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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto Highlights Pain Trump’s First 100 Days Have Caused Nevada Working Families and Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
     ***VIDEO AVAILABLE***
    FTPs for TV stations is available here.
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) spoke on the Senate floor on the 100th day of President Donald Trump’s second term to highlight the disastrous impacts President Trump’s agenda have had on hardworking Nevadans and their businesses.
    Throughout the start of Trump’s term, the Senator Cortez Masto has pushed multiple Departments under the Trump Administration for detailed, public information regarding the impacts of President Trump’s federal funding freeze, hiring freeze, and terminations on Nevada – including to the Department of the Interior, the U.S. Forest Service, the National Nuclear Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Agriculture, General Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, and Consumer Finance Protection Bureau.
    Senator Cortez Masto has also repeatedly called out President Trump and Congressional Republican’s attempts to slash Medicaid to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. And she has continued to push the Trump Administration to address the impacts of Trump’s tariffs on working families, small businesses, and Nevada’s travel and tourism economy.
    Below are her remarks as prepared for delivery:
    While campaigning last year in Bozeman, Montana, Donald Trump said, “Starting on day one, we will end inflation and make America affordable again, to bring down the prices of all goods.”
    Well, it’s been 100 days since he entered the White House, and here’s what he’s given us so far:
    His tariffs are increasing costs for the average family by more than $4,000 a year.
    He has slashed billions from programs that everyday Americans rely on, including $1 Billion for mental health care services.
    He has directed Elon Musk and his unqualified loyalists to fire more than 121,000 federal employees delivering essential services – everyone from to Park Rangers tasked with keeping Americans safe to scientists researching cures to deadly diseases.
    He’s pushing House and Senate Republicans to rubber stamp a plan to cut nearly $1 trillion dollars from Medicaid in order to give tax cuts to billionaires.
    And he’s created endless chaos and uncertainty.
    I could go on and on – that’s just how much damage President Trump has caused to our country in 100 days – but I want to take some time to focus on the impact his economic agenda is having on our small businesses.
    I’m from Nevada, where there are almost 300,000 small businesses.
    These mom-and-pop shops are the lifeblood of our economy and are a part of the fabric of every community.
    And it’s these small businesses that are bearing the brunt of President Trump’s destructive tariffs.
    Now, I believe targeted tariffs on our adversaries can be a useful tool to protect American jobs and support our national security.
    But these blanket tariffs are the opposite of that.
    These last two weeks – while back home in Nevada – I got a first-hand account of what small businesses are having to deal with.
    I heard these concerns from three small business owners in Las Vegas: Juanny, Santy, and Kristen. All three of these women own shops that serve specialty drinks and incredible food to Nevadans – from coffee and boba to tacos.
    In Vegas – as you may know – travel and tourism are the backbone of our economy.
    When people come to Las Vegas they don’t just visit the Strip. They go to Chinatown, and the arts district, and all over the valley to patronize our small businesses.
    For many business owners – like Juanny, like Santy, like Kristen – their margins are already razor-thin, and tourism is key to meeting their bottom line.
    But because of President Trump’s tariffs, we’re already seeing a decline in visitors coming to Las Vegas. 
    Whether people are staying home because they don’t have any room in their budgets for a vacation, or international tourists are choosing other destinations – Trump’s economic agenda is threatening to crater our $2 trillion tourism economy. 
    That hurts our small businesses!
    And when they can’t keep up because costs are rising, because they have fewer patrons, or because of the higher cost of importing their supplies – they’re forced to raise their prices and pass the burden onto customers.
    It’s unsustainable.
    And this same sentiment is echoed in the Northern part of our state.
    In Reno, I spoke to Mark, a small coffee shop owner who is already asking himself how he can continue to navigate everyday operations amid the uncertainty.
    He doesn’t want to pass higher costs onto customers, but if Trump’s erratic tariff agenda continues, he may have no choice.
    Trump says Americans must accept short-term pain for long-term gain, but what is there to be gained if hardworking Nevadans have to close the doors of their businesses?
    I think to myself, if it’s only been 100 days, how much damage is he going to potentially cause in the next 100?
    In the 1361 days left in his term?
    It’s been 100 days, and small businesses across the United States may soon be faced with having to close up shop.
    What’s going to happen to Juanny, to Mark, to Santy, to Kristen?
    Will they make it through the rest of Trump’s term?
    I don’t know the answer.
    But I hope my Republican colleagues stop rubber stamping Trump’s harmful agenda and actually stand up for working families and small businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kanga power! Homegrown cotton for a homegrown economy – UK & Kenya launch Lamu cotton processing facility.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Kanga power! Homegrown cotton for a homegrown economy – UK & Kenya launch Lamu cotton processing facility.

    A partnership between Kenya, the UK and private sector to deliver growth and jobs by reducing reliance on foreign imports, supporting women and the environment.

    The (L-R) Lamu County Governor, H.E Issa Timamy; Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, CS Trade Investments and Industry, Kenya; Principal Secretary for Investments – Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Kenya; and Ms. Tejal Dodhia, Managing Director, Thika Cotton Mills; officially lay the foundation stone at the Lamu cotton ginnery, Lamu County, Kenya.

    The UK, Kenya, and the County Government of Lamu have joined forces to lay the foundation stone at a new cotton processing facility in Lamu County. 

    This four-way partnership between the UK, national government, local government and the private sector is a great example of the how the UK and Kenya are working together to deliver homegrown economic growth and jobs – a standout example of the tangible results that collaboration can achieve. 

    Construction will begin immediately and is hoped to be completed by November 2025. The project is expected to support up to 5000 jobs in the next three years. 

    The Hon. Lee Kinyanjui, Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, said:

    The ginnery, by Thika Cloth Mills, will boost cotton uptake and thus earn farmers more income, create jobs, and provide raw material for the textile industry. 

    With the infrastructure supporting export including a special economic zone, Lamu Port and LAPPSET, Lamu will be the hub for investors in the region.

    British Deputy High Commissioner to Kenya, Ed Barnett, said:

    The UK is a long-term partner for long-term economic growth in Kenya. This project is a testament to the power of partnerships – the UK, national government, and county governments have joined forces with the private sector to deliver 5,000 jobs and future economic growth. 

    This partnership will reduce reliance on imports, put money in the pockets of farmers. It will strengthen, stabilise and support a sustainable homegrown cotton industry in Kenya. Long live Kenya kanga!

    This partnership directly supports the Government of Kenya’s textiles and garments national development priority, by reducing reliance on foreign imports – which currently make up around 90% of cotton in the country. Kenya currently produces 3,000 bales of cotton per year, whilst the total demand ranges between 140,000 – 260,000. This partnership will develop a homegrown cotton industry and allow Kenyan businesses to capitalise on economic opportunities within their own country. 

    The processing plant will create jobs and stimulate economic growth in Lamu County. It is hoped the facility will triple cotton production in Lamu from 2,000 bales per year to 6,000 over the next three years. This will also support local cotton farmers as the facility will be built close to farms, reducing transportation costs as well as providing them with a larger market for their produce. The proposed plant will not only source cotton from Lamu County but from Kilifi, Tana River, Kwale, and Taita Taveta counties. 

    The reduced need for transportation is expected to decrease the carbon footprint of the textile production process by 262 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, supporting Kenya’s climate ambitions. 

    This project will also have a positive social impact and place a significant emphasis on providing substantial economic opportunities to women and promoting gender equality, as the employees at the processing plant are expected to be at least 50% women.  

    The programme falls under the UK’s Sustainable Urban Economic Development programme (SUED), which aims to add value to Kenyan agricultural produce before export. 

    The UK has provided seed-funding to de-risk the investment for all partners involved. The Government of Kenya has provided additional funding, with the remaining funds being provided by Thika Cotton Mills. Lamu County sealed the deal by providing land for the ginnery. 

    SUED has been operational in Lamu for four years, and this is the programme’s fourth value-chain project in the county. It has secured investors for the cotton ginnery as well as fish processing, coconut processing, and cashew nut processing facilities. Across Kenya, our £8 million seed fund investments through SUED have helped unlock £48 million in private capital and supported the creation of more than 10,000 jobs. 

    The UK Government partners with Kenya across multiple sectors in Lamu County. The UK supports: trade and investment though the development of infrastructure and customs processes at Lamu Port; regional security through programmes to counter violent extremism; and environmental programmes to reduce plastic pollution and increase biodiversity. 

    Notes for Editors

    Photo and video content

    Google Drive link

    The UK-Kenya Strategic Partnership

    The UK-Kenya strategic partnership joint statement can be found here. 

    Funding

    • The UK has provided seed funding to de-risk a private sector investment project. 

    • The Government of Kenya has subsequently provided additional financing to further support the investment through the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) 

    • The Lamu county government has supported the venture with land acquisition and created an enabling local operating environment.  

    What is the SUED program?

    SUED is a seven year, £43m programme that seeks to create jobs and promote inclusive economic growth in selected municipalities across Kenya, through better urban planning and by attracting increased investment – including both investments in climate resilient infrastructure and agricultural processing projects 

    Thika Cotton Mills

    • Thika Cloth Mills Limited (TCM) was established in 1958 and is one of the leading Kenyan textile manufacturers. 

    • The mission of the company is “Bringing textiles home”, and the vision is “Creation of employment to improve livelihoods and alleviate poverty in Kenya”.  

    • The company has been an active participant in the “Buy Kenya Build Kenya”3 initiative, sourcing most of their raw materials locally. 

    • TCM owns and operates a plant in Thika that employs 700 staff and manufactures 100% cotton fabrics, polyester cotton fabric and blended polyester viscose. 

    • TCM currently sources raw cotton lint from ginneries in Makueni, Kitui, Rift Valley, and Meru. 

    • They work with over 10,000 farmers covering approximately 50% of Kenya’s cotton growing region   

    Contact

    British High Commission: Tom Walker tom.walker2@fcdo.gov.uk  

    SUED: Louisa Nandege Ssennyonga louisa.nandegessennyonga@tetratech.com

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Birmingham wholesaler which left trail of debts is shut down

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Birmingham wholesaler which left trail of debts is shut down

    Wholesaler accused of falsely inflating company credit rating and failing to pay for goods and services purchased on credit

    • Investigators feared SAK Wholesale Limited in Birmingham had become a ‘vehicle for fraud’ 

    • They were unable to trace where funds for more than £2.5 million of payments came from 

    • Accounts were falsely inflated to boost company credit rating – then management disappeared, leaving creditors out of pocket 

    A Birmingham-based wholesaler has been shut down amid concerns it was a ‘vehicle for fraud’. 

    SAK Wholesale Limited, based on the Alexandra Trading Estate in Handsworth, was wound up at a hearing at the High Court in Manchester on Tuesday 29 April. 

    The court was told there were concerns about the accuracy of the company’s annual accounts and that profits may have been overstated, enabling the directors to apply for thousands of pounds of goods and services on credit which were never paid for.  

    The directors failed to co-operate with Insolvency Service investigators, who discovered the company’s registered office in Handsworth had been stripped and abandoned, despite its website still being operational.  

    David Hope, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “There are serious concerns about SAK Wholesale being used as a vehicle for fraud. 

    The company has seemingly been abandoned – but still owes over £270,000 to its creditors. Despite this, payments of over £2.5million were made from the company over a period of two months in 2022, but without proper records, we were unable to confirm where this money came from. 

    Accounts were not submitted for the last financial year, and the veracity of accounts submitted in previous years is in doubt. 

    Despite the directors of SAK Wholesale refusing to cooperate with our investigation, the records we uncovered showed the company operated with a real lack of transparency and had a history of improper behaviour. 

    This winding-up order will help protect the public and business community by ensuring SAK Wholesale can’t be used for future trading.

    Investigators from the Insolvency Service found the company had used its good credit rating to secure thousands of pounds of goods and services from suppliers.    

    Investigators also discovered that wording on the company’s website had been lifted directly from a local competitor’s website.  

    A lack of banking records for SAK meant investigators were unable to identify legitimate trading, customers or company expenditure – with £2.5m of payments made from a company account between April and June 2022 essentially unaccounted for.  

    Alongside this, one of SAK’s company accounts received an unauthorised third-party payment of £200,000 which SAK was not entitled to. This transaction was refunded by the bank when the third party discovered the money had left its account.  

    The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of SAK Wholesale Limited. 

    All enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to the Official Receiver of Public Interest Unit: PO Box 16664, Birmingham, B2 2JQ. piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk.  

    Further information 

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: MHRA authorises cancer treatment variation with an administration time of 3–5 minutes

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    MHRA authorises cancer treatment variation with an administration time of 3–5 minutes

    As with all products, the MHRA will keep its safety under close review.

    The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has today (30 April 2025) approved a new under-the-skin injection version of the cancer therapy, nivolumab (Opdivo), offering a quicker administration option for eligible patients. 

    The subcutaneous formulation of nivolumab can be given as a 3–5-minute injection instead of the 30- or 60-minute intravenous (IV) infusion. Several common cancers can be treated by nivolumab, including lung, bowel, kidney, bladder, oesophageal, skin, and head and neck cancers. 

    Nivolumab is a monoclonal antibody that works by binding to a protein called PD-1 (programmed death-1) on a type of immune cell called T-cells. This blocks cancer cells from switching off T-cells, allowing the immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells.

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

    “Patient safety is our top priority, which is why I am pleased to confirm the national approval of the new under-the-skin injection version of nivolumab.   

    “This approval marks an important step forward in improving treatment access and reducing the time patients spend in clinics. It has the potential to ease pressures on NHS services, while also giving patients flexibility in their care. 

    “We’re assured that the appropriate regulatory standards of safety, quality, and efficacy for the approval of this new formulation have been met. As with all products, we will keep its safety under close review.”   

    Today’s national approval is based on evidence from a randomised, open-label Phase 3 clinical trial, involving patients with advanced or metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Participants received either the new injection version of nivolumab or the established IV version.

    Results showed that the injection produced comparable levels of drug in the body (pharmacokinetics) and a similar safety and tumour response profile to the IV formulation.  

    A full list of side effects can be found in the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) or the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), available on the MHRA website within 7 days of approval.  

    As with any medicine, the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of nivolumab under close review. 

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

    Notes to editors     

    • The approval was granted on 30 April 2025 to Bristol Myers Squibb. 

    • This product was submitted and approved via national procedure.   

    • Subcutaneous administration delivers treatment under the skin and is an alternative to intravenous infusion.  

    • A randomised, open-label Phase 3 clinical trial is a large, late-stage study where participants are randomly assigned to different treatment groups, both doctors and patients know which treatment is being given (open-label), and the goal is to confirm the treatment’s effectiveness and safety before potential regulatory approval. 

    • The approval covers a broad range of cancers, including kidney, skin (melanoma), lung, head and neck, bladder, bowel (colorectal), liver, stomach, and cancers of the oesophagus. 

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

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

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

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

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flying Heavy: How DASA-funded UAS Revolutionises Military Logistics

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Case study

    Flying Heavy: How DASA-funded UAS Revolutionises Military Logistics

    With the help of DASA funding, ISS Aerospace developed a 600kg heavy-lift unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of carrying 250kg payloads

    • The innovation features a unique hybrid turbine generator power system that eliminates the need for complex electrical recharging infrastructure in the field
    • DASA’s Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) provided critical funding that enabled ISS to create this technology
    • Successfully trialled in 2025, this project represents the first completed DTEP project

    From Ship to Shore in Minutes

    On naval vessels around the world, the same time-consuming scene plays out daily: crew members transfer supplies between ships or from ship to shore using small boats, manual labour, and helicopter support. This process can be slow, resource-intensive, and vulnerable to disruption from weather conditions.

    Now picture a different scenario: an unmanned aerial system takes flight from a ship, automatically lands on a waiting pallet of supplies, autonomously secures its load without human intervention, and lifts off – delivering cargo to shore in a fraction of the traditional time – and then – heads back to the ship for more supplies.

    With the help of DASA funding, this vision of automated logistics is becoming reality thanks to Newbury-based ISS Aerospace and their revolutionary heavy-lift drone system, funded through DASA’s Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP).

    Funded by DASA: ISS Aerospace UAS Flight Test

    The Innovation: Power and Payload

    ISS Aerospace’s system represents a significant leap forward in unmanned aerial capabilities. At 600kg total weight, it can carry a remarkable 250kg payload – equivalent to two fully-equipped soldiers – with flight times currently at 35-40 minutes.

    “The innovation is three-pronged,” explains Ryan Kempley, CEO, and founder of ISS Aerospace. “First, it is a super heavy-lift UAS, which itself is quite unique. Second, we’ve brought across our heritage of super reliable, super safe systems. Third, and the main reason DTEP funded this project was because of our unique turbine power plant that powers the system”.

    The innovation’s standout feature is its hybrid turbine generator power system. Rather than relying on traditional battery packs that require complex and frequent recharging infrastructure, ISS Aerospace developed a system that uses efficient aviation fuel.

    The hybrid turbine generator power system

    “Our UASs fly around at 100 to 120 kilowatts, so they need a lot of power,” Kempley explains. “You can buy auxiliary power unit (APU) turbine generators off the shelf, but they’re extremely expensive – in the hundreds of thousands of pounds – and very heavy, around 100+ kilos.”

    ISS’s solution repackages high-end micro gas turbines with hybrid battery technology to create their own 100-kilowatt generator at a fraction of the cost and weight of conventional systems.

    Engineering Challenges and Breakthroughs

    Creating this power system required solving complex engineering challenges. The team developed sophisticated control systems to maintain perfect balance between turbine power generation and battery usage.

    “If we charge the battery too fast, problems happen. If we deplete the battery too fast, problems happen,” notes Kempley. “But we came out with something that essentially means if all the turbines die, we still keep flying. If the battery dies and the turbines are running, we still keep flying. If one or two turbines die, we still keep flying. It’s very robust in terms of resilience.”

    This level of reliability is crucial for military logistics operations where failure could compromise mission-critical supplies.

    The system already outperforms competitors in its class, but ISS has identified further enhancements. “We’ve already identified a new supporting turbine that takes us up to around 3-3.5 hours of flight,” Kempley notes.

    Transforming Military Logistics

    In the competitive landscape of heavy-lift drones, ISS has positioned itself in a unique category. Below their 250-300kg payload capability sits systems carrying 60-100kg, while above them are much larger single-rotor helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft that are around the size of shipping containers.

    The potential military applications are significant, particularly for naval logistics. The system can be used for last-mile ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore transport, where Kempley notes “90% of stores between ships or even on last-mile logistics are below 150 kilos.”

    Further enhancing its capabilities, ISS recently won another MOD contract under Project Morrigan to develop a universal payload release mechanism, allowing the drone to automatically pick up and deliver cargo without human intervention.

    “You just land on top of your package on the deck and then take off again. You’re done. There’s no unloading or loading,” explains Kempley. “When you get to that stage, it’s many multiples quicker than current methods.”

    DTEP: Making Innovation Possible

    For ISS Aerospace, DASA’s DTEP funding was transformative. Founded ten years ago, the company has evolved from a small commercial business into a growing enterprise with 14 staff, projected to reach 22 by year’s end – all through organic growth.

    “Developing that kind of turbine system and UAS is costly – raw materials alone are a couple hundred thousand pounds, plus hundreds of hours of man-time,” Kempley emphasises. “As a small company, we could never have afforded to just go out and decide to develop this UAS. It would have been impossible without DTEP.”

    DTEP’s emphasis on commercialisation and post-project success has been particularly valuable for the SME. “There’s a lot more emphasis on commercialisation, what we’re going to do afterwards and how we’re going to make it successful”, Kempley notes.

    From Concept to Flight

    Funded back in September 2023, this represents the first completed DASA DTEP project, highlighting the programme’s ability to bring innovative concepts to reality quickly.

    The project recently culminated in successful test flights of the UAS, proving the design, and gaining valuable in-flight data, with a further demonstration planned to showcase the complete system to stakeholders. Next steps also include cosmetic additions to the platform, such as a cowling (a removable engine cover) and testing and improvement to the control and power systems before the V1 system is rolled out to end users later in 2025.

    The ISS Aerospace team with the UAS

    For a company that began in commercial applications before gradually expanding into defence, DASA’s support has been instrumental in enabling growth and technological advancement. ISS now balances its business with approximately 60-70% defence work and 30-40% commercial applications.

    As drones continue revolutionising military logistics, ISS Aerospace’s innovation stands to transform how supplies move between ships and shore – making operations faster, more efficient, and ultimately more effective in supporting forces on the ground.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta: Trump Administration Unlawfully Cancelled Grants Intended to Root Out Housing Discrimination

    Source: US State of California

    Wednesday, April 30, 2025

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

    OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today co-led a coalition of 21 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of non-profit housing organizations harmed by the Trump Administration’s unlawful cancellation of Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) grants. Congress established FHIP in 1988, requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide funds to non-profit housing organizations that carry out investigatory, enforcement, education, and outreach activities aimed at rooting out discrimination in the provision of housing. Congress has specifically appropriated funds to HUD for this purpose every year since FHIP’s inception. 

    On February 27, HUD cancelled 78 preexisting FHIP grants — totaling approximately $30 million — effective immediately and with no prior warning. HUD offered no rationale for its action beyond a blanket assertion that the decision was made at the direction of President Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency because the grants purportedly “no longer effectuate…the program goals or agency priorities.” Three non-profit housing organizations that receive FHIP grants subsequently filed a class-action lawsuit — Massachusetts Fair Housing Center v. HUD — against the Trump Administration on behalf of all similarly situated organizations that had FHIP grants terminated on February 27. California is home to at least 7 fair housing organizations whose FHIP funds would be terminated. 

    “As I’ve said over and over again, the Trump Administration is not above the law. My fellow attorneys general and I are proud to be supporting non-profit organizations that Congress tasked to root out housing discrimination in our communities. The termination of these grants was illegal, and they must be reinstated,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The stakes are high — many of these non-profit organizations would be forced to close their doors without the grants and our states would suffer severe harms in tackling housing discrimination.” 

    On March 26, 2025, the class of non-profit housing organizations secured a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts requiring the Trump Administration to continue providing the FHIP grants. The court, however, later dissolved the temporary restraining order and the non-profit housing organizations are currently asking that it be reinstated.  

    In the amicus brief, which was filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the attorneys general argue that: 

    • If allowed to take effect, HUD’s sudden and unlawful action will immediately and severely upend the important work of these FHIP organizations, resulting in more housing discrimination being left undetected and unredressed in their states. 
    • In several crucial ways, the work done by the non-profit housing organizations complements the efforts of their states to provide safe, fair, and affordable housing to their residents while easing administrative burdens on their states. For example, a FHIP organization in California brought significant evidence to the California Civil Rights Department demonstrating that a property-management company in the San Francisco Bay Area had adopted overly restrictive rules that effectively barred rental applications from families with young children. Based on that evidence, the Department filed a lawsuit, which yielded a consent decree in 2023 prohibiting these rules and requiring restitutionary payments to affected families. 
    • The non-profit housing organizations are likely to succeed on the merits of their claims. HUD’s determination to void 78 preexisting FHIP grants, with no explanation or consideration of the consequences to their states and their residents and communities, was arbitrary and capricious in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. 

    Joining Attorney General Bonta in co-leading today’s amicus brief are New York Attorney General Leticia James and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell. They are joined by the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. 

    A copy of the amicus brief can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF and Polish authorities uncover major VAT import fraud scheme

    Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

    Press release no. 10/2025
    PDF version 

    This press release is also available in Polish.  

    Close cooperation between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and Polish national authorities has led to the uncovering of a sophisticated VAT fraud scheme involving goods imported from China into the European Union. Acting on intelligence and information provided by OLAF, Polish authorities carried out a criminal investigation, resulting in the arrest of four individuals and searches at 50 locations across the country.

    Working closely with customs and fiscal authorities in Poland, Germany, Czechia, Lithuania, and Latvia, OLAF identified a complex network exploiting the so-called “customs procedure 42″—a mechanism that allows for deferred VAT payments on goods imported into one Member State and transported to another.

    The suspected fraudsters transported goods arriving from China via railway border crossings into Germany under a customs transit procedure, suspending customs duties and VAT. Once in Germany, the goods were declared under procedure 42, only to be transported back to Poland and stored in warehouses near Wólka Kosowska, a major commercial hub.

    Operating through transport companies, logistics providers, and dozens of shell companies, the perpetrators falsely documented exports to other EU countries, mainly Lithuania. In reality, the goods remained in Poland or were illicitly distributed across the EU, including to Germany, Spain, France, and Italy—allowing for systematic evasion of VAT and the generation of significant illicit profits.

    The fraudulent activities were orchestrated by an organised group, operating behind a network of shell companies registered under the names of Lithuanian, Ukrainian, and Russian nationals.

    Following OLAF’s referral, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Kraków launched a criminal investigation. On 8 April 2025, Polish authorities—including officers from the Internal Security Agency (ABW), the National Revenue Administration (KAS), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBŚP), and the Central Cybercrime Bureau (CBZC)—carried out an extensive enforcement operation.

    In addition to the four individuals that were arrested, authorities seized telephones, computers, data carriers, financial and accounting documentation, and almost 300 company stamps. Property was also temporarily seized. 

    The detainees have been charged with participation in an organised criminal group, money laundering, and falsification of legal documents. At the request of the prosecutor’s office, the District Court for Kraków-Śródmieście ordered their temporary detention for three months.

    OLAF Director-General Ville Itälä said: “This case is a clear example of how cross-border cooperation and intelligence-sharing are crucial in protecting the EU’s financial interests. Through close cooperation with national authorities, we can uncover even the most complex fraud schemes. We remain fully committed to supporting Member States in the fight against fraud and ensuring that those who seek to exploit our systems are caught and held fully accountable.”

    You can read more in the press release from the Regional Prosecutor’s Office in Kraków 

    OLAF mission, mandate and competences:
    OLAF’s mission is to detect, investigate and stop fraud with EU funds.    

    OLAF fulfils its mission by:
    •    carrying out independent investigations into fraud and corruption involving EU funds, so as to ensure that all EU taxpayers’ money reaches projects that can create jobs and growth in Europe;
    •    contributing to strengthening citizens’ trust in the EU Institutions by investigating serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU Institutions;
    •    developing a sound EU anti-fraud policy.

    In its independent investigative function, OLAF can investigate matters relating to fraud, corruption and other offences affecting the EU financial interests concerning:
    •    all EU expenditure: the main spending categories are Structural Funds, agricultural policy and rural development funds, direct expenditure and external aid;
    •    some areas of EU revenue, mainly customs duties;
    •    suspicions of serious misconduct by EU staff and members of the EU institutions.

    Once OLAF has completed its investigation, it is for the competent EU and national authorities to examine and decide on the follow-up of OLAF’s recommendations. All persons concerned are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a competent national or EU court of law.

    For further details:

    Pierluigi CATERINO
    Spokesperson
    European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Phone: +32(0)2 29-52335  
    Email: olaf-media ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (olaf-media[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)
    https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu
    LinkedIn: European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF)
    Bluesky: euantifraud.bsky.social

    If you’re a journalist and you wish to receive our press releases in your inbox, pleaseleave us your contact data.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Roanoke Man Sentenced for Killing Drug Supplier, Setting Body on Fire

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROANOKE, Va. – A Roanoke man, who robbed, shot, and killed his drug supplier then later burned the body to conceal his crimes, was sentenced yesterday to 35 years in federal prison.

    Joseph Richard Walker, 30, pled guilty in February to one count of Hobbs Act Robbery and one count of possessing, brandishing, and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and a crime of violence.

    A second man, Garrett Isaac Williams, has also pled guilty to related charges and is awaiting sentencing.

    According to court documents, from about December 2021, to about April 17, 2023, Walker engaged in a conspiracy to distribute marijuana with Williams. Beginning no later than January 2023, both Walker and Williams acquired marijuana and marijuana wax from E.B., who would travel from Pennsylvania to meet the pair at Walker’ s residence in Roanoke, Virginia.

    At some point in April 2023, Williams owed E.B. a large sum of money for marijuana that had been fronted. After having difficulty reaching Williams to discuss this debt, E.B. attempted to contact Walker, but inadvertently called Walker’s mother instead.

    This phone call caused Walker and Williams to set in motion a plan to end their relationship with E.B. However, instead of paying E.B. the money that was owed, they planned to order more marijuana from E.B., rob E.B. of that marijuana when he made the delivery, and in so doing, scare him from returning to Virginia.

    After receiving the “order” from Williams, on April 17, 2023, E.B. traveled from Pennsylvania to Walker’s residence in Roanoke, bringing with him approximately ten pounds of marijuana and two pounds of marijuana wax. Prior to E.B.’s arrival, Walker concealed on his person a Sig Sauer, model 1911, .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol, intending to use it in the robbery. Upon E.B.’s arrival,  Walker confronted E.B. about the phone call to Walker’s mother. This resulted in a brief verbal exchange and was followed by Walker committing the robbery against E.B., during which Walker shot E.B. twice, resulting in his death. To conceal the crime, Walker dragged E.B. ‘s body out of his residence, placed it in the trunk of E.B. ‘s car, and then drove the car out to Bedford County, Virginia, where he set it on fire. Prior to departing his residence in E.B.’s car, Walker took the marijuana that E.B. had brought with him.

    The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Virginia State Police, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Roanoke City Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the Roanoke City Police Department, the Roanoke County Police Department, the City of Lynchburg Police Department, and the Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office investigated the case.

    Acting United States Attorney Zachary T. Lee, Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division and Col. Matthew D. Hanley, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, announced the sentence today.

    The Star City Drug and Violent Crime Task Force, comprised of officers from the Roanoke City Police Department, Roanoke County Police Department, City of Salem Virginia Police Department, the Vinton Police Department, and Virginia State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Salem Field Office, also aided in the investigation.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys M. Coleman Adams and Kelly J. McGann are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Drew O. Inman.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Visit the EU institutions to celebrate Europe Day!

    Source: European Union 2

    The Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for the European Union and paved the way for an unprecedented era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity and cooperation in Europe.

    To mark the occasion, many events will take place in EU Member States and around the world, bringing together citizens from all walks of life. The EU institutions will open their doors and invite citizens to visit their premises, discover their work and engage in a wide range of educational and entertaining activities.

    Landmark buildings and monuments across the globe will be illuminated in the EU colours, while a special Europe Day programme is planned for Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

    In times of global uncertainty, Europe remains an anchor of stability – a place of opportunity and protection for its citizens. The EU and its institutions are working towards the common goal of ensuring prosperity and competitiveness, guaranteeing our security and defence, while upholding the fundamental values Europeans care about.

    European Parliament

    On 4 May, citizens of all ages will be able to attend the official Europe Day opening ceremony and take a seat in the hemicycle of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The ceremony will begin with a video message from President Roberta Metsola, followed by a speech from Vice-President Younous Omarjee, and a musical performance by the Voix de Stras’ ensemble. Through various exhibits and interactive activities, visitors will learn how the Parliament works, how laws are made, and why European politics matters. Visitors will also be able to visit the “Changemakers” exhibition. On 10 May, the public will once again be given the chance to discover European democracy in action at the Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels, with day-long activities emphasising the importance of citizen participation. In Luxembourg, special activities will mark the first anniversary of the Visitors’ Centre on 9 May, including the recently inaugurated Europa Experience. The following day, a rich cultural programme is planned in the Echternach Abbey courtyard. Full programme and events organised in the 27 EU countries.

    European Council/Council of the European Union

    On 10 May, the Council of the European Union will also open its doors, granting citizens an opportunity to follow in EU leaders’ footsteps. Guided tours throughout the day will offer visitors a rare look at where important European decisions are made. Each of the 27 Member States will host a stand, showcasing their culture, traditions, culinary specialties and more. Younger visitors can also expect tailor-made activities, including a treasure hunt and a “fun fact” quest designed specifically for kids. In honour of the Council’s 50th anniversary, the public will even be able to travel back in time and take a selfie with the leaders of 1974.

    European Commission

    On 10 May, citizens will also have the opportunity to visit the Commission’s iconic Berlaymont building in Brussels. Here, they will have the chance to learn about the Commission’s role and priorities, engage in series of activities, and find out more about initiatives and concrete benefits for their daily lives. Among others, visitors will have an opportunity to learn about the Commission’s efforts to boost European competitiveness both, promote social cohesion, protect democracy and protect fundamental rights, at home and abroad.

    European Central Bank

    As part of its Europe Day celebrations on 10 May, the European Central Bank (ECB) will bring the vibrant spirit of Europe to its hometown, Frankfurt am Main, by participating in the city’s Europa-Fest. Visitors will find the ECB at the “European Marketplace” on the Römerberg plaza, alongside Frankfurt-based European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority and the Authority for Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism. In such a special year, celebrating 40 years of Schengen and the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, many themed activities have been organised, with the ECB even planning a lightshow, to be projected onto the west wing of the city’s Grossmarkthalle. In Brussels, the ECB will also host its own stand at the Commission’s Europe Day event.

    European Investment Bank

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group will welcome visitors to its stand at the Council of the European Union’s Justus Lipsius building as part of its Open Day on 10 May in Brussels. EIB Group staff will inform visitors of how its financing and advisory services improve lives and advance EU policy goals. This includes anything from innovation, security and defence to social and territorial cohesion, and the transition towards a net-zero economy. The stand itself will be enhanced by various activities and media, such as quizzes, games and audiovisual material showcasing EIB-financed projects.

    European Court of Auditors

    On 10 May, as part of the Europe Day celebrations in Echternach, EU auditors will host a series of interactive and engaging activities at the European Court of Auditors’ premises. Among other things, visitors will have the chance to partake in an engaging quiz to test their audit skills. Families and people of all ages are welcome to discover how the European Court of Auditors, the guardian of the EU’s finances, helps protect EU citizens’ money.

    European External Action Service

    The European External Action Service (EEAS) will open its doors to the public on 10 May for its “Travel the World in a Day“. Travel the World in a Day” event. Visitors to the EU’s diplomatic headquarters in Brussels will be given an opportunity to learn about the work of the EEAS and its 144 delegations and offices worldwide. Through interactive exhibits and activities, visitors will discover the EU’s role as a global leader and reliable partner for prosperity, peace, security, multilateralism, democracy, and a rules-based order. The event will also include a digital booth to help explore the EU pavilion at Expo 2025 in Japan, as well as live dance performances, workshops and family-friendly activities that celebrate global diversity.

    European Economic and Social Committee

    This year, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) will also host a special celebration of the Schuman Declaration’s 75th anniversary. To honour this seminal text, the EESC – the house of European organised civil society – is putting together a range of activities on its premises, through which it will inform and engage with citizens, while offering insights into its various Sections’ and Groups’ advisory work. The day itself will offer entertainment for all, with a real-time voting simulation allowing visitors to step into EESC members’ shoes and discover the process for themselves.

    European Committee of the Regions

    On 10 May, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) – ideally located between the European Parliament and Council in Brussels – will open its doors to the public as well, showcasing how it represents regions and cities in the EU, and everything that regional and local elected politicians do for citizens. Visitors will learn how their region voices its interests in the EU, and they will have the chance to meet local and regional elected politicians and discuss European issues in a direct, informal atmosphere. The traditional Festival of Regions and Cities will treat visitors to a showcase of their preferred tourist spots, traditional music and dance, and various culinary specialties.

    Background

    Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the ‘Schuman declaration’, a historic proposal made by Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, in 1950 that laid out the foundation of European cooperation. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

    In 2025, Europe Day is a special occasion, as we are celebrating 75 years since the Schuman declaration. To learn more about each institution’s programme, visit the Europe Day 2025 website.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Old Town National City Gang Member Sentenced to 10 Years for Distributing Methamphetamine Near School

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

    SAN DIEGO – Manuel Joseph Mariscal, an Old Town National City criminal street gang member known by the moniker “Pony,” was sentenced today in federal court to 120 months in prison. 

    In June of 2022, task force officers from the East County Regional Gang Task Force conducted two controlled purchases involving the distribution of methamphetamine, a Ruger Mini Thirty CAL. 7.62 x 39 rifle and several rounds of ammunition from Mariscal. The distribution occurred at Mariscal’s residence located just 852 feet away from Zamorano Elementary School in San Diego.

    On June 21, 2023, a state search warrant was executed on Mariscal’s residence, wherein additional methamphetamine, a firearm, ammunition, a firearm silencer, a firearm laser sign with gun mount parts, heroin and a composition book with pay and own information common in the drug trafficking business were discovered. On that date, Mariscal was arrested on the federal charges stemming from the June 2022 controlled purchases.

    In addition to the federal charges, Mariscal is currently facing state charges for the additional contraband seized in connection to the search warrant execution on his residence in San Diego County Superior Court, Dkt. No. CD301145, charging Mariscal with child abuse, possession for sale of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a possessor of a controlled substance, possession of a firearm by a felon, and a prohibited person owning firearm/ammunition.

    Mariscal, a serial offender marking his fourth conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, entered a guilty plea on this federal case on September 17, 2024.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndzie M. Carter.

    DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 23cr1470-JLS                            

    Manuel Jospeh Mariscal                                 Age: 49                                   San Diego, CA

    SUMMARY OF CHARGES

    Distribution of Methamphetamine Near a School – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 841(a)(1) and 860

    Maximum penalty: Eighty years in prison and $10 million fine

    Felon in Possession of a Firearm – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(1)

    Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

    Felon in Possession of Ammunition– Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(1)

    Maximum penalty: Ten years in prison and $250,000 fine

    INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

    East County Regional Gang Task Force

    Federal Bureau of Investigation

    San Diego County Sheriff’s Office

    National City Police Department

    San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

    *The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man Who Defrauded Investors with Sham Technology Company Found Guilty of Wire Fraud and Money Laundering

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    SAN FRANCISCO – A federal jury today convicted Ramesh Kris Nathan on six counts of wire fraud and two counts of money laundering in connection with fraudulently obtaining investors’ money for a company that had no legitimate business activities.  The guilty verdict followed an eight-day jury trial before U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Nathan, 43, a U.S. national, promised investors that their money would fund Relativity Research Fund, Inc., a company for which Nathan set up a bank account in San Francisco.  He promoted Relativity as being involved in the research and development of advanced technologies, including prototype spacecraft and space-related propulsion systems.  He also made false promises of future trading of the company’s shares on the Nasdaq Private Market.

    “Ramesh Nathan spun fantastic tales about space travel technology and advanced robotics to entice investors into funding his company, but all he had to offer was science fiction.  He deceived his investors, many of whom were veterans, about a nonexistent business.  Then he used the ill-gotten funds to line his own pockets,”  said Acting United States Attorney Patrick D. Robbins.  “Thanks to the jury’s verdict, Mr. Nathan is being held accountable for the harms he caused to multiple victims.”

    “Ramesh Nathan orchestrated a scheme rooted in deception, betraying the trust of investors for his own gain,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Sanjay Virmani. “Today’s guilty verdict reflects the seriousness of his crimes and brings justice to the victims he defrauded. The FBI remains committed to holding financial criminals accountable and protecting the public from fraud.”

    The evidence presented at trial showed that Nathan induced potential investors to provide funds by making false and misleading statements on his company’s website, in promotional materials, and in emails to potential investors.  For example, Nathan claimed that the company was developing numerous technology-related enterprises, including advanced robotics and space travel technology.  Nathan also represented that the company had significant capital investments, worldwide offices with over 15,000 employees, and tens of billions of dollars in profits and revenue.

    The jury also found that Nathan laundered investor funds through various bank accounts, and then used the funds for his personal expenses and transfers to his mother and his then-girlfriend.  Nathan carried out his fraudulent scheme by recruiting an intermediary to share his lies with investors, many of whom were veterans of the United States military and friends and family of veterans.

    The defendant will next appear in court on June 13, 2025, for further proceedings.  Nathan faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud and 10 years in prison for each count of money laundering, and forfeiture of all property that is traceable to his wire fraud and money laundering violations.  Any sentence will be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Roland Chang and Sara Henderson are prosecuting the case, with the assistance of Tina Rosenbaum.  The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI.  
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota Continues Expansion of Behavioral Health Network with New Virtual Options for Children and Families

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    EAGAN, Minn., April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) today announced a new collaboration with two virtual care providers – Charlie Health and Little Otter – to further address the need for more access to behavioral care for children and adolescents. Charlie Health and Little Otter are now in-network providers and available to Blue Cross members requiring personalized and comprehensive behavioral health services for children, adolescents and their families.

    According to the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in seven American children between the ages of three and 17 have a current, diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition. And according to a study by the University of Michigan’s Health Lab, another one in seven are currently suffering from an undiagnosed, treatable mental health disorder.

    “Too many children and teens with mental health needs struggle to access specialized care,” said Brett Hart, vice president of behavioral health and mental health parity at Blue Cross. “Local providers do an amazing job, but the system is under immense strain to keep up with increasing demand. Charlie Health and Little Otter offer additional options to access mental health professionals licensed to practice in Minnesota and other states. From traditional therapy to high-acuity, intensive outpatient treatment, services provided by these innovative providers help to ensure Blue Cross is there for our youngest members.”

    Little Otter is the only virtual healthcare company offering psychiatric evaluation and care for all children up to age 18 and their families, treating mild to high-acuity symptoms. In addition to therapy and psychiatry with medication management for children and caregivers, all families have access to the Little Otter Family Mental Health Checkup, which takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Patients are connected to a licensed clinician within 48 hours. Little Otter also offers seamless referrals to specialty providers like Charlie Health when intensive outpatient care is needed.

    In turn, Charlie Health focuses on high-acuity, intensive outpatient treatment for both adolescents and adults, offering intensive treatment programs for patients experiencing behavioral health crises. Compared to more traditional talk therapy for mild symptoms, Charlie Health focuses treatment around a high-touch curriculum that lasts between nine to 12 weeks. As symptoms improve, Charlie Health can refer patients to lower levels of care, like Little Otter.

    Together, Little Otter and Charlie Health help fill critical gaps in access to behavioral healthcare by providing solutions for all ages across various levels of acuity, while also having the ability to refer up or down, based on the level of care needed.

    Services provided by Little Otter and Charlie Health are available to most Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota members residing in Minnesota. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota members may confirm eligibility for behavioral health services in their respective Blue Cross online portal or by contacting their Blue Cross representative. More information about Blue Cross’ virtual behavioral health providers and services can be found at bluecrossmn.com/bhvirtualcare.

    About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

    For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Bluecrossmn.com) has supported our members by ensuring access to high quality care at an affordable price. Our nearly 3 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

    About Charlie Health

    Charlie Health is a virtual behavioral health provider delivering high-acuity, evidence-based care that drives life-saving outcomes. The company’s programs provide personalized, intensive treatment for adolescents and adults facing serious mental health conditions and substance use disorders, helping people get the right support at the right time for their unique needs. Their innovative treatment model combines clinical expertise, human connection, and a focus on measurement-based care to support long-term healing. Charlie Health is in-network with most major health plans, including commercial and Medicaid, in 37 states and counting.

    About Little Otter

    Founded in 2020 by Dr. Helen Egger, a leading child psychiatrist, and Rebecca Egger, an expert in technology and product development, Little Otter is a digital mental health company that offers holistic, evidence-backed care for children 0-18 and their families. Through its virtual care platform and offerings, Little Otter provides a comprehensive suite of mental health services that go beyond just treating children to address the needs of the entire family. Available in 15 states and expanding, Little Otter is on a mission to make mental health care accessible, effective, and personalized for families everywhere. To learn more about Little Otter, visit www.littleotterhealth.com.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION:
    Bryce Butzer | 651.662.9183
    Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
    bryce.butzer@bluecrossmn.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Webinar: Greenspace Health and CARF Present Expert Panel on the Role of Measurement-Based Care in Accreditation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, ON and Washington, DC , April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Greenspace Health, North America’s leading provider of Measurement-Based Care technology, education and implementation support, is proud to announce a new educational partnership with CARF International, a globally respected behavioral health accrediting body, to present a live educational panel discussion:

    Learn how MBC drives enhanced clinical outcomes, accreditation readiness, and system-wide improvements. “Measurement-Based Care & CARF Accreditation: Driving Quality Through Measurable Outcomes”, taking place on Thursday, May 15 2025 at 1 PM EDT.

    “Measurement-Based Care & CARF Accreditation: Driving Quality Through Measurable Outcomes”, taking place on Thursday, May 15 2025 at 1 PM EDT. Register at greenspacehealth.com.

    Measurement-Based Care (MBC) is now a foundational element of high-quality, evidence-based behavioral health services, empowering organizations to enhance outcomes, demonstrate impact, and drive continuous quality improvement. With CARF’s 2025 standards requiring ongoing progress measurement, MBC has become essential for accreditation readiness. This expert panel will explore the real-world impact of MBC, share lessons from successful implementations, and offer actionable guidance for aligning clinical practices with evolving quality expectations.

    Panelists Include:

    • Michael Johnson, Senior Managing Director of Behavioral Health at CARF
    • Dr. Kimberly Gordon-Achebe, Medical Director of Mobile Response and Stabilization Services at iMind Behavioral Health, a CARF accredited organization
    • Dr. James Boswell, Associate Professor and Director of Clinical Training at the University at Albany
    • Host: Jeremy Weisz, CEO and Co-Founder at Greenspace Health

    Event Details:

    • Thursday, May 15, 2025
    • 1pm – 2pm EDT / 10am – 11am PDT
    • Link to Registration – Virtual Event via Zoom

    Key Takeaways for Attendees:

    • Why accrediting bodies like CARF are prioritizing Measurement-Based Care
    • How to prepare your organization for CARF accreditation with MBC
    • Lessons learned from successful MBC implementations
    • Actionable strategies to launch and sustain MBC at your organization

    This session is essential for clinical leaders, administrators, and providers looking to advance care quality, meet evolving accreditation standards, and harness MBC to improve clinical outcomes and inform continuous quality improvement of behavioral health services. Register at greenspacehealth.com. 

    For more information, please contact:

    Jo-Anne Stayner

    joanne@getfreshpr.com

    604.603.0657

    ABOUT GREENSPACE HEALTH

    Greenspace transforms mental health services by improving the way that behavioral healthcare is accessed, measured and delivered. Their Measurement-Based Care Platforms enable mental health providers and organizations to implement consistent, evidence-based measurement (often referred to as routine patient-reported outcome measures or PROMs) into their practice. This model is proven to significantly improve patient results while generating valuable data for organizations to enhance their quality of care. Greenspace’s MBC solutions have been implemented across over 500 community and private clinics, hospitals, payors, insurers and healthcare systems, improving the patient experience and driving better-coordinated care and outcomes. To learn more about MBC, please visit greenspacehealth.com.

    ABOUT CARF INTERNATIONAL

    CARF is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services. Its mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process focused on enhancing the lives of persons served. Learn more at www.carf.org.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Boozman, Murray Shepherd Effort to Designate April as Month of the Military Child

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Arkansas – John Boozman

    WASHINGTON––U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Patty Murray (D-WA), joined by Senators John Hoeven (R-ND) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV), introduced bipartisan legislation that would designate April as the “Month of the Military Child,” celebrating and honoring the commitment, service and sacrifices made by the 1.6 million children in military families. 

    “Military service is a family affair, including the sons and daughters of our servicemembers. There are not enough words to acknowledge the costs and sacrifices, like countless moves and long separations during deployments, that they bear,” said Boozman. “I am proud to come together in a bipartisan way to recognize every military child and express our gratitude for selflessly sharing their parents with the noble cause of defending our nation.”

    “I know first-hand that when your parent is in the military, it is a commitment the entire family makes to this country. Military children deserve to be celebrated and acknowledged for the heroic commitments they make to their families in service,” said Murray. “I will always be a voice for Washington state’s servicemembers and their families, and I am proud to partner with Senator Boozman to recognize military children for the sacrifices they make every single day for their families’ service to our country.”

    “Military children show incredible resilience as they navigate the unique challenges of military life,” said Hoeven. “From frequent moves to long deployments, they stand strong beside their families with courage. Their sacrifices often go unseen, but their service to our nation deserves to be celebrated.”

    “When someone chooses to serve our nation in uniform, their entire family joins in the sacrifice. Military children have to move around frequently, change schools multiple times, and spend special occasions without a parent,” said Rosen. “They deserve our gratitude and recognition, which is why I’m proud to help introduce this resolution to designate April as the Month of the Military Child.”

    Boozman is the son of an Air Force Master Sergeant who served in World War II and Korea. He learned at an early age about the sacrifices by men and women in uniform, as well as the unique challenges military families face. As a senior member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, he is committed to enhancing the quality of life for both veterans and their families. 

    Earlier this year, Boozman and Murray introduced the Helping Heroes Act, which would support the families of disabled veterans, including children who take on caregiving roles. This bill recognizes the work done by the approximately 2.3 million children under the age of 18 living in a household with a disabled veteran and seeks to provide critical support and assistance to these children in accessing local, state and federal resources.

    Click here for full text of the legislation.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Increased allowances for Plymouth foster carers

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Foster carers in Plymouth are receiving a five per cent uplift on all their allowances as part of Foster for Plymouth’s new financial support offer for 2025/26.

    This means that weekly payments now vary from between £350 to £779 per child, depending on how old they are and their specific needs. There are also increased financial packages available for the ‘Step Forward’ fostering scheme, which supports children out of residential care.

    Foster for Plymouth is a not-for-profit fostering service which is part of Plymouth City Council.

    Councillor Jemima Laing, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, said: “Our foster carers do an absolutely incredible job looking after our children and young people who need a safe place to live. I’ve been fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with our carers and I know that none of them do this for the financial reward, but instead because they are genuinely motivated to care for children in need.

    “However, it’s really important that our foster carers are not out of pocket and that they are financially supported to be able to provide this vitally important role. This is why we’re committed to reviewing the financial support package every year and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to offer an uplift this year, as well as a number of other benefits.”

    As well as a weekly maintenance allowance and a reward payment for each child, extra financial support is provided for birthdays, holidays and celebrations such as Christmas.

    In recognition of feedback from foster carers, the new financial support package also includes an additional payment to be used towards birthday parties for children as well as a £200 prom allowance to help cover the costs of any clothing or attendance.

    There is also a new capital grant opportunity available to foster carers to help adapt their homes, either to meet the needs of a specific child or to increase the number of bedrooms they have so they can support more children.

    Foster for Plymouth carers may also be eligible for Council Tax discount or a full exemption. This applies to carers who live in other local authority areas as well as those living within the Plymouth City Council boundaries.

    In additional to the financial allowances, Foster for Plymouth carers also benefit from a range of support. This includes comprehensive training and development opportunities, regular social events, respite breaks, an online portal with useful information, peer support from other carers and a dedicated supporting social worker.

    There are currently more than 500 children in care in Plymouth, but not enough local foster homes available to support them. This means children sometimes have to live in residential care settings or live outside of the city, which can negatively impact their wellbeing by separating them from friends, family and trusted professionals.

    Foster for Plymouth is looking for more local adults who could consider becoming foster parents. To be a foster carer, you must be over the age of 21, have a spare room and be genuinely interested in the welfare of children and young people.

    There are less barriers to foster care then you may think, and it doesn’t matter whether you are:

    • single or in a relationship
    • a parent or have never had children
    • a pet owner
    • renting your home or a homeowner
    • employed, unemployed or retired
    • living with a disability.

    If you’re interested in finding out more, visit fosterforplymouth.co.uk, email [email protected] or call 01752 308762.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Free Parking at Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Patients, healthcare workers and other visitors to Nova Scotia hospitals and healthcare facilities no longer have to pay for on-site parking, effective Thursday, May 1.

    “We committed to eliminating fees for everyone parking at a Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health facility, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Premier Tim Houston. “I know people have been eager to see this change. Nova Scotians shouldn’t have to worry about parking fees when they’re sick and seeking healthcare or caring for our loved ones.”

    A ticket validation system will be implemented at some sites to ensure parking is used by patients, visitors, healthcare workers and staff; other parking facility users will have to pay to park. Specific details surrounding the free-parking initiative could vary or be adjusted across the province as each facility’s unique infrastructure and capacity limitations are more fully assessed.

    The total cost of free parking at healthcare facilities is approximately $19 million annually, included in Budget 2025-26.

    Quick Facts:

    • hospital foundations and other organizations that depend on parking fees for revenue will have any resulting shortfall covered by the provincial government
    • Nova Scotia Health has 97 parking lots across the province, of which 39 currently charge for parking
    • IWK Health has three parking garages, all at its main site on University Avenue in Halifax

    Additional Resources:

    A full list of investments is included in the Budget 2025-26 highlights documents available at: https://novascotia.ca/budget

    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Carolina Resident Sentenced in Connection With $1.4 Million Embezzlement and Identity Theft Scheme

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant and husband used fraudulently obtained funds for vacations, home renovations, pet expenses, and retail purchases.

    Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher sentenced Valerie Joseph, 61, of Murells Inlet, South Carolina, to 53 months in federal prison and 12 months of home detention. Joseph was convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in connection with a decade-long, $1.4 million embezzlement scheme. Judge Gallagher also ordered the defendant to pay $1.4 million in restitution.

    Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, announced the sentence with Special Agent in Charge William DelBagno of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Baltimore Field Office.

    Beginning in January 2011, at the latest, and continuing into August 2021, Joseph, and her husband Robin, conspired to defraud Victim Business l and Victim K.F. According to court documents, from 2003 until August 2021, Valerie Joseph served as a bookkeeper for Victim Business 1, a wholesale greenhouse and garden center owned by Victim K.F., located in Caroline County, Maryland.

    Valerie and Robin Joseph schemed to make unauthorized charges to three credit-card accounts —associated with Victim Business 1 and Victim K.F. — for personal gain. This included American Express and Capital One accounts, along with a Lowes/Synchrony financial account.

    Routinely, for more than a decade, Valerie and Robin Joseph used credit cards associated with the victims’ accounts to make numerous unauthorized purchases. The theft included unauthorized credit-card charges for $200,000-plus at Walmart; $53,000-plus to AT&T for personal phone bills; $30,000-plus at a Japanese steak and seafood restaurant; and $116,000-plus to PayPal. Valerie and Robin Joseph charged more than $90,000 to Easton Utilities for utility bills; $16,000 to Chesapeake College for tuition payments; $2,500 to the University of Hawaii for college expenses; and $3,800 for cosmetics.

    The couple also charged more than $195,000 to the Lowes Account. Several of the unauthorized Lowes account charges were to purchase materials and supplies to renovate their previous residence in Easton, Maryland.

    Additionally, Valerie and Robin Joseph paid for airline tickets, cruises, Airbnb expenses, and hundreds of retailor gift cards using the victims’ account. The couple also used the victims’ account to pay more than $33,000 in veterinary expenses and charged various items related to their pets, including high-end bird cages for their tropical birds.

    On April 25, 2025, Robin Joseph pled guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.  He is facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud conspiracy and a mandatory two years for aggravated identity theft.

    U.S. Attorney Hayes commended the FBI for its work in the investigation. Ms. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Riley who is prosecuting the federal case.

    For more information about the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to report fraud, visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: BATON ROUGE MAN SENTENCED TO 151 MONTHS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR BANK ROBBERY

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Acting United States Attorney April M. Leon announced that U.S. Chief Judge Shelly D. Dick sentenced Jonathan Wayne Lanaute, age 40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to 151 months in federal prison following his conviction for bank robbery. The Court further sentenced Lanaute to serve three years of supervised release following his term of imprisonment and ordered him to pay $20,000 in restitution.

    According to admissions made as part of his guilty plea, on the morning of May 3, 2024, Lanaute entered United Community Bank, located on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge, and stated that he needed to cash a check. He approached a counter and passed a handwritten note to the bank teller which stated, “give me all the money in the cash resgister [sic] before everybody die in here.” The teller, fearful of bodily harm, directed the bank’s computer to begin dispensing $100 bills. While waiting for the bills to be dispensed, Lanaute was fidgeting in his sweatshirt pockets as if he had a firearm. He told the teller to “hurry up, hurry up,” and not to make any moves.   

    The machine dispensed fifty $100 bills at a time and ran through four (4) cycles. When complete, Lanaute took the money from the teller and walked towards the bank to leave. Before exiting the building, he heard the machine continuing to dispense money and he returned to the teller counter to retrieve the additional bills before finally exiting the building with $20,000.   

    Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene and retrieved video footage from the bank’s surveillance system. The surveillance footage showed Lanaute entering the bank wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt and a black Saints baseball cap, and ultimately fleeing the scene in a dark colored sedan with a spoiler on the rear of the vehicle. Law enforcement identified the vehicle as a dark grey Mitsubishi Lancer which had been reported stolen during an armed robbery near the bank the previous night.   

    The vehicle was identified around the immediate area of United Community Bank and law enforcement visually confirmed the driver to be the same individual identified as the robber from the bank’s video surveillance. Officers attempted a traffic stop of the vehicle. Lanaute refused to stop and a vehicle pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, he drove the vehicle into ongoing traffic, ran another motorist off the road, and drove in the wrong direction on the interstate. The pursuit of the vehicle ended when the driver crashed head-on into an innocent motorist on the interstate.

    After the crash, Lanaute fled on foot. Following a short foot pursuit, he was apprehended and taken into custody. Lanaute was wearing the same clothing as seen in the bank’s video surveillance.  Approximately $8,207.89 was recovered from his person.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office, and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kristen Lundin Craig.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduras Man Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced for Illegal Reentry

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A Honduras resident pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of illegal reentry of a removed alien and was sentenced to time served of approximately 92 days of imprisonment on his conviction, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Senior United States District Judge Nora Barry Fischer imposed the sentence on Luis Fernando Diaz-Garcia, 27, on April 29, 2025.

    According to information presented to the Court, Diaz-Garcia was arrested by the Pennsylvania State Police and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol as well as other traffic violations, including driving without a license, after he allegedly nearly side-swiped a marked police vehicle, charges which remain pending. Following this encounter, immigration officials determined that Diaz-Garcia was illegally present in the United States and arrested him on January 27, 2025. Diaz-Garcia was previously removed from the United States on November 13, 2019, and had not received the required permission to be in the United States. Diaz-Garcia has been in federal custody since his January arrest on the illegal reentry charge, and will be returned to immigration custody.

    Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca L. Silinski prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Diaz-Garcia.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, combat illegal immigration, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Inellas Restoration Center Receives the SBB Research Group Foundation Grant

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Inellas Restoration Center received a $5,000 grant from the SBB Research Group Foundation, which awards monthly grants to support impactful organizations. 

    Inellas Restoration Center (IRC), based in River Forest, IL, is dedicated to empowering women and children who have survived domestic violence by providing safety, healing, and long-term support. Through specialized programs and advocacy, the nonprofit works to break the cycle of abuse and help survivors rebuild their lives with stability and independence.

    IRC Founder and Executive Director Remona Sanders shares, “This organization was created to fill a critical gap in support for those impacted by domestic violence. Too often, individuals facing these challenges struggle to find the resources they need. Our mission is to ensure that help is accessible, compassionate, and empowering for anyone affected.”

    With a survivor-centered approach, IRC offers comprehensive services to address the urgent and long-term needs of those impacted by domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention program provides crisis intervention, legal advocacy, counseling, and support groups to help survivors regain control and achieve self-sufficiency. Recognizing the importance of education and early prevention, the Teen Healthy Relationship Program teaches young people about consent, conflict resolution, and the foundations of healthy relationships. Additionally, the Partner Abuse Intervention Program works with individuals who have perpetrated domestic violence, fostering accountability and behavioral change.

    To further support survivors on their path to independence, IRC is launching the Transitional Housing Program, which will provide safe, stable housing along with financial literacy training, legal advocacy, tutoring, and case management. Survivors who do not require emergency shelter will still have access to specialized domestic violence services, including housing referrals, trauma-informed counseling, and community resources.
    By addressing the immediate and long-term needs of survivors, IRC continues to provide a pathway to safety, empowerment, and lasting change.

    “We are honored to support Inellas Restoration Center as they provide life-changing resources and compassionate care to survivors of domestic violence,” said Matt Aven, co-founder and board member of the SBB Research Group Foundation.

    About the SBB Research Group Foundation 

    The SBB Research Group Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that furthers the philanthropic mission of SBB Research Group LLC (SBBRG), a Chicago-based investment management firm led by Sam Barnett, Ph.D., and Matt Aven. The Foundation provides grants to support ambitious organizations solving unmet needs with thoughtful, long-term strategies. In addition, the Foundation sponsors the SBBRG STEM Scholarship, which supports students pursuing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. 

    Contact: Erin Noonan 
    Organization: SBB Research Group Foundation 
    Email: grants@sbbrg.org 
    Address: 450 Skokie Blvd, Building 600, Northbrook, IL 60062, United States 
    Phone: 1-847-656-1111 
    Website: https://www.sbbrg.org 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia and Congresswoman Lisa McClain Introduce Bipartisan “Common Cents Act” to Eliminate the Penny

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Congresswoman Lisa McClain (MI-09) introduced the Common Cents Act to end the minting of the penny and require cash transactions to be rounded up or down to the nearest five cents. Full text of the bill can be found here. 

    “It doesn’t make sense to continue producing the penny, which costs three times more than it’s worth to create and distribute,” said Congressman Garcia. “As the cost of living continues to rise and with more folks tapping their phones or cards for payment, we shouldn’t be pouring millions of taxpayer dollars into a coin that is rarely used. By halting production, we would actually cut waste and boost efficiency in a common-sense way.”

    “Pennies are a waste of taxpayer dollars. It doesn’t make sense to spend millions each year minting coins that so few people actually use. President Trump’s common-sense idea should become law. We are taking a decisive step toward fiscal responsibility and updating our currency for the 21st century,” said Congresswoman McClain.

    The bill would take effect one year after its enactment and follows the successful elimination of one-cent coins in several other countries, including Australia and Canada. Additionally, a final decision on whether the U.S. Mint will cease production of the penny is currently pending. Non-cash transactions, such as credit card, debit card, mobile phone payments, and checks, would not be affected. The cost of producing a penny is roughly 3.7 times its face value, driven by rising metal prices. By eliminating the penny, this bill aims to reduce unnecessary costs, save taxpayer money, and streamline the U.S. currency system, eliminating waste and making it more efficient for both consumers and businesses.

    Congressman Garcia is dedicated to eliminating waste, improving government efficiency, and saving taxpayer dollars. On the Oversight Committee, Congressman Garcia works to ensure all government operations are effective and streamlined. Last Congress, two of Congressman Garcia’s bipartisan bills, the Eliminate Useless Reports Act and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Inspector General Parity Act aimed at improving government efficiency were signed into law, which will save taxpayer dollars and promote more accountable government operations. Congressman Garcia previously introduced the FLASH Act (Fast-Track Logistics for Acquiring Supplies in a Hurry Act) to streamline procurement processes within the Department of Health and Human Services during emergencies. This legislation would eliminate waste, reduce delays, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars while streamlining access to essential resources.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Statement on Democrats Winning, Trump Losing in the First 100 Days

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) released the following statement on Trump’s first 100 days in his second term:

    “In just 100 days, we have witnessed the Trump Administration unleash economic turmoil, global embarrassment, and a full-scale assault on our federal government. But across the country, we have also seen a powerful shift as the American people–including Trump voters–reject this disastrous and diabolical agenda. 

    “Democrats have led the charge in the courts, Congress, and our communities. We’ve supported over 220 lawsuits against the administration, winning more times than not. We’ve introduced common-sense legislation to reclaim Congress’ oversight authority and have flipped the script in hearings to demand answers from those in power. While Republicans have run from their constituents, Democrats have run into our districts to hear from those we serve.

    “In these challenging times, I find hope in the voices of young people demanding better from their leaders. I draw inspiration from the democracy-loving Americans rallying at federal buildings to support federal workers, the constitution, and vital services like Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare. And I am encouraged that—even with the odds stacked against us—we have blocked some of the most harmful proposals from this administration.

    “The next 100 days and beyond won’t be easy. But, together, we will keep fighting for what’s right—and we will keep winning.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: AB Šiaulių bankas new share buyback program approved

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    On April 30, 2025, the Management Board of AB Šiaulių bankas (the Bank), implementing the decision of the Bank’s ordinary general meeting of shareholders of March 31, 2025, decided to approve the Bank’s share (ISIN code LT0000102253) buyback program, the sole purpose of which is to reduce the Bank’s capital.

    The shares will be purchased by the Bank by placing orders on the Nasdaq Vilnius regulated market under the following conditions and schedule:

    ·         the maximum purchase price per share shall not exceed the higher of the following prices:

    o   the last independent trading price and

    o   the highest independent bid price for a specific transaction on the trading venue where the shares are acquired (Nasdaq Vilnius).

    ·         Start of share buyback: May 5, 2025.

    ·         End of share buyback: June 27, 2025.

    ·       Share purchase schedule – up to 100,000 shares on each trading day of the regulated market.

    ·         Maximum number of shares to be purchased during the program – 2,652,251 shares.

    “Our commitment to our shareholders is to ensure a return of at least 20%, and we are continuing our active efforts to achieve this goal. We have again chosen to implement a share buyback program on the open market, as this method together increases the liquidity of the shares on the stock exchange,” says Tomas Varenbergas, Member of the Bank’s Management Board and Head of the Investment Management Division.

    On the first business day of each calendar week, the Bank will publish information on the transactions carried out during the previous calendar week.

    This share buyback program will be carried out in accordance with the “safe harbor” requirements set out in Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on market abuse, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No. 2016/1052 of the European Commission supplementing Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to regulatory technical standards on conditions for buy-back programs and stabilization measures, Articles 2-4, and other applicable legal provisions.

    On August 15, 2024, the Bank received permission from the European Central Bank (ECB) to repurchase up to 13,745,114 of its own shares, of which the Bank has already acquired 11,092,863.

    Additional information:

    Tomas Varenbergas

    Head of Investment Management

    tomas.varenbergas@sb.lt, +370 610 44447

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Western Communities Foundation Celebrates 20th Anniversary of National Walk and Announces New Theme Focusing on Safe Places

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HIGH RIVER, Alberta, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Western Financial Group Communities Foundation is proud to announce the 20th anniversary of its national charity walk, taking place from May 19-24, 2025. This milestone event marks two decades of dedicated efforts to support local communities across Canada with over $1 million donated to local initiatives, funding playgrounds, awarding scholarships, and transforming community spaces since its inception in 2005. This also marks a new chapter of Western’s journey and commitment to caring for communities with a new focus on Safe Places.

    Previously known as the National Walk to Support the Cause, this year’s event has been rebranded as the National Walk for Safe Places. “In a world facing increasing climate disasters, geopolitical uncertainties, rising food and housing costs, and mental health challenges, creating strong, inclusive, and resilient communities is more important than ever,” said Grant Ostir, CEO of Western Financial Group and Foundation Board President. “As a proudly Canadian company, we know the value of feeling safe and secure.”

    From May 19-24, thousands of Western team members, neighbours, and partners will walk together in over 150 communities to support creating safe places to live, play and work. This powerful act of unity highlights the importance of coming together not just as colleagues, but as Canadians who care about their hometowns.

    “Our new focus on building safe places underscores our commitment to caring for and empowering our communities,” said Nancy Green-Bolton, Western Communities Foundation Board Chair and Western Financial Group Chief Operating Officer. “We believe that by building resilient neighbourhoods, we allow our diverse communities to thrive and succeed.”

    As part of the celebrations, Western will donate $10,000 to local charities through its #StepUpAndShare Photowalk Challenge. Between May 1-24, participants are encouraged to share photos of their walking shoes or their neighbourhoods on social media using hashtag #StepUpAndShare, tagging their favourite charity. Each post enters the participant for a chance to win a $1,000 donation for their charity, terms apply. Ten winners will be announced on May 27. Participants are encouraged to visit westerngives.ca and follow along on Western’s social media pages for updates.

    “This is a remarkable opportunity to engage communities from coast to coast and showcase the powerful impact of walking together for a purpose that is both relevant and timely,” shared Michelle Mak, Director of Western Communities Foundation, “What started as a walk with just over 200 people has grown into a nationwide initiative over the past 20 years, inspiring thousands. I’m proud to be a part of a company that’s dedicated to investing in a better, brighter future for everyone.”

    Western Financial Group Communities Foundation

    Founded in 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation serves to give back to the communities where Western employees live, work and play, and foster employee pride and engagement. The Foundation’s core donation programs include community Infrastructure Grants, the Western Inspirational Awards for graduating high school students, and the Matching Grants Program. Since its inception, the Western Communities Foundation has granted more than $9 million to support local communities.

    About Western Financial Group Inc.

    Headquartered in High River, Alberta, Western Financial Group is a diversified insurance services company that has provided over one million Canadians with protection for over 100 years. Western is committed to community service, customer service, innovation, growth, and people while providing personal and business insurance through our engaged team of over 2,000 people in over 200 communities, affiliates, and various connected channels.

    Since the very beginning, supporting our local communities has guided everything we do—it’s who we are. In 2001, the Western Financial Group Communities Foundation (our non-profit charity) was created as a way for our team members to give back and positively impact the people and pride in the places where we live, work, and play. To date, we have granted over $9 million back into our communities.

    Western Financial Group is a subsidiary of Trimont Financial Ltd., a subsidiary of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company. Visit https://westernfinancialgroup.ca for more.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d47e661a-c3eb-4b76-b04b-bc2881e79a13

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Deer Lake  — Excessive speeder ticketed by RCMP Traffic Services West

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 33-year-old man was stopped for excessive speeding by Traffic Services West on Monday.

    On April 28, 2025, police observed a vehicle travelling at speeds up to 164 km/hr in a 100 km/h zone on the Trans Canada Highway near Hampden Junction. The driver’s speed was locked in at 159km/hr. A traffic stop was conducted and the driver was ticketed for excessive speeding. His license was suspended and the vehicle was impounded.

    RCMP NL continues to fill its mandate to protect public safety, enforce the law and ensure the delivery of priority policing services in Newfoundland and Labrador. We thank the public for continuing to report incidents of excessive speed, dangerous driving and crimes within their communities.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: NextNRG Expands Services into Oklahoma

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MIAMI, April 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — NextNRG, Inc. (“NextNRG” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: NXXT), a pioneer in AI-driven energy innovation—transforming how energy is produced, managed, and delivered through its advanced Utility Operating System, smart microgrid technology, wireless EV charging, and on-demand mobile fuel delivery solutions— today announced the expansion of its mobile fueling operations into Oklahoma, further extending its national footprint and advancing its recurring revenue strategy.

    Initial operations in Oklahoma will begin with servicing one of the nation’s largest in-house fleet operators under a long-term agreement. The Company expects to build on this foundation by expanding services to additional national accounts and opening new markets across the state.

    NextNRG believes that Oklahoma’s expanding infrastructure and logistics sectors represent a significant opportunity for mobile fueling services. With more than $9 billion in planned construction through 2030, a high concentration of fleet-reliant industries, and its role as a national freight and energy corridor, the state aligns well with NextNRG’s customer profile and operating model.

    “Oklahoma represents a strong entry point as we expand fueling services for one of the largest in-house fleet operators in the U.S.,” said Michael D. Farkas, Founder and CEO of NextNRG. “This launch not only supports an existing customer relationship under a long-term agreement, but also provides a foundation for broader growth across the state as we scale with additional national partners and open new markets in the region.”

    NextNRG’s direct-to-site fueling services are currently active in several states, including Florida, Texas, California, Tennessee, Michigan and Arizona. The Company provides centralized account management, on-demand scheduling and secure tracking tools through its proprietary customer interface.

    About NextNRG, Inc.
    NextNRG, Inc. (NextNRG) is Powering What’s Next by implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into renewable energy, next-generation energy infrastructure, battery storage, wireless electric vehicle (EV) charging and on-demand mobile fuel delivery to create an integrated ecosystem.

    At the core of NextNRG’s strategy is its Utility Operating System, which leverages AI and ML to help make existing utilities’ energy management as efficient as possible; and the deployment of NextNRG smart microgrids, which utilize AI-driven energy management alongside solar power and battery storage to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs and improve grid resiliency. These microgrids are designed to serve commercial properties, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, parking garages, rural and tribal lands, recreational facilities and government properties, expanding energy accessibility while supporting decarbonization initiatives.

    NextNRG continues to expand its growing fleet of fuel delivery trucks and national footprint, including the acquisition of Yoshi Mobility’s fuel division and Shell Oil’s trucks, further solidifying its position as a leader in the on-demand fueling industry. NextNRG is also integrating sustainable energy solutions into its mobile fueling operations. The company hopes to be an integral part of assisting its fleet customers in their transition to EV, supporting more efficient fuel delivery while advancing clean energy adoption. The transition process is expected to include the deployment of NextNRG’s innovative wireless EV charging solutions.

    To find out more, visit: www.nextnrg.com

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statement describing NextNRG’s goals, expectations, financial or other projections, intentions, or beliefs is a forward-looking statement and should be considered an at-risk statement. Words such as “expect,” “intends,” “will,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those related to NextNRG’s business and macroeconomic and geopolitical events. These and other risks are described in NextNRG’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. NextNRG’s forward-looking statements involve assumptions that, if they never materialize or prove correct, could cause its results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although NextNRG’s forward-looking statements reflect the good faith judgment of its management, these statements are based only on facts and factors currently known by NextNRG. Except as required by law, NextNRG undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason. As a result, you are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements.

    Investor Relations Contact
    NextNRG, Inc.
    Sharon Cohen
    SCohen@nextnrg.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amal Elawady, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University

    A downburst blasts Bangkok, Thailand, in 2017. Natapat Ariyamongkol/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    From a distance, a downburst can look like a torrent of heavy rain. But at ground level, its behavior can be far more destructive.

    When a downburst’s winds hit the ground, they shoot out horizontally in all directions, sometimes with enough force to shatter windows and overturn vehicles.

    These winds behave in complicated ways, particularly in cities, as our latest research shows. Downburst winds can deflect off tall buildings, increasing the pressure on neighboring buildings’ windows and walls. The result can blow out glass and chip off facade. Even buildings designed to survive hurricanes can suffer major damage in a downburst.

    As engineers, we study downbursts with the goal of designing buildings, components such as solar panels and windows, and infrastructure such as power lines that can stand up to that powerful force. To do this, informed by field measurements, we create our own powerful downbursts using a hurricane simulator known as the Wall of Wind at Florida International University.

    An illustration of how the winds of a downburst fan out in open space. In a city with tall buildings, the wind can deflect off buildings, causing damage in unexpected ways.
    NASA/Wikimedia Commons

    What is a downburst?

    Downbursts can be as destructive as tornadoes, but their winds develop in a very different way.

    A downburst forms when a thunderstorm pulls cooler, heavier air down from high in the atmosphere. As this rain-cooled air rushes downward, it gains speed. Once it slams into the ground, it has nowhere to go but outward, sending strong winds in all horizontal directions.

    Dust in the air shows the curling rotation of a downburst’s winds.
    NOAA

    The wind speed in a downburst can reach over 150 miles per hour. That’s the strength of a Category 4 hurricane and strong enough to knock down trees and power lines, damage buildings and flip vehicles.

    These winds also rotate, but not in the same way tornadoes do. Downburst winds are typically considered straight-line winds, but they rotate around a horizontal axis as the wind curls upward after hitting the ground. Tornadoes, in contrast, spin around a vertical axis.

    Powerful storm systems known as derechos are often made up of multiple downburst clusters, each containing many smaller downbursts, sometimes called microbursts.

    Recreating Houston’s downburst in a warehouse

    On May 16, 2024, a derecho hit Houston with a downburst that was so strong, it blew out windows in several high-rise buildings that had been built to survive Category 4 hurricanes. The winds also pried off chunks of buildings’ facades.

    Two months later, Hurricane Beryl hit Houston with similar wind speeds, yet it left minimal damage to the downtown buildings.

    When a downburst hit downtown Houston on May 16, 2024, it shattered windows on some sides of buildings but not others, and not always in the line of the storm. The damage offered clues to how downbursts interact with tall buildings.
    Cécile Clocheret/AFP via Getty Images

    To understand how a downburst like this can be so much more destructive – and what cities and building designers can do about it – we simulated both the Houston downburst winds and Hurricane Beryl’s winds in the Wall of Wind.

    The test facility is equipped with a dozen jet fans, each almost as tall as the workers who run them and powerful enough to simulate a Category 5 hurricane. Our team used these fans to recreate powerful downburst winds that hit horizontally with the maximum wind speeds near ground level. Then, we put several models of buildings to the test to see how roofs, windows, facades and the structures of power lines reacted under that force.

    How the Wall of Wind’s fans mimic a downburst’s horizontal force.

    In the Houston derecho, a downburst hit downtown with 100 mph winds. It cracked some lower windows, likely with blowing debris, but it also caused widespread unexpected damage midway up some of the buildings.

    The Chevron Building Auditorium actually suffered the most damage on a side that wasn’t directly in the line of the storm but was facing another tall building. That left some intriguing questions. It suggested that the way the buildings channel the wind may have created a strong suction that blew out windows midway up the tower. Another burning question is whether building design codes are outdated when it comes to how well their cladding can stand up to these localized winds.

    Using the Wall of Wind, we were able to test those pressures on models of the Houston buildings and see how downburst winds increased the pressured on a tall building model with excessive forces near the ground level.

    The ability to simulate these winds is important for improving engineers’ understanding of the differences in how downbursts and other wind events exert force on buildings. The results ultimately inform building standards to help create more resilient and better-protected communities.

    Building better power lines

    Big storms, like downbursts, can also take down power lines.

    Power lines extend hundreds of miles between cities and states, making them more susceptible to a hit from a localized severe storm, such as a downburst. If one of the towers falls, it can cause a chain reaction, like dominoes falling one after another. That can knock out power for large numbers of people.

    The derecho that hit Houston with a downburst also crumpled transmission towers in Texas.
    AP Photo/David J. Phillip

    With colleagues, we have been testing transmission towers and multispan power-line systems under downburst and hurricane winds to understand how these structures respond, with the goal of developing better construction techniques. That work has helped to update the American manual for the design of power lines, which engineers use for designing safer, more storm-resilient transmission towers.

    What’s next

    Low-rise and mid-rise buildings are also vulnerable to downbursts, but the effects are less well understood. Downburst winds are most intense between 10 and 300 feet above the ground, meaning the roofs and walls of some low-rises can be hit with intense horizontal wind.

    Recent building codes have offered design guidelines to help ensure these buildings can withstand tornadoes. However, the way downbursts rotate in a short time around a building or a community of buildings puts pressure on the walls and the roof in different ways. Similar to straight-line winds, we expect high suction on the roof. Due to their short duration, varying wind direction and intense wind speed, downbursts may also cause excessive vibrations and varying pressure distribution on the roof components.

    How microbursts form.

    We’re now testing downburst damage to low- and mid-rise buildings to better understand the risks and help highlight changes that can make buildings more resilient.

    As populations grow, cities are adding more buildings. At the same time, powerful storms are becoming more frequent and more intense. Understanding the effects of different types of storms will help engineers construct high-rises, low-rises and power lines that are better able to withstand extreme weather.

    Amal Elawady receives funding from the National Science Foundation.

    Fahim Ahmed, Mohamed Eissa, and Omar Metwally do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-downburst-these-winds-can-be-as-destructive-as-tornadoes-we-recreate-them-to-test-building-designs-254931

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Bees, fish and plants show how climate change’s accelerating pace is disrupting nature in 2 key ways

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Courtney McGinnis, Professor of Biology, Medical Sciences and Environmental Sciences, Quinnipiac University

    A bee enjoys lunch on a flower in Hillsboro, Ore. HIllsboro Parks & Rec, CC BY-NC-ND

    The problem with climate change isn’t just the temperature – it’s also how fast the climate is changing today.

    Historically, Earth’s climate changes have generally happened over thousands to millions of years. Today, global temperatures are increasing by about 0.36 degrees Fahrenheit (0.2 degrees Celsius) per decade.

    Imagine a car speeding up. Over time, human activities such as burning fossil fuels have increased the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the Sun. This is like pressing the gas pedal. The faster the driver adds gas, the faster the car goes.

    The 21st century has seen a dramatic acceleration in the rate of climate change, with global temperatures rising more than three times faster than in the previous century.

    The faster pace and higher temperatures are changing habitat ranges for plants and animals. In some regions, the pace of change is also throwing off the delicate timing of pollination, putting plants and pollinators such as bees at risk.

    Some species are already migrating

    Most plant and animal species can tolerate or at least recover from short-term changes in climate, such as a heat wave. When the changes last longer, however, organisms may need to migrate into new areas to adapt for survival.

    Some species are already moving toward higher latitudes and altitudes with cooler temperatures, altering their geographic territory to stay within their optimal climate. Fish populations, for example, have shifted toward the poles as ocean temperatures have risen.

    Pollinators such as bees can also shift their ranges.

    Bumblebees, for example, are adapted for cooler regions because of their fuzzy bodies. Some bumblebee populations have been disappearing from the southern parts of their geographic range and have been found in cooler regions to the north and in more mountainous areas. That could increase competition with existing bumblebee populations.

    Plants and pollinators can get out of sync

    Plants and their pollinators face another problem as the rate of climate change increases: Many plants rely on insects and other animals for seed and pollen dispersal.

    Much of that pollen dispersal is accomplished by native pollinators. About 75% of plant species in North America require an insect pollinator – bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, wasps, birds and bats. In fact, 1 in 3 bites of food you eat depend on a pollinator, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    So, even if a species successfully migrates into a new territory, it can face a mismatch of pollination timing. This is known as phenological mismatch.

    Monarch butterflies migrate each year and rely on plants blooming along their path to provide food.
    Clint Wirick/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    During the winter, insects go into a hibernation known as diapause, migrate or take up shelter underground, under rocks or in leaf litter. These insect pollinators use temperature and daylight length as cues for when to emerge or when to migrate to their spring and summer habitats.

    As the rate of climate change increases, the chances of a timing mismatch between pollinators and the plants they pollinate rise.

    With an increase in temperature, many plants are blooming earlier in the spring. If bees or other pollinators emerge at their “normal” time, flowers may already be blooming, reducing their chance for pollination.

    If pollinators emerge too early, they may struggle to survive if their normal food sources are not yet available. Native bees, for example, rely on pollen for much of the protein they need for growing and thriving.

    Wild bees are emerging earlier

    This kind of shift in timing is already happening with bees in the U.S.

    Studies have shown that the date wild bees emerge in the U.S. has shifted by 10.4 days earlier over the past 130 years, and the pace is accelerating.

    One study found wild bees across species have been changing their phenology, or timing of seasonal activities, and over the past 50 years the emergence date is four times faster. That means wild bees were emerging roughly eight days earlier in 2020 than they did in 1970.

    A bee pollinates an almond tree in an orchard.
    David Kosling/U.S. Department of Agriculture, CC BY

    This trend of earlier emergence is generally consistent across organisms with the accelerating rate of climate change. If the timing mismatches continue to worsen, it could exacerbate the decline of pollinator populations and result in inadequate pollination for plants that rely on them.

    Pollinator decline and inadequate pollination already account for a 3% to 5% decline in global fruit, vegetable, spice and nut production annually, a recent study found.

    Without pollinators, ecosystems are less resilient − they are unable to absorb disturbances such as wildfires, adapt to changes, and recover from environmental stressors such as pollution, drought or floods.

    Managing climate change

    Pollinators face many other risks from human activities, including habitat loss from development and harm from pesticide use. Climate change adds to that list.

    Taking steps to reduce the activities driving global warming can help keep these species thriving and carrying out their roles in nature into the future.

    Courtney McGinnis is affiliated with You Got This Kid Leadership Foundation. She receives funding from Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

    – ref. Bees, fish and plants show how climate change’s accelerating pace is disrupting nature in 2 key ways – https://theconversation.com/bees-fish-and-plants-show-how-climate-changes-accelerating-pace-is-disrupting-nature-in-2-key-ways-255384

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amal Elawady, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University

    A downburst blasts Bangkok, Thailand, in 2017. Natapat Ariyamongkol/iStock/Getty Images Plus

    From a distance, a downburst can look like a torrent of heavy rain. But at ground level, its behavior can be far more destructive.

    When a downburst’s winds hit the ground, they shoot out horizontally in all directions, sometimes with enough force to shatter windows and overturn vehicles.

    These winds behave in complicated ways, particularly in cities, as our latest research shows. Downburst winds can deflect off tall buildings, increasing the pressure on neighboring buildings’ windows and walls. The result can blow out glass and chip off facade. Even buildings designed to survive hurricanes can suffer major damage in a downburst.

    As engineers, we study downbursts with the goal of designing buildings, components such as solar panels and windows, and infrastructure such as power lines that can stand up to that powerful force. To do this, informed by field measurements, we create our own powerful downbursts using a hurricane simulator known as the Wall of Wind at Florida International University.

    An illustration of how the winds of a downburst fan out in open space. In a city with tall buildings, the wind can deflect off buildings, causing damage in unexpected ways.
    NASA/Wikimedia Commons

    What is a downburst?

    Downbursts can be as destructive as tornadoes, but their winds develop in a very different way.

    A downburst forms when a thunderstorm pulls cooler, heavier air down from high in the atmosphere. As this rain-cooled air rushes downward, it gains speed. Once it slams into the ground, it has nowhere to go but outward, sending strong winds in all horizontal directions.

    Dust in the air shows the curling rotation of a downburst’s winds.
    NOAA

    The wind speed in a downburst can reach over 150 miles per hour. That’s the strength of a Category 4 hurricane and strong enough to knock down trees and power lines, damage buildings and flip vehicles.

    These winds also rotate, but not in the same way tornadoes do. Downburst winds are typically considered straight-line winds, but they rotate around a horizontal axis as the wind curls upward after hitting the ground. Tornadoes, in contrast, spin around a vertical axis.

    Powerful storm systems known as derechos are often made up of multiple downburst clusters, each containing many smaller downbursts, sometimes called microbursts.

    Recreating Houston’s downburst in a warehouse

    On May 16, 2024, a derecho hit Houston with a downburst that was so strong, it blew out windows in several high-rise buildings that had been built to survive Category 4 hurricanes. The winds also pried off chunks of buildings’ facades.

    Two months later, Hurricane Beryl hit Houston with similar wind speeds, yet it left minimal damage to the downtown buildings.

    When a downburst hit downtown Houston on May 16, 2024, it shattered windows on some sides of buildings but not others, and not always in the line of the storm. The damage offered clues to how downbursts interact with tall buildings.
    Cécile Clocheret/AFP via Getty Images

    To understand how a downburst like this can be so much more destructive – and what cities and building designers can do about it – we simulated both the Houston downburst winds and Hurricane Beryl’s winds in the Wall of Wind.

    The test facility is equipped with a dozen jet fans, each almost as tall as the workers who run them and powerful enough to simulate a Category 5 hurricane. Our team used these fans to recreate powerful downburst winds that hit horizontally with the maximum wind speeds near ground level. Then, we put several models of buildings to the test to see how roofs, windows, facades and the structures of power lines reacted under that force.

    How the Wall of Wind’s fans mimic a downburst’s horizontal force.

    In the Houston derecho, a downburst hit downtown with 100 mph winds. It cracked some lower windows, likely with blowing debris, but it also caused widespread unexpected damage midway up some of the buildings.

    The Chevron Building Auditorium actually suffered the most damage on a side that wasn’t directly in the line of the storm but was facing another tall building. That left some intriguing questions. It suggested that the way the buildings channel the wind may have created a strong suction that blew out windows midway up the tower. Another burning question is whether building design codes are outdated when it comes to how well their cladding can stand up to these localized winds.

    Using the Wall of Wind, we were able to test those pressures on models of the Houston buildings and see how downburst winds increased the pressured on a tall building model with excessive forces near the ground level.

    The ability to simulate these winds is important for improving engineers’ understanding of the differences in how downbursts and other wind events exert force on buildings. The results ultimately inform building standards to help create more resilient and better-protected communities.

    Building better power lines

    Big storms, like downbursts, can also take down power lines.

    Power lines extend hundreds of miles between cities and states, making them more susceptible to a hit from a localized severe storm, such as a downburst. If one of the towers falls, it can cause a chain reaction, like dominoes falling one after another. That can knock out power for large numbers of people.

    The derecho that hit Houston with a downburst also crumpled transmission towers in Texas.
    AP Photo/David J. Phillip

    With colleagues, we have been testing transmission towers and multispan power-line systems under downburst and hurricane winds to understand how these structures respond, with the goal of developing better construction techniques. That work has helped to update the American manual for the design of power lines, which engineers use for designing safer, more storm-resilient transmission towers.

    What’s next

    Low-rise and mid-rise buildings are also vulnerable to downbursts, but the effects are less well understood. Downburst winds are most intense between 10 and 300 feet above the ground, meaning the roofs and walls of some low-rises can be hit with intense horizontal wind.

    Recent building codes have offered design guidelines to help ensure these buildings can withstand tornadoes. However, the way downbursts rotate in a short time around a building or a community of buildings puts pressure on the walls and the roof in different ways. Similar to straight-line winds, we expect high suction on the roof. Due to their short duration, varying wind direction and intense wind speed, downbursts may also cause excessive vibrations and varying pressure distribution on the roof components.

    How microbursts form.

    We’re now testing downburst damage to low- and mid-rise buildings to better understand the risks and help highlight changes that can make buildings more resilient.

    As populations grow, cities are adding more buildings. At the same time, powerful storms are becoming more frequent and more intense. Understanding the effects of different types of storms will help engineers construct high-rises, low-rises and power lines that are better able to withstand extreme weather.

    Amal Elawady receives funding from the National Science Foundation.

    Fahim Ahmed, Mohamed Eissa, and Omar Metwally do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. What is a downburst? These winds can be as destructive as tornadoes − we recreate them to test building designs – https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-downburst-these-winds-can-be-as-destructive-as-tornadoes-we-recreate-them-to-test-building-designs-254931

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Agreeing to disagree’ is hurting your relationships – here’s what to do instead

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Lisa Pavia-Higel, Assistant Teaching Professor of English and Technical Communication, Missouri University of Science and Technology

    Conversational tools like ‘looping’ and ‘reframing’ can help move a conversation away from confrontation. Candra Ritonga/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    As Americans become more polarized, even family dinners can feel fraught, surfacing differences that could spark out-and-out conflict. Tense conversations often end with a familiar refrain: “Let’s just drop it.”

    As a communications educator and trainer, I am frequently asked how to handle these conversations, especially when they involve social and political issues. One piece of advice I give is that “agree to disagree,” or any other phrase that politely stands in for “stop talking,” will not restore harmony. Not only that, but it could also do permanent harm to those important family bonds.

    ‘No-go’ topics

    Conversation is the currency of relationships. When families talk about anything – from “What are your top five favorite movies?” to “What possessed you to load the dishwasher like that?” – they are not just exchanging information. They are building trust and creating a shared story that deepens the relationships within the family unit.

    According to communication researcher Mark L. Knapp’s model of relationship development, all relationships have a life cycle. People come together and solidify their connection through five stages, from “initiation” to “bonding.” But many relationships eventually come apart, going through five stages of breakdown.

    Mark L. Knapp’s model breaks relationships into 10 stages.

    No relationship is as linear as the model assumes, but it can help pinpoint potential danger zones – moments when a bond is at risk of coming apart. One stage, in particular, illustrates why avoiding these hard conversations is so dangerous: “circumscribing.”

    Imagine circumscribing topics of conservation with yellow police tape around them – topics that almost instantly trigger conflict. Having a few of these “no-go” topics in a relationship probably will not doom a marriage or cause family estrangement. However, marking too many ideas as off-limits makes it easier for people to avoid conversation altogether.

    Circumscribing is one of the “coming apart” stages in Knapp’s model. If problems aren’t addressed, a relationship can keep sliding down the slope toward the last stage: termination.

    We need to talk

    Sadly, this estrangement from loved ones is not a theoretical problem. In a 2022 poll of 11,000 Americans, more than 1 in 4 people reported that they were now estranged from close family.

    What’s more, these relationships are not always replaced by other close ties. About half of Americans say they only have three or fewer close friends. In 2023, then-Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared widespread loneliness and isolation an “epidemic.”

    Social connection is a basic human need. Relationships do more than provide support; they play a key role in how people define themselves. According to psychology’s “social penetration theory,” conversation with close family and loved ones deepens relationships while helping people learn to articulate their deepest values.

    So if “agree to disagree” is not the answer, what is?

    There is no one-time process that will fix all conflict over the course of a family dinner. These techniques take time, patience and compassion – all things that can be in short supply amid conflict. However, there are two techniques I not only recommend to others, but I use in my own conflicts: “looping for understanding” and “reframe and pivot.”

    Getting in the loop

    Looping, which was originally developed for legal mediation, helps both people in a conversation understand each other. Feeling misunderstood tends to escalate conflict, so this is a great starting place.

    During a “loop,” each person uses active listening, meaning they pay careful attention to what their partner is saying without judgment or interruptions. Then the listener shows their understanding by using what’s called “empathic paraphrase”: restating what they heard from the speaker, but also what emotions they perceived. Finally, they ask the original speaker for confirmation.

    That might sound something like this:

    So if I understand what you are saying, you think that people should not have to get a flu shot at your office because you are not sure if it’s effective, and you’re frustrated that you are being told what to do by your company. Do I have that right?

    If the speaker says no, then the listener “loops” by asking them to explain what they got wrong, and tries to paraphrase again. The participants keep looping until the answer to “Did I get that right?” is an emphatic “yes.” This practice ensures that both people are sure of the actual issue at hand.

    Looping has other benefits, too. In one study, emphatic paraphrasing not only made participants less anxious but also made the speaker see the paraphraser in a more positive light. Feeling fully heard and understood can go a long way to turning down the heat on difficult conversations.

    The goal of ‘looping’ is to make sure you understand the other person’s perspective – and the real issue at stake.
    FG Trade/E+ via Getty Images

    Framing common ground

    However, that understanding may not be enough. Once both parties understand each other, another technique, “reframing,” can help pivot the conversation away from confrontation and move toward resolution.

    In reframing, the speakers find and discuss a single point of agreement. By emphasizing what they agree about, instead of what they disagree about, they look for a starting place to tackle the problem together, instead of facing off.

    For example:

    I think you and I can both agree that we want to keep the family safe. However, I think we disagree about what role having a gun in the house would play in that safety. Is that right?

    Finding a point of agreement is not always possible. However, this reframing presents both communicators as having a key shared value – a starting place for a more constructive discussion. Reframing also moves the conversation away from inflammatory language that could automatically reignite the fight. `

    No magic bullet

    No technique will ever be a perfect, one-size-fits-all solution for every relationship – or a quick fix. Careful communication can be mentally exhausting, and pressing pause is always OK:

    I don’t think we are going to solve our nation’s financial issues tonight, but thank you for talking about it. Let’s keep doing it. But for now, I think there’s pie. Want some?

    It’s also important to accept that not all relationships can or should be saved. However, it is always good to know that the relationship ended for a clear reason, and not over a misunderstanding that was never addressed.

    Hopefully, though, these tactics will help keep communication open and relationships healthy, no matter what topic is brought up at dinner.

    Lisa Pavia-Higel is affiliated with Braver Angels, a non-profit organization that facilitates conversations across the political divide. She is no longer active in the organization but was trained as a workshop facilitator.

    – ref. ‘Agreeing to disagree’ is hurting your relationships – here’s what to do instead – https://theconversation.com/agreeing-to-disagree-is-hurting-your-relationships-heres-what-to-do-instead-252687

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –