NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Chair’s Statement: Leaders Meeting on Ukraine, London, 2 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Chair’s Statement: Leaders Meeting on Ukraine, London, 2 March 2025

    Chair’s Statement from the Leaders Meeting on Ukraine in London on 2 March 2025.

    Today, I hosted counterparts from across Europe including Türkiye, as well as the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the EU Commission, EU Council and Canada, in London to discuss our support for Ukraine.

    Together, we reaffirmed our determination to work for a permanent peace in Ukraine, in partnership with the United States. Europe’s security is our responsibility above all.  We will step up to this historic task and increase our investment in our own defence.

    We must not repeat the mistakes of the past when weak deals allowed President Putin to invade again.  We will work with President Trump to ensure a strong, just, and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. Ukraine must be able to deter and defend itself against future Russian attack. There must be no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine. We have agreed that the UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting which we will discuss further with the US and take forward together.

    Equally importantly, we discussed further rapid steps to enhance our support for Ukraine in pursuit of ‘peace through strength’. We will step up our military support, ensuring Ukraine has the support it needs to train its armed forces and accelerating our support in areas of greatest need. To help bring President Putin to the table, we will put further pressure on Russia by increasing sanctions, including on Russia’s energy revenues, while tightening enforcement of existing measures.

    We also agreed that Ukraine must have robust security arrangements in place at the time of any future peace deal so that Russia does not invade again.  We will accelerate plans to build up Ukraine’s own armed forces and border defences after any deal, and ensure that Ukraine can draw on munitions, finance and equipment to defend itself.

    In addition, many of us expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security, including through a force consisting of European and other partners, and will intensify our planning.

    We will continue to work closely together to drive forward next steps, and will take decisions in the coming weeks.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul Calls Out Federal Medicaid Funding Cuts

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul joined pediatric patients and families to call out federal Medicaid funding cuts.

    B-ROLL of the Governor during her visit can be found on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

     I want to thank Dr. Eddie Simpser, the President and CEO of St. Mary’s Healthcare, and this is an extraordinary place. You walk in here, it’s brightly lit, the sun comes through, it’s a place of hope, a place of love and a place of miracles. And I want to thank you and your dedicated staff of just, God’s angels on Earth — and you have a big fan over there as well — for all the work you do. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

    Also really proud to be joined by our champions in Congress. Congressman Greg Meeks and Congresswoman Grace Meng who have been out there on the front lines talking about what devastating cuts, as proposed by the Republicans in Congress, would do all over the State, in their districts, but at a place like St. Mary’s. So I just want to thank both of you for being on the front lines.

    And to the parents and the children — this place is about the children. And I just had a tour a few minutes ago. I met some wonderful children and families and just — it was really touching. It’s hard to see kids that are just in such challenging places because of medically complex conditions. But, you know, you see their smiles and it just warms your soul, and you realize that there’s a lot of people who need our help — Yes, darling.

    You think about the fact that we have over 7 million New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid as a lifeline. Whether it’s half of the children — we have 2.5 million kids who get health care — or it’s our seniors, our parents, our grandparents who are in nursing homes. Over 600,000 people with disabilities. Almost 200,000 pregnant women. These are the people we’re talking about when we say, “You cannot cut this program, because it is a place like St. Mary’s that’ll be devastated when they get almost all their dollars from Medicaid.”

    We have over 2,000 children served — 1,200 at home, and many, many here every single day — who are getting life saving support and care. And if they dare touch this, there has to be a revolt from all Americans, but certainly here in the State of New York. We’ll take that fight on.

    And I think every Republican member of Congress who claims to represent New York State should come to St. Mary’s. Look in the eyes of these kids, listen to their voices, talk to the parents and then still see if you can go back to Washington and cut this program. I bet you cannot. Because otherwise you’d be the most heartless, callous people who ever walked this Earth.

    I challenge you. Come here and tell them you’re willing to cut them. This lifeline. But here in New York, we’re here for the families. We’ll continue supporting them. And when all the parents here — and I talked to the CEO here about what people are feeling when they heard about the cuts in Washington — these families have enough stress in their lives. They’re dealing with complex situations, life and death situations.

    And now, they have to worry about whether their health care for their kids is going to be covered? We’re better than that. New York is better than that. America is better than that. And we won’t let that happen.

    And I will say as an aside, this is not the only program that’s under assault by Washington. Not just Medicare, but Elon Musk representing the Trump Administration just called Social Security — which has been in place since the depression, conceived by Franklin Roosevelt, who once held the job I held now — Social Security is a lifeline for people with disabilities and seniors and everybody who works hard to count on their family. He called it a Ponzi scheme. My God. We have to stand up and say, “You are not unraveling the social fabric of our nation, because we take care of our people.” So this is the fight we’re waging, my friends.

    I’m ready for it. I’m up for it. And I know we have great partners in government who are going to take it to the mat. And we’re there with you, all the way to the end. Let me represent — let me introduce — Congressman Greg Meeks. A tremendous, tremendous champion, not just for his district, but for this entire country.

    Congressman Meeks.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Kristina P. Brant, Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology, Penn State

    Parts of the North Fork of the Kentucky River flooded in July 2022, and again in February 2025. Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

    On Valentine’s Day 2025, heavy rains started to fall in parts of rural Appalachia. Over the course of a few days, residents in eastern Kentucky watched as river levels rose and surpassed flood levels. Emergency teams conducted over 1,000 water rescues. Hundreds, if not thousands of people were displaced from homes, and entire business districts filled with mud.

    For some, it was the third time in just four years that their homes had flooded, and the process of disposing of destroyed furniture, cleaning out the muck and starting anew is beginning again.

    Historic floods wiped out businesses and homes in eastern Kentucky in February 2021, July 2022 and now February 2025. An even greater scale of destruction hit eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina in September 2024, when Hurricane Helene’s rainfall and flooding decimated towns and washed out parts of major highways.

    Scenes of flooding from several locations across Appalachia in February 2025.

    Each of these events was considered to be a “thousand-year flood,” with a 1-in-1,000 chance of happening in a given year. Yet they’re happening more often.

    The floods have highlighted the resilience of local people to work together for collective survival in rural Appalachia. But they have also exposed the deep vulnerability of communities, many of which are located along creeks at the base of hills and mountains with poor emergency warning systems. As short-term cleanup leads to long-term recovery efforts, residents can face daunting barriers that leave many facing the same flood risks over and over again.

    Exposing a housing crisis

    For the past nine years, I have been conducting research on rural health and poverty in Appalachia. It’s a complex region often painted in broad brushstrokes that miss the geographic, socioeconomic and ideological diversity it holds.

    Appalachia is home to a vibrant culture, a fierce sense of pride and a strong sense of love. But it is also marked by the omnipresent backdrop of a declining coal industry.

    There is considerable local inequality that is often overlooked in a region portrayed as one-dimensional. Poverty levels are indeed high. In Perry County, Kentucky, where one of eastern Kentucky’s larger cities, Hazard, is located, nearly 30% of the population lives under the federal poverty line. But the average income of the top 1% of workers in Perry County is nearly US$470,000 – 17 times more than the average income of the remaining 99%.

    This income and wealth inequality translates to unequal land ownership – much of eastern Kentucky’s most desirable land remains in the hands of corporations and families with great generational wealth.

    When I first moved to eastern Kentucky in 2016, I was struck by the grave lack of affordable, quality housing. I met families paying $200-$300 a month for a small plot to put a mobile home. Others lived in “found housing” – often-distressed properties owned by family members. They had no lease, no equity and no insurance. They had a place to lay one’s head but lacked long-term stability in the event of disagreement or disaster. This reality was rarely acknowledged by local and state governments.

    Eastern Kentucky’s 2021 and 2022 floods turned this into a full-blown housing crisis, with 9,000 homes damaged or destroyed in the 2022 flood alone.

    “There was no empty housing or empty places for housing,” one resident involved in local flood recovery efforts told me. “It just was complete disaster because people just didn’t have a place to go.”

    Most homeowners did not have flood insurance to assist with rebuilding costs. While many applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance, the amounts they received often did not go far. The maximum aid for temporary housing assistance and repairs is $42,500, plus up to an additional $42,500 for other needs related to the disaster.

    The federal government often provides more aid for rebuilding through block grants directed to local and state governments, but that money requires congressional approval and can take months to years to arrive. Local community coalitions and organizations stepped in to fill these gaps, but they did not necessarily have sufficient donations or resources to help such large numbers of displaced people.

    Affordable rental housing is hard to find in much of Appalachia. When flooding wipes out homes, as Jackson, Ky., saw in July 2022 and again in February 2025, it becomes even more rare.
    Michael Swensen/Getty Images

    With a dearth of affordable rentals pre-flood, renters who lost their homes had no place to go. And those living in “found housing” that was destroyed were not eligible for federal support for rebuilding.

    The sheer level of devastation also posed challenges. One health care professional told me: “In Appalachia, the way it usually works is if you lose your house or something happens, then you go stay with your brother or your mom or your cousin. … But everybody’s mom and brother and cousin also lost their house. There was nowhere to stay.” From her point of view, “our homelessness just skyrocketed.”

    The cost of land – social and economic

    After the 2022 flood, the Kentucky Department for Local Government earmarked almost $300 million of federal funding to build new, flood-resilient homes in eastern Kentucky. Yet the question of where to build remained. As another resident involved in local flood recovery efforts told me, “You can give us all the money you want; we don’t have any place to build the house.”

    It has always been costly and time-intensive to develop land in Appalachia. Available higher ground tends to be located on former strip mines, and these reclaimed lands require careful geotechnical surveying and sometimes structural reinforcements.

    If these areas are remote, the costs of running electric, water and other infrastructure services can also be prohibitive. For this reason, for-profit developers have largely avoided many counties in the region. The head of a nonprofit agency explained to me that, because of this, “The markets have broken. … We have no [housing] market.”

    Eastern Kentucky’s mountains are beautiful, but there are few locations for building homes that aren’t near creeks or rivers. Strip-mined land, where mountaintops were flattened, often aren’t easily accessible and come with their own challenges.
    Posnov/Moment via Getty Images

    There is also some risk involved in attempting to build homes on new land that has not previously been developed. A local government could pay for undeveloped land to be surveyed and prepared for development, with the prospect of reimbursement by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development if housing is successfully built. But if, after the work to prepare the land, it is still too cost-prohibitive to build a profitable house there, the local government would not receive any reimbursement.

    Some counties have found success clearing land for large developments on former strip mine sites. But these former coal mining areas can be considerable distances from towns. Without robust public transportation systems, these distances are especially prohibitive for residents who lack reliable personal transportation.

    Another barrier is the high prices that both individual and corporate landowners are asking for properties on higher ground.

    The scarcity of desirable land available for sale, combined with increasingly urgent demand, has led to prices unaffordable for most. Another resident involved in local flood recovery efforts explained: “If you paid $5,000 for 30 acres 40 years ago, why won’t you sell that for $100,000? Nope, [they want] $1 million.” That makes it increasingly difficult for both individuals and housing developers to purchase land and build.

    One reason for this scarcity is the amount of land that is still owned by outside corporate interests. For example, Kentucky River Properties, formerly Kentucky River Coal Corporation, owns over 270,000 acres across seven counties in the region. While this landholding company leases land to coal, timber and gas companies, it and others like it rarely permit residential development.

    But not all unused land is owned by corporations. Some of this land is owned by families with deep roots in the region. People’s attachment to a place often makes them want to stay in their communities, even after disasters. But it can also limit the amount of land available for rebuilding. People are often hesitant to sell land that holds deep significance for their families, even if they are not living there themselves.

    Rural communities are often tight-knit. Many residents want to stay despite the risks.
    AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley

    One health care professional expressed feeling torn between selling or keeping their own family property after the 2022 flood: “We have a significant amount of property on top of a mountain. I wouldn’t want to sell it because my papa came from nothing. … His generation thought owning land was the greatest thing. … And for him to provide his children and his grandchildren and their great-grandchildren a plot of land that he worked and sweat and ultimately died to give us – people want to hold onto that.”

    She recognized that land was in great demand but couldn’t bring herself to sell what she owned. In cases like hers, higher grounds are owned locally but still remain unused.

    Moving toward higher ground, slowly

    Two years after the 2022 flood, major government funding for rebuilding still has not resulted in a significant number of homes. The state has planned seven communities on higher ground in eastern Kentucky that aim to house 665 new homes. As of early 2025, 14 houses had been completed.

    Progress on providing housing on higher ground is slow, and the need is great.

    In the meantime, when I conducted interviews during the summer and fall of 2024, many of the mobile home communities that were decimated in the 2022 flood had begun to fill back up. These were flood-risk areas, but there was simply no other place to go.

    Last week, I watched on Facebook a friend’s live video footage showing the waters creeping up the sides of the mobile homes in one of those very communities that had flooded in 2022. Another of my friends mused: “I don’t know who constructed all this, but they did an unjustly favor by not thinking how close these towns was to the river. Can’t anyone in Frankfort help us, or has it gone too far?”

    With hundreds more people now displaced by the most recent flood, the need for homes on higher grounds has only expanded, and the wait continues.

    Kristina Brant has received funding from the National Science Foundation and United States Department of Agriculture to support her past and ongoing research in rural Appalachia.

    – ref. In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations – https://theconversation.com/in-many-of-appalachias-flood-ravaged-areas-residents-have-little-choice-but-rebuild-in-risky-locations-240429

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Standing united in support of Ukraine

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    For over three years, Ukraine has fought with extraordinary courage and resilience against Russia’s illegal, full-scale invasion. This ongoing aggression is not only a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, but also a direct attack on the rules-based international order, freedom, and democracy everywhere. Canada remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine and its people as they continue to defend their independence.

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today participated in the Securing our Future Summit in London, United Kingdom. Hosted by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, the Summit brought together Euro-Atlantic and NATO leaders to promote unity, reinforce collective security, and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s continued aggression.

    During the Securing our Future Summit, the Prime Minister announced new sanctions against 10 individuals and 21 entities, including paramilitary organizations and their leaders, to help counter Russia’s reliance on third-party organizations and countries to advance its political and military objectives in Ukraine. To date, Canada has imposed sanctions on over 3,000 individuals and entities complicit in Russia’s aggression – and we remain committed to working with our partners to increase economic pressure on Russia.

    Throughout the Summit, the Prime Minister engaged with his counterparts on the future of international support for Ukraine, emphasizing the urgent need for continued and co-ordinated action in the face of growing global instability and uncertainty. Together, the leaders agreed that there can be no sustainable peace in Europe without security for Ukraine, that any peaceful end to the conflict must include Ukraine at the negotiating table, and that any peace deal should include robust security guarantees.

    At a plenary session, Prime Minister Trudeau underlined that strengthening security and stability in Ukraine and the Euro-Atlantic region will remain a top priority for Canada, including as part of our G7 Presidency this year. He underscored our leadership in supporting Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, which includes almost $20 billion in multifaceted assistance ranging from military aid – such as armoured vehicles and drone technology – to humanitarian and financial assistance to help Ukraine rebuild and recover.

    The Prime Minister highlighted the ongoing work of members of the Canadian Armed Forces in the United Kingdom and Poland under Operation UNIFIER. Since 2015, they have provided military training to over 44,000 Ukrainian troops. Canada continues to engage closely with Ukraine, Allies, and partners on how best to enhance support through Operation UNIFIER to help Ukraine defend itself.

    Prime Minister Trudeau also emphasized the importance of standing together to hold Russia accountable for its violations of international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

    Canada’s commitment to Ukraine is unwavering. We will continue to stand with Ukraine and work closely with our Allies to provide the necessary military, economic, and humanitarian support to push back against Russian aggression. We are stronger when we work together. And together, we can ensure Ukraine is able to defend itself, rebuild, and secure a just and lasting peace.

    Quote

    “Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty is a fight for freedom and democracy everywhere. The important discussions we had today reinforced our shared resolve: as Allies, we will remain steadfast in our support for Ukraine. Canada will be there for Ukraine until there is a just and lasting peace. Slava Ukraini!”

    Quick Facts

    • In London, the Prime Minister held a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer. Before returning to Canada tomorrow, he will also have an audience with His Majesty King Charles III.
    • The new sanctions announced today include nine leaders of post-Wagner paramilitary organizations, one member of the affiliated senior Russian military leadership, nine paramilitary organizations operating in Ukraine and in the Kremlin’s Africa-network, and 12 affiliated organizations that are responsible for resource extraction within this network.
    • Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed almost $20 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine. This includes:
      • Over $12.4 billion in direct financial assistance, the highest in the G7 on a per capita basis.
      • $4.5 billion in military assistance, such as M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, thermal clothing, body armour, fuel, and more.
      • $585 million in development assistance, including support to Ukraine’s energy system.
      • $372.2 million in humanitarian assistance, including support for emergency health interventions, protection services, and essentials such as shelter, water, sanitation, and food. Programming also addresses child protection, mental health support, and prevention and response to sexual and gender-based violence.
      • Nearly $225 million in security and stabilization assistance.
    • As announced by the Prime Minister in Kyiv last month, Canada has started delivering on its commitment of a $5 billion contribution toward the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans mechanism. Launched at last year’s G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, the ERA Loans aim to bring forward future revenues from frozen Russian sovereign assets to provide Ukraine with approximately US$50 billion in additional funding as it continues to defend its freedom, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
    • In February 2024, Prime Minister Trudeau and President Zelenskyy signed the historic Agreement on Security Cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, establishing a new strategic security partnership between our two countries. This included $3.02 billion in critical financial and military support to Ukraine for 2024.
    • Launched by Canada and Ukraine in 2024, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children co-ordinates joint efforts and co-operation between Ukraine and partner states to address the issue of the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia. To date, 41 states and the Council of Europe have joined the Coalition, helping successfully facilitate the safe return of over 1,000 children.
    • As part of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the federal government announced last year its intention to double down on our efforts to support Ukraine, including through proposed legislative changes that will ensure profits from frozen Russian assets are used to rebuild Ukraine.
    • Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada has welcomed more than 220,000 Ukrainians. We are helping Ukrainian families find a safe, temporary home and have put support services in place for their arrival. This includes temporary financial assistance and access to federally funded settlement services, such as language training and employment-related services.
    • Canada and Ukraine have long been steadfast partners and close friends. In 1991, Canada became the first Western country to recognize Ukraine’s independence. Today, 1.3 million people of Ukrainian descent call Canada home – the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the Western world. In 2022, total bilateral trade between our two countries was valued at over $421 million.
    • This was Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 11th official visit to the United Kingdom.
    • Canada and the United Kingdom share a strong relationship rooted in deep historical ties and common values. We work closely together to advance shared priorities, including sustainable growth, rules-based international trade, gender equality, the fight against climate change, democracy and media freedom, and support for Ukraine.
    • In 2023, the United Kingdom was Canada’s third-largest destination for goods and services exports, with trade valued at $47 billion.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul Visits Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul delivered remarks at the Greater Allen A.M.E Cathedral of New York.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    To God be the praise and the glory. Amen. Amen. It is so incredible to be back here today for a number of reasons: One is I’ll never forget when I first became Governor, unexpectedly, this is one of the first churches — maybe the very first church — I came to, to pray. And I asked you all for one thing: to keep me in your prayers. And I got down on my knees when I first heard that I had been chosen now to be the governor.

    I dropped down to my knees instantly and I said, “God, just give me two things: Give me strength and wisdom.” And you have prayed for that, and I am the beneficiary. And I thank all of you for being part of this journey.

    I’m also here for another reason. Your great pastor was in my office on Monday. He presented to me the First Lady, First Lady Braea. I want to acknowledge them. They came all the way to Albany, and we talked about his vision for this amazing church that’s so steeped in history for over 200 years of power. Two hundred years. And over 48 years with Reverend Floyd Flake — Congressman Floyd Flake. And Reverend Elaine Flake at the helm. The two of them embraced me, and I looked to them for guidance.

    But now it’s time for new leadership. And your new leader was in my office and he had one ask: “Governor, any chance you could come visit our church during Women’s History Month?” And I said, “Well, let me see if I can come this Sunday, the very first Sunday of Women’s History Month.” So the answer was yes. The answer was yes.

    Now, before I celebrate Women’s History with all of you, there are some pretty good men out there, too. You have an incredible congressman, Gregory Meeks, who I served in Congress with. What a national leader he is; Greg Meeks. You also have one of the coolest Borough Presidents that ever walked the earth, Donovan Richards. I love this guy. We always have a great time together.

    And as I acknowledge the first lady of this church, you also — because you never had a woman governor before — you never had a first gentleman. You now have a first gentleman, my husband, Bill Hochul, for over 41 years.

    But back to the women. I have to start with Hazel Dukes. I met her in 2014 when I first started running for Lieutenant Governor and my mother had just passed. I treasured my mother, she was everything to me, and she succumbed to ALS, a horrible, horrible disease. And I talked about this with Hazel. And she said, “Darling, I’ll be your mama. I’ll be your mama.” So Mama Dukes was like a mother. She told me when she thought I was good, and when she didn’t agree with me, she always told me that as well.” In fact, I had her swear me in at my inauguration to hold the Bible for the first woman ever to be sworn into office. I wanted to give her that honor because she has honored me.

    And I also was a brand new grandmother. Any grandmothers out there? Any moms, grandmothers? So we had this tiny little baby, Sofia, up on the big stage to see her grandma get sworn in. And when Hazel Dukes came out with her loud, strong voice and shouted something, the baby just lost it. She just freaked out. She’s crying. So all my pictures have a screaming baby. My son had to take her away, but that’s part of the story, right? It’s just, it’s so Hazel.

    And I will say this: I was with her just Thursday. I went to her apartment at her bedside, and I held her hand. And she looked up at me and she said, “I love you, daughter. You’re my daughter. I love you, but be strong. Carry on the fight.” And I said, “Hazel, I will do that in your name. We have just begun the fight.” And I’m inspired we’ve had women like her who carry on the work of Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Shirley Chisholm, and so many others. Brave trailblazers who made it easier for the rest of us. That’s the women’s history I’m talking about.

    Here’s what I challenge all of us with, though: When we think about women of history, someday, we will be history. People in the future will look to us and say, “Did we pick up that torch for justice and women’s rights and social justice and civil rights? Did we pick up the torch and make it glow brighter and march forward? Or did we ignore our moral responsibility to lift up others during our limited time on Earth?” I know all of you are with me as we march together.

    And what we must do at this moment in history, is to help those who are struggling. We’ve heard the cries for help. There are so many people that just can’t keep up with inflation. How do you pay the bills? The electric costs are going up. The cost of groceries for young moms, your grandkids. Diapers and formula and everything’s so expensive. My Budget this year has a plan. If you’ve got little kids, we have a way to put over $5,000 back in your pocket to make life easier for you, reducing middle class taxes, more money, $1,000 for kids under the age of four, because I know as a mom and a grandma, that’s the most expensive time.

    And we’re going to make sure that people have an opportunity for an education: Free community college for people aged 25 to 55 going into skills, because let me tell you what I know about education: Education is the reason my parents could get out of a trailer park. They struggled. They struggled. My grandparents were migrant farm workers. They were domestic servants. And my grandpa worked at the steel plant with his hands. It was hot. It was dirty work. And my father worked there as well. But when my dad got a college degree, with a little baby and me on the way and they lived in a trailer, it opened up the doors for everything so the next generation — I could be standing here. I want that opportunity for everyone. Everybody should have that dream within grasp of them. The same thing with housing. Why is it so expensive to live here? We have to build more housing, get smarter and more apartments.

    We have to just take care of our people. Everybody deserves the dignity of a safe roof over their heads. And we’re going to make sure that our subways continue to be safe because I’m paying for the overtime of NYPD in the overnight trains every single night. And the crime is dropping down to numbers we’ve not seen in a long time.

    But I’m not done. I’m going to keep working to lift up God’s people because that is why I feel I’m in this position today. And I call on all of you to keep me in your prayers, but also to be out there as we’re fighting.

    And I’ll wrap with this: We’re not just fighting within New York. We know our challenges are bigger in Washington. And when you look at what they’re talking about, cutting Medicaid as if it’s something that doesn’t matter, it’s disposable, just get rid of it — I’m sorry, those are our parents and grandparents in nursing homes. Those are our little kids who need health care. Keep your hands off our Medicaid, our Medicare, and our social security, or you’re going to have a Class A fight on your hands. We will stand up to you, because we are there on the side of the people. And we’ve just begun to fight.

    Thank you, everybody. God bless you.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mar 02, 2025 Capital Area Transit System Workers to Strike Tomorrow, Monday, March 3

    Source: US Amalgamated Transit Union

    Union Frustrated over CATS imposing Final Contract Offer, Serious Safety Issues, and Other Concerns

    Baton Rouge, LA – After months of stalled negotiations, frustrated Capital Area Transit System (CATS) workers, members of ATU Local 1546-Baton Rouge, LA., are set to go on strike on Monday, March 3 at 3AM after CATS imposed its final contract offer and refuses to address serious safety concerns.

    In hopes of avoiding a strike, the Union and CATS management met earlier this week. After the Union set a deadline to meet again on Thursday, CATS CEO Theo Richards never came back to the table, leading to the Union to decide to strike.

    “CATS has left us with no other choice but to walk off the job. We want the citizens of Baton Rouge to know we did not want to strike. We hope they stand with us. Our frontline bus operators who keep our city moving have been ignored for far too long by CATS management,” said Local President/Business Agent George DeCuir. “We have been willing to sit down and get a deal done. But it has become clear CATS has no interest in giving our members a fair contract and our riders the transit system that they deserve.”

    At the end of January, CATS refused to negotiate with the Union and instead implemented its own contract offer without Union approval, increasing tensions between the two sides. The contract failed to address the Union’s key concerns and made changes to disciplinary, grievance and overtime policies without input from the Union. Earlier in January, after CATS had gone back on their promises during ongoing negotiations, the almost 100 workers overwhelmingly voted to authorize a strike if necessary.

    “Our Union only uses a full strike as a last resort since we don’t want to abandon our riders who depend on us. But CATS has left us with no other option,” said ATU International President John Costa. “This isn’t just about a contract, it’s about ensuring a safe and reliable transit system. Public transit should not be treated like an afterthought. For the sake of our riders and community, it’s time for CATS management to come back to the table immediately to get a fair deal done for these frontline workers. But rest assured our members will stand together in solidarity until we win.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister’s statement on Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day

    Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, has released the following statement on Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial Day:

    “Today, we recognize the incredible dedication of search and rescue volunteers and the sacrifices they have made while serving people in British Columbia.

    “Our province is fortunate to have some of the most skilled, passionate and selfless search and rescue volunteers in the world. Together, the BC Search and Rescue Association, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, and PEP Air have saved the lives of thousands of people. They are heroes.

    “Search and rescue volunteers are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing their time and expertise to help people throughout British Columbia. While much of their work happens far from public view, their impact is felt across the entire province. They are the lifelines in our greatest moments of need, and we are incredibly grateful for their dedication. To all those volunteering on search and rescue teams, on behalf of all British Columbians, thank you. We are forever grateful.

    “It takes a remarkable kind of person to be a search and rescue volunteer: someone who is driven, courageous and has an unwavering commitment to helping others. These search and rescue missions can come with an incredible cost. Since 1967, there have been 17 search-and-rescue volunteers who have lost their lives while serving British Columbians. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

    “Today, on Search and Rescue Memorial Day, I would like to invite all British Columbians to reflect on those heroic volunteers who lost their lives in the pursuit of safety for others, their loves ones, and their service to the people of our province.”

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Hochul is a Guest on WBLS’ “Open Line”

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul was a guest on WBLS’ “Open Line”.

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    Fatiyn Muhammad, WBLS: Sister Hazel Dukes has made a lot of history, but back in 2021, she became the first civilian to administer the oath of office to the Governor of New York — swearing in Kathy Hochul as New York’s first female governor. So on March 2nd — look at this in Women’s History Month — on our live line, I want to bring in the Governor of New York, Governor Kathy Hochul. Good morning, Governor Kathy Hochul. Welcome to Open Line.

    Governor Hochul: Good morning.

    Fatiyn Muhammad, WBLS: Good morning. Sorry that it has to be on a sad note, but I know you have some words to share about Dr. Hazel Dukes.

    Governor Hochul: Oh and I thank you for this opportunity. You know, it’s significant that I saw her on one of the final days of Black History Month.

    I was at her bedside on Thursday and she was weak. But she held my hand and she looked into my eyes and she said, “You’re my daughter. I love you, but be strong,” in the way that Hazel talks. And I was just so touched by that and I knew we weren’t going to have her much longer. But as we start Women’s History Month, it is so significant.

    And I’m glad you mentioned Jennifer, the people I was going to reference. You know, the strong women of color throughout our history: Harriet Tubman, who led people to freedom. This tiny woman who’s spent her last 50 years as a New Yorker, just never giving up the fight. And Sojourner Truth, using her voice all over America to talk about injustices, and Hazel was that person of our time.

    And I was so blessed that she adopted me when I first ran as a Lieutenant Governor over a decade ago. I had just lost my mom to ALS just a few months before I met Hazel, and she said she would be my mother; my mother on earth. And I — we’ve been so close. She did swear me in. She was up there with my brand new granddaughter.

    And she heard — the baby heard Hazel’s strong, powerful voice and got scared. She started crying, so it was a little chaotic. But it was such a special moment. We have photos of the baby screaming and Hazel talking. And I was just — she came to my office literally just like a month, or a couple months ago, fighting for the whole effort to have “Choose Healthy Life” money. And I’ve been funding this program, which I so believe in, to bring money to communities. And the connection with churches and the community, and to get vaccinations and arms, and to get food to people and healthy outcomes.

    So, I will just treasure her memory forever, but she has had such a profound influence on my life that I will carry on the fight in her name. That is what I’m called by God to do at this moment: to let her name continue on through our work going forward. And Jennifer, you and I have a lot to do as we try to improve affordability. We had a meeting not long ago about what we could do in our Budget to put more money back in people’s pockets. And I know Hazel supported that.

    So, I’m just incredibly sad today. I’m running off to speak at the greater A.M.E. Church in a few minutes, and I’m going to be talking about hazel. And I’m so grateful to you that you just gave me a moment just to let my heart speak about how I feel today.

    Jennifer Jones Austin, WBLS: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Governor Hochul. We know that she loved you and she rallied around you, and we all are, you know — you’re fighting the good fight. It’s a difficult fight — a lot going on in this state. But you know, you blessed us when you brought her in and you showed us that you want to continue to lift up black people and black people’s issues.

    And so we celebrate you too in this moment, and we want to work with you and continue to work with you just as our dear Ma Dukes did. So we thank you. Thank you for being with us.

    Governor Hochul: I look forward to the fight. Thank you, my friend.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: PM meeting with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 2 March 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    PM meeting with Prime Minister Meloni of Italy: 2 March 2025

    The Prime Minister met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Downing Street this morning.

    The Prime Minister met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Downing Street this morning, their third meeting since July. The meeting came ahead of the Prime Minister convening international leaders in London today to discuss how partners can work with the USA to move forward to a lasting peace for a sovereign Ukraine. They agreed on the importance of the transatlantic alliance in confronting shared challenges.

    They had a warm and constructive discussion, agreeing the strength of the UK-Italy relationship is as vital now as it has ever been. They reaffirmed their support for Ukraine, agreeing that the UK and Italy will stand with them for as long as it takes. 

    The two leaders acknowledged positive progress made since their last meeting in joint working to tackle irregular migration. They agreed secure borders are a bedrock of a secure economy. They noted the significance of recent successful joint operations to disrupt smuggling gangs and agreed there is greater opportunity to disrupt gangs upstream at source when countries work together. They will strengthen cooperation to share intelligence and data, such as through Europol. The Prime Ministers committed to continue to work closely together in these areas. 

    The two Prime Ministers committed to staying in close contact to take today’s discussion forward at pace.

    Updates to this page

    Published 2 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Soaring U.S. egg prices and millions of dead chickens signal the deep problems and risks in modern poultry production

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tony Weis, Professor of Geography and Environment, Western University

    The recent volatility of egg prices in the United States has been a hot topic. Media coverage has consistently made the connection between supply problems and virulent strains of avian flu that has been afflicting poultry birds since 2022.

    Many articles have indicated that, in addition to millions of birds dying from avian flu, infected flocks have widely been killed en masse in an attempt to contain its spread. The livestock industry euphemistically calls this killing of infected animals “depopulation,” and around 150 million birds have been depopulated since the current crisis began.

    I have studied industrial livestock production for many years and have seen its myriad problems flash in and out of the media — such as greenhouse gas emissions, air and water pollution, food-borne illnesses, labour exploitation, and animal suffering. But it’s rare for the sector to stay in the media for long.

    The unusually heavy media coverage of expensive eggs, depopulated chickens and avian flu has highlighted some of the deep problems and risks of modern poultry production. Unfortunately, however, important context and dynamics have been regularly omitted.

    Unpacking key omissions helps to better understand both the nature of these chronic risks of infectious disease and the perilous response of the Trump administration.

    The spotlight on avian flu

    Multiple strains of avian flu chronically circulate within populations of both wild and domesticated birds. Avian flu is prone to frequent mutations, and occasionally some strains become more virulent and spillover across species.

    In addition to the problems avian flu in poultry production, recent media coverage has also highlighted the virus’s broader dangers.

    Avian flu is currently ravaging many wild animal species around the world, reaching into extremely remote places and even zoos.

    In the U.S., avian flu recently spilled over into cattle — causing widespread illness after a mutation enabled intra-species transmission.

    Avian flu has also caused a small number of severe human illnesses in the U.S. (primarily workers in poultry operations). Although no human-to-human transmission is evident — a necessary condition for a pandemic — this potential remains a grave threat.

    Key issues underplayed

    Although the media coverage of egg prices, depopulated chickens and avian flu has cast a valuable spotlight on many aspects of modern poultry production, it has also tended to leave out some important elements.

    Mentions in the media of many millions of chickens being killed to contain the spread of avian flu will surely sound jarring to some. But such figures pale in comparison to the 9.5 billion chickens slaughtered annually in the U.S. and the 76 billion slaughtered annually worldwide.

    Poultry birds now comprise 70 per cent of the total biomass of all birds on earth. Most are produced in densely-packed operations where reproduction, life and death have been greatly accelerated.

    Modern chickens have been selectively bred to either put on weight (broilers) or produce eggs (layers) very quickly. Broilers reach slaughter weight in a mere six weeks. Layer hens produce nearly an egg a day for about a year or two, before being slaughtered. These short life-cycles are rarely mentioned in coverage of depopulations.

    The growing risk of avian flu mutations relate to both enormity of poultry bird populations — by far the biggest habitat for the virus — and the unhealthy conditions of life in large enclosures.

    According to the U.S. Census of Agriculture, over 97 per cent of layers live in operations with at least 10,000 birds. Over 99 per cent of broilers are grown in operations with annual sales of at least 100,000 birds.

    This scale also relates to a question that has, with a few notable exceptions, received scant coverage: since infected populations cannot simply be shipped to the slaughterhouse, how are the birds actually killed?

    A leading approach to depopulation is ventilation shutdown. This involves turning off the powerful fans needed to make the ambient conditions in large enclosures bearable, and results in agonizing deaths.

    Researchers are investigating ways to augment ventilation shutdown as part of a broader research agenda seeking to develop systematic ways to depopulate large operations. This agenda clearly illustrates that the livestock industry is acutely aware of the great risks of infectious disease evolution within these spaces.

    Undermining infectious disease surveillance

    In the 2024 election campaign, Republicans regularly pointed to high egg prices in efforts to highlight rising inflation. In early 2025, the continuing rise of egg prices has cast a glare on U.S. President Donald Trump’s failed promise to immediately solve inflation.

    In response to scrutiny, the Trump administration initially tried to blame Biden for the depopulation of chickens. While such deflection might work for a time, Trump and his advisors realize they need a strategy to increase egg supplies.

    This emerging strategy must be viewed in relation to Trump’s sweeping assault on state institutions and regulations — which includes undermining crucial capacity for infectious disease surveillance. Trump made immediate cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and forced it to disengage with the World Health Organization. He has also promised big cuts to the National Institutes of Health.

    In this context, it’s unsurprising that Trump is laying out a simple plan to increase the egg supply: rebuilding layer populations, reducing depopulations and trusting the livestock and pharmaceutical industries to find ways of containing avian flu — likely through vaccines and strengthened biosecurity.

    It’s profoundly irrational to be weakening infectious disease surveillance in the midst of the current avian flu crisis (and amid mounting infectious disease risks more generally).
    It’s also hard to fathom how further empowering the leading actors in poultry production can be expected to resolve the risks of avian flu that are so bound up in the nature of modern production.

    Pursuing this course might temporarily bring egg prices down, but it also inevitably means passing untold risks into the future.

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

    – ref. Soaring U.S. egg prices and millions of dead chickens signal the deep problems and risks in modern poultry production – https://theconversation.com/soaring-u-s-egg-prices-and-millions-of-dead-chickens-signal-the-deep-problems-and-risks-in-modern-poultry-production-249679

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The Canada Carbon Rebate is still widely misunderstood — here’s why

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ruolz Ariste, Adjunct Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University

    As Canada’s federal parties gear up for the upcoming federal election, one of the key issues on the campaign trail will be how Canada will meet its climate policy targets.

    Several strategies exist to meet these targets, including: a border charge on imports, a border rebate for exports, a domestic output-based subsidy or a consumer-based carbon rebate like the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR).

    The CCR, introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s administration to curb carbon emissions, is designed to offset the costs of carbon pricing by providing rebates to households.



    Read more:
    The upcoming election is a critical juncture for Canada’s carbon tax and climate policies

    However, both leading candidates for Liberal Party leadership, Mark Carney and Chrystia Freeland, have said they will drop the CCR if elected. Carney has proposed replacing it with a green incentive program, while Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been a vocal opponent of the CCR altogether.

    The debate surrounding the CCR is crucial, as carbon pricing is the most effective measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions when paired with accompanying measures. Yet, despite its effectiveness, Canada’s major political parties are willing to scrap it because it’s not politically rewarding.

    CCR is widely misunderstood

    The CCR is widely misunderstood in Canada, leading to misleading narratives about its economic and environmental impacts.

    A recent report from the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) argues that industries facing pollution charges could become less competitive because of the CCR, potentially increasing Canada’s federal budget deficit by $4 billion by 2030, and making Canadians worse off.

    Similarly, a Fraser Institute report argues Canada’s global emission footprint is too small for the CCR to make a difference, even if environmental benefits are accounted for.

    However, these reports fail to fully assess the impacts of carbon pricing and risk distorting the debate and influencing policy in ways that could weaken Canada’s climate strategy.

    Yet an overlooked crucial fact in the debate on the CCR is that 80 per cent of Canadian families received more in rebates than they paid in pollution pricing in 2024 because major polluters bear the highest costs under the system.

    The missing perspective in assessments

    While the PBO’s report may be valid from a business standpoint, the report didn’t run a full cost-benefit analysis, which would have weighed both the economic costs and the social benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    In climate policy, the social perspective is much more important than the business one. Without this context, reports like the PBO’s risk being misinterpreted, particularly by politicians opposed to climate action. This could have significant negative consequences for environmental policy in Canada.



    Read more:
    The carbon tax needs fixing, not axing — Canada needs a progressive carbon tax

    A major issue in economic assessments is that the benefits of greenhouse gas reduction are typically excluded because they extend beyond national borders. As a result, emissions reduction can appear to be a poor investment, when in reality, its global and long-term benefits far outweigh the initial expenses.

    The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s cost-benefit guide acknowledges this issue. Under normal circumstances, global benefits should be excluded in cost-benefit analysis. However, given the nature of climate change, the guide states that the costs and benefits of greenhouse gas reductions — calculated using the social cost of greenhouse gas — are appropriate to include in cost-benefit analysis.

    A recent UN report supports this approach, estimating that while global carbon policy measures could cost more than US$1 trillion annually, the economic benefits will be far greater. Shifting to a green economy could yield US$26 trillion by 2030, compared to maintaining business as usual.

    Carbon leakage challenge

    A major challenge for Canada’s carbon pricing strategy is that many of its key trading partners don’t impose similar emissions pricing on consumers.

    For example, the United States and China don’t, even though they are the world’s two biggest polluters. While some jurisdictions, like California’s Cap-and-Trade Program and China’s national emissions trading system, have introduced emissions regulations, these programs are not as widespread as Canada’s.

    This imbalance puts Canadian producers at a competitive disadvantage. In response, some businesses may choose to move their production operations to countries with weaker environmental regulations to avoid higher carbon pricing in Canada — a phenomenon known as “carbon leakage.”

    Instead of reducing emissions, this carbon leakage simply shifts emissions elsewhere, undermining global efforts to address climate change. To counter this, there has been a growing interest in policies designed to prevent this from happening, such as border carbon adjustments.

    This issue is critical to Canada’s ability to meet its climate policy targets. Without effective measures to prevent carbon leakage, the country could face higher costs and less impact on global emissions reduction efforts.

    Can Canada still compete?

    Given the U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Accord, one might wonder whether Canada should continue pursuing the CCR program.

    Ideally, Canada would not have to choose between strong climate policy and economic competitiveness. However, without a co-ordinated global approach to carbon policy, Canada faces difficult trade-offs.

    International organizations like the World Trade Organization (WTO) could step up by actively promoting carbon tariffs similar to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

    At the heart of this debate is the “polluter-pays principle,” which holds that those who pollute must bear the costs of their actions. This principle is central to climate justice.



    Read more:
    Carbon pricing works: the largest-ever study puts it beyond doubt

    Carbon pricing is the only abatement instrument that can implement the polluter-pays principle, but additional policies — such as border charges on imports, border rebates for exports or domestic output-based subsidies — are required to make it more efficient and politically viable.

    Currently, 75 carbon taxes and emissions trading systems are in operation worldwide, covering approximately 24 per cent of global emissions.

    Canada is considering its own CBAM, but challenges remain. Implementing such a policy could lead to heightened trade tensions with the U.S. or even provoke retaliatory actions.

    Need for international co-operation

    To make carbon pricing and border adjustments work, international organizations must help close the knowledge and information gaps. One way to do this is by providing more accurate data on embedded carbon prices to improve the calculation of carbon prices down the road.

    Further research is also needed to understand how domestic climate policies impact other nations and how to ensure CBAM’s interoperability with other climate measures. Such work will contribute to the optimization of climate policies for the benefit of all.

    In the meantime, Canada’s climate policy must strive to integrate CBAM in a way that aligns with global trade systems like the WTO. Some trade law experts have expressed concerns that CBAM may not be compatible with the WTO General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and this must be addressed.

    If Canada were to keep the CCR, this integration would be especially important as Canada navigates future trade relations with the U.S. under Trump’s unpredictable administration. Canada doesn’t want to fall behind in its climate action efforts.

    Canadians would like the country to lead on climate action while staying competitive. A public consultation on this matter would be a good move from any elected political leader.

    Ruolz Ariste is currently affiliated with Carleton University and Université du Québec en Outaouais.

    – ref. The Canada Carbon Rebate is still widely misunderstood — here’s why – https://theconversation.com/the-canada-carbon-rebate-is-still-widely-misunderstood-heres-why-249097

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The urgent mental health needs of young people: Lessons for Canada from a global commission

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Tovah Cowan, Postdoctoral Fellow in Psychiatry, McGill University

    Since 2015, youth mental health has noticeably declined. Currently, 1.25 million young people in Canada require mental health support. (Shutterstock)

    Canada urgently needs to take action to support the well-being of young people and secure a healthier and more prosperous future for generations to come.

    Since 2015, well before the COVID-19 pandemic began, self-reported mental health has notably declined among young people. Currently, 1.25 million young people require mental health support. According to Mental Health Research Canada, in 2024, 19 per cent of Canadians between 16 and 34 years old accessed mental health services in the previous year while another 12 per cent felt they needed services but did not receive them.

    Megatrends

    The recently published Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health shows that this problem is global, and in part driven by megatrends — major and long-lasting societal changes such as climate change, insecure employment and growing intergenerational inequality. These issues are situated within decades of colonial and neoliberal political, social and economic policies.



    Read more:
    What exactly is neoliberalism?

    In Canada, the effects of historic and ongoing colonialism on First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth are heartbreakingly clear in rates of suicide, which are six times higher in First Nations youth than non-Indigenous youth, and 33 times higher in young Inuit women than non-Indigenous young women. Additionally, there are gaps in services and barriers to access for Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomer, Black and racialized young people, leading to disparities in care and support.

    To support youth mental health, Canada must work towards reversing these megatrends while also investing in youth mental health services.

    The youth mental health problem is global, and in part driven by ‘megatrends’ — major and long-lasting societal changes such as climate change, insecure employment and growing intergenerational inequality.
    (Shutterstock)

    As a team of mental health researchers and professionals, we are deeply committed to improving youth mental health. Without timely support, mental health challenges can disrupt education, relationships and career development, creating long-term effects for young people, their families and their communities. Unaddressed mental health issues can persist into adulthood, becoming more difficult to treat, adding preventable strain to health-care systems and hindering economic growth due to lost productivity.

    We were inspired by The Lancet Psychiatry Commission on Youth Mental Health, which calls for global action to address this urgent mental health crisis affecting young people. This global initiative involved researchers from diverse fields, service providers and young people, and was co-led by Srividya Iyer (a co-author on this piece and Canada Research Chair in Youth, Mental Health, and Learning Health Systems). It advances a framework for improving youth mental health care, integrating all sectors providing services relevant to mental health (for example, community centres, stand-alone clinics, hospitals) and all types of interventions, ranging from prevention to specialized services for youth with long-term mental health problems.

    The situation in Canada

    Canada is a global leader in creating new mental health services for youth, which began with the creation of a network of programs for youth with psychosis. Lessons learned have inspired transformation in broader youth mental health services, called “Integrated Youth Services” (IYS).

    Designed with input from youth and their families, IYS do not require transition from pediatric to adult care at age 18, which prevents youth from slipping through the cracks between the two systems. IYS integrate mental health, medical health and other social services; and create primary mental health care services.

    Today, there are almost 80 IYS hubs in most jurisdictions across Canada, with approximately 50 more in development. In the 2024 federal budget, a $500 million investment in community-based youth mental health services was the most positively received item by the public.

    These services and investments represent Canada’s critical commitment to youth mental health. However, there have been relatively fewer efforts to address other elements responding to factors contributing to worse youth mental health, such as the ongoing harms of colonization and the climate crisis.

    To truly address the youth mental health crisis, we must move beyond just creating services and into creating a world that supports young people to thrive. In these areas, young people themselves have shown us the way through initiatives like the Indigenous Climate Action Youth Leadership, the Anti-Racist Youth Lab and EveryChildNow, which takes action on youth poverty.

    What can we do

    Society must embrace a strong cultural shift that prioritizes a duty to young people.
    (Shutterstock)

    To support young people, the Lancet report highlights that society must embrace a strong cultural shift that prioritizes a duty to young people, future generations and intergenerational equity, ensuring that present-day policies consider their long-term impacts. The influence of megatrends suggests that activism on any of these societal issues can benefit youth mental health.

    For those who want to take action directly, advocating for increasing mental health and social service funding, supporting local organizations dedicated to young people, involving youth in decision-making processes, and fostering nurturing social communities are all important steps.

    In light of the upcoming federal election, Canadians should demand that all political parties have a clear plan for youth mental health. Policymaking should prioritize youth, family and community needs. Policies should be evidence-based, especially since intuitively helpful but untested ideas may have unintended consequences (for example, negative effects of universal prevention efforts) or can be complicated (such as the relationship between social media use and youth mental health).

    Continuous funding for mental health research can generate knowledge that can inform practice and policy, anticipate and respond to future priorities, test innovative interventions (like nature-based, social prescribing and intergenerational connection) and improve existing systems and interventions.

    Young people are tomorrow’s leaders, innovators and contributors. Ignoring their mental health problems undermines their potential and jeopardizes Canada’s ability to build a prosperous, inclusive society. Prioritizing youth mental health is not just a strategic investment for the country’s resilience — it is an ethical imperative.

    Tovah Cowan receives funding from CIHR for a Planning and Dissemination grant supporting a project related to improving learning health systems for youth mental health services. Her current salary is paid through a CIHR grant previously awarded to Dr. Iyer.

    Camila Velez receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through a Doctoral Scholarship and a Planning and Dissemination grant for an International Symposium on arts-based research in youth mental health. Her current research assistant salary is paid through a CIHR grant previously awarded to Dr. Iyer.

    Nora Morrison’s current salary is paid through a CIHR grant previously awarded to Dr. Srividya Iyer.

    Rubén Valle receives his salary from a CIHR grant previously awarded to Dr. Iyer.

    Srividya N. Iyer is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program (Tier 1) and has received peer-reviewed grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Fonds de Recherche du Québec – Santé and the International Development Research Centre.

    – ref. The urgent mental health needs of young people: Lessons for Canada from a global commission – https://theconversation.com/the-urgent-mental-health-needs-of-young-people-lessons-for-canada-from-a-global-commission-245039

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why bike lanes should remain on Ontario’s roads

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Mahtot Gebresselassie, Assistant Professor, Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Canada

    In late 2024, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 212 giving the provincial government significant control over municipal bike lanes. The law requires municipalities to ask the province for its approval to install bike lanes if they would remove a lane for other vehicular traffic. The legislation also allows for the removal of three major bike lanes in Toronto.

    Supporters of such moves argue that bike lanes worsen traffic congestion, negatively impact local businesses and delay emergency vehicles from getting where they need to go. However, research shows that bike lanes improve transportation infrastructure, including preventing injuries.

    One of the main values of bike lanes is that they promote safety for all road users. Many cities around the world install bike lanes to wholly or partially separate cyclists from larger vehicles. This separation limits the interaction with cars and makes cycling safer.

    Bike lanes can also be more efficient at moving more people per unit width of the road compared to car lanes. They are also much more inexpensive to build than roads for cars. Protected bike lanes cost an average of a few hundred thousand per mile compared to vehicular roads in millions of dollars per lane mile.

    Reduced injuries

    Bicycles are classified as vehicles under Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act, and cyclists are rightful users of all roads except controlled access highways.

    When people cycle on infrastructure that supports biking (bike lanes, cycle tracks, low-speed zones, etc.), the risk of injury is reduced significantly. Bike lanes increase the visibility of cyclists to motorists and reduce interaction between cars and bikes.

    A 2016 paper that looked at data on bike networks and injuries in 10 Canadian and U.S. cities between 2000 and 2015 showed that an increase in bike networks led to a decrease in fatal and serious injuries.

    The safety associated with bike lanes can also encourage more people to take up cycling. A 2020 poll from the Canadian Automobile Association indicates that 40 per cent of Canadians reported they would feel encouraged to cycle on bike lanes physically separated from other vehicles.

    More inclusive roads

    Bike lanes can make cycling more inclusive for women, children, older adults, people with disabilities and those with limited transportation options.

    For them, bike lanes can bridge the equity gap and affirm cycling as something “inherently democratic, inclusive, and affordable.”

    Fewer women bike compared to men. A 2014 study that surveyed cyclists in five U.S. cities found that more women than men strongly agreed that protected bike lanes made them feel safe and new ones increased how often they cycled.

    Child cyclists benefit a great deal from bike lanes. They are often smaller and less visible to people driving cars. They are also less able to assess risk and navigate shared roads, so a separate lane can reduce those risks.

    Older adults and people with disabilities also benefit from bike lanes, as they provide a more suitable cycling environment for riding with limited physical acuity and slower speeds.

    Low-income and racialized people are significant bike users and are more likely to rely on biking to get around due to their limited access to transportation options. Yet, without bike lanes, they may have no choice but to risk cycling in a dangerous environment. For them, bike lanes are crucial infrastructure.

    Cycling is also much cheaper than having a car. Cycling costs about $0.06/km and driving a car $0.58/km, and switching from driving to cycling can reduce transportation spending from 30 per cent to 10 per cent of household income.

    Consumer spending and congestion

    Some argue that bike lanes reduce street parking, which can lead to lower economic activity. However, a 2012 study showed that people who cycle, walk and use transit frequent local businesses more and spend the same or more than those who use private cars.

    In Toronto, when bike lanes were installed on Bloor Street West, there was an average increase in monthly consumer spending from $186 to $245. A similar trend was observed in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Bern, Dublin and Copenhagen.

    When it comes to congestion, a 2018 study on the impact of installing bike lanes on arterial roads in Toronto found that the most affected street segments would only result in an estimated one-minute delay.

    A 2022 study from Melbourne showed a minor effect on traffic when bike lanes were added to residential streets with low speed limits. It also found the “selective inclusion” of safe cycling lanes, in the worst cases, leads to a delay of less than 10 seconds per kilometre for drivers.

    In New York, a 2016 study found that adding bike lanes reduced the average time for car travel on major thoroughfares from an average of 4.5 minutes to 3 minutes.

    Examples from elsewhere indicate that removing bike lanes would not bode well for Toronto. A well-used bike lane in London, England was removed in December 2020 following residents’ complaints that they caused traffic congestion. A study found that the removal resulted in longer travel time on the street compounded by cars illegally parking in the space previously reserved for the bike lane.

    Emergency response

    Immediately after the bike lanes were installed on Toronto’s Bloor Street West, paramedics response time within 500 metres of the bike lane corridor rose by 42 seconds compared to 45 seconds city-wide.

    Toronto Fire Services (TFS) response time increased by 30 seconds within the same corridor compared to a two-second increase for the entire city. However, these evaluations were for two months in 2023. In October 2024, TFS Chief Jim Jessop said the Bloor Street West bike lanes did not lead to an increase in response time.

    If these bike lanes are removed and replaced with others elsewhere, it could create a poorly connected bike network. The safety and convenience associated with connected bike networks will be lost as a result.

    Based on what research tells us, Toronto’s bike lanes should stay. Bike lanes provide various benefits, including making our streets more inclusive of more people.

    Bike lanes offer safety on the roads by reducing the risk of fatal or non-life-threatening injuries on roads, and are a tremendous gain for transportation infrastructure.

    Even in cases where a bike lane causes a few seconds of delay, politicians and city planners must consider the trade-off — especially if it means saving a person’s life.

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

    – ref. Why bike lanes should remain on Ontario’s roads – https://theconversation.com/why-bike-lanes-should-remain-on-ontarios-roads-249150

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Wildfire season is changing in Canada — posing even greater risks to the nation’s communities and ecosystems

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Hossein Bonakdari, Associate professor, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Wildfire season in Canada has historically spanned from late April to August — with the most damaging of these fires typically burning in June and July. But in recent years, we’ve seen a significant change in when wildfires burning; they are no longer a seasonal phenomenon.

    For example, in 2024, Alberta’s wildfire season started in February due to the province’s warm and dry conditions. Québec recorded its forth earliest wildfire since 1973 in mid-march of the same year. British Columbia then reported their first wildfires of the season shortly after.

    In 2023, Canada had one of its most catastrophic wildfire years — with over 18.4 hectares of forest burned. These wildfires caused approximately 232,000 people to be evacuated from their homes in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Québec.

    The huge number of wildfires that burned in 2023 released more than three times the total CO2 emissions of Canada’s entire transportation sector produces in a year. This catastrophic wildfire season also started burning far earlier than normal.

    Changing wildfire patterns represent a growing danger to Canadians and our nation’s communities, ecosystems and air quality.

    Recipe for a wildfire

    The recipe for wildfire is simple and needs only three ingredients: fuel (combustible vegetation), ignition (either from human or natural causes — such as lightning) and favourable weather conditions (hot, dry and windy weather).

    But drought can act as a key accelerating factor. As a professor who specializes in sustainable land and water management, I have spent over 15 years researching the impacts of climate change on natural disasters. My most recent research has highlighted the role that droughts play in wildfire vulnerability in Canada.

    Droughts not only dry vegetation — which gives wildfires more fuel — they also prolong hot, dry and windy weather. This further creates a high-risk environment for wildfires to ignite and spread.

    Canada may appear to be a water-rich country, with vast networks of lakes, rivers and considerable amounts of annual precipitation. But these rich resources suffer from significant seasonal and regional variations.

    For example, even British Columbia, where many towns average more than a 1,000mm of precipitation a year, experiences severe drought conditions — particularly during the summer months.

    At the end of 2024, 43 per cent of Canada was classified as abnormally dry or in moderate to extreme drought. Around 35 per cent of the country’s agricultural land was directly impacted. These conditions highlight the growing vulnerability of even water-rich regions to long, dry seasons.

    During 2023, there was a strong link between soil moisture levels measured between May and October and wildfire activity. Areas with the lowest soil moisture levels experienced heightened wildfire activity. This underscores the critical role of drought conditions in amplifying wildfire risks.

    Wildland and urban development

    In January 2025, California experienced one of the most catastrophic wildfire crises in the state’s history.

    At least 29 people tragically lost their lives. Over 16,000 structures have been destroyed or severely damaged, and approximately 200,000 residents were forced to evacuate from their own homes.

    The total economic damage and losses are estimated to be more than $250 billion. This catastrophic crisis has clearly highlighted the growing impacts of climate change on densely populated areas at the interface of wildland and urban zones.

    Drought was a major factor that exacerbated these wildfires.

    But another important factor that significantly contributed to the damage caused by these wildfires in California was the wildland-urban interface (WUI). These are areas where natural, undeveloped vegetation meets human development. This creates a high-risk zone where flammable plants and structures combine — increasing the chance of wildfires spreading from wildlands to communities.

    In Canada, the WUI is rapidly expanding as large cities contend with population growth. But this is putting even more Canadians at risk from potentially detrimental wildfires. The recent, severe wildfires in California’s WUI areas offer a clear warning for Canada, highlighting an urgent need to address the risks associated with these rapidly growing zones.

    Safeguarding strategies

    One way of safeguarding Canada’s expanding WUI zones is by using the leaf area index (LAI). This is a measure of vegetation density.

    The more dense the vegetation in a particular region (which means it has a higher LAI value), the greater that area’s risk of wildfire. This is because densely wooded areas contain significant fuel sources for wildfires, making them capable of sustaining and intensifying fire spread.

    British Columbia’s coastline, Eastern Canada, Southern Ontario and parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick (including Halifax and Saint John) are all densely vegetated, highly populated areas that are highly susceptible to wildfire threats — especially during periods of drought and high temperatures.

    By pinpointing Canada’s most vulnerable regions, targeted wildfire prevention strategies can be carried out to mitigate risks and enhance community resilience in the face of escalating wildfire threats. This might include reducing the amount of dry vegetation, carrying out controlled burns and building fire-resistant infrastructure.

    Canada announced a new goal to build nearly 3.9 million houses by 2031. For these houses to be built, parts of WUI zones will need to be used. It will be important for planning and development policies to ensure resilience against wildfires.

    Canada stands at a pivotal moment in wildfire risk management because of expanding WUI zones, prolonged drought conditions and intensifying fire weather converge. Without a multi-pronged strategy, wildfires will only continue to be a growing threat to ecosystems, infrastructure and public safety.

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

    – ref. Wildfire season is changing in Canada — posing even greater risks to the nation’s communities and ecosystems – https://theconversation.com/wildfire-season-is-changing-in-canada-posing-even-greater-risks-to-the-nations-communities-and-ecosystems-248323

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Ellomay Capital Announces Execution of Project Finance Agreements for its 198 MW Solar Portfolio in Italy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tel-Aviv, Israel, March 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ellomay Capital Ltd. (NYSE American; TASE: ELLO) (“Ellomay” or the “Company”), a renewable energy and power generator and developer of renewable energy and power projects in Europe, Israel and the USA, today reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ellomay Holdings Luxembourg Sarl (“Ellomay Luxembourg”), which owns a portfolio of 198 MW solar facilities in Italy, among other assets, that includes operating and “ready to build” projects (the “Italian Solar Portfolio”), entered into a set of agreements governing the procurement of financing (the “Project Finance”) with a reputable European institutional investor (the “Lender”), intended to finance the construction and related expenses of the Italian Solar Portfolio. The Italian Solar Portfolio includes three solar facilities, in the aggregate capacity of approximately 38 MW, which are already constructed and connected to the grid, and additional projects with an aggregate capacity of approximately 160 MW that have reached ready-to-build status.

    The Project Finance in an amount of up to €110 million will be provided by way of senior secured notes to be issued in multiple tranches during the construction phase by a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ellomay Luxembourg. All notes are due on December 31, 2047 and to be repaid in semi-annual installments. The notes bear interest from and including the issue date to and excluding the maturity date at the rate of 4.50% per annum, to be paid semi-annually in arrears.

    The financial closing of the Project Finance is expected to occur in the coming weeks.

    About Ellomay Capital Ltd.

    Ellomay is an Israeli based company whose shares are registered with the NYSE American and with the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ELLO”. Since 2009, Ellomay Capital focuses its business in the renewable energy and power sectors in Europe, USA and Israel.

    To date, Ellomay has evaluated numerous opportunities and invested significant funds in the renewable, clean energy and natural resources industries in Israel, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and Texas, USA, including:

    • Approximately 335.9 MW of operating solar power plants in Spain (including a 300 MW solar plant in owned by Talasol, which is 51% owned by the Company) and approximately 38 MW of operating solar power plants in Italy;
    • 9.375% indirect interest in Dorad Energy Ltd., which owns and operates one of Israel’s largest private power plants with production capacity of approximately 850MW, representing about 6%-8% of Israel’s total current electricity consumption;
    • Groen Gas Goor B.V., Groen Gas Oude-Tonge B.V. and Groen Gas Gelderland B.V., project companies operating anaerobic digestion plants in the Netherlands, with a green gas production capacity of approximately 3 million, 3.8 million and 9.5 million Nm3 per year, respectively;
    • 83.333% of Ellomay Pumped Storage (2014) Ltd., which is involved in a project to construct a 156 MW pumped storage hydro power plant in the Manara Cliff, Israel;
    • Solar projects in Italy with an aggregate capacity of 285 MW that have reached “ready to build” status; and
    • Solar projects in the Dallas Metropolitan area, Texas, USA with an aggregate capacity of 49 MW that are under construction.

    For more information about Ellomay, visit http://www.ellomay.com.

    Information Relating to Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties, including statements that are based on the current expectations and assumptions of the Company’s management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding the Company’s plans and objectives, expectations and assumptions of management are forward-looking statements. The use of certain words, including the words “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may not actually achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. Various important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those that may be expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements, including the non-fulfillment of any of the conditions to closing set forth in the Project Finance documentation, changes in electricity prices and demand, regulatory changes, increases in interest rates and inflation, changes in the supply and prices of resources required for the operation of the Company’s facilities (such as waste and natural gas) and in the price of oil, the impact of the war and hostilities in Israel and Gaza, the impact of continued military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, technical and other disruptions in the operations or construction of the power plants owned by the Company and general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates, including Israel, Spain, Italy and the United States. These and other risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business are described in greater detail in the filings the Company makes from time to time with Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 20-F. The forward-looking statements are made as of this date and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    Contact:
    Kalia Rubenbach (Weintraub)
    CFO
    Tel: +972 (3) 797-1111
    Email: hilai@ellomay.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transcript: Consent Award to End Prison Work Stoppage

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the consent award to end work stoppage at state correctional facilities. Last night, mediator Martin Scheinman released a statement outlining the terms agreed to by DOCCS and NYSCOPBA.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

     I’d like to make a statement about the situation with our Department of Corrections and the ongoing unauthorized prison strike. Throughout this entire crisis, my top priority has been public safety. The safety of the incarcerated population, the safety of the workers there, the safety of the correction officers and the safety of the community.

    Every single decision we have made has gone through that lens of what’s best and what’s safest for these communities. And I deployed every single resource to deal with this crisis, mobilizing the National Guard. And let me say how grateful I am to the National Guard. We have National Guardsmen in Guantanamo Bay, on battlefields, we have them in Greenland, on really important missions — but right now they’ve been pulled out of protecting critical assets, even our airports and subway systems, to have to be up here to deal with this situation. I’m grateful they have made that sacrifice.

    We also wanted to bring together people for mediation. The union representing the correction officers requested a mediator — requested a specific individual — and that person has been working really hard, and I appreciate his work as well: Mediator Marty Scheinman. And working with him, we’ve reached a consent award. Now this addresses many, many of the concerns raised by the correction officers. And I’ll go through them.

    This will put the conditions back on safe operations. It respects the rights of incarcerated individuals and it prevents future unsanctioned work stoppages. We also share the goal with the union that 24-hour work shifts are too long. I understand this. These individuals work in tough, tough conditions. I know that, and I appreciate it. This is a lot of time away from their families. There’s a lot of unpredictability. This is not an ideal situation. No one wants this. And we want to make sure that we are striving toward the goal of eliminating those shifts. This will take some time. Our ranks are down. We have many, many people out on workers comp on any given day. We need to get people back to work. We need to hire more people, and we’re going to continue toward those goals.

    So this agreement that we came together with last evening, represents our commitment to creating safer work environments, which the correction officers absolutely deserve, ensures proper staffing and management of facilities and creates a framework going forward to address concerns as they arise.

    This resolution is just the beginning. We want to continue addressing systemic issues and make sure that the entire environment is safe for everyone involved, and protect the staff and incarcerated individuals. Now I have a lot of respect for the correction officers who dedicate themselves and their lives to public safety.

    This is a critical, critical function for all of us, and I’m grateful for those who have remained at work. And looking forward to the return of others who have taken the position they have over the last number of days. But we want them back at work and we hope that they will look very seriously at what, I believe, is a real win for the correction officers.

    So, I appreciate everybody involved.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Flags Lowered to Honor Dr. Hazel N. Dukes

    Source: US State of New York

    Official websites use ny.gov

    A ny.gov website belongs to an official New York State government organization.

    Secure ny.gov websites use HTTPS

    A lock icon or https:// means you’ve safely connected to a ny.gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

    You are leaving the official State of New York website.

    The State of New York does not imply approval of the listed destinations, warrant the accuracy of any information set out in those destinations, or endorse any opinions expressed therein. External web sites operate at the direction of their respective owners who should be contacted directly with questions regarding the content of these sites.

    Visit Site

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Transcript: Disincentivizing Private Equity Housing Investors

    Source: US State of New York

    arlier today, Governor Kathy Hochul made a stop in Rochester to highlight her 2025 State of the State proposal to give more families an opportunity to become homeowners by disincentivizing institutional investors from buying up one- and two-family homes across New York State. The Governor’s proposed legislation will require a 75-day waiting period before institutional investors that own 10 or more single- and two-family properties and have $50 million in assets can make an offer on or buy one- or two-family homes. Additionally, Governor Hochul proposed reducing the opportunity for these institutional investors to take advantage of tax code provisions that make these investments in single- and two-family homes more lucrative by generally denying these entities the ability to utilize depreciation tax or most interest deductions on these properties.

    VIDEO: The event is available to stream on YouTube here and TV quality video is available here (h.264, mp4).

    AUDIO: The Governor’s remarks are available in audio form here.

    PHOTOS: The Governor’s Flickr page will post photos of the event here.

    A rush transcript of the Governor’s remarks is available below:

    I always feel so welcome in the Rochester area – the Finger Lakes region – it’s a spectacular area and it’s a place where you understand if you say, “Go Bills,” you’ll get an answer back, right? Go Bills! I’m right at home, and so, there’s always next year. It’s kind of our slogan for 31 years, but we’re going to say it again.

    And also, New Yorkers don’t agree on everything, and they don’t all agree on our sports teams in other parts of the state, although I’m converting everybody – but it’s a very, fabulously diverse place. And I’ve been so blessed to be someone who came from Western New York who was proud to represent this area in Congress, but also now to be able to represent the entire state.

    And I’m so acutely aware of the diversity and the different places that people live and the different options they have. Some are tiny, little hamlets with one stop sign and some are just enormous metropolitan areas like New York City.

    But one thing we have in common is that everybody has a dream. Everybody thinks that someday they’re going to have a home. And it’s something that particularly here Upstate, it never was that far out of reach. Maybe your grandparents had a home and your parents had a home. And the expectation was that every generation would be able to have the power, the ability to buy their own home.

    Yes, it’s going to be a struggle. I remember scraping nickels together for my husband and I to get our first home. It was 1,300 square feet, and we raised two kids in it. They were in one bedroom, we were in the other, one bathroom. But you know what – it was ours. It’s ours, it meant so much to us.

    That townie house now is over $1 million. I paid almost nothing for it. So, it’s so hard for young people today, but everybody just wants to have a stable place. And we talk about a place like Rochester, and a place like Buffalo, Rochester, Upstate, had always been known for their affordability. That was good. That meant you had the options available to you.

    But now we have what is called a “Hot Market.” Sounds good. Sounds really – hey, who doesn’t want to be hot, right? It sounds great. I shouldn’t have said that.

    But that’s what they describe Upstate New York, right? Buffalo, I think they said Buffalo is the hottest housing market in America. And we’re right up here second or third in this area. It’s really something that I know the people in this room – and I want to just take a moment to acknowledge the extraordinary partners that I have in government here because they’re on this quest with me to ensure that that dream becomes a reality for all New Yorkers.

    And I want to start with our Mayor Malik Evans. He has been such a champion for the people of this region. I honor your public service. It is hard. We’ve been fighting crime together and stabilizing our communities. Amazing partner of mine. I want to give a special round of applause to our Mayor, Malik Evans.

    Your Senator, Samra Brouk. I want to thank her for all she does and a great champion for this area. A real fighter. Assemblymember Sarah Clark. We’ve worked together for many years since your first run. We’ve been together and I appreciate you stepping up and running. And of course, Jen Lunsford, who’s doing such an incredible job as well.

    These are your champions in Albany. These are your champions. And also, you’ll be hearing from Theo Finn. Theo’s a rock star in her own right and the Greater Rochester Housing Project, because all she wakes up thinking about is, “How I’m going to build more housing.” And I just love that spirit of public service, let’s give her a round of applause, Theo Finn.

    And Luis Alvarez, our regular person who’s going to talk to you about what regular people are going through. And I thank him for being here. And is Bill Moehle here too? I just saw you over there. Bill, stand up. Our Supervisor. Thank you. Bill’s been — we’ve been working together a long, long time together.

    But, not finding a home is a huge source of stress. Sometimes you have a lot of pressure. You might be about to change jobs — and this is what my son and daughter in law just went through — about to change jobs, but you knew if you did that and then try to apply for financing they’d say, “Oh, you’ve only been at this job a few months.” So, it’s going to be a strike against you. So there’s a lot of pressure on everybody.

    And what I want to be able to do is — also for our businesses that we’re attracting here — we’re doing really well attracting businesses to the Rochester region. It’s a hot place to be. But if the businesses come and they say, “Well, where are people supposed to live?” And if you can’t offer the housing stock to their workers, they might have to find someplace else.

    So, we think about the people who are already here who raised their children, and those children want to live in the same neighborhood. They’ve got great schools, great opportunities, great quality of life, but too many times the families have had to move away when it’s time for them to have a family because they don’t have a home to live in.

    Also, it’s an economic issue. We have to be able to tell businesses who are here, and those who are recruiting, that there is plentiful, affordable housing stock. But think also about the senior citizens. And maybe they’ve been blessed with the home, but they want to downsize. If there’s not a condo or an apartment or a townhouse to move to, then their options are limited.

    So, that’s what we’ve been tackling head on. As Governor, I took on the housing crisis, and many people said, “Don’t go there. It’s complicated. There’s a reason no other Governor talks about housing,” but we are successful in working with our partners in the Legislature over the last couple of years, really achieving something that we should be proud of.

    The New York Times said it’s the most far-reaching, ambitious housing package in 70 years, 60 years — I don’t want to exaggerate, 60 years. That’s pretty impressive. That’s older than most of you in this room. It’s a long time. But, I also unveiled the plan to have over 100,000 new units built in 5 years, and we’re getting there ahead of schedule.

    And people said, “That’s too ambitious; it’s too big,” but we’re really, really ahead of schedule on that as well. So, we’re really excited about this. But, also, one other thing I add to the table — a lot of communities have said, “Don’t tell us we have to grow.” Okay, you should grow on your own, but if you don’t know to do this, then I’ll put incentives out there. I will make it easier for you to be able to grow and help with programs and projects that can help your community like the pro-housing agenda.

    If you’ve not heard of this, the communities that say, “We are pro-housing. We will step up and pass a resolution.” I was on a town board for 14 years. We did resolutions all the time. You write the resolution, you get it passed and what that says is that we have the ambition to build more housing. This is really important.

    And, so, the communities that are doing it are eligible for $650 million of everything from downtown revitalization, to special grants for water and sewer, to Main Street programs — Main Street grant — all that’s available for the communities that say, “We’re going to build more housing,” and we’ve added another $100 million to that.

    We’re also adding money for people to be able to afford that first home. We’re going to have $100 million for new starter homes for purchasing and that provide that down payment for first time home buyers — that could really make a difference for someone. And I’m going to have a new housing ombudsman because a lot of developers say it just takes too long. It’s too frustrating. And I’m going to have a person dedicated to making that a lot easier.

    But here’s the truth, no matter what we’re doing, we’re in competition with a powerful, powerful force. Our parents and grandparents didn’t have to bid against private equity firms when they’re buying their first home. That wasn’t happening. And these huge, greedy conglomerates are gobbling up the housing stock and they’re trying to increase their portfolios and bring in more money and they’re building up a lot more vacation homes and rentals.

    And think about a young family that’s scraping together everything they’ve got, and you’ll hear about this from Luis, every dime you have and everything you’re dedicated to, and you’re trying to get out there and you’re going and making offer after offer after offer, and you keep losing because there’s somebody else who’s not from your community, who doesn’t understand our values, our way of life, who comes in to make a buck and they pluck down a cash offer.You can’t compete with that. And it’s so sad. It’s tragic when you think about it. And they’re milking it.

    And this is a real threat that they’re saying that by 2030, 40 percent of the homes will be owned by private equity firms. That’s shocking. And they’re not always investing in them either. They’re getting run down. So we have to fight this. And they’re also engaging sometimes in illegal income discrimination practices, and the local news is talking about it and they’re violating codes — they’re wreaking havoc. But I want to do something about it. We can complain all we want, but when I hear there’s a problem, I want a solution.

    So I worked with my team, and in this year’s Budget I announced this – I said, “What we’re going to do is say, private equity companies – you can have your chance, but you’re going to wait 75 days. You’re going to give the rest of the people, the real people, not the corporations, a chance to bid over 75 days, make their offers first. So you can get in line. You may end up getting a home, buying it, but I don’t want any more hard working individuals or moms or dads or anybody who wants this dream to become reality to have to lose out to you.” And that’s how we’re going to stop it.

    So, these homes we built, these homes are being built, we’re going to build more housing, that’s great. But I want to make sure that people have a chance to get in that market and be able to bid on it. So, I’m grateful to, again, our elected officials who will support this. You’re with me, right? Okay, good, I got the – you heard it there, my entire Budget’s been supported by the front row. Grateful for that.

    But also this is a fight. They’re not going to like this. They have a lot of money to fight this, fight us back. But I’m not afraid of this. You’re not afraid of this either, are you? We’re going to stand up and fight for our families, our individuals, and our seniors, because this is a fight worth taking on.

    So I thank all of you for being part of this. We’re ready for it, and let’s make sure that this policy gets over the finish line. So thank you everyone. I appreciate your support for this. And also let me bring up our Mayor, Malik Evans.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose.  The production of timber, lumber, paper, bioenergy, and other wood products (timber production) is critical to our Nation’s well-being.  Timber production is essential for crucial human activities like construction and energy production.  Furthermore, as recent disasters demonstrate, forest management and wildfire risk reduction projects can save American lives and communities.

    The United States has an abundance of timber resources that are more than adequate to meet our domestic timber production needs, but heavy-handed Federal policies have prevented full utilization of these resources and made us reliant on foreign producers.  Our inability to fully exploit our domestic timber supply has impeded the creation of jobs and prosperity, contributed to wildfire disasters, degraded fish and wildlife habitats, increased the cost of construction and energy, and threatened our economic security.  These onerous Federal policies have forced our Nation to rely upon imported lumber, thus exporting jobs and prosperity and compromising our self-reliance.  It is vital that we reverse these policies and increase domestic timber production to protect our national and economic security.

    Sec. 2.  Directives to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture. 

    (a)  Within 30 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Chief of the United States Forest Service (USFS), respectively, shall each issue new or updated guidance regarding tools to facilitate increased timber production and sound forest management, reduce time to deliver timber, and decrease timber supply uncertainty, such as the Good Neighbor Authority described in 16 U.S.C. 2113a, stewardship contracting pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 6591c, and agreements or contracts with Indian tribes under the Tribal Forest Protection Act as contemplated by 25 U.S.C. 3115a.  The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall also each submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget any legislative proposals that would expand authorities to improve timber production and sound forest management.
         

    (b)  Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the Secretary of Commerce, through the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, shall complete a strategy on USFS and BLM forest management projects under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1536) to improve the speed of approving forestry projects.  The Secretary of the Interior, through the Director of the FWS, shall also examine any applicable existing authorities that would permit executive departments and agencies (agencies) to delegate consultation requirements under section 7 of the ESA to other agencies and, if necessary, provide a legislative proposal to ensure consultation is streamlined.
         

    (c)  Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall together submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, a plan that sets a target for the annual amount of timber per year to be offered for sale over the next 4 years from Federal lands managed by the BLM and the USFS, measured in millions of board feet.
         

    (d)  Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior, through the Directors of the FWS and the BLM, and the Secretary of Agriculture, through the Chief of the USFS, shall complete the Whitebark Pine Rangewide Programmatic Consultation under section 7 of the ESA.
         

    (e)  Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall consider and, if appropriate and consistent with applicable law, adopt categorical exclusions administratively established by other agencies to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and reduce unnecessarily lengthy processes and associated costs related to administrative approvals for timber production, forest management, and wildfire risk reduction treatments.
         

    (f)  Within 280 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of the Interior shall consider and, if appropriate and consistent with applicable law, establish a new categorical exclusion for timber thinning and re-establish a categorical exclusion for timber salvage activities.  

    Sec. 3.  Streamlined Permitting.  All relevant agencies shall eliminate, to the maximum extent permissible by law, all undue delays within their respective permitting processes related to timber production.  Additionally, all relevant agencies shall take all necessary and appropriate steps consistent with applicable law to suspend, revise, or rescind all existing regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, settlements, consent orders, and other agency actions that impose an undue burden on timber production.

    Sec. 4.  Endangered Species Committee.  (a)  Agencies are directed to use, to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law, the ESA regulations on consultations in emergencies to facilitate the Nation’s timber production.  The Secretary of the Interior, as Chairman of the Endangered Species Committee, shall ensure a prompt and efficient review of all submissions to such committee, to include identification of any legal deficiencies, in order to ensure the timely consideration of exemption applications and, where possible, to resolve such applications before the deadlines set by the ESA.  

    (b)  Federal members of the Endangered Species Committee, or their designees, shall coordinate to develop and submit a report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, that identifies obstacles to domestic timber production infrastructure specifically deriving from implementation of the ESA and recommends procedural, regulatory, and interagency improvements.

    (c)  The Secretary of the Interior shall ensure that the Director of the FWS, or the Director’s authorized representative, is available to consult promptly with agencies and to take other appropriate action concerning the applicability of the ESA’s emergency regulations.  The Secretary of Commerce shall ensure that the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, or the Assistant Administrator’s authorized representative, is available for such consultation and to take such other action as may assist in applying the ESA’s emergency regulations.

    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE
        March 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Designating English as the Official Language of The United States

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Purpose and Policy.  From the founding of our Republic, English has been used as our national language.  Our Nation’s historic governing documents, including the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, have all been written in English.  It is therefore long past time that English is declared as the official language of the United States.  A nationally designated language is at the core of a unified and cohesive society, and the United States is strengthened by a citizenry that can freely exchange ideas in one shared language.

    In welcoming new Americans, a policy of encouraging the learning and adoption of our national language will make the United States a shared home and empower new citizens to achieve the American dream.  Speaking English not only opens doors economically, but it helps newcomers engage in their communities, participate in national traditions, and give back to our society.  This order recognizes and celebrates the long tradition of multilingual American citizens who have learned English and passed it to their children for generations to come.

    To promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement, it is in America’s best interest for the Federal Government to designate one — and only one — official language.  Establishing English as the official language will not only streamline communication but also reinforce shared national values, and create a more cohesive and efficient society.

    Accordingly, this order designates English as the official language of the United States.

    Sec. 2.  Definitions.  For purposes of this order:
    (a)  “Agency” has the meaning given to it in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code, except that such term does not include the Executive Office of the President or any components thereof.

    (b)  “Agency Head” means the highest-ranking official of an agency, such as the Secretary, Administrator, Chairman, or Director, unless otherwise specified in this order.

    Sec. 3.  Designating an Official Language for the United States.  (a)  English is the official language of the United States. 

    (b)  Executive Order 13166 of August 11, 2000 (Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency), is hereby revoked; nothing in this order, however, requires or directs any change in the services provided by any agency.  Agency heads should make decisions as they deem necessary to fulfill their respective agencies’ mission and efficiently provide Government services to the American people.  Agency heads are not required to amend, remove, or otherwise stop production of documents, products, or other services prepared or offered in languages other than English.  

    (c)  The Attorney General shall rescind any policy guidance documents issued pursuant to Executive Order 13166 and provide updated guidance, consistent with applicable law.

    Sec. 4.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        March 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Timber, Lumber

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-left”>By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (Trade Expansion Act), it is hereby ordered:

    Section 1.  Policy.  The wood products industry, composed of timber, lumber, and their derivative products (such as paper products, furniture, and cabinetry) is a critical manufacturing industry essential to the national security, economic strength, and industrial resilience of the United States.  This industry plays a vital role in key downstream civilian industries, including construction.

    The United States faces significant vulnerabilities in the wood supply chain from imported timber, lumber, and their derivative products being dumped onto the United States market.

    The United States has ample timber resources.  The current United States softwood lumber industry has the practical production capacity to supply 95 percent of the United States’ 2024 softwood consumption.  Yet, since 2016 the United States has been a net importer of lumber.

    Wood products are a key input used by both the civilian construction industry and the military.  Each year, the United States military spends over 10 billion dollars on construction.  The military also invests in innovative building material technology, including processes to create innovative wood products such as cross-laminated timber.  The procurement of these building materials depends on a strong domestic lumber industry and a manufacturing base capable of meeting both military-specific and wider civilian needs.

    It is the policy of the United States to ensure reliable, secure, and resilient domestic supply chains of timber, lumber, and their derivative products.  Unfair subsidies and foreign government support for foreign timber, lumber, and their derivative products necessitate action under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine whether imports of these products threaten to impair national security.

    Sec. 2.  Investigation.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce shall initiate an investigation under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine the effects on the national security of imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products.

    (b)  In conducting the investigation described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall assess the factors set forth in 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), labeled “Domestic production for national defense; impact of foreign competition on economic welfare of domestic industries,” as well as other relevant factors, including:

    (i)    the current and projected demand for timber and lumber in the United States;

    (ii)   the extent to which domestic production of timber and lumber can meet domestic demand;

    (iii)  the role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting United States timber and lumber demand;

    (iv)   the impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on United States timber, lumber, and derivative product industry competitiveness;

    (v)    the feasibility of increasing domestic timber and lumber capacity to reduce imports; and

    (vi)   the impact of current trade policies on domestic timber, lumber, and derivative product production, and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security.

    Sec. 3.  Required Actions.  (a)  The Secretary of Commerce shall consult with the Secretary of Defense and the heads of other relevant executive departments and agencies as determined by the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate the national security risks associated with imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products.

    (b)  No later than 270 days after the date of this order, the Secretary of Commerce shall submit a report to the President that includes:

    (i)    findings on whether imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products threaten national security;

    (ii)   recommendations on actions to mitigate such threats, including potential tariffs, export controls, or incentives to increase domestic production; and

    (iii)  policy recommendations for strengthening the United States timber and lumber supply chain through strategic investments and permitting reforms.

    Sec. 4.  Definitions.  As used in this order:

    (a)  The term “timber” refers to wood that has not been processed.

    (b)  The term “lumber” refers to wood that has been processed, including wood that has been milled and cut into boards or planks.

    Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

    (i)   the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or

    (ii)  the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

    (b)  This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.

    (c)  This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,
        March 1, 2025.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Little Leaf Farms Announces Limited Voluntary Withdrawal of a Specific Lot Code of Southwest Salad Kit Due to Undeclared Fish and Wheat

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    February 28, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    March 01, 2025
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Undeclared fish and wheat allergen

    Company Name:
    Little Leaf Farms
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    Little Leaf Farms

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Southwest Salad Kits

    Company Announcement
    Little Leaf Farms is voluntarily recalling a specific lot code of its Southwest Salad Kits due to the potential presence of undeclared fish and wheat allergens. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to wheat and/or fish run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume these products.
    The affected product was produced during a single run on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, resulting in one pallet of 96 cases (576 individual clamshells). Little Leaf Farms has determined that fewer than 20 individual Southwest Salad Kits were incorrectly assembled during this run.
    Product was distributed to the following states: Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire. The Southwest Salad Kits were distributed to retail stores including Ahold USA Freetown, Kilduff, Stew Leonard’s, Associated Grocers of New England, Shapiro Produce, and C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc (Hatfield) between February 20, 2025, and February 22, 2025.
    The recalled product is identified as follows:

    Product Name: Southwest Salad Kit
    Lot Number: 050011 as the first six digits (printed on the bottom left of the package)
    Enjoy By Date: 03/08/2025
    Package Size: Individual clamshell

    Consumers who may have purchased the potentially affected Southwest Salad Kits with this lot number are asked to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or immediately dispose of them. Little Leaf Farms is advising affected retailers in its distribution network to remove existing products with the above-identified lot code from their shelves and warehouses.
    The issue was identified after receiving one consumer complaint noting incorrect ingredients. No injuries or illnesses have been reported to date.
    While the products are safe to eat and the company believes the issue is extremely limited, it is taking this measure to ensure the safety of its consumers.
    Consumers with questions should contact Little Leaf Farms Consumer Relations at (844) LIL-LEAF, Monday- Friday 9-12pm, 1:30-5pm EST, or email us at hello@littleleaffarms.com.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    03/01/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s telephone conversation with US President Trump

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    1 Marzo 2025

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, had a telephone conversation this evening with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump, also in view of her meeting in London tomorrow with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer to host leaders summit on Ukraine

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer to host leaders summit on Ukraine

    The Prime Minister will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today [2 March 2025].

    The Prime Minister will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today. 

    The Prime Minister has this weekend reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine and is determined to find a way forward that brings an end to Russia’s illegal war and guarantees Ukraine a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security. 

    The summit rounds off a week of intense diplomacy for the Prime Minister, which has seen him raise UK defence spending and travel to Washington D.C. for productive talks with President Trump in support of UK and European security. The Prime Minister spoke again with both President Trump and President Zelenskyy on Friday evening following the events of yesterday at the Presidents’ meeting in Washington D.C. 

    The Prime Minister will welcome Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Downing Street this morning, before being joined at the summit in central London by the leaders of Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania. The Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council will also attend. 

    The Prime Minister has been clear that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine, a determination he reiterated when he warmly welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street on Saturday evening ahead of the summit. 

    Discussions at the summit will focus on: 

    • Strengthening Ukraine’s position now – including ongoing military support and increased economic pressure on Russia. 

    • The need for a strong lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine and ensures that Ukraine is able to deter and defend against future Russian attack. 

    • Next steps on planning for strong security guarantees. 

    Following the announcement earlier this week that the UK will spend 2.5% of its GDP on defence by 2027, the Prime Minister will be clear on the need for Europe to play its part on defence and step up for the good of collective security. 

    The UK has already been clear it is willing to support Ukraine’s future security with troops on the ground. 

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 

    Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position. 

    In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the United States.   

    We have an opportunity to come together to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures their sovereignty and security.   

    Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 1 March 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: More Support for Trump Administration’s Pursuit of Peace in Ukraine

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Support continues to roll in for the unwavering commitment of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President Vance to the American people and the Trump Administration’s relentless pursuit of peace. Speaker Mike Johnson: “Thanks to President Trump – the days of America being taken advantage of and disrespected are OVER. The death and destruction of the Russian-provoked war needs to stop immediately, and only our American President can put these two countries on a path to lasting peace. President Zelenskyy needed to acknowledge that, and accept the extraordinary mineral rights partnership proposal that President Trump put on the table. What we witnessed in the Oval Office today was an American President putting America first.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio: “The only person on the planet who is actively trying to bring an end to this conflict is named Donald Trump, the President of the United States.” National Security Advisor Mike Waltz: “It’s not clear that Zelenskyy truly wants to stop the fighting. He came in, even though he was warned not to, determined to litigate all of that … This was the wrong approach, wrong time in history, and definitely the wrong president to try to do this.” Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard: “Thank you @realDonaldTrump for your unwavering leadership in standing up for the interests of the American people, and peace. What you said is absolutely true: Zelensky has been trying to drag the United States into a nuclear war with Russia/WW3 for years now, and no one has called him on it. Thank you, Vice President @JDVance for speaking out so forcefully and clearly, about the necessity of diplomacy.” UN Ambassador-designate Elise Stefanik: “President Trump will ALWAYS stand up for the American people – especially in the Oval Office. Peace through strength is back on the world stage because of President Trump’s bold and strong leadership.” Sen. Eric Schmitt: “Zelensky was probably used to talking this way to American leaders. Apparently, no one told him that things have changed. The age of America Last foreign policy is over. From this day forward, it’s going to be only America First.” Sen. Lindsey Graham: “I have never been more proud of the president. I was very proud of JD Vance, standing up for our country.” CNN’s Scott Jennings: “All Zelenskyy had to do today was put on a tie, show up, smile, say thank you, sign the papers, and have lunch. That’s it — and he couldn’t do that.” Marc Thiessen: “There was no ambush. Z was set up for success. All he had to do was not get into a public fight and sign the minerals deal.  Not hard. A lot of work went into making a successful moment possible and he blew it and then refused to apologize.” Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: “The way that President Trump defended Americans after YEARS of being fleeced and abused and taken advantage of and taken for granted — millions of American hearts swelled with overflowing pride today to watch President Trump put Zelenskyy in his place.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: “[Zelenskyy] refuses to recognize the practical reality of this war. It has been going on for years, his countrymen are dying, and the people who have been funding this effort — the American people — are sick and tired of footing this bill.” Rep. Victoria Spartz: “It’s such a disservice to the Ukrainian people to play hero and politics and trying to increase his rating … Being so insulting to the American people after how much was done by us for Ukraine and for Europe, I can’t believe it.” Rep. Kevin Hern: “President Trump is determined to end the war in Ukraine. He is determined for the world to get back at peace, as it was when he was in office before.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: AFSCME’s Saunders: ‘The biggest scheme of all time is Elon Musk’s takeover of the federal government’

    Source: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Union

    WASHINGTON – AFSCME President Lee Saunders released the following statement after Elon Musk called Social Security ‘the biggest Ponzi scheme of all time’:

    “The biggest scheme of all time is Elon Musk’s hostile takeover of the American government, a takeover in which the richest man in the world is somehow allowed to make decisions on a whim that hurt working people and seniors all to fund tax breaks for himself and his fellow billionaires. Their only goal is to rob working people of the Social Security benefits we have earned, so they can make themselves even richer. This administration is only making fraud and waste easier to accomplish by firing the inspectors general whose job it is to audit the government and firing the qualified professionals who actually know how government works. It’s all part of their scheme to continue to steal power and wealth from working people and seniors. But we know Social Security is a trust that we’ve paid into, and we’re not going to let Elon Musk or any unelected billionaire take it away from us.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: It was risky for Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call an early election — but it paid off

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sam Routley, PhD Candidate, Political Science, Western University

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s election gamble has paid off. As a consequence of last night’s election results, the Progressive Conservatives are now set to form their third consecutive majority government.

    By and large, last night’s election results were dull and uninspiring, looking very similar to the outcome of the province’s election in 2022. The Progressive Conservatives return (going from 79 to 80) with only one additional member of caucus, receiving a noticeable but modest two per cent bump in support.

    And, while the Liberals saw even more of a recovery from 2018, the generally widespread distribution of that vote means that they were only able to gain five seats. Although tarnished, the New Democrats return as the official opposition party.

    Unprepared rivals

    These lacklustre results flow directly from lacklustre campaigns. The fact is that, regardless of Premier Ford’s legitimate calls for a renewed mandate amidst an aggressive American administration, the party had been looking for an excuse to call a premature election for quite some time. In doing so, they were able to — quite intentionally — catch their rivals unprepared, complete with incomplete candidate slates, unknown leaders and undercooked policy platforms.

    It meant that, while Ford was able to run a safe and constrained front-runner’s campaign, his main opponents struggled to find the momentum necessary to move the dial and exploit enough backlash. This is alongside real policy vulnerabilities in health care and education, with enough voters expressing discontent with what they felt to be an unnecessary and self-serving election call.

    Chaotic news cycle

    There are good reasons to believe that voters were mostly apathetic towards the parties and their candidates. Alongside the reasons already stated, the dense, chaotic and ever-shifting news cycle of the last few months may have entailed that this election was able to slip by quietly.

    But this does not seem to be the full story, as this year’s turnout — while still low — is slightly higher than that of 2022. Instead, voters also seemed to have wanted to maintain the status quo.

    On the local level, siting members of the provincial legislature from all three parties generally performed quite well. Of the 111 ridings with party-nominated incumbents, for example, only four lost. So while many voters may have been unhappy with the election call, the unpredictable environment may have also had the reverse effect of leading them to support, if not fully endorse, the leaders they already have.

    Regardless of the more limited dynamics of this election, however, we cannot overlook the fact that this has been a very real accomplishment for Doug Ford and the Progressive Conservatives. In a period of high executive turnover and anti-incumbent backlash, Doug Ford has, as the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, brought about a track record of secure, consecutive majorities — a feat that was last attained by Leslie Frost and John Robarts.

    In many ways, it brings to mind the years of the traditional “big blue machine,” when the party controlled the government of Ontario for 40 consecutive years.

    Durable persona

    Here, Ford’s success is much deeper than a matter of suave electoral maneuvering, and it is more long-standing than the recent confrontation with the Trump administration. Instead, these results attest to the fact that, while the Premier is not without his detractors, he has nevertheless managed to secure a stable, solid and sufficient base of support through the combination of both a carefully balanced policy agenda and a durable leadership persona.

    As with his successful conservative predecessors, Ford practices a form of the pragmatic and moderate governance that characterizes Ontario. A large part of what makes this successful is the fact that while it makes policy decisions flexible, it does not make them arbitrary.

    Ford continues to emphasize a government oriented around continual economic growth and innovation as a means to accomplish raising living standards, fund the province’s social programs and — more recently — rival the United States. Combined with Ford’s aptitude in retail politics this has created a clear and accessible political project supported by big developers, small business owners and private-sector workers’ unions.

    In a political environment shaped by personality, Ford continues to suck up the majority of the political oxygen in Ontario. Even while a good portion of Ontarians may dislike Ford — he is far from the most popular of Canada’s premiers — they have not experienced an overriding need to get rid of the incumbent, nor pursue another course of change.

    While politics is impossible to predict, it suggests that this state of continuity will persist in Ontario, even amid a chaotic global environment.

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

    – ref. It was risky for Ontario Premier Doug Ford to call an early election — but it paid off – https://theconversation.com/it-was-risky-for-ontario-premier-doug-ford-to-call-an-early-election-but-it-paid-off-251142

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DOD Statement on Deployment of Stryker Brigade Combat Team to Help Secure Our Southern Border

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    From a senior defense official:

    As directed by President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the deployment of a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) and General Support Aviation Battalion to reinforce and expand current border security operations to seal the border and protect the territorial integrity of the United States, a priority for the President.

    These forces will arrive in the coming weeks and their deployment underscores the Department’s unwavering dedication to working alongside the Department of Homeland Security to secure our southern border and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of the United States under President Trump’s leadership.

    (Please contact NORTHCOM Public Affairs for questions or further details on this deployment.) 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta Francophonie Month: Ministers Fir and Glubish | Déclaration des ministres Fir et Glubish à l’occasion du Mois de la francophonie albertaine

    “This month, we recognize the vital contributions of French-speaking Albertans to our communities, culture and economy. Raising the Franco-Albertan flag is a proud tribute to our shared heritage and bright future.

    “French is the second-most spoken language in Alberta, with over 260,000 speakers who either speak it as their mother tongue or use it at home. Their role in enriching our culture, fostering economic development and strengthening diversity, is invaluable.

    “Alberta’s government remains committed to enhancing French-language services to better serve French-speaking Albertans. Over the past year, we have made meaningful progress in justice, health, child care, and we will continue working to expand access and opportunities.

    “We also recognize the invaluable efforts of our partners—community leaders, educators, non-profits and businesses—who drive the continued growth and vitality of Alberta’s Francophonie.

    “Their dedication strengthens our province.

    “To everyone who nurtures and preserves our francophone heritage, thank you.

    “This month, I invite all Albertans to take part in the celebrations, explore the richness of our shared history and support the continued vibrancy of the Francophonie in Alberta.”

    Tanya Fir, Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women

    “One of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me was sending me to a French immersion program when I was younger. Being immersed in French from an early age was transformative. It expanded my worldview, gave me access to diverse cultural experiences, and instilled in me a lifelong love for languages.

    “Now, as a parent, I am thrilled to pass on this legacy to my son. Enrolling him in a French immersion kindergarten program was a decision rooted in the desire to give him the same opportunities I had. Watching him learn and speak French, I am filled with pride and optimism for his future. We practice French at home, making language learning a family affair.

    “Francophonie Month is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the contributions of the francophone community in Alberta. It is a time to reflect on the importance of linguistic diversity and to honour the resilience and passion of those who keep the French language alive.

    “Alberta’s francophones have made, and continue to make, invaluable contributions to our province. Let us celebrate their legacy and work towards a future that embraces and celebrates bilingualism.”

    Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation and Francophone Community Liaison

    Madame Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine, et monsieur Nate Glubish, ministre de la Technologie et de l’Innovation, ont fait la déclaration suivante à l’occasion du Mois de la francophonie albertaine :

    « Ce mois-ci, nous reconnaissons les contributions fondamentales des Albertaines et des Albertains francophones à nos communautés, à notre culture et à notre économie. En levant le drapeau franco-albertain, nous rendons un fier hommage à notre patrimoine commun et à un avenir prometteur pour toutes et tous.

    « Plus de 260 000 personnes ont le français comme langue maternelle ou l’utilisent à la maison, ce qui classe cette langue au deuxième rang des langues parlées en Alberta. Ces gens jouent un rôle inestimable dans l’enrichissement de notre culture, le développement de notre économie et le renforcement de notre diversité.

    « Le gouvernement de l’Alberta reste déterminé à améliorer les services en français dans le but de mieux servir la francophonie albertaine. Au cours de la dernière année, nous avons réalisé des progrès importants dans les domaines de la justice, de la santé et de la garde d’enfants, et nous continuerons à travailler pour améliorer l’accès à ces services et multiplier les possibilités.

    « Nous reconnaissons également les précieux efforts de nos partenaires ? dirigeants communautaires, éducateurs, organismes sans but lucratif et entreprises ? qui sont à l’origine de la croissance et de la vitalité continues de la francophonie albertaine.

    « Leur dévouement renforce notre province.

    « À toutes celles et tous ceux qui enrichissent et préservent notre patrimoine francophone, je dis merci.

    « Ce mois-ci, j’invite toute la population albertaine à prendre part aux célébrations, à découvrir la richesse de notre histoire commune et à soutenir le dynamisme continu de la francophonie en Alberta. »

    Tanya Fir, ministre des Arts, de la Culture et de la Condition féminine

    « L’un des plus beaux cadeaux que mes parents m’ont offerts a été de m’inscrire dans un programme d’immersion française dès mon plus jeune âge. Cette éducation a profondément marqué mon parcours : elle a élargi ma vision du monde, m’a ouvert les portes à de nouvelles expériences culturelles et m’a transmis un amour des langues qui m’accompagnera toute ma vie.

    « Aujourd’hui, en tant que parent, je suis heureux de transmettre cet héritage à mon fils. En l’inscrivant à un programme d’immersion française dès la maternelle, j’ai voulu lui donner des chances égales à celles que j’avais eues. Quand je le regarde apprendre le français et s’exprimer dans cette langue, je suis rempli de fierté et d’optimisme pour son avenir. À la maison, nous pratiquons le français au quotidien, ce qui nous permet de vivre notre apprentissage des langues en famille.

    « Le Mois de la francophonie est une excellente occasion de célébrer les contributions de la communauté francophone de l’Alberta. Cette célébration nous invite à réfléchir à l’importance de la diversité linguistique et à honorer la résilience et la passion de celles et ceux qui se font un devoir de préserver la langue française.

    « Les francophones de l’Alberta ont joué, et continuent de jouer, un rôle essentiel dans l’enrichissement de notre province. Célébrons leur héritage et œuvrons ensemble pour bâtir un avenir qui honore et valorise pleinement le bilinguisme. »

    Nate Glubish, ministre de la Technologie et de l’Innovation et agent de liaison avec la communauté francophone

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Grand Jury in Louisville Indicts Three Illegal Aliens

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News

    Louisville, KY – A federal grand jury in Louisville, Kentucky, returned indictments on February 19, 2025, charging 3 illegal aliens with federal criminal offenses.   

    U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett of the Western District of Kentucky, Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, Special Agent in Charge Rana Saoud of Homeland Security Investigations, Nashville, Police Chief Mike Canon of the Calvert City Police Department, and Sam Olson, Field Office Director for Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Chicago, U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement made the announcement.

    According to the indictments:

    Juan Baltazar Felipe-Pedro, age 26, a citizen of Guatemala, was charged with reentry after deportation or removal. On or about January 23, 2025, Felipe-Pedro was an alien found in the United States after having been denied admission, excluded, deported, and removed from the United States on or about April 25, 2019. If convicted he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison. This case is being investigated by HSI and ICE/ERO.

    Jhoandiris Jimenez-Barrio, age 26, and Yirvel Yonaker Rios-Castro, age 20, citizens of Venezuela, were indicted for conspiracy to commit bank larceny and attempted bank larceny. On or about January 31, 2025, they conspired with each other and others to break into and steal money from an automated teller machine (ATM). They traveled to a bank in Calvert City, Kentucky and attempted to open an ATM to steal money. Homeland Security Investigations verified that Jimenez-Barrio and Rios-Castro are Venezuelan and entered the United States illegally. If convicted, the men face a maximum sentence of 50 years in prison. The case is being investigated by the FBI, Calvert City Police Department, and HSI.

    A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys A. Spencer McKiness, Seth Hancock, and Raymond McGee are prosecuting the cases.

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

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –