NewzIntel.com

Category: CTF

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji govt offers NZ$1.5m settlement to former anti-corruption head for ruined career

    By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior reporter

    The Fiji government looks set to pay around NZ$1.5 million in damages to the disgraced former head of the country’s anti-corruption agency FICAC.

    The state is offering Barbara Malimali an out-of-court settlement after her lawyer lodged a judicial review of her sacking in the High Court in Suva.

    Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suspended Malimali from her role on May 29, following a damning Commission of Inquiry into her appointment.

    Malimali was described as “universally corrupt” by Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the commissioner of the nine-week investigation, which involved 35 witnesses.

    “She was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government, who wanted any allegations against them or other government members thrown out,” Ashton-Lewis told RNZ Pacific Waves earlier this month.

    Tanya Waqanika, who acts for Malimali, told RNZ Pacific that her client was seeking a “substantial” payout for damages and unpaid dues.

    Waqanika met lawyers from the Attorney-General’s Office in the capital, Suva, on Tuesday after earlier negotiations failed.

    Expected to hear in writing
    She declined to say exactly what was discussed, but said she expected to hear back in writing from the other party the same day.

    A High Court judge has given the government until 3pm on Friday to reach a settlement, otherwise he will rule on the application on Monday.

    “We’ll see what they come up with, that’s the beauty of negotiations, but NZ$1.5 million would be a good amount to play with after your career has been ruined,” Waqanika said.

    “[Malimali’s] career spans over 27 years, but it is now down the drain thanks to Ashton-Lewis and the damage the inquiry report has done.”

    She said Malimali also wanted a public apology, as she was being defamed every day in social media.

    “I don’t expect we’ll get one out of Ashton-Lewis,” she said.

    Adjournment sought
    During a hearing in the High Court on Monday, lawyers for the state sought an adjournment to discuss a settlement with Waqanika.

    However, she opposed this, saying that the government’s legal team had vast resources and they should have been prepared for the hearing.

    Malimali filed a case against President Naiqama Lalabalavu, Rabuka and the Attorney-General on June 13 on the grounds that her suspension was unconstitutional.

    Waqanika said the President suspended her on the advice of the Prime Minister instead of consulting the Judicial Services Commission.

    Government lawyers approached Waqanika offering a compensation deal the same day she lodged a judicial review in the High Court.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji govt offers NZ$1.5m settlement to former anti-corruption head for ruined career

    By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior reporter

    The Fiji government looks set to pay around NZ$1.5 million in damages to the disgraced former head of the country’s anti-corruption agency FICAC.

    The state is offering Barbara Malimali an out-of-court settlement after her lawyer lodged a judicial review of her sacking in the High Court in Suva.

    Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suspended Malimali from her role on May 29, following a damning Commission of Inquiry into her appointment.

    Malimali was described as “universally corrupt” by Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the commissioner of the nine-week investigation, which involved 35 witnesses.

    “She was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government, who wanted any allegations against them or other government members thrown out,” Ashton-Lewis told RNZ Pacific Waves earlier this month.

    Tanya Waqanika, who acts for Malimali, told RNZ Pacific that her client was seeking a “substantial” payout for damages and unpaid dues.

    Waqanika met lawyers from the Attorney-General’s Office in the capital, Suva, on Tuesday after earlier negotiations failed.

    Expected to hear in writing
    She declined to say exactly what was discussed, but said she expected to hear back in writing from the other party the same day.

    A High Court judge has given the government until 3pm on Friday to reach a settlement, otherwise he will rule on the application on Monday.

    “We’ll see what they come up with, that’s the beauty of negotiations, but NZ$1.5 million would be a good amount to play with after your career has been ruined,” Waqanika said.

    “[Malimali’s] career spans over 27 years, but it is now down the drain thanks to Ashton-Lewis and the damage the inquiry report has done.”

    She said Malimali also wanted a public apology, as she was being defamed every day in social media.

    “I don’t expect we’ll get one out of Ashton-Lewis,” she said.

    Adjournment sought
    During a hearing in the High Court on Monday, lawyers for the state sought an adjournment to discuss a settlement with Waqanika.

    However, she opposed this, saying that the government’s legal team had vast resources and they should have been prepared for the hearing.

    Malimali filed a case against President Naiqama Lalabalavu, Rabuka and the Attorney-General on June 13 on the grounds that her suspension was unconstitutional.

    Waqanika said the President suspended her on the advice of the Prime Minister instead of consulting the Judicial Services Commission.

    Government lawyers approached Waqanika offering a compensation deal the same day she lodged a judicial review in the High Court.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji govt offers NZ$1.5m settlement to former anti-corruption head for ruined career

    By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior reporter

    The Fiji government looks set to pay around NZ$1.5 million in damages to the disgraced former head of the country’s anti-corruption agency FICAC.

    The state is offering Barbara Malimali an out-of-court settlement after her lawyer lodged a judicial review of her sacking in the High Court in Suva.

    Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suspended Malimali from her role on May 29, following a damning Commission of Inquiry into her appointment.

    Malimali was described as “universally corrupt” by Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the commissioner of the nine-week investigation, which involved 35 witnesses.

    “She was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government, who wanted any allegations against them or other government members thrown out,” Ashton-Lewis told RNZ Pacific Waves earlier this month.

    Tanya Waqanika, who acts for Malimali, told RNZ Pacific that her client was seeking a “substantial” payout for damages and unpaid dues.

    Waqanika met lawyers from the Attorney-General’s Office in the capital, Suva, on Tuesday after earlier negotiations failed.

    Expected to hear in writing
    She declined to say exactly what was discussed, but said she expected to hear back in writing from the other party the same day.

    A High Court judge has given the government until 3pm on Friday to reach a settlement, otherwise he will rule on the application on Monday.

    “We’ll see what they come up with, that’s the beauty of negotiations, but NZ$1.5 million would be a good amount to play with after your career has been ruined,” Waqanika said.

    “[Malimali’s] career spans over 27 years, but it is now down the drain thanks to Ashton-Lewis and the damage the inquiry report has done.”

    She said Malimali also wanted a public apology, as she was being defamed every day in social media.

    “I don’t expect we’ll get one out of Ashton-Lewis,” she said.

    Adjournment sought
    During a hearing in the High Court on Monday, lawyers for the state sought an adjournment to discuss a settlement with Waqanika.

    However, she opposed this, saying that the government’s legal team had vast resources and they should have been prepared for the hearing.

    Malimali filed a case against President Naiqama Lalabalavu, Rabuka and the Attorney-General on June 13 on the grounds that her suspension was unconstitutional.

    Waqanika said the President suspended her on the advice of the Prime Minister instead of consulting the Judicial Services Commission.

    Government lawyers approached Waqanika offering a compensation deal the same day she lodged a judicial review in the High Court.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Fiji govt offers NZ$1.5m settlement to former anti-corruption head for ruined career

    By Margot Staunton, RNZ Pacific senior reporter

    The Fiji government looks set to pay around NZ$1.5 million in damages to the disgraced former head of the country’s anti-corruption agency FICAC.

    The state is offering Barbara Malimali an out-of-court settlement after her lawyer lodged a judicial review of her sacking in the High Court in Suva.

    Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka suspended Malimali from her role on May 29, following a damning Commission of Inquiry into her appointment.

    Malimali was described as “universally corrupt” by Justice David Ashton-Lewis, the commissioner of the nine-week investigation, which involved 35 witnesses.

    “She was a pawn in the hands of devious members of government, who wanted any allegations against them or other government members thrown out,” Ashton-Lewis told RNZ Pacific Waves earlier this month.

    Tanya Waqanika, who acts for Malimali, told RNZ Pacific that her client was seeking a “substantial” payout for damages and unpaid dues.

    Waqanika met lawyers from the Attorney-General’s Office in the capital, Suva, on Tuesday after earlier negotiations failed.

    Expected to hear in writing
    She declined to say exactly what was discussed, but said she expected to hear back in writing from the other party the same day.

    A High Court judge has given the government until 3pm on Friday to reach a settlement, otherwise he will rule on the application on Monday.

    “We’ll see what they come up with, that’s the beauty of negotiations, but NZ$1.5 million would be a good amount to play with after your career has been ruined,” Waqanika said.

    “[Malimali’s] career spans over 27 years, but it is now down the drain thanks to Ashton-Lewis and the damage the inquiry report has done.”

    She said Malimali also wanted a public apology, as she was being defamed every day in social media.

    “I don’t expect we’ll get one out of Ashton-Lewis,” she said.

    Adjournment sought
    During a hearing in the High Court on Monday, lawyers for the state sought an adjournment to discuss a settlement with Waqanika.

    However, she opposed this, saying that the government’s legal team had vast resources and they should have been prepared for the hearing.

    Malimali filed a case against President Naiqama Lalabalavu, Rabuka and the Attorney-General on June 13 on the grounds that her suspension was unconstitutional.

    Waqanika said the President suspended her on the advice of the Prime Minister instead of consulting the Judicial Services Commission.

    Government lawyers approached Waqanika offering a compensation deal the same day she lodged a judicial review in the High Court.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minimising the risks children and young people face online

    Source: European Union 2

    Children and young people face many risks online. To minimise these, the Commission has presented guidelines to ensure high levels of privacy, safety and security on online platforms. It has also put forward a prototype of an age-verification app that prioritises protecting people’s privacy.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Lightning strikes kill 21 in India

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    NEW DELHI, July 15 (Xinhua) — At least 21 people were killed and many others injured by lightning strikes in India’s eastern states of Jharkhand and Bihar in the past 48 hours, officials said on Tuesday.

    Most of the victims were reported to be working in their fields when the lightning struck. Jharkhand reported 12 deaths, while neighbouring Bihar reported nine.

    “At least 12 people have been killed and seven others seriously injured due to lightning strikes in various parts of Jharkhand in the last 48 hours,” the official said.

    “At least nine people have been killed and several injured in lightning strikes in Bihar,” state broadcaster All India Radio reported. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Murqub District youth: “Transitional periods must come to an end”

    Source: APO


    .

    Twenty-two young men and women from Murqub District and the surrounding area joined UNSMIL officials in an online consultation Monday to share their thoughts on the Advisory Committee’s proposals to take Libya to elections and unify state institutions.  

    “The transitional phases have resulted in a loss of trust from the public in the institutions,” said one participant. “All options have pros and cons, but the national dialogue must be linked to the electoral track,” they added. 

    Participants were briefed on the four options put forward by the Advisory Committee in May. As outlined in the  Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s report,  the options include:    

    1. Holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, then adopt a constitution;    

    2. Holding parliamentary elections followed by adopting a permanent constitution, followed by presidential elections;    

    3. Adopting a permanent constitution before national elections; or    

    4. Dissolving existing institutions and forming a new dialogue forum that appoints an executive and selects a 60-member constituent assembly to adopt a temporary constitution and electoral laws for national elections.  

    Many of the participants favoured option four; however, others discussed the importance of holding presidential elections and stressed the need for a constitution. Others said Libya already had one dialogue forum and a referendum would be needed to launch a second. 

    “The government must be elected by the people,” said one participant, noting that some of the current leaders have been in power seven years. “Transitional governments must end.” 

    Many participants raised their frustration with those who have acted as spoilers in the past to prevent elections. They highlighted that this would likely happen again and that the UN Security Council needed to be more robust with sanctions to prevent this. 

    “Option four with amendments is the best option,” said another participant, adding that there needed to be strict conditions such as timeframes and limited tasks. 

    A youth council member from Al Khums highlighted the need for transitional justice, reparations and fact finding, saying that very little has been achieved on national reconciliation. Without this, they said, the country would be unable to move forward. 

    “Preventing hate speech and educating the public to build a political culture should be something that UNSMIL focuses on in partnership with the media,” said another participant, with others agreeing that hate speech has a damaging effect on society and political discussion. 

    All participants were encouraged to complete UNSMIL’s poll requesting formal feedback from the public on the political process to ensure that their voices were heard. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: A Message From the United States Attorney to the Residents of Ruidoso, New Mexico: Combating Disaster-Related Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    ALBUQUERQUE – The recent flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, has brought devastating loss and hardship to our community. Lives have been lost, homes and businesses have been destroyed, and many families are facing an uncertain future. In the midst of this tragedy, we have witnessed countless acts of generosity and resilience as neighbors, volunteers, and organizations step forward to help those in need.

    Unfortunately, history teaches us that disasters like this also attract individuals seeking to exploit the situation for personal gain. Fraudulent activity undermines recovery efforts and diverts critical resources away from genuine victims.

    Past disasters have shown that fraud can take many forms, including:

    • Individuals not affected by the flooding who attempt to claim disaster benefits.
    • The creation of fraudulent charities or the diversion of donations intended for legitimate relief organizations.
    • Fraudulent applications for rebuilding grants and loans, such as those offered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

    Our office has zero tolerance for those who seek to steal from disaster victims or misuse funds meant for recovery. We have established a Disaster Fraud Working Group, which includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, HUD, SBA, Postal Inspectors, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Marshals Service. This group is actively reviewing potential cases and will work closely with the New Mexico Department of Justice, local and tribal law enforcement, and community partners to ensure that fraudsters are brought to justice.

    Anyone considering disaster-related fraud should be aware that federal law—specifically, 18 United States Code, Section 1040—provides for penalties of up to 30 years in federal prison.

    We urge the public to remain vigilant. If you observe suspicious activity or suspect fraud, please report it immediately. The National Disaster Fraud Hotline is available toll-free at (866) 720-5721, or you may email disaster@leo.gov. The hotline operates 24/7.

    Together, we can protect our community and ensure that help reaches those who truly need it.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United Kingdom Citizen Extradited to Face Charges in $99 Million Wine Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, James Wellesley was arraigned following his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK), where he was arrested in 2022.  In 2022, Wellesley, along with his co-defendant Stephen Burton, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company he and Burton operated.  Wellesley was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy. Burton was extradited from Morocco in 2023 and is currently pending trial.  Wellesley was ordered detained pending trial. 

    Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York) announced Burton’s arraignment. 

    “Today’s arraignment sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud schemes that my Office will work tirelessly to ensure they answer for crimes committed in the United States,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for victims of fraud.”

    “James Wellesley and his business partner allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme defrauding investors out of millions of dollars to finance their own personal expenses. Their alleged deceit spread across years and continents,” stated FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “Today’s arraignment signals to all criminals that the FBI will practice the same resolve in bringing perpetrators to justice.” 

    “James Wellesley and his co-conspirator are accused of masterminding their nearly $100 million international fraud scheme that exploited the unsuspecting public, including New Yorkers, for their own selfish enrichment. As alleged, the defendants claimed Bordeaux Cellars boasted a high-value wine stockpile and a clientele of ‘high-net-worth wine collectors’ – and in turn profited handsomely – all while they swindled investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel.  “Let it be known, regardless of the nature of the transnational criminal scheme, HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to adapt and evolve to fight global and domestic financial crimes wherever and whenever possible.”

    The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February of 2019, the defendants posed as executives Bordeaux Cellars.  The defendants solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the United States and overseas.  The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine.  The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding.  As alleged, these representations were lies, the “high-net-worth wine collectors” did not actually exist, and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans.  Instead, the defendants used incoming loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors and for their own personal expenses, resulting in $99 million dollars’ worth of misdirected funds. 

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. 

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing Wellesley’s arrest and extradition from the UK.  This Office thanks UK authorities for their assistance in this matter.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Weintraub is in charge of the prosecution. 

    The Defendants:

    STEPHEN BURTON
    Age: 58
    United Kingdom

    JAMES WELLESLEY
    Age: 56
    United Kingdom

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-79 (PKC)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United Kingdom Citizen Extradited to Face Charges in $99 Million Wine Fraud

    Source: US FBI

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, James Wellesley was arraigned following his extradition from the United Kingdom (UK), where he was arrested in 2022.  In 2022, Wellesley, along with his co-defendant Stephen Burton, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a scheme perpetrated through Bordeaux Cellars, a company he and Burton operated.  Wellesley was arraigned today before United States Magistrate Judge Robert M. Levy. Burton was extradited from Morocco in 2023 and is currently pending trial.  Wellesley was ordered detained pending trial. 

    Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York) announced Burton’s arraignment. 

    “Today’s arraignment sends a message to all perpetrators of global fraud schemes that my Office will work tirelessly to ensure they answer for crimes committed in the United States,” stated United States Attorney Nocella.  “We will not rest in our efforts to seek justice for victims of fraud.”

    “James Wellesley and his business partner allegedly concocted an elaborate scheme defrauding investors out of millions of dollars to finance their own personal expenses. Their alleged deceit spread across years and continents,” stated FBI New York Assistant Director in Charge Raia.  “Today’s arraignment signals to all criminals that the FBI will practice the same resolve in bringing perpetrators to justice.” 

    “James Wellesley and his co-conspirator are accused of masterminding their nearly $100 million international fraud scheme that exploited the unsuspecting public, including New Yorkers, for their own selfish enrichment. As alleged, the defendants claimed Bordeaux Cellars boasted a high-value wine stockpile and a clientele of ‘high-net-worth wine collectors’ – and in turn profited handsomely – all while they swindled investors out of hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel.  “Let it be known, regardless of the nature of the transnational criminal scheme, HSI New York, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to adapt and evolve to fight global and domestic financial crimes wherever and whenever possible.”

    The indictment alleges that from at least June 2017 and continuing through February of 2019, the defendants posed as executives Bordeaux Cellars.  The defendants solicited investors, including residents of the Eastern District of New York, at, among other places, investor conferences held in the United States and overseas.  The defendants claimed to investors that Bordeaux Cellars brokered loans between investors and high-net-worth wine collectors that would be fully collateralized by high-value collections of wine.  The defendants promised that investors would receive regular interest payments from the borrowers, and that Bordeaux Cellars would keep custody of the wine, securing the loans while the loans were outstanding.  As alleged, these representations were lies, the “high-net-worth wine collectors” did not actually exist, and Bordeaux Cellars did not maintain custody of the wine purportedly securing the loans.  Instead, the defendants used incoming loan proceeds to make fraudulent interest payments to investors and for their own personal expenses, resulting in $99 million dollars’ worth of misdirected funds. 

    The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in prison. 

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs (OIA) provided significant assistance in securing Wellesley’s arrest and extradition from the UK.  This Office thanks UK authorities for their assistance in this matter.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Weintraub is in charge of the prosecution. 

    The Defendants:

    STEPHEN BURTON
    Age: 58
    United Kingdom

    JAMES WELLESLEY
    Age: 56
    United Kingdom

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-79 (PKC)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl-Laced Drugs That Resulted in Three Fatalities

    Source: US FBI

    CLEVELAND – Jarad Paster, 32, of Berea, Ohio, has been sentenced to 175 months (14.5 years) in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Patricia A. Gaughan after he pleaded guilty to dealing drugs that caused the fatalities of three people in one day. He was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after imprisonment. Judge Gaughan imposed the sentence July 8.

    Paster was charged in a superseding indictment in June 2024 with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of controlled substances that resulted in death. The charges also included enhanced penalties for causing death resulting from the use of controlled substances. He pleaded guilty in December 2024.

    According to court documents, from April 1-15, 2023, the defendant along with co-conspirator, Matthew Jarrell, 44, of Lakewood, Ohio, knowingly conspired to sell illegal drugs, in particular cocaine and fentanyl which are Schedule II controlled substances, and para-fluorofentanyl, a Schedule I controlled substance.

    On April 15, 2023, three individuals ingested and overdosed on a controlled substance, namely cocaine and fentanyl. Investigators found that these deaths occurred as a result of drugs the victims received from Paster and Jarrell.

    On Jan. 30, 2025, Jarrell was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty in July 2024 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and distribution of controlled substances that resulted in death.

    This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Cleveland District Office, the FBI Cleveland Task Force in partnership with the Cleveland Division of Police, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. 

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Crook.

    According to the DEA, fentanyl is extremely lethal even in small amounts. To learn more about the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” awareness campaign, visit dea.gov/onepill.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Leader of International Drug Gang Sentenced for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine While Incarcerated

    Source: US FBI

    BOSTON – An influential leader of a large-scale international gang based in Southern Arizona was sentenced today in federal court in Boston for attempting to facilitate the trafficking of narcotics into Massachusetts via inmate phone calls while serving four concurrent life sentences.

    Noel Haro, 50, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 188 months in prison, to be served concurrent to the life sentences he is currently serving at the Massachusetts Department of Correction. The court also imposed five years of supervised release. On March 11, 2025, Haro pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 40 grams or more of fentanyl; two counts of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; aiding and abetting; and one count of distribution of and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl; aiding and abetting. He was indicted in April 2023 along with his brother Marcos Haro.

    “Even behind bars, Noel Haro continued to direct the operations of an international drug trafficking network and peddle poison into our communities. This level of audacity is precisely why we remain vigilant and aggressive in dismantling drug trafficking networks at every level,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Our office and our agency partners will not allow prison cells to serve as command centers for criminal activity. We will pursue every lead, intercept every coded message, and hold every conspirator accountable.”

    “While locked up for life, Noel Haro thought he had nothing more to lose so he used his ‘Get out of Jail Free’ card to solicit help in trafficking deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine across the country, but today’s lengthy prison sentence shows he could not have been more wrong,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “This case should make it crystal clear to anyone who thinks they can flagrantly violate the law and manage a drug trafficking organization while behind bars. It’s only a matter of time before you will get caught.”

    “The DOC remains steadfast in advancing the policies, safety measures, and technology that support our ability to detect and deter illegal activity,” said Shawn Jenkins, Commissioner of the Department of Correction. “This case underscores our commitment to rooting out criminal activity within our facilities and holding accountable those who attempt to undermine the safety and integrity of our institutions. I’m grateful to the DOC staff for their dedication and vigilance and commend our state and federal law enforcement partners for their invaluable support.”  

    Noel Haro is a member and influential leader of the “Border Brothers” gang – a large-scale international gang known to be heavily involved in drug, weapon and human trafficking in Southern Arizona with a presence in Nogales, Mexico and the Arizona prison system. Noel Haro is currently serving a life sentence at a Massachusetts Department of Correction facility in connection with convictions in Arizona for drug distribution, conspiracy and money laundering. He was previously serving his sentence at a facility in Arizona but was transferred to serve his sentence in Massachusetts upon being deemed a security concern due to his alleged influence over other inmates and repeated introduction of cell phones and narcotics into Arizona facilities.

    Beginning in or about April 2019, and investigation began into Noel Haro’s attempts to facilitate the trafficking of narcotics to Massachusetts during his inmate phone calls. Specifically, during his inmate calls, Noel Haro worked to recruit friends and family members to continue his drug trafficking business while he was incarcerated and to transport narcotics from Arizona to Massachusetts on his behalf.

    In April 2022, the Massachusetts Department of Correction intercepted a letter that Noel Haro had sent to co-conspirator Denise Guyette, whom he had recruited and connected with his drug suppliers in Arizona. Inside the envelope, a “Get out of Jail Free” card from the board game Monopoly was found with a handwritten “key” on the back – which was to be used to discuss drug trafficking in code. For example, the number “736” was written above the word “coke,” the number “747” was written above the word “meth,” the number “766” was written above the word “fety,” and the number “746” was written above the word “heroin.” After sending Guyette this key card, the defendant instructed her to travel to Arizona to meet with his drug suppliers and send drugs back to Massachusetts for further distribution.

    The defendant also worked with his brother, Marcos Haro, to arrange drug deals outside of prison. In June 2022, Marcos Haro agreed to supply an individual with samples of multiple narcotics – including fentanyl and methamphetamine. Marcos Haro later mailed the narcotics to the individual concealed in a purple teddy bear inside a postal package. On July 13, 2022, the package was retrieved and found to contain fentanyl, five fentanyl pills, methamphetamine and approximately three grams of black tar heroin. On July 25, 2022, during a recorded inmate call, Noel Haro and his brother discussed selling one pound of methamphetamine to the same individual and agreed on a sale price of $5,000. On July 27, 2022, a package sent from Marcos Haro was retrieved and found to contain approximately 446.6 grams of 99% pure methamphetamine.

    During a recorded inmate call on Aug. 10, 2022, Noel Haro directed his brother to arrange the sale of five pounds of methamphetamine to the individual. Later, on Sept. 12, 2022, two packages sent from Marcos Haro were retrieved and each found to contain approximately 892.3 grams of 86% pure methamphetamine and approximately 1,320.2 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine.

    Guyette was charged in a separate indictment and, in April 2025, was sentenced to 11 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to drug trafficking offenses. Marcos Haro pleaded guilty on March 19, 2025 and is currently scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2025. 

    U.S. Attorney Foley, FBI SAC Docks and MADOC Commissioner Jenkins made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alathea E. Porter and Charles Dell’Anno of the Narcotics & Money Laundering Unit prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Marking International Women’s Day 2025: Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej & First Ladies of Africa Empower and Uplift Women & Girls Through Education & Healthcare

    Source: APO

    Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany together with First Ladies of Africa who are also their Ambassadors, Ministries of Health, Education, Communication & Gender, mark ‘International Women’s Day 2025’, through their impactful development programs, continuing their 13-year legacy of empowering women and girls.

    Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation and One of the Most Influential African Women for Six Consecutive Years (2019 – 2024) expressed, “Happy International Women’s Day to all the remarkable women and girls around the world!

    Empowering girls and women is at the core of all our initiatives and programs at Merck Foundation. I recognize the immense potential of women to thrive, succeed and excel in any domain they choose, yet they often lack the conducive environment to fully realize their capabilities, especially in underserved communities.

    Therefore, together with our Ambassadors, The First Ladies of Africa, we mark International Women’s Day every day since the last 13 years through our development programs and initiatives such as ‘More Than a Mother’, ‘Merck Foundation Capacity Advancement’, ‘Educating Linda’, and ‘STEM Program’.”

    “Merck Foundation More Than a Mother” is a strong movement that aims to empower infertile and childless women through access to information, education and change of mindset.

    “I am thrilled to share that out of the 2,282 scholarships awarded across 52 countries in 44 critical and underserved specialties, 1046 scholarships, that is nearly 50% have been granted to female medical graduates, empowering them to become future healthcare experts and leaders.

    I am especially proud that we have awarded over 680 scholarships to young doctors, dedicated to advancing women’s health by strengthening reproductive, sexual health, and fertility care capacity.”

    Merck Foundation CEO strongly believes that Education is one of the most critical areas of women empowerment.

    “I am happy to share that through our “Educating Linda” Program, together with my dear sisters, our Ambassadors, we are contributing to the future of over 700 girls by providing scholarships to continue their education and also providing essential school items for thousands of schoolgirls in many African countries such as Botswana, Burundi, Malawi, The Gambia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cabo Verde and more.

    Moreover, we have benefitted thousands of girls through our awareness campaign through many initiates like the release of inspiring songs, children’s storybooks, animation films, TV Program and awards for best media, song, film & fashion designs, all aimed at promoting girl education today for women’s empowerment tomorrow”, emphasized Senator Rasha Kelej.

    Merck Foundation also actively empowers women in Science and Technology through its STEM Program and the annual Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit (MARS) Awards that recognize and celebrate the Best African Women Researchers and Best Young African Researchers, fostering research excellence.

    “Our goal is to empower women and young African researchers, enhance their research capacity, and promote their contributions to STEM,” emphasized Dr. Kelej.

    Watch the Episodes of “Our Africa by Merck Foundation” TV program on Supporting Girl Education:

    Episode 2: https://apo-opa.co/4mfjkXN

    Episode 11: https://apo-opa.co/46OtJ7Y

    Episode 14: https://apo-opa.co/4eOnPpH

    Listen to Merck Foundation song about Supporting Girl Education here:

    1. Watch, share & subscribe to the “Girl Can” song here, sung by two famous singers, Irene and Cwezi from Liberia and Ghana respectively: https://apo-opa.co/4eWbPm8
    2. Watch, share & subscribe the “Like Them” song here, sung by Kenneth, a famous singer from Uganda: https://apo-opa.co/4lo4Wfy
    3. Watch, share & subscribe “Take me to School” song here, sung by Wezi, Afro-soul singer from Zambia, to support girls’ education: https://apo-opa.co/4ePQxWU
    4. Watch share & subscribe “Tu Podes Sim” Portuguese song, which means “Yes, You Can” in English by Blaze and Tamyris Moiane, singers from Mozambique in English here: https://apo-opa.co/46GXwPY  
    5. Watch, share & subscribe “Brighter day” song by Sean K and Cwesi Oteng from Namibia and Ghana respectively: https://apo-opa.co/3GInicb

    Watch the Merck Foundation Animation Films to Support Girl Education :

    Ride into to Future: https://apo-opa.co/4lRcDdZ

    Jackeline’s Rescue: https://apo-opa.co/3Gqi1pF

    Read the Merck Foundation storybook addressing the importance of Girl Education:

    1. To read Educating Linda Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/46tUZJ9
    1. To read Jackline’s Rescue Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/44ulKeY
    1. To read Ride into the Future Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/3Io25ox
    1. To read Not Who You Are Storybook, pls visit: https://apo-opa.co/4lCn71q

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Merck Foundation.

    Contact:
    Mehak Handa
    Community Awareness Program Manager 
    Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
    Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com

    Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard:
    Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4lZ2dt8
    X: https://apo-opa.co/44O0H5M
    YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4lFl8sQ
    Instagram: https://apo-opa.co/466ZGIB
    Threads: https://apo-opa.co/4lXSrqZ
    Flickr: https://apo-opa.co/4f9GJaN
    Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
    Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/4lu67dm

    About Merck Foundation:
    The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/4lZ2dt8), X (https://apo-opa.co/44O0H5M), Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/466ZGIB), YouTube (https://apo-opa.co/4lFl8sQ), Threads (https://apo-opa.co/4lXSrqZ) and Flickr (https://apo-opa.co/4f9GJaN).

    The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

    A deadly flash flood on July 4, 2025, destroyed homes near the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

    The devastating flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country in July 2025 highlight a troubling reality: Despite years of warnings and recent improvements in flood planning, Texas communities remain dangerously vulnerable to flood damage.

    The tragedy wasn’t caused just by heavy rainfall. It was made worse by a lack of money for early warning systems, by drainage systems and emergency communication networks that haven’t been updated to handle more intense storms or growing populations, and by the many older buildings in harm’s way.

    A 2024 state report estimated the cost of flood mitigation and management projects needed statewide at US$54.5 billion. But in Texas, most of that work is left to local governments.

    We study disaster planning at Texas A&M University and see several ways the state and Texas communities can improve safety for everyone.

    Progress since Hurricane Harvey

    Since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017, Texas has made strides in flood planning.

    The state in 2024 created its first comprehensive flood plan, which identifies flood risks statewide and recommends projects to reduce them. The state now requires all local governments to adopt and enforce flood plain regulations that meet federal standards, enabling residents to purchase federal flood insurance.

    The plan represented a major shift for a state government that historically left flood planning to local communities.

    However, it also revealed widespread risks in Texas: Approximately 5 million Texans live or work in flood-prone areas, and an estimated 1.5 million homes and other structures are in flood plains.

    Flood risks are intensifying as Texas experiences more extreme rainfall. State climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon and colleagues at Texas A&M University found that extreme one-day precipitation has increased by 5% to 15% in Texas since the late 20th century, and another 10% increase is expected by 2036.

    Rural communities lack resources

    The biggest problem for small towns and rural communities isn’t just weak regulations. Many of them can’t afford to hire specialized staff for technical work such as hazard assessment and regulatory enforcement.

    While the state provides planning frameworks, implementation and enforcement remain local responsibilities.

    Budget limitations can mean one emergency manager serves as fire marshal, building inspector, engineer and flood plain administrator for hundreds of square miles.

    These officials must still meet federal standards and develop detailed disaster plans. But cash-strapped communities often lack the funding to implement solutions.

    Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. speaks at a news briefing about the July 4, 2025, flooding. Most towns in Texas Hill Country are small, and their government officials wear many hats.
    Jorge Salgado/Anadolu via Getty Images

    What they need is practical hazard mitigation plans. Those include specific evacuation routes for each neighborhood, identifying which buildings house vulnerable populations, such as older adults, and steps local officials can implement immediately during emergencies. It also means aligning of other local planning documents, such as comprehensive plans or land use plans. Access to flood gauge data, weather monitoring and social vulnerability mapping is also important for determining when to close roads or activate emergency shelters.

    That work takes time, expertise and funding.

    The challenge of older buildings

    Creating safer communities also requires investment to address challenges with both new development and vulnerable existing structures.

    For new construction, many communities require buildings to be built above flood level. The state could help small communities in this area by funding new local code enforcement jobs, similar to the way it provided training and guidance to local officials after Hurricane Harvey. However, that might not be possible in the Texas Legislature today.

    The bigger challenge is older buildings. According to federal requirements, unless a structure floods or gets “substantially damaged” – meaning damage exceeds 50% of its value – there’s no requirement to make it safer.

    The July 4, 2025, flash flood tore off the wall of this building in Camp Mystic. The Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in less than an hour and a half early that morning.
    AP Photo/Julio Cortez

    Research shows that retrofitting homes by improving drainage to avoid future flood damage and [voluntary buyout programs can be effective]. Buyout programs allow families to sell their homes at market rate and relocate to higher ground when the programs are properly designed and funded.

    Harris County’s buyout program after Hurricane Harvey acquired nearly 200 flood-damaged homes in the Houston area for a total of $20 million. That helped families escape repeated flooding. The homes were demolished, and the land became permanent open space. By preventing future development, the land can take on floodwater in the future without economic harm.

    Many counties can’t afford buyout programs, though. A statewide voluntary buyout program could help them by prioritizing the most vulnerable properties. But to have a wide reach, such a voluntary program would need dedicated funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

    How Harris County’s buyout program works.

    Beyond voluntary buyouts, the state could expand programs that help property owners retrofit existing houses and other buildings, such as elevating structures, installing flood vents that allow water to flow through, or using flood-resistant materials. Tax incentives and low-interest loans could make these improvements more affordable while respecting property owners’ right to choose to participate or not.

    Texas currently offers limited retrofit assistance through the General Land Office’s disaster recovery programs. But it lacks a comprehensive retrofit program with dedicated funding that would help homeowners prepare before the disaster strikes.

    Where communities are taking important steps

    Some innovative approaches are emerging in Texas cities and counties.

    Liberty and Comanche counties have partnered with Texas A&M University’s Texas Target Communities program to create comprehensive plans that help their communities grow but in safer ways. Research shows that when communities integrate land use planning, hazard mitigation, emergency response and economic development plans, they can better ensure that new development avoids high-risk areas and that existing vulnerable areas are targeted for improvement projects.

    Houston, despite lacking traditional zoning, has implemented strict flood plain regulations that require new construction to be elevated above flood levels and prohibit development in the most dangerous flood-risk areas. By maintaining a top rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System, the city helps residents qualify for discounts on flood insurance.

    The tragedy in Hill Country is a reminder that many Texas communities face flood risks yet lack the funding and technical capacity to implement comprehensive flood risk reduction on their own without state support. As extreme weather becomes more common, the question is whether communities will be able to protect themselves without more help.

    Shannon Van Zandt is affiliated with Texas Housers, a non-profit advocating for affordable housing for low-income Texans.

    Ivis García and Jaimie Hicks Masterson do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role – https://theconversation.com/many-texas-communities-are-dangerously-unprepared-for-floods-lack-of-funding-plays-a-big-role-261090

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

    A deadly flash flood on July 4, 2025, destroyed homes near the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

    The devastating flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country in July 2025 highlight a troubling reality: Despite years of warnings and recent improvements in flood planning, Texas communities remain dangerously vulnerable to flood damage.

    The tragedy wasn’t caused just by heavy rainfall. It was made worse by a lack of money for early warning systems, by drainage systems and emergency communication networks that haven’t been updated to handle more intense storms or growing populations, and by the many older buildings in harm’s way.

    A 2024 state report estimated the cost of flood mitigation and management projects needed statewide at US$54.5 billion. But in Texas, most of that work is left to local governments.

    We study disaster planning at Texas A&M University and see several ways the state and Texas communities can improve safety for everyone.

    Progress since Hurricane Harvey

    Since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017, Texas has made strides in flood planning.

    The state in 2024 created its first comprehensive flood plan, which identifies flood risks statewide and recommends projects to reduce them. The state now requires all local governments to adopt and enforce flood plain regulations that meet federal standards, enabling residents to purchase federal flood insurance.

    The plan represented a major shift for a state government that historically left flood planning to local communities.

    However, it also revealed widespread risks in Texas: Approximately 5 million Texans live or work in flood-prone areas, and an estimated 1.5 million homes and other structures are in flood plains.

    Flood risks are intensifying as Texas experiences more extreme rainfall. State climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon and colleagues at Texas A&M University found that extreme one-day precipitation has increased by 5% to 15% in Texas since the late 20th century, and another 10% increase is expected by 2036.

    Rural communities lack resources

    The biggest problem for small towns and rural communities isn’t just weak regulations. Many of them can’t afford to hire specialized staff for technical work such as hazard assessment and regulatory enforcement.

    While the state provides planning frameworks, implementation and enforcement remain local responsibilities.

    Budget limitations can mean one emergency manager serves as fire marshal, building inspector, engineer and flood plain administrator for hundreds of square miles.

    These officials must still meet federal standards and develop detailed disaster plans. But cash-strapped communities often lack the funding to implement solutions.

    Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. speaks at a news briefing about the July 4, 2025, flooding. Most towns in Texas Hill Country are small, and their government officials wear many hats.
    Jorge Salgado/Anadolu via Getty Images

    What they need is practical hazard mitigation plans. Those include specific evacuation routes for each neighborhood, identifying which buildings house vulnerable populations, such as older adults, and steps local officials can implement immediately during emergencies. It also means aligning of other local planning documents, such as comprehensive plans or land use plans. Access to flood gauge data, weather monitoring and social vulnerability mapping is also important for determining when to close roads or activate emergency shelters.

    That work takes time, expertise and funding.

    The challenge of older buildings

    Creating safer communities also requires investment to address challenges with both new development and vulnerable existing structures.

    For new construction, many communities require buildings to be built above flood level. The state could help small communities in this area by funding new local code enforcement jobs, similar to the way it provided training and guidance to local officials after Hurricane Harvey. However, that might not be possible in the Texas Legislature today.

    The bigger challenge is older buildings. According to federal requirements, unless a structure floods or gets “substantially damaged” – meaning damage exceeds 50% of its value – there’s no requirement to make it safer.

    The July 4, 2025, flash flood tore off the wall of this building in Camp Mystic. The Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in less than an hour and a half early that morning.
    AP Photo/Julio Cortez

    Research shows that retrofitting homes by improving drainage to avoid future flood damage and [voluntary buyout programs can be effective]. Buyout programs allow families to sell their homes at market rate and relocate to higher ground when the programs are properly designed and funded.

    Harris County’s buyout program after Hurricane Harvey acquired nearly 200 flood-damaged homes in the Houston area for a total of $20 million. That helped families escape repeated flooding. The homes were demolished, and the land became permanent open space. By preventing future development, the land can take on floodwater in the future without economic harm.

    Many counties can’t afford buyout programs, though. A statewide voluntary buyout program could help them by prioritizing the most vulnerable properties. But to have a wide reach, such a voluntary program would need dedicated funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

    How Harris County’s buyout program works.

    Beyond voluntary buyouts, the state could expand programs that help property owners retrofit existing houses and other buildings, such as elevating structures, installing flood vents that allow water to flow through, or using flood-resistant materials. Tax incentives and low-interest loans could make these improvements more affordable while respecting property owners’ right to choose to participate or not.

    Texas currently offers limited retrofit assistance through the General Land Office’s disaster recovery programs. But it lacks a comprehensive retrofit program with dedicated funding that would help homeowners prepare before the disaster strikes.

    Where communities are taking important steps

    Some innovative approaches are emerging in Texas cities and counties.

    Liberty and Comanche counties have partnered with Texas A&M University’s Texas Target Communities program to create comprehensive plans that help their communities grow but in safer ways. Research shows that when communities integrate land use planning, hazard mitigation, emergency response and economic development plans, they can better ensure that new development avoids high-risk areas and that existing vulnerable areas are targeted for improvement projects.

    Houston, despite lacking traditional zoning, has implemented strict flood plain regulations that require new construction to be elevated above flood levels and prohibit development in the most dangerous flood-risk areas. By maintaining a top rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System, the city helps residents qualify for discounts on flood insurance.

    The tragedy in Hill Country is a reminder that many Texas communities face flood risks yet lack the funding and technical capacity to implement comprehensive flood risk reduction on their own without state support. As extreme weather becomes more common, the question is whether communities will be able to protect themselves without more help.

    Shannon Van Zandt is affiliated with Texas Housers, a non-profit advocating for affordable housing for low-income Texans.

    Ivis García and Jaimie Hicks Masterson do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role – https://theconversation.com/many-texas-communities-are-dangerously-unprepared-for-floods-lack-of-funding-plays-a-big-role-261090

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor of London invests £600,000 to boost 12 high streets across the capital

    Source: Mayor of London

    • A dozen high streets across London will each receive £50,000 from City Hall to help boost local economies
    • New funding part of Sadiq’s manifesto commitment to protect, restore and improve London’s high streets
    • Investment will support London Growth Plan ambitions to turbocharge productivity and add more than £100bn to capital’s economy

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today (Friday 11 July) announced a new £600,000 investment to revitalise 12 local high streets as part of his work to drive inclusive economic growth across the capital.

    Twelve London boroughs will receive £50,000 from the Mayor’s High Street Place Labs (HSPL) programme over the next year to help them attract investment, improve public spaces and boost the local economy. [1]

    The HSPL programme will drive progress on the bold economic ambitions outlined in the London Growth Plan, which the Mayor published with London Councils earlier this year. Supporting local high streets is a key action in the plan to ultimately turbocharge productivity across the capital and add more than £100bn to London’s economy. [2]

    High streets play a huge role in the everyday lives of people across the capital, with 90 per cent of Londoners living within 10 minutes of a high street. However, London’s high streets have faced significant challenges in recent years including the cost-of-living crisis, recovery from the pandemic, a long-term shift in working practices, changes to shopping habits and the climate crisis.

    This new investment will support councils to develop plans to transform high streets to thrive and remain vital community hubs, including:

    • Creating more affordable workspaces where they are most needed, and for key sectors, such as the creative and green industries.  
    • Bringing empty shops and buildings back into use for local businesses and community organisations, to breathe new life into high streets. 
    • Designing and maintaining high quality, accessible and inclusive high streets that are safe, child-friendly and consider the mobility needs of a range of people. This includes increasing step free access.
    • Growing evening and night-time economy to ensure high streets are open and accessible to the community for longer periods. 

    Boroughs are planning a range of projects to rejuvenate local areas.

    Newham proposed making East Ham High Street more attractive and walkable, creating opportunities for young people and delivering green improvements that will help mitigate flooding and overheating in the area.

    Islington aims to boost its nighttime economy by creating a more inclusive offer and improving access to pubs, nightclubs, restaurants, theatres and music venues.

    Barking and Dagenham want to bring residents and businesses together to create a safer and more attractive public realm, building on a recent project celebrating the town centre’s cultural and heritage assets.

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I‘m determined to protect, restore and improve London’s high streets – which is why I’m so pleased to provide this new funding for boroughs across the capital that will help them grow and thrive.

    “My High Street Place Labs programme plays an important role in driving progress on the London Growth Plan, which will deliver economic growth in every corner of our city to raise living standards, put more money in people’s pockets and enable us to invest in our public services.

    “I look forward to working with boroughs to deliver these important improvements for communities across the capital as we continue to build a fairer and more prosperous London for all.”

    Newham Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: “Our High Streets are the lifeblood of our communities, and this support from the Mayor of London will enable us to develop ambitious plans to reimagine East Ham High Street as a more vibrant, accessible, and welcoming destination.

    “We’re focused on creating places that work better for local residents – economically, socially, and environmentally.

    “In the face of growing climate pressures, our approach to climate-resilient, people-centred High Streets offers practical solutions for communities across London. It’s about inclusive growth, creating local opportunities, and ensuring everyone benefits from a just transition to a greener, fairer future.”

    Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Inclusive Economy, Culture & Jobs for Islington Council, Cllr Santiago Bell-Bradford, said: “We’re proud that Finsbury Park has been selected as one of the Mayor of London’s High Street Place Labs. This funding will help us take forward our ambition to create a high street that is more inclusive, accessible and thriving — a place where everyone feels welcome and where local businesses can flourish.

    “Finsbury Park is one of Islington’s most diverse communities, home to a vibrant mix of cultures and many small and independent businesses. This investment supports our wider ambition to build a more equal Islington, and ensuring our high streets reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve is an important part of that goal.”

    Development Director at Be First, Andrew Savege, said: “Be First welcomes the Mayor of London’s recognition of Barking Town Centre’s huge potential and has awarded the borough £50,000 from The High Streets Place Lab fund.

    This direct support for Barking Town centre from the Mayor as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, will help our diverse businesses to thrive, by providing safe and vibrant places for our community.

    It also allows Be First to drive forward with new investment, commercial opportunities, and local partnerships,  delivering plans to transform the Town Centre and securing it as the gateway to South Barking.”

    Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Cllr Cameron Geddes, said: “I’d like to thank the Mayor of London for recognising our bid and investing into Barking Town Centre.

    “This money will go towards working with partners and developing proposals for much needed improvements to the Town Centre, making it more enjoyable for all of our residents and supporting our many local businesses.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

    A deadly flash flood on July 4, 2025, destroyed homes near the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

    The devastating flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country in July 2025 highlight a troubling reality: Despite years of warnings and recent improvements in flood planning, Texas communities remain dangerously vulnerable to flood damage.

    The tragedy wasn’t caused just by heavy rainfall. It was made worse by a lack of money for early warning systems, by drainage systems and emergency communication networks that haven’t been updated to handle more intense storms or growing populations, and by the many older buildings in harm’s way.

    A 2024 state report estimated the cost of flood mitigation and management projects needed statewide at US$54.5 billion. But in Texas, most of that work is left to local governments.

    We study disaster planning at Texas A&M University and see several ways the state and Texas communities can improve safety for everyone.

    Progress since Hurricane Harvey

    Since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017, Texas has made strides in flood planning.

    The state in 2024 created its first comprehensive flood plan, which identifies flood risks statewide and recommends projects to reduce them. The state now requires all local governments to adopt and enforce flood plain regulations that meet federal standards, enabling residents to purchase federal flood insurance.

    The plan represented a major shift for a state government that historically left flood planning to local communities.

    However, it also revealed widespread risks in Texas: Approximately 5 million Texans live or work in flood-prone areas, and an estimated 1.5 million homes and other structures are in flood plains.

    Flood risks are intensifying as Texas experiences more extreme rainfall. State climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon and colleagues at Texas A&M University found that extreme one-day precipitation has increased by 5% to 15% in Texas since the late 20th century, and another 10% increase is expected by 2036.

    Rural communities lack resources

    The biggest problem for small towns and rural communities isn’t just weak regulations. Many of them can’t afford to hire specialized staff for technical work such as hazard assessment and regulatory enforcement.

    While the state provides planning frameworks, implementation and enforcement remain local responsibilities.

    Budget limitations can mean one emergency manager serves as fire marshal, building inspector, engineer and flood plain administrator for hundreds of square miles.

    These officials must still meet federal standards and develop detailed disaster plans. But cash-strapped communities often lack the funding to implement solutions.

    Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. speaks at a news briefing about the July 4, 2025, flooding. Most towns in Texas Hill Country are small, and their government officials wear many hats.
    Jorge Salgado/Anadolu via Getty Images

    What they need is practical hazard mitigation plans. Those include specific evacuation routes for each neighborhood, identifying which buildings house vulnerable populations, such as older adults, and steps local officials can implement immediately during emergencies. It also means aligning of other local planning documents, such as comprehensive plans or land use plans. Access to flood gauge data, weather monitoring and social vulnerability mapping is also important for determining when to close roads or activate emergency shelters.

    That work takes time, expertise and funding.

    The challenge of older buildings

    Creating safer communities also requires investment to address challenges with both new development and vulnerable existing structures.

    For new construction, many communities require buildings to be built above flood level. The state could help small communities in this area by funding new local code enforcement jobs, similar to the way it provided training and guidance to local officials after Hurricane Harvey. However, that might not be possible in the Texas Legislature today.

    The bigger challenge is older buildings. According to federal requirements, unless a structure floods or gets “substantially damaged” – meaning damage exceeds 50% of its value – there’s no requirement to make it safer.

    The July 4, 2025, flash flood tore off the wall of this building in Camp Mystic. The Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in less than an hour and a half early that morning.
    AP Photo/Julio Cortez

    Research shows that retrofitting homes by improving drainage to avoid future flood damage and [voluntary buyout programs can be effective]. Buyout programs allow families to sell their homes at market rate and relocate to higher ground when the programs are properly designed and funded.

    Harris County’s buyout program after Hurricane Harvey acquired nearly 200 flood-damaged homes in the Houston area for a total of $20 million. That helped families escape repeated flooding. The homes were demolished, and the land became permanent open space. By preventing future development, the land can take on floodwater in the future without economic harm.

    Many counties can’t afford buyout programs, though. A statewide voluntary buyout program could help them by prioritizing the most vulnerable properties. But to have a wide reach, such a voluntary program would need dedicated funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

    How Harris County’s buyout program works.

    Beyond voluntary buyouts, the state could expand programs that help property owners retrofit existing houses and other buildings, such as elevating structures, installing flood vents that allow water to flow through, or using flood-resistant materials. Tax incentives and low-interest loans could make these improvements more affordable while respecting property owners’ right to choose to participate or not.

    Texas currently offers limited retrofit assistance through the General Land Office’s disaster recovery programs. But it lacks a comprehensive retrofit program with dedicated funding that would help homeowners prepare before the disaster strikes.

    Where communities are taking important steps

    Some innovative approaches are emerging in Texas cities and counties.

    Liberty and Comanche counties have partnered with Texas A&M University’s Texas Target Communities program to create comprehensive plans that help their communities grow but in safer ways. Research shows that when communities integrate land use planning, hazard mitigation, emergency response and economic development plans, they can better ensure that new development avoids high-risk areas and that existing vulnerable areas are targeted for improvement projects.

    Houston, despite lacking traditional zoning, has implemented strict flood plain regulations that require new construction to be elevated above flood levels and prohibit development in the most dangerous flood-risk areas. By maintaining a top rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System, the city helps residents qualify for discounts on flood insurance.

    The tragedy in Hill Country is a reminder that many Texas communities face flood risks yet lack the funding and technical capacity to implement comprehensive flood risk reduction on their own without state support. As extreme weather becomes more common, the question is whether communities will be able to protect themselves without more help.

    Shannon Van Zandt is affiliated with Texas Housers, a non-profit advocating for affordable housing for low-income Texans.

    Ivis García and Jaimie Hicks Masterson do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role – https://theconversation.com/many-texas-communities-are-dangerously-unprepared-for-floods-lack-of-funding-plays-a-big-role-261090

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role

    Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Ivis García, Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University

    A deadly flash flood on July 4, 2025, destroyed homes near the Guadalupe River in Texas Hill Country. Jim Vondruska/Getty Images

    The devastating flash floods that swept through Texas Hill Country in July 2025 highlight a troubling reality: Despite years of warnings and recent improvements in flood planning, Texas communities remain dangerously vulnerable to flood damage.

    The tragedy wasn’t caused just by heavy rainfall. It was made worse by a lack of money for early warning systems, by drainage systems and emergency communication networks that haven’t been updated to handle more intense storms or growing populations, and by the many older buildings in harm’s way.

    A 2024 state report estimated the cost of flood mitigation and management projects needed statewide at US$54.5 billion. But in Texas, most of that work is left to local governments.

    We study disaster planning at Texas A&M University and see several ways the state and Texas communities can improve safety for everyone.

    Progress since Hurricane Harvey

    Since Hurricane Harvey devastated the Houston area in 2017, Texas has made strides in flood planning.

    The state in 2024 created its first comprehensive flood plan, which identifies flood risks statewide and recommends projects to reduce them. The state now requires all local governments to adopt and enforce flood plain regulations that meet federal standards, enabling residents to purchase federal flood insurance.

    The plan represented a major shift for a state government that historically left flood planning to local communities.

    However, it also revealed widespread risks in Texas: Approximately 5 million Texans live or work in flood-prone areas, and an estimated 1.5 million homes and other structures are in flood plains.

    Flood risks are intensifying as Texas experiences more extreme rainfall. State climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon and colleagues at Texas A&M University found that extreme one-day precipitation has increased by 5% to 15% in Texas since the late 20th century, and another 10% increase is expected by 2036.

    Rural communities lack resources

    The biggest problem for small towns and rural communities isn’t just weak regulations. Many of them can’t afford to hire specialized staff for technical work such as hazard assessment and regulatory enforcement.

    While the state provides planning frameworks, implementation and enforcement remain local responsibilities.

    Budget limitations can mean one emergency manager serves as fire marshal, building inspector, engineer and flood plain administrator for hundreds of square miles.

    These officials must still meet federal standards and develop detailed disaster plans. But cash-strapped communities often lack the funding to implement solutions.

    Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr. speaks at a news briefing about the July 4, 2025, flooding. Most towns in Texas Hill Country are small, and their government officials wear many hats.
    Jorge Salgado/Anadolu via Getty Images

    What they need is practical hazard mitigation plans. Those include specific evacuation routes for each neighborhood, identifying which buildings house vulnerable populations, such as older adults, and steps local officials can implement immediately during emergencies. It also means aligning of other local planning documents, such as comprehensive plans or land use plans. Access to flood gauge data, weather monitoring and social vulnerability mapping is also important for determining when to close roads or activate emergency shelters.

    That work takes time, expertise and funding.

    The challenge of older buildings

    Creating safer communities also requires investment to address challenges with both new development and vulnerable existing structures.

    For new construction, many communities require buildings to be built above flood level. The state could help small communities in this area by funding new local code enforcement jobs, similar to the way it provided training and guidance to local officials after Hurricane Harvey. However, that might not be possible in the Texas Legislature today.

    The bigger challenge is older buildings. According to federal requirements, unless a structure floods or gets “substantially damaged” – meaning damage exceeds 50% of its value – there’s no requirement to make it safer.

    The July 4, 2025, flash flood tore off the wall of this building in Camp Mystic. The Guadalupe River rose more than 20 feet in less than an hour and a half early that morning.
    AP Photo/Julio Cortez

    Research shows that retrofitting homes by improving drainage to avoid future flood damage and [voluntary buyout programs can be effective]. Buyout programs allow families to sell their homes at market rate and relocate to higher ground when the programs are properly designed and funded.

    Harris County’s buyout program after Hurricane Harvey acquired nearly 200 flood-damaged homes in the Houston area for a total of $20 million. That helped families escape repeated flooding. The homes were demolished, and the land became permanent open space. By preventing future development, the land can take on floodwater in the future without economic harm.

    Many counties can’t afford buyout programs, though. A statewide voluntary buyout program could help them by prioritizing the most vulnerable properties. But to have a wide reach, such a voluntary program would need dedicated funding in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

    How Harris County’s buyout program works.

    Beyond voluntary buyouts, the state could expand programs that help property owners retrofit existing houses and other buildings, such as elevating structures, installing flood vents that allow water to flow through, or using flood-resistant materials. Tax incentives and low-interest loans could make these improvements more affordable while respecting property owners’ right to choose to participate or not.

    Texas currently offers limited retrofit assistance through the General Land Office’s disaster recovery programs. But it lacks a comprehensive retrofit program with dedicated funding that would help homeowners prepare before the disaster strikes.

    Where communities are taking important steps

    Some innovative approaches are emerging in Texas cities and counties.

    Liberty and Comanche counties have partnered with Texas A&M University’s Texas Target Communities program to create comprehensive plans that help their communities grow but in safer ways. Research shows that when communities integrate land use planning, hazard mitigation, emergency response and economic development plans, they can better ensure that new development avoids high-risk areas and that existing vulnerable areas are targeted for improvement projects.

    Houston, despite lacking traditional zoning, has implemented strict flood plain regulations that require new construction to be elevated above flood levels and prohibit development in the most dangerous flood-risk areas. By maintaining a top rating in FEMA’s Community Rating System, the city helps residents qualify for discounts on flood insurance.

    The tragedy in Hill Country is a reminder that many Texas communities face flood risks yet lack the funding and technical capacity to implement comprehensive flood risk reduction on their own without state support. As extreme weather becomes more common, the question is whether communities will be able to protect themselves without more help.

    Shannon Van Zandt is affiliated with Texas Housers, a non-profit advocating for affordable housing for low-income Texans.

    Ivis García and Jaimie Hicks Masterson do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Many Texas communities are dangerously unprepared for floods − lack of funding plays a big role – https://theconversation.com/many-texas-communities-are-dangerously-unprepared-for-floods-lack-of-funding-plays-a-big-role-261090

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor warns Londoners living in basement properties about flood risk as the capital marks London Climate Action Week

    Source: Mayor of London

    As part of London Climate Action Week (21-27 June), the Mayor has written to Londoners in 56,000 basement properties to urgently raise awareness of the increased risk of floods due to climate change and to help people prepare in the event of a flood.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Weird space weather seems to have influenced human behavior on Earth 41,000 years ago – our unusual scientific collaboration explores how

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Raven Garvey, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of Michigan

    Wandering magnetic fields would have had noticeable effects for humans. Maximilian Schanner (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany)

    Our first meeting was a bit awkward. One of us is an archaeologist who studies how past peoples interacted with their environments. Two of us are geophysicists who investigate interactions between solar activity and Earth’s magnetic field.

    When we first got together, we wondered whether our unconventional project, linking space weather and human behavior, could actually bridge such a vast disciplinary divide. Now, two years on, we believe the payoffs – personal, professional and scientific – were well worth the initial discomfort.

    Our collaboration, which culminated in a recent paper in the journal Science Advances, began with a single question: What happened to life on Earth when the planet’s magnetic field nearly collapsed roughly 41,000 years ago?

    Weirdness when Earth’s magnetic shield falters

    This near-collapse is known as the Laschamps Excursion, a brief but extreme geomagnetic event named for the volcanic fields in France where it was first identified. At the time of the Laschamps Excursion, near the end of the Pleistocene epoch, Earth’s magnetic poles didn’t reverse as they do every few hundred thousand years. Instead, they wandered, erratically and rapidly, over thousands of miles. At the same time, the strength of the magnetic field dropped to less than 10% of its modern day intensity.

    So, instead of behaving like a stable bar magnet – a dipole – as it usually does, the Earth’s magnetic field fractured into multiple weak poles across the planet. As a result, the protective force field scientists call the magnetosphere became distorted and leaky.

    The magnetosphere normally deflects much of the solar wind and harmful ultraviolet radiation that would otherwise reach Earth’s surface.

    So, during the Laschamps Excursion when the magnetosphere broke down, our models suggest a number of near-Earth effects. While there is still work to be done to precisely characterize these effects, we do know they included auroras – normally seen only in skies near the poles as the Northern Lights or Southern Lights – wandering toward the equator, and significantly higher-than-present-day doses of harmful solar radiation.

    The skies 41,000 years ago may have been both spectacular and threatening. When we realized this, we two geophysicists wanted to know whether this could have affected people living at the time.

    The archaeologist’s answer was absolutely.

    Human responses to ancient space weather

    For people on the ground at that time, auroras may have been the most immediate and striking effect, perhaps inspiring awe, fear, ritual behavior or something else entirely. But the archaeological record is notoriously limited in its ability to capture these kinds of cognitive or emotional responses.

    Researchers are on firmer ground when it comes to the physiological impacts of increased UV radiation. With the weakened magnetic field, more harmful radiation would have reached Earth’s surface, elevating risk of sunburn, eye damage, birth defects, and other health issues.

    In response, people may have adopted practical measures: spending more time in caves, producing tailored clothing for better coverage, or applying mineral pigment “sunscreen” made of ochre to their skin. As we describe in our recent paper, the frequency of these behaviors indeed appears to have increased across parts of Europe, where effects of the Laschamps Excursion were pronounced and prolonged.

    Naturally occurring ochre can act as a protective sunscreen if applied to skin.
    Museo Egizio di Torino

    At this time, both Neanderthals and members of our species, Homo sapiens, were living in Europe, though their geographic distributions likely overlapped only in certain regions. The archaeological record suggests that different populations exhibited distinct approaches to environmental challenges, with some groups perhaps more reliant on shelter or material culture for protection.

    Importantly, we’re not suggesting that space weather alone caused an increase in these behaviors or, certainly, that the Laschamps caused Neanderthals to go extinct, which is one misinterpretation of our research. But it could have been a contributing factor – an invisible but powerful force that influenced innovation and adaptability.

    Cross-discipline collaboration

    Collaborating across such a disciplinary gap was, at first, daunting. But it turned out to be deeply rewarding.

    Archaeologists are used to reconstructing now-invisible phenomena like climate. We can’t measure past temperatures or precipitation directly, but they’ve left traces for us to interpret if we know where and how to look.

    An artistic rendering of how far into lower latitudes the aurora might have been visible during the Laschamps Excursion.
    Maximilian Schanner (GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences, Potsdam, Germany)

    But even archaeologists who’ve spent years studying the effects of climate on past behaviors and technologies may not have considered the effects of the geomagnetic field and space weather. These effects, too, are invisible, powerful and best understood through indirect evidence and modeling. Archaeologists can treat space weather as a vital component of Earth’s environmental history and future forecasting.

    Likewise, geophysicists, who typically work with large datasets, models and simulations, may not always engage with some of the stakes of space weather. Archaeology adds a human dimension to the science. It reminds us that the effects of space weather don’t stop at the ionosphere. They can ripple down into the lived experiences of people on the ground, influencing how they adapt, create and survive.

    The Laschamps Excursion wasn’t a fluke or a one-off. Similar disruptions of Earth’s magnetic field have happened before and will happen again. Understanding how ancient humans responded can provide insight into how future events might affect our world – and perhaps even help us prepare.

    Our unconventional collaboration has shown us how much we can learn, how our perspective changes, when we cross disciplinary boundaries. Space may be vast, but it connects us all. And sometimes, building a bridge between Earth and space starts with the smallest things, such as ochre, or a coat, or even sunscreen.

    Agnit Mukhopadhyay has received funding from NASA Science Mission Directorate and the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School.

    Raven Garvey and Sanja Panovska do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Weird space weather seems to have influenced human behavior on Earth 41,000 years ago – our unusual scientific collaboration explores how – https://theconversation.com/weird-space-weather-seems-to-have-influenced-human-behavior-on-earth-41-000-years-ago-our-unusual-scientific-collaboration-explores-how-257216

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor welcomes biggest ever funding settlement for affordable housebuilding in the capital as huge win for Londoners

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today hailed the package of changes announced by the UK Government – including the biggest and longest funding settlement that the capital has ever received for affordable and social housebuilding – as a huge win for all Londoners.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Statement from Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan on 20th anniversary of 7/7 terror attacks

    Source: Mayor of London

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Today we mark 20 years since the horrendous 7 July terror attacks shook our city. We remember the 52 people whose lives were cruelly stolen on that dark day, and our thoughts and prayers remain with all of their loved ones, as well as the more than 700 people who were injured by these cowardly acts of hatred.

    “We also pay tribute to those who ran towards danger on that terrible day. From emergency service personnel to transport workers and members of the public, who showed incredible courage and compassion by putting their own safety at risk to help those in need, their bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.

    “Two decades on – as we unite for a day of commemoration – I have a clear message for those who seek to spread division and sow hatred: you will never win. London’s determination to stand together is stronger than ever. We will always choose hope over fear, and unity over division, as we continue building a safer London for everyone.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mayor of London launches a next-generation city data platform to unlock the power of data for Londoners

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Mayor of London launches new cutting-edge Data for London Library to make it easier to use data to benefit Londoners and London and power smarter AI-enabled public services
    • The Library is a key step in improving data sharing across the city – which is essential to the AI, data and infrastructure London will need to power the next generation of public services – by connecting datasets held by organisations across the capital
    • Launched during London Data Week, a 50+ festival delivered by the Greater London Authority,  London Councils and the Alan Turing Institute, this delivers a manifesto commitment to bring forward new data services that support city priorities and ensure the digital and AI revolution serves Londoners and their needs

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has launched the Data for London Library, a cutting-edge new platform that will transform how London collects, shares and uses data to improve public services, unlock growth and create a more inclusive, sustainable city.

    Launched during the biggest ever London Data Week, the Library is part of the Mayor’s ambitious Data for London programme and marks a major milestone in the evolution of London’s data infrastructure. It will replace the London Datastore, which was first launched in 2010 and at the time was one of the world’s earliest and most innovative open data platforms.

    The Library aims to be the definitive catalogue of place data for London – including environment, buildings, and demographics – creating a single, vital resource for researchers and data users seeking rich contextual insight for data services and projects. It takes an innovative approach by connecting, not collecting, datasets held by key London partners starting with Transport for London, the Department of Health and Social Care as well as Barnet, Brent, Camden, and Redbridge councils, and the Office for National Statistics. This collaborative working helps build London’s data infrastructure while acknowledging London’s breadth and large number of organisations that keep the city running.   

    Over its 15-year history, the previous London Datastore, which the Library will replace, pioneered new ways of making public data accessible and useful to communities, policymakers and innovators. The Data for London Library builds on that legacy, offering more than 5,100 datasets, faster search tools, and improved discoverability to make it easier for everyone – from citizens to researchers to startups – to find and use trusted data that benefits Londoners.

    Data from the London Datastore has been used to: 

    • Improve air quality by collating data from air quality sensors across London to help map and predict air pollution episodes. This enables us to issue pollution alerts for Londoners, helping people with health conditions sensitive to pollution live healthier lives as part of the Breath London project.
    • Support Net Zero by providing energy efficiency data for all London homes in a transparent, shareable way through the London Building Stock Model. This helps councils to identify and prioritise homes that need retrofitting and is a key tool to support the delivery of the Mayor’s Warmer Homes London programme with London Councils.
    • Tackle rough sleeping by publishing quarterly and annual CHAIN reports based on data collected by outreach teams and services across London. These reports provide strategic insights into rough sleeping trends, supporting public understanding and helping the Mayor, councils, and charities work toward the goal of ending rough sleeping in London by 2030.

    By making it easier to find and use data held across the city, in one place, the Library becomes core infrastructure for the current AI revolution by addressing a key challenge facing innovators – discovering where datasets are. Better access to datasets enables better insights to enable preventative services, new digital or data tools to support public service productivity and opportunities for innovators across public, private, research and civil society. London’s approach to building the new data platform will be made available for other UK cities and regions to adopt.  

    London is Europe’s largest technology hub – the second largest in the world – and now firmly established as a leading player on the global stage due to the way it uses data to improve services, education, research and innovation to benefit communities across the capital. London is also at the forefront of AI research and top three globally for venture capital investment into this technology. 

    The recently published London Growth Plan identifies huge opportunities to turbocharge the capital’s economy by harnessing the potential of rapidly growing tech sectors such as AI. The Data for London programme will help to support this by improving city data sharing, increasing collaboration, developing public trust, boosting Londoners’ digital skills and leading modern connectivity.   

    Theo Blackwell MBE, Chief Digital Officer for London, said: “London is great at collaboration and the new Data for London Library is rooted in partnership. We’ve been working closely with the data community, the London Office of Technology and Innovation, local authorities in London and other data providers in the city to prioritise the features and improve the user experience.”

    “This is just the beginning, we are only going one way – there is no global trend towards less data. AI systems of the future are heavily dependent on the quality and quantity of the data they are trained on, so our focus now is to build more data sources into the Data for London Library and to make it easier to navigate complex data sharing agreements to benefit the city’s strategic position as the vanguard of the data and AI revolution. This is how we can build a better, fairer, more prosperous London for everyone.”

    Eddie Copeland, Director at the London Office of Technology & Innovation, said: “Successfully tackling many of the biggest issues we face in the capital, from climate change to tackling homelessness, depends on bringing together data from many different sources. The Data for London Library and platform will provide a huge boost for our ability to join up, analyse and act upon data at a truly London scale to benefit Londoners.” 

    Director of the Open Data Institute and Data for London Advisory Board Member Stuart Coleman said: “At the ODI, we advocate for practical, well-governed data infrastructure that makes it easier for people to access, use and share data. The Data for London Library shows how the public sector can take steps to make datasets more discoverable and usable. By opening up access to data from across the capital, it offers a pragmatic model that others can learn from. As the National Data Library develops, examples like this can help demonstrate what works in practice, particularly when it comes to improving interoperability, making data AI-ready, and building on existing foundations rather than starting from scratch.”

    Dr Cosmina Dorobantu, Data for London Advisory Board member and Senior Advisor and Visiting Professor in Practice at the LSE Data Science Institute, said: “As a member of the Mayor’s Data for London Board and someone who is helping to build a world-leading institute for AI and the social sciences here in London, within the London School of Economics and Political Science, I am tremendously excited to see the launch of the Data for London Library. Today’s launch is an important first step towards making the vast amounts of data collected in London more accessible, and towards increasing the data maturity of contributing organisations. The foundations that the team behind the Data for London Library have built are essential for creating the invaluable data resources that businesses, researchers, and policymakers need to build a better, more prosperous, and more equitable city.”

    Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, said: “The launch of the new Data for London Library marks a significant milestone in the capital’s ambitious growth plans. It puts a wealth of up-to-the-minute public and private sector data at the fingertips of businesses and policymakers which can be used to drive innovation and transform the lives of Londoners. Having long championed the transformative potential of data sharing, we now look to the Mayor’s spatial strategy, the London Plan, to ensure it supports the development of critical infrastructure – from data centres to improved broadband connectivity – which will enable the benefits of this new platform to be maximised and London to lead the way in AI and other cutting-edge technologies.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Forces Conduct Additional Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

    Source: United States AFRICOM

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on July 13, 2025.

    The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.

    AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.

    Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Forces Conduct Additional Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

    Source: United States AFRICOM

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on July 13, 2025.

    The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.

    AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.

    Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Forces Conduct Additional Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

    Source: United States AFRICOM

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on July 13, 2025.

    The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.

    AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.

    Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Forces Conduct Additional Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

    Source: United States AFRICOM

    In coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted an airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on July 13, 2025.

    The airstrike occurred southeast of Bossaso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia.

    AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad.

    Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Yemen: Security Council extends UN mission in crucial port city amid escalating Red Sea strife

    Source: United Nations 4

    Adopted unanimously, the resolution extending the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) until 28 January 2026, underscores the Mission’s critical role in maintaining fragile stability amid signs of renewed military escalation and deepening humanitarian need.

    The resolution – 2786 (2025) – reaffirms the Council’s support for the 2018 Stockholm Agreement, including the ceasefire in the Houthi-controlled port city – and demilitarisation of its docks, where the majority of Yemen’s imports and vital aid shipments pass through.

    The mission’s future

    It also signals a growing debate over the mission’s future, requesting the Secretary-General to submit a review by November to enhance coordination and coherence of UN operations, “bearing in mind challenges” that have directly impeded UNMHA’s capacity to deliver.

    “The Security Council…expresses its intention to review the full range of options for UNMHA’s mandate, including assessing the future viability and sunsetting of the Mission, and make any necessary adjustments to gain efficiencies and reduce costs or otherwise, as may be required to UN operations in Hudaydah by developments on the ground, including inter alia a durable nationwide ceasefire,” the resolution noted.

    UNMHA was established in 2019 to support implementation of the Stockholm Agreement between the Government of Yemen and Ansar Allah (as the Houthis are formally known), which sought to prevent major conflict over the region.

    The mission monitors the ceasefire, facilitates redeployments and supports de-escalation through liaison mechanisms between the parties.

    Tensions mounting

    While the military situation on the ground remains tenuously stable, tensions are mounting on multiple fronts.

    According to a letter from the Secretary-General to the 15-member Council in June, a growing number of ceasefire violations – averaging over 100 per day between June 2024 and May 2025 – highlight the fragile state of the region.  

    Government-aligned forces fortified positions in anticipation of a possible offensive on the city, while Houthi units increased infiltration attempts and public mobilisation, including military-style youth camps in areas they control.

    UN Photo/Mark Garten

    Security Council unanimously adopts Resolution 2786 (2025) extending until 28 January 2026 the mandate of the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA).

    Deadly Red Sea passage

    Compounding this, Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea have intensified. On 8 July, the commercial vessel Eternity C was sunk, killing several crew members and leaving others missing. This followed the sinking of the Magic Seas vessel two days earlier.

    In a statement, UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg condemned the attacks, calling them violations of international maritime law and warning they risked serious environmental and geopolitical fallout.

    He called on Ansar Allah to cease attacks that risk escalating tensions in and around Yemen.

    “[He urges them] to build on the cessation of hostilities with the United States in the Red Sea and to provide durable guarantees to the region and the wider international community, ensuring the safety of all those using this critical waterway,” the statement noted.

    Significant operational constraints

    Within Hudaydah itself, UNMHA faces significant constraints.  

    The June letter by the Secretary-General details restrictions by Houthi authorities on UN patrols to the critical Red Sea ports – Hudaydah, Salif and Ras Issa.

    Damage from repeated airstrikes, including by the US and Israel in response to Houthi attacks, has left key port infrastructure partially inoperable, disrupting fuel, food and medical imports.

    With Hudaydah responsible for 70 per cent of Yemen’s commercial imports and 80 per cent of humanitarian deliveries, the stakes are high.

    © UNICEF/Mahmoud Alfilastini

    A child receives a polio vaccination in Yemen.

    Polio vaccination drive

    Meanwhile, a new round of polio vaccinations is underway in Government-controlled areas of southern Yemen, amid mounting concerns over the continued spread of the virus.  

    From 12 to 14 July, health workers deployed across 12 governorates, aimed at curbing the outbreak of variant type 2 poliovirus.

    The campaign, led by Yemen’s Ministry of Public Health with support from UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), came as 282 cases have been reported since 2021, with environmental surveillance confirming ongoing transmission.

    “The campaign is essential to interrupt transmission and protect every child from the debilitating effects of polio,” said Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, acting WHO Representative in Yemen.

    UNICEF’s Peter Hawkins echoed the urgency, warning of the “imminent threat” to unvaccinated children if immunisation gaps persist.

    “But, through vaccination, we can keep our children safe,” he said.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Gaza: 875 people confirmed dead trying to source food in recent weeks

    Source: United Nations 4

    “As of 13 July, we have recorded 875 people killed in Gaza while trying to get food; 674 of them were killed in the vicinity of GHF sites,” said Thameen Al-Kheetan, OHCHR spokesperson, referencing the US-Israeli run private organization which has bypassed regular humanitarian operations.

    The remaining 201 victims were killed while seeking food “on the routes of aid convoys or near aid convoys” run by the UN or UN-partners still operating in the war-shattered enclave, Mr. Al-Kheetan told journalists in Geneva.

    Killings linked to the controversial US and Israeli-backed aid hubs began shortly after they started operating in southern Gaza on 27 May, bypassing the UN and other established NGOs.

    The latest deadly incident happened at around 9am on Monday 14 July, when reports indicated that the Israeli military shelled and fired towards Palestinians seeking food at the GHF site in As Shakoush area, northwestern Rafah.

    According to OHCHR, two Palestinians were killed and at least nine others were injured. Some of the casualties were transported to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) hospital in Rafah. On Saturday medics there received more than 130 patients, the “overwhelming majority” suffering from gunshot wounds and “all responsive individuals” reporting they were attempting to access food distribution sites.

    Deadly hunger

    The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, expressed deep concerns about the continuing killing of civilians trying to access food, while deadly malnutrition spreads among children.

    “Our teams on the ground – UNRWA teams and other United Nations teams – have spoken to survivors of these killings, these starving children included, who were shot at while on their way to pick up very little food,” said Juliette Touma, UNRWA Director of Communications.

    Speaking via video from Amman, Ms. Touma insisted that the near-total Israeli blockade of Gaza has led to babies dying of the effects of severe acute malnutrition.

    “We’ve been banned from bringing in any humanitarian assistance into Gaza for more than four months now,” she said, before pointing to a “significant increase” in child malnutrition since the Israeli blockade began on 2 March.

    Ms. Touma added: “We have 6,000 trucks waiting in places like Egypt, like Jordan; it’s from Jordan to the Gaza Strip it’s a three-hour drive, right?”

    In addition to food supplies, these UN trucks contain other vital if basic supplies including bars of soap. “Medicine and food are going to soon expire if we’re not able to get those supplies to people in Gaza who need it most, among them one million children who are half of the population of the Gaza Strip,” Ms. Touma continued.

    West Bank: ‘Silent war is surging’

    Meanwhile in the occupied West Bank including East Jerusalem, Palestinians continue to be killed in violence allegedly linked to Israeli settlers and security forces, UN agencies said.

    According to OHCHR, two-year-old Laila Khatib was shot in the head by Israeli security forces on 25 January while she was inside her house in Ash-Shuhada village, in Jenin.

    On 3 July, 61-year-old Walid Badir was shot and killed by Israeli security forces, reportedly while he was cycling back home from prayers, passing through the outskirts of the Nur Shams camp, the UN rights office continued, pointing to intensifying “killings, attacks and harassment of Palestinians in past weeks.

    “This includes the demolition of hundreds of homes and forced mass displacement of Palestinians,” OHCHR’s Mr. Al-Kheetan noted, with some 30,000 Palestinians forcibly displaced since the launch of Israel’s operation “Iron Wall” in the north of the occupied West Bank earlier this year.

    “We should recall that international law is very clear about this in terms of the obligations of the occupying power,” he said. “Bringing about a permanent demographic change inside the occupied territory may amount to a war crime and is tantamount to ethnic cleansing.”

    “We continue to have a silent war that is surging, where heavy restrictions on movement continue, where poverty is increasing as people are cut off from their livelihoods and unemployment soars,” said UNRWA’s Ms. Touma.

    With its current focus on the northern occupied West Bank, the Israeli military operation has impacted the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem and Nur Shams.

    “It is causing the largest population displacement of the Palestinians in the West Bank since 1967,” Ms. Touma continued.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TAC welcomes Government’s proposal to regulate online hailing hire car services

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    TAC welcomes Government’s proposal to regulate online hailing hire car services 
    The Transport Advisory Committee (TAC) welcomes the Government’s submission of the legislative proposal to regulate online hailing hire car services to the Legislative Council Panel on Transport.
     
    The Chairman of the TAC and the Working Group for Enhancing Personalised Point-to-Point Transport Services (Working Group), Professor Stephen Cheung, said, “The development density of Hong Kong is high, with nearly 90 per cent of commuters using public transport. We agree with the Government’s adherence to a public transport oriented policy and the effective utilisation of limited road resources. With advancements in technology and changing travel patterns, booking and providing personalised point-to-point transport services through online hailing platforms have become an international trend. Various sectors of society, the taxi trade and online hailing platform companies have been calling on the Government to regulate online hailing hire car services, with a view to creating a healthy and sustainable competitive environment for the personalised point-to-point transport market.”
     
         “The TAC welcomes the Government’s legislative proposal to regulate online hailing hire car services from three aspects, namely platforms, vehicles, and drivers, to ensure that the services provided comply with legal requirements and regulations relating to safety standards and service quality. This will help safeguard passengers’ safety and rights and meet the travel needs of the public. The TAC expects that, after the relevant regulation has been implemented, taxis will continue to maintain its current advantages and coexist with online hailing hire cars, thereby meeting passengers’ diversified transport demands.” Professor Cheung continued.
     
    The TAC established the Working Group in July last year to advise the Government on the regulation of online hailing hire car services. The Working Group comprises a number of TAC members, representatives from relevant agencies/departments, namely the Insurance Authority and the Tourism Commission, as well as representatives from the Transport and Logistics Bureau and the Transport Department. In February this year, the Working Group met with representatives from the taxi trade and online hailing platform companies to gather their views and suggestions, and subsequently received views from various taxi trade representatives, online hailing platform companies and the public regarding the regulation of online hailing hire car services. The Working Group has previously submitted the views collected, along with the research findings on the regulation of online hailing hire car services in other regions, to the Government.
    Issued at HKT 20:52

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –