NewzIntel.com

Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Announces New Nebraska Rural Veterinarian Grant Program

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Announces New Nebraska Rural Veterinarian Grant Program

     

    LINCOLN, NE – LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced a new program through the Nebraska Department of Labor (DOL) aimed at attracting and retaining production animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska. The Rural Veterinarian Grant Program is the second initiative the Governor has launched focused on growing the next generation of production animal veterinarians in the state. The first one, announced last year, is the Elite 11 Veterinary Program through the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL).  

    “As I say, we feed the world and save the planet. We need to provide maximum efficiency and resources to help our producers be successful,” said Gov. Pillen. “Additionally, if a foreign animal disease were to come, we need veterinarians who are ready to respond, and enough of them, to implement the programs that would help mitigate the spread of any disease.” 

    Through DOL, recent graduates of veterinary schools will be eligible for a $150,000 grant. The same offer is available to newly practicing veterinarians who wish to move to the state and launch their own practice or join an established one in rural Nebraska. Under the program, up to 13 recipients will be selected. To be eligible, applicants must:

    • Have a doctorate in veterinary medicine and be licensed to practice in Nebraska
    • Commit to residing and practicing in Nebraska for eight years
    • Work in a veterinary clinic where at least 80% of its hours are devoted to production animals in a county with a population of less than 40,000 people

    Upon conclusion of the agreement, the grant amount will be paid in full to the veterinarian.

    “Nebraska has a talented and educated workforce, and this program is well designed to continue growing that workforce to boost the state’s animal production industry,” said DOL Commissioner Katie Thurber.

    Speaking for the Nebraska State Dairy Association, Kris Bousquet noted that the grant program, as well as UNL’s Elite 11, represented a “take the bull by the horns” approach to addressing the existing gap in large animal veterinary medicine. 

    “Every animal welfare practice that a dairy producer utilizes has been reviewed and approved by their local veterinarian. Veterinarians are not only essential for animal welfare, but also for milk quality and earning and maintaining consumer trust. This program will begin to build our bench of experts to support dairy and all other aspects of livestock production as well.”

    DOL’S program is funded through the Department of Labor’s workforce development fund. The grant selection process will focus on the candidate’s passion for production animal health, relevant experience, academic success and commitment to rural Nebraska.

    As DOL launches its program, UNL is moving into the next phase of the Elite 11 Veterinary Program, which provides scholarships to students who are interested in becoming large animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska. Students in the first cohort selected last fall are about to conclude their first year of study and will be deployed across the state to engage in apprenticeships and other opportunities for expanding their skills. 

    “At the University of Nebraska, we are proud to work alongside Governor Pillen and state leaders to grow and sustain a robust production animal veterinarian workforce,” said Dr. Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. “Through collaborative initiatives like the Elite 11 Veterinary Program and the Department of Labor’s new effort, we are expanding opportunities for students while strengthening the future of rural communities across Nebraska.” 

    Students enrolled in the Elite 11 Veterinary Program are not eligible for the DOL grant program. 

    More information about the Nebraska Production Animal Rural Veterinarian Grant Program, can be found at: https://dol.nebraska.gov/ruralvetgrant.

    Governor Jim Pillen

    Nebraska State Dairy Association Executive Director Kris Bousquet

    Dean of UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Tiffany Heng-Moss

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu, Doctoral Researcher and Lecturer, Aberystwyth University

    Superstition, an irrational belief in paranormal influences or a false attribution of events, is an age-old phenomenon found in probably all human societies or cultures. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices and behaviours. Some of these have harmful or even deadly consequences.

    In many African communities, there are widespread beliefs relating to the use of human body parts for traditional healing rituals. Human body parts and blood are said to enhance the potency of traditional medicines and rituals that supposedly guarantee wealth, business success, fertility, protection and longevity, among others.

    Ritual killings, including those of children, are reported regularly around Africa. A case in point is the targeting of children with albinism for ritual purposes in Tanzania. One research report says one in five people in Mozambique and one in four people in South Africa believe that rituals and traditional medicines made with human body parts are more potent and effective than those using nonhuman objects.

    Children are particularly targeted for killing because they can’t repel attacks, and because of beliefs about the potency of their body parts. The victims in more than half of all the ritual murders reported in Ghana and Kenya in 2022 were children.

    I am a legal scholar with years of research on superstition-driven crimes against vulnerable groups in African settings and the criminal justice response to such crimes. In a recent study I explored the magnitude, characteristics and motivations, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts, of ritual child murder in Ghana and Kenya. My study was carried out through in-depth analysis of news reports of ritual murders for a period of 10 years, coupled with semi-structured interviews with academics and other experts.

    I found that the major factors contributing to the persistence of ritual child murders were superstition, economic hardship, illiteracy and inefficient criminal justice systems. A new consumerist ethos also plays a role: wanting a life of luxury and the admiration that comes with it.

    The study seeks to enhance awareness of the ritual child murder phenomenon and encourage support for the enforcement of child rights protection laws. When policymakers know more about the scale and circumstances of ritual child murders, they are better equipped to act on it.

    Ritual murders in Ghana and Kenya

    Belief in juju is widespread in Ghana and Kenya. This is the belief that people can mystically control events by using incantations (“magic words”) and, sometimes, objects.

    My study analysed data drawn from online news reports in eight media outlets in Ghana and Kenya. I used media content because the countries don’t have national data sets on ritual homicide, and empirical research is limited. Secondly, I interviewed 28 experts in criminology and criminal justice, sociology, African religions, and child and family welfare and social protection. These participants were selected using the purposeful sampling technique.

    In Ghana, the media reported at least 160 ritual murders between 2012 and 2021. Of this number, 94 (about 58.8%) were children. This suggests that an average of 9.4 children fall victim to ritual murder each year in the country. Of the 102 ritual murders in Kenya in the study period, 66 (64.7%) were children. This represents an annual average of 6.6 in the country.

    In both countries, most victims (over 80%) tend to be drawn from families of low socio-economic backgrounds in rural and semi-rural communities. In Kenya, children with albinism are also targeted.

    The overwhelming majority of offenders are males. There are three main categories of perpetrators of ritual child murders:

    • the juju practitioner or traditional healer who usually prescribes the required body parts and effects the medicine or ritual

    • the client who consults traditional healers and stands to benefit directly from the ritual or medicine

    • the (hired) ritual murderer, who abducts the victim and extracts the required body parts.

    Data from media reports show that most of the perpetrators apprehended are those directly involved in the killing. They are usually aged between 20 and 39 years and of low socio-economic status in rural communities. However, some interviewees insisted that some rich and prominent persons are also involved.

    In Ghana, uncles, fathers and stepfathers were the dominant perpetrators in cases where victims and perpetrators were known to be related. Unlike other types of homicide, ritual child murder generally involves strangers nearly as often as it involves family members and acquaintances.

    Motivations and responses

    The dominant motivation for ritual murder is financial gain. This conclusion is drawn from the media accounts and the interviews. Perpetrators are promised money in exchange for specific human body parts. Others kill to use the body parts for rituals that are supposed to ensure a long life, fertility, business growth, or protection against evil. In Kenya, some perpetrators kill in fulfilment of their obligations as members of occult sects.

    Other factors that sustain the practice – based on media reports and interviews – are superstition, unemployment and economic hardship. Adding to these are illiteracy, which fosters unfounded beliefs, and an inefficient criminal justice system, which enables these crimes to thrive.

    Poor parental supervision is an important risk factor for ritual child murder. In both countries, over 70% of the ritual murder victims were under 10 years old. They were abducted or murdered while going to or returning home from school. Others were abducted while running errands such as fetching water from a stream unaccompanied. Some may have been playing outside their homes unsupervised, or running errands by themselves for relatives.

    In both countries, the criminal justice system’s response is evidently ineffective. In Kenya, over 90% of perpetrators are not apprehended. Of 68 suspects arrested in Ghana, only four convictions were reported. Crime scenes are poorly managed and preserved by police officers and detectives in both countries.

    Crime scene videos show the victims’ remains being removed by authorities and conveyed to the morgue without diligent forensic examination of the body and the crime scene for evidence.

    What governments can do

    The belief in the power of juju and associated rituals and medicines cannot be wished away. It can only be combated in various ways:

    • bringing the activities of traditional healers and occult-related sects under closer scrutiny

    • promoting education and awareness, emphasising the need for supervision of children

    • stronger criminal justice systems.

    – Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why
    – https://theconversation.com/ritual-murder-of-children-study-in-ghana-and-kenya-explores-whos-doing-it-and-why-249173

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ethiopia’s 2026 elections: without reforms, the vote may not be free or fair

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Bizuneh Yimenu, Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Queen’s University Belfast

    Ethiopia is due to hold elections in 2026. But will they be free and fair?

    Since 1995, Ethiopia has held elections every five years, except for the 2021 election, delayed by COVID-19. The incumbent party has consistently secured over 95% of national parliament seats, except for 2005, when the opposition won about 32%. In 2021, the ruling Prosperity Party won 96.8% of the seats.

    I specialise in Ethiopian politics and federalism, and recently published a paper on the country’s electoral landscape. In my study, I examined elections under the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, which ruled from 1991 to 2019, and its successor, the Prosperity Party.

    My aim was to see whether Ethiopia was moving towards political pluralism, where diverse voices are represented in government decision-making, or if it remained authoritarian.

    I conclude that the government still tends to suppress, detain and eliminate the opposition. I identified three main reasons for this.

    • Despite changes in leadership and ruling parties, state repression, vote-rigging and political exclusion have been common features in the country’s elections since 1995.

    • Ethiopia suffers from an uneven electoral playing field. Some regions experience contests while the ruling party tightly controls others.

    • Ethiopia’s first-past-the-post electoral system has excluded significant opposition voices from parliament. This allows the ruling party to dominate both federal and regional legislative seats.

    The way the electoral system works means that Ethiopia’s parliament is a one-party house, where other voices are drowned out.

    My research highlights the fact that elections can be both “free” and “unfair”. Citizens technically have the right to vote. But an unbalanced electoral system and an uneven playing field ensure that ruling parties retain power.

    The 2026 elections provide an opportunity for reforms that ensure greater political inclusion.

    How elections are run

    Ethiopia has held six rounds of elections since 1995. Despite some variations, the same patterns of electoral control persist. The ruling Prosperity Party has sustained and adapted authoritarian strategies to maintain dominance.

    The party still uses many of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front’s tactics, including harassing, detaining and eliminating political adversaries.

    It also has some new ways of looking for support, like selectively addressing regional grievances.

    Regional differences

    Opposition parties in different regions have faced varying degrees of repression. Electoral control has been strategic, rather than uniform.

    Unlike previous studies that broadly assess Ethiopia’s authoritarian past, my research zooms in on regional variations in electoral competition. I show that repression is not uniform but strategically applied based on political calculations. This adds a new dimension to discussions on African elections. It shows that ruling parties can finetune control tactics to target specific threats.

    In an ethnically diverse federal state like Ethiopia, an electoral system that promotes broad representation is essential for stability and inclusive governance.

    First-past-the-post system

    The current winner-takes-all system fosters a political monopoly. It sidelines critical perspectives and erodes trust in democratic processes.

    In the 2021 election, opposition parties performed better in ethnically diverse regions, such as the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. However, these parties were heavily suppressed in political strongholds like Oromia and Somali regions. The first-past-the-post system has consistently led to one-party dominance, even when opposition parties gained significant public support.

    For example, in 2005, opposition parties secured around 38% of the vote but ended up with far fewer parliamentary seats than their vote share justified.

    In 2021, the Prosperity Party won 96.8% of federal parliament seats, despite getting 90% of the total vote. In Addis Ababa, opposition groups such as Balderas and Ezema received 32% of the vote but won no seats in parliament. This is because the system gives all the seats to the party with the highest votes in each constituency. It doesn’t even matter if opposition parties collectively get a substantial vote.

    In Oromia and Somali regions, major opposition parties like the Oromo Liberation Front and the Ogaden National Liberation Front withdrew from fielding candidates due to repression. As a result, the ruling party was the sole option for two-thirds of federal seats and three-fourths of regional seats.

    A way forward

    So, what can be done? My research suggests three steps.

    First, moving towards a proportional representation system would help balance the political competition. Proportional representation means that if a party gets 20% of the vote, it receives 20% of the seats.

    About 130 countries, including South Africa, Namibia and Sierra Leone, use this system. Multi-party representation has led to more stable and inclusive governance. Fewer than 55 countries use first-past-the-post.

    Second, the government must guarantee that opposition parties can operate freely in all regions, not just in areas where they pose little threat. All parties should have an equal chance to compete.

    Third, independent electoral bodies and international observers need greater access to ensure fair play. Strengthening Ethiopia’s electoral board and making sure it’s impartial will foster public trust in elections.

    Read more: Ethiopia’s civil war: what’s behind the Amhara rebellion?

    Ethiopia’s democracy is at a tipping point. If the country continues with its current system, it risks further political alienation and instability. By embracing electoral reform, Ethiopia could move towards a more peaceful, inclusive, democratic and representative future.

    – Ethiopia’s 2026 elections: without reforms, the vote may not be free or fair
    – https://theconversation.com/ethiopias-2026-elections-without-reforms-the-vote-may-not-be-free-or-fair-253161

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africans don’t donate enough blood – technology can help drive the numbers

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Relebohiseng Matubatuba, Lecturer in Marketing, University of the Witwatersrand

    The shortage of blood for medical use is a global challenge. South Africa is not exempt. Blood collection organisations such as the South African National Blood Service struggle to meet the demand for blood products, because of insufficient blood donations and the scarcity of loyal blood donors.

    Blood collection organisations rely on the goodwill of a few individuals who voluntarily donate blood. To maintain a sustainable supply of blood, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that at least 1% of a country’s population donate blood. In South Africa the donation rate is below this.

    There are two blood collection organisations in South Africa – the Western Cape Blood Service operates exclusively in the Western Cape province while the South African National Blood Service, operates in the other eight provinces of the country.

    To increase the numbers, the country’s blood donation organisations have focused on the recruitment of new donors and awareness initiatives, using research findings that look at what motivates, and what deters, people from donating blood. But little focus has been put on the behaviour of those who already donate.

    Read more: Blood donation saves lives but few South Africans are regular donors

    I have conducted research in a bid to fill this gap. In a recent paper I examined factors influencing consumers’ intention to donate blood. In addition, in my recently completed PhD, I looked at the retention of existing blood donors and what drives their donation behaviour.

    The research suggests that blood collection organisations need to shift focus from acquiring new blood donors to building relationships with existing blood donors. Existing donors are an important cohort because they are reliable, and have higher donation eligibility and lower recruitment costs.

    The aim should be to drive loyalty.

    I considered the use of technology to encourage people to donate blood regularly. I concluded from my findings that blood collection organisations should customise appeals to various types of donors. They need to appeal to people in a personalised way if they want to drive loyalty.

    The drivers

    To understand what drives donor loyalty, it was important to understand why people donate blood.

    As part of my research, 658 blood donors completed the survey and I conducted interviews with 18 blood donors. The interviews revealed various reasons for donating blood. These included:

    • Awareness of the importance of donating blood

    As one participant in my research put it:

    I’ve been in and out of hospital for my kids and for my wife when she was pregnant. If I don’t donate, where are they going to get that blood from?

    • Contribution to society – saving or changing someone’s life

    This was articulated by one person:

    I’m past the point of only going for a reward, but I actually want to go, because I want to save someone’s life and do good in the community.

    • Moral responsibility

    As one participant put it:

    When I don’t donate blood, I feel bad because, as a universal donor, I could potentially be saving lives as my blood is not limited, as opposed to other groups.

    • Health-related benefits, like free health checks and the requirement to live a healthy lifestyle

    • Incentives

    The gifts make me feel appreciated. It makes me want to donate more and more.

    Beyond just donating blood, some donors also expressed that they shared their blood donation experiences with their friends, family, co-workers and on their social media platforms to encourage others to donate.

    The use of technology

    Findings from my PhD show that donors would like personalised communication from the blood collection organisations. This should include:

    • sharing information about blood donation achievements specific to them (the donor)

    • checking up on the donors who are not donating as they used to or may have stopped donating

    • following up on deferred donors to encourage them to return for a checkup and subsequent donation. Deferred donors are those who were unable to donate during a donation drive because they didn’t meet the donation requirements (for example they had low iron levels).

    • reminding donors of their upcoming donations.

    Others shared that they would like more interactive communication beyond being told that they have saved three lives after donating blood. This could include sharing specific information about the impact of the donors donation – “your donation helped a cancer patient recover” – and stories to make their contribution more tangible.

    What needs to be done

    Research has shown that digital technologies have been used successfully to foster customer engagement, enhance customer experiences and satisfaction, facilitate communication and information-sharing, and offer opportunities to shape and influence behaviour. To achieve this, donor organisations have large amounts of donor data and other data (big data) which they can use to gain insights that can be used in the following ways.

    Firstly, they should analyse donor data to identify patterns and segment donors based on factors such as how long an individual has been donating, donation frequency, blood type, location, and preferred communication channels.

    This information can be used to tailor communication and engagement strategies to specific donor groups. Donors follow different donor paths over time and cannot be viewed as a single segment.

    Secondly, organisations should monitor donation trends over time. This will help to understand seasonal fluctuations, identify peak donation periods, and anticipate potential donor needs. These insights can be used to plan targeted recruitment campaigns and allocate resources.

    Read more: Explainer: what are blood groups and why do they matter?

    Thirdly, organisations should consider personalised communication. This could include:

    • Targeted nudging: timely and relevant communication, like reminders for upcoming donation appointments, personalised thank-you messages, information about the donation they have made or invitations to special donor events.

    • Multi-channel engagement: reaching donors through their preferred communication channels, such as email, SMS, or social media.

    • Loyalty programmes: rewarding frequent donors with exclusive merchandise, discounts or special recognition, based on individual donor preferences and donation history.

    • Gamification: using game-like elements to make communication and the donation process more engaging and fun, using challenges, leaderboards and badges to motivate donors and foster a sense of community.

    • Predictive analytics: using data history and past events to establish donor patterns and predicts future outcomes. This data can be used to identify donors who might lapse and reach out to them with personalised communication.

    – South Africans don’t donate enough blood – technology can help drive the numbers
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africans-dont-donate-enough-blood-technology-can-help-drive-the-numbers-251827

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: SPbGASU student took part in the Russian Venture Forum

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Bogdan Pismarkin at the forum

    On April 10–11, one of the key events in the field of technological entrepreneurship took place in Kazan – the 19th Russian Venture Forum.

    The event brought together more than 150 startups, over 10 venture funds, dozens of investors and representatives of government agencies. The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Valery Falkov, the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the President of the Academy of Sciences of Tatarstan Rifkat Minnikhanov.

    A second-year master’s student at SPbGASU, Bogdan Pismarkin, who is graduating from the Startup as a Diploma program at the Department of Construction Organization, took part in the forum organized by the university with the support of the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career of our university.

    The RVF-2025 discussed current issues of venture market development: support for technology startups, companies entering PreIPO, investments in late-stage projects and entering international markets. Particular attention was paid to the interaction between startups and investors – in the format of pitch sessions, startup battles and networking at the forum sites.

    According to Bogdan, he gained valuable practical experience, made many useful contacts with startup representatives, business angels and investors, and also deepened his knowledge in the field of growth strategy and attracting investment.

    “The participation of SPbGASU students in events of this scale not only contributes to the development of their projects, but also strengthens the university’s image. Our students talk about the support of entrepreneurship at the university, attracting new talented applicants – future creators of technology companies that develop the construction industry and the country’s economy as a whole,” noted Ekaterina Abolina, Director of the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career.

    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 Global: Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu, Doctoral Researcher and Lecturer, Aberystwyth University

    Superstition, an irrational belief in paranormal influences or a false attribution of events, is an age-old phenomenon found in probably all human societies or cultures. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices and behaviours. Some of these have harmful or even deadly consequences.

    In many African communities, there are widespread beliefs relating to the use of human body parts for traditional healing rituals. Human body parts and blood are said to enhance the potency of traditional medicines and rituals that supposedly guarantee wealth, business success, fertility, protection and longevity, among others.

    Ritual killings, including those of children, are reported regularly around Africa. A case in point is the targeting of children with albinism for ritual purposes in Tanzania. One research report says one in five people in Mozambique and one in four people in South Africa believe that rituals and traditional medicines made with human body parts are more potent and effective than those using nonhuman objects.

    Children are particularly targeted for killing because they can’t repel attacks, and because of beliefs about the potency of their body parts. The victims in more than half of all the ritual murders reported in Ghana and Kenya in 2022 were children.

    I am a legal scholar with years of research on superstition-driven crimes against vulnerable groups in African settings and the criminal justice response to such crimes. In a recent study I explored the magnitude, characteristics and motivations, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts, of ritual child murder in Ghana and Kenya. My study was carried out through in-depth analysis of news reports of ritual murders for a period of 10 years, coupled with semi-structured interviews with academics and other experts.

    I found that the major factors contributing to the persistence of ritual child murders were superstition, economic hardship, illiteracy and inefficient criminal justice systems. A new consumerist ethos also plays a role: wanting a life of luxury and the admiration that comes with it.

    The study seeks to enhance awareness of the ritual child murder phenomenon and encourage support for the enforcement of child rights protection laws. When policymakers know more about the scale and circumstances of ritual child murders, they are better equipped to act on it.

    Ritual murders in Ghana and Kenya

    Belief in juju is widespread in Ghana and Kenya. This is the belief that people can mystically control events by using incantations (“magic words”) and, sometimes, objects.

    My study analysed data drawn from online news reports in eight media outlets in Ghana and Kenya. I used media content because the countries don’t have national data sets on ritual homicide, and empirical research is limited. Secondly, I interviewed 28 experts in criminology and criminal justice, sociology, African religions, and child and family welfare and social protection. These participants were selected using the purposeful sampling technique.

    In Ghana, the media reported at least 160 ritual murders between 2012 and 2021. Of this number, 94 (about 58.8%) were children. This suggests that an average of 9.4 children fall victim to ritual murder each year in the country. Of the 102 ritual murders in Kenya in the study period, 66 (64.7%) were children. This represents an annual average of 6.6 in the country.

    In both countries, most victims (over 80%) tend to be drawn from families of low socio-economic backgrounds in rural and semi-rural communities. In Kenya, children with albinism are also targeted.

    The overwhelming majority of offenders are males. There are three main categories of perpetrators of ritual child murders:

    • the juju practitioner or traditional healer who usually prescribes the required body parts and effects the medicine or ritual

    • the client who consults traditional healers and stands to benefit directly from the ritual or medicine

    • the (hired) ritual murderer, who abducts the victim and extracts the required body parts.

    Data from media reports show that most of the perpetrators apprehended are those directly involved in the killing. They are usually aged between 20 and 39 years and of low socio-economic status in rural communities. However, some interviewees insisted that some rich and prominent persons are also involved.

    In Ghana, uncles, fathers and stepfathers were the dominant perpetrators in cases where victims and perpetrators were known to be related. Unlike other types of homicide, ritual child murder generally involves strangers nearly as often as it involves family members and acquaintances.

    Motivations and responses

    The dominant motivation for ritual murder is financial gain. This conclusion is drawn from the media accounts and the interviews. Perpetrators are promised money in exchange for specific human body parts. Others kill to use the body parts for rituals that are supposed to ensure a long life, fertility, business growth, or protection against evil. In Kenya, some perpetrators kill in fulfilment of their obligations as members of occult sects.

    Other factors that sustain the practice – based on media reports and interviews – are superstition, unemployment and economic hardship. Adding to these are illiteracy, which fosters unfounded beliefs, and an inefficient criminal justice system, which enables these crimes to thrive.

    Poor parental supervision is an important risk factor for ritual child murder. In both countries, over 70% of the ritual murder victims were under 10 years old. They were abducted or murdered while going to or returning home from school. Others were abducted while running errands such as fetching water from a stream unaccompanied. Some may have been playing outside their homes unsupervised, or running errands by themselves for relatives.

    In both countries, the criminal justice system’s response is evidently ineffective. In Kenya, over 90% of perpetrators are not apprehended. Of 68 suspects arrested in Ghana, only four convictions were reported. Crime scenes are poorly managed and preserved by police officers and detectives in both countries.

    Crime scene videos show the victims’ remains being removed by authorities and conveyed to the morgue without diligent forensic examination of the body and the crime scene for evidence.

    What governments can do

    The belief in the power of juju and associated rituals and medicines cannot be wished away. It can only be combated in various ways:

    • bringing the activities of traditional healers and occult-related sects under closer scrutiny

    • promoting education and awareness, emphasising the need for supervision of children

    • stronger criminal justice systems.

    Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu 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. Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why – https://theconversation.com/ritual-murder-of-children-study-in-ghana-and-kenya-explores-whos-doing-it-and-why-249173

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada’s federal election doesn’t seem like it’s about climate change, but it actually is

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mark Winfield, Professor, Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada

    A defining feature of the ongoing federal election campaign has been the apparent marginalization of the environment and climate change as top-of-mind issues due to threats by the United States against Canadian sovereignty, security and trade.

    But how Canada responds to U.S. President Donald Trump’s actions will also have profound implications for its future greenhouse gas emissions and its economy.

    The current federal election is very different from those held in 2015, 2019 and 2021. In those elections, the environment and climate were central issues. Each time, more than 60 per cent of Canadian voters chose parties (Liberal, NDP, Bloc Québécois and Green) that advocated for strong climate action, including some form of carbon pricing.



    Read more:
    Canada’s federal election made big strides for climate and the environment

    The increasing evidence of the consequences of a changing climate had placed the environment and climate change among the leading issues in the minds of Canadians for nearly two decades. The political landscape has shifted dramatically since then.

    The role of inflation

    Although Trump’s second presidency is often cited as the trigger point for a decline of the environment as a top-of-mind concern for Canadians, the slide actually began a year earlier, in the fall of 2023.

    Despite the record wildfire season that summer, the impact of inflation, triggered in large part by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, moved economic concerns to the forefront of the public’s mind. Government stimulus programs needed to counter the impacts of the pandemic contributed to inflationary pressures, prompting the Bank of Canada to hike interest rates in response, adding to Canadians’ economic distress.

    Amid high inflation and high interest rates, the Liberal government’s climate strategies — especially consumer carbon pricing — became an easy political target, particularly for a Conservative opposition with little apparent concern for the climate challenge.

    But even though climate change is no longer top of mind for Canadians, it remains a significant embedded concern, with as many as 70 per cent of Canadians believing climate change is real and caused by human activity. And perhaps surprisingly, despite the criticism levelled at the consumer carbon tax, between 60 and 70 per cent of non-Conservative leaning voters (those intending to cast their ballots for Liberal, NDP, Bloc and Green candidates) continue to support the concept of carbon pricing.

    Focus on fossil fuels

    Despite this, many political and business leaders have responded to Trump’s actions by focusing on natural resource exports, especially fossil fuels and critical minerals, to bolster the Canadian economy.

    This has been accompanied by calls to further streamline environmental review and approval processes for resource extraction and export projects like pipelines, and to expand their subsidization by taxpayers.

    Discussions about the climate implications of these initiatives have been noticeably absent. So have conversations about the long-term economic viability and desirability of expanding Canada’s dependency on resource commodity exports to increasingly uncertain global markets.

    On fossil fuels, the International Energy Agency and others are predicting that global consumption will peak within the next decade. This will reflect the falling costs of renewable energy, improving energy productivity and the imperative of reaching net zero greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.

    The peak will likely happen before any new major export infrastructure can be built in Canada, regardless of what review and approval requirements they might be subjected to.

    In a world of declining fossil fuel consumption, Canada — increasingly reliant on high-cost and high-carbon production like oilsands crude and fracked and liquified natural gas — seems more likely to be among the earliest producers to fall than among the last standing. Public investments in new export infrastructure look like dubious propositions in this scenario.



    Read more:
    Coal in Alberta: Neither public outrage nor waning global demand seem to matter to Danielle Smith

    International markets for critical minerals are likely to remain in deep flux as the pace of technological development in renewable energy and energy storage accelerates to reduce or avoid dependency on costly and difficult-to-access materials.

    Mining operations also continue to have substantial environmental impacts with significant implications for reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

    Backwards approach

    All of this means there must be continued meaningful scrutiny of projects in terms of their implications for climate change, environmental sustainability and reconciliation, as well as their economic viability and potential legacy costs for taxpayers — not a further streamlining of review processes.

    Falling back on fossil fuels in response to Trump is a fundamentally backwards approach. It ignores the implications of the climate challenge. As recently noted by at least one Canadian business leader, it also overlooks the need to not just diversify Canada’s markets, but to diversify Canadian products as well.

    Canada must design and implement strategies that transform its industries from producers of low-value raw materials into producers of higher-value products and services for a world that must decarbonize and advance sustainability.

    As a coalition of Canadian mayors recently pointed out, climate change remains a real threat to Canadians and their communities. It’s not going away regardless of what Trump’s executive orders might say.

    As they campaign to lead the country, the situation requires more substantive responses from Canada’s would-be prime ministers than Canadians are getting right now.

    Mark Winfield receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Canada’s federal election doesn’t seem like it’s about climate change, but it actually is – https://theconversation.com/canadas-federal-election-doesnt-seem-like-its-about-climate-change-but-it-actually-is-254458

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes, Alex Boya’s animated short Bread Will Walk (NFB) selected

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 15, 2025 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    The National Film Board of Canada will be in Cannes this year with Alex Boya’s animated short film Bread Will Walk, which has been selected to screen in the Directors’ Fortnight. Actor Jay Baruchel voices all the characters in the original English version of this frenetic, surrealist satire of our dehumanizing society, designed as a continuous shot.

    Organized by the Société des Réalisatrices et Réalisateurs de Films, the Directors’ Fortnight is a sidebar section of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and runs from May 14 to 24, 2025.

    Bread Will Walk will then be presented in official competition at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, taking place June 8 to 14, 2025.

    Quotes

    “The NFB is a unique creative space that also stands out for its ability to innovate and take risks. Over the years, it has nurtured the careers of many emerging filmmakers and helped discover new talent. One such talent is Alex Boya, who made his first film, Focus (2014), as a participant in the NFB’s Hothouse animation mentorship program. The selection of Bread Will Walk for the Directors’ Fortnight speaks to the creative and visionary strengths of the NFB’s animation units and its artists. Hearty congratulations to Alex Boya and to everyone at the NFB who contributed to this wonderful film!”
    – Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the NFB

    “With his edgy, unorthodox visual approach, Alex Boya treats us to a brilliant, continuous shot filled with surreal metamorphoses, blending hand-drawn animation, painting and digital collage, and in the process reinventing the language of animation. We’re extremely proud that it has been selected for the Directors’ Fortnight, a celebration and showcase of unique artistic visions, which are a hallmark of the creative lab philosophy of our animation units at the NFB.”
    – Christine Noël, Executive Producer, French Animation Unit and English Animation Unit, NFB

    Quick Facts

    About the film

    Bread Will Walk by Alex Boya (11 min 17 s)
    An NFB production (Jelena Popović)
    Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/bread-will-walk

    • Synopsis: A devoted sister flees with her brother, a benevolent, bread-turned zombie. A mob pursues, mouths agape. Streets twist into mazes, reason dissolves, hunger reigns. Can love defy appetite?
    • Bread Will Walk was born of director Alex Boya’s reflection on overconsumption and its dehumanizing effects. Subverting the symbolism of bread, Boya created a parable in which a staple food becomes propaganda and love tries to defy hunger.
    • The sound design is by Olivier Calvert and the score was composed by Martin Floyd Cesar.

    About the filmmaker

    • Alex Boya graduated from the Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema at Concordia University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Film Production. The Bulgarian-born Montreal animator and filmmaker is known for his surreal, hand-drawn storytelling. At the NFB, he made Focus (2014) and Turbine(2018), both of which earned Special Mentions at the Ottawa International Animation Festival, with Turbine also winning Best Animation Short at NYC Shorts. Bread Will Walk sees him continue to craft worlds where poetry, technology and absurdity intertwine.
    • Boya is also very active on the animation scene, taking part in conferences and other events. He has grown a sizeable community of social media followers who eagerly keep up with his works as they are made.

    – 30 –

    Stay Connected

    Online Screening Room: NFB.ca
    NFB Facebook | NFB Twitter | NFB Instagram | NFB Blog | NFB YouTube | NFB Vimeo
    Curator’s perspective | Director’s notes

    About the NFB

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ethiopia’s 2026 elections: without reforms, the vote may not be free or fair

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Bizuneh Yimenu, Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Queen’s University Belfast

    Ethiopia is due to hold elections in 2026. But will they be free and fair?

    Since 1995, Ethiopia has held elections every five years, except for the 2021 election, delayed by COVID-19. The incumbent party has consistently secured over 95% of national parliament seats, except for 2005, when the opposition won about 32%. In 2021, the ruling Prosperity Party won 96.8% of the seats.

    I specialise in Ethiopian politics and federalism, and recently published a paper on the country’s electoral landscape. In my study, I examined elections under the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, which ruled from 1991 to 2019, and its successor, the Prosperity Party.

    My aim was to see whether Ethiopia was moving towards political pluralism, where diverse voices are represented in government decision-making, or if it remained authoritarian.

    I conclude that the government still tends to suppress, detain and eliminate the opposition. I identified three main reasons for this.

    • Despite changes in leadership and ruling parties, state repression, vote-rigging and political exclusion have been common features in the country’s elections since 1995.

    • Ethiopia suffers from an uneven electoral playing field. Some regions experience contests while the ruling party tightly controls others.

    • Ethiopia’s first-past-the-post electoral system has excluded significant opposition voices from parliament. This allows the ruling party to dominate both federal and regional legislative seats.

    The way the electoral system works means that Ethiopia’s parliament is a one-party house, where other voices are drowned out.

    My research highlights the fact that elections can be both “free” and “unfair”. Citizens technically have the right to vote. But an unbalanced electoral system and an uneven playing field ensure that ruling parties retain power.

    The 2026 elections provide an opportunity for reforms that ensure greater political inclusion.

    How elections are run

    Ethiopia has held six rounds of elections since 1995. Despite some variations, the same patterns of electoral control persist. The ruling Prosperity Party has sustained and adapted authoritarian strategies to maintain dominance.

    The party still uses many of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front’s tactics, including harassing, detaining and eliminating political adversaries.

    It also has some new ways of looking for support, like selectively addressing regional grievances.

    Regional differences

    Opposition parties in different regions have faced varying degrees of repression. Electoral control has been strategic, rather than uniform.

    Unlike previous studies that broadly assess Ethiopia’s authoritarian past, my research zooms in on regional variations in electoral competition. I show that repression is not uniform but strategically applied based on political calculations. This adds a new dimension to discussions on African elections. It shows that ruling parties can finetune control tactics to target specific threats.

    In an ethnically diverse federal state like Ethiopia, an electoral system that promotes broad representation is essential for stability and inclusive governance.

    First-past-the-post system

    The current winner-takes-all system fosters a political monopoly. It sidelines critical perspectives and erodes trust in democratic processes.

    In the 2021 election, opposition parties performed better in ethnically diverse regions, such as the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. However, these parties were heavily suppressed in political strongholds like Oromia and Somali regions. The first-past-the-post system has consistently led to one-party dominance, even when opposition parties gained significant public support.

    For example, in 2005, opposition parties secured around 38% of the vote but ended up with far fewer parliamentary seats than their vote share justified.

    In 2021, the Prosperity Party won 96.8% of federal parliament seats, despite getting 90% of the total vote. In Addis Ababa, opposition groups such as Balderas and Ezema received 32% of the vote but won no seats in parliament. This is because the system gives all the seats to the party with the highest votes in each constituency. It doesn’t even matter if opposition parties collectively get a substantial vote.

    In Oromia and Somali regions, major opposition parties like the Oromo Liberation Front and the Ogaden National Liberation Front withdrew from fielding candidates due to repression. As a result, the ruling party was the sole option for two-thirds of federal seats and three-fourths of regional seats.

    A way forward

    So, what can be done? My research suggests three steps.

    First, moving towards a proportional representation system would help balance the political competition. Proportional representation means that if a party gets 20% of the vote, it receives 20% of the seats.

    About 130 countries, including South Africa, Namibia and Sierra Leone, use this system. Multi-party representation has led to more stable and inclusive governance. Fewer than 55 countries use first-past-the-post.

    Second, the government must guarantee that opposition parties can operate freely in all regions, not just in areas where they pose little threat. All parties should have an equal chance to compete.

    Third, independent electoral bodies and international observers need greater access to ensure fair play. Strengthening Ethiopia’s electoral board and making sure it’s impartial will foster public trust in elections.



    Read more:
    Ethiopia’s civil war: what’s behind the Amhara rebellion?

    Ethiopia’s democracy is at a tipping point. If the country continues with its current system, it risks further political alienation and instability. By embracing electoral reform, Ethiopia could move towards a more peaceful, inclusive, democratic and representative future.

    Bizuneh Yimenu 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. Ethiopia’s 2026 elections: without reforms, the vote may not be free or fair – https://theconversation.com/ethiopias-2026-elections-without-reforms-the-vote-may-not-be-free-or-fair-253161

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: South Africans don’t donate enough blood – technology can help drive the numbers

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Relebohiseng Matubatuba, Lecturer in Marketing, University of the Witwatersrand

    The shortage of blood for medical use is a global challenge. South Africa is not exempt. Blood collection organisations such as the South African National Blood Service struggle to meet the demand for blood products, because of insufficient blood donations and the scarcity of loyal blood donors.

    Blood collection organisations rely on the goodwill of a few individuals who voluntarily donate blood. To maintain a sustainable supply of blood, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that at least 1% of a country’s population donate blood. In South Africa the donation rate is below this.

    There are two blood collection organisations in South Africa – the Western Cape Blood Service operates exclusively in the Western Cape province while the South African National Blood Service, operates in the other eight provinces of the country.

    To increase the numbers, the country’s blood donation organisations have focused on the recruitment of new donors and awareness initiatives, using research findings that look at what motivates, and what deters, people from donating blood. But little focus has been put on the behaviour of those who already donate.



    Read more:
    Blood donation saves lives but few South Africans are regular donors

    I have conducted research in a bid to fill this gap. In a recent paper I examined factors influencing consumers’ intention to donate blood. In addition, in my recently completed PhD, I looked at the retention of existing blood donors and what drives their donation behaviour.

    The research suggests that blood collection organisations need to shift focus from acquiring new blood donors to building relationships with existing blood donors. Existing donors are an important cohort because they are reliable, and have higher donation eligibility and lower recruitment costs.

    The aim should be to drive loyalty.

    I considered the use of technology to encourage people to donate blood regularly. I concluded from my findings that blood collection organisations should customise appeals to various types of donors. They need to appeal to people in a personalised way if they want to drive loyalty.

    The drivers

    To understand what drives donor loyalty, it was important to understand why people donate blood.

    As part of my research, 658 blood donors completed the survey and I conducted interviews with 18 blood donors. The interviews revealed various reasons for donating blood. These included:

    • Awareness of the importance of donating blood

    As one participant in my research put it:

    I’ve been in and out of hospital for my kids and for my wife when she was pregnant. If I don’t donate, where are they going to get that blood from?

    • Contribution to society – saving or changing someone’s life

    This was articulated by one person:

    I’m past the point of only going for a reward, but I actually want to go, because I want to save someone’s life and do good in the community.

    • Moral responsibility

    As one participant put it:

    When I don’t donate blood, I feel bad because, as a universal donor, I could potentially be saving lives as my blood is not limited, as opposed to other groups.

    • Health-related benefits, like free health checks and the requirement to live a healthy lifestyle

    • Incentives

    The gifts make me feel appreciated. It makes me want to donate more and more.

    Beyond just donating blood, some donors also expressed that they shared their blood donation experiences with their friends, family, co-workers and on their social media platforms to encourage others to donate.

    The use of technology

    Findings from my PhD show that donors would like personalised communication from the blood collection organisations. This should include:

    • sharing information about blood donation achievements specific to them (the donor)

    • checking up on the donors who are not donating as they used to or may have stopped donating

    • following up on deferred donors to encourage them to return for a checkup and subsequent donation. Deferred donors are those who were unable to donate during a donation drive because they didn’t meet the donation requirements (for example they had low iron levels).

    • reminding donors of their upcoming donations.

    Others shared that they would like more interactive communication beyond being told that they have saved three lives after donating blood. This could include sharing specific information about the impact of the donors donation – “your donation helped a cancer patient recover” – and stories to make their contribution more tangible.

    What needs to be done

    Research has shown that digital technologies have been used successfully to foster customer engagement, enhance customer experiences and satisfaction, facilitate communication and information-sharing, and offer opportunities to shape and influence behaviour. To achieve this, donor organisations have large amounts of donor data and other data (big data) which they can use to gain insights that can be used in the following ways.

    Firstly, they should analyse donor data to identify patterns and segment donors based on factors such as how long an individual has been donating, donation frequency, blood type, location, and preferred communication channels.

    This information can be used to tailor communication and engagement strategies to specific donor groups. Donors follow different donor paths over time and cannot be viewed as a single segment.

    Secondly, organisations should monitor donation trends over time. This will help to understand seasonal fluctuations, identify peak donation periods, and anticipate potential donor needs. These insights can be used to plan targeted recruitment campaigns and allocate resources.



    Read more:
    Explainer: what are blood groups and why do they matter?

    Thirdly, organisations should consider personalised communication. This could include:

    • Targeted nudging: timely and relevant communication, like reminders for upcoming donation appointments, personalised thank-you messages, information about the donation they have made or invitations to special donor events.

    • Multi-channel engagement: reaching donors through their preferred communication channels, such as email, SMS, or social media.

    • Loyalty programmes: rewarding frequent donors with exclusive merchandise, discounts or special recognition, based on individual donor preferences and donation history.

    • Gamification: using game-like elements to make communication and the donation process more engaging and fun, using challenges, leaderboards and badges to motivate donors and foster a sense of community.

    • Predictive analytics: using data history and past events to establish donor patterns and predicts future outcomes. This data can be used to identify donors who might lapse and reach out to them with personalised communication.

    Relebohiseng Matubatuba 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. South Africans don’t donate enough blood – technology can help drive the numbers – https://theconversation.com/south-africans-dont-donate-enough-blood-technology-can-help-drive-the-numbers-251827

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Panopto Appoints Stephen Laster as Chief Executive Officer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PITTSBURGH, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Panopto, the leading AI-powered video learning platform, today announced the appointment of Stephen Laster as Chief Executive Officer. A proven technology and product leader, Laster brings more than two decades of executive experience driving digital transformation and innovation across education and enterprise software.

    Laster joins Panopto from D2L, where he most recently served as President. His career spans senior leadership roles at McGraw-Hill Education, Ellucian, Harvard Business School, and Babson College where he has led large-scale teams, developed category-defining products, and built platforms that have redefined how millions of learners and professionals experience education. At Panopto, Laster will lead the company’s next chapter as it scales its platform and continues to enable AI-powered video across learning, training, and communication environments around the world.

    “Panopto is uniquely positioned at the intersection of video, knowledge management, and education,” said Laster. “I am thrilled to join a company with such a strong foundation, an exceptional team, and a powerful mission. As video becomes increasingly critical to how organizations learn and operate, Panopto is poised to play an even greater role in enabling success for its customers.”

    Panopto’s enterprise-grade, open platform is trusted by leading global institutions and organizations – including Duke University, Kimberly-Clark, Harvard University, HubSpot, Nikon, Oxford University, Qualcomm, and Stanford University – to harness video at scale for skill building, training, onboarding, compliance, and knowledge sharing. As a key player in the learning tech ecosystem, Panopto leads the way in leveraging AI, advanced search, and deep integrations to power the future of visual learning.

    “Stephen is a proven operator who combines deep technical expertise with a sharp focus on customer impact,” said Sejal Pietrzak, Executive Chair at Panopto. “His track record of building world-class technology organizations and his passion for delivering exceptional product experiences make him the ideal leader to guide Panopto into its next phase of growth.”

    With this appointment, Panopto continues its commitment to building industry-leading video technology that elevates how people learn and communicate in today’s digital-first world.

    About Panopto

    Panopto is a global leader in AI-driven video learning, revolutionizing how universities and enterprises capture, share, and expand knowledge. Trusted by 22 of the world’s top 25 universities and more than 1,600 organizations, Panopto’s advanced video management platform and innovative AI tools make it easy to transform text to video to create, store, manage, and deliver engaging, accessible learning experiences. Discover the future of video learning at Panopto.com

    Contact: 
    Alexis Borucke, VP of Marketing
    alexis.borucke@panopto.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96bb0880-f43e-486a-9935-0fd7da293e9b

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Winners of Inaugural Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards Showcase East Coast Excellence

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HALIFAX, Canada, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Foresight Canada announced the winners of the inaugural Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards at last night’s sold-out ceremony in Halifax. The event celebrated the region’s innovators, funders, adopters, and supporters collectively accelerating clean technology adoption, catalyzing economic resilience, and advancing net zero goals. This year’s award winners exemplify the region’s capability to turn visionary ideas into tangible progress.

    Driven by breakthroughs in ocean technology and increased adoption of renewable energy, the East Coast’s growing cleantech sector is well-positioned to increase efficiency and productivity of key industries and lead a more sustainable, economically prosperous future. In 2024 alone, the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), invested $72M in 166 cleantech projects, anticipated to generate 100,000 new clean energy jobs in Atlantic Canada by mid-century. This projected growth underscores the momentum of Atlantic Canada’s cleantech sector. Foresight Canada is proud to establish this new tradition on the East Coast, celebrating leaders whose dedication and ingenuity are shaping a resilient and sustainable economy.

    Meet the Winners

    Adopter of the Year: City of Summerside

    Summerside has emerged as a Canadian leader in community-driven sustainability. By expanding its smart grid, integrating renewable energy sources, and introducing innovative programs for energy efficiency and clean transportation, the city is paving the way toward a more sustainable future. Additionally, Summerside supports cleantech business growth through its Eco Park, a dedicated space that encourages clean economic development in the region.

    Supporter of the Year: Dalhousie University

    Researchers at Dalhousie University are developing clean, carbon-free technologies that will facilitate the transition to a more sustainable future. Their work encompasses engineering and commercializing innovative breakthroughs, including clean fuels, chemicals and materials, and long-life batteries for electric mobility. Dalhousie is playing a key role in advancing battery innovation through the establishment of Canada’s first university-based battery prototyping and testing facility, set to open in fall 2025.

    Funder of the Year: Carbon to Sea

    Carbon to Sea is the leading nonprofit evaluating ocean alkalinity enhancement for CO₂ removal at scale. Its work is aligned with key scientific bodies, such as IPCC and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. As the world’s foremost organization pursuing ocean alkalinity enhancement, Carbon to Sea funds exceptional researchers to close knowledge gaps and build a responsible sector.

    Startup Venture of the Year: pHathom Technologies

    pHathom is advancing a breakthrough carbon removal technology through its Accelerated Weathering of Limestone (AWL) process, which uses seawater and limestone to capture biogenic CO₂ while helping to reduce ocean acidification. The company aims to launch a commercial demonstration by 2027, with the potential to remove gigatons of carbon and unlock substantial revenue opportunities.

    Scaleup Venture of the Year: CarbonRun

    CarbonRun’s innovative river restoration method permanently removes CO₂ from the atmosphere and improves river health simultaneously. By adding limestone to rivers, they enhance natural carbon absorption and restore salmon habitats. With commitments from large corporate buyers for its credits, and a robust pipeline of projects that are being developed, CarbonRun is poised to make a major impact on global CDR goals.

    Learn more about all our 2025 Canada Cleantech Awards finalists and winners.

    Quotes

    “For the City of Summerside, being nominated for and receiving this award is like a boost of clean tech energy—fueling our momentum and reaffirming our path forward. Over the past 20 years, we’ve been deeply committed to validating and scaling solutions in the innovation and clean tech space. Along the way, we’ve learned that real progress takes a united effort—it takes a community to move mountains. The work we do with our partners can be complex, but it’s incredibly rewarding. By leveraging our infrastructure, collaborating with leading businesses, and cultivating a thriving ecosystem for change, Summerside is proud to lead and support Canada’s transition toward a sustainable future. Driving innovation, clean tech solutions and economic growth isn’t just our mission—it’s our passion.” — Mike Thususka, Director of Economic Development, City of Summerside

    “We are extremely honoured to be recognized by the Atlantic Canada Cleantech community. We are thankful for the support of our partners and the broader network in helping us get to this stage, and we hope to live up to your expectations by continuing to fight climate change while also restoring and enhancing the ecosystems we depend on.” — Dr. Halfyard, Co-Founder and CTO, CarbonRun

    “We’re capturing CO₂ right at the source and using natural ocean chemistry to lock it away safely for thousands of years. It’s high-integrity carbon removal, rooted in science, and it’s happening right here in Atlantic Canada. We’re honoured to accept this award and proud to be doing that work here, in a region that understands resilience, collaboration, and bold ideas.” — Kim Gilbert, CEO, pHathom Technologies

    “Nova Scotia’s growing reputation as a home for innovation makes it a great location to advance ocean climate science, and Carbon to Sea is proud to play a role in that. As the world grapples with the need to remove billions of tons of carbon from the atmosphere safely in the coming decades, we look forward to deepening our work here. We’re grateful to Foresight for this recognition, and for all they do to support climate innovation across Canada.” — Miriam Zitner, Canadian General Manager, Carbon to Sea Initiative

    “A heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the inaugural Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards! Your innovative spirit is propelling the region’s cleantech growth in exciting new directions. We celebrate your vision and look forward to witnessing the ecosystem thrive and the significant contributions you’ll make in transforming East Coast industries.” — Jeanette Jackson, CEO, Foresight Canada

    “Marking a pivotal moment, the first Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards celebrated the remarkable strength and innovation thriving within our region. The achievements of this year’s winners pave the way for a future where Atlantic Canada is a true leader in clean technology, and I can’t wait to see what comes next in East Coast innovation.” — Lindsay Murray, Sr. Manager, Partnerships, Foresight Canada

    About Foresight Canada

    ​​Foresight Canada helps the world do more with less, sustainably. As Canada’s largest cleantech innovation and adoption accelerator, they connect public and private sectors to the world’s best clean technologies, de-risking and simplifying the adoption of innovative solutions that improve productivity, profitability, and economic competitiveness, all while addressing today’s most urgent climate challenges.

    Contact:
    Heather Kingdon
    Manager, Communications
    hkingdon@foresightcac.com

    The Atlantic Canada Cleantech Awards are presented by Foresight and Bloom Funding with support from Bonsai Growth, MNP, Springboard Atlantic, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). Event hosted in partnership with Smart Energy Halifax.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c628c430-d0e3-4bef-905a-fd0639b1317d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Stolen Girl: Disney+ drama is an intriguing companion piece to Netflix’s Adolescence

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Rachel Moseley, Co-founder of the Centre for Television History, Heritage and Memory Research, University of Warwick

    From the opening moments of the new Disney+ series The Stolen Girl, you could be forgiven for thinking that you’ve happened upon a Scandi-noir crime drama.

    From the air, we follow a dark Volvo estate driving a dusty road through a tree-lined mountainous landscape. The palette is cool and desaturated, the music underpinned by a distorted electronic buzz. After the sound of a zip, light picks out the face of a child who seems to have been transported in the cramped and claustrophobic boot of the Volvo, that emblem of (Scandinavian) family road safety. “Who are you?” the child asks.

    Unlike Scandi-noir, however, there is no elevated title sequence and the five-episode thriller is set between the north of England and the south of France. We cut to the latter rapidly, to a brightly lit balcony, from which Elisa Blix (Denise Gough), private jet flight crew and the mother of the eponymous girl, looks out at the Côte D’Azur.

    In the first episode, Elisa and her husband, criminal lawyer Fred (Jim Sturgess) realise that their eldest child, Lucia, has been kidnapped while on a hastily arranged sleepover at a new school friend’s house.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    A number of stylistic motifs contribute to the sense of unease which pervades The Stolen Girl. The camera peers around corners into dark, claustrophobic spaces. It creeps along the ground, or tracks slowly towards buildings. In the opening sequence, for example, it drifts through lush, dark foliage towards stone steps, offering a glimpse of a doorway at their apex.

    The significance of this repeated shot doesn’t become clear until near the end of the series. Similarly, motifs from the elaborate décor of the Blixes’ “perfect” home are disturbingly echoed later in the setting of the French villa. As the drama proceeds, flashbacks and memories provide the opportunity to reassess and reinterpret, for the characters and the viewer.

    The Stolen Girl trailer.

    The Stolen Girl is meticulously constructed to unsettle and intrigue the viewer, from sound design and imagery to narrative organisation.

    For the most part, we discover and interpret clues along with another main character – doggedly persistent journalist Selma Desai (Ambika Mod). Her grasp of social media and pop psychology leads her to solve the case ahead of the detectives working it.

    I found myself having light-bulb moments with, and occasionally just before, Selma – an effective and carefully designed immersion technique which, along with frequent reversals and twists, keeps us guessing until near the very end. It’s clever, and satisfying for the attentive viewer as the whole-series release in the UK makes it easily bingeable and easy to pick up clues.

    The series was adapted for television by Catherine Moulton from Alex Dahl’s 2020 novel Playdate. It centres on two mothers and a female journalist, with a young female victim at the centre. This makes it a fascinating companion piece to the much-discussed recent Netflix drama Adolescence, which has been critiqued for its focus on the young male perpetrator and his family.



    Read more:
    Adolescence in schools: TV show’s portrayal of one boyhood may do more harm than good when used as a teaching tool

    There are very clear references to the Madeleine McCann case in The Stolen Girl. Not just in the similarly posed “victim ID” photo of Lucia, but also in the persistent blame directed at her mother Elisa. Described as a “jet-set mum-fluencer”, her decision in a harried moment between work and home facilitated the abduction of her daughter. “She spent half her childhood with me while you were up in the air”, claims her mother-in-law.

    The drama unfolds and the mystery is revealed through a highly screen-literate pastiche of gothic, noir and horror tropes. Central characters are narrated through a costume story told in shirts: tucked in, tied at the waist, over-sized, striped, floral and tailored. The mise-en-scène of The Stolen Girl is simultaneously presented as aspirational (I spotted a number of well-known fancy brands) and carefully crafted to present an unreliable façade, as the perfect life of the white middle-class family at the series’ centre is systematically unpicked.

    As it unravels, a nexus of trauma, infidelity, financial insecurity, lies and secrets are revealed. Like Adolescence, the programme identifies social media as a factor in facilitating crime, but also, through Selma, as an instrument of solving it.

    Rachel Moseley 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. The Stolen Girl: Disney+ drama is an intriguing companion piece to Netflix’s Adolescence – https://theconversation.com/the-stolen-girl-disney-drama-is-an-intriguing-companion-piece-to-netflixs-adolescence-254513

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why you should think twice before wearing outdoor shoes indoors

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Manal Mohammed, Senior Lecturer, Medical Microbiology, University of Westminster

    Wearing outdoor shoes indoors can bring in more than just a bit of dirt and blades of grass. Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock

    My mother has always had one unbreakable rule: no outdoor shoes inside the house. It didn’t matter who you were – family member, neighbour, or guest – you had to take them off before crossing the threshold. As a child, I thought it was just one of her many quirks. But as I’ve grown older (and wiser), I’ve come to understand that this wasn’t about obsessive tidiness. It was about health, safety and keeping our living space hygienic.

    Removing shoes indoors may seem like a cultural custom or a personal preference. But mounting scientific evidence suggests it’s a smart – and even vital – habit that protects us from invisible, yet serious, health threats.

    Cleanliness is often associated with visible dirt. But when it comes to shoes, what’s lurking beneath the surface is often microscopic and far more dangerous than a little mud or dried grass. Outdoor shoes carry bacteria, allergens and toxic chemicals – many of which are linked to serious health concerns.

    Consider where your shoes go each day: public toilets, pavements, hospital corridors and lawns treated with chemicals such as weed killers and insecticides to control weeds and pests. According to a University of Arizona study, a whopping 96% of shoes tested positive for coliform bacteria, which is commonly found in faecal matter. Disturbingly, 27% carried E. coli, a bacterium linked to various infections – some of them life-threatening.

    While some strains of E. coli are harmless, others produce Shiga toxin, which can cause bloody diarrhoea and lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially fatal condition involving kidney failure. Children under five are especially at risk due to their still-developing immune systems and frequent hand-to-mouth activity.

    But E. coli isn’t the only germ hitching a ride into your living room. Shoes also pick up Clostridium difficile, a bacterium known for causing painful, sometimes severe diarrhea and Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, a drug-resistant “superbug” that can cause deep skin infections, pneumonia, or even deadly bloodstream infections.

    Not just germs

    The health risks extend beyond bacteria. Shoes also act as carriers for chemicals and allergens. Studies have shown that outdoor footwear can bring in pesticides, herbicides and heavy metals like lead – all of which pose serious health risks, particularly to young children and pets.

    Lead exposure, often from urban dust or soil, is especially harmful to children, as it can impair brain development and cause lifelong cognitive issues. Additionally, allergens like pollen can cling to your soles, aggravating allergies and respiratory issues inside what should be a safe haven.

    Even more alarming, asphalt sealants used on driveways and roads contain carcinogenic compounds. A US study found that these chemicals can be tracked indoors and linger in household dust – sometimes at levels 37 times higher than outdoor levels.

    And who spends the most time closest to the ground? Children and pets. Kids crawl, play and often put their hands in their mouths. Pets lick their paws after walking on these contaminated surfaces. Wearing outdoor shoes indoors can unintentionally increase their exposure to harmful substances.

    Clean floors, healthy home

    Given the evidence, my mother’s rule doesn’t sound so unreasonable anymore. In fact, it might be one of the simplest and most effective public health measures you can adopt at home. By removing your shoes at the door, you’re not just preventing dirt from staining your carpet – you’re significantly reducing your family’s exposure to harmful microbes and chemicals.

    And it’s not difficult to do. Consider designating a shoe-free area by the entrance or maybe provide a shoe rack or basket and even a few pairs of comfy indoor slippers for guests. Asking someone to remove their shoes may feel awkward at first – but it’s easy to overlook how something as routine as walking into your house could carry such hidden risks.

    But when you realise the sheer volume of bacteria and toxic chemicals that cling to your soles, it becomes clear: wearing outdoor shoes indoors is like inviting the streets – and everything on them – into your most intimate living spaces.

    So, next time you come home, take a moment to slip off your shoes. Your floors – and your health – will thank you. As my mother always said, “Clean house, clear conscience”. Turns out, she was right all along.

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

    – ref. Why you should think twice before wearing outdoor shoes indoors – https://theconversation.com/why-you-should-think-twice-before-wearing-outdoor-shoes-indoors-254427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mysterious objects from other stars are passing through our solar system. Scientists are planning missions to study them up close

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Billy Bryan, Research Leader, RAND Europe

    NASA/ESA/STScI

    In late 2017, a mysterious object tore through our solar system at breakneck speed. Astronomers scrambled to observe the fast moving body using the world’s most powerful telescopes. It was found to be one quarter mile (400m) long and very elongated – perhaps 10 times as long as it was wide. Researchers named it ‘Oumuamua, Hawaiian for “scout”.

    ‘Oumuamua was later confirmed to be the first object from another star known to have visited our solar system. While these interstellar objects (ISO) originate around a star, they end up as cosmic nomads, wandering through space. They are essentially planetary shrapnel, having been blasted out of their parent star systems by catastrophic events, such as giant collisions between planetary objects.

    Astronomers say that ‘Oumuamua could have been travelling through the Milky Way for hundreds of millions of years before its encounter with our solar system. Just two years after this unexpected visit, a second ISO – the Borisov Comet – was spotted, this time by an amateur astronomer in Crimea. These celestial interlopers have given us tantalising glimpses of material from far beyond our solar system.

    But what if we could do more than just watch them fly by?

    Studying ISOs up close would offer scientists the rare opportunity to learn more about far off star systems, which are too distant to send missions to.

    There may be over 10 septillion (or ten with 24 zeros) ISOs in the Milky Way
    alone. But if there are so many of them, why have we only seen two? Put simply, we cannot accurately predict when they will arrive. Large ISOs like ‘Oumuamua, that are more easily detected, do not seem to visit the solar system that often and they travel incredibly fast.

    Ground- and space-based telescopes struggle to respond quickly to incoming ISOs, meaning that we are mostly looking at them after they pass through our cosmic neighbourhood. However, innovative space missions could get us closer to objects like ‘Oumuamua, by using breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) to guide spacecraft safely to future visitors. Getting closer means we can get a better understanding of their composition, geology, and activity – gaining insights into the conditions around other stars.

    Emerging technologies being used to approach space debris could help to approach
    other unpredictable objects, transforming these fleeting encounters into profound
    scientific opportunities. So how do we get close? Speeding past Earth at an average of 32.14 km/s, ISOs give us less than a year for our spacecraft to try and intercept them after detection. Catching up is not impossible – for example, it could be done via gravitational slingshot manoeuvres. However, it is difficult, costly and would take years to execute.

    The good news is that the first wave of ISO-hunting missions is already in motion:
    Nasa’s mission concept is called Bridge and the European Space Agency (Esa) has a mission called Comet Interceptor. Once an incoming ISO is identified, Bridge would
    depart Earth to intercept it. However, launching from Earth currently requires a 30-day launch window after detection, which would cost valuable time.

    The Comet Interceptor mission is scheduled to launch in 2029.
    ESA / Work performed by ATG under contract to ESA, CC BY-SA

    Comet Interceptor is scheduled for launch in 2029 and comprises a larger spacecraft and two smaller robotic probes. Once launched, it will lie in wait a million miles from Earth, waiting to ambush a long period comet (slower comets that come from further away) – or potentially an ISO. Placing spacecraft in a “storage orbit” allows for rapid deployment when a suitable ISO is detected.

    Another proposal from the Institute for Interstellar Studies, Project Lyra, assessed the feasibility of chasing down ‘Oumuamua, which has already sped far beyond Neptune’s orbit. They found that it would be possible in theory to catch up with the object, but that this would also be very technically challenging.

    The fast and the curious

    These missions are a start, but, as described, their biggest limitation is speed. To chase down ISOs like ‘Oumuamua, we’ll need to move a lot faster – and think smarter.

    Future missions may rely on cutting-edge AI and related fields such as deep learning – which seeks to emulate the decision making power of the human brain – to identify and respond to incoming objects in real time. Researchers are already testing small spacecraft that operate in coordinated “swarms”, allowing them to image targets from multiple angles and adapt mid-flight.

    At the Vera C Rubin Observatory in Chile, a 10-year survey of the night sky is due to begin soon. This astronomical survey is expected to find dozens of ISOs each year. Simulations suggest we may be on the cusp of a detection boom.

    Any spacecraft would need to reach high speeds once an object is spotted and
    ensure that its energy source doesn’t degrade, potentially after years waiting in
    “storage orbit”. A number of missions have already utilised a form of propulsion called a solar sail.

    These use sunlight on the lightweight, reflective sail to push the spacecraft through space. This would dispense with the need for heavy fuel tanks. The next generation of solar sail spacecraft could use lasers on the sails to reach even higher speeds, which would offer a nimble and low cost solution compared to other futuristic fuels, such as nuclear propulsion.

    The Vera Rubin Observatory in Chile should discover more interstellar objects.
    RubinObs/NOIRLab/SLAC/NSF/DOE/AURA/Y. AlSayyad

    A spacecraft approaching an ISO will also need to withstand high temperatures and possibly erosion from dust being ejected from the object as it moves. While traditional shielding materials can protect spacecraft, they add weight and may slow them down.

    To address this, researchers are exploring novel technologies for lightweight, more durable and resistant materials, such as advanced carbon fibres. Some could even be 3D printed. They are also looking at innovative uses of traditional materials such as cork and ceramics.

    A suite of different approaches is needed that involve ground-based telescopes and space based missions, working together to anticipate, chase down and observe ISOs.

    New technology could allow the spacecraft itself to identify and predict the trajectories of incoming objects. However, potential cuts to space science in the US, including to observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope, threaten such progress.

    Emerging technologies must be embraced to make an approach and rendezvous with an ISO a real possibility. Otherwise, we will be left scrabbling, taking pictures from afar as yet another cosmic wanderer speeds away.

    Billy Bryan works on projects at RAND Europe that are funded by the UK Space Agency and DG DEFIS. He is affiliated with RAND Europe’s Space Hub and is lead of the civil space theme, the University of Sussex Students’ Union as a Trustee, and Rocket Science Ltd. as an advisor.

    Chris Carter works on projects at RAND Europe that are funded by the UK Space Agency and DG DEFIS. He is affiliated with RAND Europe’s Space Hub and is a researcher in the civil space theme.

    Theodora (Teddy) Ogden is a Senior Analyst at RAND Europe, where she works on defence and security issues in space. She was previously a fellow at Arizona State University, and before that was briefly at Nato.

    – ref. Mysterious objects from other stars are passing through our solar system. Scientists are planning missions to study them up close – https://theconversation.com/mysterious-objects-from-other-stars-are-passing-through-our-solar-system-scientists-are-planning-missions-to-study-them-up-close-254404

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The return on higher education for part-time graduates is lower than for full-time students

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    Employees Labor Market Research Laboratories (LIRT) HSE University found that 70% of correspondence course graduates do not receive a significant salary increase within a year after graduating. This is different from full-time course graduates, who earn more in their first year, and the gap grows in the future. The results of the study are presented in the article “The fate of a correspondence student: graduates of Russian correspondence universities in the labor market“, published in the journal “Education Issues” No. 1 for 2025.

    The authors of the study — LIRT research fellow, PhD in Economics Ksenia Rozhkova, LIRT head Sergey Roshchin and LIRT senior research fellow Pavel Travkin — state that one of the important mechanisms for the massification of Russian higher education at the turn of the 2000s was the growth in the coverage of the population by correspondence programs. Correspondence students still make up a significant part of the university graduates: 41.6% among the graduates of 2018 and 35.7% among the graduates of 2022.

    The analysis is based on the total administrative data of the Graduate Employment Monitoring Project, a project implemented jointly by the Russian Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the Federal Service for Labor and Employment. The data cover bachelor’s and specialist’s degree graduates of two graduation years – 2018 and 2022. Their results in the labor market are measured from October 2022 to September 2023, i.e. during the first year after receiving their diploma for the 2022 class and the fifth year for the 2018 class.

    The authors of the study focus on full-time and part-time bachelor’s and specialist’s degree graduates of 2018 and 2022: 649,269 observations in 2018 and 568,375 observations in 2022. Part-time graduates make up 41.6 and 35.7% of the sample, respectively. The sample is limited to graduates who did not continue their education in other higher education programs – master’s, postgraduate, etc.

    According to the available data, in their final year, part-time students earn more than full-time graduates, which may be the result of the difference in hours spent on work (full-time for part-time students and part-time for full-time students). However, despite the higher start, further growth in part-time students’ salaries is extremely slow, which allows full-time graduates to quickly make up for the initial lag. A year after graduation, full-time students earn on average 3-5% more than part-time graduates, and five years after graduation, the situation changes dramatically: the salary gap increases to 22% in favor of full-time graduates.

    Researchers explain this by the fact that the value of skills and work experience of full-time students increases faster, probably due to differences in the quality of acquired human capital. A difference in the return on the same characteristics for graduates of full-time and part-time education has been recorded. For example, the experience of combining study with work turns out to be more valuable for graduates of full-time programs. The presence of longer work experience among part-time students, including during their studies, reduces the observed salary gap, while traditional indicators of education quality (type of university, diploma with honors) increase it.

    On the one hand, distance learning allows you to work full-time, support yourself, build a career, and achieve leadership positions while receiving your diploma. However, the weak positive dynamics of labor income after graduation and the rapidly growing gap in salaries with full-time graduates show that a diploma from a distance learning program is obviously not equal to a diploma from full-time education. The reason is primarily that distance learning programs are attended by academically less capable students, including those who would otherwise not be able to graduate from a university. The competition for distance learning programs is virtually non-existent or extremely low; they are attended mainly by graduates of secondary vocational education who use college as a way to bypass the Unified State Exam.

    The authors of the study also note that full-time education involves the development of a fundamentally different level of professional skills, which is unavailable when mastering a program part-time. As a result, the lack of a professional foundation, which is laid by high-quality educational training, does not allow part-time graduates to grow professionally after university, as evidenced by their low career and salary mobility. In the perspective of five years, even low-selective full-time education turns out to be more economically advantageous than part-time education.

    Another factor is the surrounding social environment, which makes it possible to build stable horizontal connections: this is only available in face-to-face education.

    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: Guaranteed Rate Affinity Names Bob Bachman Vice President of Mortgage Lending in Los Gatos, CA

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Guaranteed Rate Affinity (GRA), a leading mortgage provider offering unparalleled lending services through its partnership with Coldwell Banker, has appointed Bob Bachman as Vice President of Mortgage Lending in Los Gatos, California.

    Bachman brings 23 years of mortgage industry experience to the role and has been a member of the President’s Council for the past decade. He chose to join Guaranteed Rate Affinity for its marketing and technology tools, which help loan officers stay engaged with past clients and maintain strong relationships with real estate professionals.

    “Joining Guaranteed Rate Affinity was an easy decision,” said Bachman. “I’ve been in the mortgage space for over two decades now, and the culture at GRA is by far the best at enabling loan officers and industry agents to grow their businesses together, while making the mortgage process easier than ever for customers.”

    “We look forward to Bob’s contributions to our team,” said Jim Anderson, Regional President of Guaranteed Rate Affinity. “He has built lasting relationships with clients and partners, and his experience will be valuable in serving borrowers throughout California.”

    Bachman, recognized as one of the leading loan specialists in Los Gatos and Santa Clara County, has built a successful career dedicated to helping clients navigate the lending process with confidence. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington, equipping him with a strong analytical and problem-solving mindset that he applies to his work in the financial and real estate sectors. Actively engaged in the real estate community, Bachman remains committed to staying informed and connected to better serve his clients. and has built his career in the San Jose area. Outside of work, he enjoys an active lifestyle that includes boxing, golfing, skiing, and various outdoor activities, continually seeking new challenges both professionally and personally.

    About Guaranteed Rate Affinity

    Guaranteed Rate Affinity is a joint venture between Guaranteed Rate, Inc. and Anywhere Integrated Services (NYSE: HOUS), which owns some of the industry’s most recognized and respected real estate brands. The innovative JV has funded over $100 billion in loans since its inception. Guaranteed Rate Affinity originates and markets its mortgage lending services to Anywhere’s real estate, brokerage, and relocation subsidiaries.

    Guaranteed Rate Affinity provides unmatched support to Anywhere brokers coast-to-coast, ensuring their customers receive fast pre-approvals, appraisals, and loan closings, creating the ability for buyers to move quickly and confidently when purchasing homes in today’s competitive market. The company also provides the same services to the public and other real estate brokerage and relocation companies across the country—helping employers improve their employees’ relocation experience by prioritizing customer service, digital mortgage ease, and competitive rates.

    Guaranteed Rate owns a controlling 50.1% stake in Guaranteed Rate Affinity, and Anywhere owns 49.9%. Visit grarate.com for more information.

    Media Contact:
    press@rate.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: White River Bancshares Co. Reports Net Income of $2.63 million, or $1.07 Per Diluted Share, for the First Quarter of 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — White River Bancshares Company (OTCQX: WRIV), (the “Company”) the holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas (the “Bank”), today reported net income increased to $2.63 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $509,000, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024. The Company reported net income of $1.83 million, or $0.75 per diluted share, for the prior quarter. All financial results are unaudited and all per share data has been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split effected September 4, 2024.

    “Thanks to a solid start to the year, we produced the strongest first quarter earnings in our Bank’s history,” said Gary Head, Chairman and CEO. “Loan portfolio growth contributed to an increase in net interest income compared to the first quarter of 2024. This is exactly the kind of excitement I’ve been ‘banking on’ as we head into the second quarter and celebrate the Bank’s 20 year anniversary. I am confident in our team’s capability and enthusiasm to build upon this momentum for the rest of the year.”

    “Expanding our deposit base to fund new loan growth remains our top priority, and also our biggest challenge as a community bank,” said Scott Sandlin, Chief Strategy Officer. “The Company has made deposit gathering the primary focus and our team has done an excellent job of expanding existing client relationships as well as attracting new customers to the Bank. As a result, total deposits increased 9.9% during the first quarter of 2025 and 18.9% year-over-year. At quarter end, demand and non-interest bearing accounts represented 19.3% of total deposits, and savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts represented 38.0% of total deposits. We will continue to look for additional opportunities for growing deposits in the year ahead to keep up with loan demand.”

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights:

    • Net income for the first quarter of 2025 increased to $2.63 million, or $1.07 per diluted share, compared to $509,000, or $0.26 per diluted share, in the first quarter of 2024.
    • Net interest income increased 32.0% to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024.
    • Net interest margin (“NIM”) increased 42 basis points to 3.39% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 2.97% in the first quarter of 2024.
    • The Company recorded a $670,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2025, compared to a $550,000 provision in the fourth quarter of 2024, and a $648,000 provision in the first quarter of 2024.
    • Net loans increased 16.3% to $1.128 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $969.7 million at March 31, 2024.
    • Nonperforming loans totaled $420,000, or 0.04% of total loans at March 31, 2025, compared to 0.18% a year ago.
    • Total deposits increased $190.7 million, or 18.9%, year-over-year, to $1.201 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.010 billion at March 31, 2024.
    • Core deposits (demand and non-interest-bearing, and savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts, and CDs under $250,000) represent 70.25% of total deposits at March 31, 2025.
    • Total risk-based capital ratio estimates of 12.30%, Tier 1 ratio of 11.05%, and Leverage ratio of 9.35% for the Bank at March 31, 2025.
    • Tangible book value per common share was $40.33 at March 31, 2025, compared to $39.05 a year ago.

    Income Statement

    In the first quarter of 2025, the Company generated a return on average assets of 0.79% and a return on average equity of 10.64%, compared to 0.58% and 7.34%, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 2024 and 0.18% and 2.52%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2024.

    “Our strong loan growth and higher yields on interest earning assets contributed to the four basis point NIM expansion during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the prior quarter and the 42 basis point increase compared to the year ago quarter,” said Brant Ward, President. NIM was 3.39% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 3.35% in the fourth quarter of 2024, and 2.97% in the first quarter of 2024.

    Net interest income increased 32.0% to $10.6 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to year-over-year loan growth. Total interest income increased 23.6% to $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $16.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily attributable to increased loans. Total interest expense increased to $9.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, from $8.0 million in the first quarter of 2024, primarily due to an increase in deposit costs.

    Noninterest income increased 22.7% to $1.9 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $1.6 million in the first quarter of 2024. The increase was primarily due to a $172,000 increase in wealth management fee income, the largest component of noninterest income, and a $72,000 increase in secondary market fee income during the first quarter of 2025.

    Noninterest expense was $8.4 million in the first quarter of 2025, compared to $8.3 million in the first quarter of 2024, as expenses have normalized following the investment in expanding the Company’s market presence over the past few years.

    Balance Sheet

    Total assets increased 17.2% to $1.379 billion at March 31, 2025, from $1.177 billion at March 31, 2024, and increased 7.0% compared to $1.290 billion at December 31, 2024. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $48.4 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $33.4 million a year ago. Investment securities totaled $135.0 million at March 31, 2025, an increase from $113.0 million at March 31, 2024.

    Loans, net of allowance for credit losses, increased 16.3% to $1.128 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $969.7 million at March 31, 2024, and increased 6.0% compared to $1.064 billion at December 31, 2024.

    Total deposits increased 18.9% to $1.201 billion at March 31, 2025, compared to $1.010 billion at March 31, 2024, and increased 9.9% compared to $1.093 billion at December 31, 2024. Demand and non-interest-bearing deposits decreased less than 1% compared to March 31, 2024 while savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts increased 34.7% compared to March 31, 2024.

    FHLB advances were $21.6 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $36.9 million at March 31, 2024, and $43.7 million at December 31, 2024. Total stockholders’ equity increased to $100.5 million at March 31, 2025, compared to $79.4 million at March 31, 2024, and $96.6 million at December 31, 2024. Tangible book value per common share was $40.33 at March 31, 2025, compared to $39.05 at March 31, 2024, and $38.74 at December 31, 2024.

    Credit Quality

    Due to strong quarterly loan growth, the Company recorded a $670,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2025. This is compared to a $550,000 provision for credit losses in the fourth quarter of 2024, and a $648,000 provision for credit losses in the first quarter of 2024.

    There were $420,000 in nonperforming loans at March 31, 2025. This compared to $55,000 in nonperforming loans at December 31, 2024, and $1.7 million in nonperforming loans at March 31, 2024. Nonperforming loans represented 0.04% of total loans on March 31, 2025, 0.01% of total loans on December 31, 2024, and 0.18% of total loans a year ago.

    “We continue to take a prudent approach to building our allowance for credit losses by monitoring our portfolio mix and evaluating loan growth and local and national economic conditions to maintain what we believe to be an appropriate allowance,” said Jeff Maland, Chief Risk Officer. The allowance for credit losses was $13.3 million, or 1.17% of total loans, at March 31, 2025, compared to $12.8 million, or 1.19% of total loans, at December 31, 2024, and $12.1 million, or 1.23% of total loans, at March 31, 2024.

    Net loan charge-offs were $137,000 in the first quarter of 2025. This compared to net loan recoveries of $106,000 in the fourth quarter of 2024, and net loan recoveries of $21,000 in the first quarter of 2024.

    Capital

    The Bank’s capital ratios continued to exceed regulatory “well-capitalized” requirements, with a Total risk-based capital ratio estimate of 12.30%, a Tier 1 ratio of 11.05%, and a Leverage ratio of 9.35% for the Bank at March 31, 2025.

    About White River Bancshares Company

    White River Bancshares Company is the single bank holding company for Signature Bank of Arkansas, headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Bank has locations in Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, Rogers, Brinkley, Harrison and Jonesboro, Arkansas. Founded in 2005, Signature Bank of Arkansas provides a full line of financial services to small businesses, families and farms. White River Bancshares Company (OTCQX: WRIV), trades on the OTCQX® Best Market.  

    White River Bancshares Company and Signature Bank of Arkansas will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in May 2025.

    About the Region

    White River Bancshares Company is headquartered in thriving Northwest Arkansas in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers MSA. The region is home to the corporate headquarters for Walmart Stores Inc, Sam’s Club, Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods, and J.B. Hunt Transport. Hundreds of other market-leading companies including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola and Rubbermaid maintain offices in the region in order to maintain their relationships with the locally based Fortune 500 companies. Northwest Arkansas is also home to the state’s flagship public educational institution, The University of Arkansas, and its Sam M. Walton College of Business. The region has seen significant growth in its medical and arts infrastructures with the continued expansion of Washington Regional Medical System, Northwest Medical System, Mercy Health System of Northwest Arkansas and Arkansas Children’s Hospital Northwest. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Walton Arts Center have led the expansion of the arts. Northwest Arkansas has been repeatedly recognized in recent years as one of the best places to live in the country and remains one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions. In May 2024, Walmart issued a relocation mandate requiring most of its remote employees, as well as most of its office workers in Dallas, Atlanta and Toronto to move to, in most cases, Bentonville by November 1, 2024. While the company did not disclose a number, Bloomberg reported that the number of Walmart employees who would be moving to Bentonville would be in the thousands. Walmart is making a major investment in its hometown facilities, building a new, 350-acre headquarters campus, including walking and biking trails, a hotel, fitness facilities and a large childcare center.

    The Company has expanded eastward, with new markets in Jonesboro and Harrison. Jonesboro, located in Craighead County, is a city located on Crowley’s Ridge in the northeastern corner of Arkansas. It is the home of Arkansas State University and the cultural and economic center of Northeast Arkansas. Jonesboro also houses the region’s hospital network. U.S. Steel Corp. announced that it would locate a new $3 billion steel factory in Northeast Arkansas in Osceola, a move expected to create 900 jobs with an average pay over $100,000 annually, making it the largest capital investment project in Arkansas history. Harrison sits below Branson, Missouri, which is a family tourist destination and outdoor recreation, and is well known as an entertainment destination.

    The Company currently operates out of ten locations; three in Washington County; three in Benton County; two in Monroe County; one in Boone County; and one in Craighead County.

    The housing market in Washington and Benton counties remains robust. According to the Northwest Arkansas Board of Realtors, the average home in Washington County sold for $390,000 in February 2025, with an average of 103 days on the market. For Benton County, the average house sold for $446,000, with an average of 108 days on the market.

    Source:
    http://www.nwarealtors.org/market-statistics/

    Forward Looking Statements

    This press release contains statements about future events. These forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions of management of the Company and the Bank and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “will,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” or similar expressions or the negative of those terms. Our ability to predict results of future events and the actual effect of future plans or strategies are inherently uncertain, and actual results may differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future prospects or that could affect the outcome of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, changes in interest rates; the economic health of the local real estate market; general economic conditions; credit deterioration in our loan portfolio that would cause us to increase our allowance for loan losses; legislative or regulatory changes; technological developments; monetary and fiscal policies of the U.S. government, including policies of the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board; the quality or composition of our loan and securities portfolios; demand for loan products in our market areas; deposit flows and costs of capital; competition; retention and recruitment of qualified personnel; demand for financial services in our market areas; and changes in accounting principles, policies, and guidelines. These risks and uncertainties should be considered in evaluating forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically declines any obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions that may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

    Contact:   Scott Sandlin, Chief Strategy Officer
        479-684-3754
    WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY
    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
    (Unaudited)
                   
        For the Three Months Ended  
        March 31,   December 31,   March 31,  
         2025    2024    2024  
                   
    INTEREST INCOME              
    Loans, including fees   $ 18,315,006   $ 17,118,955   $ 14,994,922  
    Investment securities     1,258,571     1,300,977     929,040  
    Federal funds sold and other     232,978     262,856     96,154  
    Total interest income     19,806,555     18,682,788     16,020,116  
                   
    INTEREST EXPENSE              
    Deposits     8,312,455     7,963,925     6,984,793  
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances     393,057     300,137     520,319  
    Notes payable     475,425     396,899     398,017  
    Federal funds purchased and other     13,022     4,101     78,260  
    Total interest expense     9,193,959     8,665,062     7,981,389  
    NET INTEREST INCOME     10,612,596     10,017,726     8,038,727  
    Provision for credit losses     670,000     550,000     648,000  
    NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR CREDIT LOSSES   9,942,596     9,467,726     7,390,727  
                   
    NON-INTEREST INCOME              
    Service charges and fees on deposits     171,186     182,870     150,349  
    Wealth management fee income     1,017,829     1,035,160     845,506  
    Secondary market fee income     128,824     196,277     57,064  
    Bank owned-life insurance income     80,603     82,171     79,881  
    Gain on sales and write-downs of foreclosed assets     –     11,085     1,050  
    Other     544,141     535,284     449,255  
    TOTAL NON-INTEREST INCOME     1,942,583     2,042,847     1,583,105  
                   
    NON-INTEREST EXPENSE              
    Salaries and benefits     4,931,692     5,226,075     4,999,533  
    Occupancy and equipment     1,145,101     1,130,174     928,124  
    Data processing     858,115     806,411     790,569  
    Marketing and business development     397,137     518,628     463,697  
    Professional services     650,708     660,860     669,867  
    Amortization of other intangible assets     53,036     53,032     53,036  
    Other     393,498     445,998     403,836  
    TOTAL NON-INTEREST EXPENSE     8,429,287     8,841,178     8,308,662  
                   
    Income before income taxes     3,455,892     2,669,395     665,170  
    Income tax provision     826,085     834,444     155,942  
    NET INCOME   $ 2,629,807   $ 1,834,951   $ 509,228  
                   
    EARNINGS PER SHARE              
    Basic (1)   $ 1.07   $ 0.75   $ 0.26  
    Diluted (1)   $ 1.07   $ 0.75   $ 0.26  
                   
        (1)  Prior periods adjusted to give effect to stock split effected
    in the form of a dividend on September 4, 2024.    		  
                         
    WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY  
    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS  
    (Unaudited)  
                   
        March 31, 2025   December 31, 2024   March 31, 2024  
                   
    ASSETS      
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 48,360,156     $ 22,149,012     $ 33,147,221    
    Investment securities     134,968,153       133,228,210       113,033,028    
    Loans held for sale     874,009       1,117,750       696,271    
    Loans     1,141,369,199       1,076,674,377       981,829,042    
    Allowance for credit losses     (13,347,855 )     (12,814,824 )     (12,113,099 )  
    Net loans     1,128,021,344       1,063,859,553       969,715,943    
    Premises and equipment, net     35,647,835       36,335,828       29,442,303    
    Foreclosed assets held for sale     310,406       310,406       640,574    
    Accrued interest receivable     6,629,881       6,035,084       4,966,665    
    Bank owned life insurance     9,859,911       9,779,307       9,534,373    
    Deferred income taxes     4,220,559       4,390,227       4,888,369    
    Other investments     6,782,614       8,421,651       7,548,338    
    Intangible assets, net     1,750,204       1,803,240       1,962,350    
    Other assets     1,825,830       2,080,346       1,323,255    
    TOTAL ASSETS   $ 1,379,250,902     $ 1,289,510,614     $ 1,176,898,690    
                   
    LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      
    Deposits:              
    Demand and non-interest-bearing   $ 231,331,391     $ 214,838,920     $ 233,082,292    
    Savings and interest-bearing transaction accounts     456,733,576       429,293,348       339,042,365    
    Time deposits     512,882,444       448,909,115       438,110,170    
    Total deposits     1,200,947,411       1,093,041,383       1,010,234,827    
    Federal Home Loan Bank advances     21,593,143       43,667,559       36,887,028    
    Notes payable     26,141,832       26,124,556       26,337,909    
    Operating lease liability     20,029,714       20,851,721       16,128,536    
    Reserve for losses on unfunded commitments     1,478,000       1,478,000       1,433,000    
    Accrued interest payable     2,731,699       2,838,298       2,635,771    
    Other liabilities     5,798,159       4,919,715       3,868,383    
    TOTAL LIABILITIES     1,278,719,958       1,192,921,232       1,097,525,454    
                   
    Stockholders’ equity:              
    Common stock (1)     24,882       24,854       20,162    
    Surplus (1)     102,784,831       102,679,096       90,538,459    
    Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)     4,714,375       2,084,568       (3,115,687 )  
    Treasury stock, at cost     (1,265,731 )     (1,265,715 )     (1,119,100 )  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (5,727,413 )     (6,933,421 )     (6,950,598 )  
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     100,530,944       96,589,382       79,373,236    
                   
      TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   $ 1,379,250,902     $ 1,289,510,614     $ 1,176,898,690    
                   
         (1) Prior periods adjusted to give effect to stock split effected
    in the form of a dividend on September 4, 2024. 
                               
    WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY
    SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
                   
        (Unaudited)  
        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,   December 31,   March 31,  
         2025     2024     2024   
                   
    FOR THE PERIOD              
    Net income   $ 2,629,807     $ 1,834,951     $ 509,228    
    Net income before taxes     3,455,892       2,669,395       665,170    
    Dividends declared per share (1)     –       –       –    
                   
                   
    PERIOD END BALANCE              
    Total assets   $ 1,379,250,902     $ 1,289,510,614     $ 1,176,898,690    
    Total investments     134,968,153       133,228,210       113,033,028    
    Total loans, net     1,128,021,344       1,063,859,553       969,715,943    
    Allowance for credit losses     (13,347,855 )     (12,814,824 )     (12,113,099 )  
    Total deposits     1,200,947,411       1,093,041,383       1,010,234,827    
    Stockholders’ equity     100,530,944       96,589,382       79,373,236    
                   
                   
    RATIO ANALYSIS              
    Return on average assets (annualized)     0.79 %     0.58 %     0.18 %  
    Return on average equity (annualized)     10.64 %     7.34 %     2.52 %  
    Net loans/Deposits     93.93 %     97.33 %     95.99 %  
    Total Stockholders’ Equity/Total assets     7.29 %     7.49 %     6.74 %  
    Net loan losses/Total loans     0.01 %     -0.01 %     -0.00 %  
    Uninsured & unpledged deposits     31.00 %     31.78 %     30.22 %  
                   
                   
    PER SHARE DATA              
    Shares oustanding (1)     2,449,317       2,446,563       1,982,630    
    Weighted average shares outstanding (1)     2,446,747       2,446,241       1,983,378    
    Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (1)   2,451,161       2,446,471       1,983,378    
    Basic earnings (1)   $ 1.07     $ 0.75     $ 0.26    
    Diluted earnings (1)     1.07       0.75       0.26    
    Book value (1)     41.04       39.48       40.03    
    Tangible book value (1)     40.33       38.74       39.05    
                   
                   
    ASSET QUALITY              
    Net (recoveries) charge-offs   $ 136,970     $ (106,340 )   $ (21,195 )  
    Classified assets     853,745       494,828       2,657,273    
    Nonperforming loans     419,985       55,132       1,718,805    
    Nonperforming assets     730,391       365,538       2,359,378    
    Total nonperforming loans/Total loans     0.04 %     0.01 %     0.18 %  
    Total nonperforming loans/Total assets     0.03 %     0.00 %     0.15 %  
    Total nonperforming assets/Total assets     0.05 %     0.03 %     0.20 %  
    Allowance for credit losses/Total loans     1.17 %     1.19 %     1.23 %  
                   
                   
        (1) Prior periods adjusted to give effect to stock split effected
    in the form of a dividend on September 4, 2024. 
                               
    WHITE RIVER BANCSHARES COMPANY  
    INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE  
    (Unaudited)  
                                           
        Three Months Ended  
        March 31,   December 31,   March 31,  
         2025     2024     2024   
        Average       Average   Average       Average   Average       Average  
        Balance   Interest   Yield/Rate   Balance   Interest   Yield/Rate   Balance   Interest   Yield/Rate  
                                           
    Interest-earning assets:                                      
    Federal funds sold and other   $ 23,287,989   $ 232,978   4.06 %   $ 20,998,114   $ 262,856   4.98 %   $ 8,343,674   $ 96,154   4.63 %  
    Investment securities available-for-sale (1)     133,405,472     1,208,821   3.67 %     132,386,055     1,150,282   3.46 %     114,440,538     900,886   3.17 %  
    Loans receivable     1,106,648,533     18,315,006   6.71 %     1,018,919,798     17,118,955   6.68 %     960,808,253     14,994,922   6.28 %  
    Total interest-earning assets     1,263,341,994   $ 19,756,805   6.34 %     1,172,303,967   $ 18,532,093   6.29 %     1,083,592,465   $ 15,991,962   5.94 %  
    Noninterest-earning assets     81,821,189             81,203,717             70,720,928          
    Total assets   $ 1,345,163,183           $ 1,253,507,684           $ 1,154,313,393          
    Interest-bearing liabilities:                                      
    Interest-bearing deposits   $ 937,669,969   $ 8,312,455   3.60 %   $ 847,808,178   $ 7,963,925   3.74 %   $ 762,899,599   $ 6,984,793   3.68 %  
    FHLB advances and federal funds purchased   36,654,930     406,079   4.49 %     28,097,088     304,238   4.31 %     50,749,219     598,579   4.74 %  
    Notes payable     26,131,761     475,425   7.38 %     26,118,547     396,899   6.05 %     25,489,325     398,017   6.28 %  
    Total interest-bearing liabilities     1,000,456,660   $ 9,193,959   3.73 %     902,023,813   $ 8,665,062   3.82 %     839,138,143   $ 7,981,389   3.83 %  
    Noninterest-bearing liabilities     244,466,979             252,089,008             233,847,965          
    Total liabilities     1,244,923,639             1,154,112,821             1,072,986,108          
    Stockholders’ equity     100,239,544             99,394,863             81,327,285          
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 1,345,163,183           $ 1,253,507,684           $ 1,154,313,393          
    Net interest-earning assets   $ 262,885,334           $ 270,280,154           $ 244,454,322          
    Net interest spread       $ 10,562,846   2.62 %       $ 9,867,031   2.47 %       $ 8,010,573   2.11 %  
    Net interest margin           3.39 %           3.35 %           2.97 %  
                                           
         (1) Excludes investments in bank stock (Federal Reserve Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank, and First National Bankers Bankshares).  
                                           

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Roth Canada Opens Calgary Office, Bolsters Energy and Sustainability Practice with Senior Investment Banking and Research Hires

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — via IBN — Roth Canada, Inc. (Roth Canada), the Canadian affiliate of Roth Capital Partners LLC, (collectively “ROTH”), announces today the expansion of its Energy and Sustainability teams with the addition of Tony Loria as Managing Director, Co-Head Investment Banking; Matt Halasz as Managing Director, Investment Banking; and Zain Sadek as Analyst, Investment Banking. In addition, Roth Canada has added Jamie Somerville and Christopher True as Managing Directors, Senior Research Analysts, to its Calgary office. These strategic additions reinforce our commitment to supporting Canadian growth equity companies with full-service investment banking capabilities, access to international investors, and providing institutional clients with research-driven ideas.

    Ted Roth, Vice-Chairman of ROTH and CEO of Roth Canada, noted, “ROTH has a track record of over 30 years supporting growth-stage companies across many sectors and is a leading underwriter in the small and mid-cap space. Our Energy and Sustainability practices have been core to our business, supported not only by our banking, research, and sales capabilities in the United States, but also by our international distribution and leading corporate access activities. We are committed to leveraging this platform in support of Canadian issuers, investors, and stakeholders.”

    Additions to Roth Canada’s Investment Banking:

    Tony Loria has joined Roth Canada as Managing Director, Co-Head Investment Banking, bringing over 25 years of experience in the industry. Throughout his career, he has built and managed multiple banking franchises while advising a global client base on corporate finance, M&A, strategy, and innovation. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Tony specializes in the upstream small and mid-cap Energy sector and has led multiple investment banking franchises, including Genuity, Canaccord Genuity, Dundee Securities, and Eight Capital. At Eight Capital, he played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s presence in the Sustainability and New Energy sectors, establishing it as a cornerstone asset.

    Matt Halasz has joined Roth Canada as Managing Director, Investment Banking, bringing nearly 15 years of experience in the investment banking industry. Known for his leadership, strategic thinking, and financial expertise, Matt oversees key client relationships and leads complex financial transactions across the oil & gas, energy, and sustainability sectors. Before joining Roth Canada, he worked at several leading full-service, independent investment dealers, gaining a deep understanding of capital markets.

    Zain Sadek has joined Roth Canada as Analyst, Investment Banking, bringing three years of experience in strategic and financial advisory services. Previously, he worked as an investment banker at a prominent independent Canadian investment bank, where he supported clients in the Energy and Sustainability sectors. Before that, Zain served as a management consultant at a leading global advisory firm.

    Additions to Roth Canada’s Research Team:

    Jamie Somerville has joined Roth Canada as Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst. Jamie has over 20 years of energy finance experience. He was most recently an equity research analyst at Eight Capital, and was previously at TD Securities from 2010-2015, and at Genuity Capital Markets from 2006-2010, where he was a Brendan Woods-ranked and StarMine award-winning analyst. He has also worked in executive and senior management positions for multiple publicly listed oil and gas companies.

    Christopher True has joined Roth Canada as Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst. Christopher has 6 years of sell-side equity research experience covering energy stocks for Eight Capital and CIBC World Markets. Before that, Christopher worked in the acquisitions and growth group at a leading Canadian oil and gas royalty company. Christopher graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Commerce from the Haskayne School of Business.

    “It is with a great deal of excitement that we announce the opening of our Calgary office, and the addition of Tony, Matt, Zain, Jamie, and Christopher,” said Brady Fletcher, President of Roth Canada. “We launched in Canada to support Canadian companies providing strategic advisory and access to capital by leveraging ROTH. Having top talent like Tony and his team recognize that opportunity continues to demonstrate the demand for our platform, and access to a differentiated network of investors, in the Canadian market.”

    About Roth Canada, Inc.

    Roth Canada, Inc. is a Canadian CIRO-regulated Dealer Member focused on serving emerging Canadian growth companies and their investors. Roth Canada is headquartered in Toronto and maintains offices in Calgary and Vancouver. For more information on Roth Canada, please visit www.rothcanada.ca.

    Investor Contact:

    Roth Canada, Inc.
    Brady Fletcher
    President
    bfletcher@rothcanada.ca

    ROTH – Member FINRA/SIPC – www.roth.com
    Roth Canada – Member CIRO/CIPF – www.rothcanada.ca

    Media Contact:

    IBN
    Los Angeles, California
    www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com
    310.299.1717 Office
    Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Philip Grant to take over the reins at Writtle College

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    Philip Grant, who will become the Principal of Writtle College on 1 May

    Philip Grant, an established education leader with a background in land-based, general further education and secondary education, will become the new Principal of Writtle College on 1 May.

    Writtle College provides education provision for learners aged 16-18, plus courses for adult learners, and is part of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

    As a product of a land-based education, Philip is returning to his roots having trained at Bishop Burton College in the 1990s before graduating from Stirling and Lancaster Universities. During his 30-year career in the sector, he has held senior positions in land-based colleges, general further education colleges and within secondary academy trusts across the UK.

    Philip is passionate about the environment, sustainability and self-sufficiency, having previously farmed his own smallholding within a hill farming community in Scotland.

    Philip sits on several education boards and has facilitated significant changes to education in deprived areas across the UK, resulting in strong student outcomes. He works closely with local communities and has forged valuable and sustainable collaborations with industry employers. 

    In 2011, he led the successful merger and relaunch of a land-based college with the University of Cumbria, and his most recent role has been leading curriculum growth and enhancement in a large Merseyside college group.

    Originally from a non-equestrian background, Philip is a qualified British Horse Society Riding Instructor, has competed under International Federation for Equestrian Sports rules in both two and three-day events, played polo in the Middle East, and is an experienced British Eventing organiser.

    One of Philip’s home-bred horses, Henry (also known as WH Bentley), achieved a gold medal at the World Equestrian Games in 2007.

    Writtle College is part of ARU Writtle which is one of the UK’s leading centres for equine education and performance and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the subject. It houses around 70 horses on campus and has a number of indoor and outdoor riding arenas, livery facilities for students’ horses, and an Equine Academy for talented riders.

    “I am thrilled to be joining Writtle College as Principal, and am very much looking forward to becoming part of the team.

    “I know from personal experience the power land-based education has in transforming lives. It has been a career-long ambition of mine to lead a prestigious land-based college such as Writtle where every student, no matter their background or experiences, can thrive and achieve their full potential.”

    Philip Grant

    “I am very pleased to welcome Philip Grant as the new Principal of Writtle College.

    “Philip has an excellent track record in land-based education and working closely with employers to deliver better outcomes for students. He is an ideal person to take Writtle College forward.”

    Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU)

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul Talks Budget & Other Issues on ‘Inside City Hall’

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on “Inside City Hall” with Errol Louis to discuss the State budget and other issues facing New York.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Errol Louis, NY1: Governor Hochul, thank you for joining me tonight. We have an open door policy, so we’re always glad to see you.

    Governor Hochul: Thank you.

    Errol Louis, NY1: But, when we spoke last time, it was after the Budget was passed. Are you taking a victory lap in advance? Is this positive thinking?

    Governor Hochul: No, well, I spoke to you when I first introduced the Budget in January, so I decided I’d give you a progress report.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay.

    Governor Hochul: And, you know, there’s no reason we can’t wrap it up in the near term, but people know what I’m holding out for — just like I had to do this with bail and significant housing reforms so you could build more housing because we have an affordability crisis — so, everyone knows what I’m standing for. And I’m not wavering on my belief that we need to make some significant reforms before we can say this Budget process is over.

    I’ll keep up the fight and I don’t think a lot of people are worried about the time clock — maybe some reporters are, but most people aren’t even aware there’s a late Budget because we’re continuing to fund government; it’s not like Washington when the government literally shuts down. So, all services are being provided and I have to use the leverage I have to say there’s policies that are important that I don’t believe will get done by the Legislature because this is who I’m fighting for, the people of this State, and they know it.

    Errol Louis, NY1: You know, I want to get into the substance of why this delay and why you’re standing fast on this — but, I wanted to play something for you. George Pataki, the former governor, Republican. The last time there was a Republican governor, it was George Pataki. Um, and he actually praised you for holding up the Budget. I wanted to play a little bit of what he said on ABC yesterday and get your reaction.

    […]

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay, what do you make of that?

    Governor Hochul: That’s quite a compliment. I mean, I always am willing to stand up and take the heat to do what’s right, and I have done so many events with victims of crimes whose cases were thrown out of court on technicalities that had nothing to do with anything that would’ve been exculpatory for a defendant, anything that would’ve been important in that case — stuff that doesn’t matter: duplicate body cams or a piece of paper that you already have a record of and the cases are being thrown out; especially, 94 percent of domestic violence cases are being thrown out of court and those victims walk out, and they know their abuser can lie and wait and attack them again, or harm their families; 100 have been killed in the last year.

    We have records for it, two years ago — 100 New Yorkers died at the hands of someone who had been an intimate partner. I’m trying to stop that. I don’t want people cycling back out in the streets because of technicalities. But I support the original concept behind the changes in 2019 because I don’t want people languishing in court — I am sorry, in jail waiting to go to trial. There should be a timeframe on that. That’s not fair to the defendants. They’re not even guilty of a crime when they’re sitting in jail. And also, just the way it was skewed that prosecutors had the upper hand because they could wait till the last minute to give information to the defense.

    That was all wrong and I’d say that; I’m not changing that. I’m simply saying that it swung the other way, so we’re having judges believe under the law, they must dismiss these cases on technicalities. Serious dismissals? Yes. Someone hides important information? Yes, there has to be consequences, but it should be proportional to what the material is that you left behind.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Well, yeah. In fact, let me explain for my viewers. In criminal cases under the current law, and these were changed in 2019, everybody has to see all of the evidence — the defense and the prosecution — all of the evidence has to be presented. If, for some reason, important evidence is not presented in time, within a certain period of time, generally about 60 days or so, the judge is legally supposed to dismiss the case, and certainly, if there was no due diligence — if the prosecution, for example, didn’t even really try and go out and get all of the information that was relevant, then the case gets dismissed.

    And so, the thinking now is that that has gone too far, that there are cases where, say there were five cops at a crime scene and you forgot to get the records from the fifth cop — which would’ve duplicated the other four cops — should the case be dismissed? And, so, the judges are, in some cases, making that decision.

    What specific change would stop that from happening? Because, again, this is always a judgment call.

    Governor Hochul: Right, of course it is. But you said if it’s “important evidence.” We’re not talking about “important evidence.” I’m talking about something, as you gave that example, a recording on someone’s — a body cam of someone who came two hours after the crime and they didn’t think to get that because it’s not relevant.

    So the question right now is, is it relevant or is it related? Okay. Is it just related to the — yeah, that’s related to the case. Sure, that guy showed up later, he has a record, but is it really relevant to the guilt or innocence of that individual — and that’s what’s hanging a lot of this up. But also, the judges should be able to look at the severity of what has been neglected to be turned over and deal with it proportionally.

    If it’s really bad that they should have known and they should have turned it over, and it seems like there’s something sinister, they’re trying to hide it from the defense, I would definitely want those dismissed, right? You have the power to do that. But if it turns out that they worked all the way up until — you know, there’s a short timeframe to turn this over, they did everything they could; they exercised the due diligence, they tried to find everything and some record was missing that was not important to the disposition of the case. That one, they should say, you don’t dismiss, you let it go forward, and there should be a proportional response to what was the weight of that evidence, the proportional —

    Errol Louis, NY1: You know what I think may be happening, Governor? I saw something called — it’s an organization called scrutinize.org, and they went through hundreds and hundreds of unreported decisions; these are not ones you’re going to find online, but they went through a lot of judicial decisions — 300 of them, they said, when there were dismissals of this kind — and what you find over and over again is not malicious behavior by prosecutors, but kind of lazy behavior, you know? What I’ve heard from a number of sources is that sometimes the sticking point is not even with the prosecutor, but with the NYPD because they’re supposed to turn over disciplinary records of any cop that’s involved in the case and the NYPD can be somewhat reluctant and somewhat slow — maybe their systems are not up to speed.

    What do you want to do to fix that problem?

    Governor Hochul: I want to say this: New York’s discovery laws are by far the most progressive in the nation in terms of being, I would say, skewed toward more positive outcomes for the defense. The prosecutors, since 2019, now have to go through 21 categories of materials that must be turned over. No other state has that. What I’m trying to do is make sure that the judge will actually look at what was missing, how much weight that should have against the importance of the case. Is it important? Is it relevant? Is it just related?

    Let them make that decision. Let a judge be involved in that. Look at those factors from the 21 categories — I’m not saying get rid of those — but even if every one of the reforms I want changed is enacted, we will still, by far, have the most progressive discovery laws in the nation.

    We’re not rolling things back, and people who are mischaracterizing my motivation here — I’m just looking out for the public safety of everyday New Yorkers who are saying, “I want to be safe in my streets.” And this is not the only dynamic. People know that I fought hard to get the bail laws changed so we don’t have people cycling in and out of the system who committed crimes, who never should have been let out — they should have been held on bail. We know those stories, and now I just want to stop this insanity of a huge spike in dismissals in New York City and in the rest of the State resulting from these changes. Something has gone wrong where people who otherwise would’ve been held and gone to trial to determine guilt or innocence are now walking the streets without us ever knowing, and they’ll be back again if they’ve done it before.

    Errrol Louis, NY1: Okay. I mean, one last point. When I spoke with an advocate for domestic violence rights not long ago, one thing she pointed out was that there’s not always, in these cases, a clear line between victim and perpetrator as far as the law is concerned, meaning if there are cross complaints of domestic violence, it’s not clear who you’re protecting when a case is dismissed or kept in the court.

    Governor Hochul: Of course there’s always exceptions, and what I said, I never want to do it — I think the Legislature does a lot — we legislate to the exception and forget the vast number of people who are victims, who are turned on by someone they thought would love and take care of them. A lot of women, my mother was in a home where there was domestic violence and she grew up to be a champion and advocate. She changed laws in Albany when I was in high school. I watched my mom fight for them. We opened a home for victims of domestic violence, my family did, because I saw how this devastates people and it’s so hard for them to recover.

    My mom used to take women into court and sit with them, and if a case came up when they weren’t able to keep the defendant held and get an order of protection, and the woman had to go home and know that person is out there still stalking her and her children — I mean, this is what I’m fighting for and I just want more people to understand why I am doing this, why this is so important. But it’s not just domestic violence, it’s all crimes. People need to be held accountable for what they did, and you should not have a case where the police have arrested someone, brought forth evidence, making the case with the prosecutor.

    And, by the way, the prosecutor is an officer of the court; they’re not supposed to be pro-defendant, pro-victim — they have to be objective, right? And they’re not going to do something or they should not do something because there are consequences if they do something wrong in the first place. They can be disbarred, they can be brought up on disciplinary charges —

    Errol Louis, NY1: Sure.

    Governor Hochul: They can go through —

    Errol Louis, NY1: They can also be voted out of office.

    Governor Hochul: There’s a lot of things that can happen. I know there’s a mistrust of the system, I understand that —

    Errol Louis, NY1: This sounds personal for you and it doesn’t sound like the kind of thing that’s going to get bargained away the way so many things get sort of traded up in Albany.

    Governor Hochul: I held firm on bail as well. Anything that has to do with the safety of New Yorkers who are feeling this sense that we don’t care about them, we’re not looking out for them; they’re afraid to walk the streets, take our subways, have their kids walk home from school. I’m a mom, it is personal to me; the safety of every New Yorker is always going to be personal to me.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Let me ask you about some of the other things that are happening. In the wake of last week’s fatal helicopter crash in the Hudson River, Senator Schumer yesterday said he’d like to end helicopter tourism in New York City. The Mayor doesn’t sound like he’s inclined to go in that direction. I was wondering what your view of that is.

    Governor Hochul: Yeah. I have not had a chance to process. I mean, that is a horrible tragedy. When you see those children’s faces, and they’re so happy and excited to be in New York, and to know that they’re forever gone — it just makes your heart sink. I will look at the answers. I know there’s some bills introduced in the Legislature, and again, there’ll be many debates about this, but I think we need to, right now, process the sadness of that tragedy and the loss of life.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Do you take the State helicopter a lot? How do you feel about it? Is it a safe form of travel?

    Governor Hochul: I feel it is, but also I have the most experienced pilots probably in the nation. These people are battle-tested and they’re constantly, constantly inspecting helicopters for their safety and taking this one out of commission because it’s time for repairs. So, I do feel very secure.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Upstate, over the weekend, a family of six perished in the crash of a small airplane. Do you have any updates on that? Do we know if there was a safety —

    Governor Hochul: No. I have to say this. I want to know what’s going on. In this new administration in Washington where there have been cuts, where there has been this sense that we really don’t need government to be there to protect us or work for us anymore, this whole rethinking of the federal government’s responsibility — one of their responsibilities is to keep our skies safe, and that has not been happening. You look at what happened in Washington, my son could hear it from his house, the crash in the Potomac.

    What’s happened in New York? There’s been so many airplane crashes and near misses, so air traffic controllers run by the FAA, we should be looking to Washington asking questions of them. “What is going on here under your watch, Mr. Secretary of Transportation,” who’s more concerned about safety in the subways then he has safety in the skies — and that’s his job to make sure our skies are safe.

    I’m continuing to focus on safety with the Mayor in the subways. And guess what? They’re dramatically improved since they had been before the pandemic. Our numbers are still — no crime is acceptable. We’re going to keep working. We’re not done, but dramatically better. So I wish he’d focus on his job as well.

    Errol Louis, NY1: I was going to say, those concerns that you’re raising about the administration, when’s the last time you spoke to President Trump?

    Governor Hochul: The day he did the tariffs, I got a phone call from him. Was that two weeks ago now, the first wave of crisis? Unforced destruction of our economy? I cannot exaggerate the impact. I have Wall Street —

    Errol Louis, NY1: What did he do? He called to tell you to duck? Or “Wall Street might be a little busy today?”

    Governor Hochul: No, Wall Street. I have Main Street, I have farms, I have everything. But no, he actually actually talked to me about Amtrak, because we talked about this, I talked about Penn Station when I was in his office, right. We had a long meeting and I was talking about getting federal support for infrastructure projects. And I said, “We can work together. I’m trying to find some areas we can work together.”

    And I said, “I’ve got to fight. I’m going to fight you on everything else. You know that I don’t mind standing up and taking on the fights. But an area we can get some collaboration,” because I’ll need federal dollars, something like Penn Station, which I was letting him know that Amtrak was a barrier to why it’s taking so long. And maybe we can work together to do something about that. So he just called to let me talk about that. It was a very quick call. He goes, “I’m working on Amtrak.”

    Errol Louis, NY1: There is this reputation that the President has that either you’re with him and you’re kissing his ring or you’re a sworn enemy and he’ll try and destroy you. You seem to be steering a middle course.

    Governor Hochul: We’ll see how long it lasts. My job is to protect New York at all costs, and if that means standing up to someone who I think has been very destructive, who has now hurt our economy; and whether it’s the North Country where the commerce with Canada is now destroyed, visitors are way down in Buffalo — those local economies count on them shopping in stores, going to our sporting events and even just that snapshot of what’s happened to our State, and driving costs up.

    Errol, you heard me talk about this when I was here talking about my affordability agenda. I have a plan to put $5,000 back in the pockets of families with little kids: the child tax credit, the middle class tax cut, the inflation rebate. You name it, we’re finding a way to put it in your pocket. And at the same time, these tariffs are going to suck that money right out of your other pocket — anywhere from $3,000 to $6,000 more.

    It’s unconscionable, what he is doing. The President promised on Inauguration Day that prices would go down, and guess what? They’ve gone way up. And heaven help anybody who’s going to use real eggs on Easter. I have an Easter egg roll at the Governor’s Residence, inviting kids from the neighborhood over, but we can’t use, I have to use —

    Errol Louis, NY1: Yeah, don’t use real eggs.

    Governor Hochul: I can’t, I can’t afford them.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Lumps of tofu or something. What’s your reaction to the administration threatening to pull federal funding from Columbia University? That appears to be expanding, and now it includes the other New York Ivy, which is Cornell, which is partly a State school, as a matter of fact.

    Governor Hochul: It’s despicable. It is absolutely despicable. Threatening our educational institutions because they don’t teach the way you want them to — now, people who criticize the antisemitism on our campuses are not wrong. It is rampant in ways that are shocking to me, especially after October 7 and I stand with the Jewish community.

    I went to Cornell after the threats and right afterward I came back from my father’s funeral who passed away when I was in Israel after the attacks, and I went right to Cornell and sat with the kids in the Center for Jewish Life. And they were terrified because it was someone who was posting social media content that you should kill all the Jewish students.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Sure.

    Governor Hochul: And how are these kids supposed to learn and just socialize and have a normal college life when they’re being threatened like that? So we have to continue focusing on that right to speech, right to protest, yes. I was a protester. You were probably a protester on campus. We all did that. But it wasn’t against other students. I protested apartheid in South Africa. My parents protested the Vietnam War. But it was never hurtful to other students.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Right.

    Governor Hochul: And that’s what we’re seeing too much of. But that being said, to take away and threaten schools’ funding, which is used for research in vaccinations and cures for cancer — these institutions are also laboratories of ideas and especially in the health care space. So it’s a real crisis for New York to have that money gone from our institutions. And the problem is the State can’t make it up.

    We have $93 billion that we get from the federal government in our Budget. I can’t make up the loss of money if that goes, or with private institutions —

    Errol Louis, NY1: $93 billion with a “B”?

    Governor Hochul: Out of a $252 billion Budget, $93 billion covers — it’s Medicaid, it’s education money, it is child care money, it is nutrition money. We rely on the federal government. It’s why we pay federal taxes.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Well your proposed Budget increases spending by about $10 billion. Under the circumstances, the kind of turbulence that you’re talking about coming out of Washington, are you going to go to the rainy day fund or maybe make some adjustments?

    Governor Hochul: So much of it is mandated. Medicaid is one of the biggest drivers. Medicaid and education, the biggest, by far the largest part of our Budget. And Medicaid costs go up, I can’t stop that increase. I think it was an 11 percent or 14 percent increase this year without adding anything. That’s just how it happened.

    So, I’ve got to continue providing services. But I have been very financially smart about these budgets. When I first became Governor, we had 4 percent in reserves. We now have about 15 percent for that rainy day, which —

    Errol Louis, NY1: That was your target, yes.

    Governor Hochul: Could be a recession, we’re at $21 billion, but I can’t use it to backfill recurring expenses. What does that mean? I can do one time shot of something. I can do something to help put money in peoples’ pockets, which I’m going to do with our inflation rebate, but I can’t say that I’m going to invest more in a program that I need to have that money year after year, after year, after year. That’s called recurring expenses. We cannot do that. It’s going to be one shot only.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Before I let you go, there was something that just happened today. We just heard from the attorney for a Palestinian student, believe at Columbia, a 10 year green card holder was taken into custody by DHS today. Does DHS coordinate with the State? Do you hear about any of this in advance?

    Governor Hochul: No. No. And I have said this to Tom Homan, I said, “Our laws say we will work with you, State Police will work with you if you have a warrant, someone has committed crimes here, crimes in their own country, they’re on a terrorism watch list. We’ll cooperate with you in those circumstances easily.” We did that under Joe Biden. We did this, we’ve always done this.

    But what you’re trying to do is take — when you split up families like they did up in Sackets Harbor, if you’re familiar with this case, Tom Homan’s hometown, they had masks and people walking in with guns. The ICE agents at 6:00 a.m. roused this family of a couple teenage boys, their mom and a third grader, and took them for 11 days to a detention center in Texas and I said, “They’ve got to come back. You’ve got to bring them back. They didn’t do anything wrong.”

    I talked to the farmer and everybody else. This community was an uproar. And this is probably a pretty red area of our State, right? And politics didn’t matter. You just separated a family. And when they do that, I called and said they’ve got to come back. I talked to Homan a couple times. They did come back. But my God, if we hadn’t put on so much pressure. And the school, my God, the principal of that school fought so hard to get this family back united again.

    This is America for God’s sakes. Why should we have to worry about kids getting scooped off a campus or out of their beds in Sackets Harbor? I’m the Governor, I will fight for my State, but this has gone too far.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay. We’re going to leave it there for now. I’m going to guess that because it’s Holy Week and it’s Passover and Easter’s coming up that we may not see a Budget this week. Is that a safe bet?

    Governor Hochul: I would say April gets tough because we had Eid, we had Passover, we have Easter, so this would be a tough week to get it done. But I have been driving this with a sense of urgency even a month before the Budget process started, meeting with the leaders saying, “We can get this done. There’s a path. There’s a path we can get on down.”

    So I’m going to be pushing hard to get this done, but when we head into April, I’ll be able to get a lot more of the things that I think are important for New Yorkers, that they’re grateful I get in and the Legislature has the rest of Session to press their priorities.

    They have something that I don’t have, they introduce bills and pass them. So this is the time that I have an opportunity to talk about what I think, and I know what New Yorkers are looking for from us, and that’s public safety and affordability.

    Errol Louis, NY1: Okay. We’ll leave it there for now. Thanks so much for coming by. Great talking with you.

    Governor Hochul: Good to see you, thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Animal abuse often signals human abuse — should therapists be allowed to report it?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Laleh Dadgardoust, Course Instructor at Glendon Campus at York University, Research Assistant, PAWSitive Connections Lab, University of Saskatchewan

    Imagine being a therapist and sitting across from a client who casually admits to kicking their dog. They kick until the dog stops barking.

    As a therapist, you are bound by a sacred code of confidentiality, a cornerstone of your profession. But the session ends, and the client walks out. And sitting alone now, you can’t help but think about the suffering dog.

    What if the reported abuse is a warning sign of worse to come? You want to report the abuse, but the law ties your hands.

    This is the tightrope therapists walk. They are caught between protecting privacy and preventing harm, with laws that do not fully address the complexities of the situation.

    The sacred shield of confidentiality

    The principle of confidentiality has deep roots that date back to the Hippocratic Oath: “What I may see or hear in the course of treatment, I will keep secret.” This oath reflects the imperative role confidentiality has played in medical and clinical practices.

    In modern times, health information laws such as HIPAA in the United States and PHIPA in Canada reinforce this principle. It requires therapists to protect client information unless there is a clear risk of harm to the client or others, particularly vulnerable groups like children.

    These protections foster openness, allowing clients to share their most personal thoughts without fear of judgment or exposure.

    However, there is a critical gap in the law: animal cruelty is not covered by the current confidentiality limitations.

    Unlike child abuse, which requires mandatory reporting, animal abuse leaves therapists unable to report without client consent. This creates a difficult dilemma, where therapists are torn between their duty to maintain client confidentiality and their ethical responsibility to stop ongoing cruelty towards animals.

    The emotional toll on therapists

    This legal gap places a toll that can lead to emotional struggles known as moral injury.

    Moral injury occurs when individuals witness actions against their deepest values or feel powerless to prevent harm. In clinical settings, this often emerges when policies prevent clinicians from acting ethically — whether protecting the vulnerable, or stopping cruelty they’re aware of.

    For some therapists, hearing disclosure of animal abuse and not being able to make a report can cause profound stress. Research has linked moral injury to negative mental health outcomes, such as intense feelings of guilt and shame, symptoms of depression and job dissatisfaction and retention issues.

    Animal abuse is connected to human violence

    Historically, animal cruelty has been treated as separate from other types of violence. However, animal abuse is often not an isolated behaviour.

    In fact, advocates have described animal abuse as “the tip of the iceberg.” And researchers have shown that animal abuse and violence towards people are often interconnected.

    How animals are treated within a family offers valuable insight into family dynamics and signals broader issues.

    One study commissioned by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals in 1997 found that 70 per cent of people charged with animal cruelty had a history of other violent behaviours, including homicide.

    Other studies show how animal abuse is linked to interpersonal violence including bullying, delinquency, intimate partner violence, family violence and adult violent crimes.

    Also, a history of animal cruelty during childhood is found to be linked to antisocial personality disorder and perpetration of interpersonal violence in adulthood.

    Rethinking confidentiality in an evolving world

    Confidentiality is paramount because it improves therapy outcomes and serves the public.

    As the practice of therapy continues to grow and evolve, principles like confidentiality deserve renewed attention. While protecting client privacy remains essential, changing social contexts call for a deeper look at how this principle is applied in practice.

    Given the strong link between animal abuse and other forms of violence, it’s difficult to justify not reporting animal abuse. Failing to report animal abuse could result in missed opportunities to prevent further harm to society.

    Therapists are obliged to protect their clients’ confidentiality, but what if their role also evolved to include reporting animal abuse, a recognized early indicator of escalating violence?

    Addressing the complex nature of violence requires education and collaboration. The National Link Coalition, an education and advocacy non-profit based in the U.S., for instance, trains professionals globally to recognize the link between animal cruelty, domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse, advocating for prevention.

    A more holistic view of violence prevention requires changes to how animal abuse is viewed and reported, ensuring that therapy is aligned with its core mission: promoting well-being.

    And a change would also spare therapists the moral injury of being torn between law and ethics. So making this change would benefit the animals, the therapists and the safety of all.

    The authors 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. Animal abuse often signals human abuse — should therapists be allowed to report it? – https://theconversation.com/animal-abuse-often-signals-human-abuse-should-therapists-be-allowed-to-report-it-253400

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: On stage but out of the spotlight − the quiet struggle of being an opening act

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jeff Apruzzese, Professor of Music Industry, Drexel University

    Getting heard has never been easier. Being recognized and staying relevant is the real challenge. PeopleImages/E+ via Getty Images

    I grew up playing in a lot of different bands, and my bandmates and I always held onto the belief that if we could just open for a more established act, it would pave the way to more success.

    When I started playing in the indie pop band Passion Pit – a group known for its shimmering synths, energetic live shows and breakout hits like Sleepyhead and Take a Walk – we began gaining traction and soon had the chance to open for the British band Muse, in what would be our first arena shows.

    Until then, we’d been headlining 3,000-capacity venues. Our label, management and booking team made it clear that this next step – playing in front of massive audiences – would catapult us to megastardom.

    Reality was different. After playing our own packed shows where fans cheered and called for encores, we suddenly found ourselves in 15,000-capacity arenas, where it seemed like everyone was ignoring us: chatting among themselves, still getting to their seats or waiting in line for food and drinks.

    It was a wake-up call. The transition from being a headliner at a smaller music venue to opener for a major act didn’t feel like a step forward. It felt like starting over.

    Years later, as an academic studying the music industry, I found myself returning to this question: Does opening for a major act help an artist’s career?

    There’s an assumption that it’s a golden ticket. But I’d seen plenty of openers, some incredibly talented, disappear from the spotlight soon after a tour ended. If touring is supposed to be a stepping stone to long-term success, why do so many promising acts fade into obscurity?

    These questions became the basis for my most recent study. I wanted to see whether these high-profile opportunities deliver any benefits for a singer or band, or if they were more like a sugar high, providing little more than a brief boost in exposure.

    It’s harder to stick out from the crowd

    Popular music is a US$28.6-billion global industry, and music consumption, according to a 2025 report from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, is at an all-time high. People around the world now spend an average of 20.7 hours per week listening to music on radio, streaming platforms, vinyl, CDs and social media.

    The ease of listening to and recording music presents both an opportunity and a challenge for aspiring artists.

    On one hand, streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple Music have removed traditional gatekeepers, making it easier than ever to release music and reach a global audience. But these platforms have also saturated listeners with content, and discovery is dictated more by algorithms rather than by word-of-mouth buzz, local touring circuits or traditional artist development.

    Social media, especially TikTok, can launch an unknown act into viral stardom within days. However, the attention span of digital audiences is fleeting. Most people consume music passively – often through playlists they didn’t curate and might not even remember.

    In other words, getting heard has never been easier. Being recognized and staying relevant? That’s the real challenge.

    For artists trying to break through, it’s no longer a question of choosing between touring or posting content. It’s about doing both, constantly, at a high level.

    Josh Ross performs as the opener for country superstar Jelly Roll in Edmonton on March 13, 2025.
    Ron Palmer/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

    Fleeting benefits

    But while headlining tours are often seen as a marker of success, many emerging acts first step onto national stages as openers – raising the question, does opening for a major artist actually lead to meaningful career growth?

    In my study, I analyzed the touring and streaming data of 57 opening acts on major U.S. tours in 2022 and 2023. For this project, “major” referred to nationally promoted, ticketed tours at venues with capacities of 2,000 or more, such as Harry Styles’ “Love On Tour,” Paramore’s spring arena run and Mitski’s “Laurel Hell Tour.” These tours drew large, dedicated fanbases – offering opening artists significant exposure.

    Using platforms such as Pollstar, Songkick and Chartmetric, I tracked each artist’s listenership across Spotify four weeks before the tour, during the tour and four weeks after the tour. I also conducted surveys with 500 fans to better understand how people were discovering and engaging with openers.

    The results were revealing. Most opening acts saw a streaming bump during the tour – usually between 18% and 20%, with some surging up to 200%.

    But that momentum rarely held. Within weeks, streams often dropped by 6% to 10%, or returned to their pre-tour levels entirely. While a few artists managed to hold onto new listeners, most saw the gains quickly fade. And even when audiences enjoyed an opener’s set, their interest withered: They may have checked out a song or two after the show, but few became regular listeners.

    These findings challenge the long-standing narrative that opening for a major artist is a surefire path to career growth. Exposure helps, but it’s not enough on its own. Without a clear post-tour strategy, that attention quickly fades.

    Rapper Rapsody performs as an opener for Lauryn Hill on Oct. 19, 2023, in New York City.
    Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images

    Algorithms can’t generate loyalty

    I’m not trying to discourage aspiring bands from going on tour. Far from it. Touring remains a crucial part of building a fan base.

    In a landscape defined by passive consumption, there’s still something powerful about the shared experience of live music. A performance can create an emotional connection that a stream simply can’t.

    Today, discovery often starts with a playlist. Someone hears a song and maybe adds it to their rotation. But they rarely click to learn more about the artist. Listeners follow the playlist, not the person behind the music. Many acts land on major playlists and go on to generate tens of thousands of streams. Others will even go viral on social media. And they still can’t sell more than 25 tickets to a local show.

    Live performances offer something different. A great set can turn a casual listener into a true fan. I’ve heard countless people say a particular show changed the way they experienced that artist’s music, that it left a lasting impression and forged a bond with the singer or group.

    That kind of loyalty doesn’t come from an algorithm. It comes from being in the room. And with more than 100,000 tracks uploaded to streaming services each day, artists need to use every tool they can to stand out.

    Cutting through the noise

    In an era when streaming revenue is notoriously slim, touring has become one of the few reliable sources of income for working artists. The top artists in 2017 earned 80% of their income from touring, 15% from recorded music and 5% from publishing fees.

    Even though touring is far from a guarantee – especially if you’re not the headliner, as my research shows – it’s still one of the few ways left to cut through the noise. In the survey I ran for my study, 68% of concertgoers said they discovered at least one new artist through an opener, and 39% said the opener influenced their ticket purchase.

    And there are success stories – instances where opening slots have helped launch lasting careers.

    Billie Eilish opened for Florence + The Machine early on in her career, using that visibility to build a massive following. Taylor Swift, in particular, has a reputation for picking future stars: Justin Bieber, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan all opened for her before becoming major names.

    Billie Eilish’s tour with Florence + the Machine in 2018 helped catapult the young singer to stardom.
    Jeff Hahne/Getty Images

    These examples are outliers, of course. For most openers, visibility comes quickly but fades just as fast.

    Today’s artists need more than one big moment. There needs to be some sort of plan, whether it’s releasing new content, crafting a strong identity or figuring out ways for new fans to stay engaged after the show ends.

    Because at the end of the day, it’s not about being seen once. It’s all about being remembered.

    Jeff Apruzzese 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. On stage but out of the spotlight − the quiet struggle of being an opening act – https://theconversation.com/on-stage-but-out-of-the-spotlight-the-quiet-struggle-of-being-an-opening-act-252350

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Beggar thy neighbor, harm thyself: Tariffs like Trump’s come with pitfalls, history shows

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Bedassa Tadesse, Professor of Economics, University of Minnesota Duluth

    Feeling tariff whiplash? You’re not alone. On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs – a 10% levy on nearly all U.S. imports, along with targeted duties aimed at punishing countries he accuses of exploiting American markets. Just a week later, on April 9, his administration abruptly paused much of the plan for 90 days, leaving markets and allies scrambling for clarity.

    The proposed tariffs were pitched as a way to revive U.S. manufacturing, reclaim jobs and counter what Trump considers unfair trade practices. But they immediately rattled the financial markets and raised alarms among economists and America’s global partners. Critics across the political spectrum revived a familiar warning: “beggar-thy-neighbor.”

    History shows that such policies rarely succeed. In today’s interconnected world, they’re more likely to provoke swift, precise and painful retaliation.

    What is the ‘beggar-thy-neighbor’ strategy?

    The phrase comes from economic history and refers to protectionist measures – tariffs, import restrictions or currency manipulation – designed to boost one country’s economy at the expense of its trading partners. Think of it like cleaning your yard by dumping the trash into your neighbor’s property: It looks tidy on your side until they respond.

    This approach starkly contrasts with the principles laid out by Adam Smith. In “The Wealth of Nations,” he argued that trade is not a zero-sum game. Specialization and open markets, he observed, create mutual benefit – a rising tide that lifts all boats. Trump’s tariffs disregard this logic.

    And history backs Smith. In the 1930s, the U.S. adopted a similar strategy to the one Trump is experimenting with through the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, raising duties to protect domestic jobs. The result was a wave of global retaliation that choked international trade and worsened the Great Depression.

    A case in point: Lesotho

    As an example, consider the 50% tariff the United States imposed on imports from Lesotho, a small landlocked African nation. The measure took effect at midnight on April 3 but was reportedly subject to the 90-day pause starting midday April 4.

    The tariff rate was calculated by taking the U.S. trade deficit with Lesotho – US$234.5 million in 2024 – dividing that by the total value of Lesotho’s exports to the U.S., or $237.3 million, and dividing that by two.

    The 50% tariff would have a negligible effect on the U.S. economy – after all, out of the $3.3 trillion the U.S. imported in 2024, only a tiny fraction came from Lesotho. But for Lesotho, a nation that relies heavily on garment exports and preferential U.S. market access, the consequences would be severe. Using the same tariff logic across all partners, big or small, overlooks basic economic realities: differences in scale, trade capacity and vulnerability. It epitomizes beggar-thy-neighbor thinking: offloading domestic frustrations onto weaker economies for short-term political optics.

    Lesotho is just one example. Even countries that import more from the U.S. than they export, such as Australia and the U.K., haven’t been spared. This “scoreboard” mentality – treating trade deficits as losses and surpluses as wins – risks reducing the complexity of global commerce to a tit-for-tat game.

    The return of a familiar — and risky — playbook

    Such thinking has consequences. During Trump’s first term, China retaliated against U.S. tariffs by slashing imports of American soybeans and pork. As a result, those exports plummeted from $14 billion in 2017 to just $3 billion in 2018, hitting politically sensitive states like Iowa hard. The European Union responded to U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs by threatening to target bourbon from Kentucky and motorcycles from Wisconsin – iconic products from the home states of former GOP leaders Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan. Canada and the European Union have shown a willingness to use similar tactics this time around.

    This isn’t new. In 2002, President George W. Bush imposed tariffs of up to 30% on imported steel, prompting the European Union to threaten retaliatory tariffs targeting products such as Florida citrus and Carolina textiles made in key swing states. Facing domestic political pressure and a World Trade Organization ruling against the measure, Bush reversed course within 21 months.

    A decade earlier, the Clinton administration endured a long-running trade dispute with the EU known as the “banana wars,” in which European regulators structured import rules that disadvantaged U.S.-backed Latin American banana exporters in favor of former European colonies.

    During the Obama years, the U.S. increased visa fees that disproportionately impacted India’s technology services sector. India responded by delaying approvals for American drugmakers and large retail investments.

    Not all forms of trade retaliation grab headlines. Many are subtle, slow and bureaucratic – but no less damaging. Customs officials can delay paperwork or may impose arbitrary inspection or labeling requirements. Approval for U.S. pharmaceuticals, tech products or chemicals can be stalled for vague procedural reasons. Public procurement rules can be quietly rewritten to exclude U.S. companies.

    While these tactics rarely draw public attention, their cumulative cost is real: missed delivery deadlines, lost contracts and rising operational costs. Over time, American businesses may shift operations abroad – not because of labor costs or regulation at home, but to escape the slow drip of bureaucratic punishment they experience elsewhere.

    Tariffs in a connected economy

    Supporters of tariffs often argue that they protect domestic industries and create jobs. In theory, they might. But in practice, recent history shows they are more likely to invite retaliation, raise prices and disrupt supply chains.

    Modern manufacturing is deeply interconnected. A product may involve assembling components from a dozen countries, moving back and forth across borders. Tariffs hurt foreign suppliers and American manufacturers, workers and consumers.

    More strategically damaging, they erode U.S. influence. Allies grow weary of unpredictable trade moves, and rivals, including China and Russia, step in to forge deeper partnerships. Countries may reduce their exposure to the U.S. dollar, sell off Treasury bonds, or align with regional blocs like the BRICS group – led by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – not out of ideology, but necessity.

    In short, the U.S. weakens its own strategic hand. The long-term cost isn’t just economic – it’s geopolitical.

    Rather than resorting to beggar-thy-neighbor tactics, the U.S. could secure its future by investing in what truly drives long-term strength: smart workforce development, breakthrough innovation and savvy partnerships with allies. This approach would tackle trade imbalances through skillful diplomacy instead of brute force, while building resilience at home by equipping American workers and companies to thrive – not by scapegoating others.

    History makes a clear case: Ditching the obsession with bilateral trade deficits and focusing instead on value creation pays off. The U.S. can source components from around the world and elevate them through unmatched design, innovation and manufacturing excellence. That’s the heartbeat of real economic might.

    Bedassa Tadesse 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. Beggar thy neighbor, harm thyself: Tariffs like Trump’s come with pitfalls, history shows – https://theconversation.com/beggar-thy-neighbor-harm-thyself-tariffs-like-trumps-come-with-pitfalls-history-shows-254141

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Educators find creative work-arounds to new laws that restrict what they can teach

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Riley Drake, Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin-Stout

    Some educators are chafing under new laws that limit what and how they can teach. VectorMine/iStock via Getty Images Plus

    An onslaught of executive orders from President Donald Trump aim to restrict how and what educators can teach America’s children.

    Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has attempted to bar teachers from discussing racism and sexism in K-12 schools and order all schools that receive federal funding to recognize only two gender identities – male and female – potentially barring teachers from acknowledging the existence of nonbinary, gender queer and transgender people, including among their students.

    Educators say the orders are having a chilling effect in classrooms, with some teachers censoring themselves by minimizing dialogue about race, gender and other topics. Other educators, however, are finding ways to resist what they see as federal intrusion into the classroom.

    In March 2025, Sarah Inama, a sixth grade history teacher in Meridian, Idaho, refused to remove a classroom poster reading “Everyone is Welcome” when school district officials claimed the message was too controversial.

    “There are only two opinions on this sign. Everyone is welcome here or not everyone is welcome here,” Inama said in a March 2025 interview with Today.com.

    I am a scholar and former elementary school counselor. My research explores how educators act alongside young people and community organizers to challenge laws, policies and ways of controlling society that they see as harmful in schools.

    In my studies, I’ve encountered some educators who have found clever ways to support their students and have difficult conversations without violating executive orders or the law.

    Modeling transformative justice

    The Trump administration’s restrictive federal orders for schools are new, but some U.S. states have been limiting what educators can tell their students for several years. And educators in those places have found quiet, creative ways to push back.

    In 2022 I led a study of how educators in one Midwestern state were teaching social emotional learning – that is, the attitudes, skills and knowledge to develop healthy relationships and manage their emotions.

    The state – research ethics prohibit me from precisely identifying it – had recently passed legislation that prevented teachers from openly discussing the harms of racism, slavery, colonialism and gender violence in the U.S. Critics felt the law not only erased Black and Indigenous history but also banned truth-telling and accountability.

    One second grade teacher I observed in my study felt it was essential that her students learn to tell the truth, even in uncomfortable situations, and take accountability for their actions. She partnered with local community organizers to practice transformative justice in her classroom.

    Transformative justice seeks to address the root causes of people’s harmful behavior rather than merely punishing it. When communities can get to the core of the conditions that caused the harm, this theory holds, they can better address it.

    Rather than craft a lesson plan that might run up against the state’s restrictive new laws, the teacher in my study demonstrated the values of truth-telling and accountability in her approach to everyday conflicts.

    For example, one day after afternoon recess, two students refused to come back inside. The teacher waited patiently, and when eventually they returned to the classroom, she asked them what had been bothering them. The students said they were mad their classmates hadn’t allowed them to play a specific character in a game at recess.

    The teacher invited the rest of the class to discuss the incident. They acknowledged that those students had been excluded. Together, the class brainstormed ways to better include everyone next time. The upset students calmed down and listened actively, then began chiming in with their own ideas about solving the problem constructively.

    When schoolyard games go wrong, teachers can model different ways to resolve conflict.
    Peter Cade/Stone via Getty Images

    Finally, the teacher asked the class to reflect on how she had handled the situation.

    “What would have happened if I had called the principal on the students who wouldn’t come inside?” she asked.

    “They would have gotten in trouble!” the students said.

    “Yes, and would that have solved anything?” the teacher responded.

    “No, it would have made things worse,” one student remarked.

    In her actions and words, this teacher taught her students that punishment isn’t the only or best way to deal with conflict. And she showed them that when people tell the truth and take responsibility for their actions, they have an opportunity to build connections and repair relationships.

    In doing so, my research finds this teacher challenged her state’s policy of silencing certain conversations. Other educators in this study found other ways to challenge the law, including one who invited community organizers into her classroom to support immigrant students in learning about their rights.

    Solidarity with LGBTQ students

    I led another study in 2023 and 2024 following legislation in Iowa and other states banning books and restricting classroom discussion about gender identity and sexual orientation. In it, I documented how one middle school counselor supported student activists who’d been retaliated against after leading a school walkout protesting the state’s anti-LGBTQ bill.

    The student activists had been taunted by their peers during the walkout. Some had Pride flags torn from their hands and stomped on. Money the students had been collecting to donate to an LGBTQ organization was stolen.

    “I wish we didn’t have to be quiet to be safe,” one of the students told the counselor when debriefing after the incident.

    The counselor arranged a meeting with the school principal to share how their peers had hurt them and how disconnected it made them feel from their school. When administrators did only minimal follow-up afterward, the counselor partnered with a community arts organization outside school to create LGBTQ-affirming spaces for students to make art together.

    In my assessment, her actions demonstrated that people can come together to care for one another and showed that LGBTQ young people matter. First as an educator and then as a community member, she delivered a meaningful message to the students through showing rather than telling.

    Sometimes art can deliver a message as clearly as words.
    VeeStudio89/E+ via Getty Images

    Resistance in the classroom

    These are just a few examples of the many creative ways I’ve documented that educators from Iowa, Michigan, Indiana and Florida and other states are trying to offset the impacts of recent restrictions on what teachers can say and what topics curricula can address.

    Educators in the U.S. have long found ways to resist laws they feel are unjust.

    In the 1940s, a Black teacher named Madeline Morgan fought alongside hundreds of other Black women teachers and parents for Chicago Public Schools to include Black history in its curriculum. The curriculum she created later became a model for districts across the U.S. to teach Black history.

    Septima Clark is another Black educator who fought racism through teaching. After she was fired from her teaching position in South Carolina due to her connections with the NAACP, she dedicated her life to teaching, organizing and training civil rights activists in defiance of laws that attempted to keep her out of the classroom.

    Collaborating with others, today’s educators are finding creative ways to ensure that their classrooms demonstrate justice, in actions if not in words.

    Riley Drake 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. Educators find creative work-arounds to new laws that restrict what they can teach – https://theconversation.com/educators-find-creative-work-arounds-to-new-laws-that-restrict-what-they-can-teach-254033

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Volcanic ash is a silent killer, more so than lava: What Alaska needs to know with Mount Spurr likely to erupt

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By David Kitchen, Associate Professor of Geology, University of Richmond

    One of two main craters on Alaska’s Mount Spurr, shown in 1991. Earthquake activity suggests the volcano is close to erupting again in 2025. R.G. McGimsey/Alaska Volcano Observatory/U.S. Geological Survey, CC BY

    Volcanoes inspire awe with spectacular eruptions and incandescent rivers of lava, but often their deadliest hazard is what quietly falls from the sky.

    When a large volcano erupts, as Mount Spurr appears close to doing about 80 miles from Anchorage, Alaska, it can release enormous volumes of ash. Fine ash can infiltrate the lungs of people and animals who breathe it in, poison crops and disrupt aquatic life. Thick deposits of ash can collapse roofs, cripple utilities and disrupt transport networks.

    Ash may lack the visual impact of flowing lava, but as a geologist who studies disasters, I’m aware that ash travels farther, lasts longer and leaves deep scars.

    Ash buried cars and buildings after the 1984 eruption of Rabaul in Papua New Guinea.
    Volcano Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey

    Volcanic ash: What it is, and why it matters

    Volcanic ash forms when viscous magma – molten rock from deep beneath Earth’s surface – erupts, exploding into shards of rock, mineral and glass carried in a near-supersonic stream of hot gas.

    Towering clouds of ash rise several miles into the atmosphere, where the ash is captured by high-altitude winds that can carry it hundreds or even thousands of miles.

    As the volcanic ash settles back to Earth, it accumulates in layers that typically decrease in thickness with distance from the eruption source. Near the vent, the ash may be several feet deep, but communities farther away may see only a dusting.

    When Mount Spurr erupted in 1992, a dark column of ash and gas shot into the atmosphere from the volcano’s Crater Peak vent. Wind patterns determine where the ash will fall.
    U.S. Geological Survey

    Breathing danger: Health risks from ash

    Breathing volcanic ash can irritate the throat and lungs, trigger asthma attacks and aggravate chronic respiratory conditions such as COPD.

    The finest particles pose the greatest risk because they can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause death by asphyxiation in the worst cases. Mild, short-term symptoms often resolve with rest. However, the long-term consequences of ash exposure can include silicosis, a lung disease and a possible cause of cancer.

    The danger increases in dry regions where fallen ash can be kicked up into the air again by wind or human activity.

    Risks to pets and livestock

    Humans aren’t the only ones at risk. Animals experience similar respiratory symptoms to humans.

    Domestic pets can develop respiratory distress, eye inflammation and paw irritation from exposure to ash.

    Ash covers sheep in Argentina after the 2011 Puyehue volcanic eruption in Chile.
    Federico Grosso/U.S. Geological Survey

    Livestock face greater dangers. If grazing animals eat volcanic ash, it can damage their teeth, block their intestines and poison them.

    During the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption in Iceland, farmers were advised to shelter sheep and cattle because the ash contained fluoride concentrations above the recognized safety threshold of 400 parts per million. Animals that remained exposed became sick and some died.

    Harm to crops, soil and water

    Soil and crops can also be damaged. Volcanic ash alters the acidity of soil and introduces harmful elements such as arsenic and sulfur into the environment.

    While the ash can add nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus that enhance fertility, the immediate impact is mostly harmful.

    Ash can smother crops, block sunlight and clog the tiny stomata, or pores, in leaves that allow plants to exchange gases with the atmosphere. It can also introduce toxins that render food unmarketable. Vegetables, fruit trees and vines are particularly vulnerable, but even sturdy cereals and grasses can die if ash remains on leaves or poisons emerging shoots.

    Following the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, vast tracts of farmland in central Luzon in the Philippines were rendered unproductive for years due to acidic ash and buried topsoil. If multiple ashfalls occur in a growing season, crop failure becomes a near certainty. It was the cause of a historic famine that followed the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815.

    Ash from a 1953 eruption of Mount Spurr included very fine grains, like powder. The ash cloud reached about 70,000 feet high and left Anchorage under a blanket of ash up to a quarter-inch deep, according to a U.S. Geological Survey report at the time.
    James St. John via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY
    Electron microscope images of ash show how sharp the shards are. The top left image of shards from Mount Etna in 2002 is 1 mm across. Top right is an ash particle from Mount St. Helens magnified 200 times. The shards in the lower images are less than 0.064 mm.
    Volcano Hazards Program, U.S. Geological Survey

    Ash can also contaminate surface water by introducing toxins and increasing the water’s acidity. The toxins can leach into groundwater, contaminating wells. Fine ash particles can also settle in waterways and smother aquatic plants and animals. During the 2008 Chaitén eruption in Chile, ash contamination led to widespread fish deaths in the Río Blanco.

    Ash can ground airplanes, gum up infrastructure

    Ash clouds are extremely dangerous to aircraft. The glassy ash particles melt when sucked into jet turbines, clog fuel systems and can stall engines in midair.

    In 1982, British Airways Flight 9 lost power in all four engines after flying through an ash cloud. A similar incident occurred in 1989 to KLM Flight 867 over Alaska. In 2010, Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull eruption grounded more than 100,000 flights across Europe, disrupting travel for over 10 million passengers and costing the global economy billions of dollars.

    Volcanic ash can also wreak havoc on infrastructure by clogging water supplies, short-circuiting electrical systems and collapsing roofs under its weight. It can disrupt transportation, communication, rescue and power networks, as the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines dramatically demonstrated.

    What to do during ashfall

    During an ashfall event, the most effective strategy to stay safe is to stay indoors as much as possible and avoid inhaling ash particles.

    Anyone who must go outside should wear a properly fitted N95 or P2 mask. Cloth masks provide little protection against fine ash. Rainwater tanks, troughs and open wells should be covered and monitored for contamination. Livestock should be moved to clean pastures or given uncontaminated fodder.

    The challenges Alaska is facing if Mount Spurr erupts.

    To reduce structural damage, ash should be cleared from roofs and gutters promptly, especially before rainfall.

    Older adults, children and people who are sick are at greatest risk, particularly those living in poorly ventilated homes. Rural communities that are dependent on agriculture and livestock are disproportionately affected by ashfall, as are low-income people who lack access to clean water, protective masks or safe shelter.

    Communities can stay informed about ash risks through official alerts, including those from the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers, which monitor ash dispersion and issue timely warnings. The International Volcanic Health Hazard Network also offers guidelines on personal protection, emergency planning and ash cleanup.

    The long tail of ash

    Volcanic ash may fall quietly, but its effects are widespread, persistent and potentially deadly. It poses a chronic threat to health, agriculture, infrastructure and aquatic systems.

    Recognizing the risk is a crucial first step to protecting lives. Effective planning and public awareness can further help reduce the damage.

    David Kitchen 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. Volcanic ash is a silent killer, more so than lava: What Alaska needs to know with Mount Spurr likely to erupt – https://theconversation.com/volcanic-ash-is-a-silent-killer-more-so-than-lava-what-alaska-needs-to-know-with-mount-spurr-likely-to-erupt-254461

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John Kominoski, Professor of Biological Sciences, Florida International University

    The Everglades has often been referred to as a vast river of grass. National Park Service/B.Call via Flickr

    Do you know where your drinking water comes from?

    In South Florida, drinking water comes from the Everglades, a vast landscape of wetlands that has long filtered the water relied on by millions of people.

    But as the Everglades has shrunk over the past century, the region’s water supply and water quality have become increasingly threatened, including by harmful algal blooms fueled by agriculture runoff. Now, the water supply faces another rising challenge: saltwater intrusion.

    Waterways cut through the Everglades.
    South Florida Water Management District/Flickr, CC BY-ND

    Protecting South Florida’s water hinges on restoring the Everglades. That’s why, 25 years ago, the federal government and universities launched the world’s largest ecosystem restoration effort ever attempted.

    I’m involved in this work as an ecosystem ecologist. The risks I see suggest continuing to restore the Everglades is more crucial today than ever.

    What happened to the Everglades?

    The Florida Everglades is a broad mosaic of fresh water, sawgrass marshes, cypress domes and tree islands, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows all connected by water.

    But it is half its original size. In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began installing canals and levees to control flooding in the Everglades, which allowed people to build farms and communities along its edges. The Tamiami Trail became the first road across the Everglades in 1928. It connected Tampa to Miami, but the road and canals cut off or diverted some of the natural water flow in South Florida.

    Maps show how the Everglades changed over time. Source: USGS.

    Since then, Florida’s economy, agriculture and population have exploded – and with them has come a nutrient pollution problem in the Everglades.

    The major crop, sugarcane, is grown in a region south of Lake Okeechobee covering 1,100 square miles that’s known as the Everglades Agricultural Area. Nearly 80 tons of phosphorus fertilizer from federally subsidized farm fields runs off into the Everglades wetlands each year. And that has become a water quality concern. Drinking water with elevated nitrogen is linked to human health problems, and elevated phosphorus and associated algal blooms can cause microbes to accumulate toxins such as mercury.

    Healthy wetlands can filter out those nutrients and other pollutants, cleaning the water.

    Some of the ways the Everglades filters water contaminated with phosphorus.
    South Florida Water Management District

    Rain falling in the Everglades percolates through the porous limestone and recharges the Biscayne Aquifer, which supplies drinking water for 1 in 3 Floridians.

    But wetlands need time and space to function properly, and the damage from farm pollution has harmed that natural filtering system.

    By the 1990s, Everglades wetlands and the wildlife they support hit a critical stress level from elevated concentrations of phosphorus, a nutrient in fertilizer that washes off farm fields and fuels the growth of toxic algal blooms and invasive species that can choke out native plant populations.

    The changes led to seagrass die-offs and widespread invasion of sawgrass marshes by cattail and harmful algal blooms. Degraded wetlands can themselves become pollution sources that can contaminate surface water and groundwater quality by decreasing oxygen in the water, which can harm aquatic life, and releasing chemicals and nutrients as they decay.

    A vast restoration campaign

    Congress approved the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in 2000 to support reducing phosphorus concentrations by recreating large wetlands areas to remove excess nutrients and reestablishing more of the natural water depth to bolster native populations.

    That restoration effort is making progress in reconnecting wetlands to natural water flows by rehydrating large areas that were cut off. Phosphorus levels are lower in many wetlands that now remain hydrated longer, and in these wetlands fresh water is recharging the aquifer, helping sustain the drinking water supply.

    However, delays in critically important components of that work have left some wetlands in degraded conditions for longer than expected, especially in regions near and downstream of the Everglades Agricultural Area, where phosphorus concentrations remain stubbornly high.

    An algal bloom spreads in Florida’s Lake Okeechobee, at the heart of the Everglades.
    Nicholas Aumen/USGS

    South Florida continues to experience harmful algal blooms from phosphorus reaching rivers and the coast, resulting in fish kills and the deaths of manatees. Red tide can shut down fishing and keep beach-going tourists away, harming local economies. This pollution is estimated to have cost Florida’s economy US$2.7 billion in 2018.

    The unexpected risk: Saltwater

    An unforeseen threat has also started to creep into the Everglades: saltwater.

    As sea level rises, saltwater reaches further inland, both in rivers and underground through the porous limestone beneath South Florida. Saltwater intrusion also occurs when wells draw down aquifers to provide water for drinking or irrigation. That saltwater is causing parts of the Everglades marshes, often referred to as a river of grass, to collapse into open water.

    Saltwater intrusion into South Miami and how Everglades restoration can help. Source: Emily Northrop and Rachael Johnson, University of Miami.
    The red line shows how far saltwater had intruded into aquifers beneath Fort Lauderdale as of 2019.
    South Florida Water Management District

    The loss of these freshwater marshes reduces the capacity of the Everglades to remove phosphorus from the water. And that means more nutrients flowing downstream, contaminating aquifers and causing harmful algal blooms to form in coastal waters.

    Scientists have learned that marsh plants need freshwater pulses during the wet season, from April to November, to avoid saltwater intrusion.

    For example, saltwater intruded about one mile inland between 2009 and 2019 in parts of the Fort Lauderdale area. More fresh water is needed to push the saltwater back out to sea.

    However, the restoration effort was never intended to combat saltwater intrusion.

    Reasons for optimism

    Despite the continuing challenges, I am optimistic because of how scientists, policymakers and communities are working together to protect the Everglades and drinking water.

    I lead part of that restoration work through the Florida Coastal Everglades Long Term Ecological Research program. The effort started at Florida International University on May 1, 2000, the same year the Everglades restoration plan was authorized by Congress.

    Our research was used to set the levels of nutrients allowable to still protect the region’s water supplies, and we have been working for 25 years to reduce saltwater intrusion and phosphorus pollution to ensure drinking water for South Florida remains both fresh and clean. We continually use our research to inform water managers and policymakers of the best practices to reduce saltwater intrusion and pollution.

    A roseate spoonbill hunts for dinner in Everglades National Park.
    National Park Service, R. Cammauf, via Flickr

    As saltwater intrusion continues to threaten South Florida’s freshwater aquifer, Everglades restoration and protection will be increasingly important.

    Everyone in the region can help.

    By rehabilitating degraded wetlands, allowing for more fresh water to flow throughout the Everglades ecosystems, reducing the use of fresh water on lawns and crops, and reusing municipal water for outdoor needs, South Florida can keep its drinking water safe for generations of future residents and visitors. This is something that everyone can contribute to.

    Mangroves along Turner River in the Everglades.
    Chauncey Davis/Flickr, CC BY

    Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Miami’s renowned conservationist who helped establish the Everglades National Park, often said, “The Everglades is a test. If we pass it, we may get to keep the planet.”

    John Kominoski works for Florida International University. He receives funding from federal agencies, such as the National Park Service and the National Science Foundation.

    – ref. 25 years of Everglades restoration has improved drinking water for millions in Florida, but a new risk is rising – https://theconversation.com/25-years-of-everglades-restoration-has-improved-drinking-water-for-millions-in-florida-but-a-new-risk-is-rising-253167

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kristefer Stojanovski, Assistant Professor of Social, Behavioral and Population Sciences, Tulane University

    Americans may lose free coverage for cancer and blood pressure screenings, HIV prevention medication and other essential services. Halfpoint Images/Moment via Getty Images

    Many Americans were relieved when the Supreme Court left the Affordable Care Act in place following the law’s third major legal challenge in June 2021. This decision permitted widely supported policies to continue, such as ensuring health coverage regardless of preexisting conditions, allowing coverage for dependents up to age 26 on their parents’ plan, and removing annual and lifetime benefit limits.

    But millions are still at risk of losing access to lifesaving medicine and preventive services, following the Supreme Court’s decision to hear another case – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. v. Braidwood – that has been working its way through lower courts for several years.

    Interestingly, the Trump administration has chosen to build upon the same argument the Biden administration used to defend the law.

    HIV stigma and preventive care

    The case the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear in April 2025 was filed by Braidwood Management, a Christian for-profit corporation owned by Steven Hotze, a Texas physician and Republican activist who has previously filed multiple lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act.

    Braidwood and its co-plaintiffs, a group of conservative Christian employers, objected to providing their 70 employees free access to preexposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, a medicine that prevents HIV infection. Hotze claimed that PrEP “facilitates and encourages homosexual behavior, intravenous drug use and sexual activity outside of marriage between one man and one woman,” without citing scientific evidence to support this. He and his plaintiffs argue that religious beliefs prevent them from providing PrEP under their insurance plans.

    The AIDS epidemic has been claiming lives for decades.

    Since the HIV/AIDS epidemic began in the 1980s, the disease has been politicized and stigmatized. Because it had predominantly affected men who had sex with men, AIDS was initially called gay-related immune deficiency, making people reluctant to be associated with the disease. It was only after a teenage boy from Indiana named Ryan White contracted HIV from a blood transfusion to treat his hemophilia, along with public statements from high-profile celebrities such as Arthur Ashe and Magic Johnson about their HIV status, that social attitudes began to shift with more education about AIDS.

    Yet, the same stigma is still at play in the Braidwood case and other recent policy decisions. In 2023, for example, Tennessee officials declined US$9 million in federal funding for HIV prevention. Those federal funds focused on groups most affected by HIV, including men who have sex with men, heterosexual Black women and people who inject drugs.

    Tennessee has since transitioned to using state dollars for HIV prevention, with a focus on first responders, pregnant women and sex trafficking survivors, groups that aren’t major at-risk populations. Researchers have found that this pivot will be a less efficient use of funds, costing $1 million per life-year saved versus $68,600 when focusing on the most at-risk populations.

    Preventive care and the Affordable Care Act

    The ongoing stigma and politicization of HIV/AIDS may not only hamper the national goal of ending the HIV epidemic but also lead to less or no preventive care for many people.

    Section 2713 of the Affordable Care Act requires insurers to offer full coverage of preventive services endorsed by one of three federal groups: the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or the Health Resources and Services Administration. For example, the CARES Act, which allocated emergency funding in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, used this provision to ensure COVID-19 vaccines would be free for many Americans.

    For a preventive service to be covered by this provision, it requires an A or B rating from the Preventive Services Task Force, an independent body of experts trained in research methods, statistics and medicine that evaluates the rigor and quality of available scientific evidence, with support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Vaccinations require a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while women’s health services require approval from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

    PrEP received an A rating in June 2019, given its near 100% effectiveness. This paved the way for it to be covered at no cost for millions of people.

    PrEP is a key tool to helping the U.S. reach its goal of substantially reducing new HIV infections by 2030.
    AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

    Over 150 million Americans with private health insurance are able to benefit from free preventive care through the Affordable Care Act, with around 60% using at least one free preventive service each year.

    The consequences of losing these benefits would likely be an increase in the number of people getting and dying from preventable diseases. Raising the cost barrier for PrEP, for example, would disproportionately harm younger patients, people of color and those with lower incomes. It will also increase the cost of HIV prevention.

    As public health researchers who study sexual health and health insurance, we believe that prevention and health equity in the U.S. stand to take a big step backward, depending on the outcome of the Braidwood case.

    Future of preventive care lies with Supreme Court

    The most recent ruling in Braidwood – made by a lower court in 2023 – focuses on the appointments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which specifies that certain governmental positions require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation, while other positions have a lower bar.

    District Judge Reed O’Connor ruled that because the Preventive Services Task Force is an independent volunteer panel and not made up of officers of the U.S. government, it does not have appropriate authority to make decisions about what preventive care should be free, unlike the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices or Health Resources and Services Administration. O’Connor also ruled that being forced to cover PrEP violated the religious freedom of the plaintiffs.

    O’Connor invalidated all of the task force’s recommendations since the Affordable Care Act was passed in March 2010, returning the power to insurers and employers to decide which, if any, preventive care would remain free to their patients. A few of the recommendations affected by his ruling besides PrEP include blood pressure, diabetes, lung and skin cancer screenings, along with medications to lower cholesterol and reduce breast cancer risk.

    The Trump administration filed a brief continuing the argument from the Biden administration that because the Preventive Services Task Force is overseen by the secretary of Health and Human Services, there is appropriate oversight of the task force and its decision-making by a Senate-confirmed officer. Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for April 21, 2025.

    The Affordable Care Act has faced many legal challenges over the years.
    AP Photo/Alex Brandon

    Insurance contracts are typically defined by calendar year, so if the Supreme Court rules against the government, people would likely see changes starting in 2026. Importantly, these services will likely still need to be covered by health insurance plans as essential health benefits through a separate provision of the ACA − they just won’t be free anymore.

    There were concerns that the Supreme Court could take the ruling even further, endangering the free coverage of contraception and other preventive care that wasn’t covered by the lower court ruling. The Trump administration’s support for the case may make this less likely by leaning into the authority of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary to support or override recommendations made by the Preventive Services Task Force and the other bodies.

    However, this could also mean the secretary of HHS can more directly control the task force’s recommendations, potentially determining whether PrEP, contraception and other services are available at no cost to patients. Building more political authority into the process − as well as partisan differences in support for LGBTQ+ health − belies the original intent of having nonpartisan medical experts make decisions about preventive care coverage. Legal experts we have spoken to caution that this approach may be more about preserving powers for the executive branch rather than actually protecting preventive care.

    All of this is happening in the context of massive layoffs at HHS. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which supports the Preventive Services Task Force, was not spared from the recent cuts. It is unclear how all of this will affect the task force’s ability to continue its work, separate from the outcome of Braidwood.

    One way or another, the end to this yearslong case is nearing, with important implications for America’s ability to reach its goals in fighting cancer, diabetes and the HIV epidemic.

    Portions of this article originally appeared in previous articles published on Sept. 7, 2021, Dec. 1, 2021, Sept. 13, 2022, and April 7, 2023.

    Paul Shafer receives research funding from the National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and Department of Veterans Affairs. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of these agencies or the United States government.

    Kristefer Stojanovski 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. Preventive care may no longer be free in 2026 because of HIV stigma − unless the Trump administration successfully defends the ACA – https://theconversation.com/preventive-care-may-no-longer-be-free-in-2026-because-of-hiv-stigma-unless-the-trump-administration-successfully-defends-the-aca-250011

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Hanna D. Paton, PhD Candidate in Immunology, University of Iowa

    There is currently no bird flu vaccine for people. Digicomphoto/ Science Photo Library via Getty Images

    The flu sickens millions of people in the U.S. every year, and the past year has been particularly tough. Although infections are trending downward, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has called the winter of 2024-2025 a “high severity” season with the highest hospitalization rate in 15 years.

    Since early 2024, a different kind of flu called bird flu, formally known as avian influenza, has been spreading in birds as well as in cattle. The current bird flu outbreak has infected 70 Americans and caused two deaths as of April 8, 2025. Public health and infectious disease experts say the risk to people is currently low, but they have expressed concern that this strain of the bird flu virus may mutate to spread between people.

    As a doctoral candidate in immunology, I study how pathogens that make us sick interact with our immune system. The viruses that cause seasonal flu and bird flu are distinct but still closely related. Understanding their similarities and differences can help people protect themselves and their loved ones.

    What is influenza?

    The flu has long been a threat to public health. The first recorded influenza pandemic occurred in 1518, but references to illnesses possibly caused by influenza stretch back as as early as 412 B.C., to a treatise called Of the Epidemics by the Greek physician Hippocrates.

    Today, the World Health Organization estimates that the flu infects 1 billion people every year. Of these, 3 million to 5 million infections cause severe illness, and hundreds of thousands are fatal.

    Influenza is part of a large family of viruses called orthomyxoviruses. This family contains several subtypes of influenza, referred to as A, B, C and D, which differ in their genetic makeup and in the types of infections they cause. Influenza A and B pose the largest threat to humans and can cause severe disease. Influenza C causes mild disease, and influenza D is not known to infect people. Since the turn of the 20th century, influenza A has caused four pandemics. Influenza B has never caused a pandemic.

    A notice from Oct. 18, 1918, during the Spanish flu pandemic, about protecting yourself from infection.
    Illustrated Current News/National Library of Medicine, CC BY

    An influenza A strain called H1N1 caused the famous 1918 Spanish flu pandemic, which killed about 50 million people worldwide. A related H1N1 virus was responsible for the most recent influenza A pandemic in 2009, commonly referred to as the swine flu pandemic. In that case, scientists believe multiple different types of influenza A virus mixed their genetic information to produce a new and especially virulent strain of the virus that infected more than 60 million people in the U.S. from April 12, 2009, to April 10, 2010, and caused huge losses to the agriculture and travel industries.

    Both swine and avian influenza are strains of influenza A. Just as swine flu strains tend to infect pigs, avian flu strains tend to infect birds. But the potential for influenza A viruses that typically infect animals to cause pandemics in humans like the swine flu pandemic is why experts are concerned about the current avian influenza outbreak.

    Seasonal flu versus bird flu

    Different strains of influenza A and influenza B emerge each year from about October to May as seasonal flu. The CDC collects and analyzes data from public health and clinical labs to determine which strains are circulating through the population and in what proportions. For example, recent data shows that H1N1 and H3N2, both influenza A viruses, were responsible for the vast majority of cases this season. Standard tests for influenza generally determine whether illness is caused by an A or B strain, but not which strain specifically.

    Officials at the Food and Drug Administration use this information to make strain recommendations for the following season’s influenza vaccine. Although the meeting at which FDA advisers were to decide the makeup of the 2026 flu vaccine was unexpectedly canceled in late February, the FDA still released its strain recommendations to manufacturers.

    The recommendations do not include H5N1, the influenza A strain that causes avian flu. The number of strains that can be added into seasonal influenza vaccines is limited. Because cases of people infected with H5N1 are minimal, population-level vaccination is not currently necessary. As such, seasonal flu vaccines are not designed to protect against avian influenza. No commercially available human vaccines currently exist for avian influenza viruses.

    How do people get bird flu?

    Although H5N1 mainly infects birds, it occasionally infects people, too. Human cases, first reported in 1997 in Hong Kong, have primarily occurred in poultry farm workers or others who have interacted closely with infected birds.

    Initially identified in China in 1996, the first major outbreak of H5 family avian flu occurred in North America in 2014-2015. This 2014 outbreak was caused by the H5N8 strain, a close relative of H5N1. The first H5N1 outbreak in North America began in 2021 when infected birds carried the virus across the ocean. It then ripped through poultry farms across the continent.

    The H5N1 strain of influenza A generally infects birds but has infected people, too.
    NIAID and CDC/flickr, CC BY

    In March 2024, epidemiologists identified H5N1 infections in cows on dairy farms. This is the first time that bird flu was reported to infect cows. Then, on April 1, 2024, health officials in Texas reported the first case of a person catching bird flu from infected cattle. This was the first time transmission of bird flu between mammals was documented.

    As of March 21, 2025, there have been 988 human cases of H5N1 worldwide since 1997, about half of which resulted in death. The current outbreak in the U.S. accounts for 70 of those infections and one death. Importantly, there have been no reports of H5N1 spreading directly from one person to another.

    Since avian flu is an influenza A strain, it would show up as positive on a standard rapid flu test. However, there is no evidence so far that avian flu is significantly contributing to current influenza cases. Specific testing is required to confirm that a person has avian flu. This testing is not done unless there is reason to believe the person was exposed to sick birds or other sources of infection.

    How might avian flu become more dangerous?

    As viruses replicate within the cells of their host, their genetic information can get copied incorrectly. Some of these genetic mutations cause no immediate differences, while others alter some key viral characteristics.

    Influenza viruses mutate in a special way called reassortment, which occurs when multiple strains infect the same cell and trade pieces of their genome with one another, potentially creating new, unique strains. This process prolongs the time the virus can inhabit a host before an infection is cleared. Even a slight change in a strain of influenza can result in the immune system’s inability to recognize the virus. As a result, this process forces our immune systems to build new defenses instead of using immunity from previous infections.

    Reassortment can also change how harmful strains are to their host and can even enable a strain to infect a different species of host. For example, strains that typically infect pigs or birds may acquire the ability to infect people. Influenza A can infect many different types of animals, including cattle, birds, pigs and horses. This means there are many strains that can intermingle to create novel strains that people’s immune systems have not encountered before – and are therefore not primed to fight.

    It is possible for this type of transformation to also occur in H5N1. The CDC monitors which strains of flu are circulating in order prepare for that possibility. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a surveillance system for monitoring potential threats for spillover from birds and other animals, although this capacity may be at risk due to staff cuts in the department.

    These systems are critical to ensure that public health officials have the most up-to-date information on the threat that H5N1 poses to public health and can take action as early as possible when a threat is evident.

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

    – ref. How bird flu differs from seasonal flu − an infectious disease researcher explains – https://theconversation.com/how-bird-flu-differs-from-seasonal-flu-an-infectious-disease-researcher-explains-248407

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A need for chaos powers some Americans’ support for Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to the US government

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Dannagal G. Young, Professor of Communication and Political Science, University of Delaware

    There’s a sizable group of Americans who agree with the phrase ‘I think society should be burned to the ground.’ Anton Petrus-Moment/Getty Images

    A video of a Las Vegas Tesla dealership that had been set on fire by anti-Elon Musk protesters was posted on March 18, 2025, by an account on X called EndWokeness.

    The next day Musk replied to the post, “Some people just want to watch the world burn,” an iconic line from the 2008 Batman film “The Dark Knight.” Alfred, the Wayne family’s faithful butler, says the line to Bruce Wayne – Batman – to describe the motivations behind the Joker’s chaotic acts of violence.

    Musk – and Alfred – was right. Some people do, in fact, say they think that society should be burned to the ground. It’s part of a psychological measure political psychologists created called “need for chaos.”

    New data from the Center for Political Communication at the University of Delaware suggests that those people – the ones who want society to burn – are the ones with more, not less, trust in Musk. They also report more trust in the Department of Government Efficiency, the government entity Musk advises, which the Trump administration claims it created to cut government waste and fraud.

    Yet, critics point out that Musk and DOGE’s seemingly indiscriminate approach to spending cuts risks damaging the infrastructure necessary for American innovation.

    This desire to watch the world burn doesn’t come out of nowhere.

    Fear of losing status

    Somewhat like the Joker, whose perpetual sense of victimhood – “You wanna know how I got these scars?” – drove his need for chaos and destruction, people can develop a need for chaos in response to a sense that they are losing.

    When political psychologists introduced this concept of “need for chaos” in 2021, they described it not as a psychological trait, but as a character adaptation that occurs when some people experience a cultural and political situation that makes them feel like they are losing status and power. For some people, this feeling triggers a desire to “burn it all down” – “it” being society, institutions, the world – maybe to rebuild it all anew, or maybe just to see it all destroyed.

    Only a small percentage of the U.S. population – less than 15% – tends to score high in need for chaos. But even so, understanding this minority is important to gaining insight into this political moment.

    For example, people who score high in need for chaos exhibit greater support for political violence and a willingness to knowingly share hostile and false information online. And in our data, those higher in need for chaos report holding more trust in Musk, DOGE and Trump than people who score lower in the need for chaos measure.

    Who wants to burn it down

    We are political psychologists who study the link between psychological traits and political beliefs. Last month, the University of Delaware’s Center for Political Communication ran a national survey that we designed to understand where the public stands on various political issues and how those beliefs relate to psychological traits, including need for chaos.

    In our national study of 1,600 Americans conducted between Feb. 27-March 5, 2025, by YouGov, we asked respondents how much they agreed or disagreed with the following statements:

    • “I fantasize about a natural disaster wiping out most of humanity such that a small group of people can start all over”

    • “I think society should be burned to the ground”

    • “We cannot fix the problems in our social institutions; we need to tear them down and start over”

    • “I need chaos around me – it is too boring if nothing is going on”

    Similar to prior work by author Kevin Arceneaux and his colleagues, our data shows that a very small number – fewer than 20% of the sample – agrees strongly or agrees somewhat with each item.

    However, looking at need for chaos among groups of varying ages, education levels and media habits, we find the highest need for chaos scores among people under age 40, those with less education, and those who pay the least attention to politics.

    Burning it down through government policy

    Our new data also shows that while people highest in need for chaos report having more trust in Musk, DOGE, and President Trump, these chaos-seeking folks report having less trust in “people in general,” journalists or the federal government. These findings hold even when statistically accounting for other factors, among them party, race, gender, education and ideology.

    Musk’s penchant for wielding chainsaws as a symbol of DOGE’s work provides some insight into why chaos seekers may like what they see in Musk.

    It’s not clear exactly what Musk’s aim is with his work at DOGE, as he eliminates the jobs of hundreds of thousands of government workers.

    What is clear, however, is that by many accounts, the mass firings and the gutting of agencies, like the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Institute for Peace, are sowing chaos. And a significant portion of Americans want just that.

    Dannagal G. Young receives funding from the Center for Political Communication Research Fund at the University of Delaware

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

    – ref. A need for chaos powers some Americans’ support for Elon Musk taking a chainsaw to the US government – https://theconversation.com/a-need-for-chaos-powers-some-americans-support-for-elon-musk-taking-a-chainsaw-to-the-us-government-253420

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –