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  • MIL-OSI Security: Raleigh County Man Pleads Guilty to Money Laundering

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

    BECKLEY, W.Va. – James E. Monroe Jr., 59, of Daniels, pleaded guilty today to money laundering.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, on February 25, 2022, Monroe filed a petition for personal bankruptcy. Monroe knew he was required to submit true and correct schedules listing his assets and a statement detailing his financial affairs as part of the bankruptcy process. Monroe admitted that he sold his collection of over 10,000 sports trading cards after filing for bankruptcy and without disclosing its existence or its post-petition sale in the bankruptcy filings as required. Monroe further admitted that he sold the collection to a friend online to convert the collection into cash and disguise the nature of the resulting proceeds.

    Monroe admitted that his asset schedules and statement of financial affairs also did not disclose the December 2021 sale of his marital home in the Glade Springs residential development for $525,000, or the existence of a retirement account, two loans he obtained by using the equity associated with his whole-life insurance policy as collateral, and a storage unit he rented in the Shady Spring area that contained property belonging to the bankruptcy estate. Monroe further admitted that his schedules falsely stated that his then-minor daughter lived with him and was his dependent when neither was true.

    Monroe is scheduled to be sentenced on May 15, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a $500,000 fine.

    United States Attorney Will Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The United States Trustee’s Charleston field office, which serves West Virginia, made the criminal referral of this case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The United States Trustee Program is a component of the Department of Justice whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders — debtors, creditors and the public.

    United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn presided over the hearing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan T. Storage is prosecuting the case.

    A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:24-cr-121.

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    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Seed oils are toxic, says Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – but it’s not so simple

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mary J. Scourboutakos, Adjunct Lecturer in Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto

    Seed oils have become a mainstay of the American diet. d3sign/Moment via Getty Images

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is expected to clear the final hurdles in his confirmation as President Donald Trump’s health secretary, and a host of health influencers have proclaimed that widely used cooking oils such as canola oil and soybean oil are toxic.

    T-shirts sold by his “Make America Healthy Again” campaign now include the slogan, “make frying oil tallow again” – a reference to the traditional use of rendered beef fat for cooking.

    Seed oils have become a mainstay of the American diet because unlike beef tallow, which is comprised of saturated fats that increase cholesterol levels, seed oils contain unsaturated fats that can decrease cholesterol levels. In theory, that means they should reduce the risk of heart disease.

    But research shows that different seed oils have varying effects on risk for heart disease.
    Furthermore, seed oils have also been shown to increase risk for migraines. This is likely due to their high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. These fats can increase inflammation, a heightened and potentially harmful state of system immune activation.

    As a family physician with a Ph.D. in nutrition, I translate the latest nutrition science into dietary recommendations for my patients. When it comes to seed oils, the research shows that their health effects are more nuanced than headlines and social media posts suggest.

    How seed oils infiltrated the American diet

    Seed oils — often confusingly referred to as “vegetable oils” — are, as the name implies, oils extracted from the seeds of plants. This is unlike olive oil and coconut oil, which are derived from fruits. People decrying their widespread use often refer to the “hateful eight” top seed oil offenders: canola, corn, soybean, cottonseed, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower and rice bran oil.

    These oils entered the human diet at unprecedented levels after the invention of the mechanical screw press in 1888 enabled the extraction of oil from seeds in quantities that were never before possible.

    Between 1909 and 1999, U.S. consumption of soybean oil increased 1,000 times. This shift fundamentally changed our biological makeup. Due to increased seed oil intake, in the past 50 years the concentration of omega-6 fatty acids that Americans carry around in their fatty tissue has increased by 136%

    Evaluating the omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratio

    Omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients that control inflammation. While omega-6s tend to produce molecules that boost it, omega-3s tend to produce molecules that tone it down. Until recently, people generally ate equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. However, over the past century, this ratio has changed. Today, people consume 15 times more omega-6s than omega-3s, partly due to increased consumption of seed oils.

    In theory, seed oils can cause health problems because they contain a high absolute amount of omega-6 fatty acids, as well as a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio. Studies have linked an increased omega-6 to omega-3 ratio to a wide range of conditions, including mood disorders, knee pain, back pain, menstrual pain and even preterm birth. Omega-6 fatty acids have also been implicated in the processes that drive colon cancer.

    However, the absolute omega-6 level and the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in different seed oils vary tremendously. For example, safflower oil and sunflower oil have ratios of 125:1 and 91:1. Corn oil’s ratio is 50:1. Meanwhile, soybean oil and canola oil have lower ratios, at 8:1 and 2:1, respectively.

    Scientists have used genetic modification to create seed oils like high oleic acid canola oil that have a lower omega-6 to 3 ratio. However, the health benefit of these bioengineered oils is still being studied.

    The upshot on inflammation and health risks

    Part of the controversy surrounding seed oils is that studies investigating their inflammatory effect have yielded mixed results. One meta-analysis synthesizing the effects of seed oils on 11 inflammatory markers largely showed no effects – with the exception of one inflammatory signal, which was significantly elevated in people with the highest omega-6 intakes.

    To complicate things further, genetics also plays a role in seed oils’ inflammatory potential. People of African, Indigenous and Latino descent tend to metabolize omega-6 fatty acids faster, which can increase the inflammatory effect of consuming seed oils. Scientists still don’t fully understand how genetics and other factors may influence the health effects of these oils.

    Soybean oil is the most highly purchased oil in the United States.
    fcafotodigital via Getty Images

    The effect of different seed oils on cardiovascular risk

    A review of seven randomized controlled trials showed that the effect of seed oils on risk of heart attacks varies depending on the type of seed oil.

    This was corroborated by data resurrected from tapes dug up in the basement of a researcher who in the 1970s conducted the largest and most rigorously executed dietary trial to date investigating the replacement of saturated fat with seed oils. In that work, replacing saturated fats such as beef tallow with seed oils always lowers cholesterol, but it does not always lower risk of death from heart disease.

    Taken together, these studies show that when saturated fats such as beef tallow are replaced with seed oils that have lower omega-6 to omega-3 ratios, such as soybean oil, the risk of heart attacks and death from heart disease falls. However, when saturated fats are replaced with seed oils with a higher omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, such as corn oil, risk of death from heart disease rises.

    Interestingly, the most highly purchased seed oil in the United States is soybean oil, which has a more favorable omega-6 to 3 ratio of 8:1 – and studies show that it does lower the risk of heart disease.

    However, seed oils with less favorable ratios, such as corn oil and safflower oil, can be found in countless processed foods, including potato chips, frozen dinners and packaged desserts. Nevertheless, other aspects of these foods, in addition to their seed oil content, also make them unhealthy.

    The case for migraines – and beyond

    A rigorous randomized controlled trial – the gold standard for clinical evidence – showed that diets high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 fatty acids, hence low in seed oils, significantly reduced the risk of migraines

    In the study, people who stepped up their consumption of omega-3 fatty acids by eating fatty fish such as salmon experienced an average of two fewer migraines per month than usual, even if they did not change their omega-6 consumption. However, if they reduced their omega-6 intake by switching out corn oil for olive oil, while simultaneously increasing their omega-3 intake, they experienced four fewer migraines per month.

    That’s a noteworthy difference, considering that the latest migraine medications reduce migraine frequency by approximately two days per month, compared to a placebo. Thus, for migraine sufferers — 1 in 6 Americans — decreasing seed oils, along with increasing omega-3 intake, may be even more effective than currently available medications.

    Overall, the drastic way in which omega-6 fatty acids have entered the food supply and fundamentally changed our biological composition makes this an important area of study. But the question of whether seed oils are good or bad is not black and white. There is no basis to conclude that Americans would be healthier if we started frying everything in beef tallow again, but there is an argument for a more careful consideration of the nuance surrounding these oils and their potential effects.

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

    – ref. Seed oils are toxic, says Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – but it’s not so simple – https://theconversation.com/seed-oils-are-toxic-says-robert-f-kennedy-jr-but-its-not-so-simple-246494

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Map wars in the Middle East: How cartographers charted and helped shape a regional conflict

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Christine Leuenberger, Senior Lecturer, Cornell University

    A lot has changed since the publication of this 1750 map of Palestine. Ken Welsh/Design Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Image

    Maps are ubiquitous – on phones, in-flight and car displays, and in textbooks the world over. While some maps delineate and name territories and boundaries, others show different voting blocs in elections, and GPS devices help drivers navigate to their destination.

    But no matter the purpose, all maps have something in common: They are political. Making maps is about making decisions about what to omit and what to include. They are subject to selection, classification, abstractions and simplifications. And studying the choices that go into maps, as I do, can reveal different stories about land and the people who claim it as theirs.

    Nowhere is this more true than in the contested regions that today include modern-day Israel and the Palestinian territories. Since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, different governmental and nongovernmental organizations and political interest groups have engaged in what can best be described as “map wars.”

    Maps of the region use the naming of places, the position of borders and the inclusion or omission of certain territories to present contrasting geopolitical visions. To this day, Israel or the Palestinian territories may fall off some maps, depending on the politics of their makers.

    This is not exclusive to the Middle East – “map wars” are underway across the globe. Some of the more well-known examples include disputes between Ukraine and Russia, Taiwan and China, and India and China. All are engaged in controversies over the territorial integrity of nation-states.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu displays a map of Israel indicating the Golan Heights are inside the state’s borders.
    Thomas Coex/AFP via Getty Images

    A short history of maps

    Traditionally, maps have been used to represent cosmologies, cultures and belief systems. By the 17th century, maps that represented spatial relations within a given territory beaome important to the making of nation-states. Such official maps helped annex territories and determine property rights. Indeed, to map a territory meant to know and control it.

    More recently, the tools for making maps have become more broadly accessible. Anyone with a computer and internet access can now make and share “alternative maps” that present different visions of a territory and make varied geopolitical claims.

    And maps produced in a conflict region, such as Israel and the Palestinian territories, tell a rich story about the relationship between mapmaking and politics.

    Mapping the Middle East

    During the British Mandate of Palestine from 1917 to 1947, British surveyors mapped the territories to exercise their control over the land and its people. It was an attempt to supersede the more informal Ottoman land claims of the time.

    By the founding of Israel in 1948, only about 20% of the total area of what is known as historic Palestine had been mapped – a fact that has fueled land disputes to this day. The British mapping efforts and their omissions enabled the newly established state of Israel to declare most of the territories as state land, thereby delegitimizing Palestinian land claims.

    A map shows the shaded areas of the Arab state recommended by the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine in 1947. The unshaded areas are parts of the proposed Jewish state.
    Underwood Archives/Getty Images

    Maps also helped build the Israeli state. Surveyors and planners mapped the land to allocate land rights, and they helped build the state’s infrastructure, including roads and railroads.

    But maps also helped create a sense of nationhood. Maps representing a nation’s shape by delineating its national borders are known as “logo” maps. They can enhance feelings of national unity and a sense of national belonging.

    Once established, the Israeli state remade the maps of the region. An Israeli Governmental Names Commission came up with Hebrew names to replace formerly Arab and Christian names for different towns and villages on the official map of Israel. At the same time, formerly Palestinian topographies and places were omitted from the map.

    Some Palestinian mapmakers, however, continue to make maps that include Palestinian named sites and depict pre-1948 historic Palestine – an area that stretches from River Jordan in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. Such maps are used to advocate for Palestinians’ right to land and foster a sense of national belonging.

    A Palestinian woman holds up a map of the British Mandate of Palestine during a protest in Gaza City on Feb. 27, 2020.
    Mohammed Abed/AFP via Getty Images

    At the same time, Palestinian cartographers who work with the Palestinian Authority – the government body that administers partial civil control over Palestinian enclaves in the West Bank – make official maps of the West Bank and Gaza in the hope of establishing a future state of Palestine. They align their maps with United Nations efforts to map the territories according to international law by demarking the West Bank and Gaza as separate from and as occupied by Israel.

    After the 1967 war between Israel and its Arab neighbors, Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza. As a result, map wars intensified, especially between different fractions within Israel. The left-wing “peace camp,” which was dedicated to territorial compromises with the Palestinians, was pitted against an Israeli right wing committed to reclaiming the “Promised Land” for ensuring Israeli security.

    Such incompatible geopolitical visions continue to be reflected in the maps produced. “Peace camp” maps adhere to the delineation of the territories according to international law. For example, they include the Green Line – the internationally recognized armistice line between the West Bank and Israel. Official maps produced by the Israeli government, by contrast, stopped delineating the Green Line after 1967.

    Broader and border disputes

    Not only have different interest groups and political actors used maps of the region to put forth competing geopolitical claims, but maps have also played a central role in sporadic efforts to establish peace in the region.

    The 1993 Oslo Accords, for example, relied on maps to provide the framework for Palestinian self-rule in return for security for Israel. The aim was that after a five-year interim period, a permanent peace settlement would be negotiated based on the borders laid out in these maps.

    A map of the West Bank with proposed Palestinian-controlled areas in yellow, as per the Oslo II Accords.
    Wikimedia Commons

    Consequently, Palestinian planners and surveyors mapped the territory allocated to a future state of Palestine. With the Oslo Accords promising only a future state – but with its borders and level of sovereignty still uncertain – Palestinian experts nevertheless continue to prepare for governing the territories by mapping them.

    The Oslo maps are used to this day to delineate geopolitical visions of Israel and a future state of Palestine that are based on international law. But for many Israelis, the Oslo vision of a two-state solution has died – the attack by Hamas, the Palestinian nationalist political organization that governs Gaza, on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, was its last blow.

    The subsequent war between Israel and Hamas, currently subject to a cease-fire, has from the outset involved maps.

    In December 2023, the Israeli military posted an online “evacuation map” that divided the Gaza Strip into 623 zones. Palestinians could go online – provided they have access to electricity and internet in a territory plagued by blackouts – to find out whether their neighborhood was called upon to evacuate. Israeli military commanders used this map to decide where to launch airstrikes and conduct ground maneuvers.

    But the map served a political aim, too: to convince a skeptical world that Israel was taking care to protect civilians. Regardless, its introduction caused confusion and fear among Palestinians.

    Charting a way forward

    Maps aren’t just for making sense of the past and present – they help people imagine the future, too. And different maps can reveal conflicting geopolitical visions.

    In January 2024, for example, various Israeli right-wing and settler organizations organized the Conference for the Victory of Israel. The aim was to plan for resettling Gaza and increase Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Speakers advocated for transferring Palestinians from the Strip to the Sinai through “voluntary emigration.” With Jewish settlers planning for the return to Gaza, and speakers citing both the Bible and Israeli security for justifications, an oversized map showed the location of proposed Jewish settlements.

    A man takes a photo with a map showing the Gaza Strip with Jewish settlements during a convention calling to resettle the Gaza Strip on Jan. 28, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel.
    Amir Levy/Getty Images

    Similarly, the Israeli Movement for Settlement in Southern Lebanon has published maps of planned Jewish settlements in Southern Lebanon.

    Such maps reveal the desire by some in Israel for a “Greater Israel” – an area described in 1904 by Theodor Herzl, considered the father of modern-day Zionism, as spanning from the brook of Egypt to the Euphrates.

    Unsurprisingly, Palestinians make different maps for envisioning the future. Palestine Emerging – a Palestinian and international initiative that brings together various experts, organizations, and funders – uses maps that connect Gaza to the West Bank and the wider region.

    A map shows the proposed Gaza-West Bank corridor transport link.
    Palestine Emerging

    Their aim is to transform Gaza into a commercial hub for trade, tourism and innovation and to integrate it into the global economy. Accordingly, maps of urban projects, airports and seaports overlay the cartographic contours of Gaza; and a Gaza-West Bank corridor, which would be sealed for Israeli security, could connect the two geographically separate Palestinian territories.

    Such maps reflect the efforts by Palestinian stakeholders to continue surveying the territories that, since the Oslo Accords, were to make up the future state of Palestine.

    A new era of expansionist geopolitics

    With the current U.S. administration more aligned with right-wing Israeli policies, maps of Greater Israel may guide what Hagit Ofran from Peace Now calls the beginning of a new “Greater Israel” policy period.

    In a novel twist, U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 4, 2025, floated a plan for the U.S. to “take over” Gaza, moving its current inhabitants out and turning the enclave into “”the Riviera of the Middle East.”

    Such a move would amount to another attempt to remake borders across the Middle East. It would not, however, end the “map wars” in Israel/Palestine.

    This work was supported by the National Science Foundation through the Science and Technology Studies (STS) Program, award #1152322. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation or any other entity.

    – ref. Map wars in the Middle East: How cartographers charted and helped shape a regional conflict – https://theconversation.com/map-wars-in-the-middle-east-how-cartographers-charted-and-helped-shape-a-regional-conflict-231668

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why does Trump want to abolish the Education Department? An anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alex Hinton, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology; Director, Center for the Study of Genocide and Human Rights, Rutgers University – Newark

    A pedestrian walks past the Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington. Pete Kiehart for The Washington Post via Getty Images

    “And one other thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education.”

    President Donald Trump made this promise in a Sept. 13, 2023, campaign statement. Since then, he has frequently repeated his pledge to close the U.S. Department of Education.

    Project 2025, the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for the Trump administration, also provides detailed recommendations for closing the Education Department, which was created by an act of Congress in 1979.

    On Feb. 4, 2025, Trump described his plans for Linda McMahon, his nominee for education secretary. “I want Linda to put herself out of a job,” Trump said, according to The Associated Press.

    I am an anthropologist and have been studying U.S. political culture for years. During Trump’s first presidency, I wrote a book about the extremist far-right called “It Can Happen Here”. Since then, I have continued to study the Make America Great Again, or MAGA, movement, seeking to understand it, as the anthropological expression goes, “from the native’s point of view.”

    Education policies in the U.S. are largely carried out at the state and local levels. The Education Department is a relatively small government agency, with just over 4,000 employees and a US$268 billion annual budget. A large part of its work is overseeing $1.6 trillion in federal student loans as well as grants for K-12 schools.

    And it ensures that public schools comply with federal laws that protect vulnerable students, like those with disabilities.

    Why, then, does Trump want to eliminate the department?

    A will to fight against so-called “wokeness” and a desire to shrink the government are among the four reasons I have found.

    President Donald Trump waves to supporters at a Jan. 25, 2025, rally in Las Vegas.
    Ian Maule/Getty Images

    1. Education Department’s alleged ‘woke’ mentality

    First and foremost, Trump and his supporters believe that liberals are ruining public education by instituting what they call a
    “radical woke agenda” that they say prioritizes identity politics and politically correct groupthink at the expense of the free speech of those, like many conservatives, who have different views.

    Diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives promoting social justice – and critical race theory, or the idea that racism is entrenched in social and legal institutions – are a particular focus of MAGA ire.

    So, too, is what Trump supporters call “radical gender ideology,” which they contend promotes policies like letting transgender students play on school sports teams or use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity, not biological sex.

    Trump supporters say that such policies – which the Education Department indirectly supported by expanding Title IX gender protections in 2024 to include discrimination based on gender identity – are at odds with parental school choice rights or, for some religious conservatives, the Bible.

    Race and gender policies are highlighted in Project 2025 and in the 2024 GOP’s “Make America Great Again!” party platform.

    Trump has repeatedly promised, as he did on Aug. 14, 2024, in North Carolina, to “keep critical race theory and transgender insanity the hell out of our schools.”

    On Jan. 20, 2025, Trump signed executive orders targeting “gender ideology extremism” and “radical” DEI policies. Two weeks later, he signed another one on “Keeping Men Out Of Women’s Sports.

    2. American Marxist indoctrination

    For MAGA supporters, ”radical left“ wokeness is part of liberals’ long-standing attempt to ”brainwash“ others with their allegedly Marxist views that embrace communism.

    One version of this ”American Marxism“ conspiracy theory argues that the indoctrination dates to the origins of U.S. public education. MAGA stalwarts say this alleged leftist agenda is anti-democratic and anti-Christian.

    Saying he wants to combat the educational influence of such radicals, zealots and Marxists, Trump issued executive orders on Jan. 29 that pledge to fight ”campus anti-Semitism“ and to end ”Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schools.“

    3. School choice and parental rights

    Trump supporters also argue that “woke” federal public education policy infringes on people’s basic freedoms and rights.

    This idea extends to what Trump supporters call “restoring parental rights,” including the right to decide whether a child undergoes a gender transition or learns about nonbinary gender identity at public schools.

    The first paragraph of Project 2025’s chapter on education argues, “Families and students should be free to choose from a diverse set of school options and learning environments.”

    Diversity, according to this argument, should include faith-based institutions and homeschooling. Project 2025 proposes that the government could support parents who choose to homeschool or put their kids in a religious primary school by providing Educational Savings Accounts and school vouchers. Vouchers give public funding for students to attend private schools and have been expanding in use in recent years.

    Critics of school vouchers, like the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers unions, argue that vouchers would diminish public education for vulnerable students by taking away scarce funding.

    Trump has already issued a Jan. 29 executive order called “Expanding Educational Freedom and Educational Opportunity for Families,” which opens the door to expanded use of vouchers. This directly echoes Project 2025 by directing the Education Department to prioritize educational choice to give families a range of options.

    4. Red tape

    For the MAGA faithful, the Education Department exemplifies government inefficiency and red tape.

    Project 2025, for example, contends that from the time it was established by the Carter administration in 1979, the Education Department has ballooned in size, come under the sway of special interest groups and now serves as an inefficient “one-stop shop for the woke education cartel.”

    To deal with the Education Department’s “bloat” and “suffocating bureaucratic red tape,” Project 2025 recommends shifting all of the department’s federal programs and money to other agencies and the states.

    These recommendations dovetail with Trump’s broader attempt to eliminate what he and his MAGA supporters consider wasteful spending and deregulate the government.

    Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 that establishes a “Department of Government Efficiency” headed by billionaire Elon Musk. Musk said on Feb. 4 that Trump “will succeed” in dismantling the Education Department.

    An electric school bus is parked outside a public high school in Miami in March 2024.
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    Can Trump abolish the Education Department?

    At first glance, the Education Department’s days might seem numbered given Trump’s repeated promises to eliminate it and his reported plans to soon sign an executive order that does so. Republican Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota also introduced a bill in November 2024 to close the department.

    And Trump has taken actions, such as seeking to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development without the required congressional approval, which suggest he may try to act on his Education Department promises.

    Abolishing the department, however, would legally require congressional approval and 60 votes to move forward in the Senate, which is unlikely since Republicans only have 53 seats.

    Trump also made similar promises in 2016 that were unfulfilled. And Trump’s executive actions are likely to face legal challenges – like a DEI-focused higher education lawsuit filed on Feb. 3.

    Regardless of such legal challenges, Trump’s executive orders related to education demonstrate that he is already attempting to “drain the swamp” – starting with the Education Department.

    Alex Hinton receives funding from the Rutgers-Newark Sheila Y. Oliver Center for Politics and Race in America, Rutgers Research Council, and Henry Frank Guggenheim Foundation.

    – ref. Why does Trump want to abolish the Education Department? An anthropologist who studies MAGA explains 4 reasons – https://theconversation.com/why-does-trump-want-to-abolish-the-education-department-an-anthropologist-who-studies-maga-explains-4-reasons-248818

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Breastfeeding and Ebola: knowledge gaps endanger mothers and babies

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Catriona Waitt, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Global Health, University of Liverpool

    Breastfeeding is so important for child health that the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef recommend that babies should be breastfed within an hour of birth, be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and then continue breastfeeding in combination with other foods for two years or more.

    Infectious disease emergencies can threaten breastfeeding and the lives of mothers and babies. Depending on the disease, there is a risk of passing infection to the baby by close contact or (rarely) through breastmilk. There is also the risk of harm to breastfed infants from medication or vaccination of their mothers.

    But separating mothers and babies or stopping breastfeeding also poses risks.

    Mothers need proper guidance on the best course of action during an Ebola outbreak.

    Threat to mothers and babies

    The symptoms of Ebola include fever, tiredness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and, later, bleeding from any part of the body.

    Ebola viruses are extremely contagious and people who become infected are at very high risk of death. Pregnant women and infants are more vulnerable and at greater risk than others.

    Ebola outbreaks most often occur in countries where breastfeeding is vital for child survival. They have occurred in several African countries and on 30 January 2025 Uganda declared an outbreak, the latest in several the country has endured.

    Breastmilk contains many ingredients that help to prevent and fight infection and that strengthen the baby’s own immune system. Replacing breastmilk with other foods or liquids (including infant formula) removes this protection from babies and makes them more likely to become seriously ill.

    Read more: Ebola: how a vaccine turned a terrifying virus into a preventable disease

    Protection or harm?

    It’s important to know which actions protect or harm babies and their mothers during outbreaks. Recommendations on infectious diseases must weigh up the risks related to the disease, medical treatments and the risks of not-breastfeeding.

    The World Health Organization has published guidelines on how to care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants when one or both have Ebola, but these recommendations are based on “very low quality” evidence, they are mostly expert opinion rather than research-based knowledge.

    Women and children have been largely neglected in Ebola research. More is known about Ebola and semen than Ebola and breastmilk.

    In a paper just published in the Lancet Global Health, we have outlined a roadmap for research on Ebola and breastfeeding so that mothers and babies can be protected.

    Read more: Ebola in Uganda: why women must be central to the response

    What we don’t know

    We know that Ebola is easily transmitted by close contact between people. So the close contact of breastfeeding is a risk to an uninfected baby or mother if one of them has Ebola.

    However:

    • We don’t know if breastmilk can be infectious and, if it is, for how long.

    • We don’t know whether expressed breastmilk can be treated so that it is safe.

    • We don’t know whether, if both mother and baby are infected, it is better for the baby if the mother keeps breastfeeding, if she is able to.

    • We don’t know if vaccinating mothers against Ebola helps to protect their breastfed infants from the virus.

    • We don’t know if there are any risks for breastfed infants if their mothers are infected.

    The result of this lack of knowledge is that decisions may be taken that increase risk and suffering for mothers and their babies.

    For example, mothers may refuse vaccination because they are fearful that it is risky for their baby. But by refusing vaccination they’d be making themselves vulnerable to Ebola.

    Alternatively, they may get vaccinated and stop breastfeeding, making their baby vulnerable to other serious infections.

    If mothers and babies who both have Ebola are separated and breastfeeding is stopped, it could reduce the chances of survival.

    Mothers and babies deserve better than this.

    No more excuses

    For many years people have called for more research on Ebola, breastmilk and breastfeeding, but this research has not been undertaken. It is not acceptable that women and children are deprived of breastfeeding because the needed research has not been done.

    Our experience providing medical care in Ebola outbreaks, developing guidance for breastfeeding mothers in emergencies and researching medications and breastfeeding prompted us to develop a plan to fill this research gap.

    In our paper, we describe the different groups of breastfeeding women affected by Ebola who must be included in research:

    • vaccine recipients

    • mothers who are ill with Ebola

    • mothers recovering from Ebola

    • mothers who are infected with Ebola, but have no symptoms

    • the wider population of breastfeeding mothers in communities experiencing Ebola outbreaks.

    The roadmap also includes the research questions that need answering and the study designs that would enable these questions to be answered.

    It is up to governments, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, funders and health organisations to act.

    Following the Ebola and breastfeeding research roadmap will not necessarily be easy. It is difficult to do research in the middle of an emergency.

    But research on vaccination safety can be done outside outbreaks. Putting research plans in place and gaining approvals before outbreaks will also make things easier.

    Closing the female data gap

    Women have the right to societal, family and health support to enable them to breastfeed.

    Lack of research is part of a problem called the “female data gap”, where knowledge of women’s bodies, experiences and needs is lacking.

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, “Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.”

    There just needs to be a commitment to make this research happen.

    – Breastfeeding and Ebola: knowledge gaps endanger mothers and babies
    – https://theconversation.com/breastfeeding-and-ebola-knowledge-gaps-endanger-mothers-and-babies-248356

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Lost Iron Age treasures discovered beneath RAF airfield04 Feb 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Royal Air Force

    Long-lost Iron Age artefacts discovered by Military personnel and veterans have been declared as treasure.

    Parts of a Celtic chariot, thought to be around 2000 years old, were discovered underneath the airfield at RAF Valley in Anglesey during an excavation by military personnel and veterans.

    The Senior Coroner for North Wales (West) has now declared these discoveries as treasure. They will be gifted to Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales.

    © Harvey Mills

    The archaeological excavations took place in April 2024 and were led by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO). The investigation also included personnel and veterans from Operation Nightingale, a DIO initiative which supports the health and wellbeing of military personnel and veterans.

    “Operation Nightingale is an innovative and award-winning programme that consistently shows the benefits that archaeology can offer to military personnel and veterans.

    Congratulations to those who carried out the excavation and made this exciting discovery.  Through their hard work, we are uncovering and preserving our history for future generations.”

    Alistair Carns DSO OBE MC MP
    Minister for Veterans and People

    The award-winning scheme sees wounded, injured, and sick personnel and veterans taking part in archaeological investigations across the Defence estate, providing unique experiences within the field.

    The finds are believed to form part of the famed Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard, originally uncovered in the 1940s during work to extend the airfield at RAF Valley for American bombers during the Allied war effort. The hoard is one of the most important collections of Iron Age artefacts discovered in the UK, comprising over 150 bronze and iron objects deposited between 300BC and 100AD.

    © Harvey Mills

    Among the new finds was a terret ring which would have been used to guide the reins of a Celtic chariot, featuring a red decorative inlay. The ring, found by retired RAF Squadron Leader David Ulke, is one of just three found with this particular decoration in Wales.

    A second discovery, a horse bridle-bit thought to date to c. 60AD, was found by serving RAF Flight Sergeant Moore. Similar to those from the Polden Hill hoard found in Somerset, the bridle-bit would have been worn by horses pulling Iron Age chariots.

    “These finds at RAF Valley are extremely exciting for all involved; the Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard is of national importance for Wales, and the United Kingdom as a whole. These new discoveries have confirmed the suspicions of earlier archaeologists that there was more to be found from this particular hoard.”

    Richard Osgood
    DIO’s Senior Archaeologist

    Richard Osgood continued: “It’s great that the personnel and veterans who take part in Operation Nightingale continue to be rewarded with finds of such historical importance. I am proud that the initiative plays a part in supporting personnel and veterans in their recovery and it’s fantastic to see the wonderful impact of this project.”

    The Operation Nightingale team was given special permissions to carry out the excavation by RAF Valley, ahead of refurbishment works on the site’s airfield. Construction for these improvements began in September 2024.

    “We’d been briefed on the sort of things we could expect to find, so when I uncovered the piece, I was pretty sure it was an Iron Age terret ring. To say I was the over the moon is probably an understatement! I’ve been involved in archaeology for many years and this was by far the most significant recovery I have ever made.

    The fact that Operation Nightingale can bring together service personnel through archaeological digs shows how healing and helpful archaeology can be. It’s by no means a silver bullet, but many have benefitted, and I for one am one of those grateful beneficiaries.”

    Squadron Leader (Retired) David Ulke
    Finder of the terret ring

    © Harvey Mills

    “The search for the lost hoard was hard work and we had a huge area to cover. It wasn’t until the final day – with just 10 minutes to go – that I discovered the horse bridle-bit. At first the team thought I was joking, but quickly realised I’d found something special. Words could not explain how I felt in that moment, but it was a wonderful experience.

    I’ve been involved in lots of Operation Nightingale digs now, and the experience truly is priceless for the veterans and service personnel taking part.”

    Flight Sergeant Moore
    Finder of the bridle-bit

    © Harvey Mills

    Group Captain Gez Currie OBE, said: “It is incredible that we are again reminded of the significance of the site on the doorstep of RAF Valley and the importance it has in Welsh history. It was the preparation of RAF Valley in the 1940s to help prevent invasion, that brought to light the significance of this location and its links to an earlier invasion by the Romans.”

    “The importance of RAF Valley to UK Defence today is beyond question, but this is a reminder that we are part of a continuum spanning over 2,000 years and we must be responsible stewards of this land. We are immensely proud to be part of efforts to discover and conserve these important artefacts from Welsh history and equally delighted that our own service personnel have been so intimately involved in these efforts.”

    Group Captain Gez Currie OBE
    Station Commander at RAF Valley

    The finds will now be gifted to the National Museum of Wales, which is home to several items from the initial Llyn Cerrig Bach hoard.

    Senior Curator of Prehistory at Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, Adam Gwilt, said: “It is amazing to think that these 2,000 year old artefacts have remained so complete and well-preserved within a shallow peat deposit, previously moved and dragged onto the airfield over 80 years ago from a nearby ancient lake!

    The bridle-bit and terret are both of styles which are not represented amongst the original collection. They add important new information on the religious gifting of prized objects into the lake at the end of the Iron Age, a little before, or at around the time when the Roman Army invaded Anglesey.”

    “It is great that these artefacts will be made accessible for display and public benefit at Oriel Môn. I look forward to working collaboratively in coming years with the museum, the heritage centre at RAF Valley and the Operation Nightingale team, so this great story can be celebrated and shared by all.”

    Adam Gwilt

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: The era of practical quantum computers draws closer

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Practical quantum computers could help solve problems associated with rescheduling airline flights

    By Domenico Vicinanza, Anglia Ruskin University

    In 1981, American physicist and Nobel Laureate, Richard Feynman, gave a lecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) near Boston, in which he outlined a revolutionary idea. Feynman suggested that the strange physics of quantum mechanics could be used to perform calculations.

    The field of quantum computing was born. In the 40-plus years since, it has become an intensive area of research in computer science. Despite years of frantic development, physicists have not yet built practical quantum computers that are well suited for everyday use and normal conditions (for example, many quantum computers operate at very low temperatures). Questions and uncertainties still remain about the best ways to reach this milestone.

    What exactly is quantum computing, and how close are we to seeing them enter wide use? Let’s first look at classical computing, the type of computing we rely on today, like the laptop I am using to write this piece.

    Classical computers process information using combinations of “bits”, their smallest units of data. These bits have values of either 0 or 1. Everything you do on your computer, from writing emails to browsing the web, is made possible by processing combinations of these bits in strings of zeroes and ones.

    Quantum computers, on the other hand, use quantum bits, or qubits. Unlike classical bits, qubits don’t just represent 0 or 1. Thanks to a property called quantum superposition, qubits can be in multiple states simultaneously. This means a qubit can be 0, 1, or both at the same time. This is what gives quantum computers the ability to process massive amounts of data and information simultaneously.

    Imagine being able to explore every possible solution to a problem all at once, instead of once at a time. It would allow you to navigate your way through a maze by simultaneously trying all possible paths at the same time to find the right one. Quantum computers are therefore incredibly fast at finding optimal solutions, such as identifying the shortest path, the quickest way.

    Think about the extremely complex problem of rescheduling airline flights after a delay or an unexpected incident. This happens with regularity in the real world, but the solutions applied may not be the best or optimal ones. In order to work out the optimal responses, standard computers would need to consider, one by one, all possible combinations of moving, rerouting, delaying, cancelling or grouping, flights.

    Every day there are more than 45,000 flights in the United States alone, and worldwide there are thousands of airlines connecting tens of thousands of airports. This problem would take years to solve for a classical computer.

    On the other hand, a quantum computer would be able to try all these possibilities at once and let the best configuration organically emerge. Qubits also have a physical property known as entanglement. When qubits are entangled, the state of one qubit can depend on the state of another, no matter how far apart they are.

    This is something that, again, has no counterpart in classical computing. Entanglement allows quantum computers to solve certain problems exponentially faster than traditional computers can.

    A common question is whether quantum computers will completely replace classical computers or not. The short answer is no, at least not in the foreseeable future. Quantum computers are incredibly powerful for solving specific problems – such as simulating the interactions between different molecules, finding the best solution from many options or dealing with encryption and decryption. However, they are not suited to every type of task.

    Classical computers process one calculation at a time in a linear sequence, and they follow algorithms (sets of mathematical rules for carrying out particular computing tasks) designed for use with classical bits that are either 0 or 1. This makes them extremely predictable, robust and less prone to errors than quantum machines. For everyday computing needs such as word processing or browsing the internet, classical computers will continue to play a dominant role.

    There are at least two reasons for that. The first one is practical. Building a quantum computer that can run reliable calculations is extremely difficult. The quantum world is incredibly volatile, and qubits are easily disturbed by things in their environment, such as interference from electromagnetic radiation, which makes them prone to errors.

    The second reason lies in the inherent uncertainty in dealing with qubits. Because qubits are in superposition (are neither a 0 or 1) they are not as predictable as the bits used in classical computing. Physicists therefore describe qubits and their calculations in terms of probabilities. This means that the same problem, using the same quantum algorithm, run multiple times on the same quantum computer might return a different solution each time.

    To address this uncertainty, quantum algorithms are typically run multiple times. The results are then analysed statistically to determine the most likely solution. This approach allows researchers to extract meaningful information from the inherently probabilistic quantum computations.

    From a commercial point of view, the development of quantum computing is still in its early stages, but the landscape is very diverse with lots of new companies appearing every year. It is fascinating to see that in addition to big, established companies like IBM and Google, new ones are joining, such as IQM, Pasqal and startups such as Alice and Bob. They are all working on making quantum computers more reliable, scalable and accessible.

    In the past, manufacturers have drawn attention to the number of qubits in their quantum computers, as a measure of how powerful the machine is. Manufacturers are increasingly prioritising ways to correct the errors that quantum computers are prone to. This shift is crucial for developing large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers, as these techniques are essential for improving their usability.

    Google’s latest quantum chip, Willow, recently demonstrated remarkable progress in this area. The more qubits Google used in Willow, the more it reduced the errors. This achievement marks a significant step towards building commercially relevant quantum computers that can revolutionise fields like medicine, energy and AI.

    After more than 40 years, quantum computing is still in its infancy, but significant progress is expected in the next decade. The probabilistic nature of these machines represents a fundamental difference between quantum and classical computing. It is what makes them fragile and hard to develop and scale.

    At the same time, it is what makes them a very powerful tool to solve optimisation problems, exploring multiple solutions at the same time, faster and more efficiently than classical computers can.

    Domenico Vicinanza, Associate Professor of Intelligent Systems and Data Science, Anglia Ruskin University

    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

    The opinions expressed in VIEWPOINT articles are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARU.

    If you wish to republish this article, please follow these guidelines: https://theconversation.com/uk/republishing-guidelines

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Scientific regiment. Chemist and theologian Nikolai Pestov

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    Nikolai Evgrafovich Pestov (1892-1982) – Doctor of Chemical Sciences – specialist in the field of mineral fertilizer technology, professor, holder of the Order of Lenin, famous theologian, historian of the Orthodox Church.

    Nikolay Pestov was born on August 17, 1892 in Nizhny Novgorod. He was the youngest, tenth, child in the family. From school, he was interested in chemistry and in 1911 he entered the chemistry department of the Imperial Moscow Higher Technical School (now Bauman Moscow State Technical University). When the Great War, as World War I was then called, broke out, he first entered the Alekseevskoye Military School, and later volunteered for the front with the rank of ensign, without finishing his fourth year at Bauman Moscow State Technical University.

    During the war, Nikolai Pestov participated in training soldiers for chemical defense. Once he had to defuse a bomb and carry it out in a truck along a broken road. He took the body of the bomb as a souvenir. After the February Revolution, Nikolai Pestov was elected a member of the regimental committee and the regimental court. A review of him spoke of his discipline, tact, excellent knowledge, and “a sympathetic and noble heart.” For his military distinctions, Nikolai was awarded the Order of St. Stanislav, 3rd degree, and the Order of St. Anna, 3rd degree.

    After the October Revolution, Nikolai Evgrafovich had the chance to serve in the Nizhny Novgorod Cheka, in the capital’s Vsevobuch administration under the All-Russian Main Headquarters, and as the head of the Vsevobuch administration in Sverdlovsk, where he personally met Lev Trotsky, whom he later called a “demonic personality.” Trotsky gave his younger comrade his book with the dedication: “To my friend and comrade-in-arms N. Pestov, as a keepsake. Lev Trotsky.”

    In 1921, the convinced atheist Pestov had a spiritual experience – he saw Christ in a dream – and soon resigned from the Red Army, left the Communist Party, completed his studies at the Moscow Higher Technical School and was hired as an employee of the Scientific Institute for Fertilizers (NIUIF). He began to lead a religious life, and was briefly arrested for participating in a student Christian circle.

    From 1933, he worked at the Department of Mineral Substances Technology at the Mendeleyev Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology, from where he was fired in the dangerous year of 1937 for refusing to speak at a meeting condemning the arrested professor Nikolai Yushkevich. “Almost every day, or rather every night, I expected to be arrested. I believe that only through the prayers of my children, wife and spiritual father was I not arrested at that time and remained alive,” he wrote later. Not long before this, Nikolai Evgrafovich was almost arrested when that very memorable German bomb from the First World War was discovered during a search.

    Two years later, Nikolai Pestov was unanimously elected head of the chemical technology department at the Moscow Engineering and Economics Institute (now the State University of Management), where he headed the chemical technology department. In January 1941, he defended his doctoral dissertation “Physicochemical properties of powder and granular products of the chemical industry.” Later, he worked for about a year as the dean of the chemistry department, and from October 1943, he became deputy director for scientific and educational work.

    During the Great Patriotic War, Nikolai Evgrafovich worked on issues of organizing and planning the chemical industry. A separate topic of his research was mineral fertilizers for the country’s agriculture. These studies turned out to be very useful both during and after the war, when it was necessary to establish agriculture on low-fertility and war-damaged soils. Professor Pestov was not mobilized into the active army due to health reasons; he developed bronchial asthma. His eldest son Nikolai went to the front and died in 1943. While adjusting the fire of a mortar battery, he was wounded and shell-shocked, but refused to go to the hospital; the second wound to the stomach turned out to be fatal. Nikolai Pestov later wrote a book about his son, Life for Eternity.

    Even during the war, Nikolai Evgrafovich stopped hiding his faith from his colleagues and placed a small iconostasis in his office. Since 1943, he worked on the fundamental work “Modern Practice of Orthodox Piety”. Professional merits turned out to be higher than personal convictions for the country’s leadership, and in November 1944, Professor Pestov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor. In 1946, he received the medal “For Valiant Labor in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945”, and in 1953, for length of service and impeccable work among the workers of science of higher educational institutions of the city of Moscow, he was awarded the Order of Lenin.

    Nikolay Pestov is the author of over 100 scientific publications and had 4 patents for inventions. His memory is still alive at the State University of Management.

    #Scientific regiment

    Nikolai Pestov, 1915 Nikolai Evgrafovich (right) with his eldest son Nikolai Nikolai Evgrafovich and his wife Zoya Veniaminovna

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/07/2025

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Thanks to the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, about 460 km of approaches to airports have been updated

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Access to the airport in Bratsk district, Irkutsk region

    February 7, 2025

    Road Airport Yuzhny, Stankostroiteley street, Ivanovo region

    February 7, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Access to the airport in Bratsk district, Irkutsk region

    Over the past six years, 457 km of regional and local roads leading to airports have been put into operation in the regions participating in the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads” after repair, reconstruction and construction. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “Currently, large-scale work is underway in the country to develop airports: new airport complexes are being built and existing ones are being reconstructed, and airfield infrastructure is being modernized. At the same time, we are bringing access roads to air harbors into compliance with regulations. Over the six years of implementing the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, more than 120 sections of the regional and local road network leading or included in the routes to airports have been commissioned. Their total length is 457 km. In 2025, we will continue this work thanks to the new national project “Infrastructure for Life”, – said Marat Khusnullin.

    A unified, comfortable transport system for everyone allows us to solve social problems, improve the quality of logistics and strengthen interregional ties.

    “Recently, there has been an increase in passenger traffic on domestic routes, and the national air transportation route network is growing. At the same time, the road transport infrastructure is also developing, which in combination makes travel to other regions safer and more comfortable. In 2024 alone, 21 km of routes to airports were brought up to standard under the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”. In 2025, repair work is planned for 16 such facilities of the national project “Infrastructure for Life”, their total length will be about 44 km,” said Transport Minister Roman Starovoit.

    The development of roads to airports and transport infrastructure in general also influences the development of domestic tourism. This is another important aspect of the work to improve the quality of life of Russians.

    “Over the six years of implementation of the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, more than 2 thousand sections of the regional and local road network leading to unique natural complexes, architectural monuments, religious buildings, historical landmarks have been repaired, reconstructed and built. As a rule, work on such sites was carried out in a comprehensive manner: in addition to the roadway, elements of safety and road infrastructure were installed. As a result, every year travel around Russia is becoming more comfortable, and the increase in tourist flow ensures investment in the regions, contributes to the creation of new jobs, and forms new spaces for business development,” said Igor Kostyuchenko, Deputy Head of the Federal Road Agency.

    Thus, in 2024, a four-kilometer approach to the Krasnoyarsk International Airport was repaired, and in 2023, a section of the highway in the Irkutsk Region was updated – an approach to the Bratsk International Airport, the second largest air harbor in the region. The length of the section is 2.8 km.

    In 2023, the Tomsk-Airport highway leading to the Tomsk International Airport named after Nikolai Kamov was renovated in the Tomsk Region. In total, more than 8 km were repaired during the implementation of the national project. In particular, on the section from Basandayskaya Street in Tomsk to the village of Klyuchi, the road surface was renewed, public transport stops were repaired, and markings were applied. In 2020, about 0.8 km of access road to the airport terminal was built with a ring road and free parking for 226 spaces.

    In 2020, the Airport Yuzhny – Stankostroiteley Street (western bypass of Ivanovo) highway was built in the Ivanovo Region. The new 2.8 km long section connected the federal highway R-132 “Golden Ring” with the existing section of the western bypass and allowed transit transport to bypass the regional center.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Louisiana Doctor Sentenced for Illegally Distributing Over 1.8 Million Doses of Opioids in $5.4 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme

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

    A Louisiana physician was sentenced yesterday to 87 months in prison for conspiring to illegally distribute over 1.8 million doses of Schedule II controlled substances, including oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine, and for defrauding health care benefit programs of more than $5.4 million.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Adrian Dexter Talbot M.D., 59, of Slidell, owned and operated Medex Clinical Consultants (Medex), located in Slidell. Medex was a medical clinic that accepted cash payments from individuals seeking prescriptions for Schedule II controlled substances. Talbot routinely ignored signs that individuals frequenting Medex were drug-seeking or abusing the drugs prescribed. In 2015, Talbot took a full-time job in Pineville, Louisiana, and although he was no longer physically present at the Slidell clinic, he pre-signed prescriptions, including for opioids and other controlled substances, to be distributed to individuals there whom he did not see or examine. In 2016, Talbot hired another practitioner who, at Talbot’s direction, also pre-signed prescriptions to be distributed to individuals in exchange for cash deposited into a Medex bank account. The evidence also demonstrated that Talbot falsified patient records to cover up the scheme and to make it appear as though he was routinely examining the patients. With Talbot’s knowledge, these individuals filled their prescriptions using their insurance benefits, thereby causing health care benefit programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, to be fraudulently billed for controlled substances that were prescribed without an appropriate patient examination or determination of medical necessity.

    On July 22, 2024, Talbot was convicted by a jury in the Eastern District of Louisiana of one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute and dispense controlled substances, four counts of unlawfully distributing and dispensing controlled substances, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud.

    Supervisory Official Antoinette T. Bacon of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Jason E. Meadows of the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), Special Agent in Charge Kris Raper of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (VA-OIG)’s South Central Field Office, Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division, Acting Special Agent in Charge Stephen A. Cyrus of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill made the announcement.

    HHS-OIG, VA-OIG, FBI, and the Louisiana Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigated the case.

    Trial Attorneys Sara E. Porter and Gary A. Crosby II, Assistant Chief Justin Woodard, and Deputy Chief Kate Payerle of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section prosecuted the case.

    The Fraud Section leads the Criminal Division’s efforts to combat health care fraud through the Health Care Fraud Strike Force Program. Since March 2007, this program, currently comprised of nine strike forces operating in 27 federal districts, has charged more than 5,400 defendants who collectively have billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $27 billion. In addition, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, working in conjunction with HHS-OIG, are taking steps to hold providers accountable for their involvement in health care fraud schemes. More information can be found at www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/health-care-fraud-unit. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Serov Readings Reach New Level

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Participants of the Serov Readings

    On February 3, the Serov Readings took place at SPbGASU. The event, which has been held at our university since 2021, acquired the status of an international scientific and technical symposium this year.

    In memory of a prominent scientist

    “The Serov Readings are held in memory of Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Evgeny Nikolaevich Serov, who worked at our university for many years. The scientist is known for his participation in the development of domestic standards for the design of wooden structures in the USSR and Russia, as well as high-quality textbooks that will always be relevant,” said the organizer of the symposium, head of the department of metal and wooden structures at SPbGASU Egor Danilov.

    According to Yegor Vladimirovich, the unofficial holding of the readings confirmed the hypothesis about their demand among the professional scientific community: famous scientists, including those from abroad, participated in them. At the moment, the goal is to consolidate Russian scientists in the field of wooden structures on the basis of SPbGASU.

    Evgeny Nikolaevich Serov (01.02.1932–30.01.2018) is a prominent scientist and specialist in the field of wooden structures. He worked at our university from 1964 to 2017, rising from assistant to professor of the Department of Wood and Plastic Structures. In 1975–1980, he headed the correspondence faculty.

    Along with the main course “Wood and Plastic Constructions”, he also taught special disciplines, including “Engineering Restoration of Architectural Heritage”, and conducted practical classes directly at architectural monuments with unique wooden structures. The research work of students supervised by Evgeny Serov was repeatedly awarded second and third degree diplomas by the Ministry of Higher Education of the RSFSR, and the students were participants of the USSR Exhibition of Economic Achievements and co-authors of scientific articles and inventions. Combining extensive public and administrative activities, Evgeny Nikolaevich worked on the most important national economic topics of the State Construction Committee and the State Planning Committee, the Ministry of Higher Education of the RSFSR.

    As a result of many years of research, Evgeny Serov developed new structural forms from glued timber structures (GTS), technologies for their production, including waste-free cutting of blank blocks, as well as calculation methods that take into account the high degree of anisotropy (unequal properties in the directions of the fibers) of glued timber. He formulated the main principle of GTS design – the principle of tracking orientation with the coordination of the fields of effective stresses and the resistance fields of anisotropic material, developed and implemented special curvilinear inserts in the junctions of frame and beam structures, a method for strengthening the support zones of GTS using glued reinforcement bars, which was used in arches with a span of 63 m.

    New solutions in the use of wood

    Opening the symposium, the Vice-Rector of SPbGASU for scientific activities Evgeny Korolev emphasized: despite its long history, the topic of wood use is constantly evolving. Today, it is necessary to search for new design and technological solutions.

    Professor of the Department of Metal and Wooden Structures, Honorary President of the Wooden Housing Association Alexander Chernykh believes that the event provides an opportunity to pass on experience to the younger generation, and that the attention of colleagues from other universities is important for SPbGASU researchers.

    Deputy Dean for Research, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural and Civil Engineering Olga Pastukh invited everyone to the III National (All-Russian) Scientific and Technical Conference “Prospects of Modern Construction”, which will be held at SPbGASU on April 21–23.

    The program of the Serov Readings included 23 in-person and remote reports, 23 poster reports from 62 participants. 46 people applied as listeners, including students and postgraduates of SPbGASU. Participants from Moscow, Novosibirsk, Arkhangelsk and other Russian cities, as well as from China and Vietnam, exchanged experiences and opinions on the research conducted in the field of wooden structures, their operation, improvement, and calculation.

    Scientific consultant of Georekonstruktsiya LLC Roman Orlovich informed about the problems of exploitation of wooden structures in historical buildings. In his opinion, wooden floors can be preserved with the right approach to analysis of their bearing capacity, physical wear and tear and damage by rot, as well as with the right use of technical solutions.

    Chief Researcher of the Kucherenko Central Research Institute of Building Structures (a structural division of JSC NIC Construction) Alexander Pogoreltsev shared the results of a study of platform joints of multi-story buildings made of CLT. He is confident that the general theory of calculating platform joints, which is successfully used in calculating reinforced concrete structures, is not applicable to wood, which is an anisotropic material (i.e. a material with different mechanical properties of fibers when forces are applied to the fibers in different directions).

    The current generation of researchers are worthy successors of the famous scientist.

    Postgraduate student Elizaveta Kotova presented a report on “Bearing capacity and deformability of circular LVL structures” (supervisor – Egor Danilov): “LVL timber is famous for its high strength and durability, and circular structures made of this material allow you to create elegant and effective architectural forms with large spans, without the use of massive supports. This opens up new opportunities for designing buildings and structures with a unique design. Therefore, the relevance of the study of circular LVL structures is due to the need to develop accurate methods for calculating the stress-strain state, improve the regulatory framework, increase the efficiency of design and operational safety.”

    As a result of studying the existing methods for calculating circular structures, Elizaveta managed to find out that information about the bearing capacity and deformability of circular LVL structures is relatively limited compared to studies of rectilinear LVL beams. This is due to the complexity of analyzing the stress-strain state in curvilinear structures.

    At present, trial tests of LVL samples with different angles of inclination have been carried out to visualize the behavior of a curvilinear LVL sample under load in order to obtain the main mechanical characteristics of the material. The results obtained will be used for more accurate compilation and calculation of the LVL circular structure in the computational program. In the future, it is planned to study the stress-strain state of dowel joints. Based on the results of the numerical study, a physical model of the LVL circular structure will be developed, which will be tested in laboratory conditions.

    The work is aimed at creating a mathematical model for calculating the stress-strain state of circular LVL structures, which will improve the efficiency of calculating and designing such structures and optimize technical solutions, which will lead to an increase in their bearing capacity and rigidity.

    Master’s student Yulia Trunina presented a report on the topic “The influence of low negative temperatures on the mechanical properties of LVL” (supervisor – associate professor of the Department of Metal and Wooden Structures Pavel Koval): “As the temperature decreases, the properties of wood change, namely, the strength and elastic characteristics become higher. This pattern allows the material to be used in regions where for a significant time of the year the air temperature is not only below zero, but also reaches -70 °C. LVL is a composite material based on wood. This allowed us to assume that a change in its properties will also occur with a change in temperature.”

    An experiment at freezing temperatures of -70, -35 and 0 °C on compression of small LVL samples of more than 300 pieces confirmed the dependence. At the same time, depending on the direction of the veneer fibers, the change in strength and elastic modulus occurred with varying degrees. Yulia reported that this will allow more accurate prediction of the material properties in the future. It became possible to take into account the thawing process (using the derived formula), since the experiment took place under normal conditions – at 20 ° C. These data should be used in the future for larger structures, such as beams or frames, and also to study their durability, i.e. the operation of the structure in the climatic conditions of the Arctic and the Far North, taking into account time. And it is also necessary to consider the combined effect of moisture and temperature on the structure, including in real conditions with fluctuations of these factors.

    International experience

    The work of postgraduate student Xu Kaixuan was called “Development of methods for calculating composite (wood-concrete) floor slabs of residential and public buildings” (supervisor – professor, doctor of technical sciences Alexander Chernykh). “I began working on this topic during my studies in the master’s program at SPbGASU and chose it for my PhD dissertation. I would like to note that the research is carried out by a student team with the active assistance of employees of the Center for Mechanical Testing of Building Structures at SPbGASU,” the author noted.

    According to the postgraduate student, the applied basic design solutions and forms of wood-concrete composite slabs are in demand in the construction of industrial, civil construction and social infrastructure facilities, including multi-apartment residential buildings using wooden CLT structures, as well as in the construction of pedestrian and automobile bridges as span slabs. Xu Kaixuan attributed the advantages of such solutions to environmental friendliness and sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and synergy of the strength properties of concrete and wood. The main problem is to ensure the joint operation of concrete and CLT under load.

    During the research, Xu Kaixuan determined the types and shapes of metal connectors (connectors) to ensure the joint operation of CLT slabs and concrete; he found that the combination of shape, size and location of connectors in the adhesive bond zone are critical to the perception of the acting loads of composite floor slabs.

    At present, an analysis of the best practices for the design and application of wood-concrete composite floor slabs in Russia and abroad has been conducted, and the relationships between the geometry of connectors and the bearing capacity of the samples under study have been experimentally established.

    Xu Kaixuan plans to conduct numerical modeling and experimental studies to determine the missing design characteristics of the adhesive interaction in the contact zone of connectors and concrete to develop a method for calculating the stress-strain state of wood-concrete composite floor slabs.

    The Department of Metal and Wooden Structures of SPbGASU was born from the merger of two large scientific centers: MKiIS (metal structures and testing of structures) and KDiP (wood and plastic structures), authoritative in the Russian scientific community and abroad. The employees of the department are members of the Technical Committee for Standardization in Construction, take part in the work of the All-Russian Scientific and Technical Council for Metal and Wooden Structures. The opinions of the members of the department are listened to in large enterprises of the industry (TsNIISK, Association for the Development of Steel Construction, Association of Wooden Housing Construction, etc.).

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint’s Energy Fund Awarded FundGrade A+ Award

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint”) is pleased to announce its Ninepoint Energy Fund (the “Fund”) has received a FundGrade A+ Award at Fundata’s 2024 Evening of Excellence event recently held in Toronto. The FundGrade A+ award has been accepted and embraced by the financial services industry as an objective, independent mark of distinction for those funds and fund managers who receive the award. This award acknowledges Canadian investment funds that have maintained an exceptional performance rating over the entire previous calendar year.

      CIFSC
    Category    		 Fund Count FundGrade
    Start Date    		 FundGrade
    Calculation Date
    Ninepoint Energy Fund Energy Equity 18 12/31/2014 12/31/2024


    Fund Objective

    The Ninepoint Energy Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital growth. The Fund invests primarily in equity and equity-related securities of companies that are involved directly or indirectly in the exploration, development, production and distribution of oil, gas, coal, or uranium and other related activities in the energy and resource sector.

    Compounded Returns (as of December 31, 2024) |   Inception date: April 15, 2004 (Series F)

      1 YR 3 YR 5 YR 10 YR 15 YR Since Inception
    Ninepoint Energy Fund,
    Series F    		 13.2% 17.8% 29.5% 7.8% 6.1% 7.2%

    All returns and fund details are a) based on Series F units; b) net of fees; c) annualized if period is greater than one year

    For more information about the Fund, please visit https://www.ninepoint.com/funds/ninepoint-energy-fund/

    About the Fundata FundGrade A+®Award

    FundGrade A+® is used with permission from Fundata Canada Inc., all rights reserved. The annual FundGrade A+® Awards are presented by Fundata Canada Inc. to recognize the “best of the best” among Canadian investment funds. The FundGrade A+® calculation is supplemental to the monthly FundGrade ratings and is calculated at the end of each calendar year. The FundGrade rating system evaluates funds based on their risk-adjusted performance, measured by Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, and Information Ratio. The score for each ratio is calculated individually, covering all time periods from 2 to 10 years. The scores are then weighted equally in calculating a monthly FundGrade. The top 10% of funds earn an A Grade; the next 20% of funds earn a B Grade; the next 40% of funds earn a C Grade; the next 20% of funds receive a D Grade; and the lowest 10% of funds receive an E Grade. To be eligible, a fund must have received a FundGrade rating every month in the previous year. The FundGrade A+® uses a GPA-style calculation, where each monthly FundGrade from “A” to “E” receives a score from 4 to 0, respectively. A fund’s average score for the year determines its GPA. Any fund with a GPA of 3.5 or greater is awarded a FundGrade A+® Award. For more information, see www.FundGradeAwards.com. Although Fundata makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Fundata.

    About Ninepoint Partners LP

    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    For more information, please contact:

    Sales Inquiries:

    Neil Ross
    Ninepoint Partners
    416.945.6227
    nross@ninepoint.com

    Ninepoint Partners LP is the investment manager to the Ninepoint Funds (collectively, the “Funds”).

    The Fund is generally exposed to the following risks. See the prospectus of the Fund for a description of these risks: concentration risk; credit risk; currency risk; cybersecurity risk; derivatives risk; energy risk; exchange traded funds risk; foreign investment risk; inflation risk; interest rate risk; liquidity risk; market risk; performance fee risk; regulatory risk; Rule 144A and other exempted securities risk; securities lending, repurchase and reverse repurchase transactions risk; series risk; short selling risk; small capitalization natural resource company risk; specific issuer risk; tax risk; Absence of an active market for ETF Series risk; Halted trading of ETF Series risk; Trading price of ETF Series risk.

    Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, performance fees (if any), and other expenses all may be associated with investing in the Funds. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. The indicated rate of return for series F units of the Funds for the period ended December 31, 2024 is based on the historical annual compounded total return including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any unitholder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation to purchase securities of the Funds.

    The information contained herein does not constitute an offer or solicitation by anyone in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such an offer or solicitation is not authorized or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. Prospective investors who are not resident in Canada should contact their financial advisor to determine whether securities of the Funds may be lawfully sold in their jurisdiction.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Breastfeeding and Ebola: knowledge gaps endanger mothers and babies

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Catriona Waitt, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and Global Health, University of Liverpool

    Breastfeeding is so important for child health that the World Health Organization (WHO) and Unicef recommend that babies should be breastfed within an hour of birth, be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life, and then continue breastfeeding in combination with other foods for two years or more.

    Infectious disease emergencies can threaten breastfeeding and the lives of mothers and babies. Depending on the disease, there is a risk of passing infection to the baby by close contact or (rarely) through breastmilk. There is also the risk of harm to breastfed infants from medication or vaccination of their mothers.

    But separating mothers and babies or stopping breastfeeding also poses risks.

    Mothers need proper guidance on the best course of action during an Ebola outbreak.

    Threat to mothers and babies

    The symptoms of Ebola include fever, tiredness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and, later, bleeding from any part of the body.

    Ebola viruses are extremely contagious and people who become infected are at very high risk of death. Pregnant women and infants are more vulnerable and at greater risk than others.

    Ebola outbreaks most often occur in countries where breastfeeding is vital for child survival. They have occurred in several African countries and on 30 January 2025 Uganda declared an outbreak, the latest in several the country has endured.

    Breastmilk contains many ingredients that help to prevent and fight infection and that strengthen the baby’s own immune system. Replacing breastmilk with other foods or liquids (including infant formula) removes this protection from babies and makes them more likely to become seriously ill.



    Read more:
    Ebola: how a vaccine turned a terrifying virus into a preventable disease

    Protection or harm?

    It’s important to know which actions protect or harm babies and their mothers during outbreaks. Recommendations on infectious diseases must weigh up the risks related to the disease, medical treatments and the risks of not-breastfeeding.

    The World Health Organization has published guidelines on how to care for breastfeeding mothers and their infants when one or both have Ebola, but these recommendations are based on “very low quality” evidence, they are mostly expert opinion rather than research-based knowledge.

    Women and children have been largely neglected in Ebola research. More is known about Ebola and semen than Ebola and breastmilk.

    In a paper just published in the Lancet Global Health, we have outlined a roadmap for research on Ebola and breastfeeding so that mothers and babies can be protected.



    Read more:
    Ebola in Uganda: why women must be central to the response

    What we don’t know

    We know that Ebola is easily transmitted by close contact between people. So the close contact of breastfeeding is a risk to an uninfected baby or mother if one of them has Ebola.

    However:

    • We don’t know if breastmilk can be infectious and, if it is, for how long.

    • We don’t know whether expressed breastmilk can be treated so that it is safe.

    • We don’t know whether, if both mother and baby are infected, it is better for the baby if the mother keeps breastfeeding, if she is able to.

    • We don’t know if vaccinating mothers against Ebola helps to protect their breastfed infants from the virus.

    • We don’t know if there are any risks for breastfed infants if their mothers are infected.

    The result of this lack of knowledge is that decisions may be taken that increase risk and suffering for mothers and their babies.

    For example, mothers may refuse vaccination because they are fearful that it is risky for their baby. But by refusing vaccination they’d be making themselves vulnerable to Ebola.

    Alternatively, they may get vaccinated and stop breastfeeding, making their baby vulnerable to other serious infections.

    If mothers and babies who both have Ebola are separated and breastfeeding is stopped, it could reduce the chances of survival.

    Mothers and babies deserve better than this.

    No more excuses

    For many years people have called for more research on Ebola, breastmilk and breastfeeding, but this research has not been undertaken. It is not acceptable that women and children are deprived of breastfeeding because the needed research has not been done.

    Our experience providing medical care in Ebola outbreaks, developing guidance for breastfeeding mothers in emergencies and researching medications and breastfeeding prompted us to develop a plan to fill this research gap.

    In our paper, we describe the different groups of breastfeeding women affected by Ebola who must be included in research:

    • vaccine recipients

    • mothers who are ill with Ebola

    • mothers recovering from Ebola

    • mothers who are infected with Ebola, but have no symptoms

    • the wider population of breastfeeding mothers in communities experiencing Ebola outbreaks.

    The roadmap also includes the research questions that need answering and the study designs that would enable these questions to be answered.

    It is up to governments, pharmaceutical companies, researchers, funders and health organisations to act.

    Following the Ebola and breastfeeding research roadmap will not necessarily be easy. It is difficult to do research in the middle of an emergency.

    But research on vaccination safety can be done outside outbreaks. Putting research plans in place and gaining approvals before outbreaks will also make things easier.

    Closing the female data gap

    Women have the right to societal, family and health support to enable them to breastfeed.

    Lack of research is part of a problem called the “female data gap”, where knowledge of women’s bodies, experiences and needs is lacking.

    The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says, “Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.”

    There just needs to be a commitment to make this research happen.

    Catriona Waitt receives funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Gates Foundation.

    Karleen Gribble is a long-term member and current steering committee member of the Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies Core Group.

    Peter Waitt receives funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the UK Medical Research Council, thr UK National Institute of Health Research and the Wellcome Trust.

    Mija Ververs and Prince Imani-Musimwa do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Breastfeeding and Ebola: knowledge gaps endanger mothers and babies – https://theconversation.com/breastfeeding-and-ebola-knowledge-gaps-endanger-mothers-and-babies-248356

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Solving the Childcare Shortage: Governor Shapiro Highlights Proposal to Expand Pennsylvania’s Childcare Workforce, Support Parents and Families

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    February 06, 2025 – Harrisburg, PA

    Solving the Childcare Shortage: Governor Shapiro Highlights Proposal to Expand Pennsylvania’s Childcare Workforce, Support Parents and Families

    Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visited CrossPoint Early Learning Center in Dauphin County to highlight the Governor’s 2025-26 proposed budget, which builds on his efforts to make childcare more affordable by expanding and strengthening the childcare workforce. Governor Shapiro has worked to make childcare more affordable over his first two years – and this year’s budget proposal works to make childcare more available for Pennsylvania families.

    The 2025-26 budget proposal builds on Governor Shapiro’s first two budgets with a $55 million investment in workforce recruitment and retention grants to increase childcare availability and pay these dedicated workers more. These grants would provide an additional $1,000 annually per employee working in licensed childcare centers in the Child Care Works (CCW) Program. Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has expanded the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit, delivering $136 million in savings to over 218,000 families, and created the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit to help businesses contribute to employees’ childcare costs. These initiatives have been key in helping to make childcare more affordable for families all across the Commonwealth.

    “My budget proposal places a special emphasis on workforce development – addressing growing workforce shortages across several critical sectors, including childcare,” said Governor Shapiro. “Right now, we have 3,000 unfilled jobs in childcare centers across Pennsylvania and when families can’t find safe, affordable childcare for their kids, it forces them out of our workforce and hurts our economy. That’s why my budget includes $55 million to give childcare workers in Pennsylvania at least $1,000 in recruitment or retention bonuses to invest in our workforce and solve this problem.”

    Listof Speakers:
    Suzanne Brubacher, Director of CrossPoint Early Learning Center
    Governor Josh Shapiro
    Megan Gherrity, a parent whose children attend CrossPoint Early Learning Center
    Jennifer Shirk-Weiss, teacher at CrossPoint Early Learning Center
    Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh
    Senator Patty Kim
    Representative Justin Fleming

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Opens Historic Underground Railroad Site in Wrightsville to Public for First Time in History

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    February 06, 2025 – Wrightsville, PA

    Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Opens Historic Underground Railroad Site in Wrightsville to Public for First Time in History

    For the first time in 225 years, the public will gain access to Mifflin Farm, a documented Underground Railroad site and the location of a pivotal Civil War battle, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn announced today during a visit to the site in honor of Black History Month.

    The 79-acre Mifflin Farm property, expected to open for tours this spring, includes the Mifflin House, a documented stop for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. Investments from DCNR, the Department of Community and Economic Development, the National Park Service, The Conservation Fund, several York County organizations, and private donors will open the site to the public for the first time in more than two centuries. The Susquehanna National Heritage Area is planning a discovery center and heritage park at the site, featuring walking trails interpreting the Underground Railroad and the Civil War battle in Wrightsville, with public access beginning this spring.

    “This site is integral in telling the story of Pennsylvania and its fight to end slavery,” said Secretary Dunn. “As we celebrate Black History Month, we must not forget those who fought for their own freedom, risking their lives to travel the Underground Railroad North. We must also remember those who fought for what was right, despite the prevailing norms of the time.”

    Speaker list:
    Nelson Polite, Jr., President, African American Historical Society of South Central Pennsylvania
    Mark Platts, President & CEO, Susquehanna National Heritage Area
    Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn, DCNR
    Neicy Deshields-Moulton, Genealogist
    Doug Hoke, York County Commissioner
    State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: A concerted effort for long-term excellence, competitiveness and increased patient benefit

    Source: Government of Sweden

    A concerted effort for long-term excellence, competitiveness and increased patient benefit – Government.se

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    Published

    Sweden’s national life sciences strategy serves as a long-range framework, and the strategy’s eight priority areas remain the starting point for this update of the previous strategy from 2019.

    Download:

    The updated objectives indicate the Government’s policy for the
    development of the sector and aim to encourage a mobilisation at the local, regional and national levels. By being an active partner in both Sweden and the EU, the Government wants to contribute to a sustainable and advantageous development of Sweden’s life sciences.

    Shortcut

    Sweden’s national life sciences strategy was launched in December 2019.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: TSplus Headquarters Meeting in Paris Sets the Stage for a Promising 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PARIS, Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Last week, the TSplus headquarters team convened in Paris for a pivotal two-day meeting to reflect on the successes of 2024 and outline strategic objectives for 2025. The gathering brought together key members of the global TSplus network and featured insightful discussions on the company’s future growth and innovations.

    TSplus Welcomes New Talent and Celebrates Achievements

    The meeting opened with a warm welcome to new recruits who will play essential roles in advancing TSplus’s global initiatives. Adrien Philippe now leads the worldwide pre-sales team, joined by Michael and Waddi. In China, three new hires—Neo (Sales Development), Chen (Marketing), and Yi (Communications Liaison from France)—have been onboarded to strengthen operations and communication between Shanghai and the headquarters.

    Henri Marlin, COO, shared exciting news as TSplus achieved a significant milestone: for the first time in its history, the company’s turnover has surpassed $10 million. This impressive growth reflects TSplus’s commitment to innovation, customer-centric strategies, and global market expansion.

    Strategic Focus Areas for TSplus in 2025

    Dominique laid out TSplus’ roadmap towards 2030, emphasizing the need for robust reseller networks, innovative products, effective sales strategies, and strong partnerships. He identified six strategic pillars for 2025:

    • Video Production: Enhanced marketing strategies leveraging multimedia content.
    • Expansion in China and the USA: With new hires and development initiatives.
    • Prospection Database: Supporting localized market exploration.
    • Remote Connect Release: Simplified remote support for individual users.
    • RDS-Tools: Continued development and integration.
    • AI Tools: Leveraging artificial intelligence to drive innovation.

    TSplus Technical Developments and Product Innovation

    TSplus’ product development team focused in 2024 on enhancing its flagship solutions, Remote Support and Advanced Security, prioritizing user experience and cross-platform compatibility. For 2025, ambitious plans are in place, including:

    • Further enhancements to the Remote Support Android app and the development of an iOS version.
    • Introduction of unattended access features and extended compatibility with a wide range of mobile devices.
    • Major updates to Remote Access, improving session launch times, enhancing the web application portal, and making it a true corporate platform.
    • Advanced Security improvements focusing on streamlined configuration synchronization and stronger ransomware protection.
    • Release of Server Monitoring version 6, introducing SMS alerts, TLS server monitoring, and data security enhancements.

    Additionally, a complete overhaul of the License Portal will optimize user experience and integrate the SaaS model for all TSplus products, facilitating seamless subscription-based services.

    Marketing and Branding Initiatives to Increase TSplus Notoriety

    David Bismuth, executing video production efforts, aims to create engaging, AI-driven multilingual videos to bolster the company’s social media strategy. These efforts will complement ongoing SEO optimization and content creation initiatives, which drove impressive web traffic growth in 2024.

    TSplus will continue expanding its presence on key platforms, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and potentially Reddit, to increase brand awareness and engagement. The development of a case studies portfolio, leveraging customer insights, is also underway to highlight success stories.

    Insights and Keys to Shine in Remote Access Market in 2025

    A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by Xavier Fontanet, former CEO of Essilor and a renowned business strategist. He shared invaluable advice on thriving as a smaller player in markets dominated by giants like Citrix and Microsoft. Fontanet’s “small fish” strategy emphasized the advantages of specialization and gradual market expansion through niche targeting.

    Looking ahead, TSplus is excited to host its next international meeting in Bali in April 2025. With a clear roadmap, a motivated team, and ambitious goals, TSplus continues its mission to provide innovative, reliable solutions for remote access and cybersecurity.

    TSplus invites IT resellers and professionals to join the TSplus Partner program: https://tsplus.net/partner-program/.

    About TSplus

    TSplus is a global provider of remote access, cybersecurity, and managed services solutions. With a commitment to innovation and customer-centric strategies, TSplus empowers businesses of all sizes to achieve secure and efficient remote operations.

    Media Contact:

    Caleb Zaharris

    Marketing Director,

    Email: caleb.zaharris@tsplus.net

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/07579445-2084-422a-b176-e498086e2857

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/91a278f2-19d8-4452-b2ee-878337549595

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Arq Schedules Q4 & FY 2024 Earnings Conference Call and Upcoming Investor Events

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arq, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQ) (the “Company” or “Arq”), a producer of activated carbon and other environmentally efficient carbon products for use in purification and sustainable materials, today announced the schedule and conference call details for its fourth quarter and full-year 2024 earnings results, as well as expected participation in upcoming investor conferences.

    Q4 & FY 2024 Earnings Conference Call

    The Company expects to release its fourth quarter and full-year 2024 financial results and file its annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 after market close on Wednesday, March 5, 2025. A conference call to discuss the Company’s financial performance will be held on Thursday, March 6, 2025, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

    The conference call webcast information will be available via the Investor Resources section of Arq’s website at www.arq.com. Interested parties may participate in the conference call by registering at https://www.webcast-eqs.com/arq20250306. Alternatively, the live conference call may be accessed by dialing (877) 407-0890 or (201) 389-0918 and referencing Arq.

    A supplemental investor presentation will be available on the Company’s Investor Resources section of the website prior to the start of the conference call.

    A replay of the event will be made available shortly after the event and accessible via the same webcast link referenced above. Alternatively, the replay may be accessed by dialing (877) 660-6853 or (201) 612-7415 and entering Access ID 13751420. The dial-in replay will expire after March 13, 2025.

    Upcoming Investor Conferences

    Additionally, Arq announced today that Company management expects to participate in the following upcoming investor conferences:

    Canaccord Genuity Sustainability Virtual Summit
    Date: February 26, 2025
    Location: Virtual

    37th Annual ROTH Conference
    Date: March 16-18, 2025
    Location: Dana Point, CA

    Gabelli Funds’ 16th Annual Specialty Chemicals Symposium
    Date: March 20, 2025
    Location: New York, NY / Virtual (Arq to attend virtually)

    About Arq

    Arq (NASDAQ: ARQ) is a diversified, environmental technology company with products that enable a cleaner and safer planet while actively reducing our environmental impact. As the only vertically integrated producer of activated carbon products in North America, we deliver a reliable domestic supply of innovative, hard-to-source, high-demand products. We apply our extensive expertise to develop groundbreaking solutions to remove harmful chemicals and pollutants from water, land and air. Learn more at: www.arq.com.

    Source: Arq, Inc.

    Investor Contact:

    Anthony Nathan, Arq
    Marc Silverberg, ICR
    investors@arq.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: AI can boost economic growth, but it needs to be managed incredibly carefully

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Professor Ashley Braganza, Professor of Business Transformation, Brunel University of London

    Erman Gunes / Shutterstock

    The UK government’s efforts to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into public services and stimulate economic growth represents a pivotal step in the roll out of the technology in this country.

    AI offers the promise of improving public services by enabling faster, more efficient processes, personalising provision of those services for the public and optimising decision-making. However, the adoption of this technology in public systems brings inherent risks, particularly in an environment characterised by rapid technological developments.

    A primary concern and challenge lies in ensuring that AI adoption builds trust in public services. Mismanagement of AI can worsen inequality, lead to job losses, and erode public confidence in government and the further rollout of AI-based technologies.

    Balancing these opportunities and risks requires understanding the trade offs involved, notably the tension between job creation and displacement, unconstrained benefits from the misuse of AI, and the need for fairness, transparency, equity and a capacity to be able to explain the design of algorithms.

    AI has the potential to generate employment in fields such as data science, algorithm design and system maintenance. However, automating routine administrative tasks such as form processing and record management threatens to make many public sector roles redundant.

    The challenge lies in maintaining efficiency and accountability while addressing inevitable job gigification. This transition will not be uniform. Workers in roles vulnerable to automation will experience immediate consequences.

    The government has rightly identified the need to invest in reskilling initiatives that prepare workers for an AI-driven future. Reskilling is necessary but insufficient to fuel economic growth.

    As tasks are gigified by AI technologies, traditional full-time jobs become increasingly scarce, leading to more “white collar” workers experiencing income volatility, periods of un- or underemployment and precarious living. Yet, extant financial systems are based upon patterns of monthly income and expenditure on mortgages and rent or utilities.

    Financial systems need to become significantly more flexible to enable workers to align uncertain income streams with unavoidable regular expenditure on necessities such as food and internet connectivity.

    Oversight is key

    The risks of AI algorithm failures are particularly apparent when systems deployed in the public sector cause harm. A glaring example is the UK Post Office scandal, where inaccurate data from the Horizon IT system led to wrongful prosecutions.

    This case highlights the importance of oversight in AI deployment. Without a mix of regulations, guidelines and guardrails, errors in AI systems can lead to serious consequences, particularly in sectors related to justice, welfare and resource allocation.

    Government must ensure that AI-driven systems are not only efficient and accurate but also auditable. Independent bodies should oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of AI systems to reduce risks of failure.

    AI can enhance public services, but it is important to acknowledge that algorithms reflect biases inherent in their design and training data. In the public sector, these biases can have unintended and unforeseen consequences that are invidious, as they are hidden in the depths of complex computer code.

    For instance, AI systems used in housing allocation can exacerbate existing inequalities if trained on biased historical data. Fairness and trust should therefore be core principles in AI development. Developers must use diverse, representative datasets and conduct bias audits throughout the process.

    Citizen engagement is essential, as affected communities can provide valuable input to identify flaws and contribute to solutions that promote equity.
    A key challenge for policymakers is whether AI can deliver on its promise without deepening social divisions or reinforcing discriminatory practices. Transparency in AI decision making is essential for maintaining public trust.

    Citizens are more likely to trust systems when they understand how decisions are made. Governments should commit to clear, accessible communication about AI systems, allowing individuals to challenge and appeal automated decisions. While AI adoption will likely cause disruption in the early stages, these challenges can diminish over time, leading to faster, more personalised services and more meaningful work opportunities for government employees.

    AI systems are dynamic, continuously evolving with the data they process and the contexts in which they operate. Governments must prioritise ongoing review and auditing of AI systems to ensure they meet public needs and ethical standards. Engaging relevant stakeholders – citizens, public sector employees and private sector partners – is essential to this process.

    Transparent communication about the goals, benefits, and limitations of AI helps build public trust and ensures that AI systems remain responsive to societal needs. Independent audits conducted by multidisciplinary teams can identify flaws early and prevent harm. To fully realise AI’s potential and ensure its benefits are distributed equitably, policymakers must carefully balance efficiency, fairness, innovation, and accountability.

    A strategic focus on education, ethical algorithm design and transparent governance is necessary. By investing in education, AI ethics and strong regulatory frameworks, governments can ensure that AI becomes a tool for societal progress while minimising unintended adverse consequences.

    S. Asieh Hosseini Tabaghdehi works for Brunel University of London. She received funding from UKRI (ESRC) to investigate the ethical implication of digital footprint data in SMEs value creation.

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

    – ref. AI can boost economic growth, but it needs to be managed incredibly carefully – https://theconversation.com/ai-can-boost-economic-growth-but-it-needs-to-be-managed-incredibly-carefully-248578

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Britain has a new snake species – should climate change mean it is allowed to stay?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Major, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Herpetology, Bournemouth University

    Meet north Wales’s newest resident: the Aesculapian snake (_Zamenis longissimus_). Nathan Rusli

    All animals live in or seek a set of climate conditions they find tolerable. This “climate envelope” partially determines where animals are found, but the continued existence of many species now rests on the outcome of human-driven climate change.

    Rising temperatures are moving the available climate niches of many species into areas which were previously too cool. While their ranges shift poleward or to higher elevations, their habitat downslope or closer to the equator shrinks, as it becomes too hot to live in.

    Flying and marine animals are relatively free to follow these shifting niches. Birds and butterflies are two examples. New species arrive regularly in the UK with the warming climate and are generally met with excitement by enthusiasts and scientists alike, given that they are a natural effort by a species to make the best of a difficult situation.

    However, many grounded species, including reptiles and mammals, cannot disperse through habitats split apart by roads and other human-made obstacles, or cross natural barriers like the Channel. This limits their ability to find suitable conditions and makes them vulnerable to extinction.

    Nowhere to go?

    Here is the dilemma for conservationists like us.

    We normally focus on preserving species within their modern ranges, and have traditionally viewed species that end up outside theirs as a problem. But retaining the status quo is increasingly untenable in the face of unchecked climate change.

    Should we consider conserving species that have moved, or been moved, outside of the native ranges that existed before industrial society and its greenhouse effect? Should we even consider deliberately moving species to conserve them? Introduced species that have established just outside of their native ranges, in slightly cooler climates, offer a glimpse of the likely consequences.

    Our new study in north Wales focused on one such migrant. Aesculapian snakes (Zamenis longissimus) are nonvenomous reptiles that mostly eat rodents and are native to central and southern Europe, reaching almost to the Channel coast in northern France.

    Two accidental introductions, one in Colwyn Bay, north Wales, and another along the Regent’s Canal in London, have allowed this species to thrive in Britain. It is not actually novel to our shores, but it disappeared during a previous ice age and has probably been absent for about 300,000 years.

    While the introduced UK populations appear to be thriving, recent surveys of this snake in the southern parts of its range have discovered a rapid decline, potentially due in part to climate change.

    A good neighbour

    Given their status as a non-native species, we were keen to find out how Aesculapian snakes are surviving in chilly north Wales, further north than anywhere they currently occur naturally. To do this, we implanted 21 snakes with radio transmitters and spent two summers tracking them around the countryside.

    Aesculapian snakes are elusive and wary of humans.
    Tom Major

    Our results surprised us. The snakes had a trump card which seemed to help them weather the cool climate. They were frequently entering buildings – relatively warm refuges – while they were digesting food or preparing to shed their skin. They also used garden compost bins for shelter and to incubate their eggs.

    Even more surprisingly, most residents did not mind the snakes. In fact, many had no idea they had snakes as neighbours because they kept such a low profile, typically hiding in attic corners. The snakes appear to coexist with normal suburban wildlife, and there are no indications that their presence is affecting native species.

    Should successfully established, innocuous immigrants be proscribed and potentially eradicated, as is currently the case? Or should they be valued and conserved in the face of current and impending climate change?

    Protecting and conserving the maximum possible diversity of species and ecosystems is the heart of the conservation agenda. However, the rapid pace of change forced upon our planet requires us to rethink what is practical and desirable to achieve.

    Conservation within the silos of national boundaries is an increasingly outdated way of trying to maintain the diversity underlying global ecosystems. Instead, conservationists may need to accept that the rapidly changing environment necessitate shifts in the ranges of species. And perhaps, even assist those species incapable of moving on their own.

    Introductions have allowed this snake to flourish on an island it would never naturally reach.
    Antonio Gandini

    Unlicensed “guerrilla” releases are obviously unacceptable due to biosecurity risks (for example, the potential to introduce devastating diseases such as the amphibian-killing Bsal fungus) and other unforeseen consequences. Even legitimate reintroductions often fail, due to there being too few individual specimens, pollution or predation from invasive species.

    Aesculapian snakes will be considered by the government for addition to the list of alien species of special concern, which would be grounds for eradication. It would be tragic if species such as this became extinct in parts of their natural range, while thriving introduced populations just to the north of their pre-industrial distribution are treated as undesirable aliens that must be removed.

    Instead, we argue that this innocuous species should be the figurehead for new thinking in conservation biology, that incorporates the reality of impending further climate change and dispenses with the narrow constraints of national boundaries and adherence to pre-industrial distributions.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Wolfgang Wüster receives funding from the Leverhulme Trust.

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

    – ref. Britain has a new snake species – should climate change mean it is allowed to stay? – https://theconversation.com/britain-has-a-new-snake-species-should-climate-change-mean-it-is-allowed-to-stay-249043

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The illusion of equal opportunity for minority NFL coaches

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Joseph N. Cooper, Endowed Chair of Sport Leadership and Administration, UMass Boston

    On the day after the New England Patriots ended their NFL season with a miserable 4-13 record, team owner Robert Kraft fired Jerod Mayo, the team’s first Black head coach. In a press conference following his decision, Kraft explained that he put Mayo in “an untenable situation” by hiring him to lead an underperforming team.

    Kraft’s assessment reflects an all-too-familiar reality for Black coaches in the NFL. Though Black players account for 53% of all NFL players, only 19% of head coaches are Black men.

    At the beginning of the 2024 season, the NFL set its own league record with nine of its 32 head coaching jobs held by minorities. In addition to Mayo, Las Vegas’ Antonio Pierce, Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles, Atlanta’s Raheem Morris and Houston’s DeMeco Ryans are Black. They were joined by Carolina’s Dave Canales, who is Mexican American, Miami’s biracial Mike McDaniel and the New York Jets’ Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent.

    By season’s end, three of those coaches were gone, including the Raiders’ Pierce. Pierce, like Mayo, was given one season to turn around a team with a losing record. Saleh was fired during the season.

    In my view as a scholar of race and professional sports, the firings revealed the NFL’s double standard for Black head coaches and suggest that Black men are still valued more for their athletic prowess than their leadership skills.

    During a Fox NFL Sunday show shortly after Mayo’s firing, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski called Mayo’s firing shocking, disappointing and “unfair.”

    ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith was quick to blame the race of Mayo as a factor. “They call it Black Monday for a reason,” Smith said. “Jerod Mayo was clearly not given a lengthy enough opportunity.”

    A checkered history

    In 1921, a year after the NFL’s inaugural season, Fritz Pollard became the first Black head coach when he was hired to lead the Akron Pros. It would take nearly 70 years before the NFL had its second Black head coach – Art Shell of the Oakland Raiders in 1989.

    Since then, Black coaches have had few chances in the NFL. Even fewer have succeeded. Only two Black head coaches have won Super Bowl titles: Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts in 2007 and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008.

    To address the lack of Black head coaches, the NFL enacted in 2003 what is known as the Rooney Rule, a hiring practice named after Dan Rooney, the former owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers who sat on the NFL’s diversity committee. The rule requires teams to include two minority candidate during the interview process for head coaching jobs and was later applied to general managers, senior executives and assistant coaches.

    But even with the rule, the percentage of Black coaches has consistently been lower than the percentage of Black players. Research has shown that Black coaches are both less likely to be promoted to head coaching jobs than their white counterparts and less likely to receive a second chance after a losing season.

    In fact, since the Rooney Rule was instituted in 2003, nonwhite coaches have been more than three times as likely to be fired after one season than white coaches, according to data collected by the USA Today NFL Coaches Project.

    Their data did not include the scores of Black assistant coaches who are routinely overlooked for their first head coaching jobs.

    Eric Bieniemy takes the field as a UCLA assistant coach during the 2024 season.
    Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    Eric Bieniemy, for example, shared two Super Bowl championships as offensive coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2019 and 2022. Given his experience, he was widely expected by NFL analysts to earn a head coaching job.

    In order to pursue that goal, Bieniemy left the Chiefs in 2023 to join the Washington Commanders and was a favorite to become the team’s next head coach. But the Commanders were sold at the end of the 2023 season, and the new owners promptly fired him.

    Bieniemy is back in the NFL after being hired in February 2025 by the Chicago Bears as their running backs coach, a lower rank than his prior position as offensive coordinator.

    The benefit of the doubt

    In 2020, the NFL expressed its support for the Black Lives Matter movement by promoting social justice messages on end zones and players’ helmets. The NFL also hired Roc Nation, Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z’s company, to manage its music and entertainment.

    A year later, the NFL formally ended their decades-long practice of race norming in which the league routinely gave Black players lower baseline cognitive ratings than white players in legal actions related to concussions and subsequent dementia.

    But those measures, much like the Rooney Rule, have not closed the racial disparities among NFL head coaches and have not stopped white coaches from appearing to be more likely to receive the benefit of the doubt.

    The NFL used goal post pads in 2022 to proclaim the league’s efforts to end racism.
    Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

    Still unresolved is a 2022 lawsuit filed by Black head coach Brian Flores. Despite posting two winning seasons during his three-year tenure, he was fired by the Miami Dolphins. Flores filed a suit against the NFL, the Miami Dolphins and two other NFL teams alleging widespread racial discrimination and hiring practices.

    During an interview with reporters before the 2025 Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league’s diversity initiatives, saying, “We’ve proven to ourselves that it does make the NFL better.”

    Goodell was quick to point out that the NFL’s diversity efforts do not mean a “quota system” in which a certain number of candidates of each race are hired.

    “There’s no requirement to hire a particular individual on the basis of race or gender,” Goodell said. “This is about opening that funnel and bringing the best talent into the NFL.”

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

    – ref. The illusion of equal opportunity for minority NFL coaches – https://theconversation.com/the-illusion-of-equal-opportunity-for-minority-nfl-coaches-247057

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Migration State Secretary visits Frontex to discuss return procedures

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Migration State Secretary visits Frontex to discuss return procedures – Government.se

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    Article from Ministry of Justice

    Published

    On 30–31 January, State Secretary Anders Hall took part in an informal meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) in Warsaw, Poland. In conjunction with the meeting, Mr Hall paid a visit to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

    • State Secretary Anders Hall and Frontex’s Deputy Executive Director for Returns and Operations Lars Gerdes.

      Photo: Frontex

    • At the meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) in Warsaw, where State Secretary Anders Hall met with Poland’s Minister of the Interior and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak.

      Photo: The Chancellery of the Prime Minister / PAP S.A

    Frontex is the EU Border and Coast Guard Agency that supports EU Member States with issues such as enforcing return decisions. Frontex provides support to EU Member States at all stages of a return procedure: everything from obtaining travel documents and contact with relevant third countries, to offering funded and chartered flights and reintegration assistance. 

    At the meeting, discussions centred on the EU Agency’s cooperation with Swedish government agencies, something that Frontex considers a success. Over the past two years, Swedish government agencies have increasingly started using Frontex’s services in their work on return procedures. This enhanced cooperation has increased the number of return operations organised by Sweden together with Frontex. 

    “The Government’s priority is to increase the returns of those who have received an expulsion order. That’s why it’s positive that Frontex is verifying that the work of the Government and its agencies is yielding results. Achieving an effective return procedure is a prerequisite for a responsible and well-functioning migration policy,” says Mr Hall. 

    At the meeting with Frontex, Mr Hall met with Frontex’s Deputy Executive Director for Returns and Operations Lars Gerdes and Head of Sector Return Operations/Head of Unit Return Operations and Voluntary Returns Mauro Petriaggi. 

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: MREL and MDIV Earn FundGrade A+® Ratings For 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Middlefield is pleased to announce that two of its core ETFs—Middlefield Real Estate Dividend ETF (MREL) and Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF (MDIV)—have been awarded the Fundata FundGrade A+® rating for 2024. This prestigious distinction is given to Canadian investment funds that have consistently delivered the best risk-adjusted returns over an entire calendar year.

    “Receiving the FundGrade A+® award for both MREL and MDIV reflects our disciplined investment approach and commitment to delivering consistent, risk-adjusted returns for our investors,” said Dean Orrico, President and CEO of Middlefield. “Real estate and dividend-focused equities help create more resilient portfolios by providing reliable income streams, managing risk, and enhancing stability. In light of the current uncertain market backdrop, we believe these strategies are excellent diversifiers for investor portfolios, and we look forward to building on this success in 2025.”

    About the Award-Winning Funds

    Middlefield Real Estate Dividend ETF (MREL)
    MREL is designed to provide investors with stable monthly income and long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of high-quality global real estate companies. Since its launch in 2011, the fund has taken an actively managed approach, leveraging the expertise of Middlefield’s investment team to identify leading real estate businesses with growing cash flows and increasing dividends. For the second consecutive year, MREL has earned the FundGrade A+® rating, reinforcing its consistent performance and ability to navigate various market cycles.

    Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF (MDIV)
    MDIV is a high-conviction portfolio of global companies diversified across geographies and industries, with a focus on businesses that pay and grow dividends. Since its inception in 2013, the fund has prioritized large capitalization, high quality companies with durable business models and a strong track record of earnings growth.

    Additionally, Middlefield’s flagship North American fund, Income Plus Class, finished 2024 with a Fundata FundGrade A® rating, which is awarded to funds that substantially outperform their peers, ranking in the top 10% of their category.

    Learn more about MREL
    Learn more about MDIV
    Learn more about Income Plus

    For any questions or media requests, please contact Cassandra Coleman at ccoleman@middlefield.com.

    Founded in 1979, Middlefield is a Toronto-based asset manager specializing in innovative investment solutions. Over the past 45 years, we have developed a disciplined investment process across six core equity income mandates: Real Estate, Healthcare, Innovation, Infrastructure, Energy, and Diversified Income. We focus on high-quality companies with strong cash flow and dividend growth potential.

    Our investment solutions include award-winning ETFs and Mutual Funds, designed to meet the needs of advisors, institutional investors, and individual investors. Backed by a dedicated team, we strive to deliver superior returns through expertise and disciplined portfolio management.

    Disclosure: FundGrade A+® is used with permission from Fundata Canada Inc., all rights reserved. The annual FundGrade A+® Awards are presented by Fundata Canada Inc. to recognize the “best of the best” among Canadian investment funds. The FundGrade A+® calculation is supplemental to the monthly FundGrade ratings and is calculated at the end of each calendar year. The FundGrade rating system evaluates funds based on their risk-adjusted performance, measured by Sharpe Ratio, Sortino Ratio, and Information Ratio. The score for each ratio is calculated individually, covering all time periods from 2 to 10 years. The scores are then weighted equally in calculating a monthly FundGrade. The top 10% of funds earn an A Grade; the next 20% of funds earn a B Grade; the next 40% of funds earn a C Grade; the next 20% of funds receive a D Grade; and the lowest 10% of funds receive an E Grade. To be eligible, a fund must have received a FundGrade rating every month in the previous year. The FundGrade A+® uses a GPA-style calculation, where each monthly FundGrade from “A” to “E” receives a score from 4 to 0, respectively. A fund’s average score for the year determines its GPA. Any fund with a GPA of 3.5 or greater is awarded a FundGrade A+® Award. For more information, see www.FundGradeAwards.com. Although Fundata makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, the accuracy is not guaranteed by Fundata.

    Performance for Funds: Middlefield Real Estate Dividend ETF (MREL) won the 2024 FundGrade A+® in the Real Estate Equity Category, out of 29 funds. The FundGrade A+® performance start date was 12/31/2014 and the FundGrade A+® performance end date was 12/31/2024. Performance for the fund for the period ended December 31, 2024 is as follows: 7.0% (1 year), -3.4% (3 years), 3.4% (5 years), 6.3% (10 years) and since inception 7.2% (since inception – April 20, 2011). Middlefield Sustainable Global Dividend ETF (MDIV) won the 2024 FundGrade A+® in the Global Dividend & Income Equity Category, out of 39 funds. The FundGrade A+® performance start date was 12/31/2014 and the FundGrade A+® performance end date was 12/31/2024. Performance for the fund for the period ended December 31, 2024 is as follows: 43.7% (1 year), 13.1% (3 years), 14.0% (5 years), 11.8% (10 years) and since inception 12.6% (since inception – March 22, 2013). 

    Disclaimer: Please consult your advisor and read the prospectus document before investing. There may be commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses associated with ETF investments. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit value and reinvestment of all distributions and does not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any securityholder that would have reduced returns. ETFs are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: California wildfires force students to think about the connections between STEM and society

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Erika Dyson, Professor of Religous Studies, Harvey Mudd College

    Satellite imagery shows the front line of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles on Jan. 11, 2025. Maxar Technologies/Contributor

    Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.

    Title of course:

    “STEM & Social Impact: Climate Change”

    What prompted the idea for the course?

    Harvey Mudd College’s mission is to educate STEM students – short for science, technology, engineering and math – so they have a “clear understanding of the impact of their work on society.” But the “impact” part of our mission has been the most challenging to realize.

    When our college revised its “Core Curriculum” in 2020, our faculty decided we should create a new required impact course for all students.

    What does the course explore?

    The course is taught by a team of eight instructors who share their own disciplinary perspectives and help students critically analyze proposed interventions for increasing wildfire risks.

    Our instructors teach biology, chemistry, computer science and mathematics.

    The class also includes scholars focused on media studies, political science religious studies and science, technology and society.

    The course focuses on California wildfires so students can think critically about the ways STEM and social values shape each other.

    For example, in 1911, U.S. Forest Service deputy F. E. Olmsted applied the Social Darwinist idea of “survival of the fittest” to forest management. Reflecting the prevailing views of his era, he believed that competition was the driving force behind biology, economics and human progress – where the strong thrive and the weak fail.

    Olmsted said it was good forestry and good economics to let the forests grow unchecked. This policy would yield straight and tall “merchantable timber” suitable for sale and the needs of industry.

    He also rejected “light burning,” which Native Americans had used for centuries to manage forest ecosystems and reduce the flammable undergrowth.

    We live with the consequences of such reasoning 100 years later. Fires speed through overgrown land at alarming rates and release enormous amounts of carbon and other particulate matter into the atmosphere.

    Why is this course relevant now?

    Climate change is arguably the most pressing concern of our time. And wildfires are particularly relevant to those of us in fire-prone areas like Southern California.

    Public distrust of science is increasing. Consequently, society needs skilled STEM practitioners who can understand and communicate how scientific interventions will have different consequences and appeal to different stakeholders.

    For example, Los Angeles first responders have been using drones for search and rescue and to gather real-time information about fire lines since at least 2015.

    But the public is not always comfortable with drones flying over populated areas.

    The Los Angeles Fire Department has fielded enough citizen concerns about “snooping drones” and government concerns about data collection that it developed strict drone policies in consultation with regulators and the American Civil Liberties Union.

    The course’s focus on writing, critical thinking and climate change science prepares students to participate in public discussions about such interventions.

    By making students consider the impact of their future work, we also hope they will be proactive about the careers they want to pursue, whether it involves climate change or not.

    What’s a critical lesson from the course?

    Not everyone benefits in the same way from a single innovation.

    For example, low-income and rural Americans are less likely to benefit from the lower operating costs and lower pollution of electric vehicles. That’s because inadequate investment in public charging infrastructure makes owning them less practical.

    The course’s interdisciplinary approach helps to expose these kinds of structural inequities. We want students to get in the habit of asking questions about any technological solution.

    They include questions like: Who is likely to benefit, and how? Who has historically wielded power in this situation? Whose voices are being included? What assumptions have been made? Which values are being prioritized?

    What materials does the course feature?

    We combine popular and scholarly sources.

    Students watch two documentaries about the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California, which killed 85 people.

    The 2018 Camp Fire caused an estimated $US12.5 billion in damages.
    AP Photo/Noah Berger

    They analyze wildfire data using the Pandas library, an open-source data manipulation library for the Python computer programming language.

    They also read a Union of Concerned Scientists report examining fossil fuel companies’ culpability for increased risk of wildfires. And they analyze the environmental historian William Cronon’s classic indictment of the environmentalist movement for romanticizing an idea of a pristine “wilderness” while absolving themselves of the responsibility to protect the rest of nature – humans, cities, farms, industries.

    We also examine poetry by Ada Limón, indigenous ecology and Engaged Buddhism.

    What will the course prepare students to do?

    The final assignment for the course asks students to critically analyze a proposed intervention dealing with growing California wildfire risk using the disciplinary tools they have learned.

    For example, they could choose the increased deployment of “beneficial fires” to reduce flammable biomass in forests.

    For this intervention, we expect that students would address topics like the historical erasure of Indigenous knowledge of prescribed burning, financial liabilities associated with controlled burning, and scientific research on the efficacy of beneficial fires.

    Darryl Yong is a professor at Harvey Mudd College and co-directs Math for America Los Angeles. His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation.

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

    – ref. California wildfires force students to think about the connections between STEM and society – https://theconversation.com/california-wildfires-force-students-to-think-about-the-connections-between-stem-and-society-248286

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Byrna Technologies Reports Record Results for Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ANDOVER, Mass., Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Byrna Technologies Inc. (“Byrna” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BYRN), a personal defense technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions, today reported select financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter (“Q4 2024”) and full year ended November 30, 2024.

    Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 and Recent Operational Highlights

    • Surpassed 500,000 launchers sold since inception, just five and a half years after the sale of Byrna’s first launcher in June 2019.
    • Increased launcher production in the first fiscal quarter of 2025 by 33% to 24,000 launchers a month to meet growing market demand and support operational growth.
    • Recently opened a new U.S.-based ammunition manufacturing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as part of a re-shoring initiative, significantly expanding Byrna’s domestic production capacity and enhancing the Company’s supply chain for its payload ammunition.
    • Continued to generate a highly accretive return on ad spend (ROAS) above 5.0X through the celebrity endorsement program for the full year 2024 period, leading to a record $28.0 million of sales for the fourth quarter of 2024.
    • Added Megyn Kelly, Charlie Kirk, and Lara Trump as celebrity influencers to continue amplifying brand awareness and further support the normalization of its less-lethal solutions, while continuing to optimize marketing spend for maximum impact.
    • Partnered with the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), gaining access to nearly one million USCCA members to promote less-lethal solutions while introducing Byrna customers to USCCA’s training, education, and self-defense liability insurance offerings.
    • Opened retail stores in the Greater Nashville Area, Scottsdale, Arizona, and Salem, New Hampshire. Byrna plans to open the Fort Wayne, Indiana store in the coming months.
    • Signed a Letter of Intent to launch a pilot store-within-a-store program at eleven Sportsman’s Warehouse locations, expanding Byrna’s retail footprint.

    Fiscal Fourth Quarter 2024 Financial Results
    Results compare Q4 2024 to the 2023 fiscal fourth quarter ended November 30, 2023 unless otherwise indicated.

    Net revenue for Q4 2024 was $28.0 million, compared to $15.6 million in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2023 (“Q4 2023”). The 79% year-over-year increase was primarily due to the transformational shift in Byrna’s advertising strategy implemented in September 2023 and the resulting normalization of Byrna and the less-lethal space generally.

    Gross profit for Q4 2024 was $17.6 million (63% of net revenue), up from $9.0 million (58% of net revenue) in Q4 2023. The increase in gross profit was driven by the increase in the proportion of sales made through the high-margin direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels (Byrna.com and Amazon.com), a reduction in component costs driven through an intensive cost reduction effort focused on “design for manufacturability” spearheaded by Byrna’s engineering team, and the economies of scale resulting from increased production volumes.

    Operating expenses for Q4 2024 were $13.5 million, compared to $9.7 million for Q4 2023, an increase of 39%. The increase in operating expenses was driven by an increase in variable selling costs (such as freight and third-party processing fees), increased marketing spend tied to the Company’s celebrity endorsement strategy, and higher payroll expenses in marketing and engineering as the Company has scaled to handle increased sales and production volumes.

    Net income for Q4 2024 was $9.7 million, compared to a net loss of ($0.8) million for Q4 2023, a $10.5 million improvement. This increase was driven by higher revenue and a $5.6 million income tax benefit. The tax benefit arose from the release of tax valuation allowances related to net operating loss carryforwards incurred in earlier years and other tax assets.

    Adjusted EBITDA1, a non-GAAP metric reconciled below, for Q4 2024 totaled $5.2 million, compared to $0.4 million in Q4 2023.

    Cash and cash equivalents at November 30, 2024 totaled $16.8 million compared to $20.5 million at November 30, 2023. The change in cash and cash equivalents is primarily due to an $8.9 million investment in short-term marketable securities to earn a higher yield on Byrna’s unused cash. Adding cash and short-term marketable securities, total funds available were $25.7 million, an increase of $5.2 million compared to November 30, 2023. Inventory at November 30, 2024 totaled $20.0 million compared to $13.9 million at November 30, 2023. The Company has no current or long-term debt.

    Fiscal Year 2024 Financial Results
    Results compare the 2024 fiscal year ended November 30, 2024 to the 2023 fiscal year ended November 30, 2023 unless otherwise indicated.

    Net revenue for FY 2024 was $85.8 million, a 101% increase from $42.6 million in the fiscal year ended November 30, 2023 (“FY 2023”), driven by the Company’s strategic shift in advertising, increased brand normalization, and higher DTC sales

    Gross profit for FY 2024 was $52.8 million (62% of net revenue), compared to $23.6 million (56% of net revenue) for FY 2023. The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to a greater proportion of sales through high-margin DTC channels, lower component costs, and economies of scale.

    Operating expenses for FY 2024 were $46.1 million, compared to $31.4 million for FY 2023, reflecting a 47% increase to support growth. The increase was driven by higher variable selling costs, expanded marketing efforts, and additional personnel in marketing and engineering.

    Net income for FY 2024 was $12.8 million, compared to a net loss of ($8.2) million for FY 2023, a $21.0 million improvement. The increase in net income was driven by higher revenue and included a $5.7 million income tax benefit due to the full release of U.S. tax valuation allowances.

    Adjusted EBITDA1 for FY 2024 totaled $11.5 million, compared to a negative ($2.0) million for FY 2023. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in revenue.

    Management Commentary
    Byrna CEO Bryan Ganz stated: “The fourth quarter was the culmination of a remarkable year for Byrna. We successfully generated a record $28.0 million in revenue while also expanding our gross margins to 62.8%. This success allowed us to deliver a 101% increase in revenue from the full year 2023 to 2024 and underscores the overall growth in brand recognition and normalization of the less-lethal space.

    “Our marketing strategy, anchored by the continued success of our celebrity influencer program, has continued to be instrumental in driving DTC sales and expanding brand awareness. For 2024, the program maintained a highly accretive return on ad spend (ROAS) above 5.0X, underscoring the effectiveness of this approach in normalizing less-lethal solutions. Building on this foundation, we have been adding a more robust, multi-channel marketing strategy that now includes traditional media such as cable and broadcast networks. This diversification complements our influencer program, which recently welcomed prominent voices like Megyn Kelly, Charlie Kirk, and Lara Trump.

    As we execute across multiple channels, we will continue to be disciplined in evaluating partnerships and optimizing ad spend to maximize impact and ROAS. We have prioritized celebrity endorsers who demonstrate strong ROAS and have discontinued partnerships that did not meet our minimum ROAS requirements. To date, the celebrity endorsers who were initially successful have continued to perform well, while those we discontinued never met our ROAS benchmarks. Unfortunately, we did lose one very successful celebrity endorser, Governor Mike Huckabee, due to his appointment as U.S. ambassador to Israel.

    “In addition to expanding our online DTC reach, we are making strides in building our brick-and-mortar footprint. With four company-owned stores up and running, we are optimistic that these stores will validate the company-owned store model and open the way to a rollout of Byrna company-owned stores in key markets throughout the United States. Given the high gross margins and the relatively inexpensive operating costs, we believe that these stores can contribute meaningfully to Byrna’s bottom line as they ramp up over the coming quarters. We are also pleased to announce that we have signed a letter of intent to partner with Sportsman’s Warehouse to launch a store-within-a-store model at 11 locations across the United States. Each of these Sportsman’s Warehouse locations will convert their existing archery range into a firing range for customers to experience our launchers, similar to our company-owned stores and premier dealers. If the initial pilot program is successful, Byrna expects to be in 90 more stores by the end of the year, accelerating the rate of our brick-and-mortar presence across the United States.

    “To ensure our production keeps pace with our growth initiatives, we have successfully increased launcher production to 24,000 units as of January at our Fort Wayne, Indiana launcher production facility. Additionally, we have begun producing payload ammunition at a new facility in Fort Wayne, located four miles from our launcher production facility. This state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will house eight advanced dousing and welding machines capable of producing both .68 and .61 caliber payload rounds for our existing launchers as well as our anticipated new Compact Launcher. We will also be able to produce .61 caliber fin-tail payload rounds for our Pepper and Max 12-gauge less-lethal rounds. Once fully operational later this year, these eight machines will collectively produce up to 10 million rounds per month, including 1.5 million fin-tail rounds for the 12-gauge platform. We believe the combination of Byrna Pepper and Max 12-gauge rounds, coupled with the Sportsman’s “store-within-a-store” partnership, will help spur the sale of our less-lethal 12-gauge rounds.

    The onshoring of ammunition production is part of Byrna’s larger ‘Made in America’ strategy. We remain committed to exiting China by mid-year and aim to source nearly 100% of the components for the Byrna SD, LE, and CL models from U.S. suppliers by the end of 2025. We expect that this transition will insulate us from any potential tariffs, create well-paying jobs for American workers, reduce lead times, and eliminate the risks associated with unreliable foreign suppliers. We expect it will also allow us to market the Byrna as ‘Made in America!’

    “Our momentum has carried into the new fiscal year with a strong holiday season in December, including $1.4 million in total product sales on Cyber Monday alone. International adoption has also been robust, particularly in Argentina, where the Cordoba Province committed to purchasing 1.7 million rounds of payload ammunition. This order, which will be shipped in 200,000-round monthly increments through the balance of 2025, reflects the extensive deployment of the 13,500 Byrna launchers purchased by the Cordoba Police Department to apprehend dangerous criminals and maintain the peace.

    “Looking ahead, we remain optimistic about our trajectory. The ongoing success of our marketing efforts has resulted in less-lethal becoming a much more widely accepted personal self-defense category. This is allowing us to advertise on an increasing number of cable and social media platforms. We believe that the market for less-lethal weapons among gun owners in the U.S. is in the tens of millions of consumers. This expanding market, along with our growing online presence, expanding retail presence, and increasing international opportunities, reinforces our confidence in the long-term demand for less-lethal weapons as a whole and for Byrna specifically. While the first quarter historically experiences a seasonal slowdown in consumer spending, we expect to achieve strong year-over-year growth as we continue executing our strategic initiatives. We believe that Byrna is well-positioned to generate additional cash and expand profitability in 2025 and beyond.”

    Conference Call
    The Company’s management will host a conference call today, February 7, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern time (6:00 a.m. Pacific time) to discuss these results, followed by a question-and-answer period.

    Toll-Free Dial-In: 877-709-8150
    International Dial-In: +1 201-689-8354
    Confirmation: 13750859

    Please call the conference telephone number 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. An operator will register your name and organization. If you have any difficulty connecting with the conference call, please contact Gateway Group at 949-574-3860.

    The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here and via the Investor Relations section of Byrna’s website.

    About Byrna Technologies Inc.
    Byrna is a technology company specializing in the development, manufacture, and sale of innovative less-lethal personal security solutions. For more information on the Company, please visit the corporate website here or the Company’s investor relations site here. The Company is the manufacturer of the Byrna® SD personal security device, a state-of-the-art handheld CO2 powered launcher designed to provide a less-lethal alternative to a firearm for the consumer, private security, and law enforcement markets. To purchase Byrna products, visit the Company’s e-commerce store.

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the securities laws. All statements contained in this news release, other than statements of current and historical fact, are forward-looking. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” and “believes” and statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “might,” “occur,” or “be achieved,” or “will be taken.” Forward-looking statements include descriptions of currently occurring matters which may continue in the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to our statements related to our expected sales during 2025, our ability to scale production lines, Byrna’s ability to remain self-sustaining, profitable and cash flow positive, Byrna’s ability to open new retail locations and realize revenue growth from them, the expected scale, timing and benefits of Byrna’s store-within-a-store partnership with Sportsman’s Warehouse, the benefits and continued success of Byrna’s celebrity endorser strategy, Byrna’s ability to re-shore production and cease purchasing parts from China on the anticipated timeline, the expected benefits of re-shoring production, the anticipated growth and potential size of the U.S. less-lethal market, and Byrna’s positioning for sustained growth in 2025 and 2026. Forward-looking statements are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future results or events. Forward-looking statements are based on, among other things, opinions, assumptions, estimates, and analyses that, while considered reasonable by the Company at the date the forward-looking information is provided, inherently are subject to significant risks, uncertainties, contingencies, and other factors that may cause actual results and events to be materially different from those expressed or implied.

    Any number of risk factors could affect our actual results and cause them to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, disappointing market responses to current or future products or services; prolonged, new, or exacerbated disruption of our supply chain; the further or prolonged disruption of new product development; production or distribution disruption or delays in entry or penetration of sales channels due to inventory constraints, competitive factors, increased transportation costs or interruptions, including due to weather, flooding or fires; prototype, parts and material shortages, particularly of parts sourced from limited or sole source providers; determinations by third party controlled distribution channels, including Amazon, not to carry or reduce inventory of the Company’s products; determinations by advertisers or social media platforms, or legislation that prevents or limits marketing of some or all Byrna products; the loss of marketing partners; increases in marketing expenditure may not yield expected revenue increases; potential cancellations of existing or future orders including as a result of any fulfillment delays, introduction of competing products, negative publicity, or other factors; product design or manufacturing defects or recalls; litigation, enforcement proceedings or other regulatory or legal developments; changes in consumer or political sentiment affecting product demand; regulatory factors including the impact of commerce and trade laws and regulations; and future restrictions on the Company’s cash resources, increased costs and other events that could potentially reduce demand for the Company’s products or result in order cancellations. The order in which these factors appear should not be construed to indicate their relative importance or priority. We caution that these factors may not be exhaustive; accordingly, any forward-looking statements contained herein should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. Investors should carefully consider these and other relevant factors, including those risk factors in Part I, Item 1A, (“Risk Factors”) in the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A (“Risk Factors”) in the Company’s most recent Form 10-Q, should understand it is impossible to predict or identify all such factors or risks, should not consider the foregoing list, or the risks identified in the Company’s SEC filings, to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties, and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

    Investor Contact:
    Tom Colton and Alec Wilson
    Gateway Group, Inc.
    949-574-3860
    BYRN@gateway-grp.com

    -Financial Tables to Follow-

    BYRNA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)
    (Amounts in thousands except share and per share data)
    (Unaudited)    		  
                       
        For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended  
        November 30,   November 30,  
          2024       2023       2024       2023    
    Net revenue   $ 27,979     $ 15,640     $ 85,756     $ 42,644    
    Cost of goods sold     10,417       6,596       32,984       18,997    
    Gross profit     17,561       9,044       52,772       23,647    
    Operating expenses     13,468       9,729       46,101       31,437    
    INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS     4,094       (684 )     6,671       (7,790 )  
    OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)                  
    Foreign currency transaction loss     (195 )     (32 )     (576 )     (270 )  
    Interest income     141       168       1,024       693    
    Loss from joint venture     –       22       (42 )     (603 )  
    Other income (expense)     1       27       7       (57 )  
    INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES     4,040       (499 )     7,084       (8,027 )  
    Income tax benefit     5,634       (330 )     5,708       165    
    NET INCOME (LOSS)   $ 9,674     $ (829 )   $ 12,792     $ (8,192 )  
                       
    Foreign currency translation adjustment for the period     (133 )     205       342       (436 )  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities     65       –       65       –    
    COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)   $ 9,606     $ (624 )   $ 13,199     $ (8,628 )  
                       
    Basic net income (loss) per share   $ 0.43     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.57     $ (0.37 )  
    Diluted net income (loss) per share   $ 0.41     $ (0.04 )   $ 0.55     $ (0.37 )  
                       
    Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic     22,514,644       21,991,313       22,504,938       21,919,624    
    Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted     23,754,328       21,991,313       23,139,549       21,919,624    
                       
    BYRNA TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
    (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)
               
        November 30,  
          2024       2023    
    ASSETS          
    CURRENT ASSETS          
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 16,829     $ 20,498    
    Accounts receivable, net     2,630       2,945    
    Marketable Securities     8,904       —    
    Inventory, net     19,972       13,890    
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     2,623       868    
    Total current assets     50,958       38,201    
               
    Deposits for equipment     2,665       1,163    
    Right-of-use-asset, net     2,452       1,805    
    Property and equipment, net     3,408       3,803    
    Intangible assets, net     3,337       3,583    
    Goodwill     2,258       2,258    
    Loan to joint venture   —     1,473    
    Deferred tax asset     5,837        
    Other assets     1,007       28    
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 71,922     $ 52,314    
    LIABILITIES          
    CURRENT LIABILITIES          
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 13,108     $ 6,158    
    Operating lease liabilities, current     539       644    
    Deferred revenue     1,791       1,844    
    Line of credit     —       —    
    Notes payable, current     —       —    
    Total current liabilities     15,438       8,646    
               
    Notes payable, non-current          
    Deferred revenue, non-current     17       91    
    Operating lease liabilities, non-current     2,098       1,258    
    Total Liabilities     17,553       9,995    
               
    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 19)          
               
    Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued     —       —    
    Common stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized. 24,168,014 shares
    issued and 22,002,027 outstanding as of November 30, 2024 and, 24,018,612 shares issued and 21,852,625
    outstanding as of November 30, 2023    		     24       24    
    Additional paid-in capital     133,030       130,426    
    Treasury stock (2,165,987 shares purchased as of November 30, 2024 and 2023)     (21,253 )     (17,500 )  
    Accumulated deficit     (56,783 )     (69,575 )  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (649 )     (1,056 )  
               
    Total Stockholders’ Equity     54,369       42,319    
               
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 71,922     $ 52,314    
               

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to providing financial measurements based on generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), we provide an additional financial metric that is not prepared in accordance with GAAP (non-GAAP) with presenting non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure, in addition to GAAP financial measures, to understand and compare operating results across accounting periods, for financial and operational decision making, for planning and forecasting purposes and to evaluate our financial performance. We believe that this non-GAAP financial measure helps us to identify underlying trends in our business that could otherwise be masked by the effect of certain expenses that we exclude in the calculations of the non-GAAP financial measure.

    Accordingly, we believe that this non-GAAP financial measure reflects our ongoing business in a manner that allows for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in the business and provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects.

    This non-GAAP financial measure does not replace the presentation of our GAAP financial results and should only be used as a supplement to, not as a substitute for, our financial results presented in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations in the use of non-GAAP measures, because they do not include all the expenses that must be included under GAAP and because they involve the exercise of judgment concerning exclusions of items from the comparable non-GAAP financial measure. In addition, other companies may use other non-GAAP measures to evaluate their performance, or may calculate non-GAAP measures differently, all of which could reduce the usefulness of our non-GAAP financial measure as a tool for comparison.         

    Adjusted EBITDA

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net (loss) income as reported in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income excluding the impact of (I) depreciation and amortization; (ii) income tax provision (benefit); (iii) interest income (expense); (iv) stock-based compensation expense, (v) impairment loss, and (vi) one time, non-recurring other expenses or income. Our Adjusted EBITDA measure eliminates potential differences in performance caused by variations in capital structures (affecting finance costs), tax positions, the cost and age of tangible assets (affecting relative depreciation expense) and the extent to which intangible assets are identifiable (affecting relative amortization expense). We also exclude certain one-time and non-cash costs. Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net (loss) income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is as follows (in thousands):

          For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended  
          November 30,   November 30,  
            2024       2023       2024       2023    
    Net Income (Loss)   $ 9,673     $ (829 )   $ 12,792     $ (8,192 )  
                         
    Adjustments:                  
      Interest income     (141 )     (168 )     (1,024 )     (693 )  
      Income tax benefit     (5,634 )     330       (5,708 )     165    
      Depreciation and amortization     378       341       1,491       1,262    
    Non-GAAP EBITDA   $ 4,276     $ (326 )   $ 7,551     $ (7,458 )  
                         
    Stock-based compensation expense     788       686       3,403       5,375    
    Severance/Separation/Officer recruiting     93       30       524       82    
    Non-GAAP adjusted EBITDA   $ 5,157     $ 390     $ 11,478     $ (2,001 )  
                         

    1 See non-GAAP financial measures at the end of this press release for a reconciliation and a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Arq Provides Update on Transformational GAC Project

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Construction of Arq’s GAC production facility remains on schedule, with initial production expected in Q1 2025

    Customer negotiations for GAC contracts progressing well

    GAC production ramp-up set to begin in H1 2025, with full run-rate of 25 million pounds targeted for H2 2025

    GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo., Feb. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arq, Inc. (NASDAQ: ARQ) (the “Company” or “Arq”), a producer of activated carbon and other environmentally efficient carbon products for use in purification and sustainable materials, today provided an update on the continued execution of its Granular Activated Carbon (“GAC”) project.

    GAC Production and Ramp-Up Timeline

    Arq confirmed that initial production of its proprietary GAC at the Red River facility (“Red River”) remains on track to commence in Q1 2025, in line with most recent guidance. Following first production, the Company expects a ramp-up period to reach full production capacity of 25 million pounds annual run-rate of GAC in H2 2025. Once full run-rate capacity is achieved, the Company will have greater visibility on potential additional capacity enhancements.

    GAC Customer Engagement & Contract Update

    Arq continues to make meaningful progress in commercial discussions for GAC and continues to engage with a range of customers and testing opportunities. As noted on its Q3 2024 earnings call, in addition to PFAS-related customers, discussions with biogas and other industrial customers are advancing positively, with early pricing indications indicating a strong commercial opportunity. Given the need for in-situ pilot testing as a condition to securing long-term contracts from these customers, Arq has elected to strategically hold back additional contract commitments to diversify end-use markets and focus on profitability over volumes. The Company is planning to match its contracting and sales with the production ramp-up timeline in H2 2025.

    Capital Expenditures & Cost Management

    Arq reported capital expenditures related to its GAC expansion at Red River in Q4 2024 were slightly above expectations, bringing full-year 2024 capex for this project to approximately $80 million. The Company attributes this recent increase to several factors, including the need for additional external professional services, increased small-bore piping needs, and a commitment to maintaining previously communicated timelines. Given knowledge and experience gained from the first phase of construction, the Company does not anticipate similar cost overruns for a second phase of GAC development at the site. Arq continues to evaluate opportunities for additional cost optimization and efficiency gains as the Company scales production.

    Commencement of Legal Proceedings

    The Company announced today that it had commenced legal proceedings against its design firm for the GAC expansion project at Red River. The Company believes that the design firm was negligent and breached its contract with the Company and as a direct result of this negligence and breach of contract, the Company suffered a material increase in costs and time delays associated with the project versus original forecasts. The Company is seeking damages related to the increased costs and delays it believes resulted from such negligence and contractual breaches. Because of prior actions by the Company to bring certain professional services in-house and to other parties, including those previously disclosed, the Company believes there will be no impact on product performance and as noted above, GAC production is expected to commence in Q1 2025.

    Q4 & FY 2024 Earnings Conference Call

    Arq will release its Q4 and full-year 2024 financial results on March 5, 2025. The Company will provide separately additional details related to its earnings conference call, as well as its participation in upcoming investor conferences in the near term.

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which provides a “safe harbor” for such statements in certain circumstances. When used in this press release, the words “can,” “will,” “may,” “intends,” “expects,” “continuing,” “believes,” similar expressions and any other statements that are not historical facts are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. All statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company intends, expects or believes may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements or expectations regarding: the estimated costs and timing associated with capital improvements at our facilities and the related anticipated production capacities, the expected timing for commercial production of the Company’s GAC products, potential future capacity enhancements at the Company’s facilities, anticipated commercial opportunities in various GAC markets, cost optimization and efficiency efforts associated with future phases of the Company’s GAC project and the Company’s GAC product performance. . These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers and others with whom it does business and meet supply requirements, or its results of operations and business generally; risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; changes in construction costs or availability of construction materials; our inability to effectively manage construction and startup of the Red River facility or Corbin facility; our inability to ramp up our operations to effectively address recent and expected growth in our business; the timing and cost of capital expenditures and the resultant impact to our liquidity and cash flows; our inability to obtain required financing or obtain financing on terms that are favorable to us; opportunities for additional sales of our activated carbon products and end-market diversification; the Company’s ability to meet customer supply requirements; the rate of coal-fired power generation in the United States; timing and scope of new and pending regulations and any legal challenges to or extensions of compliance dates of them; impact of competition; availability, cost of and demand for alternative energy sources and other technologies; technical, start up and operational difficulties; competition within the industries in which the Company operates; loss of key personnel; ongoing effects of the inflation and macroeconomic uncertainty, including from the lingering effects of the pandemic and armed conflicts around the world, and such uncertainty’s effect on market demand and input costs, as well as other factors relating to our business, as described in our filings with the SEC, with particular emphasis on the risk factor disclosures contained in those filings. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and to consult filings we have made and will make with the SEC for additional discussion concerning risks and uncertainties that may apply to our business and the ownership of our securities. In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this press release. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions, or otherwise. The forward-looking statements speak only as to the date of this press release and the Company disclaims any duty to update such statements unless required by law.

    About Arq

    Arq (NASDAQ: ARQ) is a diversified, environmental technology Company with products that enable a cleaner and safer planet while actively reducing our environmental impact. As the only vertically integrated producer of activated carbon products in North America, we deliver a reliable domestic supply of innovative, hard-to-source, high-demand products. We apply our extensive expertise to develop groundbreaking solutions to remove harmful chemicals and pollutants from water, land and air. Learn more at: www.arq.com.

    Source: Arq, Inc.

    Investor Contact:
    Anthony Nathan, Arq
    Marc Silverberg, ICR
    investors@arq.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Multiple Joe and the Juice bars closed in quick succession after mouse infestations found in the latest round of council enforcement | Westminster City Council

    Source: City of Westminster

    Two locations of Joe and the Juice have been fined £40,000 each after serious breaches of food safety and hygiene regulations after mice infestations were found. Fines, costs victim surcharges totalling £95,900 were handed down at Westminster Magistrates Court on the 22nd January 2025.

    The popular juice and coffee bar on Garrick Street was shut by Westminster City Council due to a widespread mouse infestation being discovered in June 2023. Upon inspection the premises, mouse droppings were found in boxes of bread used for their much-loved sandwiches. As the inspection continued environmental health officers found evidence of the rodent droppings on napkins intended for customers.  

    This presented a clear danger to consumers given mice can carry diseases such as Leptospirosis and food poisoning bacteria such as Campylobacter and Salmonella transmitted through their saliva, droppings and urine.

    Additionally, an inspection of Joe and The Juice on Davies Street in December 2023 by the local authority’s environmental health team revealed equally poor standards of hygiene and cleanliness. Upon inspection, officers found bread stored on trays had been gnawed by mice, as well as droppings in storage and front of house serving areas. They also found food crumbs below shelving likely to encourage the infestation.

    Both cases were serious enough to be served Hygiene Emergency Prohibition Notices which temporarily closed both locations with the two branches pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to two offences under food hygiene regulations.

    Cllr Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection said:

    Customers should have peace of mind that the kitchen and cafes they enjoy have the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. However, the details of these cases are truly shocking and fall well below the standards we expect of food businesses in Westminster. 

    “The severity of these fines demonstrates how seriously we take food hygiene, and residents and visitors can be reassured that the council will take meaningful action to keep them safe.

    “We continue to work closely with all food and hospitality businesses to make sure the very highest standards of cleanliness are maintained.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Home Park/Life Centre travel advice for this weekend

    Source: City of Plymouth

    People travelling to, through and from Milehouse this coming Sunday (9 February) are warned the area will be exceptionally busy, due to the Plymouth Argyle home game against Liverpool and the Devon County ASA swimming championships at the Plymouth Life Centre.

    Our advice to anyone planning to visit Home Park, the Life Centre or Central Park is to allow extra time for their journeys, use public transport and park in the city centre where possible.

    The Milehouse Park and Ride and Plymouth Life Centre car parks are likely to be full by mid-morning.

    Argyle fans should check the PAFC Travel Guide for advice on getting to and from the ground. Further match guidance can also be found on the Plymouth Argyle website.

    In addition to the match-day shuttle buses operated by Plymouth Citybus, there are a number of bus services that run along Alma Road and Outland Road, providing easy access to Central Park, Home Park and the Life Centre. Details of these services can be found on our bus journey planning page.

    Outland Road

    34        Plymouth Citybus                every hour
    61        Plymouth Citybus                every hour    

    Alma Road

    10        Plymouth Citybus                every two hours
    11        Plymouth Citybus                every two hours
    12        Plymouth Citybus                every two hours
    16        Plymouth Citybus                every hour
    43        Plymouth Citybus                every 30 minutes
    50        Plymouth Citybus                every 30 minutes
    2          Stagecoach South West     every 30 minutes
    70        Plymouth Citybus                every two hours

    If you need to travel by car, consider car sharing with friends or family. Please use car parks in or around the city centre and do not park irresponsibly on site or in neighbouring streets. Our parking enforcement team will be patrolling the area and issuing penalty charge notices.

    Beryl e-bikes also offer a convenient and eco-friendly travel option and there are docking stations near the Life Centre. Please be aware there are also lane closures on Alma Road due to ongoing gas pipe upgrade works. Footways along Alma Road will be kept open

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sowing the Seeds of Change in Danbury Schools

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Gardens welcome students, employees, and visitors at all of Danbury’s schools, thanks to Anne Mead, the director of family, school, and community partnerships for Danbury Public Schools, and the many people and organizations she works with on the school garden initiatives. Her role includes working with partners and developing strategies for families to engage with the schools.

    Mead ’06 (BGS) has a master’s and doctoral degree in educational and organizational systems and the Danbury Schools recruited her to lead the partnerships initiatives in 2008.

    Mead is a UConn Extension Master Gardener volunteer and collaborates with this program and UConn Extension’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) in her work with Danbury Schools.

    “I came into the district with a farm and garden approach to schools, and we have gardens at many schools now. We have a Farm to School Institute team and are implementing the 3C’s classroom, curriculum, and cafeteria,” she says.

    Students have opportunities for experiential learning through the gardens, including planting, watering, and caring for the plants. This fosters their education, and nutrition awareness as they harvest produce from the garden and help prepare healthy meals.

    Mead’s Extension involvement began as a child, growing up in Redding. Her mother was an avid gardener and healthy cook; a 4-H leader, as well as a cookbook committee member. Mead always loved gardening because of this early introduction. She and her husband live in Danbury and have extensive gardens on their property as well.

    During the pandemic, Mead enrolled in UConn Extension’s Master Gardener Program and earned her certification.

    “The Master Gardeners brought my horticultural understanding to a different level intellectually because of the amount of knowledge you walk away with; you understand the whys, permaculture, and wind patterns.” She also recently became an Advanced Master Gardener.

    In addition to the skills and knowledge she has gained, Mead also appreciates the community connections Extension programming provides. She helps families who visit the Master Gardeners at the farmers market, providing resources and recommendations on types of vegetables to grow and scaling up their garden each year. She continues volunteering with the program and helping people with gardening and food choices, in addition to her role with the schools.

    “I encourage everyone to visit an Extension location; there is one in every county,” Mead says. “Talk to the program coordinator and graduates, spend some time volunteering with the Master Gardeners or sit in on a class. Look at the projects in your community. Becoming a Master Gardener is one way to become informed and spend time in your community.”

    Mead’s building in the Danbury School System is connected to the elementary school building, and this year, she received a grant from the Connecticut Master Gardener Association to add a pollinator garden for butterflies and insects on their playscape. She also serves on the district’s health and wellness committee, and they are developing healthier snacks, cutting down on highly processed, sugar-laden foods, and adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to the menus. The 3- to 5-year-olds participate in making the meals and then filling their plates.

    “Anne Mead is a dynamic partner. She brings in-depth knowledge about greater Danbury and coupled with her knowledge of public education, especially understanding the needs of area students and their families, exemplifies how Extension increases its reach even further as we support and help grow these important initiatives,” Bonnie Burr, the assistant director of UConn Extension says.

    One of her next projects will be helping bring a Green Academy to Danbury High School’s Wall to Wall Academy. This will include gardening aspects and career pathways, and she’s excited to incorporate her horticultural knowledge and Master Gardener experiences in this new initiative.

    The gardening and nutrition projects are one aspect of Mead’s work with Danbury Public Schools, but the impact is far-reaching.

    “We hope to see much better nutrition,” Mead shares. “Gardening with the students is a time without a lot of competition and very little technology, they can be themselves in the garden. The parents are participating too, and it’s building a sense of community with the youth and families.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Forssmed: We must not forget the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic

    Source: Government of Sweden

    “Our capacity to manage a pandemic is better today than it was in 2020. However, a crisis requires more than preparedness in the form of regulatory frameworks,” writes Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health Jakob Forssmed (Christian Democrats).

    This week marks five years since the first COVID-19 case was reported in Sweden. In this short time, society has undergone a comprehensive crisis and long since returned to normality. But for the people and families in our country, COVID-19 has left lasting scars in the form of grief and loss. Many lost their lives and many still experience long-term health issues as a result of COVID-19. Long-term isolation and loneliness have also left deep scars.

    Sweden could face a new crisis

    Other crises and difficulties have arisen in place of the pandemic, and seemingly part of human nature – in our country at least – is the wish to leave the preceding crisis behind us. But we must not forget the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, because unfortunately, we cannot rule out that Sweden will be faced with another pandemic – it is actually very likely that we will. That is why I am grateful for all the efforts that we are currently undertaking and that have been undertaken within the Government Offices to ensure that Sweden is better equipped to deal with any future pandemics.

    A few examples:

    • Inquiry Chair Professor Jan Albert has been tasked with reviewing the regulation of communicable diseases to better adapt it to situations of extensive spread of infectious diseases. He will also submit information for a strategy for future pandemic management, including analyses of issues of allocation of responsibilities in the event of another pandemic.
    • The Public Health Agency of Sweden has been tasked with ensuring continued access to vaccines for the population in the event of an influenza pandemic. Currently, the avian influenza H5N1 has caused extensive outbreaks globally among both tame and wild animals in a short period of time. There are cases of the infection passing from animals to humans as well.
    • The Public Health Agency of Sweden has also been tasked with ensuring continued access to antiviral medicines in the event of a pandemic.
    • The National Board of Health and Welfare has been tasked with establishing a national collaboration structure for health and welfare’s supply preparedness of medical care products and any other equipment required to ensure the provision of proper care, together with the Medical Products Agency, the Swedish eHealth Agency, the Public Health Agency of Sweden and the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions.
    • The Public Health Agency of Sweden’s mandate in relation to communication and information for the public has been clarified. The Agency plays a natural role in the dissemination of information and communication to the public.

    Critical flaws in pandemic management

    Important measures have been taken within the Public Health Agency of Sweden as well, including building a stronger system for surveillance of communicable diseases. This system includes increased epidemiological and microbiological surveillance with a higher degree of automation than previously.

    The Agency is also working to integrate its different surveillance systems and automate the collection of data on infectious diseases within the health policy platform. This will enable real-time data sharing between national and regional actors, gathered within a shared user interface with different authorisation levels and tools to analyse cases of illness and outbreaks.

    The Agency was tasked with strengthening its capacity to discover and analyse viruses spread via wastewater. All the above will ensure that we are better equipped to manage a pandemic today than in 2020. There were critical flaws at that time, which the COVID-19 Commission has highlighted.

    But the COVID-19 Commission also points out that crisis management requires more than preparedness in the form of regulatory frameworks. It also requires a capacity to act in an entirely new set of circumstances where one does not have all the answers. One needs to be able to be act proactively and with force in peacetime crisis situations as well as in wartime and when there is a risk of war. In relation to this, the Government has made changes to the instructions to the Public Health Agency of Sweden to include a clear expectation for the Agency to act.

    Sweden is better equipped

    A clear conclusion from the pandemic is the requirement for clear political responsibility. The Government governs the state in times of crisis as well and that responsibility cannot be handed over to public authorities. Finally, it is important to remember what was perhaps the COVID-19 Commission’s main conclusion – everything centres around our society, values and people.

    Sweden made it through the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the errors in management and initial passivity. This was achieved by virtue of a strong sense of duty, particularly among health and social care staff, caring for others and a fundamental trust in society. These assets, together with all the initiatives taken by the Government and public authorities, mean that Sweden is now much better equipped should another pandemic befall our country.

    MIL OSI Europe News –