NewzIntel.com

Category: Climate Change

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Activation of SWEP due to hot weather

    Source: City of Canterbury

    Our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated today (Thursday 19 June) as temperatures continue to rise.

    This will remain in place over the coming days and will be reviewed regularly.

    SWEP is a humanitarian response to provide support to rough sleepers in periods of severe weather conditions. There is no single definition of severe weather and as such we take a flexible approach when considering its implementation.

    In hot weather such as we have now, our SWEP response involves our rough sleeper team providing refillable water bottles, suncream, hats and safety advice to people on the streets.

    We have outreach teams working every day and will, of course, be speaking to anyone who needs support.

    However, if you are worried about the welfare of any individual, please ask them to contact us on 0808 196 8140 during working hours or our out of hours number 01227 781879.

    You can also report concerns to us directly using Streetlink.

    Published: 19 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University is the leader among Russian universities in THE Impact Rankings 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    The Times Higher Education (THE) rating agency has published the results of the international TНE University Impact Rankings 2025. It measures the contribution of universities to socio-economic development through the prism of 17 UN global goals. This year, the ranking included 2,526 universities from 130 countries, including 80 Russian ones. Polytechnic University demonstrated high results, taking first place among Russian universities and entering the group of 301-400 best universities in the world.

    THE Impact Rankings is an opportunity to assess the scale of achievements of such multidisciplinary universities as ours. Due to our polytechnic nature, we make a significant contribution to the development of a wide range of areas. I am proud of the social responsibility of polytechnics, their concern and desire for positive changes. Therefore, even focusing on technological leadership, Polytechnic does not lose sight of the importance of social and economic development of Russia and the world, – noted the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy.

    This year’s ranking showed a significant improvement in Polytechnic University’s positions on eight sustainable development goals. Particularly impressive is the progress in the area of “Partnerships for Sustainable Development Goals” (SDG17), where the university moved up 11 positions among Russian universities and 200 positions in the world ranking. Indicators for the goal “Preservation of Marine Ecosystems” (SDG14) also increased significantly: plus seven positions in Russia and plus one hundred in the world. Significant progress was noted for the goals “Climate Action” (SDG13) and “Good Health and Well-Being” (SDG3), where SPbPU moved up six and five positions, respectively, among Russian universities. Polytechnic University maintains its leading position in Russia for the goal “Responsible Production and Consumption” (SDG12).

    In addition to its significant impact on the economic development of the region and the country, Polytechnic University makes a significant social contribution. Our university provides access to quality education to more than 30 thousand Russian and foreign students, is a major employer, providing jobs for more than six thousand people, including people with disabilities. In addition, the university organizes many free socially significant events for the local community, and this is only part of our social activities. Evaluation of this kind of contribution is no less important, and this is the great value of such ratings, – commented Vice-Rector for Human Resources Policy Maria Vrublevskaya.

    The assessment is based on information provided by universities and confirmed by Elsevier bibliometric data. The analysis covers three important areas: research activities (development of science to solve global problems), management efficiency (resource management and educational activities) and social work (implementation of social programs within the university).

    You can find more detailed results follow the link.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: What makes some people self-censor while others speak out? Podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    Jo Panuwat D/Shutterstock

    Faced with the choice in their daily lives, their work or their politics, why do some people decide to keep quiet, to censor themselves in anticipatory obedience, even if they’re not ordered to do so?

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly, we talk to self-censorship expert Daniel Bar-Tal about what drives people to censor themselves, and its consequences for society.

    It was Daniel Bar-Tal’s experiences serving in the Israeli army that prompted him to begin studying self-censorship. “ I was observing all kind of phenomenon that are going on within a country that is engaged in intractable conflict,” he told us.
    Bar-Tal, an emeritus professor in the school of education at Tel Aviv University, began to notice that self-censorship was essential in societies, like Israel, living in conflict. He explains:

     There are all kind of directives which develop censorship, in the army, in school, teachers are told what they should do and say. But self-censorship is going beyond this. So it means that nobody tells you that you must say A or B or C, but you feel an obligation by yourself to say certain things without any order from above.

    Bar-Tal assembled a team of researchers from different disciplines to examine how self-censorship plays out across different sectors of a society, from politics to academia to journalism. They found three main motivations why people self-censor: as a defence mechanism for their in-group; out of fear; and to win rewards.

    Listen to Bar-Tal talk about his research into self-censorship on the latest episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, which includes an introduction from Beth Daley, executive editor at The Conversation U.S. about self-censorship currently happening in parts of American academia.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Katie Flood with assistance from Mend Mariwany. Gemma Ware is the executive producer. Mixing and sound design by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from NBC10 Boston.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript of this episode is available on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

    Daniel Bar-Tal 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. What makes some people self-censor while others speak out? Podcast – https://theconversation.com/what-makes-some-people-self-censor-while-others-speak-out-podcast-258882

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Carbon Markets Africa Summit: Unlocking Africa’s Carbon Wealth Through Integrity, Action and Investment — Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS) is a project of VUKA Group

    The award-winning VUKA Group (www.WeareVuka.com) has officially launched the Carbon Markets Africa Summit (CMAS), a purpose-driven, high-level continental gathering that will take place from 21 to 23 October 2025 in Johannesburg. Designed as Africa’s flagship platform for carbon finance, CMAS brings together policymakers, investors, standards bodies, developers and corporates to drive practical, inclusive climate action and unlock Africa’s carbon value at scale.

    Carbon markets are quickly becoming one of Africa’s most promising opportunities for climate finance and sustainable development. Yet the complexity of validation, verification, regulation and monetisation continues to challenge project developers, financiers and governments alike.

    “This isn’t mining or retail. The returns, timelines and requirements are different,” says Olivia Tuchten, Principal Climate Change Advisor at Promethium Carbon. “There’s money to be made and good to be done – but only if stakeholders upskill and understand the process.”

    CMAS is Africa’s response – a strategic event focused on building confidence, closing knowledge gaps and accelerating real transactions.

    Strategic Moment: Africa’s Carbon Future and the Global Agenda

    The timing of CMAS is particularly significant. With growing global momentum around carbon pricing and the operationalisation of Article 6, the outcomes of the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit in November are expected to influence the future architecture of global carbon markets.

    As the G20 debates issues like carbon border adjustment mechanisms and international credit standards, Africa must be ready to respond with a united, informed voice. CMAS provides a platform for African stakeholders to strategically align, share technical insights, and sharpen positions – not only for G20, but also in preparation for COP30, where climate finance and carbon market governance will again take centre stage.

    “We are in the right place and at the right time today to ensure that Africa benefits from carbon markets,” says Prof Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank.

    A Unique Value Proposition: What Sets CMAS Apart

    • Pan-African Focus with Global Reach: Prioritising African leadership while connecting to international buyers, standards and financiers.
    • Ministerial Roundtable (21 October): A closed-door session convening African environment, climate and finance ministers to align policy priorities and amplify Africa’s voice at COP30 and G20.
    • Deal-Making Platforms: Investor roundtables, project showcases, deep-dive workshops and curated networking designed to convert conversations into transactions.
    • Integrity & Compliance: Navigate voluntary and compliance carbon markets with rigor, exploring Article 6, regional frameworks and global best practice.
    • Project Visibility: Spotlight on investable, Africa-based carbon projects with real climate and community impact.
    • Pre-COP30 Momentum: CMAS will help unify African market positions and technical readiness in the lead-up to multilateral climate finance negotiations.

    Advisory Board: A Multi-Sectoral Powerhouse

    To ensure CMAS reflects Africa’s diverse needs and opportunities in carbon markets, an influential advisory board has been convened, including:

    • Andrew Gilder – Director, Climate Legal, South Africa
    • Andrew Ocama – Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, Uganda
    • Bianca Gichangi – Regional Lead – Africa, VCMI, Kenya
    • Brett Stacey – Director, Carbon Zero Verification, United Kingdom
    • Dr Olufunso Somorin – Regional Principal Officer, AfDB, Kenya
    • Heather McEwan – Regional Representative, Verra, South Africa
    • Javier Mazanares – CEO, Allen Manza, Panama
    • Lawrence Cole-Morgan – Carbon Credit Trading Lead, Standard Bank, South Africa
    • Mathis Granjon – Trader, Green Steps, Netherlands
    • Maxime Bayen – Operating Partner, Catalyst Fund, Spain
    • Olivia Tuchten – Promethium Carbon, South Africa
    • Reshma Shah – Lead, Carbon Markets, FSD Africa, Kenya
    • Bernardin Uzayisaba, Carbon Market Programme Specialist, UNDP, South Africa
    • Ibrahim Shelleng, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Government of Nigeria

    A Pathway to African Ownership

    “Africa is still not maximising its potential. We need to do things differently,” says Olufunso Somorin, AfDB. “One of the challenges is that there are many good project developers who have very good ideas, but they don’t have the resource to jumpstart their idea into an investable project.” Somorin continues: “The AfDB has created the African Carbon Support Facility, and we are hoping to start off with a $100 million capitalisation.” Among the goals are supporting countries towards market-creating policy shifts, and the bulk of the funds will provide resources to project developers and assist in validation costs. “The AfDB wants to increase the number of African-owned, African-based and African-led project developments on the ground,” he adds.

    According to Lawrence Cole-Morgan, Standard Bank, “the carbon markets provide Africa with the ability to monetise its significant carbon sequestration potential to fund socio-economic development and badly needed adaptation, while making a meaningful contribution to combatting climate change.” 

    Meanwhile, Andrew Ocama, Eastern Africa Alliance on Carbon Markets and Climate Finance, is of the opinion that “each country is at a different level of readiness to actively participate in the carbon markets. To the seven Alliance countries, these markets are an important avenue for finance owing to their accountability and the measurability of their outcomes.” 

    Event Details

    21 October – Pre-Summit Day

    • Carbon 101 seminar
    • High-impact dialogue by the Global Trust Project

    22–23 October – Main Summit

    • Plenaries
    • Ministerial Roundtable
    • Investor roundtables
    • Hands-on workshops
    • Sector-focused dialogues
    • Deal-making and networking

     

    Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

    Organised by VUKA Group

    With more than 20 years of experience delivering high-impact B2B events across Africa, VUKA Group is the independent, B-BBEE-compliant force behind platforms like Africa’s Green Economy Summit, Enlit Africa, Smarter Mobility Africa, and DRC Mining Week.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Vuka Group.

    Contact:
    Tailor-made partnerships
    Natalie Kruger
    +66 (0) 65 614 8605
    Natalie.kruger@wearevuka.com

    Portfolio Director – Green Economy
    Emmanuelle Nicholls
    +27 (0) 83 447 8410
    emmanuelle.nicholls@wearevuka.com

    Website: www.CarbonMarketsAfrica.com  

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New climate targets set

    Source: Scottish Government

    Carbon budgets to tackle climate change.

    Limits on the amount of greenhouse gases Scotland will emit over the coming decades have been announced as part of action to tackle climate change.

    The Carbon Budgets propose five-year, statutory limits on emissions from 2026 to 2045. The proposed budgets are in line with the advice from the independent Climate Change Committee (CCC) and the Scottish Government’s own assessments.

    The average level of emissions for Scotland over each five-year period are:

    • 57% lower than 1990 levels for 2026 – 2030
    • 69% lower than 1990 levels for 2031- 2035
    • 80% lower than 1990 levels for 2036 – 2040
    • 94% lower than 1990 levels for 2041 – 2045

    The proposals will be scrutinised by Parliament before being voted on in the autumn.

    Once the Carbon Budgets have been agreed, the Scottish Government will publish and consult on a new draft Climate Change Plan outlining the specific actions required to reduce emissions so as to meet each of the first three carbon budget targets, as well as setting out the associated costs and benefits.

    Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said:

    “Scotland is now halfway to our 2045 climate change target and is ahead of the UK as a whole in reducing long term emissions.

    “These Carbon Budgets will set clear limits on emissions for the coming decades in line with the independent advice of the UK Climate Change Committee.

    “When we publish our draft Climate Change Plan later this year, it will set out the policies needed to continue to reduce our emissions and meet our first three carbon budget targets.

    “It will not ask the impossible of people. We will not sacrifice people’s health or wealth.

    “While we welcome the UK CCC’s advice on how to stay within these limits, as they make clear, it is always for Scotland to decide whether those policies are right for us.

    “This means, for example, that we will chart our own path on forestry, going further than the CCC suggest. And, to ensure we protect rural communities and have a thriving rural economy, we will not adopt all their recommendations on agriculture and peatland and will instead meet our targets in a way which works for rural Scotland, including supporting and protecting our iconic livestock industries.  

    “These Carbon Budgets keep Scotland at the forefront of efforts to protect the planet and our Climate Change Plan will ensure the action we take is fair, ambitious and capable of rising to the emergency before us.”

    Background

    Carbon budgets provide a reliable and consistent framework to measure progress to net zero and are used by other countries including Japan, France, England and Wales. They are less prone to fluctuations than the Scottish Government’s previous approach of interim and annual targets, which could be affected by annual variations such as unseasonable weather or a global pandemic.

    Each carbon budget period will run from 1 January of the start year to 31 December of the final year.

    The budgets would continue to include emissions from international aviation and shipping, and there are no provisions to ‘carry over’ emissions from one carbon budget period to the next.

    Carbon budget breakdown totals:

    • 175  mega tonne 2026 – 2030
    • 126  mega tonne 2031- 2035
    • 81  mega tonne 2036 – 2040
    • 24  mega tonne 2040 – 2045

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ Lotto generosity turns into 161 completed cyclone recovery projects – Northland

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Northland are benefitting from $3.59 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief, two years later. 
     

    “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Northland, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now one year after grant applications closed, more than 161 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden. 
     

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.  
     

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”. 
     

    Northland projects that received funding include: 

    $6,000 to Surf Life Saving Baylys Beach Incorporated to purchase a generator to supply power for future adverse weather events 

    $20,000 to the Waimamaku Community Civil Defence Group for equipment and supplies to set up the community hall as an emergency assembly point  

    $19,800 to Oakura Beach Reserve Board in Ōakura for a shipping container to store seven generators to be used in emergencies 

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” 
     

    The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 
     

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ Lotto generosity turns into 178 completed cyclone recovery projects – Hawke’s Bay

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in Hawke’s Bay are benefitting from $4.77 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief. 

    “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on Hawke’s Bay, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, one year after grant applications closed, 178 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden. 

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.  

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”. 

    Hawke’s Bay projects that received funding include: 

    • $30,000 to Radio Kidnappers Charitable Trust to upgrade its AM transmission and expand emergency radio coverage across Hawke’s Bay 
    • $9,300 to the Ashley Clinton Fire Brigade (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) to purchase and install a generator and starlink 
    • $30,000 to Eskview and Districts Rugby Football Club to build an outside shelter facility for use as a hub in civil defence emergencies  
    • $20,000 to Waipuka Civil Defence to upgrade the emergency stations and communication hub, and expand shelter space 

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” 

    The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: $414,527 worth of lottery-funded cyclone recovery projects now complete in Waikato

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in the Waikato are benefitting from over $414,000 in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief. 
     

    “Cyclone Gabrielle had a significant impact on parts of the Waikato, causing destruction to property, blocked roads, and requiring coordinated relief efforts Now, one year after grant applications closed, 18 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden. 
     

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.  
     

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”. 
     

    Waikato projects that received funding include: 
     

    $29,500 to the Sunset Beach Surf Lifesaving Trust in Port Waikato for a new power generator to provide power supply to the community civil defence hub 

    $30,000 to the Oparau Hall Society Incorporated for repairs to the hall and equipment 

    $29,875 to the Port Project to restore and improve community walkways damaged by the cyclone 

    Sunset Beach Surf Lifesaving Trust had its first use of the generator in May 2025 when the Port had a major power outage.   Malcolm Beattie, president of the Sunset Beach Lifesaving Trust, says “it kicked in and the community had access to the Community Hub for full power immediately. Having this service immediately available for our community free of any charges was amazing.” 

     The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” says Ms van Velden. 
     

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ Lotto generosity turns into 121 completed cyclone recovery projects – Gisborne

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities in the Gisborne region are benefitting from $3.55 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief. 
     

    “Cyclone Gabrielle had a devasting impact on the East Coast, causing widespread destruction to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, one year after grant applications closed, 121 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden. 
     

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which accepted grant applications until May 2024 and distributed all funds by October 2024. Grants were given to community organisations in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua.  
     

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events”. 

    Gisborne projects that received funding include: 
     

    $49,916 to St John Gisborne Area to protect the ambulance station from flooding 

    $29,839 to the Pehiri Emergency Management Group for communications systems, emergency supplies, and equipment  

    $30,000 to the Ruatoria Volunteer Fire Brigade (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) to purchase and install additional water storage tanks to increase brigade water capacity and resilience for fire emergency response 

    $25,000 to the Tahunga Residents Association Incorporated for amenities and upgrades to the community hall so it can be used as an emergency hub 

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards better preparing impacted communities for future events.” 
     

    The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 
     

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal. The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Kiwis’ Lotto generosity turns into 71 completed cyclone recovery projects – Auckland

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says that communities across Auckland are benefitting from $1.8 million in grants from funds raised through a special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief.  

    “Cyclone Gabreille had a devasting impact on parts of Auckland, causing widespread damage to property and requiring significant relief efforts. Now, two years on, 71 community organisations have received funding to rebuild thanks to the generosity of Kiwis who bought tickets to the special Lotto draw for Cyclone Gabrielle relief,” says Ms van Velden.  

    Funds raised from the special Lotto draw were passed on to the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust, which were then distributed to the community in regions where a state of emergency was declared for Cyclone Gabrielle, which were Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and Tararua. 

    “As well as repairing and replacing community facilities that were damaged by the cyclone, the proceeds of the lottery draw went towards upgrading local emergency services organisations so they can be better prepared for any future severe weather events.” 

    Auckland projects that received funding include:  

    $20,000 to the Titirangi Volunteer Coastguard Incorporated to replace equipment damaged in the cyclone 

    $21,921 to Karekare Surf Life Saving Club for essential search and rescue equipment to support lifeguard operations during extreme weather events 

    $30,000 to South Kaipara Good Food for water tanks, generators, irrigation systems and other equipment to support food resilience   

    $24,733 to Bethells Beach Emergency Resilience Group for equipment and resources for emergency support  

    “Raising funds for important community projects is at the heart of what Lotto does. I’m pleased that the funds raised from this special Lotto draw went towards relief for Aucklanders doing it tough in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle.” 

    The special draw was a part of the overall cyclone recovery effort and complemented the work that government, charities, mayoral relief funds, corporate partners and local fundraisers did in raising money to help with the response and recovery in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle. 

    The Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal Trust was established by the Crown as an independent entity to distribute funds raised in the Cyclone Gabrielle Appeal.  

    The Trust allocated $14,511,916 in total across the regions affected to help recovery efforts, of which $11,770,000 came from the live Lotto NZ draw on 18 March 2023.  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s desertification control efforts embrace high-tech solutions

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    From employing biotechnological techniques to deploying a range of AI-powered automated machines, China has actively embraced innovations to replace strenuous manual labor in its efforts to build ecological barriers against desertification.

    Tuesday marked World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. Often described as the “cancer of the earth,” desertification is a global challenge affecting more than 100 countries and regions. China, one of the countries most severely impacted, has made significant strides in halting desert expansion through its decades-long afforestation campaign.

    This aerial drone file photo taken on Sept. 6, 2023 shows the border area between the Tengger Desert and a sand-controlling forest belt in Zhongwei, northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

    Winding through towering sand dunes along the edge of the Tengger Desert, China’s fourth-largest, the Lanzhou-Baotou Railway, built in 1958, has not only remained well-maintained and free from encroaching sand over the decades but has also helped transform the barren landscape. Its shelter belts have fostered the growth of biocrust, bringing new life to the once-desolate land.

    The green belt protecting this vital transport artery stands as a near-miracle in the arid landscape. Over the past 60 years, massive human efforts have been mobilized in Zhongwei City, in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, to create “straw checkerboard,” a dune stabilization technique where straw is laid out in a checkerboard pattern on the desert surface. These grids have provided a foundation for vegetation to take root and gradually transform the sand into green.

    Nicknamed the “Chinese Rubik’s Cube,” the technique is now widely adopted both across China and internationally to increase soil surface roughness, effectively reducing wind erosion in sandy areas.

    Workers build straw checkerboards in the Tengger Desert, in Zhongwei of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, May 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

    Within the checkerboards, the sand surface gradually forms a soil crust that helps prevent wind-driven movement. To speed up this process, Chinese researchers have developed lab-cultured cyanobacteria that accelerate the formation of biological soil crusts.

    “Under natural conditions, the formation of biological soil crusts takes 10 to 20 years. With the application of cyanobacteria, that process can be shortened to just one year,” said Zhao Yang, a researcher at the Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

    Zhao added that the technology has already been applied across more than 267 hectares in Ningxia, with plans to further expand its coverage in the coming years.

    By spraying cyanobacterial liquid onto the sand surface and combining it with the straw checkerboard technique, stable artificial biological soil crusts can form within 10 to 16 months. In treated areas, wind erosion has been reduced by over 95 percent, the survival rate of sand-fixing shrubs has increased by 10 to 15 percent, and the need for seedling replacement has dropped by nearly 40 percent, significantly cutting the overall cost of sand control, Zhao explained.

    Tang Ximing, chief engineer at the Zhongwei state-owned forestry farm, recalled that with summer ground temperatures as high as 70 degrees Celsius, survival rates of saplings planted in decades ago were just over 40 percent. But the planting efforts have never been baffled.

    Tang Ximing, a senior engineer at a state-owned forestry farm in Zhongwei, demonstrates an upgraded electric seedling planter invented by himself in northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, June 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Feng Kaihua)

    In 2023, Tang developed an electric drilling device that allows workers to plant saplings into a 50-centimeter-deep layer of moist sand within the checkerboards in under 10 seconds. Previously, even skilled forestry workers needed three to four minutes to dig a single tree pit manually.

    Technology is accelerating China’s desertification control efforts, which are shifting from labor-intensive planting methods to innovative strategies powered by advanced technologies and intelligent machine fleets.

    Ordos City in north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has introduced an integrated smart system that combines remote-controlled desertification monitoring with real-time data from satellite imagery, drone surveys, and ground sensors. This system enables precise tracking of dynamic indicators such as vegetation coverage and soil moisture levels of afforested areas.

    Meanwhile, in the green belt surrounding the Hunshandake Sandland — the nearest desert threat to Beijing — planting machines continuously shuttle back and forth, laying checkerboards and sowing grass seeds, making desert afforestation as efficient as plowing farmland.

    “Creating straw barriers and sowing grass seeds were once two separate manual steps in sand-fixing planting. Now, the new machine combines both processes,” said Wang Lei, director of the intelligent equipment research institute of the Inner Mongolia-based M-Grass Ecological Environment (Group) Co., Ltd.

    This photo taken on Nov. 4, 2024 shows a chamber for accelerated seed breeding at M-Grass Ecological Environment (Group) Co., Ltd. in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Bei He)

    He added that these intelligent devices outperform manual labor by more than 20 times in terms of work efficiency.

    China initiated the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program in 1978 to combat desertification across the northwest, north and northeast of the country. The world’s largest afforestation project is still undergoing.

    Currently, 53 percent of China’s treatable sandy land has been effectively managed through afforestation. The country is not only the first in the world to achieve “zero growth” in land degradation and a “double reduction” in desertified and sandy land areas, but has also transformed its role from a recipient of international desertification control aid to a key contributor to global ecological governance.

    Tang said the forestry farm receives many foreign visitors each year, eager to learn sand prevention and control techniques. He recently demonstrated how to create straw checkerboards and use his electric drilling tool to plant saplings for a group of guests from Mongolia.

    China has actively fulfilled its commitments under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification by establishing the International Knowledge Management Center on Combating Desertification in Ningxia in December 2019. The center aims to share China’s expertise and experience in desertification control with countries worldwide.

    During a visit to Mongolia, Tang saw that the country lacks seedling nurseries. However, it has leveraged its geographical proximity to China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region to support seedling cultivation.

    In 2024, Inner Mongolia exported a total of 2.8 million saplings to Mongolia, with exports expected to soar to 10 million this year for the green building in Mongolia.

    Zhang Tianliang, a seedling exporter based in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, noted that his company recently exported species such as larch, spruce and golden-leaf elm. These trees are highly adaptable to dry, poor soils and severe cold, making them well-suited for cultivation in Mongolia, Zhang explained. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Migrating bogong moths use the stars and Earth’s magnetic field to find ancestral summer caves each year

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Warrant, Professor of Zoology at the University of Lund, Visiting Fellow at the Australian National University, and Adjunct Professor, University of South Australia

    Vik Dunis/iNaturalist, CC BY-NC

    It’s a warm January summer afternoon, and as I traverse the flower-strewn western slopes of Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, I am on the lookout for a tell-tale river of boulders that winds its way down into the alpine valleys below.

    Here, hidden in cave-like hollows and crevices formed deep within the river of boulders, is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena in the insect world – the summer mass gathering of an iconic Australian insect, the bogong moth (Agrotis infusa).

    Tightly huddled together in their dim cool cavernous world, with each moth’s head pushed slightly under the wings of the moth just ahead, millions of bogong moths sleep out the summer, slumbering in a state of dormancy known as “aestivation”.

    Their little bodies coat the stone surfaces in an endless soft brown carpet, with 17,000 of them tiling each square metre of cave wall. It’s a sight that never fails to take my breath away.

    Bogong moths sleep through the summer heat clinging to the walls of caves in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.
    Eric Warrant

    Marathon migrations

    To get here, these moths have flown from all over southeast Australia through the spring, arriving from as far away as south-eastern Queensland and far-western Victoria. Converted to human body length, these journeys of roughly 1,000 kilometres would be equivalent to a person circumnavigating Earth twice.

    The moths’ marathon voyages to the Alps are likely undertaken to escape the lethal heat of the coming summer in their breeding areas. When the cool of autumn arrives, the moths leave the mountains to produce their own offspring and die.

    Every summer, bogong moths travel up to 1,000 kilometres to sleep through the heat in cool mountain caves.
    Eric Warrant

    But how on Earth do they know how to find these caves? How do they know the direction to travel and how do they know when they’ve arrived?

    These questions have fascinated me and the other members of my research group for many years. It turns out bogong moths possess a most extraordinary ability to navigate, harnessing Earth’s magnetic field and the stars as compasses to follow their inherited migratory direction.

    Moths, magnets and stars

    We made these remarkable discoveries in a specialised lab we built a few years ago near Adaminaby in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales.

    First we light-trapped bogong moths that were either migrating towards the Alps in spring or away again in autumn. We next placed them in a special flight arena inside the lab, and finely controlled Earth’s magnetic field (with magnetic coils around the arena) and the starry night sky (by projecting a highly realistic starry night sky on the roof of the arena).

    Because we already knew bogong moths have a magnetic sense, we used the coils to completely remove, or null, the magnetic field in the arena. This ensured any orientation using the stars was not confounded by the ability to detect Earth’s magnetic field.

    The orientation of the nighttime sky determines the moths’ direction of movement. When researchers showed moths random star patterns, they flew in random directions.
    Dreyer et al./Nature

    What we found next astounded us. Using only the local Australian starry night sky projected above them, bogong moths flying in our arena were able to discern and follow their inherited migratory direction – both in spring and in autumn.

    If we turned this projected sky by 180°, the moths turned and flew in exactly the opposite direction. If we then took all of the stars in this projected natural sky and randomly distributed them across the roof of the arena, the moths became completely confused and lost their ability to migrate in their inherited migratory direction.

    Navigators with tiny brains

    In the absence of all other possible cues, bogong moths clearly used the stars as a true compass to discern a geographic direction relative to north.

    This is the first invertebrate we so far know of that can do this. Only human beings and some species of night-migratory birds are known to have this ability.

    But in moths this ability is even more remarkable considering their brain is approximately one-tenth the volume of a grain of rice and their eyes only a couple of millimetres wide.

    A magnetic backup system

    We made a final discovery when we moved our flight arena up onto the hill behind the lab under the magnificent dome of the natural starry sky. As expected, the moths were beautifully oriented in their inherited migratory direction.

    But on one of these nights the sky was heavily overcast with cloud. To our great surprise, the moths remained oriented in their migratory direction, even though the stars were obscured.

    The only remaining cue that could have been used was Earth’s magnetic field, which showed very clearly that moths rely on two compasses – a magnetic compass and a stellar compass.

    But of course, two compasses will always be better than one – if one becomes corrupted or drops out, the other can take over. Nature’s perfect solution for robust navigation!

    Bogong moths under threat

    Despite its fantastic abilities, this tiny navigator is under threat. A result of anthropogenic climate change, the recent drought in Australia saw bogong moth numbers fall by a jaw-dropping 99.5%.

    Endless thousands of generations of bogong moths have slept through summer in a few specific caves dotted across these outcrops.
    Eric Warrant

    Endangered alpine marsupials that depend on the moth’s arrival in spring for food – such as the mountain pygmy possum – suffered heavily as a result.

    Droughts in southeast Australia are only predicted to worsen in both frequency and intensity. The future of the bogong moth, as well as the fragile alpine ecosystem that depends on it, does not look very bright.

    Eric Warrant receives funding from the Swedish Research Council, the European Research Council, the Wenner-Gren Foundation and the Carl Tryggers Foundation. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science, The German National Academy of Science Leopoldina, the Royal Danish Society of Sciences and Letters, the Royal Institute of Navigation and the Royal Physiographic Society.

    – ref. Migrating bogong moths use the stars and Earth’s magnetic field to find ancestral summer caves each year – https://theconversation.com/migrating-bogong-moths-use-the-stars-and-earths-magnetic-field-to-find-ancestral-summer-caves-each-year-259361

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 concludes with new commitments to accelerate global development impact

    Source: OPEC Fund

    18 June 2025 – Highlights:  

    – Announcement of over US$1 billion new financing: OPEC Fund signs US$362 million new loan agreements during the Forum and announces approval of US$720 million in new financing in the second Quarter
     – A Country Partnership Framework agreement with Rwanda earmarks US$300 million financing in the next three years 
    – At the high-level Mauritania roundtable hosted by the OPEC Fund, the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) announced a pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next 5 years to support Mauritania’s development priorities.
    June 18, 2025: The fourth OPEC Fund Development Forum concluded today with a strong slate of new commitments, loan agreements and strategic partnerships to advance inclusive transition and sustainable development. The Forum, which took place in Vienna, Austria brought together more than 600 global leaders, including government representatives, development institutions and private sector stakeholders, under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow”.
    The OPEC Fund announced some US$720 million in new financing to support development efforts across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and saw the signing of US$362 million in new loan agreements. A new Trade Finance Initiative is set to secure vital supplies and help close trade-related liquidity gaps in partner countries.
    OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund Development Forum reflects our conviction that partnerships must deliver results. Today we achieved tangible progress – with new signings, new partnerships and new approaches to help our partner countries turn ambition into action. Whether in energy, infrastructure, agriculture or finance, we are responding with solutions that make a difference.”
    As part of its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) initiative, the OPEC Fund signed cooperation agreements with Grenada, and the Solomon Islands, expanding support for climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
    Deepening Country Partnerships for Long-term Impact: New country-level agreements and cooperation frameworks include:  
    – A US$212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road), improving local and regional connectivity, as well as a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen cooperation over the next five years.
    – A US$25 million loan agreement with Cameroon to strengthen the Rice Value Chain Development Project, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening food security in vulnerable regions, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Kuwait Fund.
    – A CPF with Rwanda to allocate up to US$300 million in financing for 2025 – 2028, supporting the country’s development priorities, including quality infrastructure, improved essential basic services and the promotion of entrepreneurship and the private sector.
    – Other country partnership agreements included: Azerbaijan to support infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable development; Botswana to support infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as private sector export-led growth over the next three years; Grenada to build resilience through sustainable development initiatives; Kyrgyz Republic to increase cooperation in transport, water supply and sanitation, energy, agriculture and banking sectors; and Solomon Islands to expand engagement and increase cooperation including in the private sector.
    Scaling up Private Sector Support : The OPEC Fund continues to prioritize private sector-led growth with targeted financing to financial institutions across Africa:
    – In Côte d’Ivoire, a €30 million loan agreement with Coris Bank International Côte d’Ivoire and a €35 million loan agreement with NSIA Banque will facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
    – A US$40 million loan agreement with the East African Development Bank (EADB) will boost economic investments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, strengthening regional integration and inclusive growth.
    New Trade Finance Initiative: At the Forum the OPEC Fund also announced a new Trade Finance Initiative to boost trade resilience in partner countries by facilitating access to essential imports, closing liquidity gaps and strengthening resilience to external shocks in vulnerable economies.
    Advancing global cooperation: The Forum also featured new agreements to deepen multilateral cooperation:
    – A new cooperation agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will strengthen collaboration in infrastructure, energy and human development projects across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
    – The OPEC Fund and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) formalized a cooperation agreement to coordinate efforts on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems.
    – A cooperation agreement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) will support training programs to promote institutional transparency and anti-corruption capacity building in partner countries.
    Ahead of the Forum, the OPEC Fund hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Delegates participated in a high-level roundtable with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to strengthen development collaboration and mobilize investment flows to Mauritania. 
    The roundtable resulted in an ACG joint pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next five years. This will be directed to vital sectors, including energy, water, transportation and digital infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. A dedicated Arab Donors Roundtable on the Sahel addressed strategies to mobilize greater support for the region’s urgent challenges. It was organized by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CLISS) and sponsored by the OPEC Fund’s partner institution, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
    About the OPEC Fund
    The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: OPEC Fund Development Forum 2025 concludes with new commitments to accelerate global development impact

    Source: OPEC Fund

    18 June 2025 – Highlights:  

    – Announcement of over US$1 billion new financing: OPEC Fund signs US$362 million new loan agreements during the Forum and announces approval of US$720 million in new financing in the second Quarter
     – A Country Partnership Framework agreement with Rwanda earmarks US$300 million financing in the next three years 
    – At the high-level Mauritania roundtable hosted by the OPEC Fund, the Arab Coordination Group (ACG) announced a pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next 5 years to support Mauritania’s development priorities.
    June 18, 2025: The fourth OPEC Fund Development Forum concluded today with a strong slate of new commitments, loan agreements and strategic partnerships to advance inclusive transition and sustainable development. The Forum, which took place in Vienna, Austria brought together more than 600 global leaders, including government representatives, development institutions and private sector stakeholders, under the theme “A Transition That Empowers Our Tomorrow”.
    The OPEC Fund announced some US$720 million in new financing to support development efforts across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and saw the signing of US$362 million in new loan agreements. A new Trade Finance Initiative is set to secure vital supplies and help close trade-related liquidity gaps in partner countries.
    OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund Development Forum reflects our conviction that partnerships must deliver results. Today we achieved tangible progress – with new signings, new partnerships and new approaches to help our partner countries turn ambition into action. Whether in energy, infrastructure, agriculture or finance, we are responding with solutions that make a difference.”
    As part of its Small Island Developing States (SIDS) initiative, the OPEC Fund signed cooperation agreements with Grenada, and the Solomon Islands, expanding support for climate resilience and sustainable infrastructure.
    Deepening Country Partnerships for Long-term Impact: New country-level agreements and cooperation frameworks include:  
    – A US$212 million loan agreement with Oman to finance the Khasab-Daba-Lima Road Project (Sultan Faisal bin Turki Road), improving local and regional connectivity, as well as a Country Partnership Framework (CPF) to strengthen cooperation over the next five years.
    – A US$25 million loan agreement with Cameroon to strengthen the Rice Value Chain Development Project, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening food security in vulnerable regions, in collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and the Kuwait Fund.
    – A CPF with Rwanda to allocate up to US$300 million in financing for 2025 – 2028, supporting the country’s development priorities, including quality infrastructure, improved essential basic services and the promotion of entrepreneurship and the private sector.
    – Other country partnership agreements included: Azerbaijan to support infrastructure, energy transition and sustainable development; Botswana to support infrastructure, renewable energy, innovation and digital transformation, as well as private sector export-led growth over the next three years; Grenada to build resilience through sustainable development initiatives; Kyrgyz Republic to increase cooperation in transport, water supply and sanitation, energy, agriculture and banking sectors; and Solomon Islands to expand engagement and increase cooperation including in the private sector.
    Scaling up Private Sector Support : The OPEC Fund continues to prioritize private sector-led growth with targeted financing to financial institutions across Africa:
    – In Côte d’Ivoire, a €30 million loan agreement with Coris Bank International Côte d’Ivoire and a €35 million loan agreement with NSIA Banque will facilitate access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
    – A US$40 million loan agreement with the East African Development Bank (EADB) will boost economic investments across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, strengthening regional integration and inclusive growth.
    New Trade Finance Initiative: At the Forum the OPEC Fund also announced a new Trade Finance Initiative to boost trade resilience in partner countries by facilitating access to essential imports, closing liquidity gaps and strengthening resilience to external shocks in vulnerable economies.
    Advancing global cooperation: The Forum also featured new agreements to deepen multilateral cooperation:
    – A new cooperation agreement with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will strengthen collaboration in infrastructure, energy and human development projects across the Latin America and Caribbean region.
    – The OPEC Fund and the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS) formalized a cooperation agreement to coordinate efforts on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems.
    – A cooperation agreement with the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) will support training programs to promote institutional transparency and anti-corruption capacity building in partner countries.
    Ahead of the Forum, the OPEC Fund hosted the Annual Meeting of the Heads of Institutions of the Arab Coordination Group (ACG). Delegates participated in a high-level roundtable with the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani to strengthen development collaboration and mobilize investment flows to Mauritania. 
    The roundtable resulted in an ACG joint pledge of US$2 billion financing over the next five years. This will be directed to vital sectors, including energy, water, transportation and digital infrastructure to stimulate economic growth. A dedicated Arab Donors Roundtable on the Sahel addressed strategies to mobilize greater support for the region’s urgent challenges. It was organized by the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CLISS) and sponsored by the OPEC Fund’s partner institution, the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).
    About the OPEC Fund
    The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively. The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world. The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education. To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and S&P Global Ratings. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prepare for Extreme Heat and Severe Storms

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today directed State agencies to prepare for severe weather including thunderstorms and extreme heat starting on Thursday in the eastern part of the State. Wet weather will continue Friday and Saturday in parts of the State followed by a statewide period of high heat and humidity that could exceed feels-like temperatures over 100 degrees starting Sunday. Extreme heat could continue through next week. Governor Hochul also recently announced a suite of actions to help New Yorkers stay cool during extreme heat events this summer.

    “With severe storms and dangerous heat expected across the state, I’m urging all New Yorkers to take precautions — stay indoors when possible, vote early, stay hydrated, and check on your fellow New Yorkers,” Governor Hochul said. “My administration will be closely monitoring the weather over the next week, and I encourage all New Yorkers to stay weather aware, watch their local forecast, and follow all local guidance.”

    Thursday is expected to be the hottest day this year so far in the eastern parts of the State, and there is the threat of severe thunderstorms containing heavy rain, high wind gusts and large hail across much of the state. Temperatures are expected to peak Thursday afternoon and early evening for parts of New York City, as well as the Mid-Hudson and Capital Regions with “feels-like” temperatures in the high 90s. Potentially severe storms on Thursday for areas north and west of Albany could include up to one inch of rain, wind gusts up to 58 mph, and large hail.

    Friday will likely bring rain throughout most of the State on Friday with the heaviest storms expected in the North Country. Heavy rain, gusty winds and thunderstorms are expected again late Saturday, primarily in the North Country and Central New York regions.

    Heat and humidity are expected to begin on Saturday with feels like temperatures in the 90s on Saturday and approaching 100 on Sunday throughout much of the State. Above normal temperatures are expected to continue Monday and Tuesday and could remain high with feels-like temperatures as high as 105 degrees during the day and overnight lows between 70 – 85 degrees statewide through much of next week.

    Voters in New York City, Albany, Syracuse, and elsewhere can expect high temperatures on Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 24. To beat the heat, take advantage of early voting or request an early mail ballot in person at your local county board of elections office.

    Residents of New York City can find information on cooling centers and options here.

    Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services

    The Office of Emergency Management is in regular contact with county emergency managers to ensure cooling centers are available, and to offer support and advise on extreme heat risks. In addition, the agency is facilitating preparations and coordinating guidance and communications with State agency partners. Information on how to manage extreme heat can be found online. To receive real time weather and emergency alerts, New Yorkers are encouraged to text the name of their county or borough to 333111.

    New York State Department of Public Service

    DPS is tracking electric system conditions and overseeing utility response to any situations that may arise as a result of this week’s extreme heat and potential thunderstorm activity. DPS has been in direct contact with utility leaders to ensure they are preparing their systems for the extreme heat and will be tracking system conditions throughout the event. New York’s utilities have approximately 5,500 workers available, as necessary, to engage in damage assessment, response, repair, and restoration efforts across New York State, for this heat event. Agency staff will track utilities’ work throughout the event and ensure utilities shift appropriate staffing to regions that experience the greatest impact.

    During heat waves, increased usage of electric devices such as air conditioners place a considerable demand on the state’s electricity system and instances of low voltage or isolated power outages can result. The record for such usage was set on July 19, 2013, when it reached 33,956 MWs (one megawatt of electricity is enough to power up to 1,000 average-sized homes). The peak load forecast for today is 22,550 MW. Yesterday’s peak load was 19,028 MW. There are no operational problems on the transmission system and there is sufficient generation scheduled to meet today’s peak load.

    Department of Health

    The State Health Department is taking a number of steps to promote the safety of all New Yorkers in periods of extreme heat, especially those most at risk. The Department has distributed guidance to all hospitals and nursing homes and will issue additional guidance to hosts of any scheduled public events with over 5,000 people in attendance. The Department will engage community-based organizations and other funded providers in an attempt to increase access to cooling centers and safe spaces during this extreme heat. Resources can be found at the CDC’s extreme heat website and the State Health Department’s extreme heat advice webpage.

    Learn more about heat related illness, including signs and symptoms and when to take action on the State Department of Health website here.

    The New York State Department of Health’s interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard allows the public and county health care officials to determine the forecasted level of heat-related health risks in their area and raise awareness about the dangers of heat exposure.

    Information about what the public can do during hot weather and how to  locate cooling centers can be found on DOH’s Extreme Heat website.

    New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

    Many New York State Park beaches and pools are open for the season. Prior to making a trip, potential visitors should call ahead to the park they plan to visit or check https://parks.ny.gov/parks/ for park hours and operations. Changes in weather and water conditions may affect swimming status. Park status updates are also available on the free New York State Parks Explorer mobile app for iOS and Android devices.

    NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets

    The agency has compiled important information, including preventative measures, to help mitigate the effects of extreme heat on farm workers and farm animals. The Department will also be working closely with partners at The New York Extension Disaster Education Network (NY EDEN) at Cornell University to monitor any potential impacts of the extreme heat expected this week. NY EDEN is also a resource for farmers and farm workers during a heat wave, and additional information can be found at https://eden.cce.cornell.edu/natural-hazards/heat-wave/.

    Department of Environmental Conservation

    The Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Emergency Management staff, Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, and regional staff remain on alert and continue to monitor weather forecasts. Working with partner agencies, DEC is prepared to coordinate resource deployment of all available assets, including first responders, to targeted areas in preparation for potential impacts due to heavy rainfall and flooding.

    Unpredictable weather and storms in the Adirondacks, Catskills, and other backcountry areas can create unexpectedly hazardous conditions. Visitors should be prepared with proper clothing and equipment for rain, mud, and warmer temperatures to ensure a safe outdoor experience.

    Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid all high-elevation trails, as well as trails that cross rivers and streams. Hikers in the Adirondacks are encouraged to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information.

    Hiking Safety

    Hiking in the heat is always risky. New Yorkers and visitors should review the following tips to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

    • Slow your pace.
    • Drink water and rest often.
    • Seek shade and avoid long periods in direct sunlight.
    • Bring at least 2 liters of water for any hike.
    • Bring a water filter, especially for longer hikes.
    • Bring salty snacks to keep your electrolytes in check.
    • Wear sunscreen.
    • Leave your pets at home– the heat is harder on them, especially walking on hot rocks.
    • Consider staying home yourself and rescheduling for another day when weather conditions improve.

    Even if the weather is forecast to be high heat all day, there’s always a chance of hypothermia due to a sudden storm or drop in temperatures. This can increase dramatically if you’re sweating and not wearing sweat-wicking clothing (made of fabrics like wool or polyester). Many cases of hypothermia are in the summer when people least expect it.

    Whether you are hiking, mountain biking, or paddling, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. To request Forest Ranger assistance, call 1-833-NYS-RANGERS.

    Air Quality

    DEC is continuing to monitor air quality across the State and will issue air quality health advisories as necessary. New Yorkers are encouraged be “Air Quality Aware” and check airnow.gov for accurate information on air quality forecasts and conditions. To view the latest DEC air quality forecasts, visit the DEC website.

    Extreme Heat

    DEC recently released preliminary Urban Heat Island maps to help communities better understand, plan for, and adapt to extreme heat exposures on the neighborhood level. Links to the maps, as well as additional information and data, can be found on DEC’s Extreme Heat Action Plan webpage and posted at nys-heat.daveyinstitute.com/hottest-hour. The project advances a key action in the Extreme Heat Action Plan and advances a 2022 law signed by Governor Hochul directing DEC to study the impacts of disproportionate concentrations of extreme heat in disadvantaged communities across the state.

    The New York State Department of Labor has released comprehensive guidance to help employers better protect outdoor workers during extreme heat and advises workers and employers to engage in extreme heat best practices such as:

    • Ensure access to clean drinking water at no cost to workers, available at all times and as close to the worksite as possible.
    • Provide shade and paid rest when the heat index reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit or above, and more frequent rest breaks once the heat index exceeds 90 degrees.
    • Wear proper PPE so long as they do not interfere with safety equipment, including sunscreen, cooling vests, wide-brim hats, and lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

    More information on best practices for working in extreme heat can be found here.

    Thruway Authority maintenance crews will be conducting standard daily operations during times where temperatures are lowest and will enhance patrols monitoring the highway. Motorists are reminded and encouraged to take breaks at one of 26 service areas or three Welcome Centers located on the Thruway system.

    Department of Transportation maintenance crews will conduct most outdoor work during morning hours and follow established hydration and rest protocols to help mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures.

    Office of Children and Family Services

    The agency is taking a number of actions to ensure activities at residential centers, detention programs and congregate care programs are conducted in a safe manner during the heat. This includes checking cooling equipment, ensuring proper amounts of water are available and consumed, rescheduling activities and meetings, and identifying staff and clients who may be affected by heat. They are also providing guidance to child care programs and groups associated with the Commission for the Blind statewide.

    New York State Office of Mental Health

    In advance of the hot conditions, New Yorkers should be aware of the impact high heat may have on individuals receiving antipsychotic medications, who are at particular risk of heat stroke and neuroleptic malignant syndrome during periods of extreme heat, which is more likely in poorly ventilated areas. Children and the elderly are at increased risk.

    In addition to monitoring individuals at risk, such conditions are best prevented by a heightened attention to hydration, particularly those at high risk, including individuals taking antipsychotic medications, the elderly, children and those with poor fluid intake. Also, individuals at high-risk should remain in cooler areas; be monitored for temperature elevations; avoid direct exposure to sunlight and wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Anticholinergic medications may interfere with sweating and should be minimized.

    Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

    The agency is reminding local departments of social services and emergency homeless shelter operators of the need to provide fans to help maintain reasonable air circulation during times of extreme heat and humidity. Also, shelter providers should provide a cooling room in the facility for residents, if feasible.

    Metropolitan Transportation Authority

    To reduce potential impacts to service and reduce response times to heat-related events, NYC Transit will implement heat patrols to proactively increase track inspections and stage extra personnel in key risk areas including power substations, machine rooms, generators, cables, and connections. To ensure functioning air conditioning, subway railcars and buses will be inspected before being placed in service. Paratransit service providers are reminded vehicles must have functioning air-conditioning. Buses and operators will be on standby for any support needed with subways or emergency service. NYC Transit also completes a continuous welded rail watch when rail temperatures exceed 100 degrees to be vigilant of rail kinks or other issues.

    Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad crews will be staged at key locations to be able to respond quickly to weather-related issues. The railroads will monitor rail temperatures, deploy heat patrols to inspect the rails for any kinks, and stage additional Power Department personnel to protect power substations and overhead aerial lines. Train crews have been instructed to report any rail conditions that need attention.

    In response to Thursday’s severe storms which may include wind gusts of up to 50 mph, Bridges and Tunnels will be implementing a preemptive ban on empty tractor-trailer and tandem vehicles at all bridges. The ban will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, and is anticipated to be in effect until approximately 9:00 p.m.

    The Port Authority Office of Emergency Management coordinates with facility teams to monitor weather conditions and operational impacts and maintains communication with regional partners to support response readiness during periods of elevated temperatures.

    For a complete listing of weather watches, warnings, advisories and latest forecasts, visit the National Weather Service website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese authorities have issued an emergency response to floods in five provincial-level regions.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — China’s National Flood and Drought Control Headquarters on Wednesday issued a Level 4 flood emergency response in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Chongqing provinces as they braced for another round of heavy rains.

    According to the headquarters, three working groups were sent to key areas to provide assistance in flood control and rescue operations.

    Separately, China’s National Meteorological Center on Wednesday extended a yellow alert for heavy rainfall expected in parts of the country.

    According to forecasts, from 20:00 on June 18 to 20:00 on June 19, heavy rain and downpours are expected in some places in the provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the municipalities of Chongqing and Tianjin. In some areas, 100 to 180 millimeters of precipitation may fall.

    Local authorities are advised to step up screening and take risk mitigation measures in key areas, including areas at risk from flash floods and geological hazards, as well as low-lying urban and rural areas at risk of flooding. It is recommended to issue weather warnings in a timely manner and organize evacuations if necessary.

    China has a four-tier flood emergency response system, with Level 1 being the highest. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Sustainable Business – 17th Climate Change & Business Conference: Where Ambition Meets Action

    Source: Sustainable Business Council

    Aotearoa New Zealand’s premier Climate Change and Business Conference returns in 2025, bringing together global and local leaders to accelerate climate action and business innovation.
    The conference is taking place on 8-9 September at the Viaduct Events Centre in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. This year’s theme Ambition. Accountability. Action. promises to inspire and challenge business to take meaningful steps toward addressing the impacts of climate change.
    Chief Executive of the Sustainable Business Council (SBC), Mike Burrell, says this year’s conference theme is timely and critical, given the increasingly complex geopolitical environment businesses are navigating.
    “Forward thinking businesses recognise the focus on climate action must remain. The science has never been more urgent or clear – we must continue to pursue better business for a better world, and this year’s conference reflects the need for that ambition to now meet action.”
    The two day-event will offer a unique opportunity to learn from global and domestic leaders and changemakers across business, government, iwi, media and civil society, who are turning climate strategies into solutions and real-world impact.
    The 2025 international speaking line-up includes:
    – Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, MP: Vanuatu’s Minister for Climate Change Adaptation, Energy, Environment, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards and Disaster Management.
    – Prof. Elizabeth Robinson: Acting Dean of the London School of Economics’ Global School of Sustainability.
    – Lord Adair Turner: Chair of the Energy Transitions Commission (a global coalition of companies, NGOs and experts working to achieve a net zero economy by 2040).
    Environmental Defence Society (EDS) Chief Executive Gary Taylor says, “The conference brings together visionaries and leaders in the climate space at a time when serious engagement is needed more urgently than ever, given the profound changes taking place globally.”
    “This event is about having challenging conversations, tackling the gnarliest of climate issues facing our country, and driving real and meaningful change.”
    Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in more than 30 different plenary, workshops and breakout sessions, all designed to equip business leaders with the tools and insights needed to lead out on climate.
    Genesis CEO and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) Steering Group Convenor Malcolm Johns says, “As business leaders we are facing a variety of pressures and shifting geopolitical dynamics, but it is imperative that we stay the course, remain focused and maintain our momentum on climate action.”
    “This conference underscores the continuing role business has to play in this journey, and provides a critical platform for leaders to connect, innovate and lead the charge toward securing a resilient net-zero economy.”
    Delivered in partnership between the Environmental Defence Society (EDS), the Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC), the Climate Change and Business Conference is Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading and longest running climate and business event.
    More than 650 people attended the 2024 event in person and online.
    The 2025 event is supported by Foundation Sponsors Westpac NZ and Beca.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Appoints Doele as District Court Judge in the Fifth Judicial District

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced his appointment of Jason S. Doele of Norfolk as district court judge in the Fifth Judicial District. That district consists of Boone, Butler, Colfax, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk, Saunders, Seward, and York counties.

    Doele has been a partner in the law firm of Stratton, DeLay, Doele, Carlson, Stover & Stratton in Norfolk since Feb. 2010. Before that, He was with the firm of Jewell, Collins, DeLay, Gray and Flood, also in Norfolk.

    Doele is licensed to practice in both Nebraska and South Dakota. He has held a variety of positions with the Nebraska State Bar Association and served on a variety of committees. Doele is also a member of the Madison County Bar Association where he previously served as president. He is a board member of Faith Regional Health Services and the Lutheran Community Hospital Board. He continues to assist as a mock trial coach through the Nebraska State Bar Foundation.

     Doele attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law.

    The vacancy in the Fifth Judicial District was due to the appointment of Justice Jason M. Bergevin to the Nebraska Supreme Court.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Scott Urge EPA to Reinstate Funding for Cancelled Community Resilience Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner, Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the agency to reverse its decision to terminate two major Community Change Grants in Virginia. The cancelled grants – approximately $40 million – would have supported dozens of community projects aimed at strengthening flood resilience, reducing pollution, and improving energy efficiency in Hampton and across Southwest Virginia.

    The grants, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), were intended to support projects that increase resilience to major weather events, reduce pollution, and build community capacity.

    The City of Hampton received $20 million in federal funding to address severe flood risk in the Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood. That funding would have advanced 51 projects ranging from stormwater infrastructure upgrades and rain garden construction to stream restoration efforts and improved public health protections for an area where over 22 percent of properties fall within FEMA-designated flood zones.

    United Way of Southwest Virginia and the University of Virginia’s College at Wise also received nearly $20 million in federal funding to support flood resilient housing, the construction of a community center and flood shelter in Dickenson County, and energy efficiency upgrades at childcare centers in eight counties in Southwest Virginia. These investments would have delivered long-term savings, improved disaster readiness, and supported vulnerable Appalachian communities hit hard by extreme weather in recent years.

    In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “We are deeply concerned that the EPA no longer considers community resiliency, environmental conservation, and economic development to be administration funding priorities.”

    They continued, “EPA’s decision to terminate these grants will leave communities in Virginia less resilient, less prosperous, and more vulnerable to extreme weather-related disasters. We urge you to reinstate this critical funding for communities throughout Virginia.”

    Warner, Kaine, and Scott have long advocated for resiliency efforts in Virginia, championing legislation and funding to help communities strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather. The senators were strong supporters of the Inflation Reduction Act, which authorized the Community Change Grants program to help historically neglected and underserved communities address flooding, pollution, and climate vulnerabilities.

    The lawmakers have also continuously stood up against the Trump administration’s efforts to cancel necessary federal funding for Virginia’s communities. Most recently, Warner, Kaine, and Scott wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to reversethe cancellation of critical infrastructure funding for the Commonwealth. 

    Text of the letter is available here and below.

    Dear Administrator Zeldin:

    We write regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to terminate approximately $40 million in funding intended to prevent localized pollution and mitigate the effects of flooding in Hampton, Virginia, and to support economic development, enhance resilient infrastructure, and lower energy costs across seven counties in Southwest Virginia. We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact efforts to improve resiliency, environmental conservation, energy efficiency, and economic outcomes in communities across the Commonwealth.

    The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provided approximately $2 billion to EPA to establish the Community Change Grants Program. Congress intended this funding to be used to support projects that increase community resilience, reduce pollution, and build community capacity. In 2024, EPA selected 105 projects, including two projects in Virginia.

    The City of Hampton, Virginia, was awarded just over $20 million to address significant flood risk in the historic Aberdeen Gardens neighborhood. In a locality where 22 percent of properties are in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas, the city and their nonprofit partner, Wetlands Watch, planned to leverage federal funding to advance 51 projects to update stormwater infrastructure, initiate stream-restoration projects, and construct community rain gardens. These projects were intended to mitigate flood risk, lessen the financial burden of flooding on the neighborhood’s residents, and improve environmental and public health outcomes.

    The United Way of Southwest Virginia and the University of Virginia were awarded nearly $20 million to fund eight projects across the Virginia coalfields. Funding would have supported the construction of flood-resilient housing infrastructure in Buchanan County and a new community center and flood shelter in Dickenson County, two communities that have been devastated by flooding and extreme weather in recent years. Additionally, the grant would support energy efficiency upgrades at childcare facilities in eight counties, enabling thousands of dollars of energy cost savings to go towards childcare worker salaries.

    In terminating these grants, EPA wrote to awardees that, “the objectives of the award are no longer consistent with EPA funding priorities.” We are deeply concerned that the EPA no longer considers community resiliency, environmental conservation, and economic development to be administration funding priorities. EPA’s decision to terminate these grants will leave communities in Virginia less resilient, less prosperous, and more vulnerable to extreme weather-related disasters. We urge you to reinstate this critical funding for communities throughout Virginia. 

    Thank you for your attention to this letter. We look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Digital Information Platform Library

    Source: NASA

    Scientific papers, industry forum presentations, and videos covering the concepts used in the digital information platform are available to the public. For those interested in a deeper understanding of the technical workings of DIP, please refer to these resources.

    April 2025December 2024August 2024June 2024March 2024November 2023

    NASA Partners With Airlines to Save Fuel, Reduce Flight Delays
    NASA Flight Rerouting Tool Curbs Delays, Emissions
    NASA Cloud-Based Platform Could Help Streamline, Improve Air Traffic
    NASA Machine Learning Air Traffic Software Saves Fuel

    View the Technical Papers

    View all the Events

    Fuser Architecture Overview
    Video recordings of the presentations at the ATD-2 Industry Days

    2023 Jan 21 – AIAA LA LV NASA’s Digital Information Platform DIP to Accelerate NAS Transformation
    DIP Collaborative Digital Departure Reroute Overview

    Digital Information Platform

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Incinerators and persistent organic pollutants – E-001712/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Waste incineration is regulated by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)[1], which contains emission limit values and associated monitoring requirements for pollutants including heavy metals and its compounds and dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) . Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions[2] also impose more stringent rules to waste incinerators over a certain size.

    The Commission has already taken steps to address contamination from waste incineration through an ongoing discussion in the industrial emissions expert group on monitoring of biological markers around waste incinerators which started in 2022[3].

    In addition , Article 48 of the revised IED[4] has made monitoring of emissions to air from waste incinerators more stringent, as it will be required not only during normal operating conditions but also during other conditions, including PCDD/F and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

    Furthermore, in line with Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU and the reduction of contamination at source, the same article requires emissions of PCDD/F and PCBs to be prevented or minimised as far as possible.

    These substances are also included in Annex III to the regulation on Persistent Organic Pollutants[5], requiring Member States to identify, characterise and minimise releases, with the objective to eliminate them where feasible.

    The Commission will monitor the implementation of the provisions of Article 48 and will continue exchanges with experts from Member States, so as to take potential additional measures.

    The Commission recalls that the primary responsibility for correctly implementing EU law lies with the Member States.

    • [1] Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (recast), OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17-119.
    • [2] Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2010 of 12 November 2019 establishing the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for waste incineration, C/2019/7987, OJ L 312, 3.12.2019, p. 55-91.
    • [3] Meeting of the Industrial Emissions Expert Group held on 20 September 2022, https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/expert-groups-register/screen/meetings/consult?lang=en&meetingId=44437.
    • [4] Directive (EU) 2024/1785 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 amending Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) and Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, PE/87/2023/REV/1, OJ L, 2024/1785, 15.7.2024.
    • [5] Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on persistent organic pollutants (recast), PE/61/2019/REV/1, OJ L 169, 25.6.2019, p. 45-77.
    Last updated: 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sorensen Meets with NOAA Hurricane Hunters in Show of Support During Severe Weather Season

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) met with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters to show his support for their critical and lifesaving work during severe weather season. These brave men and women collect weather data on hurricanes that have the potential to hit the United States by flying missions directly into the eye of hurricanes.

    “NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters are an indispensable part of the agency’s forecasting operation, allowing us to track hurricanes heading toward the United States with accuracy and precision,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “The data we get back from the men and women flying these dangerous missions into the eye of hurricanes help us issue evacuations and warnings well in advance of severe weather. With storm systems getting both more frequent and severe, it is essential that we fully fund and staff all aspects of NOAA and the National Weather Service’s forecasting missions.”

    Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has been speaking out, introducing legislation, and calling on the Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Sorensen Meets with NOAA Hurricane Hunters in Show of Support During Severe Weather Season

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17)

    Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) met with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters to show his support for their critical and lifesaving work during severe weather season. These brave men and women collect weather data on hurricanes that have the potential to hit the United States by flying missions directly into the eye of hurricanes.

    “NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters are an indispensable part of the agency’s forecasting operation, allowing us to track hurricanes heading toward the United States with accuracy and precision,” said Congressman Eric Sorensen. “The data we get back from the men and women flying these dangerous missions into the eye of hurricanes help us issue evacuations and warnings well in advance of severe weather. With storm systems getting both more frequent and severe, it is essential that we fully fund and staff all aspects of NOAA and the National Weather Service’s forecasting missions.”

    Congressman Sorensen has been a fierce advocate for protecting and strengthening NOAA and the National Weather Service (NWS) from cuts. Starting last year, he has been warning about the impact of Project 2025’s plans to dismantle and privatize NOAA and the NWS. As the Department of Government Efficiency began making cuts to the agencies, Congressman Sorensen has been speaking out, introducing legislation, and calling on the Administration to bring a stop to the disastrous cuts.
     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: BHC Dhaka celebrate official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    BHC Dhaka celebrate official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III

    British High Commission in Dhaka celebrated the official birthday of His Majesty King Charles III on 18 June.

    The event paid tribute to His Majesty The King, the UK’s Head of State and the Head of the Commonwealth, who has been a global champion of climate action, sustainable development, the arts, healthcare and education for decades. 

    British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke welcomed guests to the celebration, which featured traditional British and Bangladeshi cuisine, music and a ceremonial toast to His Majesty and continued growth of the UK-Bangladesh relationship. 

    Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Honourable Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, attended the event as the Chief Guest. The event also brought together distinguished guests from the Interim Government of Bangladesh, the Diplomatic Corps, political parties and representatives from the fields of trade, business, academia, social development, arts, culture, media and sports. 

    British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke said: 

    It is my privilege to celebrate His Majesty’s official birthday with our friends, partners and sponsors in Bangladesh. We chose the theme of climate resilience and sustainable development for the event. These are issues which His Majesty has consistently championed, and which are a vital part of the UK/Bangladesh partnership. 

    This year’s celebration also reflects the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting Bangladesh on its path towards a democratic, inclusive and prosperous future.

    This year’s King’s Birthday Party celebrations were made possible by the gracious support of HSBC, Standard Chartered Bank, Unilever, Airbus, OxfordAQA, Menzies Aviation and Le Méridien. 

    Further information

    • the Official Birthday of His Majesty The King is celebrated by British High Commissions and Embassies around the world. This year, The King turns 77 on 14 November

    • His Majesty The King is Head of the Commonwealth, which is a family of 56 countries working together for prosperity, democracy and peace. Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth

    Updates to this page

    Published 18 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 18 June 2025 Donors making a difference: refugees and migrants

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Today, more than one billion people, about one in eight globally, are on the move, driven by war, conflict, disasters, environmental degradation or economic instability. Migration and displacement are powerful social determinants of health, shaping how and whether people can access the health conditions they need to survive and thrive.

    Climate change, recognized as a “threat multiplier”, worsens food insecurity, disrupts livelihoods, and fuels further displacement. Whether by choice or forced, being on the move is a part of human life, but for many, it brings disproportionate exposure to risk, inequality, and exclusion from basic health services.

    Refugees, migrants, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) frequently face unsafe journeys and precarious living conditions, often with limited access to clean water, adequate nutrition, sanitation, or shelter. Their susceptibility to communicable diseases is increased by the environmental risk factors related to their precarious living and working conditions. Many also face barriers to managing noncommunicable diseases, accessing maternal and newborn care, or receiving mental health support.

    Thanks to the support of donors and partners, WHO works with governments and communities to deliver inclusive, equitable, and context-sensitive health services to people on the move. This includes immunization, disease surveillance, chronic disease management, reproductive and mental health care, support for health system resilience, amongst other efforts.

    These contributions are grounded in the recognition that health is a human right, and that universal health coverage must be inclusive of all people, regardless of migratory status. The stories presented below show how rapid, compassionate action can protect lives and advance dignity, equity, and resilience, especially in times of crisis.

    Landmark cholera vaccination campaign offers hope to Rohingya refugee camps

    A young girl receives the OCV vaccine in one of the remote blocks of camp. Photo by: WHO/Mehnaz Manzur

    Cholera has been endemic in Bangladesh for decades, with seasonal peaks. It has remained a major health concern in the Rohingya refugee camps since 2017.

    In a major joint effort, the Government of Bangladesh, with support from WHO, UNHCR, and health sector partners, launched a landmark cholera vaccination campaign in the Rohingya refugee camps on 12 January 2025. This initiative focused on children aged one year and older, following a rise in cholera cases detected through WHO’s disease monitoring system in both the camps and nearby host communities.

    The five-day vaccination campaign aimed to reach 943 174 people across 33 camps and Bhasan Char Island. Over 1 700 community health workers, supervisors, and health sector partners visited 194 907 households to administer the single-dose Euvichol Plus vaccine.

    Read the full story.

    Delivering lifesaving health services for flood-displaced families in Nigeria

    Delivering lifesaving health services for flood-displaced families in Nigeria. Photo by: WHO/Nigeria

    Borno state, in northeastern Nigeria, was severely impacted by recent floods, in September 2024, which displaced over 400 000 people. Almost 90 000 people in vulnerable situations were forced to take shelter in temporary camps with limited access to food, clean water and health services.

    Displaced populations are at especially high risk from malnutrition, and diseases such as cholera, malaria and measles in a region where health systems are already fragile and strained.

    Recognizing urgent health need, WHO, with financial support from USAID and the Government of Germany, deployed five mobile health teams made up of 35 public health experts, to provide routine immunization, maternal care and clinical services. So far, 34 camps and over 93 000 households have been reached and informed about how to prevent epidemic-prone diseases and adopt healthy household practices.

    Read the full story.

    Bringing health care closer to displaced communities in Somalia

    WHO drought response activities in affected districts in Somalia. Photo by: WHO/Somalia

    Somalia experienced a severe drought in 2022-2023. Donors responded swiftly with increased funding to save lives by treating severe acute malnutrition and the prevention and management of disease outbreaks.

    This support enabled WHO to meet urgent health needs while also investing in the long-term capacity of local health services. For example, the Sinkadheer health centre in Al-Adalada camp, west of Mogadishu, provides a full range of services through the Integrated Health and Nutrition Programme. The centre helps ensure access to essential health care for families who might otherwise face financial or logistical barriers to treatment.

    Supported by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the German Federal Foreign Office, and other partners, the programme continues to improve health outcomes for Somali mothers and children, promoting dignity and resilience in the context of displacement. Each day, the centre serves around 200 patients, primarily from nearby internally displaced communities, offering primary health care, nutritional support, and services to prevent malnutrition.

    Read the full story.

    Bridging gaps in health and nutrition services for IDPs and crisis-affected communities in Ethiopia

    Bridging gaps in health and nutrition services for IDPs and crisis-affected communities in Amhara, Ethiopia. Photo by: WHO/Ethiopia

    Since November 2021, Ethiopia’s Amhara region has faced complex and protracted humanitarian crises driven by internal armed conflict, multiple disease outbreaks, and climate-related shocks- including drought and floods. The region also witnessed a growing influx of people fleeing conflict in neighbouring Sudan. Nearly a million internally displaced persons (IDPs) are living across 38 collective sites and host communities, alongside hundreds of thousands of refugees and returnees.

    To ensure access to essential health services for displaced and crisis-impacted populations, WHO, in collaboration with regional government authorities, deployed Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams. As displacements increased, the number of mobile teams was scaled up to 19 in April 2024, comprising 132 health workers. This increase was made possible through support from the European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), and the People and Government of Japan.

    These teams have provided over 124 250 medical consultations, including referrals for patients requiring specialized care. Services include primary health care, immunizations, maternal and child health support, nutritional care, mental health and psychosocial support, and first-line assistance for survivors of gender-based violence. They also address both communicable and noncommunicable diseases, helping ensure that health care is available and accessible to all.

    Read the full story.

    Health on the frontlines: caring for Haiti’s displaced population

    A mobile clinic organized at the Lycée Argentine Bellegarde IDP site. Photo by: WHO/PAHO

    Since February 2024, Haiti has faced an escalating security crisis from escalating gang violence, political instability, and a humanitarian emergency, placing further strain on the country’s already overstretched health system. This has significantly disrupted access to health care for millions in Haiti.

    The crisis has most severely affected people living in precarious conditions, including the approximately 86 000 individuals residing across 84 IDPs sites of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.

    To help maintain access to essential services, mobile clinics have been established by the Ouest Department’s health authorities with the support from PAHO/WHO and other partners such as UNCERF. Disease surveillance activities have also been reactivated, including for cholera, through the deployment of surveillance and response teams to each site- helping to detect and respond efficiently to potential outbreaks.

    Read the full story.

    Support for public health emergency preparedness and response in Niger

    WHO medicines and medical supplies donation in Diffa, Niger. Photo by: WHO/Niger

    In March 2024, WHO delivered 16 tons of medicines and medical supplies valued at nearly 100 million FCFA (US$ 170 000) to health facilities across eight regions of Niger, which host large numbers of IDPs, refugees, and returnees.

    This donation, funded through UNCERF and WHO’s own resources, include medical consumables and treatment kits for pneumonia, meningitis, malaria, diphtheria, cholera, and other common illnesses.

    “This donation comes at a crucial time when our health system in the Diffa region is under significant pressure. We will be able to strengthen access to quality health care and save the lives of the people of Diffa, who are already facing emergencies related to the growing number of IDPs, refugees and returnees,” said Colonel-Major Dr Garba Hakimi, Minister of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs.

    Read the full story (French).

    Lessons from Malta: advancing refugee and migrant health

    Valetta from waterfront. Photo by: WHO/Marc Gallego

    As an island located at the heart of the Mediterranean, Malta has long been a transitional stop for people on the move. Today, it is home to over 11 000 refugees and 2 000 asylum seekers, primarily from Bangladesh, Libya, Syria, Sudan and Ukraine.

    With co-funding from the European Union, WHO, in partnership with Malta’s Ministry for Health and Active Ageing, hosted the first Knowledge Forum on Refugee and Migrant Health in Malta in April 2024.

    The Forum brought together government officials, humanitarian organizations, civil society, United Nations agencies, and other stakeholders to share knowledge, exchange experiences, identify opportunities for collaboration, and advance the implementation of WHO’s European Region Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health 2023–2030.

    Read the full story.

    Acknowledgments

    The donors and partners acknowledged in this story are (in alphabetical order) European Commission Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), European Union, Germany, Japan, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

    Thank you also to UNHCR for its strong partnership in responding to the needs of refugees.

    WHO’s work is made possible through all contributions of our Member States and partners. WHO thanks all donor countries, governments, organizations and individuals who are contributing to the Organization’s work, with special appreciation for those who provide fully flexible contributions to maintain a strong, independent WHO.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada invests in flood mapping and adaptation projects

    Source: Government of Canada News

    On June 18, 2025, the Government of Canada announced an investment of $6.8 million in 20 projects across the country through the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP), which is funded under Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy.

    Environment and Climate Change Canada is investing $3.3 million in nine projects focused on advancing flood mapping science nationally and bringing together Canadian research institutions and departmental scientists. The projects will leverage the expertise of Canadian universities and researchers to advance the science used in the creation of current, accessible flood maps that can account for the uncertainty of climate change.

    (Please see below for Natural Resources Canada’s project descriptions.)

    Here are the project descriptions:

    Probabilistic predictions of hydrological extremes across timescales and their information—theoretical evaluation

    Recipient: University of British Columbia – $165,900

    This project will use machine learning to improve flood predictions for areas with and without water level monitoring stations. The project goal is to create models that predict the chances of floods for multiple locations in British Columbia and the Yukon, making these predictions more accurate and reliable for extreme events.

    Hydrologic-hydraulic modelling framework for improving dynamic ice-jam flood mapping under a changing climate

    Recipient: The Governors of the University of Alberta – $612,400

    Researchers will develop a system using surface water, river, and ice modelling to better understand stream flows during ice jams and breakup, specifically in areas where data is limited. This will improve ice-jam flood mapping while considering the effects of climate change.

    Developing a consolidated flood frequency analysis system for Canada in a changing climate

    Lead Recipient: University of Calgary – $770,200

    Consortium with University of Saskatchewan and McMaster University

    Researchers will use weather and water-related models, along with statistical methods, to understand how climate change affects surface water across Canada. The goal of this work is to better understand future flood risks, improve flood mapping methods and standards, and support better decision-making and policy development. This project will also make it easier for researchers and flood mapping professionals to share knowledge and information.

    Integrated framework for assessing compound coastal and inland flooding under climate change across Canada 

    Recipient: University of Western Ontario – $180,000

    The goal of this project is to better understand how different types of floods combine (like coastal and river floods) by studying different causes of flooding in a changing climate. The project will develop a system for analyzing data to look at the expected changes in how often and how intense coastal and inland floods will be. The impacts of these combined floods will be studied through the creation of models and maps.

    Climate change and hurricane impacts to Atlantic coasts

    Lead Recipient: Queen’s University – $350,800

    Consortium with Dalhousie University

    Researchers will develop computer models to predict flooding from extreme storms along Atlantic coastlines. The goal of this research is to improve floodplain mapping and to predict future coastal flood risks under changing environmental conditions.

    Assessment of emerging technologies to optimize ice-jam flood risk assessment and mapping

    Recipient: Université Laval – $232,200

    Researchers will use satellite and computer mapping techniques to better predict flood risks caused by ice jams along the Peace River and Athabasca River in Alberta, and the Chaudière River in Quebec. Researchers hope to assess a new method for measuring water levels with ice cover and develop a tool to help identify areas prone to ice jams. By increasing the understanding of winter water levels and ice conditions, the project aims to improve flood modelling and flood risk assessments.

    Estimation of intensity-duration-frequency curves for precipitation under current and future climatic conditions across the entire Canadian territory

    Recipient: Polytechnique Montréal – $272,900

    Researchers will use existing rainfall data, along with weather and climate data available from the Canadian Surface Reanalysis (CaSR) to develop new rainfall predictions that can be applied to any location in Canada. The results of this project will help with infrastructure design, stormwater management, and safety planning.

    Machine learning for enhanced hydrodynamic and flood-impact modelling in cold-region rivers

    Recipient: Polytechnique Montréal – $330,900

    Researchers will develop a new system that can quickly and accurately predict river flow in cold regions. The system will combine machine learning with surface water, river, and physics-based models. The goal of this project is to improve flood modelling and management, infrastructure planning, and environmental studies.

    Accounting for hydroclimate modelling uncertainty in the assessment of future flood zones

    Recipient: Ouranos – $365,400

    This project aims to improve the Province of Quebec’s ability to assess future flood risks in a changing climate. Multiple Environment and Climate Change Canada modelling tools will be added to the Government of Quebec’s flood mapping program. This research will create regional forecasts for all of Canada, model river flows in southern Quebec and add peak flow data into a tool to help engineers study future climate risks.

    Natural Resources Canada is investing $2.8 million in eight projects to develop and improve approaches to regional flood modelling. Natural Resources Canada is investing an additional $750,000 to support three projects focused on the exchange between Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and other scientific practices related to flood hazard mapping.

    From fine to regional scales: Using physics-informed artificial intelligence and remote sensing for flood modelling and hazard mapping

    Recipient: University of Saskatchewan – $181,700

    The project will create innovative methods to generate and produce flood hazard maps for the Assiniboine River Basin to help decision-makers better understand risk and uncertainty. Lastly, the recipient will design a user-friendly interface to view the maps.

    Deep learning-based resolution enhancement of flood maps

    Recipient: CE Flood Analytics Ltd. – $143,812

    The project will deliver a tool for local, regional, and national stakeholders to enhance the resolution of existing flood map products using machine learning and Natural Resources Canada’s high-resolution terrain model, the High-Resolution Digital Elevation Model (HRDEM). This tool will offer a low-cost solution to create high-resolution flood maps from global or regional models, making it accessible for non-expert stakeholders.

    Regional flood modelling and mapping in the South Nation River Basin: Using new and innovative tools to map floods and build knowledge of flood risk under different flood scenarios

    Recipient: South Nation River Conservation Authority – $430,355

    The project will compare innovative flood mapping techniques with traditional methods and assess flood risks under various climate scenarios. The results will support land-use planning and establish new flood mapping techniques, aiding both scientific research and practical decision-making in a rapidly growing region.

    Improved model-based techniques for estimating low-frequency flood event magnitudes across Canada

    Recipient: University of Waterloo – $595,000

    The project will develop advanced techniques for estimating the uncertain magnitude of low-frequency flood events (e.g., 50-year, 100-year, and 200-year floods) using hydrological models enhanced by machine learning. They will assess alternative data sources to improve predictions of flood magnitudes at a regional scale.

    Local-scale current and projected future total flood hazard mapping for Canada – literature review

    Recipient: Slobodan P. Simonović Consulting Ltd. – $45,453

    The recipient will review global methodologies for creating national-scale flood hazard maps to identify approaches suitable for implementation in Canada. This review will cover methods for mapping fluvial, pluvial, and coastal flood hazards at various scales under changing climate conditions. The project will explore the integration of AI and remote sensing to refine regional flood maps and will identify applicable and climate-focused methods and tools to support flood hazard assessment in Canada.

    State-of-the-art AI model development for reliable and accurate flood mapping under climate change: Supercharging flood mapping

    Recipient: The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/McGill University – $257,600

    The project will evaluate the use of transformer models for predicting water levels in Canadian watersheds that consider the uncertainty of climate change. They will deliver improved prediction models for approximately 300 locations (gauges) across Canada, making these tools accessible to researchers, decision-makers, and local communities. Expected results include detailed water level predictions for three climate scenarios.

    Amélioration de la modélisation régionale des inondations fluviales basée sur les données LiDAR dans différents contextes géomorphologiques au Canada (French only)

    Recipient: Concordia University – $773,741

    The project will result in a simplified methodology for flood zone mapping, including open access computer programs and an application guide. Expected results include flood maps, hydraulic models, and a final report for governments and other stakeholders to improve flood risk management and raise public awareness.

    Research investigation towards the compound flooding risks and the accuracy and uncertainty of island-wide flood mapping for Prince Edward Island

    Recipient: Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation, University of Prince Edward Island – $459,266

    This project will enhance island-wide pluvial flood modeling for Prince Edward Island, addressing critical challenges to support the provincial government in developing more robust flood hazard maps.

    Dene Nàhodhe (in tune with nature): Indigenous perspectives on flood hazard and response in Kluane First Nation (KFN) traditional territory

    Recipient: Kátł’odeeche First Nation – $250,000

    The recipient will create Kluane First Nation (KFN) flood hazard datasets that integrate Indigenous Knowledge and western science to improve flood data availability and understanding. The project will also develop culturally appropriate policy tools for flood mitigation and support knowledge transfer of Indigenous flood response strategies within the community, especially from Elders to Youth.

    Sqéwqel’s Indigenous Knowledge interweaving

    Recipient: Seabird Island Band – $250,000

    The project will enhance resilience and preparedness among Seabird Island Band and neighbouring communities against flood hazards by leveraging Indigenous Traditional Knowledge through the development of participatory tools, comprehensive traditional knowledge studies, and inclusive engagement processes.

    Harmonizing hydrology and heritage: Indigenous Knowledge-driven flood mapping for six First Nations

    Recipient: Tribal Chiefs Ventures Inc. (TCVI) – $250,000

    The recipient will create a robust, culturally informed flood hazard mapping system that integrates traditional Indigenous Knowledge with modern GIS and hydrological modelling techniques. The goal is to strengthen community resilience to flooding by improving preparedness, risk identification, and disaster management planning.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada is investing in flood mapping and adaptation projects

    Source: Government of Canada News

    June 18, 2025 – Gatineau, Quebec

    Canadians are experiencing record-breaking climate events—from wildfires and extreme heat waves to floods and extreme cold. Flood events are among the costliest impacts of climate change, causing significant damage to communities and infrastructure. It is now more important than ever to provide Canadians with high-quality data and insight as we adapt to the impacts of our changing climate.

    To that end, the Government of Canada today announced an investment of $6.8 million for 20 projects across the country through the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program, as part of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy.

    Environment and Climate Change Canada is investing $3.3 million in nine projects focused on advancing flood mapping science nationally and bringing together Canadian research institutions and departmental scientists. This science and research will gather the information needed to better understand the areas in Canada that are at the highest risk for damaging floods. Building this critical groundwork will result in more reliable tools for a resilient and thriving Canadian economy and for Canadians to protect themselves.

    Natural Resources Canada is investing $2.8 million in eight projects to develop and improve regional flood modelling approaches to advance flood hazard information coverage throughout Canada. Natural Resources Canada is investing an additional $750,000 to support three projects focused on the exchange between Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and other scientific practices related to flood hazard mapping. These projects will lead to a smarter, stronger, and more resilient future for Canadian-built infrastructure and communities.

    Each of the projects align with the National Adaptation Strategy’s framework to reduce the risk of climate-related disasters, improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and workers.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Small Business Initiative Helps Western North Carolina Businesses Rebuild Businesses

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: WATCH: Small Business Initiative Helps Western North Carolina Businesses Rebuild Businesses

    WATCH: Small Business Initiative Helps Western North Carolina Businesses Rebuild Businesses
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Last month Governor Josh Stein announced that the Western North Carolina Small Business Initaitve had distributed $55 million in funding from the Dogwood Health Trust, the Duke Endowment, and the State of North Carolina to 2,182 North Carolina small businesses. 

    Hear from some of the grants recipients below: 

    Pig and Grits Barbecue, Burnsville 

    “What it did for us here was it allowed us to buy some equipment, to take care of some of our employees that needed some help, and helped us rebuild our inventory and pay for some of the flooring and repairs and stuff that insurance didn’t cover completely.”

    “But as far as the community goes, everybody’s jumped in. Volunteers have come from all over, and we want to say thank you for that. We are open for business and would look forward to serving anyone.” 

    Henry River Farms, Morganton 

    “So we lost our seasonal crop, our strawberries … And then it also affected like our tourism side of things, our agritourism … And then we also lost field trips, which we rely on throughout the week for our fall season.”

    “So receiving the grant helped us with our operating cost and our repair cost for some of our infrastructure that was lost during the storm. The main crop that was affected was our strawberry crop, which covers about a third of our income for our farm. So just having access to funds to help us keep, you know going as we’re going to have this through the spring where we don’t have our normal income has been a huge help.”

    Carolina Native Nursery, Burnsville 

    “We had damage to over 100 greenhouses. Like anybody else would say, it’s like nothing we’ve ever experienced before. Without the Dogwood Grant, it would just take us that much more time to recover.”

    “It allowed us to keep people on payroll. At a height of our season, we have 20 people on payroll, so it aided with that and to achieve the size that we had, it’d taken us a lot. So this $50,000 really goes a long way to jump us forward, to get us back to where we’re going to be.”

    Governor Stein remains committed to western North Carolina’s recovery. The Governor continues to advocate to the Trump Administration and the U.S. Congress to send $19 billion to western North Carolina for disaster relief and to improve FEMA by reducing red tape and making disaster response efforts more efficient. Governor Stein’s second Hurricane Helene budget proposal also includes $891 million directed toward economic recovery, strengthening critical infrastructure, and getting western North Carolinians back into their homes. Governor Stein continues to encourage people from across the country to visit western North Carolina this summer and support small businesses 

    Jun 18, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: After celebrating State Parks Week, Newsom administration calls out federal assault on public lands

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 18, 2025

    What you need to know: After more than 170 events last week celebrating California’s state parks, Governor Newsom and his administration are calling out federal cuts to National Parks and public lands.

    SACRAMENTO – As the Trump administration threatens the future of federal public lands, California is celebrating its thriving state park system, the largest in the nation, and its commitment to expanding access to the outdoors. This comes after the state celebrated its fourth annual California State Parks Week with more than 170 events last week, highlighting the people, places and programs that make California’s 280 state parks truly unique.

    On Friday, the Newsom administration sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior warning of public safety risks and reduced access due to major cuts proposed to staff and programs that support National Parks and other federal public lands. In contrast, California is expanding access to the outdoors, investing in communities and laying the groundwork for further expansion.

    As the saying goes, national parks are America’s best idea – and putting them on the chopping block has to be one of the worst. As the Trump administration threatens our public lands, California continues to expand access to achieve our vision of outdoors for all.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    As outlined in the letter, the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to federal agencies like the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Indian Affairs threaten public lands, water supply, wildlife, and tribal sovereignty. These cuts would lead to reduced staff, services, public access, and increased risks such as wildfires and jeopardized public safety. 

    “While we support efforts to improve the efficiency of federal services, current and proposed cuts raise serious concerns regarding public safety, water supplies, public access, and outdoor recreation across California,” wrote California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “Additionally, these cuts impact the national economy as agriculture and outdoor recreation are critical and powerful economic engines for the country.”

    Outdoors For All

    Connecting people to nature is critical for our physical, mental, and social wellbeing. Outdoor spaces also help communities adapt to climate change, can be good for wildlife and biodiversity, and are reliably a powerful economic engine for the state. Unfortunately, outdoor access and its many benefits are not equitably distributed to all communities.

    Under the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a historic investment of more than $1 billion has been dedicated to expanding parks and nature access, including to Californians who live in underserved communities.

    From the otherworldly beauty of Joshua Tree, to the soul-stirring splendor of Yosemite, our parks are part of our national story. Their very existence reflects the best in us: a century-long, bipartisan tradition to preserve our iconic natural wonders for the next generation — and make them accessible to all.

    In California, we’re not only standing to protect these sacred spaces, we’re working to open them up to even more children, including through our California State Park Adventure Pass, which gives fourth graders in the state and their families free access to 54 California State Parks.

    First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom

    The administration’s Outdoor Access for All and California Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All initiatives have created innovative access programs for children and families to explore California’s state parks, mitigated impacts from climate change, and helped the economy.

    Here are some key accomplishments:

    • Free park passes: Three new state park pass programs were created for Californians to access participating park units for free. As of June 1, over the life of these programs more than 104,000 eligible Californians have received a Golden Bear Pass, 83,000-plus fourth graders have signed up for a California State Park Adventure Pass, and more than 33,000 free passes can be checked out at libraries throughout the state.
    • New state park: After more than a decade, California added a new park to the state park system. Located near Modesto in the San Joaquin Valley, Dos Rios is a multi-benefit park providing outdoor recreation opportunities for underserved communities, providing habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife, and advancing the state’s innovative efforts to combat the climate crisis using nature-based solutions. Nearly 10,000 people have visited Dos Rios since its official opening in June 2024, and the park has steadily increased public access to the approximately 1,600-acre property.
    • Cutting green tape: One year after the opening of Dos Rios, the Newsom administration continues to remove bureaucratic hurdles by cutting the green tape to lay the groundwork for potential future expansion of the state park system.  
    • Climate bond: In November 2024, a majority of voters across California approved a $10 billion Climate Bond to ensure resources are available to strengthen the resiliency of California communities to a changing climate. Specifically, the climate bond supports the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets, 30X30, and Outdoors for All. The administration is committed to rolling out these funds in a way that is strategic, coordinated, accessible, accountable, and prioritizes multi-benefit projects when possible.
    • Community investments: It is not just about state parks. State Parks has provided grants to local communities to establish indoor and outdoor recreation in every corner of the state, building trails, acquiring and restoring sensitive habitat, building natural and cultural interpretative facilities, and fostering outdoor natural experiences for thousands of children, youth, and families. This is just a small sampling of what community investments can accomplish.

    State Parks protects the best of the state’s natural and cultural history; more than 340 miles of coastline; the tallest, largest and among the oldest trees in the world; and deserts, lakes, rivers and beaches. There are more than 5,200 miles of trails, and 15,000 campsites, prehistoric and historic archeological sites, ghost towns, historic homes and monuments — all waiting to be explored.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jun 18, 2025

    News What you need to know: Two sites in San Francisco are the latest to be transformed under Governor Newsom’s executive order converting excess and underutilized state land into affordable housing.  SAN FRANCISCO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the…

    Jun 17, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom recently wrote an op-ed on the dangers of President Trump’s reach at authoritarianism, as well as the solution that lies within the power of each citizen to hold their electeds accountable to the Constitution they have sworn…

    Jun 17, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – El Gobernador Gavin Newsom escribió recientemente un artículo de opinión sobre los peligros del autoritarismo del Presidente Trump, así como la solución que reside en el poder de cada ciudadano de exigir a sus elegidos que rindan cuentas…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: About 70,000 people have been evacuated in Huaiji County in southern China due to flooding caused by heavy rains.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    GUANGZHOU, June 18 (Xinhua) — As of Wednesday afternoon, continuous heavy rains had affected about 300,000 residents in Huaiji County, Zhaoqing City, south China’s Guangdong Province, including about 70,000 people who had been evacuated to safer areas, local authorities said.

    Heavy rains caused by Typhoon Wutip, the first typhoon of the year, along with the influence of a trough and the monsoon season, have hit the region since June 14. By 7:05 a.m. on Wednesday, the water level at the Huaiji hydrological station had reached 55.22 meters, exceeding the danger mark by 5.22 meters.

    The natural disaster affected 19 volosts and villages in the county, where dams, roads and arable lands were damaged. A total of 15 people were injured, but none of them are in life-threatening condition.

    Currently, more than 10 thousand rescuers and over 500 units of emergency rescue equipment have been mobilized.

    At 7 p.m. Tuesday, Huaiji’s flood emergency response was raised to Level 1, the highest level. Schools, work, manufacturing, transportation and business activities were suspended across the county. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –