NewzIntel.com

Blog

  • MIL-OSI USA: Navigating Space and Sound: Jesse Bazley Supports Station Integration and Colleagues With Disabilities

    Source: NASA

    A salute is widely recognized as a display of respect, but did you know it also means ‘hello’ in American Sign Language?
    It is one of the signs that Jesse Bazley, International Space Station/Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program integration team lead, subtly incorporates into his daily interactions with colleagues at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

    Bazley is hard of hearing, which has at times presented challenges in his daily work – particularly during his stint as an Environmental and Thermal Operating Systems flight controller for the space station. “Working on console [in the Mission Control Center], you must listen to dozens of voice loops at a time, sometimes in different languages,” he said, adding that the standard-issue headset for flight controllers was not compatible with his hearing aids. Bazley adapted by obtaining a headset that fit over his hearing aids, learning how to adjust the audio system’s volume, and limiting over-the-air discussions when possible.
    Bazley has been part of the NASA team for 17 years, filling a variety of roles that support the International Space Station. One of his proudest achievements occurred early in his tenure. Bazley was an intern at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, in 2006 when the space station’s Water Recovery System was being tested. The system converts the station’s wastewater into drinkable water for the crew. When he arrived at Johnson one year later, his first assignment was to assist with the system’s procedure and display development for its incorporation into the space station’s core operations. “Now, 16 years later, it is commonplace for the space station to ‘turn yesterday’s coffee into tomorrow’s coffee’,” he said.

    His favorite project so far has been integrating the station’s Thermal Amine Scrubber – which removes carbon dioxide from the air – into station operations. “I worked it from the beginning of NASA’s involvement, helping the provider with software testing and the integration of a brand-new Mission Control Center communications architecture,” he said.
    Today, Bazley works to integrate subject matter experts from Johnson’s Flight Operations Directorate (FOD) into the processes of the International Space Station and Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Programs. “I help pull together FOD positions on topics and coordinate reviews of provider materials to ensure that the operations perspective is maintained as development moves forward,” he explained.
    While Bazley no longer supports a console, he must continue adapting to difficult hearing environments. He uses the captioning tools available through videoconferencing software during frequent team meetings, for example. “It’s important to understand that people have visible and invisible disabilities,” he said. “Sometimes their request for a remote option is not because they want to avoid an in-person meeting. It may be that they work best using the features available in that virtual environment.”
    Bazley also chairs the No Boundaries Employee Resource Group, which promotes the development, inclusion, and innovation of Johnson’s workforce with a focus on employees with disabilities and employees who are caregivers of family members with disabilities.
    From these diverse roles and experiences, Bazley has learned to listen to his gut instincts. “In flight operations, you must work with short timelines when things happen in-orbit, so you have to trust your training,” he said. “Understanding when you have enough information to proceed is critical to getting things done.”
    Bazley looks forward to the further commercialization of low Earth orbit so NASA can focus resources on journeying to the Moon and Mars. “Aviation started out as government-funded and now is commonplace for the public. I look forward to seeing how that evolution progresses in low Earth orbit.”
    His advice to the Artemis Generation is to consider the long-term impact of their actions and decisions. “What looks great on paper may not be a great solution when you have to send 10 commands just to do one task, or when the crew has to put their hand deep into the spacecraft to actuate a manual override,” he said. “The decisions you make today will be felt by operations in the future.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The View from Space Keeps Getting Better  

    Source: NASA

    After 50 years of Landsat, discovery of new commercial and scientific uses is only accelerating

    The 30-acre pear orchard in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta has been in Brett Baker’s family since the end of the Gold Rush. After six generations, though, California’s most precious resource is no longer gold – it’s water. And most of the state’s freshwater is in the delta. 
    Landowners there are required to report their water use, but methods for monitoring were expensive and inaccurate. Recently, however, a platform called OpenET, created by NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and other partners, has introduced the ability to calculate the total amount of water transferred from the surface to the atmosphere through evapotranspiration. This is a key measure of the water that’s actually being removed from a local water system. It’s calculated based on imagery from Landsat and other satellites. 
     “It’s good public policy to start with a measure everyone can agree upon,” Baker said. 
    OpenET is only one of the latest uses researchers and businesses continue finding for Landsat over 50 years after the program started collecting continuous imagery of Earth’s surface. NASA has built and launched all nine of the satellites before handing them over to USGS, which manages the program. 
    Some of the most pressing questions people ask about Earth are about the food it’s producing. Agriculture and adjacent industries are among the heaviest users of Earth-imaging data, which can help assess crop health and predict yields. 

    Even in this well-established niche, though, new capabilities continue to emerge. One up-and-coming company is using Landsat to validate sustainable farming practices by measuring carbon stored in the ground, which can be detected in the reflectance rate in certain wavelengths. This is how Perennial Inc. is enabling emerging markets for carbon credits, through which farmers get paid for maximizing their land’s storage of carbon. 
    The company is also discovering interest among food companies that want to reduce their environmental impact by choosing eco-conscious suppliers, as well as companies in the fertilizer, farm equipment, and agricultural lending businesses. 
    Landsat also enables countless map-based apps, studies of changes in Earth’s surface cover over half a century, and so much more. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Team to Assess NASA’s Mars Sample Return Architecture Proposals

    Source: NASA

    4 min read

    NASA announced Wednesday a new strategy review team will assess potential architecture adjustments for the agency’s Mars Sample Return Program, which aims to bring back scientifically selected samples from Mars, and is a key step in NASA’s quest to better understand our solar system and help answer whether we are alone in the universe.

    Earlier this year, the agency commissioned design studies from the NASA community and eight selected industry teams on how to return Martian samples to Earth in the 2030s while lowering the cost, risk, and mission complexity. The new strategy review team will assess 11 studies conducted by industry, a team across NASA centers, the agency’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California, and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. The team will recommend to NASA a primary architecture for the campaign, including associated cost and schedule estimates.

    “Mars Sample Return will require a diversity of opinions and ideas to do something we’ve never done before: launch a rocket off another planet and safely return samples to Earth from more than 33 million miles away,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “It is critical that Mars Sample Return is done in a cost-effective and efficient way, and we look forward to learning the recommendations from the strategy review team to achieve our goals for the benefit of humanity.”

    Returning samples from Mars has been a major long-term goal of international planetary exploration for more than three decades, and the Mars Sample Return Program is jointly planned with ESA (European Space Agency). NASA’s Perseverance rover is collecting compelling science samples that will help scientists understand the geological history of Mars, the evolution of its climate, and potential hazards for future human explorers. Retrieval of the samples also will help NASA’s search for signs of ancient life.

    The team’s report is anticipated by the end of 2024 and will examine options for a complete mission design, which may be a composite of multiple studied design elements. The team will not recommend specific acquisition strategies or partners. The strategy review team has been chartered under a task to the Cornell Technical Services contract. The team may request input from a NASA analysis team that consists of government employees and expert consultants. The analysis team also will provide programmatic input such as a cost and schedule assessment of the architecture recommended by the strategy review team.

    The Mars Sample Return Strategy Review Team is led by Jim Bridenstine, former NASA administrator, and includes the following members:

    Greg Robinson, former program director, James Webb Space Telescope
    Lisa Pratt, former planetary protection officer, NASA
    Steve Battel, president, Battel Engineering; Professor of Practice, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
    Phil Christensen, regents professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe
    Eric Evans, director emeritus and fellow, MIT Lincoln Lab
    Jack Mustard, professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Science, Brown University
    Maria Zuber, E. A. Griswold professor of Geophysics and presidential advisor for science and technology policy, MIT

    The NASA Analysis Team is led by David Mitchell, chief program management officer at NASA Headquarters, and includes the following members:

    John Aitchison, program business manager (acting), Mars Sample Return
    Brian Corb, program control/schedule analyst, NASA Headquarters
    Steve Creech, assistant deputy associate administrator for Technical, Moon to Mars Program Office, NASA Headquarters
    Mark Jacobs, senior systems engineer, NASA Headquarters
    Rob Manning, chief engineer emeritus, NASA JPL
    Mike Menzel, senior engineer, NASA Goddard
    Fernando Pellerano, senior advisor for Systems Engineering, NASA Goddard
    Ruth Siboni, chief of staff, Moon to Mars Program Office, NASA Headquarters
    Bryan Smith, director of Facilities, Test and Manufacturing, NASA Glenn
    Ellen Stofan, under secretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian

    For more information on NASA’s Mars Sample Return, visit:https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-sample-return

    Dewayne WashingtonHeadquarters, Washington202-358-1100dewayne.a.washington@nasa.gov 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kidney transplantation between donors and recipients with HIV is safe

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    Media Advisory

    Wednesday, October 16, 2024

    NIH-funded study provides evidence on transplantation practice currently limited to research settings.

    Kidney transplantation from deceased donors with HIV (HIV D+) to recipients with HIV (HIV R+) was safe and comparable to kidney transplantation from donors without HIV (HIV D-) in a multicenter observational study in the United States. The clinical outcomes observed were consistent with smaller pilot studies, but this National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial was the first statistically powered to demonstrate noninferiority, which means that an approach being studied is as good as standard clinical practice. The results were published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

    Kidney transplants offer a survival benefit to people with HIV and end-stage kidney disease, but an organ shortage limits access. In addition, people with HIV face a higher risk of death while on the organ waitlist and have lower access to transplants than people without HIV. To help address these disparities, the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act (HOPE) was implemented in 2015 and legalized transplants between donors and recipients with HIV. Currently, the HOPE Act limits this practice to research settings to carefully evaluate outcomes. These include post-transplant survival, post-transplant kidney function (also known as graft survival), and kidney rejection. Research studies also assess unique potential risks of this practice, such as acquiring a second, genetically distinct HIV strain from the donor that could affect the recipient’s HIV disease.

    The present study enrolled 198 adults with HIV and end-stage kidney disease who received kidney transplants at 26 centers, comparing the outcomes of 99 study participants who had donors with HIV versus 99 whose donors did not have HIV. Transplants were completed between April 2018 and September 2021 and recipients were monitored subsequently for about three years.

    The outcomes for overall survival, graft survival, and rejection events were similar between the two groups. After one year post-transplant, recipient survival was 94% in HIV D+/R+ and 95% in HIV D-/R+. At three years, recipient survival rates were 85% in HIV D+/R+ and 87% in HIV D-/R+. After one year post-transplant, graft survival was 93% in HIV D+/R+ and 90% HIV D-/R+. At three years post-transplant, graft survival rates were 84% in HIV D+/R+ and 80% in HIV D-/R+. Finally, at one year post-transplant, rejection incidence was 13% in HIV D+/R+ and 21% HIV D-/R+ and at three years, 13% in HIV D+/R+ versus 21% in HIV D-/R+. Rates of serious adverse events, surgical site infections, surgical/vascular complications, and cancer were also comparable between the two groups. One case of a recipient who may have acquired a second genetically distinct HIV strain from their donor was observed, but there were no notable clinical consequences.

    Overall, the findings show kidney transplantation between donors and recipients with HIV was safe and noninferior to transplantation from donors without HIV. According to the authors, these findings offer evidence to support the expansion of the practice outside of research settings.

    The study was led by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, and funded by NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

    For more information about this trial, please visit ClinicalTrials.gov using the study identifier NCT03500315.

    ARTICLE:
    Durand et al. Safety of Kidney Transplantation from Donors with HIV under the HOPE Act. NEJM. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2403733 (2024).

    WHO:
    Andrew Redd, Ph.D., International Virology Unit, Head, Laboratory of Immunoregulation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

    NIAID conducts and supports research—at NIH, throughout the United States, and worldwide—to study the causes of infectious and immune-mediated diseases, and to develop better means of preventing, diagnosing and treating these illnesses. News releases, fact sheets and other NIAID-related materials are available on the NIAID website.

    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit http://www.nih.gov.

    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Employment – Workers call on bosses to cut the workplace chaos in 2025 if they want to get the best out of them – Survey

    Source: Qualtrics XM Institute

    New Qualtrics study reveals top employee experience trends in New Zealand for 2025

    Qualtrics today released the sixth annual Employee Experience Trends report, revealing critical insights into the state of employee experience and the modern workplace to help businesses and people leaders improve employee experience, boost productivity, and drive wellbeing in 2025.

    Drawing on 35,000 responses across 23 countries – including 1,065 from New Zealand – the study reveals employees are being held back by chaotic workplaces, dispels common workplace stereotypes of younger workers, a concerning level of employee trust in leaders, the importance of first and last impressions to employee success and brand image, and how AI inertia is creating organisational and operational risk.

    The 2025 Employee Experience Trends from Qualtrics:

    1. 2025’s best employers will make work less chaotic
    2. Young employees ARE optimistic
    3. Employee experiences are being ruined by entry and exit 
    4. Prioritising short-term gains costs long-term trust
    5. Employees outpace companies on AI adoption

     

    2025’s best employers will make work less chaotic

    As many companies have continued to change working models, systems, and processes for the modern workplace in the years since the pandemic, a disparity has emerged between business focuses and employee needs. Workers in New Zealand are more engaged when their employer’s culture and processes empower them to adapt to customer needs, and when there is a focus on having a positive impact in the world. However, more often than not organisations are failing to meet their employees’ expectations in these areas with workers rating these attributes as some of the lowest scoring areas. Growing pressure to increase productivity could also be having the opposite effect. Employees who feel under the pump are less engaged, have lower levels of well-being, and more likely to leave.

    “Over the past few years workers in New Zealand and across the globe have been dealing with relentless change. It’s no surprise many have reached their breaking point,” said Dr. Cecelia Herbert, Workplace Behavioural Scientist, Qualtrics XM Institute.

    “Work has somehow become even more chaotic since the pandemic as employers pursue short-term wins and try to adapt ways of working for modern realities. Yet for a number of years now the best employee experiences are about how and why work gets done – and these two aspects are the most impactful pathway to sustainable productivity and positive people outcomes.”

     

    Top 5 drivers of employee engagement

    % of employees favourable to driver

    I am proud of this organisation’s efforts to have a positive impact on the world

    66%

    This organisation’s processes enable me to effectively meet my customers’ needs

    72%

    I am encouraged to develop new and better ways of serving customers

    69%

    Senior leadership responds to feedback from employees

    60%

    Overall, I feel that my career goals can be met at this organisation

    65%

     

    Young employees ARE often the most optimistic and driven

    Contrary to popular belief, young employees are often a businesses’ most engaged, motivated, and optimistic. In fact, the only employee experience indicator where younger generations lag, unsurprisingly, is their intent to stay.

    “It’s time to end the scapegoating of young employees for workplace woes. These mindsets are crushing the optimism and fresh thinking younger workers bring to the workplace, creating a scenario that benefits no-one,” adds Dr. Herbert. “Younger workers live in and will inherit a very different world than generations of the past. Rather than bemoan their low intent to stay, leaders should focus on ways to nurture their growth and creativity, stretch their skills, and ultimately capture the enthusiasm to set the workforce up for success for generations to come.”

     

    Age

    Engagement

    Can challenge the traditional way of doing things

    Believe the organisation has an outstanding future

    Would recommend this organisation’s products / services

    Feel they can meet their career goals

    Feel paid fairly 

    Intent to stay 3+ years

    18-24 

    70%

    67%

    81%

    77%

    68%

    68%

    49%

    25-34

    67%

    64%

    71%

    73%

    69%

    62%

    46%

    35-44

    70%

    65%

    73%

    77%

    65%

    64%

    52%

    45-54

    62%

    55%

    66%

    74%

    55%

    58%

    59%

    55+

    61%

    48%

    70%

    75%

    61%

    63%

    53%

     

    Substandard first and last impressions hinder success

    The candidate and entry experience is one of the lowest rated employee journeys, which sets us up for engagement, wellbeing, and intent-to-stay issues further down the line. For instance, just 28% of employees with less than one-year tenure with their current employer plan to stay for 3+ years, compared to 46% of workers with 1-5 years and 67% of those with 5+ years. Employees often report a similar poor employee experience at the exit stage, meaning they are leaving with a negative perception.

    “Every organisation’s brand and reputation is heavily influenced by the stories people tell about applying for a job and what it was like working there. Getting these first and final impressions right are key strategic levers, but right now they are being overlooked, meaning employees are negatively impacted before they have even worked their first day,” said Dr. Herbert.

     

    Applying or interviewing for a job

    Starting a new job

    Changing roles within the organisation

    Leaving a job

    Exceeds expectations

    16%

    53%

    42%

    27%

    Below or greatly below expectations

    39%

    16%

    13%

    26%

     

    Short-term productivity pressure costs businesses long-term gains

    Slightly more than half of local workers (56%) believe their bosses will prioritise employee wellbeing over short-term business gains. This finding suggests a lack of trust in leaders by their employees, which needs critical attention if organisations are to positively influence employee experience indicators in 2025.

    “The relationship between employees and their leaders is getting more and more tense, fuelled by decisions to roll-back investments in DEI or sustainability, poorly managed workplace change, and more.  While trust is hard to earn and maintain during times of disruption and uncertainty, our study shows its impact is huge on both business and people-focused outcomes, which is why leaders need to know how to cultivate it in 2025,” said Dr. Herbert.

     

    Agree 2025

    Global

    Senior leaders in my organisation prioritise people’s wellbeing above immediate profit or gains (benevolence)

    56%

    56%

    Senior leaders in my organisation have the skills and knowledge needed to do their job well (competence)

    67%

    68%

    The behaviour of senior leadership is consistent with this organisation’s values (integrity)

    65%

    67%

     

    AI inertia creates risk as employees outpace companies on AI adoption

    Despite touting AI as the solution to lifting productivity, only 44% of employees in New Zealand say their organisation is providing AI enablement and training. A similar number (49%) say their company has AI guidelines, ethics or principles. Compounding the issue, 63% of workers believe decision makers understand new technologies well enough to manage them effectively. This lack of AI enablement and trust to deliver the change creates significant operational and organisational risk, with more than half of employees opting to use AI tools they’ve found themselves, and 41% using them daily or weekly.

    “It is not employee resistance holding back workplace progress with AI. The real inertia stems from the lack of the tools, training, and guidance employees need in the modern workplace. AI training and enablement must be a key strategic priority as its impact is exponential – from addressing security and operational risks, driving improved business outcomes, and ultimately creating an environment where employees and employers co-create the future of work,” said Dr. Herbert.

     

    Agree

    Global average

    My organisation provides training and enablement on the use of AI tools

    44%

    52%

    My organisation has clear principles, ethics or guidelines on the use of AI tools

    49%

    52%

    I am involved in deciding how my job will be done in the future

    54%

    59%

     

    For the full report and methodology, visit here: https://www.qualtrics.com/en-au/ebooks-guides/employee-experience-trends/

    About Qualtrics

    Qualtrics, the leader of the experience management category, is a cloud-native software platform that empowers organizations to deliver exceptional experiences and build deep relationships with their customers and employees. With insights from Qualtrics, organizations can identify and resolve the greatest friction points in their business, retain and engage top talent, and bring the right products and services to market. Nearly 20,000 organizations around the world use Qualtrics’ advanced AI to listen, understand, and take action. Qualtrics uses its vast universe of experience data to form the largest database of human sentiment in the world. Qualtrics is co-headquartered in Provo, Utah and Seattle. To learn more, please visit qualtrics.com.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health Professionals Caution Minister – Doctors, nurses, practice owners and their professional bodies all urge the Minister to pause over physician associates

    Source: Association of Salaried Medical Specialists

    Doctors, nurses, practice owners and colleges have joined to express their strong reservations to the Government over plans to sanction and regulate the employment of physician associates in the New Zealand health system.
    Health unions ASMS, NZRDA, NZNO and APEX, along with the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners and College of Nurses of Aotearoa New Zealand, and the General Practice Owners Association Aotearoa GENPRO have written to the Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti before he brings any formal proposal on physician associates to Cabinet.
    “There is no task that a physician associate would potentially perform, that is not already being undertaken by a currently regulated health worker who is already trained and employed here in Aotearoa,” says ASMS Executive Director Sarah Dalton.
    “Right now it appears the Government is not providing the funding to employ enough doctors and nurses. The last thing we should do is spend time and money setting up a new system of vocational registration for a whole new profession when the Government isn’t currently spending enough to fund the existing workforces.”
    “All the signatories to this letter support growing the health workforce and want to ensure primary and secondary health care is staffed to safe levels, more people can train as healthcare professionals, and more patients get timely and equitable access to healthcare. It just makes sense to do that through existing occupations rather than inventing new ones.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Cohen Announces $509,000 Grant to AgLaunch

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

    WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Memphis-based AgLaunch, a non-profit organization building a national network of diverse farmers, will receive a grant of $509,000 from the Delta Regional Authority’s (DRA’) States Economic Development Assistance Program for an entrepreneurial initiative to foster agricultural innovation.

    Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

    “This DRA investment will modernize agriculture in our region and strengthen the entrepreneurial farmers transitioning to alternative crops and food systems while creating job opportunities in the Delta region where they are so very much needed.”

    # # #

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wildlife, climate and plastic: how three summits aim to repair a growing rift with nature

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jack Marley, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    By the end of 2024, nearly 200 nations will have met at three conferences to address three problems: biodiversity loss, climate change and plastic pollution.

    Colombia will host talks next week to assess global progress in protecting 30% of all land and water by 2030. Hot on its heels is COP29 in Azerbaijan. Here, countries will revisit the pledge they made last year in Dubai to “transition away” from the fossil fuels driving climate breakdown. And in December, South Korea could see the first global agreement to tackle plastic waste.

    Don’t let these separate events fool you, though.

    “Climate change, biodiversity loss and resource depletion are not isolated problems” say biologist Liette Vasseur (Brock University), political scientist Anders Hayden (Dalhousie University) and ecologist Mike Jones (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences).



    Read more:
    Humanity’s future depends on our ability to live in harmony with nature

    “They are part of an interconnected web of crises that demand urgent and comprehensive action.”

    Let’s start with the climate.


    This roundup of The Conversation’s climate coverage comes from our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 35,000+ readers who’ve subscribed.

    Earth’s fraying parasol

    “How hot is it going to get? This is one of the most important and difficult remaining questions about our changing climate,” say two scientists who study climate change, Seth Wynes and H. Damon Matthews at the University of Waterloo and Concordia University respectively.

    The answer depends on how sensitive the climate is to greenhouse gases like CO₂ and how much humanity ultimately emits, the pair say. When Wynes and Matthews asked 211 authors of past reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, their average best guess was 2.7°C by 2100.

    “We’ve already seen devastating consequences like more flooding, hotter heatwaves and larger wildfires, and we’re only at 1.3°C above pre-industrial levels — less than halfway to 2.7°C,” they say.



    Read more:
    New survey of IPCC authors reveals doubt, and hope, that world will achieve climate targets

    There is a third variable that is harder to predict but no less important: the capacity of forests, wetlands and the ocean to continue to offset warming by absorbing the carbon and heat our furnaces and factories have released.

    This blue and green carbon pump stalled in 2023, the hottest year on record, amid heatwaves, droughts and fires. The possibility of nature’s carbon storage suddenly collapsing is not priced into the computer models that simulate and project the future climate.

    Parched forests can emit more carbon than they soak up.
    Matthew James Ferguson/Shutterstock

    However, the ecosystems that buffer human-made warming are clearly struggling. A new report from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) showed that the average size of monitored populations of vertebrate wildlife (animals with spinal columns – mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians) has shrunk by 73% since 1970.



    Read more:
    Wildlife loss is taking ecosystems nearer to collapse – new report

    Wildlife could become so scarce that ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest degenerate, according to the report.

    “More than 90% of tropical trees and shrubs depend on animals to disperse their seeds, for example,” says biodiversity scientist Alexander Lees (Manchester Metropolitan University).

    “These ‘biodiversity services’ are crucial.”



    Read more:
    Without birds, tropical forests won’t bounce back from deforestation

    The result could be less biodiverse and, importantly for the climate, less carbon-rich habitats.

    Plastic in a polar bear’s gut

    Threats to wildlife are numerous. One that is growing fast and still poorly understood is plastic.

    Bottles, bags, toothbrushes: a rising tide of plastic detritus is choking and snaring wild animals. These larger items eventually degrade into microplastics, tiny fragments which now suffuse the air, soil and water.

    “In short, microplastics are widespread, accumulating in the remotest parts of our planet. There is evidence of their toxic effects at every level of biological organisation, from tiny insects at the bottom of the food chain to apex predators,” says Karen Raubenheimer, a senior lecturer in plastic pollution at the University of Wollongong.



    Read more:
    Scientists reviewed 7,000 studies on microplastics. Their alarming conclusion puts humanity on notice

    Plastic is generally made from fossil fuels, the main agent of climate change. Activists and experts have seized on a similar demand to address both problems: turn off the taps.

    In fact, the diagnosis of Costas Velis, an expert in ocean litter at the University of Leeds, sounds similar to what climate scientists say about unrestricted fossil fuel burning:

    “Every year without production caps makes the necessary cut to plastic production in future steeper – and our need to use other measures to address the problem greater.”



    Read more:
    A global plastic treaty will only work if it caps production, modelling shows

    A production cap hasn’t made it into the negotiating text for a plastic treaty (yet). And while governments pledged to transition away from coal, oil and gas last year, a new report on the world’s energy use shows fossil fuel use declining more slowly than in earlier forecasts – and much more slowly than would be necessary to halt warming at internationally agreed limits. The effort to protect a third of earth’s surface has barely begun.

    Each summit is concerned with ameliorating the effects of modern societies on nature. Some experts argue for a more radical interpretation.

    “Even if 30% of Earth was protected, how effectively would it halt biodiversity loss?” ask political ecologists Bram Büscher (Wageningen University) and Rosaleen Duffy (University of Sheffield).



    Read more:
    Biodiversity treaty: UN deal fails to address the root causes of nature’s destruction

    “The proliferation of protected areas has happened at the same time as the extinction crisis has intensified. Perhaps, without these efforts, things could have been even worse for nature,” they say.

    “But an equally valid argument would be that area-based conservation has blinded many to the causes of Earth’s diminishing biodiversity: an expanding economic system that squeezes ecosystems by turning ever more habitat into urban sprawl or farmland, polluting the air and water with ever more toxins and heating the atmosphere with ever more greenhouse gas.”

    – ref. Wildlife, climate and plastic: how three summits aim to repair a growing rift with nature – https://theconversation.com/wildlife-climate-and-plastic-how-three-summits-aim-to-repair-a-growing-rift-with-nature-241419

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Draft National Carer Strategy open for public consultation

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Australia’s three million unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of our nation, and the Albanese Labor Government is making sure they are recognised, valued and empowered in their vital work.

    During National Carers Week, Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth is today opening public consultation on the draft National Carer Strategy, which delivers on an election commitment to set the direction and course for our effort to drive positive change for carers.

    While the former Gillard Labor Government began this important work in 2011, there has been no Commonwealth carers’ strategy since 2015, with the Coalition Government abandoning their duty to support carers.

    Through the Strategy, carers have told us what they need to continue their caring roles while participating fully in society themselves.

    “With ingenuity and resilience, carers keep Australia going. For us to keep going, we must be recognised and supported as individuals with our own needs, who attend to the needs of others,” Australian carers say in the Strategy’s Statement from Australia’s Carers.

    They highlight the shortfalls in the caring system that especially let down young carers who feel like they have to conceal their care work out of embarrassment, lifelong carers who worry about who will look after their loved ones as they themselves age, and carers sandwiched between generations, often forgoing relationships, income, and wellbeing.

    The new Strategy will support better decision-making on policies that affect carers and explains where we will prioritise our efforts – making sure carers feel like they are recognised, that they have a voice, and that they can continue to pursue their own ambitions and passions while they care for their loved ones.

    The draft Strategy has been guided by the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee and informed by public consultations in all states and territories in metropolitan, regional, and remote locations, as well as online, and through a public submission process.

    Ensuring the draft National Carer Strategy can be reviewed by unpaid carers, former carers, the wider support sector and anyone with an interest in the sector is critically important.

    “Carers play an integral role in the nation’s health and social care systems; often making significant personal sacrifices – foregoing careers, social lives, and educational opportunities to care for loved ones,” Minister Rishworth said.

    “The National Carer Strategy is designed for anyone in an unpaid caring role and it’s our aim to drive meaningful change for this important group of selfless Australians.

    “We want to hear from people right across Australia about their thoughts on best supporting unpaid carers. Carers play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life and independence of those they care for, and make critical but often unrecognised contributions to the nation’s economy, health and social care systems.”

    The Government has committed $3.8 million to develop the National Carer Strategy.

    This is in addition to boosted support for carers since the Albanese Labor Government was elected including:

    • Providing over $911 million over four years to 2026-27 for carer support services, including the Carer Gateway service;
    • Launching the Carer Inclusive Workplace Initiative with funding of $2 million to ensure carers are better supported to participate in the workforce;
    • Providing over $18 million to change the participation limit for Carer Payment, removing travel, education or volunteering time from the calculation of the participation limit, along with changes to Temporary Cessation of Care days, so carers who want to work, study or volunteer can more easily and flexibly do so; and
    • Providing $10 million to double support for young carers to continue their education through the Young Carer Bursary program.

    Public consultation on the draft Strategy is now open on DSS Engage until 3 November 2024.

    More information is available on the DSS Engage website.

    National Carers Week is held this year from 13 – 19 October and is funded by the Department of Social Services. For more information on how to get involved, visit National Carers Week.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: $18 million boarding schools boost for Central Australia

    Source: Australian Executive Government Ministers

    First Nations students from remote communities in Central Australia will have greater access to quality education, with $18 million from the Albanese Labor Government’s Central Australia Boarding Response Fund being made available to three Alice Springs schools.

    Yirara College will be offered up to $10 million and St Philip’s College up to $1.7 million to upgrade existing facilities, while Yipirinya School will be offered up to $6.3 million for a new boarding facility, providing greater capacity to accommodate students in the region.

    Announced in March 2024, the Central Australia Boarding Response Fund was established following a review of boarding schools in Central Australia by the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments last year. 

    Community stakeholders including the Central Australian Aboriginal Leadership Group and the Central Australian Regional Controller were consulted and expressed the need for greater boarding capacity.

    Boarding providers then participated in an open and competitive grants process to apply for funding. 

    This investment complements the $40.4 million allocated to all schools in the Central Australia region for On-Country Learning under the landmark $250 million plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia. 

    This is also in addition to the deal struck between the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments to fully fund all Northern Territory public schools.

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:

    “For many First Nations students in Central Australia, boarding school is their only option to engage in education, so it’s important to ensure the right facilities are available to give them the best chance of success.

    “This funding will provide more opportunities for First Nations young people in remote communities to access quality education, increasing participation, attendance and retention in Central Australian schools.”

    “This funding demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to improving life outcomes for First Nations young people in Central Australia.”

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, Jason Clare:

    “This investment in boarding facilities in Central Australia is about supporting school students in remote Northern Territory communities. 

    “This funding will go towards improving existing facilities and building new facilities.

    “This builds on the $40 million investment the Albanese Government has made for every school in Central Australian and the historic deal struck with the Northern Territory Government to double Commonwealth investment and fully fund all public schools in the NT.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:

    “I congratulate the Albanese Government for its $18 million investment in quality school boarding facilities in Central Australia that will make it easier for Aboriginal youth to be educated closer to home. 

    “School boarding facilities are the gateway to a quality education for many Aboriginal students living in remote communities across my electorate of Lingiari.

    “I welcome the Albanese Labor Government’s ongoing commitment to our children’s future by increasing their access to a quality school education. 

    “Every child has a right to a quality education, regardless of where they live. Well-resourced school boarding facilities provide the benefits of a comprehensive, well-rounded educational experience, where students are supported to achieve academically, grow emotionally, foster lasting friendships, and enhance their teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills”.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney Opera House illuminated to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia

    Source: New South Wales Government 2

    Headline: Sydney Opera House illuminated to welcome Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia

    Published: 16 October 2024

    Released by: The Premier

    The Sydney Opera House shells will be illuminated on Friday night as NSW welcomes King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Australia, with Sydneysiders and visitors invited to head into the city to see the spectacular projection.

    Curated by the NSW Government, the projection consists of a four-minute photo montage from Their Majesties’ previous visits to the state and the nation. The images reflect the diverse ways in which Their Majesties have engaged with and celebrated NSW and Australia over the years.

    The illumination will commence at 8pm on Friday, 18 October to coincide with Their Majesties’ arrival into Sydney.

    This will be the King’s first visit as Sovereign – the first visit by a reigning monarch since Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2011.

    The NSW Government is honoured to welcome The King and Queen to Sydney and is inviting NSW residents to join the celebration.

    Members of the public will also have the opportunity to see Their Majesties at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on Tuesday afternoon, 22 October at 4.20pm. This opportunity will be followed by an impressive Fleet Review and fly past by the Australian Defence Force on Sydney Harbour concluding at 5.20pm.

    For more information about the Royal Visit and the Sydney Opera House engagement visit: http://www.nsw.gov.au/royalvisit

    Premier Chris Minns said:

    “We are lighting up the Sydney Opera House to warmly welcome The King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city.

    “The photo projection on the Opera House sails celebrates a historic moment – The King’s first visit to NSW as Sovereign – and is a fitting tribute.

    “I also invite everyone to the Opera House forecourt next Tuesday afternoon to join The King and Queen.

    “NSW is looking forward to hosting this milestone visit and I encourage everyone to make the most of it.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Special Issue of Rangeland Ecology and Management features USGS science in support of the Sagebrush Conservation Design

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The size and extent of core sagebrush areas, as well as growth opportunity areas and other rangeland areas within the sagebrush biome of the United States in 2001 (left) and 2020 (right). From Doherty and others (2022). 

    The sagebrush biome is one of the most intact and least modified ecosystems in the world covering more than 165 million acres, on par with the Amazon or the Serengeti. It’s also the largest contiguous open space in the Lower 48. But we are losing 1.3 million acres — an area slightly larger than Rhode Island — on average each year. 

    In 2022, a group of scientists and managers with expertise in sagebrush biome conservation came together to publish the Sagebrush Conservation Design, an effort to provide a common basis for understanding this iconic landscape through time. The SCD used new remote sensing technologies like the Rangeland Condition Monitoring Assessment and Projection dataset and the Rangelands Analysis Platform, to map the entire sagebrush biome and categorize it into Core Sagebrush Areas, Growth Opportunity Areas, and Other Rangeland Areas. It also evaluated the different threats facing the biome and showed that more than 90% of degradation across the biome stems from three main threats: invasive annual grasses, conifer encroachment, and land-use modification. These losses impact livelihoods and reduce important ecosystem services like water availability, wildlife habitat, forage for livestock, carbon storage and more.

    To continue moving sagebrush conservation forward and to best leverage the SCD’s insights and map products, a diverse group of researchers, land management professionals, federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations came together for this Special Issue of Rangeland Ecology and Management to identify research opportunities and answer other questions that complicate sagebrush conservation. 

    The USGS has been a leader in sagebrush ecosystem research, working with management agencies to bring together the breadth of science information and data across the biome to meet management needs. Below are the USGS contributions to Special Issue.

    Understanding how climate change will contribute to ongoing declines in sagebrush ecological integrity is critical for informing natural resource management, yet complicated by interactions with wildfire and biological invasions. Here, researchers assessed potential future changes in sagebrush ecological integrity under a range of scenarios using an individual plant-based simulation model, integrated with remotely sensed estimates of current sagebrush ecological integrity. The simulation model allowed researchers to estimate how climate change, wildfire, and invasive annuals interact to alter the potential abundance of key plant functional types that influence sagebrush ecological integrity: sagebrush, perennial grasses, and annual grasses. Results of this study provide a long-term perspective on the vulnerability of sagebrush ecosystems to climate change and may inform geographic prioritization of conservation and restoration investments. 

    More information

    Sagebrush ecosystems support a suite of unique species such as the emblematic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; hereafter sage-grouse) but are under increasing pressure from anthropogenic stressors such as annual grass invasion, conifer encroachment, altered wildfire regimes, and land use change. In this study, researchers examined the ability of an ecosystem-based framework for sagebrush conservation, the sagebrush conservation design (SCD) strategy, and the associated model of Sagebrush Ecological Integrity (SEI), to identify and rank priority habitats for sage-grouse, a sagebrush indicator species. Researchers compared sage-grouse population trends from 1996–2022 across the three categories that characterize integrity of sagebrush ecosystems (core, growth opportunity, and other rangelands) and then generated a parallel categorical model of sage-grouse population trends, based on the same landcover variables that comprise the SEI. Researchers then compared the sage-grouse condition categories to trends derived from population count data. 

    In all, they found that the SCD and SEI were effective tools for identifying and ranking priority habitats for sage-grouse. Their analysis demonstrates that proactive ecosystem-based approaches to the conservation of the sagebrush biome can help optimize the return on limited conservation resources and benefits for sagebrush obligate species, and help reduce some of the real and perceived conflicts inherent in single-species management

    High-quality Core Sagebrush Areas, as delineated by the Sagebrush Conservation Design, continue to decline despite conservation and restoration investments. The increasing recognition of the scale of threats and the pace of ecosystem degradation has led to a shift towards threats-based ecosystem management. To this end, researchers quantified the acres of conservation implementation relative to the rate of loss from specific threats to the sagebrush biome and assessed how much additional action may be needed to stop Core Sagebrush Area loss. 

    They found that current rates of conservation are markedly lower than rates of Core Sagebrush Area loss (~10% of average annual loss). Furthermore, most conservation actions, ~90% for some treatment types, occurred outside of Core Sagebrush Areas, likely reducing the efficacy of these conservation actions at retaining and restoring intact sagebrush rangelands. Additionally, they found that conservation efforts will need to increase ten times its current annual rate to halt declines. However, through better spatial targeting of conservation actions, the increase in conservation needed to stop Core Sagebrush Area loss could be substantially reduced. This analysis demonstrates the divergent futures that may await the sagebrush biome pending key decisions regarding conservation targeting, stakeholder cooperation, and the strategic addition of resources.

    Sagebrush Conservation Gateway

    All twenty studies from this Special Issue, plus related content, can be accessed through the Sagebrush Conservation Gateway.

    Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How the invasive spiny water flea spread across Canada, and what we can do about it

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sam Lucy Behle, PhD Student, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT)

    Across the tranquil waters of Canada’s vast network of lakes and rivers, a quiet invader is on the move. The spiny water flea, Bythotrephes cederströmii, is a microscopic predator that is forever altering the ecological fabric of aquatic habitats in Canada.

    Originally from Eurasia, Bythotrephes casts a long shadow over the ecosystems it invades. Its presence in Canadian waters represents an ongoing ecological challenge, one that intertwines the fate of native species with the spectre of climate change.

    Our lakes: their secrets and challenges, is a series produced by La Conversation/The Conversation.

    This article is part of our series Our lakes: their secrets and challenges. The Conversation and La Conversation invite you to take a fascinating dip in our lakes. With magnifying glasses, microscopes and diving goggles, our scientists scrutinize the biodiversity of our lakes and the processes that unfold in them, and tell us about the challenges they face. Don’t miss our articles on these incredibly rich bodies of water!

    Diminutive and destructive

    Despite its name, Bythotrephes is neither a flea nor a parasite.

    A member of the crustacean zooplankton family, the Bythotrephes belongs to a group of microscopic arthropods that are near the base of the aquatic food web and related to other crustaceans like shrimp and lobsters.

    Its diet primarily consists of other crustacean zooplankton, with herbivores being the preferred food source. By preying on these critical organisms, Bythotrephes can destabilize a local food web. This destabilization leads to a decrease in native fish populations that rely on zooplankton for nourishment.

    The Bythotrephes is equipped with a long, barbed tail spine, which makes it difficult prey for most fish, further allowing its populations to grow mostly unchecked in many lakes.

    The Bythotrephes is well protected against predation and feeds on a number of key species.

    Alarmingly, the Bythotrephes is spreading rapidly.

    Human activities, particularly recreational boating and fishing, serve as the primary vectors for this invasive species. Boats and equipment used in infested waters can harbour Bythotrephes’ and its eggs, which are remarkably resistant to freezing and drying and able to survive out of water for extended periods of time.

    Unknowingly, outdoor enthusiasts can transport these invaders to uninvaded habitats, sometimes seeding new infestations far from the original point of invasion. However, the insidious spread of Bythotrephes is not solely the direct result of human activities but is also exacerbated by climate change.

    Changing conditions

    The Canadian climate has been historically hostile to the Bythotrephes. But as global temperatures rise and weather patterns shift, more and more of Canada is experiencing conditions favourable for the proliferation of invasive species like Bythotrephes.

    Warmer water temperatures, in particular, extend its breeding season, allowing for more reproductive cycles within a single year. This amplifies their population growth and colonization potential, hastening their spread across Canadian waters.



    Read more:
    Climate change means we may have to learn to live with invasive species

    Milder winters and earlier ice melt may also enable Bythotrephes to survive and reproduce in regions where it was previously unable to establish populations. These changes in environmental conditions create novel opportunities for Bythotrephes to expand its range and out-compete native species for resources, exacerbating the ecological disruption caused by its invasion.

    As we confront the dual challenges of invasive species management and climate change adaptation, it becomes increasingly clear that addressing the spread of Bythotrephes requires a holistic and interdisciplinary approach.

    Commonly viewed as fleas, the Bythotrephes actually possess a number of key differences.

    Solutions remain

    The battle against the spread of Bythotrephes is multifaceted, requiring a blend of scientific research, policy action and public participation. After prevention, monitoring for early detection is critical.

    Enhanced surveillance of known potential habitats can help identify new infestations early, enabling quicker actions to contain or eradicate outbreaks.

    Public awareness and education are equally important. The adage “clean, drain, dry” should become a mantra for anyone engaging in aquatic recreation. By thoroughly cleaning and drying boats, gear and equipment, individuals can dramatically reduce the risk of transporting Bythotrephes and other invasive species to new locations.

    Awareness campaigns can also inform the public about the critical role they play in stopping the spread of invasive species and protecting Canada’s aquatic biodiversity.

    Investing in research to understand the ecological impact of Bythotrephes and to develop effective control measures is vital. Biological control strategies, habitat restoration and public education programs can all contribute to a comprehensive approach to managing this invasive threat.



    Read more:
    Invasive species are reshaping aquatic ecosystems, one lake at a time

    The invasion of Bythotrephes in Canada is a stark reminder of the fragility of aquatic ecosystems and the complexity of managing invasive species in the face of climate change. By understanding the impact of Bythotrephes and taking deliberate steps to curb its spread, Canadians can protect their waterways and the diverse life they support.

    There is power in informed action and collective will. It is a battle that requires the engagement of all — from scientists and policymakers to local communities and individuals. Together, we can halt the forward march of Bythotrephes cederströmii and preserve the ecological integrity of Canada’s precious aquatic ecosystems for future generations.

    Sam Lucy Behle receives funding from MRC-Abitibi, NSERC, MELCCFP, CREAT and Fondation de la Faune du Québec.

    Beatrix Beisner receives funding from NSERC and the FRQNT. She is Co-Director of the Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en limnologie (GRIL), a research network of 12 Québec universities.

    Guillaume Grosbois receives funding from MRC-Abitibi, NSERC, MELCCFP, CREAT and Fondation de la Faune du Québec.

    – ref. How the invasive spiny water flea spread across Canada, and what we can do about it – https://theconversation.com/how-the-invasive-spiny-water-flea-spread-across-canada-and-what-we-can-do-about-it-227546

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Handling privacy complaints: a step-by-step guide

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    When your organisation receives a privacy complaint from someone you need to act quickly and decisively. Individuals need to try and work with

    organisations first to resolve their complaint before they can complain to the Privacy Commissioner, so its important that you have a process to deal with complaints.

    Read more detailed guidance on handling privacy complaints in our Poupou Matatapo guidance. Step one: acknowledge the complaint

    Your organisation should do this as quickly as possible. Outline your understanding of the issue and say who at your organisation will be looking into the complaint (who is your privacy officer). Provide clear, reasonable timeframes and provide regular updates on progress if you cant meet the timeframes. Its always better to under promise and over deliver. Step two: listen to complainant

    Understand the complainants main concerns so that you can address the right issue.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Section 77 and Conciliations

    Source: Privacy Commissioner

    What is section 77?
    Section 77 of the Privacy Act says that at any time after receiving a complaint, and before investigating, the Commissioner may decide to use best endeavours to try to resolve a complaint and seek a reassurance from the agency concerned that the issue that led to the complaint has now been rectified. Usually, we do this by way of a conciliation meeting between the parties, facilitated by an OPC staff member. Whats a conciliation?

    Conciliation is a form of alternative dispute resolution. It’s similar to mediation, except the third party neutral has expertise in the issue in dispute. We use conciliation to explore settlement of complaints where it appears an investigation may not be necessary, but there is a privacy issue to be resolved.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: 17 October 2024 Solving the problem of multiplying cats and dogs Cats and dogs can help make a house a home, but if your furry friends are not ‘fixed’ you might end up hounded by the pitter-patter of too many tiny paws.

    Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

    That is why Kāinga Ora is teaming up with New Zealand’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, SPCA, and some Northland vet clinics to offer hundreds of customers in Whangarei and Kaitaia the opportunity to get their cats and dogs desexed at no charge.

    The SPCA will cover the costs involved and the teams at Top Vets in Kaitaia and the Mog and Dog Desexing Clinic in Whangārei will carry out the procedures.

    “Pets can be great companions and support people’s wellbeing, which is why Kāinga Ora is a pet-friendly landlord and happy to consider applications from customers who want to have pets in their home,” says Jordan Seymour, Manager Housing and Wellbeing Support for Northland.

    “We have a partnership with SPCA because we want to encourage our customers to be responsible pet owners. Getting pets desexed is a responsible thing to do, but the costs can be a barrier for some of our customers because they are living on very low incomes.

    “When SPCA approached us about taking part in a campaign aimed at getting more cats and dogs in Northland desexed, we were keen to jump onboard because we know some of our properties do have large numbers of un-desexed cats and dogs.

    “With SPCA covering the cost of desexing for our customers pets, we’re hoping to avoid the problems caused by unwanted litters,’’ says Jordan.

    Over the coming weeks, Top Vets in Kaitaia will desex up to 200 cats and 200 dogs belonging to local Kāinga Ora customers, and a similar number of cats and dogs from Kāinga Ora homes in Whangārei will be desexed by the Mog and Dog Desexing Clinic. Pets receiving the surgeries will also be microchipped at no cost.

    “We’re pleased to be able to team up with Kāinga Ora to offer these important services to pet owners who may be struggling,” says Rebecca Dobson, National Desexing Programme Manager at SPCA. “Desexing is vital in bringing down the number of unwanted animals in these communities, and we know cost is often a barrier for pet owners especially during a cost-of-living crisis.

    “We’re also covering the costs of microchipping, as we believe it’s an important part of responsible pet ownership. Microchipping gives pets the best possible chance at being reunited with their families if they’re ever lost,” says Ms Dobson.

    For more information

    Page updated: 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business – The second annual Tuia event champions intergenerational success for Māori in the billion-dollar Service sector

    Source: VilliageNZ.com

    AUCKLAND, Thursday 17 October 2024: The countdown to Tuia 2024 has begun, and in less than a week Māori leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators will gather in Hamilton for an event focused on providing insights and mobilising action that will shape Māori business and industry for future generations.

    There has been a transformative shift in the country’s population, with one million people identifying as Māori and nearly 30 per cent of New Zealanders under 25 as Māori. The Service sector contributes over $120 billion yearly to the GDP, which accounts for about 30 per cent of our country’s economic activity. Within the Service sector are an estimated 130,000 Māori, including around 7,000 Māori-owned businesses contributing over $14 billion in GDP. This represents a significant pillar of New Zealand businesses and the future workforce, with the Māori economy valued at $70 billion in GDP.
    Tuia 2024 is hosted by Ringa Hora, one of six industry-led workforce development councils established to ensure that vocational education meets industry needs and gives a stronger voice to Māori business and iwi development through qualification development and skills leadership.
    With sessions structured around the Māori economy, mobilising Māori business and mokopuna futures, the event will explore the journey of Māori industry, recognise excellence, and drive innovation to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our mokopuna.
    Ringa Hora Poumatua, Ben Ngaia, says, “Tuia 2024 is an opportunity for attendees to celebrate the achievements of Māori, learn from our shared experiences, and mobilise for a prosperous future. We know vocational education plays an important part in building the skills of our future workforce to help our mokopuna achieve success.”
    Ringa Hora will welcome the attendees and a premium lineup of speakers on the day: Tahu Kukutai, Professor of Demography at the National Institute of Demographic and Economic Analysis, University of Waikato, Tahana Tippet-Tapsell, General Manager of Culture and Legacy at Tūaropaki Trust, James Whetu, Consultant and Owner Operator of Durham Street Precinct in Ngāruawāhia, Brittany Teei, board member of Whāriki Māori business network and Poutama Trust, Anton Matthews, business owner of Hustle Group and advocate for Te Reo Māori, and Dan Te Whenua Walker, experienced business development leader for Microsoft and Deputy Chair of Māori Tourism.
    Keynote speaker Tahu Kukutai says, “Our current data tells a powerful story of Māori resilience—today, with a population nearing one million, Māori are a thriving, youthful force in Aotearoa. With Māori comprising a growing share of those entering the workforce, the smart move is to plan for this future”.
    Ringa Hora will also present a preview of their research, Tirohia ki Tua, which delves into the profound impact Māori have had on the Service sector and the success of Māori entrepreneurship through applying Te Ao Māori values, while capturing the aspirations of attendees for their mokopuna.
     “As Māori, our potential within the Service sector is limitless, and Tirohia ki Tua offers an opportunity to reflect on our entrepreneurial legacy and envision the future we’re building for our mokopuna,” says Camilla Karehana, Strategic Advisor Māori.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: ChildFund – Celebrity Treasure Island win for kids in the Pacific

    Source: ChildFund New Zealand

    New Zealand Tongan actor JP Foliaki has won TVNZ’s Celebrity Treasure Island and done it for his home in South Auckland, and for children and young people in the Pacific.
    “As a charity, (ChildFund) provide fresh water to the Pacific. It’s one thing to be for your community here in New Zealand, but it’s another thing to look out for your people back home.”
    “All of us at ChildFund, from our teams in Auckland, to the teams in Tarawa and the islands of Kiribati and Honiara and Temotu Province in Solomon Islands thank JP with all our hearts for his win tonight,” says CEO of ChildFund, Josie Pagani.
    The $100k win will now go to ChildFund’s work in the Pacific, bringing clean water to children and their families who otherwise would not have easy access to drinking water.
    “It is unacceptable in 2024 that 1 in 10 deaths for children under 5 years in parts of the Pacific is linked to diarrhea, vomiting and dirty water. This is a problem that is fixable. So let’s fix it,” says CEO of ChildFund Josie Pagani.
    The Pacific has some of the highest rates of preventable deaths for children in the world, due largely to dirty water.
    ChildFund is bringing clean water to children in Kiribati and Solomon Islands, and will expand its programmes across the region over the next year.
    “The Pacific is our home and for many New Zealanders these children are our extended family. We can’t fix all the problems in the world but we can make a difference in the place we call home too.”
    “This is how we can help to power the Pacific’s future by making sure children and young people have a decent chance at learning skills and getting an education – rather than getting sick or worse, says Josie Pagani.
    Dirty water is linked to diarrhea and vomiting, and causes some of the highest numbers of preventable child deaths in the Pacific:
    – 1 in 10 deaths for children under 5 years in Kiribati
    – 1 in 14 deaths for children under 5 years in Solomon Islands
    – Only 16% of school children In Solomon Islands, have clean, safe water
    – Only 27% of households in Kiribati have access to clean, safe water
    JP’s win will help to complete the following projects:
    – Rebuild a water pipe and pump system that will provide water to 3,000 people in 18 communities as well as the local school the Temotu Province of Solomon Islands
    – Provide families in some of the 33 islands and atolls of Kiribati with 10 litre Solvatten units that use solar energy to purify water in just a few hours. Each unit can provide 6,000 litres of safe drinking water every year.
    – Install 75 litre solar powered distillation tanks at pre-schools, schools and community centres – giving children access to clean safe drinking water every day.
    – Build rainwater harvesting infrastructure (roofs and gutters) to capture precious, albeit infrequent rain.
    “We would also like to thank the teams and crew at Celebrity Treasure Island for making this possible, and all the New Zealanders who continue to support our work.”
    For every dollar donated, the New Zealand government provides an additional $4

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Oriental Rise Holding Limited Announces Pricing of Initial Public Offering

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Ningde, China, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Oriental Rise Holding Limited (“Oriental Rise” or the “Company”) (NasdaqCM: ORIS), an integrated supplier of tea products in mainland China, today announced the pricing of its initial public offering (the “Offering”) of 1,750,000 ordinary shares at a public offering price of $4 per ordinary share, for total gross proceeds of $7 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. The Offering is being conducted on a firm commitment basis. The ordinary shares are expected to commence trading on Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “ORIS” on October 17, 2024.

    The Company has granted the underwriter an option, exercisable within 45 days from the date of the underwriting agreement, to purchase up to an additional 262,500 ordinary shares at the public offering price, less underwriting discounts and expenses. The Offering is expected to close on October 18, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

    The Company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for: i) settlement of the outstanding amount for the acquisition of the contractual agreement rights of some of its existing tea gardens; ii) establishment and construction of its new production plant; iii) acquisition of new machinery and equipment; and iv) general corporate purposes and working capital.

    US Tiger Securities, Inc. is acting as sole book runner for the Offering. The Crone Law Group is acting as counsel to the Company. VCL Law LLP is acting as counsel to the underwriter with respect to the Offering.

    A registration statement on Form F-1, as amended (File No. 333-274976), relating to the Offering was previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) by the Company, and subsequently declared effective by the SEC on September 30, 2024. The Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus, forming a part of the registration statement. A final prospectus relating to the Offering will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Electronic copies of the final prospectus related to the Offering may be obtained, when available, from US Tiger Securities, Inc., 437 Madison Avenue, 27th Floor, New York, New York 10022, or by telephone at +1 646-978-5188.

    Before you invest, you should read the final prospectus and other documents the Company has filed or will file with the SEC for more complete information about the Company and the Offering. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

    About Oriental Rise Holding Limited

    Oriental Rise Holding Limited is an integrated supplier of tea products in mainland China. Our major tea products include (i) primarily-processed tea consisting of white tea and black tea, and (ii) refined white tea and black tea. Our business operations are vertically integrated, covering cultivation, processing of tea leaves and the sale of tea products to tea business operators (such as wholesale distributors) and end-user retail customers in mainland China. We operate tea gardens located in Zherong County, Ningde City in Fujian Province of mainland China. For more information, visit the Company’s website at https://ir.mdhtea.cn/.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to, the Company’s proposed Offering. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, including the expectation that the Offering will be successfully completed. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “potential,” “continue,” “is/are likely to” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and in its other filings with the SEC.

    For more information, please contact:

    Investor Relations:
    Sherry Zheng
    Weitian Group LLC
    Phone: 718-213-7386
    Email: shunyu.zheng@weitian-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Logansport Financial Corp. Reports Net Earnings for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2024

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOGANSPORT, Ind., Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Logansport Financial Corp., (OTCQB, LOGN), parent company of Logansport Savings Bank, reported net earnings for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 of $192,000 or $0.31 per diluted share, compared to earnings in 2023 of $371,000 or $0.61 per diluted share. Year to date the company reported net earnings of $808,000 for 2024 compared to $1,501,000 for 2023. Diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 were $1.32 compared to $2.46 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Total assets at September 30, 2024 were $256.9 million compared to total assets at September 30, 2023 of $244.3 million. Total Deposits at September 30, 2024 were $216.6 million compared to total deposits of $219.4 million at September 30, 2023. The company paid a total of $1.35 per share in dividends in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $3.85 in 2023. This included a special dividend of $2.50 per share in 2023.

    The statements contained in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involves a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause results to differ materially from the objectives and estimates expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the financial condition of issuers of the Company’s investments and borrowers, changes in economic conditions in the Company’s market area, changes in policies of regulatory agencies, fluctuations in interest rates, demand for loans in the Company’s market area, changes in the position of banking regulators on the adequacy of our allowance for loan losses, and competition, all or some of which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. These factors should be considered in evaluation of any forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

    LOGANSPORT FINANCIAL CORP.
    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
    (Dollars in thousands, except for share data)
     
              9/30/2024   9/30/2023
                   
    Total assets         $256,930   $244,277
                   
    Loans receivable, net         172,097   168,710
    Allowance for loan losses         2,859   2,941
    Cash and cash equivalents         11,384   4,749
    Securities available for sale         26,783   28,524
    Investment in Logansport Investments, Inc.         29,859   27,237
    Federal Home Loan Bank stock         3,150   3,150
    Equity Investment                    –               –
    Deposits         216,600   219,371
    FHLB Borrowings and note payable         15,000   5,000
    Shareholders’ equity         21,918   17,678
    Unrealized gain (loss) on securities         (5,756)   (9,914)
    Shares O/S end of period         611,597   611,334
    Non-accrual loans         3,288   572
    Real Estate Owned                    –               –
      Quarter ended 9/30
    		Nine months ended 9/30 
       2024    2023    2024    2023
                   
    Interest income $2,852   $2,814   $8,894   $8,058
    Interest expense 1,570   1,420   4,657   3,343
    Net interest income 1,282   1,394   4,237   4,715
    Provision for loan losses -30   –   -79   –
    Net interest income after provision 1,312   1,394   4,316   4,715
    Gain on sale of Investments –   –   –   –
    Gain on sale of loans 99   87   260   135
    Gain on sale of REO –   –   –   –
    Total other income 257   293   889   840
    Gain (loss) on Logansport Investments, Inc. 175   172   527   658
    Gain on BOLI Settlement   –   –   –   –
    Total general, admin. & other expense 1,732   1,537   5,171   4,667
    Earnings before income taxes 111   409   721   1,681
    Income tax expense -81   38   -87   180
    Net earnings $192   $371   $808   $1,501
    Basic earnings per share $0.31   $0.61   $1.32   $2.46
    Diluted earnings per share $0.31   $0.61   $1.32   $2.46
    Weighted average shares o/s diluted 611,597   611,334   611,597   611,334
                   

    Contact: Kristie Richey
    Chief Financial Officer
    Phone-574-722-3855
    Fax-574-722-3857

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Crown LNG Announces Filing of First Half 2024 Financial Statements on Form 6-K

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Oct. 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Crown LNG Holdings Limited (“Crown” or “Crown LNG” or the “Company”), a leading provider of LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal technologies for harsh weather locations, today announced that on October 16, 2024, Crown filed the unaudited financial statements of Crown LNG Holding AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Crown, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2024 on Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The filing is available online through the SEC’s website.

    Crown LNG continues to execute against its strategic priorities – moving its India and Scotland projects toward Final Investment Decision, pursuing revenue generating M&A, and exploring possibilities for liquefied natural gas export facility development. These priorities were laid out and discussed in the Crown’s Corporate Update, which is available on the Crown LNG Investor page here.

    About Crown LNG Holdings Limited
    Crown LNG is a leading provider of offshore LNG liquefaction and regasification terminal infrastructure solutions for harsh weather locations, which represent a significant addressable market for bottom-fixed, gravity based (“GBS”) liquefaction and floating storage regasification units, as well as associated green and blue hydrogen, ammonia and power projects. Through this approach, Crown aims to provide lower carbon sources of energy securely to under-served markets across the globe. Visit http://www.crownlng.com/investors for more information.

    Crown LNG Contacts

    Investors
    Caldwell Bailey
    ICR, Inc.
    CrownLNGIR@icrinc.com

    Media
    Zach Gorin
    ICR, Inc.
    CrownLNGPR@icrinc.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation.  — Battlefords RCMP investigating ATV-related fatality

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 12, 2024 at approximately 12:00 p.m., Battlefords RCMP received a report of an ATV rollover on Highway #4 north of the Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation.

    Officers responded along with local EMS and located an injured male teenager, who had been the driver of the ATV. He was transported to hospital, where he later died. The family of the youth, who is from the Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head, Lean Man First Nation, has been notified.

    Two additional occupants, both teenage males, reported minor injuries and were treated by EMS on scene.

    Battlefords RCMP continues to investigate with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Coroners Service.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gerald  — Esterhazy RCMP responding to train-related incident near Gerald, Saskatchewan

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Esterhazy RCMP are on the scene of a collision that resulted in a train derailment north of Gerald, Saskatchewan. People are asked to avoid Range Road 1322 at this time.

    This is an unfolding investigation and further details and updates will be provided as they become available.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Guarding the Grid: Wyoming Army Guard Undergoes Critical Cybersecurity Evaluation

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. – In today’s environment, cyber threats are more pervasive than ever. Transnational criminal groups and nation-states engage in daily cyber attacks, targeting critical infrastructure.

    The U.S. Army National Guard Cyber Hygiene Assistance Team helps protect our grid. They conducted an assistance mission from Aug. 19 to 23, 2024, to assist the Wyoming Army National Guard with preparations for the U.S. Army Cyber Command Cyber Operational Readiness Assessment to evaluate their cybersecurity posture.

    The assessment is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the highest level of security across the Department of Defense Information Network.

    “Every computer and networking device connected to the network is an avenue nefarious actors can use to access our network,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Fish, the Army Guard CHAT team lead. “Ensuring these devices are secure is not just about protecting data but safeguarding our entire national defense infrastructure.”

    The CORA inspection is a comprehensive process that scrutinizes both the technological infrastructure and the operational practices related to cybersecurity. This two-week inspection assesses an organization’s overall risk to the DOD Information Network, with risk levels ranging from very low to very high. Organizations with high or very high risk may face severe consequences, such as being quarantined or disconnected from the network.

    “CORA isn’t just a check on the technology in use,” Fish explained. “It’s an all-encompassing inspection that looks at the security-minded culture of users, leadership engagement in cyber and personal security, policies, procedures, and how information is secured on classified and unclassified networks. This holistic approach reduces overall risk to our national security.”

    The Army Guard’s preparation for CORA begins six months before the inspection, with weekly meetings and in-depth evaluations of various cybersecurity areas. The CHAT conducts a one-week on-site mission three months before the inspection, collaborating directly with personnel and administrators to access and enhance their cybersecurity posture. After this mission, preliminary results are presented to state senior leadership, providing a clear picture of their security status and allowing them to make informed decisions on necessary actions.

    “The CHAT program has been instrumental in increasing cybersecurity across the Army Guard,” Fish said. “When I started in 2019, the Army Guard had a pass rate of around 50% in the predecessor to CORA, the Command Cyber Readiness Inspection. Thanks to the efforts of the CHAT program, this pass rate has soared to over 90%, a testament to the effectiveness of our approach.”

    Fish shares the secret to his team’s success.

    “We don’t just come to do an assessment, leave a location with a list of things to fix and wish them luck,” he said. “We start working with locations months in advance, build relationships and stick with them all the way through the end of their inspection.”

    Additionally, the team includes highly talented Soldiers from multiple states, according to Fish. “Active duty and reserves do not have the capability or flexibility in force structure to establish the same type of program, which is why we are so successful.”

    In response to these escalating cyber threats, the Army Guard has implemented proactive measures to strengthen its defenses. However, Lejeune emphasized that every user plays a role in safeguarding the network.

    “The Army National Guard deploys a sophisticated and effective cyber defense infrastructure to protect against these threats,” said Lt. Col. Robert Lejeune, Wyoming Army Guard deputy chief of staff information management. “However, technology alone is not the answer—people are the solution. Our G6 [Department of Information Management] has a very talented group of individuals who fight this fight every day, but everyone who uses the network is needed to defend it.”

    Lejeune provides five essential tips for regular users to enhance cybersecurity efforts:

    Don’t leave your Common Access Card in your computer, and avoid using your phone number as your PIN: With the rise of identity theft and the ease of accessing personal information, securing your access credentials is crucial.

    Avoid using wireless keyboards and mice: The frequencies used by these devices are not secure and can be intercepted. Wired versions offer a more secure alternative.

    Protect personally identifiable information and adhere to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requirements: Preventing identity theft is essential for maintaining individual readiness.

    Follow controlled unclassified information, operational, informational and physical security measures: Protecting sensitive and classified information is vital to national security.

    Educate and protect yourself: Start with the personal measures outlined in the annual Cyber Awareness Challenge. These steps will protect you and safeguard your loved ones.

    “The collective effort of every individual using the network is crucial to defending it against potential threats,” Lejeune said. “By adhering to these tips, users can significantly bolster the cybersecurity efforts of DOIM, ensuring a more secure environment for all.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Public Health Order on firearms expires – Key components of order will remain under MOU’s

    Source: US State of New Mexico

    SANTA FE – A public health order that imposed temporary firearm restrictions, enhanced drug monitoring, and other public safety measures in response to gun violence and substance misuse expired on Saturday and will not be renewed, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Wednesday.

    “The public health order, though temporary, allowed us to implement urgent and necessary measures that have had a measurable, positive effect on public safety in our state,” Lujan Grisham said. “I have decided to allow the public health order to expire, but our fight to protect New Mexico communities from the dangers posed by guns and illegal drugs will continue.”

    Lujan Grisham first issued the public health order in September 2023 after the tragic shooting death of an 11-year-old boy in Albuquerque. Emphasizing the urgent need to address gun violence in the state, the governor’s temporary restrictions banned firearms in public parks and playgrounds in Bernalillo County, strengthened oversight of firearm sales and implemented wastewater testing for fentanyl in public schools.

    The Public Health Order also led to the establishment of memorandums of understanding between the state of New Mexico and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department and the 2nd Judicial District to share public safety data and ensure transparency and accountability.

    In the year since the governor’s public health order went into effect, significant strides were made in reducing gun violence in New Mexico. Key accomplishments include:

    • More than 1,700 firearms collected through gun buy-back events.
    • A doubling of arrests in Albuquerque including 36% related to violent and/or gun-related crimes.
    • Increased public awareness about the serious issue of juveniles being detained for gun possession.
    • Fewer gunfire incidents in Albuquerque, as reported by the city’s gunshot detection system.
    • In the last year, 52,743 free gun locks have been distributed by the New Mexico Department of Health.
    • The New Mexico Department of Health has distributed 31,806 doses of naloxone to reverse opioid overdoses, with 3,653 overdose reversals reported in the last year.
    • An interactive dashboard developed by the New Mexico Environment Department that shows drug testing of wastewater from public schools across the state, helping school officials and communities understand drug trends in their areas.
    • Increased inmate population at the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center.
    • A coalescing of state and local agencies, including New Mexico State Police, Albuquerque Police, Bernalillo County Sheriff, and others, to develop a coordinated response to tackle gun violence.

    “Our work is not done,” said Lujan Grisham. “We need the legislature to pass stronger public safety laws, increase penalties for violent offenders, and ensure that those suffering from substance misuse have access to treatment. This is no time to slow down—we must accelerate our efforts to protect our families. The legislature must also prioritize budget requests from our law enforcement agencies, who need more resources to continue their fight against crime.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor orders flags to half-staff in honor of Sen. John Arthur Smith

    Source: US State of New Mexico

    SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has ordered all flags in the state of New Mexico to be flown at half-staff in honor of former state senator John Arthur Smith, who passed away on October 7. Flags will be lowered from sunrise on October 18 until sundown on October 21.

    Smith served the people of New Mexico for over three decades, representing District 35—which includes Dona Ana, Hidalgo, Luna, and Sierra Counties—from 1989 until his retirement in 2020. As the longtime chairman of the New Mexico Senate Finance Committee, he earned the respect of colleagues across the political spectrum, guiding the state’s fiscal policy with prudence and ensuring that funds were used wisely to benefit New Mexicans.

    Smith championed wise state investments in healthcare and education, particularly in his hometown of Deming, where he advocated for improved hospitals and schools. He also played a pivotal role in the creation of the Early Childhood Education and Care Department trust fund, laying the foundation for universal, high-quality childcare in New Mexico and serving as a national leader in early childhood education reform.

    “Senator John Arthur Smith’s dedication to our state, his financial expertise, and his commitment to improving the lives of New Mexicans will leave a lasting legacy,” said Lujan Grisham. “It is fitting to honor his life of public service through this period of mourning.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sixteen Hells Angels & Red Devils Motorcycle Gang Members Face Charges Related to Violent Racketeering Enterprise

    Source: US Justice – Antitrust Division

    Headline: Sixteen Hells Angels & Red Devils Motorcycle Gang Members Face Charges Related to Violent Racketeering Enterprise

    An indictment was unsealed in the Eastern District of North Carolina charging 16 members of two outlaw motorcycle gangs — the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) and the Red Devils Motorcycle Club (RDMC) — for their alleged roles in a criminal enterprise engaging in violent criminal activity in and around Raleigh and Fayetteville, North Carolina. The RDMC is the main support club nationwide for the HAMC.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Castro Applauds FAA Plan to Approve Direct Flights from DCA to SAT

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

    October 16, 2024

    SAN ANTONIO — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a plan to grant San Antonio International Airport (SAT) one of the ten new direct flights slots from Washington D.C.’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). Castro, a longtime advocate for direct flights from SAT to DCA, worked to secure the additional direct flights as part of the FAA Authorization Act of 2024.

    “For years, I’ve been working with my colleagues in the San Antonio delegation to get our city a direct flight to the nation’s capital. Today’s announcement is a long-sought win for travelers, businesses, and the military families that call our city home. When finalized, these direct flights will make it easier for San Antonio’s business sector, including our growing cybersecurity industry, to work directly with the federal government to support job growth and economic development at home. I appreciate the Biden-Harris administration’s decision to bring these flights to San Antonio and I look forward to welcoming new travelers to my hometown.”

    Currently, 96 American cities with smaller populations than San Antonio offer direct flights to DCA, including Tulsa, Akron, Cedar Rapids (IA), and Pensacola (FL).

    Congressman Castro has worked consistently to secure federal funding and resources to expand San Antonio International Airport and make the airport an attractive partner for more direct flights. After working to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with approximately $1.2 billion for Texas airports, he was quickly able to secure $20 million of those funds for the construction of a Ground Load Facility at SAT to improve airport operations and capacity. As part of the FY2023 federal appropriations bill, he additionally secured $1.5 million to allow the airport to purchase three electric passenger buses and assorted infrastructure to transport passengers from the car rental facility and lower the airport’s carbon footprint.

    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Continuing care: Ministers LaGrange and Nixon

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    “We are committed to ensuring Alberta has a continuing care system that provides Albertans with the health care, personal care services and accommodations they need to support their independence and quality of life.“Establishing a new provincial health agency dedicated to continuing care gives us the opportunity to broaden our efforts to care for all Albertans who need daily supports and services in continuing care homes, supportive living or through home and community care.“Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon will become the sector minister for the new continuing care provincial health agency.  “As the oversight minister, and the minister responsible for the health care system in Alberta, I will ensure Alberta Health works alongside the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services as we continue to deliver these critical services and build towards the standing up of the new continuing care agency. Alberta Health will continue to assist in determining how services will be delivered in the future.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    “As the new sector minister for continuing care, I am committed to ensuring seniors, people with disabilities, people facing homelessness and other vulnerable Albertans are supported with comprehensive, wraparound services that meet both their medical and non-medical needs.“This change will not interrupt service delivery or impact funding in any way.“We will be looking to ensure all aspects of continuing care – including home care and community care – can be expanded in innovative ways to support people as their situations and needs evolve.“We will be looking to make the system easier to access. A new, unified approach will include a new, user-friendly online platform to connect partners and Albertans to continuing care supports and enable people to request the services they need directly.“And we won’t be doing this in isolation – we are establishing a transitional committee that will help guide the transformation, and we will be consulting with key organizations, operators and experts.”With the experience of health care professionals and social service specialists, we will develop services that work together, while continuing to support Albertans in choosing where and how they would like to live.”

    Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services

    Related information

    • Refocusing health care in Alberta

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Business News – NZ-founded start-up Projectworks hits NZ$100m valuation in US$5 million Series A funding round

    Source: BetterAotearoa.com

    • Projectworks secures US$5m in Series A funding round
    • The round values the company at NZ$100m
    • New US-based CEO to turbocharge North American expansion
    • Funds will be used to build a Silicon Valley development team Wellington office to expand
    17 October 2024 New Zealand-founded startup Projectworks is turbocharging its North American expansion after a successful USD$5 million (NZD$8.2 million) Series A capital raise and the appointment of a US-based chief executive Mark Orttung.

    The latest round, which includes both existing and some new shareholders, values the company at NZ$100m – a stunning achievement in just five years. The management software company has experienced explosive growth since being founded in 2019 by Wellington entrepreneurs Julian Clarke, Matthew Hayter and Doug Taylor.

    Projectworks’ capital raise was led by U.S.-based Bridgewest Group, with contributions from Orttung and existing shareholders including local venture capital firm Punakaiki Fund and the founders.

    Dr. Masood Tayebi, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bridgewest Group said, “The growth that Projectworks has achieved is extraordinary and we look to continued success. They are well positioned in a market that is rapidly evolving, where opportunities are vast. They have a top-notch management team with their sights firmly set on growth and customer success. We are thrilled to have led and completed this Series A round to fuel its strategic expansion into the US.”

    New CEO for U.S. growth

    New CEO Mark Orttung joined Projectworks in March and says he came on board after being impressed with the founders and the company’s ambition.

    “Joining Projectworks was a natural fit. Its founders are innovators who think about problems differently, creating entirely fit-for-purpose solutions.

    “There is a huge opportunity for Projectworks in the US market and this injection of funding will fuel our expansion into the U.S., and meet significant demand in the mid-market services industries we serve.

    “The funding will be used for a number of initiatives, including to drive global customer acquisition, increase our investment in R&D, and build out a Silicon Valley-based product and engineering team.

    “This will all help create a powerful platform for Projectworks to expand throughout the U.S. and other markets.

    Hayter, former CEO and now President and Chief Product Officer, says, “Orttung’s appointment was made after I came to realise we have the product, the team, the market, and the timing to build a truly significant, global software business.”

    Orttung is well qualified, having held senior executive positions in many successful companies. His track record includes President and Chief Operating Officer of bill.com (now listed on the NYSE), founder and CEO of Nexient, one of America’s largest cloud-based services businesses (acquired by NTT Data in 2021) and leadership roles in GetThere and Genesys, both of which went to IPO.

    Kiwi built

    Projectworks’ exceptional performance won it 557th place in this year’s coveted Inc 5000 list, due to the company’s ~800% revenue growth within three years. Projectworks expects its growth to continue, with North America as its key future market.

    The Wellington-founded company attracted strong investor support early, including Bridgewest Group and local VC, Punakaiki Fund.

    Nadine Hill, partner at Punakaiki Fund, says: “Punakaiki Fund is a strong supporter of Projectworks. The team has done an incredible job of building momentum across the globe.

    “They embody our distinct preference for teams relentlessly focused on building world-class solutions.”

    Hayter, who remains in New Zealand, expects the Wellington team to expand to support the growth.

    “We’re incredibly proud of the impact Projectworks has on the lives and businesses of our customers. Mark is at the helm, I’m running product development and management, and we have the resources and team to keep spreading that impact across the global consulting industry.”

    Projectworks, which offers intuitive, innovative professional services automation software, is known for delivering fit-for-purpose solutions for service companies. It now provides over 500 mid-market consultancies around the world with a complete, easy-to-use platform that allows them to run more profitable projects and businesses.

    Notes

    About Projectworks

    Projectworks is professional services automation software that was founded in 2019, after being created from within a software services firm. It now provides over 500 mid-market consultancies around the world. Projectworks recently completed a strategic move to relocate its NZ  headquarters to the U.S. to meet increased demand in the North American markets.

    What customers say

    Cam Brookes, Founder and Managing Director of Kiandra says, “What we got with Projectworks was really aligned with the way we wanted our business to work. It’s truly a system built for services businesses. It is what we would have built if we were to have done it ourselves.”

    About Mark Orttung

    Mark Orttung joined Projectworks as CEO in March this year. Orttung, who is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, was previously COO at Bill.com, which builds fintech solutions for small and medium businesses, and CEO at Nexient, America’s largest 100% US-based software services partner, focused on Agile development and business acceleration. Orttung has been on the Projectworks board since January 2023.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –