NewzIntel.com

Category: Universities

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Peru Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    The new Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations, Gustavo Lino Adrianzén Olaya, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    (As provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    Gustavo Lino Adrianzén Olaya is a distinguished Peruvian lawyer and the current Permanent Representative of Peru to the United Nations (UN) since 1 July 2025.

    Throughout his career, he has held several high-level positions within the Peruvian Government, including President of the Council of Ministers (March 2024 – May 2025) and Minister of Justice and Human Rights (April – October 2015).  He previously served as Vice-Minister of Justice, as well as Public Prosecutor in the Ministry of Defense, and Specialized Public Prosecutor of the National Police of Peru.

    From February 2023 to March 2024, he served as Peru’s Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS).

    He holds a law degree from the University of Lima and a master’s degree in public administration and management from Spain’s National Institute of Public Administration.  He also earned an officially recognized law degree from the University of Alcalá de Henares in Spain.  His academic background is further enriched by postgraduate studies in human rights at specialized institutions in Geneva, Strasbourg, San José de Costa Rica and Florence.

    In October 2015, he was awarded the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services in the rank of Grand Cross in recognition of his public service.

    For information media. Not an official record.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Megabill to Cut Over $6.6 Billion from WA Hospitals

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on new data showing that Washington hospitals will lose an estimated $662 million a year, or over $6.6 billion over the next decade, because of Trump and Republicans’ megabill that was signed into law last week.

    “The ripple effects of this law will be felt like a tsunami in Washington’s health care system. These cruel cuts will kick 330,000 Washingtonians off their health coverage. Regardless of what kind of health coverage someone has, they will feel the impact. Hospitals across Washington are estimated to lose over $6.6 billion because of the Apple Health cuts. It will force hospitals and providers to close facilities and scale back services, and insurers to raise insurance premiums across the board.

    “All of this so Republicans can give billionaires another massive tax break.”

    Some of the largest estimated annual cuts in Western Washington include:

    • Over $56 million cut to Harborview Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Over $45 million cut to the University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Nearly $30 million cut to Swedish Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Nearly $29 million cut to Providence Regional Medical Center (Everett)
    • Over $12 million cut to Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Over $11 million cut to Evergreen Health (Kirkland)
    • Over $7.8 million for Overlake Hospital (Bellevue)
    • Over $1.9 million cut to Evergreen Health (Monroe)

    What Washington Health Systems Are Saying:

    “The federal cuts to Medicaid payments are a disaster for hospitals across the country. In Washington State alone, hospital payments for services delivered will be cut by more than $6 billion over the next ten years. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people will lose coverage. There is no way hospitals can absorb this level of cuts in the Medicaid program without impacting everyone’s access to services. Important hospital services will disappear, nurses and doctors will be laid off, and some hospitals are at risk of full closure,” said Jacqueline Barton True, Vice President, Advocacy and Rural Health, Washington State Hospital Association.

    “Medicaid funding is critical to keep hospitals open and operating for all patients. This is especially true for public safety net health systems like UW Medicine. The federal budget reconciliation bill will significantly reduce both patient eligibility for coverage and Medicaid funding going directly to hospitals for daily operations,” said Dr. Tim Dellit, CEO of UW Medicine and Dean University of Washington School of Medicine. “It is not simply Medicaid patients who will be impacted; these cuts will disrupt the financial foundation that supports the entire health care system, reducing resources and access to care for everyone. As Washington state’s largest public hospital system and safety net provider of health care, the loss of Medicaid reimbursements will have a profound impact on UW Medicine’s ability to serve the community and meet our mission of improving the health of the public by treating every patient who needs our care.”

    “From a patient’s perspective, the biggest concerns about the law are the numerous provisions, including significant Medicaid cuts, that will make it harder for patients to get health insurance coverage and keep that coverage. When people lose their coverage, their medical needs don’t go away. Lack of health insurance coverage can end up exacerbating those needs, as patients without insurance genuinely don’t receive the preventive care that they desperately need that keep patients and populations healthy. Patients may even ration food or skip medication altogether. All this adds up to patients who, when they do seek care, will require higher level care—which is also more expensive,” said Jon Duarte, President & CEO, MultiCare Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, CEO, North Sound Region. “In addition, they often enter the health care system through an emergency department, putting increased stress, not only on them, but on other patients in emergency department care as well. In accordance with our mission at MultiCare, we provide care for all who need it, any day, any hour of the day as well, regardless of their ability to pay. When patients lose access to health insurance, hospitals like Overlake will have no choice but to care for those patients and absorb the increased costs associated with providing uncompensated care, creating a financially unintentional and unsustainable situation for health systems. Ultimately, we may have to cut services, causing entire communities to lose important access to care.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trump Megabill to Cut Over $6.6 Billion from WA Hospitals

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

    Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on new data showing that Washington hospitals will lose an estimated $662 million a year, or over $6.6 billion over the next decade, because of Trump and Republicans’ megabill that was signed into law last week.

    “The ripple effects of this law will be felt like a tsunami in Washington’s health care system. These cruel cuts will kick 330,000 Washingtonians off their health coverage. Regardless of what kind of health coverage someone has, they will feel the impact. Hospitals across Washington are estimated to lose over $6.6 billion because of the Apple Health cuts. It will force hospitals and providers to close facilities and scale back services, and insurers to raise insurance premiums across the board.

    “All of this so Republicans can give billionaires another massive tax break.”

    Some of the largest estimated annual cuts in Western Washington include:

    • Over $56 million cut to Harborview Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Over $45 million cut to the University of Washington Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Nearly $30 million cut to Swedish Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Nearly $29 million cut to Providence Regional Medical Center (Everett)
    • Over $12 million cut to Virginia Mason Medical Center (Seattle)
    • Over $11 million cut to Evergreen Health (Kirkland)
    • Over $7.8 million for Overlake Hospital (Bellevue)
    • Over $1.9 million cut to Evergreen Health (Monroe)

    What Washington Health Systems Are Saying:

    “The federal cuts to Medicaid payments are a disaster for hospitals across the country. In Washington State alone, hospital payments for services delivered will be cut by more than $6 billion over the next ten years. In addition, hundreds of thousands of people will lose coverage. There is no way hospitals can absorb this level of cuts in the Medicaid program without impacting everyone’s access to services. Important hospital services will disappear, nurses and doctors will be laid off, and some hospitals are at risk of full closure,” said Jacqueline Barton True, Vice President, Advocacy and Rural Health, Washington State Hospital Association.

    “Medicaid funding is critical to keep hospitals open and operating for all patients. This is especially true for public safety net health systems like UW Medicine. The federal budget reconciliation bill will significantly reduce both patient eligibility for coverage and Medicaid funding going directly to hospitals for daily operations,” said Dr. Tim Dellit, CEO of UW Medicine and Dean University of Washington School of Medicine. “It is not simply Medicaid patients who will be impacted; these cuts will disrupt the financial foundation that supports the entire health care system, reducing resources and access to care for everyone. As Washington state’s largest public hospital system and safety net provider of health care, the loss of Medicaid reimbursements will have a profound impact on UW Medicine’s ability to serve the community and meet our mission of improving the health of the public by treating every patient who needs our care.”

    “From a patient’s perspective, the biggest concerns about the law are the numerous provisions, including significant Medicaid cuts, that will make it harder for patients to get health insurance coverage and keep that coverage. When people lose their coverage, their medical needs don’t go away. Lack of health insurance coverage can end up exacerbating those needs, as patients without insurance genuinely don’t receive the preventive care that they desperately need that keep patients and populations healthy. Patients may even ration food or skip medication altogether. All this adds up to patients who, when they do seek care, will require higher level care—which is also more expensive,” said Jon Duarte, President & CEO, MultiCare Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, CEO, North Sound Region. “In addition, they often enter the health care system through an emergency department, putting increased stress, not only on them, but on other patients in emergency department care as well. In accordance with our mission at MultiCare, we provide care for all who need it, any day, any hour of the day as well, regardless of their ability to pay. When patients lose access to health insurance, hospitals like Overlake will have no choice but to care for those patients and absorb the increased costs associated with providing uncompensated care, creating a financially unintentional and unsustainable situation for health systems. Ultimately, we may have to cut services, causing entire communities to lose important access to care.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Grenada Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    The new Permanent Representative of Grenada to the United Nations, Ingrid Jackson, presented her credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    (As provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    PROFILE

    Diverse and multifaceted individual, possessing a unique blend of expertise in both the private sector and public service, and leveraging my experience to effectively navigate complex socio- economic, cultural, and political landscapes

    EXPERIENCE

    Kingdom Homes
    CEO
    2019 – PRESENT
    •     Developed and implemented effective business strategies to drive revenue growth, optimize operational efficiency, and enhance customer satisfaction. • Conducted market research and analysis to identify new business opportunities and drive marketing initiatives.

    RESNET
    Director, Finance
    2016 -2019
    •     Developed and implemented financial strategies to drive profitability, cost control, and efficient resource allocation. • Implemented internal controls and compliance measures to ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to regulatory requirements.

    EJIS LLC
    Managing Director
    2013 -2016
    •     Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategic initiatives, aligning financial objectives with organizational goals. • Built and maintained strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to foster business development and strategic alliances.

    Government of Grenada
    Ambassador for Diaspora Affairs
    2012 -2013
    •     Engaged with the diaspora community to promote cultural ties, economic connections, and political cooperation. • Organized events and initiatives to strengthen national identity among expatriates and encourage their participation in the host country’s civic and economic activities during Homecoming 2012.

    Attache to the OAS
    2008 -2011
    •     Represented the interests of Grenada in foreign affairs and facilitated diplomatic relations with hemispheric nations • Engaged in diplomatic negotiations, including mediating conflicts and facilitating agreements. • Fostered cross-cultural understanding and public diplomacy initiatives

    SKILLS

    •     Strategic Planning
    •     Critical Thinking
    •     Solutions Provision
    •     Project management
    •     Integrated technologies

    EDUCATION

    2010 -2013  Walden University
    PhD Public Policy & Administration, ABD
    Concentration: Public Administration & Leadership (GPA:4.0)

    2007 – 2009 Andrews University
    MBA

    2003 – 2006 Andrews University
    BSc Business Education Graduated Summa Cum Laude

    PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & MEMBERSHIP

    Covenant University 2024
    African Leadership Development Center
    Professional Leadership Diploma

    The National Association of Women in Construction

    National Association of Realtors

    SERVICE

    2024 – Present Interim Chair, Dorcas Foundation

    2023 – Present Minister, Winners Chapel Intl. GND

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Welcomes Kennebunk Native as a Summer Intern in Her Washington Office

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Published: July 11, 2025

    Click HERE for a high-resolution photo
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Renee Bergeon, a Kennebunk native, has been awarded a summer internship in her Washington office.  Renee is a graduate of Kennebunk High School.
    “It is a pleasure to give Mainers an opportunity to serve their state,” said Senator Collins. “Renee has a strong work ethic and impressive leadership skills. I am glad she will have the opportunity to learn more about the legislative process through this internship.”
    Renee is a rising junior at the George Washington University, where she is majoring in International Affairs, concentrating in Security Policy. On campus, she is the President of the Rotary-sponsored Rotaract Club. Upon graduation, Renee plans to pursue a career in security policy.
    Maine students who are interested in applying for future sessions of the internship program can do so through Senator Collins’ website at: https://www.collins.senate.gov/services/students.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Welcomes Gorham Native as a Summer Intern in Her Washington Office

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
    Published: July 11, 2025

    Click HERE for a high-resolution photo
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Charles Hubbard, a Gorham native, has been awarded a summer internship in her Washington office. Charles is a graduate of Gorham High School.
    “I am delighted to welcome Charles to my Washington, D.C., office,” said Senator Collins. “Charles is very diligent in his work, and I am pleased that he will have the opportunity to see the legislative process firsthand as well as serve his fellow Mainers.”
    Charles graduated from the University of Maine, where he majored in Political Science. Charles plans to continue his education and pursue a career in law.
    Maine students who are interested in applying for future sessions of the internship program can do so through Senator Collins’ website at: https://www.collins.senate.gov/services/students.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom provides $11 million to organizations helping underserved job seekers find training and employment

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 11, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom is announcing that the California Employment Development Department is awarding $11 million to help six California organizations connect underserved adults — including veterans, people with disabilities, and at-risk young adults — with job training and career development services.

    SACRAMENTO — A nearly $11 million grant will help six California-based organizations develop and deliver job training and career development services to Californians facing some of the most significant barriers to finding employment. This includes veterans, people with disabilities, English-language learners, the long-term unemployed, workers over the age of 55, and at-risk young adults who are not in school or are unemployed. According to a national Georgetown University study, Jobs for All, there are approximately 27 to 35 million individuals who want to work but face significant barriers (such as poverty, disability, or long-term unemployment) to getting hired. 

    In California, investments like the Employment Social Enterprise program supports Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Career Education, which aims to bridge the gap and equip all students and workers with the tools necessary to achieve stability through good-paying jobs. 

    “Every Californian deserves the opportunity to pursue a meaningful career. This investment advances California’s Master Plan for Career Education and California Jobs First by expanding access to career pathways for Californians who’ve historically faced systemic barriers. It’s a step toward a more inclusive and opportunity-rich economy for everyone.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    “The Employment Social Enterprise Program brings jobs and dignity to Californians who’ve been left out of the workforce by connecting them to real work, supportive services, and long-term opportunity. These grants help mission-driven businesses grow while unlocking potential in communities too often excluded from the labor market.”

    Stewart Knox, Secretary of Laboy & Workforce Development

    “By providing opportunities for those who have been overlooked in society, we’re helping more Californians build lasting careers that strengthen our workforce,” said EDD Director Nancy Farias.

     These awards from the Employment Development Department (EDD), in coordination with the California Labor and Workforce Development Agency, are part of the Employment Social Enterprise program.

    Employment Social Enterprises are businesses that sell goods and services and provide transitional jobs and support to people breaking through employment barriers. Grant funds focus on transitioning individuals into stable, good-paying jobs — where they can earn wages, gain work experience, improve job skills, and access supportive services. Supportive services may include housing assistance, childcare access, mental health services, job coaching, and more.

    The Employment Social Enterprise program is a part of the California Jobs First initiative. In partnership with its 13 economic regions, the State is investing in job creation, industrial strategy, and economic development initiatives, to create a more equitable economy that works for all Californians. 

    What they’re saying

    Jeff Negrete, Executive Director, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno: “At Catholic Charities, we’ve always been here to meet immediate needs — food, clothing, and critical support in moments of crisis. But this grant allows us to do something more. It gives us the opportunity to offer a true hand up. Our mission calls us to serve, advocate for, and empower those in need, and this program truly brings empowerment to life. With this workforce development program, we can help people take real steps forward — to find meaningful work, to experience the power of the paycheck, and to help them gain the tools necessary to shape a better future.”

    Will Oliver, President & CEO, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation: “We’re thrilled to receive this EDD grant. It’s a critical investment that will allow us to expand access to high-quality careers, providing vital talent for our growing businesses and ensuring job seekers from social enterprises can step into good-paying, sustainable employment.”

    Kerry Doi, PACE President & CEO: “TEACH Track represents an intentional investment in the people and future of Los Angeles. By connecting underserved job seekers to meaningful, quality careers in early childhood education, we are strengthening families, the workforce, and the community.”

    Elisabeth White, Founder, Plan of Action: “Our mission is to open doors for autistic talent in the creative industries by building an inclusive, industry-focused employment pipeline. By bringing animation jobs back to Los Angeles, we’re showcasing the outstanding talents and contributions of neurodiverse individuals.”

    Jessica Filbrun, CEO Stanislaus Equity Partners: “We have a unique mission and opportunity, through California Employment Development Department’s Social Enterprise Grant to catalyze social enterprise incubation, increase job training models, and create employment opportunities. This truly mobilizes regional partnerships to develop creative, low-cost housing solutions through the development of a regional San Joaquin Valley modular home manufacturing facility.”

    Maria Kim, President & CEO, REDF: “This program goes beyond just creating jobs; these grantee organizations help restore dignity, expand opportunity, and build a more inclusive economy. Inspired by the ESE [Employment Social Enterprise] model that leverages the power of real work experiences as a critical first step, the California Employment Social Enterprise WIOA program supports 6 innovative organizations as they unlock economic mobility and workforce equity for some of our most vulnerable Californians. REDF is honored to help these organizations to grow and to surface economic mobility models that can be inspiration for the field.”

    Employment social enterprise program awardees

    • Fresno County: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno, $1.91 million; The Economic Development Corporation Serving Fresno County, $1.7 million
    • Los Angeles County: Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, $1.91 million; Plan of Action, $833,829
    • Riverside County: Inland Southern California 211+, $1.73 million
    • Stanislaus County: Stanislaus Equity Partners, $1.91 million
    • Statewide: REDF, $978,735

    An additional $1 million has been awarded to REDF to provide technical assistance and strengthen collaboration among the six awardees, share best practices, and support program development and implementation.

    These grants are funded under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Governor’s Discretionary funds and are 100 percent federally funded by two separate awards totaling $9,999, $199.53, and $978,735.71 respectively, from the U.S. Department of Labor.

    Recent news

    Jul 11, 2025

    News What you need to know: As part of California’s strategy to combat homelessness and expand housing, Governor Gavin Newsom is reorganizing state agencies to institutionalize housing, homelessness, and affordability as long-term priorities. The reorganization…

    Jul 10, 2025

    News What you need to know: To help mark Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, the First Partner visits an apprenticeship program that is helping opportunity youth—including women of color—break into careers in Hollywood’s below-the-line workforce. LOS ANGELES—First Partner…

    Jul 10, 2025

    News What you need to know: In the second quarter of 2025, the state’s cross-agency enforcement efforts – including UCETF’s largest operation to date – resulted in the seizure of 185,873 pounds of illicit cannabis product valued at $476 million. Sacramento, California…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How citizenship chaos was averted, for now, by a class action injunction against Trump’s birthright citizenship order

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Julie Novkov, Professor of Political Science and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies, University at Albany, State University of New York

    Protesters support birthright citizenship on May 15, 2025, outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

    Legal battles over President Donald Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship continued on July 10, 2025, after a New Hampshire federal district judge issued a preliminary injunction that will, if it’s not reversed, prevent federal officials from enforcing the order nationally.

    The ruling by U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante, a George W. Bush appointee, asserts that this policy of “highly questionable constitutionality … constitutes irreparable harm.”

    In its ruling in late June, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to deny citizenship to infants born to undocumented parents in many parts of the nation where individuals or states had not successfully sued to prevent implementation – including a number of mid-Atlantic, Midwest and Southern states.

    Trump’s executive order limits U.S. citizenship by birth to those who have at least one parent who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. It denies citizenship to those born to undocumented people within the U.S. and to the children of those on student, work, tourist and certain other types of visas.

    The preliminary injunction is on hold for seven days to allow the Trump administration to appeal.

    The June 27 Supreme Court decision on birthright citizenship limited the ability of lower-court judges to issue universal injunctions to block such executive orders nationwide.

    Laplante was able to avoid that limit on issuing a nationwide injunction by certifying the case as a class action lawsuit encompassing all children affected by the birthright order, following a pathway suggested by the Supreme Court’s ruling.

    Pathways beyond universal injunctions

    In its recent birthright citizenship ruling, Trump v. CASA, the Supreme Court noted that plaintiffs could still seek broad relief by filing such class action lawsuits that would join together large groups of individuals facing the same injury from the law they were challenging.

    And that’s what happened.

    Litigants filed suit in New Hampshire’s district court the same day that the Supreme Court decided CASA. They asked the court to certify a class consisting of infants born on or after Feb. 20, 2025, who would be covered by the order and their parents or prospective parents. The court allowed the suit to proceed as a class action for these infants.

    President Donald Trump takes questions on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C., after the Supreme Court ruled on the birthright citizenship case.
    Joe Raedle/Getty Images

    What if this injunction doesn’t stick?

    If the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit or the Supreme Court invalidates the New Hampshire court’s newest national injunction and another injunction is not issued in a different venue, the order will then go into effect anywhere it is not currently barred from doing so. Implementation could begin in as many as 28 states where state attorneys general have not challenged the Trump birthright citizenship policy if no other individuals or groups secure relief.

    As political science scholars who study race and immigration policy, we believe that, if implemented piecemeal, Trump’s birthright citizenship order would create administrative chaos for states determining the citizenship status of infants born in the United States. And it could lead to the first instances since the 1860s of infants being born in the U.S. being denied citizenship categorically.

    States’ role in establishing citizenship

    Almost all U.S.-born children are issued birth certificates by the state in which they are born.

    The federal government’s standardized form, the U.S. standard certificate of live birth, collects data on parents’ birthplaces and their Social Security numbers, if available, and provides the information states need to issue birth certificates.

    But it does not ask questions about their citizenship or immigration status. And no national standard exists for the format for state birth certificates, which traditionally have been the simplest way for people born in the U.S. to establish citizenship.

    If Trump’s executive order goes into effect, birth certificates issued by local hospitals would be insufficient evidence of eligibility for federal government documents acknowledging citizenship. The order would require new efforts, including identification of parents’ citizenship status, before authorizing the issuance of any federal document acknowledging citizenship.

    Since states control the process of issuing birth certificates, they will respond differently to implementation efforts. Several states filed a lawsuit on Jan. 21 to block the birthright citizenship order. And they will likely pursue an arsenal of strategies to resist, delay and complicate implementation.

    While the Supreme Court has not yet confirmed that these states have standing to challenge the order, successful litigation could bar implementation in up to 18 states and the District of Columbia if injunctions are narrowly framed, or nationally if lawyers can persuade judges that disentangling the effects on a state-by-state basis will be too difficult.

    Other states will likely collaborate with the administration to deny citizenship to some infants. Some, like Texas, had earlier attempted to make it particularly hard for undocumented parents to obtain birth certificates for their children.

    People demonstrate outside the Supreme Court of the United States on May 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
    Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images

    Potential for chaos

    If the Supreme Court rejects attempts to block the executive order nationally again, implementation will be complicated.

    That’s because it would operate in some places and toward some individuals while being legally blocked in other places and toward others, as Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned in her Trump v. CASA dissent.

    Children born to plaintiffs anywhere in the nation who have successfully sued would have access to citizenship, while other children possibly born in the same hospitals – but not among the groups named in the suits – would not.

    Babies born in the days before implementation would have substantially different rights than those born the day after. Parents’ ethnicity and countries of origin would likely influence which infants are ultimately granted or denied citizenship.

    That’s because some infants and parents would be more likely to generate scrutiny from hospital employees and officials than others, including Hispanics, women giving birth near the border, and women giving birth in states such as Florida where officials are likely to collaborate enthusiastically with enforcement.

    The consequences could be profound.

    Some infants would become stateless, having no right to citizenship in another nation. Many people born in the U.S. would be denied government benefits, Social Security numbers and the ability to work legally in the U.S.

    With the constitutionality of the executive order still unresolved, it’s unclear when, if ever, some infants born in the U.S. will be the first in the modern era to be denied citizenship.

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

    – ref. How citizenship chaos was averted, for now, by a class action injunction against Trump’s birthright citizenship order – https://theconversation.com/how-citizenship-chaos-was-averted-for-now-by-a-class-action-injunction-against-trumps-birthright-citizenship-order-260175

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE experts assessed the “cost” of options for developing legislation on digital platforms and proposed an optimum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Government of Canada Invests in Renewable Energy, Carbon Capture and Grid Modernization in the Maritimes

    Source: Government of Canada News

    On July 11, 2025, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced close to $16 million in federal funding for energy projects in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.

    Energy Innovation Program – Smart Grid Demonstration

    The Energy Innovation Program (EIP) supports research, development, demonstration and related scientific activities that advance clean energy technologies. These investments help Canada meet its climate targets and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.

    Projects funded under the Smart Grid Demonstration Call for Proposals showcase innovative smart-grid technologies, solutions and market or contract mechanisms.

    Project name: Advanced Distribution Grid Management    
    Recipient: Nova Scotia Power Inc.    
    Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Funding amount: $6,000,000    
    Description: This project will demonstrate three new distribution grid technologies to modernize Nova Scotia Power’s electricity distribution network.  

    Project name: Advanced Digital Distribution System Operator
    Recipient: Saint John Energy Inc.
    Location: Saint John, New Brunswick
    Funding amount: $5,250,000
    Description: This project will modernize electricity distribution in the City of Saint John through intelligent grid management systems and bring cost savings and improved service reliability to approximately 36,000 Saint John Energy customers.

    Project name: Charlottetown Grid Modernization Project  
    Recipient: Maritime Electric Company Ltd.    
    Location: Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
    Funding amount: $2,000,000
    Description: This project seeks to demonstrate the integration of smart-grid technology through the public cellular network in Charlottetown.  

    Project name: Regionally Integrated Smart Meter Platform Enabling Load Shifting Coincident with Excess Renewables    
    Recipient: Alternative Resource Energy Authority    
    Location: Antigonish, Nova Scotia    
    Funding amount: $875,000    
    Description: This project will better align end-user electricity demand with municipally owned renewable production. By leveraging advanced metering infrastructure, new customer rate structures and a collaborative model for intelligent grid management, the project aims to reduce costs for approximately 3,500 customers.

    Energy Innovation Program – Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage

    The EIP’s Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Call for Proposals aims to advance the commercial viability of CCUS technologies.

    Project name: A Regulatory Roadmap for Offshore Carbon Storage in Atlantic Canada
    Recipient: Dalhousie University
    Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
    Funding amount: $704,089
    Description: This project will develop a roadmap for policies and regulations to better support a regulatory framework for offshore carbon storage, paving the way for innovation that will help offshore industries reduce emissions. 

     

    Indigenous Natural Resource Partnerships

     

    The program aims to increase the economic participation of Indigenous communities and organizations in the development of natural resource projects that support the transition to a clean energy futuren.

    Project name: Dartmouth Solar Power Generation Project
    Recipient: Millbrook First Nation 
    Location: Millbrook First Nation (near Truro, Nova Scotia)
    Funding amount: $1,011,880
    Description: Millbrook First Nation, in collaboration with Imperial Oil, intends to repurpose idled tank lots that have remained vacant since Imperial’s terminal was converted from a refinery in 2014. This project involves the delivery of a solar farm with photovoltaic solar arrays and potentially energy storage that will be majority-owned and operated by Millbrook First Nation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Projecting Accelerated Erosion of O‘ahu’s Shorelines

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Hawai‘i’s iconic beaches—essential to the state’s identity, economy, and ecosystems—are disappearing faster than previously predicted. New projections of shoreline change by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and USGS finds that 81% of sandy shorelines on the island of O‘ahu could be lost by the end of the century, with nearly 40% of that loss occurring within just the next five years.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Projecting Accelerated Erosion of O‘ahu’s Shorelines

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Hawai‘i’s iconic beaches—essential to the state’s identity, economy, and ecosystems—are disappearing faster than previously predicted. New projections of shoreline change by the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and USGS finds that 81% of sandy shorelines on the island of O‘ahu could be lost by the end of the century, with nearly 40% of that loss occurring within just the next five years.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-26 Events Announced at Olympic Venues

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today highlighted the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority’s fall and winter 2025-2026 events schedule featuring eight World Cups and National Championship events taking place at legacy venues in Lake Placid. The announcement follows the recent news that Lake Placid was awarded the 2029 FIL World Championships.

    “New York State’s commitment to winter sport and the Olympic Movement is highly recognized internationally.” Governor Hochul said. “We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the globe as they begin their final preparations on the road to the Olympics.”

    The 2025-2026 major events schedule features a dynamic mix of returning events and exciting debuts across multiple sports disciplines, made possible by New York State’s investment in the Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) venues. The winter sports events take on added importance as part of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games season. Highlights of the Olympic Authority’s 2025-2026 schedule include:

    • WHOOP UCI Mountain Biking World Series: October 3-5, 2025
    • ISU Skate America: November 14-16, 2025
    • FIS Ski Jumping World Cup: December 12-14, 2025
    • FIL Luge World Cup: December 19-21, 2025
    • International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cup: February 23-March 8, 2026
    • ECAC Hockey Women’s Championships: March 6-7, 2026
    • FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals: March 19-22, 2026
    • ECAC Hockey Men’s Championships: March 20-21, 2026

    WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, October 3-5

    The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series expands this year to include men’s and women’s downhill racing at Whiteface Mountain in addition to Cross-country World Cups at Mt Van Hoevenberg.

    International Skating Union (ISU) Skate America, November 14-16

    ISU Skate America returns to the Lake Placid Olympic Center’s Herb Brooks Arena—the site of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” and the inaugural Skate America in 1979 — for the first time since 2017. Part of the ISU Grand Prix series, this three-day event features top figure skaters from the U.S. and worldwide competing in women’s, men’s, pairs, and ice dance.

    International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup, December 12-14

    World Cup ski jumping returns to Lake Placid’s Olympic Jumping Complex for the fourth consecutive season. February 2025 marked the first-ever women’s individual World Cup event in the United States. This year’s competition features men’s, women’s, and mixed team events.

    International Luge Federation (FIL) World Cup, December 19-21, 2025

    Mt Van Hoevenberg is the third stop on the 2025-2026 FIL World Cup calendar as the world’s best men’s and women’s luge athletes look to accumulate World Cup points for the season and secure spots in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

    International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cup, February 23-March 8, 2026

    Mt Van Hoevenberg’s biathlon facility was upgraded for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games and now welcomes the IBU Cup, bringing top international biathletes to compete in Lake Placid for the first time since it last hosted a World Cup in 2004.

    ECAC Hockey Women’s Championships: March 6-7, 2026; ECAC Hockey Men’s Championships: March 20-21, 2026
    The ECAC Women’s Championship debuts in Lake Placid on March 6-7, featuring the final four teams competing for an ECAC tournament title and an NCAA bid. Two weeks later, the men’s tournament returns to the Herb Brooks Arena for the 22nd time.

    International Ski Federation (FIS) Cross-Country World Cup Finals, March 19-22, 2026
    The Cross-Country Skiing World Cup returns to Mt Van Hoevenberg for the first time since 1979 a few weeks after the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Following the success of the Stifel Loppet Cup in Minneapolis in 2024, Lake Placid became just the second U.S. venue to host a cross-country skiing World Cup since 2001.

    Other 2025-2026 events include: Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships & International (July 27–31), USA Hockey Women’s National Festival (August 3–9), World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships (October 8–12), U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined National Championships (October 11–12), Adirondack Invitational (November 28-29), United States Biathlon Association (IBU) Junior Team Selections (December 26–31), International Bobsled & Skeleton (IBSF) North American Cup (January 2–10), Empire State Winter Games (February 5-8), US Ski Team Hole Shot (February 9-13), United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) National Championships (March 9–14), and IBSF Development School / NAC (March 9–22).

    Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre Mountains will also host a variety of alpine and freeride ski races, including Eastern Cups, North American Cups (NorAm), International Ski Federation (FIS) events, and United States Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) competitions. These events will attract athletes from regional, national, and international levels.

    The Olympic Center will welcome over 9,500 attendees to 25 conferences at the Lake Placid Conference Center. In addition, nearly every weekend is booked with youth and adult hockey tournaments, which deliver consistent economic returns. These events, spanning multiple days, drive lodging, dining, and retail activity across the region. In 2024-2025, Can/Am Hockey tournaments alone attracted approximately 25,000 multi-day visitors — many during the traditionally slower shoulder seasons — underscoring the critical role of sports tourism in sustaining year-round economic vitality.

    Each year, over 2,500 elite-level athletes utilize the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and thousands of athletes, coaches, and support staff utilize the Lake Placid venues annually, reinforcing Lake Placid’s role as a premier hub for high-performance training and athletic development.

    While the Olympic Authority has long served as a winter tourism engine, the support, and initiatives over the past decade by the State of New York have transformed it into a four-season catalyst for economic growth. Through strategic enhancements in Olympic Authority venues, New York has reasserted itself as a global leader in winter and outdoor recreation. These enhancements have already fueled over 1.18 million visits annually — with steady year-over-year increases — generating widespread economic benefits for the North Country and beyond. Notably, the Olympic Authority was also awarded Plan B backup status for sliding events, underscoring the international recognition of its world-class facilities, although this designation was not activated.

    New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Ashley Walden said, “These events are a testament to the enduring legacy of Lake Placid and their importance to our region. The record number of major competitions this season showcases how our Olympic legacy venues continue to drive world-class training and competition across multiple sport disciplines — all right here in the North Country.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s commitment to tourism and the greater Adirondack economy, coupled with the state’s strategic investments in the Olympic Authority venues, New York will continue to host world-class competitions that welcome athletes and fans from around the globe. These events will encourage more visitors to experience Lake Placid and the surrounding communities, which supports small businesses and helps to generate regional economic growth.”

    About the Olympic Regional Development Authority
    Established in 1982, the Olympic Regional Development Authority was created by the State of New York following the 1980 Olympic Winter Games to manage, market, maintain, and provide first-class facilities for training and competitions at all venues. The Olympic Authority facilities include Mt Van Hoevenberg, the Olympic Center, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and three ski areas: Belleayre Mountain, Gore Mountain, and Whiteface Mountain, as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, the U.S. Luge Association facility, and the Olympic Authority’s Corporate offices in Lake Placid. The Olympic Authority manages the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and Lake Placid Conference Center.

    The organization and its mission are still firmly in place today, providing an economic engine for the entire region through increased tourism and jobs. The Olympic Authority has a proven track record of orchestrating large-scale international events. The organization’s multi-faceted management team oversees a spectrum of crucial planning and support functions and will be an invaluable supporting partner to ensure the smooth execution of the sliding events.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 2025-26 Events Announced at Olympic Venues

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today highlighted the New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority’s fall and winter 2025-2026 events schedule featuring eight World Cups and National Championship events taking place at legacy venues in Lake Placid. The announcement follows the recent news that Lake Placid was awarded the 2029 FIL World Championships.

    “New York State’s commitment to winter sport and the Olympic Movement is highly recognized internationally.” Governor Hochul said. “We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the globe as they begin their final preparations on the road to the Olympics.”

    The 2025-2026 major events schedule features a dynamic mix of returning events and exciting debuts across multiple sports disciplines, made possible by New York State’s investment in the Olympic Regional Development Authority (Olympic Authority) venues. The winter sports events take on added importance as part of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games season. Highlights of the Olympic Authority’s 2025-2026 schedule include:

    • WHOOP UCI Mountain Biking World Series: October 3-5, 2025
    • ISU Skate America: November 14-16, 2025
    • FIS Ski Jumping World Cup: December 12-14, 2025
    • FIL Luge World Cup: December 19-21, 2025
    • International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cup: February 23-March 8, 2026
    • ECAC Hockey Women’s Championships: March 6-7, 2026
    • FIS Cross-Country World Cup Finals: March 19-22, 2026
    • ECAC Hockey Men’s Championships: March 20-21, 2026

    WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, October 3-5

    The WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series expands this year to include men’s and women’s downhill racing at Whiteface Mountain in addition to Cross-country World Cups at Mt Van Hoevenberg.

    International Skating Union (ISU) Skate America, November 14-16

    ISU Skate America returns to the Lake Placid Olympic Center’s Herb Brooks Arena—the site of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” and the inaugural Skate America in 1979 — for the first time since 2017. Part of the ISU Grand Prix series, this three-day event features top figure skaters from the U.S. and worldwide competing in women’s, men’s, pairs, and ice dance.

    International Ski Federation (FIS) Ski Jumping World Cup, December 12-14

    World Cup ski jumping returns to Lake Placid’s Olympic Jumping Complex for the fourth consecutive season. February 2025 marked the first-ever women’s individual World Cup event in the United States. This year’s competition features men’s, women’s, and mixed team events.

    International Luge Federation (FIL) World Cup, December 19-21, 2025

    Mt Van Hoevenberg is the third stop on the 2025-2026 FIL World Cup calendar as the world’s best men’s and women’s luge athletes look to accumulate World Cup points for the season and secure spots in the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.

    International Biathlon Union (IBU) Cup, February 23-March 8, 2026

    Mt Van Hoevenberg’s biathlon facility was upgraded for the Lake Placid 2023 FISU World University Games and now welcomes the IBU Cup, bringing top international biathletes to compete in Lake Placid for the first time since it last hosted a World Cup in 2004.

    ECAC Hockey Women’s Championships: March 6-7, 2026; ECAC Hockey Men’s Championships: March 20-21, 2026
    The ECAC Women’s Championship debuts in Lake Placid on March 6-7, featuring the final four teams competing for an ECAC tournament title and an NCAA bid. Two weeks later, the men’s tournament returns to the Herb Brooks Arena for the 22nd time.

    International Ski Federation (FIS) Cross-Country World Cup Finals, March 19-22, 2026
    The Cross-Country Skiing World Cup returns to Mt Van Hoevenberg for the first time since 1979 a few weeks after the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Following the success of the Stifel Loppet Cup in Minneapolis in 2024, Lake Placid became just the second U.S. venue to host a cross-country skiing World Cup since 2001.

    Other 2025-2026 events include: Lake Placid Ice Dance Championships & International (July 27–31), USA Hockey Women’s National Festival (August 3–9), World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships (October 8–12), U.S. Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined National Championships (October 11–12), Adirondack Invitational (November 28-29), United States Biathlon Association (IBU) Junior Team Selections (December 26–31), International Bobsled & Skeleton (IBSF) North American Cup (January 2–10), Empire State Winter Games (February 5-8), US Ski Team Hole Shot (February 9-13), United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) National Championships (March 9–14), and IBSF Development School / NAC (March 9–22).

    Whiteface, Gore, and Belleayre Mountains will also host a variety of alpine and freeride ski races, including Eastern Cups, North American Cups (NorAm), International Ski Federation (FIS) events, and United States Ski & Snowboard Association (USSA) competitions. These events will attract athletes from regional, national, and international levels.

    The Olympic Center will welcome over 9,500 attendees to 25 conferences at the Lake Placid Conference Center. In addition, nearly every weekend is booked with youth and adult hockey tournaments, which deliver consistent economic returns. These events, spanning multiple days, drive lodging, dining, and retail activity across the region. In 2024-2025, Can/Am Hockey tournaments alone attracted approximately 25,000 multi-day visitors — many during the traditionally slower shoulder seasons — underscoring the critical role of sports tourism in sustaining year-round economic vitality.

    Each year, over 2,500 elite-level athletes utilize the United States Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and thousands of athletes, coaches, and support staff utilize the Lake Placid venues annually, reinforcing Lake Placid’s role as a premier hub for high-performance training and athletic development.

    While the Olympic Authority has long served as a winter tourism engine, the support, and initiatives over the past decade by the State of New York have transformed it into a four-season catalyst for economic growth. Through strategic enhancements in Olympic Authority venues, New York has reasserted itself as a global leader in winter and outdoor recreation. These enhancements have already fueled over 1.18 million visits annually — with steady year-over-year increases — generating widespread economic benefits for the North Country and beyond. Notably, the Olympic Authority was also awarded Plan B backup status for sliding events, underscoring the international recognition of its world-class facilities, although this designation was not activated.

    New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority President and CEO Ashley Walden said, “These events are a testament to the enduring legacy of Lake Placid and their importance to our region. The record number of major competitions this season showcases how our Olympic legacy venues continue to drive world-class training and competition across multiple sport disciplines — all right here in the North Country.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s commitment to tourism and the greater Adirondack economy, coupled with the state’s strategic investments in the Olympic Authority venues, New York will continue to host world-class competitions that welcome athletes and fans from around the globe. These events will encourage more visitors to experience Lake Placid and the surrounding communities, which supports small businesses and helps to generate regional economic growth.”

    About the Olympic Regional Development Authority
    Established in 1982, the Olympic Regional Development Authority was created by the State of New York following the 1980 Olympic Winter Games to manage, market, maintain, and provide first-class facilities for training and competitions at all venues. The Olympic Authority facilities include Mt Van Hoevenberg, the Olympic Center, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and three ski areas: Belleayre Mountain, Gore Mountain, and Whiteface Mountain, as well as the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center, the U.S. Luge Association facility, and the Olympic Authority’s Corporate offices in Lake Placid. The Olympic Authority manages the Lake Placid Olympic Museum and Lake Placid Conference Center.

    The organization and its mission are still firmly in place today, providing an economic engine for the entire region through increased tourism and jobs. The Olympic Authority has a proven track record of orchestrating large-scale international events. The organization’s multi-faceted management team oversees a spectrum of crucial planning and support functions and will be an invaluable supporting partner to ensure the smooth execution of the sliding events.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Five Gubernatorial Appointments

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 11, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced four appointments to various boards and filled one county vacancy.

    Nelson Dinsmore, of Meadville, was appointed as the Linn County Presiding Commissioner.

    Mr. Dinsmore is the co-owner and general manager of Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc, and is a Missouri Certified Crop Advisor. Dinsmore, born and raised in Linn County, remains active in his community, having served on the Meadville Board of Alderman and the Meadville R-IV School Board. Dinsmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Agronomy from Missouri Western State University.

    Heather Hall, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

    Ms. Hall previously served as Kansas City Missouri’s 1st District Councilwoman, where she advocated for the men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. She also previously served on the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners. Hall has been highly involved in several organizations in the Kansas City community, including Veterans Community Project and Variety KC. Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Kansas State University.

    Jim Martin, of Perryville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

    Mr. Martin is a United States Army veteran and retired instructor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. Martin currently serves as president and director at River TREE Partnership in Perryville, working in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as board president for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield. Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University.

    Ken McClure, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

    Mr. McClure previously served as the Mayor of the City of Springfield. Prior to his service to the city, McClure was the vice president for administrative and information services at Missouri State University. McClure, a veteran, has served in multiple levels of city and state government, including service at the City Utilities of Springfield, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and as Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt. McClure earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.

    Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force.

    Dr. Prater is a physician and partner at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center in Springfield. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council. He was also a member of the Springfield R-12 Board of Education from 1998 to 2014. Dr. Prater is an active member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Five Gubernatorial Appointments

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 11, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced four appointments to various boards and filled one county vacancy.

    Nelson Dinsmore, of Meadville, was appointed as the Linn County Presiding Commissioner.

    Mr. Dinsmore is the co-owner and general manager of Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc, and is a Missouri Certified Crop Advisor. Dinsmore, born and raised in Linn County, remains active in his community, having served on the Meadville Board of Alderman and the Meadville R-IV School Board. Dinsmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Agronomy from Missouri Western State University.

    Heather Hall, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

    Ms. Hall previously served as Kansas City Missouri’s 1st District Councilwoman, where she advocated for the men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. She also previously served on the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners. Hall has been highly involved in several organizations in the Kansas City community, including Veterans Community Project and Variety KC. Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Kansas State University.

    Jim Martin, of Perryville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

    Mr. Martin is a United States Army veteran and retired instructor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. Martin currently serves as president and director at River TREE Partnership in Perryville, working in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as board president for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield. Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University.

    Ken McClure, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

    Mr. McClure previously served as the Mayor of the City of Springfield. Prior to his service to the city, McClure was the vice president for administrative and information services at Missouri State University. McClure, a veteran, has served in multiple levels of city and state government, including service at the City Utilities of Springfield, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and as Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt. McClure earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.

    Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force.

    Dr. Prater is a physician and partner at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center in Springfield. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council. He was also a member of the Springfield R-12 Board of Education from 1998 to 2014. Dr. Prater is an active member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Kehoe Announces Five Gubernatorial Appointments

    Source: US State of Missouri

    JULY 11, 2025

    Jefferson City — Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced four appointments to various boards and filled one county vacancy.

    Nelson Dinsmore, of Meadville, was appointed as the Linn County Presiding Commissioner.

    Mr. Dinsmore is the co-owner and general manager of Butterfield & Associates Grain, Inc, and is a Missouri Certified Crop Advisor. Dinsmore, born and raised in Linn County, remains active in his community, having served on the Meadville Board of Alderman and the Meadville R-IV School Board. Dinsmore earned a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science & Agronomy from Missouri Western State University.

    Heather Hall, of Kansas City, was appointed to the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners.

    Ms. Hall previously served as Kansas City Missouri’s 1st District Councilwoman, where she advocated for the men and women of the Kansas City Police Department. She also previously served on the Clay County Board of Election Commissioners. Hall has been highly involved in several organizations in the Kansas City community, including Veterans Community Project and Variety KC. Hall earned her Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Public Relations from Kansas State University.

    Jim Martin, of Perryville, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

    Mr. Martin is a United States Army veteran and retired instructor for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education – Missouri Schools for the Severely Disabled. Martin currently serves as president and director at River TREE Partnership in Perryville, working in strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. He previously served as board president for the Stars and Stripes National Museum and Library in Bloomfield. Martin earned a Bachelor of Science from Southeast Missouri State University.

    Ken McClure, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri Ethics Commission.

    Mr. McClure previously served as the Mayor of the City of Springfield. Prior to his service to the city, McClure was the vice president for administrative and information services at Missouri State University. McClure, a veteran, has served in multiple levels of city and state government, including service at the City Utilities of Springfield, the Missouri Public Service Commission, and as Chief of Staff for Governor Matt Blunt. McClure earned his master’s degree from the University of Missouri and his bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University.

    Dr. Thomas Prater, of Springfield, was appointed to the Missouri School Funding Modernization Task Force.

    Dr. Prater is a physician and partner at Mattax-Neu-Prater Eye Center in Springfield. From 2016 to 2020, he served as the Zone 2 Councilman on the Springfield City Council. He was also a member of the Springfield R-12 Board of Education from 1998 to 2014. Dr. Prater is an active member of the Missouri State Medical Society and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The forgotten 80-year-old machine that shaped the internet – and could help us survive AI

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Martin Rudorfer, Lecturer in Computer Science, Aston University

    Many years ago, long before the internet or artificial intelligence, an American engineer called Vannevar Bush was trying to solve a problem. He could see how difficult it had become for professionals to research anything, and saw the potential for a better way.

    This was in the 1940s, when anyone looking for articles, books or other scientific records had to go to a library and search through an index. This meant drawers upon drawers filled with index cards, typically sorted by author, title or subject.

    When you had found what you were looking for, creating copies or excerpts was a tedious, manual task. You would have to be very organised in keeping your own records. And woe betide anyone who was working across more than one discipline. Since every book could physically only be in one place, they all had to be filed solely under a primary subject. So an article on cave art couldn’t be in both art and archaeology, and researchers would often waste extra time trying to find the right location.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    This had always been a challenge, but an explosion in research publications in that era had made it far worse than before. As Bush wrote in an influential essay, As We May Think, in The Atlantic in July 1945:

    There is a growing mountain of research. But there is increased evidence that we are being bogged down today as specialisation extends. The investigator is staggered by the findings and conclusions of thousands of other workers – conclusions which he cannot find time to grasp, much less to remember, as they appear.

    Bush was dean of the school of engineering at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and president of the Carnegie Institute. During the second world war, he had been the director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, coordinating the activities of some 6,000 scientists working relentlessly to give their country a technological advantage. He could see that science was being drastically slowed down by the research process, and proposed a solution that he called the “memex”.

    The memex was to be a personal device built into a desk that required little physical space. It would rely heavily on microfilm for data storage, a new technology at the time. The memex would use this to store large numbers of documents in a greatly compressed format that could be projected onto translucent screens.

    Most importantly, Bush’s memex was to include a form of associative indexing for tying two items together. The user would be able to use a keyboard to click on a code number alongside a document to jump to an associated document or view them simultaneously – without needing to sift through an index.

    Bush acknowledged in his essay that this kind of keyboard click-through wasn’t yet technologically feasible. Yet he believed it would be soon, pointing to existing systems for handling data such as punched cards as potential forerunners.

    Punched cards were an early way of storing digital information.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    He envisaged that a user would create the connections between items as they developed their personal research library, creating chains of microfilm frames in which the same document or extract could be part of multiple trails at the same time.

    New additions could be inserted either by photographing them on to microfilm or by purchasing a microfilm of an existing document. Indeed, a user would be able to augment their memex with vast reference texts. “New forms of encyclopedias will appear,” said Bush, “ready-made with a mesh of associative trails running through them, ready to be dropped into the memex”. Fascinatingly, this isn’t far from today’s Wikipedia.

    Where it led

    Bush thought the memex would help researchers to think in a more natural, associative way that would be reflected in their records. He is thought to have inspired the American inventors Ted Nelson and Douglas Engelbart, who in the 1960s independently developed hypertext systems, in which documents contained hyperlinks that could directly access other documents. These became the foundation of the world wide web as we know it.

    Beyond the practicalities of having easy access to so much information, Bush believed that the added value in the memex lay in making it easier for users to manipulate ideas and spark new ones. His essay drew a distinction between repetitive and creative thought, and foresaw that there would soon be new “powerful mechanical aids” to help with the repetitive variety.

    He was perhaps mostly thinking about mathematics, but he left the door open to other thought processes. And 80 years later, with AI in our pockets, we’re automating far more thinking than was ever possible with a calculator.

    If this sounds like a happy ending, Bush did not sound overly optimistic when he revisited his own vision in his 1970 book Pieces of the Action. In the intervening 25 years, he had witnessed technological advances in areas like computing that were bringing the memex closer to reality.

    Yet Bush felt that the technology had largely missed the philosophical intent of his vision – to enhance human reasoning and creativity:

    In 1945, I dreamed of machines that would think with us. Now, I see machines that think for us – or worse, control us.

    Bush would die just four years later at the age of 84, but these concerns still feel strikingly relevant today. While it’s great that we do not need to search for a book by flipping through index cards in chests of drawers, we might feel more uneasy about machines doing most of the thinking for us.

    Just 80 years after Bush proposed the Memex, AIs on smartphones are an everyday thing.
    jackpress

    Is this technology enhancing and sharpening our skills, or is it making us lazy? No doubt everyone is different, but the danger is that whatever skills we leave to the machines, we eventually lose, and younger generations may not even get the opportunity to learn them in the first place.

    The lesson from As We May Think is that a purely technical solution like the memex is not enough. Technology still needs to be human-centred, underpinned by a philosophical vision. As we contemplate a great automation in human thinking in the years ahead, the challenge is to somehow protect our creativity and reasoning at the same time.

    Martin Rudorfer 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 forgotten 80-year-old machine that shaped the internet – and could help us survive AI – https://theconversation.com/the-forgotten-80-year-old-machine-that-shaped-the-internet-and-could-help-us-survive-ai-260839

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The forgotten 80-year-old machine that shaped the internet – and could help us survive AI

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Martin Rudorfer, Lecturer in Computer Science, Aston University

    Many years ago, long before the internet or artificial intelligence, an American engineer called Vannevar Bush was trying to solve a problem. He could see how difficult it had become for professionals to research anything, and saw the potential for a better way.

    This was in the 1940s, when anyone looking for articles, books or other scientific records had to go to a library and search through an index. This meant drawers upon drawers filled with index cards, typically sorted by author, title or subject.

    When you had found what you were looking for, creating copies or excerpts was a tedious, manual task. You would have to be very organised in keeping your own records. And woe betide anyone who was working across more than one discipline. Since every book could physically only be in one place, they all had to be filed solely under a primary subject. So an article on cave art couldn’t be in both art and archaeology, and researchers would often waste extra time trying to find the right location.

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    This had always been a challenge, but an explosion in research publications in that era had made it far worse than before. As Bush wrote in an influential essay, As We May Think, in The Atlantic in July 1945:

    There is a growing mountain of research. But there is increased evidence that we are being bogged down today as specialisation extends. The investigator is staggered by the findings and conclusions of thousands of other workers – conclusions which he cannot find time to grasp, much less to remember, as they appear.

    Bush was dean of the school of engineering at MIT (the Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and president of the Carnegie Institute. During the second world war, he had been the director of the Office of Scientific Research and Development, coordinating the activities of some 6,000 scientists working relentlessly to give their country a technological advantage. He could see that science was being drastically slowed down by the research process, and proposed a solution that he called the “memex”.

    The memex was to be a personal device built into a desk that required little physical space. It would rely heavily on microfilm for data storage, a new technology at the time. The memex would use this to store large numbers of documents in a greatly compressed format that could be projected onto translucent screens.

    Most importantly, Bush’s memex was to include a form of associative indexing for tying two items together. The user would be able to use a keyboard to click on a code number alongside a document to jump to an associated document or view them simultaneously – without needing to sift through an index.

    Bush acknowledged in his essay that this kind of keyboard click-through wasn’t yet technologically feasible. Yet he believed it would be soon, pointing to existing systems for handling data such as punched cards as potential forerunners.

    Punched cards were an early way of storing digital information.
    Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    He envisaged that a user would create the connections between items as they developed their personal research library, creating chains of microfilm frames in which the same document or extract could be part of multiple trails at the same time.

    New additions could be inserted either by photographing them on to microfilm or by purchasing a microfilm of an existing document. Indeed, a user would be able to augment their memex with vast reference texts. “New forms of encyclopedias will appear,” said Bush, “ready-made with a mesh of associative trails running through them, ready to be dropped into the memex”. Fascinatingly, this isn’t far from today’s Wikipedia.

    Where it led

    Bush thought the memex would help researchers to think in a more natural, associative way that would be reflected in their records. He is thought to have inspired the American inventors Ted Nelson and Douglas Engelbart, who in the 1960s independently developed hypertext systems, in which documents contained hyperlinks that could directly access other documents. These became the foundation of the world wide web as we know it.

    Beyond the practicalities of having easy access to so much information, Bush believed that the added value in the memex lay in making it easier for users to manipulate ideas and spark new ones. His essay drew a distinction between repetitive and creative thought, and foresaw that there would soon be new “powerful mechanical aids” to help with the repetitive variety.

    He was perhaps mostly thinking about mathematics, but he left the door open to other thought processes. And 80 years later, with AI in our pockets, we’re automating far more thinking than was ever possible with a calculator.

    If this sounds like a happy ending, Bush did not sound overly optimistic when he revisited his own vision in his 1970 book Pieces of the Action. In the intervening 25 years, he had witnessed technological advances in areas like computing that were bringing the memex closer to reality.

    Yet Bush felt that the technology had largely missed the philosophical intent of his vision – to enhance human reasoning and creativity:

    In 1945, I dreamed of machines that would think with us. Now, I see machines that think for us – or worse, control us.

    Bush would die just four years later at the age of 84, but these concerns still feel strikingly relevant today. While it’s great that we do not need to search for a book by flipping through index cards in chests of drawers, we might feel more uneasy about machines doing most of the thinking for us.

    Just 80 years after Bush proposed the Memex, AIs on smartphones are an everyday thing.
    jackpress

    Is this technology enhancing and sharpening our skills, or is it making us lazy? No doubt everyone is different, but the danger is that whatever skills we leave to the machines, we eventually lose, and younger generations may not even get the opportunity to learn them in the first place.

    The lesson from As We May Think is that a purely technical solution like the memex is not enough. Technology still needs to be human-centred, underpinned by a philosophical vision. As we contemplate a great automation in human thinking in the years ahead, the challenge is to somehow protect our creativity and reasoning at the same time.

    Martin Rudorfer 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 forgotten 80-year-old machine that shaped the internet – and could help us survive AI – https://theconversation.com/the-forgotten-80-year-old-machine-that-shaped-the-internet-and-could-help-us-survive-ai-260839

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Pets can get sunburned too – what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jacqueline Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Nottingham Trent University

    While there is good awareness of the potential dangers of pets overheating in high temperatures during summer months, recognising that the sunburn itself can be a source of harm is also important.

    We might think that our furry friends are protected from the sun’s harmful rays thanks to their typical hairiness, but in reality, we need to protect them too.

    This is especially important for pets with light-coloured hair, pale, pink skin or those with fine or thin coats such as the sphynx cat or the xoloitzcuintle dog that lack natural protection.

    For pets that live outdoors or spend a lot of time in the sun, this can also be a significant problem.

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    Pink skin lacks the pigment, melanin, that provides a natural level of protection from sunlight. As a result, pets with exposed areas of pink skin can become painfully sunburned, even on days that might not appear overly sunny. The tips of cats’ ears are commonly affected, as are horses with pink muzzles and other lightly pigmented areas of their body.

    Dogs can also be affected on their noses and bellies – I have even known one unfortunate pooch to suffer sunburn on his scrotum after a period of garden sunbathing. Essentially, just like us, any unprotected area of skin that is exposed to the sun can become painfully burned, with both short and more prolonged effects.

    Even minor areas of sunburn are associated with reddening of the skin, irritation and discomfort. More severe cases of sunburn can cause blistering, crusting and scabs to form on affected areas. While these signs typically heal and resolve quickly, they can be painful and distressing for our pets.

    The longer-term consequences can include significant damage to the skin and may increase the risk of certain forms of skin cancer developing.

    There is also the potential for thermal burns to occur after exposure to intense sunlight, especially over the backs of animals. These can be severe, affecting the full thickness of the skin and causing significant distress.

    Consequently, protecting our pets from the pain of sunburn is important.

    How to protect your pet

    An easy way to keep your pet safe both from the damaging UV radiation in sunlight and high temperatures, is to limit their access outdoors during the sunniest and warmest times of the day. This might mean exercising your dog early in the morning and later in the evening, providing shade and shelter for horses and encouraging cats to sunbathe safely indoors.

    The use of sunscreen can be a useful protective method to limit harm to exposed areas of skin, but do select a pet-safe sunscreen. Many human sunscreen preparations contain ingredients that can be toxic for our pets, especially if accidentally licked and ingested.

    Reapply sunscreen regularly and don’t forget to apply it to the areas most likely to be exposed, such as ears, noses and pink-skinned or lightly coated areas of the body.

    For some pets, suitable protective clothing and coverings, including UV eye protection might be appropriate, although do take time to get your pet used to wearing and moving in these before use.

    What if your pet has been sunburned?

    If your pet gets a mild sunburn but seems comfortable and not in distress, a cold compress can offer some soothing relief. Gently apply it to the affected area to help ease discomfort. Keep a close eye on the healing process, and be sure to protect your pet from further sun exposure.

    In more severe cases, contact your vet for advice and additional treatment. Painkillers or antibiotics might be needed and these can only be prescribed for your pet by a veterinary surgeon.

    Equally, if you find unusual areas on your pet’s skin such as non-healing or unusually crusty sores and are concerned that it could be a sign of skin cancer, speak to your vet for guidance and support.

    Global UV levels are increasing. This means that in the same way that we have increased exposure to potentially harmful levels, our pets do too. By managing how our pets experience sunshine and by using protective options where possible, we can go some way to avoiding the pain and distress of sunburn, as well as the more serious possible long-term consequences such as skin cancer.

    In addition to her academic affiliation at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and support from the Institute for Knowledge Exchange Practice (IKEP) at NTU, Jacqueline Boyd is affiliated with The Kennel Club (UK) through membership, as advisor to the Health Advisory Group and membership of the Activities Committee. Jacqueline is also a full member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT #01583). She also writes, consults and coaches on canine matters on an independent basis.

    – ref. Pets can get sunburned too – what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/pets-can-get-sunburned-too-what-you-need-to-know-260076

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How citizens’ assemblies could improve animal welfare

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Heather Browning, Lecturer in Philosophy, University of Southampton

    Heather Browning speaks about animal welfare and ethics as part of the Citizens’ Assembly for Animal Welfare opening event in Birmingham. RSPCA, CC BY-NC-ND

    As an animal lover, should you visit zoos? Should you have pets? Should you make your garden friendly for birds, pollinators and other wildlife? Should you try to reduce meat in your diet or avoid consuming all animal products? Should you write to politicians about changing the laws for animals?

    As a lecturer in animal ethics and animal welfare science, and someone who’s spent a lot of time working with animals, these are the sorts of questions I think about.

    There are lots of ways to be kinder to animals. All have their merits. But the big question is: what sort of future do we want to see for animals in our society?

    We live in a time where animals are facing some of their biggest challenges, from the climate crisis to industrial farming. Combined with other social issues such as the cost of living crisis and global conflicts, we as citizens and consumers have many other competing claims on our capacity to care. This can mean less attention for animals and the harms they face.

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    This creates a big problem. Alongside the ethical reasons for improving animals’ lives, good animal welfare can benefit everyone – among other things, care for and connections with animals improves our own mental health, fosters compassion in our communities, and can lead to improvements in our natural environment. We don’t want to lose sight of the progress we’ve made in our thinking about and treatment of animals.

    It’s undeniable that there have been many welfare gains for animals over the years, but in the face of how far we still have to go, perhaps new approaches are needed. How can we conceive of new, and perhaps more radical, ways to help animals? And importantly, how do we keep animal welfare on the agenda, both socially and politically?

    For over two centuries, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has played a central role in this fight. Alongside their animal rescue work, they have campaigned for changes in over 400 laws, and worked with the public to find ways to improve welfare for pets, farmed animals and wildlife.

    This year they are stepping into a new frontier and have commissioned what is possibly the first ever citizens’ assembly focused entirely on animal welfare in the world, delivered with the assistance of experts from the New Citizen Project, a consultancy that specialises in citizen-led engagement. The assembly is part of the RSPCA’s Animal Futures project, which aims to examine what the future may hold for animals by 2050, and most importantly how everyone (citizens, consumers and policymakers) has a role in influencing this.

    Citizens’ assemblies are being held to debate animal welfare issues, such as chicken farming for eggs.
    Dewald Kirsten/Shutterstock

    Citizens’ assemblies bring together a randomly selected representative sample of the population, who learn about and debate issues and make recommendations. It’s a form of deliberative democracy, where the people can have their say on important social and political issues.

    Assemblies are a means of overcoming some of the current problems with the democratic process, like the exclusion of people who often aren’t heard in politics (such as those with less money or education, or racial and religious minorities) and polarisation between major government parties that can slow down decision-making and action.

    Beyond just a focus group asking for existing opinions, citizen’s assemblies provide opportunities for members to learn and shape their thinking, to build expertise on the topics they deliberate.

    Assemblies have already been used around the world on issues as diverse as abortion rights, electoral reform and food waste. As they are independently facilitated, they don’t just follow the accepted institutional narratives and can instead encourage organisations and policymakers to envision new directions for thought and action – in line with the realities of what the public believe and value.

    There are now several examples of the recommendations coming from such assemblies successfully driving policy change, such as climate change reform in France.

    While organisations such as the RSPCA may know a lot about animals, hosting this assembly is an acknowledgement that they don’t have all the answers about what is best for society as a whole, as we consider our interactions with animals. The scope of this problem is far larger than any one organisation can tackle alone, and through initiatives such as the citizens’ assembly, we can gain a greater insight into the possible solutions for the future.

    Animal assembly

    I recently attended this assembly’s opening session in Birmingham, where members were gathered from all around England and Wales (neatly marked by pins scattered across a map of the country). Looking around the room there was obvious diversity in demographics and backgroun and as I spoke with the members it was also apparent there was a wide range of opinions and beliefs on the topics we discussed.

    What everyone shared was a commitment to the process – to learn from the experts who were there to introduce the topics, to deliberate and discuss carefully and thoughtfully – and a desire to contribute and influence the process. Being there felt like being part of an important moment for the future of animal welfare.

    In the weeks that followed, the members of the assembly met again several times to absorb and consider huge amounts of information about topics such as farming, responsible pet ownership, wildlife, and nature. Based on this, they will make a series of recommendations that will drive change at the RSPCA.

    What they produce will be used to shape its future direction, how it works, and how it lobbies governments. What these assembly members recommend could have a substantial and lasting impact on animal welfare in the UK.

    Like many animal welfare experts from academia, industry or charities, I might think I have the answers on what animals need. But successful solutions require public backing to have real impact. Improving the future for animals is something that everyone has a role in and a citizens’ assembly can be a catalyst for positive change.

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

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Heather Browning 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. How citizens’ assemblies could improve animal welfare – https://theconversation.com/how-citizens-assemblies-could-improve-animal-welfare-259755

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Overhauling the NHS app is at the heart of UK healthcare plans, but it could leave some people behind

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Catia Nicodemo, Professor of Health Economics, Brunel University of London

    The ‘doctor in your pocket’ will see you soon. CeltStudio/Shutterstock

    The UK government’s ten-year health plan promises a radical digital transformation of the NHS. A key part of this change is said to come from developing the NHS app, which is being hailed as a “doctor in your pocket”.

    The upgraded app will apparently offer features like instant health advice, appointment booking, prescription management and access to personal health records. It is hoped the software will become users’ “front door” to the NHS.

    It’s an ambitious vision which aims to empower patients, streamline services and reduce red tape. And for tech-savvy users, these innovations could significantly improve access to care, reduce waiting times and enhance patient autonomy.

    But while it may herald a new era of convenience for many, it risks leaving behind anyone who struggles with an increasingly digital world. This could then exacerbate health inequalities which already exist – and increase pressure on some areas of already strained services.

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    In particular, a digital-first approach to healthcare risks excluding older adults, who may lack the skills or resources to confidently navigate the necessary software. The media regulator Ofcom estimates that around 6% of UK households still lack internet access at home. Figures from the charity Age UK suggest that 33% of people over 75 in the UK lack basic digital skills.

    With regard to health specifically, a 2024 study found that older patients were more likely to misunderstand automated symptom checkers, leading to unnecessary anxiety or delayed care.

    For these people, the planned shift to app-based services could create new barriers to accessing care, potentially leading to delayed diagnoses and worsening health outcomes.

    The NHS plan does at least acknowledge this divide, and says it will confer with patient groups and work with other establishments (such as libraries) to support digital literacy. But these measures will not be enough without guaranteed funding.

    And older people, even those who are comfortable with technology, may face other challenges such as visual impairment or cognitive decline, which can make using apps difficult.

    Others who struggle to use the NHS App for routine care may delay seeking help until their conditions worsen, placing avoidable strain on overstretched hospitals.

    Digital diversion

    This strain might include digital triage inadvertently funnelling non-urgent cases to A&E if users misinterpret symptoms or find the app’s guidance unclear, a risk compounded by the lack of human oversight in automated systems. Or a patient with chronic pain might avoid the app due to digital anxiety or confusion, and end up going to A&E when their condition becomes unbearable and more costly to treat.

    Not everyone is comfortable with apps.
    Halfpoint/Shutterstock

    To avoid all of this, the NHS needs to maintain traditional communication options. Telephone and in-person services must remain accessible and widely available. The ten-year plan’s focus on “digital by default” should not become “digital only”.

    There should also be plenty of investment to help people feel digitally empowered and included. Places like libraries and community centres can certainly help, but targeted outreach will also be necessary, such as partnerships with charities.

    This is not to say the NHS should be overly wary of the benefits of increased digital capabilities. The ten-year plan highlights, for example, the app’s potential to alleviate some of the burdens on healthcare staff, with AI able to take care of admin, saving clinicians time which can be used for patient care instead.

    Such efficiencies are critical for a system grappling with workforce shortages and rising demand. Yet if digital tools are not universally accessible or usable, not everyone will benefit.

    So while the NHS’s digital ambitions are commendable, their success hinges on inclusivity. If it’s not careful, the system risks entrenching a two-tier system where younger, tech-literate patients benefit while older and disadvantaged groups face greater exclusion. As the NHS embraces innovation, it must ensure no one is left behind – especially those who rely on it the most.

    Catia Nicodemo 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. Overhauling the NHS app is at the heart of UK healthcare plans, but it could leave some people behind – https://theconversation.com/overhauling-the-nhs-app-is-at-the-heart-of-uk-healthcare-plans-but-it-could-leave-some-people-behind-260540

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: ‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Heathershaw, Professor in International Relations, University of Exeter

    So-called professional enablers of grand corruption are increasing service provision out of jurisdictions where they can act without similar restraints. WaitForLight / Shutterstock

    During an interview one of us (Ricardo Soares de Oliveira) carried out in 2017, an African high net-worth individual said he was told by an executive whose business had long served him out of London: “Come meet us in Dubai”. This is part of a large but still misunderstood shift.

    In response to the hardening of rules for foreign money of dubious origins in traditional financial centres, sensitive business has been moving toward new, more permissive jurisdictions. This offshoring of services is giving corrupt strategies a new lease of life, while also making the fightback more difficult.

    For every corrupt dealing that materialises as legitimate wealth, a trail of service provision is indispensable. Bankers, lawyers, real estate executives, accountants, management consultants and PR agencies have acted as facilitators in western financial centres.

    Western governments have long indulged kleptocracy, a system where business success and political power are inextricably entwined. They have done so by condoning lax law enforcement and promoting deregulation, often through risible mechanisms of professional self-regulation.

    But in recent years, data leaks and brave championship of reform by politicians, as well as the work of civil society organisations, investigative journalists and academics, have shed light on the role of these so-called professional enablers.

    In June 2024, a month before becoming British foreign secretary, David Lammy promised to take aim at professionals who enable corruption through London and the UK’s overseas territories. This, he noted, included the “finest bankers, lawyers, estate agents and accountants that money could buy”.

    Lammy’s comments give the impression that the era of risk-free facilitation of corrupt behaviour is at an end. But this optimism is, at least for now, misplaced.

    The shift is largely in political discourse and media scrutiny. Enforcement seriously lags everywhere and is now in reverse gear in the US. Professional enablers still face no real sanction for engaging in such practices.

    At the same time, many professionals are reacting to a more tightly regulated ecosystem in western jurisdictions by engaging in so-called “jurisdictional arbitrage”. There is evidence that they are increasing service provision out of jurisdictions where they can act without similar restraints.

    Jurisdictional arbitrage

    Almost all cases of the professional enabling we have studied involve service provision in western hubs and “new” global financial centres.

    The professional network around Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of the former president of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, was dubbed “the office” by Swiss prosecutors. Karimova was jailed in 2014 for taking bribes for access to the country’s market.

    The criminal investigation into her involved 12 jurisdictions, including the UK, US and Uzbekistan as well as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Hong Kong.

    Isabel dos Santos, who is Africa’s richest woman and the daughter of former Angolan president José Eduardo dos Santos, also held a maze of global interests. These interests, as in the case of Karimova, spanned western jurisdictions and Asian financial centres such as Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong.

    Alternative jurisdictions all offer very similar conditions. They are already well-connected, world-class financial centres that are attractive to international business executives.

    Their governments have created regulatory, fiscal and secrecy conditions, sometimes explicitly undercutting older centres such as Switzerland and London. In the latest edition of the Global Financial Centers index, which ranks the competitiveness of financial centres, Dubai rose four places to go above Dublin, Geneva and Paris.

    Crucially, they are also mostly authoritarian states where there is no media or civil society pressure regarding business activities. Even the intermittent sort of scrutiny one sees in western financial centres is absent there.

    Much activity in these financial centres is legal and based on their legitimate competitive advantages. Business interests are also attracted by their vast capital pools. But they are proving to be especially appealing for the sort of business that can no longer flock to other jurisdictions.

    This is the case with servicing clients from states under sanctions such as Russia or Iran. It also applies to regions like Africa and central Asia with high compliance barriers whose high net-worth individuals and firms can no longer get easy access to OECD jurisdictions.

    Researchers at the University of Sussex have shown a major shift in dirty money networks away from the west and towards what they call a “Dubai-Kong axis”.

    There is no exact portrait of the magnitude of this jurisdictional arbitrage. But our work tells us it is big. Two examples from Switzerland are commodity trading and wealth management.

    These sectors have long been under-scrutinised. But they have seen regulatory tightening and greater media attention in recent years. Both have reacted the same way, by sending important parts of their business away from Switzerland.

    The UAE has been dubbed the “new Swiss financial mecca”, with the Financial Times reporting in May 2025 that Swiss family offices are moving there “wholesale”. Far from downplaying the “Swiss brand”, they continue to advertise their multi-generational expertise and “old money” mystique, but from more amenable locations.

    What can be done?

    The many types of legal business involving professional services in these jurisdictions should not be affected. But national and international law must designate the “kleptocratic enterprise” of elites and professionals as a form of serious organised crime.

    This would allow prosecutors to target professionals for working with criminal kleptocrats rather than having to prove that the particular asset handled has criminal origin. This move was made by Swiss prosecutors in the Karimova case.

    It captures the reality that ill-gotten gains are layered and integrated into assets held overseas, just as enablers do for criminal gangs. It also means that the moving of the family office to Dubai will not prevent prosecution where an asset is held or registered.

    Finally, governments could stimulate the market in asset recovery by making it easier for foreign governments and civil society to bring cases, with expert law firms working on a for-profit basis.

    Illicit finance is always transnational, so there is no need to declare defeat just because dodgy business is on the move. However, we are entering a new stage in its global dissemination and complexity.

    John Heathershaw receives funding from the Governance Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme funded by UK Aid from the UK Government for the benefits of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the UK government’s official policies. He is affiliated with the UK Anti-Corruption Coalition.

    Ricardo Soares de Oliveira receives funding from the Governance Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence Programme funded by UK Aid from the UK Government for the benefits of developing countries. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the UK government’s official policies.

    – ref. ‘Come meet us in Dubai’: the new offshoring of grand corruption – https://theconversation.com/come-meet-us-in-dubai-the-new-offshoring-of-grand-corruption-258434

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Pallets are the backbone of global trade but supplies are threatened by theft, loss – and giant bonfires

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Liz Breen, Professor of Health Service Operations, School of Pharmacy & Medical Sciences, University of Bradford

    Craigyhill bonfire was declared the world’s tallest at a height of 203 feet (63 metres) in 2022. Thousands of pallets were used to build it. Stephen Barnes/Shutterstock

    Pallets don’t usually make headlines. But amid fresh controversy around the traditional July bonfires held in Northern Ireland this year, they’ve suddenly become a talking point. Wooden pallets used in these bonfires are popular due to their stacking ability, and also their colours – which include the red, white and blue of Britain.

    Ordinarily, pallets are used to transport products from manufacturers to retailers. But their numbers are shrinking due to theft and loss – and of course, they cost money to buy, store, use and replace. A study by one of us (Liz) in 2006 quoted a logistics firm that estimated 14 million pallets were generally missing throughout Europe, costing £140 million. And it’s an ongoing problem: millions of products such as pallets and packaging containers are still stolen each year across the continent.

    Just one bonfire in Larne, County Antrim, in July 2021 reportedly used 17,000 pallets in its construction. This year, police are investigating where the pallets used in the same community’s bonfire originated from. Amid speculation that some may belong to Australia-based supply chain firm Chep, that company has stated its pallets can never legally be bought, sold or destroyed.

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    Pallet losses can lead to logistical disruptions, delayed orders and bare shelves in supermarkets. And the impact is felt by pallet owners, manufacturers, customers and end-users alike.

    Pallets are big business. In the US, around 513 million – mainly wooden, some plastic – are produced each year. In 2021, 48.6 million wooden pallets were produced in the UK, up 8.3% from 2020.

    Rental companies can hold high numbers of pallets, which support the movement of “fast-moving” customer goods – including food, drinks and toiletries. North American firm Peco, for example, manages stock of over 20 million distinctive red wooden pallets across its 90 depots.

    Manufacturers rely on pallets being available to fulfil orders and distribute them to customers quickly. Also known as “returnable transit packaging”, they are valuable assets as they can be maintained and reused. They are usually owned by a pallet pooling agent, which must absorb the loss when they are not returned from customers.

    Why steal pallets?

    Good-condition pallets have a resale value. Both wood and plastic pallets can be deconstructed and sold as components to other industries. Some people even use them to create furniture for homes and gardens.

    Customers may feel these are legitimate upcycled products and won’t think to check where the pallets came from. However, some do have distinctive identification stamps that may remain in upcycled pallet products.

    The organised theft of these products takes its toll on companies. Cargo crime (which includes consumer goods and transportation pallets and containers) is said to cost the UK economy £700 million each year.

    If pallets are not available, production lines may be slowed down or stopped. And it may take longer to produce items, potentially leading to unnecessary transportation as well as greater fuel consumption and emissions.

    But it can also be challenging to map pallet movements and know, at any given time, how many are in transit, with retailers, or lost. Digital tracking solutions such as radio frequency identification can be expensive to implement and are not foolproof. This can make it easy for pallets to go “missing in action”.

    Pallets are a staple mechanism for stock to be received into retailers’ warehouses and distribution centres. Both the size of the pallets and their ownership can be colour-coded – at least some of the blue pallets making headlines this summer in Larne’s red, white and blue tower are thought to be owned by Chep. Warehouse bays are designed with specific pallets in mind – so changes to the pallets can bring extra costs.

    Similarly, replacing lost or stolen pallets comes at a price – which could ultimately be felt by consumers if these costs are passed on by retailers.

    Reducing theft and loss

    Pallet owners cannot afford to continue losing them to theft. Firms that are found using non-compliant or untracked pallets because they have bought them from unauthorised sources can face shipment fines, while other initiatives, such as deposit or voucher schemes or one-for-one exchange plans, could incentivise the return of pallets.

    These practices may influence corporate return behaviour, but the theft of pallets by organised crime gangs is increasing. Changing the materials used to construct pallets could reduce their financial attractiveness and resale value.

    At first glance, a used pallet might look no more useful than discarded wood and be considered fair game for reuse or selling on. But businesses or individuals who collect, sell or purchase stolen pallets are putting themselves at legal risk. Firms found stockpiling or selling-on pallets without permission have faced legal action and even jail in Europe.

    Aside from the legal implications, there are other operational and environmental costs. Each pallet taken out of circulation must be replaced, increasing demand for virgin timber, straining forest resources, and increasing labour costs.

    The humble pallet is the backbone of global trading, and businesses rely on a steady and dependable supply. Pallet services function only if they continue to circulate – but theft and losses undermine this. Without this simple product, everyone from producers to retailers and consumers could end up paying more for the goods they take for granted.

    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. Pallets are the backbone of global trade but supplies are threatened by theft, loss – and giant bonfires – https://theconversation.com/pallets-are-the-backbone-of-global-trade-but-supplies-are-threatened-by-theft-loss-and-giant-bonfires-260948

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Channel crossings: what is a safe and legal route?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gillian McFadyen, Lecturer in International Politics, Aberystwyth University

    Since figures were first recorded in 2018, more than 170,000 people have crossed the Channel in small boats, hoping to claim asylum in the UK. Over 20,000 have crossed this year alone, and many dozens have died.

    Over the years, UK governments have tried a number of tactics – returns agreements, increased law enforcement, deportation schemes, and “smashing” organised smuggling gangs – to try and put an end to this dangerous practice. The latest attempt is the government’s new “one in, one out” pilot migration deal with France, which would see the UK accept some asylum seekers with legitimate claims to life in the UK, while sending an equivalent number back to France.



    Read more:
    How UK-France ‘one in, one out’ migration deal will work – and what the challenges could be

    Campaigners, academics and groups that support asylum seekers have long called for the UK to introduce “safe and legal routes”. They argue that this is the only way to reduce demand for unsafe Channel crossings. The logic is that people seeking protection are turning to smugglers and small boats because, for most, there are no other options to enter the UK and claim asylum.

    But what are these routes?

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    A safe and legal route is a scheme or journey approved by the UK government that allows people to enter the country without a visa in order to claim asylum. The 1951 refugee convention says that people have the right to claim asylum. But UK law requires someone to be physically present in the country to do so.

    A safe and legal route stresses that arriving irregularly – for instance, by crossing the Channel in a small boat – is illegal, even though the UN refugee convention is explicit that refugees should not be penalised for how they arrive to claim refuge.

    Does the UK have safe and legal routes?

    The UK has had safe and legal routes available for refugees in the recent past.

    Most schemes are restricted to certain populations and limited in accessibility. For example, two nationality-specific schemes for Afghans were set up in January 2022, after the fall of Kabul to the Taliban. These have resettled roughly 34,000 Afghans in the UK.

    The schemes prioritised those who had worked or assisted UK efforts in Afghanistan, as well as assisting vulnerable people such as women and girls at risk, and minority groups. Both routes are now shut.

    The UK also has schemes for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers. The Ukrainian schemes (Homes for Ukrainians and the now-closed Ukrainian Family Scheme), established in March 2022, have resettled 217,000 to the UK. The Hong Kong scheme is only eligible for British National Overseas status holders and their dependants. Most of these are not recognised, and nor do they identify, as refugees. Since opening in January 2021, 179,000 have been granted a visa to live in the UK.

    There is also the family reunion pathway for those already granted protection in the UK, who can invite spouses or other dependants to join them. This can be viewed as a safe route, but it is specifically for those already with status (refugee or otherwise) in the country. Importantly, those who gain access this way are not given refugee status in their own right, but granted leave to remain that is connected to their family member’s status.

    The UK has also worked closely with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, since March 2021. The UNHCR identifies vulnerable candidates for resettlement direct from regions of conflict, primarily the Middle East and North Africa. This scheme highlights the value of safe and legal routes and the potential for developing a humane asylum route, but at present it is limited in scope, with only 3,798 people granted safe and dignified resettlement in the UK via this route.

    The prime minister, Keir Starmer, has stressed that the new pilot with France will be limited to people “who have not tried to enter the UK illegally” and who have a strong case for asylum in the UK – again highlighting the strict access and eligibility for this “safe and legal” route.

    A refugee camp in Greece in 2016.
    Ververidis Vasilis/Shutterstock

    If we look at the map of international conflict today, the majority of people in conflict zones would be ineligible for these schemes. Afghans, Eritreans, Syrians, Iranian and Sudanese are some of the top nationalities arriving via the Channel crossing to the UK, but are provided with no safe or legal routes to sanctuary. Yet, in claiming asylum, 68% of small boat arrivals are ultimately granted status.

    Conflicts in Gaza, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan have not led to any bespoke humanitarian refugee protection rights from the UK. In practice, it is legally impossible for most asylum seekers to reach the UK via a safe and legal route as the schemes are so limited in scope.

    Smashing the gangs

    In January 2025, the Refugee Council, an organisation that supports asylum seekers and refugees in the UK, urged the UK to introduce a safe and legal route – in the form of a limited number of refugee visas – in order to stop deaths in the Channel.

    Between 2018 and April 2025, 147 people have died attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, with 2024 being the deadliest year for child migrant deaths.

    The UK government’s most recent approach has been to “smash the gangs” to prevent small boat crossings. But evidence shows that a criminal justice approach, while popular, ultimately leads smugglers to change their business practices – often jeopardising people further as they take longer routes or put more people into boats.

    More safe and legal routes would, on the other hand, reduce demand for smuggling across the Channel, by giving people another option.

    Crucially, even if the UK were to successfully “smash the gangs”, this does not eradicate peoples’ need for protection when fleeing war zones. Safe and legal routes would introduce a compassionate and humane refugee system which adheres with the UK’s obligations under international refugee law.

    Gillian McFadyen receives funding from ACE Hub Wales, Public Health Wales for the project ‘A Welsh Pathways to Peace: Digital Storytelling and Forced Migration’ (2025-2026).

    – ref. Channel crossings: what is a safe and legal route? – https://theconversation.com/channel-crossings-what-is-a-safe-and-legal-route-246931

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Edward Fox, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle

    Jenny_Tr/Shutterstock

    Nothing says summer quite like a picnic. Whether you’re lounging on a beach towel, stretched out in a park, or unpacking a hamper in your garden, picnics are a beloved way to enjoy good food in the great outdoors.

    In the UK alone, the picnic food market is worth over £2 billion each year, with millions of us heading out for an alfresco feast with family or friends when the sun is shining.

    But as idyllic as they may seem, picnics come with hidden risks, especially when it comes to food safety. Without access to fridges, ovens or running water, the chances of foodborne illness such as diarrhoea increase. So, how can you keep your spread both delicious and safe?

    Warm, sunny weather is perfect for picnics – and unfortunately, also for bacteria. High temperatures can cause harmful microbes to multiply quickly in certain foods – especially meat, eggs, dairy or salads with creamy dressings. Add in a few flies or some dirty hands, and your picnic could become a recipe for illness.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Food poisoning bacteria can find their way into picnic food from several sources: flies that land on uncovered dishes, unwashed hands, cross-contaminated utensils, or even from leaving perishable food out in the sun too long.

    This is not just a theoretical risk. There have been several well-documented outbreaks linked to picnics, including one event in Texas where more than 100 people developed diarrhoea and fever after eating food contaminated with salmonella. In another case at a church picnic in Ohio, clostridium botulinum – a bacterium that can be fatal – contaminated potato salad and led to one death.



    Read more:
    Salmonella cases are at ten-year high in England – here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe

    Six tips to enjoy your picnic safely

    However, with a few simple steps, you can protect yourself and others while enjoying that alfresco feast:

    1. Keep cold food cold. If you’re bringing dishes that normally need refrigeration (think meats, cheese, egg mayo), don’t pack them until the last minute. Use a cool bag or insulated box with ice packs or frozen water bottles to help keep things chilled. Once you’re out, only take food out of the cooler when it’s time to eat, and always try to keep it in the shade.

    2. Watch the clock. On hot days, perishable foods should be eaten within two hours (or four hours if it’s mild). After that, any leftovers should be thrown away. Don’t be tempted to take food home and refrigerate it “just in case” – one family in Belgium did just that with a salad, and ended up with severe food poisoning two days later.

    3. Wash those hands. Picnics often mean touching tables, grass, pets or public benches – all potential sources of bacteria. Hand sanitiser is your best friend. Use it before handling or eating any food.

    4. Cover up. Insects, especially flies, can carry bacteria and leave them behind when they land. Keep food in sealed containers or cover with foil or clean cloths to protect your spread. This helps keep animals (and rogue seagulls) away too.

    5. Prep fresh produce properly. Salads, fruits and veg are picnic staples, but they must be washed thoroughly before being packed. Even pre-washed leaves can benefit from a rinse. Pack them in clean containers and don’t let utensils touch dirty surfaces.



    Read more:
    New study: Salmonella thrives in salad bags

    6. Keep your utensils clean. Bring enough serving spoons, tongs and plates – and avoid putting them down on picnic tables or the ground. A spare clean plate is always a good idea when it comes to safe serving.

    Enjoy the food, not the fallout

    Picnics should leave you with warm memories – not stomach cramps. By following these food safety basics, you can enjoy your outdoor feast without any unwanted after-effects. From chilled pasta salads to hand-cut fruit or that classic homemade quiche, safe food is happy food.

    So, pack a blanket, grab your cool bag, and soak up the sunshine – just keep the bacteria at bay.



    Read more:
    Food safety: are the sniff test, the five-second rule and rare burgers safe?

    Edward Fox has received funding from the Food Safety Research Network.

    – ref. Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe – https://theconversation.com/dont-let-food-poisoning-crash-your-picnic-six-tips-to-keep-your-spread-safe-260834

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jessica Agnew-Blais, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Queen Mary University of London

    PMDD causes symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety. LightField Studios/ Shutterstock

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has historically been under-studied in women. This means we still have a limited understanding of how the condition may uniquely affect women – and what effect monthly hormonal changes may have on women with ADHD.

    But a recent study conducted by me and my colleagues has shown that women with ADHD are at higher risk for mental health struggles associated with the menstrual cycle. We found that having ADHD makes women around three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is a serious condition that affects about 3% of women worldwide. The condition can seriously interfere with a person’s everyday life, causing symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety.

    These symptoms occur in the days before menstruation, and resolve after the period starts. For some, PMDD may lead to severe outcomes, such as being at an increased risk of attempting suicide.



    Read more:
    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the frightening psychological condition suffered by Dixie D’Amelio

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    We conducted an online survey of 715 women aged 18 to 34 in the UK. We asked them whether they experienced different symptoms of ADHD or PMDD, whether they’d received an ADHD diagnosis from a doctor and how symptoms interfered with their lives.

    We found that about 31% of women with a clinical ADHD diagnosis also had PMDD, as did around 41% of women who scored high for ADHD symptoms (whether they had been formally diagnosed with ADHD or not). In comparison, only about 9% of women without ADHD met the criteria for PMDD. We also found that women who had ADHD and a clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety had an even greater risk of PMDD.

    The research showed that the most common PMDD symptoms women experienced were irritability, feeling overwhelmed and depression. But women with ADHD may also be more likely to experience insomnia when they have PMDD.

    The PMDD and ADHD link

    Our study isn’t the first to show a link between the two conditions, but it is the first to identify a similar PMDD risk among women with ADHD symptoms, not just among those who were in treatment. We’re also the first to show that people who have ADHD plus depression or anxiety are at an even greater risk of PMDD.

    Other research suggests that women with ADHD may also be at higher risk for mental health problems during other times of hormonal change. For instance, one study found women with ADHD experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety after starting combined oral hormonal contraceptives. Another study found that women with ADHD were more likely to experience depression after giving birth than those without the condition.

    More research is now needed to understand why women with ADHD appear to be more vulnerable to PMDD, and whether this affects what treatments work best.

    It should be noted that our study assesses “provisional PMDD diagnosis”. An official diagnosis requires two months of symptom tracking across the menstrual cycle. But we asked women to remember how they felt across their menstrual cycle rather than tracking how they feel in real-time.

    This means we could be over- or under-estimating PMDD prevalence as we’re relying on participants to recall their symptoms.

    Future research should assess PMDD symptoms among women in real-time as they experience their menstrual cycles to more accurately assess symptoms without having to rely on people’s memory. Additionally, it may be difficult to distinguish PMDD from other disorders that may worsen during the premenstrual period, such as depression or anxiety. Tracking symptoms across the menstrual cycle in real-time would help to disentangle this.

    PMDD can have profoundly negative effects on women’s lives. Some women even report it can make them feel “physically unable to see the joy in things”. Although symptoms can be managed with prescription treatments, this can only happen if the condition is diagnosed by a doctor.

    Our new research shows us that women with ADHD are an at-risk group for PMDD, especially if they also have depression or anxiety. This suggests doctors should consider screening for PMDD among women with ADHD to reduce distress and adverse outcomes associated with the condition.

    Jessica Agnew-Blais receives funding from the UK Medical Research Council and GambleAware for her research.

    – ref. Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research – https://theconversation.com/women-with-adhd-three-times-more-likely-to-experience-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-new-research-260222

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Too much Lena Dunham, Lorde’s new album and a book to break your heart: what to watch, listen to and read this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jane Wright, Commissioning Editor, Arts & Culture, The Conversation UK

    When I first watched Girls, I remember marvelling at Lena Dunham’s four twenty-something New Yorkers. Sex and the City it was not. I realised wistfully just how much I wished the series had been around when I was in my twenties.

    Dunham’s character Hannah Horvath was like a beacon, illuminating the possibilities of how you could just be yourself in this world – good and bad – without apologising for it. I loved her boldness. Girls was messy, awkward, embarrassing, relatable and real. It was also very funny.

    Now Dunham brings her latest, similarly awkward comedy-drama, Too Much, to Netflix. The series follows the trials and tribulations of Jess (the brilliant Megan Stalter) as she flees New York for London with a broken heart.

    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.

    An American with a romanticised movie-informed idea of Britain, Jess sees Blighty as some kind of fantasy creation fashioned by Jane Austen with a little help from Richard Curtis.

    She spends her days obsessing over her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend on Instagram and trying to fit into London life. And then she meets laconic musician Felix (Will Sharpe), who is determined to demolish her romantic notions of a Notting Hill-esque London. Discovering they have an instant connection, Jess is thrust back into dating again, still reeling from the PTSD of her previous relationship.

    Too Much charts the tumultuous experience of becoming an adult, as Jess experiences all the thrills and vulnerabilities of meeting someone new. Mirroring her own relocation to London, Dunham mines a rich seam of fish-out-of-water comedy as Megan navigates a new city and different culture.

    Reviewer Jane Steventon finds the show is a hopeful paean to womanhood, a declaration that messiness, failure and fear are all part of becoming a woman just as much as joy, love and intimacy.

    The idea of intimacy takes on a much darker and more troubling meaning in David Cronenberg’s latest body horror Shrouds in which the protagonist Karsh (Vincent Kassel) finds that technology can help him with the grieving process.

    Discovering that a piece of wearable tech within a shroud can allow him to watch his wife’s corpse decompose via a video link, Karsh believes this can help reclaim her from her illness. But as the plot progresses, lines blur between Karsh’s dreams and reality and the film becomes darker and more ominous.

    This deeply disturbing premise, says film expert Laura Flanagan, allows Cronenberg to explore issues of technology, control and grief, and is all the more chilling when you learn that he embarked on the film after the death of his own wife.

    Musical autobiography

    Simone de Beauvoir, the great feminist French philosopher, once opined: “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.” Meaning, it is down to each woman to articulate and determine her own path and transcend any limits of “femininity” imposed by a patriarchal society.

    According to our reviewer Lillian Hingley, the New Zealand singer Lorde unveils that process in her latest album Virgin as she musically explores how her body is changed by what she has been through in her life.

    Hingley discovers a multi-layered collection of songs and videos that lead us through a piece of performance art examining identity, sexuality and a female reproductive system that comes fully loaded with both jeopardy and joy.

    Last week, the Disney musical Hercules opened in London so we sent along Emma Stafford, professor of Greek culture at the University of Leeds to give us her take.

    Despite finding Hercules’ trusty steed Pegasus has been written out of the show and Hades has been somewhat toned down, the innovative role of the five muses has been elevated to a spectacular cross between the chorus of a Greek tragedy and a gospel choir. A terrific cast, impressive visuals, slick stagecraft and magical special effects all mean this high-octane production will delight West End audiences.

    The book that won this year’s Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke, has two children at its centre. One is Max Johnson, a healthy nine-year-old whose heart begins to fail, and the other, nine-year-old Keira Ball, a vibrant, pony-mad little girl who is killed in a car accident. Despite their unimaginable grief, Keira’s parents decide to donate her organs. Her precious heart goes to Max, and in that unbearable gift, one child dies, and another child lives.

    Leah McLaughlin, a health services researcher who has spent her career working in the emotionally complex and often obscured world of organ donation, found the book a searingly honest account of the hope and despair of this devastating experience.

    – ref. Too much Lena Dunham, Lorde’s new album and a book to break your heart: what to watch, listen to and read this week – https://theconversation.com/too-much-lena-dunham-lordes-new-album-and-a-book-to-break-your-heart-what-to-watch-listen-to-and-read-this-week-260893

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jessica Agnew-Blais, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Queen Mary University of London

    PMDD causes symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety. LightField Studios/ Shutterstock

    Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has historically been under-studied in women. This means we still have a limited understanding of how the condition may uniquely affect women – and what effect monthly hormonal changes may have on women with ADHD.

    But a recent study conducted by me and my colleagues has shown that women with ADHD are at higher risk for mental health struggles associated with the menstrual cycle. We found that having ADHD makes women around three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder.

    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), is a serious condition that affects about 3% of women worldwide. The condition can seriously interfere with a person’s everyday life, causing symptoms such as mood swings, irritability, depressed mood and anxiety.

    These symptoms occur in the days before menstruation, and resolve after the period starts. For some, PMDD may lead to severe outcomes, such as being at an increased risk of attempting suicide.



    Read more:
    Premenstrual dysphoric disorder: the frightening psychological condition suffered by Dixie D’Amelio

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    We conducted an online survey of 715 women aged 18 to 34 in the UK. We asked them whether they experienced different symptoms of ADHD or PMDD, whether they’d received an ADHD diagnosis from a doctor and how symptoms interfered with their lives.

    We found that about 31% of women with a clinical ADHD diagnosis also had PMDD, as did around 41% of women who scored high for ADHD symptoms (whether they had been formally diagnosed with ADHD or not). In comparison, only about 9% of women without ADHD met the criteria for PMDD. We also found that women who had ADHD and a clinical diagnosis of depression or anxiety had an even greater risk of PMDD.

    The research showed that the most common PMDD symptoms women experienced were irritability, feeling overwhelmed and depression. But women with ADHD may also be more likely to experience insomnia when they have PMDD.

    The PMDD and ADHD link

    Our study isn’t the first to show a link between the two conditions, but it is the first to identify a similar PMDD risk among women with ADHD symptoms, not just among those who were in treatment. We’re also the first to show that people who have ADHD plus depression or anxiety are at an even greater risk of PMDD.

    Other research suggests that women with ADHD may also be at higher risk for mental health problems during other times of hormonal change. For instance, one study found women with ADHD experienced higher rates of depression and anxiety after starting combined oral hormonal contraceptives. Another study found that women with ADHD were more likely to experience depression after giving birth than those without the condition.

    More research is now needed to understand why women with ADHD appear to be more vulnerable to PMDD, and whether this affects what treatments work best.

    It should be noted that our study assesses “provisional PMDD diagnosis”. An official diagnosis requires two months of symptom tracking across the menstrual cycle. But we asked women to remember how they felt across their menstrual cycle rather than tracking how they feel in real-time.

    This means we could be over- or under-estimating PMDD prevalence as we’re relying on participants to recall their symptoms.

    Future research should assess PMDD symptoms among women in real-time as they experience their menstrual cycles to more accurately assess symptoms without having to rely on people’s memory. Additionally, it may be difficult to distinguish PMDD from other disorders that may worsen during the premenstrual period, such as depression or anxiety. Tracking symptoms across the menstrual cycle in real-time would help to disentangle this.

    PMDD can have profoundly negative effects on women’s lives. Some women even report it can make them feel “physically unable to see the joy in things”. Although symptoms can be managed with prescription treatments, this can only happen if the condition is diagnosed by a doctor.

    Our new research shows us that women with ADHD are an at-risk group for PMDD, especially if they also have depression or anxiety. This suggests doctors should consider screening for PMDD among women with ADHD to reduce distress and adverse outcomes associated with the condition.

    Jessica Agnew-Blais receives funding from the UK Medical Research Council and GambleAware for her research.

    – ref. Women with ADHD three times more likely to experience premenstrual dysphoric disorder – new research – https://theconversation.com/women-with-adhd-three-times-more-likely-to-experience-premenstrual-dysphoric-disorder-new-research-260222

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Edward Fox, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle

    Jenny_Tr/Shutterstock

    Nothing says summer quite like a picnic. Whether you’re lounging on a beach towel, stretched out in a park, or unpacking a hamper in your garden, picnics are a beloved way to enjoy good food in the great outdoors.

    In the UK alone, the picnic food market is worth over £2 billion each year, with millions of us heading out for an alfresco feast with family or friends when the sun is shining.

    But as idyllic as they may seem, picnics come with hidden risks, especially when it comes to food safety. Without access to fridges, ovens or running water, the chances of foodborne illness such as diarrhoea increase. So, how can you keep your spread both delicious and safe?

    Warm, sunny weather is perfect for picnics – and unfortunately, also for bacteria. High temperatures can cause harmful microbes to multiply quickly in certain foods – especially meat, eggs, dairy or salads with creamy dressings. Add in a few flies or some dirty hands, and your picnic could become a recipe for illness.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Food poisoning bacteria can find their way into picnic food from several sources: flies that land on uncovered dishes, unwashed hands, cross-contaminated utensils, or even from leaving perishable food out in the sun too long.

    This is not just a theoretical risk. There have been several well-documented outbreaks linked to picnics, including one event in Texas where more than 100 people developed diarrhoea and fever after eating food contaminated with salmonella. In another case at a church picnic in Ohio, clostridium botulinum – a bacterium that can be fatal – contaminated potato salad and led to one death.



    Read more:
    Salmonella cases are at ten-year high in England – here’s what you can do to keep yourself safe

    Six tips to enjoy your picnic safely

    However, with a few simple steps, you can protect yourself and others while enjoying that alfresco feast:

    1. Keep cold food cold. If you’re bringing dishes that normally need refrigeration (think meats, cheese, egg mayo), don’t pack them until the last minute. Use a cool bag or insulated box with ice packs or frozen water bottles to help keep things chilled. Once you’re out, only take food out of the cooler when it’s time to eat, and always try to keep it in the shade.

    2. Watch the clock. On hot days, perishable foods should be eaten within two hours (or four hours if it’s mild). After that, any leftovers should be thrown away. Don’t be tempted to take food home and refrigerate it “just in case” – one family in Belgium did just that with a salad, and ended up with severe food poisoning two days later.

    3. Wash those hands. Picnics often mean touching tables, grass, pets or public benches – all potential sources of bacteria. Hand sanitiser is your best friend. Use it before handling or eating any food.

    4. Cover up. Insects, especially flies, can carry bacteria and leave them behind when they land. Keep food in sealed containers or cover with foil or clean cloths to protect your spread. This helps keep animals (and rogue seagulls) away too.

    5. Prep fresh produce properly. Salads, fruits and veg are picnic staples, but they must be washed thoroughly before being packed. Even pre-washed leaves can benefit from a rinse. Pack them in clean containers and don’t let utensils touch dirty surfaces.



    Read more:
    New study: Salmonella thrives in salad bags

    6. Keep your utensils clean. Bring enough serving spoons, tongs and plates – and avoid putting them down on picnic tables or the ground. A spare clean plate is always a good idea when it comes to safe serving.

    Enjoy the food, not the fallout

    Picnics should leave you with warm memories – not stomach cramps. By following these food safety basics, you can enjoy your outdoor feast without any unwanted after-effects. From chilled pasta salads to hand-cut fruit or that classic homemade quiche, safe food is happy food.

    So, pack a blanket, grab your cool bag, and soak up the sunshine – just keep the bacteria at bay.



    Read more:
    Food safety: are the sniff test, the five-second rule and rare burgers safe?

    Edward Fox has received funding from the Food Safety Research Network.

    – ref. Don’t let food poisoning crash your picnic – six tips to keep your spread safe – https://theconversation.com/dont-let-food-poisoning-crash-your-picnic-six-tips-to-keep-your-spread-safe-260834

    MIL OSI –