Category: Environment

MIL-OSI Russia: The delegation of SPbGASU took part in the program “Voice of the generation. Vice-rectors teachers”

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – The SPbGASU team exchanges experience with colleagues from other universities

From October 12 to 15, the fourth stream of the program “Voice of the Generation. Vice-Rectors and Teachers” was held in Pyatigorsk at the Mashuk Knowledge Center. Representatives of our university took part in the program: Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina, Deputy Deans for Educational Work Anna Tsarenko (Faculty of Civil Engineering), Daria Kulakova (Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Urban Management), Daria Boytsova (Faculty of Architecture), and curators of academic groups Sergey Lanko and Mikhail Timokhin.

“Voice of the Generation. Vice-Rectors and Teachers” is an educational project of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The goal of the program is to provide information on current trends in youth policy, methods of working with students, and to improve the skills of specialists involved in educational work at universities.

In her welcoming speech to the participants of the program, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Olga Petrova emphasized that one of the main tasks in educating young people and forming healthy life values in them is to involve students in active social life, starting from university.

Advisor to the head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs Madeleine Baturina emphasized the need to form a unified system for raising children and young people by involving them in special projects of the “Youth of Russia” platform within the framework of the national project “Youth and Children”.

The four days of the programme were very intense: they included lectures by experts in the field of educational work and youth policy, business games and immersion games with subsequent reflection, a quiz and an immersive performance.

The program topics were:

education and law; mentoring in education; the influence of the student’s personal position on strengthening traditional Russian values; educational environment; the teacher is the strategic capital of the state.

Particular attention was paid to the structure and content of university educational programs, methods that allow developing not a formal document, but an effective strategy for working with young people.

In addition to getting acquainted with the current content of youth policy and modern approaches to it, representatives of SPbGASU exchanged experiences with colleagues from other universities.

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 Asia-Pac: AFCD laid charges against Mainland fisherman deckhands suspected of using snake cages for fishing and local coxswain (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) today (October 22) laid charges against six Mainland fisherman deckhands suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages (a type of cage trap banned in Hong Kong waters) on a local fishing vessel in waters off Hei Ling Chau and a local coxswain on board.

     A joint operation was conducted by the AFCD together with the Hong Kong Police Force yesterday (October 21). A local fishing vessel was suspected of engaging in fishing using snake cages and was intercepted at around 11am on the same day for investigation. Some fishing gear (including snake cages and winches) on board was seized by the AFCD.

     After the investigation, charges were laid against the seven men who were suspected to have violated the Fisheries Protection Ordinance (Cap. 171). They will appear at the Eastern Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (October 23).

     Only a vessel registered under the Ordinance can be used for fishing in Hong Kong waters and only the fishing methods listed on its Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel can be employed for fishing by the vessel. The conditions of the Certificate of Registration of Local Fishing Vessel regarding cage traps stipulate that any collapsible cage traps should not be connected in any way to another; or should not exceed five metres in any of its extended dimensions. Hence, fishing using snake cages is in breach of the registration conditions. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $100,000 and six months’ imprisonment upon conviction.

     A spokesman for the AFCD stressed, “The Government is committed to combatting illegal fishing activities in Hong Kong waters. The AFCD will continue to step up patrols and take stringent enforcement action.”

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: The whip-poor-will has been an omen of death for centuries − what happened to this iconic bird of American horror?

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jared Del Rosso, Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology, University of Denver

An illustration, drawn and engraved, of an eastern whip-poor-will, by Richard Polydore Nodder. Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

In one of the most haunting scenes of Stephen King’s 1975 novel “Salem’s Lot,” a gravedigger named Mike Ryerson races to bury the coffin of a local boy named Danny Glick. As night approaches, a troubling thought overtakes Mike: Danny has been buried with his eyes open. Worse, Mike senses that Danny is looking through the closed coffin back at him.

A mania overcomes Mike. Prayers run through his head – “the ways things like that will for no good reason.” Then more disturbing thoughts intrude: “Now I bring you spoiled meat and reeking flesh.” Mike leaps into the hole he’s dug and furiously shovels soil off the coffin. The reader knows what he’s going to do, but ought not to do, next: Mike will open the coffin, freeing whatever Danny has become.

Enter the whip-poor-wills. Several of them, King writes, “had begun to lift their shrilling call,” the demand for violence that gives the species its name: whip-poor-will.

This isn’t the first time whip-poor-wills appear in “Salem’s Lot,” nor is it the last time King would invoke them in his work. But despite the importance of the species to King, whip-poor-wills never appear in film and television adaptations of “Salem’s Lot.”

Released on Oct. 3, 2024, the most recent adaptation of “Salem’s Lot” incorporates birdsong but makes little use of them. Here and there, an American crow or blue jay calls. Sparrowlike chirps pepper scenes at night. And as Mike unburies the undead Danny, the less threatening call of a barred owl replaces that of whip-poor-wills.

The whip-poor-will got its name from the male’s three-note call that sounds like it’s wailing, ‘Whip poor will.’

As a cultural sociologist writing a book about eastern whip-poor-wills, I’m interested in this omission not because it reflects an unfaithful recreation of King’s novel. Rather, I see the erasure of whip-poor-wills from “Salem’s Lot” as a symptom of broader ecological changes, one in which species loss is also tied to cultural loss.

The horror of the night

As least as early as Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” the call of whip-poor-wills, a member of the nocturnal nightjar family, haunted American fiction.

Perhaps the best known whip-poor-wills in American horror appear in H.P. Lovecraft’s novella “The Dunwich Horror.” Lovecraft references the species nearly two dozen times in his story, with the birds often appearing around the deaths of the Whateley family, who live in the fictional town of Dunwich, Massachusetts.

By behaving in ways that real whip-poor-wills never do, Dunwich’s nightjars symbolize the horrors the Whateleys unleash on the townspeople. The birds also act as psychopomps: beings who guide the souls of the newly deceased to the afterlife.

