NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: More road deaths likely if evidence not followed

    Source: New Zealand Labour Party

    Any road deaths as a result of increased speed limits will now be on the Government’s hands.

    “Where it is safe to do so, we do not oppose raising speed limits. However, the Government’s making many of these changes based on a campaign promise, rather than evidence,” Labour’s transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said.

    “We know this, because the previous Transport Minister encouraged National Party supporters to submit on his own bill. He was not interested in the opposing views of safety campaigners.

    “I would like to see the evidence that it is safe to raise speed limits on these roads, not the National Party opinion that it is.

    “It is an absolute tragedy that we go into every long weekend expecting a road toll. It should not be normal for Kiwis to lose loved ones to people driving too fast.

    “While we do not oppose travelling at faster speeds on roads where it is safe to do so, I do remain concerned about the potential for more deaths on the roads as a result of these changes,” Tangi Utikere said.

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    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Social Issues – IHC urges collective fix to address root causes of child poverty

    Source: IHC

    IHC is urging policymakers, educators and the community to come together to address the root causes of poverty and ensure that no child is left behind, including children with an intellectual disability.

    A new survey from KidsCan has found that thousands of children in New Zealand are beginning the school year without essential basics.

    IHC Director of Advocacy Tania Thomas says these findings are a call to action.

    “Children with intellectual disabilities are not just facing much higher financial hardship than most; they’re facing exclusion from opportunities to thrive and participate in society,” says Tania. “It’s unacceptable, and we must do better.”

    Forthcoming research from IHC, using data from Stats NZ’s integrated data infrastructure, sheds light on the disproportionate and rarely discussed impact of the child poverty crisis on intellectually disabled children. The findings, set to be published in February, reveal that these children are twice as likely as their peers to experience material hardship.

    Key findings include:

    Financial Strain: 42 percent of households with an intellectually disabled child cannot pay an unavoidable bill within a month without borrowing, compared to 18 percent of households in the general population.
    Food Insecurity: People with intellectual disability are three times more likely than other New Zealanders to miss out on meals with meat or a vegetarian equivalent at least every second day.
    Social Exclusion: Children with an intellectual disability experience significant barriers to social participation, such as their family being unable to afford school trips or events (13 percent vs. 2 percent in the general population) and not hosting friends to play and eat (26 percent vs. 9 percent in the general population).
    Hardship Increases with Age: Unlike the general population, people with an intellectual disability have increased levels of hardship as they age.

    Tania says this IHC research highlights the compounded disadvantages that families of intellectually disabled children face, particularly as they prepare for the school year.

    “Essential expenses such as uniforms, stationery and extracurricular activities strain already stretched budgets, leaving many children with an intellectual disability at a disadvantage from the outset.

    “Investing in targeted support for families with intellectually disabled children is not only an ethical imperative but also a societal one.”

    About IHC New Zealand

    IHC New Zealand advocates for the rights, inclusion and welfare of all people with intellectual disabilities and supports them to live satisfying lives in the community. IHC provides advocacy, volunteering, events, membership associations and fundraising. It is part of the IHC Group, which also includes IDEA Services, Choices NZ and Accessible Properties.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Activist News – The government has begun to “go through the motions” of questioning Israeli soldiers at the border but it’s just a “look busy” policy – too little too late! – PSNA

    Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

     

    The government has begun questioning Israeli soldiers about their military service in Gaza at the New Zealand border as revealed in a Times of Israel story today which says:

     

    “New Zealand’s government immigration authority has begun to require Israelis applying for a visa to report details of their military service as a condition for entry, and at least one person has been denied admission after doing so, The Times of Israel has learned”

     

    However, the details of the questions asked reveals the government is simply “going through the motions” to weed out possible war criminals.

     

    The key questions asked are:

     

    • “Have you been associated with any intelligence service or group, or law enforcement agency?”
    • “Have you been associated with any group or organization that has used or promoted violence or human rights abuses to further their aims?”
    • “Have you committed or been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses?”

     

    It’s obvious how every soldier will answer those questions and New Zealand is none the wiser.  

     

    What the story also reveals is that the rejection rate for visas for Israelis coming here has not changed since the genocide began in Gaza.

     

    An analysis of INZ statistical data indicates that the rejection rate for Israeli visa applications to New Zealand during the war has been approximately four percent. This is not unusually high compared to previous years or the rejection rates for citizens of other developed countries.

     

    It’s clear the questioning of Israeli soldiers is not revealing people involved in war crimes and is a “look busy” policy. This gives more reason for the government to adopt PSNA policy and suspend all visas for anyone who has served in the IDF since 7 October 2023.

     

    The government must also uphold the International Court of Justice Advisory opinion (19 July 2024) which calls on the government to end support for Israel’s illegal occupation. This means we should also deny entry to every Israeli wanting to visit here who has an address in an illegal Israeli settlement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

      

    John Minto

    National Chair

    Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murphy On Trump Freezing All Federal Grants: This Is What A King Does

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy

    January 28, 2025

    [embedded content]
    WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined Senate Democrats at a press conference on Tuesday raising the alarm about the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo directing agencies to freeze federal funding.
    Full transcript of Murphy’s remarks:
    “This is an attempt by Donald Trump to seize power. It sounds like a provocative thing to say, but how else do you describe what we have watched happen over the last week? The broad immunization of political violence, the illegal firing of inspectors general there to make sure that the money of the taxpayers isn’t stolen, and today, the illegal and unconstitutional decision to put the President of the United States, and no one else, in charge of who gets federal money and who doesn’t.
    “What President Trump is doing is seizing control of the federal budget and deciding by himself who gets money and who doesn’t for two reasons. One, he wants to bank money so that he can afford his massive tax cut for billionaires and corporations, but second, so that he can hand out money to his friends, to the companies that are run by his billionaire donors, to states that voted for him, to congressional districts with members of Congress who are loyal to him, and so that he can deny money to any organization run by Democrats, to companies that are competitors to his billionaire friends, to congressional districts represented by his political opponents.
    “This what a king does. This is not how a democracy works. One man does not decide how taxpayers’ money is spent so that it only gets sent to the President’s political friends, and it gets used to punish his political enemies.
    “The scope of the damage that will be done is enormous to poor kids who rely on Head Start programs, to families who desperately need that cancer research done, to veterans who, if they miss one or two appointments, their life falls apart suddenly overnight.
    “We have to understand what is happening in context. The President wants you to be distracted by the day-to-day announcements, but put together, the pardoning of the violent rioters, the firing of the inspectors general, and today, the stoppage of federal funding, leaving the decision only to the political whims of President Trump, represents the gravest, most serious constitutional crisis of our lifetime, and one that threatens to undermine the very premise of American democracy.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish rocket launch boost to get Britain back into space race

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector.

    £20 million to launch the first UK made orbital rocket from Saxavord.

    • Landmark Scottish rocket launch set to boost UK’s launching power and make Britain a European space leader
    • £20 million government investment will help to fund the construction and launch of the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket
    • Orbex’s rocket Prime will encourage economic investment and support high-skilled jobs, as part of the Plan for Change

    A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector, following a £20 million government investment in UK launch company Orbex to build and launch a rocket from the shores of Scotland.

    Tech Secretary Peter Kyle announced the investment today (29th January) at Brussels’ European Space Conference, positioning Britain as a leading international partner and cooperator in Europe’s access to space. The investment will help to fund Orbex’s rocket Prime, the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket.

    Prime is set to take off from late 2025 at Scottish spaceport SaxaVord, one of two licensed vertical launch spaceports in Europe. It will catalyse the UK’s position as a leading small satellite manufacturer and global space leader, and support 140 highly paid jobs in the region as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    The investment will contribute to this government’s mission to grow the economy, boosting the UK’s ability to regularly launch rockets into orbit from its shores and attracting launch investment into the UK.

    With European demand for satellites up to 2033 forecasted to be worth $50 billion, even 2% of this would bring around $1 billion in revenues for the UK economy alone.

    Developing Britain’s launch capabilities is already helping to bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and organisations across the UK. So far, the Prime project has created more than 140 highly skilled jobs in Forres, with many more anticipated as the company continues to grow.

    The launch of Prime will also help to inspire a new generation of British space professionals. By showcasing the pivotal role of Britain in the space age, government is investing now to ensure a sector that is vibrant, innovative, and above all, successful in achieving our goal for the UK to become a leading European provider of small satellite launch.

    Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

    Britain’s impressive toolkit of scientific talent, world class facilities, and unique geography means we stand ready to lead the charge and to work together with our international partners as a key part of the new space revolution in Europe.

    By investing £20 million in this rocket launch, we are not only helping the country to become a leading destination for small satellite launches in Europe but bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to communities and organisations across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change.   

    Supporting Orbex’s launch will also turbocharge the country’s position in the space sector and inspire our next generation of space professionals, who will be able to design, test, build and launch British rockets, carrying British satellites, from British soil.

    Designed to launch satellites into orbit, Prime will benefit from the UK’s latitude, with Scotland’s geographical positioning providing easy access to valuable polar orbits.

    The British-built Prime is also Europe-leading in its pioneering approach to sustainability.  It is poised to become the first in a new generation of ultra green launch systems, powered by renewable bio-propane fuel, which cuts carbon emissions significantly compared to other similarly sized rockets being developed elsewhere around the world.

    The rocket is also designed to be re-useable. Upon returning to Earth, what does not burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere will be recovered and components will be refurbished and reused in future projects.    

    Britain is already a key player in the satellite industry, with Glasgow building more satellites than any other city in Europe.

    Dr Paul Bate CEO UK Space Agency said:

    Space is a fast-growing global industry and there is a real opportunity for the UK to play a greater role now than ever before. This new government investment is not just about launching a rocket, but building a more prosperous future for all, powered by space technology.

    Orbex is a highly innovative company that can serve customers in the UK, Europe and beyond with its Prime launch vehicle, create hundreds of high skilled jobs in Scotland and inspire a new generation to reach for the stars. We will work closely with them as we countdown to launch, continue to develop our national space capabilities, and strengthen our international partnerships.

    Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said:

    It’s an exciting time for the Scottish space sector and this £20 million investment from the UK government in Orbex will help Scotland maintain our position as a leader as we look forward to the first satellite launch later this year.

    This important industry is playing a vital role in our Plan for Change, helping economic growth and employing thousands of people in good quality jobs, often in small towns and rural communities, across the country.

    Phillip Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said:

    This first of a kind investment by the UK government demonstrates its confidence in the UK’s space rocket manufacturing and launch sector and is an exciting start to the opening of our Series D fundraising. We are entering the final preparations to deliver the most flexible and environmentally sustainable launch services to the global satellite industry.

    This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development.

    DSIT media enquiries

    Email press@dsit.gov.uk

    Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 6pm 020 7215 300

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Environment Agency secures record commitments from water sector

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    The EA, working closely with Natural England, has secured the largest ever environmental commitment from water companies since privatisation.  

    The Environment Agency working closely with Natural England has secured the largest ever commitment from water companies to clean up the environment and invest in new infrastructure since privatisation.   

    The Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) sets out over 24,000 actions water companies must take over the next five years to meet their legal requirements for the environment. This series of targeted interventions represents a £22.1bn investment in the environment – four times more than was secured in the last Price Review and will deliver tangible benefits for our water system and for customers. 

    As part of the PR24 process the Environment Agency assessed actions proposed by water companies and, alongside Ofwat and Natural England, provided technical guidance to make sure these actions will provide direct solutions to environmental pressures and help drive nature recovery. 

    The agreed actions will lead to improvements in water infrastructure to secure future supply, habitats and biodiversity and drinking water quality. For example, water companies have submitted plans to establish trials to remove nitrate, restore nationally important chalk streams, and install bespoke biosecurity measures to remove invasive species.  

    Further goals set out under WINEP include:  

    • Reducing the amount of water abstracted, leading to an estimated 60 million litres of water being retained in the environment every day, 

    • Protecting and enhancing of 13,500 km rivers,  

    • Upgrading 2,350 storm overflows leading to an estimated annual reduction of sewage spills by of 85,000 annually, 

    • Improving 21 newly designated bathing water sites across England, 

    • Reducing phosphorous inputs to the environment at over 800 sewage treatment works, 

    • Installing 3,500 monitors at emergency overflows sites.

    Alan Lovell, Chair of the Environment Agency said: 

    This unprecedented level of investment represents a vital step forward towards ensuring we have clean, safe, and abundant water now and for future generations. 

    Working with the water companies on this £22bn programme is a crucial way to realise the government’s goals of stimulating development and boosting economic growth, while ensuring the sector can meet its ambitious environment commitments.

    We will work closely with Defra, Ofwat and other regulators to monitor water company progress and ensure they deliver what has been promised. If water companies fail to carry out their legal obligations to the environment, we will take action.” 

    Steve Reed, Secretary of State for the Environment said: 

    It is no secret that our water system needs fixing and that our rivers, lakes and seas are choked by pollution.  

    Customers deserve the money they pay in bills to go towards improving the service they receive, and that is why the Government will ringfence money earmarked for investment, so it can only be spent on projects like these. 

    We are also going further to fix our water system through the Water (Special Measures) Bill, by introducing new powers to ban the payment of bonuses for polluting water bosses and bring criminal charges against lawbreakers.” 

    Natural England provides advice and guidance where water company activity may influence protected sites ,including Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPA) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), such as through water abstraction and discharges, and how this can be improved through the WINEP.  

    Marian Spain, Chief Executive of Natural England, said: 

    The scale of investment in the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP) is a positive step towards delivering sustainable outcomes for the water environment, nature recovery, biodiversity improvement and sustainable growth.  

    Natural England will be working to maximise the opportunity of this significant investment, to get full value for money via integrated approaches and work with our partners including the Environment Agency, water companies and Defra to help deliver this ambitious programme.

    Chris Walters, Senior Director, Price Review 2024 at Ofwat said:  

    We welcome the EA’s publication of the WINEP programme. In December we approved a record £104bn investment package, including over £22bn for WINEP.  

    This quadruples the investment of the last five years, providing water companies with an opportunity to turn around their environmental performance and regain customers’ trust by improving services.  

    We will monitor companies and hold them to account for their investment programmes so that they do this”.

    David Henderson, Chief Executive, Water UK said:

    This programme will be the largest amount of money ever spent on the natural environment. It will help to support economic growth, build more homes, secure our water supplies and end sewage entering our rivers and seas.

    The Environment Agency and other regulators will drive water companies to embrace state-of-the-art technologies and groundbreaking innovations when delivering the actions set out under WINEP.  

    These collaborative efforts are crucial to cutting pollution, managing water efficiency, and increasing resilience to climate change for the benefit of both nature and people. By doing so we and industry can stimulate development and support the Government’s objective of boosting economic growth.  

    The investment was secured through Ofwat’s final determinations announced in December and has been factored into upcoming changes to customer bills. 

    The WINEP data set will be published at 0800 on 29 January on GOV.UK

    Updates to this page

    Published 29 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Joint statement on Australian state, territory and local government response to the launch of the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    The Australian Federal Government, all state and territory governments and the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), have today reaffirmed their commitment to building a more inclusive Australia, where all people with disability can participate on an equal basis, through the release of the updated Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031.

    As part of the joint response to the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability, Australian and state and territory governments accepted the Royal Commission’s recommendation to review the Strategy.  

    Throughout the review, people with disability, representative organisations and the Strategy’s Advisory Council shared their important perspectives on how governments can continue to improve the everyday lives of people with disability.

    All governments are committed to the Strategy’s vision and policy priorities of breaking down barriers and creating accessible, inclusive communities where all people with disability can participate on an equal basis.

    Governments have also established new Targeted Action Plans (TAPs) under the Strategy to apply an intensive focusing on Community Attitudes, Safety, Rights and Justice and Inclusive Homes and Communities, which are all areas that people with disability have identified as being of critical importance.

    Each state, territory and many local governments are also implementing disability plan(s) in place to progress reform consistent with the Strategy.  

    Governments will continue to work closely with the disability community, employers, unions, non-government organisations and the broader community as we move forward with this work, ensuring the voices, experience and lived expertise of people with disability are directly shaping the reforms that affect them.

    Signed by the Prime Minister, all First Ministers and the President of ALGA, the Strategy is our national framework, based on the social model of disability, to improve the lives of people with disability in Australia over ten years.

    The updated Strategy is accompanied by a range of supporting resources, including:

    • An updated 10-year milestone roadmap
    • A revised Data Improvement Plan
    • Guide to applying Australia’s Disability Strategy
    • Educational videos to outline what we have heard in the review and changes that are made
    • An accessible factsheet on updates to the Strategy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Fleeing driver: Charges confirmed

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    A man is expected in court today, following a fleeing driver incident across much of central Auckland.

    On Tuesday, a vehicle with mismatching plates was located on the Northwestern Motorway.

    After allegedly failing to stop for Police, the matter concluded at Dress Smart shopping centre in Onehunga.

    Auckland City Road Policing Manager acting Inspector Scott Jones says the vehicle the man was driving has since been confirmed as stolen.

    “A 31-year-old Northland man is expected to appear in the Auckland District Court today,” he says.

    “He faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless driving, failing to stop and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.”

    During the fleeing driver incident, it was established the man was also sought in relation to other active court matters, including aggravated robbery. 

    “It’s fortunate that neither the public nor Police staff suffered any injuries as a result of the man’s alleged actions yesterday afternoon,” acting Inspector Jones says.

    ENDS

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Citizenship applications completed up 54 per cent in December

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. 

    “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared to the 3,685 applications completed during December 2023,” says Ms van Velden.

    “I have asked the Department to focus efforts on reducing the number of outstanding applications, and I am pleased to see progress being made. The number of work-in-progress applications has dropped from 28,544 on 27 November 2023 to 18,749 in January 2025, a drop of 34 per cent.

    “At the start of December 2024, the oldest applications being picked up for processing for the first time were submitted a year prior. As of January 2025, the oldest applications being picked up are from late March 2024.” 

    The Department has been working to cross-skill staff to process passport, citizenship, and digital identity [RealMe] applications. The more adaptable workforce is better able to respond to fluctuations in demand for different products, leading to increased productivity and better outcomes for New Zealanders.

    “I know that receiving the grant of New Zealand citizenship is a significant moment in a person’s life, and I have heard from many individuals about the impact that delays to obtaining citizenship can have on them and their family. I will continue to remain focussed on reducing citizenship wait times and ensuring high standards of service,” says Ms van Velden. 

    In December 2024 the Department also launched a public dashboard showing measures of output and average processing time across their life and identity products, including citizenship. The dashboard can be accessed here: https://www.dia.govt.nz/Life-and-Identity-Services-Performance-Measures-Dashboard

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mercer County, W.Va., disaster aid hits $2 million milestone

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Mercer County, W.Va., disaster aid hits $2 million milestone

    Mercer County, W.Va., disaster aid hits $2 million milestone

    CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Six weeks after a major disaster was declared for Mercer County, W.Va., more than $2 million has been approved for homeowners and renters affected by the Sept. 25-28, 2024, remnants of Tropical Storm Helene.   More than 955 households have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to date. The deadline to apply for disaster assistance is Feb. 7, 2025.“Getting $2 million into the hands of the people of Mercer County has been a team effort,” Federal Coordinating Officer Georgeta Dragoiu said. “FEMA continues to work side-by-side with West Virginia and Mercer County emergency management and local officials to coordinate this mission. I also want to thank our state and local nonprofits and our private sector and media partners in getting the word out. We couldn’t have reached this important milestone without them.”“Recovery is always a team effort, and this milestone reflects the dedication of everyone involved — from FEMA to local officials, nonprofits, and community partners,” West Virginia Emergency Management Division Deputy Director Matthew Blackwood said. “We remain committed to supporting the people of Mercer County as they rebuild and recover.”Disaster assistance may include grants to help homeowners and renters pay for essential home repairs, personal property replacement, and essential disaster-related needs. In December and January, FEMA deployed Disaster Survivor Assistance teams to visit storm-damaged homes to register people and answer their questions about disaster assistance. The survivor assistance specialists visited more than 2,250 residences, interacting with more than 660 individuals, as well as 66 faith-based organizations and 245 businesses to meet survivors where they are. Housing inspectors have completed more than 640 inspections of disaster-damaged properties to verify damage.FEMA Enhanced Application Services specialists completed more than 470 follow-up calls with survivors, walking them through the application process and collecting information to help complete their requests for federal assistance. Their extra efforts led to more than $529 thousand to be approved for Mercer County residents’ recovery.Federal disaster assistance is still available to residents of Mercer County. FEMA encourages all survivors who sustained disaster-related damage or losses to apply for assistance at our Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center location and hours are as follows: Princeton Disaster Recovery CenterLifeline Princeton Church of God250 Oakvale Road Princeton, WV 24740 Hours of operation:Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Closed Sundays The DRC is accessible to all, including survivors with mobility issues, impaired vision, and those who are who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.Survivors can also call 800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone line operates from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. They can also go online to DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA app on their smartphone.Other help remains available to individuals:Free disaster legal assistance is available to West Virginia storm survivors. This service offers counseling on insurance claims, landlord-tenant issues, home-repair contracts, the replacement of legal documents destroyed by the storm and other legal matters. Call the legal hotline 866-255-4370. Disaster assistance grants from FEMA are not taxable income and will not affect eligibility for Social Security (including disability benefits), Medicaid, welfare assistance, food stamps and several other programs. Disaster grants are just that — money that does not have to be paid back to the government.One of FEMA’s federal partners in disaster recovery, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), offers low-interest disaster loans for businesses of all sizes, homeowners, renters and private non-profit organizations. SBA disaster loans may cover repairs, rebuilding, and the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged real estate and personal property. For more information about SBA loans, call SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955, email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or visit http://www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also apply online via SBA’s secure website at http://www.sba.gov/disaster. People who are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, should dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.For more information on West Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit emd.wv.gov, West Virginia Emergency Management Division Facebook page, www.fema.gov/disaster/4851 and www.facebook.com/FEMA.
    tiana.suber
    Tue, 01/28/2025 – 22:39

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Does your school have enough trees? Here’s why they’re great for kids and their learning

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Margaret Stanley, Professor of Ecology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Getty Images

    Do schools and trees mix? You may have memories of shady playing areas and shelter belts by playing fields, but our recent study suggests this is increasingly an exception rather than a rule.

    Trees are often seen as a health and safety risk, whether from branches or the whole thing falling, or from children falling out of them. Many schools have banned pupils from climbing trees as a result.

    Beyond that, trees are often seen as an optional “nice to have”. New Zealand’s current education minister criticised extensive landscaping and bespoke design when announcing a review of school properties in early 2024.

    But the benefits of trees and other vegetation in urban areas are well known, and increasingly important as housing density increases. Schools can play a significant role in encouraging the growth of “urban forests”.

    Unfortunately, there are also large differences in tree canopy cover in New Zealand cities (and elsewhere in the world), with low socioeconomic areas often having low tree canopy cover.

    This matters because trees and nature in general provide us with enormous health and wellbeing benefits, regardless of socioeconomic standing.

    Natural benefits

    Very little is known about green spaces on local school grounds. So, our research set out to survey the quantity and quality of green spaces in 64 urban primary schools in Auckland.

    We conducted the survey in the context of several known factors about the role and place of nature in education:

    Because schools are fairly evenly distributed throughout cities, and can have a large spatial footprint, there’s also an opportunity to enhance wider native biodiversity, create ecological corridors and maintain cultural connections.

    Fields but few trees

    Unfortunately, our survey found the green spaces of most Auckland primary schools are dominated by sports fields.

    While it’s good news that children have access to these, adding trees and shrubs around the edges of the fields could provide many benefits without compromising existing play spaces.

    Native biodiversity was also lacking. In fact, 33% of school ground contained environmental weeds, such as woolly nightshade. There were also many more introduced plant species than native species, and most schools lacked a shrub layer.

    Urban green spaces in general tend to favour single trees with mown lawn underneath. But birds feed in different layers of vegetation and need that shrub layer and some vegetation complexity.

    The most common native tree by far was pōhutakawa. But planting a monoculture of pōhutakawa is a big risk if a disease (such as myrtle rust) has a big impact on that species.

    Diversity is key. Planting other native species such as pūriri, karaka, rewarewa or tītoki would increase plant diversity, attract native birds and other species, as well as provide sun shade.

    Room for improvement

    There was some good news, however. Of the 64 schools surveyed, 36% had a forest patch. This gives the children access to an outdoor learning resource that may be lacking from their immediate neighbourhood.

    It was heartening to find every school had at least one species associated with weaving, with both harakeke and tī kōuka present at 83% of schools.

    We know young Māori in cities are at risk of losing cultural knowledge and opportunities for cultural practices, so the availability of key weaving species is an excellent opportunity for schools and their whānau.

    If this was a report card, Auckland’s school green spaces would not be high-achieving. But there are plenty of opportunities to improve. Adding more diversity, more native plants, and planting trees around the edges of sports fields will provide a wealth of benefits to both children and the city’s overall biodiversity.

    Using outdoor spaces for learning will increase natural and cultural connections and improve children’s wellbeing. That is much more than a “nice to have”.

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

    – ref. Does your school have enough trees? Here’s why they’re great for kids and their learning – https://theconversation.com/does-your-school-have-enough-trees-heres-why-theyre-great-for-kids-and-their-learning-246411

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gillibrand Statement On ICC Sanctions Procedural Vote

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand
    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement regarding her decision to vote against ICC sanctions:
    “I strongly support legislation sanctioning the International Criminal Court, an antisemitic organization that has twisted the law to target Israel. Not only has the ICC consistently undermined its credibility and the principles of justice by unfairly targeting Israel’s leadership, but its actions have politicized its mission of holding actual war criminals accountable. Unfortunately, the bill put forth by our Republican colleagues was overly broad and could have harmed American allies and businesses. Democrats were willing to negotiate to address these concerns and strengthen the bill, but our offer was rebuffed. I believe the most effective way to hold the ICC accountable is through a bipartisan effort, and I urge our Republican colleagues to work with us on this important bill.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: After President Trump Pauses Critical Federal Funding to Nevada, Cortez Masto Votes Against Sean Duffy to Lead Department of Transportation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after she voted against confirming Sean Duffy to be Secretary of Transportation. On Monday, Cortez Masto voted in support of proceeding to Sean Duffy’s confirmation, but changed her vote in response to the outrageous, illegal directive by President Trump to pause the disbursement of all federal grants and loans – many of which flow through the Department of Transportation.
    “I was ready to confirm Sean Duffy to lead the Department of Transportation, but I cannot vote for him after the chaos President Trump has unleashed with his order to pause critical federal funding to Nevada. The funding being held up by President Trump includes support for Nevada’s seniors, veterans, and families – not to mention grants for job-creating transportation projects statewide. Working families deserve real answers from the Trump Administration about how they are going to fix the mess they’ve created.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cramer Questions Industry Executives on Defense Innovation and Acquisition Reform

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
    ***Click here to download video. Click here for audio.*** 
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Department of Defense (DOD) has faced criticism for its slow and cumbersome acquisition system, which has hampered the timely delivery of advanced technologies to the warfighters. The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) held a hearing to discuss the use of defense innovation and acquisition reform to address longstanding challenges in the DOD’s procurement processes.
    Members of the committee heard testimony from three witnesses: former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition James Geurts; Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Palantir Technologies Shyam Sankar; and Chief Executive Officer of Divergent Technologies Nathan Diller.
    [embedded content]
    U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), co-chair of the Senate Defense Modernization Caucus, highlighted the need for implementing the right technology and acquisition reforms to move at the speed of China and other adversaries.
    Cramer said when he first joined SASC, DOD was considering bids for a cloud computing contract known as Jedi. In early 2019, the department selected Microsoft and Amazon to compete for the contract, which was ultimately awarded to Microsoft. Unfortunately, but predictably this led to an immediate protest. This back and forth resulted in a delayed award for a critically important product DOD needed.
    “Five years later, we finally have multiple companies doing cloud computing,” said Cramer. “I was very frustrated by the ability of a company who didn’t win the contract, […] to protest the company who did and then hold up modernization by five years. […] But then we fast forward to today, where we read about now what I believe to be the most innovative agency within the DOD, the Space Development Agency, which has been under attack since the day we stood it up by swamp creatures, legacy space operators, and legacy acquisition and procurement officials, and a protest that I almost guarantee will slow [down] the proliferated warfighter space architecture, which is the worst thing that could happen.”
    Cramer asked the witnesses for their comments or opinions about the protest regime and whether more can be done. He explained while competition requires the ability to challenge, “it shouldn’t provide the opportunity to make the country less safe.”
    Geurts agreed with Cramer and emphasized the need for an avenue, though it has been abused over time.
    “One thing I suggested early on was you get one bite at the apple,” said Geurts. “You could protest to the [Government Accountability Office] or Court of Federal Claims. You couldn’t protest twice. I also think there should be some look at behavior over time and some disincentive for what I would call chronic protesting, particularly by incumbents.”
    Sankar agreed with the notion the avenue had been abused. He said one way they could buy this down is by “doing more bake-offs, more things in parallel, getting more things fielded, because anyone can win a fiction writing contest, you know, it has no correlation to your ability to perform, but when we have the satellites in space, we’ll be able to tell one way or another.”
    Diller emphasized the need to build trust:
    “When we look at these protests, if we take this approach, our Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff uses this phrase, ‘acquire to require.’ It’s exactly what Shyam was saying. How do we slowly build trust? Because at the core, it’s a trust issue. If we actually work together at the beginning in ways that [Other Transactions] allow us to, trust can be built.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on Funding Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement on the federal funding freeze. 
    “This unprecedented and unconstitutional move is causing chaos and jeopardizing critical support for everything from pediatric cancer research to equipment for our first responders. Much of this funding passed Congress with strong bipartisan support and Americans count on these services every day. The Administration must reverse course and stop playing games with the American people.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Wicker Leads Senate Armed Services Committee in Defense Innovation Hearing

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led his committee colleagues and a panel of three subject matter experts in a hearing examining the future of defense innovation and acquisition reform.
    In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker touted his “Restoring Freedom’s Forge” plan, which would fundamentally change the way the Pentagon does business by cutting red tape and increasing competition. Chairman Wicker observed that as China undertakes a historic military modernization, DOD needs game-changing reform to embrace commercial innovation and build next-generation American manufacturing techniques.
    “The past few years have been marked by some success in innovation improvements, but we have much more work to do. Most of our work is actually ahead of us in this regard. I believe we’re poised to go faster and further than we have thus far,” Chairman Wicker said. “I’m optimistic that many of my colleagues’ ideas for improvements and reform will have an enthusiastic reception in this new Pentagon team…we need a game changer in this regard, and we need it now, because the United States is entering the most dangerous period we’ve faced since World War II. Our adversaries are rapidly innovating and leveraging commercial technologies. In response, we must expand our capacity to produce and sustain high-end weapons, like ships, aircraft, and missiles.”
    Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth endorsed Chairman Wicker’s “Freedom’s Forge,” saying that “Those are precisely the kinds of ideas that need to be pursued, and I look forward to working with this committee to ensure we cut the red tape, we incentivize innovation, we rebuild the defense industrial base, cut out the bureaucracy, all the things that are preventing the platforms and the tools from getting rapidly from our great defense companies here that should and those that want to compete into the hands of warfighters.”
    Shyam Sankar, Chief Technical Officer/Executive Vice President at Palantir Technologies; Nathan P. Diller, CEO of Divergent Technologies; and Hon. James “Hondo” Geurts, former Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition, appeared before the committee.
    Read the remarks as delivered below or watch them here.
    This hearing will come to order. Thank you all for coming. The committee meets this morning to discuss the topic that is of great interest to every member of this panel: we’re here to talk about defense innovation.
    We must change the way the Pentagon does business. Otherwise, there’s no way we can maintain deterrence, particularly against China. Today, day we’ll hear from three experts: Shyam Sankar serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Palantir, which has done important work for the military. Mr. Sankar has published widely on innovation, and we look forward to hearing his ideas today.
    We’ll also hear from Nate Diller, who has worked at both the Department of Defense and the House Appropriations Committee – where I previously worked in another life. Today, Mr. Diller is the CEO of Divergent Technologies, which is seeking to make revolutionary changes in manufacturing, and we need revolutionary changes in DoD.
    And finally, James Geurts is with us today. In addition to having one of the coolest nicknames around – “Hondo” – he has ably and successfully served this country as the acquisition executive for both SOCOM and the Navy.
    So, thank you all for being here to talk about innovation.
    The past few years have been marked by some success in innovation improvements, but we have much more work to do. Most of our work is actually ahead of us in this regard. I believe we’re poised to go faster and further than we have thus far. I’m optimistic that many of my colleagues’ ideas for improvements and reform will have an enthusiastic reception in this new Pentagon team.
    I appreciate my friend Ranking Member Reed for holding a hearing in the previous Congress on the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution Reform Commission. I expect we can continue to make progress in this new Congress. As a matter of fact, Mr. Reed and my colleagues: we need a game changer, and we need it right now.
    The committee took steps last year to remove unnecessary steps from the acquisition process, and get defense innovators more powerful hiring authorities. We can and should continue on that positive trajectory. I recently released the FORGED Act, and published this white paper, entitled “Restoring Freedom’s Forge: American Innovation Unleashed,” and I must say, I appreciate the positive comments and response that we’ve heard from industry and from government officials.
    The white paper lays out in specific detail my plan to implement smart spending practices at DoD. The FORGED Act proposes the most comprehensive set of budgeting and acquisition reforms in decades. It focuses on five areas.
    First, we must cut the red tape that burdens our defense workforce. Our regulations are full of outdated and excessive compliance requirements. Addressing this is exactly the type of work that DOGE is contemplating, and I hope we can make progress in this area. Contracting regulations total more than 6,000 pages. Financial regulations add up to more than 7,000 pages. I’m interested to hear our witnesses address how this committee can reduce the statutory and regulatory burdens, even as we retain the core elements of good policy.
    Second, we should harness one of our nation’s core advantages: our world-class tech sector, which is built by American entrepreneurial spirit. Government-unique requirements have made it nearly impossible for commercial companies and startups to do business with the Department of Defense. We need to reward commercial innovation by making it possible for innovative companies to work with the Pentagon.
    Third, we must create competitive pressure by rapidly qualifying new suppliers to help build our weapon systems. More than 20,000 suppliers have exited the Navy’s ship building industrial base in the past 20 years – and that’s just the Navy’s industrial base – 20,000 suppliers gone. I hope our witnesses will address how we can lower barriers to second sources and how we can adopt technologies like 3D printing, which can dramatically reduce cost and expedite production schedules.
    Fourth, we must enable senior officials to manage programs by reducing the bureaucracy’s ability to veto their decisions. A typical acquisition must satisfy nearly 50 documentation requirements and get 50 external signoffs. We need to be careful about the taxpayers’ money, but that is excessive. We need to give program managers all of the tools they need for success, while retaining an appropriate level of checks and balances.
    Finally, we should modernize the defense budget process by allowing money to move as fast as technologies and threats change. It currently takes at least two years to request and receive funding. Meanwhile, the commercial sector deploys new generations of technologies in less than two years, and the Pentagon is continually lagging behind. We cannot keep conducting business as usual.
    I repeat: we need a game changer in this regard, and we need it now, because the United States is entering the most dangerous period we’ve faced since World War II. Our adversaries are rapidly innovating and leveraging commercial technologies. In response, we must expand our capacity to produce and sustain high-end weapons, like ships, aircraft, and missiles. At the same time, we must adopt autonomous, adaptive, and networked or swarming systems.
    This is not an either-or effort. We must produce traditional and innovative systems quickly and at the scale of relevance. Doing so will ensure that we can deter our adversaries from taking action against us and our interests. In other words: peace through strength.
    I look forward to discussing those initiatives and more with our witnesses, and again, I welcome all three of them to our hearing. And I recognize my friend, Ranking Member Reed, for his remarks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Chairman Wicker Joins Fox’s Brian Kilmeade to Talk Defense Reform, Trump Administration Priorities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger F. Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, appeared on Fox’s “One Nation with Brian Kilmeade” on Saturday to discuss his urgent priorities on defense reform and bringing back peace through strength under President-elect Trump.
    In his interview, Chairman Wicker stressed the importance of acting on major reforms at the Pentagon, including through his “Freedom’s Forge” plan, to strengthen the defense industrial base under President-elect Trump. Chairman Wicker also discussed the window of opportunity that the President has early in his term to rebuild deterrence and the United States military to send a signal to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
    Following last week’s hearing, Chairman Wicker additionally noted that nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is well on his way to Senate confirmation, and that Hegseth will prove a vital partner for returning peace through strength to the Pentagon. In Hegseth’s hearing, he endorsed Chairman Wicker’s Freedom’s Forge plan, saying that “those are precisely the kinds of ideas that need to be pursued.”
    Read more about “Freedom’s Forge” here, “Peace Through Strength” here, and the FORGED Act here. Key excerpts of the interview are below.
    On Pete Hegseth:
     
    [Pete is] definitely on his way [to confirmation], and I’ll tell you what, we’re going to have a hearing at 5:00 on Inauguration Day, and I think he’ll be reported to the full Senate the very first day…I’d say by the first week, Pete Hegseth will be in place at the Pentagon. And we need somebody right away at the Pentagon. This the most dangerous situation the United States has faced since World War II we’re facing not only Russia and China, but North Korea, and the Ayatollahs, and Iran – they’re and they’re all in it together like they never have been before. So, we need leadership, we need a change, and we need somebody in charge, and I’m really looking forward to working with Pete Hegseth, and also, the team that he’s putting in place.
     
    On defense reform:
     
    Well, we need to act more like a business when it comes to buying things [at the Pentagon]. Well for one thing we need to encourage startup companies. We have been in the Pentagon too comfortable with the old way of doing things. New folks with startup ideas like Elon Musk had a couple of decades ago – we need to encourage them to come forward and make suggestions. And so the point is, we can get to 5% of our gross domestic product on defense, but we can save a lot of money by bringing efficiencies at the same time…as a matter of fact, my report came out before I ever heard of DOGE, so the fact that you’ve got two people really trying to find the same efficiencies that we’ve outlined is music to my ears. This is going to work very well with Elon Musk.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Wicker, Colleagues Reintroduce TORNADO Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Jerry Moran, R-Kan., Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., Todd Young, R-Ind., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., reintroduced the bipartisan Tornado Observation Research Notification and Deployment to Operations (TORNADO) Act, which would improve the forecasting of tornadoes and other hazardous weather. The TORNADO Act would also encourage the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to update its methods for predicting and communicating weather alerts to residents.
    “With the quality of modern forecasting systems, we should be delivering faster warnings for severe weather. The TORNADO Act would update alerts and communication systems with the latest best practices and scientific insights. Advanced warnings will ensure Mississippians can better protect their families, homes, and businesses,” Senator Wicker said.
    “Storms and natural disasters are becoming more frequent and severe. We need to make sure our communities have the tools to accurately predict and quickly respond to dangerous weather events like tornadoes and flash floods,” said Senator Peters. “I’m proud to again help lead this bipartisan bill to improve our nation’s forecasting and warning systems for hazardous weather to protect the lives and livelihoods of folks across our state.”
    “From tornadoes to flooding, Iowans have seen more than our fair share of severe weather,” Grassley said. “This bipartisan bill would help update and streamline NOAA’s severe weather alerts and communications systems so that precious seconds aren’t lost when notifying communities about dangerous weather events.”
    “Tornado alley runs right through Mississippi and too many people have been lost due, in part, to inadequate emergency notifications. We want the TORNADO Act to become law so that federal agencies and their partners can better harness technology to greatly improve how we let people know that a tornado is headed their way and to take cover,” Senator Hyde-Smith said.
    “When a tornado strikes, the most important action we can take is to ensure residents receive ample warning of the incoming storm so they can get to safety. The TORNADO Act is a simple yet crucial piece of legislation that will improve forecasts and communicate the risks of impending tornadoes to help keep those in the path of these devastating storms out of danger,” Senator Cruz said.
    “While we can’t prevent storms from occurring, the TORNADO Act will improve severe weather forecasting, notifying the public faster and allowing Hoosiers to find safety more quickly,” said Senator Young. “This bill will better protect communities in Indiana and across the nation when severe weather comes.”
    “We saw the devastation that Hurricane Helene brought to several communities throughout Georgia last year, many of them are still in the throes of the long recovery process. As Georgians continue to be impacted by increasingly severe weather, we must use every tool in our arsenal to protect our communities,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “That is why the TORNADO Act is so important. It will help improve our ability to inform Georgians about how these dangerous weather events are expected to impact them and allow them to better prepare and protect themselves. I’m proud to work with Senator Wicker to introduce this crucial bipartisan legislation.”
    The TORNADO Act would require NOAA to implement new technology and procedures for severe weather alerts. The updates could help increase the warning lead times provided to the public before storms strike.
    Among other provisions, the TORNADO Act would:
    Require NOAA to prepare and submit an action plan for the national implementation of high-resolution probabilistic guidance for tornado forecasting and prediction.
    Encourage NOAA to evaluate the current tornado rating system and make updates.
    Require NOAA to coordinate with appropriate entities when conducting post-storm assessments to optimize data collection, sharing, and integration.
    The full text of the bill can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 01.28.2025 Sens. Cruz, Durbin, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Rename Cuban Embassy Street After Murdered Dissident Oswaldo Payá

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Texas Ted Cruz

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and colleagues introduced bipartisan legislation to rename the street outside of the Cuban embassy in Washington, D.C. as “Oswaldo Payá Way” after the Cuban dissident leader who was assassinated by Cuba’s communist regime. Yesterday, Sen. Cruz met with Rosa María Payá, Oswaldo Payá’s daughter, to discuss the reintroduction of this bill.

    Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said, “I am honored to be leading legislation to pay tribute to the heroism of Oswaldo Payá, who was a fearless defender of freedom and democracy for the Cuban people. His unwavering courage in standing against Castro’s oppressive communist regime cost him his life but not his legacy. Renaming the street in front of the Cuban embassy in his honor will serve as a reminder of the regime’s brutality and the ongoing struggle for freedom in Cuba. This legislation is bipartisan and should be uncontroversial, and I urge my colleagues to expeditiously advance and pass it.”
    Sen. Durbin said, “The legacy of Cuban dissident Oswaldo Payá and the fight for justice and democracy in Cuba will live on. With this bill, we would designate the street outside the Cuban Embassy in Washington D.C., ‘Oswaldo Payá Way’—a symbolic effort to recognize internationally respected Oswaldo Payá, who was the embodiment of Cuban hope to a peaceful path to freedom. We stand with the Payá family and the people of Cuba in urging peaceful democratic reform and the release of all political prisoners.”
    The legislation is also co-sponsored by Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.).
    Read the bill text here.
    BACKGROUND
    Oswaldo Paya was a Cuban dissident who was murdered by the Cuban regime on July 22, 2012. The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights formally determined and confirmed that the regime was directly responsible for the murder.
    Sen. Cruz has long fought to honor the legacy of Oswaldo Payá and hold the Cuban regime accountable for his murder. Sen. Cruz has led this bipartisan effort to rename the street in front of the Cuban Embassy since 2015. Sen. Cruz has also previously introduced this legislation in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Africa Can Lead Clean Energy Transition,’ Deputy Secretary-General Tells Region’s Energy Summit

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the opening of the African Heads of State Energy Summit, in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, today:

    It is a pleasure to join you here all today.  I extend my heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency President Hassan and her Government of the United Republic of Tanzania for hosting the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit.

    But, I would also like to underscore that it is because of her incredible leadership and her vision, that we are all here today and gathered as an African continent.  I would also thank the African Union for keeping the fire under our feet to do right thing for the continent.

    Congratulations to my two brothers, the African Development Bank Group, Akin, and the World Bank Group, Ajay.  These are incredible partnerships, that bring genuine experience, decades of work from the public sector to the private sector.

    That is why we are looking to them for the success of this union.  But, we also look to the Rockefeller Foundation for a strong and meaningful partnership — one that brings key stakeholders together in this room.  Your bold investments are a testament to Africa’s potential for a sustainable and resilient future.

    Today, Africa has one of the lowest levels of energy access, as we have heard, but it is also one of the most vulnerable to intensifying climate shocks.

    Yet, our continent is rich in renewable energy resources and critical minerals.  Which are all essential for the energy transition, and benefit from limited sunk costs in fossil fuel-intensive energy infrastructures.  Africa is also home to a vibrant, young and enterprising population.

    This provides immense potential for Africa to show the rest of the world what a new economic development paradigm grounded in sustainability, resilience, justice and inclusivity can look like.

    Enhanced energy access, affordability and reliability is not only crucial for achieving our Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, but also serves as a catalyst for broader development goals.  Access to clean and sustainable energy underpins progress in health, in education, in gender equality, while driving economic growth and climate action — many of the 17 Goals.

    By advancing long-term energy security and sovereignty, we can foster peace, we can create green jobs and build resilient livelihoods — paving the way for improved stability and prosperity across the continent.

    With renewables now being the cheapest source of new electricity almost everywhere on earth, Mission 300’s bold commitment to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030 represents a transformative opportunity for Africa.

    Combined with systemic initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition.

    By powering essential sectors such as healthcare, education and commerce, bolstering industries like solar manufacturing, grid infrastructure and clean energy solutions, renewable energy can unlock unprecedented economic potential.

    With reliable energy access, the continent’s 147 million small and medium-sized enterprises — key drivers of economic growth — will have the tools to scale, innovate and create jobs, turning energy into a true catalyst for inclusive and sustainable progress.

    The United Republic of Tanzania stands as a shining example of how rural electrification and off-grid renewable energy solutions can transform lives, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

    The country has made remarkable strides, with electricity access increasing from just 14 per cent in 2011 to 46 per cent in 2022.  And what does that mean?  It has led to over 1 million new connections, driving the rural electrification rate to 72 per cent. 

    In November 2024, more than 60,000 social institutions were connected by REA [Rural Electrification Agency], benefiting 12,905 educational institutions, 6,768 health facilities, over 8,000 places of worship and 29,000 commercial areas.

    This progress means that more boys and girls in remote areas can now study in well-lit classrooms, health workers can deliver life-saving services to off-grid populations and rural businesses can thrive with reliable power.  The United Republic of Tanzania demonstrates how energy access is not just about electricity — it’s about opportunity, equity and the foundation of a brighter future and a life in dignity for everyone.

    We must ensure that Mission 300 seizes the opportunity that lies ahead.  With five years to the endpoint of the SDGs and having completed the first decade of implementing the African Union’s Agenda 2063, it is clear that transformation efforts remain insufficient.

    I would like to deeply commend the African leadership that is here today, as you seek solutions to address Africa’s energy access, climate vulnerability and development challenges holistically.

    We must accelerate our collective efforts to fast-track solutions for SDG7, but also the Paris Agreement and propel Africa to become a clean energy powerhouse.  This requires urgent action in three key areas beyond this Summit.

    First, creating the right enabling environment to attract scaled private and public investments through stronger, stable and more coherent policy and regulatory frameworks.

    We are very pleased to see — thank you, Ajay — the private sector that is here today and we hope they will accompany us through this very difficult but at the end profitable journey.

    This year, every party to the UN Climate Convention has committed to submit a new economy-wide national climate action plan, that is aligned with the 1.5°C world that we need, well before COP30 [thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] in November.

    If done right, these climate plans should align with national energy strategies and development priorities — and they would doubling as investment plans to seize the potential of renewables, helping to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

    Furthermore, the Secretary-General’s panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals offers important Principles and Actionable Recommendations to ensure we do not repeat historical patterns of exploitation on this continent.

    Second, mobilizing affordable, accessible and adequate finance. The chronic underinvestment in renewable energy in Africa, and long-standing structural barriers, such as exorbitant capital costs, mean that a continent with the potential to be a renewable powerhouse accounts for less than one percent of global installed solar capacity.

    It is why we are calling for an SDG Stimulus to scale up affordable, long-term financing for developing countries, and for the “Baku-to-Belém Roadmap to $1.3 trillion” to bridge the climate finance gap by leveraging all sources and by addressing unjust and structural barriers.

    Last year’s Pact of the Future sent an unequivocal message — reform of the international finance architecture is urgent and essential to:

    And this Pact would have not gotten over the line, if not for the leadership of the African leaders in the United Nations.  It spoke to strengthening the voice and the representation of developing countries.  It spoke to mobilizing far greater levels of financing for the SDGs, and directing that financing to countries most in need.  It spoke to enabling countries to borrow sustainably, and with confidence, to invest in their long-term development.  But, it also spoke to provide effective and equal support to countries during systemic shocks.

    Finally, multilateralism — our international cooperation — still remains our best hope for delivering solutions at the necessary scale and speed.

    And I note to many of us, as I look to the geopolitical challenges that we have today.  Multilateralism does not seem like the best offer on the table — but it is.  It is a place that we come to.  It is a global town hall for our global village.  It is where we have visibility and where we can shine a light on the opportunities.  But, also, where we can give hope to the millions that look to us — to serve them.

    The United Nations remains dedicated to supporting your efforts every step of the way.  Through our UN expertise and presence in the country, we are committed to supporting Mission 300, the African Development Bank and the World Bank.  And we are committed to help identify and attract investments, strengthen policy, and secure the support you need to make Mission 300 a success.

    Finally, I would like to also commend our Special Representative.  It is not often that we have women in leadership positions.  Today, we are hosted by a great leader that is a woman. But, we also have the Special Representative of the UN on Sustainable Energy for All, Damilola Ogunbiyi, who is playing a critical role within the Mission 300.

    In this critical countdown to 2030, let us ensure that Mission 300 delivers concrete outcomes towards the SDGs, the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2063.

    Let us seize this moment to accelerate and to deliver transformative progress.  Together, I am sure that Africa can lead the clean energy transition, creating lasting prosperity and resilience for generations to come and actions and aspiration fulfilled today for our women and our youth.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police seek information on Ōkaihau hit-and-run

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Northland Police is investigating the fatal hit-and-run of a cyclist in Ōkaihau last night.

    An investigation team is forming in the small Far North town to locate the person responsible.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Kevan Verry, of Northland CIB, says Police were contacted by Settlers Way residents at around 10.15pm on 28 January.

    “We believe the collision between a cyclist and vehicle has occurred between 10pm and 10.15pm on that road,” he says.

    “Tragically, it has resulted in a 19-year-old dying from his injuries at the scene.”

    In the small hours of the morning, a traffic crash analyst attended and examined the scene.

    “A criminal investigation is now underway, and detectives are working to piece together who is responsible,” Detective Senior Sergeant Verry says.

    “Police will be in the Ōkaihau township as part of our investigation, seeking witnesses and further information.”

    Investigators want to hear from anyone in the area last night that has information.

    “Police will be searching for a vehicle that has obvious signs of damage.

    “A young man has lost his life, and it’s important that anyone in the community with information does the right thing and speaks up now.”

    Victim Support has been engaged for the cyclist’s family.

    “Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and with what they are going through.”

    Anyone who may have witnessed the lead up or aftermath of the incident, or who has any information, is asked to contact Police.

    Update Police online or call 105, using the reference number 250129/0360.

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

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Housing Delivery Authority starts strong, creating the potential for more than 40,000 new homes

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 29 January 2025

    Released by: The Premier, Minister for Housing

    In the first three weeks since the Housing Delivery Authority (HDA) started accepting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for larger scale housing developments, it has already received nearly 100 proposals with the potential for more than 40,000 homes, with more expected.

    So far, 85 EOIs in metropolitan areas and 11 in regional NSW have been received, exceeding expectations.

    The HDA offers proponents a new State Significant Development pathway and State Significant Development pathway with a concurrent rezoning process – neither having to be approved by councils, cutting approval times and speeding up the delivery of new homes.

    Each EOI is assessed against its capacity to deliver high yield, well-located, good quality homes faster.

    Having identified that major residential developments above $60 million in metropolitan areas and $30 million in regional NSW often take longer in their assessment, these can now be submitted through the HDA.

    These complex proposals often require greater resources and planning capabilitites and as a result, the projects can get stuck in council planning systems for years.

    These delays compound declining housing availability, worsening affordability and create greater uncertainty for proponents who are trying to build much needed new homes.

    In early February, the HDA will meet to recommend proposals to be declared a State Significant Development (SSD) project, community consultation and assessment will then proceed.

    The EOI process is ongoing, providing regular opportunities for industry to have their major residential development proposals considered, with submissions reviewed monthly.

    For more information visit Housing Delivery Authority | Planning

    Premier for New South Wales:

    “For far too long, it has been made harder and harder for people to build homes in NSW, so it is wonderful to see these reforms starting to turn that around.”

    “Without these major changes that are speeding up the delivery of new homes, Sydney risks becoming a city without a future because it’s simply too expensive to put a roof over your head.

    “By speeding up the approval of new homes near existing infrastructure and removing red tape that seems to have been designed to slow down development, we’re delivering the homes that young people, families and workers need.”

    Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

    “We expected 80 to 100 EOIs in the first year, so to see this many in less than a month signals trust from the industry in the Minns Government to deliver.

    “Building more homes for NSW is a priority for the Minns Labor Government and the HDA is a major step towards unlocking those homes.

    “This pathway is about seeing good quality projects move through the planning system faster and as part of that process, if we don’t see shovels in the ground in two years, proponent will lose their approval.

    “The Minns Government is making it easier to build more houses closer to jobs, infrastructure, parks and transport and we need more, quality, large scale residential development proposals from industry to build a better NSW.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 1,500 people receive care from NSW pharmacies for common skin conditions

    Source: New South Wales Premiere

    Published: 29 January 2025

    Released by: Minister for Health

    Almost 1,500 people have received more convenient and easy-to-access care for common skin conditions as part of the NSW Pharmacy Dermatology Trial.

    The trial, which has surpassed the six-month milestone, allows appropriately trained pharmacists to manage common minor skin conditions.

    These conditions include impetigo (school sores), shingles, mild to moderate eczema and acute mild plaque psoriasis.

    Over 480 pharmacies across the state are currently participating in the trial.

    The skin conditions phase of the trial builds on trials which have enabled authorised pharmacists to undertake consultations for urinary tract infections (UTI) and the resupply of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP).

    Since June 2024, authorised pharmacists have been able to offer the UTI service as part of usual business, and the resupply of OCP since September.

    This initiative has allowed thousands of people with the option of conveniently obtaining a prescription through their local pharmacist, relieving pressure on general practitioners (GP) and freeing up GP appointments for people who need them the most.

    While the supply and accessibility of GPs is a responsibility of the Commonwealth, challenges relating to access to primary care is impacting the state’s hospitals.

    The NSW Government however is playing its part by embracing new and innovative initiatives to create pathways outside the hospital, including:

    • Empowering pharmacists to provide care for selected common conditions;
    • Delivering more urgent care services and clinics;
    • Delivering more virtual care services; and
    • Saving bulk-billing in NSW by providing payroll tax relief to GP clinics. 

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:

    “Imagine, instead of struggling to find a GP appointment to receive a script for a minor skin condition, you could just pop down to your local pharmacy, and receive the care you need, when you need it.

    “We’re providing thousands of people with the option of conveniently obtaining a prescription this way, relieving pressure on our GPs and saving GP appointments for people who need them the most.

    “I am so pleased more than 1,400 people across NSW have been able to access more convenient, timely support for common mild skin conditions thanks to this trial.

    “The NSW Government is committed to supporting innovative initiatives like this one that are helping improve access to primary care services.

    Quotes attributable to Catherine Bronger, Senior Vice of President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch:

    “Community pharmacists in NSW have provided immediate care for nearly 1,500 patients with minor skin conditions through the NSW Pharmacy Dermatology Trial.

    With over 480 participating pharmacies, the initiative offers convenient prescription access, easing the burden on GPs and reserving their appointments for more critical cases.

    This approach benefits both the community and its residents by making treatment more accessible and efficient.  The Pharmacy Guild of Australia is proud and honoured to be part of this critical initiative, supporting and evolving the NSW healthcare landscape.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTO RELEASE: Secretary Kristi Noem Hits the Streets with ICE Agents

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: PHOTO RELEASE: Secretary Kristi Noem Hits the Streets with ICE Agents

    On January 28, Secretary Noem rode with DHS law enforcement to arrest criminal aliens in New York City.  ” data-asset-id=”58662″ data-asset-link=”1″ data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” src=”https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/1e47e9dd831b06c27ae9e4d8bbd5f388.jpg.webp?itok=1SCZ9XlV”>
    On January 28, Secretary Noem rode with DHS law enforcement to arrest criminal aliens in New York City.   | View Original

    Secretary Noem with law enforcement outside one of the targets of the removal operation.” data-asset-id=”58660″ data-asset-link=”1″ data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” src=”https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/92e1f3199d8aa9f51c2cc0e6c8a50296.jpg.webp?itok=7vWVw9Uw”>
    Secretary Noem with law enforcement outside one of the targets of the removal operation. | View Original

    ICE, DEA, Secret Service, NYPD, ATF New York, and the U.S. Marshalls participated in the immigration raids.  ” data-asset-id=”58661″ data-asset-link=”1″ data-asset-type=”imageasset” data-entity-type=”emerald” data-image-style=”large” src=”https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/externals/088ed64b11652d4f38db3b4de24d1467.jpg.webp?itok=g6DStRVP”>
    ICE, DEA, Secret Service, NYPD, ATF New York, and the U.S. Marshalls participated in the immigration raids.   | View Original

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of drug trafficking ring that used social media to communicate and advertise wares sentenced to 10 years in prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant recruited young people with images of money, exotic cars, and expensive jewelry

    Tacoma – The leader of a South Puget Sound drug trafficking organization that sent dangerous drugs as far away as Georgia and Ohio was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to ten years in prison for his multi-state drug trafficking scheme, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Joel Adrian Valencia Rosas, 28, of Lakewood, Washington was indicted in December 2023 following a lengthy investigation that uncovered the trafficking of cocaine, fentanyl and marijuana to East Coast locales, and the importation and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine in Western Washington. The drug ring used social media such as Snapchat and Instagram to communicate and recruit new members. At the sentencing hearing U.S. District Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright noted that Mr. Valencia Rosas was glamorizing drug dealing with his social media posts. “He used the lower-level members of the drug ring to take on higher risks… Mr. Valencia Rosas was willing to recruit and sacrifice others to make more money,” Judge Cartwright said.

    “The defendants in this case are all young – 18-28 years old.  Mr. Valencia Rosas, the ringleader of this trafficking group, actively enticed young people to join his criminal enterprise,” said U.S. Attorney Gorman. “On social media he not only posted the drugs available for sale and their prices, he also attempted to portray the drug trafficking lifestyle as glamorous and lucrative, posting pictures of himself with firearms, flashy vehicles, and cash. In reality, drug trafficking leaves destruction in its wake.”

    During this investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration and partner law enforcement agencies seized nearly 52 kilos of cocaine, more than 23 kilos of fentanyl pills, and 131 kilos of marijuana. One drug shipment seized by law enforcement contained 37 kilos of cocaine and more than a kilo of fentanyl pills. In June 2023, a traffic stop on Interstate 5 resulted in the seizure of 200,000 fentanyl pills that had been hidden in the vehicle.

    According to records filed in the case, Valencia Rosas has been trafficking drugs since at least 2018. His posts on social media talked about how much money he would pay for people to work as drug couriers. Even after Snapchat closed his account in December 2022, Valencia Rosas simply moved his recruiting efforts to another social media site: Instagram. He continued posting on his trafficking activities through 2023.

    Valencia Rosas has been in custody since his arrest in December 2023.

    In asking for an 11-year prison sentence, Assistant United States Attorney Marci Ellsworth wrote to the court, “Valencia Rosas was so successful that he could not traffic the drugs without bringing others into his criminal orbit. He could not move the hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash drug proceeds from Ohio and Georgia without more people, driving cash back to him or flying with it stuffed into their bags… none of those codefendants made money from their involvement in the DTO. Only Valencia Rosas made money, off the backs of his codefendants.”

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) IRS- Criminal Investigations, TNET (Tacoma Narcotics Enforcement Team), TNT (Thurston Narcotics Task Force), Lakewood PD, Puyallup PD, Bonney Lake PD, Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, Tacoma PD, Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, and Metro Cities SWAT.

    The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Marci L. Ellsworth and Crystal Correa. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Previously Convicted Felon Who Posted Photos to Social Media of Himself with Illegal Firearms Has Federal Time Added

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON — Damian Johnson, 24, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 21 months in federal prison for illegal possession of a Glock 27 and 61 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition. Johnson was on supervised release when he posted numerous photographs of himself to Instagram with his guns that included several of himself wearing an ankle monitor while holding one of his weapons.

                The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. of the District of Columbia and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Johnson, aka “Damien Johnson,” pleaded guilty September 11, 2024, to unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. The 21-month federal prison term will run consecutive to a 16-month sentence he received in Superior Court in October 2022 for carrying a pistol without a license. U.S. District Court Judge Jia M. Cobb also ordered Johnson to serve three years of supervised release.

                According to court documents, on December 26, 2023, shortly after 8 p.m., members of the MPD Robbery Suppression Unit executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home on the 300 block of Raleigh Street, SE. As officers entered the residence, an investigator observed Johnson attempting to open the apartment’s rear window. Another officer watched as Johnson tossed an object behind a bed inside a bedroom. The officers found a black Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol handgun behind the bed in plain view. During a search of the premises that followed, inside a closet, investigators discovered a drum magazine with 33 rounds of ammunition and an extended magazine with 28 rounds of ammunition.

                Prior to the search, officers had viewed Johnson’s Instagram account and had seen photos and video clips that showed eight different firearms inside Johnson’s apartment. One of the photos depicted Johnson wearing his court-ordered ankle GPS devise on his right ankle as he held one of his handguns.

                A federal Grand Jury indicted Johnson on January 17, 2024. U.S. Marshals arrested him on January 23, 2024, in Washington D.C.

                This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the ATF. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emory Cole for the District of Columbia.

    The Glock 27 .40 caliber pistol and ammunition found in Johnson’s apartment. 

    Drum magazine loaded with 33 rounds of 45 caliber ammunition.

    Johnson (at left) and a friend display cash and four firearms – some with extended clips – in an Instagram post.

    In an Instagram post, Johnson is pictured with a firearm with an extended clip.

    In an Instagram post, Johnson and a pregnant woman are depicted holding firearms with extended clips, scopes/lights on firearms. Johnson is seen with court ordered GPS device on his right ankle.

    24cr032

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Joins 46 Lawmakers in Urging Supreme Court to Stop Flow of American Firearms to Mexican Drug Cartels

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    January 28, 2025
    Smith & Wesson will be a critical case for victims and survivors of gun violence hoping to hold the gun industry accountable for its actions
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today he has joined 46 lawmakers in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court concerning a legal case that would hold gun manufacturers accountable for their role in the illegal trafficking of firearms to Mexico.
    “As the American firearm industry continues to rake in more profit from selling firearms to Mexican drug cartels, people continue to suffer at the hands of gun violence every day in Oregon and in our country,” Wyden said. “Gun manufacturers must be held accountable for their reckless business practices that have torn apart our families, neighborhoods, and schools. I thank my colleagues for their effort to ensure that the American firearm industry stops putting a weapon of mass destruction in dangerous hands again, and supporting the voices of gun violence survivors.”
    In the ongoing Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. et al., v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Mexico is suing U.S. gun manufacturers and a distributor for allegedly aiding and abetting illegal arms trafficking. The lawmakers argue that the gun industry should not be insulated from liability for its own unlawful conduct, as their constituents have been harmed by gun violence or the threat of it.
    In addition to Wyden, the amicus brief was led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., and Jamie Raskin, D-Md., and was joined by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Mazie K. Hirono, D-Hawai’i., Tim Kaine, D-Va., Jack Reed, D-R.I., Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., and U.S. Representatives Rosa L. DeLauro, D-Conn., Gabe Amo, D-R.I., Becca Balint, D-Vt., Julia Brownley, D-Calif., André Carson, D-Ind., Sean Casten D-Ill., Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas., Danny K. Davis, D-Ill., Bill Foster, D-Ill., Valerie P. Foushee, D-N.C., Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., Glenn Ivey, D-Md., Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., D-Ga., Ted Lieu, D-Calif., Seth Magaziner, D-R.I., Betty McCollum, D-Minn., James P. McGovern, D-Md., Seth Moulton, D-Mass., Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Mark Pocan, D-Wis., Mike Quigly, D-Ill., Delia C. Ramirez, D-Ill., Mary Gay Scanlon, D-Pa., Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., Mike Thompson, D-Calif., Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., Jill Tokuda, D-Hawai’i, Paul D. Tonko, D-N.Y., and Maxine Waters, D-Calif.
    The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in this case on March 4, 2025.
    The text of the bill is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Risch Introduces Legislation to Protect Idahoans’ Right to Privacy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Idaho James E Risch
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) introduced legislation today to defend Americans’ fundamental right to privacy. The Freedom from Government Surveys Act would make the American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary and remove unwarranted fines inflicted on non-respondents. 
    “It is unacceptable for the federal government to punish Idahoans for protecting their personal, private details from intrusive surveys,” said Risch. “My Freedom from Government Surveys Act abolishes burdensome and unnecessary fines on Idahoans who exercise their right to privacy.” 
    Risch is joined by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) in introducing the Freedom from Government Surveys Act. 
    “As U.S. citizens, we have a fundamental right to privacy,” said Daines. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation that will remove fines for Americans who exercise their right to not be subjected to prying ACS surveys.”
    “The people of Wyoming have a right to privacy and should not be bombarded by excessive government surveys,” said Lummis. “I’m proud to join Senator Risch and my colleagues in protecting Americans from facing fines for choosing not to complete intrusive and lengthy surveys.”
    The ACS is administered annually by the U.S. Census Bureau to a random selection of 3.5 million American households. Respondents must divulge sweeping demographic information and sensitive, private, and personal details about their home, work, and health. 
    Under current law, Americans who neglect or fail to respond to the ACS are subject to harassment by the Census Bureau and monetary fines. The Freedom from Government Surveys Act would put an end to these punitive actions.
    Some of the most invasive ACS questions include: 
    Does [the respondent] have difficulty dressing or bathing?
    What time [does the respondent’s] trip to work usually begin, and how many minutes [does] it usually take [the respondent] to get from home to work?
    In the past 12 months, what were the actual sales of all agricultural products from this property?
    About how much do you think this house and lot, apartment, or mobile home (and lot, if owned) would sell for if it were for sale?
    Which fuel is used most for heating this house, apartment, or mobile home?

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shenzhen, Hong Kong jointly conserve mangrove wetlands

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

    SHENZHEN/HONG KONG, Jan. 28 — In the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve in Shenzhen and the Mai Po Nature Reserve in Hong Kong are jointly safeguarding a vibrant expanse of mangrove wetlands.

    These wetlands are ecologically linked and integral parts of the Shenzhen Bay (Deep Bay) wetland ecosystem, which serves as an internationally important overwintering site and a refueling station for waterbirds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.

    In February 2023, Shenzhen’s Futian mangrove was designated as Wetlands of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Together with the wetlands in Mai Po Nature Reserve, Shenzhen Bay now hosts two internationally recognized wetlands of significance.

    “Mangroves are unique and complex ecosystems, often difficult for humans to access. Their dense canopy provides birds with quiet, undisturbed nesting areas, making them vital for wildlife conservation,” said Simon Wong, nature officer (management) at the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government.

    Moreover, mangroves protect coastlines from erosion caused by waves, while the mudflats they create harbor countless species and provide feeding and resting areas for migratory waterbirds, benefiting surrounding regions and other habitats, he added.

    According to Wong, mangroves and their soil have a high capacity for carbon sequestration through microbial activity, helping reduce atmospheric CO2 concentrations and mitigating the impacts of global warming and climate change. Mangroves can also accumulate heavy metals, help degrade organic pollutants, and exhibit an ecological interception effect against microplastics.

    The wetlands of the nature reserves in Futian and Mai Po not only support rich biodiversity but also symbolize the close cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in ecological conservation.

    Since signing the framework arrangement for the conservation of Shenzhen Bay (Deep Bay) wetlands in January 2023, the two cities have made significant strides in protecting mangroves and wetlands, offering valuable insights into the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

    “The Shenzhen Bay is essentially a shared wetland between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Despite being separated by the Shenzhen River, the ecosystem remains consistent,” said Yang Qiong, a senior engineer at Guangdong Neilingding Futian National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau.

    According to the framework, Shenzhen and Hong Kong will collaborate on ecological baseline and waterbird monitoring, synchronized surveys of black-faced spoonbills and their habitats, protection of inter-tidal mudflat and native mangrove species, capacity building, and experience sharing on environmental education.

    The framework provides an excellent platform for sharing experience in the wetland ecosystem conversation in Shenzhen Bay, said Toby Cheung, nature reserve officer (education) at the AFCD.

    The black-faced spoonbill, a key species in Shenzhen Bay and one of China’s top protected animals, has experienced a notably impressive population recovery. From fewer than 300 individuals in the 1990s to 6,988 counted globally in January 2024, the growth of black-faced spoonbill highlights the importance of Shenzhen Bay’s role in their protection.

    To accurately monitor the numbers and distribution of black-faced spoonbills, Shenzhen and Hong Kong conduct synchronized surveys and smart monitoring. Monthly synchronized data reflects the status of black-faced spoonbill throughout Shenzhen Bay, while annual global synchronized surveys provide a comprehensive understanding of population dynamics.

    High-definition cameras and AI-powered bird recognition technology are used for automated monitoring, particularly at night, reducing disturbance to resting birds while improving monitoring efficiency.

    On Nov. 6, 2024, an agreement was signed to establish the International Mangrove Center in Shenzhen, marking the beginning of deeper cross-border joint protection efforts in wetland conservation. In the future, the two cities aim to build a more comprehensive cross-border joint protection model and extend their cooperation to global mangrove conservation efforts.

    Yang said that Shenzhen and Hong Kong can learn from each other’s advanced experience and practices in wetland protection and implement cross-border joint conservation efforts. She noted that the wetland protection model in Shenzhen Bay, developed through collaboration between the two cities, could serve as a standout example for exchange at the International Mangrove Center.

    Nora Tam, chair professor of environmental science and conservation at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, noted that through the platform of the International Mangrove Center, Shenzhen and Hong Kong can increase exchanges and cooperation in science and technology, resources, management, and information, promoting wetland protection cooperation within the Greater Bay Area and beyond.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Pair arrested after Panmure aggravated robbery

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    Police were on the money, arresting two offenders shortly after an aggravated robbery in Panmure this morning.

    Just after 9am, two offenders entered the Cash Converters store on Queens Road.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City Crime Squad, says the pair were allegedly carrying weapons at the time.

    “They allegedly took the store’s till and used those weapons to smash cabinets and take jewellery on display,” he says.

    “Both fled the store and got into the stolen vehicle they arrived in.”

    Police were quickly contacted and deployed to the area.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says the stolen vehicle was located on Swan Crescent in Pakuranga, after colliding into a gate.

    “A Police dog handler deployed in the area and tracked to an address in the nearby area.”

    Inside, Police have since located two 16-year-old males and they have been arrested.

    The store’s till has also been recovered.

    “Charges will be laid in due course as our investigation continues,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

    “I’d like to acknowledge the various Police teams that deployed to the aggravated robbery this morning, as we continue to hold offenders to account.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –