Category: Environment

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD orders two restaurants in Yau Tsim district to suspend business for 14 and 21 days respectively

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has ordered two restaurants in Yau Tsim district to suspend business for 14 days and 21 days respectively, as the operators repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by illegally extending the food business area.

     The restaurant, located on the ground floor of 210 Temple Street, was ordered to suspend business from today (October 21) to November 3, while the restaurant, Spicy Crabs, located on the ground floor of 105 Woosung Street, was ordered to suspend business from today to November 10.

     “Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant on Temple Street in February and August of this year. A total fine of $7,500 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department’s demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the 14-day licence suspension. Meanwhile, from July of last year to June of this year, four convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant on Woosung Street. A total fine of $7,700 was levied by the court and 60 demerit points were registered against this licensee under the department’s demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in seven-day and 14-day licence suspensions running consecutively,” a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.

     The licensee of the restaurant on Temple Street had a record of two convictions for the same offence in July and September of last year. A total fine of $6,400 was levied and 30 demerit points were also registered, leading to a seven-day licence suspension last December.

     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR and other relevant regulations, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.

Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Train scan gives inside track on marvellous museum model’s secrets

Source: City of Leeds

High-tech 3D scans have revealed the intricate inner workings of the world’s oldest model locomotive for the first time in more than 200 years.

Leeds Industrial Museum’s incredible miniature recreation of a pioneering early steam locomotive recently underwent a detailed CT X-Ray survey using sophisticated equipment at the University of Leeds.

The resulting images show how the precious model, made for the famed engineer Matthew Murray in 1811, replicated the revolutionary mechanics of its full-sized counterparts and in turn helped power a worldwide boom in the railway industry.

It is hoped the images can now illustrate to museum visitors how the model worked and exactly why it was so important to the evolution of early railways across the globe.

John McGoldrick, Leeds Museums and Galleries’ curator of industrial history, said: “This tiny model played a huge part in the development of the early rail industry, allowing Murray to showcase his brilliance to investors and giving him the opportunity to bring his trailblazing designs to life.

“Thanks to these remarkable scans, we can now explore for the first time since 1811 how the model worked, and the extraordinary ingenuity and intricacy which went into its creation.

“Short of cutting open the model, which we wouldn’t ever do, we’d never have got to see its inner workings in quite this way. Now, not only are we examining a piece of engineering history, we’re also getting a unique and unprecedented insight into the mind of one of the world’s great inventors.”

Full-sized Murray designs, such as the famous Salamanca, became the very first commercially viable steam locomotives, and were built around the same time as the model.

At least two other models of the same type were made, with one being gifted by Murray to Grand Duke Nicholas of Russia when he visited Leeds in 1816.

Murray would have used the fully working miniature replicas to woo potential investors and colliery owners, as well as impressing his fellow designers and contemporaries.

His efforts proved successful, with each engine selling for £350, galvanising Murray to create further locomotives which later inspired the great George Stephenson’s designs.

Those locomotives also revolutionised the transportation of coal in Leeds, enabling a small and relatively lightweight engine to haul more than 20 times its own weight, powered by steam from a cast iron boiler with a single flue.

Leeds Museums and Galleries teamed up with Dr Michael Bailey, an early railway historian and archaeologist of early locomotive technology, Dr Alice Macente from the University of Leeds School of Civil Engineering and Dr Sam Allshorn from the School of Earth and Environment.

The scans were carried out at Wolfson Multiphase Flow Laboratory in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds.

Dr Bailey will now be producing a detailed historical account of the model together with an assessment of its design and components.

Funding for the project came through the Leeds Cultural Institute’s Collections Research Fund, a collaboration between academics at the University of Leeds and Leeds Museums and Galleries.

The full findings of the scanning and research will be featured in a future exhibit about the model.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, said: “The status Leeds has as a centre for engineering excellence over the centuries is incredible, and this extraordinary model really encapsulates that spirit invention and ingenuity.

“It’s also inspiring to see partners and organisations in modern-day Leeds working together to uncover more about the city’s story and using the latest technology to add new dimensions to what we know about the past.”

Once the world’s largest woollen mill, Leeds Industrial Museum is home to models and machinery paying tribute to the city’s industrial heritage as well as its many inventors and engineers.

For more information on Leeds Industrial Museum, please visit: https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/leeds-industrial-museum

ENDS

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: People around the world are using courts to question whether climate policies are fair – new study

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Annalisa Savaresi, Senior Lecturer, Environmental Law, University of Stirling

Coal workers suing their government over job losses. Indigenous people using the courts to block wind farms or anti-deforestation policies that violate their cultural rights. What these cases have in common is they challenge the fairness of climate policies and projects themselves.

Our new study, carried out with researchers from 16 universities and published in Nature Sustainability, finds that cases like these are increasingly being filed all over the world.

We coined the term “just transition litigation” to describe these cases. This term captures a focus on ensuring that climate action balances the transition to a low-carbon economy with social justice and the protection of vulnerable communities.

This phenomenon must be kept distinct from that of climate litigation, which tends to focus on holding governments and companies accountable for failing to reduce emissions or adapt to climate change.

Our research began in 2020, when we started noticing a growing number of cases that didn’t fit the conventional model of climate litigation. For example, in Chile, union workers sued the government, arguing that they had been excluded from discussions regarding the phase-out of coal plants. The Chilean Supreme Court ruled in favour of the workers, emphasising that a just transition strategy — one that includes consultation with affected communities — is essential for achieving carbon neutrality.

Similarly, in Norway, the Sami Indigenous people successfully challenged wind farm licenses, which the country’s Supreme Court found to have violated their cultural rights to herd reindeer. In Colombia, Indigenous people argued that projects aimed at reducing deforestation on their land violated their rights to self-determination and cultural integrity.

Read more:
Reindeer: ancient migration routes disrupted by roads, dams – and now wind farms

In pursuit of justice

Just transition litigation seeks to ensure that the shift toward a greener economy is fair and inclusive, particularly for those who may be disadvantaged by the rapid changes it brings. The applicants in these cases often include regular workers, Indigenous people, women, children, minorities and other groups who are typically underrepresented in legislative and decision-making processes. (Our concept of just transition litigation excludes lawsuits brought by corporations seeking to protect their own interests at the expense of broader societal fairness.)

At the core of this litigation is the pursuit of justice. As countries shift to low-carbon economies, these policies inevitably produce both winners and losers. Oil and gas workers lose their jobs. Indigenous people are displaced or see the world around them changed by new wind or solar farms. All these people lament being treated unjustly.

To ensure widespread support for climate policies, their grievances should not be dismissed as mere nimbyism. Rather, they should be recognised as carrying precious insights into the fairness, equity, and social impacts of climate policies and projects.

The litigation we looked at calls upon courts to assess climate action against various different legal frameworks, ranging from constitutional and human rights law to corporate accountability standards. Some lawsuits use arguments of distributive justice, which focus on the allocation of resources and burdens. Some look at procedural justice, such as inclusive decision-making. Others want what is termed recognition justice, which focuses on respect for marginalised groups.

Why this matters

All this reflects a growing recognition that climate action may come at a cost to certain groups, especially those already on the margins of society. It also underscores the need to address the social justice of climate action and ensure it does not make the world even less equal.

The core issue is that, while much attention is given to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, less emphasis has been placed on ensuring we do so equitably. This is especially the case at a time when governments in the EU , the UK and the US are announcing plans to cut the red tape and expedite the transition.

As more communities turn to courts to seek justice, our study highlights an urgent need for policymakers to embrace inclusive, transparent and equitable processes. Decisions over who owns land, or what jobs people can do, should involve those most affected. Ensuring that climate policies are fair and just will not only protect vulnerable groups but also foster broader public support.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get our award-winning weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Joana Setzer receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Foundation for International Law for the Environment, and the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment

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

– ref. People around the world are using courts to question whether climate policies are fair – new study – https://theconversation.com/people-around-the-world-are-using-courts-to-question-whether-climate-policies-are-fair-new-study-241093

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Provides Free Well Disinfection, Well Water Collection Kits to Communities Impacted by Hurricane Helene
Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: NCDHHS Provides Free Well Disinfection, Well Water Collection Kits to Communities Impacted by Hurricane Helene

NCDHHS Provides Free Well Disinfection, Well Water Collection Kits to Communities Impacted by Hurricane Helene
hejones1
Tue, 10/22/2024 – 11:23
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services today announced free well disinfection and well water collection kits are available for communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Local health departments in western North Carolina will distribute kits for households with private wells that were flooded or damaged by the storm.

Excessive rain and flooding can cause water in private wells to become contaminated, meaning the water can make people sick if it is consumed. After a flood, private wells must be assessed for damage, repaired, disinfected and tested before use to ensure the water is safe. It is critical people do not drink or use water from a private well that has been damaged or flooded until it has been properly disinfected and tested after the storm.

The NCDHHS Division of Public Health has assembled well disinfection and well water collection kits for distribution through select local health departments. Private well owners living in the communities served by the following local health departments who have flooded or damaged wells can pick up free kits beginning Tuesday, Oct. 22. Participating local health departments include:
- AppHealthCare – Alleghany location: 157 Health Services Road, Sparta, NC 28675
- AppHealthCare – Ashe Environmental Health Building: 626 Ashe Central School Road, Jefferson, NC 28640
- AppHealthCare – Watauga location: 126 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607
- Burke County Health Department: 700 E. Parker Road, Morganton, NC 28655
- Buncombe County Health Department – Environmental Health Building: 30 Valley St., Asheville, NC 28801
- Caldwell County Health Department: 2345 Morganton Blvd., Lenoir, NC, 28645
- Cherokee County Health Department: 228 Hilton St., Murphy, NC 28906
- Haywood County Environmental Health: 157 Paragon Parkway, Suite 200, Clyde, NC 28721
- Henderson County Health Department: 1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100, Hendersonville NC 28792
- Madison – Environmental Health Building: 5707 US-25, Marshall, NC 28753
- Toe River Health District – Mitchell location: 130 Forest Service Drive, Bakersville, NC 28705
- Toe River Health District – Avery location: 545 Schultz Circle, Newland, NC 28657
- Yancey County Health Department: 202 Medical Campus Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714
Each well kit includes the necessary supplies to disinfect and collect a well water sample for testing, including step-by-step instructions. Flooded or damaged wells must be disinfected first before collecting a sample for testing. Private well owners should return the sample back to their local health department for testing. The local health department or testing lab will provide results back as quickly as possible. Private well owners who live in an impacted area not listed above should contact their local health department for well disinfection and testing assistance.

For help understanding test results, use the online Be Well Informed tool (select North Carolina) or contact the NCDHHS-DPH Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at 919-707-5900 or oeeb@dhhs.nc.gov.

Well disinfection and well water collection kits can be picked up at the following dates and times:
- Oct. 22-24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Oct. 28-31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Additional dates and times will be provided by the local health departments.

For information regarding Hurricane Helene including additional resources and flexibilities in place, please go to www.ncdps.gov/Helene and www.ncdhhs.gov/helene.

El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte (NCDHHS, por sus siglas en inglés) anunció hoy que hay kits gratuitos de desinfección y recolección de agua de pozo disponibles para las comunidades afectadas por el huracán Helene. Los departamentos de salud locales en el oeste de Carolina del Norte distribuirán kits para hogares con pozos privados que fueron inundados o dañados por la tormenta.

El exceso de lluvia y las inundaciones pueden contaminar el agua de los pozos privados, lo que significa que el agua puede enfermar a las personas si se consume. Después de una inundación, los pozos privados deben ser evaluados para detectar daños, reparados, desinfectados y analizados antes de su uso para garantizar que el agua sea segura. Es fundamental que las personas no beban ni usen agua de un pozo privado que haya sido dañado o inundado hasta que haya sido desinfectado y analizado adecuadamente después de la tormenta.

La División de Salud Pública del NCDHHS ha reunido kits de desinfección y recolección de agua de pozo para su distribución a través de departamentos de salud locales seleccionados. Los propietarios de pozos privados que viven en las comunidades atendidas por los siguientes departamentos de salud locales con pozos dañados o inundados pueden recoger kits gratuitos a partir del martes 22 de octubre. Los departamentos de salud locales participantes incluyen:
- AppHealthCare – Ubicación en Alleghany: 157 Health Services Road, Sparta, NC 28675
- AppHealthCare – Edificio de Salud Ambiental de Ashe: 626 Ashe Central School Road, Jefferson, NC 28640
- AppHealthCare – Ubicación en Watauga: 126 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607
- Departamento de Salud del condado de Burke: 700 E. Parker Road, Morganton, NC 28655
- Departamento de Salud del condado de Buncombe – Edificio de Salud Ambiental: 30 Valley St., Asheville, NC 28801
- Departamento de Salud del condado de Caldwell: 2345 Morganton Blvd., Lenoir, NC, 28645
- Departamento de Salud del condado de Cherokee: 228 Hilton St., Murphy, NC 28906
- Salud Ambiental del condado de Haywood: 157 Paragon Parkway, Suite 200, Clyde, NC 28721
- Departamento de Salud del condado de Henderson: 1200 Spartanburg Highway, Suite 100, Hendersonville NC 28792
- Madison – Edificio de Salud Ambiental: 5707 US-25, Marshall, NC 28753
- Distrito de Salud Toe River – Ubicación en Mitchell: 130 Forest Service Drive, Bakersville, NC 28705
- Distrito de Salud Toe River– Ubicación en Avery: 545 Schultz Circle, Newland, NC 28657
- Departamento de Salud del condado de Yancey: 202 Medical Campus Drive, Burnsville, NC 28714
Cada kit de pozo incluye los suministros necesarios para desinfectar y recolectar una muestra de agua de pozo para su análisis, incluidas las instrucciones paso a paso. Los pozos inundados o dañados deben desinfectarse primero antes de recoger una muestra para su análisis. Los propietarios de pozos privados deben devolver la muestra a su departamento de salud local para su análisis. El departamento de salud local o el laboratorio de pruebas proporcionarán los resultados lo más rápido posible. Los propietarios de pozos privados que viven en una zona afectada no mencionada anteriormente deben ponerse en contacto con su departamento de salud local para obtener asistencia con la desinfección y las pruebas de los pozos.

Para obtener ayuda para comprender los resultados de las pruebas, use la herramienta en línea Be Well Informed (seleccione Carolina del Norte) o comuníquese con la Sección de Epidemiología Ocupacional y Ambiental del NCDHHS-DPH al 919-707-5900 o oeeb@dhhs.nc.gov.

Los kits de desinfección y recolección de agua de pozo se pueden recoger en las siguientes fechas y horas:
- Octubre 22-24, 9 a.m. a 3 p.m.
- Octubre 28-31, 9 a.m. a 3 p.m.
Los departamentos de salud locales proporcionarán fechas y horas adicionales.

Para obtener información sobre el huracán Helene, incluidos los recursos adicionales y las flexibilidades vigentes, visite http://www.ncdps.gov/Helene y http://www.ncdhhs.gov/helene.
Oct 22, 2024

MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Kamlager-Dove Joins Democratic Efforts to Put a Spotlight on Project 2025 with New Documentary Style Video Series
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager California (37th District)

New Documentary Video Series Details Project 2025’s Threat to Reproductive Freedom, Workers’ Rights, Environmental Protections, Public Education, and American Democracy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) joined Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) for a five-part video documentary series detailing Project 2025’s threat to democracy, reproductive freedom, workers’ rights, environmental regulation, and public education. The series will feature interviews with Representatives Kamlager-Dove, Goldman, and 11 of their House Democratic colleagues from across the country, as well as American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, Planned Parenthood Vice President Karen Stone, NY League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe, and Accountable.US President Caroline Ciccone. As Vice Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove will highlight the devastating impacts Project 2025 would have on the environment.

Watch the Trailer for the Series Here

“Project 2025 poses a grave threat, not just to our democracy but to our planet, too,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “This hostile takeover of the federal government would depose dedicated public servants and install Trump loyalists and climate denialists at the EPA, enabling Republicans to slash environmental protections at the behest of Big Oil. But Project 2025 doesn’t stop at encouraging the world’s worst polluters—this agenda also seeks to discontinue air quality, clean energy, and decarbonization programs by overturning the Inflation Reduction Act, harming the health of our communities and the environment, eliminating clean energy jobs, and exacerbating the climate crisis. With Project 2025, Republicans have shown that they will continue to put polluters over people—this plan must be stopped.”

As an increasing share of Americans consume their news from non-traditional sources on Instagram, YouTube, and other social media sites, Congressman Goldman’s series marks an effort by Democrats to reach audiences where they are in a diversified media landscape. Across various social media platforms, the first two videos of the series have received over 400,000 views, signaling the potential of this new format to reach large numbers of Americans.

“Project 2025’s shocking plan to gut checks and balances, restrict abortion access, decimate public education, pollute our air and water, and endanger American workers for the sole benefit of Republican authoritarian extremists is utterly reprehensible and incredibly dangerous,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This document is a detailed guide for how a second Trump administration will dismantle our democracy, and it is critical that the American people understand exactly how Trump intends to do it. I am proud to be joined by so many of my colleagues and policy leaders to expose this radical plan to reshape American society as we know it.”

Congressional Equality Caucus Co-Chair Becca Balint said, “Project 2025 is a far-right plan by Trump allies to impose Christian nationalist values onto every American. It goes completely against our American values to promote a strong, resilient democracy; in fact this plan aims to erode our democratic institutions by gutting checks and balances and seizing power for the presidency. Project 2025 is nothing short of an anti-freedom and anti-equality agenda: it further attacks reproductive rights and disproportionately harms communities of color and our LGBTQI+ community. Project 2025 would increase gun violence rather than protect our communities. And its plan to abolish the Department of Education would hurt millions of families whose kids go to public schools, teachers who are already underpaid, and students. It’s dangerous and we must take it extremely seriously. I’m proud to be a part of this series to help Americans understand the threat it poses to our values and democratic norms.”

Pre-K and Child Care Caucus Co-Chair Suzanne Bonamici said, “Project 2025 is a blueprint for MAGA extremists to undermine government and destroy programs and policies that support working families. It’s the product of people who held top positions in the previous administration and special interest groups that hold significant influence over the GOP’s agenda. I’m working with my colleagues to counter this extremist plan and to educate Americans about its potentially devastating effects.”

Pro-Choice Caucus Task Force Chair Judy Chu said, “Trump and his allies’ Project 2025 is a 900 page comprehensive plan for MAGA Republicans to grab power for themselves, enrich their allies, and shatter our already fragile democracy. Project 2025 touches on every agency in the federal government and is January 6th extremism crafted into a governing ideology: fire tens of thousands of civil servants to replace them with partisan loyalists, abolish checks and balances, chip away at church-state separation, and impose a far-right agenda that rips away our freedoms and takes money out of pockets. It’s so critical for House Democrats to work together to shine a light on as many details of this plan as possible so we can equip ourselves and the American people with the information we need to fight back and make certain we put systems into place to protect us from these extreme policies.”

Freshman Leadership Representative Jasmine Crockett said, “Let me make it plain: Project 2025 is the GOP’s attack plan against the American constitution. It doesn’t just undermine the progress made in this country for women, people of color, and LGBTQIA folks over the past century; it undermines the very principles of self-government that our country was founded on. If our Founding Fathers were to read Project 2025, they would have thought it was sent over by King George himself. It’s a blueprint for authoritarianism, a blueprint for monarchy, and a blueprint for a right-wing dictatorship in America that will end our democratic experiment for good. If the majority of Americans were to read and understand this plan – a plan authored by hundreds of members of former President Trump’s administration – they would reject it as un-American and dangerous. Thank you to Congressman Goldman for bringing us together to break down Project 2025 from every angle – no matter how engaged you are, you can still learn something from this series.”

Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Intelligence and Law Enforcement Ranking Member Seth Magaziner said, “Donald Trump’s Project 2025 will hand a future Trump administration nearly unlimited power to ban abortion, take away healthcare for people with preexisting conditions, and rip away the freedoms that Americans have fought hard for. Trump’s Project 2025 is dangerous, cruel, and out-of-touch with the needs of the American people. We will not let Trump and Congressional Republicans take us back.”

House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Co-Chair Kathy Manning said, “Project 2025 is simply a more detailed blueprint of Donald Trump’s extreme MAGA agenda that promises to roll back Americans’ basic rights and freedoms. Because of Donald Trump and the three extreme MAGA Justices he appointed to the Supreme Court to overturn Roe. v. Wade, one in three women of reproductive age lives in a state with a Trump abortion ban. Now, his extreme Project 2025 plans will attack reproductive freedoms even further by targeting abortion pills and contraception coverage, and threatening IVF treatments. Project 2025 would also ban the mailing of abortion medications, equipment, or materials, effectively creating a nationwide, backdoor abortion ban — without the approval of Congress.”

Labor Caucus Co-Founder Donald Norcross said, “Project 2025 is a 920-page manifesto designed to tell every American how to live their life. If enacted into law, Project 2025 would destroy the 250-year-old system of checks and balances that make up our democracy and completely dismantle almost every labor standard that protects workers. As a union electrician and co-chair of the Labor Caucus, it pains me to see a document that would strip away worker protections and fair labor practices that working families have been fighting for decades. I’m proud to join Rep. Goldman in this video series to help explain the threat Project 2025 poses to American values, ideals, and freedoms.”

Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government Ranking Member Stacey Plaskett said, “Project 2025 is the playbook for Donald Trump’s second term, which will ensure that the few have power over the many and that the rule of law as we know it, is gone. It is a plan to ensure that the federal government no longer acts as a check on the greed and desire for absolute power that Trump and his cohort of friends share. In every way, Project 2025 will make Americans less safe and less free. Republicans know that these ideas are not popular with the people of America and that’s why they hide from the facts, obfuscate the truth and distract the public’s attention with wild claims to vilify minorities and keep us divided. It is imperative that we all do our part to ensure that Donald Trump is not allowed to enforce the clear and present danger that the Project 2025 master plan represents to American democracy.”

American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said, Project 2025 is about institutionalizing Trumpism. It’s about going after educational opportunity, economic opportunity and equal opportunity. It’s about going after the legitimacy of elections. This is the stuff of demagogues and dictators, not democracies. This is not the promise of America. We can and must do better than this—for the sake of our families and the future of our republic.”

Accountable.US President Caroline Ciccone said, “Project 2025 isn’t about serving the people; it’s about ensuring that political loyalty becomes the guiding rule. They want to replace our government’s independent watchdogs with partisan loyalists, dismantling checks and balances to consolidate power in the executive branch. With a captured Supreme Court and a weaponized Department of Justice, the next conservative administration would have all the tools they needed to drive America closer and closer to their idealized far-right dystopia, at the cost of our personal freedoms.”

A third of all U.S adults say they regularly get their news from Facebook or YouTube, and nearly 20% report preferring to receive their news from social media. As more Americans turn to non-traditional platforms such as social media, YouTube, and online searches to stay informed Congressman Goldman is focused on ensuring that important information reaches all Americans in this rapidly transforming media landscape.

In addition to Representatives Kamlager-Dove and Goldman, the following members of Congress are featured in the series: Congressional Equality Caucus Co-Chair Becca Balint (VT-AL), Pre-K and Child Care Caucus Co-Chair Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Pro-Choice Caucus Task Force Chair Judy Chu (CA-28), Freshman Leadership Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Lois Frankel (FL-22), Dads Caucus Founder and Chair Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Intelligence and Law Enforcement Ranking Member Seth Magaziner (RI-02), House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism Co-Chair Kathy Manning (NC-06), Labor Caucus Co-Founder Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government Ranking Member Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), and Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition Co-Chair Paul Tonko (NY-20).

Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan for the next conservative president to swiftly enact the most anti-democratic and archconservative agenda in the history of this country. It lays the groundwork for Donald Trump to seize power, gut checks and balances, and enact a radical agenda. It touches on every department and agency within the federal government.

The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank funded by shady dark money interests, has been plotting Project 2025, an unprecedented scheme to help the next conservative president quickly enact the most radical agenda in the history of the country. The plan is laying the groundwork for a new president to seize power and enact broad changes that are deeply unpopular with the American people. This includes vastly expanding the ability of the president to purge civil servants who are not sufficiently loyal to this extreme right-wing agenda.
- Within the first 180 days of taking office, the plan calls for attacks on reproductive rights, the rule of law, and the expansion of the cruel and inhumane immigration policies from the Trump administration. Project 2025 is a comprehensive plan that would touch every department of the federal government and fundamentally reshape the lives of the American people. The Project’s four-pronged strategy that includes:
  
  A laundry list of extreme policies to be enacted across the federal government;
  
  A blueprint for how to use existing authority—or expand the power of the presidency—to implement right-wing policy proposals;
  
  A database of right-wing ideologues who wholeheartedly endorse this power grab and far-right policies;
  
  Training for staff so they can more efficiently enact this extreme agenda.
While Project 2025 is being run out of the Heritage Foundation, its advisors include former Trump White House aides like Stephen Miller, and more than half the groups supporting the effort have received $21.5 million in funding from Leonard Leo’s dark money network.

Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove is a member of the Stop Project 2025 Task Force.

###
MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: USGS discusses water security challenges with Namibia and Botswana agencies
Source: US Geological Survey
The USGS Office of International Programs’ Science Advisor for International Water John Lane and USGS Water Mission Area Hydrologic Networks Branch Chief Molly Wood visited Namibia and Botswana on an assignment of the U.S. Ambassador’s Water Experts Program (AWEP). AWEP is administered by the Department of Interior International Technical Assistance Program (DOI ITAP) with funding from the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Oceans and International Environment and Scientific Affairs.

USGS scientists met with representatives of the water sector in both countries, including government ministries, bulk water suppliers, municipal utilities operators, multinational water commissions, private consultants, and U.S. Embassy staff.

Namibia and Botswana have semi-arid to arid climates and are undergoing severe drought. Water resources for drinking water supply, livestock watering, mining, and industry are stretched thin. The Namibia and Botswana governments are seeking technical support for improved understanding and use of available water resources.

Discussions centered on potential USGS support to Namibia and Botswana agencies to
- Leverage remote sensing datasets to improve understanding of water availability,
- Improve hydrologic monitoring networks to increase access to hydrologic data to inform water resource management decisions, and
- Collaboratively develop scientific solutions to better manage groundwater and surface water resources to address the ongoing drought.
DOI ITAP posted on Facebook about the visit.

USGS employees Molly Wood (3rd from left) and John Lane (3rd from right) with staff from the Namibia Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, after a workshop on geophysics data collection.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Bennet, Polis Call on Reclamation to Ensure Colorado Tribes Have Access to Drought, Water Management Funding

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
Leaders push for opportunities for Tribal Nations to apply for drought mitigation dollars following recent Bureau of Reclamation determination on Inflation Reduction Act funds
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Governor Jared Polis called on the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) to explore new opportunities for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe to access federal funding for drought and water supply management. USBR recently announced that forbearance proposals – paying water users to forgo water use, like the projects the Tribal Nations had planned to submit – will not be considered in the upcoming Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding round aimed to increase water conservation and efficiency in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
“We write to urge you to ensure that the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (“the Colorado Tribal Nations”) have the opportunity to apply for funding programs that address drought and water supply management in the Colorado River Basin, including through upcoming drought mitigation funding under the Inflation Reduction Act,” wrote the lawmakers.
“We strongly encourage you to explore other avenues for Colorado’s Tribal Nations to pursue funding related to drought response, recognizing that they are currently forgoing their water use not by choice, but resulting from a history of inequity reflected in their long-term lack of infrastructure.”
The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and Southern Ute Indian Tribe hold combined water rights to over 33,000 acre-feet of water in Lake Nighthorse southwest of Durango but lack adequate infrastructure to deliver that water to their reservations. As a result, the Tribal Nations currently cannot use or benefit from their water, and it flows downstream to other users.
The Tribal Nations planned to apply for IRA funding to receive compensation for forgoing development of their water rights, but recently learned that their planned project would not qualify under the upcoming IRA drought funding announcement. In the letter, the lawmakers urge USBR to explore alternative funding opportunities that could better suit the needs of the Colorado Tribal Nations.
Hickenlooper and Bennet fought for $8 billion for western water infrastructure, $10 billion for forests, $19 billion for agricultural conservation, and $4 billion for drought in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The text of the letter is available HERE or below.
Dear Commissioner Touton:
We write to urge you to ensure that the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (“the Colorado Tribal Nations”) have the opportunity to apply for funding programs that address drought and water supply management in the Colorado River Basin, including through upcoming drought mitigation funding under the Inflation Reduction Act.
As you know, Colorado’s two federally-recognized Tribal Nations had intended to apply for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (USBR) Upper Colorado River Basin Inflation Reduction Act funding for water supply purposes, known as “Bucket 2 Water Supply,” or “B2W” funding. The Colorado Tribal Nations had planned to apply in a bid to receive compensation for forgoing use of certain water rights as recognized under the Colorado Ute Indian Water Rights Settlement Act of 1988 (as amended in 2000). For decades since that Act’s passage, the Colorado Tribal Nations have lacked the infrastructure needed to fully develop their allocated water supply. The Colorado Tribal Nations’ intent to develop uses for their legally recognized settlement water reflects their demand for full utilization of their water rights, despite challenges relating to infrastructure and other issues.
The Colorado Tribal Nations were disheartened to learn that USBR’s forthcoming B2W funding announcement would not be open to projects such as those they originally planned, which would seek compensation for a forbearance of future development of their settlement water. We understand that USBR believes this activity will not qualify as a verifiable reduction in water use that can be compensated under B2W. Still, we must stress that a Tribe’s lack of opportunity to develop those supplies does not equate to a lack of demand – nor should it foreclose other opportunities for that Tribe, including those under the Inflation Reduction Act.
We strongly encourage you to explore other avenues for Colorado’s Tribal Nations to pursue funding related to drought response, recognizing that they are currently forgoing their water use not by choice, but resulting from a history of inequity reflected in their long-term lack of infrastructure. We ask that you work with the Colorado Tribal Nations and provide them sufficient time to apply if your agency determines another funding opportunity or source may be better suited to their needs – whether this be USBR’s environmentally-focused funding for the Upper Basin known as “Bucket 2 Environmental” or “B2E”, or another source yet to be identified.
We value your leadership and continued willingness to work with us on efforts to promote the health of the Colorado River Basin. We also appreciate your attention to addressing the longstanding inequities that Colorado’s Tribal Nations have faced, and we look forward to working with you to ensure that paths toward a more equitable future remain open for them.
Sincerely,

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Cramer, Merkley Request Update from Army Corps on Initiating the Western Water Cooperative Committee

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
BISMARCK, N.D. – The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022 included bipartisan language from U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chairman of the Senate EPW Subcommittee on Chemical Safety, Waste Management, Environmental Justice, and Regulatory Oversight, directing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to establish the Western Water Cooperative Committee (WWCC). The purpose of the WWCC is to ensure the USACE flood control projects in western states are operated consistent with congressional directives and adhere to state water rights and water laws. The legislation was signed into law December 2022, and in March 2024, Congress fully funded the committee.
During an EPW Committee hearing in February, Cramer asked Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Mike Connor for a status update on the WWCC. In his response, Connor stated, “We’re teed up ready to go, but we do need the resources to implement.” Less than two weeks later, Congress fully funded the WWCC, but more than half a year later, it has not been established.
Cramer and Merkley sent a letter today to the USACE requesting an update on the WWCC.
“The Committee was created to ensure Army Corps water projects in Western states adhere to applicable state water rights and water laws,” the senators wrote. “It also provides a critical platform of dialogue for western states to better coordinate with the Army Corps. We firmly believe the increased communication and transparency will facilitate improved collaboration. Western states across the political spectrum were advocates of this committee and are anxiously awaiting its commencement.”
“Within 30 days, we request an update on the implementation of the directive outlined in WRDA 2022 as well as a specific timeline for when the Committee will be formally established and conduct its first meeting,” the senators concluded.
Click here for the letter.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Bonta, Together with Local, State, and Federal Law Enforcement Partners, Announces Eradication of 774,829 Cannabis Plants and 106,141 Pounds of Illegally-Grown Cannabis Worth over $353 Million
Source: US State of California

LOS ANGELES – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, together with local and federal law enforcement partners, today announced the eradication of 774,829 illegally cultivated cannabis plants and 106,141 pounds of processed cannabis, as well as 282 arrests in 36 different counties across California as part of Eradication and Prevention of Illicit Cannabis (EPIC) program. The total underground market price for these seizures is valued at approximately $353 million. EPIC is an interagency task force focused on combating the illegal cannabis market, cannabis enforcement work, and investigating and prosecuting civil and criminal cases with a focus on environmental, economic, and labor impacts from illegal cultivation.

“California has the largest safe, legal, and regulated cannabis market in the world, but unfortunately illegal and unlicensed grows continue to proliferate,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The EPIC program was forged out of our recognition of the need for a more comprehensive approach that addresses the broader implications of the underground cannabis market. This includes tackling the environmental damage caused by these illicit activities, as well as the economic ramifications that arise from unregulated cultivation. Furthermore, there is a growing concern about labor exploitation within this underground market, where workers may face unsafe conditions and unfair treatment. I want to express my gratitude to the various partners involved in this effort, including local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Together, we are working toward a solution that not only curtails illegal activities but also promotes a sustainable and equitable cannabis industry in the state.”

“California has the largest state park system in the country with 1.59 million acres of park land to protect,” said California State Parks Law Enforcement Assistant Chief Jeremy Stinson. “Unfortunately, illegal cannabis cultivation is a serious threat to that land with more than 400 sites documented. California State Parks appreciates being a partner agency within EPIC to help address this issue. Protecting our state’s natural resources for all Californians and future generations is an important part of our mission. We look forward to continuing this valuable partnership to preserve and protect California’s state parks system.”

“California cannabis enforcement has a long way to go to ensure that the illicit cannabis doesn’t make it into the legal market,” said San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus. “Partnerships like EPIC are a major step forward in tackling this problem.”

Over the course of the 2024 season, EPIC teams operating in Northern, Central, and Southern California, conducted 665 operations, recovered 201 weapons, and removed infrastructure, including dams, water lines, and containers of toxic chemicals, such as carbofuran, methyl parathion, aluminum phosphate, zinc phosphide, and illegal fertilizers. Carbofuran, in particular, poses untold risks to public health. A lethal insecticide that is effectively banned in the United States, carbofuran remains on plants after application and seeps into soil and nearby water sources.

In 2024, EPIC operations were conducted in the following 36 counties:
- Alameda: 1 site, 751 plants eradicated
- Butte: 5 sites, 4,397 plants eradicated
- Colusa: 3 sites, 10 plants eradicated
- Contra Costa: 2 sites, 5,010 plants eradicated
- El Dorado: 8 sites, 2,174 plants eradicated
- Fresno: 31 sites, 52,796 plants eradicated
- Glenn: 1 site, 747 plants eradicated
- Kern: 60 sites, 89,819 plants eradicated
- Kings: 1 site, 539 plants eradicated
- Lake: 48 sites, 42,776 plants eradicated
- Lassen: 1 site, 7,359 plants eradicated
- Los Angeles: 3 sites, 3,684 plants eradicated
- Madera: 3 sites, 1,230 plants eradicated
- Mariposa: 2 sites, 1,368 plants eradicated
- Mendocino: 116 sites, 133,702 plants eradicated
- Nevada: 33 sites, 28,428 plants eradicated
- Riverside: 79 sites, 136,601 plants eradicated
- Sacramento: 13 sites, 46,042 plants eradicated
- San Bernardino: 23 sites, 27,845 plants eradicated
- San Diego: 7 sites, 9,301 plants eradicated
- Santa Barbara: 1 site, 362 plants eradicated
- Santa Clara: 2 sites, 1,012 plants eradicated
- Shasta: 67 sites, 51,289 plants eradicated
- Siskiyou: 98 sites, 67,943 plants eradicated
- Stanislaus: 6 sites, 5,103 plants eradicated
- Trinity: 38 sites, 32,381 plants eradicated
- Tulare: 7 sites, 5,468 plants eradicated
- Tuolumne: 2 sites, 7,637 plants eradicated
- Ventura: 3 sites, 7,891 plants eradicated
- Yuba: 2 sites, 1,164 plants eradicated
- Monterey: reconnaissance only
- Napa: reconnaissance only
- San Benito: reconnaissance only
- San Luis Obispo: reconnaissance only
- Santa Cruz: reconnaissance only
- Solano: reconnaissance only
The EPIC program focuses on the investigation and prosecution of civil and criminal cases relating to illicit cannabis cultivation with a focus on environmental and economic harms and labor exploitation. EPIC is a multi-agency collaboration led by DOJ in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service; the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service; the California Department of Fish and Wildlife; the U.S. Department of Justice’s Drug Enforcement Administration; the California National Guard, Counter Drug Task Force; the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program; California State Parks; California Environmental Protection Agency; and other local law enforcement departments.

EPIC marks an evolution in DOJ’s cannabis enforcement work, reflecting the issues and concerns arising from operations each summer. EPIC works in close coordination with DOJ’s Cannabis Control Section, Special Prosecutions Section, and Tax Recovery and Underground Economy (TRUE) Task Force to build investigations and prosecute civil and criminal cases.

B-roll of the operations produced by DOJ are available for use by producers and members of the media. Please contact agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov.

Graphics of 2024 EPIC season statistics are available here.

MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: What are you really eating? 1 in 5 seafood products in our study were mislabelled
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Matthew R. J. Morris, Associate Professor of Biology, Ambrose University

If you eat seafood, you could be unknowingly consuming an endangered species without realizing it due to fish mislabelling. Mislabelling is a worldwide issue, and it occurs when the species of fish you think you’re buying is not the one you actually receive.

Tracing fish from capture to table is logistically complex, as fish products often pass through multiple countries. Along the way, products can be misidentified as another species or intentionally renamed to make more profit.

For instance, a cheap fish like tilapia may be given the name of a more expensive fish, like red snapper, or an endangered species might be passed off as a better-faring alternative.

Seafood mislabelling not only threatens vulnerable marine populations, but makes it harder for people to make informed, ethical choices about the food they eat.

Searching for mislabelling in Calgary

To investigate this issue in Canada, our recent research paper examined mislabelling and ambiguous market names in invertebrate and finfish products — fish with fins, like cod, salmon and tuna — in Calgary between 2014 and 2020. This was the first study of its kind in Canada to compare shellfish to finfish.

University students sampled 347 finfish product and 109 shellfish — including shrimp, octopus and oysters — from Calgary restaurants and grocery stores. These samples were then genetically tested using a species-specific marker called a DNA barcode.

In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency maintains a Fish List that provides the acceptable common names for the labelling of fish in Canada.

A seafood product was considered mislabelled if it was sold using a name not found on the Fish List for the DNA-identified species. For instance, there is only one species that can be sold under the name salmon: Atlantic salmon. If sockeye salmon was sold as salmon without any other qualifier, it was considered mislabelled.

Seafood mislabelling not only threatens vulnerable marine populations, but makes it harder for people to make informed, ethical choices about the food they eat.
(Shutterstock)

1 in 5 seafood products were mislabelled

We discovered that mislabelling is running rampant in Calgary, and that certain product names are more likely to hide species of conservation concern. The result: one in five finfish, and one in five shellfish, were not as advertised. These results fell within the predicted global rates of seafood mislabelling.

It was not difficult for students to stumble upon examples of mislabelling. Notable findings include:
- 100 per cent of snapper and red snapper products were mislabelled. They were either tilapia (79 per cent) or a species of rockfish or snapper that cannot be sold under those names (21 per cent).
- Nine salmon products were determined to be rainbow trout, which are cheaper.
- Three Pacific cod were determined to be Atlantic cod, which are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
- Two eel products were determined to be the critically endangered European eel.
- Cuttlefish, squid and octopus were often mislabelled as one another.
Some products, however, fared better than others. All Atlantic salmon, basa, halibut, mackerel, sockeye salmon and Pacific white shrimp were as advertised.

Mislabelling hurts

Calgary’s mislabelled seafoods has far-reaching and well-documented implications for public health, conservation and the economy.

For instance, one student purchased “white tuna” at an all-you-can-eat sushi buffet that turned out to be escolar. Escolar is sometimes called the “laxative of the sea” for the effects its fatty acids can have on digestion. People have landed in the hospital because of this fish.

Several examples of mislabelling involved substituting an expensive product for a cheaper species: tilapia for snapper, rainbow trout for Atlantic salmon. While companies in places like Miami and Mississippi have faced fines for such fraudulent practices, the global nature of fisheries makes legal action difficult.

Read more:
Confusion at the fish counter: How to eat fish responsibly

European eel are critically endangered, yet students found this species twice in the Calgary market. There is a global black market for European eel and a Canadian company was fined in 2021 for illegally importing them.

Although red snapper is faring poorly in the wild, replacing it with tilapia is not helping snapper conservation. Instead it provides an illusion of snapper abundance.

The situation is even murkier when it comes to invertebrates like shrimp, squid and octopus. Unfortunately, so little is known about their conservation status that we couldn’t assess their risks.

The study found that 100 per cent of snapper and red snapper products were mislabelled.
(Shutterstock)

What you can do

If you eat seafood, there is a chance you could be misled as a consumer and end up eating threatened species. You can reduce these possibilities by doing the following:
1. Purchase whole, head-on finfish whenever possible, as they are harder to mislabel.
2. Purchase seafood products that are certified sustainable, as these have been shown to have lower rates of mislabelling.
3. Purchase products that clearly name the exact species being purchased.
4. Write to your MPs in support for laws seeking to trace fish from boat to table — Canada has improved its regulations, but it can do better.
This will require that you brush up on your fish identification skills, but it’s a small price to pay for protecting our fish, saving on groceries and limiting unexpected and urgent trips to the restroom.

Ambiguous names hide protected species

To help vendors, the Fish List permits the use of ambiguous names, meaning the same name can be applied to multiple species. Snapper could refer to 96 different species, tuna to 14, cod to two. This helps vendors when related species are difficult to tell apart and is expected to reduce mislabelling.

We noticed that seafood products with ambiguous names were just as likely to be mislabelled as those with precise names. We wondered: which is worse for conservation, mislabelling or ambiguous names? After all, tuna could legally include yellowfin tuna (least concern) or southern bluefin tuna (endangered).

A statistical test found that ambiguous names were more important than mislabelling in hiding threatened species. This is a good thing, because it suggests there is a way consumers can help.

Just as you wouldn’t go to a restaurant and order a “mammal sandwich,” why settle for “fish and chips?” If we as consumers can vote with our wallets by buying Pacific cod instead of cod, or yellowfin tuna instead of tuna, we can be more confident that we aren’t eating the ocean’s equivalent of the giant panda.

Matthew R. J. Morris received funding from Internationalization at Home in Science Education (i@Home) for this research.

– ref. What are you really eating? 1 in 5 seafood products in our study were mislabelled – https://theconversation.com/what-are-you-really-eating-1-in-5-seafood-products-in-our-study-were-mislabelled-240891
MIL OSI – Global Reports –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Warren Celebrates 5 New Zero-Emission School Buses for Worcester Public Schools
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren
October 22, 2024

Warren Celebrates 5 New Zero-Emission School Buses for Worcester Public Schools

Boston, MA – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) celebrated the announcement that the Worcester Public Schools will replace 5 school buses with zero-emission, clean school buses through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2023 Clean School Bus Rebate program.

The Clean School Bus Program has awarded funding to replace nearly 9,000 natural gas and diesel buses across the country. Funding for the Clean School Bus Program comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which provided $5 billion to transform the country’s fleet of school buses.

“Our children shouldn’t have to breathe in dangerous exhaust while getting to and from school,” said Senator Warren. “I’ve fought hard for clean energy investments for our Commonwealth. Now, Central Massachusetts’ families will have cleaner air, even more buses that are cheaper to repair and don’t guzzle up gas, and savings for the Worcester Public Schools.”

Senator Warren has advocated for federal funding to jumpstart the transition to all-electric public vehicles and rail and to help tackle the climate crisis:

In July 2024, Senators Warren and Markey and Representatives Lynch, Pressley, and Keating announced nearly $60 million in funding for Massachusetts communities to transition to low- or zero-emission buses. This upgrade is improving bus fleets, reducing transit systems’ reliance on fossil fuels, and curbing diesel-related air pollution along major transit corridors for Black, Brown, and low-income communities who are disproportionately harmed by the impacts of the climate crisis.

In May 2024, Senator Elizabeth Warren and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) reintroduced the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which would authorize the U.S. Department of Transportation to distribute $500 billion over ten years to electrify and modernize public vehicles and build new electric transportation infrastructure across the country.

In January 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) announced that the Environmental Protection Agency awarded Massachusetts funding for 85 electric school buses under the Clean Bus Grant Program to help school districts replace polluting diesel school buses with electric or low-emission school buses.

In July 2023, Senator Elizabeth Warren sent a letter to the Massachusetts Municipal Association, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and 33 Commonwealth municipalities, highlighting the benefits of electrifying the Commonwealth’s school bus fleets and encouraging the Associations and their members to take full advantage of the newly-announced EPA Clean School Bus Grants Program Notice of Funding Opportunity.

In August 2022, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which included $1 billion for states, municipalities, tribes, and nonprofit school transportation associations to use for clean heavy duty vehicles, like school and transit buses and garbage trucks, all in part funded by Senator Elizabeth Warren’s Corporate Profits Minimum Tax to ensure America’s largest corporations pay at least 15% of their massive profits in federal taxes.

In May 2021, Senator Warren and Congressman Levin (D-Mich.) introduced the Buy Green Act of 2021. First announced in March 2021, the bill would establish $1.5 trillion in federal procurement commitments over the next ten years to purchase American-made clean, renewable, and emission-free energy products for federal, state, and local use. The bill also establishes a grant program for U.S. companies to invest in clean energy manufacturing.

In May 2021, in a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Senator Warren made the case for large-scale federal investments in green infrastructure, as well as her Wealth Tax and other tax proposals as a way to pay for these investments.

In April 2021, in a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing, Senator Warren made the case for the need to tackle climate change by investing in our nation’s clean energy infrastructure, including the replacement of buses powered by diesel with electric buses.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Governor Cooper Announces Environmental Justice Advisory Council Report Outlining Dozens of Recommendations to Advance Environmental Justice in North Carolina

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: Governor Cooper Announces Environmental Justice Advisory Council Report Outlining Dozens of Recommendations to Advance Environmental Justice in North Carolina

Governor Cooper Announces Environmental Justice Advisory Council Report Outlining Dozens of Recommendations to Advance Environmental Justice in North Carolina
mseets
Tue, 10/22/2024 – 15:34

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced the release of the Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council report, representing a significant step towards addressing Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns in North Carolina. This comprehensive report comes as a result of the reestablishment of the Secretary of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board in October 2023 by Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 292.

The Council’s report contains 14 bold recommendations to advance environmental justice and ensures state agencies incorporate environmental justice in future decision-making processes. The report also includes over 40 recommendations from the Council’s Environmental Justice Hub and Mapping Tool, Cumulative Impacts, Community Engagement, and Training subcommittees.

“As the birthplace of the environmental justice movement, North Carolina is working to level the playing field for impacted communities and preserve and protect our natural lands and resources,” said Governor Cooper. “This report provides important recommendations that will help identify and address environmental justice challenges across our state.”

Executive Order 292 directs a whole-of-government approach and instructs the Governor’s Office and Cabinet agencies to incorporate environmental justice considerations into their policies and programs to the extent permitted by law. It also encourages Cabinet agencies to use the statewide environmental justice mapping tool. Since the signing of EO 292, The Council has actively engaged with affected communities, holding council meetings in Wayne, Halifax, and Stanley counties and participating in a tour of the West Badin community. The Council’s Environmental Justice Hub and Mapping Tool, and Public Engagement Subcommittees have held virtual and in-person meetings to gather public feedback on the directives in the Executive Order, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and valued in this process. Cabinet agencies have worked to incorporate EJ into policies and programs. Cabinet agencies draft EJ goals, incorporating public and Council feedback. The Department of Information Technology lead the development of the Environmental Justice Hub, a central location for EJ information, including awarded grants, and the Environmental Justice Mapping Tool which includes environmental, health and socioeconomic data from across departments.

“When implemented, our recommendations constitute an evidenced-based and data-driven roadmap for achieving Environmental Justice in our state,” said Jim Johnson, PhD, EJ Advisory Council Co-Chair and Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center at the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. “We want to ensure that North Carolina is a safe, healthy, and resilient place to live, work, play, and do business for all North Carolinians and support state agencies’ engagement in this work.”

“We also initiate a framework for assessing the cumulative impacts of multiple environmental harms on many communities,” said Virginia Guidry, PhD, EJ Advisory Council Co-Chair and NCDHHS Environmental Justice Lead. “We must measure and reduce these burdens to achieve environmental justice in North Carolina.”

The unanimously approved 14 recommendations are as follows:

1. Creating an Office of Environmental Justice within the Governor’s Office of Public Engagement.

2. Collaborating with EJ leaders to ensure the EJ Mapping Tool accurately reflects areas impacted by EJ issues.

3. Creating a North Carolina-specific EJ index.

4. Reviewing the EJ Hub and Mapping Tool for accessibility.

5. Developing a process to review, respond to and implement input received on the EJ hub.

6. Recommending cabinet agencies engage with community members around data collection and review.

7. Developing a cumulative impacts guidance document.

8. Recommending cabinet agencies review information gaps identified by the EJ Hub & Mapping Subcommittee and within their agency and provide a list of additional data they can supply; develop legislative language that authorizes such data collection and analysis, as needed.

9. Engaging community leaders and EJ organizations in meeting planning.

10. Seeking advice from tribal organizations and other relevant entities on the needs and best processes for engaging with these communities.

11. Documenting and sharing public feedback and responses on public engagement events; evaluating and addressing barriers to engagement.

12. Requiring EJ training for all state and local government employees.

13. Cataloging and sharing EJ-relevant state resources to prevent duplication of efforts.

14. Clarifying the definition of EJ to increase familiarity and ease of use.

The full text of the recommendations can be found on pages 3-4 of the report.

Read North Carolina’s Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council Report here.

Read Governor Cooper’s Executive Order No. 292 here.

###

Oct 22, 2024

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SCHUMER ANNOUNCES $750,000 TO REPLACE VITAL BRIDGE OVER GRASSE RIVER IN ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for New York Charles E Schumer
Schumer Says Bridge Serves As Vital Corridor For St. Lawrence County’s Timber Industry & Outdoor Recreation
Funding Comes From U.S. Economic Development Administration & Northern Border Regional Commission, Which Schumer Delivered Historic Federal $$ For In The Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer today announced $750,000 in federal funding to replace the bridge carrying Tooley Pond Road over the South Branch of the Grasse River in the Town of Clare. Schumer said the bridge serves as a vital corridor for St. Lawrence County’s timber industry and outdoor recreation in the North Country. Funding for the new bridge is being provided through a partnership between the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC), which Schumer delivered a historic funding boost for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law.
“The Tooley Pond Road bridge over the Grass River is a vital corridor for the Town of Clare community, as well as the North Country timber and outdoor recreation industries. I’m proud to deliver $750,000 in federal funding to restore the bridge and pave the way for a more connected St. Lawrence County,” said Senator Schumer. “I fought to deliver historic increases for the Northern Border Regional Commission because I know how important it is to improve infrastructure across New York, and I am pleased to see those efforts paying off with this investment in strengthening key transportation infrastructure in the Town of Clare and St. Lawrence County.”
Schumer helped deliver a historic $150 million for the NBRC through the Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law. This has resulted in a surge in federal investment, including earlier this year when Schumer delivered $7.5 million and in 2023 when Schumer delivered over $10 million for projects across Upstate NY through the NBRC—the largest annual investment for Upstate New York in the program’s history. The NRBC funding has nearly doubled since 2022.
Schumer is also currently leading the charge in the Senate to renew the Northern Border Regional Commission’s economic development programs and reauthorize the Economic Development Administration, the other federal source for today’s announced investment. Schumer introduced the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) Reauthorization Act of 2023 this past February, which would reauthorize the NBRC for another ten years, increase annual authorized funding levels, and target funds to addressing childcare and health care needs, supporting housing projects, building climate resilient infrastructure, and combatting the opioid crisis, in addition to the agency’s focus of creating new jobs, promoting business retention and expansion, making critical investment in public infrastructure, and boosting tourism across Upstate New York counties. The NBRC reauthorization is part of a broader reauthorization of the Economic Development Administration that passed out of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee earlier this year and is now part of a negotiation for passage by the end of the year, an effort Schumer is actively pushing.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Coal & Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy chairs Day-long Half-Yearly Review Meeting on Coal Sector

Source: Government of India

Union Minister of Coal & Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy chairs Day-long Half-Yearly Review Meeting on Coal Sector

Safety and Welfare of Mineworkers Must be Top Priority: Shri G Kishan Reddy

Coal Minister Advocates for Enhanced Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility in the Coal Sector

Posted On: 22 OCT 2024 8:39PM by PIB Delhi

The Half-Yearly Review Meeting on the coal sector was convened at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, today. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, with Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, serving as co-chair. Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal; Smt. Rupinder Brar; Smt. Vismita Tej; Additional Secretaries, Ministry of Coal; and all senior officers from the Ministry of Coal, along with CMDs of Coal/Lignite PSUs, were also present. The meeting was to assess the progress of ongoing projects, discuss future strategies, and enhance the coal sector’s growth trajectory.

In a significant step towards sustainability and resource efficiency, Shri G. Kishan Reddy launched the Report of the High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) on the Gainful Utilization of Overburden (OB) in the Coal Sector.

The report outlines a comprehensive framework for using OB as a valuable resource. Historically seen as waste, OB is now being positioned as an asset with the potential to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability, economic development and create employment opportunities for local communities.

During the Half-Yearly review, Final Mine Closure certificates were awarded to three WCL mines: Pathakhera-I UG Mine, Pathakhera-II UG Mine, and Satapura-II UG Mine. It is for the first time since independence that Coal Mines are officially closed and certificates have been issued. Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy presented these certificates to Shri J.P. Dwivedi, CMD, WCL; Shri Deepak Rewatkar, GM (Safety), WCL; and Shri L.K. Mohapatra, Area General Manager, Pathakhera Area.

In his keynote address, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized the importance of production efficiency and environmental stewardship in the coal sector. He highlighted the need to embrace innovative technologies that enhance coal production while minimizing environmental impact. He expressed deep concern for the environment, urging all stakeholders to prioritize responsible mining practices, including the implementation of accredited compensatory afforestation initiatives and effective reclamation of de-coaled lands. Furthermore, the Minister stressed that mine closures must be managed responsibly, ensuring that affected communities are supported and that rehabilitated areas are returned to productive use.

The Minister also underscored the critical importance of safety for mineworkers, stating that their health and well-being must be prioritized through rigorous enforcement of safety protocols and ongoing training programs. He expressed concern for the families of mine workers, emphasizing that a safe working environment is essential not only for the workers themselves but also for their communities. Shri Reddy urged stakeholders to foster a culture of safety and social responsibility, reinforcing the need for proactive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that engage and uplift local communities. By aligning industry practices with community needs, promoting social welfare, and addressing environmental concerns, the coal sector can transform into a model of modernity and responsibility, ultimately ensuring a sustainable future for both the industry and the environment.

While Reviewing, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey highlighted the remarkable progress made by the coal sector over the past six months. He commended the efforts of all stakeholders in enhancing production capacity while emphasizing the need for continued focus on safety and environmental sustainability. Minister Shri Dubey stressed the importance of innovative practices and technologies in driving efficiency and moving towards net zero. He called for collaborative efforts to address challenges and ensure the long-term viability of coal as a critical energy resource, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the industry while prioritizing the welfare of workers and local communities.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, outlined the agenda of the event and highlighted the key focus areas of the discussion. Secretary Shri Dutt reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the coal sector can sustainably meet the energy demands of the nation while protecting the environment and the lives of those who work in it.

Further presentations were made on the Operational Overview of the coal sector, along with the Vision 2030 and Vision 2047 frameworks. Detailed discussions were held on the operationalization of newly allocated coal blocks, the status of exploration activities, and accelerating coal production to secure India’s energy needs and foster self-reliance in the energy sector. The session also highlighted critical areas that need to be addressed to ensure sustained energy security and support the nation’s long-term economic growth.

Subsequent sessions delved into the financial, technical, and business development of the coal sector. The Minister held in-depth discussions with CMDs and HODs regarding capital expenditures (CAPEX), asset monetization, and market capitalization, offering a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future prospects. Presentations showcased technological advancements, particularly in underground mining, and strategies to enhance coking coal capacity, with the goal of reducing reliance on imports and boosting domestic production. A significant emphasis was placed on adopting environmentally sustainable practices in the mining sector, including the transition to gas-based technologies and the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). These efforts align with the overarching aim of lowering the carbon footprint in coal mining operations. The progress of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects was reviewed, focusing on eco-friendly coal transportation systems designed to minimize environmental impact. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the promotion of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) to improve operational performance and productivity, supporting the Make in India initiative championed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri G. Kishan Reddy led a discussion on Inter-Ministerial Coordination and Sustainable Development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among ministries. Presentations were made by the Ministries of Power, Railways, and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), addressing critical challenges and aligning goals to enhance cooperation. Shri G. Kishan Reddy reiterated the necessity of sustainable development, particularly through accredited compensatory afforestation, environmental initiatives, and the reclamation and proper utilization of de-coaled land. He highlighted that responsible mine closure is not merely an operational requirement but a commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring long-term sustainability.

The discussions also extensively covered safety protocols in mining operations and welfare programs for mine workers and their families. Special attention was given to CSR and HR initiatives, recruitment promotion and transfer policies, and labor relations, along with the Employees’ Provident Fund, all aimed at fostering a safe and supportive environment for all stakeholders. An interaction session on CSR, HR, and Labour Relations covered strategies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) planning and execution, ensuring the effective alignment of social initiatives with the needs of communities around coalfields. Discussion also focused on transfer policies, aiming to create a more transparent, merit-based system for employee transfers and promotions, as well as the status of labor relations, emphasizing welfare measures such as the Employees Provident Fund (CMPFO) to ensure the financial security of coal sector employees.

A significant aspect of the discussions was the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week. The Ministry of Coal reiterated its dedication to upholding transparency and accountability across its operations. Presentations were made on the various vigilance initiatives being undertaken by Coal PSUs, which include strict compliance with ethical standards, ensuring fair practices in tenders and contracts. The Minister interacted with Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs), reinforcing the Ministry’s anti-corruption stance and its drive toward a corruption-free governance structure.

The Half-Yearly Review Meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, setting the stage for an action-packed second half of the year, driving the coal sector forward toward the ambitious targets of Vision 2030 and beyond.

Final Mine Closure certificates were given to Three Mines, namely Pathakhera -I UG Mine, Pathakhera -II UG Mine & Satapura-II UG Mine of WCL, during the Half-Yearly Review of the Coal Sector at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi today. It is for the first time since independence… pic.twitter.com/pqOcoaFJmq

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) October 22, 2024

During the Half-Yearly Review of the Coal Sector, unveiled the Report of the High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) on Gainful Utilization of Overburden (OB) in the Coal Sector at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi today.

HPEC included multi-disciplinary experts from five central… pic.twitter.com/WskNjBQYI8

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) October 22, 2024

****

ST

(Release ID: 2067178) Visitor Counter : 57

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Minister of Coal & Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy chairs Day-long Half-Yearly Review Meeting on Coal Sector

Source: Government of India

Union Minister of Coal & Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy chairs Day-long Half-Yearly Review Meeting on Coal Sector

Safety and Welfare of Mineworkers Must be Top Priority: Shri G Kishan Reddy

Coal Minister Advocates for Enhanced Efficiency and Environmental Responsibility in the Coal Sector

Posted On: 22 OCT 2024 8:39PM by PIB Delhi

The Half-Yearly Review Meeting on the coal sector was convened at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi, today. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, with Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, serving as co-chair. Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal; Smt. Rupinder Brar; Smt. Vismita Tej; Additional Secretaries, Ministry of Coal; and all senior officers from the Ministry of Coal, along with CMDs of Coal/Lignite PSUs, were also present. The meeting was to assess the progress of ongoing projects, discuss future strategies, and enhance the coal sector’s growth trajectory.

In a significant step towards sustainability and resource efficiency, Shri G. Kishan Reddy launched the Report of the High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) on the Gainful Utilization of Overburden (OB) in the Coal Sector.

The report outlines a comprehensive framework for using OB as a valuable resource. Historically seen as waste, OB is now being positioned as an asset with the potential to contribute significantly to environmental sustainability, economic development and create employment opportunities for local communities.

During the Half-Yearly review, Final Mine Closure certificates were awarded to three WCL mines: Pathakhera-I UG Mine, Pathakhera-II UG Mine, and Satapura-II UG Mine. It is for the first time since independence that Coal Mines are officially closed and certificates have been issued. Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy presented these certificates to Shri J.P. Dwivedi, CMD, WCL; Shri Deepak Rewatkar, GM (Safety), WCL; and Shri L.K. Mohapatra, Area General Manager, Pathakhera Area.

In his keynote address, Union Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized the importance of production efficiency and environmental stewardship in the coal sector. He highlighted the need to embrace innovative technologies that enhance coal production while minimizing environmental impact. He expressed deep concern for the environment, urging all stakeholders to prioritize responsible mining practices, including the implementation of accredited compensatory afforestation initiatives and effective reclamation of de-coaled lands. Furthermore, the Minister stressed that mine closures must be managed responsibly, ensuring that affected communities are supported and that rehabilitated areas are returned to productive use.

The Minister also underscored the critical importance of safety for mineworkers, stating that their health and well-being must be prioritized through rigorous enforcement of safety protocols and ongoing training programs. He expressed concern for the families of mine workers, emphasizing that a safe working environment is essential not only for the workers themselves but also for their communities. Shri Reddy urged stakeholders to foster a culture of safety and social responsibility, reinforcing the need for proactive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that engage and uplift local communities. By aligning industry practices with community needs, promoting social welfare, and addressing environmental concerns, the coal sector can transform into a model of modernity and responsibility, ultimately ensuring a sustainable future for both the industry and the environment.

While Reviewing, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey highlighted the remarkable progress made by the coal sector over the past six months. He commended the efforts of all stakeholders in enhancing production capacity while emphasizing the need for continued focus on safety and environmental sustainability. Minister Shri Dubey stressed the importance of innovative practices and technologies in driving efficiency and moving towards net zero. He called for collaborative efforts to address challenges and ensure the long-term viability of coal as a critical energy resource, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting the industry while prioritizing the welfare of workers and local communities.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, outlined the agenda of the event and highlighted the key focus areas of the discussion. Secretary Shri Dutt reiterated the Government’s commitment to ensuring that the coal sector can sustainably meet the energy demands of the nation while protecting the environment and the lives of those who work in it.

Further presentations were made on the Operational Overview of the coal sector, along with the Vision 2030 and Vision 2047 frameworks. Detailed discussions were held on the operationalization of newly allocated coal blocks, the status of exploration activities, and accelerating coal production to secure India’s energy needs and foster self-reliance in the energy sector. The session also highlighted critical areas that need to be addressed to ensure sustained energy security and support the nation’s long-term economic growth.

Subsequent sessions delved into the financial, technical, and business development of the coal sector. The Minister held in-depth discussions with CMDs and HODs regarding capital expenditures (CAPEX), asset monetization, and market capitalization, offering a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and future prospects. Presentations showcased technological advancements, particularly in underground mining, and strategies to enhance coking coal capacity, with the goal of reducing reliance on imports and boosting domestic production. A significant emphasis was placed on adopting environmentally sustainable practices in the mining sector, including the transition to gas-based technologies and the integration of electric vehicles (EVs). These efforts align with the overarching aim of lowering the carbon footprint in coal mining operations. The progress of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects was reviewed, focusing on eco-friendly coal transportation systems designed to minimize environmental impact. Furthermore, discussions highlighted the promotion of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) to improve operational performance and productivity, supporting the Make in India initiative championed by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri G. Kishan Reddy led a discussion on Inter-Ministerial Coordination and Sustainable Development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among ministries. Presentations were made by the Ministries of Power, Railways, and Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC), addressing critical challenges and aligning goals to enhance cooperation. Shri G. Kishan Reddy reiterated the necessity of sustainable development, particularly through accredited compensatory afforestation, environmental initiatives, and the reclamation and proper utilization of de-coaled land. He highlighted that responsible mine closure is not merely an operational requirement but a commitment to environmental stewardship, ensuring long-term sustainability.

The discussions also extensively covered safety protocols in mining operations and welfare programs for mine workers and their families. Special attention was given to CSR and HR initiatives, recruitment promotion and transfer policies, and labor relations, along with the Employees’ Provident Fund, all aimed at fostering a safe and supportive environment for all stakeholders. An interaction session on CSR, HR, and Labour Relations covered strategies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) planning and execution, ensuring the effective alignment of social initiatives with the needs of communities around coalfields. Discussion also focused on transfer policies, aiming to create a more transparent, merit-based system for employee transfers and promotions, as well as the status of labor relations, emphasizing welfare measures such as the Employees Provident Fund (CMPFO) to ensure the financial security of coal sector employees.

A significant aspect of the discussions was the observance of Vigilance Awareness Week. The Ministry of Coal reiterated its dedication to upholding transparency and accountability across its operations. Presentations were made on the various vigilance initiatives being undertaken by Coal PSUs, which include strict compliance with ethical standards, ensuring fair practices in tenders and contracts. The Minister interacted with Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs), reinforcing the Ministry’s anti-corruption stance and its drive toward a corruption-free governance structure.

The Half-Yearly Review Meeting concluded with a vote of thanks, setting the stage for an action-packed second half of the year, driving the coal sector forward toward the ambitious targets of Vision 2030 and beyond.

Final Mine Closure certificates were given to Three Mines, namely Pathakhera -I UG Mine, Pathakhera -II UG Mine & Satapura-II UG Mine of WCL, during the Half-Yearly Review of the Coal Sector at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi today. It is for the first time since independence… pic.twitter.com/pqOcoaFJmq

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) October 22, 2024

During the Half-Yearly Review of the Coal Sector, unveiled the Report of the High-Powered Expert Committee (HPEC) on Gainful Utilization of Overburden (OB) in the Coal Sector at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi today.

HPEC included multi-disciplinary experts from five central… pic.twitter.com/WskNjBQYI8

— G Kishan Reddy (@kishanreddybjp) October 22, 2024

****

ST

(Release ID: 2067178) Visitor Counter : 57

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses 14th All India Home Guards and Civil Defence Conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today

Source: Government of India

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addresses 14th All India Home Guards and Civil Defence Conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, all dimensions of service and security for building a developed India can be achieved with the support of Home Guards and Civil Defence

Civil Defence and Home Guards play a crucial role in empowering and securing the nation through service and protection

Modi government will make the Home Guards and Civil Defence charter more relevant and useful by incorporating several new aspects and timely changes

Modi government will also engage youth from all segments in Home Guards and Civil Defence, similar to the NCC and NSS

Home Guards and Civil Defence volunteers made invaluable contributions during the 1965 and 1971 wars as well

Home Guards and Civil Defence must be integrated with awareness programs such as a drug-free India, clean India, tree planting, water conservation campaigns, women’s safety, TB-free India, the fight against malnutrition, and nutrition campaigns

A roadmap should be developed to assist in law and order, facilitating coordination between local law enforcement and Home Guards and Civil Defence

There is a need for institutional arrangements for training and traffic management to enhance the contribution of these organizations to emergency services

Posted On: 22 OCT 2024 9:25PM by PIB Delhi

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah addressed the 14^th All India Home Guards and Civil Defence Conference in Gandhinagar, Gujarat today. On this occasion, several dignitaries were present, including Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Union Home Secretary Shri Govind Mohan.

In his address, Shri Amit Shah mentioned that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has set a resolved to make India a fully developed nation by 2047. He said that in this vision, we must become a fully developed nation while preserving our values, traditions, culture, and languages alongside development in every sector. Shri Shah emphasized that service and security are two very important points in realizing this commitment. He mentioned that security encompasses every individual, property, future, rights, along with our core values of service. He noted that civil defence and home guards are institutions linked with security and service, working to connect a segment of society with the protection and service of the community. He added that the commitment to building a developed India, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, can be achieved through the dimensions of service and security provided by Home Guards and Civil Defence.

Union Home Minister noted that during this two-day conference, there will be extensive discussions on various points regarding the strengthening of Home Guards and Civil Defence, capacity building, and their roles in disaster management across five sessions. He mentioned that this conference will also serve as a medium for dialogue between states, facilitating the exchange of good practices and boosting their capabilities in resolve emerging challenges.

Shri Amit Shah said that former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri played a significant role in giving importance to Home Guards and Civil Defence since 1962. He noted that the Civil Defence Directorate was established in 1962, and the Civil Defence Act was passed in 1968. Shri Shah mentioned the invaluable contribution of Home Guards and Civil Defence volunteers during the wars of 1965 and 1971. He highlighted that during the 1965 India-Pakistan war, Home Guards and Civil Defence organizations played a crucial role in protecting essential infrastructure, providing general training to citizens, and assisting in relocating them to safer places, in collaboration with the armed forces and local administration.

Union Home Minister stated that the efforts will be made by Modi government to make the Home Guards and Civil Defence charter relevant and useful by adding several new aspects and timely changes over the next four months. He mentioned that this step aims to bring a new awareness and vitality to both organizations. Shri Shah explained that the current charter includes preparing people for war emergencies, protecting citizens, training them to avoid the effects of war, fostering a mindset of non-violent civil resistance, organizing communities, assisting in the repair of infrastructure damaged in war, and boosting morale. He noted that if an organization’s charter does not undergo changes for 50 years, both the organization and the charter become obsolete. He emphasized that there have been radical changes in the country over the past 50 years, and technological advancements have altered needs, leading the country to progress significantly.

Shri Amit Shah stated that the role played by Home Guards and Civil Defence volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with their dedication to serving people, is commendable. He mentioned that during the pandemic, 27 personnel from Home Guards and Civil Defence lost their lives while serving the public.

Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation said that training for contribution in emergency services for Home Guards and Civil Defence should be systematic and should have a place in their charter. He said that there is a need to make institutional arrangements for Home Guards and Civil Defence in traffic management as well. He said that similarly they should join other awareness programmes, such as Drug Free India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Tree Plantation Campaigns, Water Conservation, Awareness against social evils, Women Safety, Community Health Care, TB Free India, War against Malnutrition, Poshan Abhiyaan etc. Shri Shah said that there should be a constructive role in spreading awareness for cyber security and against digital fraud, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Plastic Free India and Tree Plantation Campaign for environmental protection. He said that a roadmap should be made for assistance in law and order so that there is coordination between the local law and order handling officials and Home Guards and Civil Defence. He added that their roles in education, such as reducing drop out ratio, 100 percent enrollment and improvement in the quality of education, should also be given a place in the new charter. He said that there is a need to include Home Guards and Civil Defence in the charter to link them with many government programmes for employment and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Shri Amit Shah said that keeping in mind the needs of the country today, there is a need to think afresh about the role of these two organisations to make them more relevant. He said that in the next 4 months, there is a need to infuse new life into both these organisations. Shri Shah said that there is also a need to focus on training and bringing forward new and young faces. The Home Minister said that till now only those people are associated with Home Guards and Civil Defence who want to come forward for the society. He said that the government will try that just like all sections of the society are represented in NCC, NSS, in the same way, youth from every section of the society should also be associated with these organisations. He said that towards achieving the goal of building a developed India in 2047, we need to strengthen every aspect related to it.

***

RK/VV/PR/PS

(Release ID: 2067195) Visitor Counter : 66

Read this release in: Hindi

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FEHD cancels licence of restaurant in Sham Shui Po

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     â€‹The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene today (October 19) cancelled the licence of a general restaurant in Sham Shui Po, as the licensee repeatedly breached the Food Business Regulation (FBR) by illegally extending the food business area. The restaurant concerned has had to cease operation with immediate effect.

     The restaurant is located at Shop C5 on the ground floor of 353-357 Un Chau Street.

“Two convictions for the above-mentioned breach were recorded against the restaurant licensee in April and July of this year. A total fine of $6,000 was levied by the court and 30 demerit points were registered against the licensee under the department’s demerit points system. The contraventions resulted in the cancellation of the licence,” a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said.

     The licensee concerned had a record of four convictions for the same offence between August of last year and January of this year. A total fine of $9,900 was levied and 60 demerit points were also registered, resulting in a seven-day and 14-day licence suspension in February and April of this year respectively.

     The spokesman reminded licensees of food premises to comply with the FBR and other relevant regulations, or their licences could be suspended or cancelled.

     Licensed food premises are required to exhibit their licence and a sign at a conspicuous place of the premises, indicating that the premises have been licensed. A list of licensed food premises is available on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/licence-foodPremises-search.html).

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: AFCD holds “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     â€‹The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is holding the “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo today and tomorrow (October 19 and 20) at Domain Mall in Yau Tong. The Expo showcases the diversity of local leisure fisheries activities through a series of workshops, guided tours, seminars, plays and sales booths featuring fisheries products.

     Officiating at the opening ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, remarked that the “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo is one of the key promotional initiatives aiming at facilitating the development of local leisure fisheries, as outlined in the Blueprint for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Fisheries. Through participating in a variety of leisure fisheries activities, members of the public can experience and understand the heritage of fisheries’ history and culture, as well as recognise Hong Kong’s precious marine and cultural resources. This initiative aims at promoting the blue economy, facilitating the sustainable development of fisheries, and creating new opportunities for the development of both the fisheries and tourism industries.

     The “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo brings together a range of unique leisure fisheries-related activities across Hong Kong, including workshops on fish net weaving, pearl and shell jewellery making, salted fish curing, Gyotaku printing and fish sketching. Additionally, there are Lei Yue Mun Sam Ka Tsuen guided tours and plays showcasing the culture of fishermen. The Expo also features a variety of unique seminars, including firsthand accounts from fishermen about the culture of a fishing village, experts’ sharing on the history of local pearl cultivation and tips on selecting different fisheries products. These activities foster public appreciation of fisheries’ history and culture through the imprints left by the fishermen and the fisheries industry of the past. There are also sales booths offering high-quality local fisheries products and fishery-related handicrafts for members of the public to purchase on-site.

     The “Sail into Fun” Leisure Fisheries Expo is open from noon to 7pm. Members of the public are invited to join for free. No prior registration is required for the seminars and plays, while a limited number of seats for the workshops and the guided tours are available on-site for reservation. The event schedule can be found in the Annex.

     Developing leisure fisheries is one of the key directions outlined in the Blueprint. Through integrating fisheries culture and ecological resources, the Government aims to assist the upgrade and transformation of the industry. The AFCD will continue to provide fishermen with training courses, exchanges and field visits related to leisure fisheries, and encourage the trade to launch pilot projects of developing leisure fisheries activities based on commercial modes of operation through funding support from the Sustainable Fisheries Development Fund. The AFCD will, at the same time, enhance promotion of local leisure fisheries, as well as explore suitable modes of development for leisure fisheries in Hong Kong and opportunities for jointly developing leisure fisheries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: The other Common Squirrel Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passed away

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

The other Common Squirrel Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passed away
The other Common Squirrel Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passed away
******************************************************************************************

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced today (October 20) that the other Common Squirrel Monkey of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) that was put under isolated surveillance was found dead today. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) will conduct necropsy on the animal body, to ascertain if the cause of death was the same as the other cases earlier. At present, one De Brazza’s Monkey that has been isolated since October 13 is still under isolated surveillance and given medication. A total of 11 animals of the HKZBG have passed away since October 13. The LCSD will continue to close the Mammals Section of the HKZBG, to closely monitor the health conditions of the animals, and continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. At present, the health conditions of staff concerned are normal. The LCSD has all along been communicating with the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the AFCD to ensure that appropriate protective measures are taken.

Ends/Sunday, October 20, 2024Issued at HKT 19:00

NNNN

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Genome sequencing developed to trace COVID is now protecting babies in intensive care from infectious diseases

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rhys Thomas White, Scientist, Genomics and Bioinformatics, ESR

Getty Images

Anyone who has spent time inside a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) knows it’s intense.

For the tiny babies cared for in these wards, any infection could prove fatal. Great care is taken to prevent the spread of pathogens, but outbreaks still occur.

Traditionally, detecting outbreaks within a NICU has been reactive – only after multiple babies fall ill at the same time.

Our research is advancing the use of whole-genome sequencing technologies to detect outbreaks early and stamp out bacteria before they threaten more babies.

From reactive to proactive

NICU outbreak surveillance usually involves monitoring rates of illness and identifying spikes and long-term trends that may point to a pathogen circulating on the ward.

When a potential outbreak is identified, bacteria may be cultured and retrospectively sequenced to determine if they can be linked to a shared source or transmission on the ward.

Wellington Regional Hospital has changed its approach to infection surveillance in the NICU. Rather than waiting for infants to fall ill, they are using the same sequencing technology we developed at the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) for genomic contact tracking during the COVID pandemic.

Infants in the unit have diagnostic swab samples taken as part of routine practice. If any key bacteria are cultured from these samples, they are sequenced promptly to identify possible transmission events in near real time. This allows us to monitor the situation closely and respond quickly to emerging outbreaks.

Genome sequencing allows NICU teams to monitor infectious bacteria before babies fall ill.
Getty Images

Because not all infants carrying a particular bacterial strain will experience a severe infection, this proactive approach can detect an outbreak before any babies fall ill.

And because whole-genome sequencing decodes the entire genetic makeup of bacteria, it also provides the NICU team with information on how pathogens are related to each other. This allows them to differentiate one-off cases imported to the unit from any circulating within it.

This level of detail allows for precise infection monitoring and fast, informed decisions on outbreak control.

A case study

This shift was recently tested when proactive genomic surveillance showed two infants in the NICU had eye infections caused by the same organism, an uncommon strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

MRSA is notorious for its resistance to common antibiotics, making it particularly dangerous in hospitals.

The onsite sequencing showed the two cases were likely linked. The priorities were to establish whether other infants were affected and limit the pathogen’s spread as quickly as possible. Screening of infants in the NICU found six more carrying the same strain of MRSA (though none with serious illness).

This meant these infants could be isolated rapidly and the outbreak contained before any others developed a significant infection. ESR’s experience as genomic contact tracers helped establish how these infections spread in the unit.

An outbreak response takes up resources and involves multiple steps, from the initial confirmation of the infection and its transmission route to communication with parents.

This proactive approach to infection surveillance provides an early-warning system. It means the NICU team can be confident an outbreak is underway and act quickly to contain it.

MRSA in New Zealand

The power of genome sequencing extends beyond immediate outbreak control.

By comparing the genomic data generated in the lab to that collected in national surveillance projects, our team was able to show the strain that caused the eye infections may have emerged in the early 1990s.

This strain has slowly accumulated the genes required to evade first-choice antibiotics, underpinning the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Aotearoa New Zealand.

We also highlighted the power of genomics to reveal connections when we found the MRSA strain causing illness in the NICU was related to bacteria collected from cattle. This discovery underscores the concept of “One Health” – the idea that human health, animal health and environmental health are inextricably linked.

The data suggest bacteria from a cow milk tank and from babies in a hospital may have shared a common ancestor at some point.

Future focus

As we continue to unravel the complex world of microbes, tools like whole-genome sequencing offer hope in the ongoing battle against infectious diseases. The work at Wellington Regional Hospital’s NICU is just the beginning.

From protecting our most vulnerable newborns to uncovering unlikely connections between farm animals and hospital patients, genomic technology is changing how we combat infectious diseases.

As this technology continues to evolve, it promises to play an increasingly crucial role in safeguarding public health, one DNA sequence at a time.

In the face of growing antibiotic resistance and emerging pathogens, this proactive, genomics-based approach to infection control may well be our best defence.

We would like to acknowledge the contributions by Max Bloomfield and the teams at Awanui Labs, and Emma Voss and team at Livestock Improvement Corporation.

Rhys White received a travel bursary from Oxford Nanopore Technologies and a travel grant from the UK Microbiology Society.

David Winter and Suzanne Manning do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Genome sequencing developed to trace COVID is now protecting babies in intensive care from infectious diseases – https://theconversation.com/genome-sequencing-developed-to-trace-covid-is-now-protecting-babies-in-intensive-care-from-infectious-diseases-240299

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Do electric cars greatly increase the average mass of cars on the road? Not in Australia

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robin Smit, Adjunct Professor, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney

Karolis Kavolelis/Shutterstock

Statements have been circulating online, including leading news platforms, that battery electric cars will greatly increase the average mass of the on-road fleet. This claim is used as an argument against these cars.

Even the Australian motoring organisation NRMA has posed the question: “EVs are heavy. Are they safe on our roads and carparks?” (It does say the answer is yes.)

The stated reason for such concerns is generally that electric car batteries are heavy and increase overall vehicle mass. A heavier vehicle needs more energy to drive it and so will typically increase emissions. A greater mass also reduces traffic safety and could have damaging impacts on parking spaces and roads.

A critical review released yesterday took a closer look at these claims to see if they hold true in Australia. It finds these claims don’t stack up in a country where sales of fossil-fuelled (petrol, diesel, LPG) vehicles skew towards large and heavy utes and SUVs.

When adjusted for actual top 10 vehicles sold and using realistic mass values, the average mass of battery electric and fossil-fuelled cars differs by just 68 kilograms. That difference is not significant, especially because electric cars are much more energy-efficient.

Oversimplifying a complex topic

The claims being made often oversimplify a complex reality. They tell only part of the story, which can be misleading.

For instance, internal combustion engine cars have consistently increased in mass over time. Known as car obesity, this fact is often unfairly ignored in comparisons.

Similarly, these statements pretend to know how complex consumer behaviour will respond to future availability of battery electric cars and their fast-changing and improving features. Often, the results of overseas studies cannot be directly applied to different Australian conditions.

4 points of contention

Our report identifies and unpacks four main points of contention.

First, there are different ways to define and compare the mass of battery electric and combustion engine cars. In practice, the choice is rather arbitrary. Depending on the method, the comparison may be neither adequate nor accurate.

Often the comparison is made between similar or similarly sized battery electric and combustion engine cars. Or electric cars can be compared only to an equivalent non-electric version of models such as the VW Golf. Another variation is to simply compare the average mass of a large range of cars currently on sale, without considering the impact of sales volumes.

Second, a common argument is that batteries are heavy, so electric cars are heavier than fossil-fuelled cars. But this is simplistic – it’s not only the battery that matters.

Offsetting the extra battery mass, other parts of the electric car such as their motors are smaller and lighter. They can cut its mass by up to 50%.

And actual extra battery mass itself depends on a range of factors. Battery chemistry, battery size and energy storage capacity (which determines how often a car needs recharging) all affect the mass. Indeed, battery mass varies between 100 and 900 kilograms for cars.

Third, car obesity has greatly and consistently increased fossil-fuelled car mass. Unless we include this rise in car obesity, the comparison with battery electric cars tells only half the story.

Finally, it is challenging to accurately predict the mass impacts of electric cars. A common assumption is that future vehicle buyers’ behaviour does not change when switching to battery electric cars. This assumption seems unlikely and again oversimplifies the comparison.

For instance, market availability, marketing focus, purchase price and performance characteristics will largely guide buyers’ decisions. These considerations are all highly dynamic. They are changing significantly and fast.

So how do they compare in Australia?

A proper comparison needs, at least, to include realistic vehicle mass and sales data. Our study compares the differences in vehicle mass between the top ten best-selling cars for both battery electric and fossil-fuelled vehicles in Australia in 2022, as shown below.

Masses of the top 10 most popular new battery electric (top) and fossil-fuelled (bottom) passenger cars sold in Australia in 2022. Circle sizes represent sales volumes. The top-selling internal combustion engine car is the Toyota Hilux (64,391 sold). For pure battery electric cars it’s the Tesla Model 3 (10,877 sold). Vehicle mass is defined as ‘mass in running order’, adjusted for average vehicle occupancy.
Author provided, Transport Energy/Emission Research (TER)

Currently sold top 10 models of battery electric cars cluster more at the heavy end, but the most popular cars are relatively light. The top 10 models of fossil-fuelled cars have a larger spread in mass. Yet, when it comes to sales, most are relatively heavy SUVs or utes.

When ranked by popularity and compared, battery electric cars are not always heavier. They can be almost 300kg (12%) lighter to almost 800kg (55%) heavier than the corresponding fossil-fuelled car. Importantly, the overall difference in the average mass of the two categories when adjusted for sales is just 68kg (about 3% of total vehicle mass).

This small difference is insignificant in terms of energy and emission impacts. A more important factor here is the superior energy efficiency of battery electric vehicles.

How will they compare in future?

Clearly, future sales profiles may differ from current sales profiles. The current profile may be largely defined by a certain type of customer (such as a high-income early adopter). They might not be typical of mainstream consumers in coming years.

Buyers’ future behaviour is uncertain and hard to predict. It would depend on the effectiveness of (new) policy measures such as Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard, the actual vehicles offered for sale, marketing efforts by car suppliers and possibly also cultural changes.

Any shifts in buyer behaviour could greatly influence the car fleet’s average mass. They could continue the current trend towards larger and heavier vehicles, or shift to smaller and lighter vehicles.

But this is the point: the impacts of electrification of passenger vehicles on average mass are highly uncertain. Statements on the matter are often speculative and can be unfairly biased by the methods used.

In markets where heavy petrol and diesel vehicles dominate car sales, such as Australia and New Zealand, current evidence suggests increased electric car sales are unlikely to greatly increase average vehicle mass. In fact, average mass could actually go down as cheaper and lighter electric cars go on sale here.

Vehicle mass remains important

Importantly, the report is not downplaying the importance of vehicle mass for transport emission abatement.

In previous research it was estimated that only a passenger vehicle fleet dominated by small and light battery electric vehicles may get Australia close to achieving the net-zero emissions target in 2050.

To meet the target, it is thus important to reverse the trend of increasing car obesity, for all cars. But vehicle mass should not be used as an argument against electrification.

Robin Smit is the founding Research Director at the Transport Energy/Emission Research (TER) consultancy.

– ref. Do electric cars greatly increase the average mass of cars on the road? Not in Australia – https://theconversation.com/do-electric-cars-greatly-increase-the-average-mass-of-cars-on-the-road-not-in-australia-240555

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Farmer blames weather app after rain washes slurry down road
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Farmer Ben Hembrow blamed rain which he claimed had not been forecast. But his fields were saturated with slurry which began running down a road.
Slurry run off Huntham Farm in Stoke St Gregory into a lane.

Somerset farmer Ben Hembrow applied slurry to fields growing winter wheat and claimed that heavy rain, which he said had not been forecast, led to slurry running into surrounding ditches and road drains near his Stoke St Gregory farm.

This resulted in fines and costs to Hembrow and the farm totalling over £20,000.

Appearing before District Judge Brereton at Yeovil Magistrates Court on Wednesday 16 October 2024, Hembrow, 36, of Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset admitted two charges relating to causing slurry pollution. The company, Huntham Farm Ltd, also admitted one charge of causing a polluting discharge.

Slurry put on fields ahead of rain

In a case brought by the Environment Agency, the court heard that an officer went to the farm on a wet Sunday in February 2022, following a report of slurry running down a road and into a surface water drain close to the farm in Stoke St Gregory.

The officer found fields saturated in slurry and observed slurry entering nearby watercourses and ditches. While investigating, Hembrow arrived on scene, visibly shaken. He attempted to reduce the impact by blocking a ditch and used sub soiling equipment to help break up the surface of the soil and prevent further run-off. Despite his actions the investigation later showed that over 1.5km of watercourse, as far as the confluence with the Sedgemoor Old Rhyne Site of Special Scientific Interest, had been impacted.

Weather app blamed for forecasting ‘just 1mm of rain’

During interview Hembrow claimed that the weather app he used had predicted only 1mm of rain the day after the slurry was applied. The agency’s investigation established that heavy rain had been forecast to fall on the Sunday throughout the week by numerous weather forecasters including the BBC and the app used by Hembrow. No checks on the physical condition of the soil had been made, no soil test pits to assess soil structure had been dug.

Hembrow claimed he was not in breach of regulations to prevent pollution due to measures he had taken before spreading and specifically stated that, given the weather forecast he had consulted, he did not believe the application of slurry gave rise to a risk of pollution.

A fine to reflect the slip in standards

Summing up, District Judge Brereton acknowledged Hembrow to be a hard-working farmer committed to modern technology and farming practices. However, she also concluded that the fine imposed should reflect that the standards of farming had fallen well below what is expected. She also referenced aggravating features, specifically that Hembrow had previously been prosecuted for offences in 2016 and 2021.

Hembrow, as an individual, was fined £525 for failing to plan the slurry applications. Huntham Farm Ltd was fined £8,000 for causing pollution and ordered to pay the agency’s full costs of £11,564.25.

‘Anything spread on the soil was likely to run off’

David Womack, senior environment officer for the Environment Agency, said:

This pollution event was avoidable but occurred because Mr Hembrow failed to carry out the most basic checks to assess if the land he was spreading slurry on was suitable.

Previous land management had led to the fields being compacted – anything spread on the soil was therefore likely to run off, even in moderate rainfall conditions. He wrongly assumed risk assessments for slurry application would be done by his agronomist – but it was his responsibility to do this just prior to the slurry being applied.

Additional weather checks would also have alerted Mr Hembrow that wet weather was very likely to occur immediately after he chose to apply slurry. Since 2018 there have been specific laws to ensure organic manure applications are planned and that they take into account weather forecasts and soil conditions.

Background

The charges:

Ben Hembrow:

On and before the 13 February 2022 you, Ben Hembrow, did cause an unpermitted water discharge activity, namely the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter from Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset into inland fresh waters. Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

On and before the 13 February 2022 you, Ben Hembrow, did fail to plan the application of organic matter, namely slurry, to agricultural land at Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset so as to give rise to a significant risk of agricultural diffuse pollution. Contrary to Regulations 4(1)&4(2) and Regulation 11 of the  Reduction and Prevention of Agricultural Diffuse Pollution (England) Regulations 2018.

The company:

On and before the 13 February 2022 you, Huntham Farm Ltd, did cause an unpermitted water discharge activity, namely the discharge of poisonous, noxious or polluting matter from Huntham Farm, Stoke St Gregory, Somerset into inland fresh waters. Contrary to Regulations 12(1)(b) and Regulation 38(1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

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Published 22 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import of poultry meat and products from Åšroda Wielkopolska District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland suspended

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Import of poultry meat and products from Środa Wielkopolska District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland suspended
Import of poultry meat and products from Środa Wielkopolska District of Wielkopolskie Region in Poland suspended
******************************************************************************************

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (October 22) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Środa Wielkopolska District of the Wielkopolskie Region in Poland, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong. A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 1 620 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Poland in the first six months of this year. “The CFS has contacted the Polish authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.

Ends/Tuesday, October 22, 2024Issued at HKT 16:37

NNNN

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: AIIB Backs Early-Stage Innovation in India, Investing in Endiya Partners under Venture Capital Investment Program

Source: Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved investments in Endiya Partners Fund III under the AIIB Venture Capital (VC) Investment Program. The investments will support early-stage companies focused on green and technology-enabled infrastructure in India and Southeast Asia.

Launched in December 2022, AIIB’s VC Investment Program for Green and Technology-Enabled Infrastructure began with a commitment of USD100 million, with an additional USD30 million for co-investments. The program aims to fill the capital gap for early-stage ventures by investing through small-scale VC funds.

Endiya Partners Fund III will invest in early-stage start-ups in India, focusing on intellectual property that aligns with AIIB’s strategic priorities.

“Endiya Partners shares AIIB’s vision of promoting innovation in green and technology-enabled infrastructure through strategic investments in the digital industry, healthcare and enterprise sectors,” said Sateesh Andra, Managing Partner at Endiya Partners. “We thank AIIB for their confidence and LP (limited partners) investment as we drive impactful change.”

This will be the second signed commitment, previously approved as MSA Emerging Technology Markets Fund I in 2023. The total investment under the VC Program now represents about 20% of its investable corpus. The program’s goal is to build a diversified portfolio of 10 to 12 VC funds across sectors, geographies and stages of development.“These investments are pivotal as they operationalize AIIB’s forward-looking VC Program, with significant potential to grow the innovation landscape in our Members,” said Gregory Liu, AIIB Director General of Financial Institutions and Fund Clients, Global. “Our focus will be to enhance this program by identifying innovative ideas that deliver scalable impacts, creating a portfolio that generates returns and positive outcomes.”

The investments align with AIIB’s Private Capital Mobilization thematic priority and mission of Financing Infrastructure for Tomorrow, emphasizing technology as a competitive advantage. AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy applies to the program, ensuring that each VC Fund adheres to the Bank’s environmental and social standards.

About AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank whose mission is Financing Infrastructure for Tomorrow in Asia and beyond – infrastructure with sustainability at its core. We began operations in Beijing in 2016 and have since grown to 110 approved members worldwide. We are capitalized at USD100 billion and AAA-rated by the major international credit rating agencies. Collaborating with partners, AIIB meets clients’ needs by unlocking new capital and investing in infrastructure that is green, technology-enabled and promotes regional connectivity.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Park life through a lens in fixed point photography project
Source: City of Derby

Visitors to Allestree Park are being asked to be part of monitoring the exciting changes to the landscape as Community Rewilding progresses thanks to the launch of a new fixed-point photography project.

Based on the wide range of conversations about what people want to see happen in Allestree Park, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and Derby City Council are facilitating a timeline of activities to help shape the park into a richer place for people and nature and help tackle the effects of climate change.

One of those activities is monitoring the evolving landscape changes through fixed-point photography, a user-friendly way for members of the public to monitor visual changes to the landscape through the seasons and years.

Ten fixed-point photography wooden posts with phone brackets attached have been installed at Allestree Park. With technology powered by video specialists Ace Nature, the public can now take photos, using their mobile phones, from the same point over time and upload them online via a QR code displayed on the posts.

Derby City Council and volunteers installed the fixed points in spring to allow the Friends of Allestree Park volunteer group to test the system in preparation for it being rolled out to everyone.

Now, each photograph submitted by the public can be compared to monitor the evolving landscape, visual changes and trends, so the community can see how rewilding is changing the park and ensure the best outcomes for people and wildlife.

Lisa Witham, Director of Wilder Communities at Derbyshire Wildlife Trust said:

We know from our community conversations throughout the life of this project that people want to be more involved in projects, including monitoring changes and volunteering. We are excited to be able to deliver the fixed-point photography project, which will not only provide a greater understanding of the ever-changing landscape at Allestree, but also provide opportunities for people to take part and benefit their mental and physical wellbeing through connecting with nature.

We want as many people as possible to get involved regularly to give the project team a realistic and critically important snapshot of what is happening to the landscape over time. This can be used alongside other data and survey results to monitor and evaluate, as the park is rewilded into a space that nature and people can enjoy. We are so excited to roll this project out to everyone and look forward to seeing people’s photos!

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Safety and Leisure, added:

This initiative gives all our visitors to Allestree Park the opportunity to be at the heart of the Community Rewilding project, helping to record progress as the seasons change, and over time. I look forward to getting out in the park and to seeing the results as the project develops.

To get involved, all people need to do is:
- Visit the park
- Scan the QR code displayed on the post and follow the instructions
- Place smart phone in the metal bracket on top of the wooden post
- Take a picture
- Photos can then be viewed online on the Derbyshire Wildmap website
The fixed-point photography project is part of the Nature Returns Programme led by Natural England in close partnership with the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and RBG Kew, Wakehurst. This Shared Outcomes Funded Programme is sponsored by Defra and DESNZ.

This is also part funded by The National Lottery Community Fund through a Climate Action Fund grant awarded to the Community Rewilding project earlier this year to deliver community and nature benefits in Allestree Park and across Derby City.

For more information about the Community Rewilding of Allestree Park and to find out more about upcoming activities and events, visit the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust website.
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic students are winners of the competition for St. Petersburg government awards

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

The Diploma Project Commission summed up the results of the competition for the St. Petersburg Government Prize. For the implementation of diploma projects in the 2023/2024 academic year, 33 executive bodies of state power offered students 116 topics for work. 72 people won the competition, seven of whom are SPbPU students. All of them represent the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade.

1. Maria Gorshenina, graduate of the Master’s program at the Higher School of Industrial Management, Energy Management program, scientific supervisor: Associate Professor at the Higher School of Industrial Management Inga Skvortsova.

Project “Analysis and ranking of factors promoting and hindering the introduction of renewable energy sources in the engineering and energy complex of St. Petersburg”. The aim of the study was to improve the elaboration of the scientific base for assessing the feasibility of introducing renewable energy sources into a specific regional energy system by identifying and analyzing key factors that form the environment within which the operation of renewable energy sources is planned in the region.

To be honest, this work is a story of constant improvements and refinements, as I always wanted to improve my project. The result was worth it: victory in the St. Petersburg government diploma project competition, second place in the TGK-1 competition and, most importantly, my own satisfaction with the work done, Maria shared her impressions.

2. Leonid Alkhimovich, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree program of the Higher School of Industrial Management, international educational program “International Business”, scientific supervisor: associate professor of the Higher School of Industrial Management Ksenia Kikkas.

The topic of the thesis is “Corporate training – gamification as a basis for effective interaction in the work process”. The choice of the topic is associated with the rapid development of technologies in the field of corporate training, digital methods of professional development and increasing employee engagement. One of the most common tools in this area is gamification.

3. Evelina Polushkina, Bachelor of the Higher School of Administrative Management in the direction of “State and Municipal Administration”. The project “The Impact of Digitalization on the Process of State Support for Business” was developed under the supervision of HSAM Associate Professor Maxim Ivanov. During the final qualifying work, recommendations were developed for improving the provision of state support by changing the internal processes for ensuring the operation of digital services, as well as creating directions for their popularization among small and medium-sized businesses.

Participation in the competition was a very useful and necessary experience for me. I positively evaluate the experience of communication with the executive bodies of St. Petersburg in the person of civil servants, who promptly provided the necessary information and statistics on my topic. I believe that the topic of state support for business is relevant at the moment, so I am glad that the city authorities are actively involved in its implementation and are constantly developing this industry, including with the help of digital technologies, – Evelina noted.

4. Elizaveta Parkhomchuk, Master of the Higher School of Administrative Management in the direction of “State and Municipal Administration”. Under the supervision of HSAM Associate Professor Tamara Selentyeva, she completed the work “Development of projects for methodological assistance in supporting small and medium-sized businesses in the executive bodies of state power”, which is aimed at creating recommendations for executive bodies of state power to improve the process of providing assistance and support to small and medium-sized businesses. This work was done jointly with specialists from the Center for Development and Support of Entrepreneurship of St. Petersburg.

5. Mikhail Kiryushatov, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree program at the Higher School of Service and Trade, majoring in “Trade Business”, scientific supervisor: associate professor at the Higher School of Service and Trade Irina Kapustina. The project was called “Analysis of the possibilities of expanding economic cooperation between St. Petersburg and cities of ASEAN countries in modern conditions.”

The most memorable events were the off-site events in which the External Relations Committee took part. The first of these was the XXIII International Forum “Ecology of the Big City”, where a student of the Higher School of Social and Technical Studies accompanied a delegation from Myanmar headed by the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Min Tu, and also carried out communication at a meeting with Russian partners in the field of geology, Mikhail shared.

6. Ksenia Fisun, a graduate of the bachelor’s degree program at the Higher School of Service and Trade, majoring in “Trade Business”, scientific supervisor: Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Vladimir Bakharev. Her project was called “Trends and Factors Influencing the Development of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in St. Petersburg”.

Participation in the project was a very interesting experience for me! Thanks to it, I got acquainted with the activities of government agencies from the inside, and also learned more about the sphere of small and medium entrepreneurship in our city. I am grateful to the Polytechnic University and the government of St. Petersburg for the opportunity to participate in such a project! – shared Ksenia.

7. Karina Allahverdiyeva, graduate of the Master’s program of the Higher School of Service and Trade, the program “Quality Management at the Enterprise” under the supervision of Associate Professor of the Higher School of Service and Trade Boris Lyamin. The project work on the topic “Monitoring of food products based on the KPPIT as a promising form of quality control and product safety” consisted of identifying discrepancies in the food product monitoring process, assessing the quality control process of samples, developing recommendations for improving and optimizing the food product monitoring process in the testing laboratory of the IL “PETEKS”. It is worth noting that the results of the project work were agreed upon, approved and applied by the head of the testing laboratory.

The winners will be awarded in November during the St. Petersburg International Scientific and Educational Salon, the city’s largest event aimed at demonstrating educational, scientific research and innovation activities.

According to statistics, most of the winners of this competition are employed in city administrative structures. It is also worth noting that this year the prize amount has been increased from 16 thousand rubles to 30 thousand rubles for each winner.

I am proud of our students! IPMET regularly participates and annually remains among the leaders in the number of winners. And this year is a particularly significant event for the entire institute – seven winners from the Polytechnic University and all IPMET students! Your achievements are the result of hard work, creativity and commitment to high quality work. I wish you further success in your professional activities, may your victories continue to delight us with new achievements, – shared the director of IPMET Vladimir Shchepinin.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How finance can be part of the solution to the world’s biodiversity crisis

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emma O’Donnell, Research Assistant, Environmental Change Institute and PhD Candidate, Nature-based Solutions Initiative, University of Oxford

Nature loss should be treated with the same urgency as climate change. NOBUHIRO ASADA/Shutterstock

More than half of the world’s total GDP is at least moderately dependent on nature. Yet arguably, there is no economy (or life) without nature. A quarter of animal and planet species are now threatened, and 14 out of 18 key ecosystem services – including fertile soils to grow food, flood and disease control and regulation of air and water pollution – are in decline.

These ecosystem services are essential and have no easy substitutes. Despite this, almost US$7 trillion (£5.4 trillion) per year is spent by governments and the private sector on subsidies and economic activities that have a negative impact on nature – including intensive agriculture and fossil-fuel subsidies. This compares to only US$200 billion that is spent on nature-based solutions (just a third of what is estimated to be needed).

Although the biodiversity crisis has often been overshadowed by climate change on the global stage, the tide is turning. In 2022, the Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework was adopted with its overarching goal to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

At the end of October 2024, the signatories of the framework will again come together at the UN’s Cop16 biodiversity conference in Cali, Colombia, to negotiate the implementation of their targets. To make progress towards these goals, Cop16 aims to align finance with the framework; effectively ensuring finance is part of the solution rather than the problem.

To do this, the flow of finance will need to be redirected. A central lever in this is the pricing of risk. Financial institutions face significant risk, both from the degradation of ecosystem services (physical risks) and the social responses to degradation, including regulation and changing consumer demand (transition risks). Yet these risks are not fully priced into financial decisions.

On top of this, corporations do not disclose their nature-related risks, dependencies and impacts, making it difficult for financial institutions to understand the implications of their investments. Together, this means that finance continues to flow unhindered into riskier activities.

Central banks are now starting to highlight risks from nature to financial institutions and to explore the areas where these risks manifest in the financial system.

The financial risks are real

Earlier this year, we published the first study of the seriousness of nature-related financial risks.

We found that, for the UK, nature-related shocks could cause a 6% decline in GDP by 2030 under scenarios such as soil health decline or water scarcity putting pressure on global supply chains. And there could be a drop in GDP of more than 12% in the scenario of an antimicrobial resistance or pandemic shock, driven by increased human-wildlife interaction due to habitat loss and deforestation.

These results are equal to or even greater than the UK’s 6% decrease in GDP after the 2008 financial crisis and 9.7% during the 2020 COVID lockdowns.

We also found that nature-related financial risks were of a similar scale to climate-related risks. Nature loss and climate change occur in parallel, amplify and compound each other. As such, it is essential that solutions look to solve both challenges simultaneously. After all, what is the point of having a cooler planet that is no longer livable?

Of its 23 targets for 2030, the GBF includes two goals that specifically address finance. Target 18 aims to reduce incentives for financial flows that damage nature by at least US$500 billion per year and scale up incentives for nature-positive financial flows. And target 19 aims to mobilise US$200 billion per year for restoring and protecting nature, including at least US$30 billion from international finance flowing from developed to developing countries. A further target, target 15, calls for the disclosure of nature-related risks, dependencies and impacts by firms.

COP16 gets under way in Cali, Colombia.

So, what do we need from Cop16 to pull the financial risk lever?

First, there must be international recognition that the long-term, widespread and often irreversible risks of the biodiversity crisis are not being priced by the financial system, despite progress on the integration of climate risks. This can cause a buildup of systemic risks and lead to financial instability; as such, there must be a global consensus that central banks play a key role in taking proactive measures to manage this.

Second, at the individual, corporate and financial institution level, firms must manage and disclose their nature-related financial risks, alongside their climate risks.

Third, similar to transition finance for net zero, financial institutions must begin to engage actively with clients to explore opportunities to support their transition towards more nature-positive activities and reflect this within their transition plans.

Securing financial resilience and nature and climate goals are synonymous; and all are essential for securing economic growth and sustainable development globally.

Emma O’Donnell receives funding from the UK Natural Science Research Council.

Jimena Alvarez receives funding from UK Natural Environment Research Council.

Nicola Ranger receives funding from the UK Natural Environment Research Council, Climate Arc and EU Horizon

– ref. How finance can be part of the solution to the world’s biodiversity crisis – https://theconversation.com/how-finance-can-be-part-of-the-solution-to-the-worlds-biodiversity-crisis-241829

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: News Release – October 20 to 26 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Source: US State of Hawaii

News Release – October 20 to 26 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Posted on Oct 21, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

KA ʻOIHANA OLAKINO

JOSH GREEN, M.D.
GOVERNOR

KE KIA‘ĀINA

KENNETH S. FINK, MD, MGA, MPH
DIRECTOR

KA LUNA HO‘OKELE

OCTOBER 20-26 IS NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK

Learn how to keep yourself and your keiki safe from lead exposure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2024 24-137

HONOLULU — Lead is a toxic metal that is dangerous to health at all ages and there is no safe level of lead in the blood for children. Oct. 20 to 26 is National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and this year’s theme is “Bright Futures Begin Lead-Free.” This observation provides an opportunity to learn how to protect your keiki and yourself from exposure to lead and its serious health effects.

Lead is often present in the paint of older buildings constructed prior to 1978 and can be found in soil, house dust, old toys, jewelry, antiques, souvenirs, fishing tackle, keys, dishes, food, spices, tobacco products and water. Certain work or hobbies can expose you to lead and you can also bring it home on your clothes, shoes, hair and other items.

Public water systems in Hawaiʻi do not historically have lead contamination; however, it is possible for lead to contaminate drinking water through fixtures and piping in older buildings. In a collaborative project funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Hawaiʻi Departments of Health (DOH), Education and Human Services tested drinking water taps for lead in schools and childcare centers and are continuing work to ensure lead is no longer present in taps that showed five parts per billion lead or higher.

“Keiki are especially susceptible to the effects of lead exposure because they are still in the developmental stages, which can impact both mental and physical development,” said Dr. Ruben Frescas, chief of the DOH Children with Special Health Needs Branch. “They can be exposed to sources of lead in their everyday environment at home and anywhere they play or receive care. With young children who like to play on the ground and put their hands or other objects in their mouths, lead exposure can place these younger keiki at an even higher risk for swallowing lead.”

In children, lead can cause learning and behavior problems that can result in long-term negative effects throughout adulthood like increased delinquency, lower educational attainment and lower income. In pregnant people, lead can damage a developing baby’s nervous system and has the potential to cause miscarriages and stillbirths. Children tend to show signs of severe lead toxicity at lower exposure levels than adults. However, most children with lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms.

In adults, exposure to high levels of lead may cause serious health problems like anemia, kidney and brain damage, infertility in men and women, cancer, nerve and hearing damage, and heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke is two to five times higher among people with higher blood lead levels, which is comparable to the increased risk from smoking, high cholesterol and hypertension.

The DOH Hawaiʻi Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (HI-CLPPP) receives funding from the CDC to help the community prevent children from being exposed to lead; to identify children already exposed to lead so the source can be removed; and to link families to recommended services like Early Intervention and in-home residential investigations.

According to the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children should have a risk assessment for lead exposure at well-child visits and children at increased risk should get a simple blood test for lead. Testing children at 1 and 2 years of age or later if never tested before is required and free with Med-QUEST, the Hawaiʻi Medicaid program. It is okay to test at other times if you or your child’s doctor are concerned about lead exposure.

“Lead poisoning is completely preventable and the best way to protect children is to keep them away from lead in the environment and get screened,” Frescas said. “Taking a few simple steps today can make a big difference tomorrow and we are here to help our families take those steps.”

To learn more about how to keep yourself and your keiki safe from lead exposure, visit lead.hawaii.gov.

# # #

Media Contact:

Brandin Shim

Information Specialist

Family Health Services Division

808-586-4120

[email protected]

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: At COP16, EIB to announce new partnerships to strengthen environmental protection
Source: European Investment Bank
- EIB and WWF set for financing initiative.
- Bank deepens cooperation with European Environment Agency.
- Findings to be released from EIB-backed survey of public development banks’ support for green transition in Latin America and Caribbean.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) will announce a series of steps to bolster global environmental protection during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia from 21 October to 1 November 2024.

At the event, which marks the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), the EIB will publish an agreement with WWF on developing natural ways to protect biodiversity and enhance climate resilience. In addition, the EIB and the European Environment Agency are strengthening cooperation to support environmental sustainability and climate action. Furthermore, in partnership with the Association of Public Development Banks of Latin America and the Caribbean (ALIDE), the EIB will release the findings of a survey on the role of public development banks in supporting the two regions’ green transition.

“The role of finance will be front and centre of the COP16 discussions on how to meet the world’s goals in supporting biodiversity,” said EIB Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. “We must act with urgency to reduce financial flows to activities that harm nature and scale up financing to projects that have a positive impact on the environment. Doing so is central to overcoming the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. The EIB is working closely with countries, the European Commission, fellow multilateral development banks, national promotional banks and the private sector to scale up nature-positive finance.”

EIB at COP16

The EIB delegation will be led by Vice-President Ambroise Fayolle. For interview requests with members of the EIB delegation, please get in touch with the press contact below. Find out more about the EIB at the United Nations Biodiversity Conference here.

On 28 October, Vice-President Fayolle will address the COP16 plenary to speak about unlocking opportunities to align and enhance responses to nature-related risks. On 30 October representatives from multilateral development banks will discuss progress on the joint MDB statement on supporting nature, people and the planet. A special focus will be MDBs’ role in defining and tracking nature finance as outlined in the MDB Common Principles for Tracking Nature Positive Finance that were announced at the United Nations Climate Conference COP28 in Dubai.

Background information

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union owned by its Member States. It is active in more than 160 countries and makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals.

EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm dedicated to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance. EIB Global is designed to foster strong, focused partnership within Team Europe, alongside fellow development finance institutions, and civil society. EIB Global brings the Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through our offices across the world.

The EIB has been providing economic support for projects in Latin America since 1993, facilitating long-term investment with favourable conditions and providing the technical support needed to ensure that these projects deliver positive social, economic and environmental results. Since the EIB began operating in Latin America, it has provided total financing of around €14 billion to support more than 160 projects in 15 countries in the region.
MIL OSI Europe News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jimmy Doherty is named Visiting Professor at ARU

Source: Anglia Ruskin University

Published: 22 October 2024 at 13:16

The farmer and conservationist will help support the next generation of scientists

Farmer, conservationist and TV presenter Jimmy Doherty has taken on an important new role as Visiting Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU).

The announcement was made today [22 October] on the first day of the Chelmsford Science Festival, organised by ARU, which runs until Tuesday, 29 October.

Jimmy is the much-loved presenter of programmes including Jimmy’s Farm, Jimmy and the Wild Honey Hunters, Jimmy Doherty in Darwin’s Garden, Jimmy’s Global Harvest, Museum of Life, Jimmy and the Whale Whisperer, Jimmy’s Big Bee Rescue and most recently Jimmy and Shivi’s Farmhouse Breakfast. Alongside his wife, he runs the popular Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park near Ipswich, which he has farmed since 2002.

Jimmy studied animal biology and entomology at university, and part of his role within ARU’s new Writtle School of Agriculture, Animal and Environmental Sciences will see him help to inspire the next generation of farmers and scientists.

In conjunction with Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, ARU will run joint education and research projects, which includes plans for a new PhD studentship in conservation.

ARU is home to approximately 40,000 students across a range of courses and campuses. After ARU merged with Writtle University College in February of this year, the 370-acre campus on the outskirts of Chelmsford became ARU Writtle.

With an impressive reputation for animal, agriculture and horticulture courses, ARU Writtle features a campus farm that’s home to sheep, pigs and cattle, an Equine Training and Development Centre featuring stables and riding arenas, and a state-of-the-art Canine Centre including hydrotherapy clinics. In total, there are around 200 different species at ARU Writtle, including reptiles, birds and small mammals.

Jimmy said:

“I’ve had the incredible honour of being Chancellor of Writtle University College, and I’m thrilled that my connection with Writtle is continuing following the merger with Anglia Ruskin University.

“To be involved with Anglia Ruskin University is a real privilege. There are so many strong connections between the work that I do and the fantastic research and teaching taking place at ARU Writtle, so I can’t wait to get started in my new role of Visiting Professor, helping to inspire the next generation of scientists, farmers and conservationists.

“Science is obviously really important in young people’s education, but it’s vital to this region’s economy, bringing in billions of pounds in sectors like medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture. And also looking into the future of dealing with this climate crisis, it’s going to be the scientists that come up with the solutions.

“It’s also exciting to be taking up this role at ARU at the start of the Chelmsford Science Festival, as the theme of this year’s festival – planetary health – aligns so closely to my own values of protecting the environment to allow everything to thrive.”

Professor Laurie Butler, Pro Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Science & Engineering at ARU, said:

“We are immensely proud to be welcoming Jimmy Doherty to his new role within the university.

“Science and innovation have inspired Jimmy throughout his career journey, and we know that his knowledge, expertise and personal experiences will help to support and influence students across disciplines including the life sciences, animal behaviour, agriculture and conservation.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025