Source: US Geological Survey
HVO scientists are conducting the annual Kīlauea GPS campaign. During the survey, GPS instruments are deployed at established benchmarks so that their recorded positions can be compared with those from previous years to discern subtle patterns of ground deformation associated with volcanic activity.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement:
“My heart breaks for those who tragically lost their lives to Hurricane Helene. My thoughts are with their families and friends as they try to make sense of it all. I grieve as well for those who have lost their homes and livelihoods to the storm. The routines of our daily lives, whether at our homes, schools, workplaces, or neighborhoods, can be thrown into turmoil in a second. We should never take the pleasures of a normal day for granted.
“Our primary task now is to help our fellow Americans in need. For those of us in Congress, knowing that the short-term spending bill we passed last week won’t cover all of FEMA’s costs from this storm, we must promptly address this issue. Further, Congress has an obligation to immediately start working to mitigate the underlying causes and protect people from future risks.”
# # #
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Hold Corporate Criminals Accountable Act, bipartisan legislation to increase public transparency and accountability by allowing courts to consider the public interest in approving corporate criminal settlement agreements that don’t involve a conviction. The bipartisan bill will also provide more prosecutorial tools to combat corporate criminal actors by extending statutes of limitations and requiring more cooperation by wrongdoers in order to receive a reduction in punishment.
In recent years, the country has seen a rise in deferred and non-prosecution agreements—which allow corporations to resolve criminal liability without a conviction in exchange for fines or other smaller punishments. Yet, the FBI estimates the annual cost of corporate crime —$300 billion—is 20 times greater than the cost of street crime. At least 40 Fortune 500 companies have received a deferred and non-prosecution agreement, including recently Citigroup, Boeing, and Monsanto.
“All wrongdoers should be held accountable for their actions—plain and simple. Yet federal prosecution of white-collar crimes has fallen to record lows in recent years, making it easier for ultra-wealthy executives to game the system and avoid responsibility when they hurt hardworking people. It’s also making it harder for the victims of corporate crimes to get justice, and that’s unacceptable,” said Senator Welch. “Our bipartisan bill will ensure a level playing field and provide needed accountability.”
“More and more big businesses are receiving a slap on the wrist by the DOJ for corporate misbehavior, allowing corporations to skirt litigation fees while incentivizing repeated offenses. This bipartisan legislation has the teeth to hold Corporate America accountable and would crack down on DOJ’s sweetheart deals,” said Senator Hawley.
In order to ensure public accountability for corporate wrongdoing in our judicial system, the Hold Corporate Criminals Accountable Act would:
Require more judicial scrutiny of deferred or non-prosecution agreements to ensure these agreements are in the public’s interest.
Require corporations placed in one of these agreements or on probation to use effective compliance monitoring instead of skirting monitoring, as in the case of Boeing’s recent agreement.
Require federal agencies keep a public list and copy of these deferred and non-prosecution agreements they enter so the public can see the contents of them.
Extend all statutes of limitations related to corporate criminal offenses by five years to provide prosecutors more time to bring complex cases.
Redefine substantial assistance for a sentencing reduction in the context of corporate criminal offenders to require actual assistance in identifying and prosecuting individual bad actors within a corporation.
The Hold Corporate Criminals Accountable Act is endorsed by Professor Brad Garrett, author of Too Big to Jail.
Learn more about the Hold Corporate Criminals Accountable Act.
Read the full text of the bill.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, announced that her bipartisan Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Reauthorization Act, which she co-authored with Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), has been signed into law. The legislation will extend funding for five additional years for SIREN Act grants to rural fire and EMS agencies nationwide. This funding from the the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) supports rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment, including naloxone to address the opioid overdose epidemic.
“It is vital that Americans who live in rural parts of Maine and across the country have access to lifesaving emergency medical services, which is why I have long advocated for funding to support access to quality rural health care,” said Senator Collins. “I thank my colleagues for supporting this critical bipartisan legislation that will help to alleviate staffing shortages, upgrade training and equipment, and ultimately boost response times when seconds count. This program will continue to make a real difference for recruiting and retaining EMS personnel in Maine’s rural communities.”
The bipartisan SIREN Act was initially signed into law in 2018 as part of the Farm Bill. Since then, Senators Collins and Durbin have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $11.5 million this year, resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide to 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS/fire agencies in Maine, most recently for the Brooks Ambulance Service, MaineHealth, the Northern Oxford Regional Ambulance Service, and the United Ambulance Service.
A decline in primary care and hospital service availability, workforce shortages exacerbated by the pandemic, great distances between health care facilities, and low insurance reimbursement for transport and emergency treatment have all strained rural EMS agencies. At the same time, EMS agencies today are tasked with ever-greater responsibilities— preparing for natural and manmade disasters and bioterror threats, supporting the chronic and emergency care needs of an aging population, and responding on the front lines of the opioid epidemic. These first responders are often the only health care providers in their area and face difficulty in personnel recruitment and retention, and securing expensive equipment.
The SIREN Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Rural Health Association, National Volunteer Fire Council, and National Fire Protection Association.
The complete text of the legislation can be read here.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, announced that two bipartisan bills she authored—the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) Reauthorization and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act (AAIA)—have been signed into law. These bills will cement and build on the important progress that has been made to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease.
“We have made tremendous progress in recent years to boost funding for Alzheimer’s research, which holds great promise to end this disease that has had a devastating effect on millions of Americans and their families,” said Senator Collins, a founder and co-chair of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. “These two bills will maintain our momentum and make sure that we do not take our foot off the pedal just as our investments in basic research are beginning to translate into potential new treatments. We must not let Alzheimer’s to be one of the defining diseases of our children’s generation as it has ours.”
“The bipartisan NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act being signed into law today represents a major step forward in the fight against this devastating disease,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association, thank you to Sen. Collins for your continued, outstanding leadership in advancing these critical bills through the legislative process and getting them signed into law today. Together they will build on the progress made in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia for years to come.”
“With the bipartisan NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act being signed into law, our nation has renewed its commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia,” said Drew Wyman, executive director, Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter. “Thank you to Sen. Collins for your leadership in introducing and advancing these pivotal bills, and for your longstanding dedication to the Alzheimer’s community in Maine and across the nation.”
“These two bills are incredibly important to the work we are doing to end the scourge of Alzheimer’s,” said George Vradenburg, chair and co-founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “By reinforcing our national commitment to fighting this crisis and requiring accountability for every federal dollar spent, these bills help ensure that our country will keep its foot on the gas to stop this disease. We look forward to working with Health and Human Services on establishing new national goals for 2035 and engaging the business community in those conversations so we can address the enormous economic impact of Alzheimer’s. We’re also grateful for the leadership of Senators Collins, Markey, Warner, and Capito and for every member of the Senate who joined them in getting these bills across the finish line.”
More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s costs our nation an astonishing $360 billion per year, including $231 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid. If we continue along this trajectory, Alzheimer’s is projected to claim the minds of 13.8 million seniors by 2060 and nearly surpass $1 trillion in annual costs by 2050. In 2022, family caregivers provided 18 billion hours of unpaid care for loved ones with dementia.
In 2011, Senator Susan Collins authored the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) with then-Senator Evan Bayh (D-IN). NAPA convened a panel of experts, who created a coordinated strategic national plan to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease by 2025. The law was set to expire and needed to be reauthorized to ensure that research investments remain coordinated, and their impact maximized.
The NAPA Reauthorization Act will:
This bill is endorsed by the National Down Syndrome Society, the National Down Syndrome Congress, and LuMind IDSC Foundation.
The Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act will:
Senator Collins authored the NAPA Reauthorization Act with Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act with Senator Ed Markey (D-MA). Both bills are cosponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
The NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act are endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.
The complete text of the NAPA Reauthorization Act can be read here.
The complete text of the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act can be read here.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French
On February 26, 2024, Abdirahman Mahamed, an inmate at Drumheller Institution, died while in our custody.
February 27, 2024 – Drumheller, Alberta – Correctional Service Canada
On February 26, 2024, Abdirahman Mahamed, an inmate at Drumheller Institution, died while in our custody.
At the time of death, the person had been serving a sentence of 3 years and 4 months for possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition since May 5, 2023.
The person’s relatives have been informed.
As is always the case in the event of a death, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances of the incident. CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified.
Roxane Braun Advisor, Media Relations and Community LiaisonRegional Administration – Prairies(306) 514-2203
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French
Elizabeth Métis Settlement, Alberta, April 29, 2024 — Upgrades to the local community hall will make this gathering place better and more energy efficient thanks to an investment of nearly $250,000 from the federal government.
Announced by Minister Randy Boissonnault and Elizabeth Métis Settlement President Kathy Lepine, this project will improve the settlement’s main community centre, where people come together for cultural, recreational and local activities throughout the year.
Improvements are underway to the Community Hall, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and maintenance costs through boiler replacements, smart thermostats, low-flow fixtures, and LED and solar-powered lighting. The Community Hall at Elizabeth Métis Settlement is located in the centre of the community and is widely used by local residents as a gathering place for social activities and celebrations. The hall is a communal gathering place for youth and seniors. It features a stage for performances, a kitchen, a nursing station, outdoor play areas, and baseball diamonds. Improvements to this central hub for community members will enhance the quality of life for all members of Elizabeth Métis Settlement.
The funding announced today by the federal government through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program aims to improve the places where Canadians work, learn, play, live, and gather by reducing pollution, reducing costs, and supporting thousands of good jobs. Through green and other retrofits to existing public community buildings and new construction in underserved communities, these investments will help ensure community facilities are inclusive, accessible, and have a long service life, while also helping Canada achieve its net-zero emissions targets by 2050.
“Transforming recreational spaces into green and accessible places is important if we are to support Canadians. Energy efficiency in the Prairies is essential to the economic development of communities. By improving parts of the Elizabeth Métis Settlement, our government is working to create a better quality of life through investments that will last for generations to come.”
The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“The natural environment has always been an important aspect of Métis culture. The Elizabeth Métis Settlement is proud to be part of Canada’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On behalf of our people and future generations, we thank you for your work and the steps you have taken to keep our beautiful country clean, hee hee.”
Kathy Lepine, President, Elizabeth Métis Settlement
The federal government is investing $249,999 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program, and the Elizabeth Métis Settlement is providing $39,719.
These improvements should allow annual fuel savings of around 47.30% for the facility and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 79.30 tonnes.
The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program was created to support Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It supports the first pillar of the Plan by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy efficiency and helping to build resilience to climate change.
The program provides $1.5 billion over five years for modernization, repair or improvement work that promotes the environment and accessibility.
At least 10 percent of the funds are allocated to projects for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, which includes Indigenous populations in urban centres.
The application period for the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program is now closed.
On December 18, 2023, the federal government launched the Prairie Green Economy Framework, which highlights the need for a collaborative, regional approach to sustainability, focused on strengthening the coordination of federal programs and initiatives with significant investments. The Framework is the first step in a journey that will bring together many stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal department responsible for diversifying the economy in Canada’s Prairies, is providing $100 million over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to create a stronger, more sustainable and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and Canada.
Infrastructure Canada supports the Prairie Green Economy Framework to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional funding and attract new investment to the Prairies to better meet their needs.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Micaal Ahmed Manager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations Infrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada
Deloris Courtepatte Project ManagerElizabeth Métis Settlement587-986 0020courtepatteconsulting@gmail.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French
Strathcona County, Alberta, February 1, 2024 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities; His Worship Rod Frank, Mayor of Strathcona County; and Jackie Clayton, Mayor of Grande Prairie.
Date: Friday, February 2, 2024
Time: 10 a.m. (MST)
Location: Bethel Transit Terminal 650 Bethel Drive Sherwood Park, Alberta T8H 2N4
For further information (media only), please contact:
Micaal AhmedManager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Media RelationsInfrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll Free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada
Strathcona County – Communications780-410-6565news.inquiries@strathcona.ca
Philip CooperDirector, CommunicationsCity of Grande Prairie780-876-5805pcooper@cityofgp.com
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen
(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), senior member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, released the following statement in response to Iran’s direct attack on Israel and the escalating violence across the region:
“Iran’s attack on Israel is a dangerous, reckless escalation that risks innocent lives in Israel and across the region. Through its terrorist proxies, Iran continues to try to destabilize the region and preserve its own authoritarian agenda.
“Thanks to U.S.-supported Israeli defense systems, Iran’s attack on civilian populations was rebuffed.
“The current conflict is on the verge of spiraling into all-out war, with the people of Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and other innocent civilians bearing the consequences of escalation.
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy
BATON ROUGE – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) visited CF Industries’ ammonia production facility in Donaldsonville, and later the Essential Federal Credit Union in Baton Rouge. During both visits, he learned how Louisianans are supporting small businesses and both the local and global economies.
At CF’s Donaldsonville Complex, Cassidy learned about its capability of producing nearly 8 million tons of nitrogen products for agricultural and industrial use. CF uses the facility’s access to the Mississippi River and other modes of transportation to ship its products to major crop-producing states in the interior of America. They also utilize ocean-going vessels to Europe, South America, and Asia.
CF is also working to produce green ammonia and sequester carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as it produces its products. Thanks to their efforts, they will capture and sequester up to 2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from its Donaldsonville Complex by 2025. This is in line with Cassidy’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which provided $5.1 billion to invest in carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology.
“CF Industries and its employees have done more than anyone else in the world to make clean products,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Efforts like this help put the United States at a competitive advantage. We need to do more of this to create more jobs and make a competitive economy.”
CF’s Donaldsonville Complex supports 566 permanent employees and 640 contractors, generates $16.8 million in annual state and parish sales taxes, and provided $430 million to local suppliers last year. Cassidy was welcomed there by Mr. Morris Johnson, General Manager for the facility.
“At CF Industries, our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably,” said Mr. Johnson. “To achieve this mission, we are investing in the decarbonization of our network with significant projects underway right here in Ascension Parish at our Donaldsonville Complex, located in the heart of this community we’ve called home for nearly 60 years. We thank Senator Cassidy for his visit to our site and his work on behalf of Donaldsonville and Louisiana through forward-leading competitiveness, energy and trade policies.”
Later, Cassidy visited the Essential Federal Credit Union, which was chartered in 1972 by a group of Dow Chemical employees and now has more than 46,000 members and $378 million in assets. Cassidy met with Essential’s employees, and also with executives from other local credit unions who discussed how they’re serving their members. He discussed his efforts to preserve the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, make flood insurance rates affordable, and invest in high-speed broadband and water and sewer projects for Louisiana’s rural communities.
“Our credit unions always know how their communities are doing, since people go to them to finance a house or a small business,” said Dr. Cassidy. “By making flood insurance affordable and investing in rural broadband, we can help more families buy a home or grow their business, which makes our credit unions stronger.”
Cassidy participated in a roundtable with credit union directors from across Louisiana. He was welcomed by Mr. Anthony Ware, II, Director of Legislative Advocacy for the Louisiana Credit Union Association, of which the Essential Federal Credit Union is a member.
“Thank you, Senator Cassidy, for taking the time to meet with the Louisiana Credit Union Association powered by Luminate, and visiting Essential Federal Credit Union today,” said Mr. Ware. “We truly appreciate you taking the time to hear from credit unions on the issues that are important to us and vital to helping Louisiana residents. We value your continued support of credit unions as we serve our members and strengthen our communities.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)
CHARLOTTE – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) celebrated three recipients of the Congressional Award at her district office yesterday. The Congressional Award, established in 1979, recognizes high achievement in four categories, including physical fitness, community service, personal development, and expedition/exploration.
The three recipients of the award, high school students from Rep. Adams’ district, completed 100 hours of community service, 50 hours of personal development, 50 hours of physical fitness, and a 2-day exploration trip within a 7-month period. They are:
· Robert Lyda, Gold Award
· Ally Kryzalka, Gold Award
· Grace Maddox, Silver and Bronze Award
“It is an honor to celebrate students like Robert, Ally, and Grace, who demonstrate exceptional leadership and civic-mindedness and who show us all that the future is bright,” said Rep. Adams. “I look forward to what they accomplish for themselves, their families, their community, and our country.”
###
Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kat Cammack (R-FL-03)
GAINESVILLE, FL — Congresswoman Kat Cammack and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) met with Cedar Key residents and homeowners who were impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Florida lawmakers met with members of the aquaculture industry to discuss the impact multiple hurricanes have had on the industry.
Senator Rubio and Representative Cammack meet with the Cedar Key community and Florida Chief Financial Officer Patronis.
Congresswoman Cammack talks with Senator Rubio and state and local leaders before the tour begins.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Sarbanes (3rd District of Maryland)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Sarbanes (MD-03) released the following statement today regarding Iran’s recent attack on Israel:
“I am grateful that Israel’s defenses succeeded in thwarting yesterday’s missile attack by Iran. This reinforces the critical importance of ongoing U.S. support for Israel’s security apparatus as well as careful coordination among Israel’s allies. I join President Biden and Vice President Harris in expressing solidarity with the Israeli people and commend the Administration for its continued diplomatic efforts to de-escalate conflict in the region, avert civilian casualties and reestablish a framework for achieving peace and stability.”
# # #
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding escalating violence in the Middle East:
“I’m praying for the innocent civilians in harm’s way in Tel Aviv, and across Israel. I’m grateful that it appears relatively few were harmed by last night’s attack. The defense of innocent life must be the primary goal of U.S. foreign policy.
“We must ensure Israel has the defensive weapons it needs to defend its people from attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. Defensive systems undoubtedly saved countless lives last night. At the same time, to further supply the reckless Netanyahu government, which has shown little interest in de-escalation, with offensive weapons risks a large-scale regional war which the United States could quickly be drawn into.
“The American people don’t want to be drawn into a regional war in the Middle East. It’s time for the United States to show its leadership and demand an end to escalation of this conflict. For the sake of the lives of millions of people caught in the crossfire I implore President Biden to take action to prevent further escalation.”
Source: Doctors Without Borders –
NEW YORK/JERUSALEM, October 2, 2024 — One year into the escalation of war in Gaza, the medical and humanitarian situation is catastrophic, said Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Israel’s all-out war and punishing siege have destroyed Gaza’s already fragile health system, repeatedly displaced people who have been forced into smaller and smaller areas, and choked off access to desperately needed food, water, and medicines.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a horrific attack inside Israel, leaving 1,200 people dead and taking 251 people as hostages. In response, the Israeli military launched an assault on Gaza that has so far killed more than 41,500 people, wounded 96,000, and displaced approximately 1.9 million people. Violence has since surged in the West Bank, in Lebanon, and across the region.
“This has been a year of unrelenting horror and violence against civilians, with no end in sight,” said Avril Benoît, chief executive officer of MSF USA. “As this conflict spreads across the region, we repeat our urgent call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. This is the only way to stop the spiraling violence and bring lifesaving care to people who are struggling to survive.”
Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from war wounds, infectious diseases, malnutrition, and mental trauma while living in overcrowded and inhumane conditions. MSF medical staff have treated patients on a daily basis with wounds caused by bombings. People have extensive burns, crushed bones, and amputated limbs—all of which require intensive and long-term care that is not possible under current conditions. Since the escalation of war last October, MSF teams have treated more than 27,500 patients for violence-related injuries, with more than 80 percent of the wounds linked to shelling.
“Israeli bombardments of densely populated areas have repeatedly caused injuries on a massive scale,” said Dr. Amber Alayyan, MSF medical program manager. “Our teams have been forced to perform surgeries without anesthesia, witness children die on hospital floors due to a lack of resources, and even treat their own colleagues and family members. Meanwhile, the health care system in Gaza has been systematically dismantled by Israeli forces.”
Well before October 7, MSF was already treating people in Gaza suffering from the effects of Israel’s 17-year occupation, blockade, and recurrent attacks. Teams have cared for patients with life-altering physical injuries, severe burns, and mental health conditions.
As medical needs are growing exponentially, people’s options for care are shrinking. Israeli forces have committed widespread and systematic attacks on Gaza’s health care system and other vital civilian infrastructure. The health care system is now on the edge of collapse. Today, only 17 out of 36 hospitals are partially functional. Warring parties have conducted hostilities near medical facilities, endangering patients, caretakers, and medical staff. Six MSF colleagues have been killed. From October 2023, staff and patients from MSF have had to leave 14 different health structures, due to serious incidents and ongoing fighting. Each time a medical facility is evacuated, thousands of people lose access to lifesaving medical care. This will have consequences on people’s health, not just in the immediate term, but in the weeks and months to come.
Destruction at Nasser Hospital following Israeli forces’ siege of the facility earlier this year. Palestine 2024 © Ben Milpas/MSF
The lack of access to health care is compounded by the lack of humanitarian and medical supplies in Gaza. Israeli authorities have routinely imposed unclear, unpredictable criteria for authorizing the entry of supplies. Once supplies cross into the Gaza Strip, they often do not make it to their destination, due to an absence of safe and accessible roads, ongoing fighting, and looting of food and basic items. The first step in addressing this is for Israel to open vital land borders to ensure massive humanitarian and medical aid can reach those in need. The blockade on Gaza must end.
“For one year, Israel’s allies have continued to provide their military support to Israel, as children are killed en masse, tanks fire on deconflicted shelters, and fighter jets bomb so-called humanitarian zones,” said Chris Lockyear, MSF’s secretary general. “This has been accompanied by a consistent public narrative dehumanizing people in Gaza and failing to distinguish between military targets and civilian lives. The only way to stop the killing is with an immediate and sustained ceasefire.”
Israel and Hamas, supported by their respective allies, have failed time and time again to implement a sustained ceasefire in Gaza. While the US led efforts in June to secure passage of a ceasefire resolution by the UN Security Council, it has vetoed previous resolutions brought by other Council members and continues to provide arms to Israel. Israel must immediately stop the indiscriminate killing of civilians in Gaza and urgently facilitate the delivery of aid to alleviate suffering inside the Strip—and its allies must demand they do so. Under international norms and laws, civilians must be protected from violence and have the right to access humanitarian assistance, especially medical care.
“The US remains the leading provider of military and financial support to Israel, fueling the destruction of Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crisis,” Benoît said. “As a leading ally of Israel, the US has a particular responsibility to ensure that its support is not used to kill and maim civilians, attack hospitals and health workers, and block the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza.”
In Gaza, MSF is currently running medical activities in two hospitals, Al-Aqsa and Nasser Hospitals, eight health care facilities, and two field hospitals in Deir al-Balah. Field hospitals cannot replace the health care system that Israel has dismantled in Gaza. Since the beginning of the war, MSF teams have offered surgical support, wound care, physiotherapy, maternity and pediatric care, primary health care, vaccination, mental health services, and water distribution.
Source: The White House
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the President signed into law:
S. 1549, the “Congressional Budget Office Data Access Act,” which allows the Congressional Budget Office to obtain records of individuals from Federal agencies without prior written consent of the individual.
###
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
October 2, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, will join AmberMac Media President Amber Mac for a conversation during the Elevate Festival (English). Minister Champagne will discuss the government’s plans to strengthen Canada’s leadership, including a focus on artificial intelligence, which has the potential to transform industries, fuel economic growth and strengthen Canada’s global position in technology. Elevate Festival brings together leading innovators, industry leaders and members of the technology ecosystem to showcase Canada’s technology and innovation ecosystem on the international stage.
Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
Time: 2:55 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Media representatives are requested to register to confirm their attendance and obtain event location details:Rachael D’AmoreElevate Festival PR | Senior Director, Category Communicationsrd@categorycomms.com
Audrey MilettePress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industryaudrey.milette@ised-isde.gc.ca
Media RelationsInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canadamedia@ised-isde.gc.ca
For more information or to learn about the services offered by the Ministry, visit the websiteInnovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.
Follow Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada on social media.X (Twitter): @ISDE_CA | Facebook: Canadian Innovation | Instagram: @innovationcdn | LinkedIn: Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French
Calgary, Alberta, May 2, 2024 — Energy upgrades are coming to the South Fish Creek complex thanks to a joint investment of more than $1.2 million from the federal government, the YMCA of Calgary and the complex’s partners.
Announced by MP George Chahal and Shannon Doram, President and CEO of the YMCA of Calgary, this project will extend the life of the facility and improve energy efficiency. The South Fish Creek complex has served the needs of Calgarians for over twenty years. These renovations will extend the life of the facility, improve air quality and energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By replacing the systems that keep the complex running, the YMCA will be able to continue to provide important services and programs that meet the needs of children, youth, newcomers and residents of all ages and backgrounds.
The YMCA of Calgary will replace its current heating systems with more efficient models and upgrade air handling units. These upgrades are expected to generate cost savings that can be reallocated to meet the community’s future needs. The upgrades will allow the systems that help operate the complex to adapt to a changing environment, maintaining a comfortable atmosphere and improved air quality during the cold winter months and the scorching summer months.
The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program aims to improve the places where Canadians work, learn, play, live and gather by reducing pollution and costs, while supporting thousands of good jobs. By making green and other improvements to existing public community buildings and constructing new buildings in underserved communities, the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program helps ensure the inclusivity, accessibility and longevity of community facilities, while helping Canada achieve its net-zero emissions targets by 2050.
“The Shawnessy YMCA plays an important role in our community by preparing our children, youth, newcomer neighbours and people of all ages and backgrounds for success. The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program encourages innovative and clean solutions to help Canada adapt to a greener, lower-carbon economy. With the funding announced today, the South Fish Creek complex will be able to continue to meet the needs of Calgarians for years to come.”
George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
“The Shawnessy YMCA is an important community hub that provides Calgary’s rapidly growing southwest quadrant with a place to play, grow and connect. The Government of Canada’s investment through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program will enable the YMCA Calgary to be more energy efficient and help us deliver the programs and services that are essential to building vibrant communities for years to come. We are pleased to partner with the Government of Canada to address climate change and build community resilience.”
Shannon Doram, President and CEO of the YMCA of Calgary
“As the building owner of the South Fish Creek Recreation Centre, the City of Calgary is pleased with the energy efficiency upgrades made by the YMCA of Calgary. Not only will these upgrades ensure the facility will be available for future generations of Calgarians, they will also reduce the building’s carbon footprint. Addressing climate change is a strategic priority for the City of Calgary, and supporting our partners to reduce emissions is a key part of delivering on City Council’s commitment.”
Tim Mowrey, Manager, Recreation, Sports and Community Partners, City of Calgary
The federal government is investing $979,800 in this project through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) Program, and the YMCA of Calgary is providing $244,950.
These improvements are expected to result in annual fuel savings of approximately 20.5% for the facility and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 268 tonnes.
The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program was created to support Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy. It supports the first pillar of the Plan by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy efficiency, and by helping to build resilience to climate change.
The program provides $1.5 billion over five years for modernization, repair or improvement work that promotes the environment and accessibility.
At least 10% of the funds are allocated to projects for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, which includes Indigenous populations in urban centres.
The application period for the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program is now closed.
On December 18, 2023, the federal government launched the Prairie Green Economy Framework, which highlights the need for a collaborative, regional approach to sustainability, focused on strengthening the coordination of federal programs and initiatives with significant investments. The Framework is the first step in a journey that will bring together many stakeholders. PrairiesCan, the federal department responsible for diversifying Canada’s Prairie economy, has committed $100 million over three years to support projects aligned with priority areas identified by Prairie stakeholders to create a stronger, more sustainable and inclusive economy for the Prairie provinces and Canada.
Infrastructure Canada supports the Prairie Green Economy Framework to encourage greater collaboration on investment opportunities, leverage additional funding and attract new investment to the Prairies to better meet needs.
For further information (media only), please contact:
Micaal Ahmed Manager, CommunicationsOffice of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities343-598-3920micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca
Media Relations Infrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada
Dean Paddock Vice President, Community EngagementYMCA of CalgaryDean.Paddock@calgary.ymca.ca
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – MIL OSI Regional News in French
Edmonton, Alberta, May 2, 2024 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and Jordan Reiniger, Executive Director, Boyle Street Community Services.
Date: Friday, May 3, 2024
Time: 11:30 AM (MTD)
Location: okimaw peyesew kamik (King Thunderbird Centre)10010 107a AveEdmonton, AB T5H 4H8
For further information (media only), please contact:
Mathis Denis Press OfficerOffice of the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages343-573-1846mathis.denis@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Media Relations Infrastructure Canada613-960-9251Toll free: 1-877-250-7154Email: media-medias@infc.gc.caFollow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram And LinkedInWebsite: Infrastructure Canada
Elliott Tanti Director, Communications and EngagementBoyle Street Community Services587-338-4025etanti@boylestreet.org
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Colin Campbell-Hunt, Emeritus Professor in Business, University of Otago
Recent research showing the richest New Zealanders pay less tax than their counterparts in nine similar OECD countries raises, yet again, serious questions about wealth, equality and fairness.
How unequal is the distribution of income in New Zealand? How do we compare with some of the countries we might benchmark against? And, if we don’t like what we see, can we change it?
The metric most widely used by economists to measure inequality in incomes is called the Gini coefficient (named after the Italian statistician Corrado Gini who developed it).
It brings together income data across all households, typically divided into groupings of 10% or 20% of the total. When there is no inequality of incomes between groups, Gini equals zero. When the top group captures all income, Gini equals 1.
The graph below shows Gini coefficients, before taxes and welfare payments (known as “transfers”), for all 37 countries in the OECD in 2019 (before the COVID pandemic disrupted household surveys). Ginis are ranked left to right, from least to most unequal.
The Gini before taxes and transfers is a measure of the inequality produced by the structures of a country’s economy: the way value chains operate, the markets for products and services, the scarcity of certain skills, rates of unionisation, and so on.
This gives us a measure of structural inequalities in a country. Governments, however, use taxes and transfers to shift income between households. They take taxes from some and boost incomes of the more disadvantaged.
Ginis of incomes after taxes and transfers give us a measure of how well members of a society can support similar standards of living. They are shown in the following graph, again from least to most unequal. These give us a measure of social inequalities.
Focusing just on social inequality, it is no surprise Scandinavian countries are among the least unequal, as well as Canada and Ireland. Neither is it surprising the UK and US approach the highest levels of social inequality in the OECD.
Inequalities in Australia and New Zealand lie between these, but further from the Scandinavians and closer to the Anglo-Americans.
When we look at the difference between structural and social inequalities, we can see the extent to which taxes and transfers – government redistribution of income – reduce inequality.
As we can see, New Zealand’s structural inequality, shaped by the economic reforms of the mid-1980s, is middling by comparison to other OECD countries.
But New Zealand’s social inequality lies near the bottom third of OECD measures. A halving of top income tax rates in the mid-1980s and the rollback of the welfare state in the 1990s (after then finance minister Ruth Richardson’s 1991 “mother of all budgets”) significantly contributed to this.
The downward columns in the following graph show the effect of government redistributive measures, ranked from most to least active. The result of these government redistributions in New Zealand is weaker even than in the laissez-faire economies of the United Kingdom and United States.
How do New Zealand’s inequalities compare with countries we might choose to benchmark against?
Below, the Scandinavian countries famous for their egalitarian social systems are shown in orange. In green are countries that tolerate slightly higher social inequality: Sweden, Canada and Ireland.
And the UK and US – exemplars of free-market capitalism that were the models for New Zealand’s reforms of the mid-1980s – are highlighted in grey.
How hard would it be to change? Could New Zealand, for example, reduce its level of social inequality to match Canada? Absolutely, yes.
Other OECD data show Canada significantly cut its inequalities between 2010 and 2019. The country moved from a position identical to Luxembourg (haven for Europe’s wealthy) to be roughly level with Sweden.
To match Canada’s level now, New Zealand would need to reduce structural inequalities further, or redistribute about as much as Norway and Denmark do. It can be done, in other words.
Indeed, Finland shows government redistributions can transform some of the worst levels of structural inequality to produce outcomes comparable to other Scandinavian countries.
New Zealand can aspire to goals for social equality matching those in the upper half of OECD countries. Beyond revisions to taxation and transfers, inequalities in health and education would also need to come down to reduce the social and economic costs of poverty and disadvantage that should bring shame to us all.
The author acknowledges the contribution of data provided by Max Rashbrooke.
Colin Campbell-Hunt 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. OECD comparisons reveal an unflattering picture of inequality in NZ – could that change? – https://theconversation.com/oecd-comparisons-reveal-an-unflattering-picture-of-inequality-in-nz-could-that-change-239306
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Wray, PhD Candidate in Geography, Western University
In recent months, many Canadian employers in both the public and private sectors have implemented return-to-office mandates, requiring workers that transitioned to remote or hybrid work during the COVID-19 pandemic to work in-person again.
Employers are justifying these mandates by arguing they improve productivity, build more collaborative teams and improve mentorship for junior employees.
Employers are not the only group ecstatic about these mandates. Municipalities and business owners are also expressing hope that the presence of office workers will spin off into greater consumer spending at restaurants and other businesses near office buildings. The expectation is that office workers will once again start spending money on coffee, lunch or after-work beverages.
In 2022, the mayor of Ottawa partially blamed the downtown core’s economic struggles on the fact that federal public service workers were still largely working remotely. Federal workers have since been mandated to return to work in-person three days a week in late fall.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business similarly criticized the slow return to offices as a leading factor behind why small and medium-size businesses, especially restaurants and bars, are facing challenges in downtown areas.
During the pandemic, there were predictions that more than half of Canada’s independent restaurants would fail as part of their customer base — office workers — shifted to working from home.
Our recent study investigated which operational, demographic and land use factors affected restaurant survival during the first year of the pandemic in London, Ont.
We found no significant differences between restaurants that failed and restaurants that survived based on proximity to office uses. Instead, operational decisions made by restaurants individually were much more predictive of their survival than any geographic factor, including the presence of offices.
We found that restaurants located in areas receiving more CERB (Canadian Emergency Response Benefit) payments, and with a higher density of entertainment venues around them, were less likely to survive.
Restaurants that adapted by offering pickup and delivery options were more likely to survive, though only for those that did their own delivery in-house rather than relying on platforms like UberEats and SkipTheDishes. Restaurants that had drive-thrus, held liquor licenses, or had been established for more than five years were more likely to survive. These older, more established restaurants were likely more resilient because of financial stability and customer loyalty.
Table-service restaurants fared better than fast food outlets, likely because they could offer large patio dining spaces during the summer. Restaurants with liquor licenses substantially benefited, especially after a regulatory change by the Ontario government that allowed alcohol sales with takeout and delivery — a first for the province.
In short, restaurant success was driven more by individual business decisions rather than being in a specific location. People working remotely instead of in the office did not significantly affect restaurant survival during the first year of the pandemic.
As Canadian downtowns look to recover, many face ongoing challenges. Activity levels are down by about 20 per cent from pre-pandemic levels in many places, lagging behind many similarly sized downtowns in the United States.
This downturn has been partially attributed to a combination of higher office building vacancies and fewer workers downtown. For the first time, downtown office vacancy rates have exceeded suburban rates in the Greater Toronto Area. There has also been tremendous housing growth within many downtown cores.
At the same time, downtowns have become a highly visible focal point of Canada’s growing addictions, mental health and housing crises. The pandemic fully revealed the deeper social, economic and health challenges happening in Canadian society.
While violent incidents are rare, the social incivilities and disorder on display — public urination and defecation, open drug use, visible tents and property crime — contributes to a perception that Canadian downtowns are unsafe. This perception, whether accurate or not, has an impact on the willingness of people to engage with their downtowns.
The damage to the reputation of Canada’s downtowns has been done. Downtown London now has the highest office vacancy rate in the country. The Workplace Safety Insurance Board of Ontario, for instance, recently chose to consolidate its offices in the outskirts of London, rather than downtown.
Many people now elect to spend their time and money in areas that have embraced the “experience economy.” These are places that provide highly manicured entertainment and shopping destinations, with restaurants being the bedrock of enabling high quality experiences in these areas.
Foot traffic is at an all-time high in suburban shopping centres. The downtowns of cities that are widely known as global tourist destinations — Las Vegas, Miami and Nashville — have activity levels close to or higher than their pre-pandemic levels.
These are places that are developing highly attractive economies that provide people with the safe, fun and exciting experiences they are looking for locally and internationally. Instead of trying to force unwilling workers back to the office, Canadian cities should instead focus on developing downtowns that people genuinely want to visit and experience.
One potential way to do this is to provide wrap-around support services and direct pathways to stable housing across the entire community, as the City of London has done. By spreading care and outreach services across the entire city, rather than concentrating them exclusively in downtown areas, the negative effects from Canada’s homelessness crisis can be reduced on urban cores.
This type of strategy will direct those who need help away from downtowns, and may even permanently lift them out of poverty. In turn, Canadian downtowns can return to being places for everyone to shop, eat, relax, and work in comfort.
Alexander Wray is President of the Town and Gown Association of Ontario, and a Board Member of Mainstreet London.
Jamie Seabrook, Jason Gilliland, and Sean Doherty do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Return-to-office mandates may not be the solution to downtown struggles that Canadian cities are banking on – https://theconversation.com/return-to-office-mandates-may-not-be-the-solution-to-downtown-struggles-that-canadian-cities-are-banking-on-239682
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
October 2, 2024
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) released a Majority Makers video highlighting Gabe Evans’ military and immigrant background and how his experience will guide his work in Congress.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
“Gabe Evans’ unique background as a grandson of Mexican immigrants, Black Hawk helicopter pilot, combat Army veteran and former police officer has prepared him to fight back against tough challenges. When he gets to Congress, he can be counted on to put people over politics and continue working for Coloradans.” – NRCC Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar
MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –
Source: Government of Canada – in French 1
Today, Canada met with 67 other members at the 4th annual Initiative to Combat Ransomware Summit in Washington DC to enhance international cooperation in this area.
The 68 members of the international Initiative to Combat Ransomware (ILR)—Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, Council of Europe, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, ECOWAS, Egypt, Estonia, European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Global Cyber Expertise Forum, Hungary, India, INTERPOL, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Organization of American States, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vietnam—met in Washington, DC from September 30 to October 3 2024 for the fourth ILR gathering. Members who participated in previous editions welcomed Argentina, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chad, the Council of Europe, Denmark, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Finland, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, Hungary, Morocco, the Organization of American States, the Philippines, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu and Vietnam as new ILR members.
During the fourth ILR gathering, members reaffirmed their shared commitment to building collective resilience against ransomware, supporting members if they encounter a ransomware attack, pursuing actors responsible for ransomware attacks and not allowing these actors to operate in their jurisdictions, combating the use of virtual assets as part of the ransomware business model, working with the private sector to advise and support ILR members, and forging international partnerships so that we are collectively better equipped to combat the ransomware scourge.
Over the past year, this coalition has grown and continues to build on commitments made at the third ILR gathering in 2023. The United States launched a new ILR Member Fund to strengthen members’ cybersecurity capabilities through rapid assistance following a cyberattack as well as targeted support to improve cybersecurity response skills, policies, and procedures.
Under the Strategic Pillar, led by Singapore and the UK, efforts have been underway to strengthen resilience against ransomware attacks and leverage the ecosystem to disrupt the criminal ransomware industry. These efforts aim to strengthen the operating model that underpins the ransomware ecosystem by focusing work on secure software and labelling, methods to prevent the use of virtual assets as part of the ransomware operating model, policies to reduce ransom payments, increased and improved reporting, cyber insurance, and a playbook to guide businesses on how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from a ransomware attack. It is worth noting that ILR members and insurance bodies have endorsed guidelines to assist organisations that have been hit by a ransomware attack. The guidelines highlight the important role that cyber insurance can play in building resilience to cyberattacks and highlight actions that organizations should consider during an incident. In addition, pillar leaders hosted a tabletop exercise to help members identify gaps in their processes, learn best practices, and develop effective responses to ransomware attacks against the healthcare sector.
Under the Diplomacy and Capacity Building pillar, led by Germany and Nigeria, ILR partnerships were expanded with the addition of 18 new members to the coalition and members’ capacity building assets and needs were established. To foster collaboration, build new partnerships, and recruit new members to the Initiative, ILR members hosted regional events throughout the year.
Led by Australia and Lithuania, the Ransomware Working Group (RWWG) has focused its efforts on building resilience against malicious cyberattacks through international cooperation. As co-chairs of the RWWG, Lithuania and Australia developed governance principles for intelligence sharing and improved members’ integration into intelligence sharing platforms led by Lithuania and Belgium, as well as Israel and the United Arab Emirates. These platforms will enable members to easily share threat intelligence and indicators of compromise. As part of a project led by INTERPOL and Australia, a comparative report was produced to analyse ransomware responses and remediation across ILR member jurisdictions. Australia launched an ILR website and portal to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, foster collaboration, and provide a mechanism for the ILR community to request assistance when members are victims of a ransomware attack. The LRWG Co-Chairs called on members to behave responsibly in cyberspace by encouraging them to hold malicious actors accountable and deny them safe haven using all cyber diplomacy and law enforcement tools at their disposal.
Canada has established a new public-private sector advisory council to advise and support ILR members in the fight against ransomware. This advisory council will promote effective information sharing, build trust through clear expectations and people-to-people collaboration, and develop best practices to overcome practical barriers.
ILR also hosted a first-ever event exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to combat ransomware attacks. Topics discussed included using AI to track threat actor usage and software security, scenario planning for ransomware attacks on the healthcare industry, and tools like digital watermarking to counter disinformation.
Through the annual ILR gathering, hard work, and regional meetings that take place between gatherings, we are committed to working together at the strategic and operational levels to combat ransomware threats and hold the perpetrators of these malicious attacks accountable. The ILR continues to advocate for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourage members to report malicious acts. We remain committed to using all appropriate tools to achieve these goals and jointly commit to the following actions in support of this mission.
Media RelationsPublic Safety Canada613-991-0657media@ps-sp.gc.ca
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Georgia following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 25.
“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help small businesses and residents in Georgia impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”
The disaster declaration covers Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler; which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Baldwin, Bleckley, Brantley, Bryan, Charlton, Dodge, Effingham, Elbert, Hancock, Long, McIntosh, Mitchell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Twiggs, Warren, Wayne, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson and Worth counties in Georgia; Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Jefferson and Madison in Florida; Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Hampton, Jasper and McCormick in South Carolina.
Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.
For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.
Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.
Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 29, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 30, 2025.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
Source: United States Small Business Administration
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, announced today that SBA has approved more than $60 million in federal disaster loans for Iowabusinesses and residents impacted by severe storms, flooding, straight-line winds and tornadoes that occurred June 16–July 23. According to Sánchez, SBA has approved $10,075,000 for businesses and $49,984,200 for residents to help rebuild and recover from this disaster.
“SBA’s disaster assistance employees are committed to helping businesses and residents rebuild as quickly as possible,” said Sánchez. Businesses and residents in Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Humboldt, Lyon, Monona, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pottawattamie, Scott, Sioux and Woodbury counties who sustained damages are encouraged to apply prior to the Oct. 22 deadline at SBA.gov/disaster. “Don’t miss out on any assistance you may be entitled to by not registering for help. You don’t need to wait for your insurance to settle or obtain a contractor’s estimate,” he continued.
SBA continues to provide one-on-one assistance to disaster loan applicants at all the federal-state Disaster Recovery Centers and the SBA Business Recovery Center throughout the affected areas to explain SBA’s disaster loan program and help business owners and residents close their approved disaster loans.
Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.
For small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations of all sizes, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 24, 2025.
“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez added. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.
Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.
Applicants may apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
###
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Today, Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) announced $3,125,000 in federal funding to hire 25 new police officers in Laredo. This federal funding was awarded to the City of Laredo from the Office of the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) through the Department of Justice (DOJ) and is administered through the COPS Hiring Program (CHP).
“It is essential that our local law enforcement agencies have the resources they need to protect our community,” said Congressman Cuellar, a senior member of the Appropriations Committee. “These federal dollars are vital for Laredo by enabling the city to hire more police officers – which will increase public safety, help prevent crime and add to the local economy. I would like to thank Laredo Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino and Chief of Police Miguel A. Rodriquez Jr., for working with me to deliver essential funding to Laredo. I would also like to thank Laredo law enforcement for the important work they do day in and day out to keep our community safe.”
“We are deeply grateful for the Department of Justice’s support through the COPS grant, which will allow us to add 25 new officers to our ranks. This significant investment in our community’s safety underscores our commitment to enhancing public safety and fostering strong community relationships. With these additional resources, we are better equipped to address the needs of our growing city and ensure a safer environment for all residents. Additionally, I would like to thank and give credit to our city management, council, and mayor that supported this,” said Miguel A. Rodriguez Jr, Chief of Laredo Police
The COPS program provides grants, training, and technical assistance to law enforcement agencies across the country as they work to reduce violent crime.
The COPS Hiring Program pays up to 75% of entry-level officer salary and up to $125,000 per position, with three years of funding over a five-year period. Local agencies must match at least 25% of the funding awarded.
These officers will be strategically placed in high-activity areas based on data. Their presence will disrupt criminal activity and make our streets safer. Laredo PD will use a data-driven approach to adjust resources as needed. This flexibility ensures that we respond quickly to emerging issues.
Dr. Cuellar has long fought for Laredo law enforcement. Last year, Laredo received $1.875 million to hire 15 officers – totaling 40 new officers for the City of Laredo through the COPS Program in the past two years and 234 officers that the City of Laredo has been able to hire through the COPS Hiring Program from current and past program awards.
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amatatook part in welcoming key U.S. Senators and her House colleagues as their Congressional Delegation (CODEL) on a U.S. Air Force flight landed in American Samoa, as did Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga. The bipartisan CODEL included Chairman Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and two of Amata’s House colleagues, also on influential committees: Congressman Wiley Nickel North Carolina, Finance Committee; and Congressman Greg Pence of Indiana, Energy and Commerce Committee.
CODEL group photo
Amata’s bill, H.R. 6062, which expedites American Samoa’s amendments as already approved by the people, is in line for consideration before the same Committee on which Chairman Manchin presides and Sen. Murkowski is a senior senator. Amata spoke to Chairman Manchin about it, and Amata’s House-passed bill is expected to be in front of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in mid-November, once Congress has resumed, as it has been examined already by a Senate Subcommittee and is moving forward as a noncontroversial bill.
CODEL in American Samoa with Governor Lemanu Mauga and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata
“I also discussed 30a (the American Samoa Economic Development Credit) with Chairman Manchin and Senator Murkowski,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “It’s a crucial tax extender for American Samoa that needs to be extended again. It primarily benefits the cannery but can be used for other businesses. We need the credit to attract those other businesses besides tuna. The 30a extender is important for the Starkist cannery, which is at full employment of 2500, and supports an equal number or more of indirect jobs. House Ways and Means Chairman Smith is supportive of the credit, but we will need help in the Senate as usual.”
CODEL enjoyed their time in American Samoa
“It’s a delight to have these Senators and House colleagues see glimpses of American Samoa’s mountain and ocean beauty from the air and our airport,” she continued. “When I speak with senior Senators and Representatives in Washington, I find without fail that they are genuinely interested, and truly want to be helpful and supportive to American Samoa, and they also understand that we aren’t directly represented in the U.S. Senate. I know they enjoyed the tokens of appreciation that both I and Governor Lemanu Mauga were able to present so they’d have a memory of the people of American Samoa.”
“I take every opportunity to raise key issues for American Samoa with relevant Members of Congress, especially when our issues are under the jurisdiction of their committees,” she concluded. “I appreciate Chairman Manchin’s effective leadership in the Senate, and I’ve traveled on a CODEL with my friend Senator Murkowski before, and she’s been a good friend of our islands while representing Alaska.”
###
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 2, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT:
e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov
c: 202.913.0126
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement:
“I condemn Iran’s ballistic missile strike against Israel in the strongest possible terms. Thankfully, this assault – reportedly the largest of its kind in history – failed to accomplish its goal of indiscriminate slaughter. The scale of its ineffectiveness stands as proof of the enduring need to support our ally, Israel, with the tools necessary to protect its people and to defend its sovereignty. Moreover, it serves as yet another reminder of Iran and its proxies’ propensity for sowing terror and their role as the most significant obstacle to peace and stability in the Middle East. For the sake of the safety and wellbeing of all innocent peoples of all nations in the region, I urge the United States to stand with our ally as a committed advocate for prioritizing humanity, continue working with allies to establish a lasting ceasefire, secure the safe return of the hostages abducted on October 7th, 2023, and persist in the extremely difficult challenge of finding the path towards peace.”
###
Source: Government of Canada News
Today, Canada met with 67 other members of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) in Washington D.C for the fourth annual CRI Summit to improve international cooperation in combatting ransomware.
The 68 members of the International Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)—Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Council of Europe, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, the ECOWAS Commission, Egypt, Estonia, the European Union, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, Hungary, India, INTERPOL, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lithuania, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, the Organization of American States, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vietnam—met in Washington, D.C. from September 30 – October 3, 2024 for the Fourth CRI Gathering. Previously participating members welcomed Argentina, Bahrain, Cameroon, Chad, the Council of Europe, Denmark, the ECOWAS Commission, Finland, the Global Forum on Cyber Expertise, Hungary, Morocco, the Organization of American States, the Philippines, the Republic of Moldova, Slovenia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, and Vietnam as new CRI members.
During the Fourth CRI Gathering, members reaffirmed our joint commitment to develop collective resilience to ransomware, support members if they are faced with a ransomware attack, pursue the actors responsible for ransomware attacks and not allow safe haven for these actors to operate within our jurisdictions, counter the use of virtual assets as part of the ransomware business model, partner with the private sector to advise and support CRI members, and forge international partnerships so we are collectively better equipped to counter the scourge of ransomware.
Over the past year, this coalition has grown and continues to build upon the commitments made at the Third CRI Gathering in 2023. The United States launched a new fund for CRI members to strengthen members’ cybersecurity capabilities through both rapid assistance in the wake of a cyber attack, as well as targeted support to improve cybersecurity skills, policies, and response procedures.
The Policy Pillar, led by Singapore and the United Kingdom, spearheaded efforts to build resilience against ransomware attacks and leverage the ecosystem to disrupt the ransomware criminal industry. These efforts seek to undercut the business model that underpins the ransomware ecosystem by driving forward work on secure software and labeling, methods to counter the use of virtual assets as part of the ransomware business model, policies to reduce ransom payments, increase and improve reporting, cyber insurance, and a playbook to guide businesses on how to prepare for, deal with, and recover from a ransomware attack. Of note, CRI members and insurance bodies have endorsed guidance to help organizations experiencing a ransomware attack. The guidance underscores the important role cyber insurance can play in helping to build resilience to cyber attacks and highlights actions organizations should explore during an incident. In addition, the Pillar held a table-top-exercise to assist members in identifying gaps in their processes, learning best practices and supporting members develop effective responses to ransomware attacks on the healthcare sector.
The Diplomacy and Capacity Building Pillar, led by Germany and Nigeria, expanded the CRI’s partnerships with the addition of 18 new members to the coalition and mapped out the capacity building assets and needs of members. To foster collaboration, forge new partnerships, and recruit new members into the Initiative, CRI members hosted regional events throughout the year.
Under the leadership of Australia and Lithuania, the ICRTF focused its work on building resilience against malicious cyber attacks through international cooperation. Lithuania and Australia, as ICRTF co-chairs, worked to develop governance for information sharing and increase onboarding of members to the information sharing platforms led by Lithuania and Belgium as well as Israel and UAE. These platforms will allow members to easily share threat information and indicators of compromise. In a project led by INTERPOL and Australia, a comparative report was produced analyzing Ransomware Interventions and Remediation in CRI members’ jurisdictions. Australia launched a website and member portal so CRI members can easily share information and best practices, foster collaboration, and use as a mechanism to request assistance from the CRI community when experiencing a ransomware attack. The ICRTF co-chairs presented a statement for members to join that calls for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourages members to hold malicious actors accountable and deny them safe haven using all of the cyber diplomacy and law enforcement tools at their disposal.
Canada established a new Public-Private Sector Advisory Panel to advise and support CRI members in combating ransomware. This advisory panel will catalyze effective information sharing, build trust through clear expectations and person to person collaboration, and develop best practices to navigate practical hurdles.
The Initiative also hosted its first-ever event dedicated to examining the use of AI to counter ransomware attacks. Topics of discussion included the use of AI to track threat actor use, AI for Software Security, scenario planning around ransomware attacks on the healthcare industry, and tools such as watermarking to counter disinformation.
Through the Initiative’s annual gathering as well as the dedicated work and regional meetings occurring between each meeting, we commit to working together at both a policy and operational level to counter ransomware threats and hold perpetrators of these malicious attacks accountable. CRI continues to call for responsible behavior in cyberspace and encourage members to call out malicious acts, and we remain committed to using all appropriate tools to achieve these goals, and are jointly committed to the following actions in support of this mission.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Michelle Steel (CA-48)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Michelle Steel has filed legislation that would effectively end strikes at U.S. East and Gulf Coast ports by requiring mediation efforts to be exhausted before port workers can undertake a labor strike. Such processes currently govern labor disputes for rail workers and airlines workers under the Railroad Labor Act.
The Safeguarding The Supply Chain Act would prevent economic harm to American supply chains by creating the conditions for a resolution to recent port strikes. Such conditions include negotiations before the National Mediation Board and potential action by Congress to approve a new labor agreement.
Ports are critical to U.S. infrastructure and trade and should be governed in the same manner as the railroad and airline industries, reflecting their essential role in the supply chain.
“Widespread strikes at American ports threaten product shortages and price increases for consumers. Congress must act to protect our economy and get our supply chains moving again – especially when many Americans continue to feel the negative effects of inflation,” said Rep. Steel. “My bill would force both sides back to the negotiating table for a resolution and get our economy moving again.”
###