NewzIntel.com

Category: Americas

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Cuellar Announces $2,690,608 in Federal Funding in Support of Mental Health Professionals for San Antonio Independent School District

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

    SAN ANTONIO, TX – Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Ph.D. announced $2,690,608 in federal funding in support of mental health professionals for the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD).  

    “This year, I secured $2,690,608 in federal funding from the Department of Education’s Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant for the San Antonio Independent School District,” said Dr. Cuellar, a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee. “Our communities need more licensed mental health professionals, and SAISD is helping train the next generation of this crucial sector in San Antonio. I would like to thank Stephanie Ratliff, Principal of Herff Elementary, Tony Thompson, Chief of Staff for SAISD, and Gabriella Bello, Counselor for SAISD, for being here today and for their efforts in providing mental health resources for students in San Antonio.”  

    This funding supports a five-year project, Con Cariño: School Mental Health with Heart, which assists with SAISD’s internship-to-employment pipeline for licensed Master Social workers by adding a new pathway for counseling interns. 

    There is a demand for more licensed mental health professionals in SAISD. The grant funding for the Con Cariño project supports four social work interns and two school psychology counseling interns that will help meet this demand.  

    As part of the Con Cariño project, local graduate students can work with children, gain real-world experience to advance their careers, and get paid to do so. The program also helps with the costs of licensing exams and their preparation. Some interns have returned to work full-time after completing their internships, helping SAISD retain a workforce that understands the community and the needs of its students.  

    Congressman Cuellar has previously helped SAISD by securing $36,511,343 in federal funding for school lunch reimbursements in 2023, $344,000 in federal funding from the Title I, School Improvement Grant in FY24, and $494,304 in federal funding from the FY22 COPS School Violence Prevention Program.  

    Congressman Cuellar will continue to support San Antonio schools with the federal funding they need for more mental health resources. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA’s Perseverance Rover Looks Back While Climbing Slippery Slope

    Source: NASA

    On its way up the side of Jezero Crater, the agency’s latest Red Planet off-roader peers all the way back to its landing site and scopes the path ahead.  
    NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover is negotiating a steeply sloping route up Jezero Crater’s western wall with the aim of cresting the rim in early December. During the climb, the rover snapped not only a sweeping view of Jezero Crater’s interior, but also imagery of the tracks it left after some wheel slippage along the way. 

    Stitched together from 44 frames acquired on Sept. 27, the 1,282nd Martian day of Perseverance’s mission, the image mosaic features many landmarks and Martian firsts that have made the rover’s 3½-year exploration of Jezero so memorable, including the rover’s landing site, the spot where it first found sedimentary rocks, the location of the first sample depot on another planet, and the final airfield for NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. The rover captured the view near a location the team calls “Faraway Rock,” at about the halfway point in its climb up the crater wall.  
    “The image not only shows our past and present, but also shows the biggest challenge to getting where we want to be in the future,” said Perseverance’s deputy project manager, Rick Welch of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “If you look at the right side of the mosaic, you begin to get an idea what we’re dealing with. Mars didn’t want to make it easy for anyone to get to the top of this ridge.”
    Visible on the right side of the mosaic is a slope of about 20 degrees. While Perseverance has climbed 20-degree inclines before (both NASA’s Curiosity and Opportunity rovers had crested hills at least 10 degrees steeper), this is the first time it’s traveled that steep a grade on such a slippery surface.

    [embedded content]
    This animated orbital-map view shows the route NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover has taken since its February 2021 landing at Jezero Crater to July 2024, when it took its “Cheyava Falls” sample. As of October 2024, the rover has driven over 30 kilometers (18.65 miles), and has collected 24 samples of rock and regolith as well as one air sample. NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Soft, Fluffy
    During much of the climb, the rover has been driving over loosely packed dust and sand with a thin, brittle crust. On several days, Perseverance covered only about 50% of the distance it would have on a less slippery surface, and on one occasion, it covered just 20% of the planned route.
    “Mars rovers have driven over steeper terrain, and they’ve driven over more slippery terrain, but this is the first time one had to handle both — and on this scale,” said JPL’s Camden Miller, who was a rover planner, or “driver,” for Curiosity and now serves the same role on the Perseverance mission. “For every two steps forward Perseverance takes, we were taking at least one step back. The rover planners saw this was trending toward a long, hard slog, so we got together to think up some options.”
    On Oct. 3, they sent commands for Perseverance to test strategies to reduce slippage. First, they had it drive backward up the slope (testing on Earth has shown that under certain conditions the rover’s “rocker-bogie” suspension system maintains better traction during backward driving). Then they tried cross-slope driving (switchbacking) and driving closer to the northern edge of “Summerland Trail,” the name the mission has given to the rover’s route up the crater rim.

    Data from those efforts showed that while all three approaches enhanced traction, sticking close to the slope’s northern edge proved the most beneficial. The rover planners believe the presence of larger rocks closer to the surface made the difference.
    “That’s the plan right now, but we may have to change things up the road,” said Miller. “No Mars rover mission has tried to climb up a mountain this big this fast. The science team wants to get to the top of the crater rim as soon as possible because of the scientific opportunities up there. It’s up to us rover planners to figure out a way to get them there.”
    Tube Status
    In a few weeks, Perseverance is expected to crest the crater rim at a location the science team calls “Lookout Hill.” From there, it will drive about another quarter-mile (450 meters) to “Witch Hazel Hill.” Orbital data shows that Witch Hazel Hill contains light-toned, layered bedrock. The team is looking forward to comparing this new site to “Bright Angel,” the area where Perseverance recently discovered and sampled the “Cheyava Falls” rock.

    The rover landed on Mars carrying 43 tubes for collecting samples from the Martian surface. So far, Perseverance has sealed and cached 24 samples of rock and regolith (broken rock and dust), plus one atmospheric sample and three witness tubes. Early in the mission’s development, NASA set the requirement for the rover to be capable of caching at least 31 samples of rock, regolith, and witness tubes over the course of Perseverance’s mission at Jezero. The project added 12 tubes, bringing the total to 43. The extras were included in anticipation of the challenging conditions found at Mars that could result in some tubes not functioning as designed.
    NASA decidedto retire two of the spare empty tubes because accessing them would pose a risk to the rover’s small internal robotic sample-handling arm needed for the task: A wire harness connected to the arm could catch on a fastener on the rover’s frame when reaching for the two empty sample tubes. 
    With those spares now retired, Perseverance currently has 11 empty tubes for sampling rock and two empty witness tubes.
    More About Perseverance
    A key objective of Perseverance’s mission on Mars is astrobiology, including caching samples that may contain signs of ancient microbial life. The rover will characterize the planet’s geology and past climate, to help pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet and as the first mission to collect and cache Martian rock and regolith.
    NASA’s Mars Sample Return Program, in cooperation with ESA (European Space Agency), is designed to send spacecraft to Mars to collect these sealed samples from the surface and return them to Earth for in-depth analysis.
    The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission is part of NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration approach, which includes Artemis missions to the Moon that will help prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.
    NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which is managed for the agency by Caltech, built and manages operations of the Perseverance rover.
    For more about Perseverance:
    https://science.nasa.gov/mission/mars-2020-perseverance
    News Media Contacts
    Karen Fox / Molly WasserNASA Headquarters, Washington202-358-1600karen.c.fox@nasa.gov / molly.l.wasser@nasa.gov
    DC AgleJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-393-9011agle@jpl.nasa.gov
    2024-146

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: An Opportunity to Study Water

    Source: NASA

    NASA astronaut Don Pettit fills a sphere of water with food coloring in this image from Oct. 20, 2024. Pettit calls experiments like these “science of opportunity” – moments of scientific exploration that spontaneously come to mind because of the unique experience of being on the International Space Station. During his previous missions, Pettit has contributed to advancements for human space exploration aboard the International Space Station resulting in several published scientific papers and breakthroughs.
    See other inventive experiments Pettit has conducted.
    Image credit: NASA/Don Pettit

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: USGS awards $2.5 million to state geological surveys for mine waste projects

    Source: US Geological Survey

    The data collection will be conducted through the USGS Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI), a partnership between the USGS and state geological surveys that is revolutionizing our understanding of the nation’s geology and domestic mineral resources, both in the ground and in mine waste. 

    Since 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has advanced scientific innovation through a $320 million investment for the USGS to better map the Nation’s mineral resources, and to preserve historical geologic data and samples. Through the end of fiscal year 2024, more than $160 million has been obligated for Earth MRI initiatives, propelling efforts to make “once-in-a-generation” advancements in the nation’s geologic and geophysical data collections and mapping. 

    This funding opportunity has initiated the above-ground portion of Earth MRI BIL-funded priorities by supporting state geological surveys in coordinated activities to map, characterize, and assess the potential for critical minerals in mine waste. 

    The data will also contribute to the first-ever National Mine Waste Inventory, a tool that will support other state, federal, and tribal agencies responsible for land management planning and remediation decisions. 

    “In order to answer the questions of where, what, and how much mine waste materials are present that contain critical and other valuable minerals, we need to know exactly how much mine waste we have,” said Darcy McPhee, USGS Earth MRI program manager and geophysicist. “This effort will allow us and our partners at the state geological surveys to take stock of these resources.” 

    Using USGS-developed sampling protocols, the projects will focus on field sampling of mine waste to determine critical mineral composition and answer scientific questions such as: 

    • How many mine waste sites are there in the United States, and where are they located?
    • How much material is available that may contain critical mineral resources?
    • What factors may influence recovery of the critical mineral commodities and what are the environmental risks associated with potential extraction and cleanup efforts?

    The eight awarded Mine Waste characterization projects include:

    State geological survey: California Geological Survey

    Project: Characterization of mine waste for critical minerals in the eastern California tungsten focus area 

    State geological survey:  Illinois State Geological Survey:

    Project: Characterization of mine waste tailings piles of the Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District

    State geological survey: Michigan Geological Survey

    Project: Critical minerals waste pile sampling in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan

    State geological survey: Missouri Geological Survey

    Project: Mine waste characterization of Missouri Old Lead Belt Chat piles – Bonne Terre, National, and River Mines Sites

    State geological survey: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

    Project:  Mine wastes in southwestern New Mexico

    State geological survey: Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology

    Project: Geochemical characterization of Nevada’s mine waste sites

    State geological survey: Oklahoma Geological Survey

    Project: Mine waste characterizations at Oklahoma’s Tar Creek superfund site

    State geological survey: Utah Geological Survey

    Project: Mine waste characterization in the greater Tintic mining area

    The following nine states were awarded funds to support the National Mine Waste Inventory: Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington. 

    In addition to the above, the following states were awarded funds to participate in the Annual Earth MRI Workshop, hosted by the USGS in Reston, Virginia, where USGS and State geological surveys come together to plan for future data collection efforts: Alabama, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Alberta’s impending anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation is stoking fear and anxiety

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Corinne L. Mason, Professor, Women’s and Gender Studies, Mount Royal University

    The Alberta Legislature has reconvened for its fall sitting, and the United Conservative Party is expected to table new anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation that will restrict trans women and girls’ access to sports, curtail inclusive education and ban youth from accessing gender affirming care.

    Some of the potential measures include banning puberty blockers for youth, and having parents opt-in for their children to be present for formal lessons on sexual health. In addition, trans women could be banned from competing in women’s sports.

    In February, when Alberta Premier Danielle Smith first announced these policies, she was riding the wave of the “parental rights” movement. Smith framed these policies as the government protecting children from harm, telling the media that she was “sympathetic to parents who want to preserve the innocence of their kids for as long as they can.”

    The parental rights movement has reintroduced homophobic and transphobic narratives from the 1970s that position 2SLGBTQIA+ people as pedophiles and “groomers” who “recruit” children. According to parental rights proponents, kids have to be protected from “gender indoctrination.” This hate movement has led to violent attacks against 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, such as bomb threats targeting drag performers at library storytimes.

    Despite growing awareness that “parental rights” proponents are connected to a larger network of dangerous hate groups including the Proud Boys, The Patriot Front and the neo-Nazi group Blood Tribe, provincial conservative governments and parties in New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia have introduced anti-2SLGBTQIA+ policies inspired by this movement.

    As concerned parents, we have been following how the “parental rights” movement is influencing provincial government policies. As researchers, we have been publishing our analysis about the rise in anti-2SLGBTQIA+ sentiments in Alberta for the past two years.

    In early 2024, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced her government will implement new policies relating to transgender youth.

    Our conversations with parents

    As the parental rights movement and associated anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation are new, scholars and other organizations are just beginning to publish findings showing the harm they have created. For example, a recently published academic study from the United States found that in states where anti-transgender laws legislation has been enacted, suicide attempts among transgender and non-binary youth have increased by up to 72 per cent.

    Academic scholarship about the impact of anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation in Canada does not yet exist. This gap in knowledge motivated us to undertake a research project that could capture the experiences of parents as this new “parental rights” legislation rolls out.

    Set in Calgary, Alberta, our ongoing study involves 10 parents from 2SLGBTQIA+ families who have committed to bi-monthly focus groups over the period of a year. By facilitating conversations with parents, our aim is to track the short and long-term impacts of the anti-2SLGBTQIA+ climate in Alberta. The participants in our study are a mix of straight, cisgender, queer and trans parents. All of them are already experiencing the negative outcomes of Alberta’s move to legislate 2SLGBTQIA+ lives.

    Below, we have used pseudonyms to protect their identities.

    We held our first focus group in late September 2024 where we asked participants about their concerns related to the impending changes to education, health care and sports in the province. We also asked parents what they knew about the parental rights movement, and how the rhetoric of parental rights is affecting their families.

    One of the overwhelming sentiments of the parents was that the parental rights movement excluded parents of 2SLGBTQIA+ kids. According to our participants, voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents and families are missing or silenced in the conversations around “protecting children.”

    One participant, Maia, said: “There needs to be more representation of the parents especially because it’s a legislation that’s being fought on behalf of parents so we need to make our voices heard.”

    Olivia similarly stated, “I feel like people keep talking for parents. I’m a parent and you’re not saying anything I think … so I just feel very unheard.”

    When it came to parental rights, participants remarked that their parental choice to support their 2SLGBTQIA+ kids is not being protected. In fact, they felt their responsibility to protect their children from harm is being taken away by the provincial government that is making choices for their families.

    Courtney stated: “It makes me really angry that our kid’s medical care can be adjusted based on the government. I work in health care. The thought that the government could step in and get a doctor to go against evidence-based medical care is … insanity.”

    2SLGBTQIA+ youth express fear

    According to the parents in our study, the impending legislation has stoked so much fear and anxiety in their children that their school experiences have already been negatively affected. Courtney’s trans child has missed a large chunk of school since the announcement of impending anti-2SLGBTQIA+ policies last February.

    Another parent, Sophia, told us that her teenager’s overall well-being has “deteriorated” since the impending legislation was announced: “She has started self harming. She is missing school. She is terrified for what’s coming … even though she knows that for her she’s somewhat protected with her HRT [hormone replacement therapy], but it doesn’t mean that they’re not going to say something about bathrooms or that her friends are safe.”

    Saskatchewan’s Conservative Premier Scott Moe recently promised to implement a new policy that would ban trans girls from school change rooms. In Alberta, the UCP’s policy resolutions for 2024 include a similar ban, but instead of focusing on schools, the party aims to remove trans women and girls from all “exclusively female spaces.”

    Our research, while preliminary, demonstrates that harmful effects are already taking shape in Alberta, and parents in 2SLGBTQIA+ families are terrified of what is coming with the legislation dropping soon.

    As we map the fallout of Alberta’s anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation over the next year, we expect to collect similar findings to that of our U.S. research counterparts who are publishing evidence that these policies are associated with adverse consequences to mental and physical well-being.

    Corinne L. Mason receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    Leah Hamilton receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Alberta’s impending anti-2SLGBTQIA+ legislation is stoking fear and anxiety – https://theconversation.com/albertas-impending-anti-2slgbtqia-legislation-is-stoking-fear-and-anxiety-241874

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Biden-Harris Administration, alongside Congresswoman Wilson, Announce $389 million towards Miami-Dade County’s Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Frederica S Wilson (24th District of Florida)

    The Federal Transit Administration, alongside Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), announced that it is advancing the Miami-Dade County Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project into the Engineering phase of the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. 

    This means the Federal Transit Administration will invest $389,474,434 in Miami-Dade County. The total project plan is $927.3 million, and under this plan, the Federal Transit Administration will provide $389.4 million, Miami Dade County will provide 337.9 million, and the State of Florida will commit $200 million.

    Congresswoman Wilson, a senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, said, “The Federal Transit Administration’s announcement is a game-changer for Miami-Dade County and brings our community much closer to seeing the Northeast Corridor become a reality. Traffic and transit options have been issues across Miami-Dade County for as long as I can remember, especially in areas like Wynwood, Aventura, Little Haiti, and North Miami. I’m proud to have worked with our county officials and federal partners at the Federal Transit Administration to help secure these funds for Miami-Dade County. Constructing the Northeast Corridor will help reduce traffic, provide more transportation options, create jobs, contribute to our efforts to combat the climate crisis, and allow Miami-Dade County to become the modern, transit-connected community it deserves to be. While more work lies ahead, today marks a large milestone in our efforts to construct the Northeast Corridor.”

    Congresswoman Wilson represents the areas where the Northeast Corridor would be constructed, including North Miami, Aventura, and Little Haiti. She has been a consistent advocate for the Northeast Corridor and has previously requested $454 million in funds from the federal government for the Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project. She was also one of five cosponsors of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, which helped allow this funding for the Northeast Corridor.

    “We are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg for continuing to support this critical project and our SMART Program to offer more affordable transportation options to our community,” said Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “The Northeast Corridor and its local commuter rail service will help reduce traffic and give many residents, especially in underserved areas, more options to access jobs, education and opportunities. This service will be a gamechanger for those who need it most as we continue building the future of transit in Miami-Dade.”

    Next, the project will need a second rating from the Federal Transit Administration, considering factors such as mobility improvements, land use, and environmental benefits. Miami-Dade Transportation and Public Works already scored well enough on the first review to move into the Engineering phase and grant preliminary approval for a Capital Investment Grant. If they receive a strong score again and complete all engineering work, they’ll be able to secure a Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the Federal Transit Administration. This agreement would commit the Federal Transit Administration to provide $389.3 million for the project, pending the availability of funding through annual appropriations, as this transit program relies on the General Fund instead of guaranteed Highway Trust Fund dollars.

    No congressional approval is needed on a project-specific level, but Congress will have to approve funds for all Capital Investment Grants projects as part of the annual Congressional appropriations process to ensure the funds for this project.

    “The Federal Transit Administration’s $389 million investment in Miami-Dade’s Northeast Corridor is a monumental step forward in our efforts to create a modern, connected transit system that serves our residents and visitors,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “This funding is a testament to our community’s vision and the commitment from leaders like Congresswoman Federica Wilson to make that vision a reality. With stops in places like Wynwood, Little Haiti, and at the FIU Biscayne Bay campus, expanding and improving our transit options means less traffic congestion, a cleaner environment, and enhanced access to jobs, healthcare, and educational opportunities for thousands. I am proud to advocate for this vital project alongside our congressional partners and look forward to the progress that will transform how we move across Miami-Dade.”

    Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, who represents the area where the Northeast Corridor would be constructed, has traveled numerous times between Miami-Dade and Washington, D.C., to advocate for this funding.

    Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Oliver Gilbert said, “This announcement by the FTA marks a commitment to a more accessible, resilient, and inclusive Miami-Dade County. Whether it’s jobs, housing, or educational opportunities, the federal support for the Northeast Corridor will bring transformative change and make it easier for people to connect with what matters most in their lives.”

    Cathy Dos Santos, Executive Director of Transit Alliance Miami, said, “In August of 2024, 80% of Miami-Dade voters gave our elected officials a mandate to expand mass rapid transit, the Northeast Corridor delivers. This rail project is a giant step towards a robust, competitive transit network that secures the economic well-being of Miami-Dade. For our workers and families, this commuter rail will be a completely new way of moving that’s safe, fast, affordable, and enjoyable, compared to the traffic nightmare of the I-95. We commend Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and Commissioner Higgins for fighting to secure this funding and Miami-Dade’s future!”

    For the approval letter from the Federal Transit Administration, click here.

    For the details on the Federal Transit Administration’s announcement, click here.

    The Northeast Corridor Rapid Transit Project includes 13.5 miles of commuter rail, with 7 stations, including Miami Central, Wynwood, Design District, Little Haiti, North Miami, FIU/Biscayne, and West Aventura.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Blaine’s Bulletin: The Promise of NextGen MURR

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)

    For so many of us, cancer isn’t just a word—it’s personal.  Whether it’s touched a friend, family member, or even ourselves, cancer has left its mark on our lives and our communities. It’s a fight that impacts not only our loved ones but also our entire nation. But here in the Third District, we are leading the charge in the fight against this devastating disease. With each passing day, research and treatment options are advancing, and I’m proud to say that Missouri is at the forefront of that progress.

    Over the past 15 years, I’ve been an avid supporter of funding the nuclear reactor at the University of Missouri. This isn’t just about funding a reactor; it’s about powering life-saving discoveries. The NextGen MURR project will bring a new, 20-megawatt state-of-the-art research reactor to Mizzou, expanding critical medical isotope research and production for cancer treatments. These are the technologies that make a real difference in the lives of cancer patients—technologies that come from uranium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are the backbone of nuclear reactors and the radiopharmaceuticals they produce. NextGEN MURR builds on the legacy of the existing MURR facility, the only U.S. producer of four essential medical isotopes used to treat liver, thyroid, pancreatic, and prostate cancers.  This new reactor will allow Missouri to remain a global leader in the development of radiopharmaceuticals, strengthening our role in research that will impact healthcare nationwide. 

    This couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment. As the demand for critical minerals essential for lifesaving treatments is projected to surge by over 20% in the next decade—largely fueled by the increasing need for cancer therapies that rely on isotopes—NextGEN MURR is perfectly positioned to meet this challenge. Currently, MURR is already making significant contributions to healthcare, generating billions through enhanced diagnostics and treatment. With the development of NextGEN MURR, we have the potential to elevate that impact to an astounding $3 billion annually. 

    I began supporting the research reactor at the University of Missouri because I believed in its potential to change lives right here in the Third District. Supporting Missouri-based research has always been an easy decision for me—not just for the research dollars, but for positioning Missouri as a hub for innovation. Today, we’re seeing that vision realized as MURR leads groundbreaking work that’s saving lives and advancing cancer treatment. But this is just the beginning. As NextGEN MURR propels us into the next 15 years, driving new discoveries in nuclear research, medical treatments, and technological advancements that will directly benefit our district and our nation, its impact will extend far beyond the lab. It will create high-skilled jobs, boost our local economy, and ensuring more families in our community have access to cutting-edge treatments.

    I’ll leave you with this – I can assure you that the future of the Third District is bright as we lead the nation in nuclear research and medical technology, offering real hope in the fight against cancer. Our investment today is more than just a financial commitment; it’s a promise to future generations to come.  

    CONTACT US: I encourage you to visit my official website or call my offices in Jefferson City (573-635-7232) or Cottleville (636-327-7055) with your questions and concerns. If you want even greater access to what I am working on, please visit my YouTube site, Facebook page, and keep up-to-date with Twitter and Instagram. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wittman Hosts Veterans Seminar in Midlothian

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

    MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) today hosted a community seminar at American Legion Post 354 in Midlothian to convene veterans, their families, support organizations, and community members to provide resources and discuss the challenges faced by the veterans community in Virginia’s First District. The seminar was a follow-up to a similar event the congressman hosted in Mechanicsville earlier this month.

    Watch the livestream here.

    “Our veterans made great sacrifices for us on the battlefield, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for that service,” said Rep. Wittman. “These heroes and their families deserve access to the highest level of care, employment and educational opportunities, and support from their community. Our veterans have earned their benefits through sacrifice, service, and hardship, and I believe they should receive the most efficient delivery of benefits possible. I remain committed to protecting these hard-earned benefits for our nation’s heroes.”

    The congressman was joined by Harry Schein, veterans service representative at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services, and Bill Barksdale, assistant director of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ Roanoke Regional Office. 

    Virginia’s First District is home to many veterans, with over 700,000 veterans residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Throughout his time in Congress, Rep. Wittman has reintroduced multiple pieces of legislation that would remove administrative roadblocks to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) services and to bring accountability to the VA by increasing transparency:

    • Voted for the PACT Act

      • Expands VA health care to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits during their military service. 

      • Extends the period of time post-9/11 combat veterans have to enroll in VA health care from five to 10 years post-discharge. 

      • Requires veterans enrolled in VA health care to be screened regularly for toxic exposure related concerns.

      • Invests in VA health care facilities by authorizing 31 major medical health clinics and research facilities in 19 states.

      • Requires VA to conduct outreach to any veteran who had previously filed a claim for benefits related to toxic exposure and was denied ensuring they are aware of the opportunity to refile.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Watch How Students Help NASA Grow Plants in Space: Growing Beyond Earth

    Source: NASA

    2 min read

    Since 2015, students from across the USA have been partnering with scientists at NASA to advance research on growing plants in space, ultimately to feed astronauts on long-distance space missions, as part of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden’s Growing Beyond Earth project, which is now in its 9th year. This classroom-based citizen science project for 6th-12th grade students includes a series of plant experiments conducted by students in a Fairchild-designed plant habitat similar to the Vegetable Production System (VEGGIE) on the International Space Station.

    This year, 8000+ students from 400+ schools are testing new edible plant varieties, studying radiation effects on growth, exploring the perfect light spectrum for super-sized space radishes, and experimenting with cosmic soil alternatives.

    Watch these South Florida students show us how it’s done.

    [embedded content]

    NASA citizen science projects are open to everyone around the world, not limited to U.S. citizens or residents. They are collaborations between scientists and interested members of the public. Through these collaborations, volunteers (known as citizen scientists) have helped make thousands of important scientific discoveries. More than 450 NASA citizen scientists have been named as co-authors on refereed scientific publications. Explore opportunities for you to get involved and do NASA science: https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/

    The Growing Beyond Earth project is supported by NASA under cooperative agreement award number 80NSSC22MO125 and is part of NASA’s Science Activation Portfolio. Learn more about how Science Activation connects NASA science experts, real content, and experiences with community leaders to do science in ways that activate minds and promote deeper understanding of our world and beyond: https://science.nasa.gov/learn

    Credit: Niki Jose

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Provides Notice of Q3-2024 Results and Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (“Orezone”) will announce its third quarter 2024 results on November 5, 2024, after market close. A conference call and audio webcast to discuss the results will take place on November 6, 2024, at 8:00 am PT (11:00 am ET).

    Webcast

    Conference Call
    Toll-free in U.S. and Canada: 1-800-715-9871
    International callers: +646-307-1963
    Event ID: 9776163

    About Orezone Gold Corporation

    Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.

    The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Vanessa Pickering
    Manager, Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945 8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    The Toronto Stock Exchange neither approves nor disapproves the information contained in this news release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $3.6 million in Hurricanes Laura, Delta, Ida aid for Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    MADISONVILLE, La. – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $3,568,827 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid. 

    “Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Ida damaged many facilities across south Louisiana, including educational buildings and churches. This $3.6 million will help communities rebuild and recover from some of the high costs sustained during these storms,” said Kennedy. 

    The FEMA aid will fund the following:

    • $1,312,778 to the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lafayette for the restoration of the St. Francis Mission Chapel due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    • $1,202,044 to the Office of Risk Management to repair multiple state educational facilities, the 3rd Circuit Appeal Courthouse and surrounding buildings due to Hurricane Delta damage.
    • $1,054,005 to the Greater Lafourche Port Commission for emergency protective measures during Hurricane Ida.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni meets González Urrutia, winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    28 Ottobre 2024

    The President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, received Edmundo González Urrutia, winner of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, at Palazzo Chigi today.

    Offering her congratulations for the recently awarded prize, President Meloni stressed that the situation in Venezuela is a priority for the Italian Government, also as current G7 Presidency, and provided assurance of support for the ongoing efforts to facilitate a democratic and peaceful transition that corresponds to the will of the Venezuelan people.

    President Meloni also reiterated the call for an immediate stop to human rights violations, arbitrary detentions and restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly against political opponents.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative will support AI innovation and adoption in British Columbia

    Source: Government of Canada News

    PacifiCan funding of over $32 million will help businesses bring new technologies to market and adopt AI 

    October 28, 2024 – Burnaby, British Columbia – PacifiCan               

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a transformational opportunity for British Columbians. With a strong AI ecosystem – one that includes researchers developing technology, companies creating AI-based solutions to the world’s challenges, and adopters putting the power of AI to work in their operations – British Columbian businesses are well-positioned to leverage the power of AI to drive innovation across the province, creating jobs and economic growth.

    Today, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of Emergency Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), announced that businesses and not-for-profit organizations will be able to apply for funding from the new Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in British Columbia beginning November 18. In British Columbia, PacifiCan will deliver the RAII with $32.2 million, making investments that help businesses commercialize and adopt AI technologies. 

    To ensure that Canada stays at the forefront of innovation, the Government of Canada is making strategic investments that will help drive AI adoption across the country. This includes $200 million over five years for Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) to deliver the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) to help businesses bring new AI technologies to market and speed up AI adoption across the country. 

    In British Columbia, PacifiCan will prioritize projects that not only have strong economic benefits but also bring positive outcomes for human health, the environment, and/or economic resilience and productivity across a wide range of sectors. PacifiCan will welcome project ideas from both businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

    PacifiCan is investing in British Columbian businesses, workers and organizations to ensure they have access to the tools they need to succeed at home and compete in the global economy.

    More information is available on PacifiCan’s web page: Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative – Canada.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Bonaparte First Nation celebrates completion of their new water treatment plants

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 28, 2024 — Bonaparte First Nation, Secwépemc Territory, British Columbia — Indigenous Services Canada

    Today, Bonaparte First Nation proudly marked the completion of two new water treatment plants, which now provide clean drinking water to remote areas of their community.

    The newly built water treatment plants and distribution systems, located in the Lower Hat Creek area, are a significant step toward ensuring long-term, sustainable access to safe drinking water in IR#1 and IR#2 of the Bonaparte reserve. These facilities will help prevent future drinking water advisories, an issue that has affected these areas intermittently since 2004.

    Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provided $9.8 million for the feasibility studies, design and construction of the two state-of-the-art water treatment systems. In addition, Bonaparte First Nation and ISC are collaborating on further enhancements to water infrastructure in IR#3 to meet the area’s long-term water needs.

    The Government of Canada will continue to prioritize working in partnership with First Nations to ensure communities have reliable access to safe and clean drinking water.

    Quotes

    “Today we celebrate the new water treatment plant. After two long decades of persistent water advisories, our community can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to these critical upgrades. Water is a lifeline and a fundamental right. We are grateful for this investment, it ensures the health, safety and well-being of our community and for generations to come.”

    Kúkpi7 Frank Antoine
    Bonaparte First Nation

    “Decades of uncertainty are now behind us. I would like to thank and acknowledge the determined efforts of all our partners, advocates, current and past leaders who all worked tirelessly to ensure our community has access to clean water. These new water treatment facilities are a significant investment to our future.”

    Byron Porter, Water Manager
    Bonaparte First Nation

    “Water is essential and too many First Nations communities still live without clean drinking water. These new water treatment plants will play a significant role in the health and well-being of members of Bonaparte First Nation. I applaud Kúkpi7 Frank Antoine and Council, as well as the people of Bonaparte First Nation, for their leadership and dedication with these projects.”

    The Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services

    Quick facts

    • Bonaparte First Nation is located west of Kamloops, British Columbia.

    • The Band is a member of the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council of the Secwépemc (Shuswap) people.

    • The community has a registered population of 1,152 members.

    • The Government of Canada also invested $4.26 million in a new water system in Bonaparte First Nation IR#3 in 2020, which supported the lifting of a long-term drinking water advisory; further upgrades to the IR#3 water system are currently under discussion with the community.

    • Since 2016 and as of June 30, 2024, Indigenous Services Canada has invested $4.35 billion of targeted funds to support 1,358 water and wastewater projects, of which 637 are completed. These projects will benefit 591 communities serving approximately 476,000 people.

    • Since 2015, First Nations, with support from Indigenous Services Canada, have lifted 146 long-term drinking water advisories, and have prevented over 280 short-term advisories from becoming long-term.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information, media may contact:

    Kukpi7 Frank Antoine
    Bonaparte First Nation
    250-318-0742
    kukpi7@bonaparte.band

    Jennifer Kozelj
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
    jennifer.kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca

    ISC Media Relations
    819-953-1160
    media@sac-isc.gc.ca

    Stay connected

    Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

    X: @GCIndigenous
    Facebook: @GCIndigenous
    Instagram: @gcindigenous

    You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, www.isc.gc.ca/RSS.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CFTC Commissioner Pham Announces Global Markets Advisory Committee will Meet November 21

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — CFTC Commissioner Caroline D. Pham, sponsor of the Global Markets Advisory Committee, announced the GMAC will hold a virtual public meeting Thursday, Nov. 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST. The meeting will be open to the public via live webcast or listen-only audio feed via telephone.

    “The GMAC is continuing to meaningfully address innovations in market structure through pragmatic recommendations for applying existing regulatory frameworks to new and emerging technology,” Commissioner Pham said. “I look forward to the presentations on tokenized collateral to improve operational efficiency and mitigate risks, and development of regulatory approaches to utility tokens.”

    At this meeting, the GMAC will hear a presentation by the Tokenized Collateral workstream of the GMAC’s Digital Asset Markets Subcommittee on expanding use of non-cash collateral through use of distributed ledger technology and consider a recommendation from the Subcommittee. The meeting will also include a presentation by the Utility Tokens workstream of the Digital Asset Markets Subcommittee summarizing their work to-date on defining utility tokens and developing guidance for market participants.

    A detailed agenda is available here.

    Under Commissioner Pham’s sponsorship, the GMAC has advanced 13 recommendations in less than a year, and continues making progress on developing solutions to the most significant challenges in global markets as set forth in its 2023-2025 work program. Learn more about the GMAC and its work here.

    Meeting Details

    What:

    Global Markets Advisory Committee Meeting

    Location (virtual):

    The meeting will take place virtually. Viewing instructions below

    When:

    Thursday, November 21, 2024

    9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. (EST)

    Viewing/Listening Instructions: View a live webcast on CFTC.gov or through the CFTC’s YouTube channel. Use the numbers below to call in. Call-in participants should be prepared to provide their first name, last name, and affiliation, if applicable. Materials presented at the meeting will be made available on CFTC.gov.

    Participation Details

    Domestic Toll-Free:

     

     

    Domestic Toll:

     

    +1 833 568 8864 or +1 833 435 1820 

     

    +1 669 254 5252 or +1 646 828 7666 or +1 551 285 1373 or +1 669 216 1590 or (U.S. Spanish Lines) +1 415 449 4000 or +1 646 964 1167

     

    Webinar ID:

    161 533 1062

     

    Passcode: 990545

     

    International Numbers:

    International Numbers

    Additional information is available in the Federal Register.

    About the GMAC and Advisory Committees

    The GMAC was created to advise the Commission on issues that affect the integrity and competitiveness of U.S. markets and U.S. firms engaged in global business, including the regulatory challenges of a global marketplace that reflects the increasing interconnectedness of markets and the multinational nature of business. The GMAC also makes recommendations regarding international standards for regulating futures, swaps, options, and derivatives markets, as well as intermediaries. In June 2023, Commissioner Pham announced the leadership and membership of the GMAC and its subcommittees—the largest-ever single advisory committee initiative sponsored by the CFTC. Members include financial market infrastructures, market participants, end-users, service providers, and regulators. Harry Jung is the GMAC Designated Federal Officer, and Nicholas Elliot is the GMAC Alternate Designated Federal Officer.

    There are five active Advisory Committees overseen by the CFTC. They were created to provide advice and recommendations to the Commission on a variety of regulatory and market issues that affect the integrity and competitiveness of U.S. markets. These committees facilitate communication between the Commission and market participants, other regulators, and academics. The views, opinions, and information expressed by the Advisory Committees are solely those of the respective Advisory Committee and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission, its staff, or the U.S. government.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Researchers Working to Extinguish ‘Inflammatory Fire’ Stroke Causes in the Brain

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    It’s been more than three decades, but still there are only two treatments for a stroke: either rapid use of a clot-busting medication called tPA or surgical removal of a clot from the brain with mechanical thrombectomy. However, only 5% to 13% percent of stroke cases are actually eligible for these interventions.

    In his research laboratory at UConn School of Medicine, Rajkumar Verma Ph.D., of the Department of Neuroscience and the Pat and Jim Calhoun Cardiology Center at UConn Health (Tina Encarnacion/UConn Health photo).

    “We need to be persistent with our research to find a new therapy for stroke,” says Rajkumar Verma, M.Pharm., Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Neuroscience at UConn School of Medicine working in cross-campus collaboration with Professor Raman Bahal Ph.D. of the Deparment of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the UConn School of Pharmacy. “Stroke research is hard and challenging to do. But without trying we won’t make progress. We need to keep trying. UConn is determined to keep trying.”

    In addition to being life-threatening, stroke is the major cause of long-term disability worldwide.

    “When a stroke strikes a patient, we don’t have any treatment to offer to effectively repair the brain’s damage. Once brain cells and tissue are damaged by a stroke, nothing can help restore the damage. In essence, the cascading inflammation caused by a stroke in the brain is like a fire in a house. We need to find a way to stop stroke’s fire,” says Verma.

    Verma and his multidisciplinary research team believe they have found a new innovative therapy to try to stop a stroke’s “fire” or inflammation. This October they reported their new findings in the journal Molecular Therapy: Nucleic Acid.

    To try to more effectively control a stroke’s damage and turn back time, UConn researchers are leveraging the power of micro-RNA (MiRNA), small molecules that regulate protein expression inside cells as they are able to control multiple proteins at a time.

    “MiRNAs are small RNA molecules that help cells to regulate multiple gene and protein expression,” says Verma. “UConn researchers discovered that during a stroke these MiRNA get dysregulated, thus leading to brain damage by multiple unchecked proteins. Also, our laboratory research has confirmed the presence of increased levels of one such MiRNA, known as miRNA-141-3p, in blood samples of stroke patients.”

    Novel gamma PNA based miRNA-141-3p inhibitors (syPNA-141) reduced brain damage (image on right with less atrophy) after stroke in mouse model of ischemic stroke. (Courtesy of Verma laboratory image).

    Verma adds, “We are thrilled to report that we have successfully tested a novel MiRNA-141-3p inhibitor synthesized in our collaborator Dr. Bahal’s lab with the ability to reduce stroke damage and extinguish spreading inflammatory fire in the brain. In mouse models, we have seen swift restoration of once-lost motor function and memory. Also, we see a decrease in brain injury and enhanced expression of neuroprotective genes and growth factors fueling the brain’s recovery from stroke.”

    The new promising therapeutic modality developed to inhibit stroke is called anti-miR-141-3p. UConn’s medical school is currently working to commercialize the discovery and take it toward clinical trial testing as a future treatment option for stroke.

    Verma says UConn’s research findings once again showcase the powerful tool of miRNA and the promise of their newly developed miRNA inhibitor’s ability to stop the overexpression of dangerous, dysregulated bad proteins causing inflammation in the brain post-stroke.

    Verma came to the U.S. over a decade ago from India and continued his stroke research journey at UConn School of Medicine studying stroke.

    “I saw the big therapeutic gap in a new drug treatment for stroke to mitigate its brain damage and help with post-stroke recovery, and was motivated to try to fill this gap by learning more about stroke and by performing more translational research. I have chosen to stay at UConn for my stroke research, as UConn excels at this.”

    But Verma is also driven to fight stroke personally.

    “So many people have a personal story or family member who has been personally impacted about stroke – including me,” Verma shares. “My father died from a cardiovascular incident. We are not sure if it was in the brain or the heart. But this experience has led to my motivation for pursuing more stroke research.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta Issues Bulletin on Third-Party Collection of Voter Ballots and Unofficial Ballot Drop-Off Containers

    Source: US State of California

    OAKLAND — Ahead of the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General Election, California Attorney General Rob Bonta today issued a bulletin summarizing California laws that apply when voters entrust their ballots to another person for delivery to elections officials, as well as rules that apply to unofficial ballot collection containers. Active registered voters can track their ballots by signing up at wheresmyballot.sos.ca.gov and voters unsure of their registration status can check online at voterstatus.sos.ca.gov. 

    “Here in California, all active registered voters are mailed vote-by-mail ballots because we want to make it as easy as possible for your voice to be heard,” said Attorney General Bonta. “California law also permits voters to entrust their completed mail ballots to someone else for delivery to election officials, which is another way our State makes it easier for people to vote. But, to ensure the integrity of our elections, those who accept another person’s ballot for delivery have serious responsibilities and, with today’s bulletin, we want to raise awareness of those responsibilities.”

    Returning Vote-By-Mail Ballots 

    The California Elections Code permits voters to return their voted vote-by-mail ballots in the following ways:

    • Mailing it to your county elections official (no postage is required; must be postmarked on or before Election Day).
    • Returning it in person to any polling place within the state or your county elections office by 8:00 pm on Election Day.
    • Returning it to an official vote-by-mail ballot drop-off location within the state by 8:00 pm on Election Day.
    • Authorizing a third party to return the ballot on your behalf, subject to requirements set forth below.

    When a voter entrusts a third party to return their voted ballot, the following requirements apply:

    • The designated person to whom the ballot is entrusted must include their name and signature on the vote-by-mail ballot return envelope as the person authorized to return the ballot.
    • The designated person must return the ballot in person, or put the ballot in the mail, no later than three days after receiving it from the voter or before the close of the polls on election day, whichever time period is shorter.
    • The designated person may not receive any form of compensation based on the number of ballots that the person returns, and no party may compensate them on this basis.
    • The designated person may not engage in other criminal acts related to that ballot.

    The California Elections Code prohibits a variety of conduct relevant to the return of vote-by-mail ballots. For example, anyone who attempts to vote a vote-by-mail ballot by fraudulently signing the name of a regularly qualified voter, a person who is not qualified to vote, or a fictitious person is punishable by imprisonment for up to three years, or by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or by both fine and imprisonment. 

    Official Ballot Drop Boxes and Unofficial Drop-Off Containers

    Only city and county elections officials may establish official ballot drop boxes. The regulations promulgated by the Secretary of State’s office provide extensive requirements for the design, use, and security of vote-by-mail ballot drop boxes. 

    Certain conduct related to unofficial ballot drop off containers, or ballot drop boxes not established by elections officials, is prohibited. For example:

    • It is a crime to display a container to collect ballots with the intent to deceive any voter into casting a ballot into an unofficial container. Evidence of intent to deceive voters may include using the word “official” on the container or other features that are likely to deceive voters into thinking that an unofficial container is an official drop box approved by election officials.
    • It is a crime to direct or solicit a voter to place a ballot in containers described in the bullet above.

    This conduct is punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment for up to three years, or by both fine and imprisonment. It is also a crime to aid or abet anyone in the commission of these offenses, punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for six months or in the state prison for up to three years. 

    The bulletin can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: John Nicola’s Visionary Impact Earns Hall of Fame Induction in B.C.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Vancouver, BC, Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicola Wealth Management Ltd. (Nicola Wealth) is proud to announce that John Nicola, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Nicola Wealth, will be inducted into the Business Laureates of British Columbia (BLBC) Hall of Fame. The award recognizes Mr. Nicola’s contributions to the province and Canada’s business communities and highlights his innovative approach to wealth management.

    The BLBC Hall of Fame was established by JA British Columbia (JABC) in 2005 to honour business leaders whose efforts have shaped the province and country. The Hall of Fame celebrates the lasting legacy these leaders leave for future generations.

    Since founding Nicola Wealth in 1994, John Nicola has been the driving force behind the firm’s remarkable evolution from a boutique practice into one of Canada’s fastest-growing private investment counsels. Under his visionary leadership, Nicola Wealth expanded from $80 million to a current total of over $16.4 billion in assets under management. His innovative approach to diversified investment strategies has influenced the financial planning landscape for many high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals in Canada.

    As the organization has grown, so too has its dedication to making a positive impact. John’s legacy of “sharing the pie” exemplifies how visionary leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to mentorship and philanthropy can not only transform businesses but also enrich lives and inspire future generations.

    “It is a great honour to receive this recognition from the Business Laureates of B.C. Hall of Fame,” said Mr. Nicola. “This award reflects the incredible work of the entire Nicola Wealth team, whose commitment to innovation and excellence drives our success. As I shift my focus from daily operations to mentoring the next generation of leaders, I am excited about the opportunities ahead. Together, we will continue to make a positive impact in our community.”

    Chris Nicola, President of Nicola Wealth, added, “John’s vision and leadership have established a unique and better way for clients to grow and protect their wealth, create a legacy, and make a meaningful social impact. I am committed to continuing to build on this foundation to further elevate the standard of wealth management in Canada.”

    “John Nicola’s induction is a testament to his leadership and dedication to both business excellence and community impact,” said Wendi Campbell, JA British Columbia President and CEO. “His achievements have shaped the business landscape in B.C. and inspired future generations of leaders.” 

    Mr. Nicola will be inducted at the 2025 BLBC Hall of Fame Gala Dinner & Ceremonies in May. The event will bring together industry leaders, dignitaries and the business community to celebrate the achievements and legacies of these inductees.

    About Nicola Wealth 

    Nicola Wealth is an independent wealth management firm dedicated to serving the complex needs of high-net-worth individuals, families, and institutions. Today, the firm manages over $16.4 billion in assets for clients across Canada, with advisors in BC, Alberta and Ontario. Nicola Wealth delivers a level of diversification; building upon a foundation of publicly traded securities, providing access to a wide range of private asset classes including hard asset real estate, private equity, private debt, commercial mortgages and more.  For more information, please visit www.nicolawealth.com.   

    About the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame

    The Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame was created by JA British Columbia in 2005 to honour the lifetime achievements of outstanding B.C. business leaders whose efforts have shaped our province and country. Nominations are open to the public to ensure B.C.’s diverse business community is represented and the broadest group of nominees is put forward. Laureates have demonstrated vision, leadership, integrity and legacy throughout their lifetime, and the Hall of Fame stands as a testament to the positive legacy they leave behind for future generations of business leaders. 

    For more information about the Business Laureates of British Columbia Hall of Fame and this year’s inductees, please visit the official website at https://businesslaureatesbc.jabc.ca/.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US election: Puerto Rican voters could deliver Donald Trump an unwelcome ‘October surprise’

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Todd Landman, Professor of Political Science, University of Nottingham

    As it moves into the final week, the US election campaign remains so tight that most commentators are calling it a toss-up. But Donald Trump’s campaign may have just dealt itself its own “October surprise” – something no candidate for the US president wants as it stands for a last-minute disaster.

    At his much anticipated “closing argument” rally at Madison Square Garden in New York City on October 27, various warm-up speakers engaged in strong, dark rhetoric about the state of the nation that laid the ground for Trump to take the stage and assert his position as the “protector”,“fixer”, and “liberator” of what he and his support base like to think of as an “occupied” country.

    But the tone and content of the event was problematic from the start. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe made opening remarks in which he described Puerto Rico as an “island of garbage”.

    Deep offence at these remarks rippled across America’s Puerto Rican community and beyond. His slur on Puerto Rico drew condemnation across the political spectrum and mobilised a rash of new endorsements for the Harris-Walz campaign. The incident has raised the prospect of a Puerto Rican backlash that could well have an impact on the outcome of the election.

    Tony Hinchcliffe: an October surprise?

    Causing such deep offence to a significant minority population at a crucial moment in the campaign could have real consequences. Ultimately, the outcome of the election is determined by electoral college votes. These, in the end, will rely heavily on tallies across seven swing states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Caroline, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

    The outcome of the 2016 and 2020 elections, although the Democrats received far more votes than the Republicans in total (3 million and 7 million, respectively), came down to very close margins across these swing states. In 2020, Joe Biden won the electoral college vote across these seven states – but with an average of less than half a percentage point (0.47%).

    Why Puerto Rico matters

    Puerto Rico is what is known as an “unincorporated territory” of the United States. Since it is not a state, it does not have any electoral college votes. But Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States – a status they have enjoyed since 1917 – and can move freely between Puerto Rico and the mainland.

    Those who reside in Puerto Rico may not vote in federal elections, but those who do live in the United States are eligible to vote in the states where they are registered.

    Historically Puerto Ricans have been more likely to support the Democrats. But their turnout has been in consistent in the past. And both campaigns have made special effort to target this group. If enough people take offence at Hinchcliffe’s remarks, this could have a significant impact on the election result.

    Millions of Puerto Ricans have made successful lives and careers in the US. As of 2021, Puerto Ricans make up 2% of the US population (5.8 million, up from 4.7 million in 2010). Despite this relatively low percentage overall, it is the distribution of the Puerto Rican population that makes them important in the presidential election.

    The table below shows the Puerto Rican population across swing states in 2024 as well as the number of electoral college votes that are up for grabs in each state and the winning vote margin for Joe Biden in 2020. The figures in the table are for the whole Puerto Rican population.

    Across these seven swing states, it is clear that the distribution of Puerto Ricans is not insignificant. This is especially the case in the key state of Pennsylvania. The total number and proportion of Puerto Ricans living there is easily large enough to affect the marginal vote share needed to tip the state to one of the two main political parties, which has 19 electoral college votes.

    It’s telling that the Harris-Walz campaign was in Pennsylvania actively courting Latino voters at the same time the rally was underway in New York. The rapid impact from the rally manifested in real time and included the endorsement of the Harris-Walz campaign from world-famous celebrities.

    Shortly after the remarks at the rally, Bad Bunny, the world’s most-streamed musical artist on Spotify between 2020 and 2022, endorsed Harris, as did singer Ricky Martin and actress Jennifer Lopez, whose parents come from Puerto Rico.

    Bad Bunny showed his support by resharing with his millions of social media followers a video of Harris speaking about Trump’s response to the devastating hurricanes Irma and Maria that ravaged Puerto Rico in 2017. Ricky Martin posted “Esto es lo que piensan en nosotros” (This is what they think of us) with a tag of “vote for @kamalaharris”.

    In a race where margins of victory are extremely thin, a small island country like Puerto Rico with its special status and mobile voters may just tip the scales in Harris’s direction.

    Todd Landman receives funding from International Justice Mission, US State Department Trafficking in Persons Office, J. Sainsbury’s Ltd., and the US National Institute for Justice. .

    – ref. US election: Puerto Rican voters could deliver Donald Trump an unwelcome ‘October surprise’ – https://theconversation.com/us-election-puerto-rican-voters-could-deliver-donald-trump-an-unwelcome-october-surprise-242326

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Capito Announces Congressionally Directed Spending Award for WVU Research Initiative

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS), announced funding from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for West Virginia University (WVU).
    This award, which was secured through a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) request made by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), will support new research equipment and resources.
    “WVU is known to be a global leader in critical research initiatives,” Senator Capito said. “During the appropriations process, I worked closely with the university to identify the areas of need, and it was clear that strengthening their research capabilities was a priority. This award will help the university continue its efforts by acquiring state-of-the-art equipment that meets the demands of a leading electron microscopy facility, which can ultimately lead to attracting and retaining a high caliber of research faculty and students. I was proud to help secure this award that will have long-lasting benefits for WVU and our entire state.”
    Award details listed below:
    $1,140,000 CJS CDS award to WVU (Morgantown, W.Va.) for a suite of research equipment to develop standards and optimization in the areas of advanced energy systems, advanced manufacturing, and fundamental biomedical, neuroscience and life science studies. This equipment will be used to upgrade the existing Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL) within the Electron Microscopy Facility (EMF) to optimally utilize current and future electron microscopes. The SPL processes samples for the EMF, as well as other research facilities. The availability of modern electron microscopy sample preparation facilities will support the recruitment of new faculty and student talent and in the retention of existing talent. The award also has the potential to benefit the entire Shared Research Facility by enabling faculty to propose and execute more ambitious studies in collaborative teams and by promoting greater industrial engagement by means of the materials insights that WVU can contribute.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Merkley, Wyden, Hoyle: $10.2 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Boost Eugene Transportation Projects

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04)

    October 28, 2024

    For Immediate Release: October 28, 2024

    WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle announced today $10,215,123 in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds are headed to the Eugene area for two transportation projects. The federal grants awarded will support the deployment of a mobility app for residents and fund airport terminal reconstruction efforts at Eugene Airport (EUG), also known as Mahlon Sweet Field.

    “Oregonians in every corner of our state should be able to get where they need to go safely and efficiently,” U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley said. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was a once-in-a-generation investment that is bringing critical federal dollars to our communities for major transportation projects. These latest funds to the Eugene area will bring a first-of-its-kind app for everyone from students to rural Oregonians to connect with regional transportation options, as well as funds for energy efficiency and capacity upgrades at Eugene Airport. I’ll keep fighting for investments like these to better connect cities and towns across Oregon.”

    “From mass transit on the ground to travel by air, I’m gratified these federal resources are headed to Eugene so Oregonians in and around the city can more easily get from Point A to Point B,” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said. “I worked to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to generate investments just like these that expand modern, safe and energy-smart transportation opportunities throughout our state. And I’ll keep battling to bring similar transportation funds from this landmark law to every nook and cranny of Oregon.”

    “The $5.3 million for LTD’s first-of-its-kind mobility app will help students with transportation challenges get to and from school and the $5 million for Eugene Airport will help us keep pace with the 41% growth in passenger growth over the last 5 years,” U.S. Representative Val Hoyle said. “I would like to thank Senators Merkley and Wyden, local leaders, as well as Secretary Buttigieg, the Department of Transportation, and the White House, for helping us ensure that Oregonian tax dollars always come back home to Oregon to invest in our local priorities and communities.” 

    The two U.S. Department of Transportation awards and project descriptions can be found below:

    $5,215,123 for Lane Transit District (LTD)’s Regional Mobility-Enabling Service Hub (Regional MESH). Regional MESH will create a first-of-its-kind regional mobility management platform integrating diverse transit services for users, including school transportation, into one planning platform, design and deploy on-demand transit in a low-income school district and optimize existing fixed-route rural transit service. Data from trip queries from an associated trip planning app will inform future transit planning and performance management. This funding comes from the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation Technologies and Innovative Mobility Deployment (ATTAIN) Program.

    $5,000,000 for Eugene Airport to fund a portion of the Concourse A reconstruction and connector bridge expansion project including restroom and utilities upgrades to increase energy efficiency and capacity. This funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Terminal Program.

    “LTD has the necessary expertise to build a reliable and affordable practical service,” said Jameson Auten, LTD’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are grateful for the support that got us here from U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle.”

    “We are so grateful to be awarded this competitive Airport Terminal Program (ATP) grant. This is the first step in furthering terminal expansion plans at the Eugene Airport to better serve our regional community,” said Cathryn Stephens, Airport Director.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Announces Nearly $133 Million for Bridge Replacements in Penobscot, Kennebec Counties

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded $132,676,036 for two projects in Penobscot and Kennebec County. This funding will assist in the rehabilitation or replacement of six bridges on Interstate-395 between Bangor and Brewer, and the replacement of six aging overpasses on Interstate-95 near Augusta. This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Bridge Investment Program (BIP). With these two awards, the State of Maine is receiving more than 20% of the nearly $635 million being awarded nationwide through the BIP this funding round. Senator Collins sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in support of MaineDOT’s grant requests.

    In 2021, Senator Collins, then the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, was part of the core group of 10 Senators who negotiated the text of the bipartisan infrastructure law. This law established the BIP, which is the single largest dedicated investment in bridge infrastructure since the construction of the Interstate highway system.

    “This funding will make our roadways safer and more resilient by addressing bridges that are crucial to Maine’s infrastructure,” said Senator Collins. “Upgrading these routes will ensure that vital travel corridors remain accessible for residents, businesses, and commercial transport alike.”

    “This funding will help fund a dozen significant bridge projects in Kennebec County and the Greater Bangor area,” said Bruce Van Note, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. “Our team will replace six deteriorating bridges in Sidney and Waterville that do not provide enough vertical clearance for interstate traffic. We will also make major improvements on six bridges along the I-395 corridor in Bangor and Brewer, including the rehabilitation of the Veterans Remembrance Bridge spanning the Penobscot River. These investments in our transportation system support safety, reliability, and economic opportunity. We thank Senator Collins and Maine’s entire Congressional delegation for their ongoing commitment to supporting critical infrastructure projects in our state.”

    The funding is allocated as follows:

    • I-395 Bridge Bundle Project – $63,016,563 to rehabilitate or replace six deteriorating bridges along I-395 to enhance safety and improve driving conditions for those traveling between Bangor and Brewer, benefiting both local and regional mobility.
    • I-95 Accessibility Improvements Minimizing Heavy-Truck Impacts Project – $69,659,473 to replace six outdated bridges over I-95, bringing structures up to modern standards, allowing for safer heavy-truck passage, and reducing long-term maintenance needs on this critical route in Kennebec County.

    According to the USDOT, the BIP provides funding for bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects that reduce the number of bridges in poor condition, or in fair condition at risk of declining into poor condition.

    Since 2009, when Senator Collins became a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured more than $1 billion in competitive transportation grants for the State of Maine.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Announces Over $38 Million in Federal Funding for Kentucky’s Railroads

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation will award $32,183,290 to the R.J. Corman Railroad Group and $6,492,000 to the Louisville and Indiana Railroad Company (LIRC) through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program.

    R.J. Corman will use today’s award to rehabilitate tracks across multiple rail lines in Central and Western Kentucky, enhancing the efficiency and timeliness of its rail operations. The federal funding awarded to LIRC will support critical repairs to Clagg Bridge, an important rail bridge traversing the Ohio River between Louisville, Kentucky and Clarksville, Indiana that services both rail and waterway traffic.

    Today’s awards are funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as well as annual appropriations from Fiscal Year 2023 and Fiscal Year 2024. Senator McConnell, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, contacted the U.S. Secretary of Transpiration in support of both railways’ competitive grant applications and advocated for CRISI funding in both the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the annual appropriations process.

    “As a transportation and logistics hub, Kentucky’s railroads have been the linchpin of economic growth for generations of workers and job creators in the Commonwealth. The grants announced today will increase the speed, efficiency, and safety on two of Kentucky’s keystone rail operations, improvements that support good jobs and commerce across our state. I supported the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law precisely for projects like these, and I’ll continue to be a fierce advocate for Kentucky’s railroads, riverports, and waterways in years to come,” said Senator McConnell.

    “We are incredibly grateful to the Federal Railroad Administration for this grant, as well as to Senator McConnell, officials, and communities that supported this initiative. This partnership with R. J. Corman and Logan Aluminum underscores the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors. By leveraging federal infrastructure dollars alongside private investment, we are maximizing economic development opportunities for rail infrastructure in Kentucky. These enhancements will not only strengthen our ability to serve our customers but will also benefit a range of manufacturing companies and industries in central Kentucky. By improving the transportation of key commodities—such as agricultural products, automotive components, and raw materials—this project will bolster the region’s economy, expand market access, and enhance the overall efficiency of our supply chain,” said R. J. Corman Railroad Group President and CEO Ed Quinn.

    “The Louisville & Indiana Railroad is grateful for this award which will ensure that our 100-year-old lift span bridge over the Ohio River will remain a key component for our country’s economy for the next 100 years.  I would like to thank everyone that made this happen with a special thanks to Senator McConnell whose support is greatly appreciated,” said LIRC President John Goldman.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NBC News: Senators take aim at big private equity landlords as rents soar

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 24, 2024

    As Wall Street financiers snapped up huge swaths of the nation’s rental housing market in recent years, the deals sailed through unchallenged. Now, with the costs of renting an apartment or home out of reach for a growing number of Americans, four Democratic senators say these transactions need more scrutiny. 

    Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., sent a letter to private equity giant KKR on Wednesday, demanding information about its recent $2.1 billion purchase of 5,200 rental apartments across eight states. Among her questions: How does KKR plan to ensure that long-term tenants will be able to stay in their homes and what proportion of profits does KKR expect to generate from hikes in rents and fees at the apartments? 

    “KKR is just the latest private equity firm using the housing crisis to rake in profits while squeezing families,” Warren said in a statement to NBC News. “I’m sounding the alarm because we can’t solve the housing crisis unless we crack down on predatory practices by Wall Street investors.”

    …

    Read the full story here.

    By:  Gretchen Morgenson
    Source: NBC News

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mass Live: Sen. Elizabeth Warren calls on federal law enforcement to help Springfield with increasing gun violence

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 24, 2024

    Following 21 months of record gun violence that has left at least 55 people dead in Hampden County, a Springfield police officer blinded in one eye and the seizure of more than 620 firearms, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., is calling for federal authorities to help Western Massachusetts.

    On Wednesday Warren sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with a five-point plan to better stop gun trafficking and crack down on illegal sales of guns to help the region.

    The letter also is signed by multiple Massachusetts members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Reps. Seth Moulton, James McGovern, Lori Trahan, William Keating, Stephen Lynch and Jake Auchincloss.

    …

    Read the full story here.

    By:  Jeanette Deforge
    Source: MassLive

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Business Insider: More student-loan borrowers are taking advantage of an updated route to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court, top Democratic senators say

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 28, 2024

    An updated process for student-loan borrowers to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court is working, a group of Democratic senators said.

    On Monday, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Dick Durbin led Sens. Raphael Warnock and Sheldon Whitehouse in sending a letter — first viewed by Business Insider — to the Justice and Education Departments regarding the status of recent guidance intended to make it easier for borrowers to have success in bankruptcy court.

    Discharging student loans in bankruptcy court has been historically difficult. Borrowers had to prove a standard known as “undue hardship,” in which they cannot maintain a minimal standard of living, their circumstances aren’t likely to improve, and they have made a good-faith effort to repay their debt.

    …

    Read the full story here.

    By:  Ayelet Sheffey
    Source: Business Insider

    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Remarks by the Deputy Prime Minister announcing healthy meals for kids in Manitoba

    Source: Government of Canada News

    We’ve been through a tough time. When COVID first hit, our country suffered the deepest recession since the Great Depression. Our economy shrank by 17 per cent and it’s been tough getting out of that. In recent weeks, we’ve had some good news. What we’ve been seeing is light at the end of the tunnel. We are approaching a soft landing for the Canadian economy after the turbulence of the COVID recession and what followed.

    October 18, 2024 – Winnipeg, Manitoba

    Check against delivery

    I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are in Treaty 1 territory and that the land on which we gather today is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the homeland of the Red River Métis.

    I want to start by saying a couple of things about the Canadian economy.

    We’ve been through a tough time. When COVID first hit, our country suffered the deepest recession since the Great Depression.  Our economy shrank by 17 per cent and it’s been tough getting out of that.  In recent weeks, we’ve had some good news.  What we’ve been seeing is light at the end of the tunnel.  We are approaching a soft landing for the Canadian economy after the turbulence of the COVID recession and what followed.

    What kind of good news am I talking about?  First of all, inflation in September was at 1.6 per cent.  That is in the lower end of the Bank of Canada’s target range, below the central target of two per cent.  For the past nine months, inflation has been within the Bank of Canada’s target range.  I know that is a relief for people here.

    What that means is that interest rates are coming down, too.  Canada was the first G7 country to lower interest rates for the first time, the first G7 country to lower interest rates for the second time and the first G7 country to lower interest rates for the third time.  That is a relief for a lot of Canadians, a lot of Manitobans as well.

    Wages and employment are going up.  We had strong jobs numbers in September.  The Canadian economy added 47,000 new jobs and unemployment went down a bit.  For the past 20 months, wages have been outpacing inflation.

    All these things are important for Canadians, for families like the parents of the kids here who want to ensure they can take care of their kids, feed their kids, pay their mortgage, pay their rent.  What that economic progress means is that we as a country are able to make investments in our most precious resources, our kids.

    That is why we announced the National School Food Program in the 2024 Budget, which is, in my opinion, one of our government’s key programs.

    The National School Food Program is one of the most important investments we can make in our kids, in our families.  It’s $1 billion over five years.  It’s going to mean 400,000 kids can get fed at school, 400,000 kids who are hungry in their classroom are going to be able to have a snack or some breakfast or some lunch.  That’s going to make such a difference to them, to their teachers.  A family with two kids will save as much as $800 a year on groceries.

    We can only deliver a program like this when we have provincial partners who share our values, who share our commitment to Canada’s kids.  That’s what we have in Manitoba.  That is why I am deeply thrilled to be able to announce today that we have a deal with the great province of Manitoba to invest in school food for Manitoba’s kids.

    The federal government is investing $17.2 million over three years to expand school food programs in Manitoba.  Manitoba is putting money on the table too.  The result is 19,080 more kids in Manitoba are going to get school meals.

    Manitoba is, as usual, in a leadership position with Premier Kinew.  Manitoba is just the second province to conclude a school food deal.  It’s meaningful for every parent who has a kid and knows their kid is going to get a snack, for every kid who’s not going to be hungry.

    This is part of our government’s absolute commitment to investing in families and in children.  It is a companion program to our national system of early learning and childcare, and Manitoba is also playing a leadership role in the country.  You guys are down to $10 a day.  That is fantastic.  That is saving a family in Manitoba $2,610 per child per year, a real affordability measure.  There is also the Canada Child Benefit, where a family can get up to $7,787 per child per year thanks to that benefit.  When you put those programs together, this is a real investment in the most important people in our country, our kids.

    I would like to thank the Government of Manitoba, especially Premier Kinew, who is an excellent partner for us. Our work is not always easy but, because we share the same values, we are able to work together to get things done.

    We need our economy to grow, but that needs to be growth with a purpose. Our purpose needs to be to invest in Canadians.  There is no better investment and no more important investment that we can make than investing in our beautiful, amazing, precious children.  That’s what we’re here to celebrate today.  Thank you.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Planets Beware: NASA Unburies Danger Zones of Star Cluster

    Source: NASA

    Most stars form in collections, called clusters or associations, that include very massive stars. These giant stars send out large amounts of high-energy radiation, which can disrupt relatively fragile disks of dust and gas that are in the process of coalescing to form new planets.
    A team of astronomers used NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory, in combination with ultraviolet, optical, and infrared data, to show where some of the most treacherous places in a star cluster may be, where planets’ chances to form are diminished.
    The target of the observations was Cygnus OB2, which is the nearest large cluster of stars to our Sun — at a distance of about 4,600 light-years. The cluster contains hundreds of massive stars as well as thousands of lower-mass stars. The team used long Chandra observations pointing at different regions of Cygnus OB2, and the resulting set of images were then stitched together into one large image.
    The deep Chandra observations mapped out the diffuse X-ray glow in between the stars, and they also provided an inventory of the young stars in the cluster. This inventory was combined with others using optical and infrared data to create the best census of young stars in the cluster.
    In this new composite image, the Chandra data (purple) shows the diffuse X-ray emission and young stars in Cygnus OB2, and infrared data from NASA’s now-retired Spitzer Space Telescope (red, green, blue, and cyan) reveals young stars and the cooler dust and gas throughout the region.
    In these crowded stellar environments, copious amounts of high-energy radiation produced by stars and planets are present. Together, X-rays and intense ultraviolet light can have a devastating impact on planetary disks and systems in the process of forming.
    Planet-forming disks around stars naturally fade away over time. Some of the disk falls onto the star and some is heated up by X-ray and ultraviolet radiation from the star and evaporates in a wind. The latter process, known as “photoevaporation,” usually takes between 5 and 10 million years with average-sized stars before the disk disappears. If massive stars, which produce the most X-ray and ultraviolet radiation, are nearby, this process can be accelerated.
    The researchers using this data found clear evidence that planet-forming disks around stars indeed disappear much faster when they are close to massive stars producing a lot of high-energy radiation. The disks also disappear more quickly in regions where the stars are more closely packed together.
    For regions of Cygnus OB2 with less high-energy radiation and lower numbers of stars, the fraction of young stars with disks is about 40%. For regions with more high-energy radiation and higher numbers of stars, the fraction is about 18%. The strongest effect — meaning the worst place to be for a would-be planetary system — is within about 1.6 light-years of the most massive stars in the cluster.
    A separate study by the same team examined the properties of the diffuse X-ray emission in the cluster. They found that the higher-energy diffuse emission comes from areas where winds of gas blowing away from massive stars have collided with each other. This causes the gas to become hotter and produce X-rays. The less energetic emission probably comes from gas in the cluster colliding with gas surrounding the cluster.
    Two separate papers describing the Chandra data of Cygnus OB2 are available. The paper about the planetary danger zones, led by Mario Giuseppe Guarcello (National Institute for Astrophysics in Palermo, Italy), appeared in the November 2023 issue of the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, and is available here. The paper about the diffuse emission, led by Juan Facundo Albacete-Colombo (University of Rio Negro in Argentina) was published in the same issue of Astrophysical Journal Supplement, and is available here.
    NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra program. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Chandra X-ray Center controls science operations from Cambridge, Massachusetts, and flight operations from Burlington, Massachusetts.
    JPL managed the Spitzer Space Telescope mission for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington until the mission was retired in January 2020. Science operations were conducted at the Spitzer Science Center at Caltech. Spacecraft operations were based at Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado. Data are archived at the Infrared Science Archive operated by IPAC at Caltech. Caltech manages JPL for NASA.
    Read more from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory.
    Learn more about the Chandra X-ray Observatory and its mission here:

    chandra

    https://chandra.si.edu

    This release features a composite image of the Cygnus OB2 star cluster, which resembles a night sky blanketed in orange, purple, and grey clouds.
    The center of the square image is dominated by purple haze. This haze represents diffuse X-ray emissions, and young stars, detected by the Chandra X-ray observatory. Surrounding the purple haze is a mottled, streaky, brick orange cloud. Another cloud resembling a tendril of grey smoke stretches from our lower left to the center of the image. These clouds represent relatively cool dust and gas observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope.
    Although the interwoven clouds cover most of the image, the thousands of stars within the cluster shine through. The lower-mass stars present as tiny specks of light. The massive stars gleam, some with long refraction spikes.

    Megan WatzkeChandra X-ray CenterCambridge, Mass.617-496-7998mwatzke@cfa.harvard.edu
    Lane FigueroaMarshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama256-544-0034lane.e.figueroa@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: MC Duke: a pioneering British rapper more people should know about

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam de Paor-Evans, Research Lead at Rhythm Obscura / Lecturer in the School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Plymouth

    MC Duke (Kashif Adham) was a key figure in the development of hip-hop in Britain in the late 80s. When he died in April, British rap lost a giant. From the East End of London, Duke strengthened the evolution of the genre in the UK by relating directly to US hip-hop and an emerging British rap identity through his lyrics and visual style.

    At the time of MC Duke’s arrival on the rap scene, British hip-hop was transitioning from the electro-based sound by London artists such as DSM, Three Wize Men and Family Quest, to a more sample-based style, much like the sounds of US artists Eric B. and Rakim and Biz Markie.

    In this transition, Duke emerged as the frontrunner in this new generation due to his embrace of hip-hop’s visual tropes as much as his sound.

    His first release, Jus-Dis landed in 1987 on Hard As Hell! Rap’s Next Generation, a compilation released on Music Of Life – a staple label for homegrown British talent. Jus-Dis presents Duke’s battle rap attitude through the diss track – a concept where the song’s narrative attacks another party.

    His lyrics and wordplay on the song title present social commentary on Britain and its legal system: “There ain’t no law, there’s only jus-dis.” Duke also brought the idea of the diss to live audiences throughout the UK by accelerating the dispute with Overlord X, another pioneering British rapper, as part of his stage routine.

    His first proper single release, Miracles, the next year, visually presented MC Duke and his DJ, DJ Leader 1, for the first time to audiences. The record sleeve depicts Duke donning a bright red goose jacket, a black leather cap, Cazal-style shades, gold rope chain and a name belt buckle – all highly sought-after attire in hip-hop fashion.

    These fashion choices linked the US image of rap with an emerging British one. In the US, rap pioneers T La Rock and Kool Moe Dee had previously used similar accessories on album covers to denote a sense of identity. In the UK, graffiti writers and breakdancers particularly were sporting name belt buckles.

    Miracles heavily samples The Jackson Sister’s I Believe In Miracles, which was a mainstay of the rare groove scene that developed in London during the early 80s. With the inclusion of vocal samples from Run-D.M.C.’s Run’s House and Public Enemy’s Bring The Noise, Miracles starts to bring together a transatlantic idea of hip-hop.

    Got To Get Your Own based on Reuben Wilson’s song of the same name and MC Duke’s follow-up single, I’m Riffin (English Rasta) heavily samples Funky Like A Train (link) by Equals, again a core record from many rare groove playlists.

    The introduction to I’m Riffin (English Rasta) is sampled from the powerful speech by American civil rights leader Jesse Jackson from Introduction (Complete). This immediately frames MC Duke’s lyrics with a sense of Black identity and history, as he raps: “Known to speak about men of freedom, Look for books on King and read ‘em”.

    Duke returns the narrative to a sense of the everyman: “We cover and smother another brother, Throw him away just like a used rubber,” twice referring to the system as at the heart of Black-on-Black crime.

    Duke’s “English Rasta” pseudonym is also a comment on Jamaican culture in Britain, in particular the second generation who grew up through an evolving Black British identity.

    M.C. Duke and DJ Leader 1’s debut album Organised Rhyme challenges the British class system, the aristocracy, colonialism and imperialism. Duke claims their associated visual tropes and brings them into a rap frame fusing tweed suits, hunting boots, Bentley cars and stately homes with the African medallions and chunky gold jewellery of hip-hop.

    In 1990, Duke countered the conventions of the British aristocracy as a producer and performer on the album The Royal Family, a collective of artists from the Music Of Life camp, including the likes of Lady Tame and Doc Savage. This album resonates with US label-related collectives such as Marley Marl’s Juice Crew and The 45 King’s Flavor Unit. Again, this enforces the transatlantic approach to hip-hop that Duke maintained.

    Duke’s work ensured British fans felt homegrown rap was becoming closer to US artists like Eric B. & Rakim and Public Enemy. Additionally, his music laid the foundation for future solo British rappers as diverse as Ty, Dizzee Rascal and Stormzy.

    As well as being a forerunner in British hip-hop, Duke worked across dance genres and influenced many jungle, drum ‘n’ bass and grime emcees. As Jumpin Jack Frost (the DJ behind the seminal jungle track Burial, which he released under the alias Leviticus) attested: “Duke was a true trailblazer who was one of the first UK MCs with a major record deal … His legacy will be remembered as someone who helped to shape UK MCs from jungle to grime we all owe MC Duke a lot.”

    MC Duke bridged the gap between US hip-hop history and set a new British trajectory for rap. His work should serve as a critical signpost for British rap audiences.

    Adam de Paor-Evans 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. MC Duke: a pioneering British rapper more people should know about – https://theconversation.com/mc-duke-a-pioneering-british-rapper-more-people-should-know-about-229966

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of the Commonwealth Holds First Virtual General Election Update

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    October 28, 2024 – Harrisburg, PA

    Secretary of the Commonwealth Holds First Virtual General Election Update

    Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt today held the first of a series of daily media briefings leading up to the Nov. 5 general election.
    Secretary Schmidt reminded voters of the deadline tomorrow, Oct. 29, to apply for a mail ballot.

    “I urge anyone considering voting by mail ballot to apply immediately online at vote.pa.gov,” Schmidt said. “At this point, time is of the essence, and the sooner you apply, the sooner your mail ballot will arrive.”

    For voters applying in person at their county elections office, the deadline is also tomorrow. Schmidt noted that you can apply, wait while your application is processed, receive your ballot, fill it out, and return it all in one visit.

    The deadline to return your mail ballot is 8 p.m. Election Day. County elections offices must receive ballots by then. Mail ballots returned after that time, even if postmarked by 8 p.m. Nov. 5, will not count.

    Schmidt also reminded mail ballot voters to sign and put the current date on the outer return envelope so that your ballot can be counted.

    Speakers Include:
    Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt

    MIL OSI USA News –