NewzIntel.com

Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General James Leads Multistate Coalition Backing National Ban on Price Gouging

    Source: US State of New York

    NEW YORK – New York Attorney General Letitia James today led a coalition of 15 attorneys general urging Congressional leaders to support a ban on price gouging at the national level. While over 40 states ban price gouging, there is no federal law preventing businesses from raising prices to increase their profits on essential goods during an emergency. In a letter to Congressional leaders, Attorney General James and the coalition argued that a national ban on price gouging would give the federal government the power to crack down on price gouging that cannot be stopped by a single state, and allow states and the federal government to work together to stop illegal price gouging in national supply chains. 

    “Businesses should never be able to hike prices during an emergency just to increase their profits,” said Attorney General James. “When companies take advantage of major disruptions and raise prices of food and supplies that New Yorkers rely on, my office holds them accountable, getting people their money back and protecting their wallets. Our federal government should have the same power to protect Americans when disaster strikes and stop price gouging at the national level that threatens both hardworking families and small businesses.” 

    Bans on price gouging let businesses raise prices to cover costs but prevent them from raising prices further solely to increase their profits during an emergency. Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their letter that prohibiting price gouging benefits both consumers and businesses. First, it encourages much-needed production at critical times by only allowing businesses to make more money by selling more products, instead of by raising prices. Second, it prevents businesses from risking long-term harm and reputational damage by overreacting in an emergency and setting prices too high. Third, it discourages hoarding in an emergency, since rising prices can prompt customers to over-buy. Fourth, price gouging bans protect consumers from monopolists who can raise prices without worrying about consumers’ reactions or being undercut by a competitor. 

    The COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of war in Ukraine disrupted supply chains at the national level, creating opportunities for price gouging that were sometimes out of reach from individual states. Attorney General James and the coalition argue in their letter that a federal ban would complement states’ anti-price gouging measures to help stop price gouging at the national level. 

    As Attorney General James and the coalition note, attorneys general have successfully stopped price gouging at the state level, demonstrating a clear need for national enforcement to complement these efforts. In New York, Attorney General James has secured decisive settlements with companies for illegally raising prices during emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. In March and April 2024, Attorney General James distributed over 9,500 cans of baby formula in Buffalo and New York City as part of a settlement with Walgreens for illegally raising prices of baby formula during the 2022 shortage. In May 2023, Attorney General James recovered $100,000 from Quality King for price gouging Lysol products at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2021, Attorney General James secured 1.2 million eggs for New Yorkers from Hillandale Farms Corporation as part of a settlement resolving a lawsuit brought by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) in August 2020 for illegally gouging egg prices in the early months of the pandemic. 

    In March 2023, Attorney General James proposed new rules to protect consumers and small businesses by making it easier for OAG to investigate and combat price gouging. Throughout the pandemic, during major disruptions, and ahead of recent declared disasters, Attorney General James has issued consumer warnings against price gouging on essential supplies.

    Joining Attorney General James in sending the letter to Congress are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Replacing Lead Pipes and Protecting Drinking Water

    Source: US State of New York

    October 30, 2024

    Albany, NY

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $12 million state grant to help the City of Poughkeepsie identify and replace lead service lines, improving drinking water safety, protecting public health, and enhancing residents’ quality of life. This funding is part of a $340 million statewide initiative, combining state resources with federal support through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to remove lead pipes from water systems across New York. Additionally, as highlighted by U.S. Representative Pat Ryan at today’s announcement, Poughkeepsie is eligible for an extra $3.2 million federal grant to further ensure clean, safe drinking water for its residents.

    “When it comes to New York’s water infrastructure, we’re getting the lead out,” Governor Hochul said. “We’re continuing to give municipalities the resources and support they need to replace lead water pipes and protect public drinking water.”

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    Today’s announcement builds upon the Governor’s greater investment now totaling $100 million in state grants for lead service line inventory and replacement projects. Poughkeepsie is one of 12 municipalities to receive the state grant as well as federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grants and interest-free financing for lead service line replacement. The state grant will reimburse costs that were not fully covered by BIL grants, so the communities won’t have to pay back the financing for the associated projects.

    To date, New York State has received $240 million for lead service line replacement through the BIL. Additional funding is expected over the next two years. Coupling state grants with federal funding takes the fiscal pressure off communities, allowing them to replace more lead service lines without incurring additional costs. The State’s comprehensive approach continues to provide communities with the resources they need to improve their water infrastructure without overburdening local ratepayers.

    Representative Pat Ryan said, “Freedom means every American has the right to breathe clean air and drink clean water, and that’s why I’m pushing relentlessly to remove every last toxic lead pipe from the Hudson Valley. Today’s funding is a huge step towards ensuring that parents in Poughkeepsie never have to worry if the water coming out of the faucet is safe for their kids. I’m proud to work alongside Governor Hochul and Mayor Flowers in this fight – we will not rest until our communities are free from toxic lead pipes for good.”

    We’re continuing to give municipalities the resources and support they need to replace lead water pipes and protect public drinking water.”

    Governor Kathy Hochul

    Including Poughkeepsie and previously announced awards, the full list of communities receiving nearly $100 million in state grants are:

    • New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens): $28,000,000
    • City of Rochester: $28,000,000
    • City of Syracuse: $12,756,047
    • City of Poughkeepsie: $11,869,472
    • Village of Herkimer: $3,962,616
    • City of Albany: $3,859,328
    • City of Troy: $3,846,900
    • Gloversville Water Works: $2,310,445
    • Village of Ilion: $1,221,477
    • Village of Ogdensburg: $688,300
    • Village of Bath: $468,300
    • Village of Catskill: $106,545

    This funding is specifically targeted for historically disadvantaged communities. The awards prioritize communities that meet one or more of the following criteria:

    • The community’s median household income is less than 80 percent of the regionally adjusted statewide median household income.
    • The community’s local poverty rate is higher than the statewide poverty rate.
    • At least 50 percent of the community’s lead service line project serves an environmental justice community.

    Lead is harmful to human health and can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes built before 1986.

    State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State has made historic investments to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water which we know threatens public health. Most recently New York State provided communities across New York State with roughly $100 million that will help support projects like the ones announced today in Poughkeepsie and replace lead service lines in historically underserved neighborhoods. We look forward to working with our federal, state and local partners to protect the health of our communities, promote health equity, and ensure that clean drinking water is available for all New Yorkers now and for generations to come.”

    State Environmental Facilities Corporation President and CEO Maureen A. Coleman said, “Governor Hochul’s unprecedented investment in clean water is empowering communities to get the lead out of drinking water and reduce risks to public health. In administering these grant dollars, EFC and our partner agencies are providing crucial financial and technical assistance to get critical projects underway and help communities like Poughkeepsie advance the goal of delivering lead-free and safe drinking water.”

    Assemblymember Jonathan Jacobson said, “There is no acceptable level of lead in drinking water. We know lead contamination is a serious health hazard that causes developmental disorders in children, as well as cardiovascular and fertility issues in adults. That’s why I have long advocated for increased funding to replace lead service lines and helped facilitate Poughkeepsie’s application for this funding. We cannot fail another generation of children in Poughkeepsie or any other city.”

    New York’s Commitment to Water Quality
    New York State continues to increase its nation-leading investments in water infrastructure, including more than $2.2 billion in financial assistance from EFC for local water infrastructure projects in State Fiscal Year 2024 alone. With $500 million allocated for clean water infrastructure in the FY25 Enacted Budget announced by Governor Hochul, New York will have invested a total of $5.5 billion in water infrastructure between 2017 and this year. Governor Hochul’s State of the State initiatives are ensuring ongoing coordination with local governments and helping communities to leverage these investments. The Governor increased WIIA grants for wastewater projects from 25 to 50 percent of net eligible project costs for smaller, disadvantaged communities. The Governor also expanded EFC’s Community Assistance Teams to help small, rural and disadvantaged communities leverage this funding and address their clean water infrastructure needs. Any community needing assistance with water infrastructure projects is encouraged to contact EFC.

    The funding, in addition to other substantial water quality investments, includes the voter-approved $4.2 billion Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 which is advancing historic levels of funding to update aging water infrastructure and protect water quality, strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe storms and flooding, reduce air pollution and lower climate-altering emissions, restore habitats; and preserve outdoor spaces and local farms. The first round of funding under the Environmental Bond Act was awarded through the WIIA/IMG programs in December, when Governor Hochul announced $479 million in grants to 156 projects across New York State, including $309 million made available to disadvantaged communities. Disadvantaged Communities will receive at least 35 percent of the benefits of Bond Act funding, with a goal of 40 percent.

    About the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Lead Service Line Replacement Funding
    President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law invests a historic $15 billion nationwide to identify and replace lead service lines. The law mandates that 49 percent of DWSRF LSLR funds must be provided as grants or loan forgiveness to disadvantaged communities, a crucial investment for communities that have been underinvested in for far too long. EPA projects a national total of 9 million lead service lines across the country, based on data collected from the updated Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. The funding will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement and will help New York fund projects to remove lead pipes and reduce exposure to lead from drinking water. To ensure that funding is used for lead service line related activities in the states with the most need, LSLR allotments are based on need – meaning that states with more projected lead service lines receive proportionally more LSLR funding.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Affordable Homes in Sunset Park

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today celebrated the completion of Sunset Ridge, an 84-unit, affordable housing development for seniors and older adults in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The energy-efficient development, which also houses a new education space, will preserve historic decorative elements from a church that used to be on the site and is the first affordable older adult housing built in Sunset Park in over 15 years.

    “Sunset Ridge is the embodiment of a multi-generational and community-centered development — one that incorporates the neighborhood’s history with the need for growth and sustainability,” Governor Hochul said. “By investing in new mixed-use projects, we are unlocking a future that is more affordable and more livable, opening up new opportunities for communities to thrive.”

    The entire $65 million development is reserved for persons aged 62 and older earning up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income. All units are supported by project-based vouchers, ensuring tenants pay no more than 30 percent of their income on rent. Reflecting a strong commitment to address housing insecurity among the city’s most vulnerable, 26 apartments are set aside for formerly homeless seniors who will receive social services including emergency assistance, recreational activities, case management, wellness support and benefits assistance.

    The ground floor and first floor of the new building includes a community facility space for five pre-kindergarten classrooms that will be constructed by the New York City Schools Construction Authority starting in 2025, enhancing access to early childhood education for local families.

    New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, “Sunset Ridge is giving 84 senior households affordable and modern homes where they can age in place, while also prioritizing the needs of families with a new education space. This $65 million investment will help residents decrease their carbon footprint and provide support for tenants who need it most. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her vision, as well as to Commissioner Carrion and all our partners for bringing this project to fruition.”

    The project included the demolition of the Zion Lutheran Church and the construction of a new nine-story building, as well as the complete rehabilitation of two pre-existing townhouses which were combined into one building. Decorative elements of the original church were preserved and reused within the new building.

    Both buildings feature energy-efficiency measures including all-electric heating and cooking. Additionally, a 19.8kW solar array was installed on the roof, underscoring the project’s commitment to sustainability.

    In the past five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved nearly 7,700 affordable homes in Brooklyn. Sunset Ridge continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul’s $25 billion five-year Housing Plan which is on track to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide.

    Fifth Avenue Committee, a nonprofit comprehensive community development corporation, is the project sponsor, developer and manager. Bay Ridge Center provides on-site social services to the formerly homeless tenants. Metropolitan New York Synod is the owner of the Community Facility on the ground floor and first floor.

    Sunset Ridge is supported by HCR’s Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that generated approximately $18.3 million in equity and its State Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program that generated approximately $3.4 million in equity. All of the units benefit from a project-based Section 8 rental assistance vouchers. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority provided more than $100,000 in funding with $31,700 in tax incentives through NY-Sun, along with $73,600 in combined incentives through the Low-Rise New Construction and the Multifamily New Construction programs. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development provided $11.7 million through its Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program and $1.3 million in accrued interest. The project also received a $6 million discretionary capital grant from the Brooklyn Borough President in Fiscal Year 2017 and Fiscal Year 2020 administered by HPD.

    The project was guaranteed by Fifth Avenue Committee and Moodna Creek, LLC. Chase Community Development Banking provided a $28 million construction loan. Tax credit syndicator Hudson Housing Capital and the Tax Oriented Investments unit of J.P. Morgan invested $23 million in tax credit equity to support the development. Freddie Mac through Greystone provided $15 million in permanent loan financing.

    NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “Sunset Ridge shows how sustainable new construction practices and retrofitting existing structures can uplift historically underserved communities by providing affordable, healthy and comfortable housing and community spaces. This all-electric, multi-use development powered by rooftop solar will ensure New Yorkers living in Sunset Park benefit from clean energy while advancing Governor Hochul’s commitment to tackling the housing shortage.

    Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer said, “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. I’m proud that the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and project-based Section 8 rental assistance vouchers that I worked hard to protect and expand has delivered millions to help build senior housing in Sunset Park, which will provide more seniors with an affordable, supportive and energy-efficient place to live. I applaud Governor Hochul’s efforts to create and preserve affordable homes across the state, and I will continue working to deliver the federal resources needed for more affordable homes in Brooklyn.”

    New York City Schools Construction Authority President and CEO Nina Kubota said, “The SCA is excited to partner with the Fifth Avenue Committee, HCR, HPD, and Metropolitan New York Synod to leverage this high-quality opportunity to provide access to early childhood education for Sunset Park and Bay Ridge parents. We will begin work on this 13,314 square foot pre-kindergarten facility in early 2025 that will bring 90 new seats and an exterior play yard to this community. Thinking outside of the box by maximizing space in multi-use sites is part of the strategy we have been deploying to expand early childhood education throughout the City. Access to pre-k improves cognitive and social development, reduces achievement gaps, and supports working parents, providing them with affordable, reliable childcare. Today is a day to celebrate this truly unique partnership.”

    Representative Dan Goldman said, “As housing costs in New York City rise to unprecedented levels, our seniors have been left behind. The Fifth Avenue Committee’s new affordable housing complex in Sunset Park is a crucial step toward providing our older New Yorkers with the homes they deserve, and I applaud the city, state, and Fifth Avenue Committee for ensuring that this vital project is completed. I look forward to continuing to work alongside FAC to ensure every New Yorker can access high-quality, stable, and affordable housing.”

    State Senator Andrew Gounardes said, “If we want Brooklyn to be a place where everyone can succeed, we need to create resources for everyone from young children to seniors. The Sunset Ridge development is exactly the kind of resource our communities need: affordable housing for seniors along with universal pre-k classrooms so families can more easily access childcare and education. Thank you to Fifth Avenue Committee for taking the opportunity to support working families and a thriving future for all Brooklynites.”

    Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes said, “Fifth Avenue Committee and its partners have brought much-needed affordable senior housing to Sunset Park. Sunset Ridge is an example of how the intentional construction of housing can address the gaps that exist in New York State communities. AD51 needs more affordable units in environmentally friendly and community-oriented buildings under strong tenant protections.”

    Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, “As we work to address housing insecurity in Brooklyn, it is critical that we consider the particular vulnerabilities faced by older adults in our community. Sunset Ridge confronts this disparity directly, and by combining affordable senior housing with universal pre-k, the project creates an intergenerational community resource and gathering place. I applaud NYS Homes and Community Renewal and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development as well as the Fifth Avenue Committee for investing in the well-being of both the oldest and youngest members of the Sunset Park community, and I look forward to seeing residents and students thrive in their new space.”

    New York City Councilmember Alexa Aviles said, “I applaud the Fifth Avenue Committee for bringing to fruition Sunset Ridge Apartments, a development that will deliver truly affordable housing for our older adults. Housing insecurity is the number one issue in my office with frequent visits from so many older adults who are facing displacement as a result of gentrification and unscrupulous landlords. Today however, we celebrate a move towards solutions, and am proud to have played a role in bringing this much needed housing to our community. I thank Fifth Avenue Committee under the leadership of Michelle de la Uz for their work in providing affordable housing to our district seniors.”

    Fifth Avenue Committee Executive Director Michelle de la Uz said, “FAC is thrilled to be cutting the ribbon at Sunset Ridge, the first new affordable housing for seniors in the community in over 15 years and FAC’s 2nd new affordable housing project in Sunset Park to be completed in 2 years. Access to quality, affordable housing is crucial to our health and well-being, especially as we age. The project is especially gratifying because it will also have 90-Universal Pre-K seats in the future, representing an important intergenerational resource for the local community. We broke ground on the project just before the pandemic hit, so we never celebrated its start, making today’s ribbon cutting with our project partners and tenants all the more meaningful. On behalf of our tenants and the local community, thank you to the Metropolitan New York Synod, NYS HCR and NYC HPD and everyone who helped make this critical project possible.”

    Bay Ridge Center Executive Director Todd Fliedner said, “At Bay Ridge Center, we are dedicated to enhancing the lives of adults 60 and older in our vibrant community, through a variety of enriching programs and essential services, we strive to support our members in living active fulfilling lives.”

    Chase Community Development Banking Head of East Region Dave Walsh said, “We are proud to support the redevelopment of Sunset Ridge, a project delivering essential affordable senior housing in Brooklyn. Providing housing with essential services not only fosters a sense of belonging but is vital to ensure our most vulnerable senior residents have the resources they need to flourish.”

    Hudson Housing Capital Managing Director Sam Ganeshan said, “Hudson Housing Capital is proud to partner with Fifth Avenue Committee to finance high-quality, affordable housing for seniors at Sunset Ridge. This property will provide some of the City’s most vulnerable residents with a safe place to live independently and age in-place. We thank and commend all those involved in making this day possible, including our investor J.P. Morgan, and look forward to seeing this impactful housing development thrive for many years to come.”

    Governor Hochul’s Housing Agenda

    Governor Hochul is committed to addressing New York’s housing crisis and making the State more affordable and more livable for all New Yorkers. As part of the FY25 Enacted Budget, the Governor secured a landmark agreement to increase New York’s housing supply through new tax incentives for Upstate communities, new incentives and relief from certain state-imposed restrictions to create more housing in New York City, a $500 million capital fund to build up to 15,000 new homes on state-owned property, an additional $600 million in funding to support a variety of housing developments statewide and new protections for renters and homeowners. In addition, as part of the FY23 Enacted Budget, the Governor announced a five-year, $25 billion Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes statewide, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes. More than 45,000 homes have been created or preserved to date.

    The FY25 Enacted Budget also strengthened the Pro-Housing Community Program which the Governor launched in 2023. Pro Housing Certification is now a requirement for localities to access up to $650 million in discretionary funding. To date, more than 160 communities have been certified, including the City of New York.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Spooky and Safe: Emergency Preparedness Tips for Kids on Halloween

    Source: US State of Oregon

    span>Halloween is a night filled with costumes, candy, and a whole lot of fun. But it’s also important to keep safety in mind to ensure everyone has a hauntingly good time without any real scares. Here are some essential tips for emergency preparedness and safety for kids on Halloween:

    Costume Safety
    Make sure costumes are flame-resistant and fit well to avoid tripping. Brightly colored costumes or reflective tape can help kids be seen in the dark.

    Also, focus on comfort over style. Ensure costumes are comfortable and not too tight. Avoid masks that obstruct vision—opt for non-toxic face paint instead.

    Dress warmly if it’s cold outside. Consider layering costumes to keep warm.

    Trick-or-Treating Tips
    Young children should always trick-or-treat with a trusted adult. Older kids should go in groups and stick to a familiar route. Everyone should stay in neighborhoods that are well-lit and avoid dark, unfamiliar areas. Give the kids flashlights or glow sticks to improve visibility.

    Talk to your kids about why it’s important to always use crosswalks and follow traffic signals. Remind kids to look both ways before crossing the street.

    Establish a trick-or-treating route and set a curfew. Make sure kids know to check in periodically and never enter a stranger’s house.

    Candy Check
    Check all candy and treats for signs of tampering before allowing kids to eat them. Discard any unwrapped or suspicious items.

    Be mindful of food allergies. Know if any children in your trick-or-treating party have allergies. Inspect ingredients if necessary and trade or discard treats that could cause allergic reactions. If your kids don’t have allergies, make sure they aren’t trading allergens to a kid who does.

    Encourage kids to enjoy their treats in moderation. A fun idea is to have the kids keep 5-10 pieces of their favorite candies, then leave the rest out for the Switch Witch overnight. The Switch Witch then takes the remaining candy and leaves a toy in trade.

    Home Safety
    Ensure your walkway and front yard is clear of obstacles that could cause people to trip and fall. Use battery-operated candles in pumpkins instead of open flames to reduce the risk of fire.

    Keep your pets indoors and away from the front door to prevent them from getting spooked or accidentally running outside or biting an unsuspecting trick-or-treater.

    Avoid decorations that could pose a hazard, like hanging objects or loose wires that could cause people to trip, or scratch skin.

    Emergency Preparedness
    Discuss what to do in case of an emergency. Kids should know how to call 911 and what to do if they get separated from the group.

    Make sure kids have a phone number to reach you. For younger kids, consider writing it on a piece of paper to carry with them, the bottom of their treat bag/pale or on their arm with grease make-up.

    Carry water bottles to stay hydrated while trick-or-treating, especially if costumes are warm or restrictive.

    Driving Safety
    When out driving on Halloween, be mindful of the extra foot-traffic and that excited children are less aware of their surroundings. Be extra cautious and drive slowly in residential areas. Watch for children who may dart out into the street.

    Keep your headlights on, even during daylight, to increase visibility for trick-or-treaters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has more tips for driving afely on Halloween on their website.

    Halloween is a night of magic and mystery, and with a little preparation, it can also be safe and fun for everyone. Following these tips can help ensure your kids have a spooky, safe adventure this Halloween.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pennsylvania State Showcase Progress of Academy Construction Project

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 30, 2024 – Hershey, PA

    Pennsylvania State Showcase Progress of Academy Construction Project

    The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) provided a progress report on the construction of a new Pennsylvania State Police Academy, a project to completely modernize the 64-year-old campus and ensure troopers are trained in the best possible environment for decades to come.

    “Following months of site preparation, construction has begun on the most visible aspect of the project, the five-story Marquee Building overlooking East Hersheypark Drive,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Deputy Commissioner of Operations. “This world-class facility will serve as a reminder to all who see it that the Pennsylvania State Police is committed to providing the best and most professional police service possible to the residents of our Commonwealth.”

    “This modernized facility is designed to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement training, ensuring PSP cadets are equipped with state-of-the-art resources for their critical roles in serving and protecting our communities,” said Greg Kirk, Deputy Secretary of Capital Programs for the Department of General Services (DGS), which is in charge of the project. “Through diligent planning and collaboration, we are transforming this site into a premier training environment that will benefit troopers and our Commonwealth for generations to come.”

    Speakers:
    Lt. Col. George Bivens – Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Pennsylvania State Police

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of the Commonwealth Details Election Safeguards

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 30, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Secretary of the Commonwealth Details Election Safeguards

    Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt held the third in a series of daily media briefings leading up to the Nov. 5 general election.

    “Nonpartisan election officials are doing their jobs all across Pennsylvania and – together with law enforcement – they’re working to ensure we have a free, fair, safe and secure election,” Schmidt said. “There are safeguards built into the election administration process at every step to identify any efforts to undermine election integrity.”

    The multiple safeguards range from verifying that every person who applies to register to vote is eligible to vote and ensuring that only registered voters are able to vote on Election Day to conducting two post-election audits of the results, Schmidt said.

    For more information on the extensive laws that every election official in Pennsylvania is following visit vote.pa.gov.

    Speakers Include:
    Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A new president will be elected − but it may take some time to determine who wins

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By John M. Murphy, Professor of Communication, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

    For more than 100 years, media of many kinds tried to be the first to report presidential election results. Although that urge still exists, pundits and analysts are now more concerned with accuracy than speed.

    That’s because of the 2020 election. A raging pandemic, a divided country, a close race, polling failures, false presidential claims of voter fraud and uncertainty made everyone anxious. Then came the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, which meant the election was about more than the presidency – it was about democracy itself.

    What’s most important now is not being first but rather being right. In recent decades, Americans have gotten used to media organizations declaring the winners of races in the hours or days after the polls close, but those are not official results. They are projections based on the available unofficial information. The formal results of the election are checked and certified through a process that takes weeks to months – and potentially longer, if lawsuits are filed.

    A wrong call could spark violence, particularly because Donald Trump has yet to say that he will accept the results of the 2024 election if he loses.

    Media figures and election officials are preparing Americans for the fact that we might have to wait some time to get an accurate call. As in 2020, they’re using metaphor to shape public expectations. But this year, they’re also explicitly trying to define the nation’s perceptions of time, in terms of which results count as on time or as delayed.

    Sometimes what you see isn’t actually what’s real.
    simon’s photo/Moment via Getty Images

    Don’t get confused by mirages

    A metaphor is a linguistic device that describes something in terms of something else, usually to highlight an important idea. If we see a football team as the Bears, we know they’re not literally animals, but they are ferocious. As a scholar of presidential rhetoric and political campaigns, I know it’s important to notice metaphors because they often shape public perceptions.

    As members of the media prepare themselves and the public for an uncertain election night, they’re worried that Americans will be misled by false or incomplete information in the early returns. Fredreka Schouten and Sara Murray of CNN Politics write, “Election officials worry that delays in counting could give the public a false sense of who’s winning the election.” The Republican Pennsylvania secretary of state adds, “It’s obviously a concern.” And so, as they did in 2020, they’re again using the metaphor of “mirage.”

    A mirage is an optical illusion, something that looks real but is not. Old adventure movies would show a mirage of water in a desert. Lost explorers with empty canteens would run excitedly toward a sparkling oasis, only to find nothing but sand.

    In 2020, no one was quite sure whether the early results would show a red or a blue mirage and so they suggested it could vary by state. For example, some states, such as Florida and Arizona, counted mail ballots as they arrived, even before Election Day. In those states, Vox reported, the early “results might look overwhelmingly favorable to Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates.”

    In 2024, the overwhelming expectation is that early returns in this year’s key states will look better for Republicans. Reporter Nick Corasaniti of The New York Times wrote that “Democratic operatives” have come to expect “‘the red mirage,’ the result of far more Democrats than Republicans opting to vote by mail, leading to Democratic votes being counted later.” The editorial board of The Washington Post fretted in September 2024 that Trump “used this so-called red mirage in 2020 to declare victory and insist that the counting stop.” The implication was clear: a fear he might do so again.

    People tend to see what they want to see. Those lost explorers want and need water, much as Trump yearns for victory. And mirages are partly self-deception. Partisans want that beautiful picture of triumph, blue or red seas cascading across screens on election night. These feelings explain why the mirage metaphor works well for the media: It signals that campaigns and the public see what they hope for, not what’s there. Wait, the metaphor tells us. Wait until we know it’s real.

    Try not to lose sleep waiting for the results.
    fcafotodigital/E+ via Getty Images

    A wait doesn’t mean it’s late

    To make the waiting easier, the media has also explicitly tried to shape the public’s perceptions of time. This is not a new idea: The ancient Greeks used the term “kairos” to talk about timing in public speech – when we should speak, how we define time in that speech, and what sorts of times we live in.

    For example, an NBC report catalogs changes various states have made since 2020 to speed up the counting, but nonetheless notes “in the event of a close race, a handful of key battleground states could keep Americans waiting well beyond Election Day.” In early October 2024, Arizona’s secretary of state told a group at Harvard the results would take “thirteen days and we’re not doing it any sooner because we’re going to get it right.”

    At that same Harvard meeting, Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt disputed the concept that taking time to count votes constituted a “delay.”

    “It’s not a delay at all. It takes time to count millions of votes, with integrity, especially when you can only start at 7 a.m. on election morning,” Schmidt said.

    Taken together, the two persuasive strategies urge patience. A mirage will appear, but it is false, alluring and dangerous. It does not reflect reality. Reality will come in time, the proper time, in its season. This isn’t a delay, because it takes time to get things right. This election poses enough dangers, these officials and the media believe. All Americans need to take – or give – the time to get the count right.

    Some of the material in this article was previously published on Nov. 3, 2020.

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

    – ref. A new president will be elected − but it may take some time to determine who wins – https://theconversation.com/a-new-president-will-be-elected-but-it-may-take-some-time-to-determine-who-wins-241199

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: National recognition for Council support to people seeking sanctuary

    Source: Scotland – City of Perth

    The formal recognition of the Council’s support for the sanctuary-seeking population follows a comprehensive evaluation by UK City of Sanctuary.  

    Perth and Kinross has been a place of sanctuary for people for many years, and since at least the outbreak of World War I in 1914 when a group of Belgian refugees came to Perth. In more recent times, people of all ages from countries around the world, including the Ukraine, Syria and Afghanistan, have received vital help and multi-agency support for positive integration and resettlement within the community. 

    Leader of Perth and Kinross Council, Councillor Grant Laing said: “Our vision is for Perth and Kinross as a place where ‘everyone can live well free from poverty and inequalities’. For refugees and people seeking asylum this can be a challenge, however we will continue to work creatively across our services and with our public sector and community partners to make the area as safe and welcoming as possible.” 

    Equalities Lead, Councillor Peter Barrett said: “Our sanctuary seeking population have come from wide-ranging and difficult circumstances in their own countries from war to persecution. This national recognition of what we have done to make a difference to their lives, from families to unaccompanied children and young people, is something we all warmly welcome at the Council and the link with the UK City of Sanctuary organisation also opens up new avenues of support, advice and good practice we can access for the benefit of those most in need.” 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schneider Statement Regarding Israel Attack on Iran

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

    LINCOLNSHIRE, IL – Rep. Schneider, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and co-founder and co-chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus, released the following statement regarding reports of an attack on Iran by Israel: 

    “America stands with Israel as it exercises its right, and responsibility, to defend its citizens and protect its borders. 

    Israel is now targeting military sites in Iran in direct response to Iran’s massive attack involving approximately 200 ballistic missiles fired at Israel earlier this month. 

    I’m proud of the U.S. troops throughout the CENTCOM region who are bravely working to help defend Israel at this critical moment. Iran and its proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen have ceaselessly attacked the people of Israel virtually every day since last year’s barbaric October 7 attack by Hamas. Over the past year, Hamas and Hezbollah have launched more than 25,000 rockets into Israel.

    In two separate attacks from Iranian territory, Iran has launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and more than 320 ballistic missiles towards Israel. 

    Meanwhile, the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have targeted global shipping through the Red Sea, as well as fired missiles and drones and Israel. And Iranian-backed militia in Syria and Iraq have targeted both Israel civilian populations and U.S. troops and interests in the region. 

    I am monitoring the situation closely. I pray Israel’s operation is successful and the Iranian regime will at last understand it will not be allowed to continue to sponsor terror and threaten Israel or the broader region without severe consequence. My thoughts are with our troops in the region and their continued safety and success. I hope today’s actions will, in time, help move the region forward in a constructive direction.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wittman’s Office Secures Over $3.6 Million in Federal Benefits For Constituents

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) announced that his office has secured over $3.6 million in federal casework funds for residents of Virginia’s First District since May 2023.

    Casework dollars are secured by advocating for constituents facing backlogs and bureaucratic delays with a federal agency, program, or benefit. The Office of Congressman Rob Wittman works to resolve issues ranging from Social Security and Medicare benefits to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims and IRS tax refunds.

    “I am committed to delivering real results for the people of Virginia’s First District, whether that be through working with my colleagues in Congress, federal agencies, or localities,” said Rep. Wittman. “Whether you need assistance with a VA claim, renewing your passport, or checking on your Social Security benefits, please do not hesitate to contact my team. I am proud of the quality constituent services my office provides — we will always be happy to assist you.”

    Since the beginning of the 118th Congress, the Office of Congressman Rob Wittman has closed over 4,000 cases for Virginia’s First District residents.

    Below are testimonials from constituents who contacted Congressman Wittman’s office for assistance with an issue involving the federal government:

    “Congressman Wittman, my wife and I would like to thank you for your assistance in getting things straightened out concerning our cases with the USCIS. Your assistance could not have been faster or more efficient. Our cases were resolved within two weeks, instead of two years. Thank you!” – Ray, Poquoson

    “In April 2024, SSA committed an enrollment error and canceled my Medicare benefits. After numerous attempts to resolve this issue on my own, I contacted Congressman Wittman’s office to seek intervention on my behalf with the SSA. What a blessing that Ms. Gale was the individual assigned to my case!

    “She continued to stay in contact to keep me abreast of her progress with SSA and never seemed bothered by my continued ‘pestering.’ Needless to say, SSA is a frustrating bureaucratic agency to deal with and Ms. Gale kept me sane throughout the process while remaining caring and professional at all times.” – Marie, Williamsburg

    “Looks like I’ll be going before the review board after all! Rob Wittman’s office has helped me so much in pursuing my dream of becoming an officer in the Air Force. I appreciate the support.” – Tallie, Yorktown

    For assistance with a federal agency inquiry, constituents can contact Congressman Wittman’s casework team here or by calling one of his offices:

    Washington, D.C. Office    : (202) 225-4261
    Glen Allen Office: (804) 401-4120
    Yorktown Office: (757) 527-6270
    Tappahannock Office: (804) 443-0668

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 60 Years Ago: Lunar Landing Research Vehicle Takes Flight

    Source: NASA

    NASA pilot Joe Walker sits in the pilot’s platform of the Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) number 1 on Oct. 30, 1964. The LLRV and its successor the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle (LLTV) provided the training tool to simulate the final 200 feet of the descent to the Moon’s surface.
    The LLRVs, humorously referred to as flying bedsteads, were used by NASA’s Flight Research Center, now NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California, to study and analyze piloting techniques needed to fly and land the Apollo lunar module in the moon’s airless environment.
    Learn more about the LLRV’s first flight.
    Image credit: NASA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Barbour County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Charge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – James Marklin Mayle, age 67, of Philippi, West Virginia, was sentenced today to 130 months for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, officers stopped Mayle’s vehicle and found nearly two pounds of methamphetamine. Mayle, also known as “Mark Mayle,” was transporting methamphetamine from Ohio into Barbour County.

    Mayle has a criminal history that includes drug possession, battery, assault, burglary, passing counterfeit money, and domestic violence.

    Mayle will serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    The case was investigated by the Mountain Region Drug Task Force. The Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Warner prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Boston Woman Pleads Guilty to Armed Robberies of Postal Workers

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – A Boston woman pleaded guilty today in federal court in Boston to the armed robberies of United States Postal Service (USPS) letter carriers on Nov. 29, 2022 in Mattapan, Mass. and Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Mass.

    Myesha Lewis, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States, aiding and abetting and two counts of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees, aiding and abetting. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Dennis F. Saylor IV scheduled sentencing for Feb. 10, 2025. In May 2023, Lewis was indicted by a federal grand jury along with co-defendant Kenneth Demoshane.

    USPS has seen a rise in the use of arrow keys to facilitate the theft of U.S. Mail. An arrow key is a specific key designed to open designated blue USPS collection boxes in a specific area. These arrow keys are the property of USPS and it is a federal offense for an unauthorized person to possess one. Since July 2022, there have been at least 23 assaults on USPS letter carriers while in the performance of their official duties in Boston and surrounding cities and towns. These incidents included the attempted or successful robbery of USPS arrow keys from letter carriers. Additionally, of these 23 incidents, 15 of the robberies were instances where the perpetrators were reportedly armed with a knife, firearm, or both.

    On Nov. 29, 2022, in Mattapan, Lewis and Demosthene forcibly robbed a USPS letter carrier of an arrow key. Demosthene approached the letter carrier and said, “I’m going to need your master key,” before reaching into the letter carrier’s mail satchel and grabbing the arrow key. The key was secured around the letter carrier’s belt with a brass chain. The force used to physically break the brass chain caused the letter carrier to be pulled off the front steps. Lewis and Demosthene then fled the scene in a rental vehicle.

    On Dec. 16, 2022 in Hyde Park, Lewis and Demosthene robbed another USPS letter carrier of an arrow key at knife point. Demosthene approached the USPS letter carrier and said, “Give me your f****** arrow key.” The letter carrier put their hands in the air as the defendants attempted to remove the arrow key, at first by force pulling at the chain. Lewis and Demosthene then attempted to cut it with the knife, eventually breaking it loose and fleeing the scene on foot.  

    In October 2024, Demosthene was sentenced to three years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

    The charges of robbery of any person having lawful charge, control, or custody of any mail matter or of any money or other property of the United States each provide for a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy and Ketty Larco-Ward, Inspector in Charge of the United States Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Field Office made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Postal Service, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke A. Goldworm of the Major Crimes Unit is prosecuting the case.
     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Inmate Admits to Escape, Firearms Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Edgardo Quinones-Hiraldo, age 35, of Ponce, Puerto Rico, pled guilty today to escape and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

    According to court documents, Quinones-Hiraldo served 51 months at a federal corrections facility in Florida for a firearms trafficking conviction in Puerto Rico. He was released to Dismas Charities Residential Reentry Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Quinones-Hiraldo failed to report to the facility and was arrested in Clarksburg. He had a revolver and a pistol with him at the time of his arrest.

    Quinones-Hirado faces up to five years in prison for the escape charge and faces up to 15 years for the firearms charge. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Marshals Service investigated.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Summerville Brothers Plead Guilty to Selling $35M Worth of Counterfeit Viagra

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHARLESTON, S.C. —Ibrahim Shedid, 29, and Ahmed Shedid, 35, of Summerville, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to sell and traffic counterfeit goods for selling counterfeit Viagra pills in a $35 million scheme.

    Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Ibrahim Shedid owned and operated Big Boss Puff Stuff and Ahmed Shedid owned and operated A2Z Warehouse. The brothers worked together to distribute and sell counterfeit Viagra to convenience stores, knowing the pills were counterfeit. 

    In January 2024, law enforcement intercepted a shipment of 19 bottles of counterfeit Viagra, which was being delivered to Big Boss Puff Stuff. After the delivery, more counterfeit Viagra was seized from a storage unit associated with both Ahmed Shedid and Ibrahim Shedid. The retail value of all counterfeit Viagra seized from the defendants was in excess of $35 million.

    Ibrahim Shedid faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and Ahmed Shedid also faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. Both also face a fine of up to $250,000, restitution, and three years of supervision to follow the term of imprisonment.

    U.S. District Judge Bruce H. Hendricks accepted the guilty pleas and will sentence Shedid and Shedid after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

    Homeland Security Investigations investigated the case with assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Ninth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Bower is prosecuting the case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indictment Charges Waterbury Women with Fraud Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Vanessa Roberts Avery, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that a federal grand jury in New Haven has returned a 17-count indictment charging MARLENIN VITO, 45, of Waterbury, with fraud offenses.

    The indictment was returned on October 22, 2024.  Vito appeared yesterday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert M. Spector in New Haven, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $25,000 bond.

    As alleged in the indictment, from approximately 2018 to May 2021, Vito was employed as Medicaid Coordinator at an assisted living facility located in Stamford, referred to in the indictment as “Company A.”  Vito’s responsibilities included assisting the residents in applying for nursing home level Medicaid reimbursements, monitoring the residents’ patient trust accounts, and ensuring compliance with Medicaid regulations.  She was also responsible for keeping journal entries for the residents’ trust accounts and to credit their accounts when funds were received, and for debiting patient accounts when payments were made on behalf of the residents or when cash was given to residents for incidental expenses.

    It is alleged that, between approximately December 2019 and May 2021, Vito defrauded Company A and its residents by generating checks from Company A’s system, forging a fellow employee’s signature on the checks, negotiating the fraudulent checks purportedly to give the cash proceeds to certain residents, and keeping the cash for her own use.  Vito then made false entries into Company A’s accounting ledger by debiting the fraudulently obtained cash from the residents’ respective trust accounts.  Many of the residents were not healthy enough or mentally capable of tracking their own expenses or monitoring the balances of their own trust accounts.

    It is further alleged, in certain instances, Vito cancelled residents’ supplemental health insurance coverage, but continued to deduct funds from the trust accounts and took the funds for herself.  Also, when certain residents’ trust accounts were credited with Economic Impact Payments (“COVID-19 stimulus payments”), Vito took the funds for herself and then debited the residents’ accounts at a rate of approximately $60 a day until the stimulus funds were depleted.

    It is alleged that during the scheme, Vito fraudulently negotiated approximately 500 checks.  When she was confronted by family members of certain residents, Vito created and provided to those family members false account statements that misrepresented the balances in the residents’ trust accounts.

    The indictment also alleges that, between approximately May and July 2023, Vito was employed as a bookkeeper at a law firm in Hartford, referred to in the indictment as “Company B.”  Vito took fraudulently generated checks drawn on Company B’s bank account and issued as “Pay to the Order of ‘Petty Cash, ’” forged the signature of an authorized employee on the checks, cashed the checks, and kept the funds for herself.  She then recorded the fraudulently negotiated checks in Company B’s books and records as “Petty Cash.”

    It is alleged that Vito stole a total of more than $200,000 through these schemes.

    The indictment charges Vito with five counts of wire fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years on each count, and 12 counts of bank fraud, an offense that carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years on each count.

    U.S. Attorney Avery stressed that an indictment is not evidence of guilt. Charges are only allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the assistance of the Stamford Police Department and Hartford Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. McGarry.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Want to go viral this #Halloween? It’s all about tapping into fun, fears and algorithms

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Anastasia Denisova, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, University of Westminster

    Here they come: an apron and tattoos that make you look like chef Carmy from The Bear, or weird insect-like accessories resembling the infamous Paris Fashion Week bedbugs – new year, new over-the-top inventive Halloween trends. Thanks to the proliferation of social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, we’re in for a treat for this year’s online Halloween extravaganza.

    What used to be a traditional holiday celebrated with reverence by the people remembering the religious meaning of All Hallow’s Eve, or simply an excuse for phantasmagorical parties by those who didn’t, Halloween is now exhibiting a whole new digital layer.

    Last year, the hashtag #Halloween was viewed three billion times in a week. We live in a time of “information fatigue”, “information anxiety” or even “infobesity”, as some academics call our oversaturated media environment, with plentiful, often unpleasant stimuli coming from the news and social media.

    No one’s 20s and 30s look the same. You might be saving for a mortgage or just struggling to pay rent. You could be swiping dating apps, or trying to understand childcare. No matter your current challenges, our Quarter Life series has articles to share in the group chat, or just to remind you that you’re not alone.

    Read more from Quarter Life:

    All this badly affects our biological systems, which have not developed as fast as the media environment. As a result, we are overwhelmed, anxious, overstimulated and struggling with processing so much information. It is hard to cut through this noise, whether you’re a journalist, politician, influencer or just someone having fun in a pumpkin latte costume.

    In my research on viral journalism, I discovered that even professional communicators struggle to keep up with the changes in social media algorithms and various new functions of these platforms. Many feel discouraged by the non-transparency of social media giants and prefer to rely on classic principles of strong reporting and creative presentation formats. But what are the triggers for media virality for those who still want their posts to explode online?

    Not a virus, but a choice

    Halloween, like St Valentine’s Day and other annual celebrations, presents a chance to be the new viral sensation, simply because using the hashtag #Halloween instantly grants additional visibility.

    Virality stands on two pillars – the opaque algorithms of social networks, and people’s emotional reactions. Unlike viruses, from which the word “viral” originates, virality online is not a malady, but a choice. People instinctively choose content that will satisfy their needs. These can be having something to think about, or a distraction, so we don’t have to think about other things going on in the world.

    Engagement with stories online is seldom rational – research has shown that emotions dominate our relationship with news and social media. The feelings of awe, anger and anxiety are the strongest predictors for a post to go viral.

    So how, when creating content, do we achieve the coveted reaction of “awe”? This feeling can be described in a variety of ways, from a religious epiphany, to deep appreciation because we’re impressed, to the sense of calm experienced through nature. This is where the theory of memes can help.

    Halloween costumes on social media are, essentially, wearable and broadcastable memes. These, as my book Internet Memes and Society explains, are half-baked jokes and weird cryptic artefacts that tempt users to figure out why they are supposed to be funny.

    Memes are used as everyday language, political tools, and “fast-food” media. Will a costume based on Only Murders in the Buildings’ Christmas fitness influencer make it to viral stardom? Will it be another take on the brat summer? Or perhaps some twisted commentaries on the cost-of-living crisis?

    Theories of humour and Halloween costumes

    I predict that virality this season will demand either to go full-on maximalist, or be understated and minimalist. The theories of humour stand on three pillars: humour as release, humour as aggression, and humour as incongruity.

    Perhaps we will also see the manifestations of what Plato called comedy as scorn: “Taken generally,” the ancient Greek philosopher mused, “the ridiculous is a certain kind of evil, specifically a vice.” Expect the highest-earning or most influential celebrities to be shoved off their pedestal and roundly mocked in a Halloween costume.

    What about incongruity? Some of the more absurd costumes from last year featured a drink coaster and a paper bag, or a man dressed as a ULEZ street camera. These examples generate a reaction of awe, surprise and glee, making the posts worthy of sharing.

    And finally, release. Humour is invaluable when it comes to dissipating worries or letting off steam. The recent viral sensation from the music band The Kiffness’ “Eating the cats” ft Donald Trump hilariously reimagined a phrase from the US presidential debate as a soft reggae hit – and a hit it has become, amassing eight million views in a matter of weeks.

    This Halloween will surely see a couple of TikTokers dressed as cats, or dogs, or even “a catalogue of other things to eat”. Humour allows us to reveal the ridiculousness of certain political claims, and therefore serves as a soothing tool that unites people and challenges those in power through mockery.

    Virality as modern mythology

    Virality – memes included – forms the modern mythology. The media informs our collective identities and often the things we think about, which means the themes of this Halloween will most likely reveal what people are scared of as a way to release those fears.

    Who will people mock because they feel intimidated by a particular public figure’s power, wealth, talent, influence, looks or profile (aggression). Or who or what do people find awe-inspiring or puzzling this year (incongruity)?

    After all, Halloween is the one time of the year that reminds people of the medieval carnivals of the 14th century – the only time jesters and critics could come to the main square and have a go at the king. The digital carnival (as academics like myself sometimes call the digital mockery of the elites) is not limited to a specific time in the year.

    The never-ending flow of ridicule, sarcasm and dressing up online never ceases to amaze viral studies academics. But the end of October sees a particular concentration of this subversion, attracting the attention of the digital crowds seeking to laugh at the rich, famous and powerful.

    People form and negotiate cultural codes through viral cultures, by choosing what posts to share, like, and comment on. Through these interactions, valuable meanings and identities emerge, and it will be fascinating to see which meanings the collective beehive wants to focus on this Halloween 2024. Whether that’s Carmy Berzatto in his blue apron or the cats and dogs of Springfield.

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

    – ref. Want to go viral this #Halloween? It’s all about tapping into fun, fears and algorithms – https://theconversation.com/want-to-go-viral-this-halloween-its-all-about-tapping-into-fun-fears-and-algorithms-242166

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Can a superstar hippo help save Africa’s rainforests?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Will de Freitas, Environment + Energy Editor, UK edition

    The world’s first superstar hippo lives in a zoo in Thailand. Moo Deng shot to fame soon after she was born in July this year, thanks to viral videos that showed off her cute expressions and chirpy demeanour. Yet the story of her species is less happy, and reveals the close links between the extinction and climate change crises.

    Moo Deng is a pygmy hippo, a species native to the forests of west Africa. Unlike their bigger and significantly scarier cousins (regular hippos), the pygmys are secretive creatures, who like to conceal themselves in swamps and dense vegetation.

    Today, pygmy hippos are officially listed as endangered. Huanyuan Zhang-Zheng and Sulemana Bawa, conservationists at the University of Oxford, point out that 80% of their native forests have been lost. Just 2,500 remain in the wild.



    Read more:
    Moo Deng: the celebrated hippo’s real home has disappeared – will the world restore it?

    “Cocoa production is probably the biggest cause of forest loss,” they write, “then gold mining and unsustainable logging. These activities now encroach on forest reserves and other supposedly protected areas.”


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

    You probably didn’t want to hear this (I certainly didn’t) but it seems chocolate is helping wipe out the pygmy hippo. This pressure is unlikely to let up any time soon: the Ivory Coast, home of most of these hippos, is also the world’s number one cocoa exporter.

    But it was another passage in their article which really caught my eye. Zhang-Zheng and Bawa wrote: “West Africa’s forest loss is particularly heartbreaking as research shows that a remaining patch may be the most productive on Earth, surpassing even the Amazon rainforest.” (Productive, in this context, refers to how much plant growth there is).

    Before extensive fieldwork beginning in 2016, researchers had underestimated the value of west African forests, particularly their capacity to store carbon and thereby offset global warming. This oversight was partly the result of these forests being hidden by clouds, which makes satellite observation difficult, and their relative neglect by western researchers compared with other ecosystems elsewhere.

    This made me wince. Has The Conversation been part of this neglect? After all, Jack and I have edited dozens of articles on the Amazon and its role in the climate system, but relatively few on forests in Africa.

    Researchers are doing their best to highlight how important these forests are for the climate. Here’s one of them, Michele Francis of Stellenbosch University in South Africa, writing about her research on a “sacred forest” in Togo, west Africa: “My calculations showed that one hectare of forest [about two and a half football pitches] is able to permanently remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as is released by a power station burning nearly 16 tonnes of coal.”



    Read more:
    ‘Sacred forests’ in West Africa capture carbon and keep soil healthy

    African forest elephants, like this one in the Republic of Congo, are smaller than their cousins on the savanna.
    Roger de la Harpe / shutterstock

    But Africa’s biggest forest by far is found a thousand miles to the south east, in the Congo Basin. The world’s second largest rainforest is almost half the size of the Amazon yet has only a small portion of its global fame.

    As the forest is underresearched, there are still huge discoveries to be made. Back in 2017, Simon Lewis and Greta Dargie of the University of Leeds lead a UK-Congolese team who first mapped out an England-sized tropical peatland – the world’s largest – under marshy wetlands deep in the jungles of Congo. They wrote about this for The Conversation at the time:

    After 17 days, covering just 1.5km a day, we finally reached the centre of the swamp between two of the major rivers. Our reward was not only the knowledge that these peatlands are indeed vast. We also found ever-deeper peat, reaching up to 5.9m, roughly the height of a two-storey building.



    Read more:
    How we discovered the world’s largest tropical peatland, deep in the jungles of Congo

    Peat is made of partially-decomposed plant matter and can store extraordinary amounts of carbon. Lewis and Dargie “found 30 billion metric tonnes of carbon stored in this new ecosystem that nobody knew existed. That’s equivalent to 20 years of current US fossil fuel emissions.”

    This rainforest, and its huge carbon stores, are under threat. In 2022, Lewis, writing with his Leeds colleague Bart Crezee, warned that plans to drill for oil in the Democratic Republic of Congo could be “the beginning of the end for these peatlands”.



    Read more:
    Congo peat swamps store three years of global carbon emissions – imminent oil drilling could release it

    They updated their map of Congolese peatlands and overlayed it on a map of proposed oil concessions. They discovered:

    The upcoming sale of rights to explore for fossil fuels includes close to 1 million hectares of peat swamp forest. If destroyed by the construction of roads, pipelines and other infrastructure needed to extract the oil, we estimate that up to 6 billion tonnes of CO₂ could be released, equivalent to 14 years’ worth of current UK greenhouse gas emissions.

    In late 2023, DR Congo postponed its plans to drill for oil. It seems the scientists really were listened to – for the time being at least.

    Yet oil drilling is only one threat, in one corner of a vast forest. Researchers lead by Judith Verweijen of the University of Antwerp have written about the armed conflicts and industrial mining affecting the eastern end of the same Congo Basin.



    Read more:
    Mining and armed conflict threaten eastern DRC’s biodiversity in a complex web

    The mines, for instance, degrade the soil and pollute the water, and trees must be cleared to make way for them.

    But Verweijen and colleagues say there are also indirect effects that “stem from the construction of new roads to make mining sites accessible, and population growth in the vicinity of mines. This leads to further natural resource exploitation, such as fuel and construction wood extraction, bushmeat hunting and shifting agriculture.”

    None of this has caused the same global outcry as fires in the Amazon or palm oil deforestation in Indonesia. What might fix that?

    Back to Moo Deng. Many conservation academics will tell you that a single well-known species can be the key to saving an entire ecosystem and its often boring-but-crucial biodiversity. Protect the tigers, pandas or pygmy hippos, and you’ll also ensure the survival of the worms, ants and peat bogs.

    If it takes a viral hippo to at least cast some attention on the disappearing rainforests of Africa, then so be it.

    – ref. Can a superstar hippo help save Africa’s rainforests? – https://theconversation.com/can-a-superstar-hippo-help-save-africas-rainforests-242481

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM, TWU-IAM Association Members at American Airlines Overwhelmingly Ratify Industry-Leading Contract Extensions

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    More than 34,000 members of the TWU-IAM Association, a union alliance of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) and the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) at American Airlines, have overwhelmingly ratified contract extensions that greatly increase pay, quality of life and more.

    The Association’s negotiating committees had reached tentative agreements with the carrier after roughly a month of negotiations. IAM Districts 141 and 142 represent mechanic and related, fleet service and related, and stores workers at American Airlines.

    The two-year extensions, from Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2027, includes:
    • Average wage increase for covered employees in January 2025 ranging from 10.8% to 16.7% and 18% to 26% over the life of the extension.
    • 3% out year increases in January 2026 and 2027 that also match the highest in the industry.
    • Several non-economic quality of life issues were also addressed.
    • Increases in License Pay, Skill Pay, and Crew Chief Pay.
    • Increases in IAM National Pension Plan contributions.
    • No concessions/givebacks.

    “IAM members at American Airlines have more than earned this industry-leading contract,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “By negotiating quickly and efficiently to get the increases our members deserve, we have again delivered on our commitment to continuously improve the lives of all airline workers.”

    “The IAM is the world’s most powerful airline union because of our numbers, strength and solidarity,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “Thanks to our success at American Airlines, airline workers across the industry will see further gains in future contracts.”

    “American Airlines is successful because of the IAM members who operate the carrier each and every day,” said IAM Airline Coordinator Tom Regan. “This agreement shows once again that IAM representation is the best way for airline workers to get their fair share.

    “We would like to sincerely thank our members at American for your support, strength, and solidarity leading up to this vote,” said IAM District 142 President and Directing General Chair John M. Coveny Jr. “We are proud that you have ratified this contract extension. You have earned this through your continuous hard work, professionalism, and dedication to your craft.”

    “Your voices and commitment to ratify these proposals speaks volumes and carries tremendous weight,” said IAM District 141 President and Directing General Chair Mike Klemm. “This signifies that the right decisions were made considering the proposals, and further represents the times we live in today.”

    After the IAM held in-person and virtual informational meetings on the extension, members voted electronically on the contracts.

    The TWU-IAM Association, the largest union at the carrier, was formed after the merger of American Airlines and US Airways in 2012.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Celebrates Industry Advancements on Weatherization Day

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    Key Resources Are Helping the Weatherization Workforce Provide Benefits for Low-Income Households

    Two weatherization technicians carry a new furnace into a manufactured home. Photo from Energy Resource Center

    The perfect winter coat should be comfortable to wear—not too warm and not too cold. It’s affordable, sturdy, and protects you well from the wind, rain, and snow.

    The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps thousands of low-income families find the perfect coat for their homes every year. Installations and upgrades through weatherization services work to increase the energy efficiency and safety of homes—ensuring that they can stay comfortable through the changing seasons, with lower energy bills and health benefits for residents.

    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) supports WAP in strengthening the weatherization and home performance industry through robust, collaborative resources for building up a qualified workforce and quality work.

    This Weatherization Day, NREL is celebrating its work on key resources developed over the past year to highlight and advance WAP’s impact across states and territories.

    Telling the Story of Weatherization

    An energy auditor chats with the owner of a home being weatherized. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    As weatherization enhances homes through upgrades, it changes lives.

    One homeowner in Utah was paying energy bills that were higher than her house payments. Once WAP worked on her home, not only were her bills reduced, but potential safety issues in her home were also addressed. “It’s a game changer,” the homeowner said.

    NREL is working to compile stories like these in WAP’s Successes & Solutions Center, a database of short examples that WAP organizations can use to improve their own processes and celebrate positive impacts for clients. Stories include successes in workforce development, technical solutions, and more.

    “There are so many innovative processes that WAP agencies across the country use every day, but not everybody knows about them,” NREL researcher Allison Moe said. “By highlighting these solutions, we aim to give the weatherization network more insight into new methods they can try out in their work.”

    These examples provide useful details for replicable solutions—and photos can be just as helpful for inspiring better processes. Maintained by NREL, DOE’s Weatherization Image Gallery is a free-to-use resource with over 150 high-quality images. The gallery contains images of weatherization installations, mechanical equipment, and materials. These photos are vetted by NREL researchers for accuracy and compliance with the Standard Work Specifications, an industry guide to ensure home energy upgrade work is effective, durable, and safe. WAP organizations can use these images to enhance their field guides, presentations, marketing materials, and more to help visualize the impact of weatherization.

    Supporting Weatherization Workers in the Field

    An energy auditor inspects a refrigerator during the audit of a home. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL

    Residential energy auditors are always on the go, providing in-depth house assessments and developing comprehensive scopes of work for upgrades needed in client’s homes. NREL’s Residential Energy Auditor Resource Repository gathers useful resources into one place for energy auditors in the field, so they can save time searching for the online tools needed to complete their assessments.

    As part of this effort, NREL supported a makeover of DOE’s Refrigerator and Freezer Energy Rating Search Tool. With a variety of brands, model numbers, and manufacture years to search by, the tool allows energy auditors to quickly discover the energy consumption for these appliances in client’s homes.

    “During a comprehensive energy audit, the accuracy of an energy auditor’s assessment is key,” said Cory Chovanec, NREL weatherization colead. “This resource repository aims to help energy auditors locate accurate information more quickly in support of data collection or analysis of residential buildings.”

    This summer, NREL began work with the Association of Energy Engineers on another effort to support a qualified workforce: a virtual field exam. Historically, aspiring energy auditors must pass an online written exam and in-person field exam at an approved field-test site. By adding a simulated exam as an option, energy auditors will have more flexibility in pursuing their certification.

    “Accessibility is important to support growing a diverse and equitable weatherization workforce,” NREL researcher Meredith Cummings said. “Introducing a simulated field exam provides trainees with a potentially more convenient option if needed.”

    A pilot of the new simulated field exam is expected to launch in 2026.

    Paving the Way for Technical Advances

    More local and state WAP programs are using solar to help clients save money on energy bills. Photo by Werner Slocum, NREL

    In 2022, DOE issued guidance streamlining the inclusion of solar photovoltaics in weatherization services for clients. The number of local and state WAP programs utilizing solar is growing, and NREL research is helping these programs determine which solar pathways are right for them.

    NREL developed a technical report, an online decision guide, and case studies to help programs make informed decisions about how to integrate solar into their work. These resources assist agencies with developing a plan for solar that works best for their service area. Solar technologies might include rooftop solar, community solar, or solar water heaters.

    “WAP implementers can be key contributors in broadening solar energy access for low-income households,” said Juliana Williams, NREL weatherization colead. “These resources can help them maximize benefits for clients.”

    NREL also contributed to a new toolkit with relevant guidance for installing heat pumps in homes. DOE’s Cold Climate Air Source Heat Pump Toolkit provides technology information, consumer information, weatherization and efficiency program partner resources, guidelines and training for contractors, and ongoing technology development and case studies.

    Learn More About Weatherization

    To learn more about how NREL supports weatherization work, visit NREL’s weatherization page or contact weatherization.support@nrel.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Highlights Efforts to Protect the Right to Vote, Prosecute Election Fraud, and Secure Elections

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, Ill. – Consistent with longstanding Justice Department practices, U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe is highlighting the office’s efforts to ensure all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast their ballots free of discrimination, intimidation, or criminal activity in the election process, and to ensure elections are secure against foreign malign interference.

    “The Justice Department prioritizes ensuring fair elections, and our success will depend on the assistance we receive from the American electorate,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “It’s critical for those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud to make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    U.S. Attorney Crowe designated Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Reed to lead the efforts in southern Illinois for the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election.

    AUSA Reed serves as the District Election Officer for the Southern District of Illinois, and in that capacity, is responsible for overseeing the handling of election day complaints for voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted due to a disability or inability to read or write in English.  

    AUSA Reed will be on duty while the polls are open and will be responsible for responding to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud and directing them to the appropriate authorities. He can be reached by calling (618) 977-3332.

    In addition, the FBI has agents available throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. You can reach the FBI online at www.tips.fbi.gov or dialing 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

    Concerns for violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    Report crimes of violence or intimidation by calling 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Invictus Games demonstrate the unconquerable soul of veterans

    Source: NATO

    On 30 October 2024, the Invictus Games Foundation briefed the NATO Military Committee at NATO Headquarters on the role of Invictus in supporting wounded, injured and sick service members and veterans. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, addressed the Military Committee via VTC, with a delegation attending the meeting in person. The delegation included: Dominic Reid, Chief Executive of Invictus; Lord Allen, Chancellor of the Board of Trustees; and Richard Smith, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer.

    The delegation briefed the Military Committee on the breadth and development of the Invictus programme and the progress it is making to expand the scope of its mission. The core purpose of Invictus is to support the recovery and rehabilitation of Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) Service Members through sport and adventure. The Invictus Games Foundation is working to continue establishing a global community where rehabilitation and recovery are better enabled and understood. This is primarily through the delivery of the Invictus Games, taking place in different host cities every two years around the globe, but also through a multi-layered programme beyond the games, which aims to build a network amongst global Wounded, Injured and Sick veterans and promote advocacy of Invictus.

    Meeting with representatives of the Invictus Games Foundation provided a platform for the NATO Military Committee to explore and learn how Allied nations can establish or develop a relationship with the Invictus Games. Admiral Bauer emphasised the importance of protecting Allied wounded servicemen and women, veterans and their families. He highlighted the invaluable support and hope the Invictus Games Foundation provides to the unconquerable souls of inspirational wounded, injured and sick service members and veterans. ‘I believe the work of the Invictus Games Foundation to be very important – and it strikes at the heart of our shared values as military personnel’. Admiral Bauer conveyed the power of the Invictus Games Foundation in reaching far beyond the Games themselves, changing and sometimes even saving the lives of both the wounded soldiers and their families.

    Today’s Military Committee session follows up a meeting between the Chair of the Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, and Prince Harry in May 2024, where Admiral Bauer attended a Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral in London. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Nick Bosa’s MAGA hat vs. Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling: Will the NFL reveal a double standard?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Noah Eliot Vanderhoeven, PhD Candidate, Political Science, Western University

    After the San Francisco 49ers won its Oct. 27 National Football League game against the Dallas Cowboys, their star defensive lineman Nick Bosa, appeared in a post-game media segment wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat in violation of the league’s uniform rules.

    The NFL has avoided overt political messages since former 49er Colin Kaepernick’s anthem protests against police brutality against Black Americans. But what are the implications of a white player displaying an overt political message right before the United States presidential election?

    Kaepernick received heavy media scrutiny and was very quickly exiled from the NFL for his protest and the apparent “distraction” it created. The power of the backlash Kaepernick faced was surprising, given that Democrats and Republicans are just as likely to be avid sports fans, with no meaningful differences in the strength of their fandom.

    However, Republican sports fans tend to be more vocal about what causes should receive representation in sport spaces and make these judgments based on greater support for individualism and the military. That means there’s little evidence to support the argument that Americans want sports and politics to remain separate.

    Nevertheless, support for conservative causes in sports spaces are generally accepted while progressive causes face strong resistance.



    Read more:
    How professional sports leagues that embrace social justice causes could influence politics

    Limits on social justice stances

    For example, the NFL was slow to adopt anti-racism messaging following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020 by a police officer ultimately convicted of murder.

    Players initially felt they were being silenced by proposed league rules preventing players from kneeling during the national anthem. Eventually, the NFL agreed to allow players to feature social justice statements on the backs of their helmets. But this only came about after pushback from Black players, and they were limited to one of six pre-approved statements.

    Generally, the NFL has preferred to support non-partisan political messaging. One example is “get out the vote” initiatives. That has not changed in the lead-up to the 2024 election, as teams have been holding voter registration sessions and featuring the word “vote” prominently in their end zones.

    Bosa’s actions, however, were certainly partisan and constitute athlete activism, regardless of whether he wants to discuss his views any further.

    Previous acts of protest

    Donald Trump’s second candidacy to become president, and the re-emergence of a vocal white ethno-nationalist voice in American politics, has seemingly motivated the demand for agency and fuelled new activism by predominantly Black athletes. Bosa, in the meantime, has used his platform via the NFL to support Trump.

    The literature covering the intersection of sport and politics has mainly focused on individual acts of protest and nationalism. One prominent example are the protests by American sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith during the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.



    Read more:
    The Olympics are ‘on the wrong side of history’ when it comes to free speech

    U.S. athletes Tommie Smith, centre, and John Carlos extend gloved hands skyward in racial protest during the playing of national anthem at the 1968 Olympics.
    (AP Photo)

    Their raised fists while on the medal podium were met with resistance and disapproval, with some commentators at the time arguing their protest was unnecessary and petty. Still today, many believe sport is an improper venue for political messaging.

    In turn, Kaepernick’s protest against police brutality and historic inequalities was seen as unpatriotic, and faced significant criticism.

    Will Bosa face a similar backlash? It seems highly unlikely, especially since Bosa’s support for Trump will probably be framed as patriotic due to the former president’s populist rhetoric about returning America to greatness.

    Double standard?

    The severe backlash against Kaepernick’s protest was driven by conservatives and centred on perceived disrespect for the military and the American flag. Those same conservatives are likely to defend Bosa’s actions, and will probably argue his hat was an expression of his First Amendment rights if the NFL takes serious action against him.

    Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) kneel during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta.
    (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

    But when Bosa donned a piece of campaign merchandise on national television a little over a week out from a contentious presidential election, it was overtly political — arguably just as overtly political as taking a knee during the national anthem.

    At the moment, given the NFL’s lack of action against him, Bosa seems to be benefitting from a double standard when it comes to the intersection of sports and politics.

    It doesn’t appear Bosa is going to be suspended or miss any games for his actions. The NFL has until Saturday to announce any consequences for him, and it’s likely he’ll be fined up to US$11,000 for violating the NFL’s uniform rules by wearing unauthorized logos or branding.

    But that fine is probably the full extent of the repercussions Bosa will face, and $11,000 is a bargain for a national television advertisement when the Trump campaign is already spending tens of millions of dollars on advertising.

    ‘Stick to sports’

    Furthermore, Bosa is unlikely to face the kind of dehumanization faced by progressive activist athletes that misappropriates their cause and fuels hostility towards them. When athletes protest in support of social causes, they often see their job market and marketing profile take a hit.

    This is another example that shows when conservatives say athletes should “stick to sports” or “shut up and dribble,” they don’t actually want politics out of sports entirely.

    Rather, they don’t want to see political views they oppose being platformed in professional sports spaces.

    If they agree with the politics, sporting events are seemingly just another stop on the campaign trail.

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

    – ref. Nick Bosa’s MAGA hat vs. Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling: Will the NFL reveal a double standard? – https://theconversation.com/nick-bosas-maga-hat-vs-colin-kaepernicks-kneeling-will-the-nfl-reveal-a-double-standard-242468

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The ‘nocebo effect’ in IBS: Why gluten might not be the real problem

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Caroline Seiler, PhD, McMaster University

    One-third of patients with irritable bowel syndrome aslo have disordered eating habits and perceptions about food that may cause symptoms in and of themselves. (Shutterstock)

    Many people find that wheat or gluten cause them to react in some way: Some people have a wheat allergy, some have the autoimmune condition celiac disease, but the majority find they have some sort of intolerance or sensitivity to wheat and gluten.

    This is challenging to diagnose because there still aren’t any reliable biomarkers to confirm gluten or wheat sensitivity, and clinicians typically rely on patient self-reports.

    In irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), patients experience gastrointestinal symptoms without any visible damage to the digestive tract. Many patients with IBS believe that specific foods, like gluten or wheat, trigger their symptoms, prompting them to exclude these foods from their diets without consulting a dietitian or their doctor.

    Unsurprisingly, about a third of IBS patients develop disordered eating habits and perceptions about food that may cause symptoms in and of themselves, such as orthorexia, or an unhealthy preoccupation with healthy eating. This may cause a “nocebo effect,” where patients experience symptoms due to their beliefs and expectations about a substance they assume is causing their issues but is actually inert — a “nocebo.”

    Identifying the true sensitivities for patients with IBS is a controversial research area, with some studies finding gluten avoidance to be beneficial versus others finding it to have [no significant effect.
    (Shutterstock)

    As a nutrition researcher at McMaster University’s Farncombe Institute, I’m a member of a team that ran a clinical trial to find out whether wheat, gluten or a gluten-free nocebo caused symptoms in IBS. And the results were surprising: even though some patients experienced worse symptoms from gluten or wheat, they weren’t very different from the nocebo, with similar proportions of patients reacting to each.

    These results are similar to other published studies. Identifying the true sensitivities for patients with IBS is a controversial research area, with some studies finding gluten avoidance to be beneficial versus others finding it to have no significant effect.

    Researchers from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands published an innovative study from the Lancet medical journal. Patients with reported gluten sensitivity were divided into four groups: Two groups were given gluten-free bread, but one of these groups was told it contained gluten and one was told it didn’t. Two other groups were given bread that did contain gluten, with one group believing it was gluten-free and the other believing it contained gluten.

    The results showed that the patients who ate gluten and were also told they were eating gluten had significantly worse symptoms than the other three groups.

    Why are people concerned about gluten?

    Patients with IBS are often left to navigate conflicting online resources and test new diets to treat their symptoms.
    (Shutterstock)

    Given the controversial evidence that not only gluten, but other wheat components like fermentable carbohydrates or immune-stimulating proteins, may exacerbate IBS symptoms, it’s possible for this hot topic to get blown out of proportion or taken out of context, contributing to nutrition misinformation.

    All of these factors — that it is often diagnosed by excluding all other options, the significant psychological component, the division in the scientific community and clinicians who often discount patients’ experiences — make treatment difficult for patients with this disorder.

    As a result, patients with IBS are often left to navigate conflicting online resources and test new diets to treat their symptoms.

    How patients respond to evidence

    When researchers challenge patients with gluten, wheat or a nocebo, they rarely report the personalized results back to the patients and see how this information impacts patient behaviour.

    At McMaster University, we wanted to see how presenting personalized nutrition information would affect our patients. After providing them with personal results about their gluten and wheat reactions, we followed up with patients after six months or more to see how this impacted their beliefs, behaviours and symptoms.

    Again, we were in for a surprise! Patients largely kept similar beliefs about gluten, maintained a gluten-free diet and had consistent symptoms even after learning that most of them did not react to gluten or wheat. This begs the question: when people more generally learn new information that conflicts with an existing belief, what may help them to change accordingly?

    The role of psychology in treating IBS

    IBS has been long understood as a disorder of the gut-brain interaction. Psychological treatments are being increasingly investigated to minimize patient fears of foods, or nocebo effects, and to treat IBS symptoms more generally. At Harvard, a recent study found that exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) showed promise to improve IBS symptoms in five sessions with a nurse practitioner.

    Similarly, CBT correlated with shifts in brain networks and the gut microbiome, or gut bacteria, that were also correlated with improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms. At the University of Calgary, virtually delivered yoga was highly feasible and helped improve symptoms for patients with IBS.

    However, IBS is a complex disorder which may be exacerbated due to many different causes, and psychological treatment will likely be only one component of an effective treatment plan for many patients.

    Diet plays an important role in human health, but how it does so — especially among those with gastrointestinal diseases — becomes complicated by the emotional aspects of eating and the real needs for people to have nutritious, well-balanced diets without risking malnutrition. If you have concerns that certain foods, like gluten, trigger your symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor or a registered dietitian.

    Caroline Seiler receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

    – ref. The ‘nocebo effect’ in IBS: Why gluten might not be the real problem – https://theconversation.com/the-nocebo-effect-in-ibs-why-gluten-might-not-be-the-real-problem-241553

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Military Leaders Hold Panel on 2025 Recruiting Issues

    Source: United States Department of Defense (video statements)

    Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense Carrie Kagawa and military service recruitment leaders hold a panel on 2025 recruitment issues at the Pentagon on October 30, 2024.
    —————
    Your military is an all-volunteer force that serves to protect our security and way of life, but Service members are more than a fighting force. They are leaders, humanitarians and your fellow Americans. Get to know more about the men and women who serve, who they are, what they do, and why they do it.

    For more on the Department of Defense, visit: http://www.defense.gov
    —————
    Keep up with the Department of Defense on social media!

    Like the DoD on Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on Instagram: http://instagram.com/DeptofDefense
    Follow the DoD on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/DeptofDefense

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWmv1m-Z9e8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Disastrous budget for farming families

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV vice chairman and East Londonderry representative Councillor Allister Kyle:

    “Every agricultural business with assets, in buildings and land, over £1m will be hit further with 20% inheritance tax. Livestock and equipment were already taken into account for inheritance tax.

    “£1m sounds like a lot of money, which it is, but with the Northern Ireland average farm size being 41 hectares (101 acres), if ground was valued at £12k per acre and a farmyard and house valued at £400k, this would leave a tax bill of around £100k, on top of the livestock and equipment values.

    “One needs to remember that land is not tax deductible when being purchased. Therefore, if a farmer purchases land he pays tax. When his son or daughter inherits the farm, tax will be paid on the same land again. That is perverse.

    “Many farmers will be forced to sell ground to clear this new tax bill which will then also trigger possible capital gains tax to be paid on the level that ground may have increased in value since the time it was bought.

    “Currently 36% of farmers in Northern Ireland are 65 or over.

    “When will the nation and its politicians start to respect those who put food on our tables?

    “The agricultural sector isn’t generally a cash rich business, most profits are usually re-invested in ground, farmyards or equipment to have a lasting legacy for future generations to keep on stewarding the land, caring for livestock and keeping us fed.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Joins Western Pennsylvania Union Members to Get Out the Vote

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    For weeks, IAM and other union members in Pittsburgh and from across the country have flocked to the Allegheny-Fayette County Labor Council office to pick up materials before heading out to door-knock as part of the national AFL-CIO’s political program.

    In the first stage of the program, political volunteers visited union members’ households to provide information about the candidates endorsed by their unions and to gauge union voters’ priorities.

    Now, less than a week before Election Day, door-knockers are just trying to make sure registered voters get to the polls.

    “It is imperative that we motivate our members to vote in the election of our lifetime,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Grand Lodge Representative Sean Ryan, who has been in and out of Pittsburgh to assist get-out-the-vote efforts.

    IAM Political and Legislative Assistant Ty Richardson has also been on the ground speaking with union members in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

    “We’re talking to union members to make sure they know how this election will directly affect their lives and livelihoods,” said Richardson.

    IAM members are working with members of the other affiliate unions like the Ironworkers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, American Federation of Teachers, Association of Federal Government Employees, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, and United Steelworkers.

    The AFL-CIO’s political program has focused efforts on the seven “swing” states considered to be the states that will decide this election: Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona.

    In Pittsburgh, the AFL-CIO affiliate unions are advocating for the Kamala Harris and Tim Walz presidential ticket, Bob Casey for re-election in the U.S. Senate, and Summer Lee for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    For information on the union-endorsed candidates, go to betterinaunion.org.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Small Business Success Story: Mentor-Protégé Agreements Drive Growth in Aerospace Sector

    Source: NASA

    In the ever-evolving aerospace industry, collaboration and mentorship are vital for fostering innovation and growth. Recent achievements highlight the positive impact of Mentor-Protégé Agreements (MPA) facilitated by Jacobs Engineering Group, now known as Amentum Space Exploration Group. Two standout partnerships have demonstrated remarkable success and expansion, underscoring the value of such initiatives.
    CODEplus and Amentum Space Exploration Group
    The 24-Month MPA between CODEplus and Amentum Space Exploration Group has proven to be a game-changer. Recognized as the FY24 Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Mentor-Protégé Agreement of the Year, this collaboration has significantly boosted CODEplus’s operations. Since the agreement’s inception on March 1, 2023, CODEplus has expanded its workforce to ten full-time employees and currently has two active job requisitions. This growth exemplifies the transformative potential of mentorship in nurturing small businesses within the aerospace sector.
    KS Ware and Amentum Space Exploration Group / CH2M Hill
    Another exemplary partnership involves KS Ware, which has benefitted from a 36-Month MPA with Amentum Space Exploration Group and CH2M Hill. This agreement has garnered accolades as both the FY23 NASA Agency Mentor-Protégé Agreement of the Year and the FY23 MSFC Mentor-Protégé Agreement of the Year. Through targeted business and technical counseling, KS Ware successfully launched a new drilling division in 2022 and expanded its offerings to include surveying services in 2023. The impact of this mentorship is evident, with a remarkable 30% growth rate reported for KS Ware.
    These success stories highlight the critical role of Mentor-Protégé Agreements in empowering small businesses in the aerospace industry. By fostering collaboration and providing essential support, Amentum Space Exploration Group has not only strengthened its partnerships but also contributed to the broader growth and innovation landscape. As the aerospace sector continues to evolve, such initiatives will be essential in driving future success.
    Published by: Tracy L. Hudspeth

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn John Dempsey Hospital Earns Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation by the American College of Emergency Physicians

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), with support from The Gary and Mary West Health Institute and John A. Hartford Foundation, implemented the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program to recognize those emergency departments that provide excellent care for older adults. We are excited to announce that UConn John Dempsey Hospital Emergency Department has achieved the silver standard — Level 2 GEDA accreditation, the only hospital in Hartford County to hold this accreditation.

    Led by a remarkable team of interdisciplinary leaders, including Dr. Matthew Babcock, Geriatric ED Physician Champion, Shannon Curtis, RN, Geriatric ED Nurse Champion, Beata Labunko, Wendy Martinson, RN and Jan Marie Anderson, as well as many other colleagues; UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s accreditation signals to the public that our institution is focused on the highest standards of care for our communities’ older adults.

    The GEDA program is the culmination of years of progress in the emergency care of older adults. In 2014, ACEP along with the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Emergency Nurses Association, and American Geriatrics Society, developed and released geriatric ED guidelines, recommending measures ranging from adding geriatric-friendly equipment to specialized staff to more routine screening for delirium, dementia, and fall risk, among other vulnerabilities.

    “I am so proud of and grateful to the team and the hard work that went into the accreditation,” says Caryl Ryan, COO, UConn John Dempsey Hospital, CNO, Vice President, Quality and Patient Care Services and Interim Vice President, Patient Experience.  “This is tremendous for the hospital and the patients who are cared for here.”

    Babcock, with support from the chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UConn John Dempsey Hospital, Dr. Robert Fuller, played a key role in formalizing guidelines and data tracking-focused efforts to standardize practices and improve the quality of emergency care for elderly patients. Curtis’s focus had a big impact on geriatric care and staff education.

    Older adults visit emergency departments at a high rate, they often present with multiple chronic conditions and face more social and physical challenges than the general population.

    “No one wants to have their senior loved one in an Emergency Department. Knowing that the UConn ED has made a special effort to build a space and put into practice systems which can support a geriatric ED visit, should make families feel better.  The GED accreditation reflects our commitment to make the care sensitive to the special needs of the senior members of our community,” says Fuller.

    “Our focus is to take excellent care and improve outcomes for the geriatric population who often have complex health issues that require specialized approaches,” says Curtis.

    The voluntary GEDA program, which includes three levels similar to trauma center designations, provides specific criteria and goals for emergency clinicians and administrators to target. The accreditation process provides more than two dozen best practices for geriatric care, and the level of GEDA accreditation achieved depends upon how many of these best practices an emergency department can meet. A Level 2 emergency department must incorporate many of these best practices, along with providing interdisciplinary geriatric education and having geriatric-appropriate equipment and supplies available.

    To improve patient outcomes, we must provide standardized approaches to care that address common geriatric issues, ensure optimal transitions of care from the ED to other settings (inpatient, home, community-based care, rehabilitation, long-term care), improve emergency department throughput, make a positive impact on the bottom line, and support geriatric-focused quality improvement.

    “As an Accredited Geriatric Emergency Department, John Dempsey Hospital’s protocol-driven approach to geriatric care allows us to provide superior, tailored care,” says Babcock “Seniors who visit our emergency department can be assured that the facility has the necessary expertise, equipment, and personnel in place to provide optimal care. We’re excited that our dedication to this population has been recognized and look forward to many more years of building the best geriatric emergency department.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cybercriminals Are Stealing Cookies to Bypass Multifactor Authentication

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    The FBI Atlanta Division is warning the public that cybercriminals are gaining access to email accounts by stealing cookies from a victim’s computer. A “cookie” is a small piece of data that a website sends to your computer, allowing the website to remember information about your session, such as login details, preferences, or items in your shopping cart. “Remember-Me cookies” are tied specifically to a user’s login and often last for 30 days before expiring. This type of cookie helps a user login without having to keep putting in their username, password, or their multifactor authentication (MFA). Typically, this type of cookie is generated when a user clicks the “Remember this device” checkbox when logging in to a website:

    If a cybercriminal obtains the Remember-Me cookie from a user’s recent login to their web email, they can use that cookie to sign-in as the user without needing their username, password, or multifactor authentication (MFA). For these reasons, cybercriminals are increasingly focused on stealing Remember-Me cookies and using them as their preferred way of accessing a victim’s email. Victims unknowingly provide their cookies to cybercriminals when they visit suspicious websites or click on phishing links that download malicious software onto their computer

    Here are tips to protect yourself from putting yourself at risk:

    • Regularly clear your cookies from your Internet browser.
    • Recognize the risks of clicking the “Remember Me” checkbox when logging into a website.
    • Do not click on suspicious links or websites. Only visit sites with a secure connection (HTTPS) to protect your data from being intercepted during transmission.
    • Periodically monitor the recent device login history from your account settings.

    Anyone who is a victim of an account takeover or Internet scam should report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –