Category: AM-NC

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Marshals Capture Memphis Murder Suspect in Minneapolis

    Source: US Marshals Service

    Memphis, TN – The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) in the Western District of Tennessee and the District of Minnesota coordinated to capture a fugitive, Jaylon Remus, 25, of Memphis. Remus was wanted for first degree murder, aggravated assault, especially aggravated robbery, and reckless endangerment out of Shelby County, Tennessee.

    On September 4, 2024, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Remus out of Shelby County. The USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) in Memphis adopted the case the same day. The TRVFTF developed information that Remus had fled to the Minneapolis area and requested the USMS in Minnesota for help in locating him.

    On October 21st, deputy marshals from the North Star Fugitive Task Force in Minneapolis tracked Remus to a family member’s house in the City of Medina outside the Minneapolis area. Remus surrendered to deputies at the front door of the residence and is pending extradition back to Tennessee.

    The U.S. Marshals Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force is a multi-agency task force within Western Tennessee. The TRVFTF has offices in Memphis and Jackson, and its membership is primarily composed of Deputy U.S. Marshals, Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton County Sheriff’s Deputies, Memphis and Jackson Police Officers, the Tennessee Department of Correction Special Agents and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Since 2021, the TRVFTF has captured over 2,600 violent offenders and sexual predators.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Dundurn — Saskatoon RCMP: woman charged after fatal collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 19, 2024 at approximately 9:45 p.m., Saskatoon RCMP received a report of a collision on Highway #11, one kilometre north of Dundurn.

    Officers immediately responded. Investigation determined a truck and an SUV collided in the southbound lanes. The truck was driving northbound in the southbound lanes.

    The driver and passenger of the SUV were declared deceased by EMS at the scene. They have been identified as a 50-year-old female and 20-year-old female from Lake Isle, AB. Their families have been notified.

    Two occupants of the truck, both children, were taken to hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening in nature.

    The adult female driver of the truck did not report injuries to police. She was arrested at the scene of the collision.

    As a result of continued investigation, 32-year-old Brittany Barry from the RM of Blucher is charged with:

    • two counts, operate a conveyance while impaired over 80 mg causing death, Section 320.14(3), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death, Section 320.13(3), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, operate a conveyance while impaired over 80 mg causing bodily harm, Section 320.14(s), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, Section 320.13(3), Criminal Code;
    • two counts, criminal negligence causing death, Section 220(b), Criminal Code; and
    • two counts, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, Section 221, Criminal Code.

    Brittany Barry is scheduled to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on October 21, 2024.

    The highway was closed for approximately six hours during initial investigation.

    The investigation continues. Saskatoon RCMP believes there are witnesses to this collision who they have not spoken to. If you witnessed the collision or stopped at the scene and have not yet spoken with police, contact Saskatoon RCMP by dialling 310-RCMP.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Violent Gang Pleads Guilty to Racketeering Involving Drug and Firearms Trafficking

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BOSTON – A Boston area man pleaded guilty today to his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.

    Jose Afonseca, 32, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise, conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and dealing in firearms without a license. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Jan. 30, 2025.   

    During the investigation, Afonseca was identified as member of the Cameron Street gang, who worked with other Cameron Street members to distribute hundreds of grams of cocaine and cocaine base, more commonly referred to as “crack” cocaine, from a stash house in Somerville. Afonseca was recorded discussing his ability to acquire illegal firearms and was recorded selling two firearms and over 30 rounds of ammunition to a cooperating witness. On Aril 15, 2022, agents executed a series of arrest and search warrants in this case. Three hundred ninety-eight grams of cocaine, along with packaging materials, two hydraulic presses, a digital scale, a cell phone, and $14,986 in U.S. currency were seized from the stash house.

    According to court documents, Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect, and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear, and enhance its reputation.

    The charge of RICO conspiracy and conspiracy to interfere with commerce by force or violence each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine provides for a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 40 years, a $5 million fine, and a minimum four years supervised release up to life. The charge of dealing in firearms without a license provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $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.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy; James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Boston Field Division; Stephen Belleau, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

    The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
     

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anchorage man charged with firearm crime connected to September encounter with Anchorage Police

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska – A federal grand jury in Alaska returned an indictment charging an Anchorage man with being a felon in possession of a firearm during an encounter with the police.

    According to court documents and a press release from the Anchorage Police Department (APD), on Sept. 23, 2024, Jalen Baker, 23, possessed a firearm during an encounter with police.

    The release alleges APD officers responded to a shooting in Anchorage where two victims were shot. Officers located the shooting suspect in a nearby trailer home park. The suspect fired at responding officers, striking one in the lower body, and barricaded himself inside a trailer home.

    The investigation identified the suspect as Baker and he was taken into custody at the scene. At the time of the event, Baker had a prior felony conviction for assault in the State of Alaska in 2022.

    Baker is charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm at a school zone. The defendant will make his initial court appearance on a later date before a U.S. Magistrate Judge from the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    U.S. Attorney S. Lane Tucker for the District of Alaska, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais and Anchorage Police Chief Sean Case made the announcement.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Anchorage Police Department, with assistance from the Alaska State Troopers, are investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Cody Tirpak is prosecuting the case.

    An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Wetzel County Man Admits to Firearms Charge

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Talon D. Feucht, age 30, of New Martinsville, West Virginia, pled guilty to the unlawful possession of a firearm.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Moundsville Police arrested Feucht on an outstanding warrant on an entering without breaking charge in Marshall County. During the arrest, Feucht admitted to having a firearm in his bag. A search of the bag resulted in the seizure of a .38 caliber firearm and ammunition. Feucht is prohibited from having firearms because of two prior felony theft convictions.

    Feucht faces up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Clayton Reid is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Moundsville Police Department investigated.

    U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone presided.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Laredo resident sent to prison for second felon in possession of firearm conviction

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    HOUSTON – A 41-year-old man has been sentenced for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

    Fernando Perez pleaded guilty July 9. 

    U.S. District Judge Marina Garcia Marmolejo has now ordered Perez to serve 71 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. 

    The case began June 12, 2019, when authorities conducted an investigation into illegal firearms trafficking in Webb County.

    Law enforcement identified Perez as the individual who was illegally selling semi-automatic rifles on the streets of Laredo. The investigation revealed Perez illegally sold a Stag Arms, model Stag 15, 5.56 caliber semi-automatic rifle for $2,000 in broad daylight. 

    At the time of the illegal sale, Perez already had a prior 2012 felony conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. As such, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

    He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation with assistance from the Laredo Police Department and Webb County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Francisco J. Rodriguez and Andrew Hakala-Finch prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield, Vermont Man Pleads Guilty to Gun Charge

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that Ernest Lamphere, 44, of Springfield, Vermont, pleaded guilty today to a gun possession charge before U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III.

    According to court records including the stipulated facts in the plea agreement between the parties, in late February 2024, Lamphere was subject to a State of Vermont relief from abuse order, which was sought by his family members and prohibited his possession of firearms. When law enforcement served the relief from abuse order on Lamphere on February 27 at his home, he turned over four firearms and also admitted opiate use. Two days later Lamphere was located alone in his vehicle, blocking the drive-thru lane at the McDonald’s in Springfield, Vermont and nodding off from illegal drug use. Lamphere had opiates in his system at the time. Along with significant quantities of illegal drugs located in his vehicle and on his person, Lamphere was also in possession of two AR-style rifles, a silencer, and assorted ammunition.

    Lamphere pleaded guilty today to being a drug user in possession of a firearm, a charge which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years. The actual sentence will be determined by the District Court with reference to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and statutory sentencing factors of the United States Code. If accepted by the court, the plea agreement signed by Lamphere and the government recommends (1) that sentencing be delayed for one year, and (2) that Lamphere receive a time-served sentence, to be followed by three years of supervised release, if he abides by the terms of the plea agreement during the intervening year.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Springfield, VT Police Department for their work on this case.

    U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest has handled the case for the government. Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth represents Ernest Lamphere.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ACP Statement on BOEM’s Completion of Environmental Reviews for New York Bight Offshore Wind Lease Areas

    Source: American Clean Power Association (ACP)

    Headline: ACP Statement on BOEM’s Completion of Environmental Reviews for New York Bight Offshore Wind Lease Areas

    WASHINGTON D.C., October 21, 2024 –  The American Clean Power Association (ACP) released the following statement from Anne Reynolds, ACP Vice President for Offshore Wind, after the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) finalized a comprehensive environmental review to evaluate potential wind development activities across six lease areas encompassing more than 488,000 acres in the New York Bight, located offshore New York and New Jersey. BOEM estimates that fully developing these lease areas could produce up to 7 gigawatts of offshore wind energy, which would be enough energy to power approximately two million homes:
    “The six lease areas off the coasts of New Jersey and New York will host the next tranche of offshore wind power projects to meet the increasing demand for electricity on the East Coast. This environmental review of the entire lease area is a vital step in establishing a more standardized and efficient permitting process. It reflects extensive outreach and input from diverse stakeholders, including tribal, community members and other ocean users, ensuring that a wide range of perspectives have been considered. We commend BOEM for their dedication and thorough environmental reviews, and we look forward to future project-specific reviews building on this important work.”

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government’s Three Strikes reboot fails victims, again – Sensible Sentencing Trust

    Source: Sensible Sentencing Trust

    The Sensible Sentencing Trust is slamming the Government’s tweaks to it’s Three Strikes 2.0 law labelling them a ‘weak compromise that lets victims down’.

    Lawyer, and Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman, Stephen Franks, said:

    “The Three Strikes changes are a triumph of public service bureaucrats over evidence-based policy.  Changing the threshold so a strike only counts if a crim get12 months imprisonment at the first strike stage and two year threshold for second and third strikes makes no sense at all.”

    “The Government just doesn’t get it. The whole idea of Three Strikes is that the strike occurs upon conviction not based on the sentencing judge’s discretion.”

    “We’ve modelled the Government’s changes using the 25 ‘third strikers’ under the original regime. Under the Bill as it was, just seven would qualify for a third strike. And with these changes, it’s still just eight – less than a third who would face the deterrent of a third strike under the original law.”

    “It doesn’t even carry over the existing strikes of of the old regime. It restores strike status only to those who meet these new thresholds. It’s literally letting previous strikers off.”

    “National and ACT talk tough on crime, but are failing to deliver. This watered down version of Three Strikes won’t work.”

    “What was the point of ACT campaigning on reinstating what the judges and Labour’s luvvies canned, if they bottle it when in power?

    NOTES:

    Analysis by the Sensible Sentencing Trust shows that only one additional third striker would qualify under the changes announced today compared to the proposal introduced in April.

    This new threshold also applies to the “carry over” aspect – which means that most of the 14,687 former strikers will not qualify at all (so will be ‘let off’ from their existing strikes, despite convictions for serious offences).’

    We’ve also modelled applying the 12 month sentence threshold to just the third strike stage.  If that proposal had been adopted, just two cases that would not qualify as third strikers. These two cases are those opponents of Three Strikes regularly refer to: Both Daniel Fitzgerald and Raven Campbell would not qualify as Third Strikers.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – New data shows surgery mortality outcomes improving

    Source: Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission

    Surgery mortality outcomes are improving in Aotearoa New Zealand despite an aging population and more complex surgeries being performed.
    Data updated to December 2023 by the National Mortality Review Management Group, Te Tāhū Hauora Health Quality & Safety Commission Health Quality Intelligence team, and the Perioperative Mortality (POM) subject matter experts’ group, shows overall surgical mortality rates in New Zealand are not increasing.
    This is despite an aging population, surgeries now performed on those who might not have previously been operated on, and increasingly complex surgeries undertaken on patients with more illnesses.
    Despite pressures on the health system the data shows outcomes have not deteriorated, with surgery here continuing to be as safe as countries like Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
    “Māori and Pacific peoples’ mortality after planned surgery has also improved when compared to Pākehā and other ethnicity groups,” Elizabeth Dennett, University of Otago Wellington, Associate Professor of Surgery and POM member, said
    However, Associate Professor Dennett noted that for acute or emergency surgeries this improvement had not happened for Pacific peoples.
    The data is summarised in an updated ‘Surgery and risk in Aotearoa New Zealand’ infographic, released today and available on Te Tāhū Hauora website.
    Covering a range of information including risk factors, the infographic can be used by health care professionals when discussing upcoming surgery with patients.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Exploitation Govt Needs to Act Now – Another dog dead – SAFE demands immediate ban on greyhound racing

    Source: SAFE For Animals

    SAFE is demanding the Government urgently ban greyhound racing following the tragic death of yet another dog. On Friday, 18 October, What’s On sustained a catastrophic spinal fracture during a race at Addington Raceway in Christchurch. The injury was so severe the dog had to be euthanised.
    What’s On is the fourth dog to die this racing season which only began on 1 August, and the 30th fatality since the industry was formally put on notice by the previous Labour Government.
    SAFE Campaign Manager Emma Brodie says the time for talking is over, and urgent intervention is gravely needed.
    “It is both deeply upsetting and infuriating to witness injury after injury and death after death. This cycle of suffering must come to an end.”
    “This industry has shown time and again that it is incapable of change. The evidence of cruelty is undeniable, and the Government can no longer ignore it.”
    The Government has stated it will decide the future of greyhound racing in Aotearoa before the end of 2024, with the Minister considering three options: maintaining the status quo, implementing regulatory changes, or banning the industry outright.
    But SAFE believes the choice is obvious.
    “We don’t need more reports, more inquiries, or more excuses,” says Brodie.
    “With every passing day, more dogs suffer and die while this industry remains unchanged. After years of failing to address its cruelty, it’s clear that greyhound racing cannot be reformed. The only compassionate solution is to end it once and for all.”
    SAFE is urging the Government to act now and introduce an immediate and comprehensive ban on greyhound racing.
    “The Minister has all the evidence he needs to make the right decision and ban greyhound racing in Aotearoa,” says Brodie.
    “What’s On’s tragic death must be the last.” 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – Waikato swampland fire Update #3

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Six helicopters supported by ground crews filling monsoon buckets are this morning fighting a large vegetation fire in scrub and wetlands near Meremere, North Waikato.
    Incident Commander Shane Bromley says the fire front is now five kilometres wide and has burned through around 80 hectares.
    The fire is not yet controlled and is spreading through Whangamarino Wetland a Department of Conservation area of environmental significance.
    Shane Bromley says fire investigators are on the fire ground today but an origin and cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.
    Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to the fire off Island Block Road around 1.15pm on Monday.
    There will be another update this afternoon.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Shri Manohar Lal, rides Namo Bharat Trains marking the one-year successful operations of India’s first RRTS

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union  Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Shri Manohar Lal, rides Namo Bharat Trains marking the one-year successful operations of India’s first RRTS

    Namo Bharat Trains successfully completes one year of operations, serving over 4 million passengers.

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 5:19PM by PIB Delhi

    In a significant event marking the completion of one year of Namo Bharat operations, Hon’ble Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs and Minister of Power, Shri Manohar Lal, took a ride on the Namo Bharat train and visited key stations along the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS corridor.  Union Minister said that work of Rapid rail transit system is going on in full speed, equipped with newer technologies, that will make intercity travel very convenient for the travellers. He said that while average speed of metro rail is 30 km/hr, the RRTS has an average speed of 80 km/hr, with a maximum operational speed of 160 km/ hr

    The Minister boarded the Namo Bharat train from Sahibabad station in a driving cab, where he interacted with the women train operators, acknowledging their vital contributions to the operations of India’s first RRTS corridor. He also engaged with passengers, gathering firsthand feedback on their experiences with the Namo Bharat service. 

     

    Shri Manohar Lal expressed satisfaction with the overwhelmingly positive response from passengers, who praised the convenience, speed, and comfort of Namo Bharat trains. Many highlighted how this new mode of transportation has significantly improved their daily commute, offering a hassle-free and reliable alternative to traditional modes of transport.

    Additionally, NCRTC celebrated the one-year anniversary of Namo Bharat train operations with a special visit from school students in the morning. The children enjoyed speedy and joyful rides, fulfilled with chocolates. Commuters were welcomed with festive dhol beats, chocolates, and mementos as tokens of appreciation for their continued support. The stations were adorned with entry gates for Namo Bharat Diwas, creating a festive atmosphere.

     Shri Manohar Lal started his visit from Anand Vihar RRTS Station, where he was received by NCRTC MD, Shri Shalabh Goel. The Minister received a detailed briefing on the station’s unique design and its significance within the overall RRTS network.

    He was informed about the strategically designed Anand Vihar RRTS Station, constructed just one level below ground to ensure ease of access and seamless integration with multiple modes of transport, positioning it as a vital commuter hub. With its proximity to two Metro lines, a railway station, and one bus terminals (ISBTs) in Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh, and another inter-state bus terminal in Anand Vihar, Delhi is set to become one of the region’s busiest transit hubs. The station’s multimodal connectivity facilitates smooth transitions between various modes of transportation, enhancing convenience and accessibility for daily commuters and creating a comprehensive network of networks.

    The trial run of the Namo Bharat trains have recently been commenced to connect New Ashok Nagar and Anand Vihar RRTS station with already operational Sahibabad station. Hon’ble Minister then proceeded to Sahibabad RRTS Station, where he saw the various passenger-centric amenities developed for the commuters. He was presented with live models, as well as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) demonstrations, which offered an immersive understanding of the innovative infrastructure, advanced technologies, and services being employed in the development of the RRTS.

    From the very first day of Namo Bharat’s operations, passengers have benefited from the convenience of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), enabling seamless travel across multiple modes of transport under the Government of India’s “One Nation, One Card” initiative.

    The  Minister was apprised that since their launch on October 21, 2023, Namo Bharat trains have significantly transformed commuting across Ghaziabad, Sahibabad, and the surrounding regions, successfully serving over 40 lakhs passengers in their first year of operations. Ghaziabad RRTS Station registered the highest footfall over the past year, followed closely by Sahibabad and Meerut South RRTS Stations. The Minister was also apprised of several groundbreaking technologies, many being used for the first time globally, are part of the implementation of the Namo Bharat project under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives. These cutting-edge developments, aligned with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision, are driving the transformation of public transport infrastructure in India.

     

    The Honourable Prime Minister of India inaugurated the first 17-kilometer Priority Section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot on October 20, 2023, marking the historic launch of India’s first RRTS. On March 7, 2024, another 17-kilometer stretch between Duhai and Modinagar North was inaugurated, followed by the operationalization of Meerut South RRTS Station on August 18, 2024.

    Currently, Namo Bharat services operate on a 42-kilometer stretch covering nine stations, including Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, Duhai Depot, Muradnagar, Modi Nagar South, Modi Nagar North, and Meerut South. The corridor will soon extend to 54 kilometers with the addition of the Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar section, which includes key stations such as Anand Vihar and New Ashok Nagar.

    RRTS distinguishes itself from other modes of transport by providing high-speed connectivity between suburban areas, significantly reducing commuting times for longer distances. This system is especially effective in addressing the challenges posed by urban expansion into new regions, such as the National Capital Region (NCR). By enabling travellers to cover greater distances in a shorter time frame, RRTS enhances accessibility and convenience, making it an ideal solution for commuters navigating the growing urban landscape.

    Once the entire 82-kilometer corridor is completed by June 2025, passengers will be able to travel from Delhi to Meerut in under an hour, revolutionizing regional connectivity and enhancing the overall commuter experience.

    ***

    JN/SK/NS/AA

    (Release ID: 2066736) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri & his Singaporean counterpart to hold 6th India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi to further bolster defence ties

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 5:15PM by PIB Delhi

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of Defence, Singapore Dr Ng Eng Hen will co-chair the sixth India-Singapore Defence Ministers’ Dialogue in New Delhi on October 22, 2024. The meeting aims to carry forward defence cooperation between the two countries. Both sides will also exchange views on regional and global issues of shared interest.

    India and Singapore share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The bilateral defence relations form a significant pillar to this collaboration. The engagements have diversified to include wide-ranging contacts between the Services, military-to-military exchanges, high-level visits, capacity building and training programmes, cooperation in UN Peacekeeping, ship visits and bilateral exercises.

    Singapore is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, and an important partner of the Indo-Pacific vision. Defence and security partnership between the two countries is an important factor of stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    The Singaporean Defence Minister will be on a visit to India from October 21-23, 2024. The fifth edition of the Defence Ministers’ Dialogue took place in January 2021 through virtual teleconference.

    *****

    SR/Savvy

    (Release ID: 2066727) Visitor Counter : 77

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister Jitendra Singh addresses Karmayogi Saptah ‘Samuhik Charcha’ during the Karmayogi Saptah for the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Union Minister Jitendra Singh addresses Karmayogi Saptah ‘Samuhik Charcha’ during the Karmayogi Saptah for the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

    Dr Jitendra Singh lauds PM Shri Narendra Modi for his vision of Citizen-Centric Governance and Administrative Reforms

    Mission Karmayogi Marks a Paradigm shift from Rule to Role: Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh

    Cycle of regular learning will help in creating a vast, agile and responsive workforce in the run up to Vikasit Bharat

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 4:58PM by PIB Delhi

    Setting the context for Karmayogi Saptah, ‘Samuhik Charcha’ for officers of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (I/C) for Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr Jitendra Singh, briefed about Mission Karmayogi, National Learning Week and Karmayogi Competency Model.

    The Minister emphasised that Mission Karmayogi underlines a paradigm shift from “Rule” to “Role” and focuses that Civil Servants should not be bound by rules but by responsibilities.
    The Union Minister outlined how the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions has been the first among the ministries to start this cycle of regular learning. During the occasion, Minister also recounted the journey of setting up Mission Karmayogi, which was after taking inspiration from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He also applauded the Capacity Building Commission (CBC) for taking up this task.

    Union Minister stressed that Mission Karmayogi has led to the development of a new culture in governance which is responsive, dynamic and allied with contemporary India. He further outlined that Mission Karmayogi will help bureaucrats in performing the diverse range of works in government in different ministries.

    Union Minister highlighted that how Mission Karmayogi creates a layer of sustainable ecosystem with the ‘One Government’ approach to realise the dream of Viksit Bharat. He also stated that given the needs of changing times, one should be continuously engaging in the learning processes. This will carry much significance for the bureaucrats who will be at the forefront of Vikasit Bharat 2047.

     

    He remarked that this brainstorming cycle of Samuhik Charcha will aid in the creation of an allied, vast framework, a vast ecosystem, aligned across industries, across the department, and whole of the Government.

    Furthermore, the aim of the ‘Samuhik Charcha’ for the officers of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions is to facilitate and entrench learning on a chosen theme by bringing officers across departments within the Ministry together. The ‘Samuhik Charcha’ is designed to enable officers to contemplate and exchange ideas on a chosen theme derived from a webinar that comprises part of the ‘National Learning Week’ programme.

    *****

     

    NKR/KS/AG

    (Release ID: 2066716) Visitor Counter : 59

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Global: To truly understand the health of a lake, you must look well beyond its shoreline

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Beatrix Beisner, Professor, Aquatic ecology, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)

    On the surface, most of Canada’s lakes and rivers look pristine. But below the surface, many are facing essential challenges to their health. Why? To better understand the health of Canadian lakes and rivers, we must look beyond the site itself to the whole watershed.

    Canada’s freshwater streams, rivers and lakes are inherently connected ecosystems. Driven by precipitation and gravity, the flow of water changes across seasons and location. Connected waterflows form watersheds. A watershed is the combined area drained by a body of water, including groundwater aquifers.

    All human activity within a watershed that affects the quality of flowing water — including rain, snow, irrigation or groundwater — will have an impact upon all the water bodies in the system. Because of this, it is essential to monitor and regulate human activities in a lake’s watershed if its health and biodiversity are to be preserved.

    Disturbances can influence aquatic ecosystems even if they occur far away from the water’s edge, especially where large quantities of water flow rapidly. Simply put, what happens upstream, and on land, is as important to what is happening in the lake itself. What’s more, poor freshwater health can affect the health of the land within the watershed as well.


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

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


    In my research, I work to better understand lake, stream and river ecosystem functioning, biodiversity and health. This is of increasing importance as aquatic environments are affected by climate change. What is clear, is that to fully understand what is going on in a lake ecosystem, you need to look beyond its shoreline.

    Truly understanding how water flows within a watershed can empower us to act more responsibly and design more just and effective policies.

    Inconsistent boundaries

    Watershed boundaries, which are defined by landscape topography, often do not overlap nicely with political boundaries — with the Nile Basin being perhaps the most obvious example.

    Moreover, humans have long been manipulating water flows through dams and irrigation. Where we place our cities, agriculture, mines and forestry also often overlaps with more than one watershed or can overwhelm another.

    Recent work, as part of the Lake Pulse Network, has sampled over 650 lakes across Canada. This research demonstrated that only a four per cent to 12 per cent urbanization level within a watershed is enough to harm biodiversity and ecosystem functioning.

    Urbanization is one of the most impactful ways in which humans affect watersheds. The reasons for this are likely down to hard infrastructure blocking the flow of water along with forestry and agriculture land conversions changing how water flows.

    The inescapable truth is that the health and function of a specific aquatic ecosystem is shaped by what happens on the land within that watershed as a whole. These system-wide influences are known as as “allochthonous” — as opposed to “autochthonous” (internal) interactions solely within a single waterbody.

    External influences (runoff) from the land can overwhelm a water body’s internal processes and, in some case, can even have negative impacts upon both fish health and the wider local food web.

    Climate change is also playing an increasingly outsized role in the lives of Canadian lakes. The most noticeable impacts of a warming world in Canada are forest fires of increasing severity and duration and ever more intense storms.

    These extreme events will cause more runoff into our lakes, potentially overwhelming them through nutrient overloading, salinization and other chemical shifts in the water quality.




    Read more:
    Sediment runoff from the land is killing NZ’s seas – it’s time to take action


    Managing water flows

    The connectivity between waterbodies within a watershed is also critical to consider in biodiversity conservation.

    First, these aquatic connections serve as migratory corridors for mammals and birds, but also aquatic species of fish and invertebrates like insects and crayfish. With climate change and warming waters across Canada, aquatic organisms will increasingly need such corridors within watersheds to move northwards to cooler waters.

    Just as migratory pathways enable the dispersal of native species, they can also aid the spread of invasive species. Invasive species management must also take a watershed perspective, and not focus on a single invaded lake or river.

    If an exotic species has arrived in your watershed then you are likely to soon see that species in a lake or river near you.

    Contaminants — such as pesticides, other toxins, microplastics and nutrients — also require a watershed-wide approach to effectively manage. Like an invasive species, contaminants can flow downstream across a watershed. Though, the presence of healthy wetlands within a watershed can help filter these out and improve water quality.

    Dams, bridges and culverts provide a clear physical barrier to connectivity within a watershed. Though not without utility, these human constructs greatly affect the watershed ecosystem.

    For example, many fish species will not pass through a culvert or under a low bridge. These human structures can greatly disrupt fish population dynamics, movement pathways and abilities to adapt to changing conditions.

    Unfortunately, the challenges facing fish populations can have significant impacts for biodiversity health, and ecosystem services, across the watershed.

    Endlessly interconnected

    The interconnected nature of watershed ecosystems necessitates collaborative forms of governance.

    Integrated watershed management is an approach to water governance that involves many different agencies, communities and levels of government. Several provinces use this approach, including the most populated provinces of Ontario and Québec. This model must become the norm across Canada.




    Read more:
    How the invasive spiny water flea spread across Canada, and what we can do about it


    More fundamentally, biodiversity protection in a watershed must be handled in an integrated manner. Ideally this would be done using natural watershed boundaries, and not political ones, especially with respect to managing issues related to connectivity. However, this may not always be possible, in which case water governance systems must transcend political boundaries as needed.

    Enabling watershed governance across political boundaries is an area where the new federal Canada Water Agency could play a leading role.

    Regardless of specific arrangement, it is imperative that all who care about the health of Canada’s freshwater consider its lakes and rivers within their larger watersheds. Only by focusing on watershed health can we preserve Canada’s freshwater.

    Beatrix Beisner currently receives research funding from NSERC, FRQNT, Hydro-Québec and the Québec Ministry of Environment (MELCCFP) . She is Co-director of the Interuniversity Research Group in Limnology / Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en limnologie (GRIL).

    ref. To truly understand the health of a lake, you must look well beyond its shoreline – https://theconversation.com/to-truly-understand-the-health-of-a-lake-you-must-look-well-beyond-its-shoreline-228352

    MIL OSI – Global Reports

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana achieves sales worth Rs.1000 Crores in October 2024

    Source: Government of India

    Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana achieves sales worth Rs.1000 Crores in October 2024

    Jan Aushadhi Kendras grew more than 170 times in number in last 10 years; more than 14,000 kendras now cover almost all the districts of the country

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 4:46PM by PIB Delhi

    Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has reached a remarkable milestone by achieving sales worth Rs. 1000 Crores in October 2024, a significant advancement from previous year when this target was met in December, 2023. This achievement highlights the growing trust and reliance of the people on affordable and quality medicines. This was possible only with the unwavering support of the citizens, who have embraced the initiative by purchasing medicines from over 14,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country. This substantial growth is a testament to PMBI’s commitment to making healthcare accessible and affordable for all by reducing out of pocket expenditure.  Notably few days ago, PMBI had sold medicines worth Rs. 200 crores in one single month of September 2024.

    In the last 10 years, there has been a growth of more than 170 times in number of Kendras which were only 80 in 2014 and have now grown to more than 14,000 Kendras covering almost all the districts of the country.

    In next 2 years, there will be 25000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the country. The product basket of PMBJP comprises 2047 medicines and 300 surgical devices covering all major therapeutic groups such as Cardiovascular, Anti-cancers, Anit-diabetics, Anti-infectives, Anti-allergic, Gastro-intestinal medicines, Nutraceuticals, etc. Almost 1 million people are visiting these popular people-friendly Kendras daily.

    The PMBJP initiative continues to empower communities, ensuring that quality healthcare is within reach for every citizen. The record-breaking sales not only highlight the success of the program but also it plays a vital role in promoting health equity in the country.

    *****

    MV/AKS

    (Release ID: 2066709) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches ‘eShram – One Stop Solution’ for Welfare of Unorganised Workers

    Source: Government of India

    Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya Launches ‘eShram – One Stop Solution’ for Welfare of Unorganised Workers

    eShram – One Stop Solution will provide seamless access of different Social Security Schemes to the unorganised workers registered on eShram: Union Minister

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 4:44PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched “eShram – One Stop Solution” in New Delhi today. Union Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Secretary and other senior officials of Ministry of Labour & Employment were also present on the occasion.

    Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the growing trust in the eShram portal, noting, “Every day, around 60,000 to 90,000 workers are joining the eShram platform, which demonstrates their confidence in this initiative.” He said that eShram – One Stop Solution will provide seamless access of different Social Security Schemes to the unorganised workers registered on eShram,

    Dr. Mandaviya also highlighted that the primary purpose of the eShram One Stop Solution is to simplify the registration process for unorganised workers and facilitate their access to government welfare schemes. “This platform will act as a bridge, connecting the workers to the numerous benefits offered by the government and making the registration process easier and more transparent,” he said.

    Dr. Mandaviya urged all unorganised workers to register on the eShram portal and take advantage of the various welfare schemes designed for their benefit. He emphasized that onboarding to the platform will enable workers to access a wide range of social security and welfare initiatives launched by the government, aimed at improving their livelihoods and ensuring their well-being.

    Sushri Shobha Karandlaje emphasised on the integration of State Governments portal with eShram in order to ensure last mile connectivity. This initiative will also help in ensuring saturation of the schemes through identification of left-out potential beneficiaries, State/ District-wise, she added.

    One Stop Solution entails consolidating and integrating data from various Central Ministries/ Departments into a single repository as per the recent Budget Announcement and 100 days agenda of Ministry of Labour and Employment. Key welfare schemes such as One Nation One Ration Card, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, National Social Assistance Programme, National Career Service, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan etc. have been integrated with eShram, and onboarding of other welfare schemes is also in progress.

    Ms. Sumita Dawra, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, pointed out that eShram One Stop Solution will serve as a facilitator to enable seamless access to various Government schemes to the unorganised workers. She informed that the ongoing exercise of ‘One Stop Solution’ will continue to integrate all Social Security/ Welfare Schemes on eShram Portal.

    During the first 100 hundred days of new Government, several meetings were held with concerned Ministries/ Departments to integrate their Social Security / Welfare Schemes with eShram demonstrating a good example of whole of Government approach for welfare of unorganised workers.  

    eShram portal was launched by Ministry of Labour & Employment on 26th August 2021, and more than 30 crore workers have already registered themselves on eShram in a span of 3 years.

    *****

    Himanshu Pathak

    (Release ID: 2066707) Visitor Counter : 40

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: JOINT MILITARY TRAINING BETWEEN INDIAN AIR FORCE AND REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AIR FORCE BEGINS AT AIR FORCE BASE IN WEST BENGAL

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 21 OCT 2024 4:20PM by PIB Delhi

    On 21st October 2024, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced the 12th edition of the Joint Military Training (JMT) exercise at Air Force Station Kalaikunda, West Bengal.

    The bilateral phase of the exercise will be conducted from 13 to 21 November 2024 and is expected to generate intense collaboration between the two forces, as they engage in advanced air combat simulations, joint mission planning and debriefing sessions. The bilateral phase aims to enhance interoperability, sharpen combat readiness and promote the exchange of knowledge between the two Air Forces.

    The RSAF is participating with its largest contingent till date, comprising of aircrew and support personnel from F-16, F-15 squadrons alongwith G-550 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) and C-130 aircraft. The IAF will be participating with Rafale, Mirage 2000 ITI, Su-30 MKI, Tejas, MiG-29 and Jaguar aircraft.

    Since its inception, JMT has been conducted under the ambit of a bilateral agreement signed between the two nations. JMT exercise comes right after RSAF’s participation in one of the largest multinational aerial exercises, Ex-Tarang Shakti hosted by the IAF, which is reflective of a growing professional association between the two Air Forces. In addition to air operations, the personnel of the two air forces will exchange best practices, as they interact during a multitude of sports and cultural activities over the next seven weeks.

    JMT-2024 highlights the strong bilateral defence relationship built over years of collaboration and joint exercises, as well as the mutual respect between India and Singapore.

    ***

    VK/JS/AS

    (Release ID: 2066701) Visitor Counter : 38

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center in Virginia

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Visit a Disaster Recovery Center in Virginia

    Visit a Disaster Recovery Center in Virginia

    BRISTOL, Va.—If you were affected by Tropical Storm Helene, visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for assistance and learn about resources from FEMA, the Small Business Administration, the commonwealth of Virginia, and other organizations to aid you in your recovery.   

    What is a DRC?

    A DRC, or Disaster Recovery Center, is an accessible facility that you can visit in person to learn more about FEMA and other agencies providing disaster assistance in Virginia. Residents, property owners, business owners and farmers can go to a DRC to apply for assistance and obtain resources. 

    This video provides an overview about what you can expect when you visit a DRC: Disaster Recovery Center (DRC): Your Resource After a Hurricane (youtube.com). 

    What can I get help with? 

    At a Disaster Recovery Center you can get one-on-one help with staff from the organizations present. FEMA staff at DRCs are happy to spend time with you to explain the types of assistance offered and help you apply. 

    The specialists at a DRC can help you: 

    • Apply for disaster grants from FEMA. 
    • Submit additional documents for your application.
    • Understand and respond to a letter from FEMA. 
    • Apply for low-interest disaster loans for individuals and businesses with the Small Business Administration (SBA). 
    • Find resources about agricultural recovery and assistance for farmers.
    • Learn how to replace damaged documents like proof of address or birth certificates.
    • Get connected to commonwealth of Virginia resources.
    • Obtain information on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how to mitigate against future losses.
    • Find other sources of assistance, like nonprofit help.

    Who is at a DRC? 

    Every Disaster Recovery Center is a little different, based on the local community’s needs. 

    All DRCs will have FEMA staff, trained in the Individual Assistance program, available to answer questions about the FEMA disaster assistance application process. FEMA hazard mitigation staff are also available to speak to survivors who want to learn about ways to make their properties safer from floods and build back better. All DRCs have staff from the Small Business Administration. 

    DRCs will have representatives from the commonwealth of Virginia, though the specific agencies will differ from location to location. If you need help from a specific agency, you can still come to a DRC where staff can share information and get you in touch with the agency you need. 

    DRCs may have representatives from nonprofit organizations as well as other local agencies. 

    What should I bring?

    You do not need to bring anything to visit a DRC – just yourself. However, depending on the help you are looking for, it can be helpful to prepare ahead of time. 

    Applying for Assistance: If you are starting or resuming an application for assistance, you should bring the following with you: 

    • Insurance information, if available 
    • The address and zip code of your disaster-damaged home
    • Condition of your damaged home
    • Social Security number 
    • Phone number, address, and email (if you have one) where you can be contacted
    • Bank account information, if you would like to set up direct deposit 

    For examples of these documents and a more detailed application checklist, see the application checklist on DisasterAssistance.gov.

    If you have questions about a FEMA determination letter it will be helpful if you bring the letter and any documents requested in the letter. If you have a FEMA ID number, write that down and bring it with you. If you don’t have it, staff can ask you other questions to access your application information.

    What should I expect? 

    DRCs are accessible to all, including survivors who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

    Every DRC is laid out differently to make best use of the space. You can watch a quick video that walks through a DRC in New York from 2021.  

    DRCs will always have signs out front, indicating where to enter.

    Once you walk in the front doors, you will be greeted, and you will sign in. All DRCs have security guards present at the entrance. You may have to wait for a few moments for the specialist you need to be available. If so, you can sit down in designated chairs or a waiting area. Most of the time, you will not need to wait and will be helped immediately. 

    As soon as a specialist is available, they will work with you personally to help answer your questions, help you register for assistance or understand your documents, connect you with available resources, and more.

    Where do I find a DRC near me? 

    As of Oct. 21, there are six DRCs open across southwest Virginia. New DRCs will continue to open over the coming weeks.  To find a DRC near you, including addresses and hours, go to FEMA.gov/drc or text DRC and a ZIP code to 43362.

    FEMA has set up a rumor response webpage to clarify our role in the Helene response. Visit Hurricane Helene: Rumor Response | FEMA.gov. 

    For more information on Virginia’s disaster recovery, visit vaemergency.gov,  the Virginia Department of Emergency Management Facebook page , fema.gov/disaster/4831 and facebook.com/FEMA.  

    ###

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3 and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3.

     

    To apply for FEMA assistance, please call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/, or download and apply on the FEMA App. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Multilingual operators are available (press 2 for Spanish and 3 for other languages). Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status.

    connor.dacey

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Guilbeault delivers statement on opening day of COP16 in Cali, Colombia

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Our recent 2030 Nature Strategy, released ahead of COP16, charts our path to achieving our objectives. To hold this and any future government accountable to fulfill those goals, we introduced the Nature Accountability Bill that requires the Government to transparently report on their progress.

    October 21, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    “COP16 is here, and Canada is ready. Our livelihoods, our communities, and our economies rely on being responsible with the natural world, which is telling us it is in trouble.

    “Canada is immensely proud of the role we played in hosting COP15 in Montréal. Seeing the gavel come down in the late hours of the conference to pass the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework was an unforgettable moment for me. Together, we landed an agreement many said was not possible and planted the seed for a strong global action.

    “COP16 is the first chance for countries to show their plans. The natural world simply won’t wait for us to get our act together. Our citizens and communities around the world expect us to deliver.

    “For our part, Canada has moved fast and early. We are steadily making progress on the largest conservation campaign in our country’s history, backed by over $12 billion in investments and aiming toward protecting 30 percent of Canadian land and water by 2030. Our recent 2030 Nature Strategy, released ahead of COP16, charts our path to achieving our objectives.

    “To hold this and any future government accountable to fulfill those goals, we introduced the Nature Accountability Bill that requires the Government to transparently report on their progress. To date, we have gone from one percent to 15 percent protected oceans. We have conserved almost half a million hectares of land, with many large-scale conservation projects in the works. We are upholding the Species at Risk Act to protect threatened species. We moved forward quickly with the hope that it would encourage other countries to announce ambitious biodiversity plans.

    “Canada is coming to COP16 ready to galvanize leadership and action. Since COP15, we launched the Nature Champions Network, a ministerial-level group that focuses on fostering international awareness and understanding of the global biodiversity framework. We are leading members of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People who played an instrumental role in landing the deal at COP15. Canada became the first contributor country to pledge $200 million for the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund launched in record time in 2023 to support developing countries in the implementation of their biodiversity plans to restore nature and grow resilient economies.

    “Increasing global biodiversity momentum requires partnerships, especially with Indigenous peoples. That’s why Canada looks forward to working with Indigenous peoples toward historic COP16 outcomes with the creation of a United Nations permanent body under the Convention on Biological Diversity that further recognizes the role and contribution of Indigenous peoples in the implementation of global biodiversity goals.   

    “Now is our chance. Let’s make COP16 a breakthrough for many countries ready to deliver on the global biodiversity framework.”

    Canada on-the-ground at COP16

    • Canada will call for rapid global action to protect biodiversity, including through strengthened engagement with Indigenous peoples.
    • Canada will host multiple side-events at COP, including two in partnership with Indigenous leadership innovation, to show the world the importance of collaboration with Indigenous peoples and successful Indigenous-led conservation in Canada.
    • Canada has delivered its ambitious 2030 Nature Strategy as promised at COP15 and is pioneering the Nature Accountability Bill, setting a new standard as one of the first countries in the world to propose legislation to meet biodiversity commitments at the federal level.
    • In 2023, Canada established the Nature Champions Network, a ministerial-level network that focuses on fostering international awareness and understanding of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and retaining momentum to ensure that all countries deliver updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans by COP16. The Champions will be at COP16 to discuss progress and advocate for rapid global biodiversity action.

    Quick facts

    • Both the 2030 Nature Strategy and the Nature Accountability Bill provide a roadmap for collaboration across all levels of government and with Indigenous peoples in the development and implementation of measures aimed at meeting Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and related Convention on Biological Diversity commitments.
    • At COP15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $350 million in funding to support developing countries in advancing biodiversity efforts and to support the implementation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
    • Indigenous-led conservation is proven to help land, water, and communities thrive, and it is central to Canada’s plan to protect 30 percent of our land and water by 2030.
    • In recent years, the Government of Canada has made historic investments in Indigenous-led conservation projects, including through initiatives like the Indigenous Guardians Program.
    • Project Finance for Permanence provides multi-partner investments and sustainable financing for large-scale conservation and sustainable development projects. These initiatives bring together Indigenous organizations, governments, and the philanthropic community to identify shared goals for protecting nature and ultimately halting biodiversity loss while advancing community well-being and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
    • In 2022, during COP15, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged to deliver up to $800 million in support of up to four Indigenous-led Project Finance for Permanence initiatives, including the Great Bear Sea Project Finance for Permanence.

    Hermine Landry
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
    873-455-3714
    Hermine.Landry@ec.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Environment and Climate Change Canada
    819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
    media@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by Vice President Harris and Liz Cheney at a Campaign Event | Malvern,  PA

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    People’s LightMalvern, Pennsylvania
    11:54 A.M. EDT
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Let’s get to it.
         MS. LONGWELL:  Let’s do it.  Let’s do it.
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good morning, everyone.
         AUDIENCE:  Good morning.
         AUDIENCE MEMBER:  Happy birthday!
         MS. LONGWELL:  Oh, happy belated birthday.  (Applause.)  Oh, yeah.
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  I appreciate that.  Thank you. 
         MS. LONGWELL:  Audience members showing me up — that’s tough.  (Laughter.)
    Okay.  So, I’ve got to start with the thing that brings us here today, because I’ve got to say it is unusual for somebody who was as high up in the Republican leadership as Liz Cheney was to be out here campaigning with the Democratic nominee for president. 
    And so, maybe — why don’t both of you tell us, but you start: You’ve actually marshaled unprecedented support from Republicans in this election.  Why do you think that is?
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Sarah.  Thank you for being here and for your work.  And the congresswoman, thank you. 
    I — I have said before and it must be repeated each time: There are moments in the history of our country which challenge us, each of us, to really decide do we stand for those things that we talk about, including, in particular, country over party.  And you have been extraordinarily courageous in the way that you have done that.  And I thank you for that.  (Applause.)
    So, you know, I have in my career now — whether it was as the elected district attorney, elected attorney general, and then elected United States senator, and, of course, now vice president — I’ve counted that I have taken the oath of office six times.  And for the elected leaders here, we know it is an oath that one must take sincerely and unequivocally, which is an oath, among other things, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and to understand what those principles represent and what they require of the individual who holds the office and the public trust.
    And let’s not undervalue that point as well.  It is not about the individual.  It is not about what is in their personal interests.  It is about what is for and in the spirit of the public good.     
     And this is a moment in this election that presents a real contrast among how I, as one of the two nominees, and my opponent, the former president, think of that duty.  And it is a duty, by the way.  There are certain things in our lives that we have the choice if we feel like it — (laughter) — and then there are certain things that are just fundamentally a duty, like to raise our children.  Things of that nature.  It is a duty to take seriously that oath and do it for the sake of the public good and in the public trust.
    And I think that at this moment, with the choice that the American people have in this election in — in two weeks and one day, this election is presenting — for the first time, probably, in certainly recent history — a very clear choice and difference between the two nominees.  And I think that is what, as much as anything, is bringing us, as Americans, together, who are understanding that we cannot, with such fundamental stakes being presented, afford to be mired in ideological differences without really staking our claim to the most fundamental ideals upon which our country stands.
    MS. LONGWELL:  Thank you.  And, you know, Congresswoman Cheney, it’s a — sort of the same question to you.  But I got to ask: You know, it’s one thing for Republicans to sign a letter.  You know, we’ve seen that she has — Vice President Harris has been endorsed by 200 Republicans in the national security space, all kinds of people from George W. Bush’s administration.  There’s been a lot of people — they’ll sign letters and maybe they’ll go on T.V., they’ll release a statement.  I was just with Republican Congressman Charlie Dent — former Republican congressman here from the state.  He voted for you in his early voting. 
    But you are out here campaigning.  You are out here holding events.  So, talk about why it’s been so important to you to be as involved as you are in getting Vice President Harris elected.
    MS. CHENEY:  Well, thank you so much, Sarah, for the question.  And — and it’s an honor to be here today with you, Madam Vice President. 
         You know — (applause) —
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.
    MS. CHENEY:  — for me, every — every single thing in — in my experience and in my background has — has played a part in my decision to endorse Vice President Harris. 
    And, you know, that — that begins with the fact that I’m a conservative, and I know that the most conservative of all conservative principles is being faithful to the Constitution.  And you have to choose, in this race, between someone who has been faithful to the Constitution, who will be faithful, and Donald Trump, who it’s not just us predicting how he will act.  We watched what he did after the last election.  We watched what he did on January 6th.
    And so, coming to this as someone who’s been a lifelong Republican, a lifelong conservative, also as someone who spent — I spent time working overseas before I was elected to Congress, and I’ve — I’ve spent time working in countries where people aren’t free and where people are struggling for their freedom, and I know how — how quickly democracies can unravel. 
    And I know that, as Americans, we can become accustomed to thinking, “Well, we don’t have to worry about that here.”  But I tell you, again, as someone who has seen firsthand how quickly it can happen, that that is what’s on the ballot.  That’s absolutely what’s on the ballot.
    I also — I come to this decision as a mother.  I have five children.  And there was a moment right after January 6th when my husband and I were having dinner with our two youngest, our two sons, and I looked across the table at my — my young sons, and I thought to myself, “You know, in the aftermath of the attack on the Capitol, are they going to grow up in a country where we don’t have to worry about the peaceful transfer of power?  Are they going to grow up in a country where that is guaranteed?”
    And — and I believe that every one of us in this election has a duty and an obligation to do what we know is right for the country, and that’s to support Vice President Harris.  So, I’m very honored to be here and to do that.  (Applause.)
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.
    You know, if I can just echo the congresswoman’s point.  So, I’ve now, as vice president, met over 150 world leaders — presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, and kings — many of them multiple times, to the point we’re on a first-name basis.  And the last few times that I’ve seen them in the relative eve of this election, they are very concerned, our allies.  Because, as you know, when we walk in those rooms around the world representing the United States of America, we have traditionally been able to walk in those rooms chin up, shoulders back, with the self-appointed and earned authority to talk about the importance of democracies and rule of law.
    But as all the role models here know, as a role model, people watch what you do to see if it lines up with what you say.  People around the world are watching this. 
    And I — I tell you, sometimes I do fret a bit about whether we, as Americans, truly understand how important we are to the world.  I hope everyone does really understand that we represent something — imperfect though we certainly are; flawed though we may be — we represent, in terms of our ideals, the — the basis of our Constitution, we represent a gold standard. 
    And when we have someone who has been president, who wants to be president again, who is saying he would be dictator on day one, would weaponize our Department of Justice — one of the principles of our democracy is that we say we have a justice system that is blind, that is not punitive against one’s enemies, they are watching.
    So, this is about direct impact on the American people, and it most certainly will impact people around the world. 
    MS. LONGWELL:  You know, I’m so glad you brought that up.  And I — I — as a follow-up, I would just ask Congressman Cheney too.  We live in a dangerous time.  I mean, I think Americans are watching what’s happening overseas in Ukraine, in Israel.  Republicans — we used to be the party that would be on the side of our democratic allies like Ukraine. 
    Talk to me a little bit and all of us about why, from a foreign policy standpoint, you find yourself able to endorse Democrats, who w- — wouldn’t — it didn’t used to be that way.
    MS. CHENEY:  Well, it — it’s not just able to endorse them.  But — but if you look at the numbers of the most senior officials who served Donald Trump — his own vice president; national security advisors; his chief of staff; you know, the — the leading generals who served him — who’ve all said he’s unfit, and people really need to stop and think about how completely unprecedented that is.
    And the — the idea — when people sort of say, “Well, we might, you know, be tempted, for some reason or another, to vote for Donald Trump” — if the issue is foreign policy, I would just ask everyone: Think about how dangerous and damaging it is to have someone who’s totally erratic — totally erratic, completely unstable — someone who has aligned himself with, who idolizes tyrants.  He idolizes tyrants. 
    You know, the — the — again, the choice here, with respect to national security policy, is a man who has proven — he has absolutely proven that he will not stand up, he won’t defend this nation with respect to our own Constitution and rule of law, and Vice President Harris, who has been clear in terms of support for Ukraine, in terms of recognizing and understanding across the board that America cannot maintain our own freedom and security if we walk away from our allies around the world. 
    And our adversaries know that they can play Donald Trump.  They absolutely know that they can play him.  And we simply can’t afford to take that risk.
    So, as someone who has spent a career on national security issues — again, this was not at all a difficult choice for me — the — the choice here is absolutely clear in terms of the necessity of supporting Vice President Harris.
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  And — and if I may emphasize, part of the backbone of our national security is our military.  And let’s please not overlook how someone who wants to be commander in chief and was has talked about our servicemen and women; has talked about an American hero like John McCain, who was a prisoner of war — said he didn’t respect him, didn’t like him because he got caught; has talked about our service members as — as though they are less than the most courageous of us. 
     Those who put on the uniform, who represent the United States of America, who are willing to die for the sake of everything we stand for, and he calls them “suckers” and “losers.”  These things cannot be overlooked. 
    And — and I have said many times publicly, and I’ll say it again: In many, many ways, Donald Trump is an unserious man, but the consequences of him being president of the United States are brutally serious.  There are things that he says that will be the subject of skits and laughter and jokes, but words have meaning coming from someone who aspires to stand behind the seal of the president of the United States.  These are the things that are at stake.
         MS. LONGWELL:  Couldn’t agree more. 
    So, I do want to ask you another question, though, before we go to the audience.  You know, you talk a lot about a new way forward.  You talk about turning the page.  What’s on the next page?  Talk to us about a —
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  You want a preview.
    MS. LONGWELL:  Yeah.  Give me — a spoiler alert.  You know?  (Laughter.)  Just —
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right.
    MS. LONGWELL:  — tell us — tell us what’s — what’s in the rest of the chapter.
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Well, first of all, I will say that it — it is a metaphor that is meant to also describe my intention to embark on a new generation of leadership.  And needless to say, mine will not be a continuation of the Biden administration.  I bring to it my own ideas, my own experiences.
    But it is also about moving past what, frankly, I think has been the last decade of — of the American discourse being influenced by Donald Trump in a way that has had the effect of suggesting we, as Americans, should point the finger at one another, in a way that has been using the power of the presidency to demean and to divide us.
    I think people are exhausted with that, rightly.  And it, frankly, does not lead to the strength of our nation to tell the American people that we must be suspicious of one another, distrust one another.
    You know, yesterday, I — I did a couple of church services, and there’s a — we — many people here know the — the parable of the Good Samaritan.  And there is an essence — a piece of that, in my own words, that really requires us, I think, to see in the face of a — of a stranger, to see a neighbor.  Right?  That spirit.  And I think we need to get back to that.
    The spirit of the American people is such that, you know, we are an ambitious people.  We are aspirational.  We have dreams.  And that is productive. 
    It is not productive of us to be a nation of people who are pointing fingers at one another, who don’t understand that the vast majority of us have so much more in common than what separates us.
    So, that’s what I mean about turning the page.  And then a new generation of leadership about being ambitious, about all we have yet to do. 
    Part of my economic policy — I refer to it as an opportunity economy — is about investing in American industries while leaving none of our traditional, wonderful industries behind; repurposing and retooling the factories that have led to America’s success in industry, while at the same time redefining how we are thinking about which worker has the experience and skill to do the — the job and is qualified and understanding we shouldn’t be falling into a trap that suggests only those with a college degree have the skill or the experience to do the job.  So, let’s look at how we redefine and perhaps even reorder. 
    And, in fact, I’m going to start with federal jobs, and then I’m going to challenge the private sector to do the same.  Let’s look at which of those jobs would benefit from a skilled, experienced worker who perhaps went through an apprenticeship program — not a four-year college, but still had a four-year degree, in essence.
         So, these are the kinds of things that are about seeing the opportunity of this moment and investing in it.
         I’ll tell you — and I know this is a controversial topic for many of us — I love Gen Z.  (Laughter.)  Because we have Gen Zs in our lives.  We have kids who are Gen Zs.  It can be complicated, I know.  I love Gen Z.
         These young leaders are so — they’re clear-eyed.  You know, they’ve only known the climate crisis.  They’ve only known active shooter drills.  I mean, we had fire drills.  Not — not our kids, right?
         But they also — they’re — they’re so wonderfully impatient — (laughter) — ri- — no, really, that’s good.  That’s good.  They are ready to get in there.  Let’s invest in them.  Let —
         So, for example, one of my — one piece of my opportunity economy is we got to deal with the reality of where we are right now.  The American dream, for previous generations, was something that people could kind of count on.  Not so much anymore, in terms of homeownership.  We have a housing shortage in America.  We have a supply shortage.
         So, part of my plan is, hey, let’s be clear-eyed about this moment.  Let’s invest in the future.  And as a — a devout public servant, I also know the limitations of government.  I want to work with the private sector.  I have, in my career.  The skills, the breadth, the depth of — of value in those active partnerships benefit us all.
         So, part of my plan for housing is to actively partner with building developers, with homebuilders to create tax credits to increase the supply of housing in America.  My estimate is — I think we can actually do it — by 3 million by the end of my first term.
         Part of my approach that is about a new generation, potentially, of leadership and certainly a different approach: Most of my career was not spent in Washington, D.C.  I say that with pride.  (Laughter.) 
         In that, you know, most of my career was spent as a prosecutor, but I — making decisions that had a direct impact on people’s lives.  You know, I learned at a very young age, as a prosecutor, that the things that I would do with the swipe of my pen could result in someone having their liberty or not.  
         When I was attorney general of California — which is, you know, by estimates, the fifth-largest economy in the world — I was acutely aware the words I spoke could move markets. 
         I like getting things done.  And part of my approach, which is, I think, about a new generation of leadership, is: Let’s cut through the red tape.  Let’s cut through the bureaucracy while still knowing the virtues of the work that we can do in the public sector, be it public education, public health, public safety.
         MS. LONGWELL:  This is a perfect segue into our first audience question, which is going to come from Alexandra Miller from Delaware County.  Main section, right — right there. 
         Hi, Alexandra. 
         Q    Hello.  Hello, Madam Vice President and Representative Cheney.
         MS. CHENEY:  Hi there.
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Hi.
         Q    Thank you for taking my question today.  My name is Alex.  I have a 7-year-old son and a wonderful 72-year-old mother who is suffering from dementia and requires full-time care. 
         My son is in second grade, my mother is in a nursing home, and I work full time.  The costs of childcare and of eldercare are staggering.  But simultaneously, professionals that help care for both our children and our elders are generally underpaid, which makes it difficult for them to support their own families and do the jobs that they need to do. 
         How do you propose to help bridge this gap, making both child- and eldercare more affordable for hardworking families and also retaining and attracting quality talent for this — these essential jobs?
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, first of all, you’re dealing with a lot.  You’re dealing with a lot, and I just wish you strength and support.  You are a part of what we call the “sandwich generation,” which are those parents and children who are right in the middle.  They are taking care of their young children and taking care of their parents as they age.  And it’s a lot.
         And so, I actually plan to address this in a substantial way because I actually bring a personal experience to it as well.  I took care of my mother when she was sick, and that work is the work of trying to cook something that they feel like eating — right? — trying to figure out which clothes will not irritate their skin and help them put on a sweater.  It’s about trying to figure out how you can say something that brings a smile to their face or makes them laugh.  It’s about dignity. 
         Meanwhile, you have a second-grader.  You’re trying to teach that kid how to read — (laughter) — spending time with them, reminding them they are special and can be anything. 
         And in the middle of all of that, if you are working or just to have a minute to breathe, it’s a lot.  It’s a lot. 
         So, what — the way that this plays out for many people is — is one of just a couple of ways.  One, if you have the good fortune of having enough extra money, you can hire somebody to come in.  And then, exactly as you said, you — knowing what you just shared with us about yourself — would pay them the value of their work.  Or someone in this position would have to basically spend down all their savings so they could qualify for Medicaid, which means they pretty much have to get rid of everything.  Or they have to quit their job, which means one less income in their household. 
         And this is a matter — this issue, for me, is a matter of dignity — yours, your parents, and the well-being of your child and you being able to do what you naturally want to do, and which — and the thing that we should value in our society, which is someone like you who is taking on the duty and the responsibility of all of that. 
         So, my plan is that instead of those scenarios I just mapped out, we will restructure it so that Medicare covers the cost of in-home health care for your parent so that they can be at home — (applause) — and you can then have the assistance with someone who can help prepare that meal, help them get dressed, and you can still give that baby of yours all the love that they deserve.  And you can have sanity in the process.  And everyone can have dignity. 
         And so, this is — this is my approach, which is let’s just look at this as an — let’s just come at it from common sense, by the way.  It’s just common sense.  And what makes — what is a — a commonsense, practical approach to doing this, because when you are able to be productive, we all benefit, by the way.  When that child is able to have a parent who is able to help them with their reading and remind that child that they are special, we are all going to benefit from that. 
         So, thank you for raising the subject.  (Applause.)  And you take care of yourself.
         MS. LONGWELL:  Okay.  Next we’re going to call on Ashley Scott, speaking of Gen Z — although I guess I shouldn’t assume I know what generation she’s from, but she is a student from Bucks County.  Hi.
         Q    Hi, Vice President Harris and Congresswoman Cheney.  My name is Ashley Scott.  I’m from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and I am Gen Z.  I’m 22 years old.  (Laughter.)
         MS. LONGWELL:  Nailed it.
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good for you.  (Laughs.)
         Q    So, thank you for that compliment.  But yeah, my question is about maternal health.  Specifically, in the United States, maternal mortality is devastating.  The rates are terrible.  And I was wondering if you have a plan to combat the crisis.
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Ashley, and thank you for being here and your voice.  It’s a big issue.  So, we have the very, I think, shameful distinction of — of any wealthy nation having one of, if not the highest, rate of maternal mortality. 
         And I’ve studied this issue.  I worked on it was on — when I was in the United States Senate and as vice president.  And the fact is that 90 percent of them are preventable, which tells us we can do something about it, right? 
         And it is an issue — so, Black women are three to four times more likely to die in connection with childbirth; Native women are, like, twice as likely; rural women, one and a half times as likely. 
         One of the common threads that you will see in those demographic populations is a lack of appropriate prenatal care and then care during the term of their pregnancy and then postpartum care.  And we know that when that care is available, they are having a healthier and, by the way, happier experience.  And the long-term impact to all of us as a society, much less to that family, is immense. 
         And so, the work that we have been doing and the work I intend to do going forward is to address that, right?  So, for example, in rural America, the — the way that the system has been structured — the health care system has been structured is a lot of those hospitals and clinics have had to close because of the way we — we reimburse based on population size.  And as people are leaving rural America, then the hospitals and the clinics can’t afford the overhead. 
         I’m oversimplifying but just to make the point.  So, we need to address that in terms of how we’re structuring, how we create incentives and — and give the resources to those health care facilities, be they clinics or hospitals. 
         The other piece that we have to do is really just talk more about the issue around also how, in the health care system, we are treating women and are we taking women seriously when they talk about their health care concerns. 
         So, again, personal experience, my mother had two goals in her life: to raise her two daughters, my sister and I, and to end breast cancer.  My mother was a breast cancer researcher.  And she was so passionate about women’s health care, and I remember it as a young girl and throughout my life. 
         And we still have a lot of work to do to make sure that when she walks into that clinic, that doctor’s office, that hospital, that when — that she’s taken seriously.  And — and that’s also about what we do in terms of training within the profession.  It’s also about what we do in terms of public education to get information to women so that they know that they are not just complaining and they should not suppress or subordinate what their concerns might be about themselves because they’re taking care of everybody else. 
         So, there’s a lot of work to do.  And, of course, there’s a connection between this and what we need to do since the Dobbs decision came down, when we are looking at — I’ve met with a lot of, in particular, OB-GYNs who are concerned that there are kids going through — excuse me, young people going through their medical school who are now feeling deterred from engaging in reproductive health work. 
         And reproductive health work is vast.  It is not only about abortion; it is about a whole array of care.  And we want to make sure that we’re not creating disincentives for people to go into that very, very important profession. 
         And then we also want to make sure that we are, in the whole issue of reproductive care, not suggesting to women or the people who love them that they should be judged, because there is that also when you’re talking about reproductive care, where women sometimes are made to feel or do feel embarrassed to talk about their needs as it relates to their reproductive health.
         And then, of course, I feel very strongly the government should not be telling any woman what to do with her body.  (Applause.)  (Laughs.)  And when Congress passes a law reinstating the reproductive freedoms of women, I will gladly and proudly sign it into law, because I strongly believe one does not have to give up or abandon their own faith or beliefs to agree that — not the government telling her what to do.  If she chooses, she will consult with her priest, her pastor, her rabbi, her imam, but not the government. 
         We’ve seen too much harm — real harm — happen to women and the people who love them around our country since that decision came down, including women who have died.  And I don’t think that most people who — before the Dobbs decision came down — who had strong opinions about this — I don’t think most people intended that the harm that we’ve seen would have actually happened.
         MS. CHENEY:  Can I add to this just to — because I — I think it’s such an important point.  And I think there are many of us around the country who have been pro-life but who have watched what’s going on in our states since the Dobbs decision and have watched state legislatures put in place laws that are resulting in women not getting the care they need. 
         And so, I think this — this is not an issue that we’re seeing break down across party lines —
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right.
         MS. CHENEY:  — but I think we’re seeing people come together to say what has happened to women, when women are facing situations where they can’t get the care they need — where in places like Texas, for example, the attorney general is talking about suing — is suing to get access to women’s medical records — that’s not sustainable for us as — as a country, and — and it has to change.  (Applause.)
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Yeah.
         MS. LONGWELL:  So, as we come close to time here, I want to ask you both kind of a final question.  You know, I — I watch the — the conversation in the country and the way that the media covers this election, and it’s often about the race: Who’s up in a poll?  Who’s down in a poll?  And I — I don’t always feel like we’re talking about the stakes enough. 
         And Liz Cheney would not be here if she didn’t think that the stakes were very high.  And frankly, the Republicans wouldn’t be so angry at you if they didn’t think you were an effective surrogate as somebody speaking about the stakes.  (Applause.)
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Some Republicans.  Some Republicans.
         MS. LONGWELL:  Some Republicans.  Some Republicans.  #NotAllRepublicans.  (Laughter.)
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Because I’ve seen a lot of Republicans — just I’ve seen it and I know it happens — who thank her constantly. 
         MS. LONGWELL:  I — I know it.
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  Yeah.
         MS. LONGWELL:  I know it.
         MS. CHENEY:  They’re going to vote the right way on November 5th. 
         MS. LONGWELL:  That’s right.
         MS. CHENEY:  They might not think public about it, but — but they’ll do what — what they know is right.  (Applause.)
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Yeah.  I agree.  I agree.  I agree.
         MS. LONGWELL:  But just to close and — and maybe starting with you, Congresswoman, so you can have the last word.  Talk to me and all of us about the stakes.  Many people in the room here are undecided voters.  What’s — what’s kind of the last pitch that you would make about why this election is so important and why you believe they should vote for the vice president here?
         MS. CHENEY:  Well, I think that in this election, and especially here in Pennsylvania, we have the opportunity to tell the whole world who we are.  And we have the chance to say, you know, we’re — we’re going to reject cruelty.  We’re going to reject the kind of vile vitriol that we’ve seen from Donald Trump.  We’re going to reject the misogyny that we’ve seen from Donald Trump and J.D. Vance.  (Applause.) 
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Right.
         MS. CHENEY:  And we have the chance in this race to elect somebody who you know is going to defend the rule of law.  You know Vice President Harris is going to defend our Constitution. 
         We have the chance to remind people that we are a good country.  We are a good and honorable people.  We are a great nation. 
         And — and in this race, we have the opportunity to vote for and support somebody you can count on. 
         We’re not always going to agree, but I know Vice President Harris will always do what she believes is right for this country.  She has a sincere heart, and that’s why I’m honored to be here and supporting her in this race.  (Applause.)
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  I mean, I — exactly.  The — listen, so, in my career as a prosecutor — you’ve heard me say this — I — I never, ever asked a victim or a witness, “Are you a Republican or a Democrat?”  Never.  It wouldn’t have even occurred to me to ask them.  I did, every time, ask, “Are you okay?”
         And I — you know, and I feel very strongly that — for example, in — on the issue of partisanship, yes, we’re going to have disagreements, but I actively invite good ideas from wherever they come.  That’s why I’m going to have a Republican in my Cabinet, by the way — (applause) — because I want good ideas.
         And, by the way, I know it is in our best interest as a nation, in our — the interest of our strength and our future as a nation.  We need a healthy two-party system.  We need a healthy two-party system.  (Applause.)
         We need to be able to have these good, intense debates about issues that are grounded in fact.  (Laughter.)  How about that?
         MS. CHENEY:  Imagine.
    .
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Let’s start there.  (Laughs.)  (Applause.)
         Wow.  Can you believe that’s an applause line?  (Laughter.) 
         Oy.  But, you know, it’s — (laughter) — it’s — 
         We have in our grasp in these next 13 days — 13 days, we are — or 15 days, excuse me.  I — I’m just jumping ahead.  (Laughter.)  In these next 15 days, we have in our grasp the ability to determine the course of our country. 
         You know, every election, we’ve said, “This is the one.”  This is the one.  This truly is the one. 
         I mean, to the congresswoman’s point, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff referred to Donald Trump as being “fascist to the core.”  And no one would ever accuse the former chairman of being partisan in any way.  The people who know him best — from the former chief of staff; Defense secretaries, two of them; national security advisor to the former vice president.
         And so, we have in — in our grasp — because we still have a democracy.  As the saying goes, as long as we hold on to it, we still have a democracy, which means in a democracy — and here’s the beauty of it — we each have the power to make a decision about the future of our country through our vote.
         And my request, then, of each of you who have spent time out of your busy lives to be here — and I thank you for that — is please just help us get the word out to your neighbors and friends and family members to just remind them of what is at stake and this conversation. 
         I ask for your vote.  I ask for their votes.  And I promise to be a president for all Americans.  I promise and pledge that.  (Applause.)
         MS. LONGWELL:  All right, everyone.  Congresswoman Cheney and Vice President Kamala Harris.  Thank you so much. 
         Yes, let’s give them another round of applause.  That was wonderful.  (Applause.)
         Thank you so much.
         THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.
         MS. LONGWELL:  Thank you.  (Applause.)

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Total greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.1 percent in the June 2024 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Greenhouse gas emissions (industry and household): June 2024 quarter

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Total greenhouse gas emissions rise 1.1 percent in the June 2024 quarter22 October 2024 – Seasonally adjusted industry and household greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions increased 1.1 percent in the June 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

    “This increase of 224 kilotonnes during the quarter was due to more emissions from industry, particularly from the electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry,” environment statistics unit manager Tehseen Islam said.

    Over this quarter, industry emissions (excluding households) increased by 1.7 percent (292 kilotonnes). By comparison, gross domestic product (GDP), which accounts for industry production, decreased 0.2 percent in the same period.

    Emissions from households fell 1.2 percent (26 kilotonnes) in the June 2024 quarter.

    Visit our website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Stats NZ information release: Overseas merchandise trade: September 2024

    Source: Statistics New Zealand

    Overseas merchandise trade: September 2024 – information release – 22 October 2024 – Overseas merchandise trade statistics provide information on imports and exports of merchandise goods between New Zealand and other countries.

    Key facts
    This release refers to trade in goods only.

    In September 2024, compared with September 2023:

    • goods exports rose by $246 million (5.2 percent), to $5.0 billion
    • goods imports fell by $67 million (0.9 percent), to $7.1 billion
    • the monthly trade balance was a deficit of $2.1 billion.

    Visit our website to read this information release:

     

    MIL OSI New Zealand News

  • MIL-OSI USA: State of Alaska and FEMA Announce FEMA Assistance Now Available for Flooding Survivors

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: State of Alaska and FEMA Announce FEMA Assistance Now Available for Flooding Survivors

    State of Alaska and FEMA Announce FEMA Assistance Now Available for Flooding Survivors

    ANCHORAGE, Alaska – FEMA Individual Assistance is now available for residents in the City and Borough of Juneau affected by the flooding that occurred August 5-6, 2024. Assistance may include funds for home repairs, temporary rental assistance, damaged vehicles and essential personal property, loss of subsistence items, as well as medical, dental, and funeral expenses caused by the disaster.

    FEMA assistance is unable to duplicate benefits offered through insurance, state programs, or other programs. But if your losses or damage go beyond disaster assistance available from other sources – or include items or categories not covered by other assistance – you may be eligible for additional funds from FEMA. Even if you have already registered for the State of Alaska’s disaster assistance program, you must also register with FEMA to determine if you may be eligible to receive additional funds through FEMA. 

    • Residents are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance by calling the FEMA Region 10 Call Center at 866-342-1699 between 7 a.m.-4 p.m. AKT, Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. AKT, Saturday. The FEMA Region 10 Call Center has staff trained to answer Alaska-specific questions. You can also apply by visiting disasterassistance.gov or using the FEMA mobile app.
    • If a reasonable accommodation – such as language translation or interpretation, mobility assistance, or sign language interpretation is needed – email FEMA-language-access-request@fema.dhs.gov. You can also notify FEMA staff through the FEMA Region 10 Call Center Helpline.

    The U.S. Small Business Administration also offers long-term disaster loans to businesses of all sizes, private nonprofit organizations, as well as homeowners and renters to pay for repair or replacement costs not fully compensated by insurance or other assistance. For more information, go to: http://www.sba.gov/disaster or call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    In addition to Individual Assistance, designated areas in the City and Borough of Juneau have also been approved for Public Assistance which will reimburse the State of Alaska, on a cost-share basis, for emergency protective measures taken in response to the disaster. The State of Alaska has also been approved for additional funding, on a cost-share basis, for hazard mitigation measures.

    Additional designations may be made at a later date. 

    erika.suzuki

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA, SBA and USDA create Recovery Resource Guide for Local Business Owners

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA, SBA and USDA create Recovery Resource Guide for Local Business Owners

    FEMA, SBA and USDA create Recovery Resource Guide for Local Business Owners

    WASHINGTON – FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture have collaborated to create a guide to help local businesses affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton access recovery resources.

    The agencies created a one-stop-shop resource with information about federal support that is available to assist local businesses with their recovery. The guide—tailored for each affected state—is available on FEMA’s website at the links below:

    Many local business owners are also disaster survivors. This means they’re dealing with two separate recoveries, one for their household and another for their business.

    Recovery for local businesses after events like Helene and Milton may seem daunting. FEMA encourages chambers of commerce and other civic organizations to share this guide to help local businesses recover.
    Below are examples of the resources available to local businesses and their owners:

    • FEMA grants to make home repairs.
    • Low interest disaster loans from the SBA to repair homes and businesses. Business owners may also qualify for loans for economic injury.
    • Disaster Recovery Centers where business owners and survivors can meet representatives from various federal agencies who may be able to help. Centers are open in every state affected by Helene and Milton.
    • SBA Business Physical Disaster Loans. The SBA provides long-term low interest loans up to $2 million to cover disaster losses not fully covered by insurance.  
    • SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans. The SBA provides long-term low interest loans up to $2 million for working capital to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and most private nonprofit organizations impacted by a disaster meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations until normal operations resume.  
    • Livestock indemnity. The USDA provides benefits to livestock owners and contract growers for livestock deaths. 
    • Emergency loans. The USDA provides loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses.

    A full list of more than 70 resources from 17 federal agencies is available on disasterassistance.gov.

    President Biden has declared a major disaster for six states affected by Helene—Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia—and Florida for Milton.

    FEMA reminds survivors affected by hurricanes Helene or Milton that they can apply for FEMA assistance in four ways: online at disasterassistance.gov, on the FEMA App, calling 800-621-3362, or in person at a local Disaster Recovery Center.

    erika.suzuki

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: S. 2086, Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act of 2023

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    S. 2086 would authorize the appropriation of $5 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for grants to rescue and rehabilitate stranded marine turtles. Those grants would support marine turtle rescue and recovery, data collection, research; and the operating costs for research and rehabilitation facilities. In 2024, NOAA allocated $3 million for those activities.

    S. 2086 also would authorize the appropriation of $500,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2030 for each of two interest-bearing trust funds. Under current law, one of those funds, the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund is authorized to be appropriated $500,000 annually through 2028. Therefore, CBO estimates the bill would authorize the appropriation of an additional $4 million over the 2025-2030 period for the two funds.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 9489, Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act of 2024

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 9489 would eliminate the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress and instead require the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA) to report annually on the management and preservation of Congressional records to the Clerk of the House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Archivist of the United States. 

    Using information from NARA and the General Services Administration, CBO estimates that any net changes in administrative costs under the bill would not be significant over the 2025-2029 period. Any related spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: H.R. 9458, Enhancing Stakeholder Support and Outreach for Preparedness Grants Act

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    H.R. 9458 would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to expand technical assistance, outreach, training, and other support activities that the agency currently provides under the State Homeland Security Grant Program and the Urban Area Security Initiative. Both programs provide grants to state governments to address terrorism and other security threats by funding security operations, planning, training, equipment purchases, and other activities. 

    The bill would require FEMA to conduct annual surveys to gather feedback from state, local, and tribal governments about their needs, the grant process, and the effectiveness of the agency’s outreach efforts. FEMA would need to report to the Congress on its implementation of the bill within three years of enactment. Finally, H.R. 9458 would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO), within two years of enactment, to assess the effectiveness of FEMA’s assistance to interested parties throughout the lifecycle of grants made for both programs.

    MIL OSI USA News