA to give them an opportunity to be able to engage with it,” the Minister said.

    Malatsi emphasised that EEIPs are not a new invention as it was approved by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) in 2016.

    EEIPs are alternative contributions that multinational companies can make to achieve their BBBEE ownership obligations when they are unable to sell shares directly to black South Africans due to global policies.

    These contributions, approved by the dtic, are essentially investment initiatives that promote enterprise development, job creation and socio-economic advancement.

    “While ECA, which guides the policy making in our sector and the ICASA Act do allow for ICASA to make the regulations, it also allows for ICASA in making those regulations that it must give effect to the whole parts of the ICT sector code.

    “My duty is to ensure that there is alignment between the codes and regulations, in fulfilment of all our national laws, in this case the BBBEE Act. In terms of the process that we have followed from the formulation of the policy directive, leading ultimately to the gazetting, we have followed the prescripts a Ministerial policy directive should follow,” the Minister said.

    The Minister asserted that his department has fulfilled the key steps in the formulation of the policy direction, which includes engagement with ICASA.

    “The consultation with the authority means that its submission must be given due consideration. It does not mean that the regulator can stop a Minister from exploring a policy direction because there are two steps.

    “The first step is the opportunity for the regulator to engage with the draft policy and the second step is post the public comment stage, which is where we are.

    “We must take into consideration that each and every interested stakeholder or anyone with views on this policy direction must  have their views being considered in the formulation of the policy,” he said.

    Stakeholders have a 30-day period from the day on which the Gazette was published to make their submissions on the policy directive.

    “What is incumbent of the department and the Ministry is that in the consideration of inputs from the public, they must inform the final formulation of the policy direction, which will be shared with the regulator as it is required.

    “I am pretty clear that transformation is sacrosanct in our country; that it is a non-negotiable in order for the country to achieve its aspirations, but most importantly to live up to the provisions of the BBBEE Act as it was articulated and envisaged,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Statement from Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson on the Passing of Congressman Charles B. Rangel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

    It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that I join our nation in mourning the loss of Congressman Charles B. Rangel—a titan of public service, a warrior for justice, and a beacon of hope for generations of Americans. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the fabric of our nation, but his extraordinary legacy will forever illuminate the path toward equity and dignity for all.

    Congressman Rangel was not only a colleague and mentor but a cherished friend and a guiding force in my life. His bond with my father, the Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, was forged in the fires of the Civil Rights Movement, where they stood shoulder to shoulder in the fight for voting rights, economic justice, and the soul of our democracy. “Charlie” as we all affectionately called him, was a brother in struggle and a steadfast ally who reminded us that “service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this Earth.” His counsel to me, as a young man navigating the weight of my family’s legacy, was unwavering: “Keep your eyes on the horizon, but never forget the people who lifted you there.”

    A son of Harlem and a decorated Korean War veteran, Congressman Rangel carried the scars of battle—both on the battlefield, where he earned a Purple Heart, and in the halls of Congress, where he waged a 46-year campaign against inequality. As a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, he transformed its vision into a powerhouse for progress, championing landmark legislation from the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday to the fight for Reparations. His leadership as Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee redefined economic fairness, ensuring that prosperity reached those too long left behind.

    Charlie’s life was a living testament to Black history. From his humble beginnings in a Harlem housing project to his rise as one of Congress’ most influential voices, he embodied the resilience and brilliance of our community. He stood as a bridge between the giants of the Civil Rights era and the leaders of today, reminding us that the fight for justice is both timeless and urgent. His unapologetic advocacy for the marginalized—whether through challenging apartheid in South Africa or battling discriminatory drug policies at home—cemented his place among the pantheon of American freedom fighters.

    To the Rangel family, I extend my deepest condolences and the gratitude of a nation forever shaped by his courage. Charlie Rangel’s light will never dim. As we mourn, let us also celebrate a life that taught us to lead with conviction, serve with compassion, and never surrender in the pursuit of what is right.

    Rest in power, Chairman. Your rent was paid in full.

    ####

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AT&T’s Proposed Acquisition of Lumen’s Home Fiber Business Raises Concerns for Workers and Consumers

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    On May 21, AT&T announced plans to acquire Lumen’s residential fiber business across 11 states, which serves a million customers. CWA represents workers at both AT&T and Lumen.

    The structure of this transaction raises serious concerns for Lumen’s workers and customers. Rather than transferring the residential fiber assets to AT&T, they are being sold to a new subsidiary that AT&T is calling “NetworkCo,” which will then be partially sold to an as yet unnamed private equity partner.

    “We are taking a close look at AT&T’s plans for Lumen’s home fiber business to assess the impact on our members and communities,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Our union’s leadership will work with both companies to ensure that our members are respected and protected so that they can continue providing the high-quality service that customers deserve.”

    Two years ago, AT&T launched a similar subsidiary, called Gigapower, which has begun operating in several markets. A CWA review of Gigapower’s deployment found that instead of hiring trained, experienced workers, AT&T’s Gigapower relies heavily on multi-tiered subcontracting and temporary staffing agencies. This low-road business model has put public safety at risk. In two cities—Mesa, Ariz., and Bloomington, Minn.—Gigapower contractors have been responsible for nearly 450 incidents of damage to the public right-of-way, and dozens of preventable underground utility hits.

    “Our members care deeply about the customers and communities we serve,” said CWA District 7 Vice President Susie McAllister. We have fought to ensure that fiber buildout is done right, with high-quality networks built by experienced union technicians. AT&T’s stated plans for Lumen’s home fiber business put that at risk. CWA members are going to make sure that regulators and elected officials understand and address our concerns as this process moves forward.”

    “AT&T should be putting its customers and workers first, not its shareholders,” said CWA District 3 Vice President Richard Honeycutt. “Lumen’s customers deserve a first-class fiber network, and that’s what CWA members deliver. Before this transaction is approved, AT&T and Lumen must commit to maintaining a well-trained, directly hired union workforce and make sure that customers who depend on Lumen’s copper network are not left behind.”

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: For Every Crypto Futures Trader: BexBack Launches 100x Leverage, Double Deposit Bonus, and $50 Welcome Gift—No KYC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin prices hovering above $100,000, analysts believe that the cryptocurrency market will remain in a state of high volatility for a long time. For investors, holding spot positions may no longer be enough to make a significant profit. In view of this, BexBack exchange has launched a groundbreaking offer to empower traders: 100% deposit bonus, $50 new user welcome bonus, and 100x leverage on cryptocurrency trading – all without KYC.

    Why 100x Leverage Is a Game-Changer?

    With 100x leverage, you can multiply your trading positions with minimal capital, unlocking unparalleled profit potential. Here’s how it works:

    • Assume Bitcoin is priced at $100,000. By opening a long position with 1 BTC and applying 100x leverage, your trade controls a position worth 100 BTC.
    • If the price rises to $105,000, your profit would be (105,000−100,000)×100÷100,000=5BTC—a 500% return.

    Coupled with BexBack’s 100% deposit bonus, you can further amplify your trading power and increase your opportunities to profit.

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    About BexBack

    BexBack is a premier cryptocurrency derivatives platform headquartered in Singapore, with offices in Hong Kong, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The platform is trusted by over 500,000 traders worldwide and holds a US MSB (Money Services Business) license, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

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    Disclaimer: This content is provided by BexBack. 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.

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy Announces Creation of Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools

    Source: US State of Georgia

    ATLANTA (May 27, 2025)— Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) announced the creation of a Senate Study Committee on Combating Chronic Absenteeism in Schools to further examine the underlying causes of absenteeism in Georgia schools and explore effective solutions.

    Senator Kennedy, who authored and carried Senate Bill 123 (SB 123) during the 2025 legislative session, will serve as the Chair of the study committee and will lead its work during the 2025 interim.

    “I’m grateful to Lieutenant Governor Jones for his steadfast commitment to education and his leadership in making chronic absenteeism a statewide priority,” said Sen. Kennedy. “Thanks to his support, this new study committee will help us dig deeper into the root causes of absenteeism and ensure we’re doing everything we can to keep Georgia students connected to their classroom and on track to succeed.”

    SB 123, signed into law on April 28, 2025, will take effect on July 1, 2025. SB 123 will require School Climate Committees in each school district to develop a comprehensive framework to improve student attendance. Additionally, it will create local attendance review teams to assess individual student attendance cases. The School Climate Committees must report their progress to the Georgia General Assembly and Georgia Department of Education, ensuring accountability and continued focus on this critical issue.

    Additional details regarding committee membership and meeting dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

    For more information about Senate Bill 123, click here.

    # # # #

    Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District, which includes Crawford, Monroe, Peach and Upson counties, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston counties. He may be reached at (404) 656-6578 or by email at John.Kennedy@senate.ga.gov.

    For all media inquiries, please reach out to SenatePressInquiries@senate.ga.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Manchester Man Sentenced for Defrauding State and Federal Taxpayers of Nearly $300,000 in Pandemic Relief Funds

    Source: US FBI

    CONCORD – A Manchester man was sentenced for his involvement in a scheme to fraudulently obtain CARES Act funds from the United States government and the State of New York, Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

    Kyereem Sackey, age 25, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Landya McCafferty to 18 months in federal prison and 3 years of supervised release.  Sackey was also ordered to make restitution in the amount of $295,167.  In January 2025, Sackey pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of bank fraud.

    “The defendant exploited a national crisis for personal gain,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack. “He stole nearly $300k in pandemic relief funds that were meant to support struggling families and small businesses. This office will continue to investigate and prosecute those who stole from the government during the pandemic and intentionally depleted the public fisc for personal profit.”

    “While the entire world was focused on dealing with a pandemic, Kyereem Sackey was selfishly focused on exploiting programs designed to help people struggling financially to instead enrich himself,” said Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “With today’s sentence, Mr. Sackey has been held accountable for cheating taxpayers, and the FBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify and bring to justice those who have committed similar crimes.”

    “Kyereem Sackey and his co-defendants engaged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain New York Department of Labor pandemic-related unemployment insurance benefits and Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program loans. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable those who seek to exploit these critical benefit programs,” said Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent-in-Charge, Northeast Region, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General.

    According to the court documents and statements made in court, Sackey used social media to conspire with others to file false and fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. Sackey filed unemployment insurance claims in the State of New York on behalf of a co-defendant, which he was not entitled to.  When the money was deposited into the co-defendant’s bank account, a portion of the money was sent to Sackey and another co-defendant.  Sackey and his co-defendants filed approximately $50,000 in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims.  In addition to the claim made on behalf of his co-defendant, Sackey filed claims on behalf of a dozen individuals as well as himself resulting in more than $250,000 in fraudulent unemployment benefits to be paid by the State of New York.

    Sackey also used a co-defendant’s information to apply for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans using a false and fraudulent business that did not exist.  Sackey provided the bank with false documents, including fabricated tax documents.  Court records show that Sackey fraudulently applied for and obtained more than $30,000 in PPP loans.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General led the investigation.  Valuable assistance was provided by the Manchester Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Kennedy is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Caribbean logistic hub boosts disaster response ahead of hurricane season

    Source: World Food Programme

    BRIDGETOWN – The United Nations World Food Programme today joined the Government of Barbados and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to inaugurate the Caribbean’s newest disaster preparedness and response hub.

    The Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub, inaugurated just ahead of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, will store and dispatch critical relief items to affected communities in case of a disaster. The hub’s strategic location at the Grantley Adams International Airport and proximity to the main highway and port facilities will allow for both air and sea operations during an emergency response.

    The Hon. Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, Executive Director, CDEMA, Elizabeth Riley, and WFP Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean Lola Castro officially opened the new facility.

     “This hub is about saving lives. This is about getting food and critical supplies, including pharmaceuticals to persons within 48-72 hours of a major disaster. It isn’t only limited to emergency responses for disaster, it is also going to be for humanitarian crises,” said Mottley.

    The hub comprises a large fully enclosed warehouse and outdoor container park with space for up to forty, twenty-foot shipping containers. Additionally, the compound provides adequate space for consolidating equipment before shipping. The hub comprises of 2,500 square metres of covered storage space, 1,300 racked pallets and approximately 1,600sqm of open storage space.

    “Having seen how devastating hurricanes and other hazards can be in the Caribbean, we are proud to have this Caribbean Regional Logistics Hub in place,” said Castro. “WFP works with partners in the region and globally to enhance national response mechanisms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response in order to save lives.”

    Through collaboration with CDEMA, the Government of Barbados and other key stakeholders, plans are in place to expand the facility. The next phase, the establishment of a Centre of Excellence, will see the development of greater emergency response knowledge, skills and expertise in the region, through specialized training programmes.

    “Recent geopolitical shifts have disrupted traditional support streams for humanitarian action highlighting the high-risk exposure of our system. The CDEMA system must now re-double efforts towards greater self-reliance, further deepen national capacity, enhance regional cooperation, and embrace new and non-traditional partnerships”, said Riley. “The hub supports this. It offers the infrastructure to pre-position high-demand emergency supplies.”

    While still under construction, the hub proved to be essential to the response to Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

    The construction of the hub was made possible through vital partnerships with the Government of Canada, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the European Union, the United States and the World Food Program USA.

    #                     #                        #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media OR @wfp_caribbean

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Felon Arrested in Connection with Months-Long Armed Robbery Spree

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ATLANTA – Terry Lewis Burston, a multi-convicted felon who was released from prison last year, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Regina D. Cannon on May 22, 2025, following his arrest on charges of postal robbery, aggravated assault on a federal employee, Hobbs Act Robbery, and using a firearm during a crime of violence. Burston was arrested on May 17, 2025, pursuant to a criminal complaint obtained by the United States Postal Inspection Service.

    “Burston is a violent repeat offender who allegedly terrorized the citizens of DeKalb County by assaulting federal employees and robbing local business operators at gunpoint,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We are grateful to our federal and local law enforcement partners whose coordinated investigation resulted in Burston’s arrest and prevented him from committing additional violent crimes.”

    “This is another example of Postal Inspectors and local agencies collaborating to remove an armed and dangerous individual from our community,” said Rodney M. Hopkins, Inspector in Charge of the Atlanta Division. “We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the violent and callous actions committed by this defendant against postal service employees and other businesses.”

    According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: On December 14, 2024, Burston allegedly robbed an auto parts store in Decatur, Georgia. During the robbery, Burston allegedly brandished a black handgun, tapped it on the store counter, and demanded money from an employee. Burston fled after confiscating the cash.

    Six days later, on December 20, 2024, Burston allegedly waited outside a Scottdale, Georgia, post office. He forced his way inside after the last customer departed, pointed a gun at a postal employee, demanded money, obtained cash from the register, and fled.

    Later, on January 17, 2025, Burston allegedly attempted to rob a gas station in Decatur when he pointed a black handgun at an employee and demanded money.

    Four months later, on May 17, 2025, Burston allegedly attempted to rob a Lithonia, Georgia, Post Office but fled after postal employees began alerting their co-workers. Postal inspectors who responded to the attempted robbery found Burston changing his clothes behind a nearby restaurant. They recovered a firearm lying at Burston’s feet and arrested him after a brief chase.

    At the time of these alleged offenses, Burston was subject to federal supervision following his 2013 conviction for armed bank robbery. In a separate case, Burston was sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment for robbing an Atlanta bank and post office in 1995.

    Members of the public are reminded that the complaint only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    This case is being investigated by the United States Postal Inspection Service with valuable assistance from the DeKalb County Police Department. 

    Assistant United States Attorney Noah R. Schechtman is prosecuting this case.

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

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Sentenced to Federal Prison for Firearms Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Mexican National Purchased More Than 150 Firearms to Be Smuggled from the United States to Mexico

    ATLANTA – Edson Aregullin has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for unlawfully purchasing firearms for transport from Georgia to Mexico. 

    “Illegal firearms trafficking wreaks havoc in communities within and outside our district,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “We are proud to stand alongside our federal law enforcement partners in helping to stem the unlawful flow of firearms to criminals.”

    “Every illegal firearm that crosses our border becomes a weapon of destruction in the wrong hands,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “ATF is committed to shutting down these criminal pipelines with precision and force. Our communities – here and abroad – deserve nothing less.”

    According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: Edson Aregullin conspired with several individuals in Mexico to purchase more than 150 firearms from various firearms dealers in the Northern District of Georgia.  Those firearms included 9mm pistols and AR-style rifles.  Aregullin’s contacts in Mexico sent him detailed instructions concerning the makes and models of the firearms to buy.  Aregullin bought the firearms with funds received from the actual buyer in Mexico and then facilitated transportation of the weapons to Mexico.

    The guns Areguillin purchased illegally were used to commit violent crimes. For example, on April 21, 2022, Aregullin bought a .223 caliber rifle that law enforcement officers in Guanajuato, Mexico recovered just a few months later after a deadly encounter between municipal police and armed combatants. During the ensuing melee, eight people were killed, and four were injured.

    On May 22, 2025, United States District Judge Steven D. Grimberg sentenced Edson Aregullin, 47, a Mexican national previously residing in Atlanta, Georgia, to 71 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. On November 19, 2024, Aregullin pled guilty to Conspiracy to Traffic in Firearms, three counts of Trafficking in Firearms, and three counts of False Statements to a Federal Firearms Licensee.   

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

    Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Gabay-Smith prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6280. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Guatemalan National Sentenced To Two Years In Federal Prison For Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara has sentenced Dodi Garcia Flores (45, Guatemala) to two years in federal prison for illegal reentry by a previously deported alien. Garcia Flores pleaded guilty on March 3, 2025. 

    According to court documents, Garcia Flores is a native and citizen of Guatemala. He was previously removed from the United States on three occasions—October 15, 2008, May 15, 2009, and February 5, 2020. Prior to these removals, Garcia Flores was convicted of two felony offenses: (1) resisting an officer with violence and assault in the second degree, and (2) intent to cause physical injury with a weapon.

    This case was investigated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lindsey Schmidt. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Cheap Psychic Readings [$0.99/Min] Best Cheap Phone Psychics for Affordable Readings in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, CA, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — — Are you searching for insight into your future without breaking the bank? You’re not alone. Many people want spiritual clarity but hesitate due to high prices. Fortunately, cheap psychic readings are now more accessible than ever. With a wide range of affordable psychics available online and over the phone, getting the answers you need is just a call or click away.

    ⇒ Talk to experienced and trusted cheap psychics offering free trial readings!

    You don’t need to spend a fortune to receive quality spiritual guidance. With so many reliable and cheap psychics available online and by phone, connecting with your higher path is more affordable than ever. Explore affordable psychic readings today and discover how much clarity and peace of mind are just a session away.

    The Psychic Experts, a reputable platform known for reviewing top psychic services, has released its 2025 report featuring the best affordable psychic readings online. The report reveals a rising trend: more people are turning to trusted, low-cost advisors for guidance on love, career, and emotional clarity. With growing demand for cheap phone psychics and live chat readings, this guide helps users find accurate, budget-friendly psychic services they can trust.

    ⇒ Connect with affordable psychics who deliver real answers!

    Why Choose Cheap Psychic Readings?

    Contrary to popular belief, a cheap psychic reading doesn’t mean low quality. Many trusted and gifted psychics offer discounted or promotional rates to make their services more accessible. These cheap psychics often deliver the same level of accuracy, empathy, and spiritual guidance as higher-priced readers, especially on reputable online platforms.

    Whether you’re looking for answers about love, career, family, or finances, affordable psychic readings can provide meaningful insights without straining your budget.

    ⇒ Talk to cheap psychics you can trust – free trial readings included!

    Top Benefits of Cheap Phone Psychics

    Cheap phone psychics offer incredible convenience. You can connect with a psychic instantly from the comfort of your home, eliminating travel time and added costs. Phone readings are especially ideal for those who value privacy or need guidance during stressful moments.

    Here are a few reasons people choose cheap phone psychics:

    • Immediate access to guidance during tough decisions
    • Flexible scheduling, day or night
    • Anonymity and emotional comfort
    • Affordable rates without compromising quality

    ⇒ Connect now for cheap psychic readings that are accurate and affordable!

    How to Find Affordable Psychics You Can Trust

    When looking for affordable psychics, it’s essential to choose a platform with verified readers and positive user reviews. Many well-known psychic websites offer introductory deals, such as:

    • First 3 minutes free
    • $1 per minute specials
    • Discounted first readings

    These promotions let you test a psychic’s style and accuracy before committing to a longer session.

    Get the best cheap psychic readings from trusted and accurate advisors. Affordable, real insights from cheap phone psychics ready to guide your path today.

    ⇒ Connect with affordable psychics offering free trial readings!

    What to Expect During a Cheap Psychic Reading

    A cheap psychic session can be just as enlightening as a premium one. The key is to approach the reading with an open mind and clear intentions. Whether your session is over chat, phone, or video, prepare your questions in advance and be honest with your psychic.

    Common reading types include:

    • Tarot card readings
    • Astrology reports
    • Love and relationship readings
    • Career guidance
    • Spiritual and life path coaching

    ⇒ Discover the best cheap psychics for love, career, or life decisions

    Tips to Maximize Your Affordable Psychic Readings

    To get the most out of your session:

    1. Write down your questions ahead of time.
    2. Choose a quiet, private space for your reading.
    3. Stay open and relaxed to receive clear guidance.
    4. Take notes during or after the reading.
    5. Follow up if needed — many platforms allow reviews or follow-up sessions.

    Explore accurate and affordable guidance with cheap psychic readings. Connect instantly with the best cheap phone psychics trusted by thousands.

    ⇒ Connect instantly and get free minutes with top-rated cheap psychics!

    As search interest grows for terms like “cheap psychic,” “cheap psychic readings,” and “affordable psychic readings,” it’s clear that accessibility is now just as important as accuracy. That’s why The-Psychic-Experts.com is committed to helping users find trusted, insightful services that don’t come with a high price tag.

    Unlike generic directories filled with marketing hype or vague listings, this guide was designed to provide real answers to real questions: Are psychics legitimate? Can you chat with a psychic online for free before paying? What are the best platforms for psychic phone readings on a budget?

    To answer these questions, The-Psychic-Experts.com reviewed platforms offering flexible options, such as chat or phone formats, transparent pricing, and specialties like love readings, energy healing, and mediumship. Special attention was given to services offering trial minutes, clear pricing, and affordable access to accurate guidance, helping users make informed choices without overspending.

    ⇒ Talk to cheap phone psychics for quick, accurate insights!

    The goal is to make it easy for users to find a cheap psychic without compromising on quality, accuracy, or privacy. Whether you’re looking for a quick live chat or a longer phone psychic reading, this guide connects you with options that suit both your budget and emotional needs.

    Trusted, accurate, and affordable — explore the best cheap psychic readings with top-rated cheap phone psychics who deliver real answers that matter.

    ⇒ Connect instantly with affordable and trusted cheap psychics!

    How The Psychic Experts Rank the Best Cheap Psychic Reading Services in 2025

    The psychic experts evaluate psychic reading platforms using a detailed and independent review system. The aim is to give users a clear understanding of what to expect from affordable psychic services before committing time or money. Every service reviewed is analyzed through several key criteria designed to ensure that the recommendations are trustworthy, accessible, and aligned with user expectations.

    Unlock your future with affordable and accurate cheap psychic readings. The best cheap phone psychics are available now for trusted, insightful advice.

    ⇒ Talk now to cheap phone psychics with a free trial offer!

    Price Transparency

    One of the most essential factors in the ranking process is pricing clarity. Services showing per-minute rates, trial offers, and refund terms are rated higher than those that obscure fees behind layered credit systems or hidden conditions. A primary concern among new users is being charged without fully understanding how pricing works. To address this, only platforms that provide upfront pricing and clearly explain the cost of cheap psychic readings were considered for the final list.

    The guide also places value on services that offer a low-cost entry point—such as a few free minutes to try the service or no requirement for upfront credit card information. These features help users test the quality of a phone psychic or live chat session before deciding whether to continue.

    ⇒ Connect with the most accurate cheap psychics today!

    Service Accessibility (Chat and Phone Options)

    Accessibility is also a priority. The rankings focus on services that support chat and phone psychic readings, allowing users to choose the most comfortable format. Some prefer speaking with a psychic by phone for a more direct and personal exchange, while others are more at ease using a chat-based interface, especially when exploring sensitive topics in private.

    In both formats, accessibility across devices (mobile and desktop), language support, and the option for instant sessions were all evaluated. Services that made it easy to chat with psychics online, free of complicated signups or long wait times, were rated more favorably.

    Spiritual Accuracy and Professionalism

    To assess the quality of the readings themselves, The-Psychic-Experts.com uses controlled testing. A selection of readers from each service is evaluated through trial sessions designed to measure consistency, relevance, and tone. Services that employed psychics with clear, situation-specific insights scored higher in this category.

    The site does not promote guarantees of supernatural outcomes or unrealistic claims. Instead, the focus is on practical guidance delivered respectfully, with a tone that supports emotional clarity. Psychics who consistently offered helpful, grounded insights in phone and chat formats were favored in the final ranking.

    ⇒ Discover affordable guidance with cheap psychic readings!

    User Experience and Real Reviews

    Finally, user feedback plays a central role in the ranking process. Hundreds of verified customer reviews, across multiple sources, were analyzed to identify patterns. Common themes included satisfaction with pricing, responsiveness, emotional impact, and whether the session met expectations.

    Services with frequent complaints about billing confusion, rushed readings, or lack of availability were excluded from the top ranks. Instead, preference was given to platforms with steady user satisfaction and repeat engagement.

    No specific company or brand is named in this report. The goal is to offer general consumer guidance based on consistent patterns and user needs. This approach protects the editorial neutrality of The-Psychic-Experts.com and keeps the focus on experience quality rather than marketing.

    The result is a trusted resource for anyone seeking a cheap psychic who can offer reliable advice without financial risk or long-term commitment.

    ⇒ Discover cheap psychic readings with honest and trusted advisors!

    What Makes Cheap Psychic Readings Online a Practical Option in 2025?

    There’s a common misunderstanding that lower-cost services mean lower quality. The-Psychic-Experts.com’s 2025 guide proves that this is not the case when it comes to psychic readings. Affordable services can deliver valuable, emotionally supportive insights, especially when evaluated carefully.

    Access Anytime, Across Time Zones

    One of the most substantial advantages of online psychic services is 24/7 access. No matter where the user is located, they can connect with a phone psychic or live chat advisor at any hour. This removes scheduling barriers and allows quick access during personal crises, major decisions, or periods of emotional uncertainty.

    The guide highlights how services offering both live chat and phone readings are helping users avoid the long wait times often associated with in-person appointments. Whether someone wants to speak with a psychic directly or have a text-based conversation, availability is much more flexible than before.

    ⇒ Talk live with affordable and accurate cheap psychics!

    Lower Cost Doesn’t Mean Low Value

    Price is a significant concern for many people looking for guidance, but not everyone can afford sessions that cost $5 or more per minute. The services reviewed in this report offer alternatives starting at under $1 per minute or include trial minutes to test the service at no cost.

    The ability to speak with cheap phone psychics under traditional rates means more people can access emotional support without pressure. It also encourages repeat engagement, helping users build longer-term insight without financial strain.

    Quality was not compromised. Many users reported that their experiences with cheap psychics were as detailed and impactful as sessions they’d previously paid more for. What matters most is how clear, focused, and helpful the reading is, not how much it costs.

    ⇒ Talk to cheap psychics now and enjoy a free trial session!

    Private, Flexible Sessions

    Not everyone is comfortable discussing personal issues face-to-face. Many users prefer psychic chat sessions because they can stay anonymous while receiving direct answers. The live chat format is handy for first-time users or those who want to explore specific questions discreetly.

    Phone readings remain a preferred option for those seeking a more interactive experience. The connection can feel more personal with voice tone, pauses, and real-time responses. Both methods have benefits, and having the option to choose adds to the appeal of cheap psychic readings online.

    Services that allow users to chat with psychics online for free, at least for a few minutes, give an added layer of confidence. They reduce risk, support trust, and allow users to experience the process before paying for a longer session.

    User Control and Session Customization

    Cheap psychic services often allow users to filter by category, skill, and reading style. This level of control helps people match with psychics who specialize in what they’re going through—whether that’s a relationship issue, work stress, or spiritual uncertainty.

    Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, users can choose how long they want their session to be, how much they’re willing to spend, and what topics they want to discuss.

    ⇒ Connect with top-rated cheap phone psychics today

    Types of Cheap Psychic Readings Available Online in 2025

    As demand for affordable psychic services increases, so do the options available. The psychic expert’s latest report outlines the most common formats users can choose from when seeking insight and support. These services are built around flexibility—letting people decide how to connect, how much time they want to spend, and what information they hope to receive.

    Psychic Phone Readings

    Phone psychic readings continue to be one of the most requested formats. This method lets users speak directly with a psychic, offering a natural and real-time conversation. Many people feel more connected when they hear voice tone, emotion, and pacing—all of which help build trust during a reading.

    Phone sessions are ideal for those who want detailed discussions or have multiple questions that need follow-up. They’re also preferred by people dealing with emotionally complex topics like relationship decisions or long-term career questions. Because of their interactive nature, phone readings often allow for deeper follow-through and clarification.

    Phone psychic readings are offered at various price points. The report features several services where cheap phone psychics offer quality sessions under $2 per minute, with many providing free minutes upfront for first-time users.

    ⇒ Talk to psychic experts offering affordable phone readings!

    Live Psychic Chat Readings

    Chat-based readings are especially popular with users who prefer privacy or wish to remain anonymous. This format involves real-time messaging with a psychic advisor, often through a platform’s built-in chat tool.

    Many users choose this option because it gives them more time to think about what they want to say. It also creates a written transcript of the conversation, which can be helpful for review later. Live psychic chat is a common starting point for new users exploring the service without committing to a phone call.

    For those wondering if chat readings are as effective as phone ones, The-Psychic-Experts.com notes that both formats can be equally accurate. The decision often comes down to personal comfort.

    Chat services are also a strong choice for people with hearing difficulties or those in shared living spaces where phone calls aren’t ideal. They often include features like instant connection, user ratings, and profile filters that help match the reader to the user’s concerns.

    ⇒ Connect with cheap psychics who offer real insight

    Psychic Medium Chat

    This chat form focuses specifically on communicating with loved ones who have passed away. Medium readings are usually more specialized and are handled by psychics trained in this type of spiritual connection.

    The format can vary between chat and phone, but many people find psychic medium chat to be less overwhelming than a phone session, especially when dealing with grief. Written communication allows them to take their time, reflect, and process what is being shared.

    Not all services offer this type of reading, and The-Psychic-Experts.com’s report highlights which platforms include mediumship among their specialties. Readers trained in this area are usually marked clearly on their profiles, and users are encouraged to seek reviews before beginning a session.

    Free Psychic Reading Online Chat (No Credit Card Needed)

    A growing number of users prefer to try a reading without any financial commitment. The guide also looks at platforms offering free psychic chat with no credit card required.

    These trial sessions are often short, typically 3 to 5 minutes, but give users a sense of the reader’s style and accuracy. More importantly, they reduce the risk of misunderstanding pricing models or being locked into service before feeling confident.

    Many people use these free minutes to test multiple readers before deciding who to work with long-term. For those unsure where to start, this is one of the most practical ways to explore psychic reading without pressure.

    ⇒ Talk now and get a free trial with cheap psychic readings!

    When to Choose Chat or Phone

    There’s no single format that fits everyone. Choosing between chat and phone depends on the user’s communication style, emotional needs, and environment.

    Phone is best for:

    • Real-time emotional support
    • Follow-up questions
    • Detailed explanations

    Chat is best for:

    • Privacy or public settings
    • Written reference after the session
    • First-time users testing the service

    ⇒ Connect for accurate, affordable cheap phone psychic sessions

    How to Choose the Right Cheap Psychic for Your Needs

    Finding the right psychic doesn’t always mean finding the most expensive one. Many users discover that a low-cost reader can offer just as much value when properly vetted. The-Psychic-Experts.com outlines several tips to help people choose wisely, avoid common mistakes, and match with a psychic who aligns with their goals.

    Look for Verified Reviews and Reading Samples

    A good starting point is reading user feedback. Platforms included in the guide often feature star ratings, written testimonials, and repeat client data. These reviews can help identify patterns, such as whether a psychic is known for accuracy, compassion, or quick connection.

    Some services allow potential clients to read public transcripts or summaries from previous sessions. This can give insight into how the psychic communicates and whether their tone matches the user’s preferences.

    ⇒ Talk to affordable, cheap psychics with top reviews!

    Focus on Specialty Match

    Not all psychics work the same way. Some focus on love and relationships, while others specialize in spiritual growth, career decisions, or past life readings. Choosing someone aligned with the topic at hand makes the session more productive.

    For example:

    • Love readings: Look for keywords like soulmate, twin flame, or relationship analysis.
    • Career or money questions: Search for financial clarity or professional guidance tags.
    • Past life insight: Choose readers trained in regression or spiritual recall techniques.

    Use Free Minutes or Trial Offers

    Cheap psychic readings don’t mean guessing. Many reviewed services offer free 3–5 minutes to new users. This time can be used to evaluate clarity, tone, and connection before deciding whether to continue.

    Users can end the session without penalty if the reader seems unclear, vague, or repetitive. Trial minutes are essential for testing multiple options until the right match is found.

    ⇒ Talk to affordable psychics now and enjoy free minutes!

    Red Flags to Watch Out For

    While most reviewed services are legitimate, staying cautious is still essential. The-Psychic-Experts.com advises users to be aware of certain warning signs:

    • Pushing for extended time: If a reader pressures a client to extend beyond their planned session, this is a concern.
    • Making absolute promises: No psychic can guarantee specific outcomes.
    • Scare tactics or upselling: Any mention of curses, spells, or urgent need for payment to avoid bad energy is a red flag.

    If a psychic introduces those themes, users can disconnect immediately and report the session if needed.

    Trust Your First Impression

    First impressions matter. If a psychic doesn’t feel present, respectful, or connected in the first few minutes, they may not be the right choice.

    Users are encouraged to prepare a few clear questions before the session and to keep the conversation focused. The best psychics will listen carefully, respond directly, and create a comfortable space for users to share details at their own pace.

    ⇒ Talk to the best cheap psychics for career and relationship insights!

    What Real Users Say About Cheap Psychic Readings Online

    The psychic experts gathered experiences from everyday users who’ve turned to cheap psychic readings online for clarity and emotional support. The following testimonials represent user profiles covering a range of demographics and situations. These stories help show how accessible psychic services, including psychic phone readings and free psychic chat options, are making a difference in people’s lives in 2025.

    ⇒ Discover peace of mind with cheap psychic readings!

    Samantha, 27, Graphic Designer — Oregon

    “I started using psychic chat services about a year ago when I was going through a confusing breakup. I didn’t want to discuss it with friends, and therapy wasn’t in my budget. I found a cheap psychic online who helped me put my feelings in perspective. We connected through a free psychic reading online chat with no credit card required. I was surprised by how calming it was just to talk through things.”

    Samantha now uses affordable psychics for guidance on career decisions. “It’s a tool I use when I need another point of view. Not everything is groundbreaking, but the good sessions really help me get unstuck.”

    ⇒ Connect to trusted cheap psychics offering free minutes!

    Richard, 64, Retired Police Officer — Florida

    “I used to think psychic readings were all just entertainment. But when I lost my wife, I found myself searching for anything that could offer comfort. I wasn’t ready for a full conversation at first, so I tried a live psychic chat. The reader made no wild claims; it just helped me think about what I was holding onto.”

    Now, Richard prefers phone psychic readings. “Sometimes you just want to talk, and the chat doesn’t feel like enough. I’ve found a few cheap phone psychics who actually take the time to listen.”

    He continues to use psychic phone readings every few months. “The cost is manageable, and it helps me focus.”

    Tania, 35, Single Mother of Two — Texas

    “I work full-time and raise two kids. There’s not a lot of time or money left over for me. A friend told me about free psychic chat online, and I thought, ‘Why not?’ I asked about some decisions I’d been avoiding—whether to move, take a promotion, start dating again.”

    Tania found the convenience of live chat critical. “I could message someone late at night while the kids were sleeping. And the advice felt honest, not like someone trying to sell me a dream.”

    She’s used affordable psychic readings several times since. “You can get what you need in 15 minutes, and it doesn’t cost more than lunch. That’s what makes it sustainable.”

    ⇒ Discover love, money, and destiny with cheap phone psychics

    Closing Summary: A Practical Guide for Affordable Spiritual Support in 2025

    The Psychic Experts 2025 report is a practical resource for anyone looking to explore cheap psychic readings without confusion or high costs. By focusing on services that are accessible, affordable, and flexible, the guide helps users take control of their spiritual questions, whether they prefer quick online chats or full phone psychic readings.

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    The platform has helped thousands of people find their first psychic, explore new reading formats, and return to trusted advisors—all without long-term commitment or inflated pricing. Whether someone seeks relationship advice, closure from a past event, or direction in a career choice, the right psychic match is easier to find when guided by accurate, experience-based information.

    FAQs

    Are cheap psychic readings accurate?

    Yes, cheap psychic readings can be just as accurate as more expensive sessions. Many affordable psychics offer low rates to attract new clients or provide spiritual guidance to a wider audience. Accuracy depends more on the psychic’s ability than the price.

    What makes a psychic reading “cheap”?

    A cheap psychic reading usually refers to sessions offered at a lower-than-average rate, often as part of a promotion or introductory offer. Many trusted platforms feature cheap psychics with special deals like $1 per minute or free first minutes.

    Where can I find affordable psychic readings online?

    You can find affordable psychic readings on reputable websites that verify their psychics and offer user reviews. Look for platforms that highlight cheap phone psychics and chat options, with clearly stated pricing and customer support.

    Are cheap phone psychics reliable?

    Yes, many cheap phone psychics are experienced and trustworthy. Phone readings can offer the same depth and accuracy as in-person sessions, especially when provided by vetted and well-reviewed affordable psychics.

    Can I get a cheap psychic reading about love and relationships?

    Absolutely. Many cheap psychics specialize in love, relationships, and compatibility readings. Whether you’re dealing with heartbreak or seeking your soulmate, cheap psychic readings can offer deep insights at a low cost.

    How long does a cheap psychic reading last?

    The duration depends on the platform and your budget. Most cheap psychic readings are billed per minute, allowing you to control how much you spend. Short sessions can still provide powerful insights, especially with focused questions.

    What should I ask during an affordable psychic reading?

    Prepare clear, specific questions to get the most out of your affordable psychic reading. Topics can include love, career, family, finances, or spiritual growth. Many people ask cheap phone psychics about timing, decision-making, or past-life insights.

    Do affordable psychics offer free readings?

    Many affordable psychics offer the first few minutes free or discounted as a trial. While not completely free, these offers make it easy to test the psychic’s style and accuracy before committing to a full cheap psychic reading.

    Are cheap psychic readings safe and confidential?

    Yes, most reputable platforms that offer cheap psychic readings ensure privacy and confidentiality. Whether you’re connecting with cheap phone psychics or using online chat, your personal information and questions remain secure.

    What’s the difference between a cheap psychic and an expensive one?

    Often, the difference lies in popularity or years of experience. However, many cheap psychics are just as talented but choose to keep their rates accessible. It’s always a good idea to read reviews and choose a psychic based on connection and accuracy, not just price.

    Media Contact
    Company: The Psychic Experts
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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OSCE launches capacity-building series on virtual assets taxation in Moldova

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: OSCE launches capacity-building series on virtual assets taxation in Moldova

    Participants learning about virtual assets taxation at a workshop organized by the OSCE, Chisinau, 26 May 2025. (OSCE) Photo details

    Practitioners from Moldova’s State Tax Service and the Ministry of Finance worked to enhance their understanding of virtual assets, their tax implications, and effective regulation and compliance mechanisms at a workshop organized by the OSCE from 26 to 27 May in Chisinau.
    “It is very important to understand the tax aspects of the legal framework concerning virtual assets to clarify how we quantify the income and pay taxes for virtual assets,” said Olga Golban, Director of the State Tax Service. She highlighted the risks associated with unregulated virtual assets, including tax fraud and tax evasion.
    The two-day workshop provided an overview of international good practices for the taxation of virtual assets, tax avoidance schemes, the EU regulatory framework, among other topics. Participants also had the opportunity to explore blockchain technology through simulation exercises.
    “As virtual assets and cryptocurrencies continue to expand in scope and complexity, tax authorities around the world face both opportunities and challenges. Today’s workshop explores the topic of virtual assets taxation, good practices from different jurisdictions, and what we can do to better co-ordinate across borders while combating tax evasion,” said Vera Strobachova-Budway, Senior Economic Officer and Head of the Economic Governance Unit at the OSCE.
    This workshop marked the first of two workshops to set the foundation for enhancing Moldova’s institutional capacity to effectively address taxation challenges posed by virtual assets. A follow-up workshop is planned to take place in June.
    These workshops are being organized as part of the OSCE extrabudgetary project, “Innovative policy solutions to mitigate money-laundering risks of virtual assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities, which is financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Montgomery Man Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison Following Federal Firearm Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MONTGOMERY, AL – On May 22, 2025, 29-year-old Corey Jarrod Wortham of Montgomery, Alabama, received a sentenced of 84 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson. Following his prison term, Wortham will serve three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court records, on November 24, 2024, law enforcement in Montgomery responded to a report of a sexual assault, in which the caller identified Corey Wortham as a potential suspect. Upon arrival, officers spotted Wortham in a vehicle, but he fled the scene and successfully evaded capture. Before losing sight of Wortham, officers observed what appeared to be an AR-style pistol in his possession. The firearm was later recovered.

    Then, on December 18, 2024, agents with the Montgomery Area Crime Suppression (MACS) detail spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one used in the earlier incident. When agents attempted a traffic stop, the driver of the car initially refused to pull over. Law enforcement ultimately had to block his vehicle to prevent another escape. Inside the vehicle, agents found Wortham and a handgun.

    Due to prior felony convictions, Wortham is prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition. He pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm on January 23, 2025.

    The investigation was conducted by members of the MACS detail, which includes the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Joel Feil prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Oxbridge / SurancePlus to Participate in the “2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow” Virtual Conference Presented by Maxim Group LLC

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands, May 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: OXBR) (“Oxbridge Re”), together with its subsidiary SurancePlus, is engaged in the tokenization of Real-World Assets (“RWAs”), initially with tokenized reinsurance securities and in providing reinsurance solutions to property and casualty insurers in the Gulf Coast region of the United States. The company today announced its CEO Jay Madhu has been invited to present at the “2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow,” presented by Maxim Group LLC, on Tuesday, June 3rd at 1:00 PM EDT.

    Event Details: Oxbridge / SurancePlus CEO and Maxim Senior Analyst Fireside Chat
    Date: Tuesday, June 3, 2025
    Time: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM (EDT)
    Location: This conference will be live on M-Vest. To attend, sign up to become an M-Vest member.
    Click here to learn more and reserve your seat.

    Discussion Highlights

    • Bringing Traditional Finance On-Chain: How Oxbridge and SurancePlus are leveraging blockchain to modernize reinsurance markets
    • Democratization of Reinsurance: Making reinsurance accessible to a much broader range of investors globally
    • Tokenized Reinsurance RWAs: A first-of-its-kind asset class offered by a public company subsidiary, targeting 20% and 42% annual yields

    Jay Madhu, CEO of Oxbridge, commented: “Maxim’s Tech Conference is a great platform to showcase how we are bridging traditional insurance with Web3 and blockchain innovation. At SurancePlus, we are not just creating tokenized reinsurance securities – we are expanding access to a high-yield opportunity that is uncorrelated to traditional capital markets and has been historically inaccessible to most.”

    Oxbridge / SurancePlus will be taking part in the “2025 Virtual Tech Conference: Discover the Innovations Reshaping Tomorrow.” The rapid evolution of technology is paving the way for disruption across all industries, including healthcare, drones, consumer IoT, business solutions, gaming & entertainment, and more. In Maxim’s 2025 Virtual Tech Conference, we will explore how emerging growth companies are expanding their use of Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to position themselves for the future. Maxim Senior Analysts will facilitate engaging dialogues with CEOs and key management of diverse companies who have their attention on technology and how it will impact and grow their business.

    About Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited 

    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: OXBR, OXBRW) (“Oxbridge”) is headquartered in the Cayman Islands. The company offers tokenized Real-World Assets (“RWAs”) as tokenized reinsurance securities and reinsurance business solutions to property and casualty insurers, through its wholly owned subsidiaries SurancePlus Inc., Oxbridge Re NS, and Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited.

    Insurance businesses in the Gulf Coast region of the United States purchase property and casualty reinsurance through our licensed reinsurers Oxbridge Reinsurance Limited and Oxbridge Re NS.

    Our Web3-focused subsidiary, SurancePlus Inc. (“SurancePlus”), has developed the first “on-chain” reinsurance RWA of its kind to be sponsored by a subsidiary of a publicly traded company. By digitizing interests in reinsurance contracts as on-chain RWAs, SurancePlus has democratized the availability of reinsurance as an alternative investment to both U.S. and non-U.S. investors. 

    Company Contact:
    Oxbridge Re Holdings Limited
    Jay Madhu, CEO
    +1 345-749-7570
    jmadhu@oxbridgere.com

    About Maxim Group LLC

    Maxim Group LLC is a full-service investment banking, securities and wealth management firm headquartered in New York. The Firm provides a full array of financial services including investment banking; private wealth management; and global institutional equity, fixed-income and derivatives sales & trading, equity research and prime brokerage services. Maxim Group is a registered broker-dealer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB) and is a member of FINRA SIPC, and NASDAQ. To learn more about Maxim Group, visit maximgrp.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Queer country: LGBTQ+ musicians are outside the spotlight as Grand Ole Opry turns 100

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Tanya Olson, Associate Teaching Professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

    The iconic circle in the Grand Ole Opry stage. Who gets to stand in it? Timothy Wildey/Flickr, CC BY-NC

    On March 15, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry country music radio show closed its run at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, with Johnny and June Carter Cash leading the song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.” After that final show, a six-foot circle of wood was cut from the Ryman stage and moved to the new Grand Ole Opry House.

    The next night, Roy Acuff opened the first show at the new venue. A video of Acuff singing in the 1940s played before the screen lifted to reveal Acuff himself, singing live in the same spot. The message was clear: Though the stage had changed, the story continued. The circle had not been broken.

    The Opry began on WSM on Nov. 28, 1925, and is celebrating its centennial with a series of concerts and tributes under the name Opry 100. On March 19, 2025, Reba McEntire stepped onto the iconic circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage and kicked off NBC’s Opry 100 celebration with a verse of “Sweet Dreams.”

    The final song of the night was “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” performed by country legends like Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely alongside newcomers like Lainey Wilson and Post Malone. It was a moment meant to celebrate 100 years of country music tradition and connection with a stage full of voices harmonizing across generations. A circle, unbroken.

    But that night in March, one group of country performers was missing. Not a single openly gay, lesbian or bisexual artist appeared onstage during the anniversary celebration. In a moment designed to honor the full sweep of the genre’s past and future, a long line of country musicians was left standing outside the spotlight once again.

    Wilma Burgess’ sexuality was common knowledge in music industry circles in the 1960s and ‘70s.

    A slowly opening circle

    Country music has never been without queer voices, but it regularly refuses to acknowledge them.

    From 1962 to 1982, Wilma Burgess had 15 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country chart and two Grammy Award nominations. She recorded with legendary producer Owen Bradley and had Top 10 hits like “Misty Blue.” Despite this success, Burgess never played the Opry. Though Burgess was never publicly out, her sexuality was common knowledge in recording circles. In the 1980s, she left music and opened The Hitching Post, Nashville’s first lesbian bar. Like so many queer country artists, Burgess had to build her legacy outside the circle.

    In the 1980s and 90s, k.d. lang and Sid Spencer expanded the presence of queer artists in country music. Lang won two Grammys and performed at the Opry, but she was labeled “cowpunk” and left the genre before coming out in 1992. Spencer released albums and toured widely within the gay rodeo circuit, but he was never recognized by mainstream country before his 1996 death from AIDS-related complications.

    The 2000s offered small openings. Mary Gauthier became the first openly queer artist to perform on the Opry stage in 2005. Chely Wright had a No. 1 country single before coming out in 2010, but didn’t return to the Opry until 2019. Ty Herndon charted 17 singles before coming out in 2014. He wouldn’t appear at the Opry again until 2023.

    These artists established themselves first and came out later, at great professional cost. The Opry hosts 5–6 shows a week, featuring 6–8 artists each night. In that context, a nine-year absence isn’t just a scheduling gap. In addition, the Grand Ole Opry currently has 76 members, a special designation indicating a level of success in country music. None of them identify as LGBTQ+.

    Today, there are signs of change. Lily Rose, who has been openly queer since the beginning of her career, receives radio play, has songs on the charts and tours widely. But she remains the exception, not the rule. Other openly LGBTQ+ artists like Paisley Fields, Mya Byrne and Amythyst Kiah are recording, performing and building loyal audiences, but they are still rarely featured on country radio or invited onto the Opry stage. The circle may be widening, but for many queer artists, it’s still just out of reach.

    The importance of the circle

    In country music, visibility isn’t just symbolic. If you’re not on the radio, you don’t chart. If you don’t chart, you don’t tour. Without that platform, you can’t build a legacy.

    Country radio and the Opry stage serve as gatekeepers of who counts. In 2015, a radio consultant infamously compared women artists to “tomatoes in the salad,” stating a few were fine, but they shouldn’t dominate. That same logic has long applied to queer artists; they can be tolerated at the edges but are rarely treated as essential.

    Genre labeling becomes another barrier. Brandi Carlile and Brandy Clark both openly identify as lesbians and have been embraced by country audiences and critics alike, but they are routinely categorized as Americana artists. That rebranding often functions as a fence that keeps artists close enough to celebrate, but far enough to exclude.

    Gina Venier is one of today’s many openly gay country artists.

    Reimagining the circle

    The Opry’s centennial celebrations are scheduled to continue through the end of 2025 with a concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall and a final anniversary show in Nashville on Nov. 28. Perhaps openly queer artists will take the stage at those events. If they do, it won’t just be symbolic; it will be a long overdue acknowledgment of artists who have always been here, even if they weren’t always seen.

    Country music’s strength lies in how it braids together American traditions: gospel and blues, Black and white, rural and urban, old and new. It’s not a genre built on purity, but one that relies on the mix. That mix is what makes country music American – and what makes it endure.

    If the circle on the Opry stage is meant to stand for country music itself, then I hope it will be like the music: honest and able to grow. If “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” is more of a promise than just a closing number, the future of country music depends on who’s allowed in the circle to sing it next.

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

    – ref. Queer country: LGBTQ+ musicians are outside the spotlight as Grand Ole Opry turns 100 – https://theconversation.com/queer-country-lgbtq-musicians-are-outside-the-spotlight-as-grand-ole-opry-turns-100-251892

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Deyanira Nevárez Martínez, Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, Michigan State University

    Model Cities staff in front of a Baltimore field office in 1971. Robert Breck Chapman Collection, Langsdale Library Special Collections, University of Baltimore, CC BY-NC-ND

    In cities across the U.S., the housing crisis has reached a breaking point. Rents are skyrocketing, homelessness is rising and working-class neighborhoods are threatened by displacement.

    These challenges might feel unprecedented. But they echo a moment more than half a century ago.

    In the 1950s and 1960s, housing and urban inequality were at the center of national politics. American cities were grappling with rapid urban decline, segregated and substandard housing, and the fallout of highway construction and urban renewal projects that displaced hundreds of thousands of disproportionately low-income and Black residents.

    The federal government decided to try to do something about it.

    President Lyndon B. Johnson launched one of the most ambitious experiments in urban policy: the Model Cities Program.

    As a scholar of housing justice and urban planning, I’ve studied how this short-lived initiative aimed to move beyond patchwork fixes to poverty and instead tackle its structural causes by empowering communities to shape their own futures.

    Building a great society

    The Model Cities Program emerged in 1966 as part of Johnson’s Great Society agenda, a sweeping effort to eliminate poverty, reduce racial injustice and expand social welfare programs in the United States.

    Earlier urban renewal programs had been roundly criticized for displacing communities of color. Much of this displacement occurred through federally funded highway and slum clearance projects that demolished entire neighborhoods and often left residents without decent options for new housing.

    So the Johnson administration sought a more holistic approach. The Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act established a federal framework for cities to coordinate housing, education, employment, health care and social services at the neighborhood level.

    New York City neighborhoods designated for revitalization with funding from the Model Cities Program.
    The City of New York, Community Development Program: A Progress Report, December 1968.

    To qualify for the program, cities had to apply for planning grants by submitting a detailed proposal that included an analysis of neighborhood conditions, long-term goals and strategies for addressing problems.

    Federal funds went directly to city governments, which then distributed them to local agencies and community organizations through contracts. These funds were relatively flexible but had to be tied to locally tailored plans. For example, Kansas City, Missouri, used Model Cities funding to support a loan program that expanded access to capital for local small businesses, helping them secure financing that might otherwise have been out of reach.

    Unlike previous programs, Model Cities emphasized what Johnson described as “comprehensive” and “concentrated” efforts. It wasn’t just about rebuilding streets or erecting public housing. It was about creating new ways for government to work in partnership with the people most affected by poverty and racism.

    A revolutionary approach to poverty

    What made Model Cities unique wasn’t just its scale but its philosophy. At the heart of the program was an insistence on “widespread citizen participation,” which required cities that received funding to include residents in the planning and oversight of local programs.

    The program also drew inspiration from civil rights leaders. One of its early architects, Whitney M. Young Jr., had called for a “Domestic Marshall Plan” – a reference to the federal government’s efforts to rebuild Europe after World War II – to redress centuries of racial inequality.

    Civil rights activist Whitney M. Young Jr. helped shape the vision of the Model Cities Program.
    Bettmann/Getty Images

    Young’s vision helped shape the Model Cities framework, which proposed targeted systemic investments in housing, health, education, employment and civic leadership in minority communities. In Atlanta, for example, the Model Cities Program helped fund neighborhood health clinics and job training programs. But the program also funded leadership councils that for the first time gave local low-income residents a direct voice in how city funds were spent.

    In other words, neighborhood residents weren’t just beneficiaries. They were planners, advisers and, in some cases, staffers.

    This commitment to community participation gave rise to a new kind of public servant – what sociologists Martin and Carolyn Needleman famously called “guerrillas in the bureaucracy.”

    A Model Cities staffer discusses the program to a group of students gathered at Denver’s Metropolitan Youth Education Center in 1970.
    Bill Wunsch/The Denver Post via Getty Images

    These were radical planners – often young, idealistic and deeply embedded in the neighborhoods they served. Many were recruited and hired through new Model Cities funding that allowed local governments to expand their staff with community workers aligned with the program’s goals.

    Working from within city agencies, these new planners used their positions to challenge top-down decision-making and push for community-driven planning.

    Their work was revolutionary not because they dismantled institutions but because they reimagined how institutions could function, prioritizing the voices of residents long excluded from power.

    Strengthening community ties

    In cities across the country, planners fought to redirect public resources toward locally defined priorities.

    A mobile dentist office in Baltimore.
    Robert Breck Chapman Collection, Langsdale Library Special Collections, University of Baltimore, CC BY-NC-ND

    In some cities, such as Tucson, the program funded education initiatives such as bilingual cultural programming and college scholarships for local students. In Baltimore, it funded mobile health services and youth sports programs.

    In New York City, the program supported new kinds of housing projects called vest-pocket developments, which got their name from their smaller scale: midsize buildings or complexes built on vacant lots or underutilized land. New housing such as the Betances Houses in the South Bronx were designed to add density without major redevelopment taking place – a direct response to midcentury urban renewal projects, which had destroyed and displaced entire neighborhoods populated by the city’s poorest residents. Meanwhile, cities such as Seattle used the funds to renovate older apartment buildings instead of tearing them down, which helped preserve the character of local neighborhoods.

    The goal was to create affordable housing while keeping communities intact.

    An Atlanta neighborhood identified as a candidate for street paving and home rehabilitation as part of the Model Cities Program.
    Georgia State University Special Collections

    What went wrong?

    Despite its ambitious vision, Model Cities faced resistance almost from the start. The program was underfunded and politically fragile. While some officials had hoped for US$2 billion in annual funding, the actual allocation was closer to $500 million to $600 million, spread across more than 60 cities.

    Then the political winds shifted. Though designed during the optimism of the mid-1960s, the program started being implemented under President Richard Nixon in 1969. His administration pivoted away from “people programs” and toward capital investment and physical development. Requirements for resident participation were weakened, and local officials often maintained control over the process, effectively marginalizing the everyday citizens the program was meant to empower.

    In cities such as San Francisco and Chicago, residents clashed with bureaucrats over control, transparency and decision-making. In some places, participation was reduced to token advisory roles. In others, internal conflict and political pressure made sustained community governance nearly impossible.

    Critics, including Black community workers and civil rights activists, warned that the program risked becoming a new form of “neocolonialism,” one that used the language of empowerment while concentrating control in the hands of white elected officials and federal administrators.

    A legacy worth revisiting

    Although the program was phased out by 1974, its legacy lived on.

    In cities across the country, Model Cities trained a generation of Black and brown civic leaders in what community development leaders and policy advocates John A. Sasso and Priscilla Foley called “a little noticed revolution.” In their book of the same name, they describe how those involved in the program went on to serve in local government, start nonprofits and advocate for community development.

    It also left an imprint on later policies. Efforts such as participatory budgeting, community land trusts and neighborhood planning initiatives owe a debt to Model Cities’ insistence that residents should help shape the future of their communities. And even as some criticized the program for failing to meet its lofty goals, others saw its value in creating space for democratic experimentation.

    A housing meeting takes place at a local Model Cities field office in Baltimore in 1972.
    Robert Breck Chapman Collection, Langsdale Library Special Collections, University of Baltimore, CC BY-NC-ND

    Today’s housing crisis demands structural solutions to structural problems. The affordable housing crisis is deeply connected to other intersecting crises, such as climate change, environmental injustice and health disparities, creating compounding risks for the most vulnerable communities. Addressing these issues through a fragmented social safety net – whether through housing vouchers or narrowly targeted benefit programs – has proven ineffective.

    Today, as policymakers once again debate how to respond to deepening inequality and a lack of affordable housing, the lost promise of Model Cities offers vital lessons.

    Model Cities was far from perfect. But it offered a vision of how democratic, local planning could promote health, security and community.

    Deyanira Nevárez Martínez is a trustee of the Lansing School District Board of Education and is currently a candidate for the Lansing City Council Ward 2.

    – ref. Could a bold anti-poverty experiment from the 1960s inspire a new era in housing justice? – https://theconversation.com/could-a-bold-anti-poverty-experiment-from-the-1960s-inspire-a-new-era-in-housing-justice-253706

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Air traffic controller shortages in Newark and other airports partly reflect long, intense training − but university-based training programs are becoming part of the solution

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Melanie Dickman, Lecturer in Aviation Studies, The Ohio State University

    Air traffic controllers observe a plane taking off from San Francisco International Airport in 2017. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

    Air traffic controllers have been in the news a lot lately.

    A spate of airplane crashes and near misses have highlighted the ongoing shortage of air traffic workers, leading more Americans to question the safety of air travel.

    The shortage, as well as aging computer systems, have also led to massive flight disruptions at airports across the country, particularly at Newark Liberty International Airport. The staffing shortage is also likely at the center of an investigation of a deadly crash between a commercial plane and an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., in January 2025.

    One reason for the air traffic controller shortage relates to the demands of the job: The training to become a controller is extremely intense, and the Federal Aviation Administration wants only highly qualified personnel to fill those seats, which has made it difficult for what has been the sole training center in the U.S., located in Oklahoma City, to churn out enough qualified graduates each year.

    As scholars who study and teach tomorrow’s aviation professionals, we are working to be part of the solution. Our program at Ohio State University is applying to join over two dozen other schools in an effort to train air traffic controllers and help alleviate the shortage.

    Air traffic controller school

    Air traffic control training today – overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration – remains as intense as it’s ever been.

    In fact, about 30% of students fail to make it from their first day of training at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City to the status of a certified professional air traffic controller. The academy currently trains the majority of the air traffic controllers in the U.S.

    Before someone is accepted into the training program, they must meet several qualifications. That includes being a U.S. citizen under the age of 31 and speaking English clearly enough to be understood over the radio. The low recruitment age is because controllers currently have a mandatory retirement age of 56 – with some exceptions – and the FAA wants them to work for at least 25 years in the job.

    They must also pass a medical exam and security investigation. And they must pass the air traffic controller specialists skills assessment battery, which measures an applicant’s spatial awareness and decision-making abilities.

    Candidates, additionally, must have three years of general work experience, or a combination of postsecondary education and work experience totaling at least three years.

    This alone is no easy feat. Fewer than 10% of applicants meet those initial requirements and are accepted into training.

    An air traffic controller monitors a runway in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
    AP Photo/Seth Wenig

    Intense training

    Once applicants meet the initial qualifications, they begin a strenuous training process.

    This begins with several weeks of classroom instruction and several months of simulator training. There are several types of simulators, and a student is assigned to a simulator based on the type of facility for which they will be hired – which depends on a trainee’s preference and where controllers are needed.

    There are two main types of air traffic facilities: control towers and radar. Anyone who has flown on a plane has likely seen a control tower near the runways, with 360 degrees of tall glass windows to monitor the skies nearby. Controllers there mainly look outside to direct aircraft but also use radar to monitor the airspace and assist aircraft in taking off and landing safely.

    Radar facilities, on the other hand, monitor aircraft solely through the use of information depicted on a screen. This includes aircraft flying just outside the vicinity of a major airport or when they’re at higher altitudes and crisscrossing the skies above the U.S. The controllers ensure they don’t fly too close to one another as they follow their flight paths between airports.

    If the candidates make it through the first stage, which takes about six months and extensive testing to meet standards, they will be sent to their respective facilities.

    Once there, they again go to the classroom, learning the details of the airspace they will be working in. There are more assessments and chances to “wash out” and have to leave the program.

    Finally, the candidates are paired with an experienced controller who conducts on-the-job training to control real aircraft. This process may take an additional year or more. It depends on the complexity of the airspace and the amount of aircraft traffic at the site.

    Two control towers watch over Newark Liberty International Airport, where a shortage of air traffic controllers has led to blackouts and other problems lately.
    AP Photo/Seth Wenig

    Increasing the employment pipeline

    But no matter how good the training is, if there aren’t enough graduates, that’s a problem for managing the increasingly crowded skies.

    The FAA is currently facing a deficit of about 3,000 controllers and has unveiled a plan in May 2025 to increase hiring and boost retention. In addition, Congress is mulling spending billions of dollars to update the FAA’s aging systems and hire more air traffic controllers.

    Other plans include paying retention bonuses and allowing more controllers to work beyond the age of 56. That retirement age was put in place in the 1970s on the assumption that cognition for most people begins to decline around then, although research shows that age alone is not necessarily a predictor of cognitive abilities.

    But we believe that aviation programs and universities can play an important role fixing the shortage by providing FAA Academy-level training.

    Currently, 32 universities including the Florida Institute of Technology and Arizona State University partner with the FAA in its collegiate training initiative to provide basic air traffic control training, which gives graduates automatic entry into the FAA Academy and allows them to skip five weeks of coursework.

    The institution where we work, Ohio State University, is currently working on becoming the 33rd this summer and plans to offer an undergraduate major in aviation with specialization in air traffic control.

    This helps, but an enhanced version of this program, announced in October 2024, allows graduates of a select few of those universities to skip the FAA Academy altogether and go straight to a control tower or radar facility once they’ve passed all the extensive tests. These schools must match or exceed the level of rigor in their training with the FAA Academy itself.

    At the end of the program, students are required to pass an evaluation by an FAA-approved evaluator to ensure that the student graduating from the program meets the same standards as all FAA Academy graduates and is prepared to go to their assigned facility for further training. So far, five schools, such as the University of North Dakota, have joined this program and are currently training air traffic controllers. We intend to join this group in the near future.

    Allowing colleges and universities to start the training process while students are still in school should accelerate the pace at which new controllers enter the workforce, alleviate the shortage and make the skies over the U.S. as safe as they can be.

    Melanie Dickman is a member at large of the Air Traffic Controllers Association

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

    – ref. Air traffic controller shortages in Newark and other airports partly reflect long, intense training − but university-based training programs are becoming part of the solution – https://theconversation.com/air-traffic-controller-shortages-in-newark-and-other-airports-partly-reflect-long-intense-training-but-university-based-training-programs-are-becoming-part-of-the-solution-249715

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Managing forests and other ecosystems under rising threats requires thinking across wide-ranging scenarios

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kyra Clark-Wolf, Research Scientist in Ecological Transformation, University of Colorado Boulder

    Thinking through scenarios allows land managers to prepare for many potential outcomes. Benjamin Slyngstad via USGS

    In Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in California, trees that have persisted through rain and shine for thousands of years are now facing multiple threats triggered by a changing climate.

    Scientists and park managers once thought giant sequoia forests nearly impervious to stressors like wildfire, drought and pests. Yet, even very large trees are proving vulnerable, particularly when those stressors are amplified by rising temperatures and increasing weather extremes.

    The rapid pace of climate change – combined with threats like the spread of invasive species and diseases – can affect ecosystems in ways that defy expectations based on past experiences. As a result, Western forests are transitioning to grasslands or shrublands after unprecedented wildfires. Woody plants are expanding into coastal wetlands. Coral reefs are being lost entirely.

    Nate Stephenson, from the U.S. Geological Survey, talks about the fire damage at Redwood Mountain Grove in the Kings Canyon National Park, Calif., in 2021.
    AP Photo/Gary Kazanjian

    To protect these places, which are valued for their natural beauty and the benefits they provide for recreation, clean water and wildlife, forest and land managers increasingly must anticipate risks they have never seen before. And they must prepare for what those risks will mean for stewardship as ecosystems rapidly transform.

    As ecologists and a climate scientist, we’re helping them figure out how to do that.

    Managing changing ecosystems

    Traditional management approaches focus on maintaining or restoring how ecosystems looked and functioned historically.

    However, that doesn’t always work when ecosystems are subjected to new and rapidly shifting conditions.

    Ecosystems have many moving parts – plants, animals, fungi and microbes; and the soil, air and water in which they live – that interact with one another in complex ways.

    When the climate changes, it’s like shifting the ground on which everything rests. The results can undermine the integrity of the system, leading to ecological changes that are hard to predict.

    To plan for an uncertain future, natural resource managers need to consider many different ways changes in climate and ecosystems could affect their landscapes. Essentially, what scenarios are possible?

    Preparing for multiple possibilities

    At Sequoia and Kings Canyon, park managers were aware that climate change posed some big risks to the iconic trees under their care. More than a decade ago, they undertook a major effort to explore different scenarios that could play out in the future.

    It’s a good thing they did, because some of the more extreme possibilities they imagined happened sooner than expected.

    In 2014, drought in California caused the giant sequoias’ foliage to die back, something never documented before. In 2017, sequoia trees began dying from insect damage. And, in 2020 and 2021, fires burned through sequoia groves, killing thousands of ancient trees.

    While these extreme events came as a surprise to many people, thinking through the possibilities ahead of time meant the park managers had already begun to take steps that proved beneficial. One example was prioritizing prescribed burns to remove undergrowth that could fuel hotter, more destructive fires.

    Insulating wraps protected the giant sequoia General Sherman from a fire in 2021.
    Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

    The key to effective planning is a thoughtful consideration of a suite of strategies that are likely to succeed in the face of many different changes in climates and ecosystems. That involves thinking through wide-ranging potential outcomes to see how different strategies might fare under each scenario – including preparing for catastrophic possibilities, even those considered unlikely.

    For example, prescribed burning may reduce risks from both catastrophic wildfire and drought by reducing the density of plant growth, whereas suppressing all fires could increase those risks in the long run.

    Strategies undertaken today have consequences for decades to come. Managers need to have confidence that they are making good investments when they put limited resources toward actions like forest thinning, invasive species control, buying seeds or replanting trees. Scenarios can help inform those investment choices.

    Constructing credible scenarios of ecological change to inform this type of planning requires considering the most important unknowns. Scenarios look not only at how the climate could change, but also how complex ecosystems could react and what surprises might lay beyond the horizon.

    Scientists at the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center are collaborating with managers in the Nebraska Sandhills to develop scenarios of future ecological change under different climate conditions, disturbance events like fires and extreme droughts, and land uses like grazing.
    Photos: T. Walz, M. Lavin, C. Helzer, O. Richmond, NPS (top to bottom)., CC BY

    Key ingredients for crafting ecological scenarios

    To provide some guidance to people tasked with managing these landscapes, we brought together a group of experts in ecology, climate science, and natural resource management from across universities and government agencies.

    We identified three key ingredients for constructing credible ecological scenarios:

    1. Embracing ecological uncertainty: Instead of banking on one “most likely” outcome for ecosystems in a changing climate, managers can better prepare by mapping out multiple possibilities. In Nebraska’s Sandhills, we are exploring how this mostly intact native prairie could transform, with outcomes as divergent as woodlands and open dunes.

    2. Thinking in trajectories: It’s helpful to consider not just the outcomes, but also the potential pathways for getting there. Will ecological changes unfold gradually or all at once? By envisioning different pathways through which ecosystems might respond to climate change and other stressors, natural resource managers can identify critical moments where specific actions, such as removing tree seedlings encroaching into grasslands, can steer ecosystems toward a more desirable future.

    3. Preparing for surprises: Planning for rare disasters or sudden species collapses helps managers respond nimbly when the unexpected strikes, such as a severe drought leading to widespread erosion. Being prepared for abrupt changes and having contingency plans can mean the difference between quickly helping an ecosystem recover and losing it entirely.

    Over the past decade, access to climate model projections through easy-to-use websites has revolutionized resource managers’ ability to explore different scenarios of how the local climate might change.

    What managers are missing today is similar access to ecological model projections and tools that can help them anticipate possible changes in ecosystems. To bridge this gap, we believe the scientific community should prioritize developing ecological projections and decision-support tools that can empower managers to plan for ecological uncertainty with greater confidence and foresight.

    Ecological scenarios don’t eliminate uncertainty, but they can help to navigate it more effectively by identifying strategic actions to manage forests and other ecosystems.

    Kyra Clark-Wolf receives funding from USGS, NSF, and National Park Service. She is affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder and the North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center.

    Brian W. Miller receives funding from the U.S. Geological Survey North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

    Imtiaz Rangwala receives funding from USGS, USDA, NOAA, US Forest Service and National Park Service. He is affiliated with the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, North Central Climate Adaptation Science Center, Western Water Assessment and Boundless In Motion.

    – ref. Managing forests and other ecosystems under rising threats requires thinking across wide-ranging scenarios – https://theconversation.com/managing-forests-and-other-ecosystems-under-rising-threats-requires-thinking-across-wide-ranging-scenarios-253842

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Barringer, Ph.D. Candidate in English, University of Iowa

    Several Republican-led states have restricted transgender rights: Iowa has signed a law removing civil rights protection for transgender people; Wyoming has prohibited state agencies from requiring the use of preferred pronouns; and Alabama recently passed a law that only two sexes would be recognized. Hundreds of bills have been introduced in other state legislatures to curtail trans rights.

    Earlier in the year, several White House executive orders pushed to deny trans identity. One of them, “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias,” claimed that gender-affirming policies of the Biden administration were “anti-Christian.” It accused the Biden Equal Employment Opportunity Commission of forcing “Christians to affirm radical transgender ideology against their faith.”

    To be clear, not all Christians are anti-trans. And in my research of medieval history and literature, I found evidence of a long history in Christianity of what today could be called “transgender” saints. While such a term did not exist in medieval times, the idea of men living as women, or women living as men, was unquestionably present in the medieval period. Many scholars have suggested that using the modern term transgender creates valuable connections to understand the historical parallels.

    There are at least 34 documented stories of transgender saints’ lives from the early centuries of Christianity. Originally appearing in Latin or Greek, several stories of transgender saints made their way into vernacular languages.

    Transgender saints

    Of the 34 original saints, at least three gained widespread popularity in medieval Europe: St. Eugenia, St. Euphrosyne and St. Marinos. All three were born as women but cut their hair and put on men’s clothes to live as men and join monasteries.

    Eugenia, raised pagan, joined a monastery to learn more about Christianity and later became abbot. Euphrosyne joined a monastery to escape an unwanted suitor and spent the rest of his life there. Marinos, born Marina, decided to renounce womanhood and live with his father at the monastery as a man.

    These were well-read stories. Eugenia’s story appeared in two of the most popular manuscripts of their day – Ælfric’s “Lives of Saints” and “The Golden Legend.” Ælfric was an English abbot who translated Latin saints’ lives into Old English in the 10th century, making them widely available to a lay audience. “The Golden Legend” was written in Latin and compiled in the 13th century; it is part of more than a thousand manuscripts.

    Euphrosyne also appears in Ælfric’s saints’ lives, as well as in other texts in Latin, Middle English, and Old French. Marinos’ story is available in over a dozen manuscripts in at least 10 languages. For those who couldn’t read, Ælfric’s saints’ lives and other manuscripts were read aloud in churches during service on the saint’s day.

    Euphrosyne of Alexandria.
    Anonymous via Wikimedia Commons

    A small church in Paris built in the 10th century was dedicated to Marinos, and relics of his body were supposedly kept in Qannoubine monastery in Lebanon.

    This is all to say, a lot of people were talking about these saints.

    Holy transness

    In the medieval period, saints’ lives were less important as history and more important as morality tales. As a morality tale, the audience was not intended to replicate a saint’s life, but learn to emulate Christian values. Transitioning between male and female becomes a metaphor for transitioning from pagan to Christian, affluence to poverty, worldliness to spirituality. The Catholic Church opposed cross-dressing in laws, liturgical meetings and other writings. However, Christianity honored the holiness of these transgender saints.

    In a 2021 collection of essays about transgender and queer saints in the medieval period, scholars Alicia Spencer-Hall and Blake Gutt argue that medieval Christianity saw transness as holy.

    “Transness is not merely compatible with holiness; transness itself is holy,” they write. Transgender saints had to reject convention in order to live their own authentic lives, just as early Christians had to reject convention in order to live as Christians.

    Literature scholar Rhonda McDaniel explains that in 10th-century England, adopting the Christian values of shunning wealth, militarism and sex made it easier for people to go beyond strict ideas about male and female gender. Instead of defining gender by separate male and female values, all individuals could be defined by the same Christian values.

    Historically and even in contemporary times, gender is associated with specific values and roles, such as assuming that homemaking is for women, or that men are stronger. But adopting these Christian values allowed individuals to transcend such distinctions, especially when they entered monasteries and nunneries.

    According to McDaniel, even cisgender saints like St. Agnes, St. Sebastian and St. George exemplified these values, exhibiting how anyone in the audience could push against gender stereotypes without changing their bodies.

    Agnes’ love of God allowed her to give up the role of wife. When offered love and wealth by men, she rejected them in favor of Christianity. Sebastian and George were powerful Roman men who were expected, as men, to engage in violent militarism. However, both rejected their violent Roman masculinity in favor of Christian pacifism.

    A life worth emulating

    Although most saints’ lives were written primarily as morality tales, the story of Joseph of Schönau was told as both very real and worthy of emulation by the audience. His story is told as a historical account of a life that would be attainable for ordinary Christians.

    In the late 12th century, Joseph, born female, joined a Cistercian monastery in Schönau, Germany. During his deathbed confession, Joseph told his life story, including his pilgrimage to Jerusalem as a child and his difficult journey back to Europe after the death of his father. When he finally returned to his birthplace of Cologne, he entered a monastery as a man in gratitude to God for returning him home safely.

    Despite arguing that Joseph’s life was worth emulating, the first author of Joseph’s story, Engelhard of Langheim, had a complicated relationship with Joseph’s gender. He claimed Joseph was a woman, but regularly used masculine pronouns to describe him.

    Marinos the monk.
    Richard de Montbaston via Wikimedia Commons

    Even though Eugenia, Euphrosyne and Marinos’ stories are told as morality tales, their authors had similarly complicated relationships with their gender. In the case of Eugenia, in one manuscript, the author refers to her with entirely female pronouns, but in another, the scribe slips into male pronouns.

    Marinos and Euphrosyne were also frequently referred to as male. The fact that the authors referred to these characters as male suggests that their transition to masculinity was not only a metaphor, but in some ways just as real as Joseph’s.

    Based on these stories, I argue that Christianity has a transgender history to pull from and many opportunities to embrace transness as an essential part of its values.

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

    – ref. Christianity has long revered saints who would be called ‘transgender’ today – https://theconversation.com/christianity-has-long-revered-saints-who-would-be-called-transgender-today-254769

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians?

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joanne M. Pierce, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, College of the Holy Cross

    Pope Leo XIV leaves the Augustinian General House in Rome after a visit on May 13, 2025. AP Photo/Domenico Stinellis

    When Pope Leo XIV was elected pope, the assembled crowd reacted with joy but also with surprise: He was the first pope from the United States, and North America more broadly. Moreover, he was the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected to the papacy.

    Out of all 267 popes, only 51 have been members of religious orders. Pope Francis was elected in 2013 as the first member of the Jesuit order, the Society of Jesus; he was also the first member of any religious order to be chosen in over 150 years.

    As a specialist in medieval Christianity, I am familiar with the origins of many Catholic religious orders, and I was intrigued by the choice of a member of the Order of St. Augustine to follow a Jesuit as pope.

    So, who are the Augustinians?

    Early monks and concern for community

    In antiquity, some Christians chose to lead a more perfect religious life by leaving ordinary society and living together in groups, in the wilderness. They would be led by an older, more experienced person – an abbot. As monks, they followed a set of regulations and guidelines called a “monastic rule.”

    The earliest of these rules, composed about the year 400, is attributed to an influential theologian, later a bishop in North Africa, called St. Augustine of Hippo. The Rule of St. Augustine is a short text that offered monks a firm structure for their daily lives of work and prayer, as well as guidelines on how these rules could be implemented by the abbot in different situations. The rule is both firm and flexible.

    The first chapter stresses the importance of “common life”: It instructs monks to love God and one’s neighbor by living “together in oneness of mind and heart, mutually honoring God in yourselves, whose temples you have become.”

    This is the overriding principle that shapes all later instructions in Augustinian rule.

    For example, Chapter III deals with how the monks should behave when out in public. They should not go alone, but in a group, and not engage in scandalous behavior – specifically, staring at women.

    If one monk starts staring at a woman, one of the other monks with him should “admonish” him. If he does it again, his companion should tell the abbot first, before any other witnesses are notified, so that the monk can try to change his behavior on his own first, so as not to cause disruption in the community.

    Because of this clarity and flexibility, its concern for both the community and the individual members, many early religious communities in the early Middle Ages adopted the Rule of St. Augustine; formal papal approval was not required at this time.

    Mendicant friars in medieval Europe

    By the end of the 12th century, Western Europe had become much more urbanized.

    In response, a new form of religious life emerged: the mendicant friars. Unlike monks who withdrew from ordinary life, mendicants stressed a life of poverty, spent in travel from town to town to preach and help the poor. They would beg for alms along the way to provide for their own needs.

    The first mendicant orders, like the Franciscans and Dominicans, received papal approval in the early 13th century. Others were organized later.

    A few decades later, several hermits living in the Italian region of Tuscany decided to join together to form a new mendicant order. They chose to follow the Rule of St. Augustine under one superior general; Pope Innocent IV approved the new order as the Order of Hermits of St. Augustine in 1244. Later, in 1254, Pope Alexander IV included other groups of hermits in the order, known as the Grand Union.

    The new order grew and eventually expanded across Western Europe, becoming involved in preaching and other kinds of pastoral work in several countries.

    Early missionaries to modern times

    As European countries began to explore the New World, missionary priests took their place on ships sent from Catholic countries, like Spain and Portugal.

    Augustinians were among these early missionaries, quickly establishing themselves in Latin America, several countries in Africa and parts of Southeast Asia and Oceania, arriving in the Philippines in the 16th century.

    There, they not only ministered to the European crews and colonists, but they also evangelized – preached the Christian gospel – to the native inhabitants of the country.

    Augustinian missionaries started the process of setting up Catholic parishes and, eventually, new dioceses. In time, they founded and taught in seminaries to train native-born men who wanted to join their order.

    It wasn’t until the end of the 18th century that Augustinian friars arrived in the United States. Despite many struggles and setbacks in the 19th century, they established Villanova University in Pennsylvania and other ministries in New York and Massachusetts. Except for two 17th-century missionaries, Augustinian friars didn’t arrive in Canada until the 20th century, when they were sent from the German province of the order to escape financial pressure from the economic depression of the 1920s and political pressure from the Nazis.

    Pope Francis meets with members of the Order of Augustinian Recollects at the Vatican on Oct. 20, 2016.
    L’Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP

    Today, there are some 2,800 Augustinian friars in almost 50 countries worldwide. They serve as pastors, teachers and bishops, and have founded schools, colleges and universities on almost every continent. They are also active in promoting social justice in many places – for example, in North America and Australasia, comprising Australia and parts of South Asia.

    Based on his years as a missionary and as provincial of the entire order worldwide, Leo XIV draws on the rich interpersonal tradition of the Order of St. Augustine. I believe his pontificate will be one marked by his experiential awareness of Catholicism as a genuinely global religion, and his deep concern for the suffering of the marginalized and those crushed by political and economic injustice.

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

    – ref. Pope Leo XIV is the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to be elected pope – but who are the Augustinians? – https://theconversation.com/pope-leo-xiv-is-the-first-member-of-the-order-of-st-augustine-to-be-elected-pope-but-who-are-the-augustinians-257175

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Deni, Research Professor of Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational Security Studies, US Army War College

    American soldiers join 3,000 troops from other NATO member countries in a four-week exercise in Hohenfels, Germany, in March 2025. Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    The United States has long played a leadership role in NATO, the most successful military alliance in history.

    The U.S. and 11 other countries in North America and Europe founded NATO in 1949, following World War II. NATO has since grown its membership to include 32 countries in Europe and North America.

    But now, European leaders and politicians fear the United States has become a less reliable ally, posing major challenges for Europe and, by implication, NATO.

    This concern is not unfounded.

    President Donald Trump has repeatedly spoken of a desire to seize Greenland, which is an autonomous territory of Denmark, a NATO member. He has declared that Canada, another NATO member, should become “the 51st state.” Trump has also sided with Russia at the United Nations and said that the European Union, the political and economic group uniting 27 European countries, was designed to “screw” the U.S.

    Still, Trump – as well as other senior U.S. government officials – has said that the U.S. remains committed to staying in and supporting NATO.

    For decades, both liberal and conservative American politicians have recognized that the U.S. strengthens its own military and economic interests by being a leader in NATO – and by keeping thousands of U.S. troops based in Europe to underwrite its commitment.

    President Donald Trump speaks at a NATO Summit in July 2018 during his first term.
    Sean Gallup/Getty Images

    Understanding NATO

    The U.S., Canada and 10 Western European countries formed NATO nearly 80 years ago as a way to help maintain peace and stability in Europe following World War II. NATO helped European and North American countries bind together and defend themselves against the threat once posed by the Soviet Union, a former communist empire that fell in 1991.

    NATO employs about 2,000 people at its headquarters in Brussels. It does not have its own military troops and relies on its 32 member countries to volunteer their own military forces to conduct operations and other tasks under NATO’s leadership.

    NATO does have its own military command structure, led by an American military officer, and including military officers from other countries. This team plans and executes all NATO military operations.

    In peacetime, military forces working with NATO conduct training exercises across Eastern Europe and other places to help reassure allies about the strength of the military coalition – and to deter potential aggressors, like Russia.

    NATO has a relatively small annual budget of around US$3.6 billion. The U.S. and Germany are the largest contributors to this budget, each responsible for funding 16% of NATO’s costs each year.

    Separate from NATO’s annual budget, in 2014, NATO members agreed that each participating country should spend the equivalent of 2% of its gross domestic product on their own national defense. Twenty two of NATO’s 31 members with military forces were expected that 2% threshold as of April 2025.

    Although NATO is chiefly a military alliance, it has roots in the mutual economic interests of both the U.S. and Europe.

    Europe is the United States’ most important economic partner. Roughly one-quarter of all U.S. trade is with Europe – more than the U.S. has with Canada, China or Mexico.

    Over 2.3 million American jobs are directly tied to producing exports that reach European countries that are part of NATO.

    NATO helps safeguard this mutual economic relationship between the U.S. and Europe. If Russia or another country tries to intimidate, dominate or even invade a European country, this could hurt the American economy. In this way, NATO can be seen as the insurance policy that underwrites the strength and vitality of the American economy.

    The heart of that insurance policy is Article 5, a mutual defense pledge that member countries agree to when they join NATO.

    Article 5 says that an armed attack against one NATO member is considered an attack against the entire alliance. If one NATO member is attacked, all other NATO members must help defend the country in question. NATO members have only invoked Article 5 once, following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks in the U.S., when the alliance deployed aircraft to monitor U.S. skies.

    A wavering commitment to Article 5

    Trump has questioned whether he would enforce Article 5 and help defend a NATO country if it is not paying the required 2% of its gross domestic product.

    NBC News also reported in April 2025 that the U.S. is likely going to cut 10,000 or more of the nearly 85,000 American troops stationed in Europe. The U.S. might also relinquish its top military leadership position within NATO, according to NBC.

    Many political analysts expect the U.S. to shift its national security focus away from Europe and toward threats posed by China – specifically, the threat of China invading or attacking Taiwan.

    At the same time, the Trump administration appears eager to reset relations with Russia. This is despite the Russian military’s atrocities committed against Ukrainian military forces and civilians in the war Russia began in 2022, and Russia’s intensifying hybrid war against Europeans in the form of covert spy attacks across Europe. This hybrid warfare allegedly includes Russia conducting cyberattacks and sabotage operations across Europe. It also involves Russia allegedly trying to plant incendiary devices on planes headed to North America, among other things.

    President Joe Biden speaks during a NATO summit in Washington in July 2024.
    Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images

    A shifting role in Europe

    The available evidence indicates that the U.S. is backing away from its role in Europe. At best – from a European security perspective – the U.S. could still defend European allies with the potential threat of its nuclear weapon arsennal. The U.S. has significantly more nuclear weapons than any Western European country, but it is not clear that this is enough to deter Russia without the clear presence of large numbers of American troops in Europe, especially given that Moscow continues to perceive the U.S. as NATO’s most important and most powerful member.

    For this reason, significantly downsizing the number of U.S. troops in Europe, giving up key American military leadership positions in NATO, or backing away from the alliance in other ways appears exceptionally perilous. Such actions could increase Russian aggression across Europe, ultimately threatening not just European security bu America’s as well.

    Maintaining America’s leadership position in NATO and sustaining its troop levels in Europe helps reinforce the U.S. commitment to defending its most important allies. This is the best way to protect vital U.S. economic interests in Europe today and ensure Washington will have friends to call on in the future.

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

    – ref. Europeans are concerned that the US will withdraw support from NATO. They are right to worry − Americans should, too – https://theconversation.com/europeans-are-concerned-that-the-us-will-withdraw-support-from-nato-they-are-right-to-worry-americans-should-too-253907

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why some towns lose local news − and others don’t

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Abby Youran Qin, Ph.D. candidate at School of Journalism & Mass Communication, University of Wisconsin-Madison

    Five elements determine which towns lose their papers and which ones beat the odds. Hans Henning Wenk/Getty Images

    Why did your hometown newspaper vanish while the next town over kept theirs?

    This isn’t bad luck − it’s a systemic pattern. Since 2005, the United States has lost over one-third of its local newspapers, creating “news deserts” where corruption is more likely to spread and communities may become politically polarized.

    My research, published in Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, analyzes the factors behind the decline of local newspapers between 2004 and 2018. It identifies five key drivers − ranging from racial disparity to market forces − that determine which towns lose their papers and which ones beat the odds.

    1. Newspapers follow the money, not community needs

    You might expect news media to gravitate toward areas where their work is needed most − communities experiencing population growth or facing systemic challenges. But in reality, newspapers, like any business, tend to thrive where the financial resources are greatest.

    My analyses suggest that local newspapers survive where affluent subscribers and deep-pocketed advertisers cluster. That means wealthy white suburbs keep their watchdogs, while low-income and diverse communities lose theirs.

    When police brutality spikes, when welfare offices deny claims, when local officials divert funds − these are the moments when communities need their journalists the most.

    Bertram de Souza works on a story for The Vindicator newspaper in Youngstown, Ohio, on Aug. 7, 2019. The 150-year-old paper shut down later that month because of financial struggles.
    Tony Dejak, AP Photos

    Poor and racially diverse communities often face the harshest policing and interact more with street-level bureaucrats than wealthier citizens. That makes them more vulnerable to government corruption and misconduct. Yet, these same communities are the first to lose their newspapers, because there are no luxury real estate agencies buying ads, and few residents can afford the monthly subscriptions.

    Without journalistic scrutiny, scholars find that mismanagement flourishes, corruption costs balloon, and the communities most vulnerable to abuse receive the least accountability. This is how news deserts exacerbate inequality.

    2. Newspapers don’t adequately serve diverse communities

    Picture this: A newsroom sends its reporters, most of whom are white, to a Black neighborhood − but only after reports of gunshots or building fires. Residents, still in shock, don’t want to talk. So journalists call the same three community leaders they always quote, run the tragic story and disappear until the next crisis. This approach, often referred to as “parachute journalism,” results in shallow coverage that paints the community in a negative light while overlooking its complexities.

    Year after year, the pattern repeats. The only time residents see their neighborhood in the paper is when something terrible happens. No feature story of the family-owned restaurant celebrating its 20-year anniversary, no reporter at the town hall when the new police chief gets grilled about stop-and-frisk − just the constant drumbeat of crime and crisis.

    Is it any wonder racially diverse communities stop trusting and paying for that paper? Not when many working-class families of color can barely afford to add a newspaper subscription to their bills.

    Diverse neighborhoods get hit twice. First, their local papers inadequately represent them. Then, when people understandably turn away, subscriptions drop, advertisers pull back and the outlets shut down, leaving whole communities without a voice.

    Only in recent years have more media outlets begun to make a concerted effort to engage with and reflect the communities they serve. However, such efforts are often led by newer media organizations with fresh ideologies, while many long-standing media outlets remain stuck in traditional reporting practices, as illustrated in Jacob Nelson’s “Imagined Audiences.” Although my analyses of local newspaper decline from 2004 to 2018 paints a frustrating picture, the emerging trend of community-oriented journalism holds promise for positive changes in diverse communities.

    3. Population growth doesn’t always save newspapers

    It’s easy to assume that more people = more readers = healthier news organizations. But my research tells a different story: Counties with larger population growth actually saw greater declines in local newspapers.

    The catch lies in who is moving in: Population growth saves papers only when it comes with wealth. Affluent newcomers bring subscriptions and advertisers’ attention. But growth driven by high birth rates, typically seen in less developed areas with more racial and ethnic minorities, doesn’t translate to revenue. In short, growth alone isn’t enough − it’s the type of growth, and the economic power behind it, that matters.

    This highlights the fragility of market-dependent journalism. The news gap experienced by fast-growing communities may persist where local journalism depends primarily on traditional advertising and subscription revenues rather than diversified revenue sources such as grants and philanthropic donations. The latter, which often focus on community needs rather than profit potential, are more likely to help sustain journalism in areas with significant population growth.

    Local news sources help residents hold their elected officials accountable.
    Jim Mone/AP Photos

    4. Neighbors’ newspapers can save yours

    You’d think that competition between newspapers would be a cutthroat affair. But in an era of decline, my analyses reveal a counterintuitive truth: Your town’s paper actually has better odds when nearby communities keep theirs.

    Rather than competing, neighboring papers often become allies, sharing breaking news, splitting investigative costs and attracting advertisers who want regional reach. While this collaboration can sometimes cause papers to lose their local identity, having some local journalism is still better than none. It ensures some level of accountability, even if the news isn’t as focused on each town’s unique needs.

    Resilient local journalism clusters together. When one paper invests in original reporting, its neighbors often benefit too. When regional businesses support multiple outlets, the entire news ecosystem becomes more sustainable.

    5. Left or right? Local papers die either way

    In this highly polarized era, it turns out that there’s no significant link between a county’s partisan makeup and its ability to keep newspapers.

    Urban hubs such as Chicago keep robust media thanks to dense populations and corporate advertisers, not because they vote for Democrats. Meanwhile, newspapers in conservative rural areas can survive by cultivating loyal readerships within their communities.

    In contrast, communities with lower income and a diverse population lose outlets no matter whether they are red, blue or purple.

    Partisan battles might dominate national headlines, but local journalism’s survival hinges on practical factors such as money and market size. Saving local news isn’t a left vs. right debate − it’s a community issue that requires nonpartisan solutions.

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

    – ref. Why some towns lose local news − and others don’t – https://theconversation.com/why-some-towns-lose-local-news-and-others-dont-252155

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mountain chickadee chatter: Scientists are decoding the songbird’s complex calls

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sofia Marie Haley, Ph.D. Student in Cognitive Ecology, University of Nevada, Reno

    Mountain chickadees are unusual in having more complex calls than songs. Vladimir Pravosudov

    I approach a flock of mountain chickadees feasting on pine nuts. A cacophony of sounds, coming from the many different bird species that rely on the Sierra Nevada’s diverse pine cone crop, fill the crisp mountain air.

    The strong “chick-a-dee” call sticks out among the bird vocalizations. The chickadees are communicating to each other about food sources – and my approach.

    Mountain chickadees are a member of the family Paridae, which is known for its complex vocal communication systems and cognitive abilities. Along with my advisers, behavioral ecologists Vladimir Pravosudov and Carrie Branch, I’m studying mountain chickadees at our study site in Sagehen Experimental Forest, outside of Truckee, California, for my doctoral research. I am focusing on how these birds convey a variety of information with their calls.

    The chilly autumn air on top of the mountain reminds me that it will soon be winter. It is time for the mountain chickadees to leave the socially monogamous partnerships they had while raising their chicks to form larger flocks. Forming social groups is not always simple; young chickadees are joining new flocks, and social dynamics need to be established before the winter storms arrive.

    I can hear them working this out vocally. There’s an unusual variety of complex calls, with melodic “gargle calls” at the forefront, coming from individuals announcing their dominance over other flock members.

    Examining and decoding bird calls is becoming an increasingly popular field of study, as scientists like me are discovering that many birds – including mountain chickadees – follow systematic rules to share important information, stringing together syllables like words in a sentence.

    Sofia Haley describes how she records chickadee vocalizations in the forest.

    Songs vs. calls

    For social animals, communication is a crucial part of everyday life. Communication can come in the form of visual, chemical, tactile, electrical or vocal signals.

    Birds are highly vocal, often relying on vocal communication to effectively interact with their environments and flock members. Temperate songbirds, including cardinals, bluebirds, wrens and blackbirds, have two main categories of vocalizations: songs and calls.

    Songs are vocalizations that are used primarily in the spring, during breeding season. Males in temperate regions sing to attract females and defend territories.

    Calls are basically any vocalization that is not a song. This category includes a limitless variety of vocalizations that communicate all sorts of essential information.

    Most songbird species have complex songs and fairly simple calls. This is why vocalizations sound most melodic during the spring, when birds are attracting mates and breeding.

    Members of the Pravosudov lab catch and release resident chickadees to attach identifying bands that allow the researchers to track individual birds.
    Sofia Haley

    However, chickadees are unusual in that they sing very simple songs relative to the complexity of their calls. Research suggests this is largely due to their social structure and complex environments. Living in flocks for the majority of the year means they need an elaborate communication system year-round. This is in contrast to many other songbird species that are more solitary during the nonbreeding season.

    Scientists know quite a lot about birdsong: It is highly organized and composed of multiple units that are strung together into “phrases,” like how musical notes are strung together in a song.

    Some species manipulate their song to sound more impressive, by incorporating new elements or performing impressive acoustic feats through note modification – imagine a trill or an impressive high note.

    Some songbirds must learn their songs from their parents and other adult males during a sensitive period in the first several months of their lives. It’s similar to how human children must learn how to speak from adults during a similar early sensitive period.

    In contrast, we know relatively little about the structure and organization of complex calls. Scientists have often regarded calls as unexciting and simple compared with birdsong. However, calls are arguably the most important type of vocalization, at least for highly social bird species.

    Translating mountain chickadee calls

    A focal microphone allows researchers to record the call of one bird at a time.
    Sofia Haley

    I spend my days out at our field site in the beautiful Sierra Nevada, following and recording chickadees as they communicate with each other. I have taken numerous focal recordings, where I stand in the forest with a directional microphone, identifying vocalizations and behaviors in real time.

    I also have hundreds of hours of recordings taken by automated recording devices called AudioMoths. These allow me to record vocalizations in the absence of people.

    The extensive vocal repertoire of mountain chickadees has yet to be fully documented. There are five basic categories of call types:

    • Contact calls: communicate identity, sort of like a name, and location.
    • “Chick-a-dee” calls: coordinate flock movement and communicate a variety of complex information about the environment, from food availability to predator presence and type.
    • Alarm calls: alert others of the presence of a predator.
    • Begging calls: used by chicks or females to elicit feeding behavior from males.
    • Gargle calls: advertise dominance over other individuals in a flock, primarily used by males.

    “Chick-a-dee” calls contain several elements resembling the basic elements of human grammar. Essentially, the various sounds a chickadee utters mean different things, similar to words in human languages. And the way that a chickadee combines these sounds changes the meaning. Word order matters, just like grammar matters in human language. If a chickadee were to phrase its calls in the wrong note order, the call would no longer convey the same meaning, even if composed of the same elements.

    The “chick-a-dee” call of the mountain chickadee contains six elements, known as notes or syllables, that can be combined in hundreds of unique combinations to say many different things. These elements are labeled A, A/B, B, C, D and Dh.

    Although scientists don’t fully know the meaning of each note in different contexts, it is generally believed that A notes typically contain identifying information about how important the topic seems to the caller, while A/B and B notes tend to further inform the listener of the topic of conversation. C notes contain information about the subject of the call, often a food source, and D notes convey information about the excitement and urgency of the message, including level of threat of a spotted predator or size of a food source. The D notes basically function like exclamation points at the end of a sentence, while the other notes convey more specific information.

    Mountain chickadees can use their “chick-a-dee” calls to convey hundreds of different phrases that are relevant to navigating their habitats and social environments. As a hypothetical example, a mountain chickadee call might have the following syntax: A-A-A/B-B-D-D, which could roughly translate to something like, “Listen to me carefully (A-A): there is a predator (A/B) close by (B) and a medium threat level (DD).”

    If the note order switched to D-A-B-D-A/B-A, the sentence would look more like: “Noteworthy listen close by noteworthy predator listen to me.” Although all the same elements are there, this sentence is now much more difficult to comprehend. Notes that are out of order can confuse chickadees, preventing them from grasping the correct meaning of the call.

    This “translation” is an example based on what we have learned from playback experiments, but the exact meaning will depend on the specific population and surrounding environment.

    Analyzing the ‘chick-a-dee’ calls

    Back in the lab, I parse through the endless hours of recordings using a deep-learning algorithm that I have modified to identify the specific calls of our chickadee population.

    A spectrogram visualizes a chickadee call, with frequency on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis.
    Sofia Haley

    I then use Raven Pro software, developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, to visually inspect and analyze these calls on a spectrogram: a visual representation of sound, with frequency on the vertical axis, and time on the horizontal axis. This visualization allows me to study the structure of calls in great detail.

    Studying spectrograms can get me only so far. The next step is to experimentally test different “chick-a-dee” calls out in the wild. Using audio editing software, I manipulate the syntax of calls to either follow grammatical rules or violate them. Then, I broadcast these manipulated recordings out in the forest and observe how our chickadees react to grammatically incorrect calls, which would sound like gibberish to them.

    Audio editing software allows researchers to mix up the order of a chickadee’s call in order to see how birds react to the garbled message.
    Sofia Haley

    My hope is that this combination of experimental testing of calls and careful visual analysis will provide a step toward understanding the subtle complexities of chickadee communication. I’m trying to home in on the meaning of different syllables and syntax, the grammatical rules.

    Back in the forest with my directional microphone, watching the chickadees flit about, I hear different versions of the “chick-a-dee” calls. Some feature more D notes, which would indicate a higher level of excitement. Others feature more A, B or C notes, communicating more specific, identifying information. I am also surrounded by melodic gargle calls, harsh scolding calls and barely audible soft calls.

    Next time you find yourself out in the forest, stop and listen to the chickadees as they talk to each other. Maybe you’ll be able to hear the variation in their calls and know that they are talking about different things − and that grammar matters.

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

    – ref. Mountain chickadee chatter: Scientists are decoding the songbird’s complex calls – https://theconversation.com/mountain-chickadee-chatter-scientists-are-decoding-the-songbirds-complex-calls-247091

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 15 suspected gang members indicted for drug trafficking scheme

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUSTON — A 29-count indictment was unsealed May 22 following the arrest of nine individuals for their alleged roles in a drug trafficking scheme that delivered illicit narcotics using a taco truck and the U.S. mail.

    The investigation that led to the indictments was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations Houston and the Houston Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas Board of Criminal Justice – Office of the Inspector General.

    Houston residents James Michael Brewer aka ‘Creeper’, 33, Jonathan Alvarado aka ‘Joker’, 28, Alexis Delgado aka ‘Chino’, 28, Hector Luis Lopez aka ‘Capulito’, 23, Kylie Rae Alvarado, 24, Ruby Mata, 31, Victor Norris Ellison, 35, Mexi Dyan Garcia aka ‘Mexi’, 31, and Jesus Gomez-Rodriguez aka ‘Jr.’, 33, made their initial appearances in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas May 22 when the indictment was unsealed.

    Also charged are Enzo Xavier Dominguez aka ‘Smiley’, 32, William Alexander Lazo aka ‘Miclo’, 21, and Alfredo Gomez aka ‘Fredo’, 26. They are currently in custody and expected to make their initial appearances in the near future.

    Three other individuals who were allegedly involved in the scheme are considered fugitives and warrants remain outstanding for their arrests — Mexican national Jose Francisco Garcia-Martinez aka ‘Paco’, 29, Guatemalan national Marcos Rene Simaj-Guch aka Taco Man, 41, and Jose Eduardo Morales aka ‘Primo’, 22.

    “For years, the transnational criminal organization allegedly operated by these gang members has brazenly flooded our local communities with deadly narcotics,” said ICE HSI Houston Special Agent in Charge Chad Plantz. “Working in conjunction with the Houston Police Department and our Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces partners, we were able to expose and dismantle their drug trafficking scheme, eliminating a significant contributor to violent crime in the area and saving an untold number of Houstonians from becoming addicted.”

    “As alleged, this drug trafficking organization imported methamphetamine directly from Mexico and used the U.S. mail, a taco truck, and homes in different Houston neighborhoods to distribute and sell methamphetamine and other dangerous drugs,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Several of the defendants are also alleged to have used firearms in furtherance of their narcotics trafficking and illegally possessed firearms despite having previously been convicted of felonies. The Criminal Division, along with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to work tirelessly to combat the scourge of drug trafficking in communities.”

    The indictment, returned under seal May 14, alleges all were members of a drug trafficking organization that distributed methamphetamine, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, Xanax, psylocibin mushrooms, and marijuana. They are alleged to have used several drug houses and a food truck to store illegal drugs and conduct drug transactions. In one notable instance in June 2023, authorities seized 29 kilograms of methamphetamine that one defendant was attempting to transport into the United States, according to the charges.

    With the exception of Simaj-Guch who faces up to 40 years, the rest could receive up to life, upon conviction. Brewer, Alvarado, Lopez, Gomez and Ellison are further charged with firearms offenses which carry up to another 15 years.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Francisco Rodriguez is prosecuting the case along with Trial Attorneys Ralph Paradiso and Amanda Kotula of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section.

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking, transnational gangs and illegal firearms in Southeast Texas follow us on X @HSIHouston.

    An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: TRIDENT Training Center Opens – NCDOC Hosts Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

    Source: United States Navy

    Chesapeake, Va. – Navy Cyber Defense Operations Command (NCDOC) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 9, supported by Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR) and Naval Network Warfare Command (NNWC) leaders to officially open TRIDENT – Technical Readiness in Defensive Cyber Operations {DCO} Education and Network Training – Center for NCDOC and NNWC personnel.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why Alberta’s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland’s in 2014

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Piers Eaton, PhD Candidate in Political Science, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    One day after the Liberal Party secured their fourth consecutive federal election victory, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tabled legislation to change the signature threshold needed to put citizen-proposed constitutional questions on the ballot. She lowered it from the current 600,000 signatures to 177,000.

    Since the pro-independence Alberta Prosperity Project already claims to have 240,000 pledges in support of an Albertan sovereignty referendum, the change clears a path to a separation referendum.

    In 2014, Scottish voters went to the polls on a similar question to the one proposed by the Alberta Prosperity Project, but asking voters whether they wanted to regain their independence from Britain. Although the Scottish “Yes” campaign was defeated, it garnered 45 per cent of the vote, far exceeding what most thought was possible at the start of the campaign.

    The 2014 Scottish referendum injected a huge amount of enthusiasm into the Scottish separatist parties, with the largest, the Scottish National Party (SNP) — which led the fight for the Yes side — soaring from 20,000 members in 2013 to more than 100,000 months after the referendum.

    While the Yes campaign did not achieve its goals and the Scottish historical context is very different from Alberta’s, there are still important lessons about how people can be won over to the cause of independence. Albertan separatists don’t seem to be heading down the same path.

    Timeline

    Smith has suggested that if the necessary signatures were collected, that she would aim to hold a referendum in 2026. But the Alberta Prosperity Project’s Jeffrey Rath suggested the group would push Smith to allow a referendum before the end of 2025, giving the referendum a maximum of seven months of official campaigning.

    The broad ground rules of the Scottish referendum were established in the Edinburgh Agreement in October 2012. On March 2013, the SNP-led Scottish government announced the date of the independence referendum — Sept. 18, 2014. The long campaign period allowed a wide variety of grassroots campaign groups to organize in favour of independence.

    While Alberta separatism is less likely to be buoyed by artist collectives and Green Party activists like Scottish independence was, a longer independence campaign would allow a variety of members of Albertan society to make the case for independence.

    Dennis Modry, a co-leader of the Alberta Prosperity Project, recently told CBC News that the initial signature threshold of 600,000 was not all bad, as it would “get (us) closer to the referendum plurality as well.” That remark suggested Modry sees value having more time to campaign before a referendum is held.

    In this regard, he and Rath seem to be sounding different notes.

    Leadership

    Hints that the Alberta Prosperity Project is already divided raises broader questions of leadership. In 2014, the Scottish Yes side had a clear and undisputed leader — First Minister Alex Salmond, head of the SNP.

    The late Salmond led the SNP to back-to-back electoral victories in Scotland, including the only outright majority ever won in the history of the Scottish parliament in 2011.

    Salmond was able to speak in favour of independence in debates and to answer, with democratic legitimacy, specific questions about what the initial policy of an independent Scotland would be.

    The SNP government published a report, Scotland’s Future, that systematically sought to assuage skeptics. Its “frequently asked questions” (FAQ) section answered 650 potential questions about independence. The Alberta Prosperity Project, on the other hand, only answers 74 questions in its FAQ.

    Whereas Salmon’s rise to the leadership of the Scottish independence movement was done in full public view and according to party rules, the Alberta Prosperity Project’s leadership structure is far murkier.

    The organization claims there “is no prima facie leader of the APP, but there (is) a management team which is featured on the website https://albertaprosperityproject.com/about-us/.” Follow that link, however, and no names or management structures are listed.

    Clarity and democracy

    While independence always involves some unknowns, clear leadership can provide answers about where a newly independent nation might find stability. The Yes Scotland campaign promised independence within Europe, meaning Scotland would retain access to the European Union’s common market.

    By contrast, the Alberta Prosperity Project isn’t clear on the fundamental question of whether a sovereign Alberta should remain independent or attempt to join the United States as its 51st state.

    Despite the claim on its website that “the objective of the Alberta Prosperity Project is for Alberta to become a sovereign nation, not the 51st state of the USA,” the organization backed Rath’s recent trip to Washington, D.C. to gauge support for Albertan integration into the U.S.

    Rath has also said that becoming a U.S. territory is “probably the best way to go.”

    Rath in an interview with Rachel Parker, an Alberta-based independent journalist. (Rachel Parker’s YouTube channel)

    The 2014 referendum in Scotland was called a “festival of democracy”, and even anti-independence forces agreed the referendum had been good for democracy.

    It took time and leadership to put forward a positive case for independence, one that voters could decide upon with confidence.

    Alberta could learn from Scotland and strengthen its democracy by holding a referendum based on legitimate leadership, reasonable timelines, diverse voices and clear aims. Or it could lurch into a rushed campaign, with divided leaders of dubious legitimacy, arguing for unclear outcomes — and end up, no matter which side wins, weakening its democracy in the process.

    Piers Eaton 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. Why Alberta’s push for independence pales in comparison to Scotland’s in 2014 – https://theconversation.com/why-albertas-push-for-independence-pales-in-comparison-to-scotlands-in-2014-256838

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: For opioid addiction, treatment underdosing can lead to fentanyl overdosing – a physician explains

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lucinda Grande, Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Washington

    Buprenorphine is most effective when doctors and patients find the right dose together. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

    Imagine a patient named Rosa tells you she wakes up night after night in a drenching sweat after having very realistic dreams of smoking fentanyl.

    The dreams seem crazy to her. Three months ago, newly pregnant, Rosa began visualizing being a good parent. She realized it was finally time to give up her self-destructive use of street fentanyl. With tremendous effort, she started treatment with buprenorphine for her opioid use disorder.

    As hoped, she was intensely relieved to be free from the distressing withdrawal symptoms – restless legs, anxiety, bone pain, nausea and chills – and from the guilt, shame and hardship of living with addiction. But even so, Rosa found herself musing throughout the day about the rewarding rush of fentanyl, which seemed ever more appealing. And she couldn’t escape those dreams at night.

    Rosa asks you, her doctor, for a higher dose of buprenorphine. You consider her request carefully. Your clinic follows the Food and Drug Administration prescribing guideline that has changed very little in over 20 years. It recommends her current prescription – 16 milligrams – as the “target” dose. You are aware of the prevailing view among medical providers that most patients don’t need a dose higher than that. Many believe that patients or others would use the extra pills to get high.

    But after many visits, you feel that you know Rosa well. You believe in her sincerity. She is a responsible 25-year-old with a full-time job who never misses appointments. She now has stable housing with her parents after years of couch surfing. You reluctantly agree and raise her daily dose by one additional 8-milligram pill, totaling 24 milligrams.

    At her next visit, Rosa tells you that the higher dose solved her daytime fentanyl craving, but the nightmares have continued. She would like to try an even higher dose.

    How should you respond? The FDA guideline clearly states there is no evidence to support any benefit above her new dose. You begin to doubt Rosa’s sincerity and your own judgment.

    Harms of low doses

    This hypothetical scenario has played out countless times in the U.S. since 2002, when buprenorphine was first approved as a treatment for opioid use disorder. As a family physician specializing in addiction medicine, I have frequently encountered patients who still experience withdrawal symptoms at the “target dose” and even at the suggested maximum dose of 24 milligrams.

    People like Rosa, plagued by uncontrolled fentanyl craving – either awake or in dreams – are at high risk of leaving treatment and returning to addiction. Yet from 2019 to 2020, only 2% of buprenorphine prescriptions were written for over 24 milligrams.

    Withdrawal symptoms and cravings make staying in recovery difficult.
    iStock/Getty Images Plus

    I was able to help some of those people in my work as co-founder and medical director of a low-barrier clinic, which is a clinic that makes it easier for people to get started with buprenorphine. I asked our clinicians to offer a higher dose when they believed the current one wasn’t meeting the patient’s needs.

    The dose choice may be a life-or-death decision. Increasing it by one more pill – to 32 milligrams – often makes the difference between a patient staying in or leaving treatment. The risk of leaving treatment is particularly significant for the patients we typically see at low-barrier clinics, many of whom face severe life challenges. While patients do sometimes give away or sell extra pills, research consistently shows that illegally obtained pills are most commonly used for self-treatment – to control withdrawal and help quit opioids when treatment is unavailable.

    Medicaid in my state of Washington began paying for prescriptions up to 32 milligrams in 2019. But clinicians may still encounter constraints from other health insurers and at pharmacies. Some states, such as Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio, have dose restrictions cemented in law.

    Finding the right dose

    The challenge of finding the right treatment dose became more acute for clinicians and patients as fentanyl swept across the country starting in 2013. Fentanyl now dominates the unregulated opioid supply. Fifty times stronger than heroin, fentanyl overwhelms the ability of low doses of buprenorphine to counter its effects.

    Buprenorphine – also known by the brand name Suboxone, which contains a mix of buprenorphine and naloxone – is an opioid medication with the quirk of both activating the brain’s opioid receptors and partially blocking them. It provides just enough opioid effects to prevent withdrawal symptoms and craving while also blocking the reward of euphoria. It relieves pain like other opioids but doesn’t cause breathing to stop. It can dramatically reduce the risk of overdose death by as much as 70%.

    In medicine, there is a general concern that too high a dose may have toxic effects. However, as many clinicians and researchers have observed, using too low a dose of some treatments can also lead to harm, including death from patients going back to fentanyl.

    After observing so many patients responding well to higher doses, my colleagues and I looked in the medical literature for more information. We discovered over a dozen reports as far back as 1999 providing evidence that buprenorphine’s benefits steadily increase up to at least 32 milligrams.

    At higher doses, patients stay on treatment longer, use illicit opioids less often, have fewer complications such as hepatitis C, have fewer emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and suffer less from chronic pain. Brain scans show that buprenorphine at 32 milligrams occupies more opioid receptors – over 90% of receptors in some brain regions – compared with lower doses. One study even showed that a high enough dose of buprenorphine can directly prevent fentanyl overdose.

    As illicit opioids become more potent, addiction becomes more deadly – and more urgent to treat.

    Patients with some health conditions may especially benefit from higher doses. During pregnancy, as in Rosa’s case, withdrawal symptoms can grow more intense because of metabolism changes that reduce the blood concentration of most medications. A higher dose may be needed to maintain the level of effects they had before pregnancy. Additionally, I found that the patients in my clinic with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder or longtime opioid use were most likely to find relief at a dose above 24 milligrams.

    The American Society of Addiction Medicine recommends
    four goals of treatment: suppressing opioid withdrawal, blocking the effects of illicit opioids, stopping opioid cravings and reducing the use of illicit opioids, and promoting recovery-oriented activities.

    Similarly, patients seek a comfortable and effective dose – that is, one that avoids withdrawal symptoms and craving, and allows them to avoid illicit drug use and the associated worry and stress. Many patients also yearn to feel trusted, accepted and understood by their clinician. Achieving that goal requires shared decision-making.

    A clinician can never be sure a patient is meeting all the goals of treatment. But a patient who reports positive life changes – such as stable housing and improved relationships – and reports low or no craving while awake or dreaming will likely be satisfied with the current dose. For a patient who does not make progress with a dose increase to 32 milligrams, the clinician might consider a different treatment plan, such as a 30-day buprenorphine injection, which can provide an even higher dose, or transition to methadone, the other highly effective FDA-approved medication for opioid use disorder.

    The FDA guideline change

    In August 2022, a team of addiction physicians attempted to move the FDA to change dosing guidelines for buprenorphine. They submitted a petition asking for a modernized guideline that based dosing on how a patient responds to buprenorphine – including symptom relief and reduced illicit drug use – rather than a fixed “target” dose. They asked to remove language that incorrectly denied evidence that patients benefited from doses above 24 milligrams.

    The FDA listened. In December 2023, it convened a public meeting with leading addiction clinicians, researchers and policymakers to review the evidence on buprenorphine dosing. The group came to an overwhelming consensus that there was extensive research showing benefit at doses above 24 milligrams. Moreover, they doubted whether the guideline’s dosing conclusions, made before fentanyl infiltrated the drug supply, applied today.

    Treatment is most effective when patients feel their needs are understood.
    Spencer Platt/Getty Images

    Then, the FDA responded. In December 2024, it announced a new buprenorphine recommendation that would not mention a target dose and would not deny the existence of evidence of benefits above 24 milligrams. Only time will tell whether and when the FDA’s new guideline will meaningfully alter prescribing patterns, insurance and pharmacy restrictions, and state laws.

    To maintain the national trend toward lower overdose deaths, the best possible use of each effective treatment is critical. Yet the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to Medicaid – which covers nearly half of all buprenorphine prescriptions – put access seriously at risk. Most people with untreated addiction would be blocked from accessing treatment altogether, let alone at an effective dose or with the behavioral health, social work and recovery support services needed for the best outcomes. Research shows that a sharp reduction in buprenorphine prescriptions occurred following 2023 Medicaid coverage restrictions.

    Opioid use disorder is treatable. Buprenorphine works well and saves lives when given at the right dose. An inadequate dose can directly harm patients who are simply trying to survive and improve their lives.

    Lucinda Grande is a physician and partner at Pioneer Family Practice in Lacey, Washington.

    – ref. For opioid addiction, treatment underdosing can lead to fentanyl overdosing – a physician explains – https://theconversation.com/for-opioid-addiction-treatment-underdosing-can-lead-to-fentanyl-overdosing-a-physician-explains-250588

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –