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  • MIL-OSI Global: The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jean Wactawski-Wende, Professor of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo

    Women make up more than 50% of the population, yet before the 1990s they were largely excluded from health and medical research studies.

    To try to help correct this imbalance, in 1991 the National Institutes of Health launched a massive, long-term study called the Women’s Health Initiative, which is still running today. It is the largest, longest and most comprehensive study on women’s health ever conducted in the U.S. It also is one of the most productive studies in history, with more than 2,400 published scientific papers in leading medical journals.

    On April 20, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services told the study’s lead investigators it plans to terminate much of the program’s funding and discontinue its regional center contracts. On April 24, after pushback from the medical community, HHS officials said the funding had been reinstated. But the reversal was never officially confirmed, so the study’s lead investigators – including me – remain concerned about its future.

    I am a public health researcher who has studied chronic disease prevention in women for nearly 40 years. I have been centrally involved with the Women’s Health Initiative since its inception and currently co-direct one of its four regional centers at the University at Buffalo.

    The project’s findings have shaped clinical practice, prevention strategies and public health policies across the U.S. and the world, particularly for older women. In my view, its loss would be a devastating blow to women’s health.

    An imperative to invest in women’s health

    The Women’s Health Initiative was established in response to a growing realization that very little medical research existed to inform health care that was specifically relevant to women. In the U.S. in the 1970s, for example, almost 40% of postmenopausal women were taking estrogen, but no large clinical trials had studied the risks and benefits. In 1985 an NIH task force outlined the need for long-term research on women’s health.

    Launched by Bernadine Healy, the first woman to serve as director of the NIH, the Women’s Health Initiative aimed to study ways to prevent heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

    About 42,000 women ages 78 to 108 remain active participants in the Women’s Health Initiative.
    Frazao Studio Latino/E+ via Getty Images

    Between 1993 and 1998, the project enrolled 161,808 postmenopausal women ages 50 to 79 to participate in four randomized clinical trials. Two of them investigated how menopausal hormone therapy affects the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, hip fractures and cognition. Another examined the effects of a low-fat, high-fiber diet on breast and colorectal cancers as well as heart disease. The fourth looked at whether taking calcium plus vitamin D supplements helps prevent hip fractures and colorectal cancer.

    Women could participate in just one or in multiple trials. More than 90,000 also took part in a long-term observational study that used medical records and surveys to probe the link between risk factors and disease outcomes over time.

    Clarifying the effects of hormone therapy

    Some of the most important findings from the Women’s Health Initiative addressed the effects of menopausal hormone therapy.

    The hormone therapy trial testing a combination of estrogen and progesterone was set to run until 2005. However, it was terminated early, in 2002, when results showed an increased risk in heart disease, stroke, blood clotting disorders and breast cancer, as well as cognitive decline and dementia. The trial of estrogen alone also raised safety concerns, though both types of therapy reduced the risk of bone fractures.

    After these findings were reported, menopausal hormone therapy prescriptions dropped sharply in the U.S. and worldwide. One study estimated that the decreased use of estrogen and progesterone therapy between 2002 and 2012 prevented as many as 126,000 breast cancer cases and 76,000 cardiovascular disease cases – and saved the U.S. an estimated US$35 billion in direct medical costs.

    Reanalyses of data from these studies over the past decade have provided a more nuanced clinical picture for safely using menopausal hormone therapy. They showed that the timing of treatment matters, and that when taken before age 60 or within 10 years of menopause, hormones have more limited risk.

    Defining clinical practice

    Although the Women’s Health Initiative’s four original clinical trials ended by 2005, researchers have continued to follow participants, collect new data and launch spinoff studies that shape health recommendations for women over 65.

    Almost a decade ago, for example, research at my institution and others found in a study of 6,500 women ages 63 to 99 that just 30 minutes of low to moderate physical activity was enough to significantly boost their health. The study led to changes in national public health guidelines. Subsequent studies are continuing to explore how physical activity affects aging and whether being less sedentary can protect women against heart disease.

    Bone health and preventing fractures have also been a major focus of the Women’s Health Initiative, with research helping to establish guidelines for osteoporosis screening and investigating the link between dietary protein intake and bone health.

    One of the Women’s Health Initiative’s biggest yields is its vast repository of health data collected annually from tens of thousands of women over more than 30 years. The data consists of survey responses on topics such as diet, physical activity and family history; information on major health outcomes such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and cause of death, verified using medical records; and a trove of biological samples, including 5 million blood vials and genetic information from 50,000 participants.

    The Women’s Health Initiative set out to prevent heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis in menopausal women.

    Any researcher can access this repository to explore associations between blood biomarkers, disease outcomes, genes, lifestyle factors and other health features. More than 300 such studies are investigating health outcomes related to stroke, cancer, diabetes, eye diseases, mental health, physical frailty and more. Thirty are currently running.

    What does the future hold?

    In addition to data amassed by the Women’s Health Initiative until now, about 42,000 participants from all 50 states, now ages 78 to 108, are still actively contributing to the study. This cohort is a rare treasure: Very few studies have collected such detailed, long-term information on a broad group of women of this age. Meanwhile, the demographic of older women is growing quickly.

    Continuing to shed light on aging, disease risk and prevention in this population is vital. The questions guiding the project’s ongoing and planned research directly address the chronic diseases that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has announced as national priorities.

    So I hope that the Women’s Health Initiative can continue to generate discoveries that support women’s health well into the future.

    Jean Wactawski-Wende receives funding from the NIH.

    – ref. The Women’s Health Initiative has shaped women’s health for over 30 years, but its future is uncertain – https://theconversation.com/the-womens-health-initiative-has-shaped-womens-health-for-over-30-years-but-its-future-is-uncertain-255311

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A law seeks to protect children from sex offenders − 20 years later, the jury is still out

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Boaz Dvir, Associate Professor of Journalism, Penn State

    Mark Lunsford appears at a July 2005 rally in support of the Children’s Safety Act on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

    Before his sentencing in March 2025, a convicted child rapist asked for a judgment that would have set him free in 2027. The Kansas resident received 25 years with no chance of parole.

    The reason? Jessica’s Law, which Kansas lawmakers passed in 2006.

    Kansas was one of the first states to follow Florida’s initial enactment of Jessica’s Law 20 years ago in response to the rape and murder of 9-year-old Jessica “Jessie” Lunsford in Homosassa, Florida. Forty-four other states have followed, altering how America polices, punishes and paroles pedophiles.

    Although the law differs in some details from state to state, it generally directs judges to sentence people convicted of sex crimes involving children to a minimum of 25 years. Jessica’s Law also monitors offenders’ movements after prison and strives to keep them away from places where children congregate, such as schools and parks.

    Many policymakers, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges have protested key aspects of the law. They are particularly opposed to its strict minimum sentencing guidelines, which they’ve described as oversimplified and counterproductive.

    Proponents, however, point to the law’s origins: Jessica’s February 2005 abduction, rape and murder by a repeat, convicted sex offender. They maintain the crime, which riveted the country for months and sent the third grader’s father, Mark, on a national child protection crusade, exposed deep-seated flaws in law enforcement and the legal system that made children around the country vulnerable to sexual assault.

    Jessica’s Law remains mostly intact throughout the country. But it has come under scrutiny and has undergone changes. As a journalism professor who directed a documentary about Lunsford’s efforts to convince politicians to pass the law that bears his daughter’s name, I’ve kept up with its trials and tribulations.

    Twenty years after Florida introduced the law, the jury is still out on whether America’s children are safer as a result.

    ‘Jessie’s Dad’

    In making “Jessie’s Dad,” I filmed Lunsford visiting state capitals and Capitol Hill and interviewed many of his allies and detractors. I also reviewed interrogation footage and newsreels, attended the trial of John Couey – Jessica’s killer – and pored over proposed and passed bills, court transcripts and police records.

    The resulting 2011 documentary highlights the law’s major perceived pros and cons.

    The most glaring of the legal system’s shortcomings before Jessica’s Law, according to Lunsford and other activist groups, was lax treatment by the police and courts. That, they said, allowed many sex offenders who target children to roam free.

    As Lunsford hopscotched from state to state to push for the law’s passage, he often noted that prior to raping and killing Jessie, Couey was convicted twice of molesting children but served only fractions of his sentences.

    “One time they gave him (Couey) a 10-year sentence; he did two years,” Lunsford told me. “One time, he (Couey) broke into a house and assaulted a child, and he would’ve gotten more time had he stolen their silverware.”

    Most of the states that have enacted Jessica’s Law direct judges to sentence child rapists to a minimum of 25 years in prison.

    Besides mandatory minimum sentencing, most states that have passed Jessica’s Law require sex-offender parolees to wear a GPS monitor − something Couey never did.

    Lunsford repeatedly pointed out that an electronic ankle bracelet, which tells the police the location of the person wearing it, could have led the police to Couey’s room in his sister’s trailer across the street from the Lunsford’s mobile home. That’s where Couey kept Jessie for three days before burying her alive in a backyard grave.

    Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appears at an October 2006 news conference urging Californians to support Proposition 83, also known as ‘Jessica’s Law.’ The governor was joined by Mark Lunsford, left, father of Jessica Lunsford.
    Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

    ‘Romeo and Juliet’ provisions

    In 2007, soon after Ohio passed its version of the law, Lunsford’s son Josh faced felony charges for fondling his 14-year-old girlfriend. The girl’s mother, who disapproved of their relationship, turned him in as soon as he turned 18 and became an adult in the eyes of the legal system. Josh ended up being charged with a misdemeanor, to which he pleaded guilty. He served 10 days in jail and 12 months under supervised release.

    Reeling from this incident, the elder Lunsford advocated amending Jessica’s Law with so-called Romeo and Juliet provisions. These stipulations typically exempt most young adults from harsh sentencing when the age difference between them and their romantic teen partners adds up to fewer than four or five years.

    Pennsylvania, the second state after Florida to pass Jessica’s Law in 2006, became the first to add a Romeo and Juliet provision in 2011.

    Today, 44 states have likewise adopted similar provisions.

    Legal challenges, too, have revamped parts of Jessica’s Law in some states. In 2015, for instance, California’s Supreme Court ruled the law violated the U.S. Constitution by infringing offenders’ liberty and privacy.

    The law did so, the court determined, by universally ordering registered sex offenders to stay at least 2,000 feet away from schools and other places where children congregate. That meant they could not live within 2,000 feet of a school or places where children gathered.

    Prior to the ruling, the Jessica’s Law residency restriction left many of California’s registered sex offenders with few viable housing options. It thus forced scores of them onto the streets and contributed to the Golden State’s homelessness crisis.

    Critics have also noted it is difficult to monitor homeless pedophiles.

    Although the California Supreme Court ruling technically applied only to San Diego County, it has spurred other parts of the state to restrict residency on a case-by-case basis.

    Electronic tracking

    Another divisive Jessica’s Law stipulation, however, may be too complex to simply modify.

    When included in the original Florida law, electronic tracking appeared to hold great promise.

    Today, 38 additional states electronically monitor sex offenders. Yet many accused and paroled sex offenders wearing ankle bracelets have nonetheless harmed children.

    For instance, David Renz broke free of his GPS monitor in 2013 while awaiting a child pornography trial in New York and raped a fourth grader. He also killed the 10-year-old girl’s protector and school librarian, Lori Bresnahan.

    While others harmed children after cutting off their ankle bracelets, some, like Arkansas resident Leontarius Reed, committed sex crimes while wearing GPS devices. Reed was wearing the device after a previous nonsexual offense.

    Critics claim electronic monitoring numbs society into a misleading state of comfort. Others argue it’s better than losing track of sex offenders. They also say it deters crime and has saved countless lives.

    Despite the widespread adoption of Jessica’s Law, comprehensive research is still needed to measure its impact. Such a project would examine whether America’s children are truly safer now than they were on May 1, 2005.

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

    – ref. A law seeks to protect children from sex offenders − 20 years later, the jury is still out – https://theconversation.com/a-law-seeks-to-protect-children-from-sex-offenders-20-years-later-the-jury-is-still-out-251762

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: When presidents try to make peace: What Trump could learn from Teddy Roosevelt, Carter, Clinton and his own first term

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Andrew E. Busch, Professor and Associate Director, Institute of American Civics, University of Tennessee

    U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt, center, introduces Russian and Japanese delegates during negotiations at the Portsmouth Peace Conference in Kittery, Maine, in August 1905. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

    Throughout his 2024 campaign for the presidency, Donald Trump made diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine-Russia war a major priority, suggesting that he could bring peace within “24 hours.” Even before Trump resumed office in January 2025, as president-elect he named envoys and held preliminary discussions with a variety of leaders.

    Since Trump returned to the White House, he has talked with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, met twice with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and made frequent public comments on the war.

    How does Trump’s mediation effort stack up historically? I’m a scholar of the presidency, and while we don’t yet know the outcome of the Trump-led negotiations, we do know one thing: He’s not conducting them in the ways presidents – including Trump himself – have conducted them in the past.

    President Donald Trump erupted at Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting on Feb. 28, 2025, angrily sending the Ukrainian leader out of the White House because he was ‘not ready’ for peace with Russia.
    Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

    Some worked, others didn’t

    There are several examples of presidents who attempted to play a mediating role in foreign conflicts.

    Theodore Roosevelt: Roosevelt won a Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to ending the 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War, fought over control of Manchuria and Sakhalin Island. Roosevelt had been asked to mediate by Japan, and Russia agreed. In many ways, this episode marked the beginning of the role of the U.S. president as a world leader.

    Jimmy Carter: Carter’s greatest presidential success arguably came in the Camp David Accords, the framework for peace negotiated in 1978 between Israel and Egypt after decades of conflict. Carter did not win a Nobel Prize for his accomplishment, but Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin did.

    Bill Clinton: Clinton made two ambitious attempts to broker peace between old adversaries. One ended in success, the other in failure.

    Clinton’s envoy, former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, mediated an accord between the British government, the Republic of Ireland and the warring factions in Northern Ireland that was signed on Good Friday 1998.

    On the other hand, one of Clinton’s greatest frustrations was a failed attempt to arrange peace between Israel and the Palestinians. Clinton blamed the failure on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat walking away from a deal in 2000. Instead, peace efforts were supplanted by a Palestinian uprising that killed an estimated 1,053 Israeli civilians by early 2005.

    Dealing with a third situation – the wars set off by the disintegration of Yugoslavia– the Clinton administration also obtained an agreement over Bosnia in the 1995 Dayton Accords when the parties were sufficiently exhausted.

    Donald Trump: In his first presidency, Trump himself brokered the September 2000 Abraham Accords that established formal diplomatic relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco. The accords, brought about largely through negotiations led by Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, had strategic aims of putting greater pressure for peace on the Palestinians and strengthening a common front against Iran. (The Oct. 7, 2023, attacks on Israel by Hamas may have been an attempt to stop subsequent efforts to extend the Abraham Accords to Saudi Arabia.)

    Although all of these examples involved presidential leadership and involvement, they did not follow a single model.

    How they did it

    Former President Bill Clinton bows as he meets former U.S. Sen. George Mitchell, who spearheaded peace negotiations on behalf of Clinton that led to the end of 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland.
    Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images

    Roosevelt never attended the peace negotiations over the Russo-Japanese War in Portsmouth, but he actively offered proposals through intermediaries before and during the conference. The final stages of negotiation were held on his yacht, the Mayflower.

    Carter’s breakthrough came when he engaged in intense personal diplomacy at Camp David, where he, Sadat and Begin were sequestered for 13 days. To complete the deal, Carter had to shuffle back and forth between the principals and at one point had to make a frantic appeal to Sadat not to leave.

    Clinton’s unsuccessful efforts to broker an agreement between Arafat and a succession of Israeli prime ministers extended over the duration of his two-term presidency and frequently involved personal meetings and exchanges.

    On the other hand, Clinton’s involvement in the Northern Ireland resolution did not primarily come in the form of personal diplomacy at the end of the process. Rather, he set the conditions for a settlement earlier when he approved a visa for Irish Republican leader Gerry Adams to enter the U.S., against the wishes of Britain and Clinton’s own advisers.

    When Clinton went to Belfast for a Christmas tree lighting in 1995, he brought together Catholic leaders committed to the unification of Ireland and Protestant leaders loyal to Britain. First lady Hillary Clinton also contributed by meeting with Irish women’s organizations on both sides.

    In contrast, in the Dayton process Clinton was later portrayed by chief negotiator Richard Holbrooke as essentially disengaged.

    Not like the others

    Although each mediation effort was unique, there were some commonalities.

    First, where sensitive issues of land possession were involved, many of the negotiations benefited from privacy in the process.

    Second, successful mediations came most often when the U.S. was neutral, such as in the Portsmouth negotiations, or friendly toward both parties to some degree, such as with the Camp David, Good Friday and Abraham negotiations. Dayton was the exception in that the U.S. had become quite hostile toward the Serbs.

    In Ukraine, Trump is attempting to mediate a conflict in which, until now, the U.S. has been firmly and materially supportive of one side against the other. And he is attempting to do it by publicly making, so far, proposals that were destined to be toxic to the Ukrainian public.

    Trump appears to be violating the first rule above – no public negotiations over land – in order to chase compliance with the second, which is no mediation without neutrality. By, among other things, publicly offering proposals that the Ukrainians see as one-sided against them, Trump has largely erased the image of the U.S. as pro-Ukraine.

    This is a highly controversial and risky strategy that has damaged relations with U.S. allies and cost the U.S. moral capital in pursuit of an uncertain peace.

    Whatever success Trump ultimately achieves, it is little surprise that the effort, which has been pursued over a period of six months so far, has been more difficult than he anticipated.

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

    – ref. When presidents try to make peace: What Trump could learn from Teddy Roosevelt, Carter, Clinton and his own first term – https://theconversation.com/when-presidents-try-to-make-peace-what-trump-could-learn-from-teddy-roosevelt-carter-clinton-and-his-own-first-term-255550

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Molly Bartlet – UKRI Internship

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Molly Bartlet – UKRI Internship

    During her PhD, Molly Bartlett took on a 3-month UKRI internship with the Government Office for Science (GO-Science), leading a high-profile project evaluating the impact of the UK’s Chief Scientific Advisers (CSAs).

    Molly Bartlet, UKRI intern

    Delivering real results

    Molly co-led a high-level project to evaluate the impact of CSAs and the CSA Network in influencing government decision-making. She supported GO-Science in designing and conducting surveys and interviews with senior officials, leading to the production of a detailed report. The findings highlighted the crucial role of CSAs in ensuring that expert advice is embedded at the heart of policymaking which was then used to communicate the importance of the CSAs role following the change of government.  

    But Molly’s impact went beyond her main project. She also played a key role in organising several events and publishing a biweekly newsletter for the CSA network, enhancing collaboration across departments.

    Building skills and broadening perspectives

    Determined to get the most out of her placement, Molly completed Civil Service online courses in project management. These courses expanded her understanding of government structures and operations, while equipping her with valuable transferable skills for future roles. 

    Reflecting on her experience, Molly described her time at GO-Science as engaging. The supportive environment and meaningful projects expanded her perspective beyond academia, revealing career paths in science policy and public engagement.

    Advice for future interns

    Molly’s advice for future interns is simple: be proactive and open to new opportunities. Getting involved in different projects and engaging with various teams offers valuable insight into how research influences policy and decision-making. She believes skills in communication, event management, and stakeholder engagement are essential for success across a range of careers.

    Lasting impact

    Molly’s internship was more than just a learning experience, it was a chance to make a tangible difference. Her work strengthened CSA communication networks and demonstrated the importance of embedding expert advice within government. She recommends the internship for anyone interested in working in science but wanting an alternate path from academia or industry, the internship is a great opportunity to gain insights into many other science roles across government.

    About the UKRI Policy Internship:

    UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) offers internships that provide PhD students with the opporunity to see first-hand how science informs government decision-making at one of the selected group of influential policy organisations. These placements allow interns to contribute to policy-relevant projects, work with senior officials, and develop skills that bridge the gap between research and public policy. Currently, the scheme supports on average 125 internships per year across all host partners. Find out more information.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: We’ve developed a new way to measure the full environmental impact of DC cooling, from energy and carbon to water use. It’s helping us make smarter decisions, and we’re sharing it with the industry. Check it out in Nature Magazine.

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: We’ve developed a new way to measure the full environmental impact of DC cooling, from energy and carbon to water use. It’s helping us make smarter decisions, and we’re sharing it with the industry. Check it out in Nature Magazine.

    I’m delighted to announce that our team’s research has been published in Nature. This study assesses the carbon, water, and energy impacts of various cooling techniques across datacenters’ entire life cycles and is a testament to our commitment to sustainability and innovation. By sharing our findings and tools with the industry, we are empowering others to make informed decisions and drive sustainability in datacenter operations. I want to say thank you to everyone involved in this groundbreaking work. Together, we are leading the sustainable datacenter design and the future of cooling technologies. Read more about our study and its impact: https://lnkd.in/gfQV4XGD #Microsoft #sustainability #msftsustainability

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Security: San Antonio Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Federal Prison for Smuggling Meth and Fentanyl from Mexico

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man who had resided in Coahuila, Mexico was sentenced in a federal court Thursday to 135 months in prison for smuggling more than 10 kgs of fentanyl and nearly 35 kgs of methamphetamine into the United States.

    According to court documents, Ruben Martinez Martinez, 22, was stopped by a Guadalupe County Sheriff’s deputy on Sept. 15, 2023 for traffic violations on Interstate 10. A return on the vehicle’s license plate indicated that the vehicle had crossed into Mexico on Aug. 11, 2023 and returned into the U.S. the morning of Sept. 15. When questioned by the deputy, Martinez provided responses that were inconsistent and became visibly nervous.

    A K9 search of the vehicle revealed a container of methamphetamine hidden in the fold of a collapsed center seat in the front of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle’s camper shell led to the discovery of a compartment inside the roof. After the vehicle was relocated for further inspection, an X-ray revealed the outlines of bundles inside the roof that contained a white substance and other white and blue pills.

    Approximately 39 packages were removed from the roof, and subsequent laboratory testing confirmed the white substance to be 34.9 kgs of methamphetamine and that there were 95,417 pills containing fentanyl. Martinez stated that he had followed directions to pick up the camper shell near Piedras Negras, Mexico the day prior to the traffic stop. He said he was transporting the narcotics to a location in Houston, where arrangements would be made for him to transfer the camper shell to someone else.

    “Fentanyl and methamphetamine have been poisoning our communities and even causing the deaths of friends, neighbors, and loved ones throughout this district and across the nation,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. “Working with our law enforcement partners to stop the illicit trafficking of these incredibly dangerous drugs is a top priority.”

    “DEA, along with its local partner, the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office, successfully halted Ruben Martinez Martinez from funneling over 95,000 fentanyl pills into our communities, which could have resulted in a tragic number of deaths,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge William Kimbell for the Drug Enforcement Administration Houston Division. “These deadly doses could have shattered the lives of many families in the San Antonio area, but fortunately lives were saved, and it’s all due to our collaborations with our state, local, and federal partners that have always shown to be a true force multiplier.” 

    The DEA investigated the case with valuable assistance from the Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office and Guadalupe County Narcotics Task Force.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney John Fedock prosecuted the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio County Reptile Dealer Admits to Wildlife Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Michael Kandis, age 64, of Wheeling, West Virginia, has admitted to wildlife trafficking in violation of the Lacey Act.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Kandis is reptile dealer and operates a reptile house in Wheeling. During a covert investigation of reptile shows in the Midwest, Kandis illegally purchased snakes, dozens of which were bullsnakes. Bullsnakes are native to Indiana, where their sale is illegal under state law. Kandis then transported the snakes to West Virginia and sold them.

    The Lacey Act prohibits the importation, exportation, transportation, sale, receipt, acquisition, or purchase of any fish or wildlife or plant taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of any law, treaty, or regulation of the United States.

    Kandis faces up to one year in prison and a fine of $100,000 or twice the gain or loss of the crime. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Maximillian Nogay and Trial Attorney Lauren D. Steele, Environmental Crimes Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources investigated.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Direct Lender Tribal Loans No Teletrack – Guaranteed Approval For Bad Credit With No Credit Check Easiest To Get Online by Apache Lending

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LAS VEGAS, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The tribal lending landscape is growing rapidly, making it tough to choose the best online tribal lenders with no credit check from so many options available today. This guide explores some of the top direct lenders offering tribal loans with guaranteed approval, providing insights into their offerings and what borrowers can expect.

    Today’s Top Direct Lender For Tribal Loans With Guaranteed Approval

    #1 Apache Lending – Top choice for many happy borrowers who already took advantage of their direct lender tribal loans. Known for its good reputation, Apache Lending helps borrowers access tribal loans with guaranteed approval.

    Click Here To APPLY For Easy Tribal Loan >>

    Tribal Loans With No Credit Check

    According to recent research in the tribal lending industry, people with low credit scores often face refusal from traditional payday lenders. Fortunately, tribal lenders work in a different way. They offer guaranteed tribal loans with higher interest rates. These loans are available without any hassle of credit checks and lengthy documentation with the flexible repayment terms. Most tribal lenders will not bother you for any of the documents and the no credit check tribal loan is approved in the shortest period of time.

    The application process has become so fast that you get the money in your bank account the same day you apply for the loan. Another best thing about these tribal loans with no credit check is that you are not required to fax any documents or any other paper to get this loan. So if you are planning to get yourself a tribal loan without any credit checks then you can go for these loans from top rated tribal lenders like Apache Lending.

    Benefits of No Credit Check Tribal Loans

    Tribal loans with no credit check present several advantages for borrowers with bad credit:

    • Accessibility: These loans are often more accessible than traditional loans, as tribal lenders may not rely heavily on credit scores for approval.
    • Quick Approval Process: Many tribal lenders offer a streamlined application process, allowing borrowers to receive funds quickly, sometimes on the same day.
    • Flexible Terms: Borrowers may find more flexible repayment terms with tribal loans, accommodating their financial situations better than conventional loans.

    Guaranteed Tribal Loans For Bad Credit

    Getting a traditional payday loan with bad credit isn’t guaranteed, but is very possible. Most people think that if they have poor credit or no credit at all, they’re out of the running for borrowing any money. That just isn’t true when they turn to tribal lending companies.

    Among the options available online, guaranteed tribal loans have emerged as a viable solution for those facing challenges due to bad credit. Whether you need money for car repair, unexpected medical expenses or urgent home improvement, tribal lenders such as Apache Lending deliver a top-tier loan application experience.

    Guaranteed tribal loans for bad credit are usually better known as payday loans or cash advance loans. Either way, you can find many lenders online that offer quick loan approval and same day deposits. These tribal lenders with guaranteed approval offer a quick and easy application process that takes less than 5 minutes. After all, such tribal loans are the only option for many borrowers with bad credit and can be accessed without any hassles.

    Types of Guaranteed Tribal Loans

    1. Tribal Payday Loans: These are short-term loans designed to cover immediate expenses. They typically have higher interest rates and are meant to be repaid quickly, often by the next payday.
    2. Tribal Installment Loans: Unlike payday loans, installment loans allow borrowers to repay the loan in smaller, manageable amounts over a longer period. This option can be beneficial for those needing larger sums of money.
    3. Personal Loans: Many tribal lenders offer personal loans that can be used for various purposes, including medical expenses, home repairs, or debt consolidation.

    Click Here To APPLY For Easy Tribal Loan >>

    Tribal Loans With No Teletrack

    No teletrack tribal loans are designed for borrowers who may have a less-than-perfect credit score. The term “no teletrack” indicates that the tribal lender does not utilize teletrack services to assess the applicant’s creditworthiness. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have faced financial difficulties in the past, as it allows them to access funds without the burden of their credit history weighing against them.

    Key Features of No Teletrack Tribal Loans

    1. Guaranteed Approval: Many direct lenders offering no teletrack tribal loans advertise guaranteed approval, which means that applicants are likely to receive funding regardless of their credit score.
    2. Quick Processing: These loans typically feature a streamlined application process, allowing borrowers to receive funds quickly, often within a day or two.
    3. Flexible Terms: Tribal loans often come with flexible repayment terms, which can be tailored to fit the borrower’s financial situation.
    4. Higher Interest Rates: It is important to note that while these loans provide access to cash, they often come with higher interest rates compared to traditional payday loans. Borrowers should be aware of the total cost of borrowing before proceeding.

    No teletrack tribal cash advance is basically a short term small cash loan that is granted without any security or collateral as such. These loans are totally of unsecured nature. The amount of loan is usually not fixed. It varies from $100 to $5000. The best thing about such loans is that even people with low credit scores may apply for these money advances. Tribal lenders such as Apache Lending are not at all worried about your credit history. You just have to fulfill some of the very basic conditions and if you fulfill them all, you may very easily get no teletrack loan approved.

    Benefits Of Direct Lender Tribal Payday Loans Online

    For many individuals, tribal payday loans from direct lenders represent a viable option for obtaining necessary funds. This is especially true for those who may have been turned away by conventional lenders due to their credit history. The appeal lies in the combination of accessibility and the potential for quick cash relief.

    Who Should Consider Tribal Payday Loans Online?

    Direct lender tribal loans may be suitable for:

    • Individuals with Bad Credit: Those who have experienced financial setbacks and have low credit scores may find these loans to be a lifeline.
    • Emergency Situations: Borrowers in urgent need of cash for unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs, may benefit from the rapid approval process.
    • Short-Term Financial Needs: These loans are often intended for short-term use, making them appropriate for individuals who can repay the loan quickly.

    Top benefits for direct lender tribal payday loans include:

    1. Straightforward application process. There aren’t weeks of meetings and discussions to get your cash loan approved. Tribal lenders like Apache Lending offer quick and easy application processes online.

    2. Spend it how you like. You know more than anyone what you need the money for. Whether you need a new tire on your car, the washing machine needs fixing or it’s your daughter’s 16th birthday – the tribal cash loan lets you spend it on what you want.

    3. Same day cash. Many people that take out cash loans do so because they need the money quickly and efficiently. As well as same day approval, tribal cash loans can be transferred to your account on the same day too.

    Requirements For Guaranteed Approval Tribal Installment Loans

    Guaranteed tribal installment loans can offer an immediate solution whenever an emergency situation arises. It is one of the quickest resolutions to any financial need. The requirements are minimal and the submission is less tedious compared to other loans. The application process could also be approved within 1 hour, ideal if you urgently need cash.

    Although the requirements vary depending on tribal lender policies, there are still general requirements that need to be accomplished to get the tribal installment loans application approved. This includes active direct deposit, an established checking or savings account, a minimum monthly take-home pay, and an established employment history. Borrowers need to be at least 18 years old and must be a citizen of the USA. Understanding these requirements can help potential borrowers navigate the application process more effectively.

    Click Here To APPLY For Easy Tribal Loan >>

    How To Apply For Easiest Tribal Loans To Get Online

    Applying for a quick and easy tribal loan is simple. The online application form is available on the official site of direct tribal lenders like Apache Lending. The application process is simple and easy to understand. The applicant can file the application directly on the lender’s site and should provide information about the loan amount required and the purpose of the loan.

    Considerations Before Applying

    While guaranteed tribal loans can be beneficial, potential borrowers should consider the following:

    • Interest Rates: Tribal loans can come with higher interest rates compared to traditional loans. It is essential for borrowers to understand the total cost of borrowing.
    • Regulatory Differences: Tribal lenders operate under different regulations than state-licensed lenders. This can affect the terms of the loan and the rights of the borrower.
    • Repayment Terms: Borrowers should carefully review the repayment terms to ensure they can meet the obligations without falling into a cycle of debt.

    Click Here To APPLY For Easy Tribal Loan >>

    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. What are tribal loans?

    Tribal loans for bad credit are personal loans offered by lenders that are affiliated with Native American tribes. These lenders operate under tribal sovereignty, which means they may not be subject to state regulations but still comply with federal laws and their own tribal lending codes.

    2. How do tribal loans differ from traditional payday loans?

    While both may offer quick funding, guaranteed tribal loans often have longer repayment terms compared to payday loans, which typically require full repayment within a short period (such as two weeks). Tribal loans may also allow installment payments rather than a lump sum repayment.

    3. Are tribal loans legal?

    Best tribal lenders operate under the sovereignty of their respective Native American tribes. While some states challenge their legality, federal laws and tribal governance generally allow these lenders to function independently of state restrictions.

    4. What are the typical interest rates on tribal loans?

    Interest rates on no credit check tribal loans can be higher than those of traditional personal loans due to the risk lenders take in offering credit to borrowers who may not qualify elsewhere. Rates vary, but they can range anywhere from 100% to over 400% APR, so it’s crucial to review loan terms carefully.

    5. Do tribal lenders report to credit bureaus?

    Some tribal lenders report payment history to major credit bureaus, while others do not. If building credit is a priority, check with the lender beforehand to confirm whether they report payments.

    6. Can I get a tribal loan with bad credit?

    Yes, many tribal lenders with guaranteed approval accept borrowers with low or poor credit scores. However, this often comes with higher interest rates and stricter repayment terms.

    7. How fast can I get a tribal loan?

    Tribal lenders often provide fast funding, with many offering same-day or next-business-day deposits after approval.

    Media Contact
    Apache Lending
    Sarah Smiths
    sarah@apachelending.com
    https://www.apachelending.com
    9620 Las Vegas Blvd S #454 | Las Vegas, NV 89123

    Disclaimer: This announcement contains general information about Apache Lending services and should not be considered financial advice. Apache Lending services does not guarantee loan approval, and loan terms may vary by applicant and lender requirements. Loans are available to U.S. residents only.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e0d566d-747d-4cb8-a0c1-6adc824e74f3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: One month since devastating earthquake in Myanmar

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    On 28 March, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, killing and injuring thousands of people. Since then, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams have been working in Mandalay region, located 20 kilometres away from the earthquake’s epicentre, to provide people with medical care, psychological aid, and essential items.

    So far, we have restored 140 water sources for 475 families, distributed kits with soap, toothbrushes, menstrual products, and mosquito nets to over 2,000 families, and trained over 200 volunteers on psychological first aid. Through our mobile clinic in 8 locations across Mandalay region, our team has met and cared for people who have been directly affected, including Ma Win Win, Thein Zaw, and Khin Myo Khaing who shared their testimony about that day with us.

    Ma Win Win

    My husband and I were having dinner when it [the earthquake] started. He ran to find our son and fell between the kitchen and the main house. As he fell, bricks fell onto him one by one. When it all crumbled, I didn’t know what to do. 

    My head felt like it was burning. A big stone hit my head. When the shaking was over, another big stone from the house fell and hit my head. 

    When the earthquake hit, two of my children, my sister and her husband, my little brother, and an employee were trapped inside the house. I was the first to escape. Then my brother-in-law escaped. After he got out and my father reached the house, they rescued my son – it took five hours to dig him out of the rubble. They found my son wrapped in my sister’s arms. She did not survive. And I lost my husband too. Because he was the first to start running, I thought he had escaped. My child is too young to lose his father.

    We who survived were injured. I had severed the arteries in my wrist. I went to a hospital in Mandalay right away. I still can’t bend or stretch my hand. I came to the clinic today to see how my hand is.

    My child has been very scared since. I’m afraid it will happen again. I just want my husband back. 

    Thein Zaw

    On 28 March 28, my wife, daughter, and I were all at the tea shop where I work, on the fourth floor, making cakes and samosas for the next day. I was about to open the shop, so I was putting away the ingredients and at that moment, I heard a loud bang. 

    To be honest, we first thought it was a mine or a bomb. We came here from the conflict zone; it sounded so familiar. 

    Then the Buddha statue fell, and when it fell, my wife said: “Earthquake, earthquake, earthquake, sit down.” I have only one leg – we had a motorcycle accident two and a half years ago – and I thought we can’t run because we were on the fourth floor. I protected my daughter and my wife protected me. The house was shaking. We had to move things to get out of the house. 

    When the aftershock hit, we were on the road in a rickshaw – we wanted to go home. The house was still there, so we all went home.  

    Many buildings in our neighborhood have collapsed. There were not enough ambulances. We were able to help carry the sick and the dead with our tricycle. We did what we could. When we saw those collapsed buildings, we felt very bad. In my heart, it’s not good. 

    My daughter’s hand was slightly injured. It wasn’t too bad. But when she hears a loud sound now, she wants to run. Her heart is beating fast in her chest, and she’s very scared. She used to want to live in a big building with 3 or 4 floors, but now she feels very scared after this earthquake. 

    Khin Myo Khaing

    My youngest daughter has a cough, so I came to the clinic to get her looked at. My sister and I came to the clinic together, she is pregnant. After the earthquake she was not sure that everything was ok, so she came for a check-up. 

    On 28 March, we had visitors at our house. We were in the kitchen making rice and frying cakes for them. When the earthquake started, I first thought it was raining. From the kitchen I called out to my mother: “Mom, the rain is coming, it’s raining, it’s raining, it’s raining, it’s raining.” Then I realised that it wasn’t rain, it was an earthquake. 

    I was so worried for my four-month-old baby in the other room. My mother said: “Don’t run, I’ll take care of the baby.” Then my sister-in-law called out: “Don’t run, sit down.”

    I sat down in the kitchen with my 6-year-old daughter, we almost fell to the ground. The wooden chair we had just been sitting on tumbled and hit my head, but I was lucky. 

    I have never experienced such a violent earthquake.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How millions of people can watch the same video at the same time – a computer scientist explains the technology behind streaming

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Chetan Jaiswal, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Quinnipiac University

    The men’s cricket World Cup final match between Australia and India on Nov. 19, 2023, had a peak of 59 million concurrent streaming viewers. AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool

    Live and on-demand video constituted an estimated 66% of global internet traffic by volume in 2022, and the top 10 days for internet traffic in 2024 coincided with live streaming events such as the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match and coverage of the NFL. Streaming enables seamless, on-demand access to video content, from online gaming to short videos like TikToks, and longer content such as movies, podcasts and NFL games.

    The defining aspect of streaming is its on-demand nature. Consider the global reach of a Joe Rogan podcast episode or the live coverage of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft launch – both examples demonstrate how streaming connects millions of viewers to real-time and on-demand content worldwide.

    I’m a computer scientist whose research includes cloud computing, which is the distribution of computing resources such as video servers across the internet.

    Netflix claimed that it supported 65 million concurrent streams for the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match on Nov. 15, 2024, though many users reported technical issues.

    ‘Chunks’ of video

    When it comes to video content – whether it’s a live stream or a prerecorded video – there are two major challenges to address. First, video data is massive in size, making it time-consuming to transmit from the source to devices such as TVs, computers, tablets and smartphones.

    Second, streaming must be adaptive to accommodate differences in users’ devices and internet capabilities. For instance, viewers with lower-resolution screens or slower internet speeds should still be able to watch a given video, albeit in lower quality, while those with higher-resolution displays and faster connections enjoy the best possible quality.

    To tackle these challenges, video providers implement a series of optimizations. The first step involves fragmenting videos into smaller pieces, commonly referred to as “chunks.” These chunks then undergo a process called “encoding and compression,” which optimizes the video for different resolutions and bitrates to suit various devices and network conditions.

    When a user requests an on-demand video, the system dynamically selects the appropriate stream of chunks based on the capabilities of the user’s device, such as screen resolution and current internet speed. The video player on the user’s device assembles and plays these chunks in sequence to create a seamless viewing experience.

    For users with slower internet connections, the system delivers lower-quality chunks to ensure smooth playback. This is why you might notice a drop in video quality when your connection speed is reduced. Similarly, if the video pauses during playback, it’s usually because your player is waiting to buffer additional chunks from the provider.

    Video streams come to users at different quality levels based on the user’s device and internet connection.
    Chetan Jaiswal

    Dealing with distance and congestion

    Delivering video content on a large scale, whether prerecorded or live, poses a significant challenge when extrapolated to the immense number of videos consumed globally. Streaming services like YouTube, Hulu and Netflix host enormous libraries of on-demand content, while simultaneously managing countless live streams happening worldwide.

    A seemingly straightforward approach to delivering video content would involve building a massive data center to store all the videos and related content, then streaming them to users worldwide via the internet. However, this method isn’t favored because it comes with significant challenges.

    One major issue is geographic latency, where a user’s location relative to the data center affects the delay they experience. For instance, if a data center is located in Virginia, a user in Washington, D.C., would experience minimal delay, while a user in Australia would face much longer delays due to the increased distance and the need for the data to traverse multiple interconnected networks. This added travel time slows down content delivery.

    Another problem is network congestion. As more users worldwide connect to the central data center, the interconnecting networks become increasingly busy, resulting in frustrating delays and video buffering. Additionally, when the same video is sent simultaneously to multiple users, duplicate data traveling over the same internet links wastes bandwidth and further congests the network.

    A centralized data center also creates a single point of failure. If the data center experiences an outage, no users can access their content, leading to a complete service disruption.

    Content delivery networks

    To address these challenges, most content providers rely on content delivery networks. These networks distribute content through globally scattered points of presence, which are clusters of servers that store copies of high-demand content locally. This approach significantly reduces latency and improves reliability.

    Content delivery network providers, such as Akamai and Edgio, implement two main strategies for deploying points of presence.

    The first is the “Enter Deep” approach, where thousands of smaller point-of-presence nodes are placed closer to users, often within internet service provider networks. This ensures minimal latency by bringing the content as close as possible to the end user.

    This diagram, with the internet backbone at the top and users at the bottom, shows the ‘Enter Deep’ approach to placing content delivery servers ‘deep’ in the network, close to users.
    Chetan Jaiswal

    The second strategy is “Bring Home,” which involves deploying hundreds of larger point-of-presence clusters at strategic locations, typically where ISPs interconnect: internet exchange points. While these clusters are farther from users than in the Enter Deep approach, they are larger in capacity, allowing them to handle higher volumes of traffic efficiently.

    This diagram, with the internet backbone at the top and users at the bottom, shows the ‘Bring Home’ approach to placing content delivery servers between backbone and regional internet service providers.
    Chetan Jaiswal

    Infrastructure for a connected world

    Both strategies aim to optimize video streaming by reducing delays, minimizing bandwidth waste and ensuring a seamless viewing experience for users worldwide.

    The rapid expansion of the internet and the surge in video streaming – both live and on demand – have transformed how video content is delivered to users globally. However, the challenges of handling massive amounts of video data, reducing geographic latency and accommodating varying user devices and internet speeds require sophisticated solutions.

    Content delivery networks have emerged as a cornerstone of modern streaming, enabling efficient and reliable delivery of video. This infrastructure supports the growing demand for high-quality video and highlights the innovative approaches needed to meet the expectations of a connected world.

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

    – ref. How millions of people can watch the same video at the same time – a computer scientist explains the technology behind streaming – https://theconversation.com/how-millions-of-people-can-watch-the-same-video-at-the-same-time-a-computer-scientist-explains-the-technology-behind-streaming-245131

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A Michigan research professor explains how NIH funding works − and what it means to suddenly lose a grant

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Brady Thomas West, Research Professor of Survey and Data Science, University of Michigan

    Demonstrators protest funding cuts outside of the U.S. National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., on March 8, 2025. Michael Mathes/AFP via Getty Images

    In its first 100 days, the Trump administration has terminated more than US$2 billion in federal grants, according to a public source database compiled by the scientific community, and it is proposing additional cuts that would reduce the $47 billion budget of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, also known as the NIH, by nearly half.

    The effects of these cuts are being felt at top-tier public research institutions such as the University of Michigan. In fiscal year 2024, of the $2 billion in total research expenditures at the university, $1.2 billion came in through federal research grants, with $762 million from NIH alone.

    Brady West is a research professor at the University of Michigan who has been writing federal grant proposals for more than two decades. The Conversation U.S. spoke with him about what these cuts could mean for the university and scientific research in the U.S. going forward.

    This article is adapted from an interview Brady gave for the May 1 episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast.

    The University of Michigan’s research arm includes “soft money” institutes. What does that mean?

    Brady West: A soft money institute is one where the salaries are entirely funded by the research grants and contracts that they’re able to obtain. This is the case for most of the research arm of the University of Michigan, which includes the Institute for Social Research where I work. The university sets the salary amounts for these positions, and the people filling them − whether faculty, staff or graduate students − have to raise the money to fund their salary.

    Teaching faculty, on the other hand, usually are paid from general university funds, which might come in from sources such as tuition, rather than grant funding.

    What is involved in applying for a grant from a federal institution like NIH?

    West: In my experience, it’s an extremely competitive and stressful process.

    On average, I would estimate that it takes about a year to craft a research proposal from scratch. Applicants do background research, look at all the relevant work that has already been done in the field, summarize the articles that they’ve written, and sometimes do initial preliminary studies. They have to sell their research as connected to past work but still innovative, something that will move the science forward.

    Meanwhile, they’re working with a team of research administrators, whose jobs at the university are funded by soft money, on things like creating a budget and determining what sort of supplies, equipment and additional personnel will be required for the research project. These administrators also help the applicant format and submit the proposal.

    How does NIH determine what proposals receive funding?

    West: Every proposal submitted to NIH gets reviewed by a panel of experts in that particular field, so your peers are the ones reviewing your proposal and deciding whether it should be considered for funding.

    Each panel is tasked with reviewing and scoring multiple proposals. About half of the proposals receive scores that do not warrant additional discussion for funding. The rest are scrutinized line by line.

    Those with the best scores, based on their merits as well as agency budgets and priorities, are ultimately awarded grants. All applicants are sent the reviewers’ comments, and those not receiving funding may revise their proposal and resubmit. In my experience, few applications get funded the first time they are submitted, and most go through at least one round of revisions.

    I’ve found it generally takes about two years from the time you start writing a proposal to the time that you get funded.

    When did you learn that NIH and other federal grants were being rescinded at the University of Michigan?

    West: The first notice I received was in mid-February of 2025. I was wrapping up a federally funded study where we were looking at different ways of measuring sexual identity in surveys. That study was funded by a $160,000 grant from NIH.

    I received a notice from administrators for the National Center for Health Statistics – part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – that maintains the data I was working with. The email said my work was being reviewed for compliance with the president’s executive orders and would be paused.

    The email Brady received from the National Center for Health Statistics, terminating his access to the secure data he’d been using for his NIH-funded research study.
    courtesy of Brady Thomas West, CC BY

    I was lucky, because that particular grant was set to end at the end of February, so the project was nearly finished, and the paper was already written.

    And then over the following weeks, it was like a waterfall. I started hearing from colleagues who were working on grants related to climate change, vaccination, vaccine hesitancy, sexual identity, gender identity, DEI – all of the work related to that, I just heard story after story of these grants being ended on the spot.

    What does this mean for the researchers who lost their funding? What will they do now?

    West: These terminations put jobs at risk – not only the research faculty, but also the teams who were working on these projects and the administrators who helped format and submit the grants.

    One of my Ph.D. students received an email from NIH that simply said his grant has been terminated. So his source of support as a graduate student at the University of Michigan was gone in an instant.

    The University of Michigan has developed a new research funding program where you can apply for support if you’ve had your grant terminated, and your local department can help share the costs. My student is waiting to hear if he will receive some of that funding. This is a welcome development, but only a short-term solution to this problem.

    So right now, everybody’s pivoting. Your first thought is, how can I write a proposal that’s not going to have certain keywords in it? And that’s just not a good way to do science.

    The University of Michigan is committed to doing the best possible science, but it’s going to require some adaptation in terms of how to think about the proposal process. And, honestly, for the immediate future, part of being a scientist in the U.S. is getting a firm understanding of what the current administration wants to fund.

    Are you or your colleagues considering leaving the university?

    West: That’s the million-dollar question. Do you decide to pack up your family and move to a different country? Do you shift to private industry? Do you wait it out for the next administration and hope that things swing back in a direction that’s going to support the kind of work that you’re doing? Those are the kinds of career decisions that people have to think about.

    Is the U.S. going to lose a lot of top-tier faculty at top-tier universities like the University of Michigan because of what’s going on? That’s a significant concern.

    Read more of our stories about Michigan.

    Brady Thomas West has received funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation.

    – ref. A Michigan research professor explains how NIH funding works − and what it means to suddenly lose a grant – https://theconversation.com/a-michigan-research-professor-explains-how-nih-funding-works-and-what-it-means-to-suddenly-lose-a-grant-255082

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Creative industries and growth boosted with new UK-India cultural agreement

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Creative industries and growth boosted with new UK-India cultural agreement

    UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation agreement with India

    • UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation agreement with India
    • Culture Secretary leading a delegation of cultural leaders and UK institutions to Mumbai and New Delhi this week
    • Agreement to boost collaboration between British and Indian creative businesses and cultural institutions, delivering on Plan for Change to drive growth and opportunity

    The UK’s arts and culture, creative industries, tourism and sport sectors are set to benefit from a major new cooperation deal and economic links with India, as the government delivers on its Plan for Change to boost growth and opportunity.

    Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who is of Indian heritage, arrived on Thursday for a three-day visit to Mumbai and New Delhi. She has today (Friday) signed a new bilateral Cultural Cooperation Agreement with India’s Minister for Culture and Tourism, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. She has been joined on the trip by a delegation of senior leaders from VisitBritain, the British Film Institute and the Science Museum, to drive further collaboration between British and Indian creative businesses and cultural institutions.

    The agreement will open the door for increased UK creative exports to India and enable more partnerships between UK and Indian museums and cultural institutions, helping to grow UK soft power. 

    On Thursday the Culture Secretary delivered a keynote speech at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai, which was also attended by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Her speech celebrated the living bridge that connects the UK and India, and showcased the strength and attractiveness of the UK’s creative industries, one of the growth-driving sectors identified in the UK government’s Industrial Strategy.

    The Culture Secretary then toured Yash Raj Films Studio, where some of the most popular Bollywood films with audiences in the UK are made. Both the UK and India boast rich cinematic traditions and share a deep mutual interest in each other’s storytelling cultures, and the Culture Secretary wants to see more collaboration between UK and Indian film productions. 

    UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy said: 

    In the arts and creative industries, Britain and India lead the world and I look forward to this agreement opening up fresh opportunities for collaboration, innovation and economic growth for our artists, cultural institutions and creative businesses.

    Growing up as a mixed race child with proud Indian heritage, I saw first hand how the UK’s culture – from food, fashion and film to music, sport and literature – is enriched by the unique contribution of the Indian diaspora. It has given me a deep connection to India’s culture and people and it is an honour to be visiting this magnificent country to forge a closer cultural partnership.

    During the visit:

    • This evening the Culture Secretary will attend a marquee event at the British Council in Delhi, where she will preview performances from India’s Serendipity Arts Festival which is due to hold a mini festival in Birmingham in May and a large-scale event in London next year. 

    • At the same reception, Visit Britain CEO Patricia Yates will launch the Starring GREAT Britain campaign in India, which will draw upon film and TV locations as a driver for inward tourism to the UK. 

    • In the Okhla neighbourhood of Delhi, she will tour boutique fashion houses and workshops and meet a range of Indian fashion designers with UK links.

    • Earlier today the Culture Secretary met female cricketers at the Sharad Pawar Sports Club, ahead of India hosting the Women’s Cricket World Cup in October 2025. On Saturday she will meet football coaches involved in the Premier League Primary Stars programme in India, a partnership between the Premier League and the British Council to improve physical and sports education in primary schools. Earlier this week the Premier League announced it was opening a new office in Mumbai.

    • As well as her meetings with the Minister for Culture and senior Indian government ministers, the Culture Secretary is also expected to meet with significant Indian investors and business leaders.

    Actor and writer Sanjeev Bhaskar said: 

    The creative industries are a powerful, enjoyable way to bring people together so I hope this visit further solidifies a mutual appreciation not just of the long established arts of both countries but also the evolving areas of film, music and theatre that are successfully combining artistic traditions from India and the UK to explore and cement what is a unique relationship.

    Film director Gurinder Chadha said: 

    As a filmmaker who has spent my career celebrating being British Punjabi and honouring the connections between Britain and India, it is great to see our cultural bonds further strengthened through this new agreement from my friend and colleague Lisa Nandy.

    Now we have a real opportunity to unlock exciting new creative opportunities for artists and storytellers to the benefit of both our countries.

    ENDS

    UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation Agreement

    • The Culture Secretary and Minister for Culture are expected to formally sign the UK-India Programme of Cultural Cooperation. The two nations will commit to enhancing cultural exchange between the UK and India through the arts and heritage, and to encourage long-term partnerships between UK and Indian businesses and cultural institutions.

    • Implementation will involve the British Council in India and the Indian Ministry of Culture, with participation from major UK cultural institutions including Arts Council England, the British Library, the British Museum, Natural History Museum, Science Museum Group and the V&A Museum. This has the potential for British museums to launch new partnerships on exhibitions or public programmes that engage the Indian diaspora in the UK.

    • The UK will work with India to support best practice and expertise on heritage conservation, museum management and digitisation of collections – including making knowledge contained in South Asian manuscripts more widely accessible, and the protection of cultural property, with both nations committing to combat illicit trafficking of cultural artifacts.

    Further quotes:

    Sir Ian Blatchford, Director and Chief Executive of the Science Museum Group, said: 

    This commitment from the British and Indian Governments to deeper cultural cooperation will further strengthen our relationships with Indian cultural and scientific organisations, helping the Science Museum Group to share ever more fascinating stories of scientific discovery with audiences in both the UK and India.

    Visitors to Science City in Kolkata can explore our Injecting Hope exhibition – which delves into the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines and was created in partnership with India’s National Council of Science Museums – now on display as part of an international tour that has inspired nearly five million visitors in museums across India, China and the UK.”  

    Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said: 

    The V&A is delighted to contribute to the new UK-India cultural partnership. It will increase our ability to loan more objects from our world-class collection, and build strategic relationships with the booming Indian arts scene across design, fashion, photography, and performance.

    Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the British Museum, said: 

    The British Museum’s collaboration with partner museums across India are some of our deepest and most successful. For example, in Mumbai, we have a groundbreaking partnership with the CSMVS Museum – one of India’s biggest – which is based around the reciprocal exchange of objects, knowledge, and ideas. 

    I’m delighted that the UK-India Cultural Cooperation Agreement recognises, at the highest level, the importance of cultural collaboration between our two countries and we look forward to strengthening these partnerships further.” 

    Director of the Natural History Museum Doug Gurr said: 

    India is clearly a nation of talented, passionate and prolific wildlife photographers! Indian photographers have consistently been well-represented in our prestigious photography competition Wildlife Photography of the Year – and this year we had a record-breaking number of over 300 entrees from India, an increase of 79 per cent!  

    It has been our honour to share the awe-inspiring images of our Indian alumni to millions of people worldwide and we have had the pleasure of collaborating with Dhritiman Mukherjee, Ripan Biswas and Nayan Khanolkar to deliver conservation photography workshops for young people in Kolkata. We are thrilled that our connection continues at the Visual Poetries Photography Festival in Gujarat this summer, with our Competition Manager joining their jury and our Wildlife Photography of the Year Highlights on display throughout.

    Rebecca Lawrence, Chief Executive of the British Library, said: 

    The British Library has a long history of successful collaboration with our peers in India, including on the landmark ‘Two Centuries of Indian Print’ project and through our Endangered Archives Programme. 

    We warmly welcome this agreement which will provide opportunities to further deepen our partnerships, exchange valuable professional skills and insights, and strengthen our shared networks of knowledge and culture.

    More information: 

    • VisitBritain forecasts a record 766,000 visits from India to the UK in 2025, up 7 percent on 2024, with travellers spending £1 billion – a 12 per cent year-on-year growth.

    • The BPI has reported that British music exports to India experienced a significant 26.3 percent increase in revenue. This moves India into the top 20 biggest overseas territories for UK recorded music, and there have recently been tours by major British acts including Coldplay in January and Ed Sheeran in February.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan visits WFP nutrition site

    Source: World Food Programme

    KABUL – H.E. Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Mutinta Chimuka, acting WFP Country Director in Afghanistan, visited a malnutrition clinic in the country’s capital Kabul, where hundreds of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their children receive life-saving nutrition services. The visit highlights Japan’s strong and steadfast commitment to WFP’s operations in Afghanistan, where nearly one third of the population is in need of emergency food assistance.

    “It was heartbreaking to see a number of Afghan mothers and children suffering from malnutrition, but it was also encouraging to see the work done by WFP and its partners to provide critical assistance to them and improve their nutrition and health,” said Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan. “The Government of Japan remains committed to help Afghan families through the crisis.”

    The visit followed a recent US$7 million contribution from the Government of Japan to WFP in Afghanistan. This funding enables WFP to deliver emergency food assistance to 30,000 families (200,000 people) for three months and to support 60,000 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children. The contribution will also support daily school snacks for 30,000 school children, enhancing their ability to learn and focus during their classes.

    “Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the crisis in Afghanistan, which is currently witnessing the highest levels of child malnutrition in recent history,” said Harald Mannhardt, WFP Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan. “Only thanks to the generosity of partners like the Government of Japan, can WFP still support women and children across the country despite critical funding shortfalls.”

    Last year, WFP supported 3 million children and 1.8 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with malnutrition treatment or prevention services across the country. 

    The Government of Japan has been a steadfast supporter to WFP’s mission in Afghanistan. Since 2021, Japan has contributed US$93 million towards WFP’s emergency food assistance, nutrition and school meals programmes. After the devastating earthquake that struck the west of the country in October 2023, Japan also provided US$1 million for immediate emergency response for the affected population.

    #                     #                         #

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

    Follow us on Twitter: @wfp_media @WFP_Afghanistan

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP and EFSD Partner to Improve Food Security by Strengthening Water Management Systems in Armenia

    Source: World Food Programme

    Yerevan, ARMENIA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) are joining forces to improve food security in Armenia through better water management. An agreement for the “Capacity Strengthening of Water Users Associations of Armenia” initiative has been signed with the Government of Armenia, represented by the Armenian Territorial Development Fund (ATDF). The initiative aims to strengthen food security, reduce reliance on assistance, and build community resilience in Armenia.

    “At the EFSD, investments in the rehabilitation of basic infrastructure are among our strategic priorities. However, we recognise that ensuring the sustainability of projects in the irrigation sector requires more than physical efforts. To address this, we place a strong emphasis on building the capacity of water user associations and strengthening sector institutions, enabling them to manage water resources more effectively and independently in the long term,” said Garik Arabyan, Head of the Project at the EFSD.

    WFP will work with 15 Water User Associations (WUAs) across Armenia, training over 125 WUA leaders and community water managers in practical water management skills. These include optimizing irrigation schedules, maintaining infrastructure, and adopting efficient practices like drip and sprinkler irrigation. The training will strengthen irrigation systems and support food-insecure communities in managing water more effectively for agriculture.

    This is particularly important in regions facing water scarcity due to aging infrastructure, overuse of groundwater, and climate change – factors that have contributed to low crop yields and food insecurity. Improved irrigation management will reduce water waste, minimize crop failure risks, and ensure better water access during key growing seasons.

    Although 125 individuals will be trained directly, they manage systems serving thousands of smallholder farmers nationwide. More efficient water use is expected to boost yields of water-intensive crops, increase rural incomes, and improve household food access.

    “Improved water management leads to improved food security,” said Nanna Skau, WFP Representative and Country Director in Armenia. “By investing in water systems and building the knowledge of the people who manage them, we’re laying the foundation for stronger food systems and more resilient communities across Armenia.”

    WFP remains committed to supporting food-insecure communities across Armenia and aligning with the priorities of the Government. By investing in water user associations and local communities, the initiative will help farmers and their families improve income levels and gain consistent access to nutritious food.

     

    #               #           #

    About the World Food Programme

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

    Follow us on Twitter @WFPArmenia 

                                                                         

    About the EFSD

    The Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development (EFSD) is a regional financing arrangement totalling over US $9 billion, established in 2009 by the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan. The EFSD aims to promote economic and financial stability in its member states and support their sustainable development.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Dina Titus Warns of State Budget Crisis from DOGE Cuts and Trump Tariffs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

    Congresswoman Dina Titus reiterated her warning about a budget crisis in Nevada after the Nevada Economic Forum today approved a forecast predicting a slowdown in revenues to fund vital state services. 

    “The combination of the Trump tariffs and the DOGE cuts to vital programs like Medicaid are putting Nevadans at risk,” Congresswoman Titus said. “We are being asked to fill the gaps left by federal cuts to services while the Trump tariffs are damaging our economy and shrinking state revenues.”

    The Nevada Economic Forum, which sets revenue projections for the Nevada Legislature to use in finalizing a 2025-27 biennial budget, approved a forecast projecting about $190 million less in revenues from major taxes than it projected in December 2024.

    “That means there will be even less money for education, social services, infrastructure ,and environmental protection,” Congresswoman Titus said. “It is more important than ever that Nevadans call on the Trump administration to reverse course on tariffs and oppose the draconian budget cuts by DOGE and the Republican Congress.”

    Congresswoman Titus recently addressed the Nevada Legislature and warned legislators about a “tsunami” of federal cuts coming to Nevada, which relies on federal funding for 27.7 percent of its state budget. In particular, she noted the state may lose $3 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, which provides health care coverage for 812,000 Nevadans. Congresswoman Titus also noted the loss of federal funds to support Nevada schools and nutrition programs.

    She said today that the Trump tariffs are already taking a toll on the state’s economy, citing a report this week that visitation to Southern Nevada in March plunged 7.8 percent from a year ago, one of the steepest year-over-year drops since the coronavirus pandemic.

    “Nevada is often the first state to suffer from economic downturns because of our reliance on tourism,” Congresswoman Titus said. “We must oppose federal policies that will mean job losses and cuts to services when Nevadans need them most. The future of our state is at stake.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: More institutions join voucher plan

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme has been extended to include 12 additional medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), bringing the number of pilot medical institutions under the scheme to 19 and covering all the nine Mainland cities in the GBA, the Government announced today.

    Together with the two existing service points operated by the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, a total of 21 service points in the bay area will be allowed to use Elderly Health Care Vouchers (EHCVs), benefitting more than 1.78 million eligible Hong Kong seniors.

    The newly-added 12 medical institutions are Tier III Class A hospitals, providing integrated healthcare services, including dental.

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the service points of the pilot scheme are meticulously planned to extend to GBA cities not yet covered in the scheme, namely Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing as well as to set up additional service points in the GBA cities that are already covered.

    The extension also includes Chinese medicine hospitals for the first time to provide eligible seniors with additional choices in healthcare services, he added.

    The service scope eligible for claims for the EHCVs at medical institutions under the pilot scheme will be largely the same. The arrangements for shared use of EHCVs between spouses and the EHCV Pilot Reward Scheme are also applicable.

    Eligible people have to register with the eHealth system. The “Cross-boundary Health Record” and “Personal Folder” functions of the eHealth mobile application will also be applicable to the medical institutions under the scheme to offer convenience for Hong Kong citizens to self-carry their electronic health records for cross-boundary uses.

    Call 2838 2311 for enquiries on the EHVS. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC – Coadjutor of the Bishop of Bangassou: “With Pope Francis’ visit, a positive change has been felt”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Bangui (Fides Agency) – “Pope Francis has always been very important for the Central African Republic,” Aurelio Gazzera, who has lived and worked as a Carmelite missionary in the Central African Republic for 34 years and is now coadjutor bishop of Bangassou, told Fides. “The beginning of his pontificate in 2013 coincided with one of the many wars that continue to afflict this country. His focus on Central Africa became clear with his visit in 2015. We were nearing the end of the war, but it did not lead to lasting peace. Pope Francis wanted to come here and open the first Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy in Bangui, the Central African capital. I remember it very well because I was in Bozoum, from where it was almost impossible to reach Bangui, 300 km away, in the previous months because the road was besieged by rebels who attacked convoys and individual vehicles. When the announcement of the Pope’s visit came, we didn’t believe it, and we didn’t believe it almost until the end, because the situation was really very tense and there was a lot of fear.”“I remember that Pope Francis was in Uganda or Kenya on the eve of his arrival in Central Africa, and French radio announced that the Central African stop of his trip had been canceled. We were in Bangui with many faithful, we had involved the various parishes, and I was accompanying a group of 50 people with whom we had traveled for a day and a night in a truck,” the missionary continues. “When the Pope actually arrived, we were in the Cathedral of Bangui to open the Holy Door. When the Pope announced that Bangui was the spiritual capital of the world and opened the Holy Door (a very simple wooden door), it was as if a fresh wind had blown in. This feeling was confirmed the next day when, before going to the stadium to celebrate Mass, Pope Francis visited a refugee camp and met with Muslims in a mosque in a neighborhood that had been inaccessible for more than a year, traveling in a very simple truck without any protection.This was a slap in the face for the United Nations and the various countries that had advised against the Pope’s visit until the very last moment.” “We were waiting for him in the stadium when we suddenly heard the crowd cheering,” Father Gazzera reports. We thought it was the Holy Father, but instead it was the Imam, the president of the Higher Islamic Council of the Central African Republic, who was working with Cardinal Dieudonné Nzapalainga, the archbishop of Bangui, and Pastor Nicolas Guerekoyame, the president of the Central African Evangelical Alliance, in the platform of religious leaders for peace, who went alone to the stadium. When we saw how the people cheered, we realized that the climate had really changed.” “This was followed by Mass, which was attended by an extraordinary number of faithful. It was a very ‘African’ celebration, very beautiful and at the same time very simple. Finally, the moment when the Pope left the stadium was spectacular: people were celebrating everywhere. In a country at war, where you cannot travel or leave your home, seeing people in cars and on motorcycles honking their horns and waving flags was a sign that something has changed,” the missionary affirms.In conclusion, the coadjutor bishop says: “Central Africa owes a great deal to Pope Francis: a cardinal, his visit in 2015, his constant attention to the poorest and most marginalized countries, ‘on the periphery,’ as he used to say. We are grateful to him, and for this we entrust him to the Lord.” (LM) (Fides Agency 2/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/CHINA – At the beginning of the month dedicated to Mary, Chinese Catholics pray for the late Pope Francis and the conclave

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    sito diocesano www.zjcatholic.org

    Beijing (Fides Agency) – A day of community and gratitude for the gifts of grace. This is how many Chinese Catholics celebrated the feast of St. Joseph, patron saint of workers, on May 1, the beginning of the month of Mary. As always, the month of May is celebrated by the Chinese Catholic community in the spirit of widespread Marian devotion.This year, the prayers and liturgical celebrations at the beginning of May were also marked by a special reference to communion with the universal Church. In communal prayers in churches or during processions and pilgrimages, Chinese Catholic communities referred to the Holy Year of Hope, prayed for the soul of beloved Pope Francis, and for the conclave next week, during which the cardinals will elect a new successor to Peter.Bishops and priests invite Catholics throughout the country to live their devotion to Mary in the same way that the Virgin Mary herself did with her “fiat” spoken before the Annunciation and her closeness to her cousin Elizabeth, as recounted in the Gospel of the Visitation.In the Diocese of Wenzhou, parishioners filled the square in front of the cathedral on Wednesday evening, April 30, for the annual opening of the Month of Mary. Members of the Rosary Society decorated the statue of the Blessed Mother with flowers and candles and prayed the Rosary together for the soul of Pope Francis, for the conclave, for world peace, and for other intentions. Traditional Marian hymns accompanied the Marian procession. The priest’s homily focused on the life of Mary: “Her life was uprooted by Herod’s persecution when she was young; she was widowed in her youth; she witnessed the crucifixion of her beloved son Jesus in his middle age. Nevertheless, she always kept her faith and obedience, overcoming suffering. Finally, she shared with Christ the glory of the Resurrection.” With God’s grace, she “carried the burden of life.” The priest urged everyone to “renew their spiritual life.” The veneration of Mary and faith in the Resurrection, the priest concluded, “help us to walk in faith amid the trials of the world.”In the parish of St. Joseph the Worker in Baziqiao, in the city of Shaoxing, the month of Mary began with a Mass concelebrated by 13 priests and attended by a large number of faithful.An evening procession with the recitation of the Rosary and a liturgical celebration also took place in the parish of Ouhai, in the district of Quxi, in the diocese of Wenzhou.In the Diocese of Shanghai, too, the processions and liturgies for the month of Mary are being carefully prepared. The diocese has published a detailed program for the organization of pilgrimages (Mass times, reservations, accommodations), especially to the Shrine of Our Lady of Sheshan. (Fides Agency 2/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Velda City Police Chief, Who Also Served as City’s Administrator, Accused of Stealing $313,000 From City

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    ST. LOUIS – The former police chief and city administrator of Velda City, Missouri was accused in an indictment Wednesday of fraudulently obtaining $313,420 in city funds through a series of fraudulent transactions.

    Daniel Paulino, 51, was indicted in U.S. District Court in St. Louis with three counts of wire fraud.

    The indictment says Paulino used the city’s credit card to make about 828 charges for his personal expenses totaling about $145,428. The indictment says Paulino used the city credit card on about 17 additional occasions to transfer Velda City funds totaling about $43,870 to a business he owned, R & B Towing, and one owned by his spouse, Renovations-STL. The city funds were ultimately transferred to either Paulino’s personal bank account or the account for another company he owned, D and H Towing, the indictment says.

    Paulino caused about eight city checks to be issued in a total amount of about $34,374 to pay third party vendors for his personal expenses, the indictment says. One $25,500 city check was used to pay for a 2007 International tow truck that was then registered in Paulino’s name and used by Paulino’s privately-owned towing company, the indictment says. Paulino caused Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions to be made from a city account to pay third party vendors for $2,575 in personal expenses, the indictment says.

    Paulino also caused about 20 direct deposits totaling $30,667 in city funds, purportedly for additional payroll, into his personal account, the indictment says. He caused about 55 direct deposits of a total of about $54,693 in Velda City funds, purportedly for his spouse’s payroll, to be sent to his personal bank account, the indictment says. Paulino’s spouse was being paid for work that was not actually performed in the city’s public works division during the years 2021 through 2023 and Paulino used that money for his own personal expenses, the indictment says.

    The indictment also alleges that Paulino caused three city checks totaling $1,800 to be fraudulently issued to him.

    The money was transferred without the authority or knowledge of the city, its mayor, treasurer or Board of Aldermen, the indictment says. Paulino used the money for travel, automobiles, pool supplies, utilities at his personal residence and food and beverage charges, the indictment says.

    During the scheme, Paulino transferred about $58,171 from his personal or business bank accounts to Velda City’s bank account or the city’s credit card to conceal his crimes, the indictment says.

    Paulino was appointed to the city administrator position in 2021. He was police chief until the department was dissolved in 2024.

    Charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith is prosecuting the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Infini Launches Global Card Offering Daily Stablecoin Yield

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HONG KONG, May 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Infini, a Pay-Fi platform bridging stablecoin finance with real-world payments, today announced the launch of its Global Card, a virtual payment card that delivers daily yield on stablecoin balances alongside broad wallet compatibility. This new offering allows users worldwide to earn interest on their stablecoin (e.g. USDC/USDT) holdings even while spending them via Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, or PayPal at millions of merchants. The Global Card’s debut marks a strategic milestone in Infini’s mission to integrate decentralized finance (DeFi) benefits into everyday transactions, expanding financial access for freelancers, unbanked individuals, and cross-border earners around the globe.

    Feature Highlights

    • Daily Yield on Balances: The Infini Global Card links to users’ yield-generating accounts, meaning funds keep earning interest (accrued daily) until the moment of purchase. Even as users swipe or tap to pay, their remaining balance continues to grow – combining the utility of a payment card with the benefits of a high-yield savings account.
    • Multi-Wallet & Global Acceptance: The virtual card can be added to Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and PayPal wallets for convenient tap-to-pay and online transactions. Backed by the Visa/Mastercard network, the Infini Card is accepted at millions of merchants worldwide, just like any traditional debit or credit card, making stablecoin spending as universally accessible as fiat.
    • Physical Card Coming Soon: Infini has confirmed that a physical Global Card is ready for release in the coming weeks. The physical card will offer the same seamless spending experience and daily yield mechanism, giving users the choice of virtual or physical cards for their purchases. This expansion underscores Infini’s commitment to bridging digital assets with everyday payment methods both online and offline.
    • Renamed Card Lineup: As part of this launch, Infini is rebranding its suite of card products. The flagship “Woof Card” is now the Global Card – reflecting its worldwide utility, while the “Rabbit Card” is now the Tech Card – reflecting its strong dev/AI tool subscription utility, and the “Meow Card” is now the Lite Card – easy to start with. These new names align each card tier with its purpose and audience, streamlining the Infini product lineup as it grows and reaches new user segments.

    Benefits for Global Users

    By combining stablecoin savings with everyday spending, Infini’s Global Card directly addresses the needs of freelancers, unbanked individuals, and cross-border earners worldwide. Freelancers and remote workers can accept income in stablecoins and use them instantly for expenses, bypassing lengthy international bank transfers or local conversion issues. Unbanked users gain a simple, secure payment tool without needing a traditional bank account, allowing them to participate in e-commerce and global payments using only a digital wallet. Cross-border earners avoid the high costs and hassles of currency exchange by transacting in a stable USD value through Infini – preserving the value of their earnings and spending globally with ease.
    All users benefit from Infini’s low 0.8% transaction fee, which is significantly lower than typical remittance or forex fees and is expected to decrease further as the platform scales. The card’s stablecoin-to-USD conversion incurs no fees and is processed seamlessly at the point of sale: when a user makes a purchase, their stablecoins are instantly converted to the local currency through the card network, so merchants are paid in their currency while the user’s balance deducts in USD stablecoin. This real-time conversion and low-fee structure make everyday transactions cost-effective and frictionless, ensuring users can save while they spend in any corner of the world.

    “Our vision is to remove barriers between digital asset savings and everyday finances,” said Christian Li, CEO of Infini. “The Global Card is a major step toward that vision – it gives people the freedom to earn yield on their deposits and spend it anywhere, anytime. By blending the stability of USD-pegged assets with the familiarity of a payment card, we’re empowering everyone to transact, save, and thrive in the global economy.”

    Security, Compliance and Roadmap

    Infini employs a CeDeFi model (centralized-decentralized finance) that combines the compliance and user protection of traditional finance with the innovative yield opportunities of decentralized finance. All user funds are held with institutional-grade security measures, including multi-signature custody and ongoing third-party audits, to ensure assets remain safe. The platform adheres to strict KYC/AML standards and works with regulated partners to maintain robust compliance across jurisdictions.
    On the innovation front, Infini is continuously enhancing its security architecture – incorporating advanced safeguards and monitoring – while also collaborating with leading security auditors to preemptively address emerging threats. Looking ahead, the company’s roadmap includes rolling out physical cards to complement the virtual offering and expanding support to additional stablecoins and local currencies. Infini also plans to enter new markets in the coming months, extending its Pay-Fi services to more regions through local partnerships and regulatory approvals. These steps, alongside ongoing product refinements, position Infini to drive broader adoption of stablecoin-based finance in a secure, compliant, and user-centric way.

    About Infini

    Infini is a next-generation Pay-Fi platform bridging stablecoin finance with real-world payments. With 50,000+ users across the globe, Infini enables anyone to earn daily yield on USD-pegged digital assets and spend them seamlessly via the Visa and Mastercard networks. The platform integrates decentralized stablecoin yields with the convenience of traditional payment infrastructure, allowing stablecoin holders to transact at millions of online and offline merchants worldwide. Infini’s mission is to empower users of all backgrounds with accessible financial tools that blend the stability of fiat currency with the innovation of crypto technology – delivering secure, low-cost, and inclusive financial services.

    Social Links and Media Contact

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Form 8.3 – AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS: Aquis Exchange Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: AXA Investment Managers S.A.
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Aquis Exchange plc
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 1 May 2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”

    N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 10p ordinary
      Interests Short positions
      Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled: 0 0.00    
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives:        
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        
    TOTAL: 0 0.00    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit
    10p ordinary Sale 304,580 GBP 7.15

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
             

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit
                   

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit
             

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)
           

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”
    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 2 May 2025
    Contact name: Anthony GILSOUL
    Telephone number*: +33 1 44 45 97 54

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    *If the discloser is a natural person, a telephone number does not need to be included, provided contact information has been provided to the Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Voters ‘want a word’ with PM about Labour broken promises

    Source: Scottish National Party

    Keir Starmer has been challenged to visit the by-election in Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse so he can personally hear what voters are saying about his policies.

    The SNP’s Westminster Leader, Stephen Flynn, has written to the Prime Minister inviting him to campaign in the by-election after Scottish Labour Leader, Anas Sarwar, said that he didn’t ‘expect Keir to be campaigning in the by-election’.

    Other Labour sources have also been briefing against their own Prime Minister saying that Keir Starmer was ‘not playing well on the doorsteps and is not considered an asset at this point in the electoral cycle.’

    In his invitation, Mr Flynn said that a Starmer visit to the by-election would provide the Scottish people with the ‘perfect opportunity to express to you – face to face – how deeply disappointed they are in the UK Labour government.’

    Since coming to government, Keir Starmer has spearheaded cuts that will impact on the lives of pensioners and disabled people, as well as refusing to scrap the two-child cap to alleviate child poverty.

    In tandem his government has also been announcing investment and industrial support south of the border – most notably the nationalisation if British Steel in Scunthorpe – whilst treating Scotland as an afterthought and failing to nationalise Grangemouth.

    You can read the full text of Mr Flynn’s letter to Keir Starmer below:

    Dear Prime Minister,

    As you may be aware, there is currently a by-election campaign underway for the Scottish Parliamentary seat of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse following the sad death of our much-loved colleague Christina McKelvie.

    It is normal that, as part of these democratic campaigns, voters rightly expect to hear from and have contact with party leaders and in that spirit my own party leader, the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, has been on the campaign trail several times already.

    It therefore came as significant news that the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, on Tuesday announced that you – as his party leader – would not be coming to campaign in this by-election. I am sorry to break the news that in announcing this, he didn’t exactly sound enthusiastic about the prospect of you joining him on the campaign trail in the first place. It is remarkable and very telling that less than a year since your success in the general election after promising ‘change’, your Labour colleagues now shudder at the thought of welcoming their own Prime Minister to campaign on the streets of Scotland.

    However, in the awkward absence of a welcoming invitation from Scottish Labour and Anas Sarwar, I’d like to step in on behalf of the SNP and do the decent thing by personally inviting you to come to Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse before the election on the 5th of June.

    Aside from the natural and healthy democratic contest between parties competing for this seat, there is another crucial reason as to why you should come. A visit would provide the people of Scotland with the perfect opportunity to express to you – face to face – how deeply disappointed they are in the UK Labour government.

    We all know the inheritance left by the Tories was tough, but no one expected a Labour government to balance the books on the backs of older people, taking away the winter fuel payment, and slashing support for people with disabilities. The Labour Party said they would reduce bills by £300, but you’ve chosen not to and instead those bills have shot up by nearly £300. And, once again, when it comes to investment in industry, Scotland seems to be little more than an afterthought to a Labour government pouring billions into London and the South-East of England while projects in Scotland are cancelled or rejected.

    For these reasons and many, many more – voters in Scotland want a word with you and your party.

    Don’t let Scottish Labour or Anas Sarwar keep you away, it’s important that you visit and explain your broken promises to the people of Scotland.

    Yours sincerely,

    Stephen Flynn MP

    SNP Westminster Leader

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoyer Announces Winner of the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) announced the winner of the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition (CAC). Cynclair Wilson, a junior at Maurice J. McDonough High School in Charles County, won the competition with her piece titled “Ancestral Wisdom.”

    Cynclair Wilson’s winning piece, “Ancestral Wisdom“

    “Congratulations to Cynclair Wilson on winning the 2025 Fifth District Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman Hoyer. “Her artwork is profoundly moving and heartfelt, and I am inspired by her ability to produce a work of art that is both skillful and deeply emotional to behold. I look forward to viewing her thought-provoking piece in the Capitol complex this year.”

    “Iam deeply honored and humbled to receive this award for my piece Ancestral Wisdom in the Congressional Art Competition. This work is profoundly personal to me—it is a reflection of my identity as an African American woman, a tribute to the strength and pride of the ancestors who paved the way, and a visual echo of the struggles they endured so that I could stand here today. I am grateful for the opportunity to share this story, and I accept this recognition not only in celebration of the past, but also with hope for the future. Thank you for seeing me, and for honoring the legacy that lives through this art,” said Cynclair Wilson. 

    Cynclair Wilson lives in Charles County, Maryland. Her artwork, titled “Ancestral Wisdom,” was created using gouache paint and illustrates a depiction of a young girl with the hands of her ancestors on her shoulders. Behind her are representations of traumas of the past her ancestors have endured. The hands seem to be imparting their wisdom into her so that she can face the future with the lessons and experiences they have gained.

    “I am also thrilled to congratulate our other top placement winners,” continued Congressman Hoyer. “Each piece of artwork demonstrated great skill, and I was extremely impressed by the creations. These submissions further highlight the outstanding talent of young people in Maryland’s Fifth District. I congratulate every student who participated in the 2025 competition. I want to especially thank the members of the art jury who took great care to carefully evaluate each piece and determine our 2025 winner. This was no easy feat with such a talented group of young Marylanders.”

    2nd Place – Natalie Grosek; Calvert High School in Calvert County; “The Journey: Power and Hardships.”

    3rd Place – Kendall Nosich; Homeschool in Charles County; “Work In Progress,” Acrylic on Canvas. 

    4th Place – Ryan Hatch; Leonardtown High School in St. Mary’s County; “Internal Hardware,” Acrylic, Charcoal on Paper, Clear Vinyl (2023 CAC Winner).

    HONORABLE MENTIONS:

    Lauren Little; South River High School in Anne Arundel County; “Grammy’s Front Yard,” Oil on Canvas.

    Aspen Ellerbe; Leonardtown High School in St. Mary’s County; “Florilegium: To Gather a Bouquet of Sweet Literary Blossoms.“

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – Hamilton Apprentice Wins Prestigious Plumbing World Scholarship

    Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

    Hamilton-based apprentice Rory Van Vroonhoven has been awarded one of three prestigious Plumbing World Scholarships, recognising his remarkable growth and clear passion for the plumbing industry over the past year.
    Now in his third year with Masterlink, Rory received the scholarship at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards held on Friday 2 May in Brisbane, Australia.
    Cody Hall, North Island Key Account Lead at C.F. Reese Plumbing-Rory’s host company and employer-praised Rory’s approach to his work in a letter of support.
    “Rory tackles each issue or challenge and continually exceeds my expectations. Rory’s passion for the trade is evident in the way he asks questions about a specific task or problem, ingenious and well thought through.”
    Rory’s enthusiasm has made a strong impact on his peers as well.
    “Rory has been an inspiration to the new apprentices we have coming through, continually pushing others to reach outside their comfort zone and give it a go and teaching others of newly learned skills – a sign of a great tradesman in the making.”
    Masterlink Regional Manager Russell Walsh also commended Rory’s rapid development.
    “[He] is focused on career development and becoming the best he can be as part of an industry he is passionate about,” says Mr Walsh.
    Walsh noted that Rory progressed from feeling overwhelmed by the scope of work offered by his employer to confidently taking ownership-recently completing an unsupervised repair on a water main critical to protecting one of the North Island’s main power sources.
    The Plumbing World Scholarship recognises three Masterlink apprentices each year who demonstrate exceptional commitment, personal growth, and maturity. Recipients receive a $1,000 Plumbing World credit. The overall winner also earns registration, flights, accommodation, and a guest pass for the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.
    Rory was joined by fellow scholarship recipient Blake Jones-Downes, while Trent Toomey was honoured as the overall winner of the 2025 Plumbing World Scholarship.
    Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
    About Masterlink:
    Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
    About NZ Plumber:
    NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas named 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year

    Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

    Wellington’s Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas has been named the 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year, recognising their outstanding contribution to the plumbing industry, excellence in business practice, and commitment to community service.
    This top national award was presented at the New Zealand Plumbing Awards ceremony on Friday 2 May, held this year in Brisbane.
    Founded in 2005 by Jason and Kirstie Brown, the family business has grown from humble beginnings into a trusted name in Wellington regions’ plumbing sector. Their reputation for professionalism, quality workmanship and strong community ties stood out to the judges, earning them this top national honour.
    “Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas represents the very best of our industry – skilled, trusted, and deeply committed to their community,” said Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace.
    “Jason and Kirstie exemplify the values we strive for across our membership, setting a high standard for quality work, business leadership and customer care,” says Mr Wallace.
    At the heart of the business is Jason, a Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter and Drainlayer, who has built a team culture focused on quality, integrity and service excellence. Every job is approached with meticulous attention to detail, earning the business a loyal client base that values their friendly, honest and dependable service.
    The team is particularly proud of their work on the Wellington residence picked for the Master Builders 2024 National Supreme House of the Year.
    Beyond the tools, Jason has made a strong impact at the local level, supporting schools, sports teams and community initiatives – reinforcing their commitment to giving back to the region that has supported their growth.
    The business’s steady growth reflects a strong focus on professional development and resilience. Diversification into specialised drainage services has added further strength, ensuring stability through economic challenges.
    With Jason’s natural ability to mentor and empower people, training the next generation of tradespeople remains a key priority, with hands-on apprenticeships and in-house leadership development workshops helping to build a skilled, confident workforce for the future.
    Winning the 2025 New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year Award is a fitting recognition of Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas’s continued excellence, innovation, and community spirit.
    Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
    About Masterlink:
    Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
    About NZ Plumber:
    NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – Winners will not know they have won until it is announced at tonight’s awards

    Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers
    Taupō-based apprentice Blake Jones-Downes has been awarded one of three prestigious Plumbing World Scholarships, recognising his initiative, professionalism, and versatility at such an early stage in his career.

    The third-year Masterlink apprentice received the Scholarship at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards held on Friday 2 May in Brisbane, Australia.
    Blake’s journey has been one of grit, growth, and drive to succeed. From managing his own vehicle to delivering top-tier service and continually finding ways to overcome challenges, he exemplifies everything the industry looks for in its future leaders. His reputation among clients and colleagues alike speaks volumes – he is dependable, skilled, and committed.
    Nina Andrews, host employer and Director of McBeth Plumbing & Gas in Taupō, described Blake as a “rising star” in support of his nomination for the scholarship, adding that he is “more than an asset to the business; he’s a shining example of what’s possible when passion, resilience, and innovation come together.”
    When asked what achievements and contributions he’s most proud of, Blake says:
    “I’m most proud of the work I do that genuinely makes a difference – whether it’s solving a problem for a customer or getting a system back up and running. I’ve always been someone who enjoys problem-solving and figuring out how things work, so being able to do this professionally as part of my trade qualification is something I really love.”
    “Blake’s combination of technical expertise, initiative, and work ethic make him an essential part of the business. He goes beyond simply completing tasks – he consistently adds value, demonstrating that he’s not just an apprentice but a future leader in the industry,” says Ms Andrews.
    “There is no doubt that he has a bright future ahead, and this award would be a well-earned recognition of his dedication and achievements,” says Ms Andrews.
    The Plumbing World Scholarship recognises three Masterlink apprentices each year who demonstrate exceptional commitment, personal growth, and maturity. Recipients receive a $1,000 Plumbing World credit. The overall winner also earns registration, flights, accommodation, and a guest pass for the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.
    Blake was joined by fellow scholarship recipient Rory Van Vroonhoven, while Trent Toomey was honoured as the overall winner of the 2025 Plumbing World Scholarship.
    Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
    About Masterlink:
    Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
    About NZ Plumber:
    NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Awards – 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Conference Awards: Full list of winners

    Source: Master Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers

    Master Plumbers is pleased to announce the winners and finalists awarded at the 2025 New Zealand Plumbing Awards on Friday 2 May. The New Zealand Plumbing Awards wraps up our annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference, this year held in Brisbane, Australia.
    Plumbing World Scholarships
    Plumbing World Scholarships are awarded to three Masterlink apprentices who have demonstrated diligence in their assignment completions, and maturity and personal growth over the past year. They are a true asset to their Masterlink Host business.
    Winners receive a $1,000 credit at Plumbing World, with the overall winner receiving registration, tickets and travel to the 2026 New Zealand Plumbing Conference.
    WINNER Blake Jones-Downes – McBeth Plumbing & Gas, Taupō
    WINNER Rory van Vroonhoven – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton
    OVERALL WINNER Trent Toomey – Gas & Water Limited, Dunedin
    Mark Whitehead Training Leader of the Year
    This award recognises an individual who has gone beyond the call of duty to help educate and support people entering the industry. The winner will have demonstrated a true commitment to young people entering the industry, and an understanding of efforts required in building knowledge and standards within the sector. He or she deserves to be recognised for hard work and dedication to strengthening the industry.
    WINNER Jacob Smith – Plumbing & Gas Works, Hamilton
    Product of the Year
    This award recognises the significant contribution to product development of a company or individual in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry in the past year.
    WINNER Aladdin Easyfit Isolator – Plumbing World
    New Zealand Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer Employee of the Year
    This award recognises excellence in the trade skills of an individual Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter or Drainlayer, who is a respected member of their trade and known for their leadership skills. The winner will have demonstrated ability in trade calculations; in the selection of materials appropriate to the specifications and design of their work; and in applying relevant documentation and regulatory compliance to their work.
    WINNER Darrin Minifie – DL Good Plumbers, Auckland
    Outstanding Projects Award
    The award recognises an exceptional project that displays excellence and high levels of innovative plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying methods, the use of new materials or the innovative use of existing materials.
    WINNER Hockly Plumbers, Wellington, for their work on Ngā Mokopuna The Living Building
    James Douglas Medallion
    The prestigious James Douglas Medallion has been awarded each year since 1948. It recognises outstanding recently qualified tradespersons who have demonstrated hard work, commitment, and determination to achieve industry success. Young people are the lifeblood of our industry, and it is important we can attract and retain the best young people entering the workforce.
    The overall James Douglas Medallion recipient will be chosen from these three finalists and will receive a $500 cash prize together with a Career Development Scholarship to the value of $2,500 from The Skills Organisation. This is a major prize designed to build the winner’s career progression.
    PLUMBING FINALIST Andrew Smith – E.G. Glennie & Co Ltd
    GASFITTING FINALIST Marieke Oram – Clyne and Bennie Ltd
    DRAINLAYING FINALIST Daniel Collins – Evergreen Plumbing Group Ltd
    WINNER Andrew Smith – E.G. Glennie & Co Ltd
    Jackson Women in Plumbing
    This award recognises a woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying industry.
    WINNER Andrea Lovell – Heron Plumbing, Auckland
    Graeme Victor Smith Contribution to the Industry
    This award is presented in recognition of values important to Graeme Smith’s career and personal involvement in the industry. It recognises commitment to Master Plumbers, to the industry, to running a successful business and to developing young and future plumbers.
    WINNER Aaron Rink – CF Reese Plumbing, Hamilton
    Master Plumbers Business Partner of the Year
    This award recognises a Master Plumbers business partner who is commitment to Master Plumbers as well as contributes and supports the success of the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry.
    WINNER Allproof Industries
    New Zealand Master Plumber of the Year
    This award recognises a Master Plumbers member that can clearly demonstrate its business acumen and drive for success. The recipient will exemplify the highest levels of professionalism and service.
    WINNER Jason Brown Plumbing & Gas
    About the New Zealand Plumbing Awards
    The New Zealand Plumbing Awards acknowledge the many positive achievements and success stories in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry and are presented at a gala dinner on the final night of the annual New Zealand Plumbing Conference. Organised by Master Plumbers, the national conference has been held for over 100 years and is the premier event in the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying industry, with attendees coming from all over the country.
    Master Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers NZ Inc (Master Plumbers) is the national membership organisation for plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying businesses, with 18 regional Associations and Branches across New Zealand. Companies go through a Quality Assurance programme in order to become a member. We provide members with a wide range of resources and training opportunities to support them in staying up with the latest technologies, products and compliance requirements. We advocate on behalf of our members and our industry.
    About Masterlink:
    Masterlink, a group training scheme owned by Master Plumbers, provides managed mentored apprenticeships across New Zealand, with Regional Managers supporting the apprentices and the businesses who host them during their training.
    About NZ Plumber:
    NZ Plumber is the award-winning, bi-monthly magazine for New Zealand’s plumbers, gasfitters and drainlayers. It is owned by Master Plumbers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IMS Polymer Program Alumni Feature: Mark Adams

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Mark Adams received his Ph.D. in Polymer Science from the University of Connecticut in 1993. After an 11-year tenure with Dow Chemical, Adams joined Henry Company in various vice president and senior vice president roles. Following his tenure at Henry Company, Adams joined Associated Materials, acting in senior vice president and later executive vice president positions. Since May of 2023, Adams has served as the Chief Operating Officer of HASA Inc., a large water treatment company based in southern California.

    IMS reached out to Adams with five questions about his breadth of professional experience since obtaining his Ph.D., and how his time at UConn shaped it. Adams shows us that with grit, passion, and a strong support system, career growth occurs naturally.

    Why did you choose to pursue your Ph.D. in polymer science at UConn?  

    My plan was to go to medical school after completing a B.S. in Chemistry from UConn. While working on my B.S., I took Physical Chemistry with Professor Andrew Garton. One day about halfway through the semester, he approached me after class and asked about what I was going to do after undergrad. I told him I was planning to go to medical school. He asked if I had ever considered grad school.

    (contributed photo)

    He went on to talk about an opportunity to go to the Institute of Materials Science for a Ph.D. in Polymer Science, working with him under a grant from NASA. Curious about the opportunity, I went to visit him at IMS, and the rest is history. I changed direction and worked to earn my Ph.D. on a research project for NASA, studying the degradation of polymeric spacecraft materials in the low earth orbit.

    Who were some of the people who helped or inspired you most during your time at UConn, and how did their influence carry over into your professional career?

    Obviously, Professor Garton had a huge impact on my academic career. He was incredibly energetic and excited about his research, which was infectious in his research group. When he passed away suddenly, prior to me completing my thesis, I was shocked and somewhat lost. My mentor in research was gone, and I was uncertain about the future and the choices I made. Fortunately, Sam Huang took me on to complete my degree.

    Dr. Garton and other faculty at IMS taught me the importance of first principles and how to do research, but Dr. Garton is responsible for teaching me how to apply learning.  How to identify a problem, develop root cause, research/develop technology needed, and implement technology solutions. He also helped me develop continuous improvement skills that have become the backbone of my career. Advanced research is interesting and fun but, using that to develop products and solutions is exciting.

    A lot of your professional experience is more on the business side rather than in a lab or research setting. How did your Ph.D. and heavy scientific background impact your trajectory for success in so many executive-level corporate roles? 

    The first few roles early in my career were focused on technology and product development, which heavily leveraged my Ph.D. Successfully translating these efforts into value-creating opportunities required a complex voice of the customer requirements, which was only obtained and validated through observation and communication with end users. It’s at this interface where my unique skills started to develop, and when my career started taking turns from R&D leadership to new business development, sales, commercial leadership, and operations leadership. I have been fortunate to work with exceptional executive leaders that continually challenged and developed me, which has produced a myriad of different and challenging roles. This would not have been possible without the solid foundation I received from IMS and UConn.

    What advice do you have for current polymer science students who may be unsure of their career paths? 

    Figure out your “internal” job description as early as possible. In other words, determine what you like to do most in combination with the skills and experience you have developed. When you figure out what your internal job description is, and you find a role that matches, you will experience dramatically accelerated growth. In my case, that was away from pure and applied research, and more focused on deploying all kinds of chemistry and engineering to develop solutions that rapidly grow businesses. Once you figure that out, job opportunities come faster than will be comfortable.

    What are you most proud of having accomplished so far in your current position, and what do you most hope to accomplish going forward?

    I am currently the Chief Operations Officer at a specialty chemical company specializing in water treatment. This role is truly the culmination of all my years of experience in multiple functions and companies. I am responsible for Operations at 12 sites, Engineering, Product/Process Development, EH&S, Continuous Improvement, Quality, and Transportation.

    My biggest accomplishment so far with this company has been successfully restructuring and realigning our engineering group into a segmented portfolio management approach. We had way too many projects, worked on all of them at once, with too few resources, and no prioritization. Everything was delayed and above budget. Now, we are executing on time and on budget across the board on a full spectrum of projects from large new site design-builds, down to site specific capex projects.

    My biggest challenge is developing and implementing automation technology in our packaging plants. We still require too much manual labor in an environment that is ergonomically challenging. Also, working with hazardous and corrosive materials poses unique challenges to metals and circuitry, so we needed to develop materials, machines, and now robots that reliably operate in challenging environments with hazardous chemicals. I guess it’s kind of like my Ph.D. work that analyzed polymers in low earth orbit, also a challenging and unforgiving environment.

    IMS thanks Mark Adams very much for his willingness to share his unique journey, and we are excited to see where he takes HASA next.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CAHNR’s Class of 2025

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    On May 10 and 12, 2025, the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) and the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture will recognize graduates as they meet a major academic milestone.

    Learn about a few of the nearly 600 stellar students who will soon become CAHNR alumni.

    Bendy Al Zaatini, Allied Health Sciences

    Hometown: Waterbury, CT

    Why UConn? Throughout the chaos of the pandemic, I was positive that staying at home while simultaneously building my community at UConn Waterbury would be the right way to start my journey as an undergraduate student at the prestigious school. I was surprised by the number of resources that are available to students. There is always help when needed and many different pathways to achieve success.

    Why your major? I am an Allied Health Sciences major, and I was drawn to it because of the different career opportunities that fall under this major. My plan after graduation is to receive my second bachelor’s degree through CEIN, the accelerated nursing program with UConn, starting January 2026.

    Advice for incoming students? Stay busy, make your presence known, and make sure that everything you are involved in benefits you in different ways. Throughout your many involvements, never forget that you are a student first and prioritize your grades above all else.

    Benjamin Angus, Agricultural and Resource Economics

    Hometown: Avon, CT

    Why UConn? I have been a UConn fan my entire life, so for me it was a no brainer. Coming to Gampel as a kid or tailgating at Rentschler, UConn sports for me wasn’t a hobby, it was a lifestyle.

    Why your major? I am a double major in Environmental Science and Natural Resource Economics. I am eager to join the fight against climate change and am looking forward to wherever that takes me. It is the most pressing issue of our time. After graduation, I am exercising my Covid year and coming back to UConn to get my Masters in Applied Resource Economics. After that, who knows? Wherever the wind takes me.

    Advice for incoming students? When you sit down in class on the first day, talk to the person next to you. Learn their name, get their number, ask them their life story – just put yourself out there and I promise you will meet some incredible human beings. Also, bundle up on a clear winter night and walk to the top of Horsebarn Hill. No one ever looks at the stars in the winter, they are breathtaking.

    Matt Antunes, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

    Hometown: Smithfield, RI

    Why UConn? UConn was a top ranked school in my choices for college, and I felt like I would get the best education for my major. I felt at home in my time at UConn with the friends and connections I made throughout my four years here.

    Why your major? Plant Science (Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems) – with a turfgrass concentration. I always had a love for turf from a young age. Beginning with just mowing my home lawn as a teenager to eventually building a small putting green, I found I was always around turfgrass systems in my summers. I plan on continuing my education here as a graduate student studying turfgrass pathology, and I plan on working in the golf course industry as an assistant superintendent and hopefully a superintendent down the road.

    Advice for incoming students? Go to a UConn sporting event (especially basketball even if you’re not into it). The energy and atmosphere are unmatched to any other sporting event I’ve been to in my lifetime.

    Jillian Bowen, Pathobiology and Veterinary Science

    Hometown: Trumbull, CT

    Why UConn? The academics were the main draw for me. As an R1 institution, I knew that UConn had a lot of research opportunities, and that really drew me in.

    Why your major? My major is Pathobiology, or disease biology. I attended an agricultural high school and was a member of Future Farmers of America, so I already had an interest in animal science, but the pandemic was definitely a big factor in stimulating my interest in infectious diseases. Pathobiology is a perfect combination of those interests! After graduation, I am planning to attend UConn’s Master of Public Health program with a concentration in epidemiology.

    Advice for incoming students? Variety is the spice of life, so don’t be afraid to try something completely different – learn how to breakdance! Join an improv group! Start a book club! The world is your oyster.

    John-Henry Burke, Natural Resources and the Environment

    Hometown: Suffield, CT

    Why UConn? I chose UConn because I thought it offered the best ‘bang for my buck.’ You get an incredibly large institution with a large number of resources and a diverse array of opportunities for a price that is much more affordable than other schools.

    Why your major? I’m an Environmental Science major with a concentration in Sustainable Systems and a minor in Political Science and a minor in Environmental Economics and Policy. I was drawn to environmental science after taking a class in high school where I learned about climate change, plastic pollution, species extinction, and other threats facing our planet. I’m going to law school in the fall, and I would like to ultimately go into environmental law to advance environmental policy and protect natural areas.

    Top UConn memories? One of the best parts of my UConn experience has been playing in the UConn Marching Band, where I served as Vice President. I’ve met so many amazing people through the band and accomplished a level of musicality I would’ve never imagined possible. Some notable UCMB performances were playing at a New England Patriots game and two Bowl games (Fenway and Myrtle Beach)!

    Christian Carmona, Plant Science and Landscape Architecture

    Hometown: Stamford, CT

    Why UConn? I chose UConn because it helped me the most financially and it was not as far away from my house as others were.

    Why your major? My major is Landscape Architecture, and what drew me to it was that it was a form of architecture I had never heard of before. I was eager to try it out, and it gave me the opportunity to be creative and design spaces for communities. I hope to continue my education and pursue a master’s in architecture.

    Advice for incoming students? Be open minded and ready to learn. You are here for a reason so stay focused on your goals and do not take anything for granted.

    Laura Centanni, Animal Science

    Hometown: Haworth, NJ

    Why UConn? I was leaning towards UConn due to the diversity of species in our barns on campus; however, what tipped the scales in the end was the mascot!

    Why your major? My major is Animal science. I have had a passion for animals and service for as long as I can remember, and I am pursuing my passion of becoming a veterinarian through animal science here at UConn. I have already received my first few acceptances to vet school! Wherever I choose, I know that UConn prepared me well.

    Advice for incoming students? Expand your comfort zone. Let it get so big that nothing is outside of it. UConn is one of the safest environments to explore that you will ever have, so take advantage of it!

    Jessica Harris, Allied Health Sciences

    Hometown: Mansfield, MA

    Why UConn? When it was time for me to look at colleges, I was excited to apply to UConn as is but I also discovered that CAHNR offered the major I was interested in, Allied Health Sciences, as part of the New England Regional Tuition Program. This made UConn such an easy choice for me because of its well-known academic excellence and affordability as an out of state school.

    Why your major? I applied into UConn as an AHS major, because it would allow me to do my prerequisite courses to apply to physical therapy school, but I soon learned that it was not the right path for me. Luckily, AHS is such an adaptable major, intended to cater to your career interests, that I was able to stay on track despite changing paths, and ended up finding exactly what I wanted to do: UConn’s CEIN program.

    Top UConn memories? Going to the UConn Dairy Bar, and 2023 when we won the Men’s National Basketball Championship for the first time in a while.

    Sungwan Kim, Kinesiology

    Hometown: Gyeongju, Republic of Korea

    Why UConn?UConn was my one and only choice because the research topics of my Ph.D. advisor, Dr. Neal Glaviano, perfectly align with my interests. Additionally, the collaborative research culture at UConn offers a unique opportunity to work with leading experts and engage in interdisciplinary projects, further enhancing my professional development.

    Why your major? I am completing my PhD in Exercise Science. Working clinically as a certified athletic trainer, I witnessed firsthand the significant impact that orthopedic conditions have on individuals’ lives. This experience motivated me to investigate how musculoskeletal injuries or pain affect physical and psychological well-being and to explore optimal treatment strategies for rehabilitation and recovery. After graduation, I will start my postdoctoral research fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

    Top UConn memories? One thing everyone should do during their time at UConn is take advantage of the Recreation Center. Whether it’s lifting weights, playing sports, or just taking a break after a long day, it’s a great place to stay active and recharge!

    Gramos Medjolli, Kinesiology

    Hometown: Korça, Albania

    Why UConn? I had heard a lot of great things about UConn from a few people I knew, and I learned what an excellent institution it is. In fact, UConn was the only university I applied to—it was UConn or nothing! I thought to myself, if it’s meant to be, it will be. And it was! At the time, I was living in Germany and already practicing as a physical therapist.

    Why your major? My grandpa always said, “The flowing water always stays fresh.” That’s why I decided to pursue the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at UConn, even after already being a licensed PT in Albania and Germany. I wanted to be the best version of myself in my profession because I love what I do. I truly believe physical therapy is one of the best jobs someone can have. If you’re not making someone else’s life better, then you’re wasting your time. I also want to advocate for the field of physical therapy and create things that will benefit the community.

    Advice for incoming students? Don’t stress too much in advance. He who suffers before it’s necessary will suffer more than necessary. You won’t remember how many hours you studied, but you will remember the beautiful moments and adventures you experienced.

    Yasmin Rosewell, Agricultural and Resource Economics

    Hometown: Las Vegas, NV

    Why UConn? I chose UConn because of its diverse and upbeat environment. The student body is heavily involved in the sports teams, clubs, and educational opportunities the school has to offer.

    Why your major? Economics of Sustainable Development and Management. I was drawn to this because I enjoyed the business aspects of the major, but the department was so involved in the students’ learning and offered great connections and opportunities to learn through different outlets. As an athlete, all of my professors within the department were extremely supportive and accommodating of my absences during the season, and that helped me succeed and learn the material without being overly stressed. After graduation, I plan to travel and then move to New York City and pursue a career in logistics.

    Advice for incoming students? Everyone on this campus is truly rooting for each other. The sense of comradery is one of a kind and the students and staff of UConn are encouraging, inclusive, and collaborative. So be bold. Don’t be afraid to be amazing. There is a place here for everyone and you will find yours. There are always people behind you and in your corner.

    Sydney Seldon, Natural Resources and the Environment

    Hometown: Harker Heights, TX

    Why UConn? I originally came to UConn to play on one of the athletic teams here but when that didn’t work out, I was launched into a time of self-discovery, which unleashed a deeper purpose and passion for spiritual formation and sustainability (both social and environmental).

    Why your major? My major is unique – Environmental Science and an Individualized Major in Sustainable Communities with a Minor in Sustainable Community Food Systems. After graduation, I’ll be joining staff with the Navigators, an international, interdenominational Christian ministry, and walking alongside students as they explore faith and spirituality.

    Advice for incoming students? Be courageous. College brings with it a host of new experiences and opportunities to grow so surrender to it. Allow yourself to be challenged and molded into not only a committed learner, but also a committed individual. Allow your conceptions about the world and yourself to be challenged. Find people who gracefully love you and push you to be the best version of yourself, so that out of that, you can contribute to being a positive influence in the world around you.

    Noah Sneed, Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, Animal Science

    Hometown: Natick, MA

    Why UConn? I chose UConn because of the opportunities for hands-on learning, as well as their extensive commitment to academia and research as an R1 university.

    Why your major? I came into college as an animal science major who was planning on going to veterinary school. I was drawn to it because I have always loved animals, and I was so excited to be able to get hands-on experience working with horses, pigs, sheep, chickens, and of course cows. I was drawn to pathobiology because I realized that further than just administering vaccinations, I was interested in how they worked and the process to make them. I was able to join a pathology research lab on campus, and it has been such an enriching experience. After graduation, I am taking two gap years before medical school. I will be working full time as an EMT in the Boston area, as well as completing a Post-Baccalaureate program at the Tufts Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

    Advice for incoming students? Everyone should go to a men’s and women’s basketball game at Gampel Pavilion and sit in the student section. I have never felt so much pride for my school before; it is truly an amazing experience.

    Mingda Sun, Nutritional Sciences

    Hometown: Farmington, CT

    Why UConn? I chose UConn because I am from Connecticut, and did not want to go to school too far away from home. I also chose UConn because it has a strong nutrition and pre-medical program, which were areas of study I wanted to pursue. Moreover, UConn is a large school with students of many different backgrounds, and I felt like it was a place where I could belong and find a community of friends.

    Why your major? I am a nutrition major with a minor in Spanish. I am passionate about how nutrition relates to health and the human body and have worked in numerous community health and public health initiatives as an undergraduate that are related to nutrition and disease prevention. Learning different languages is something I enjoy and believe is an important skill for connecting with patients and populations as a future health care professional. After graduation, I plan to attend medical school and become a doctor!

    Advice for incoming students? Do not be afraid to reach out for support, mentorship, or guidance when you need it. If you have an idea or a passion that you want to pursue, there are faculty and students at UConn who are willing to help you. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative for your own learning!

    Matt Syrotiak, Animal Science

    Hometown: Bethlehem, CT

    Why UConn? I spent a great deal of time here at UConn through 4-H activities and high school FFA competitions. It’s safe to say that the Storrs campus was familiar to me from early on, despite my family having never been and never attending college themselves. While it was the campus and familiarity that drew me to UConn, it was the community of students, faculty, and staff that made me stay.

    Why your major? My major is Animal Science, and I was drawn to it thanks to my involvement with the UConn Extension 4-H program where I worked on my dairy goat project. Through working with my goats, I gained a greater interest in the field, and it was reinforced by my time in agriscience classes throughout high school. UConn was the perfect fit to continue my work in animal science thanks to the proximity of the barns on campus and emphasis of hands-on class work. After graduation, I’ll serve as State 4-H Program Coordinator with UConn Extension, and create meaningful connections for 4-H youth, volunteers, and educators to increase the reach of the college and its community.

    Advice for incoming students? The connections that you gain through being a part of the UConn community are critical to future success whether its classmates, educators, or alumni. You never know when those people will make a new appearance in your life.

    Jonathan Vasquez Garcia, Nutritional Sciences

    Hometown: Willimantic, CT

    Why UConn? Ever since I was little, I was always part of various programs associated with UConn, and when I came to campus, I felt that this school was my calling.

    Why your major? I originally wanted to become a nurse. However, during my fall semester of sophomore year, I took my first nutrition class, where I gained valuable insight into the role of a registered dietitian. Ultimately, I changed my major to pursue a path aligned with my newfound passion for nutrition and sought out experiences that would deepen my understanding of the field. After graduation, I plan to pursue a master’s in clinical nutrition and complete my dietetic internship to become a registered dietitian. Eventually, I plan to work in a clinical setting to further gain foundational knowledge.

    Advice for incoming students? My advice is to have fun and take advantage of all the resources UConn has to offer. And you should diversify your social network; you never know who you will meet.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Around the Air Force: Training Drone Skills, Cardiac Screening for Recruits, Historic Refueling Mission

    Source: United States Air Force

    Headline: Around the Air Force: Training Drone Skills, Cardiac Screening for Recruits, Historic Refueling Mission

    In this week’s look Around the Air Force, the U.S. Air Force launches an initiative to equip every Airman with basic drone operational training, the ERASE program decreases service members’ risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and Air Mobility Command makes history with a commercial air refueling mission.

    MIL OSI USA News –