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  • MIL-OSI USA: PSI Chairman Johnson Subpoenas HHS for Records on COVID-19 Vaccine Safety; Dr. Fauci’s Communications

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Ron Johnson
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) announced that on Jan. 28, 2025 he issued his first subpoena as chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for records relating to COVID-19 vaccine safety data and communications about the COVID-19 pandemic, including a subset of Dr. Anthony Fauci’s emails. The announcement came during Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Finance Committee.
    Sen. Johnson’s subpoena to HHS is a culmination of a multi-year fight to overcome the obstruction of the Biden administration to get unredacted records and data about the COVID-19 pandemic and the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines. For years, Biden officials at HHS and its subcomponent agencies withheld crucial health information from Sen. Johnson and the public. Many of Sen. Johnson’s more than 70 oversight letters to the Biden administration were either completely ignored or inadequately addressed. Now, having recently been named chairman of PSI, Sen. Johnson has the authority to issue subpoenas.
    Sen. Johnson stated, “In the waning days of the Biden administration and after years of obstructing my oversight efforts, I warned HHS officials that when I become chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, I will subpoena records and data on the COVID-19 pandemic that have been inappropriately withheld from Congress and the American people for far too long. 
    “Just days after being named chairman of the Subcommittee, I have kept my word.  
    “Yesterday, I subpoenaed HHS for documents on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic—including a subset of Dr. Fauci’s emails—and the development and safety of the COVID-19 vaccines. Many of these records should have been turned over to me years ago, but the Biden administration opted to keep Congress and the public in the dark.
    “I look forward to HHS’s full compliance with the subpoena.” 

    Sen. Johnson signing the Jan. 28th subpoena to HHS
    Sen. Johnson’s subpoena requires HHS to produce:
    Previously withheld or heavily redacted communications about the pandemic, including Dr. Anthony Fauci’s emails, including but not limited to the approximately 50 pages of his emails that have been withheld from my office since September 2021;
    Safety surveillance data on the COVID-19 vaccines including proportional reporting ratios and empirical Bayesian data mining;
    Unredacted records previously released through Freedom of Information Act requests regarding the government’s awareness of myocarditis and pericarditis cases in post-vaccinated individuals;
    Data and records relating to COVID-19 vaccine lots associated with higher rates of adverse events;
    Order forms and receipts showing government researchers purchasing DNA sequences from a biotechnology company; and
    All communications relating to HHS’s receipt of and response (or lack thereof) to my oversight letters between January 2021 and the present. 
    HHS is required to comply with the subpoena by Feb. 18, 2025.
    Sen. Johnson’s questioning of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. can be found here.
    The complete subpoena can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Decries Trump Order to Revoke General Milley’s Security Detail

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC—This week, after Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth revoked the security detail for retired General Mark Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 2019-2023, and initiated a series of punitive actions against him, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
    “General Milley and other former Trump Administration officials continue to face credible, deadly threats from Iran because they carried out President Trump’s order to kill Iranian General Soleimani. It is unconscionable and recklessly negligent for President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to revoke General Milley’s security detail for their own political satisfaction. The Administration has placed Milley and his family in grave danger, and they have an obligation to immediately restore his federal protection.
    “Indeed, just months ago President Biden said that a foreign assassination attempt against then-candidate Trump would be an “act of war.” Do President Trump and Republicans—who celebrated the Soleimani strike—not believe that U.S. military servicemembers deserve the same protection?”
    The Director of National Intelligence’s most recent unclassified annual threat assessment includes the following finding: Iran seeks to target former and current U.S. officials as retaliation for the killing of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-Qods Force Commander Qasem Soleimani in January 2020, and previously has attempted to conduct lethal operations in the United States.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Announces Committee Leadership Assignments for 119th Congress

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after the Senate Appropriations Committee fully organized, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) announced his full slate of committee and subcommittee assignments for the 119th Congress. 
    Senator Reed will continue serving on four ‘A’ committees: Armed Services; Appropriations; Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and the Select Committee on Intelligence.  These assignments include two of the three ‘Super A’ Committees: Armed Services and Appropriations.
    Senator Reed will serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and as the Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), which has jurisdiction over a diverse group of agencies responsible for regulating the financial and telecommunications industries; collecting taxes and providing taxpayer assistance; providing small business assistance; overseeing the White House and judicial branch operations, and the District of Columbia; construction and management of federal buildings; and overseeing the Federal workforce.
    With these assignments, Reed is well-positioned to deliver for Rhode Island while overseeing the U.S. Department of Defense and federal spending decisions through the appropriations process.
    “These key committee posts help me fix our roads and bridges, strengthen our economy, deliver for Rhode Island, and chart a responsible fiscal path.  My new assignment on the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee provides another tool to support small business growth, expand economic opportunity, boost Rhode Island’s broadband connections, and ensure the health and safety of our financial markets,” said Reed.  “As Congress grapples with a range of complex challenges, I will do everything in my power to help lower prices for working families and ensure Rhode Islanders’ needs are met.  I will continue to be a relentless advocate for our state and focus on the issues that Rhode Islanders care about.  And I will promote and uphold the constitutional role of Congress, including Congress’s power of the purse. ”
    ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
    Senator Reed is the Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, which is responsible for overseeing the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), military services operating across the domains of land, sea, air, cyberspace, and space, and all DOD agencies, including their budgets and policies, and national security aspects of nuclear energy.  Each year, SASC is tasked with producing and passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
    In 2024, under Reed’s leadership as SASC Chairman, Congress passed the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorized $883.7 billion for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the U.S. Department of Energy.  The NDAA offers a blueprint to equip, supply, and train U.S. forces; provide for military families; and strengthen oversight of the Defense Department and military programs. The defense industry is a high-tech sector that contributes to Rhode Island’s economic growth, generates good-paying jobs, and has been a resilient segment of the state’s economy. According to the latest Rhode Island data, the defense industry generated over $4.3 billion in annual economic impact for Rhode Island and a total employment share of 6.2 percent of the state’s workforce.
    In addition to his leadership on the Armed Services Committee, Reed is also a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, which provides him with additional oversight responsibilities in determining how defense dollars are spent.
    APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE
    Senator Reed will continue to serve as Rhode Island’s only member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which controls the funding of the federal government.
    Senator Reed is the third most senior Democrat on the Appropriations Committee.  He works tirelessly to direct federal funding to the Ocean State to create jobs, strengthen infrastructure, and support economic and community development initiatives.
    Senator Reed will give up his leadership post on the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch in order to help lead the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee. 
    The FSGG subcommittee drafts the spending plan and oversees annual funding for financial-related agencies including the U.S. Department of Treasury; the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  It is responsible for funding the Executive Office of the President and federal election security initiatives.  The panel also has jurisdiction over two dozen key agencies and programs that have a direct impact on Rhode Island, including:
    – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which supports local entrepreneurs and small businesses with outreach and loans and also provides loans following federally-declared disasters.
    – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which helps ensure competition in broad sectors of the economy and helps protect consumers from false advertising and business practices.
    – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which has jurisdiction over telecommunications and broadband matters.
    – The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), which provides funding for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas nationwide and to Rhode Island.
    – The Federal Election Commission (FEC), with has jurisdiction over federal campaign finance laws.
    – The General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal properties in Rhode Island and nationwide.
    – The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund which provides hundreds of millions annually to generate economic growth in local communities and provide access to credit and technical assistance to underserved areas.
    Additionally, Senator Reed will serve on five other Appropriations Subcommittees: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS); Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-H); Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA); and Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD).
    BANKING, HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS
    A champion of affordable housing, consumer protection, and mass-transit, Senator Reed will continue serving as a key member of the Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee, which has broad oversight over our nation’s financial institutions, capital markets, consumer finance, monetary policy, and housing and mass-transit programs. 
    Senator Reed is the most senior Democratic member of the panel, but Senate rules dictate that members may only serve atop one full committee at a time.
    Senator Reed has used his Banking Committee post to author Wall Street reform and consumer protection laws, including his ‘warrants law,’ which forced the return of over $10 billion dollars to taxpayers.  He also successfully urged the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to focus greater attention on climate risk disclosures for public companies.  The committee also oversees federal housing policy and authorizes mass-transit investments, and Senator Reed used his role on the committee led to create two affordable housing funds: the Housing Trust Fund and the Capital Magnet Fund.
    It was Senator Reed’s leadership on the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, coupled with his work on the Appropriations Committee, that earned him a spot as one of twenty members of the bipartisan working group that was tasked with developing the CARES Act (Public Law No. 116-136).  Senator Reed was the driving force behind the successful effort to create the $150 billion Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) in the CARES Act and successfully secured a small state minimum of $1.25 billion in the law.  Senator Reed continues to play an active role in pushing legislation to direct additional federal funds to states and local governments to help save lives and address the economic impact caused by the pandemic.
    As America faces an affordable housing crisis, which worsened during the pandemic, Senator Reed will play a key role in providing relief for renters and homeowners, and helping to revitalize communities by expanding the supply of affordable housing. Reed will also use his seat on this committee to boost mass-transit infrastructure in order to help connect communities and more Americans to jobs and economic opportunity.
    Senator Reed will serve on three key Banking subcommittees: Economic Policy; Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection; and Securities, Insurance, and Investment.
    INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE
    By virtue of his leadership of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Reed is also an ex officio member of the high-profile Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees the U.S. Intelligence Community.  As an ex officio member of the panel, Senator Reed regularly participates in open and closed-door briefings and hearings with top intelligence officials from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and the National Security Agency (NSA), but he does not vote in committee.
    The Intelligence Committee was established in 1976 to oversee the range of civilian and military agencies and departments that make up the U.S. Intelligence Community, and has wide influence over U.S. national security and foreign policy.
    The President of the United States is required by law to ensure that the Intelligence Committee is kept “fully and currently informed” of intelligence activities.  As a result, U.S. intelligence agencies must notify the Committee of its activities, including covert actions.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed: RI Federal Workers Right to be Wary of Trump’s Unauthorized ‘Deferred Resignation’ Scheme

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to purge the federal workforce of non-partisan civil servants, the Trump Administration is trying to pressure federal workers into taking a “deferred resignation” buyout, which would mean they agree to resign almost immediately but could supposedly get paid – with no guarantee – through September.  Using the classic ‘pressure sales’ tactic, the e mail urges workers to act fast now: the Trump Administration set a deadline of February 6.
    As of December 2024, Rhode Island had 8,439 federal civilian employees, many helping our military, according to the Congressional Research Service.  Nationwide, the federal government employs approximately 2.3 million civilians.  And according to the Brookings Institution: “Federal civilian employment has stayed the same since the mid-1960s, even as the U.S. population has grown by 68%.”
    U.S. Senator Jack Reed is warning local federal workers that the Trump Administration’s offer may not be what it seems and taking it would be a huge risk.  Reed is urging civil servants to carefully weigh their options before making a decision.
    “This risky offer is simply not credible and fails to offer any guarantee.  Trump has a long, well-known history of stiffing workers and anyone who thinks his administration will stick to the terms of this e mail could be in for a rude awakening.  Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse.  President Trump has zero authority to pay a single federal employee beyond March 14th unless Congress passes a new appropriations law.  Moreover, blindly cutting the workforce like this and culling it of experienced employees could create new, costly problems down the road while reducing services for taxpayers.  I would urge federal workers to focus on their jobs and continue serving the American people and the Constitution.  Administrations routinely change every four years, but the Constitution and responsibilities of civil servants remains steadfast,” said Senator Reed. 
    In an e mail from the Office of Personnel Management, with the subject line “Fork in the Road,” federal employees interested in resigning were instructed to leave their positions by replying to the e mail with a one word subject line: “resign.”  The e mail, which echoed language similar to that of a previous e mail Elon Musk sent to his former Twitter employees, also suggested the majority of federal agencies would likely be downsized and that a substantial number of federal employees would be furloughed.
    Notably, OPM’s website clearly states there is a $25,000 limit for incentive packages for voluntary resignations, not eight months’ pay.  Moreover, some federal employees can’t even be offered Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP).  The OPM email suggests the Trump Administration will try to get around this is by defining the process as “deferred resignation” and implying workers won’t necessarily have to work while sitting getting paid for several months – far from a legal guarantee.
    In the past, Donald Trump has bragged about his businesses not paying workers what they are owed and stiffing contractors for their labor resulting in hundreds of lawsuits, many for unpaid wages.  According to U.S. Department of Labor data, Trump’s companies have also been cited for two dozen violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act since 2005.
    Reed noted that if Trump carries out his anti-worker polices, purges the federal government of civil servants, and follows through on its ‘DOGE’ pledge to slash $2 trillion in spending, average Americans are the ones who would suffer from both lack of essential services and weakened job protections potentially spreading into other sectors of the economy.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Reed Statement on Trump Executive Order Barring Transgender Military Members

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
    WASHINGTON, DC—This week, after President Trump issued an executive order effectively banning transgender individuals from serving in the military, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:
    “All military members, including the thousands of transgender Americans who have stepped forward to serve our nation, swear the same oath to protect their fellow citizens.  The transgender members of our military have met the same qualifications, made the same sacrifices, and accomplished the same feats—including in combat—as their comrades in arms.  President Trump should be thanking these men and women for their service, not targeting them.
    “This executive order endangers every American.  Our military is a merit-based organization, not a political one.  Every American with the skills and qualifications to meet the standards should have an opportunity to serve.  To willfully strip skilled troops from our ranks at a dangerous moment in the world is to invite disaster.
    “We must recruit and retain every American who is willing and able to serve their country, and they should be able to serve openly, free of discrimination.  I urge President Trump to rescind this order immediately.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Hassan Slams RFK Jr. as a Dangerous Rubber Stamp for Donald Trump

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Maggie Hassan
    “When was it that you decided to sell out the values you’ve had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?”
    WASHINGTON – At a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) slammed President Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for being “willing to sacrifice your values, your knowledge, if President Trump tells you to do that,” specifically highlighting Mr. Kennedy’s flip-flopping on issues such as reproductive freedom.
    Click here to watch Senator Hassan question RFK Jr. on his refusal to put the health and well-being of the American people above his allegiance to Donald Trump.
    Senator Hassan began by highlighting Mr. Kennedy’s record of spreading dangerous vaccine misinformation. Then, Senator Hassan highlighted his rapidly shifting positions on the right for women to make their own reproductive health care decisions. “Mr. Kennedy…You have clearly stated in the past that bodily autonomy is one of your core values. The question is do you stand for that value or not? When was it that you decided to sell out the values you’ve had your whole life in order to be given power by President Trump?” said Senator Hassan when pressing him during the confirmation hearing today on his shifting positions.
    “What you’re telling us is if President Trump orders you to take action to make it harder for women to get direly needed health care, you’ll follow his order. If Mr. Trump, as he did yesterday, orders a halt on Medicaid payments that are essential for taking care of people with disabilities all around this country, you’re going to follow that order. Because you are willing to sacrifice your values, your knowledge, if President Trump tells you to do that. That to me is unacceptable in a Secretary of Health and Human Services,” Senator Hassan concluded.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Impact of Brexit on Scottish Trade

    Source: Scottish Government

    New figures show possible cost of increased trade barriers.

    Analysis published today by the Office of the Chief Economic Advisor has estimated Brexit trade barriers could impact Scotland’s economy by £4 billion.

    This estimated economic cost is from the reduction in trade alone – not counting changes to productivity, investment or migration.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said the report demonstrated the urgent need to reverse the damage of Brexit to boost living standards and revenue for the NHS.

    According to the Trade Modelling Report, Scottish exports could be lower by 7.2% or £3 billion compared to continued EU membership.

    The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is estimated to be one of the hardest hit by post-Brexit trade barriers, with an estimated 9.1% reduction in output, followed by the computer and electronics sector with an estimated 7.7% fall. The 4.9% output drop estimated for the agrifood sector represents a loss of £827 million.

    Business Minister Richard Lochhead said:

    “On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Brexit, these new figures highlight the urgent need to change course to boost the economy and increase public revenue for the NHS.

    “This is the latest in a long line of studies highlighting how badly Brexit continues to impact Scotland and should cause the UK Government to consider its approach to economic growth.

    “The Scottish Government has been clear that Scotland’s place is in the EU and the huge European single market. But we are also a voice for greater co-operation with the EU right now and we urge the new UK Government to forge a much closer relationship with our fellow Europeans.”  

    Background

    Scottish Government’s Brexit Trade Modelling Report

    The report is the first to specifically analyse the impact of the UK’s post-Brexit trade agreements on Scotland’s economy. It examines the expected effect of actual or potential free trade agreements between the UK and Australia, India, Switzerland and Turkey, as well as the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU. It then compares that with the trade benefits Scotland would have received from continued EU membership.

    This report makes estimates based on the impact of trade barriers and does not account for changes in productivity and investment due to Brexit. This means that some of the headline figures differ from those in other reports – such as in modelling by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, which showed that UK GDP could be 5.7% lower – as they look at the overall impact of Brexit on the economy.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tourists enjoy traditional family reunion dinner of Li ethnic group in China’s Hainan

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    Tourists enjoy traditional family reunion dinner of Li ethnic group in China’s Hainan

    Updated: January 30, 2025 08:32 Xinhua
    A villager serves traditional rice wine of Li ethnic group at Binglanggu tourism area in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2025. An event featuring Li ethnic group culture was held at Binglanggu tourism area to celebrate the Chinese New Year, where tourists could dress in traditional Li attire and taste food with Li characteristics. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Villagers prepare rolls made from sticky rice and coconuts at Binglanggu tourism area in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Villagers serve traditional snacks at Binglanggu tourism area in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]
    Tourists enjoy a traditional family reunion dinner of Li ethnic group at Binglanggu tourism area in Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, south China’s Hainan Province, Jan. 28, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Cops catch up with speeding drivers

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police in Avondale caught up with two speeding vehicles within minutes of each other during the early hours of this morning.

    Just after 2am, officers observed a Toyota Aqua driving at speed along Blockhouse Bay Road.

    Auckland City West’s Area Commander, Inspector Alisse Robertson, says Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, however it fled.

    “We elected not to pursue and engaged the Police helicopter, to provide commentary as the vehicle continued to travel around Auckland for about 40 minutes.

    “The vehicle reached high speeds along the motorway and around surrounding residential areas before it was spiked on Ash Street.”

    She says the vehicle then came to a stop and two occupants ran into nearby properties.

    “The Police dog unit was able to locate both people quickly, with one receiving a minor dog bite.

    “Thankfully no one was seriously hurt”

    Two youths, aged 16 and 14, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

    Inspector Robertson says about 30 minutes later officers spotted another vehicle allegedly speeding while travelling on Blockhouse Bay Road.

    “Officers attempted to stop the vehicle however it has failed to stop and continued on at speed.

    “The vehicle was not pursued and was located by the Police helicopter down a driveway on Eastdale Road where the driver was taken into custody without incident.”

    She says the driver was breath tested and allegedly blew 1200mcgs, more than five times the legal limit.

    “This sort of driving behaviour is incredibly reckless, and unacceptable”

    A 35-year-old man will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with failing to stop, driving with excess breath alcohol and dangerous driving.

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 100s of NZ species highly vulnerable to climate change

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  30 January 2025

    The assessment looked at 1145 species of birds, bats, lizards, and frogs, as well as land-based invertebrates and plants, to identify the most vulnerable which can then be prioritised for conservation action to help protect them from climate change impacts.

    Of the species assessed, 351 or 31% were classified as highly vulnerable to climate change by the mid-21st century, rising to 746 (65%) by late century.

    Anni Brumby, DOC Senior Science Advisor and the report’s lead author, New Zealand is a hotspot for seabirds and known as the world’s seabird capital, which makes the changing climate a global survival issue.

    “Seabirds travel internationally, but many depend on New Zealand’s territory for their breeding grounds. When we looked at climate change pressures such as projected sea level rise and warmer temperatures, fifty per cent of seabirds were assessed as highly vulnerable to climate change by mid-century.

    “Snares penguin only breeds on one island and may have nowhere to go if climate conditions change drastically.

    “Tara iti/fairy tern – New Zealand’s rarest bird – was found to be particularly vulnerable to climate change, as projected higher spring tides and increased storm surges could impact their Northland beach breeding ground and warmer temperatures could put additional stress on adults, chicks and eggs.”

    All five New Zealand bat species were assessed as vulnerable by the late 21st century. Bats are already under pressure from predators, habitat loss, and human disturbance, which will only get more extreme as climate change progresses.

    Many native plants identified as highly vulnerable in the assessment are already critically endangered and confined to rare ecosystems. Most South Island limestone dependent plants were assessed as highly vulnerable, such as the Castle Hill buttercup.

    Pīngao, a taonga coastal plant species, is highly vulnerable to projected increases in coastal flooding and sea surges.

    Reptiles and frogs already have small, highly fragmented populations. Climate change is predicted to increase the impact of current pressures, including habitat loss and introduced predators. The most vulnerable lizards include both alpine and coastal species.

    Alpine invertebrates, including Paparoa tunnelling wētā, were also found to be vulnerable, as they may get increasingly squeezed out of their habitats with nowhere to go as the climate warms.

    Anni says the large number of species assessed as highly vulnerable reflects the specialised habitats and threatened status of many native species due to small population sizes, limited distributions, and low reproductive rates.

    “DOC’s ongoing work programme is focused on prioritising species and habitats where we can make the most difference. We know that when pressures are managed through tools such as invasive pest eradication, nature is restored and in turn, species and habitats become more resilient in the face of pressures including climate change.

    “We also need innovative solutions such as establishing ‘insurance’ populations of rare species that could become extinct in a single extreme weather event and implementing nature-based solutions to help control climate-related erosion, for example.

    “This information isn’t only useful for DOC – we also expect that other agencies, environmental NGOs, iwi, and communities will find this valuable data helpful to take action for nature,” Anni says.

    DOC will continue its climate change adaptation research with risk assessments underway, focusing on highly vulnerable species to help identify any immediate action needed to prevent irreversible losses.

    View the report

    Trait-based climate change vulnerability assessments of terrestrial taxa in Aotearoa New Zealand

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: More extreme weather predicted for subants

    Source: Department of Conservation

    Date:  30 January 2025

    “Up until now, we’ve lacked information on the climate change impact on subantarctic islands,” Drew Bingham, DOC Principal Science Advisor says.

    “We knew we had to take a deeper look and identify actions needed to ensure the survival of the taonga species that depend on the islands for their survival.”

    The study focuses on 11,300-ha Campbell Island, 740km south of Dunedin. Its terrain is steep, rugged and covered in extensive peat. The highest point is 569m.

    “Meteorological observations were made over 83 years, which was an excellent base to start with, and gave us confidence in identifying past trends,” Drew says.

    “The pattern we’ve observed is a general increase across all climate indicators related to warmer conditions. This is expected to continue into the future.

    “Increases in temperatures, rainfall and wind are projected for Campbell Island. Winter rainfall is expected to be particularly heavy, with a warmer atmosphere storing more water vapour and increasing the severity and intensity of downpours.”

    Drew says these climate projections have implications for conservation management on Campbell and other subantarctic islands.

    “Extensive rainfall events and slips will potentially have the biggest impact on nesting birds. We’d also like to find out more about how sea level rise and storm surges will affect sea lions.

    “Increasing the resilience of the subantarctic islands and keeping them pest-free becomes even more important in the face of climate change, especially given the wealth of biodiversity on many of the islands.

    “The project to remove pests from Campbell island’s neighbour, Maukahuka/Auckland Island, is a great example, and will boost the climate change resilience of Auckland Island and by extension, the surrounding Southern Ocean.”

    Data from the study shows the following trends and records for Campbell Island’s climate:

    • An increase in the average daily temperature over the past 83 years.
    • A decrease in the number of cold days over the past 83 years.
    • An increase in annual rainfall since 1970 (an additional annual rainfall of 79mm per decade).
    • The three warmest years and four wettest years on record were after 2011.

    Drew says further research is still needed to assess the impact of the projected weather on Campbell Island’s species in more detail.

    “This climate report is a good start as we look at ways to help our taonga species on the subantarctic islands adapt to climate change.”

    Visit DOC’s website to download the report on the study.

    The climate and weather of Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku: historic observations and projected changes (PDF, 3,100K)

    Background information

    Campbell Island is part of New Zealand’s subantarctic World Heritage Site. It is the most southerly of the five New Zealand subantarctic groups.

    Campbell Island is home to six species of albatross, including black-browed, grey-headed, light-mantled sooty and a small population of Gibson’s wandering albatross. Several critically endangered birds including the Campbell Island teal and Campbell Island snipe are found nowhere else. It has around 128 native vascular plants, which include several endemic herbs and grasses.

    The island’s rat-free status was confirmed in 2006, following rat eradications in the early 2000s.

    The Maukahuka project aims to eradicate feral pigs, feral cats and mice from Auckland Island so the island’s animals and plants can thrive. Visit DOC’s website for more information: Restoring Auckland Island – the Maukahuka project.

    Contact

    For media enquiries contact:

    Email: media@doc.govt.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Unlocking a future energy market in Western Australia

    Source: Australian Renewable Energy Agency

    Overview

    • Category

      Uncategorised

    • Date

      30 January 2025

    • Classification

      Demand response

    The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has today announced $20.8 million in funding to Western Power for the development of an end-to-end commercial solution focused on operating Distributed Energy Resources (DER) within the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) in Western Australia (WA).

    ARENA CEO, Darren Miller said the Project (Jupiter) is vital for integrating DER into the SWIS at scale without compromising the reliability and security of Western Australia’s main power system.

    DER are small-scale devices that can either use, generate or store electricity, and form a part of the local distribution system, serving homes and businesses. They include renewable generation (e.g. rooftop solar), energy storage, electric vehicles (EVs), and technology that consumers can use at their premises to manage their electricity demand.

    “Australia has some of the highest levels of DER globally, with no signs of slowing down. This uptake presents a big opportunity to decarbonise while helping consumers get more value, but it also poses challenges to the grid if not integrated effectively.

    ““Project Jupiter will be the first live DER marketplace in Australia that is integrated with the wholesale market, marking an important milestone in Australia’s renewable transition.”

    Customers with DER who join the program will have access to new retail products which can support better returns on their DER investments. More broadly, orchestrating a large pool of customers through the energy market can lead to more optimal energy and grid management, putting downward pressure on household energy for all consumers.

    Project Jupiter builds on the recently completed Project Symphony, and is being undertaken over three years in partnership with Western Power, WA energy generator and retailer Synergy, Energy Policy WA (EPWA) and the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).

    About 40 per cent of households within the SWIS have rooftop solar panels, with around 30,000 new systems installed each year. Household battery systems are also being installed at an increasing rate, which enable clean energy to be stored for later use.

    Using the findings and recommendations from Project Symphony, Project Jupiter will not only deliver the technical solutions to allow DER in the SWIS to be coordinated and participate in the market via virtual power plants (VPPs), but it will develop new customer products, tariffs and education programs to support customer participation and allow customers to gain more value from their DER investments.

    Western Power Head of Distribution Energy Transition, Andrew Blaver said Project Jupiter will accelerate the opportunity for Western Australian households to join VPPs and earn value from their assets.

    “This project will enable more consumers to join VPPs using their solar panels and home batteries, revolutionising how our energy system operates.

    “By 2028, all new distributed energy resources (DER) connected to WA’s network will be able to participate in a VPP, allowing households to unlock greater value from their energy investments.”

    ARENA has also supported over $200 million of DER projects and established the Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP) a collaboration of government agencies, market authorities, industry and consumer associations aimed at maximising the value of customers’ DER for all energy users.

    media@arena.gov.au

    Download this media release (PDF 133KB)

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Named Ranking Member of Senate Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that she has been named the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism. Senator Rosen was also named a member of the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues; and the Subcommittee on Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental Policy.
    “I’m grateful for the honor to serve as the leading Democrat on the Senate Subcommittee on the Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism,” said Senator Rosen. “At a time of unrest throughout the Middle East, U.S. leadership is needed more than ever to support Israel, oppose Iranian aggression, and navigate political transitions in Syria and Lebanon. I look forward to working with Chairman Dave McCormick to tackle these complex challenges and maintain strong, bipartisan support for the US-Israel relationship.”
    Senator Rosen has been a strong leader in maintaining U.S. support for Israel and our partners in the Middle East. Following the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, Senator Rosen has repeatedly taken action to ensure Israel receives the unconditional support necessary to defend itself, defeat Hamas, and bring the hostages home. Senator Rosen was also outspoken in pushing her own party to counter Iranian aggression, including by freezing its assets. She sent a bipartisan letter calling on President Biden to leverage the U.S. relationship with Qatar to secure the immediate release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza by Hamas and urged the Administration to designate the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Statement on Trump Administration’s Misguided Decision to Revoke Temporary Protected Status Extension for Venezuelans

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem revoked a previously authorized Temporary Protected Status (TPS) extension for immigrants from Venezuela.
    “I’m outraged by the misguided action by the Trump Administration to rescind the TPS extension for Venezuelans who are fleeing an oppressive anti-democratic government and unsafe conditions,” said Senator Rosen. “This action by the Trump administration is reckless, and I’ll keep fighting to protect this critical program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: DeepSeek R1 is now available on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub

    Source: Microsoft

    Headline: DeepSeek R1 is now available on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub

    DeepSeek R1 is now available in the model catalog on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub, joining a diverse portfolio of over 1,800 models, including frontier, open-source, industry-specific, and task-based AI models. As part of Azure AI Foundry, DeepSeek R1 is accessible on a trusted, scalable, and enterprise-ready platform, enabling businesses to seamlessly integrate advanced AI.

    DeepSeek R1 is now available in the model catalog on Azure AI Foundry and GitHub, joining a diverse portfolio of over 1,800 models, including frontier, open-source, industry-specific, and task-based AI models. As part of Azure AI Foundry, DeepSeek R1 is accessible on a trusted, scalable, and enterprise-ready platform, enabling businesses to seamlessly integrate advanced AI while meeting SLAs, security, and responsible AI commitments—all backed by Microsoft’s reliability and innovation. 

    Build transformative AI apps with Azure AI Foundry

    Accelerating AI reasoning for developers on Azure AI Foundry

    AI reasoning is becoming more accessible at a rapid pace transforming how developers and enterprises leverage cutting-edge intelligence. As DeepSeek mentions, R1 offers a powerful, cost-efficient model that allows more users to harness state-of-the-art AI capabilities with minimal infrastructure investment. 

    One of the key advantages of using DeepSeek R1 or any other model on Azure AI Foundry is the speed at which developers can experiment, iterate, and integrate AI into their workflows. With built-in model evaluation tools, they can quickly compare outputs, benchmark performance, and scale AI-powered applications. This rapid accessibility—once unimaginable just months ago—is central to our vision for Azure AI Foundry: bringing the best AI models together in one place to accelerate innovation and unlock new possibilities for enterprises worldwide. 

    Develop with trustworthy AI

    We are committed to enabling customers to build production-ready AI applications quickly while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security. DeepSeek R1 has undergone rigorous red teaming and safety evaluations, including automated assessments of model behavior and extensive security reviews to mitigate potential risks. With Azure AI Content Safety, built-in content filtering is available by default, with opt-out options for flexibility. Additionally, the Safety Evaluation System allows customers to efficiently test their applications before deployment. These safeguards help Azure AI Foundry provide a secure, compliant, and responsible environment for enterprises to confidently deploy AI solutions. 

    How to use DeepSeek in model catalog

    • If you don’t have an Azure subscription, you can sign up for an Azure account here.
    • Search for DeepSeek R1 in the model catalog.
    • Open the model card in the model catalog on Azure AI Foundry.
    • Click on deploy to obtain the inference API and key and also to access the playground. 
    • You should land on the deployment page that shows you the API and key in less than a minute. You can try out your prompts in the playground.
    • You can use the API and key with various clients.

    Get started today

    DeepSeek R1 is now available via a serverless endpoint through the model catalog in Azure AI Foundry. Get started on Azure AI Foundry here and select the DeepSeek model.

    On GitHub, you can explore additional resources and step-by-step guides to integrate DeepSeek R1 seamlessly into your applications. Read the GitHub Models blog post.

    Coming soon: Customers will be able to use distilled flavors of the DeepSeek R1 model to run locally on their Copilot+ PCs. Read the Windows Developer blog post.

    As we continue expanding the model catalog in Azure AI Foundry, we’re excited to see how developers and enterprises leverage DeepSeek R1 to tackle real-world challenges and deliver transformative experiences. We are committed to offering the most comprehensive portfolio of AI models, ensuring that businesses of all sizes have access to cutting-edge tools to drive innovation and success. 

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: LOCKS ROAD, BUNGAMA (Other)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

    We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

    All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: INNAMINCKA (Grass Fire)

    Source: Country Fire Service – South Australia

    Advice – Reduced Threat

    We will issue a Reduced Threat message when the threat to the community has reduced.

    All bushfire incidents that have had an Advice, Watch and Act or Emergency Warning message issued will be finalised with an Advice – Reduced Threat message.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Markey Statement on Trump Funding Cut-Off

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey
    Washington (January 29, 2025) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement today after the Trump administration rescinded a memo from the Office of Management and Budget directing the cut-off federal grants and assistance, while continuing to state that funding was still frozen. 
    “Trump’s administration isn’t governing—it’s careening from chaos to crisis that it created, leaving people guessing whether life-saving services, school lunches, home heating, health care, and public safety are going to be funded day by day. The collective outrage of literally everyone got them to rescind their latest directive to cut off federal money, but the Trump administration has made clear they intend to proceed with their callously cruel plan of stalling or stopping essential federal funding.
    They’ll lie, disregard Congress, and now they’re bypassing the Courts. We’ll need all of our collective engagement to make sure that Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and their unelected, unqualified henchmen keep our services going and don’t break the law.”     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Statement on Confirmation of Lee Zeldin to be Environmental Protection Agency Administrator

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted 56-42 to confirm Lee M. Zeldin to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with her support. 
    “Today, the Senate has confirmed an EPA administrator who is well qualified and capable of returning the EPA to its core missions of protecting our land, air, and water, without inhibiting economic development. Congressman Zeldin will lead the EPA as the agency addresses the environmental needs of our country, and he is committed to properly implementing the laws of Congress through collaboration with the members of our Committee. I have been continually impressed by Congressman Zeldin’s character, and his dedication to our country through service in both the U.S. Army and Congress. I am confident he will perform the role of EPA administrator exceptionally well, and be a central member of President Trump’s cabinet as they enact policies and solutions to the environment, infrastructure, and energy challenges of our time,” Chairman Capito said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lutnick Commits to Championing Alaska Fishermen & “Freedom Fish” as Commerce Secretary

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Dan Sullivan
    01.29.25
    WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, today received commitments from Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Commerce, to visit Alaska, champion the interests of Alaska’s fishermen and seafood industry, help implement President Trump’s “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” executive order, and work to advance the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. Sen. Sullivan highlighted the serious challenges facing Alaska and America’s fishermen, including the decade-long unfair, non-reciprocal seafood trade relationship between the U.S. and Russia, which was fixed by executive orders Sen. Sullivan secured in 2022 and 2023. Sullivan noted the Commerce Department’s important role in enforcing the comprehensive ban on the import of Russian seafood and advocating for America’s fishing communities.
    Sen. Sullivan posed his questions to Mr. Lutnick during his confirmation hearing before the committee.
    [embedded content]
    Below is a full transcript of Sen. Sullivan’s exchange with Mr. Lutnick.
    Sen. Dan Sullivan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Lutnick, congratulations to you and your family. Thank you for that very powerful opening statement. I appreciated our meeting. I’m really enjoying this hearing, all the focus on fish. It’s great. In all seriousness, certain secretaries, most secretaries, in my view, have not embraced their role that they are really important to our fishing community. As you and I talked about, this is really important to my state. Alaska is the superpower of seafood. Over two-thirds of all seafood harvested in America—commercial, subsistence, sport—is harvested in Alaska’s waters. Over two-thirds. So we’re it. We’re the 800-pound gorilla. Tens of thousands of Alaskans are connected to this industry. We are a huge powerhouse in terms of American exports. Mr. Lutnick, the vice president, in his opening statement, called you a “product guy,” a “sales guy,” a “good dude.” That’s a quote from the vice president. Good dude. I want to also maybe give you the title of “Godfather of American Fishermen” or the patron saint of American fishermen…
    Howard Lutnick: This is working for me.
    DS: …to keep a focus on these communities, on these great Americans—just look at Deadliest Catch and things like that—and to be a leader on focusing on them. That does not always happen. As a matter of fact, it usually hasn’t happened with the Secretaries of Commerce. Can you commit to me on doing that?
    HL: Well, I love to fish, and I’m happy to commit to you. The fishermen of the United States of America are one of our great assets. It’s easy for me to promise to take care of them.
    DS: Great. Since you love to fish, this next question might be the easiest one you get all day. I need a commitment from you to come to Alaska. You can bring the family.
    HL: As long as I can bring my family, we’re coming.
    DS: You can go fishing—but to meet these great American fishermen who are my constituents. It’d be great for you to get up there soon to meet them. Can I get your commitment to do that as well?
    HL: It’s my pleasure.
    DS: Great. Let me mention—we already talked about it: The last four years have been tough on my state. This is a chart I’ve shown all over the place—the Last Frontier Lock Up, we called it. 70 executive orders and actions from the Biden administration singularly focused on shutting down Alaska. 70. Fortunately, this is now a thing of the past. We want to get rid of that. On day one, the President issued this executive order, President Trump. It’s called “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential.” It’s long, right? It’s very detailed. The Secretary of Commerce is mentioned in it. One of the lines in there: “It’s the policy of the United States”—this is from President Trump on day one—”to fully avail itself of Alaska’s vast lands and resources for the benefit of the nation and the American citizens who call Alaska home.” You’re mentioned in this, the Secretary of Commerce. Can I get your commitment to work with me on implementing every aspect of this really great Trump day one executive order?
    HL: Yes.
    DS: Great. Thank you. You mentioned disrespect for our fishermen. You and I talked about what we’ve been enduring for the last ten years. Russia instituted a ban on any exports of American seafood in 2014, and yet we had open borders essentially for them, for the last ten years, taking market share. Literally the most disrespectful, unfair trading situation I could see anywhere in the world. They were coming after our market share. Our fishermen in America could not export one fish to Russia. I worked really hard to get that changed. We got a ban, and then the Russians start sending their fish to China to essentially create a loophole, then to come into the U.S. We shut that down finally. Can you work with me to make sure we don’t have that incredibly unfair—Russia bans everything and they can import everything here. Ridiculous. Same with China. You’re a sales guy, a products guy. I want you to commit to me to promote American “freedom fish,” Alaska “freedom fish,” and don’t allow “communist fish” from Russia and China coming into our markets. Can you commit…
    HL: We’ve got to get rid of those communist fish.
    DS: So can I get a commitment on that?
    HL: I do.
    DS: Excellent. No “communist fish.” Freedom fish is what we want. Finally, Mr. Lutnick, the chairman is going to focus this committee a lot on energy, which I think is great. I know you care about unleashing our extraordinary energy potential. One of the big areas of focus of the Trump day-one EO on unleashing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential is moving forward and finally getting done this massive Alaska LNG project that we’ve been working on for a number of years. We got all of the permits during the Trump administration. Of course, Biden blocked those. This would create thousands of jobs, would revitalize the American steel industry, would—estimates are—would reduce our trade deficit by about $10 billion a year. Can you commit to work with me, the President—who’s very focused on that in his EO, the secretaries of Interior and Energy, and other cabinet officials, including our Asian allies, to make this project a reality, which will be great for the country, great for our workers, great for our trade deficit, and really boost America’s national security?
    HL: I can.
    DS: Thank you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso, King Bill Will Make National Parks Safer

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced legislation to update 911 emergency call centers inside the National Park System (NPS).
    The Making National Parks Safer Act directs the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a plan to upgrade NPS 911 call centers with Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology. This technology will enable call centers to receive text messages, images, and video submissions in addition to traditional phone calls. This capability will improve the speed and accuracy of emergency responders in locating and assisting callers in need of emergency aid.
    Additionally, in the event of any natural disaster or technical issue, the updated call centers would be equipped to forward 911 calls and messages to any working call center until they become operational again.
    “Our country’s national parks receive hundreds of millions of visitors every year. Our public safety technology needs improvements and resources to ensure that visitors can continue to enjoy our national parks without worry,” said Senator Barrasso. “This bipartisan bill updates and modernizes 911 call centers and ensures visitors who may need assistance can be reached in an accurate and timely manner. These much-needed updates will improve our national parks and protect the safety of visitors.”
    “People travel from every corner of the world to connect with America’s incredible natural beauty and to make memories that last a lifetime,” said Senator King. “However, when natural disaster strikes or an unexpected emergency occurs, we need to make sure that our visitors to the parks are safe. The bipartisan Making National Parks Safer Act would improve emergency reporting and responding by upgrading the technology at National Park Service-operated emergency call centers. This legislation is an important step forward in improving the visitor experience at our public lands and serves as a proud reminder that stewardship of these lands is not a partisan issue.”
    Co-sponsors of this legislation include U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
    This legislation is supported by the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition, National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO).
    “National Parks are becoming increasingly popular with tourists often visiting areas that are unfamiliar to them. It is vitally important that we do everything we can to ensure the safety of those visitors as they enjoy our wonderful parks. Due to the rural nature of Wyoming coordination between the Park Service and local public safety answering points (PSAPs) is essential. We believe that this study will be a step in the right direction to evaluate and implement the NG911 system across the nation, starting with our National Parks.” – Lynn Budd, Director, Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
    The Making National Parks Safer Act will direct the U.S. Department of Interior to:
    • Complete an assessment of current call centers at national parks and the estimated cost of implementing NG911 technology across the National Park System.• Develop a plan based on the assessment to install NG911 systems at identified points in the National Park System. This plan must include consultation with state and local emergency operations and stakeholders, as well as relevant federal agencies to ensure its successful implementation.
    Full text of the legislation can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Barrasso: HHS Nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Will Prioritize Rural Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming John Barrasso
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) discussed the various challenges health care providers and patients in rural America face with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald J. Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services.
    Specifically, Senator Barrasso and Mr. Kennedy discussed the threat of hospital closures and the lack of maternity services in rural and frontier communities. They also talked about the Biden administration’s shortsighted nursing home staffing mandate, which if implemented would result in nursing home closures in Wyoming and across rural America.
    Kennedy’s confirmation hearing was held today by the Senate Committee on Finance.
    On Challenges Facing Rural Hospitals and Patients:
    “Thank you for taking the time to visit with me in my office prior to today’s hearing to talk about a lot of the important issues affecting health care in my home state of Wyoming, as well as the nation. I appreciate your willingness to serve our country.
    “During our meeting, we discussed the challenges health care providers and patients are facing in rural America including: financial obstacles facing rural hospitals, workforce shortages, issues with OBGYN, and new regulations that are painful that came out of the Biden administration hurting our ability to provide nursing home staffing.
    “Let me start off with rural hospitals and the closures of hospitals like that. There are a lot of challenges facing hospitals in rural communities and frontier areas.
    “We have 33 hospitals in Wyoming. Twenty-six are located in various locations often hard to get to or weather impacts them. Six of the hospitals are at risk of closing, two are in immediate risk of closing in the next two years, and 10 have had to cut available services.
    “This is a concern of rural hospitals both Republican and Democrat states. It’s bipartisan. It is critical that the financial, workforce challenges that we are facing are addressed.
    “Can you commit to working with us on a plan to address this critical nationwide issue in rural healthcare?”
    Follow-up on maternity services in rural areas:
    “With financial strains on a local hospital, one of the common services to be cut in rural hospitals is maternity services. We have women in Wyoming having to drive over 100 miles to access care.
    “Thirteen counties in Wyoming don’t have access to OB. Counties that are larger than the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware.
    “Will you commit to working with my office to find solutions to help address these specific maternal health challenges?”
    Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on rural hospitals and maternity services.
    On Nursing Home Closures:
    “Another issue we specifically spoke about is the harmful Biden administration rule that would have been really bad for our rural nursing homes.
    “It is a rule that would triple the registered nurse requirements in nursing homes. There just are not enough registered nurses in our state to be able to comply with this. This would lead to nursing home closures across our state.
    “Will you commit to working with me to fix this serious problem that would have been the result of a rule that came out by the Biden administration that clearly doesn’t understand rural America?”
    Click here to watch Sen. Barrasso’s remarks on nursing home closures.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Questions HHS Secretary Nominee RFK Jr. in Confirmation Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – Today during the Senate Finance Committee’s hearing on the nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under the Trump administration, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) discussed with him the need to locate the unaccompanied migrant children who were lost in the interior U.S. under Joe Biden, improve Americans’ access to mental and behavioral health services, and strengthen the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program after its success in the first Trump administration. Excerpts are below, and video can be found here.
    On Locating Unaccompanied Migrant Children Lost by the Biden Administration:
    CORNYN: “There were roughly 500,000 children—unaccompanied minors—that were placed with sponsors in the interior of the United States. The previous administration took the position that it was not the federal government’s responsibility once these children were placed with these sponsors.”
    “I look forward to working with you to find those children and to make sure that they’re not being abused.”
    KENNEDY: “Many of them we know have been sex trafficked, and childhood slavery, and it is a plight on America’s moral authority, and we need to find those kids.”
    On Improving Access to Mental and Behavioral Health Services:
    CORNYN: “Millions of Americans are experiencing mild to moderate mental health and substance abuse issues, yet many struggle with timely and effective access.”
    “Primary care physicians are most likely to be seeing these individuals as opposed to a specialist, and it makes it important that these individuals, primary care physicians, be trained in patient-centered care, which would strengthen the integration of behavioral health care with primary care services. Is this something that you are concerned about, something you’d be willing to work with us on in order to implement?”
    KENNEDY: “This is a priority for me.”
    “I was a heroin addict for 14 years. I’m in 42 years in recovery… I hear the many stories about denial or the barriers to access to care, and we need to improve that.”
    On Strengthening PEPFAR:
    CORNYN: “Under the first Trump administration, the number of people receiving HIV treatment in Africa through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, otherwise known as PEPFAR, it increased.”
    “Failure to continue this program, in my view, would risk ceding that leadership to adversaries like China… Would you work with me and my colleagues to make sure that this program continues to provide lifesaving antiviral drugs to people who are most in need?”
    KENNEDY: “I absolutely support PEPFAR, and I will happily work with you to strengthen the program.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn Votes to Confirm Lee Zeldin for EPA Administrator

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after former Congressman Lee Zeldin was confirmed as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
    “Lee Zeldin is a fantastic choice by President Trump to cut the bureaucratic red tape, radical Green New Deal policies, and anti-American energy agenda that defined the Biden EPA. The days of bowing to environmental activists are rightfully coming to a close with Lee in charge, and I am eager to work with him to slash burdensome regulations that have kneecapped Texas energy producers for far too long.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, De La Cruz Introduce Bill to Combat Cattle Fever Tick Infestations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representative Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) released the following statements after Senate introduction of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act, which would help combat cattle fever tick infestations across the country:
    “Cattle fever tick infestations can cause devastating losses for ranchers across Texas and the nation,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would kickstart improvements to the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and help mitigate losses caused by these parasites, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”
    “With cattle fever tick infestations on the rise, it is critical that we are taking steps to curb the spread of the disease,” said Rep. De La Cruz. “I am committed to working with the USDA to monitor the efficacy of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and make any improvements necessary to ensure Texas ranchers and producers have the resources to protect the health of their cattle and the viability of their herds.”
    This legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 14, 2025. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) is also a cosponsor of this legislation.
    Background:
    In recent years, cattle fever tick infestations have skyrocketed, threatening the cattle industry across Texas and the nation. This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-grant college of agriculture to study the effectiveness of the USDA’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and would require a report on any suggestions for improvements to the program.
    This legislation is endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Cruz Accepting Applications for District Court, U.S. Attorney, U.S. Marshal Vacancies

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced that they are accepting applications for federal judicial vacancies in the Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas. These vacancies are located in Dallas, Houston, McAllen, Austin, and Waco. The Senators are also accepting applications for U.S. Attorney and U.S. Marshal vacancies in the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas.
    “As a former judge and Attorney General of Texas, I know firsthand how critical it is for our state to have the best and brightest jurists sitting on the federal bench and working to uphold the rule of law,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I encourage qualified Texans who are interested in serving to submit their applications to our review committee.”
    “Selecting lawyers to serve as federal judges is one of the most important duties I have as a U.S. Senator,” said Sen. Cruz. “Texans deserve principled, unwavering leaders who will defend the Constitution, honor the rule of law, and serve with integrity. Texas is home to some of the nation’s most brilliant legal minds, and Senator Cornyn and I will recommend exceptional candidates who embody those strengths.”
    Senators Cornyn and Cruz have established the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee (FJEC), a bipartisan panel of leading attorneys in Texas, which reviews applications, interviews candidates, and makes recommendations to the Senators to help fill judicial vacancies. 
    Application Information:
    Sens. Cornyn and Cruz invite qualified candidates to seek appointment by submitting their resumes and completed questionnaires to both lawmakers’ offices. The questionnaire is available here. Completed application packets must be received at the below email addresses no later than March 3, 2025. Email is strongly recommended because of delays due to security procedures involving Congressional mail. Submitted questionnaires for judicial vacancies will be reviewed by the Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee, and selected candidates will be invited to interview. Questions regarding applications may also be directed to the contacts listed below.
    U.S. Senator John Cornyn
    FJEC@cornyn.senate.gov
    Attn: Franci Rooney Becker
    U.S. Senator Ted Cruz
    FJEC@cruz.senate.gov
    Attn: Kenneth Lee

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cornyn, Luján Introduce Bill to Combat Cattle Fever Tick Infestations

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas John Cornyn
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) today introduced the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act, which would help combat cattle fever tick infestations across the country:
    “Cattle fever tick infestations can cause devastating losses for ranchers across Texas and the nation,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would kickstart improvements to the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and help mitigate losses caused by these parasites, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”
    “Cattle fever ticks are a major risk for livestock across the Southwest, including in eastern and southern New Mexico. As New Mexico becomes a major hub for cattle imports from Mexico, it’s critical that Congress addresses the risk of cattle fever ticks,” said Sen. Luján. “I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to support New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and producers, and keep livestock safe.”
    Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House by Representatives by Monica De La Cruz (TX-15).
    Background:
    In recent years, cattle fever tick infestations have skyrocketed, threatening the cattle industry across Texas and the nation. This legislation would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter into a contract with a land-grant college or university or a non-land-grant college of agriculture to study the effectiveness of the USDA’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program and would require a report on any suggestions for improvements to the program.
    This legislation is endorsed by the Texas Farm Bureau and the Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley Introduces Legislation to Decouple American AI Development from Communist China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Wednesday, January 29, 2025

    Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced legislation to protect America’s artificial intelligence (AI) development from China.
    “Every dollar and gig of data that flows into Chinese AI are dollars and data that will ultimately be used against the United States,” said Senator Hawley. “America cannot afford to empower our greatest adversary at the expense of our own strength. Ensuring American economic superiority means cutting China off from American ingenuity and halting the subsidization of CCP innovation.”
    Senator Hawley’s new legislation comes after China unveiled “DeepSeek,” a data-harvesting, low-cost AI model that sparked international concern and sent American technology stocks plummeting.
    Senator Hawley’s Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act would:
    Prohibit the import from or export to China of artificial intelligence technology;
    Prohibit American companies from conducting AI research in China or in cooperation with Chinese companies; and
    Prohibit U.S. companies from investing money in Chinese AI development.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Homicide investigation in Otaika

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police are treating the death of a motorcyclist in Otaika as suspicious, and a homicide investigation is now underway.

    A man’s body was discovered in a creek adjacent to Otaika Valley Road, State Highway 15, after 5am on 29 January.

    Whangārei CIB is launching an appeal for any witnesses or motorists travelling through the area on Tuesday night or in the early hours of Wednesday.

    Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says a post-mortem examination is currently ongoing.

    “Formal identification procedures have not yet been completed, but we anticipate releasing further details about the victim once this process is complete,” he says.

    “Our investigation team are working with the family, who are coming to terms with their loved one succumbing to foul play.”

    Police believe the homicide occurred between 7pm and 11pm on 28 January, in a layby opposite to the entrance to the Otaika Valley Scenic Reserve.

    There are two key appeals the investigation team are making today.

    Firstly, any sightings of the blue and silver coloured road bike that was found parked in the layby area.

    “We are particularly interested in any sightings of this bike between 8pm on 28 January through to 5am on 29 January,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

    Secondly, anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage around key locations between 7pm on 28 January and 5am on 29 January should contact Police.

    Those areas of interest are along Otaika Valley Road, between the intersections with State Highway 14, Maungatapere, and Loop and Cemetery Roads, in Otaika.

    “I am asking anyone with a dashcam or CCTV cameras to prioritise checking these now, and contact our investigation team,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

    An online portal has been set up for any footage or photographs to be uploaded.

    Please go to https://distant.nc3.govt.nz

    Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says: “Our investigation is still in the very early stages, and our team will work hard to ensure we get answers as to why this homicide has occurred.”

    Anyone with further information should call Police on 105 and reference the file number 250129/0335.

    Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

    ENDS. 

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Relentless focus on literacy & numeracy at school

    Source: New Zealand Government

    As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

    “A world-leading education system is a key driver to economic growth. We want all children to be proficient and confident in reading, writing and maths so they grow up and live the lives they want. Our future playwrights and songwriters need to have a mastery of literacy and numeracy as much as our future mechanical engineers, doctors and electricians.

    “From this week all state schools will benefit from a clear, detailed and knowledge-rich curriculum grounded in the science of learning.

    “Students will benefit from explicit teaching through structured teaching of literacy and mathematics that doesn’t leave learning to chance. They will also benefit from consistent assessment tools so those students who need targeted interventions will get them earlier to bring them up to speed.

    “We are ensuring teachers get the professional learning, development and resources they need to teach the new curriculum confidently. They will know what to teach, when, and how.

    “Our $30 million investment will ensure 433,000 students have access to high-quality maths workbooks, tactile resources and online supports. This will help teachers and parents see the progress their children are making,” Ms Stanford says.

    “No matter where you are in the country, parents can have confidence this Government is putting the foundations in place so their child can strive to do their best at school.

    “As we embed structured approaches to literacy and numeracy in 2025, work will continue in the background, including updating every curricula area up to Year 13, revitalising NCEA, and delivering equitable property outcomes.

    “I wish all educators, tamariki, and parents the very best for the start of the new school year.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –