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Category: Australia

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Collyhurst welcomes opening of Community Construction Skills Centre

    Source: City of Manchester

    A new centre dedicated to developing and uplifting the skills of its local community has opened in Collyhurst.

    The Community Construction Skills Centre will offer a series of training courses and hands-on classes that will give learners vital work experience and confidence in order to create employment opportunities. 

    The learning hub, which will advance “community upskilling,” will make Collyhurst residents’  accessibility and travelling needs easier with training delivered on site. 

    The employability training will take place in a 4-week period and equip learners with accredited qualifications in health and safety and construction skills, including Trade Techniques and Health Safety and Welfare in the Workplace. Over 50 new students are expected to enrol on training courses running up until December. 

    The centre boasts a unique training model that is adaptable to people who are unemployed, ex-offenders and ex-military members as part of learning basic, but crucial DIY skills  to increase employability.

    The Community Construction Skills Centre project was initiated in partnership with FEC and Manchester City Council who identified the need for construction skills to support local people to access training into the sector. 

    Working in collaboration with YES and the ​​Construction Skills People and their Greater Manchester Skills Academy, the project first opened to students in September as part of wider investment through the Victoria North Development. The project will significantly transform and advance the North of Manchester by developing 15,000 homes over the next 20 years with new and improved transport links, parks, healthcare facilities and retail spaces.

    The region has been hit the hardest by unemployment and mental-health related illness. Long-term and embedded worklessness has affected over 16,500 working-age adults receiving out-of-work benefits. 

    In Manchester, workers are on low wages with a median annual earning of £24,055 while the worst family poverty rates are in North Manchester and East Manchester with over 43% of children and young people growing up in poverty.

    To ensure training at the Community Skills Centre continues to work for the needs of Collyhurst residents, the model has been localised which means that partner groups are required to undertake employability assessments and adequately advise and support those who want to take part in training. 

    Following this, successful candidates will be invited to attend civil engineering and groundworks Bootcamps which will enhance employability and training with the Ride on Roller, Forward Tipping Dumper and Plant Vehicle Marshall certifications.

    There are also opportunities to undertake trade specific training such as Bricklaying, Plastering and Joinery, while being guaranteed an interview with local contractors. 

    Community days will also be held at the centre to encourage residents to learn new skills such as painting preparation and general DIY.

    More information about training opportunities at the Community Construction Skills Centre is available at Construction Skills People. 

     John Hacking, Executive Member for Employment, Skills and Leisure, said: “I’m thrilled to see the opening of the Community Skills Centre in Collyhurst which has been created to upskill residents and build confidence as they enter into the workforce.

    “This has been a significant collaborative effort with important partners who are all working towards the same goal of advancing Collyhurst residents and fully recognise the struggle the North Manchester region has had to deal with poverty and unemployment.

    “By increasing the accessibility for hands-on training, this centre gives eager learners the encouragement and support they need to work through the training to employment pipeline with robust skills and confidence.”

    Rebecca Kirkland, Community Liaison Manager for FEC, said: “The Community Construction Skills Centre will provide local residents with a first hand insight into the construction industry and give them access to unique employment opportunities.

    The Centre has been in the works for a long time and we couldn’t have opened its doors without the support of our partners who will continue to help us find the next generation of talent from right across the community.”

    James Broome, 38, from Moston, said: “The Collyhurst Community Skills Centre has been a brilliant learning experience. I’m in the final week of training for a CSCS Greencard which is giving me important skills in labouring. Once I’ve completed that I will then go on to train for the Bootcamp Dump Truck License.

    “The course has been really helpful, it’s opened my eyes and broadened my horizons massively. My tutor on the course is fantastic; she’s really clear and easy to understand when she’s teaching and is also helping me write my CV for jobs. 

    I’ve been working in production and in warehouses too so my confidence has really grown with my hands-on skills and with all the different types of people you meet, it has really boosted my self-esteem socially.

    “For anyone considering joining a course, I’d say give it a go and throw yourself into it to get the most out of it.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: IKEA Foundation supports MSF in scale-up for underreported Sudan crisis

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières

    Geneva, 17 October, 2024: The war in Sudan, now 550 days in, has triggered one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in decades. 

    According to the UN, one in five people has been displaced, and half of the country’s people face acute food insecurity. Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF), with over 1,000 staff running 15 hospitals, 9 health centres, and mobile clinics in Sudan, is scaling up the response thanks to €35 million from the IKEA Foundation. 

    Despite these efforts, the needs of people remain overwhelming and a collective increase in aid is urgently required.

    “This life-changing gift will allow us to respond to the medical needs, providing access to free health care services, and giving displaced people the opportunity to be treated and live a healthy life,” says Alaa Ahmed, an MSF nurse working in Sudan.

    “The Sudan war is  a massive, underreported emergency”, says Stephen Cornish, Director General of MSF’s Operational Centre in Geneva. “We are grateful to the IKEA Foundation and other donors who have stepped up for the people of Sudan. We are determined to deliver more lifesaving treatment for those in need.”

    In response to this escalating crisis, the IKEA Foundation—a long-standing partner of MSF, as part of the Foundation’s focus on underreported emergencies—has committed €35 million to help MSF scale up efforts.

    “This is now one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world,” says Jessica Anderen, CEO of the IKEA Foundation. “We are humbled by the work MSF is doing to support the Sudanese people and encourage other funders to join us in supporting their efforts.”

    “This devastating situation is not getting the attention or funding it deserves. More needs to be done to provide critical support for those impacted,” says Hayley Kornblum, Programme Manager at the IKEA Foundation. “We are so encouraged to see other private sector organisations, like Mastercard Foundation, taking strong action through donations to UNHCR, but much more is required from both government and the private sector.”

    The war in Sudan has displaced over 10 million people within the country and driven nearly three million more to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, such as Chad and South Sudan. Over half of Sudan’s population—around 25.6 million people—are now facing critical levels of food insecurity, according to the UN.

    MSF is scaling up relief and lifesaving activities, focusing on treating severely malnourished children, and addressing the needs of displaced people and refugees. In addition, MSF is providing water and sanitation services, and ensuring the delivery of essential aid in refugee camps, like Adré transit camp in Chad, where MSF teams provide over one million litres of water per day.

    MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Minister Rishworth Melbourne doorstop

    Source: Ministers for Social Services

    Location:

    Melbourne

    Program:

    Doorstop

    E&OE TRANSCRIPT

    PETER KHALIL MP, MEMBER FOR WILLS: Thanks everyone, I’m Peter Khalil MP, Member for Wills. Today I’m joined by Amanda Rishworth, Claudia Johnson, Assistant Principal here at Brunswick Secondary College and Hunter Johnson, the CEO of The Man Cave and these wonderful young leaders here, these young men – I’m going to get this right – Jethro, Campbell, Harry, and Marco, who have demonstrated some amazing leadership in the way that they role model to younger kids and teach respectful relationships. They’re doing a terrific job, as is the school. So it’s great to have the Minister here to hear about the work that the Man Cave is doing, and the Brunswick Secondary College are doing, and I want to hand over now to Minister Amanda Rishworth. Welcome to Wills, thanks for coming.  

    AMANDA RISHWORTH, MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SERVICES: Thank you. Well, look, it’s really wonderful to be here, and I’d like to firstly acknowledge the advocacy that Peter Khalil does do, particularly about getting the right supports for adolescent men and boys. I’d also like to thank Hunter from The Man Cave and Claudia from Brunswick Secondary College for having us here today. We are announcing today the three providers that will be delivering our Healthy Mate program. The three providers are the Jesuit Social Services, the Foundation for Positive Masculinity and also The Man Cave. These three organisations will be delivering, in-person conversation and connection with young men, talking about what it means to be a young man: what some of the challenges they’re facing, how can they develop positive relationships with their peers, how can they develop positive relationships with their wider community. We know that there are many influences out there. Some role models are great, and it was wonderful to speak with these young men about some of those really good role models. But we know that many young men are being influenced by not-so-good role models. Influencers like Andrew Tate, and other online influencers that are really promoting really rigid, negative, aggressive, and violent portrayals of what it is to be a man. And so it’s really important that we get in and have these conversations with young men, and I’d like to thank The Man Cave for the proposal they put in. Their work really goes to actually having deep conversations, making sure that there are really healthy role models for young men to help them be able to realise that talking about your emotions is really important. We were talking before just about the fact that everyone feels sad from time to time, and that it’s not a sign of weakness for young men to talk about being sad. So this is what this program is doing, is making sure that we can work with young men and boys to make sure that we are developing healthy men into the future. This is, of course, really important for those young men as individuals, but really important as we tackle gender-based violence and this has been a critical area that not only was highlighted in the rapid review, but in our National Plan, that we must engage and work with young men and boys into the future. So I’m really pleased to hand over to Hunter now from The Man Cave, that is going to be one of the three organisations that will be delivering this important program.

    HUNTER JOHNSON: Thank you, Minister. And thank you Peter, great to see you again. Thank you, Claudia as well. Amazing to be at Brunswick Secondary College, which is local for us. We really focus on boys’ strengths rather than their deficits. It is absolutely an inflection point for masculinity right now, it’s a really confusing time for many young men, but we’re surrounded by four, incredible, positive role models here today. The funding for us will allow us to scale to the many – to the hundreds of schools that reach out to us that have economic barriers to entry. It allows us to subsidise the program so that we can get it out far and wide, and really, it’s focussing on the character development, the social and emotional intelligence, and their relationship skills, the sex education in a way that really meets boys where they’re at. It can be, as I said, very confusing, a lot of these messages, but also we work with tens of thousands of boys on the front line every day and I can tell you from a position of hope, there are thousands of young men who want to be allies, both for supporting themselves but their relationships, their communities, too. So just recognise it’s such an important time in Australian culture, whether it’s men’s mental illness, men’s suicide prevention or men’s violence against women, a lot of the funding traditionally has gone to crisis management, and I fully understand why and I back it, but we’re also at a really exciting point with this generational moment where we can invest in the future generation to create a positive future state for masculinity. So this is a real landmark investment, I really back the courage of the Australian Government to do this and we’re excited to work alongside the other members of the collective to scale this work into the communities that need it most. So thank you very much and I’ll pass over to Claudia.  

    CLAUDIA JOHNSON: Thanks, Hunter. I’m really grateful to you, Minister Rishworth, and to The Man Cave for including Brunswick Secondary College in this wonderful opportunity. We know that young men need particular support, and they specifically need different ways to receive support. So it just can’t be one single program. It needs to be a whole range of things and certainly The Man Cave’s program will fit perfectly with what we’re doing at the school. The Man Cave, the program’s going to benefit our wonderful young men, but it also benefits the young women in our school as well and the community more broadly. So, again, we’re really grateful for this partnership and we’re excited for where it’s going to bring to our school.  Thank you.
     
    JOURNALIST: Minister, whereabouts is this program? What parts of the country is it actually rolled out in?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, this is a trial and at the moment we’re looking at predominantly rolling it out in New South Wales and Victoria, but very much looking at continuing to see the results and looking at other opportunities which allows us to roll this program out.
     
    JOURNALIST: How long’s the trial going to go for?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: The trial is over the next year, and we will hopefully get a good evaluation of the trial. We know already anecdotally this is having a positive influence, even just speaking recently, from speaking to participants in the program, hearing directly the benefits before this trial even began about the Man Cave program. But this will allow greater accessibility and evaluation and then we’ll look at where else we can extend it to.  

    JOURNALIST: What about in areas like the Northern Territory? Just yesterday another woman was killed, this is the seventh woman since July in the Territory. What else needs to be done in areas like that where we don’t have access to services like this and enough help for women up there?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: In terms of particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, we have a separate action plan that was developed with States and Territories about how we address the disproportionately high rate of violence against Aboriginal women and children. And in particular, we’ve announced a number of actions, including men’s wellness camps. We are currently rolling those out, which provide culturally appropriate healing for men across the country, but there has been a particular focus on the Northern Territory under that program. These aren’t run by government. This is run by those with a cultural appropriateness to connect with men. When it comes to adolescent boys who have experienced violence, that’s another challenge because we know that trauma, in particular, can have an impact. We’ve recently announced the roll out of a number of programs to support those adolescent boys who have experienced family domestic violence themselves and that is about stopping the cycle, the generational cycle of violence. So this program is, in itself, is not the only program. In fact, under our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Action Plan, there’s $263 million. When it comes to support in the Northern Territory, we have put close to $180 million extra into support within the Northern Territory.  

    JOURNALIST: Something’s obviously not working up there, though?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, I would make the point about the National Plan. The National Plan is about a plan to change generations. We know that, for example, this program is about changing the attitudes and stereotypes that come along with a rigid masculinity that can lead to violence. So this is about making sure that we have adolescent boys that grow up healthy. That obviously, to see the benefits when it comes to violence, will take some time. I just visited, just then, new safe places accommodation here in Victoria, but equally we’re rolling them out across the country. This is building crisis accommodation as well. So we need to make sure that we’re investing in prevention, early intervention, crisis response and healing and recovery. We’ve invested as a Government, in the last two and a half years, an extra $3.4 billion. Obviously we’re rolling this out to get it on the ground. But some of this is about generational change, it is about culture change in Australia, and I would invite everyone to work with all levels of government, and I will remind that all levels of government have signed up to this National Plan, along with how we create change in our broader community if we’re going to achieve our goal.
     
    JOURNALIST: How important is cracking down on social media? Obviously a lot of young people use TikTok and things like that, a lot of misinformation, a lot of values posted on TikTok. How important is cracking down on that for young kids?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Look, obviously what we know is that social media in particular feeds up information that causes a stir and what that can mean is that there is a lot of quite aggressive footage on there. There can often be views that condone violence against women, encourage violence against women, and if you’re at a particularly young age, then this could be quite influential. We were just talking before about the importance of role models at the home, and it was really lovely to hear some of the young men here talking about what an important role model their father was in particular. But we also need to acknowledge that young people are being really bombarded by some really very toxic attitudes and viewpoints on social media. So it is important that we do crack down on social media and that is why our government’s committed to having an age limit on social media in legislation introduced by the end of the year.  

    JOURNALIST: Can I ask Hunter a quick question about the program? In terms of how you’re going to see how effective it is in schools, how are you actually going to look at that data?

    HUNTER JOHNSON: Sure, so we work with schools based on their socioeconomic status, which is basically called an ICSEA status. So we will charge a school based on how high or affluent or disadvantaged they may be. We’ve also got an in-house impact evaluation team that monitors the short, long-term behavioural change and the attitudinal change, and we partner with educational institutions like universities to measure the effectiveness.  

    JOURNALIST: Just a couple of questions. Obviously the Prime Minister’s just purchased that $4.3 million home. Do you think he’s shown a lack of judgment by purchasing this multi-million dollar property during a cost-of-living crisis?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: I don’t accept that. The purchase of this house is really a matter for the Prime Minister and his fiancé. And he won’t be the first person or the last person, politician or other person, to buy a property. But I think what’s important is you need to look at the actions that this Government has taken when it comes to cost of living. Actions like our immediate support for a 45 per cent increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance, whether it’s our $32 billion in investment, whether that’s in social and affordable housing, whether that’s in our rent-to-buy plan, whether that is in our home equity scheme that supports people become homeowners. I mean, really, the Greens and the Liberal Party need to front up and explain why they are standing in the way. So we’ve got to judge us by the actions, our cheaper medicines, these are the things that our government is taking action on and are critical to support people with cost-of-living pressures.
     
    JOURNALIST: A recent survey that was released just last week said around 80 per cent of people believed that young people aren’t going to be able to buy a new home without the help of a family member and that they’re unlikely to ever be able to purchase a new home. Does this indicate that the public doesn’t believe your government is doing enough to help first homebuyers?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Firstly, I would say that it is a challenge, of course, to get more supply online. We’ve had inaction by the previous Federal Government, the Liberal Government that did nothing when it came to housing supply in this country. So from the very beginning, we’ve been delivering things like the Housing Australia Future Fund, but also this is where our help-to-buy scheme is so important. It is providing the opportunity for 40,000 Australians to have a share – to be part of a shared equity scheme to help them own their first home. And so it is quite appalling that the Liberal Party and the Greens are standing in the way of this legislation. So I’m not surprised that Australians are feeling pretty disappointed because this legislation has been stalled in the Senate.  

    JOURNALIST: Is Labor divided on its housing tax policy?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: No.
     
    JOURNALIST: Would you like to see any change to negative gearing arrangements?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: That is not part of our housing policy. As I said, we’ve committed to $32 billion extra funding when it comes to our housing policies and that includes things like the 45 per cent in Commonwealth Rent Assistance, which is flowing to people now. But it also includes increasing supply across the domains of social and affordable housing. We know that social housing has been ignored for so many years and our housing Australia Future Fund is delivering that. Our housing funding to States and Territories is delivering on that. But, of course, in addition to that, private rental and, of course, looking at home ownership. We are looking right across the board to support people. I tell you one thing that won’t help the cost of housing and that is the Liberal Party, A, standing in the way with the Greens blocking of our bill, but also, their plans that means that people have to dig into their retirement savings and to own a house. That will only ensure that more people rely on the pension and push up house prices. So it’s only Labor with a credible plan to address housing shortages in this country.
     
    JOURNALIST: Will you rule out making any changes to the housing tax mix before the next election?

    AMANDA RISHWORTH: Well, look, as the Prime Minister, Housing Minister, Treasurer said, that is not part of our plan. We have put our plans forward and we will keep talking about how important our homes for Australia plan is, that’s delivering houses now. I just recently, just before, went out to see the capital build that will happen for crisis accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic and family violence. Our funding is allowing for over 100 safe places for women and children leaving violent circumstances. That wouldn’t have been able to be done without the investment from the Commonwealth, a capital investment, to actually build those places. Thank you.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Meet the winners of this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Adam Smith, Senior Consultant, Universal Impact

    Tae PY15MU/Shutterstock

    The winners of a competition which challenges academics to explain their research in just three minutes have been announced.

    A total of 850 researchers from across the UK entered the tenth annual Vitae Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition, which was sponsored by The Conversation through its Universal Impact training and mentoring subsidiary.

    These were narrowed down first to 65 competitors and then six finalists, before a judging panel and a public vote determined the winning three.

    The overall judges’ award went to Jo Baker from Newcastle University for her presentation on children’s speech difficulties, which was perfectly illustrated through the use of an original cartoon.

    Speech and language therapist Jo Baker impressed the judges.

    Ulster University’s James McMullan captured the public’s imagination with his presentation on whether eating fish could be the secret to healthy ageing, winning the people’s choice award.

    Universal Impact also had the chance to pick an editor’s champion. We chose Muhammad Muddasar at University of Limerick for his research looking at whether the heat we waste on a daily basis could be transformed into a new energy source.

    The other finalists were Ferdinando Sereno at UCL, Natalie Weir at University of Derby and Charlie Gerlis from the University of the West of England.

    Originally developed by the University of Queensland, the competition challenges doctoral researchers to communicate their research to a non-expert audience – in three minutes or less.

    As a judge, I was blown away by the overall standard of the entries – this really was a masterclass in research communications.

    All of the academics involved spoke passionately about their research, explaining how it could contribute to making the world a better place.

    Each of these researchers deserved their place in the final and it took lengthy discussions before the panel was able to pick a winner.

    This year’s final was broadcast live online with the winners announced on Friday, October 4.

    The presentations were recorded and uploaded online ahead of a public vote.

    ‘It opens minds and opens doors’**

    At Universal Impact, we have been delighted to support this mission by joining the judging panel and mentoring the champions (who also receive a coveted trophy and small grant) to help them build on their success and take their research to an even wider audience.

    Vitae, which organised the competition, is a non-profit organisation that supports the professional development of researchers.

    Rachel Cox, head of membership and engagement at Vitae, said: “The Vitae Three Minute Thesis is a fantastic competition which provides a unique opportunity for doctoral researchers to think differently about how they communicate work that is meaningful to them to a wider audience.

    “It opens minds and opens doors for the individuals involved, as it can be a pathway to a wide variety of future careers, as previous participants have shown.

    “At Vitae, we are proud of the impact this competition has had over the past ten years, and we are excited to see what it can do over the next decade.

    “We are also delighted that Universal Impact and The Conversation are supporting this year’s event.”

    You can find out more about the competition and the work of Vitae here.

    – ref. Meet the winners of this year’s Three Minute Thesis competition – https://theconversation.com/meet-the-winners-of-this-years-three-minute-thesis-competition-240740

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TONGA’S REAFFIRM ITS COMMITMENT AND UNWAVERING FAITH ON RENEWABLE ENERGY

    Source: Tonga Government

    Figure 1: Guest of Honours; Crown Prince Tupouto’a (fourth from left), Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho (third from left), Princess Halaevalu (front row), Development Partners and the rest of the delegation during the Commissioning the Solar Powered Mini-grid

    Niuafo’ou, Tonga 11th October, 2024 – Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho and Princess Halaevalu commissioned the Solar Mini-grid system of Niuafo’ou. Minister of MEIDECC, Hon Fekita ‘Utoikamanu, HE Brek Batley, senior delegations from ADB, Tonga Power Limited, MEIDECC and the Prime Minister’s Office accompanied the guests of honor at the commissioning.

    Enthusiasm in the eyes of individuals who are granted the opportunity to enhance their access to electricity from limited hours each day to 24 hours per day, seven days a week was a was a significant milestone observed during the Commissioning of the solar mini-grid. The people of Niuafo’ou now have access to 24/7 electricity service generated from Renewable Energy.

    “I wish to reaffirm the Government’s commitment and Tonga’s unwavering faith on renewable energy as a key to addressing the single greatest threat to small island developing states – climate change”, said the Honourable Minister during the Commissioning.

    This is one of the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve quality and reliability of electricity supply that is generated from renewable energy. It is not just a technical shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources; it is a transformation that touches upon every aspect of Tongan lives especially in such remote communities like Niuafo’ou.

    The solar mini-grid was funded under the Tonga Renewable Energy Project (TREP) which was made possible through the kind assistance of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Australian Aid, and the Government of Tonga with the support of Tonga Power Limited  and the extraordinary efforts of the Principal Contractor, Infratec NZ and its sub-contractors during the installation stage.

    Tungua and Moungaone are in progress for the Haapai Islands and the 4 islands in Vavau (Hunga, Otea, Falevai, and Ofu) under the same project.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. Announces Final Redemption of Preferred Stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BROOKFIELD, Wis., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. (the “Company” or “CIB Marine”) (OTCQX: CIBH) announces the full and final redemption of all preferred stock pursuant to its Second Amended and Restated Articles of Organization. Effective October 31, 2024, approximately 14,633 of CIB Marine’s Series A Preferred shares and 1,610 of Series B Preferred shares will be redeemed at $825 per share. This redemption is a full redemption of all outstanding preferred stock; there will be no preferred stock remaining in the Company’s capital structure. The $13.4 million redemption will be funded by cash on hand resulting from a distribution from the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, CIBM Bank; a distribution from the Company’s non-bank subsidiary, CIB Marine Capital, LLC; and a portion of the $10 million subordinated debt offering completed in the first quarter of 2022. Documentation will be mailed to all preferred shareholders of record by the Company’s redemption agent, Computershare Trust Company, N.A., on or about October 17, 2024.

    Mr. J. Brian Chaffin, President and CEO of the Company stated, “The October 31st redemption of all remaining preferred stock is a great achievement for the Company and all our shareholders. This transaction increases liquidity for the remaining preferred shares and benefits our common shareholders in two ways: by eliminating the potentially dilutive convertible Series B shares and redeeming all outstanding preferred stock at a discounted rate. The $825 per share redemption price is below both its balance sheet carrying value of $850 per share and its liquidation preference value of $1,000 per share.”

    In addition, Mr. Mark Elste, Chaiman of the Board of Directors, noted. “This is a significant accomplishment that the Board of Directors and management have been focused on for more than four years. The redemption of all preferred stock simplifies the Company’s capital structure to only one form of equity: common stock with full voting rights. It opens up opportunities to continue building shareholder value, the likes of which have been constrained by the outstanding preferred stock.”

    CIB Marine Bancshares, Inc. is the holding company for CIBM Bank, which operates nine banking offices Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, and has mortgage loan officers and/or offices in ten states. More information on the Company is available at http://www.cibmarine.com, including recent shareholder letters, links to regulatory financial reports, and audited financial statements.

    FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    CIB Marine has made statements in this release that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. CIB Marine intends these forward-looking statements to be subject to the safe harbor created thereby and is including this statement to avail itself of the safe harbor. Forward-looking statements are identified generally by statements containing words and phrases such as “may,” “project,” “are confident,” “should be,” “intend,” “predict,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect CIB Marine’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance that are subject to many uncertainties and factors relating to CIB Marine’s operations and the business environment, which could change at any time.

    There are inherent difficulties in predicting factors that may affect the accuracy of forward-looking statements.

    Stockholders should note that many factors, some of which are discussed elsewhere in this release and in the documents that are incorporated by reference, could affect the future financial results of CIB Marine and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements contained or incorporated by reference in this document. These factors, many of which are beyond CIB Marine’s control, include but are not limited to:

    • operating, legal, execution, credit, market, security (including cyber), and regulatory risks;
    • economic, political, and competitive forces affecting CIB Marine’s banking business;
    • the impact on net interest income and securities values from changes in monetary policy and general economic and political conditions; and
    • the risk that CIB Marine’s analyses of these risks and forces could be incorrect and/or that the strategies developed to address them could be unsuccessful.

    These factors should be considered in evaluating the forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. CIB Marine undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and CIB Marine’s actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in forward-looking statements.

    FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
    J. Brian Chaffin, President & CEO
    (217) 355-0900
    brian.chaffin@cibmbank.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HawkSearch Unveils Enhanced Rapid UI Framework with GenAI-Powered Smart Response

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WOBURN, Mass., Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bridgeline Digital, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLIN), a provider of AI-driven marketing technology, announced a major update to HawkSearch’s Rapid UI Framework, a powerful component-based framework that accelerates the integration of Smart Response into their search interfaces. The new version includes a new component for HawkSearch’s Smart Response, a new GenAI capability to complement Smart Search’s features as announced earlier in the year.

    Smart Response, now powered by Generative AI (GenAI), delivers a transformative experience for eCommerce users. It goes beyond traditional search results by enabling interactive conversations, summarizing extensive product information, and comparing items directly within the search interface. With the ability to customize “Agents” to align with brand tone, merchandisers can now fine-tune responses to suit specific customer needs. The updated version has comprehensive documentation and implementation examples available via the HawkSearch Developer Portal.

    A customer searching for a laptop on an eCommerce site can now engage with Smart Response to refine their options. By asking follow-up questions or requesting product comparisons, Smart Response provides a concise side-by-side analysis of laptops, highlighting key features like battery life and processor speed, helping the customer make a more informed decision without leaving the search interface.

    “The Rapid UI Framework is revolutionizing search technology,” said Ari Kahn, CEO of Bridgeline Digital. “Our customers can quickly develop personalized, engaging search experiences, allowing them to drive conversions and enhance user satisfaction with minimal effort.”

    About Bridgeline Digital

    Bridgeline helps companies grow online revenue by increasing traffic, conversion rates, and average order value. To learn more, please visit http://www.bridgeline.com.

    Contact:
    Danielle Colvin
    SVP of Marketing
    Bridgeline Digital
    press@bridgeline.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Celebrating 40 years of offshore wildlife recording Four decades of a unique partnership to chronicle the birds and other wildlife seen from North Sea oil and gas platforms has been celebrated in a new book.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    Four decades of a unique partnership to chronicle the birds and other wildlife seen from North Sea oil and gas platforms has been celebrated in a new book.
    From 1979 to 2019 the North Sea Bird Club and the University of Aberdeen worked together to record and identify birds, marine animals, bats and moths and butterflies viewed from more than 250 offshore installations by over 400 observers.
    While it had been known for many years that birds cross the North Sea in very large numbers – especially in spring and autumn – it was quickly noted that those working offshore were in a unique situation to provide details of the species involved and their numbers.
    In November 1984, one offshore worker on the Maureen platform was recorded as saying: “On opening the door from the control room it appeared to be snowing. The sky was full of birds in every direction – Blackbirds, thrushes, Snow Buntings, Lapwings and even some Canada Geese. In addition there were at least 50+ owls. I’d estimate the numbers to be hundreds of thousands around the platform”
    To take advantage of this unique viewpoint, in 1979 the North Sea Bird Club was formed by a group of senior oil industry executives, and a collaboration with the University of Aberdeen began which would see more than 120,000 records sent in over the next four decades.
    The history of the partnership and the fascinating wildlife sightings and identification it led to has been set out in a book by Andrew Thorpe, the club’s former Recorder who was employed on a part-time basis by the University as a Research Assistant between 1999 and 2019.
    The North Sea Bird Club 1979-2019 mixes entertaining anecdotes, interesting facts and hard data to tell the story.
    Andrew said: “Back in 1979, it was thanks to the foresight of Professor George Dunnet, Regius Professor of Natural History at the University and other associates that the Club was created.
    “He continued to act as an adviser to the club and we drew heavily on University expertise. Being located within the Zoology Department, we were able to access other specialists – Dr Mark Young  provided support with identification of butterflies and moths sent from offshore, Professor Paul Racey provided guidance for those who found bats on offshore installations and Mr Kenn Watt was a hoverfly expert in the department who helped with identification.
    “Marine animals offshore were also recorded and the University’s Oceanlab staff were able to assist here.”
    Although the club was wound up with the downturn of the industry in 1999, the records it received, maintained by the University, continue to be used for academic research.
    “A Club Secretary in 1990 wrote ‘The North Sea Bird Club is a unique organisation operating in a unique environment’ and that remained true throughout the 40 years,” Andrew added.
    “Records came from all over the North Sea and allowed us to put together a picture of where birds were moving at peak migration times and this could often be related to similar patterns of arrival onshore.
    “The 120,000 record database the University helped us to create has been used to provide data to many interested parties. For example several different University students requested data on Buzzard feathers, Twite records offshore, Porbeagle shark and bat records.
    “Professor Racey, formerly of the University, informed us that much valuable information about the occurrence of Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat had been obtained from offshore records of that species. Certain corpses of dead birds found offshore were passed to The National Museum Scotland for their collections.
    The North Sea Bird Club 1979-2019 is available at £21.00 (inc p&p) to purchase directly from Andrew Thorpe by emailing Andrew.Thorpe147@btinternet.com.
     
    Interesting Facts from the North Sea Bird Club         
    Many common ‘garden’ birds regularly cross the North Sea;
    Blackbirds, robins, chaffinches, blue tits, crows and owls are all regularly reported from rigs in the North sea;
    Even tiny wrens cross the North Sea.  In 1998, a total of 58 wrens was reported from offshore installations;
    Blackbirds and thrushes can cross the North Sea in large numbers, usually in autumn.  In 1979, over 30,000 blackbirds were reported offshore;
    In November 1984, an exceptional number of birds landed on the Maureen platform during very bad weather – some 200-300,000 were estimated including 40-50 owls;
    Starlings regularly cross the North Sea in spring and autumn in very large numbers.  A flock of an estimated 50,000 was seen to pass by Auk Alpha in 1984!
    Ringed birds are often found dead on rigs;
    A Starling that was ringed in Poland in May 1992 was found on the Hewett platform in December that year.  It had travelled over 1500km;
    A Blue Tit ringed in Norway in July 1988 was found on Beryl B, halfway between Norway and the Shetland Isles;
    The first British record of a Pacific Swift came from Shell BT platform in 1981.  It normally breeds in the Far East and migrates to Australia!
    It’s not only birds that were reported:
    Over 300 killer whales have been seen offshore and reported. 20-30 were around Brae B in April 1988 and one remained there for almost a year (photo);
    Butterflies, moths and dragonflies are regularly reported too;
    A Blue Dasher dragonfly from America which was found on an unmanned rig near Shetland was the first record in Europe!
    Bats are occasionally found and sent in;
    The NSBC has provided much valuable information on the Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat which previously was rarely recorded in the UK.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: FSI ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2024 REVENUE

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, Oct. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. (NYSE- AMERICAN: FSI), is the developer and manufacturer of biodegradable polymers for oil extraction, detergent ingredients and water treatment as well as crop nutrient availability chemistry. Flexible Solutions also makes nutraceuticals, biodegradable and environmentally safe water and energy conservation technologies. Today the Company announces top line revenue for third quarter (Q3), 2024.

    Sales were up in Q3, 2024 compared to Q3, 2023. Flexible Solutions’ top line revenue increased from $8.721 million (Q3, 2023) to $9.287 million (Q3, 2024), up approximately 6.5% year over year.

    Complete financial results will be available after market close on Thursday, November 14, 2024, concurrent with the Company’s SEC second quarter filings. A conference call will be scheduled for 8:00 am Pacific Time, 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time, the following business day, Friday, November 15, 2024. See the FSI November 14, 2024 financials news release for the dial in numbers.

    About Flexible Solutions International
    Flexible Solutions International, Inc. (http://www.flexiblesolutions.com), based in Victoria, British Columbia, is an environmental technology company. The Company’s NanoChem Solutions Inc. subsidiary specializes in biodegradable, water-soluble products utilizing thermal polyaspartate (TPA) biopolymers. TPA beta-proteins are manufactured from the common biological amino acid, L-aspartic and have wide usage including scale inhibitors, detergent ingredients, water treatment and crop enhancement. Along with TPA, this division started producing other crop enhancement products as well. The other divisions manufacture energy and water conservation products for drinking water, agriculture, industrial markets and swimming pools throughout the world. FSI is the developer and manufacturer of WaterSavrTM, the world’s first commercially viable water evaporation retardant. WaterSavrTM reduces evaporation by up to 30% on reservoirs, lakes, aqueducts, irrigation canals, ponds and slow moving rivers. HeatsavrTM, a “liquid blanket” evaporation retardant for the commercial swimming pool and spa markets, reduces energy costs by 15% to 40% and can result in reduced indoor pool humidity.

    Safe Harbor Provision
    The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “Safe Harbor” for forward-looking statements. Certain of the statements contained herein, which are not historical facts, are forward looking statement with respect to events, the occurrence of which involve risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements may be impacted, either positively or negatively, by various factors. Information concerning potential factors that could affect the company is detailed from time to time in the company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Flexible Solutions International
    6001 54thAve, Taber, Alberta, CANADA T1G 1X4

    Company Contacts
    Jason Bloom
    Toll Free: 800.661.3560
    Fax: 403.223.2905
    Email: info@flexiblesolutions.com

    To find out more information about Flexible Solutions and our products please visit http://www.flexiblesolutions.com

    If you have received this news release by mistake or if you would like to be removed from our update list please reply to: info@flexiblesolutions.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada and Atlantic Coastal Action Program Launch Major Reforestation Project in Cape Breton

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    October 17, 2024                                Sydney, Nova Scotia                         Natural Resources Canada

    Today, Jaime Battiste, Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria, Nova Scotia, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, along with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) Cape Breton announced a joint investment of more than $1.2 million to plant over 208,000 trees in eastern Cape Breton through the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program.

    The trees will be planted over four years. Outcomes of this will include:

    • Restoration of ecosystems in areas of eastern Cape Breton that had been deforested.
    • The planting of 208,000 trees, along with native plants and shrubs.
    • Habitat restoration for diverse flora and fauna in Nova Scotia.
    • Increased local capacity to plant and maintain trees thanks to workforce training, mentorship opportunities and student partnerships.
    • Increased community knowledge of forest restoration practices that help mitigate floods and other extreme weather events.

    The 2BT program helps to clean the air, create jobs and fight climate change while protecting nature. By working together with provinces, territories, local communities, non- and for-profit organizations and Indigenous Peoples, Canada continues to build a strong, healthy and green future for generations to come.

    Quotes

    “Forests clean the air we breathe, make our urban spaces more enjoyable, provide new habitats for wildlife and help us adapt to our changing climate while also mitigating its impacts by sequestering carbon emissions. The funding announced today will play an important role in bringing these benefits to Nova Scotians and will help achieve our federal government’s ambitious goal of planting two billion trees over a decade. Through this project, we are showing how collaborative work can ensure that the right tree is planted at the right place at the right time for the benefit of all Canadians.” 

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
    Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

    “Partnership and collaboration play a critical role in the sustainable management of our forests and tackling the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss. The Government of Canada is pleased to be partnering with the Atlantic Coastal Action Program-Cape Breton to continue making progress toward planting trees that will clean the air we breathe, improve water quality and mitigate climate change across Canada, creating a healthier environment for generations to come.”

    Jaime Battiste
    Member of Parliament, Sydney–Victoria, Nova Scotia

    “Trees planted as part of the 2 Billion Trees program create greener, healthier and more resilient communities in the face of a changing climate. Canada is supporting the Atlantic Coastal Action Program-Cape Breton to support the restoration of Canada’s forests and important habitats, all while ensuring there is cleaner air and sustainable jobs in communities across Canada.”

    Mike Kelloway
    Member of Parliament, Cape Breton–Canso, Nova Scotia

    “We are honoured to be part of Canada’s 2 Billion Trees commitment here in Unama’ki-Cape Breton. The trees we plant will help restore forest ecosystems and create a more-resilient climate legacy for our communities as well as the creatures we share this land with. These lands will not only sequester carbon but also provide habitat, food and shade for our warming lands and waters and help filter water in the watersheds that furnish our drinking water.”

    Dr. Kathleen Aikens
    Executive Director, ACAP Cape Breton

    Quick facts

    • Since 2021, the Government of Canada has been supporting governments and organizations across the country to plant trees to help meet the Government of Canada’s commitment to planting two billion trees. 

    • The 2 Billion Trees program collaborates with partners to understand their plans for preparing sites, how they are selecting species and how they plan to monitor after planting. Partners report every year, and the program conducts site visits and will be using remote sensing to monitor the progress and the health of the trees. By ensuring the initial job is done well, nature can then thrive, maintaining the long-term health of forested sites.

    • To date, the Government of Canada has secured or is negotiating agreements to plant over 553 million trees.  

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Natural Resources Canada
    Media Relations
    343-292-6100
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    Cindy.caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Follow us on LinkedIn

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: VP-10 Participates in Subject Matter Expert Exchange with Royal New Zealand Air Force

    Source: United States Navy

    SMEEs allow crews to exchange best practices and sharpen the edges of their technical expertise in foreign environments.

    “It was an invaluable experience and incredibly beneficial getting to work alongside our peers in the 5 Squadron” said Lt. Brian DePaola, aircraft commander, VP-10. “Sharing our experiences and skills not only strengthens our partnership but fosters a unified approach to maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.”

    The Red Lancer crew conducted multiple briefings, flights, and exchanges with their RNZAF counterparts covering topics ranging from anti-submarine warfare to search and rescue.

    “Search and rescue operations were a particular area that the RNZAF was able to showcase and demonstrate their extensive expertise in,” said DePaola. “Since the U.S. Navy and RNZAF both operate the P-8A Poseidon, the techniques for surveillance and rescue operations were exchanged seamlessly, supporting unified and refined responses to catastrophic events.”

    Among the many opportunities over the seven-day event, the VP-10 crew practiced anti-submarine warfare tactics on an Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Target (EMATT) alongside MH-60Rs from the Royal Australian Navy 816 Squadron and a Royal New Zealand Navy Anzac-class frigate, the HMNZS Te Kaha. This provided invaluable experience for interoperating with allies and partners in both the air and sea domains.

    The Red Lancer crew also participated in community outreach, volunteering at a local animal shelter and helping to build animal enclosures for the Hayward Heights branch of New Zealand’s largest no-kill animal shelter, HUHA (Helping You Help Animals).

    “I can confidently speak for the entire VP-10 detachment in saying that we truly enjoyed the uniqueness and the hospitality that New Zealand had to offer,” said DePaola.

    The “Red Lancers” of VP-10 are based in Jacksonville, Florida. The squadron conducts maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as theater outreach operations, supporting Commander, Task Force 72, U.S. Seventh Fleet, and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

    U.S. Seventh Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Asda Stores Ltd Fined £250,000 after Trading Standards investigation

    Source: City of Derby

    Asda Stores Ltd has been handed a £250,000 fine for displaying food beyond its use-by date, following an investigation by Derby City Council’s Trading Standards Team.

    The case was heard at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court, where, on Wednesday 16 October, District Judge Jonathan Taaffe found Asda Stores Ltd guilty of 11 offences. These related to having unsafe food on offer for sale contrary to regulation 19 of the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013.

    Asda Stores Ltd were then handed down a fine of £250,000 and ordered to pay costs of £74,117.69 and a victim surcharge of £190.

    This sizeable fine comes after an inspection at Asda’s Sinfin store on 15 July 2021. During the inspection, Trading Standards officers found 18 food items on shelves past their use-by date. This followed previous warnings on two occasions from Senior Trading Standards Officers.

    Use-by dates are applied to highly perishable food items by the manufacturer and are crucial to ensuring customers are buying and consuming safe items. According to the Food Standards Agency, these dates are the most important to remember for food products. Shoppers are advised never to eat food beyond the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok.

    District Judge Taaffe determined that Asda Stores Ltd did not provide a satisfactory defence, but instead failed to prove that they had implemented their system properly and failed to show that they had made improvements following the warnings received from the Trading Standards team.

    Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said:

    A fine of this scale reflects the seriousness of the situation and the risk it posed to the people of Derby.

    “We are lucky that we have a Trading Standards team who are committed to keeping our city safe, and I am incredibly proud of the work that they continue to do. This case serves as a reminder that we are prepared to take whatever action necessary against businesses that break the rules, no matter how big or small.

    The investigation was led by Victoria Rose, Senior Trading Standards Officer, who said:

    Customers should be able to rely on stores such as Asda to supply food that is safe to eat. It’s my role as a Senior Trading Standards Officer to help protect the public when this is not the case, especially when some of these foods were aimed at children and found to be on the shelves six months past their use-by date.

    Donna Dowse, Trading Standards Service Manager, added:

    This was not an easy case to bring before the courts, and as a service we faced many barriers put before us due to the nature of Primary Authority Partnerships when trying to take enforcement action.

    The Primary Authority blocked our enforcement action in this case. As such, Victoria Rose had to take the matter first to the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) and then to the Secretary of State before we could look at a prosecution. If it wasn’t for this commitment to keeping the public safe, then Asda would not have been held accountable for their failings as they have been today.

    A Primary Authority Partnership is an agreement in law between a business and a local authority. If the local authority provides that business with “assured” advice, then the business can rely on that advice when being investigated by other local authorities, and the Primary Authority can block enforcement action being taken in respect of that advice.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to study on forever chemicals in bottled and tap water

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    A study published in ACS E&T Water looks at PFAS in drinking water. 

    Prof Oliver Jones, Professor of Chemistry, RMIT University, said:

    “PFAS are a family of man-made chemicals based on carbon-fluorine bonds.  They are often termed forever chemicals because they are very resistant to degradation. The name is also a little chemistry joke as the F in forever, and C in chemicals can also stand for Fluorine and Carbon, respectively. Unfortunately, the term is misleading as it implies that PFAS never break down and that if they get in your body, they are there forever – neither of which is true.

    “This new research about PFAS in drinking water may initially sound scary and raise some concerns with the public. However, the authors do not claim to have assessed risk, and we should remember that the mere presence of something does not mean it will automatically cause harm. Any discussion about toxicity is meaningless without both dose and context. For example, we know you can get skin cancer from exposure to UV light, but that does not mean you will get cancer as soon as you go outside. Similarly, you will have no problem drinking a glass of water, but if you inhale the same amount into your lungs, you’ll have health risks. 

    “While PFAS have been linked to a range of health effects, the concentrations of PFAS needed to cause such effects are much higher than the levels reported in this study. In some respects, the work is good news: even the highest total PFAS level reported was just 9.2 ng/L. For reference, one nanogram per litre is 1 part per trillion. This is equivalent to 1 second in 31.5 thousand years. So, yes, 9.2 ng/L is an incredibly small amount, and the risk of PFAS exposure at this level is also very small. Since the researchers only measured ten compounds, it is possible that there was more PFAS present than was reported, but the risk is still very low.

     “The other thing to remember is that PFAS are now ubiquitous in the environment, so if you look hard enough at almost any sample, you will find them. Background contamination from clothes and lab equipment is a problem when assessing PFAS at such low levels, but the authors don’t say how they accounted for this in the main part of the paper.

     “We might say, ‘Why not make the risk zero completely’? But this is impossible to achieve. There is risk in everything we do; for example, if I drive to work, there is a risk I might crash, I go for a swim, I might drown. Both are low risks, but not zero. We could never be sure PFAS concentration was zero, just that it was lower than the minimum amount we could measure. Even the recent US limit of 4ng/L for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water is not based on acceptable risk but just one that can be achieved and reliably measured. 

    “So overall, while this paper is interesting it does not mean you need to avoid bottled (or tap) water”.

    Dr Ovokeroye Abafe, Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, Brunel University of London, said:

    “The study’s conclusions show insights into very simple contaminant reduction methods that can easily be adopted by consumers. The result provides further understanding on the distribution of PFAS in drinking water sources and shows that simple AC filtration and boiling can significantly reduce the concentrations of some PFAS in drinking water, thereby minimising exposure arising from this route.  It is interesting to see very simple and easily adaptable home solutions that can significantly minimise the concentrations of PFAS in drinking water, thereby safeguarding public health.  However, the sample size is relatively small, which is a limitation to be aware of.”

    ‘Factors Influencing Concentrations of PFAS in Drinking Water: Implications for Human Exposure’ by Chuanzi Gao et al. was published in ACS E&T Water at 13:00 UK time on Thursday 17th October.

    Declared interests

    Prof Oliver Jones: “I don’t have any conflicts of interest in this case, but I have in the past received funds from the Environment Protection Authority Victoria and various Australian Water utilities for research into environmental pollution, including PFAS.”

    For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple celebrates 10 years of Apple Pay

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple celebrates 10 years of Apple Pay

    October 17, 2024

    UPDATE

    Apple celebrates 10 years of Apple Pay

    Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet, reflects on a decade of Apple Pay enriching users’ lives, and shares new ways to pay with Apple Pay, including rewards and installments

    When we started our journey with Apple Pay 10 years ago, we saw a unique opportunity to leverage Apple’s hardware and software to make a meaningful impact on the financial health and lives of our customers. From the outset, we envisioned a world where you could use your iPhone to seamlessly pay for everything — from groceries to train tickets, in person and online, across the globe — all while keeping your personal and financial information safe and private.

    Today, Apple Pay is used by hundreds of millions of consumers in 78 markets, at checkout on millions of websites and apps, in tens of millions of stores worldwide, and is supported by more than 11,000 bank and network partners. We hear from customers every day about how much they love the ease, security, and privacy protections Apple Pay provides in their daily lives, and how much they enjoy using it across their devices — including iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and Mac.

    One of my earliest memories of realizing how Apple Pay was positively impacting consumers’ lives was when we rolled out Apple Pay for transit in Tokyo, which is used by millions of travelers every day. I watched in awe as people quickly tapped their iPhone or Apple Watch to pay while passing through the turnstiles — no need to fish out any cash, cards, or coins from their wallets, or even unlock or wake their device. It’s a great example of how Apple Pay’s seamless and secure customer experience delivers convenience and peace of mind to consumers around the world, whether they’re commuting to work, shopping online, or picking up their morning coffee.

    We know how important it is for customers to feel secure and trust that their financial transactions are private when making a payment. That’s why we’re always working to safeguard consumers, while also enabling banks to have industry-low levels of fraud for Apple Pay transactions. And it’s also why Apple Pay was designed to protect users’ highly sensitive personal and financial information, like their card number, which is never shared with merchants. Our customers trust that when they use Apple Pay anywhere, they can have the peace of mind that their payments are protected.

    Looking ahead at what’s next for Apple Pay, we are excited to now bring our users more ways to pay, including the option to redeem rewards and access installment loans from Apple Pay-enabled issuers and lenders right at checkout with Apple Pay online and in-app on iPhone and iPad. This gives consumers greater flexibility in how they pay with the easy and trusted Apple Pay experience they already know and love. It also provides Apple Pay-enabled issuers and lenders with new ways to connect with their customers, and make their rewards and installment offerings even more accessible.

    Beyond payments, we’re also advancing our broader vision of replacing users’ physical wallets with an easy, secure, and private digital wallet — Apple Wallet. Today, users can seamlessly and securely add and access eligible event tickets, transit cards, keys, government IDs, and more all from Apple Wallet. And we’re always looking for new ways to make using Apple Wallet convenient while delivering unparalleled security and peace of mind.

    The last decade was an incredible journey, and we’re thrilled that so many people around the world are enjoying the experience that Apple Pay and Apple Wallet provide. I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years have in store.

    — Jennifer Bailey, Apple’s vice president of Apple Pay and Apple Wallet

    More Ways to Pay with Apple Pay

    With iOS 18, eligible users can now access installment loan options from Affirm in the U.S. and from Monzo Flex in the U.K. when checking out with Apple Pay online and in-app on iPhone and iPad.1 And starting today, eligible users in the U.S. and U.K. will also have the option to access Klarna’s flexible payment options right at checkout online and in-app with Apple Pay on iPhone and iPad.

    In the future, users will also be able to access installment payment options from eligible credit or debit cards when making online purchases with Apple Pay in the U.S. with Citi, Synchrony, and across eligible, participating Apple Pay issuers with Fiserv; in Australia with ANZ; in Singapore with DBS; in Spain with CaixaBank; and in the U.K. with HSBC, NewDay, and Zilch, with more issuers to follow. Users in Canada will also have access to Klarna’s flexible payment options at checkout with Apple Pay online and in-app on iPhone and iPad in the future.

    Additionally, with iOS 18, Apple Pay users in the U.S. can now redeem rewards with eligible Discover credit cards2 when they check out with Apple Pay online and in-app on iPhone and iPad. In the future, users will also be able to redeem rewards for purchases with Apple Pay in the U.S. with Synchrony and across eligible, participating Apple Pay issuers with Fiserv and FIS, and in Singapore with DBS, with more issuers to follow.

    Users can now also access Apple Pay on third-party web browsers and computers.3 At checkout, users will be prompted to use their iPhone or iPad to scan a code, and will then be able to securely complete the payment with Apple Pay on iPhone or iPad. And with Tap to Provision, it’s even easier for users to add a credit or debit card to Apple Wallet by simply tapping their eligible card to the back of their iPhone.4

    Next year, customers in the U.S. will also be able to see their PayPal balance when using their PayPal debit card in Apple Wallet, giving them greater visibility and confidence when shopping.

    1. This feature is offered by a card’s issuer, and is subject to issuer eligibility requirements and other issuer terms. This feature is not available in all markets, and may not be available for all types of purchases, such as subscriptions and recurring transactions. The full amount of the transaction will be charged to the user’s card at the time of their purchase, and a statement credit for the redeemed reward amount will be applied to the user’s account.
    2. Redemptions used with Discover credit cards will be reflected as a statement credit on a customer’s account.
    3. iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later required. Available with participating merchants on compatible browsers. Compatible browsers require WebSocket support. This feature is not available in all markets.
    4. Must have an eligible and supported card. Not available in all markets. To use this feature, a card’s NFC technology must be activated, and the user may need to enter their card’s security code during setup. Software requirements apply. To ensure a user has all features of this product, their iPhone must be updated to the latest software version.

    In the U.S., Apple Pay is a service provided by Apple Payments Services LLC, a subsidiary of Apple Inc. In other countries and regions, Apple Pay is a service provided by certain Apple affiliates, as designated by the Apple Pay privacy notice. Neither Apple Inc., nor Apple Payments Services LLC, nor its affiliates are a bank. Any card used in Apple Pay is offered by the card issuer.

    The survey was commissioned by Apple and conducted by Morning Consult between September 10-13, 2024, among a sample of 3,014 adults in the U.S. ages 18-64.

    Press Contacts

    Heather Norton

    Apple

    heather_norton@apple.com

    Kimberly Mai

    Apple

    k_mai@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Big changes underway for multi-use Cape Breton facility

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Government of Canada support for upgrades to Canada Games Complex will increase usage, attract premiere events

    October 17, 2024 · Sydney, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

    Atlantic Canadian communities flourish when they have vibrant, welcoming public spaces and infrastructure that benefit visitors and residents alike. The Government of Canada is investing to help upgrade and modernize an important community venue in Cape Breton.

    Creation of convention space  

    Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso, announced a non-repayable contribution of $1,500,000 to Cape Breton University (CBU) to revitalize the Canada Games Complex. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

    This investment will help CBU purchase equipment to establish a multi-functional event and conference space, including electric vehicle chargers; audiovisual, digital and sound equipment; stage lighting; floor covering; mobile television screen units; and catering equipment for serving large events. Theupgrades will help the Canada Games Complex attract more national and international events, including academic conferences, bringing in more year-round visitors and boosting the regional economy.

    This announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to help communities seize new and exciting economic opportunities. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Transport Minister celebrates community transport in West London

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Government is committed to improving local transport networks and making them more inclusive to enable vulnerable people to travel safely and confidently.

    • Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, visited Westway Community Transport in West London to celebrate the work of operators across the country
    • Minister heard first-hand how services help passengers to reach hospital appointments on time, shop and socialise
    • follows government commitment to hand bus powers back to local authorities to support the sector

    Elderly and vulnerable passengers that benefit from on-demand bus and taxi services met with Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, in West London today (17 October 2024) to mark Community Transport Week.

    The Local Transport Minister celebrated the work of operators as he visited Westway community transport in Westbourne Park.

    The minister heard first-hand how services step in to fill the gap where users might not be able to use conventional public transport or drive. This provides a lifeline, allowing users to attend vital hospital appointments, undertake important tasks like food shopping and ensure users can see friends and family.

    To support services, the government currently makes up to £3.8 million available annually to community transport operators. As plans to hand back control of bus services to local authorities gather pace, the government is exploring how this initiative can incorporate the community transport sector.

    Under these plans to deliver the biggest overhaul to bus services in a generation, this government wants to grow passenger numbers and offer more frequent, widespread services, with scope for local authorities and community transport providers to work together to achieve this.

    Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:

    Community transport services are a lifeline for so many people, which is why I was delighted to visit Westway today to celebrate the incredible work of operators up and down the country.

    We’re committed to improving our local networks, to make them more inclusive and enable vulnerable people to travel safely, confidently and with dignity.

    Community transport plays a vital role in providing these services, so we are working to ensure they are part of the solution.

    At the visit, the Minister also spoke to Westway Deputy CEO, Ryan Price, about ways that the government can further support the great work of operators.

    For 30 years, Westway has played a vital role in connecting communities and improving lives across Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and Hammersmith and Fulham, serving passengers who struggle to use the tube, buses and other public transport.

    Westway Community Transport CEO, Kathleen Lyons, said:

    We were delighted to welcome Simon Lightwood to Westway Community Transport.

    It’s never been more important to showcase the work of community transport. We’re an essential part of the local transport mix – particularly for those who find public transport difficult to use – and a key component in any plan to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

    Community Transport Association (CTA) CEO, Victoria Armstrong, said:

    CTA are delighted that the Local Transport Minister recognises the importance of CTWeek24 by visiting one of our members.

    Community transport is vital to so many people across the UK and this week we celebrate the range of community solutions to transport barriers across the country.

    I am pleased that the minister was able to celebrate with us and to support what community transport is all about.

    The government is ensuring community transport operators, accessibility groups and professionals in the bus industry are in the driving seat as these plans progress.

    Last week marked another step towards handing control back to local authorities, as a consultation on updating guidance to reduce barriers to franchising closed, with over 70 responses from industry.

    Roads media enquiries

    Media enquiries 0300 7777 878

    Switchboard 0300 330 3000

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Armed Forces and Partner Nations gather at CFB Gagetown for Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Over 400 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), alongside soldiers from nine partner nations, are participating in Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER 2024…

    October 17, 2024 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    Over 400 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), alongside soldiers from nine partner nations, are participating in Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER 2024, a Canadian Army-led international counter-explosive exercise, at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick.

    The exercise brings together forces from Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. This training provides an opportunity to strengthen skills and build capacity to counter and dispose of explosive threats, as well as exploit capabilities to counter future threats.

    This year, emerging technologies, such as Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Additive Manufacturing, will be leveraged and integrated into the training to demonstrate ways to enhance operational efficiency and security on a unified front against adversaries.

    Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER is a key activity that allows the CAF and partner nations to incorporate lessons observed from Ukraine and adapt their training.

    “Interoperability is crucial to the Canadian Army’s ability to fulfill Government of Canada objectives, ensure readiness, respond to emerging threats, and meet defence priorities. Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER highlights our commitment to collective security efforts alongside our NATO allies and partner nations.”

    Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army

    Lt Jerome Downey
    Public Affairs Officer, Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER
    Phone: 438-468-7439
    Email: jerome.downey@forces.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Department of National Defence
    Phone: 613-904-3333
    Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Future of Great British Railways

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Secretary of State for Transport outlines next steps for rail reform in Britain during the Derby rail skills event.

    Location:
    Derby Campus
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Good morning everyone and let me start by thanking Derby City Council for organising this event.

    It’s wonderful to be back in Derby – the future home of Great British Railways (GBR).

    But in many ways, this has always been the industry’s home.

    A city of train building – 180 years and counting – from the Derby Works to Alstom today.

    A city of innovation – from the first steel rails to the iconic railway roundhouse.

    And a city of heritage – from railway cottages to the Brunswick Inn pub, which I’m glad to see is still going strong.

    But Derby has never rested on historic laurels.

    Instead, it has renewed and reformed. 

    That roundhouse is now Derby College, producing the engineers of tomorrow.

    The once rail technical centre is now part of Europe’s biggest rail cluster, with 11,000 jobs.

    And the works at Litchurch Lane, that once produced Victorian train carriages, now making trains for London’s Elizabeth Line.

    That’s why this event matters.

    Because today isn’t just about this city’s proud rail history, but about reinforcing Derby’s central role in shaping rail’s future.

    And about celebrating the brilliant businesses of all shapes and sizes that make up the rail industry.

    State of rail

    Derby’s zeal for renewal and reform is shared by this government.

    Because after years of dysfunction and decline – how our economy is managed, how public services are run, how government works, all must return to the service of working people, wherever they live.

    That is the work of national renewal the Prime Minister has promised.

    And it starts with our railways.

    On entering office, we were under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge.

    A railway mired in industrial action – costing the economy the equivalent of nearly £3 million pounds a day.

    And performance levels that were simply not good enough, with cancellations at a 10-year high.

    All visible problems, but with deep roots.

    Fragmentation, lack of accountability and conflicting interests.

    The very industry weaknesses Keith Williams identified years ago, still remain.

    The lack of political leadership on rail has left an industry more comfortable looking inwards, that fails to pull together when things go wrong, that has lost focus on improving each part of people’s experience with the railways – so passengers don’t get the journeys they deserve.

    We’ve seen this with delays to long promised upgrades to the East Coast Mainline, or the confusing array of fares and tickets passengers have to navigate. 

    And the great irony of privatisation is that the part of the industry that works best, that innovates and pushes boundaries – the dynamic supply chain – has been stifled. But these issues are systemic – not individual.

    Because when I speak to the supply chain and station staff, to engineers and signalers, they all want what’s best for the passenger.

    All are committed, enthusiastic and ready to work across organisational boundaries to deliver a better railway.

    But currently, they have neither the tools, incentives nor backing to do so.

    It’s why, as Passenger in Chief, when I said I would oversee the biggest overhaul of our railways in a generation, a big part of that will be a cultural reset.

    Where every part of the workforce feels empowered to challenge the orthodoxy of years past, supported by an entirely new and reformed organisation – Great British Railways.

    Where we value diverse skills, build new capabilities and forge high-quality careers that attract the next generation.

    And where everyone understands how they contribute to a railway unashamedly focused on delivering for passengers and taxpayers.

    It will not be British Rail Rebooted or Network Rail 2.0 – but we’ll usher in a new era for the railways where every part of the industry is motivated and incentivised to deliver for the passenger.

    That’s my personal mission.

    To join you in a determined effort to get our railways working again – for passengers, for its workforce and for communities across Britain.

    Because our railways are essential to getting Britain growing and moving again.

    Industrial action

    Within months, we’ve begun the essential work of change.

    We’ve ended the longest ever national strike on our railways.

    Gone are the political gimmicks of years past, which not only prolonged industrial action but caused misery for passengers and cost the railways £850 million pounds.

    Within days of taking office, I spoke to all rail unions and hit reset.

    I was clear that if talks were needed, we would sit round in good faith.

    If compromises could be made, we would all make them.

    And if a deal could be struck, we would fight for a fair agreement for workers, passengers and taxpayers.

    A new, grown-up, approach – which put passengers first and politics second. And clears the way for vital workforce reform, to modernise our railways and do away with outdated working practices.

    Public Ownership Bill

    I’ve also fired the starting gun on rail reform.

    The Public Ownership Bill has passed the Commons and now awaits committee stage scrutiny in the Lords.

    It calls time on a broken model, one that repeatedly failed passengers and one that cost tens of millions of pounds in fees each year.

    It allows us to bring passenger services into public hands as contracts expire over the next 3 years.

    But I know passengers won’t wait that long for things to improve.

    They rightly deserve better than the status quo.

    So we will continue building capacity and expertise in the public sector, as it takes on additional services.

    And in the meantime, I won’t hesitate to take decisive action if operators don’t meet their obligations.

    It’s a message I’ve already delivered loud and clear to the Managing Directors of Avanti West Coast and Cross Country. And indeed, we have set new and clear expectations to those train operating companies already in public ownership.

    Reform

    Now, public ownership and resolving national strikes are just stops on the journey to reform, not the terminus.

    The Railways Bill, which we will introduce later this parliamentary session, will get the industry back on track.

    We’ll establish Great British Railways – a directing mind running the railways as one system, with a relentless focus on passengers.

    We’ll stop the blame game, by unifying track and train.

    We’ll grip the finances, led by passenger need and taxpayer value.

    And we’ll grow freight, unlocking new green growth.

    Delivering GBR in full will be the work of years, not months. It is the biggest reform agenda of this government.

    But again, we cannot afford to wait.

    Shadow GBR

    So I’ve taken decisive action to bring the industry together under Shadow Great British Railways and its new Chair Laura Shoaf.

    Laura brings a wealth of experience.

    And I’ve asked her specifically to lay the foundations of culture change the industry needs.

    That, of course, means getting the basics right with performance, but it also means encouraging innovation at every opportunity.

    So, under her leadership, the heads of Network Rail, DOHL, and DfT’s rail services group – the people in charge of track and train – will work closer than ever before to set the tone of reform and deliver immediate improvements. 

    On performance: nowhere near good enough across the board, but not helped by the labyrinth of different contracts, measures and incentives at play.

    Different targets lead to competing priorities.

    And operational decisions that make sense in one part of the industry, can lead to worse outcomes overall – with passengers inevitably bearing the brunt.

    So, I will soon set out new performance measures, ensuring a more consistent and transparent approach.

    We’ll end the boom-and-bust approach to investment projects.

    Replacing it with a long term strategy for rolling stock – essential for the industry here in Derby.

    After years of government uncertainty and mixed messages, this will give the supply chain the certainty it needs to plan and invest.

    And finally, we’re reviewing fares and ticketing. Not just to unblock barriers to reform, but to urgently get passengers back on board with new exciting campaigns.

    That starts early next year, with a new ‘rail sale’ to coincide with the 200-year anniversary of the first passenger service.

    It will offer up to half price Advance and Off-peak fares – to get Britain moving, to connect our communities and to give back to passengers, who for too long have paid more and more for less and less.

    These first steps are important, as we start restoring some national pride to this industry and building the railway of tomorrow.

    Conclusion

    I began by talking about Derby, and it’s also a good place to end.

    We are standing in the biggest concentration of rail innovation and expertise in Europe.

    Around 600 rail companies, employing 45,000 people, have chosen to co-locate in the East Midlands.

    And it’s easy to see why.

    We have Derby University’s Rail Research Innovation Centre, Network Rail’s testing facility at Tuxford, Alstom’s world leading manufacturing facility and maintenance hubs for Sperry Rail and Railcare.

    All will soon be joined by GBR, providing the leadership this industry has sorely needed.

    Working in partnership – government and industry – to build a renewed and reformed railway, fit for the future, fit for Britain.

    A new era for our railways and a new era for Derby.

    Updates to this page

    Published 17 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Aquaculture could harm animal welfare or protect it, depending on what species the farms raise

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Becca Franks, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, New York University

    Raising salmon in a tank at an aquaculture farm in Dubai. Giuseppe Cacace/AFP via Getty Images

    The global aquaculture industry has tripled in size since the year 2000, with producers raising a mind-boggling diversity of species, from seaweeds and clams to carp, salmon and cuttlefish. Many of these creatures are undomesticated and lead complex and highly social lives in the wild.

    The rapid growth in aquaculture means that billions of individual aquatic animals are now being farmed without basic information that could help ensure even minimal welfare standards. Our newly published study shows that these welfare risks are not uniform: Aquaculture is likely to have severe effects on welfare for some species, but negligible impacts on others.

    Whenever humans manage animals on a large scale, welfare becomes a concern. As experts on aquatic animals and their welfare, we believe that taking proactive measures to shape the aquaculture industry’s growth will be critical for its long-term success.

    A cuttlefish tackles a challenge originally designed for human children, demonstrating cephalopods’ complex cognitive processes.

    Complex aquatic lives

    In a wide-ranging review of the existing science, we identified seven risk factors in fish and other sea creatures that would be challenging or impractical to accommodate in captivity. They include 1) migratory behavior, 2) solitary social structures, 3) long life spans, 4) carnivorous feeding habits, 5) cannibalism, 6) living at depths of 165 feet (50 meters) or more, and 7) elaborate courtship or involved parental care.

    We researched these characteristics for each of the more than 400 species currently farmed in aquaculture. Our analysis found that many species of fishes, reptiles and amphibians are likely to suffer in aquaculture because they won’t be able to engage in their natural behaviors in farmed conditions. The same is true for crustaceans such as lobsters and for cephalopods such as cuttlefish.

    In contrast, aquatic plants and other invertebrates such as oysters would experience fewer differences between their life in the wild versus in a tank, pond or other aquaculture production system.

    We also found that species most at risk are among the most expensive on the market but contribute the least to global production. By shifting toward species whose behaviors and life habits are more compatible with aquaculture, the industry could minimize animal welfare risk while also keeping prices down and production quantities high. In other words, protecting aquatic animal welfare is compatible with producing affordable, nutritious food.

    Animal welfare in the water

    Research shows that many aquatic animals are intelligent, emotional, curious, highly social and have strong preferences. Like land animals, they can suffer if their needs aren’t met.

    Consider, for example, the bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum), which is currently farmed in aquaculture. Bumpheads live up to 40 years and travel several kilometers each day in large foraging troops, searching for live coral. On full moons, they come together in the hundreds to spawn and engage in ritual head-bumping contests between the males, like an aquatic version of bison.

    Divers observe a feeding school of bumphead (also referred to as humphead) parrotfish on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

    It would be very difficult and expensive to accommodate this species’ long life span, large range, complex foraging behavior and dynamic social relationships in the highly restrictive and monotonous environments of aquaculture.

    We also found examples of invertebrate animals with similarly elaborate ways of life. One example is the red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii), a comparatively small crustacean that builds elaborate tunnel and chamber systems underground. Females care attentively for their tiny offspring, fanning, cleaning and feeding juveniles for up to four months after they hatch.

    In contrast, plant species farmed in aquaculture, such as seaweeds and water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), are nutritious, protein-rich foods that can be raised without posing direct animal welfare concerns.

    In 2021 alone, 56 species were farmed for the first time. By identifying species that may naturally adapt better to life in captivity, aquaculture producers and policymakers can steer their industry toward a more humane future.

    This approach is already finding support in the U.S., where Washington and California have banned octopus farming. The states acted partly in response to research showing that octopuses are intelligent, curious, social animals that can solve problems and recognize individual people – qualities that are incompatible with being raised en masse for food.

    More research is needed to understand the lives and behaviors of other sea creatures that are currently farmed or targeted for production in the future. Most of these species remain understudied and mysterious, which makes it hard to make informed decisions about whether they are suitable for farming.

    Better data could contribute to aquaculture policy, while also boosting public appreciation for the diversity and intricacy of life on a planet that is 70% aquatic.

    Becca Franks receives funding from TinyBeam Foundation and Open Philanthropy.

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

    – ref. Aquaculture could harm animal welfare or protect it, depending on what species the farms raise – https://theconversation.com/aquaculture-could-harm-animal-welfare-or-protect-it-depending-on-what-species-the-farms-raise-240771

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Secures $1 Million to Fund Construction of SoLa Impact’s New Tech & Entertainment Center in Crenshaw and Leimert Park

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

    LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) announced that she secured a $1 million grant for SoLa Impact’s affiliated nonprofit, the SoLa Foundation, in support of the completion of SoLa’s second state-of-the-art youth center. The SoLa Foundation is one of fifteen organizations that Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove secured a total of $12.4 million for through Fiscal Year 2024 government funding legislation.

    Opening in the first half of 2025, the 10,000 sq ft Art, Tech and Entertainment Center will be located on the ground floor of “Crenshaw Lofts,” SoLa Impact’s 195-unit workforce and affordable housing development in the LAX-Crenshaw Corridor. The center will train and mentor young people to become the next generation of professionals and entrepreneurs in arts, media, entertainment, emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, and the live events industry. The facility will feature a collaborative workspace, professional recording studio, and indoor/outdoor event space. It will serve at least 1,000 youth and young adults annually. A video preview of the center is available here.

    The funds are part of Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove’s commitments to the continued revitalization of the Crenshaw and Leimert Park communities as well as increasing access to career training and jobs in entertainment.

    “Crenshaw—the heart of Black LA—has seen many resurgence efforts since the 1992 Riots, many of them short-lived,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “By connecting young Angelenos with workforce training in arts, entertainment, and technology careers, SoLa’s new youth center will make a real, lasting impact on South LA for generations to come. I was proud to secure funding for this center, and I look forward to seeing the vital role it will play in empowering future creators, entrepreneurs, and innovators from the storied community of Crenshaw.”

    SoLa Impact CEO, Martin Muoto, added, “With our second SoLa Tech Center powered by Live Nation, and Crenshaw Lofts, we are proud to be part of Crenshaw revitalization.  As we develop hundreds of affordable and workforce housing units across Los Angeles, we also want to ensure that the young people in communities like Crenshaw and South LA see a brighter future. Training them for jobs of the future is perhaps the most important way we can build California better.”

    “This center will have a transformative impact on the lives of our youth. This is my community and I am on a mission to ensure every young person has a shot at a brighter future. The center is about closing the racial digital divide in South LA. It’s about creating a more equitable playing field. It’s about creating access and pipelines to careers in the arts and technology. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove shares this urgent mission and we are deeply grateful to her for being a catalyst in making our tech center possible,” said Sherri Francois, Chief Impact Officer of SoLa Impact and Executive Director of the SoLa Foundation.

    Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove tours the site of SoLa’s new youth tech and entertainment center in Crenshaw, which is currently under construction.

    ABOUT SOLA IMPACT’S FOUNDATION:

    The SoLa Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit affiliate of SoLa Impact, aims to improve the lives of South LA residents and break the cycle of intergenerational poverty by providing opportunities for education and economic mobility. SoLa’s Technology and Entrepreneurship Center Powered by Riot Games is a state-of-the-art, first-of-its-kind center at the heart of South Central Los Angeles. SoLa provides the community with skills-based technology programming, as well as scholarships and career development opportunities for underinvested communities to ensure Black and brown Angelenos get increased access to jobs, mentorship, and placement in the most competitive fields of business. Learn more at www.thesolafoundation.org.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Department of State Hosts Quad Fellows in Washington, D.C.

    Source: United States Department of State (4)

    Office of the Spokesperson

    The U.S. Department of State hosted 50 promising young scholars from Australia, India, Japan, the United States, and Southeast Asia at the second Quad Fellowship Summit in Washington, D.C. on October 7. Launched in 2021, the Quad Fellowship welcomed its second cohort of fellows, and this is the first year it includes scholars from Southeast Asia. Quad Fellows receive a stipend to pursue graduate degrees in STEM fields at U.S. universities.

    The Fellowship, which is administered by the Institute for International Education, is part of a broader Quad commitment to harness emerging technologies for the benefit of people across the Indo-Pacific, and utilize these technologies to facilitate economic prosperity, openness, and connectivity.

    Quad Fellows met with private sector and U.S. government representatives to discuss scientific and technological developments in the Indo-Pacific. Quad Fellows also engaged with science and technology specialists working in the U.S. government to explore leveraging STEM research to deliver tangible benefits to the Indo Pacific region. For press inquiries, please contact the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at EAP-Press@state.gov and the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at SCA-Press@state.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to Announce Plans to Plant Trees in Cape Breton

    Source: Government of Canada News

    SYDNEY — MP Jaime Battiste, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will make a tree planting announcement in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

    SYDNEY — MP Jaime Battiste, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will make a tree planting announcement in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

    Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024

    Time: 10 a.m. AT

    All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First-ever International conference – Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda – AROHA-2024 to start tomorrow in Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 OCT 2024 7:36PM by PIB Delhi

    All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi is organising its first-ever International conference – Advancements of Research & Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda – AROHA-2024 starting tomorrow from Thursday 17th October to 19th October 2024. This distinguished event will feature in-person and virtual participation, offering an unparalleled opportunity for participants. The discourse will be centered on the theme ” Advancements in Research and Global Opportunities for Holistic Ayurveda” in this global event.

    The event will be inaugurated by Dr. Justice Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India. He will be joined by esteemed guests, including Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Ayush and Health & Family Welfare; Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush; and Dr. Shyama Kuruvilla, Director (ad interim) of the Global Traditional Medicine Centre, WHO, Jamnagar, Gujarat. Additionally, Lt. Gen. Madhuri Kanitkar, Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS); Padma Bhushan Prof. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Director, ILBS; and Dr. Devendra Triguna will also grace the event.

    “AROHA-2024 will align with AIIA’s vision of positioning Ayurveda as a key pillar of global health and wellness. The conference will bring together scholars, industry leaders, and Ayurveda experts from Japan, Colombia, Australia, Germany, Sri Lanka, and Argentina will participate to explore the integration of traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with modern scientific advancements.” AIIA director Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Nesari said.

    The conference agenda covers a wide range of topics, including Ayurveda, ethnomedicine, quality control, standardization, diagnosis, drug delivery, evidence-based understanding, and globalization. Experienced experts will share practical and  theoretical knowledge on Ayurvedic practices.

    The conference features three-day workshops and 16 scientific sessions, with over 400 research papers to be presented. The All India Institute of Ayurveda has a global presence in over 17 countries through academic and scientific collaborations with prominent organizations like the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, FIGZ Germany, AIST Japan, Western Sydney University Australia, UHN Canada, and national institutions like IGIB, AIIMS, CSIR, IIT, etc.

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Salazar and Kamlager-Dove Introduce Legislation to Simplify Visa Processing

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s (FL-27)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) introduced H.R. 9545, the Visa Processing Improvement and Paperwork Reduction Act.

    Currently, our visa application and processing systems are outdated, duplicative, and waste crucial resources. This legislation will save the State Department countless hours of labor and thousands of dollars in postage and paper by keeping federal communications about visa applications online. It will also reduce requirements on families to mail physical copies of documents that have already been submitted online.

    “We have an opportunity to both improve government efficiency and reduce the burden on individuals navigating our complex immigration system,” said Rep. Salazar. “The Visa Processing Improvement and Paperwork Reduction Act will save the State Department tons of time and money so they can process visa applications quicker and easier.”

    The Visa Processing Improvement and Paperwork Reduction Act streamlines the visa processing system by eliminating the requirement to mail all signed communications from the applicant and from the Agency that are already sent electronically.

    “Excessive visa wait times have long plagued our broken immigration system, causing unnecessary heartache for many applicants,” said Rep. Kamlager-Dove. “Digitizing more aspects of the visa application process will eliminate redundant paperwork, speeding up visa processing times and reducing burdens on applicants. Simple reforms like this legislation can have outsized impacts on the immigration process. I am proud to partner with Representative Salazar to advance commonsense solutions in our immigration system.”

    Previously, Reps. Salazar and Kamlager-Dove collaborated on the GRATEFUL Act, which was signed into law in 2023. This policy provided visas for locally employed U.S. embassy staff to immigrate to the U.S. after a career of service to the United States. These staff are critical to our diplomacy abroad, and securing this reform allows us to continue retaining and rewarding the best and brightest that serve the United States and advance our interests abroad.

    To read the full text of the bill, click here. To read a short summary of the legislation, click here.

    Congresswoman Salazar proudly represents Florida’s 27th congressional district in the House of Representatives, which includes Miami, its suburbs, and beaches.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why do I have hay fever? I didn’t have it as a child

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Janet Davies, Respiratory Allergy Stream Co-chair, National Allergy Centre of Excellence; Professor and Head, Allergy Research Group, Queensland University of Technology

    Dragana Gordic/Shutterstock

    Hay fever (or allergic rhinitis) is a long-term inflammatory condition that’s incredibly common. It affects about one-quarter of Australians.

    Symptoms vary but can include sneezing, itchy eyes and a runny or blocked nose. Hay fever can also contribute to sinus and ear infections, snoring, poor sleep and asthma, as well as lower performance at school or work.

    But many people didn’t have hay fever as a child, and only develop symptoms as a teenager or adult.

    Here’s how a combination of genetics, hormones and the environment can lead to people developing hay fever later in life.

    Remind me, what is hay fever?

    Hay fever is caused by the nose, eyes and throat coming into contact with a substance to which a person is allergic, known as an allergen.

    Common sources of outside allergens include airborne grass, weed or tree pollen, and mould spores. Pollen allergens can be carried indoors on clothes, and through open windows and doors.

    Depending on where you live, you may be exposed to a range of pollen types across the pollen season, but grass pollen is the most common trigger of hay fever. In some regions the grass pollen season can extend from spring well into summer and autumn.

    How does hay fever start?

    Hay fever symptoms most commonly start in adolescence or young adulthood. One study found 7% of children aged six had hay fever, but that grew to 44% of adults aged 24.

    Before anyone has hay fever symptoms, their immune system has already been “sensitised” to specific allergens, often allergens of grass pollen. Exposure to these allergens means their immune system has made a particular type of antibody (known as IgE) against them.

    During repeated or prolonged exposure to an allergen source such as pollen, a person’s immune system may start to respond to another part of the same allergen, or another allergen within the pollen. Over time, these new allergic sensitisations can lead to development of hay fever and possibly other conditions, such as allergic asthma.

    Grass pollen is the most common trigger of hay fever.
    winyuu/Shutterstock

    Why do some people only develop hay fever as an adult?

    1. Environmental factors

    Some people develop hay fever as an adult simply because they’ve had more time to become sensitised to specific allergens.

    Migration or moving to a new location can also change someone’s risk of developing hay fever. This may be due to exposure to different pollens, climate and weather, green space and/or air quality factors.

    A number of studies show people who have migrated from low- and middle-income countries to higher-income countries may be at a higher risk of developing hay fever. This may due to local environmental conditions influencing expression of genes that regulate the immune system.

    2. Hormonal factors

    Hormonal changes at puberty may also help drive the onset of hay fever. This may relate to sex hormones, such as oestrogen and progesterone, affecting histamine levels, immune regulation, and the response of cells in the lining of the nose and lower airways.

    3. Genetic factors

    Our genes underpin our risk of hay fever, and whether this and other related allergic disease persists.

    For instance, babies with the skin condition eczema (known as atopic dermatitis) have a three times greater risk of developing hay fever (and asthma) later in life.

    Having a food allergy in childhood is also a risk factor for developing hay fever later in life. In the case of a peanut allergy, that risk is more than 2.5 times greater.

    What are the best options for treatment?

    Depending on where you live, avoiding allergen exposures can be difficult. But pollen count forecasts, if available, can be useful. These can help you decide whether it’s best to stay inside to reduce your pollen exposure, or to take preventative medications.

    You may also find alerts on thunderstorm asthma, where pollens combine with specific weather conditions to trigger breathing difficulties.

    If you have mild, occasional hay fever symptoms, you can take non-drowsy antihistamines, which you can buy at the pharmacy.

    However, for more severe or persistent symptoms, intranasal steroid sprays, or an intranasal spray containing a steroid with antihistamine, are the most effective treatments. However, it is important to use these regularly and correctly.

    Allergen immunotherapy, also known as desensitisation, is an effective treatment for people with severe hay fever symptoms that can reduce the need for medication and avoiding allergens.

    However, it involves a longer treatment course (about three years), usually with the supervision of an allergy or immunology specialist.

    When should people see their doctor?

    It is important to treat hay fever, because symptoms can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. A GP can:

    • recommend treatments for hay fever and can guide you to use them correctly

    • organise blood tests to confirm which allergen sensitisations (if any) are present, and whether these correlate with your symptoms

    • screen for asthma, which commonly exists with hay fever, and may require other treatments

    • arrange referrals to allergy or immunology specialists, if needed, for other tests, such as allergen skin prick testing, or to consider allergen immunotherapy if symptoms are severe.

    More information about hay fever is available from the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia.

    Janet Davies receives funding from the ARC, NHMRC, Department of Health and Ageing, and MRFF. She has conducted research on diagnostics in collaboration with Abionic SA, Switzerland, supported by the National Foundation for Medical Research Innovation with co-contribution from Abionic. Her research has been supported by in-kind services or materials from Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology (Queensland), Abacus Dx (Australia), Stallergenes (France), Stallergenes Greer (Australia), Swisens (Switzerland), Kenelec (Australia), and ThermoFisher (Sweden), as well as cash or in-kind contributions from Partner Organisations for the NHMRC AusPollen Partnership Project GNT1116107, Australasian Society Clinical Immunology Allergy, Asthma Australia; Stallergenes Australia; Bureau Meteorology, Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation, Federal Office of Climate and Meteorology Switzerland. QUT owns patents relevant to grass pollen allergy diagnosis (US PTO 14/311944 issued, AU2008/316301 issued) for which Janet Davies is an inventor. She is the Executive Lead, Repository and Discovery Pillar, and Co-Chair Respiratory Allergy Stream for the National Allergy Centre of Excellence.

    Unrelated to this article, Joy Lee has received funding from the Centre of Research Excellence in Treatable Traits in Asthma, Sanofi, Fondazione Menarini and GSK. This funding support was solely used for presenting at educational meetings in asthma and travel grants to attend international meetings and conferences in asthma and allergic diseases. She has been on advisory boards for Tezepelumab (Astra Zeneca). She is affiliated with the National Allergy Centre of Excellence as the co-chair of the Respiratory Allergy Leadership Group.

    – ref. Why do I have hay fever? I didn’t have it as a child – https://theconversation.com/why-do-i-have-hay-fever-i-didnt-have-it-as-a-child-239409

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: More than 20% of Earth’s plant species are found only on islands – and time is running out to save them

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Schrader, Lecturer in Plant Ecology, Macquarie University

    Shutterstock

    Islands have long intrigued explorers and scientists. These isolated environments serve as natural laboratories for understanding how species evolve and adapt.

    Islands are also centres of species diversity. It has long been speculated that islands support exceptionally high amounts of global biodiversity, but the true extent was unknown until now.

    In world-first research published in Nature today, my colleagues and I counted and mapped the diversity of plant life on Earth’s islands. We found 21% of the world’s total plant species are endemic to islands, meaning they occur nowhere else on the planet.

    These findings are important. Island plants are at higher risk of extinction than those on mainlands. Detailed knowledge of plants species, and where they grow, is essential for monitoring and conserving them.

    Mapping island floras worldwide

    The study involved an international team of scientists. We developed an unprecedented database of vegetation information from more than 3,400 geographical regions worldwide, including about 2,000 islands.

    The definition of an island is somewhat arbitrary. Conventionally, an island is a landmass entirely surrounded by water and smaller than a continent. This means Tasmania and New Guinea are islands, but mainland Australia – a continent in itself – is not. This is the definition we used.

    We found 94,052 plant species, or 31% of the world’s total, are native to islands. Of these, 63,280 plant species, or 21%, only occur on islands.

    Endemic species were concentrated on large tropical islands such as Madagascar, New Guinea and Borneo. On Madagascar alone, 9,318 plant species – 83% of its total flora – grow there and nowhere else.

    Fewer plant species overall were found at ocean archipelagos such as Hawaii, the Canary Islands and the Mascarenes (east of Madagascar, including La Reunion and Mauritius). But a large share of their species were still unique to these islands.

    Two palms are endemic to Australia’s Lord Howe Island – Howea forsteriana and H. belmoreana. They are one of the best-researched examples of “sympatric speciation”, or in other words, species that evolve from a common ancestor at the same location.

    This mode of evolution has long been hypothesised to exist. But examples are rare, and highly useful for evolutionary research.

    The Norfolk Island Pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is, of course, named after the tiny island where it is found. This species, while endangered in the wild, is now widely planted along Australia’s beaches where it is instantly recognisable to us.

    Islands are of great conservation concern

    Islands cover just 5.3% of the world’s land area, but contribute disproportionately to global biodiversity.

    Island plants are at much greater risk of extinction than species found in mainland areas, for reasons such as:

    • small population sizes
    • unique evolutionary traits that make them vulnerable to invasive species such as herbivores
    • specific habitat requirements
    • habitat degradation
    • threats from invasive plant and animal species
    • climate change.

    Some 57% of the island-endemic species we assessed are considered critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or near-threatened, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

    Alarmingly, 176 of plant species endemic to islands are already classified as extinct, accounting for 55% of all known extinct plant species globally. Among these is Hawaii’s vulcan palm (Brighamia insignis), which is now considered extinct in the wild. However, the species is popular as an ornamental plant and still survives in gardens.

    Hawaii’s vulcan palm is extinct in the wild, but is popular as an ornamental plant.
    Shutterstock

    Other species might be less lucky; extinction in the wild may mean being lost for ever.

    So, assessing the conservation status of island floras is important. Under a globally agreed United Nations target, 30% of the world’s land and oceans should be protected by 2030. We calculated how much of global islands is conserved today. Disappointingly, only 6% of endemic plant species occur on islands that meet this target.

    For instance, New Caledonia, Madagascar and New Guinea – known for their many endemic plant species – contain relatively low levels of protected areas.

    Assessing the conservation status of island floras is important.
    Shutterstock

    Protecting our island plants

    Urgent action is needed to protect island biodiversity. This includes expanding protected areas, prioritising regions with high numbers of endemic species, and implementing habitat restoration projects.

    Without such measures, the unique floral diversity of islands may continue to decline, with potentially severe consequences for global biodiversity.

    Much more research is needed to determined the best conservation strategies for all these plant species. Accurate data is vital to guide future conservation strategies and safeguard against further loss.

    Our study also serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for targeted plant conservation efforts on islands. Many species teeter on the brink of extinction, and time is running out to preserve this irreplaceable natural heritage.

    Julian Schrader 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. More than 20% of Earth’s plant species are found only on islands – and time is running out to save them – https://theconversation.com/more-than-20-of-earths-plant-species-are-found-only-on-islands-and-time-is-running-out-to-save-them-238433

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Ocean eddy currents funnel extreme heat and cold to the life-filled depths

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ming Feng, Senior Principal Research Scientist, CSIRO

    Letowa/Shutterstock

    On land, we’re familiar with heatwaves and cold snaps. But the deep sea also experiences prolonged periods of hot and cold.

    Marine heatwaves and cold spells can severely damage ocean ecosystems and habitats such as coral reefs. These extremes can also force species to move or die and cause sudden losses for fisheries.

    In research published today in Nature, we show almost half of the heatwaves and cold snaps reaching the ocean’s twilight zone – between 200 and 1,000 metres – are driven by large eddy currents, swirling currents which transport warm or cold water.

    As the oceans heat up, heatwaves linked to eddy currents are getting more intense – and so are cold snaps. These pose potential threats to the vast amount of life in the twilight zone, home to the world’s most abundant vertebrate and the largest migration on the planet.

    Monitoring the deep sea is hard

    About 90% of heat trapped by greenhouse gases has gone into the oceans. As a result, marine heatwaves are arriving more frequently – especially off Australia’s east coast, Tasmania, the northeast Pacific coast in the United States and in the North Atlantic.

    Researchers have long relied on satellite measurements of temperatures at the ocean surface to detect these extreme ocean temperature events. Surface temperatures are directly influenced by the atmosphere. But it’s different at depth.

    Satellites can’t measure temperatures under the surface, making the deep sea much harder to monitor.

    Instead, we have a handful of long-term moorings – measurement buoys suspended at depth – across the world’s oceans. These are hugely valuable, as they continuously record temperatures and make it possible to detect extremes temperature changes.

    In recent decades, there have been welcome advances in the form of Argo floats – robotic divers which dive 2,000 metres deep and resurface, sampling temperature and salinity as they go.

    Data from these two sources coupled with traditional measurements from vessels made our research possible.

    Heatwaves inside eddy currents

    The data gave us two million high quality temperature readings or “profiles” across the world’s oceans, spanning three decades. We used this rich data to uncover the role of eddy currents.

    Ocean eddies are huge loops of swirling current, sometimes hundreds of kilometres across and reaching down over 1,000 metres. They’re so large you can see them on satellite images.

    These powerful currents can push warm surface water down deeper or lift deep cold water up, causing rapid temperature changes. Eddies can travel a long distance before dissipating, carrying bodies of colder or warmer water with them.

    We discovered their role in triggering deep heatwaves and cold snaps by examining each temperature profile and cross-matching this with eddies present at the same time and location.

    This showed eddies played a major role in triggering marine heatwaves and cold spells in waters deeper than 100 metres – especially in the mid-latitude oceans north and south of the tropics.

    The East Australian Current takes warm water southward down the east coast, triggering many eddies. More than 70% of deeper marine heatwaves in this area actually took place inside ocean eddies.

    When eddies in this current spin anticlockwise, they tend to bring marine heatwaves, transporting warm water to the depths. But when they spin clockwise, they bring cold deep water up higher, bringing cold spells.

    We found deep extreme temperature events linked to eddies are seen more often in major ocean boundary currents, such as the East Australian and Kuroshio currents in the Pacific and the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic. Deep marine heatwaves also occur in the Leeuwin Current off Western Australia. The stronger the eddy currents, the more likely they are to trigger extreme temperatures deeper down.

    Eddy currents are the main driver for nearly half of all deep ocean heatwaves and cold spells. Other drivers include ocean temperature fronts from strong ocean currents and large-scale ocean waves.

    When eddy currents spin one way, they can send heat to the depths. When they spin another, they can bring cold water towards the surface.
    olrat/Shutterstock

    What does this mean for ocean life?

    Day in, day out, heat trapped by greenhouse gases makes its way to the oceans.

    You would expect marine heatwaves to increase, which they are. But cold snaps haven’t gone away. In fact, extremes of both heat and cold are getting more intense in the deeper ocean as the climate changes.

    Our research suggests eddy currents are acting to magnify the warming rates of marine heatwaves and the cooling rate of the cold spells. Warmer oceans overall are leading to stronger eddy currents, which in turn are able to trigger large temperature change over a greater vertical distance.

    Because we can detect ocean eddies with satellites, we can use this research to predict when deeper marine heatwaves and cold spells are likely. This will help find which ecosystems are likely to be hit by extreme heat or cold and assess what damage they do.

    The ocean layer these extremes affect is called the twilight zone – between 200 and 1,000 metres deep. These depths are home to many important fish species and plankton. In fact, this zone has more fish biomass than the rest of the ocean combined. One small fish, the bristlemouth, is likely the most abundant vertebrate on earth, potentially numbering in the quadrillions – thousands of trillions.

    The mesopelagic Twilight Zone is rich in life. Clockwise from top: mesopelagic jellyfish, viperfish, lanternfish, larvacean, copepod and squid.
    Wikimedia/Drazen et al, CC BY-NC-ND

    When night falls, vast numbers of fish, crustaceans and other creatures migrate towards the surface to feed in the largest animal migration on Earth. During the day, many open ocean fish head to the twilight to avoid sharks, whales and other surface predators.

    Heat and cold brought by eddies aren’t the only threat to the twilight zone. Marine heatwaves can lead to low oxygen levels in the water and reduced nutrients. We will need to find out what threat these combined changes pose to life in the twilight.

    Ming Feng receives funding from CSIRO, the Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS), Western Australia State Government, and Fisheries Research and Development Corporation

    – ref. Ocean eddy currents funnel extreme heat and cold to the life-filled depths – https://theconversation.com/ocean-eddy-currents-funnel-extreme-heat-and-cold-to-the-life-filled-depths-241363

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special Campaign 4.0 in full swing to minimize the pendency and institutionalizing Swachhata in the Ministry of Culture

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 16 OCT 2024 6:31PM by PIB Delhi

    During second week of Implementation Phase of Special Campaign 4.0, Ministry of Culture along with its Attached, Subordinate and Autonomous Organizations is enthusiastically participating in the Special Campaign 4.0 in full swing to minimize the pendency and institutionalizing Swachhata

    Ministry has freed approx. 19407 Sq. Ft. of area by disposing of scrap and generated revenue of Rs. 9,37,375. Besides 6334 physical files and 1630 e-files out of 12668 physical files & 3261 E-files, respectively have been reviewed.

    Best Initiatives: As part of best initiatives, some of the organizations under Ministry of Culture have undertaken the following initiatives: –

    1. The Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata has implemented the practice of using a waste composting machine to manage its organic waste efficiently. This eco-friendly initiative helps convert garden waste, such as leaves and plant trimmings, into compost. The compost is then used to fertilize the memorial’s lush gardens, promoting sustainable landscaping. The benefits include reduced waste sent to landfills, decreased carbon footprint, and the creation of nutrient-rich soil, contributing to greener surroundings while promoting environmental awareness among visitors.

     

     

    1. Preventive and Curative Conservation of the Rāmāyaṇaa manuscript in the Asiatic Society, Kolkata

     

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    BY/SKT

     

    (Release ID: 2065507) Visitor Counter : 26

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sherrill Takes Action to Reduce Grocery Prices in New Jersey

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    REDUCE FOOD PRICES ACT WOULD INCREASE COMPETITION AND LOWER COSTS FOR NJ FAMILIES AT THE GROCERY STORE

    MERCER COUNTY – Yesterday, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced the REDUCE Food Prices Act, which will expand competition in the supermarket and grocery industries and lower costs for New Jersey families. Standing alongside Mercer County Executive Dan Benson, Deputy County Administrator Taraun Tice McKnight, and Hamilton Mayor Jeff Martin at Compare Fresh in Trenton, Rep. Sherrill spoke about how her legislation – introduced with Rep. Jahana Hayes (CT-05) – would give tax incentives for small grocers to start businesses, hire workers, and increase competition in areas with high corporate consolidation. 

    “All across the Garden State, I’ve heard from families who have struggled to keep up with rising prices at the grocery store – making it harder to put food on the table and make ends meet. That’s why I’m taking action by introducing the REDUCE Food Prices Act, which will increase competition, expand tax credits for small grocery stores to open their doors, and drive down prices for families,” said Rep. Sherrill. “But we can’t stop there. I’m also working to crack down on price gouging and the deceptive practice of ‘shrinkflation’ – when a corporation reduces the size of a product without lowering their prices.”

    “Congresswoman Sherrill is right on the money with her legislation to expand independent grocery stores through tax credit incentives,” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “Growing up we got all our food from independent grocery stores, who were invested in our community. By providing tax credits through Congresswoman Sherrill’s legislation we can lower food prices for families in Mercer County.”

    “As we see here in Mercer County, when food costs increase, so do food insecurity rates. Consequently, families are left to choose between paying for food versus paying their rent or mortgage, or paying for food rather than paying childcare. When this happens, lives are disrupted. The REDUCE Food Prices Act introduced by Congresswoman Sherrill is a critical step towards relieving families of these stressors.” said Taraun Tice McKnight, Deputy County Administrator & Director, Department of Human Services, Mercer County.

    The REDUCE Food Prices Act has also been endorsed by a number of consumer advocacy organizations, including Consumer Federation of America, Consumer Action, and Public Citizen.

    “Monopoly power in the food retail sector has raised prices and reduced choices for consumers,” said Thomas Gremillion, Director of Food Policy at Consumer Federation of America. “By creating incentives for small businesses to compete in areas where the big retailers have cornered the market, the REDUCE Food Prices Act will help to level the playing field and build a more resilient, healthier food system that benefits not just consumers but also workers, farmers and ranchers, rural communities, and the environment.”

    Food prices have increased significantly for families since the COVID-19 pandemic, with grocery prices rising by over 25 percent from January 2020 to July 2024. Additionally, in 2024, the four largest food retailers account for more than 50 percent of national grocery store sales – a marked increase over the past two decades. That has resulted in higher prices for consumers. 

    One study found that increased food retail concentration at the local level is associated with large increases in food prices, while another found both that market concentration among food retailers is strongly linked to higher prices and that food price inflation declines when new businesses enter a concentrated market dominated by traditional supermarkets. 

    The REDUCE Food Prices Act would provide tax incentives for the establishment and operation of small food retail businesses in areas with high food retail concentration and low levels of competition. Specifically, it would create and expand tax incentives for small businesses in the food retail industry that operate in counties where the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index – a measure of industry consolidation by the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture – is at or above 1,400, indicating that there is moderate to high market concentration in that county’s retail food sector.

    For these businesses, the legislation increases the Rehabilitation Tax Credit for investments in the restoration and re-use of historic buildings, the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for the hiring and employment of certain workers, Bonus Depreciation for the purchase of certain investments in new or upgraded equipment or property, and the Qualified Business Income Deduction for certain businesses’ pass-through income. 

    Also for these businesses, the bill creates a New Food Retail Business Tax Credit equal to 15 percent of a small food retailer’s capital investment in its first three years of operation.

    Earlier this year, Rep. Sherrill signed onto the Shrinkflation Prevention Act – legislation that will prevent corporations from deceptively selling less of a product without lowering the price accordingly. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: New research shows most space rocks crashing into Earth come from a single source

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Trevor Ireland, Professor, School of the Environment, The University of Queensland

    Makarov Konstantin/Shutterstock

    The sight of a fireball streaking across the sky brings wonder and excitement to children and adults alike. It’s a reminder that Earth is part of a much larger and incredibly dynamic system.

    Each year, roughly 17,000 of these fireballs not only enter Earth’s atmosphere, but survive the perilous journey to the surface. This gives scientists a valuable chance to study these rocky visitors from outer space.

    Scientists know that while some of these these meteorites come from the Moon and Mars, the majority come from asteroids. But two separate studies published in Nature today have gone a step further. The research was led by Miroslav Brož from Charles University in the Czech Republic, and Michaël Marsset from the European Southern Observatory in Chile.

    The papers trace the origin of most meteorites to just a handful of asteroid breakup events – and possibly even individual asteroids. In turn, they build our understanding of the events that shaped the history of the Earth – and the entire solar system.

    What is a meteorite?

    Only when a fireball reaches Earth’s surface is it called a meteorite. They are commonly designated as three types: stony meteorites, iron meteorites, and stony-iron meteorites.

    Stony meteorites come in two types.

    The most common are the chondrites, which have round objects inside that appear to have formed as melt droplets. These comprise 85% of all meteorites found on Earth.

    Most are known as “ordinary chondrites”. They are then divided into three broad classes – H, L and LL – based on the iron content of the meteorites and the distribution of iron and magnesium in the major minerals olivine and pyroxene. These silicate minerals are the mineral building blocks of our solar system and are common on Earth, being present in basalt.

    “Carbonaceous chondrites” are a distinct group. They contain high amounts of water in clay minerals, and organic materials such as amino acids. Chondrites have never been melted and are direct samples of the dust that originally formed the solar system.

    The less common of the two types of stony meteorites are the so-called “achondrites”. These do not have the distinctive round particles of chondrites, because they experienced melting on planetary bodies.

    An iron-nickel meteorite found near Fort Stockton, Texas, in 1952.
    JPL/Smithsonian Institution

    The asteroid belt

    Asteroids are the primary sources of meteorites.

    Most asteroids reside in a dense belt between Mars and Jupiter. The asteroid belt itself consists of millions of asteroids swept around and marshalled by the gravitational force of Jupiter.

    The interactions with Jupiter can perturb asteroid orbits and cause collisions. This results in debris, which can aggregate into rubble pile asteroids. These then take on lives of their own.

    It is asteroids of this type which the recent Hayabusa and Osiris-REx missions visited and returned samples from. These missions established the connection between distinct asteroid types and the meteorites that fall to Earth.

    S-class asteroids (akin to stony meteorites) are found on the inner regions of the belt, while C-class carbonaceous asteroids (akin to carbonaceous chondrites) are more commonly found in the outer regions of the belt.

    But, as the two Nature studies show, we can relate a specific meteorite type to its specific source asteroid in the main belt.

    Artist’s graphic of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.
    NASA/McREL

    One family of asteroids

    The two new studies place the sources of ordinary chondrite types into specific asteroid families – and most likely specific asteroids. This work requires painstaking back-tracking of meteoroid trajectories, observations of individual asteroids, and detailed modelling of the orbital evolution of parent bodies.

    The study led by Miroslav Brož reports that ordinary chondrites originate from collisions between asteroids larger than 30 kilometres in diameter that occurred less than 30 million years ago.

    The Koronis and Massalia asteroid families provide appropriate body sizes and are in a position that leads to material falling to Earth, based on detailed computer modelling. Of these families, asteroids Koronis and Karin are likely the dominant sources of H chondrites. Massalia (L) and Flora (LL) families are by far the main sources of L- and LL-like meteorites.

    The study led by Michaël Marsset further documents the origin of L chondrite meteorites from Massalia.

    It compiled spectroscopic data – that is, characteristic light intensities which can be fingerprints of different molecules – of asteroids in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. This showed that the composition of L chondrite meteorites on Earth is very similar to that of the Massalia family of asteroids.

    The scientists then used computer modelling to show an asteroid collision that occurred roughly 470 million years ago formed the Massalia family. Serendipitously, this collision also resulted in abundant fossil meteorites in Ordovician limestones in Sweden.

    In determining the source asteroid body, these reports provide the foundations for missions to visit the asteroids responsible for the most common outerspace visitors to Earth. In understanding these source asteroids, we can view the events that shaped our planetary system.

    Trevor Ireland receives funding from the Australian Research Council for research into the samples returned by the Hayabusa and Osiris-REx missions. He is a past President of the Meteoritical Society, the international organisation responsible for classification and cataloguing meteorites.

    – ref. New research shows most space rocks crashing into Earth come from a single source – https://theconversation.com/new-research-shows-most-space-rocks-crashing-into-earth-come-from-a-single-source-241455

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –