Category: Politics

MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Salinas, Colleagues Launch Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus for the 119th Congress

Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR) joined her fellow Co-Chairs of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus – including Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Donald Beyer (D-VA) – at a press conference to officially launch the Caucus for the 119^th Congress. The Members, standing side-by-side with representatives from leading mental health advocacy organizations, delivered remarks about the state of mental health and addiction in America and the potential for bipartisan progress on this issue. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) also serves as Caucus Co-Chair along with Reps. Salinas, Bacon, and Beyer.

Click here to watch a recording and here for usable photos from today’s press conference

“Mental health is an issue where bipartisan consensus is still possible. I remain very hopeful. We’ve seen how these problems have affected our own families, neighborhoods, and communities – and we all share a similar goal: Putting an end to the mental health and addiction crisis once and for all,” said Rep. Salinas. “I am optimistic and excited about the road ahead. Because we have partners, parents, providers and yes – even politicians – who want to see change and are ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work on commonsense solutions.

“We do have a mental health crisis in our country, and I think it’s pretty clear to all of us that we have underfunded mental health care,” said. Rep. Bacon. “I look forward to working with our Co-Chairs and all of you to improve our mental health capabilities in this country. We know the problem. That means we can find the solution.”

“We want this to be the largest Caucus on the Hill. We should have every Democrat and every Republican in it because every family, if you look just hard enough, you’ll find that they’re dealing with some kind of mental health concern… and I think we all agree that the health system is failing,” said Rep. Beyer. “We do a very poor job at dealing with serious mental illness in this country. That’s why I’m so grateful that my colleagues [Reps. Salinas, Bacon, and Gonzales], and the many, many other Democrats and Republicans who have signed up to be part of this [Caucus], have come together with our mental health professionals and our industry leaders to really try to make a difference.”

Several mental health professionals and advocates also spoke at the press conference, including Theresa Miskimen Rivera, M.D., President-Elect of the American Psychiatry Association (APA), Michael Linskey, Director of Congressional Affairs at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Laurel Stine, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Policy Officer at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and Tim Clement, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs at Mental Health America (MHA).

Chaired by Reps. Salinas, Bacon, Beyer, and Gonzales, the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus serves as a bipartisan forum where Members of Congress and their staff can work together to raise awareness and find solutions to the mental and behavioral health crisis in America. A full list of Caucus Members can be found here.

To receive updates and learn more about the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus, you can visit the Caucus’ website or follow the Caucus on Bluesky, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

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MIL OSI USA News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Salinas, Lofgren, Padilla, Bennet Reintroduce Legislation to Provide Disaster Relief for Farmworkers
Source: US Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06)

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06), the daughter of a former farmworker and a leader in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), reintroduced the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act. This legislation would provide compensation for farmworkers who lose out on wages due to extreme weather, public health emergencies, and other disasters beyond their control. The bill was first introduced in the 118th Congress.

“Extreme weather and natural disasters are only getting worse with climate change. Unfortunately, many of the hardworking individuals who grow and harvest our food do not receive direct financial support when they are forced to miss work and lose wages as a result of these disasters,” said Rep. Salinas. “My legislation would finally correct this injustice by providing federal disaster relief for farmworkers. This change is well-deserved and long-overdue, and I will continue to advocate for the brave men and women who help feed America.”

“When extreme weather occurs, farmworkers across our country continue to feed the nation. And yet, these essential workers and their families face great uncertainty when unexpected disasters harm their communities and livelihood. For example, hundreds of farmworkers in my congressional district faced displacement and lost wages after severe flooding devastated the Pajaro community in early 2023. We owe them – and all farmworkers – more. The Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act ensures America’s indispensable farmworkers can receive disaster relief funding they need and have earned,” said Rep. Lofgren.

“California’s farm workers often work under extreme conditions to help put food on the table for hundreds of millions of Americans,” said Sen. Padilla. “But increasingly frequent natural disasters, including historic flooding in Pajaro, have devastated California’s agricultural communities. We must protect the heart of our nation’s food supply by providing critical emergency assistance to these essential workers.”

“Agriculture is the backbone of Colorado’s economy and central to our Western way of life, but as climate-fueled disasters become increasingly common, our state’s farm workers are paying the price,” said Sen. Bennet. “Our bill will help ensure the people that grow America’s fruits, vegetables, and other crops get the assistance they need in the wake of emergencies like drought, wildfires, and other natural disasters.”

Oregon is home to over 100,000 farmworkers, many of whom live and work in the Willamette Valley and power the state’s $42 billion agriculture economy. Yet despite their importance to our food systems, the average farmworker family in Oregon earns less than $25,000 per year. Ninety-six percent reported living in overcrowded housing and about thirty percent are living below the poverty line. When farmworkers cannot work due to extreme weather or other unexpected disasters, they can lose wages and even their jobs—pushing them deeper into housing and food insecurity.

The Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act would address this problem by providing direct relief funding for farmworkers. Specifically, this bill would:
- Make grants available to eligible farmworker organizations to provide emergency relief to farm workers affected by a disaster.
- Ensure USDA develops and executes a promotional plan prior to and throughout the distribution of the relief grants to increase awareness of the assistance available.
- Require USDA to work with eligible farmworker organizations.
- Provide definitions for a covered disaster, eligible farmworker organization, and migrant or seasonal farmworker.
- Amend Section 2281 of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 to allow for emergency assistance for farmworkers.
In addition to Reps. Salinas and Lofgren, the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act is cosponsored by Reps. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Jim Costa (CA-21), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Juan Vargas (CA-52).

The legislation is endorsed by the following organizations, in alphabetical order: A Better Balance, Alianza Americas, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs (AFOP), Borderlands Resource Initiative, California Human Development, Campesinos Sin Fronteras, Care in Action, CASA of Oregon, Center for Employment Training, Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), Central Valley Opportunity Center, Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Inc (CDM), Child Labor Coalition, CHILDREN AT RISK, CIERTO, Civic Empowerment Coalition, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Columbia Legal Services, CRLA Foundation, Davidson County Local Food Network, El Futuro es Nuestro, Farm Worker Ministry Northwest, Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project-FLAP, Farmworker Housing Development Corporation (FHDC), Farmworker Justice, Food Empowerment Project, GALEO Impact Fund, Hand in Hand/Mano en Mano, Hispanic Affairs Project, Hispanic Federation, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), Latino Outdoors, League of Conservation Voters, Make the Road CT, Make the Road NJ, Make the Road NV, Make the Road NY, Make the Road PA, Make the Road States, Michiganders for a Just Farming System, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Social Workers – Florida and Virgin Islands Chapter, National Consumers League, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Employment Law Project, National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association, NC FIELD, Inc., NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, North Carolina Council of Churches, North Carolina Farmworker Advocacy Network, North Carolina Justice Center, Nourish Up, Opportunity Arizona, Oregon Human Development Corporation, Organización en California de Lideres Campesinas, Inc, PCUN, Oregon’s Farmworker Union, Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network (PAN), Popular Democracy, Presente.org, Progress Michigan, Proteus Inc., Puente de la Costa Sur, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), Slow Food USA, Student Action with Farmworkers, Sur Legal Collaborative, TODEC Legal Center, Toxic Free North Carolina, UFW Foundation, Unidos Yamhill County, United Farm Workers, Voces Unidas de las Montañas.

“Farm workers are always on the front lines of fires, floods, and storms — yet are too often excluded from federal disaster relief programs,” said Teresa Romero, President of United Farm Workers (UFW). “If the federal government can provide emergency support to farm owners who lose crops in natural disaster, then the federal government can emergency provide support to farm workers who lose work in that same disaster. The Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act will ensure that farm workers who put food on all our tables can continue to put food on their family’s table when disaster strikes.”

“Every year we see an alarming number of natural disasters that drastically and disproportionately impact the farm worker community. As climate change gets worse, these types of disasters will only worsen and farm workers are the ones who are affected the most by these calamities. Just last year, we saw heavy California rains flooding Ventura County farm areas and Hurricane Helen devastating Georgia’s farm worker communities, leading to organizations like ours stepping up to do what we can. But that is not enough. We must have a federal response to these kinds of disasters. From wildfires to tornadoes to hurricanes, farm workers have little to no safety net to help them recover from unexpected disasters,” said Erica Lomeli Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer at UFW Foundation. “This is exactly why the UFW Foundation is supporting the Disaster Relief for Farm Workers Act. It would provide resources and aid to those who truly need it and would ensure that those responsible for our nation’s food supplies are not overlooked, as they have been in the past. Farm workers have been largely ignored and neglected by the law, shut out from basic protections provided to all workers. It is time that Congress acts and ensures that our nation’s farm workers are given the support they need to overcome times of emergencies and to provide equity to all workers.”

“Farmworkers are frontline workers, which means they are the hardest hit by the impacts of extreme weather conditions across the country. Many farmworkers feel that they are risking their health with extreme heat and colder days, but losing even one day of work is not an option for their families’ economic situation. Outdoor protections are important, yet there are days that are becoming too extreme to even be outside. Our vision is to be a resilient workforce for the agricultural industry. Disaster relief means we can start investing in addressing the issues that workers are facing today by building resilience for climate change in the future, without sacrificing the economic well-being of farmworkers,” said Reyna Lopez, Executive Director of Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noreste (PCUN).

To read the full text of the legislation, click here.

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MIL OSI USA News –
May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. invests in planning for northern youth support centre

Source: Government of Canada regional news

Children and youth in northern B.C. will benefit from a provincial investment of $500,000 to Lheidli T’enneh First Nation for a feasibility study to help design a new service hub in the region.

“The first phase of work required extensive consultation with municipalities, First Nations, and partners throughout the North. This process informed the clear need to meet children and youth where they are at,” said Chief Dolleen Logan, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “Phase 2, focused on feasibility, will inform how this project may come to life, the services, care, and programs needed, as well as location and infrastructure needs. This is critical work we are pleased to lead with support from government, First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health, and others with a direct interest in seeing youth at the centre of future care options.”

This builds on previous consultation and engagement led by the Nation with support from the Province to seek input from communities on a new Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth in the North. That consultation and engagement concluded there is a demand for more holistic, equitable and culturally safe wellness supports for children and youth that are connected and build on existing programs and services in communities.

“Investing in youth is investing in our future,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Ensuring they get the culturally appropriate supports and programs they need now will lead to healthier lives for children and youth, laying a foundation for healthier future generations. Lheidli T’enneh has been leading the project to better support youth in the North, and through this feasibility study, their collaboration with partners will help determine the best services that children and youth need.”

Lheidli T’enneh First Nation conducted a three-month engagement program and consulted with municipalities, First Nations and individuals from communities of interest with knowledge, experience, information and expertise in child and youth development. Consultations were held in person in communities across the North and in a variety of online formats.

The goal of the study is to provide a clear description of the scope of services for the Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth and how they fit within existing services in the region.

The feasibility study will be led by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation in close collaboration with government, Northern Health Authority, First Nations Health Authority and other partners. The study is expected to be complete in 2025.

“The First Nations Health Authority is driven by the needs of First Nations communities, and right now we hear the need for more child and youth supports in the North,” said Monica McAlduff, CEO, First Nations Health Authority. “We are excited to work with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the Province to bring more accessible and more appropriate care to our young ones – to our future.”

This work is part of the Province’s efforts to provide culturally safe and trauma-informed programs and services to people in B.C., including First Nations people.

Learn More:

Learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

MIL OSI Canada News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Law Enforcement Seizes 9 DDoS-for-Hire Webpages as Part of Global Crackdown on ‘Booter’ and ‘Stresser’ DDoS Services

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

LOS ANGELES – The Justice Department today announced the court-authorized seizure of nine internet domains associated with some of the world’s leading DDoS-for-hire services. Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau simultaneously announced the arrests of four administrators of such services, investigations which were assisted by U.S. authorities. Several of the arrested administrators operated websites seized pursuant to previous operations by the Central District of California.

Federal law enforcement continues to seize websites that allow paying users to launch powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks flood targeted computers and servers with information to prevent them from being able to access the internet.

Booter services such as those named in this action allegedly attacked a wide array of victims in the United States and abroad, including schools, government agencies, gaming platforms, and millions of people. In addition to affecting targeted victims, these attacks can significantly degrade internet services and completely disrupt internet connections.

The websites targeted in this operation were used for hundreds of thousands of actual or attempted DDoS attacks targeting victims worldwide. While some of these services claimed to offer “stresser” services that purportedly could be used for network testing, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) determined these claims to be a pretense, and “thousands of communications between booter site administrators and their customers…make clear that both parties are aware that the customer is not attempting to attack their own computers,” according to an affidavit filed in support of court-authorized warrants to seize the booter sites.

Today’s announcement builds on the success of the prior cases by targeting all known booter sites, shutting down as many as possible, and undertaking a public education campaign. In the last four years more than 11 defendants have been charged in Los Angeles and Anchorage for facilitating DDoS-for-hire services. More than 75 domains associated with such services have been seized.

“Booter services facilitate cyberattacks that harm victims and compromise everyone’s ability to access the internet,” said United States Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California. “This week’s sweeping law enforcement activity is a major step in our ongoing efforts to eradicate criminal conduct that threatens the internet’s infrastructure and our ability to function in a digital world.”

“DDoS for hire criminal booter services impact internet services for victims in every corner of the United States, including Alaska,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “This threat highlights the continued need to pursue cybercrime services like booter providers. We remain committed to bolstering our collaborative partnerships in the U.S. and abroad to address threats to critical internet infrastructure and services.”

“The enforcement actions launched today, made possible by enduring partnerships between law enforcement and private industry, represents continued pressure on DDoS-for-hire services and the cybercriminals and hacktivists who use them.” said Special Agent in Charge Kenneth DeChellis of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), Cyber Field Office. “This success demonstrates the resolve of the DCIS to relentlessly pursue those who target our warfighters and their information systems.”

In conjunction with the website seizures, Homeland Security Investigations, DCIS, and the Netherlands Police have launched an advertising campaign using targeted placement ads in search engines, which are triggered by keywords associated with DDoS activities. The purpose of the ads is to deter potential cybercriminals searching for DDoS services in the United States and around the globe, and to educate the public on the illegality of DDoS activities.

In recent years, booter services have continued to proliferate as they offer a low barrier to entry for users looking to engage in cybercriminal activity. These types of DDoS attacks are so named because they result in the “booting” or dropping of the targeted computer from the internet.

For additional information on booter and stresser services and the harm that they cause, please visit: https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/anchorage/fbi-intensify-efforts-to-combat-illegal-ddos-attacks.

The seizures announced today were performed by DCIS’s Cyber-West Resident Agency.

These law enforcement actions were taken in conjunction with Operation PowerOFF, an ongoing, coordinated effort among international law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling criminal DDoS-for-hire infrastructures worldwide, and holding accountable the administrators and users of these illegal services. Principal partners in Operation PowerOFF include EUROPOL; the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska; The Department of Justice Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS); FBI’s Anchorage and Los Angeles field offices; HSI’s Columbus field office; Germany’s Bundeskriminalamt (BKA); United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA); Netherlands Police; Polish Central Cybercrime Bureau; Brazilian Federal Police, Japan’s National Police Agency, France’s Police Nationale, and many others.

Assistance was provided by Akamai, Amazon Web Services, Cloudflare, Digital Ocean, Flashpoint, Google, PayPal, The University of Cambridge, and Unit 221B.

Assistant United States Attorneys James E. Dochterman of the Asset Forfeiture and Recovery Section and Aaron Frumkin of the Cyber and Intellectual Property Crimes Section are handling this investigation.

MIL Security OSI –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: MS-13 Gang Member Sentenced to 55 Years in Prison for the Murders of Four Young Men in a Central Islip Park

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

The Defendant, Omar Antonio Villalta, a.k.a. “Anticristo,” Also Committed a Fifth Murder in Virginia After Fleeing Long Island to Evade Law Enforcement

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Omar Antonio Villalta, also known as “Anticristo,” a member of the Guanacos Lil Cycos Salvatruchas (Guanacos) clique of the violent transnational criminal organization La Mara Salvatrucha, also known as the MS-13, was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 55 years’ imprisonment. On May 26, 2023, Villalta pleaded guilty to racketeering, including predicate acts of murder and conspiracy to murder rival gang members. The charges stemmed from his involvement in the April 11, 2017 murders of Justin Llivicura, Michael Lopez, Jorge Tigre, and Jefferson Villalobos, who were hacked to death in a Central Islip park, and his involvement in the July 3, 2017 murder of Marvin Rivera Guevara, in Charlottsville, Virginia.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI); and Kevin Catalina, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence.

“My Office and our law enforcement partners have worked endlessly to hold MS-13 accountable for their unspeakable crimes and the harm they’ve caused to countless victims and their loved ones,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “This sentencing and others demonstrate our relentless pursuit to dismantle MS-13 and other violent criminal organizations in totality.”

“Omar Antonio Villalta, an MS-13 member, repeatedly played judge, jury, and executioner by unlawfully issuing death sentences to five victims perceived to be disrespectful or rivals to the gang,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia. “These slaughters reflect the gang’s gruesome retributive tactics while demonstrating utter disregard for life with the rapid succession of murders. May today’s legitimate sentencing reflect the FBI’s steadfast commitment to dismantling any gang from plaguing our communities with rampant violence.”

“The torture carried out at the hands of Villalta was inconceivable and sadistic— all because of his devotion to MS-13,” stated Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. “His crimes sent shock waves through our communities but thanks to our collaboration with our law enforcement partners, Villalta was apprehended, and we will continue to target violent gang members who are a threat public safety.”

As set forth in the government’s sentencing memorandum, prior court filings, and statements during the sentencing, Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre, and Villalobos were lured to their deaths by Villalta and more than a dozen other members and associates of the MS-13. Specifically, the victims were led to a community park in Central Islip (the Park) by two female associates of the MS-13, Leniz Escobar and Keyli Gomez, where they were attacked by members and associates of the gang, including Josue Portillo, Freiry Martinez, Alexis Hernandez, Edwin Rodriguez, Sergio Segovia-Pineda, Henry Salmeron, Anderson Sanchez, and others.

The MS-13 members believed the victims to be members of a rival gang and at least two of the victims had offended the MS-13 by posting photos on social media in which they wore certain items and flashed hand signs that signified membership in the MS-13 gang. After the gang-related photos were brought to their attention by Escobar and Gomez, Villalta and several other MS-13 members formulated and carried out a plan to kill the victims. On the night of the murders, Villalta and more than a dozen other MS-13 members and associates gathered in the woods adjacent to the Park. Once there, the members who had been planning the attack, including Villalta, instructed the others to prepare themselves, as the female associates were luring a group of rivals to the Park for them to attack and kill.

Villalta distributed weapons to certain gang members, including knives and machetes, while others took clubs made of tree limbs as the group waited for the victims to arrive. Meanwhile, Escobar and Gomez met the victims, drove with them to the Park, led them to a predetermined wooded area, and sent the MS-13 members text-messages notifying them of their arrival. The MS-13 members and associates proceeded to the designated location and encircled the victims under the cover of darkness. One of the intended victims immediately fled and was able to escape. Llivicura, Lopez, Tigre, and Villalobos were surrounded by the MS-13 members, who attacked them with machetes, knives, an axe, and wooden clubs. After the attack, the MS-13 members dragged the victims’ bodies to a more secluded spot in the woods, piled them up, and fled. The victims’ bodies were discovered the following evening.

Following the murders, Villalta fled to Charlottesville, Virginia, where he connected with local MS-13 members. He soon began work at a pizzeria with a fellow MS-13 member. Within days of starting work, Villalta reported to other MS-13 members, including the leader of the Guanacos clique, that a co-worker, Marvin Rivera Guevara, had flashed an 18th Street gang hand sign indicating his membership in one of the MS-13’s principal rivals. Villalta was given authorization to kill the victim and a plan was quickly developed to carry out the murder. On the evening of July 3, 2017, the MS-13 member who worked at the pizzeria convinced the victim to drive with him to a remote location under the guise of smoking marijuana and meeting women. Once they arrived at the designated location, Villalta and other MS-13 members forced the victim at gunpoint deeper into the woods where they attacked him with a machete and knives. Villalta and the others then threw the victim’s body off a nearby bridge into the river below.

More than a dozen MS-13 members and associates have been charged in connection with the April 11, 2017 quadruple murder, including the individuals listed above. Of these defendants, Villalta is the sixth person to be sentenced. Josue Portillo was sentenced to 55 years’ imprisonment; Freiry Martinez to 50 years’ imprisonment; Leniz Escobar to 50 years’ imprisonment; Anderson Sanchez to 32 years’ imprisonment; and Alexis Hernandez to 29 years’ imprisonment. The remaining defendants are awaiting sentence.

Today’s sentencing is the latest in a series of federal prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York targeting members of MS-13. Since 2010, the Office has obtained indictments charging MS-13 members with carrying out more than 70 murders in the Eastern District of New York, resulting in the convictions of dozens of MS-13 leaders and members in connection with those murders. These prosecutions are the product of investigations led by the FBI’s Long Island Gang Task Force, which is comprised of agents and officers of the FBI, SCPD, Nassau County Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, Suffolk County Probation Office, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Hempstead Police Department, the Rockville Centre Police Department, and the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

This case is also 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 other transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Project Safe Neighborhood.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Automated Litigation Support Specialist Michael Compitello.

The Defendant:

OMAR ANTONIO VILLALTA (also known as “Anticristo”)
Age: 29
Central Islip, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-403 (S-8) (GRB)

MIL Security OSI –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Pendleton County Man Facing Child Pornography Charges as a part of Nationwide Initiative “Operation Restore Justice”

Source: Office of United States Attorneys

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Jerry Lewis Ayres, age 55, of Franklin, West Virginia, was arrested on charges of receipt and possession of child pornography as a part of the nationwide effort Operation Restore Justice.

According to court documents, the West Virginia State Police, on a tip from the Virginia State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, opened an investigation into Ayres. On multiple occasions, Ayres downloaded child pornography depicting minors, some under the age of 12, in sexual acts and positions. Investigators searched Ayres’ home, phone, and computer and discovered nearly 1500 images. He is charged with receipt of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Ayres’ arrest is a part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division, and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

“As a nation, we are measured by how well we protect our most vulnerable citizens including our very young as well as our elderly populations,” stated Randolph J. Bernard, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia. “Operation Restore Justice is a testament to our solemn duty to ensure that our children are safe from those who would exploit and abuse them. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to seek the most serious charges and severe penalties for those who commit these crimes.”

Ayres is facing at least five years and up to 20 years on the receipt count and facing up to 20 years on the possession count. He is currently being held in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christie Utt is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. The FBI and the West Virginia State Police are investigating.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office works with the FBI and other law enforcement to bring those who prey upon children to justice. In the past year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged 23 individuals with crimes involving sexual offenses against children, one of whom was sentenced this week to 10 years in prison for his crime. See the press release here: www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/brooke-county-man-sentenced-decade-prison-child-pornography-charge

The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The FBI urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the tiplines at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

MIL Security OSI –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Proposition 123 Land Banking Funds to Support New Housing Options Coloradans can Afford Across the State
Source: US State of Colorado

DENVER – Today, Gov. Jared Polis, the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) announced 21 recipients of voter-approved Proposition 123 Land Banking funds. This funding is intended to support Colorado communities as they acquire and preserve land for an estimated 1,892 home ownership and multi-family rental apartments, including plans in Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, Fruita, Montrose, and Pagosa Springs.

“These funds are an important first step to create 1,892 homes people can afford across the state, helping more Coloradans live where they want to live — close to their jobs, schools, and the places they love.” said Gov. Jared Polis.

Among the recipients, the Boulder Housing Coalition plans to acquire and convert an historic Denver mansion into affordable housing supporting households with incomes 30 – 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). A Montrose project by Community Options Inc. plans to serve neurodiverse households with incomes 40 – 60% of AMI. And the proposed Bradley Ridge Apartments in Colorado Springs will include an early childhood education center and serve households earning at or below 60% AMI.

“A strong economy includes good-paying jobs and housing for every income level. The recipients announced today will introduce new home ownership and rental opportunities in communities across the state, meeting a wide variety of needs, including those transitioning out of homelessness, neurodiverse families, and childcare opportunities. We are excited to support strong economies across the state,” said Eve Lieberman, OEDIT Executive Director.

Availability of land is considered one of the most significant barriers to affordable housing development. The Land Banking program provides grants to local and tribal governments and forgivable loans to nonprofits with a demonstrated history of providing affordable housing to support the acquisition and preservation of land for affordable for-sale and rental housing development.

“The funds awarded through the Land Banking program are an investment in a stronger Colorado, supporting communities in securing the land they need to respond to local housing needs. These efforts lay the foundation for greater housing stability and economic prosperity,” said Thomas Bryan, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of CHFA.

A total of $47,994,762 will be awarded to 21 recipients, who will be required to complete statutory milestones over the coming years including achieving proper zoning, finalizing development plans, and securing development funding and permits. The Area Median Incomes (AMIs) proposed by the recipients range from 20% AMI for those transitioning out of homelessness up to 100% AMI for homeownership. The awardees include:
- Boulder Housing Coalition: 19 rental units for the 1350 N Logan, Denver, $430,000 Broomfield Housing Alliance: 72 rental units for the 11795 Colmans Way,
- Broomfield, $3,500,000
- Commerce City Housing Authority: 120 rental and homeownership units for The Foundry, Commerce City, $4,750,000
- Commun Denver: 173 rental and homeownership units for the Loretto Commons, Denver, $2,500,000
- Community Options Inc.: 50 rental units for the TBD Hilltop Apartments, Montrose, $1,250,000
- Elevation Community Land Trust II: 44 homeownership units for the Miners Haus, Golden, $1,400,000
- Fairview Housing Partners Ltd: 144 rental units for the Flats at Sand Creek, Colorado Springs, $4,050,000
- Foothills Regional Housing: 220 rental units for the Ridge Road, Wheat Ridge, $2,100,000
- GES Coalition, Inc.: 60 rental and homeownership units for the Brighton Blvd-GESC, Denver, $3,571,429
- Habitat for Humanity Fort Collins: eight homeownership units for the Bloom Cottages, Fort Collins, $600,000
- Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver, Inc.: 40 homeownership units for the Calvary Flats Affordable Homes, Golden, $1,200,000
- Habitat for Humanity St Vrain: 35 homeownership units for the Habitat 15th and Terry Street Neighborhood, Longmont, $1,558,333 Metro Caring: 139 rental units for the Metro Caring Affordable Housing, Denver, $3,485,000 Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation: 11 rental and homeownership units for the Affordable Housing Phase 4, Bonita Dr., Pagosa Springs, $200,000 Pikes Peak Real Estate Foundation: 336 rental units for the Bradley Ridge Apartments, Colorado Springs, $4,850,000 The City of Fruita: 100 rental and homeownership units for The Fruita Commons, Fruita, $1,500,000
- The Inn Between of Longmont: 40 rental units for the 1886 Hover, Longmont, $1,750,000 The NHP Foundation: 158 rental units for the Liora, Denver, $3,850,000
- Thistle Community Housing: 48 rental and homeownership units for the Fairways Phase II, Boulder, $2,600,000
- Urban Land Conservancy II: 66 rental units for the Liberty House, Denver, $2,450,000
- West Colfax Lampstand: 9 homeownership units for the Flats at Harlan, Lakewood, $400,000
Applications were evaluated according to priorities outlined in statute, including high-density housing, mixed-income housing, and environmental sustainability. The selection process also considered accessibility to transit and walkable access to community services, readiness to proceed, financial feasibility, geographic distribution, and total number of units proposed, all priorities outlined by the Governor’s Executive Order to address Colorado’s housing supply.

The Land Banking program is part of the Affordable Housing Financing Fund, established by Proposition 123, managed by OEDIT and administered by CHFA. Ongoing updates are available by signing up to receive newsletter updates.

About the Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund

Passed by voters in November 2022, Proposition 123 established the State Affordable Housing Fund to advance the development and preservation of affordable housing in Colorado. The measure directs 40% of those funds to the Colorado Affordable Housing Support Fund administered by the state Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and 60% of funds to the Colorado Affordable Housing Financing Fund managed by OEDIT. OEDIT selected Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA) to serve as the Affordable Housing Financing Fund third-party administrator. The Affordable Housing Financing Fund consists of three programs: Land Banking, Equity and Concessionary Debt.

About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about OEDIT.

About Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)

For more than 50 years, CHFA has strengthened Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. CHFA invests in affordable homeownership, the development and preservation of affordable rental housing, helps small- and medium-sized businesses access capital, offers technical assistance and financial support to strengthen local communities, and supports mission-aligned nonprofits through philanthropic investment. CHFA is not a state agency. CHFA is a self-sustaining public enterprise. For more information about CHFA, please visit chfainfo.com or call 1.800.877.chfa (2432).

MIL OSI USA News –
May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Trenton Man Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison for Possessing Ammunition in Connection with a Shooting

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

TRENTON, N.J. – A Mercer County man was sentenced to 84 months in prison for being a felon in possession of ammunition in connection with a Trenton shooting, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Rashon Lawery, 27, of Trenton, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Georgette Castner in Trenton federal court to an Indictment charging him with unlawful possession of twenty-six rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition by a convicted felon.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On May 23, 2022, members of the Trenton Police Department responded to a report of a shooting. Three individuals were shot, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries, and law enforcement recovered six 9-millimeter shell casings at the scene. During a foot pursuit through a Trenton park, which eventually lead to his arrest, Lawery discarded a 9-millimeter unserialized semiautomatic pistol (a ghost gun) with a high-capacity 32-round magazine, which was loaded with twenty rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition. The six recovered shell casings from the shooting scene were later confirmed by a ballistics laboratory to have been discharged from Lawery’s gun.

In addition to the prison term, Judge Castner sentenced Lawery to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba credited special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, Trenton Satellite Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge L.C. Cheeks, Jr., officers of the Trenton Police Department, under the direction of Police Director Steve E. Wilson, and detectives and prosecutors of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey, for their work on this case.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey Agnew of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Criminal Division in Trenton.

###

Defense counsel: Andrea G. Aldana, Esq., Trenton

MIL Security OSI –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Launches the 2025 TV Line-up and Exciting New Partnership With BAFTA

Source: Samsung

LONDON, UK – May 7, 2025 – Samsung Electronics UK has unveiled an exciting new partnership with BAFTA (The British Academy of Film and Television Arts), as it continues to expand its commitment to supporting the UK’s vibrant creative industries.

The partnership announcement coincides with the launch of Samsung’s much-anticipated 2025 TV, projector and soundbar line-up, bringing the latest in AI-powered screen and audio innovations to British homes. Available to pre-order from today, the range will ship nationwide from Samsung.com and retail partners[1] including John Lewis, Currys, Argos, AO and Richer Sounds.

Samsung partners with BAFTA to support UK creative industries
Samsung has become the Official Screen Partner of BAFTA – underlining Samsung’s notoriety for superior picture quality and being at the heart of immersive, home entertainment. BAFTA champions and celebrates the best creative content across the screen arts’ industries – there are clear synergies between the two organisations. This collaboration marks the beginning of a joint initiative that celebrates storytelling, champions British talent, and spotlights innovation across film, games and television.

Samsung is committed to enhancing how audiences experience content, both at home and beyond. This partnership aligns perfectly ahead of the upcoming BAFTA TV Awards this Sunday, as a significant portion of the UK continues to enjoy their favourite shows on Samsung TVs – now in its nineteenth year as the global market leader for TV[2].

“The UK’s creative industries are thriving, driven by advances in technology, and the rise of digital-first content,” said Zeena Hill, Director of Marketing TV/AV at Samsung UK. “As more people enjoy award-winning entertainment at home, our unrivalled TV technology and innovations continue to lead the industry forwards and ensure that every creative detail is experienced at its best.

“This partnership with BAFTA champions artistic expression and elevated storytelling for a richer, more immersive viewing experience for all to enjoy.”

Jane Millichip, CEO at BAFTA, said: “Samsung’s commitment to innovation and excellence in home entertainment aligns perfectly with BAFTA’s mission to champion creativity and inspire audiences. Together, we look forward to celebrating the very best in screen storytelling and delivering even more engaging experiences to viewers globally.”

Revolutionising TV with Samsung Vision AI
The new Samsung 2025 line-up integrates advanced AI technologies to deliver an unparalleled and more personalised entertainment experience than ever before. Plus customers can claim up to £1000 cashback when you pre-order selected 2025 Samsung TVs and up to £400 on selected soundbars[3].

Samsung’s 2025 TV line-up introduces groundbreaking innovations in picture quality and smart features. Powered by Samsung Vision AI, the latest Samsung TVs takes the viewing experience to the next level. Advanced AI technologies analyse content and surroundings to automatically optimise the picture and sound.

Samsung is also introducing enhanced Glare-Free technology[4] on select models, minimising reflections while maintaining deeper blacks and clear images, even in brightly lit rooms. By using a new material, the anti-reflective properties have been greatly improved so that you can enjoy a beautiful image, regardless of the light on the screen. The Glare-Free technology has been expanded to selected Neo QLED and OLED models.

The TV line-up for 2025 includes a wide range of technologies and design, including:

Neo QLED 8K: With advanced Quantum Matrix Technology and Ultra Viewing Angle Technology for an unprecedented level of detail and contrast.
Neo QLED 4K: An excellent balance between picture quality and value, with powerful processors and bright, vibrant colours. The new QN90F now also feature Glare-Free technology, and have an improved processor and faster refresh rate.
The NEW Frame Pro enhances consumer experience by incorporating advanced Neo QLED technology, for enhanced, immersive picture quality alongside its Glare-Free Matte[5] finish to minimise distractions and compliment your interior with displaying stunning art⁳ when in standby mode.
In addition, the newly announced and renewed Wireless One Connect box allows the TV to be connected wirelessly from up to 10 metres away, meaning that unsightly cables are a thing of the past.
The Frame and The Frame Pro also have access to the Art Store[6], giving consumers access to over 2500+ pieces of art from some of the most well-known museums and art galleries globally.
OLED 4K: Available in different models (S95F, S90F, S85F) with screen sizes up to 83”. Samsung is continuing to innovate with its 2025 OLED line-up, delivering powerful full-screen brightness, deep blacks, vibrant, Pantone®-validated colours and our most advanced OLED Glare-Free technology – for distraction-free viewing across any environment
QLED 4K: Bright colours and an excellent viewing angle.
Crystal UHD: Sharp 4K resolution and vibrant colours at an attractive price.
NEW – The Premiere 5 is a new full HD touch interactive triple laser, ultra-short throw projector. Providing cinematic visuals and vivid colours that can project a screen up to 100 inches alongside interactive features[7].

New Soundbar line-up: design with superior sound experience
Samsung’s new Soundbar line-up is designed to work in sync with the new televisions and create an immersive audio experience. The top models, such as the HW-Q990F and HW-Q930F, offer a three-dimensional surround sound with support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, giving the audio a next generation experience. The compact subwoofer with dual active drivers of the HW-Q990F ensures a deep and powerful bass without vibrations.

With its sleek, modern design the all new QS700F Soundbar fits seamlessly into any room, with its new convertible design that can automatically detect the direction of installation through its gyro sensor and will optimise the sound accordingly – providing a perfected Dolby Atmos sound experience no matter how you install it in your home.

AI-driven sound optimisation, such as Q-Symphony together with SpaceFit Sound Pro, analyse the acoustics of the room and the content played to automatically optimize the sound for a clear, balanced and spacious reproduction and intelligible dialogue.

With this new line-up, Samsung is once again setting the standard for home entertainment – smarter, more beautiful and more immersive than ever before.

[1] Currys, John Lewis, Richer Sounds, Argos, AO, Very, Littlewoods, Amazon, Costco, Hughes Electrical and Harvey Norman.
[2] Samsung Electronics Marks 19 Consecutive Years as the Global TV Market Leader.
[3] Disclaimer: Samsung Electronics (UK) Limited. Purchase between 07.05.25 – 27.05.25 from a participating retailer. Claim must be submitted between 30 and 60 days of purchase. Maximum four claims per household, 10 per registered business. To claim, and for full T&Cs, see https://samsungoffers.claims/preorder2025VisionAI.
[4] Measured against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard, validated as ‘Glare Free’ by UL.
[5] Measured against Unified Glare Rating (UGR) testing standard, certified as glare-free (reflection, discomfort and disability glare) by UL.
[6] Art Store subscription and Samsung Account connection required to access full selection of artwork.
[7] Touch interaction is only available with the Touch Stand connected. Touch interaction support may vary by app, some apps may not support the feature. Some functions may be limited when using the feature.

MIL OSI Economics –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why Trump fails to understand China’s trade war tactics, and what his negotiators should be reading

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Harper, Lecturer in International Relations, University of East London

As US and Chinese representatives prepare to meet in Switzerland in an effort to ease their escalating trade war, a potential sign of Beijing’s approach has emerged in an opinion piece published in the state-owned journal Beijing Daily.

Articles in the publication are often seen as a reflection of Beijing’s official stance. The latest piece – Today, it is necessary to revisit On Protracted War – argues that the trade war is an American attempt to strangle China’s economic growth and that it is necessary to perceive the current trade tensions as a long-term development.

What’s particularly important here is that the title refers to former Chinese leader Mao Zedong’s 1938 essay On Protracted War, a piece of writing that set out Mao’s approach to combating the invading Japanese during the second Sino-Japanese war between 1937 and 1945.

This strategy was also key to the subsequent establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, after the communist victory in the long-running Chinese civil war. Mao became the chairman of the Chinese Communist party from 1943 until his death in 1976 and created a set of political theories referred to as Maoism. He wrote extensively on political strategy.

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Chinese policymakers and media figures often invoke the nation’s history to justify domestic and foreign policy. And the decision to reference Mao’s text reflects not only China’s strategy in the current trade war but also the lasting influence of his ideas.

Mao’s 1938 essay described a struggle that might seem, at first glance, a world away from the current China/US tariff conflict. His key thesis was that guerrilla warfare was a long-term affair with little chance for a quick victory.

Mao’s argument was that a war of attrition would end with a Chinese victory as it would slowly bleed the conventionally stronger Japanese forces of resources.
Such an approach has been a key feature of insurgencies throughout the modern world, with movements such as the Taliban in Afghanistan using the long war of attrition against larger or more technologically advanced foes.

By invoking On Protracted War, it would appear that Beijing perceives its economic struggles with the US as a conflict without a swift resolution, something that may come as a shock to Donald Trump who is clearly signalling that he now wants a deal.

This long view approach has also been reflected in how Beijing has been preparing for a second Trump trade war ever since its experiences in the first Trump presidency.

How US/China tariff war is affecting US markets.

In contrast to China, the US administration appears to have banked on the trade war being a comparatively brief affair that should be ended by a quick and decisive knock-out blow against Beijing. And a public relations coup for Trump. This explains the showmanship behind the “liberation day” announcements, and the speed at which Washington deployed its key moves.

But by preparing its citizens for a protracted trade war, it would appear that China’s strategy, similarly to Mao’s, is to slow down the process and grind out the best deal it can over time.

Beijing believes that Chinese consumers are more capable of “eating bitterness” (coping with hardship) than Americans. So US diplomats would be well advised to dip into On Protracted War to understand more of China’s president Xi Jinping’s intentions.

Mao’s long shadow

However, this is not the only way in which Mao’s strategies are relevant to global politics right now.

Another of Mao’s political ideas was what he termed the “people’s war”. This envisioned a slow movement where one group creates “shadow institutions” that gradually displace established ones in order to build support from the local population.

This echoes part of China’s approach to globalisation, where China has supported, or created, alternatives to US-led institutions.

Many of Beijing’s international institutions, such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the belt and the road initiative are created to be alternatives to more established international bodies, such as the IMF and the World Bank. These Beijing felt were too dominated by the US.

While China has worked on this policy for decades, it seems to chime with Trump’s lack of commitment to US involvement in international institutions, such as the IMF and Nato. In this aspect of international politics, Xi and Trump seem to have somewhat similar goals, and could open up more space for Chinese leadership of these institutions.

It’s becoming clear that the Trump administration has severely miscalculated by assuming that Beijing would quickly capitulate, showing a lack of understanding of Chinese culture and political history. The expected instant deal has failed to materialise, and US stores are now warning that shelves may soon be empty of many goods.

The trade war has become a war of attrition, and whatever moves Xi makes now are likely to be only his first in what he sees as a very long game, in the great Maoist tradition.

Tom Harper 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 Trump fails to understand China’s trade war tactics, and what his negotiators should be reading – https://theconversation.com/why-trump-fails-to-understand-chinas-trade-war-tactics-and-what-his-negotiators-should-be-reading-256126

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Your fridge might be a breeding ground for bacteria – here’s how to fix it

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Oleksii Omelchenko, Doctoral Researcher in listeria and other invasive pathogens, Quadram Institute

Nicoleta Ionescu/Shutterstock

The kitchen is often the heart of the home – a place where families gather and meals begin. And at the start of it all? The fridge. This is where we safely store much of our food, and as technology advances, fridges are getting smarter: being able to track inventory, suggest recipes, even displaying the news.

But of all their features, temperature remains the most critical. We rely on fridges to keep food fresh, but if the temperature isn’t right, they can do the opposite – essentially becoming cosy incubators for bacteria.

As a microbiologist, I might find that fascinating, but it’s definitely not ideal for the sausages you brought home from the farmer’s market.

When looking across many households, the average temperature in fridges is 5.3°C – just above the recommended safe range of 0–5°C (32–41°F). More concerning is how often temperatures fluctuate. Many fridges spend over half their time above that safe limit.

Some have even been found running as high as 15°C (59°F), which, in parts of the UK, is practically a warm summer’s day. At those temperatures, bacteria can multiply quickly, increasing the risk of food spoilage or even food-borne illness.

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So, what’s going wrong? Part of the problem is that many fridges lack an accurate, accessible way to monitor their internal temperature. Let’s admit: most of us don’t know what the dial settings actually mean.

On top of that, every time you open the door, warm air rushes in. The longer the door stays open, especially if you’re lingering while choosing a snack, the more the internal temperature climbs toward room temperature, creating a more suitable environment for bacteria to thrive.

Keep bacteria in check

Here are simple ways to keep your food fresher – and safer:

• Minimise door openings. Don’t leave the fridge hanging open while you unload groceries.

• Use a rotating organiser. A lazy susan can help you avoid searching through a shelf full of products for that half-used sauce bottle.

• Clean your door seals. Every few months, check for mould or grime and make sure the seals close tightly.

Temperature also varies inside your fridge. The coldest spot is usually at the back, while the warmest is on the door. That means items like milk or raw meat are best stored near the back – not in the door. The door is fine for butter or fizzy drinks.

Even though many modern fridges have a built-in sensor, it often only reflects the temperature at one spot. In fact, 68% of households never adjust their temperature settings.

A practical tip? Place a few stick-on thermometers in different areas of your fridge. If any are regularly above 5°C (41°F), it’s time to adjust. But remember: the built-in indicators inside your fridge don’t always reflect the actual temperature throughout your fridge.

Also, avoid overcrowding. Aim to keep your fridge about 75% full, so cold air can circulate properly. You can make room by storing items such as stone fruits, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes and honey in a cool, dry cupboard – these don’t need refrigeration.

But temperature isn’t the only concern. Even a well-chilled fridge can harbour invisible risks. Studies show that fridges can contain pathogens, likely to have been introduced previously via food or packaging that may have been contaminated.

While cold temperatures stops many bacteria from growing, some – like Listeria monocytogenes – can survive and even multiply in low temperatures. Listeria, which is especially dangerous for pregnant people and older adults, can be found in soft cheeses, cured or smoked fish (including sushi), deli meats, pre-packaged fruit, frozen veg and ready-made sandwiches.

Reduce risk

To reduce risk for yourself and others, follow recommendations from the food safety authorities:

• Keep raw foods – like meat and fish that need cooking – separate from ready-to-eat items such as fruits or sandwiches.

• Store raw meat and fish on the bottom shelf of the fridge. That way, if any juices leak, they won’t drip onto other foods.

• Consume ready-to-eat products within four hours of removing them from the fridge.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water before, during and after meal preparation.

• Follow the cooking instructions on packaging when applicable.

Improving your fridge habits might not sound thrilling, but it helps food stay fresher longer, keeps your fridge working more efficiently, and most importantly, protects your health – and the health of your family.

Oh, and about that leftover chicken from dinner early in the week… We’ve all done the sniff test. But just because your leftovers smell fine doesn’t mean they are fine. Bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria don’t always come with a funky odour.

Read more:
The sniff test is not reliable for food safety – here’s why

Oleksii Omelchenko receives funding from BBSRC, FSA.

Judith Evans has received funding from the European Commission, EPSRC, NGOs and development agencies.

– ref. Your fridge might be a breeding ground for bacteria – here’s how to fix it – https://theconversation.com/your-fridge-might-be-a-breeding-ground-for-bacteria-heres-how-to-fix-it-252339

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why Trump’s plans for tariffs on foreign films probably won’t have a happy ending

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jean Chalaby, Professor of Sociology, City St George’s, University of London

Bill Chizek/Shutterstock

With its tariffs policies, the administration of US president Donald Trump aims to correct the country’s persistent goods trade deficit. The president has argued that the US has been “looted, pillaged, raped and plundered” by other countries. Trump feels it is now America’s “turn to prosper” – and he has the film and TV industries in his sights with threats of 100% tariffs on foreign films.

Economists cite multiple reasons why tariffs are bad for economies, from stunting growth to adding inflationary pressure. But there is a more fundamental problem, which is notable in the case of the film and TV industries. While trade data reflects a country’s overall performance, it says nothing about the nature and ownership of the traded goods.

Indeed, the cross-border activities and foreign investments of US-based multinationals widen the US trade deficit. Global trade flows in film and TV are a good example.

In terms of the origin of a movie, it is determined by factors including the nationality of those in key creative roles, financing, filming location and the culture reflected in the theme and story. The US has long been the world’s largest exporter of films and TV, dominating global media flows for much of the 20th century.

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In the 1970s, the country exported seven times as much film and TV programming as that of its nearest competitor (the UK). Three decades later, the US was still exporting 4.5 times the amount of content it imported – US$12.6 billion (£9.4 billion) versus US$2.8 billion.

US exports have increased, reaching US$24.7 billion in 2023, and Hollywood remains the world’s largest movie exporter. However, the US balance of trade in the sector has shifted dramatically. While US exports grew by 95.4% between 2006 and 2023, US imports increased by 898%.

The trade in film and TV programming achieved balance in 2019, and my research shows that since then, the US has imported more films and TV shows than it exported. The deficit was narrowing in 2023 but imports remained 12.1% higher than exports (US$27.7 billion versus US$24.3 billion).

This deficit deserves an explanation. Are Asian and European producers suddenly flooding the US with films and TV shows? Has the American public developed an insatiable appetite for Nordic noir or K-drama? The reality is that US-based media conglomerates like Disney, Netflix and Warner Bros Discovery have changed strategy. They have moved away from their previous focus on exports to direct-to-consumer international distribution.

What does this mean? Well, instead of licensing content to foreign broadcasters and cinemas (which they still do, but to a lesser extent), they retail their content internationally, using their own global streaming services.

The US entertainment paradox

Maintaining these large content libraries explains the shift of the US trade balance. US-based streamers export less because they now retain more of their content for exclusive distribution on their own streaming platforms. And they import more because they acquire foreign content in greater quantities than ever before.

For example, Stranger Things is produced by Netflix in the US. As such, it does not show up in export figures. Squid Game, on the other hand, is a Korean export and shows up in US import data.

Moreover, Walt Disney has decided to retain the exclusive rights to its franchises, forgoing licensing sales. In 2020, the company licensed 59% of its scripted series to third parties, 18% in 2021, and only 2% in 2022.

All the US streaming giants license and commission foreign content. Netflix in particular has spent more on international content than US programming since 2024 (US$7.9 billion versus US$7.5 billion). Hence the creation of a paradox: US trade data in audiovisual services reveals a trade deficit, yet the US-based entertainment industry has never been so dominant globally.

There are similar patterns in industries in which US-based multinationals are located at the apex of transnational supply chains. The jeans that Levi Strauss imports from Bangladesh, the trainers that Nike imports from Vietnam, and the car components Ford imports from Brazil all show up in US trade statistics. But these goods are, essentially, American-owned assets.

About 70% of trade involves global value chains (GVC), as raw materials and components cross borders multiple times before being assembled into a final product.

In today’s global economy, the complexity of most products requires companies to cooperate along transnational production networks. As businesses and countries specialise in specific tasks, GVCs are the most efficient way of producing goods and services. The streaming industry simply mirrors these wider patterns.

Mindful of the US trade deficit in films and TV programmes, Trump announced the plans for 100% tariffs on all films produced outside the US. However, his attempt to “make Hollywood great again” is misguided.

While Hollywood has new rivals to contend with, notably South Korea, it remains the world’s largest film and TV exporter. Following a short period of decline in the late 2010s, US exports have continued to grow to reach a record US$24.3 billion.

For Trump, the vexing issue is that the US imports more films and TV programmes than its exports. But that is due to US-based platforms’ foreign content hoarding. Adolescence and Squid Game have indeed contributed to extending the gap between US imports and exports, but they are US-owned assets that have earned Netflix hundreds of millions of dollars in subscription fees. (Squid Game’s impact value for Netflix was estimated at US$891 million in 2021.)

Squid Game is an import, but it’s a giant money-spinner for US streamer Netflix.

And American content on US-based streaming giants does not show up in trade data. The whole world is watching Black Mirror and Ransom Canyon, but these series have never been exported. Rather, they are on a global platform (Netflix). US-based media conglomerates have never been so dominant in the global media market.

In short, trade data does not tell the whole story. If implemented, these tariffs will certainly have far-reaching consequences for the film and TV industry. But they are unlikely to make anyone more prosperous.

Jean Chalaby 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 Trump’s plans for tariffs on foreign films probably won’t have a happy ending – https://theconversation.com/why-trumps-plans-for-tariffs-on-foreign-films-probably-wont-have-a-happy-ending-256004

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese authorities have called for efforts to reduce the number of serious accidents

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, May 7 (Xinhua) — China’s State Council’s Commission on Industrial Safety on Wednesday called for increased efforts to prevent serious accidents in the country.

The agency issued a notice calling on governments at all levels and centrally-controlled enterprises to take decisive steps to fulfil their responsibilities and implement safety measures at the grassroots level and at every workplace.

The document also emphasizes the need to actively respond to the challenges posed to production safety by adverse weather conditions.

Additional efforts should be made to enhance safety in the transport sector by strengthening checks, patrols, monitoring and early warning during adverse weather and peak hours, the notice said.

In addition, the committee requires strengthening security controls in crowded areas and taking measures to evacuate visitors and suspend operations in the event of extreme weather events.

The notice notes the need to eliminate hidden hazards in key industries and areas, in particular to improve the safety of chemical industrial parks, improve the safety situation of obsolete chemical equipment, and expand expert support services in key areas. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Pakistan is fully capable of defending its borders and responding to Indian aggression: PM

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

ISLAMABAD, May 7 (Xinhua) — Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday said his country is fully capable of defending its geographical borders and responding to any aggression from India.

Sh. Sharif made this statement while speaking in the National Assembly (lower house of parliament) of Pakistan.

Pakistan shot down five Indian military aircraft without entering Indian airspace, he said.

Pakistan’s National Security Council has “authorised” the army to take “appropriate” countermeasures in response to the Indian attacks, which killed 26 civilians and injured 46, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on Wednesday.

Tensions between the two South Asian neighbours have escalated after an attack on tourists in Pahalgam, which Indian media reported killed at least 25 people. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Aaliyah’s turn as a vampire in the nu-metal film Queen of the Damned is an often-overlooked part of her legacy

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesca Sobande, Reader in Digital Media Studies, Cardiff University

Black women’s influence on metal and connected sub-genres is still often overlooked. As part of my research into Black women in pop culture, I’ve looked at the relationship between race, gender, onscreen portrayals of immortality and nu-metal.

Nu-metal, popularised in the early 2000s, is known for combining the mood of metal with riffs and hues of rap and hip-hop. The genre drew on the creativity of Black artists, singers and musicians across different genres and generations.

My research on this has involved reflecting on the nu-metal-themed film Queen of the Damned (2002), based on Anne Rice’s enduring Vampire Chronicles books. It starred the singer Aaliyah as the powerful vampire Akasha. It was to be her final acting role before her death aged just 22. Shortly before, she had also signed to appear in the sequel to The Matrix, another nu-metal franchise.

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Aaliyah doesn’t sing in Queen of the Damned, but her hip-hop stardom is still central to the film, as is suggested by the emphasis on her image in its marketing. Aaliyah being foregrounded in a nu-metal film, paired with the limited dialogue and plot development of her character, reflects how Black women in alt and rock music and accompanying media are sometimes treated as simply there to be seen, not heard.

With a 17% “tomatometer” score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 2.8 star ranking on Letterboxed, Queen of the Damned is generally seen as a flop. But despite this, the film remains influential, particularly due to Aaliyah’s poised presence as a hip-hop star in a fictional and vampiric nu-metal world.

The character of Akasha can be criticised for representing stereotypical ideas of Black women as being dangerously seductive. Still, Aaliyah’s portrayal made an impression.

Aaliyah in a scene from Queen of the Damned.

In recent years the film has received renewed attention, sparked by the resurgence of nu-metal and the creation of the AMC TV show Interview with the Vampire (2022-present). Its much anticipated third season is due to include Akasha. This has led to some fans calling for her to be played by hip-hop artist Megan Thee Stallion. The rapper made a Paris Fashion Week appearance in 2025 in an outfit that harked back to Aaliyah’s performance as Akasha.

This demonstrates that part of Aaliyah’s ongoing impact is the way she established the character of Akasha as canonically connected to hip-hop.

More than ‘seen, not heard’

Understandably eclipsed by her wider work, Queen of the Damned is not focused on in many ways Aaliyah is memorialised. But, for me, her involvement in the film symbolises how Black women’s creativity and coolness is leveraged by music genres and their media marketing.

Aaliyah in 2000.
Wiki Commons, CC BY-SA

When remembering Aaliyah’s cultural influence, her multifaceted role in the new millennium and nu-metal landscape must be meaningfully acknowledged. More than that, how all Black women in music are publicly memorialised must involve more care and recognition of their important work across, between and beyond genres.

When news spread of the death of Roberta Flack in February, her fans took to social media to mourn her loss. Legend, musician, singer, teacher – those were just some of the many words used in online posts rightly celebrating her life.

But as layla-roxanne hill and I discuss in our new book, Look, Don’t Touch: Reflections on the Freedom to Feel, memorialising people as “icons” sometimes reduces or reframes who they were to little more than symbols and soundbites. There should be space to name Black women’s impact on music and society, but in ways that affirm the multitudes of their lives.

This is touched on in the documentary TLC Forever (2023), as is society’s disregard for the grief experienced by Black women such as TLC members Rozonda Thomas and Tionne Watkins. Following the death of their friend and band member Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes in a bus crash aged 30, they faced pressures to push forward with releasing music while grieving.

Another documentary, 20 Feet from Stardom (2013), also illuminated the inequalities faced by Black women singers. Their signature sounds propel the success of many genres, but they seldom benefit from this in substantial and sustained ways.

The trailer for TLC Forever.

The way the tragic death of Aaliyah was treated is a case in point. The R&B and hip-hop singer died in a plane crash in August 2001. Media headlines mounted, including coverage that referred to “her movie debut last year”, but which did not discuss that role or her broader acting work.

It may be impossible for any memorial message to fully express and appreciate someone’s essence. However, the ways that Black women are remembered (and forgotten) in society are shaped by the specifics of misogynoir – the interconnected effects of racism, sexism and misogyny.

Black women are so much more than the binary narratives projected onto them – strong versus soft, young versus old, singer versus actor, survivor versus victim and living versus dead. As the title of one of Aaliyah’s own songs conveys, she was More Than a Woman.

Francesca Sobande received Impact Acceleration funding from UKRI in 2024, towards a project on “The Cultural Memory and Archived Experiences of Black People in ‘Alternative’ Music Subcultures”, in collaboration with the Museum of Youth Culture.

– ref. Aaliyah’s turn as a vampire in the nu-metal film Queen of the Damned is an often-overlooked part of her legacy – https://theconversation.com/aaliyahs-turn-as-a-vampire-in-the-nu-metal-film-queen-of-the-damned-is-an-often-overlooked-part-of-her-legacy-251860

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Europe is moving to reposition itself in Donald Trump’s new global order

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stefan Wolff, Professor of International Security, University of Birmingham

FabrikaSimf/Shutterstock

The term that perhaps best describes the international impact of the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s second term is “disruption”. His tariff policy, his abolition of USAID, his questioning of the transatlantic alliance, and his attempted rapprochement with Russia have neither destroyed the liberal international order nor established anything new in its place.

But the prospects of liberal internationalism under Trump are vanishingly small. And Trumpism, in the guise of an America-first foreign policy, is likely to outlast Trump’s second term.

That the US is no longer the standard bearer of the liberal international order has been clear for some time. Trump and his Russian and Chinese counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, appear to see themselves as dominant players in a new multi-polar world order. But it is not clear that a grand bargain between them is possible – or that it would endure.

Europe is particularly vulnerable to these changes in the international order. Having been able to rely for the past eight decades on an iron-clad American security guarantee, European countries chronically under-invested in their defence capabilities, especially since the end of the cold war.

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Defence spending as a proportion of GDP may have increased over the past decade but remains lacklustre. And investment into an independent European defence industrial base faces many hurdles.

These deficiencies predated Trump’s return to the White House. Addressing them will only be possible in a time frame beyond his second term. With no dependable partners left among the world’s great powers, Europe’s predicament – unenviable as it may be for the moment – nonetheless offers an opportunity for the continent to begin to stand on its own feet.

Early signs of a more independent Europe are promising. In March, the European commission released a white paper on defence which anticipates defence investment of €800 billion (£680 billion) over the next four years.

The bulk of this will rely on the activation of the so-called “national escape clause”. This allows EU member states to escape penalties if they exceed the normal deficit ceiling of 3% GDP.

Once activated for the purpose of defence spending, they can now take on additional debt of up to 1.5% of their GDP. By the end of April, 12 EU member states had already requested that the national escape clause be activated, with several more expected to follow.

Defence is clearly the most urgent problem for Europe. But it isn’t the only aspect to consider when it comes to achieving greater strategic autonomy, something that the European Union has grappled with for more than a decade. In other areas, such as trade and energy, the starting point is a very different one.

Regarding energy independence, the EU has achieved a remarkable and quick pivot away from Russia. It has just released a final plan to stop all remaining gas imports from Russia by the end of 2027.

On trade, Donald Trump’s America-first tariff policy has done significant damage to the global system. This has, in turn, created opportunities for the EU, as one of the world’s largest trading blocs, including greater cooperation with China, already one of its largest trading partners.

Complex relationships

China and the EU clearly share an interest in preserving a global trade regime from which both have benefited. But their economic interests cannot be separated easily from their geopolitical interests. So far, China has sent very mixed signals to Europe.

Beijing has, for example, proposed to lift sanctions against some members of the European parliament who have been critical of China in a show of goodwill. But China’s support for Russia continues as well, most recently with Xi’s commitment to visit Moscow for the victory day parade on May 9.

Standing with Moscow may benefit Beijing in its rivalry with the US by solidifying the no-limits partnership that Xi and Putin announced on the eve of Russia’s full-sale invasion in February 2022. But it does little to win the EU over as a partner in defence of the open international order that Trump is trying his best to shutter.

On the contrary, in reaffirming China’s commitment to its partnership with Russia, Xi may well have lost whatever chances there were for a European realignment with China.

The complexities of the EU-China and EU-US relationships – a curious mix of rapidly shifting interests – reflects the EU’s position as the natural centre of gravity of what is left of the west. This is evident in the rapid evolution of the “coalition of the willing” in support of Ukraine, which brings together 30 countries from across the EU and Nato under French and British leadership.

Beyond Europe, Trump’s tariff policy has given plans for a strategic partnership between the EU and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) a new lease of life. The CPTPP is a group of 11 Indo-Pacific countries and the UK, which joined last December. It is one of the world’s largest free trade areas, accounting for approximately 15% of global GDP.

Even without US and Chinese membership, a partnership between the EU and the CPTPP would wield significant power in the global economic system and could play a future role in shielding its members from an intensifying US-China trade war.

Limited alternatives

None of the steps taken by the EU and its partners on the continent and elsewhere require the breakdown in the transatlantic relationship that the Trump administration appears keen to engineer. But speeches by both the US vice president, J.D. Vance, and the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, were clear that America’s relationship with Europe is changing.

Washington, under its current leadership, increasingly leans towards the political forces in Europe that are opposed to the values on which the continent has been orientated since 1945. This leaves Europe few options but to seek more independence from the US.

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A more independent Europe is unlikely to become a global superpower on par with the US or China. But it will be better able to hold its own in a geopolitical environment that is less based on rules and more on power.

The EU currently enjoys historically high approval ratings among its citizens – who also support more unity and a more active role for the EU in protecting them from global security risks.

It’s increasingly clear that EU leaders and their partners have a unique opportunity – and an obligation – to carve out a more secure and independent space in a hostile global environment.

Stefan Wolff is a past recipient of grant funding from the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK, the United States Institute of Peace, the Economic and Social Research Council of the UK, the British Academy, the NATO Science for Peace Programme, the EU Framework Programmes 6 and 7 and Horizon 2020, as well as the EU’s Jean Monnet Programme. He is a Trustee and Honorary Treasurer of the Political Studies Association of the UK and a Senior Research Fellow at the Foreign Policy Centre in London.

– ref. Europe is moving to reposition itself in Donald Trump’s new global order – https://theconversation.com/europe-is-moving-to-reposition-itself-in-donald-trumps-new-global-order-255344

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Bone broth is hyped by celebrities and hailed as a wellness superfood – here’s what the science says

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Dipa Kamdar, Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University

AB-7272/Shutterstock

When someone tells you to “clean your plate”, bones usually aren’t included. But for some people, bones – or rather, what’s inside them – are the best part of a meal. Bone broth, once a humble kitchen staple, has surged in popularity in recent years, championed as a superfood by celebrities and wellness influencers.

Stars such as Salma Hayek and Gwyneth Paltrow are reported to swear by it for beauty and health, while late basketball legend Kobe Bryant used it as a pre-game meal. But bone broth is far from a new discovery – it’s rooted in prehistoric cooking, traditional Chinese medicine and folk remedies around the world.

So, what exactly is bone broth – and does it live up to the hype?

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This nutrient-dense liquid, also known as stock, is made by simmering animal bones and connective tissues, such as cartilage and tendons, for 12 to 48 hours. This slow cooking process extracts nutrients such as collagen, amino acids and minerals into the liquid. The result is a rich, savoury broth that can be sipped on its own or used as a base for soups, sauces and stews.

While store-bought bone broth is convenient, homemade versions offer better control over ingredients and often greater nutritional value. Typical ingredients include bones (from chicken, beef or fish), water, vinegar (to help extract minerals) and various herbs and vegetables for flavour.

Skin benefits

Bone broth is praised for its collagen content – the protein that forms connective tissue in skin, cartilage, tendons and bones. It’s thought to promote joint flexibility and reduce signs of skin ageing.

Some studies show that hydrolysed collagen (a broken-down form that’s easier to absorb) may improve skin elasticity and hydration, and reduce wrinkles. Other research suggests it may ease joint pain and stiffness, especially in people with osteoarthritis.

However, most of these studies focus on collagen supplements and, while it’s often marketed as a collagen-rich superfood, research shows that bone broths don’t contain enough collagen to match the effects seen in clinical studies on supplements. Instead, a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamin C and healthy fats is more reliably linked to collagen production.

Big claims, little evidence

Bone broth is a source of amino acids such as glutamine, glycine and arginine that are thought to support gut lining integrity and immune function. Glutamine, in particular, may help repair the intestinal wall and prevent “leaky gut” – a condition where toxins and bacteria pass through a weakened gut barrier, potentially causing inflammation.

Some scientists even suggest links between gut health and conditions such as autism, ADHD, depression and schizophrenia – though this remains a controversial and under-researched area.

Bone broth is low in calories but high in protein, making it filling and potentially helpful for weight management. It’s also hydrating, providing electrolytes including sodium, potassium and magnesium that are particularly useful during illness or recovery.

Some evidence supports the idea that nutrients in bone broth, especially amino acids, can reduce inflammation and support immune function. But overall, there is limited human research on the direct benefits of drinking bone broth. There are, however, potential risks to consider before you add it to your diet.

Heavy metal

Because animal bones can accumulate heavy metals such as lead, simmering them for long periods may cause these metals to leach into the broth. While studies on this are mixed, the risk may depend on the source and quality of the bones used.

Consuming bone broth with high levels of heavy metals can pose health risks, including minor ailments like headaches, vomiting and tiredness. But more dangerously, heavy metals can also cause organ damage in the long term.

Research on toxic metals in bone broth shows mixed results. Since recipes differ, it’s hard to know the exact nutrition content of each broth. Many shop-bought bone broths contain high levels of sodium, which can raise blood pressure and strain the heart and kidneys. Check labels or make your own to control the salt content.

Bone broth contains glutamate, a naturally occurring amino acid that may cause anxiety, restlessness or headaches in some people, though evidence for this is largely anecdotal.

Improper storage or preparation of bone broth can lead to bacterial contamination, which can cause gut infections and symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea. Always refrigerate or freeze broth promptly, then reheat it thoroughly before consumption.

Bone broth can be a nourishing, tasty addition to your diet, especially when made at home with high-quality ingredients. It’s hydrating, packed with protein and rich in flavour. But it’s not a miracle cure, and the health benefits may be more modest than advertised.

If you’re looking to boost collagen, your best bet is a healthy, balanced diet. Focus on eating plenty of protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables – all of which provide the nutrients your body needs to naturally produce collagen.

In addition to what’s on your plate, healthy lifestyle habits also play a key role. Prioritise quality sleep (seven to nine hours a night), manage stress, avoid smoking and protect your skin with sunscreen.

While bone broth may offer some benefits, the scientific evidence supporting its role in collagen production is still limited. Consider it a nourishing supplement to a healthy lifestyle, not a cure-all.

Dipa Kamdar 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. Bone broth is hyped by celebrities and hailed as a wellness superfood – here’s what the science says – https://theconversation.com/bone-broth-is-hyped-by-celebrities-and-hailed-as-a-wellness-superfood-heres-what-the-science-says-254520

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Can a 10- or 15-minute workout really help you get fit? A sports scientist explains

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Andrew Scott, Senior Lecturer in Cinical Exercise Physiology, University of Portsmouth

Even 15 minutes of cycling a day can improve cardiovascular health. Bohdan Malitskiy/ Shutterstock

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time for exercise can be challenging. This probably explains why short workouts continue to be so popular. But can workouts of only 10 or 15 minutes really help you get fit? The answer, according to research, is a resounding yes. Short workouts can be very effective – offering numerous health benefits with just a small time commitment.

Research has consistently demonstrated that short bursts of exercise can yield substantial health benefits. A study published in the European Heart Journal found that engaging in vigorous activity for just 15 minutes per week, broken into several short bouts – as little as two minutes of exercise per day – can significantly lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and early death.

Participants who accumulated these brief sessions throughout the week experienced an 18% lower risk of dying during the study period, a 40% lower risk of developing heart disease and a 16% drop in cancer risk. Vigorous-intensity activities (meaning they make you breathe harder and increase your heart rate) can include brisk walking, jogging, cycling, rowing, swimming and dancing.

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Research has also consistently found that spreading one-minute bursts of vigorous-intensity activities throughout the course of the day is as effective as one continuous, 30-minute workout of moderate intensity or one 20-minute intense workout.

This means that performing multiple “exercise snacks” can provide similar benefits to a longer workout – including improvements in blood pressure, cardiorespiratory health, blood fat, insulin and blood sugar levels. These findings suggest that short workouts can be a practical and efficient way to maintain overall health.

Some examples of easy exercise snacks you can incorporate into your day include using the stairs instead of the lift, walking one or two bus stops away from where you usually get on and taking short, brisk walking breaks every hour or two while at the work.

Making it count

While short workouts have many advantages, there are some caveats to consider.

It’s essential that these brief sessions are of at least moderate-to-vigorous intensity to maximise their benefits. This means that even after a short burst of activity, your heart will be beating more quickly, you’ll be breathing heavier and you’ll feel hot and sweaty.

For exercise novices, lower intensity workouts can still be beneficial in the short term. But as you become more fit, simply performing light activities without challenging yourself further may not provide the same health improvements as more intense or longer exercise sessions.

Moreover, while short workouts can be effective, they should be complemented by other forms of physical activity to meet the recommended activity guidelines. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week. They should also perform muscle-strengthening activities at least two days per week. Short workouts can contribute to these totals, but it’s crucial to ensure a balanced exercise routine.

You should aim to do a mix of both cardio and strength training workouts each week.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/ Shutterstock

Another consideration is the potential plateau effect that can happen with any physical activity programme. Research indicates that improvements in aerobic capacity may level off after a few weeks of exercise. Our body becomes used to our exercise routines. As such, we need to change things up in order to promote further progress. This means varying your exercise routine and incorporating longer or more intense sessions periodically.

Where long workouts win

While short workouts offer many benefits, there are certain types of fitness that require longer sessions.

Endurance training, for example, often necessitates extended periods of exercise to improve high-intensity aerobic performance and cardiovascular health benefits. This is why activities such as long-distance running, cycling and swimming are typically performed over a longer duration. However, short, high-intensity exercise training can still be used alongside your usual, longer workouts to boost endurance benefits in a time-efficient way.

Strength training also benefits from longer workouts. While short, intense sessions can improve muscle strength and power, longer workouts allow for more comprehensive training targeting different muscle groups and incorporating various exercises. This can lead to greater overall muscle development and strength gains.

Additionally, flexibility and balance exercises, such as yoga and Pilates, can be added throughout the week to boost the results of your workouts. These activities focus on controlled movements and stretching, and can further improve these fitness components even in short sessions.

Even still, short workouts can be a valuable addition to your fitness regimen – offering significant health benefits and flexibility for busy schedules. But it’s important to ensure these short workouts are at least moderately intense, and combined with other types of exercise throughout your week to achieve optimal results.

Andrew Scott 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. Can a 10- or 15-minute workout really help you get fit? A sports scientist explains – https://theconversation.com/can-a-10-or-15-minute-workout-really-help-you-get-fit-a-sports-scientist-explains-254415

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: VE Day: how personal first-hand accounts help keep everyday narratives of wartime Britain alive

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Hazel Hall, Emeritus Professor in the School of Computing, Engineering, and Built Environment, Edinburgh Napier University

From street parties to flypasts, the myriad events of VE Day – which this year commemorates the 80th anniversary of victory in Europe – take place against the backdrop of grand wartime narratives. These include accounts of military strategy, major battles and political decisions made by global leaders. Central to the day are the few remaining second world war veterans and the memory of those who lost their lives in the conflict between 1939 and 1945.

While military and political history may dominate the retelling of VE Day, the research of my colleagues at Napier and myself has focused on a wartime commentary written by a young woman called Lorna Lloyd from Malvern, Worcestershire, between 1939 and 1941.

Thursday December 12 1940

It was a very bad night last night with guns firing endlessly and heavy bombs dropping in the (not so) distance. Cheltenham seems to have got it, and Birmingham. We hardly slept at all, for though the All Clear went at 1.40am, a new alert sounded at 4.00am, and the All Clear did not go until 20 to eight.

Through our study we found that bringing the voices of ordinary people from the second world war directly into the present can forge strong emotional connections to the past, giving people a real appreciation of what it was like to live through the war in Britain. This material also prompts consideration of parallels between past and current hostilities.

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Fearing a German invasion in May 1940, 26-year-old Lloyd wrote in her diary: “I shall bury this diary so deep that one day, in a saner world, someone may find it and know that the last legions of civilisation meant not dominion but good.”

Whether or not today’s world is saner, our research with 12 interviewees familiar with two digitised versions of Lloyd’s wartime diary revealed that excerpts had a stronger emotional impact when packaged as audio in a podcast series than they did presented online as text and images.

Using news reports from the time including broadcast excerpts from the BBC, Lloyd’s words composed at her middle-class home in the Midlands highlight that war is a very human experience that affects everyone.

Her commentary offers insight into the devastating reach of the conflict on those far from the frontlines, with reflections that demonstrate the psychological toll of war and its impact on everyday life.

December 31 1940

London vanishes gradually. Now a slice is shorn away as on Sunday night, now inchmeal buildings are levelled and gaps torn in its ancient fabric. With each, something dies that was hallowed by generations of hope and endeavour, quiet monuments of ordinary strivings vanish into piles of rubble.

They also shed light on the roots of post-war social transformation, from the formation of the National Health Service to the cautious outlook of the so-called “silent generation” who grew up amid rationing and uncertainty. In a time when peace can no longer be taken for granted, these personal perspectives reinforce the importance of diplomacy, and the need to avoid conflict in the future.

June 3 1940

There are times when I feel endlessly old, and worn out, and others when I feel hopelessly young, and completely unable to combat life, or to hope for any future. I know somehow, despite the frantic entry of May 15th, that we shall win in the end, but my spirit quails at the task of building up again what has been broken down. It took 22 years to arrive even in this country at anything like normality after the last war. When things have settled down again shall I be old?

Although we anticipated that our participants would find the experience particularly affecting since they knew Lloyd was played in the podcast episodes by her 25-year-old great-great niece, an unexpected finding was that the emotional reaction was greater when the audience members recognised parallels between Lloyd’s reports of the early months of the war and the current war in Ukraine.

They were struck by the echoes of Lloyd’s commentary on 1940s wartime Europe in present-day Ukraine. One interviewee said: “It’s so much harder [to listen]… because we are in a similar situation … If you changed the words slightly, it could [be] contemporary … If we made Germany Russia, and made Finland Ukraine … We are dealing with [accommodating displaced people] today.”

This finding shows that examining history in this accessible way can lead to identifying parallels with the present. An advantage that we have today – and which was denied to Lorna Lloyd and her contemporaries – is that we have an example from history to warn us about the dangers of the current political climate in Europe.

The political and economic pressures at the time in Weimar Germany paved the way for the rise of the Nazi party. And now, with the rise of the right wing in Europe and across the world once more, it is more important than ever to learn from the past.

As so few living memories of the second world war remain today, VE Day gives us a chance to consider how we keep such “hidden” histories alive. Our research shows that digital storytelling such as podcasts give fresh resonance to archive material in an uncertain world. And it makes clear the enduring value of encouraging interaction with historical records to make sense of today’s wider social and political turbulence.

The research cited here was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council through the Creative Informatics programme. Hazel Hall acknowledges the contributions of her colleagues Bruce Ryan, Marianne Wilson, and Iain McGregor to this article.

– ref. VE Day: how personal first-hand accounts help keep everyday narratives of wartime Britain alive – https://theconversation.com/ve-day-how-personal-first-hand-accounts-help-keep-everyday-narratives-of-wartime-britain-alive-255653

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate change: A third of 5-year-olds will be spared unprecedented lifetime exposure to dangerous heat if world meets 1.5°C temperature goal – Save the Children
Source: Save the Children

BRUSSELS, 7 May 2025 – Almost a third of today’s five-year-olds – about 38 million children – will be spared a lifetime’s “unprecedented” exposure to extreme heat if the world meets the 1.5°C warming target by 2100, Save the Children said.

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, research released by Save the Children and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) found that under current climate commitments – which will likely see a global temperature rise of 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels – about 100 million of the estimated 120 million children born in 2020, or 83%, will face “unprecedented” lifetime exposure to extreme heat.

However, if the world limits warming to the 1.5°C Paris Agreement target, this would reduce the number of five-year-olds impacted to 62 million – a difference of 38 million – highlighting the urgency to protect children through rapidly phasing out the use and subsidy of fossil fuels. Dangerous heat is deadly for children, taking an immense toll on their physical and mental health, disrupting access to food and clean water and forcing schools to close .

Researchers defined an “unprecedented” life as an exposure to climate extremes that someone would have less than a 1 in 10,000 chance of experiencing during their life in a world without human-induced climate change. The research, published in the report Born into the Climate Crisis 2. An Unprecedented Life: Protecting Children’s Rights in a Changing Climate also found that meeting the 1.5°C target would protect millions of children born in 2020 from the severest impacts of other climate related disasters such as crop failures, floods, tropical cyclones, droughts and wildfires.

The report found that, for children born in 2020, if global temperature rise is limited to 1.5°C rather than reaching 2.7°C above pre-industrial levels:

About 38 million would be spared from facing unprecedented lifetime exposure to heatwaves;

About 8 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to crop failures;

About 5 million would be spared from unprecedented lifetime exposure to river floods;

About 5 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to tropical cyclones;

About 2 million would avoid unprecedented lifetime exposure to droughts;

About 1.5 million children would be spared unprecedented lifetime exposure to wildfires.

Climate extremes – which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change – are increasingly harming children, forcing them from their homes, putting food out of reach, damaging schools and increasing risks like child marriage as they are forced out of education and into poverty and food shortages.

Denise-, 16, and her family were forced from their home in Brazil when the country’s worst floods in 80 years devastated their community last year. Their home, including Denise’s bedroom, was severely damaged, and she was out of school for nearly two months.

She said: “It really affected me mentally, and academically too. Catching up on all my grades to pass secondary school was really tough, especially at a state school. It massively impacted my schoolwork. My grades dropped significantly after the floods.”

Children impacted by inequality and discrimination and those in lower-and middle-income countries, are often worst affected . Meanwhile they have fewer resources to cope with climate shocks and are already at far greater risk from vector and waterborne diseases, hunger, and malnutrition, and their homes are often more vulnerable to increased risks from floods, cyclones and other extreme weather events.

Haruka, 16, whose poem is featured in the report, is from Vanuatu, which recently experienced three of the most severe types of cyclone in just a year.

She said: “Cyclones are scary. For me, they continue to destroy my home, every year – we don’t even bother trying to fix the ceiling anymore. “The past few years, I’ve seen ceaseless destruction and constant rebuilding. This seemingly never-ending cycle has become our reality, and most people aren’t even aware that it’s not just nature doing its thing, but it’s us bearing the brunt of a crisis that we did not cause.”

As well as comparing conditions under 1.5°C and 2.7°C scenarios, the report also examines a scenario in which global temperatures rise to 3.5°C by 2100, which will lead to about 92% of children born in 2020 – about 111 million children [5] – living with unprecedented heatwave exposure over their lifetime. While we need a rapid phase-out of the use and subsidy of fossil fuels to stick to the 1.5°C target, we must not lose sight of solutions, Save the Children said.

The report highlights initiatives like increased climate finance, child-centred and locally led adaptation and increasing the participation of children in shaping climate action.

Inger Ashing, CEO of Save the Children International, said: “Across the world, children are forced to bear the brunt of a crisis they are not responsible for. Dangerous heat that puts their health and learning at risk; cyclones that batter their homes and schools; creeping droughts that shrivel up crops and shrink what’s on their plates. “Amid this daily drumbeat of disasters, children plead with us not to switch off. This new research shows there is still hope, but only if we act urgently and ambitiously to rapidly limit warming temperatures to 1.5°C , and truly put children front and centre of our response to climate change at every level.”

As the world’s leading independent child rights organisation, Save the Children works in about 110 countries, tackling climate across everything we do.

Save the Children supports children and their communities globally in preventing, preparing for, adapting to, and recovering from climate disasters and gradual climate change. We have set up floating schools, rebuilt destroyed homes and provided cash grants to families hit by disasters. We also work to influence governments and other key stakeholders on climate policies, including at the UNFCCC COP summits, giving children a platform for their voices to be heard.
MIL OSI New Zealand News –
May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ICE Arizona, multiagency case sends Nigerian national to prison for international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly US victims

Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

TUCSON, Ariz., – A Nigerian national was sentenced April 25 to 97 months in prison for his role in a transnational inheritance fraud scheme. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the United States Postal Inspection Service investigated the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, Europol, and authorities from the UK, Spain, and Portugal all provided critical assistance.

“It’s inconceivable to imagine any human being robbing from those who’ve spent a lifetime working and building a life, and then are duped out of it all,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Arizona Special Agent in Charge Francisco B. Burrola. “Together, with our law enforcement partners, we will not tolerate this kind of behavior – we will bring justice to those who have wronged and stolen from so many people.”

According to court documents, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, 36, was a member of a group of fraudsters that sent personalized letters to elderly victims in the United States over the course of several years. The letters falsely claimed that the sender was a representative of a bank in Spain and that the recipient was entitled to receive a multimillion-dollar inheritance left for the recipient by a family member who had died overseas years before. Ogbata and his co-conspirators told a series of lies to victims, including that, before they could receive their purported inheritance, they were required to send money for delivery fees, taxes, and other payments to avoid questioning from government authorities. Ogbata and his co-conspirators collected money victims sent in response to the fraudulent letters through a complex web of U.S.-based former victims, whom the defendants convinced to receive money and forward to the defendants or persons associated with them. Victims who sent money never received any purported inheritance funds. In pleading guilty, Ogbata admitted to defrauding over $6 million from more than 400 victims, many of whom were elderly or otherwise vulnerable.

“The Justice Department’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue, prosecute, and bring to justice transnational criminals responsible for defrauding U.S. consumers, wherever they are located,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Yaakov M. Roth of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “This case is a testament to the critical role of international collaboration in tackling transnational crime. I want to thank our U.S. law enforcement partners, as well as those who assisted across the globe, including the Portuguese Judicial Police and Public Prosecution Service of Portugal, for their outstanding contributions to this case.”

“The long arm of the American justice system has no limits when it comes to reaching fraudsters who prey on our nation’s most vulnerable populations, to include the elderly,” said U.S. Attorney Hayden P. Byrne for the Southern District of Florida. “We will not allow transnational criminals to steal money from the public we serve. Individuals who defraud American consumers will be brought to justice, no matter where they are located.”

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has a long history of protecting American citizens from these types of schemes and bringing those responsible to justice,” said Acting Postal Inspector in Charge Steven Hodges of the USPIS Miami Division. “Today’s sentencing is a testament to the dedicated partnership between the Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch, HSI and USPIS to protect our citizens from these scams.”

Senior Trial Attorney and Transnational Criminal Litigation Coordinator Phil Toomajian, and Trial Attorneys Josh Rothman and Brianna Gardner of the Civil Division’s Consumer Protection Branch are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This U.S. Department of Justice hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, is staffed by experienced professionals who provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies, and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.

More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at its Elder Justice Initiative webpage. Visit the Consumer Protection Branch to learn more about the agency and its enforcement efforts. File elder fraud complaints with the FTC or call 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why south-east Asia must lead the fight against neglected tropical diseases

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tuck Seng Wong, Professor of Biomanufacturing, School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield

Village health Volunteers in Thailand survey mosquito breeding sites as part of dengue prevention campaign Deere Kumphaitoon/Shutterstock

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a persistent public health threat, and tackling them is not just a moral obligation, but a smart investment.

NTDs are a group of infectious diseases that mainly affect poor people in tropical and subtropical regions. These diseases are called “neglected” because they have received less attention and fewer resources than other major health issues, despite affecting over a billion people worldwide.

NTDs disproportionately affect the poorest communities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where they lock people in cycles of poverty by hindering physical and cognitive development, reducing school attendance and limiting economic productivity.

Wealthier nations experience far lower rates of these diseases. Yet it’s in LMICs that cost-effective interventions like improved water, sanitation, hygiene and vector control – methods used to limit or eliminate insects that spread diseases to humans – can deliver the greatest return. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every dollar invested in controlling and eliminating NTDs can yield up to US$25 (£19) in economic and health benefits, through lower healthcare costs, increased productivity and improved education outcomes.

While vaccines are one of the most powerful tools for disease prevention, there are still no vaccines for most NTD. Progress has been slow, largely due to fragmented funding and limited investment in research. This gap continues to leave millions vulnerable.

To address this, we helped establish the UK–South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub) in 2023 to reduce the burden of infectious diseases in LMICs, with a special focus on south-east Asia. Its mission is to strengthen regional capacity in vaccine research, development and manufacturing. Dengue and rabies – both persistent NTDs – are among its priorities.

The urgency of this work is underscored by the growing threat of dengue. Between 2015 and 2019, dengue cases rose by 46% in south-east Asia. Countries like Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand are among the most affected globally. This region accounts for more than half of the world’s dengue cases.

Dengue is hard to diagnose. Its symptoms – fever, rash and joint pain – overlap with other illnesses like chikungunya, Zika, malaria and typhoid. Misdiagnoses are common and no specific antiviral treatment exists.

While vaccines are available, their use is limited by strict eligibility criteria based on age, infection history and local disease patterns. This leaves many people without protection.

What’s urgently needed are more effective, affordable and widely accessible vaccines. But vaccines alone won’t solve the problem. Combatting dengue and other NTDs requires an integrated strategy, particularly in poor countries with limited health infrastructure.

To stop the spread of diseases like dengue, it’s not enough to just treat people or use vaccines. You also need to control the insects that carry and spread the disease – in this case, mosquitoes.

That includes actions like removing standing water where mosquitoes breed, using insecticides, or installing window screens and bed nets. These steps are essential to reducing infection rates and protecting communities. These interventions, driven by local action, are just as essential as biomedical advances. Together, they build a more sustainable and resilient defence against mosquito-borne diseases.

For decades, public health initiatives in low-income countries were largely funded by wealthy countries – through development aid, international donors and philanthropic foundations. But with shifting global priorities and tightening budgets, it’s increasingly clear that this model is no longer sustainable.

Long-term health security must be led from within. That means a shift in mindset. Low-income countries must see themselves not just as aid recipients, but as innovators, implementers and investors in their own health futures.

This transition is already underway. The UK-SEA Vax Hub has evolved beyond its original research remit. By embedding its work within the broader regional health agenda, the hub is promoting government ownership and regional collaboration: critical steps in building stronger, more self-reliant health systems.

While progress is promising, major challenges remain. One of the most pressing is the need to develop a new generation of public health leaders across south-east Asia – people who can lead research and development, champion vaccine production and help shape policy based on local needs. These leaders will be essential for ensuring that south-east Asia becomes not just a regional health player, but a global one.

Another key challenge is regulatory. In a diverse region like south-east Asia, varying national policies can slow innovation and emergency responses. Streamlining and harmonising these systems is essential for responding quickly and effectively during future outbreaks or pandemics.

South-east Asia has the potential to become a global hub for vaccine manufacturing. The region benefits from growing scientific and industrial capacity, relative political stability and a shared interest in tackling shared health threats. It also has a strong case to lead the fight against NTDs, which continue to disproportionately affect its populations.

South-east Asia stands at a critical juncture. With strategic investment, regional leadership and cross-border collaboration, the region can protect its people, drive innovation and shape the future of global health.

The fight against NTDs is more than a public health challenge – it’s a chance for south-east Asia to lead by example and redefine its role on the world stage.

Tuck Seng Wong receives funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for the UK-SEA Vax Hub.

Kang Lan Tee receives funding from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for the UK-SEA Vax Hub.

– ref. Why south-east Asia must lead the fight against neglected tropical diseases – https://theconversation.com/why-south-east-asia-must-lead-the-fight-against-neglected-tropical-diseases-255640

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Addiction isn’t just about brain chemistry – but nor is it just bad choices

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matt Field, Professor of Psychology, University of Sheffield

monticello/Shutterstock

Consider someone addicted to alcohol, drugs, or a behaviour like gambling. Why do they continue, even when they say they want to stop? It’s a question that highlights a fundamental disconnect: the gap between intention and action.

This apparent contradiction aligns with clinical definitions of addiction and with brain disease models, which suggest that repeated substance use changes brain function, making drug use compulsive and automatic, bypassing conscious decision-making. These brain adaptations help explain why addiction is so hard to overcome.

But there’s another important piece to the puzzle. People often use substances for reasons that make sense to them – to feel good, to relieve stress, or to connect socially. These motivations don’t disappear just because a substance becomes harmful.

Yet, over the past few decades, this insight has been sidelined in addiction science. Some critics have jumped on this gap to argue, reductively, that addiction is simply about people choosing pleasure: nothing more than “people take drugs because they enjoy it.”

Both the brain disease model and the “just say no” view contain partial truths. But both, on their own, are fundamentally flawed.

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The brain disease model gained popularity in part because it seemed to offer two things: a foundation for developing new medical treatments and a way to reduce stigma. But it’s largely failed on both fronts. Despite billions invested in neuroscience, few new medications have emerged.

Meanwhile, the most effective treatments remain psychosocial: talking therapies and harm-reduction strategies that have been around for decades. Worse, describing addiction as a chronic brain disease may increase stigma and pessimism, making recovery seem unlikely or out of reach.

Additionally, research shows that addiction is not entirely beyond voluntary control. People with addiction can and do reduce or stop their drug use in response to its consequences. This can be related to meaningful life changes — such as getting married, having children, or starting a new job — which may increase the costs or reduce the perceived benefits of continued use.

These findings challenge the view that addiction is purely compulsive, highlighting that people retain a degree of agency, even under difficult circumstances.

At the same time, these observations don’t justify the cynical view that addiction is just hedonism or bad choices. A more accurate, and more helpful, framework considers how people make decisions and how their environment shapes the value of different choice options.

Neuroeconomics

This is where insights from neuroeconomics – the study of how the brain makes value-based decisions – become useful. For example, one study found that when people are hungry, they pay more attention to how food tastes and less to how healthy it is, making unhealthy choices more likely.

Similarly, alcohol users who were craving alcohol and in a negative mood were shown to value alcohol more than food, shifting their choices accordingly. Other research has found that the set of available alternatives strongly influences how appealing (or not) a choice options becomes. As applied to addiction, when healthier or more rewarding options are limited, the relative value of drugs increases.

This suggests that addiction is less about losing the ability to choose and more about how context shapes choice. When someone is in treatment, they may genuinely want to stop using because the environment emphasises recovery, support and future goals. But once they return to a setting where drugs are easy to access and attractive alternatives are few, the relative value of drug use increases – and relapse becomes more likely.

This perspective also helps reconcile the role of brain changes in addiction. Neuroadaptations still matter: they can heighten cravings or make rewards harder to experience – but they don’t eliminate the ability to choose. Instead, these brain changes interact with a person’s environment to make certain choices more likely than others.

Crucially, this view also highlights why poverty is such a powerful driver of addiction. In deprived settings, alcohol, drugs and gambling outlets are often more accessible, while opportunities for meaningful alternatives – employment, education, stable housing – are scarce. These are deep-rooted structural issues, and they’re not easily fixed. But they matter.

On a more hopeful note, this model points to new pathways out of addiction. Rather than blaming individuals or pathologising them as brain-damaged, we can focus on reshaping environments to make non-drug alternatives more visible, available and valuable. This approach carries less stigma and more optimism: it views people not as broken, but as people who can make decisions and respond rationally to difficult situations.

Yes, the psychology of decision-making makes addiction tough to overcome. But by understanding how people weigh their options, and by improving the appeal and accessibility of alternatives to substance use, we can support real, lasting change.

Matt Field receives research funding from the Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, Alcohol Change UK, and the Academic Forum for the Study of Gambling. He is a trustee of the Society for the Study of Addiction.

– ref. Addiction isn’t just about brain chemistry – but nor is it just bad choices – https://theconversation.com/addiction-isnt-just-about-brain-chemistry-but-nor-is-it-just-bad-choices-255181

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Bronze-age Britain traded tin with the Mediterranean, shows new study – settling a two-century debate

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Benjamin Roberts, Associate Professor in Later European Prehistory, Durham University

Bronze age tin ingot from Salcombe, England. Benjamin Roberts / Alan Williams

Tin was the critical mineral of the ancient world. It was essential to alloy with copper to make bronze, which for many centuries was the preferred metal for tools and weapons. Yet sources of tin are very scarce – and were especially so for the rapidly growing bronze age towns, cities and states around the eastern Mediterranean.

Though major tin deposits are found in western and central Europe and in central Asia, by far the richest and most accessible tin ores are in Cornwall and Devon in southwest Britain. Yet it has been difficult to prove that these British deposits were used as a source for people in the eastern Mediterranean. So for more than two centuries, archaeologists have debated about where bronze age societies obtained their tin.

In a new study published in the journal Antiquity, our team analysed the chemistry and different forms of particular elements in tin ores and artefacts from across Britain and Europe. These included tin ingots found at prehistoric shipwreck sites at Salcombe and Erme, southwest Britain, as well as in the Mediterranean.

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This revealed that tin ingots from three ancient shipwrecks discovered off the coast of Israel and one shipwreck found off the Mediterranean coast of France originated in southwest Britain. The shipwrecks found near Israel date to around 1300BC, while the wreck from France has been dated to around 600BC.

Small farming communities across Cornwall and Devon would have dug, washed, crushed and smelted the abundant tin ore from the alluvial deposits in the region. The heavy sand to gravel-sized tin ore is in a layer buried under soft layers of barren silt, sand and gravel.

The tin ore is eroded from hard rock mineral veins and deposited by streams and rivers. There was simply no need for any complex and difficult mining of hard rock here. The tin would then have been taken to coastal locations where it could be traded.

It’s probable that the tin was then moved by traders through France to the Mediterranean coast, where it was loaded onto ships. It would make its way through flourishing trade networks between the islands of Sardinia and Cyprus before reaching markets in the east Mediterranean. The tin’s value would have increased immensely as it progressed along this 2,485 mile (4,000km) journey.

Tin is the first commodity to have been exported across the entire European continent. It was produced and traded at a potentially vast scale, but is rarely found in archaeological sites due to corrosion. But what we do known is that by 1,300BC, virtually all of Europe and the Mediterranean had widespread and consistent access to bronze.

We know of more than 100 bronze age copper mines from Ireland to Israel and from Spain to the southern Urals in Russia. Yet these would have been just a small proportion of the copper mines active at the time.

Given that bronze was typically made from 90% copper and 10% tin, if the copper produced by each of these known mines had to be matched by 10% tin, then tens or even hundreds of tonnes of tin were being traded each year – perhaps across distances of thousands of miles.

St Michael’s Mount may be the site of the ancient island Ictis.
Alan Williams

The volume, consistency and frequency of the estimated scale in the tin trade is far larger than has been previously imagined and requires an entirely new perspective on what bronze age miners and merchants were able to achieve. It is no coincidence that it is around 1,300BC that technologies from the east, such as sophisticated systems for weighing items, as well as bronze swords, reached small farming communities living on the Atlantic coasts.

A millennium later, around 320BC, Pytheas the Greek, from Massalia (modern Marseilles), journeyed by land and sea to Britain, which was at the edge of the known world at the time. Pytheas wrote the earliest account describing the island and its inhabitants in a book which is now lost, but which has partially survived in snippets quoted by later classical authors.

Pytheas described how tin in southwest Britain was extracted and traded off a tidal island he called Ictis, before being taken across the sea and down the rivers of France to the mouth of the Rhone in only 30 days. In our research, we provide the first direct evidence for the tin trade Pytheas described. We show that tin from the Rochelongue shipwreck, off the south coast of France and dating to around 600BC, came from southwest Britain.

While we can establish the movement of tin across the seas, we know very little about the markets on land in which it was traded. We are now working with a team of archaeologists from Cornwall to excavate on the tidal island of St Michael’s Mount, which has long thought to have been the island of Ictis described by Pytheas.

A pan-continental tin trade continued in all periods after the bronze age and, in the absence of written records, our approach, using different methods of analysis, allows us to determine whether the tin came from Britain.

Historical records show that during the medieval period, tin from Cornwall and Devon enjoyed a virtual European monopoly, with production continuing until the last tin mine closed in 1998.

Today, tin is once again a critical and strategic mineral, this time for use in the electronics industry. As such it forms a vital part of the tools and weapons of the 21st century. Cornwall’s tin production is also set to soon restart, reviving a 4,000 year old industry.

Benjamin Roberts was PI on Project Ancient Tin which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RPG-2019-333).

Alan Williams was the post doc on Project Ancient Tin which was funded by the Leverhulme Trust (Grant RPG-2019-333).

– ref. Bronze-age Britain traded tin with the Mediterranean, shows new study – settling a two-century debate – https://theconversation.com/bronze-age-britain-traded-tin-with-the-mediterranean-shows-new-study-settling-a-two-century-debate-256005

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: A promising new approach to treating potentially deadly liver disease

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Maria Teresa Borrello, Lecturer, University of Sunderland

Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock

An experimental new treatment is showing early promise in the fight against liver fibrosis – a serious and often silent condition that affects around 2 million people in the UK.

Liver fibrosis happens when the liver becomes damaged – often due to long-term issues like alcohol use, obesity or chronic infections – and starts to develop scar tissue. Over time, that scarring can get worse and lead to serious complications such as liver failure or cancer.

The problem is that most people don’t know they have it until the damage is advanced. And there are no approved drugs to stop or reverse the scarring process.

In a recent study, my colleagues and I found that blocking an enzyme called HDAC6 with new drugs could help reduce liver scarring in people with liver fibrosis.

This discovery could form the basis of future treatments and offer hope for those living with chronic liver conditions.

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Fibrosis occurs when the liver responds to injury by producing too much of the material that normally helps repair tissue, known as the “extracellular matrix”. Over time, this repair process can become unbalanced, leading to a buildup of scar tissue.

A key part of this process involves hepatic stellate cells. When the liver is injured, these normally inactive cells become activated and turn into scar-producing cells that drive fibrosis.

HDAC6 helps control how cells respond to stress and inflammation and how they move and organise themselves. Our recent research suggests it also plays an important role in turning on the liver cells that cause scarring after injury. That’s why we’re exploring HDAC6 as a potential target for new treatments that could help prevent or even reverse liver fibrosis.

In our lab, we developed two new drugs specifically designed to block HDAC6 activity.

Liver fibrosis explained.

Liver slices

To see if these compounds could be useful as treatments, we tested them on precision-cut slices of human liver tissue at Newcastle University. This model keeps the liver’s natural 3D structure and mix of cells, making it a valuable way to study how diseases develop and how drugs might work.

Our results were striking. Treating the liver slices with HDAC6 inhibitors greatly reduced signs of fibrosis, showing that these compounds can stop – and possibly even reverse – the scarring process at the cellular level.

The inhibitors showed very little toxicity, suggesting they could be safe for further development.

This research is a step forward in finding a treatment for liver fibrosis. Unlike previous treatments that targeted broad mechanisms or caused side-effects, our HDAC6 inhibitors provide a more targeted approach. By focusing on a key cause of fibrosis, we may be able to stop the disease before it reaches irreversible stages.

The implications are enormous. Liver disease is responsible for around 4% of premature deaths globally, and the burden is rising in line with alcohol misuse, obesity, and the use of multiple medications (known as “polypharmacy”). A targeted therapy that interrupts fibrosis at its root could change the lives of tens of thousands of patients annually – not only in the UK but around the world.

While these early findings are encouraging, more work is needed before HDAC6 inhibitors can be tested in humans.

Our next steps include refining the experimental drugs, testing their effects in lab animals, and looking at how they might work alongside existing treatments.

As researchers and healthcare professionals seek new ways to tackle chronic diseases, targeted approaches like this one could redefine how we treat conditions once considered untreatable. For patients with liver fibrosis, this new knowledge could mean a longer, healthier life for millions of people with liver fibrosis.

Maria Teresa Borrello 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. A promising new approach to treating potentially deadly liver disease – https://theconversation.com/a-promising-new-approach-to-treating-potentially-deadly-liver-disease-253924

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Why are India and Pakistan on the brink of war and how dangerous is the situation? An expert explains

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

India has launched military strikes against a number of sites in Pakistan and Pakistan’s side of the disputed region of Kashmir, reportedly killing 26 people and injuring dozens more. India claimed the attacks were on terrorist infrastructure, but Pakistan denied this, and said these were civilians.

India says another ten people on the Indian side of the Kashmir region have been killed by shelling from Pakistan in the same period.

The exchange comes two weeks after a terrorist attack in Kashmir killed 26 people. The group Resistance Front (TRF), which India argues is a proxy for the Pakistani-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.

India claimed that Pakistan had indirectly supported the terrorist attack, but Pakistan vehemently denies this.

The escalating conflict between two of the world’s major military powers has the potential to destablise Asia and beyond. Already, many countries around the world, including the UK, France and Russia, have made public their concerns about what happens next.

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How do India and Pakistan’s militaries compare?

India is ranked as one of the world’s top five military nations by Military Watch magazine and Pakistan is ranked ninth. Both countries have nuclear weapons.

Overall, India is considered to have the military edge with a bigger and more modern military force, while Pakistan has a smaller and more agile force that has been primarily focused on defensive and covert activities.

While neither country has used nuclear weapons in a conflict, there are always concerns that this norm may be broken. Both countries are nuclear powers with India holding 180 nuclear warheads, and Pakistan possessing about 170.

Though India has a “no first use” policy, which it claims means the country would never use nuclear weapons first, there have been signs it is reconsidering this policy since 2019.

Pakistan has never declared a no first use policy and argues that tactical nuclear weapons are important to countering India’s larger conventional forces.

Details of Indian air strikes.

The concern is that even if a small nuclear exchange were to take place between the two countries, it could kill up to 20 million people in a matter of days.

Why are the countries fighting over Kashmir?

Kashmir has been a source of tension and conflict even before India and Pakistan gained independence from the British empire in 1947. Originally the Muslim-majority Kashmir was free to accede to either India or Pakistan.

While the local ruler (maharaja), Hari Singh, originally wanted Kashmir to be independent, he eventually sided with India, leading to a conflict in 1947. This resulted in a UN-mediated ceasefire in 1949 and agreement that Kashmir would be controlled partly by Pakistan and partly by India, splitl along what’s known as the Line of Surveillance (or Line of Control).

As Kashmir is rich in minerals such as borax, sapphire, graphite, marble, gypsum and lithium, the region is strategically important. It is also culturally and historically important to both Pakistan and India.

Read more:
India and Pakistan tension escalates with suspension of historic water treaty

Due to the region’s significance and disagreement over sovereignty, multiple conflicts have taken place over Kashmir, with wars erupting in 1965 and 1999. Tensions were renewed in 2016, after 19 Indian soldiers were killed in Uri, on the Indian side of Kashmir. India responded by launching “surgical strikes” across the Line of Control, targeting alleged militant bases.

Then in 2019, a bombing in Pulwama (again part of the Indian-administered Kashmir) that killed more than 40 Indian paramilitary personnel led to Indian airstrikes in Balakot which borders Kashmir. This was the first action inside Pakistan since the Indian-Pakistani conflict in 1971 and again led to retaliatory raids from Pakistan and a brief aerial conflict.

A map of the Kashmir region.
CIA, CC BY

These past conflicts never intensified further in part because India applied a massive diplomatic pressure campaign on the US, the UK and Pakistan, warning against escalation, while Pakistan showed a willingness to back down. Both sides as nuclear powers (India gained nuclear weapons in 1974 and Pakistan in 1998) had an understanding that escalating to full-scale war would be incredibly risky.

What will happen next?

The question is whether or not cooler heads will prevail this time. The strikes by India, part of Operation Sinhoor, were met with mass approval across many political lines in India, with both the ruling Bharatiya Janata party (BJP) and the opposition Congress party voicing their support for the operation.

This helps Modi gain more backing, at a time when his popularity has been falling. Modi and the BJP suffered a shocking result in the 2024 election, losing 63 seats out of 543 seats and falling short of a majority in the Lok Sabha (lower house of parliament).

Under Modi, India has been rapidly becoming more autocratic, another source of concern as such countries are more likely to take risks when it comes to conflict. As power becomes increasingly personalised and dissent is repressed, would-be autocrats may be more likely to take on bold moves to garner more public and elite support.

Pakistan may also have reason to respond with more force to India’s recent attack than in the past. Pakistan’s powerful military has often stoked fears of a conflict with India to justify its enormous military budget. Regardless of the outcome, it needs a success to sell to its domestic audience.

Pakistan has been de facto led by its military for decades, which also makes it more likely to engage in conflict. In spite of intervals of civilian rule, the military has always held a lot of power, and in contrast to India (where there is a wider role for a civilian minister of defence), the Pakistani military has more influence over nuclear and security policy.

Both military regimes and multi-party autocracies may see conflict as a way of gaining legitimacy, particularly if both regimes think their political support is unravelling.

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This most recent escalation is also significant because it is the first time in the Kashmir conflict that India has struck at Punjab, considered the heart of Pakistan. Pakistan will face internal pressure to respond, settle the score and restore deterrence.

Both sides have been resolute in not losing an inch of territory. The question is how quickly diplomatic pressure can work. Neither India nor Pakistan are engaged in security dialogue, and there is no bilateral crisis management mechanisms in place.

Further complicating matters is that the US’s role as a crisis manager in south Asia has diminished. Under Donald Trump, Washington cannot be counted on. This all makes deescalating this conflict much more difficult.

Natasha Lindstaedt 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 are India and Pakistan on the brink of war and how dangerous is the situation? An expert explains – https://theconversation.com/why-are-india-and-pakistan-on-the-brink-of-war-and-how-dangerous-is-the-situation-an-expert-explains-256125

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening gender-based violence against women

Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Annie Bunting, Professor of Law & Society, York University, York Research Chair in International Gender Justice & Peacebuilding, York University, Canada

In early 2025, the March 23 Movement (M23) armed group seized control of Goma and then Bukavu, two major cities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

M23’s advance and control in eastern DRC, in defiance of ceasefire agreements, has terrorized communities and led to mass displacement. More than two million people have since been internally displaced in eastern DRC; close to one million people were displaced in 2024 alone.

Read more:
M23’s capture of Goma is the latest chapter in eastern Congo’s long-running war

Civilians are caught in a devastating humanitarian crisis involving sexual and gender-based violence. This kind of violence not only contributes to forced displacement, but displaced women are also more at risk of gender-based violence during times of ongoing fighting.

Furthermore, signs point to gendered violence worsening: in just the last two weeks of February 2025, UNHCR reported 895 reports of humanitarian workers being raped. Previous research has shown that sexual and gender-based violence continues through periods of political transition, and
worsens when state militaries are weaker than rebel forces.

The risks and drivers of displacement

To understand these risks, in December 2024 researchers with the Congolese organization Solidarité Féminine Pour La Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI) interviewed 89 displaced women and 30 members of civil society organizations working in internally displaced person camps around Goma.

We worked with a team of researchers from SOFEPADI, co-ordinated by SOFEPADI program officer Martin Baguma and national co-ordinator Sandrine Lusamba, and with research assistance from Cora Fletcher, a master’s student at Dalhousie University, to put together our recently published report that outlines some of the key findings from the interviews.

The overwhelming majority of respondents had experienced or witnessed sexual and gender-based violence. While interviewers were careful to avoid direct questions so as not to induce trauma, dozens of women nonetheless disclosed personal experiences.

These interviews show just how vulnerable the population is, and how an already dire situation for women and girls has been made exponentially worse over the past six months.

Displaced women were extremely likely to have experienced conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence: 97 per cent of those interviewed were victims of or had witnessed violence during the conflict, with one stating that sexual violence had contributed to their displacement:

“I was living in Kitshanga and then the war started, but I didn’t leave right away. One day I went to the field and I was raped. That’s the day I left Kitshanga and I came here [to the camp].”

Over 70 per cent of interviewees identified M23 as the direct cause of their displacement. A further five per cent indicated that their displacement had been caused by Rwanda’s armed forces, either alone or in conjunction with M23.

One woman from Kitshanga, a town roughly 150 kilometres away from Goma, stated that she had been displaced following “massacres, rapes, and the war…caused by the M23.”

Perpetrators everywhere, protection nowhere

M23 troops were not the only group identified as being responsible for perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence during displacement and in the camps. The crisis has led to widespread gender violence perpetrated by armed groups and forces, including the Congolese military and military-allied militias, civilians and groups of bandits.

The breadth of perpetrators, challenges in identifying perpetrators, and the shifting status of civilians/ militia members all impact opportunities to hold individuals accountable and to meaningfully prevent sexual and gender-based violence through targeted initiatives.

Despite the significant number of international forces operating in eastern DRC, both civil society representatives and displaced women expressed little confidence in these forces’ ability to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

Goma remains the operational centre of the United Nations MONUSCO peacekeeping mission. Yet, of the 89 displaced women interviewed, only one identified MONUSCO troops as providing security in the areas surrounding the camps. In the eyes of most of the respondents, international forces are simply absent.

Scattered survivors and thwarted justice

Since the M23 takeover, international attention has been drawn to the crisis, and there is renewed focus by the International Criminal Court on combatting impunity and securing accountability for atrocity crimes.

Organizations on the ground, however, remain under-resourced and over-stretched. Access to healthcare (including mental health support), banking, economic support, children’s education, and justice are all severely constrained – a point consistently emphasized by affected women interviewed.

Repeated displacement of vulnerable people, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, is likely to further frustrate attempts at holding responsible actors to account, has made it near-impossible to track where women are going, to provide necessary and ongoing support.

With the recent order from M23 for civilians to leave IDP camps, already uprooted women are displaced once again, with little access to humanitarian aid. Civilians have been dispersed, with many unable to return to their villages due to fighting.

Others have returned to find their homes have been burned or looted and there is tension between neighbours over access to land and resources. Human rights defenders are also at grave risk of violence, with mass prison breaks and legal institutions not functioning.

The need for action

The DRC government and M23 have reportedly resumed peace talks to end the fighting. The security situation in eastern DRC is shifting rapidly, and the context that these interviews took place in only three short months ago has changed. The airport in Goma remains closed, thwarting the flow of humanitarian aid. What remains consistent are high levels of forced displacement, sexual and gender-based violence and an internationalized conflict that has worsened women’s security.

With women and girls uniquely and disproportionately impacted, responses to this dire security situation must include and urgent and durable ceasefire and increased humanitarian support.

Women must be at peace talks. Immediate steps must be taken to alleviate humanitarian suffering, to protect women and girls from further violence and abuse, and to move toward a peaceful resolution that results in Congolese civilians able to return to their homes and begin the process of recovering from this devastating conflict.

Annie Bunting receives funding from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development.

Heather Tasker receives funding from the UK International Development through the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme.

– ref. Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening gender-based violence against women – https://theconversation.com/fighting-in-eastern-democratic-republic-of-congo-is-worsening-gender-based-violence-against-women-255374

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NC Breaks Tourism Spending Record, Continues to Be #5 Most Visited State
Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: NC Breaks Tourism Spending Record, Continues to Be #5 Most Visited State

NC Breaks Tourism Spending Record, Continues to Be #5 Most Visited State
lsaito
Wed, 05/07/2025 – 11:44

Raleigh, NC
Governor Josh Stein announced today that the overall North Carolina tourism economy held strong against the headwinds of Hurricane Helene. Travelers spent more than $36.7 billion on trips to and within the state in 2024. The previous record of $35.6 billion was set in 2023. 

“Today’s news underscores what we all know: North Carolina is a fantastic place to visit,” said Governor Josh Stein. “As our mountain economies worked to recover from Helene, our Piedmont and coastal destinations remained popular and contributed to the growth of North Carolina’s tourism economy. We must continue to support tourism and small businesses in western North Carolina to help them come back stronger.”

Governor Stein’s announcement coincides with National Travel and Tourism Week (May 4-10), when travel and tourism professionals across the country unite to underscore the value of travel to the economy, businesses, communities, and personal well-being. The state’s Welcome Centers will host activities throughout the week.  

The state’s tourism-supported workforce increased 1.4 percent to 230,338 jobs in 2024.  Tourism payroll increased 2.6 percent to $9.5 billion. As a result of visitor spending, state and local governments saw rebounds in tax revenues to nearly $2.7 billion.   

The figures are preliminary findings from research commissioned by Visit North Carolina, part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, and conducted by Tourism Economics. In measuring the economic value of the travel sector, the research incorporates a broad range of data sources to ensure that the entire visitor economy is quantified in detail. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OmniTrak visitor profiles, the U.S. Census, STR, AirDNA and KeyData lodging reports, and the NC Department of Revenue are among the sources included in this comprehensive model. More information about the study can be found online at partners.visitnc.com/economic-impact-studies, which also links to archived reports dating back to 2005.

The statistics published today report data from a statewide perspective. Later this year, a supplemental report will provide regional and local visitor data, offering a better perspective on Helene’s impact on western North Carolina’s tourism economy.

With nearly 40 million visitors from across the United States, North Carolina ranks No. 5 behind California, Florida, Texas, and New York in domestic visitation. The past four years have seen tight competition with Pennsylvania and Tennessee for fifth place. In addition to 2024’s record spending by domestic travelers, North Carolina also saw gains in the international market. With more than 900,000 international travelers, spending rose 16.5 percent to nearly $1.2 billion.  

“North Carolinians in all 100 counties benefit from the money that visitors spend,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “From our smallest towns to our largest cities, tourism means jobs for more than 50,000 small businesses and our first-in-talent workforce. These workers address travelers’ needs for transportation as well as lodging, dining, shopping, and recreation.”

As a result of travelers’ contributions to state and local tax revenue, North Carolina households average $593 in yearly savings.   

Learn more about NC tourism:
- Total spending by domestic and international visitors in North Carolina reached $36.7 billion in 2024. That sum represents a 3.1 percent increase over 2023 expenditures.   
- Domestic travelers spent a record $35.6 billion in 2024. Spending was up 2.7 percent from $34.6 billion in 2023.   
- International travelers spent $1.2 billion in 2024, up 16.5 percent from the previous year.   
- Visitors to North Carolina generated nearly $4.6 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2024. The total represents a 2.9 percent increase from 2023.   
- State tax receipts from visitor spending rose 1.1 percent to nearly $1.4 billion in 2024.   
- Local tax receipts grew 4.3 percent to nearly $1.3 billion.  
- Direct tourism employment in North Carolina increased 1.4 percent to 230,338.   
- Direct tourism payroll increased 2.6 percent to $9.5 billion.   
- Visitors spend more than $100 million per day in North Carolina. That spending adds $7.3 million per day to state and local tax revenues (about $3.7 million in state taxes and $3.6 million in local taxes).   
- Each North Carolina household saved $593 on average in state and local taxes as a direct result of visitor spending in the state. Savings per capita averaged $241.  
About Visit North Carolina:  

Visit NC, the state’s official destination marketing organization, is part of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, a private nonprofit corporation that serves as North Carolina’s economic development organization. The EDPNC focuses on business and job recruitment, existing industry support, international trade, tourism, and film marketing. 

The mission of Visit NC is to unify and lead the state in positioning North Carolina as a preferred destination for leisure travel, group tours, meetings and conventions, sports events, and film production. Each year, North Carolina welcomes about 40 million visitors who spend nearly $37 billion during their stay. The tourism industry employs more than 230,000 people and generates nearly $2.7 billion in state and local tax revenues. For travel ideas and inspiration, go to VisitNC.com.
May 7, 2025

MIL OSI USA News –
May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Wyden Introduce Bill to Improve Wetland Habitats in the Pacific Northwest

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

Washington, D.C.–U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) introduced bipartisan legislation that would improve wetland habitats in the Pacific Northwest.

“Preserving critical wetland habitat is vital to protecting open landscapes for the diverse species–including numerous varieties of birds and fish–that call Idaho home,” Crapo said. “Investments in public-private partnerships in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest will help keep wild spaces wild and protect the natural wonders that Idahoans treasure.”

“Restoring our wetlands is about more than just providing habitat for birds and other wildlife living along the Pacific Northwest coast. It is about investing in the watersheds where Tribes, farmers and other local Pacific Northwest communities have maintained their way of life for generations,” Wyden said. “Our bipartisan bill will make sure Oregonians and people across the Pacific Northwest can continue to benefit from healthy landscapes that provide the clean water and habitat that make our region so special.”

The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act would establish a federal grant and assistance program empowering government agencies, tribes, nonprofits and landowners, among other entities, to work together in both restoring and enhancing habitats for wetland-dependent birds living in the Columbia River Basin and along the coast of Oregon and Washington. These projects include water infrastructure and management and enhancement of vegetative habitat, which could be implemented on public, private, Tribal and other land determined by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

The Northwest Wetlands Voluntary Incentives Program Act is endorsed by Idaho Wildlife Federation, Idaho Sportsmen, Ducks Unlimited, Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture, Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts and Oregon Agricultural Trust.

“We appreciate Senators Crapo and Wyden introducing the NW Wetlands VIP Act. Sportsmen and the wildlife we work to conserve–as well as area farmers that are such critical partners in landscape conservation–will benefit from the habitat restoration opportunities and infrastructure improvements that this legislation will provide,” said Nick Fasciano, Executive Director of the Idaho Wildlife Federation. “As our wetland habitats face long-term threats of degradation and fragmentation, this legislation is all the more critical.”

“Access and opportunity for the sportsmen and women of Idaho who hunt, fish, trap and recreationally shoot, is paramount. In a state where water is our most precious resource, Idaho farmers and landowners are working hard to provide more managed wetlands and habitat,” said Benn Brocksome, Founder and Chairman of Idaho Sportsmen, Access & Opportunity. “Many landowners in Idaho, and across the West, share our conservation goals and work with sportsmen in a pragmatic and collaborative way to meet the needs of Idaho. These efforts should be supported, bolstered and recognized with the passage of this important bill.”

“This important legislation will bring much needed resources for improving water infrastructure to provide multi-benefits for agricultural lands and wetland habitats in the Northwest and Columbia River Basin,” said Jeff McCreary, Operations Director for the Western Region of Ducks Unlimited. “We are thankful to Senators Wyden and Crapo for introducing the Northwest Wetlands VIP Act.”

“The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act is strongly aligned with the priorities of Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture (Pacific Birds). The bill supports wetlands conservation on the coast of Oregon and Washington and within the Columbia River Basin; areas that are vital for millions of waterbirds and wetland-dependent species. The proposal represents a smart federal investment in durable ecosystems, strong partnerships, and natural and working landscapes,” said Glenn Lamb, Vice Chair of the Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture Board of Directors. “It offers an actionable way to advance Pacific Birds’ priorities and deliver real benefits for wildlife, communities and the economy of the Pacific Northwest. The NW Wetlands VIP Act emphasizes collaboration among Tribes, nonprofits, local governments and landowners–consistent with Pacific Birds’ partnership-driven approach. This bill will provide resources for the installation, maintenance and replacement of critical infrastructure, which aligns with Pacific Birds’ goal to support long-term habitat management while emphasizing multi-species benefits and multi-benefit projects, and empowering collaborative on-the-ground action.”

“The Columbia River?Basin holds critical habitat for migratory birds and other wetland dependent species,” said Joe Buttafuoco, Executive Director at Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts (COLT). “COLT and our members are thrilled about the bipartisan NW?Wetlands VIP?Act. This bill would offer grants that land trusts, Tribes, private landowners and nonprofits can use to improve habitat, manage invasive species and restore floodplain connectivity. Thank you to Senators?Wyden and?Crapo for advancing this important legislation.”

“The Northwest Wetlands VIP Act would bring critical infrastructure dollars to Pacific Northwest farmers and ranchers. These water management projects not only enhance and restore wetland habitat for migratory birds, but help producers improve agricultural production on parts of their properties,” said Nellie McAdams, Executive Director of Oregon Agricultural Trust. “The Act also provides funding to support conservation easements (up to 10% of the total grant award) which protect farms and ranches for agriculture and associated habitat.”

The text of the bill is here.

MIL OSI USA News –

May 8, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA approves teprotumumab as the first UK treatment for adults with moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

Press release

MHRA approves teprotumumab as the first UK treatment for adults with moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)

As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today, 7 May 2025, approved teprotumumab (Tepezza). This is the first medicine to be licensed in the UK for adult patients with moderate to severe Thyroid Eye Disease (TED).

TED is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the muscles and fat around the eyes. In TED, the immune system activates a protein called IGF-1R, causing inflammation and swelling in these tissues. Tepezza is designed to bind to IGF-1R to block its activation and signalling.

This medicine is administered via an intravenous drip directly into a vein by a healthcare professional.

Julian Beach, MHRA Interim Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said:

“Patient safety is our top priority. I am pleased to confirm the approval of teprotumumab, for the treatment of severe Thyroid Eye Disease.

“We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards of safety, quality and effectiveness for the approval of this new treatment have been met.

“As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.”

Teprotumumab has been studied in 287 patients with thyroid eye disease in four clinical trials. All patients in these trials were 18 years or older. In all studies, patients received teprotumumab infusions every 3 weeks for a total of 8 infusions.

In the four studies patients were randomised to receive either teprotumumab or placebo. The patients who received teprotumumab demonstrated a greater reduction in eye protrusion and double vision compared to people .

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects in some people. Serious side effects can include high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia), infusion related reactions, deafness, or worsening of inflammatory bowel disease.

Other side effects that may affect up to 1 in 10 people include headache, diarrhoea, nausea, hair loss, muscle spasms and fatigue.

Tepezza must not be used in patients if they are pregnant as it may cause damage to the unborn baby.

Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from this medicine should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme, either through the website (https://yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/) or by searching the Google Play or Apple App stores for MHRA Yellow Card.

Notes to editors 

The new marketing authorisation was granted on 7 May 2025 to AMGEN LIMITED

This product was submitted and approved via a national procedure. 

More information can be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflets which will be published on the MHRA Products website within 7 days of approval.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.  All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. 

The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care. 

For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.

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Published 7 May 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
May 8, 2025