Horror writer H.P. Lovecraft.
Wikimedia Commons

Dunwich’s whip-poor-wills remain in the town until Halloween – “unnaturally belated,” Lovecraft writes – as they chant in unison with the dying breaths of Whateleys. (Indeed, most whip-poor-wills leave the Northeast by the end of September, and they usually don’t coordinate their singing.) But though whip-poor-wills are essential to the plot of “The Dunwich Horror,” another common owl, this one a great horned owl, replaces whip-poor-wills in the 1970 film adaptation of Lovecraft’s story.

King, too, uses whip-poor-wills to great effect. In “Jerusalem’s Lot,” the short story King later published as a prelude to “Salem’s Lot,” whip-poor-wills haunt the Maine town. And in his 1989 novel “The Dark Half,” King references the lore of whip-poor-wills as psychopomps.

Lovecraft’s and King’s fictional whip-poor-wills draw on widespread Indigenous, European and American beliefs about the species. A whip-poor-will singing near one’s home was an especially ominous sign, usually meaning that death would soon take someone in the house. An 1892 article in the American Journal of Folklore documents this belief in King’s home state, Maine. It also offers a story, probably apocryphal, as evidence: “A whippoorwill sang at a back door repeatedly; finally, the woman’s son was brought home dead, and the corpse brought into the house through the back door.”

Birds and belief disappear

For the better part of the 19th and early 20th centuries, whip-poor-will lore circulated among people who encountered the bird. Outside of the world of folklore studies, you can find passing mention of ill omens in the nature writing of Henry David Thoreau and Susan Fenimore Cooper, though neither gave credence to these superstitions. Into the 20th century, local newspapers continued to share lore about the birds with their readers.

But as erasure of the species from horror suggest, broader cultural familiarity with whip-poor-wills has atrophied. In one exception, “Chapelwaite,” a 2021 television series based on King’s “Jerusalem’s Lot,” the characters explicitly discuss the birds’ behaviors, so that viewers understand the reference.

The cultural erasure of whip-poor-wills mirrors the species’ actual decline. Conservationists estimate that eastern whip-poor-will populations have declined by about 70% since the 1970s. This decline is likely leading to what the naturalist Robert Michael Pyle calls the “extinction of experience.” Pyle reasons that when a species declines, people lose opportunities to encounter it in local landscapes and are less likely to be familiar with it in the first place.

Such declines also drive social and cultural losses. This is most stark when a species goes extinct. Consider the passenger pigeon. As the writer Jennifer Price shows in her book “Flight Maps,” the life of Americans was once entwined with the species. When massive flocks of passenger pigeons arrived, communities gathered to hunt the birds, which were once an integral part of the American diet. Now, however, the species is remembered almost exclusively as a symbol of human-induced extinction.

A passenger pigeon pictured in the early 20th century, shortly before the species went extinct.
Bettmann/Getty Images

Similarly, the decline of common birds alters people’s relationships to the environment. For instance, in the U.K., the decline of house sparrows robs landscapes of the beloved sight and sound of a once ubiquitous species. The loss of common cuckoos, meanwhile, means that spring arrives in the U.K. without its iconic song.

Beyond cultures of loss

I think we are witnessing similar cultural changes with whip-poor-wills. Their absence in the adaptations of King’s work mirrors their absence both in the landscape and in people’s lives. But though loss and grief rightfully characterize many people’s relationship with whip-poor-wills and other declining species, I want to make a case for hope.

On one hand, there’s reason to be hopeful about the possibility of conservation: Whip-poor-wills appear to respond well to forest management practices that create diverse forests with a mix of younger and older trees. Many places where whip-poor-wills breed have active conservation plans to support the bird and other species that share their habitats.

Nor are whip-poor-wills culturally extinct.

After all, readers still find their way to the works of Lovecraft and King. These and other enduring references to the species offer people an opportunity to find their way back to the bird – and to what the species meant to all those who have cared for them.

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

– ref. The whip-poor-will has been an omen of death for centuries − what happened to this iconic bird of American horror? – https://theconversation.com/the-whip-poor-will-has-been-an-omen-of-death-for-centuries-what-happened-to-this-iconic-bird-of-american-horror-240873

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Local Plan plea for more brownfield sites to come forward
Source: City of Canterbury

Home » Latest News » Local Plan plea for more brownfield sites to come forward

Owners of brownfield sites in the district that could be developed are being urged to come forward.

The plea is the latest part in the process of pulling together a draft Local Plan, the document that allocates land in the district for new homes, jobs, new schools, a new hospital and community uses.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Alan Baldock, said: “When we took office in May 2023, we decided to take a fresh look at the draft Local Plan and we consulted on our proposals in the spring of this year.

“While our draft already prioritised development on brownfield sites, the results of the consultation made it clear people wanted us to strain every sinew to try and find more.

“So, to make sure we leave no stone unturned, and before any final decisions on sites are made, we are asking people to come forward with potential brownfield sites within the district that are suitable, and available, for development.

“We are also open to hearing about a range of other types of sites that might be suitable too.”

This part of the Local Plan process is officially known as a Call For Sites and will run from 9am on Monday 21 October until 5pm on Monday 16 December.

Officers are keen to hear about new sites for any type of future use that have not been submitted before, and are particularly interested in:
- brownfield land that could be suitable and available for development for any future use (capable of accommodating a minimum of five dwellings or 500sqm floorspace)
- small and medium-sized sites (capable of accommodating a minimum of five dwellings up to around 100 dwellings)
- land that could be suitable for employment and commercial development (above 0.25ha or 500sqm floorspace)
- land that could be suitable for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation
- land that could be suitable for renewable energy schemes
The Call For Sites process follows a decision at the end of September by Canterbury City Council’s Cabinet to extend the current Local Plan timetable by around six to seven months so council officers could consider government changes to national planning policy which are coming down the track.

The deadline for a final draft has now moved from the one imposed by the last government of June 2025 to spring 2026.

The council will use this time to:
- digest the feedback it received from the consultation and what it should do about it
- think carefully, in light of that feedback and numerous other technical considerations, about where in the district the bigger sites, known as strategic allocations, that are needed to deliver the government’s housing targets should go. It has to be remembered housing targets are likely to be mandatory and the government has suggested the district’s target needs to go up ever so slightly
- keep talking to stakeholders such as Kent County Council, National Highways, Natural England, the Environment Agency, other councils etc
- continue to assess any potential sites that may come forward
- make progress on the modelling needed to test the council’s transport strategy is robust
- ensure its net zero and biodiversity net gain policy ambitions remain as robust as humanly possible
What is brownfield land?

A brownfield site is land which has previously been developed.

This usually means that it is occupied by a permanent structure, or has been in the past, including the curtilage of the developed land (although it should not be assumed that the whole of the curtilage should be developed) and any associated fixed surface infrastructure.

Typical brownfield sites might include land used for commercial or industrial purposes such as warehousing or offices and car parks.

It excludes land that:
- is or was last occupied by agricultural or forestry buildings
- was developed for minerals extraction or waste disposal by landfill, where provision for restoration has been made
- is in built-up areas such as residential gardens, parks, recreation grounds and allotments
- was previously developed but where structural remains have blended into the landscape
People can suggest brownfield land that is currently in use, but for a site to be able to deliver development in the future, it must be available for development now or likely to be available within the Local Plan timescales (up to 2040).

Find out more about the Call for Sites process.

Published: 22 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Cryptocurrency investigations in focus of workshop for practitioners from Kazakhstan

Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

Headline: Cryptocurrency investigations in focus of workshop for practitioners from Kazakhstan

Participants of a workshop on cryptocurrency investigations held in Astana, Kazakhstan (OSCE) Photo details

From 22 to 24 October, the OSCE hosted the second workshop on cryptocurrency investigations in Astana, Kazakhstan. The intermediary workshop gathered more than thirty practitioners from the Asset Recovery Committee, the Financial Monitoring Agency, the Anti-Corruption Agency and the Prosecutor’s General Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
“Criminal use of virtual assets has become one of the most discussed problems of the financial system and for the economic security of most countries,” said Mr. Murat Tuleganov, the Head of the Office of the Asset Recovery Committee. “This highlights the critical need for capacity building of practitioners in order to identify, trace and effectively seize cryptocurrencies used for criminal activities,” he added.
Through real-life case studies, participants had the opportunity to learn about various steps in the investigation process including identification of the perpetrator, analysis of basic transactions, gathering evidence, reporting of suspicious transactions, and freezing and suspending cryptocurrency assets.
The workshop also covered how to effectively communicate with other institutions and the private sector throughout the investigation process, including with international counterparts.
This workshop was organized within the framework of the extra-budgetary project “Innovative Policy Solutions to Mitigate Money-Laundering Risks of Virtual Assets”, implemented by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. The project is financially supported by Germany, Italy, Poland, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Report calls for urgent action to reverse soil degradation in Europe

Source: European Union 2

Launched today at the EU Soil Observatory Stakeholder Forum, the 2024 State of Soils in Europe report assesses the state of soil degradation across the EU and other countries in the European Economic Area, including Ukraine, Türkiye, and the Western Balkans. The report shows alarming status and trends, with soil degradation getting much worse in recent years, and highlights the need for immediate action to reverse this trend.

For example, overall soil erosion is estimated to amount to 1 billion tonnes per year across the EU. At present date, approximately a quarter (24%) of EU soils are affected by water erosion, mainly in cropland, with projections referring to a possible increase of 13-25% by 2050. Unsustainable water erosion affects about a third (32%) of agricultural land. The mechanical agitation of soil, a common practice in agriculture, can also initiate soil degradation. This phenomenon, called tillage erosion, can have a significant impact on cultivated fields. Other forms of erosion include wind erosion and crop harvesting, among others.

Nutrient imbalancesare also on the rise: they are now estimated to affect 74% of agricultural land. These changes to the composition of soil can have negative consequences. For example, nitrogen surplus is increasing and can be harmful to human health, crops, eco-systems, and the climate. Meanwhile, soil organic carbon, which is essential to keeping soil healthy, is decreasing in agricultural areas. An estimated 70 million tonnes of this organic carbon were lost from the mineral soils of croplands across the EU and UK between 2009 and 2018.

The degradation of peatlands is also concerning. These wetlands are essential carbon sinks: they absorb greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and store them, contributing to mitigate climate change. When they deteriorate, peatlands can release those gases back into the atmosphere. In the EU, peatland drainage is responsible for around 5% of total greenhouse gas emissions. 50% of peatlands in the EU are now estimated to be degraded, many of which have been irreparably damaged.

Outside the EU, the situation is similarly dire – particularly in Ukraine, where military activities have caused severe soil destruction. Over 10 million of Ukraine’s 60 million hectares of land are estimated to be degraded because of Russia’s invasion. Recovery from this damage could take decades or even centuries. In Türkiye, approximately 1.5 million hectares of land have salinity issues, which can impact both agricultural productivity and ecosystem health. The Western Balkans have reported over 100 identified contaminated or potentially contaminated sites due to mining and industrial activities, although the true extent of soil pollution in these areas remains unknown.

The importance of soil monitoring and new legislation

The State of Soils in Europe report is a collaboration between the Joint Research Centre and the European Environment Agency. It sets out the scale of the problem facing Europe today, but it also aims to reinforce and build capacities among the soil research community, while enhancing the engagement of soil users and society.

The EU Soil Observatory (EUSO) has already laid the foundation for better soil monitoring, using advanced tools to improve the quality of data on soil erosion, soil organic carbon levels, and nutrient imbalances. Together with other collaborations and soil monitoring networks, EUSO is also giving a clearer understanding of how agricultural practices and climate change are impacting Europe’s soils.

The EU Soil Monitoring Law aims to ensure that soil degradation is assessed more accurately by creating a monitoring framework, to promote sustainable soil management and to identify potentially contaminated sites. It will standardise data collection across EU member states, ensuring that the insights gathered by EUSO and initiatives like the Land Use/Cover Area frame Survey (LUCAS-Soil) are implemented effectively.

As part of the common agricultural policy (CAP), the sustainable use of agricultural soils is already supported through the CAP Strategic Plans in all Member States by a mix of mandatory and voluntary measures for farmers. For the period 2023-2027, 47% of the European farmland (compared to 15% in the past) will receive support for actions aimed at improving soils or avoiding soil degradation, including by water erosion.

The EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is a large-scale applied R&D funding programme that supports the EU soil strategy, the upcoming Soil Monitoring Law, and the CAP. The Mission funds actions to establish harmonised soil health monitoring in the EU; to develop and promote the adoption of sustainable soil management practices and technologies to restore soil health; and to provide advice and education on soil health to managers and citizens. The Mission has invested €435 million so far and has created the first of a network of 100 living labs, with more than 1000 testing sites across a wide range of land-use sectors (agriculture, forestry, industry, urban and regional planning) across Europe. The Mission currently encompasses 50 projects, which are contributing to increase and improve the knowledge of the state of soils in the EU.

Protecting our soils: a shared responsibility

Tackling soil degradation is vital for achieving the EU’s environmental, agricultural, and climate goals. The numbers are clear: soil degradation has worsened significantly in the last decade, but with collective action, enhanced monitoring, and legislative support, the EU can restore this vital resource and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Background:

The EUSO Stakeholder Forum serves as the platform for the formal presentation of the 2024 report, bringing together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across Europe. Discussions focus on future strategies for reversing soil degradation trends, with particular attention to the upcoming soil legislation and how it facilitates more comprehensive restoration efforts across the continent. With the EU Soil Strategy, the EU Soil Mission, and the Soil Monitoring Law on the horizon, the EU is positioning itself to implement coordinated actions that could dramatically improve soil health in the coming years.

Related links

JRC report: The state of soils in Europe

Article in Nature: Policy implications of multiple concurrent soil erosion processes in European farmland

European Soil Data Centre (ESDAC)

EUSO Stakeholders Forum

Land Use and Coverage Area frame Survey (LUCAS) project

Soil health

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FEMA is Hiring: Help with Hurricane Helene and Milton

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: FEMA is Hiring: Help with Hurricane Helene and Milton

FEMA is Hiring: Help with Hurricane Helene and Milton

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Come to work for FEMA and help your community recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.FEMA is conducting local hiring for more than 600 jobs in Gainesville, Melbourne Beach, Sarasota and Tallahassee, Florida. Local Hire employees are typically local residents who aid in the recovery of their community and help fellow neighbors in the recovery process. Many FEMA employees began their careers in emergency management by helping their own communities recover from a disaster.These positions are full-time 120-day appointments that may be extended depending on operational needs.FEMA Local Hire employees are eligible for the following benefits:Health insurance for individual or family coverage. Employer contribution is 75% of premium. Local Hire employees are eligible for enrollment for health insurance coverage as of the official hire date/employment date with FEMA.Flexible spending accountsFederal long-term care insuranceAbility to earn 4 hours of paid sick leave per pay periodHoliday payWorker’s compensationFEMA is accepting applications for the following positions:Accepting by 11:59 p.m. ET Saturday, October 26:IT Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementManufactured Housing Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementAccountable Property Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementOrdering Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementLogistics Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementEnvironmental Floodplain Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementEnvironmental Compliance Review Specialist: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementAccepting by 11:59 p.m. ET Monday, October 28:Emergency Management 2: USAJOBS – Job AnnouncementAll positions will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the closing date or when the maximum number of applications are received. More positions may be added later. To see all open roles, visit USAJobs.gov, type “Local Hire” in the keywords section and “Florida” for location.For tips, including how to prepare your resume and navigate the website, visit USAJOBS Help Center – Application Process. All applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma. Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes fingerprinting and a credit check. Employees are also required to participate in direct deposit or electronic funds transfer for salary payment. If you are found qualified, you may be called for an interview. For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
kirsten.chambers
Tue, 10/22/2024 – 13:06

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bonnie Dundee receives Silver Gilt at Britain in Bloom Award finals

Source: Scotland – City of Dundee

Finalist Bonnie Dundee entry to this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom awards has received a Silver Gilt in the City category following an awards ceremony on Monday evening.

The Dundee entry reached the final of the UK-wide, Royal Horticultural Society-administered competition which looks to celebrate and support communities who have come together to make positive and lasting changes to their local environment.

Bonnie Dundee is a partnership of many groups and organisations who have taken forward Dundee’s entry for the past nineteen years.

The city-wide network of community groups, organisations, the Council, businesses, schools, and individuals work together to make the city cleaner, greener, brighter and healthier.

Ninewells Community Garden were also recognised as they picked up the RHS Health & Wellbeing Award.

Climate, Environment & Biodiversity Convener Heather Anderson said: “This is great news and serves as recognition of the tremendous work that so many people in our city put in while making a real difference.

“To be recognised in this way in the final of a UK-wide competition is an exceptional achievement.

“Everyone who has played a part, and through the extensive Bonnie Dundee network there any many people, deserves a large amount of praise and credit for this. I congratulate everyone involved for their hard work and enthusiasm.

“It was also heartening to see Ninewells Community Garden be awarded the first-ever RHS Health and Wellbeing Award.”

Chair of Bonnie Dundee Trudy Cunningham said: “In Dundee we are very fortunate to have a passionate group of volunteers who work closely in partnership with DCC.

“We are very pleased to have been finalists in RHS Britain in Bloom 2024 and to have received a Silver Gilt Certificate. Judges highlighted the strong sense of community in Dundee, both between all of the many gardening and friends groups and the council.

“Everyone who has helped (and are still helping, the gardening never stops!), both volunteers and council workers, should feel very proud of their work and of our beautiful city.”

The Bonnie Dundee entry was included as one of the three finalists within the City category competing with London Borough of Havering (London in Bloom) and eventual winners Wrexham in Bloom (Wales in Bloom).

The news comes after Britain in Bloom judges visited Dundee in August following Bonnie Dundee’s entry reaching the final of the UK-wide competition.

The full breakdown of the awards and winners for each category can be found in the Royal Horticultural Society’s website.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away
One De Brazza’s Monkey of Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens passes away
********************************************************************************

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced that the De Brazza’s Monkey of the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) which had been put under isolation since October 13 was found dead today (October 22). The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) has conducted a necropsy on the animal body to ascertain the cause of death. A total of 12 animals of the HKZBG have passed away since October 13. After receiving necropsy, pathological diagnosis and laboratory tests results by relevant government departments, and ruling out other possible causes of illness, it is confirmed that the cause of death of the 11 animals deceased earlier is sepsis induced by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. Similar lesions were also found in the tissues of relevant organs of the 12th monkey that died today. Pathological diagnosis and testing are in progress. The LCSD will continue to close the Mammals Section of the HKZBG to closely monitor the health conditions of the animals. At present, the health conditions of the 78 mammals are normal. The LCSD will also continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. The health conditions of staff concerned are normal. The LCSD has all along been communicating with the AFCD and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, and has implemented appropriate protective measures and stepped up cleaning in accordance with their recommendations.

Ends/Tuesday, October 22, 2024Issued at HKT 21:58

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: OLAF’s Intelligence Leads to Record-Breaking Seizure of Illegal F-Gases in the Netherlands

Source: European Anti-Fraud Offfice

Intelligence provided by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) has led to the largest-ever seizure of illegal F-gases in the Netherlands. The Dutch authorities, acting on OLAF’s information, confiscated four containers filled with nearly 4,800 cylinders of F-gases at the port of Rotterdam. The illegal shipment, valued at approximately 1.5 million EUR, was intercepted before it could be delivered to unauthorized importers within the European Union.

OLAF has been closely monitoring the international traffic of F-gases (hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs) to the EU from third countries. The intelligence shared with Dutch authorities highlighted suspicious movements of F-gases destined for three European countries, where importers lacked the proper authorization to handle these substances. Thanks to this information, the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT-IOD) launched a successful investigation, tracking and seizing the containers in Rotterdam.

F-Gases and Environmental Concerns

F-gases are subject to strict quotas and a phased reduction under EU environmental regulations due to their significant impact on global warming. The seized shipment originated from outside the EU, and OLAF, in partnership with national authorities, is working to disrupt illegal networks trafficking these potent greenhouse gases into Europe.

As the EU enforces increasingly stringent rules on F-gas usage and importation, the black market for these gases has expanded. Devices such as air conditioners and industrial refrigeration systems, which rely on F-gases, are fueling this illegal trade. OLAF remains at the forefront of efforts to protect the EU’s environmental integrity by cracking down on illegal F-gas trafficking.

MIL OSI Europe News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: De Brazza’s Monkey dies

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Leisure & Cultural Services Department (LCSD) announced that the De Brazza’s Monkey at the Hong Kong Zoological & Botanical Gardens (HKZBG) that has been under isolation since October 13, was found dead today.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department then conducted a necropsy on the animal to ascertain the cause of death.

A total of 12 animals at the HKZBG have passed away since October 13.

After receiving the necropsy, pathological diagnosis and laboratory test results by relevant government departments, it was confirmed that the cause of death of the previous 11 animals was sepsis induced by bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Similar lesions were also found in the tissues of the organs of the monkey that died today.

The LCSD will keep the HKZBG’s Mammals Section closed to monitor the health conditions of the animals. The health conditions of the 78 mammals are normal.

It will also continue to provide protective gear and health monitoring for staff who take care of animals. The health conditions of the staff concerned are normal.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: First-day auction results for Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair stalls

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A total of 175 wet goods stalls and 4 fast food stalls were all successfully let in an auction for stalls at the 2025 Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair starting today (October 22).

     Nearly 470 people attended the auction at the Assembly Hall, 2/F, Lai Chi Kok Government Offices, 19 Lai Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, from 9am to 7pm today, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said.

     The average bid price for the wet goods stalls was $20,316, with the successful bids ranging from $6,530 to $75,000. The highest bid of $75,000 was about 11.5 times the opening price of $6,530.

     The auction of wet goods stalls fetched a total of $3,555,258 compared with $5,182,204 last year.

     The successful bids of the 4 fast food stalls ranged from $120,470 to $182,000 with an average of $150,735 against an opening price of $120,470.

     The auction for the 216 dry goods stalls, including 166 regular size dry goods stalls and 50 large size dry goods stalls, will be held at 9am from tomorrow (October 23) to Thursday (October 24) at the same venue.

     The spokesman reminded the successful bidders to comply with all the stipulations and provisions as set out in the licence agreement. Otherwise, the department is entitled to terminate the agreement and the licensee shall immediately vacate the stall.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Piloting New Ways to Make Homes More Energy-Efficient and Affordable
Source: Government of Canada News

News release

Today, Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin, on behalf of the honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment totalling $4.3 million for five projects , funded under the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP) and the Energy Innovation Program (EIP), to support and inform deep energy retrofits.
October 22, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada

Canada’s buildings sector is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions across the country. We must increase the scale and pace of retrofitting buildings across the country to make them more energy-efficient, increasing savings and reducing emissions.

Today, Parliamentary Secretary Julie Dabrusin, on behalf of the honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment totalling $4.3 million for five projects , funded under the Greener Neighbourhoods Pilot Program (GNPP) and the Energy Innovation Program (EIP), to support and inform deep energy retrofits.

The announcement was hosted with EnviroCentre at Gloucester’s Carver Place neighbourhood. EnviroCentre received over $2 million from NRCan’s programs for its project, which will develop the local building sector’s capacity to perform deep retrofits faster, saving time and money for retrofits in social housing across eastern Ontario. By customizing renovations for homes in eastern Ontario, this project will help save money for the families who need it most while also increasing the energy efficiency of their homes.

Gloucester’s Carver Place neighbourhood showcases how deep energy retrofits can deliver economic and environmental benefits for affordable housing, leading the way for future work that will create better and more affordable homes. Retrofits through the federally funded project will include:
- replacement of traditional furnaces with electric heat pumps
- upgrades to attic insulation and air sealing
- installation of new heat recovery ventilation systems to improve indoor air quality
Other projects announced today include:
- $1 million for the ReCover Initiative to develop a practical approach to deep energy retrofits for the most common types of residential buildings in Atlantic Canada.
- $1 million for the First Nations Power Authority of Saskatchewan to support the adoption of community-scale deep energy retrofits in Indigenous communities.
- $602,836 for Sustainable Buildings Canada to accelerate deep energy retrofits for Ontario’s social housing.
- $775,897 for Retrofit Canada Society for development of a National Retrofit Repository of case studies and solutions to inform on deep energy retrofits across Canada.
These projects will save money for building owners while reducing emissions that contribute to climate change.
Quotes

“By retrofitting buildings across the country, we can make communities more resilient to climate-related impacts while reducing emissions and utility bills for Canadians, increasing energy efficiency and creating good-paying jobs in construction and maintenance.”

Julie Dabrusin

Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change and Natural Resources

“Energy efficiency means cost savings for Canadians. At a time when we are facing challenges with affordability and climate change, affordable energy efficiency projects like the ones announced today meet Canadians where they are at and delivers the action they need, at the pace and scale they are demanding. Programs like the GNPP help deliver on the commitments announced recently in Canada’s first-ever Green Buildings Strategy, which is a plan to save Canadians money, create jobs and seize the economic opportunities that a clean and sustainable economy presents.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick facts
- A deep energy retrofit is an extensive overhaul of a building’s systems that can generate large savings in energy costs, improve comfort and help decarbonize buildings. Measures may include:
  
  o   replacing the roof
  
  o   adding insulation in exterior walls
  
  o   replacing the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system with a more efficient system like an electric heat pump
- Deep energy retrofits typically save at least 50 percent in energy consumption, reduce emissions by 80 percent, reduce utility costs and may in some circumstances improve resiliency and adaptation to climate change.
- Results from Carver Place neighbourhood test cases are promising, demonstrating an average annual energy reduction of 42 percent — approximately 35.5 gigajoules — and 2.4 tonnes of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, an 82-percent improvement
- EnviroCentre received $1 million in funding through GNPP, through today’s announcement, and an additional $1 million dollars in funding through the Toward Net-Zero Homes and Communities (TNZ) funding program to retrofit over 80 townhomes for low-income residents. This TNZ funding was previously announced in July during the release of the Canada Green Building Strategy.
- Since 2016, the federal government has dedicated more than $10 billion toward decarbonizing homes and buildings through energy-efficient retrofits.
- With $35.5 million in total funding over five years, GNPP is piloting the Energiesprong deep energy retrofit model in the Canadian market, which accelerates the pace and scale of retrofits by aggregating similar homes and buildings in a neighbourhood to create mass demand for deep energy retrofits.
- NRCan’s Energy Innovation Program advances clean energy technologies that will help Canada meet its climate change targets while supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. It funds research, development and demonstration projects and other related scientific activities.
Associated links

Contacts

Natural Resources Canada
Media Relations
343-292-6096
media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

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

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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: Decentraland Launches Revamped Virtual World with Enhanced Performance, Engaging Features, and Future-Ready Architecture
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Decentraland, the first decentralized virtual social world, launched a powerful new desktop client today, signaling a new era for experiencing spatial environments. This beta release enhances performance, delivers a more immersive environment, and introduces new engaging features, setting the stage for future innovations and expanded creator tools.

This milestone marks the shift away from a browser-based experience, replaced by a more stable, Unity-powered desktop client and the new Creator Hub, aligning with Decentraland’s vision for an interconnected metaverse.

“Today marks a new chapter for Decentraland. As virtual worlds take on a larger role in digital life, Decentraland is committed to creating a virtual world where people, not corporations, own their digital lives. Traditional platforms view their users as products while limiting real ownership, but Decentraland flips this script, using decentralization to empower its users,” said Yemel Jardi, Executive Director of the Decentraland Foundation. “As the internet transforms into a more immersive, spatial experience, Decentraland is leading the movement to creating a space that champions social connection, creativity, and autonomy—transcending cultures and backgrounds. This next chapter is about unlocking the true potential of the open metaverse, ensuring that as the digital world grows, it remains user-driven, community-focused, and grounded in open standards.”

Key Features of the New Desktop Client
- Performance Boosts & Smoother Gameplay- The new desktop client brings a highly anticipated performance upgrade. Users will enjoy faster load times, higher frame rates, and smoother multiplayer interactions, even in high-traffic areas.
- Immersive Environments- The new client brings Decentraland’s world to life like never before, introducing dynamic lighting with binary suns and moons, new beaches and ocean views, and procedurally generated environments, including dynamic trees, foliage, water, and sound effects. The landscape now loads up to 80 parcels away, offering users a more expansive and visually rich experience “from horizon to horizon.”
- New Engagement Mechanics- A long incubated component of Decentraland is launching as part of the beta release, Daily Quests and mini-games, with more to be added in the near future. Daily Quests will increase active participation, engaging users to explore Decentraland and complete various tasks in exchange for rewards, such as Wearables and Emotes. The beta release also includes an all-new Badges system that motivates users to action by tracking and showcasing their achievements on the platform.
- Simplified User Controls- Decentraland now offers expanded player profiles and a redesigned backpack where users can customize their avatars in a more intuitive manner. Navigation has also been streamlined with a quick-access bar for profile, map, and backpack features.
- Enhanced Avatars & Social Interactions- Avatars in Decentraland have been significantly upgraded, offering smoother movement, improved rendering, and natural interaction with the environment. New chat bubbles, name color differentiation, and emoji integration make communication more interactive and engaging.
A Future-Ready Platform

With this release, Decentraland is laying the groundwork for its next chapter, as the new desktop client and code base offer the capabilities needed to expand into VR and mobile experiences. The new desktop client serves as the cornerstone for this evolution, ensuring that Decentraland remains a top-tier platform for immersive, decentralized virtual experiences.

“This upgraded desktop client transforms how people experience Decentraland,” said Kim Currier, Head of Partnerships and Marketing at Decentraland. “For our community, it’s about more than just faster load times and smoother interactions—it’s about creating a beautiful, vibrant space where people can genuinely connect and form new friendships from across the globe. With this release, we are also introducing the new Creator Hub, an all-in-one platform where creators can learn and build. It also provides businesses with opportunities to engage their audiences more effectively by using virtual spaces to create experiences that encourage active participation. It’s a big step forward, enriching how our community interacts and experiences Decentraland together.”

New Desktop Client: Access and Details

The future of Decentraland and virtual social worlds starts now. Experience a revitalized, interactive digital environment by downloading the new desktop client available on Mac and Windows. For more information and to download the new client, users can visit Decentraland.

About Decentraland

Decentraland is the first decentralized, community-driven virtual social world. It empowers users to create, explore, and connect within an open, immersive digital landscape where they fully own their digital assets. Whether hosting virtual events or designing their digital identity, individuals can shape a world that prioritizes self-expression and freedom—free from the constraints of corporate control. Governed by its community through a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) and supported by a non-profit Foundation, Decentraland operates as an open-source, traversable world that encourages creativity, ownership, and innovation. By fostering collaboration and community, Decentraland is shaping the future of digital interaction, where individuals can truly own and build their digital lives.

Contact

Jo Hunt
jo@serotonin.co

The MIL Network –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: IAEA Mission Recognizes Latvia’s Commitment to Improve Nuclear and Radiation Safety, Encourages Continued Improvements
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Flag of the Republic of Latvia. (Photo: Ronny K/Pixabay)
An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts said Latvia has made clear improvements to its regulatory infrastructure, making it more efficient and effective. The team also encouraged Latvia to continue efforts to complete its work programme to further align regulatory framework with the IAEA safety standards.

The Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) follow-up mission, 13 to 18 October, was conducted at the request of the Government of Latvia and hosted by the country’s regulatory body, the Radiation Safety Centre of State Environmental Service (RSC SES). Its purpose was to review the progress made against the recommendations and suggestions identified in the initial IRRS mission in 2019.

IRRS missions are designed to strengthen the effectiveness of the national nuclear and radiation safety regulatory infrastructure, based on IAEA safety standards and international good practices, while recognizing the responsibility of each country to ensure nuclear and radiation safety.

The IRRS team – comprised of five senior safety experts from five IAEA Member States, in addition to two IAEA staff members – conducted interviews and discussions with RSC SES staff and representatives from the Ministry of Climate and Energy.

Latvia does not have any nuclear power plants. Latvia uses radiation sources in medical, scientific and industrial applications, as well as in science and research. The country’s research reactor has been permanently closed since 1998 and is currently in the early stage of decommissioning. All spent highly enriched uranium fuel was sent back to the country of origin. Latvia operates a disposal site for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, which is located 30 km from the capital Riga.

The team reviewed the regulatory oversight of all facilities and activities using nuclear material and radiation sources, as well as emergency preparedness and response, transport, decommissioning, and occupational, medical and public exposure control. The IRRS team determined that of the 23 recommendations and 12 suggestions made in 2019, 17 recommendations and 10 suggestions have been adequately addressed and are therefore closed. The Government of Latvia and RSC SES have an action plan to address the remaining recommendations and suggestions in the coming years.

“We found that the RSC SES has made significant progress in addressing the recommendations made in 2019” said Paul Dale, Team Leader for the mission, from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency of the United Kingdom. “The work undertaken by RSC SES to date should be applauded, and we welcome the well laid plans set out by RSC SES to address the remaining recommendations in the next few years. The IRRS team welcome the commitment of RSC SES to continue to progress its regulatory systems and to continually improve.”

The mission team identified an area of good performance – the Long Term Training Plan developed by RSC SES to deliver and maintain competency of its staff – and highlighted notable achievements since 2019, including:
- The revised legal and regulatory framework, which provides an improved safety framework for regulating all facilities and activities in Latvia;
- The national policy and strategy for radiation safety, along with policies and strategies for radioactive waste management, which are now addressed in the Environmental Policy Guidelines for 2021 to 2027;
- Significant improvements throughout the RSC SES integrated management system, including the development of a programme for the promotion of leadership and safety culture; and
- Strengthened emergency and preparedness response, through the coordination of an interinstitutional working group, training seminars and exercises.
“The IRRS follow-up mission has provided an opportunity to qualitatively assess the tasks set by international experts in 2019 for the improvement of the radiation safety infrastructure in accordance with IAEA standards,” said Dace Satrovska, Director of the RSC SES. “Since 2019, our team has significantly improved the quality management system, also strengthening the radiation safety culture in Latvia. We are ready to continue working on areas that need improvement, especially on radioactive waste management and emergency preparedness.”

“The IRRS is an internationally recognized process that strengthens regulatory effectiveness. Countries that invite missions – including Latvia – demonstrate openness and transparency,” said Hildegarde Vandenhove, Head of the IAEA Division of Radiation, Transport and Waste Safety. “By disseminating and sharing good practices and lessons learned, IRRS missions contribute to a stronger global nuclear safety regime.”

The final mission report will be provided to the Government in about three months.

IAEA Safety Standards

The IAEA Safety Standards provide a robust framework of fundamental principles, requirements and guidance to ensure safety. They reflect an international consensus and serve as a global reference for protecting people and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.
MIL Security OSI –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Pappas, Shaheen, Hassan Join EPA in Celebrating $31 Million for NH School Districts to Upgrade to Clean School Buses, Bringing Healthier Air to NH Children and Families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today, during Children’s Health Month, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joinedSenator Maggie Hassan (NH),U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash, and the Derry Cooperative School District to celebrate $31 million in funding for 110 new clean school buses across nine school districts in New Hampshire. This funding is from the EPA’s Clean School Bus Program, which was made possible by the bipartisan infrastructure law, and includes $8.6 million in rebate funding for Derry to purchase 25 zero-emission buses.

“Clean school buses safeguard the well-being of New Hampshire children, save taxpayer dollars, help keep our air and environment clean, and make a big difference in the long-term health of our communities,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “The EPA’s Clean School Bus Program was created by the bipartisan infrastructure law and is providing New Hampshire school districts with resources to upgrade their bus fleet to cleaner, safer vehicles, including rebate funding for Derry to purchase 25 zero-emission buses. This is an important step in the right direction for our children, taxpayers, and communities.”

“Replacing older diesel buses makes a big difference for kids’ health and air quality in our communities. That’s why I’m so glad New Hampshire is receiving more than $33 million for 11 school districts to supply 117 new, zero-emission electric school buses. I couldn’t be prouder to help deliver this lasting investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the future of New Hampshire communities,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

Today’s event showcased Derry’s new clean energy school buses, which will address climate change, improve public health, and lower costs for New Hampshire schools,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “I worked with my colleagues to negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to help make smart investments like this possible, and I will continue to work to support New Hampshire’s clean energy economy and lower costs.”

“When I was a kid, I remember the acrid smell of the stinky diesel school bus that picked me up at my bus stop. No kid, no matter where they live, should have to breathe in the unhealthy exhaust from a diesel bus,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “EPA’s Clean School Bus Program is making it easier for kids to breathe better, cleaner air on the way to and from school. With October being Children’s Health Month, this is a great opportunity to continue amplifying the relationship between cleaner environments and the well-being of our communities, particularly our children. By transforming our nation’s diesel school bus fleet, we’re not only protecting our students, but saving school districts money, improving air quality, and uplifting American innovation and manufacturing.”

“We are thrilled to be part of this initiative and grateful for the support of the EPA in helping us transition to clean energy. These new buses represent our commitment to reducing our environmental impact while ensuring safe, reliable transportation for our students. This grant allows us to take a significant step toward a greener future for our community and the next generation,” said Derry Cooperative School District Transportation Coordinator, Dr. Clifton Dancy.

“At First Student, our top priority is ensuring each student we transport to and from school arrives ready to learn and returns home safely. Students across the state will soon have cleaner, quieter rides thanks to this funding, which will deliver 25 new electric school buses,” said Kevin Matthews, head of electrification for First Student. “As the company with the most electric school buses on the road today, we are pleased to work with the EPA and school officials in Derry to get these electric school buses in service. Reducing exposure to harmful tailpipe pollution will improve student health and better position them to succeed in school.”

EPA’s Clean School Bus Program was created by the bipartisan infrastructure law, which Congressman Pappas and the New Hampshire Congressional delegation supported and provides an unprecedented $5 billion in funding to transform the nation’s fleet of school buses. The Clean School Bus Program is a key player in advancing the transition to zero-emission vehicles and replacing older diesel-fueled buses that contribute to asthma and other respiratory conditions, particularly affecting children in overburdened communities. These new electric buses will not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance the air quality for students, bus drivers, and nearby communities, leading to healthier outcomes for children and Granite Staters. Over the lifespan of the vehicles, clean school buses can also cost less to maintain and fuel than the older buses they are replacing – freeing up needed resources for schools and saving taxpayer dollars. For more information click here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Raytheon Company to Pay Over $950 Million in Connection with Foreign Bribery, Export Control and Defective Pricing Schemes
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)

Raytheon to Pay Approximately $300 Million to Resolve the FCPA and ITAR Investigations in the Eastern District of New York
BROOKLYN, NY – Raytheon Company (Raytheon), a subsidiary of Arlington, Virginia-based defense contractor RTX (formerly known as Raytheon Technologies Corporation), entered into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with the Department of Justice in connection with a criminal information unsealed today in the Eastern District of New York charging Raytheon with two counts: conspiracy to violate the anti-bribery provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) for engaging in a scheme to bribe a government official in Qatar and conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) by willfully failing to disclose the bribes in export licensing applications with the Department of State.

Separately, Raytheon will enter into a three-year deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) in connection with a criminal information filed today in the District of Massachusetts charging Raytheon with two counts of major fraud against the United States. As part of that resolution, Raytheon admitted to engaging in two separate schemes to defraud the Department of Defense (DOD) in connection with the provision of defense articles and services, including PATRIOT missile systems and a radar system.

Both agreements require that Raytheon retain an independent compliance monitor for three years, enhance its internal compliance program, report evidence of additional misconduct to the Justice Department, and cooperate in any ongoing or future criminal investigations.

Raytheon also reached a separate False Claims Act settlement with the department relating to the defective pricing schemes. The Justice Department’s FCPA and ITAR resolution is coordinated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

In addition, the Justice Department’s resolutions ensure that the appropriate federal agencies can proceed with determining whether Raytheon or any other individuals or entities associated with the company should be suspended or debarred as federal contractors. Pursuant to the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), when more than one agency has an interest in an entity’s potential suspension or debarment, the FAR requires that the Interagency Suspension and Debarment Committee (ISDC) identify the lead agency for conducting government-wide suspension or debarment proceedings. In connection with this resolution, the Justice Department has referred Raytheon’s factual admissions to the appropriate officials within the Department of Defense to initiate the process with the ISDC to identify which federal agency will take the lead in such administrative proceedings, which occur independently of the Justice Department’s criminal and civil resolutions.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Kevin Driscoll, Deputy Assistant Attorney General Kevin Driscoll of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Matthew G. Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division; Chad Yarbrough, Assistant Director, Criminal Investigative Division, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York, announced the resolution.

“Over the course of several years, Raytheon employees bribed a high-level Qatari military official to obtain lucrative defense contracts and concealed the bribe payments by falsifying documents to the government, in violation of laws including those designed to protect our national security,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “We will continue to pursue justice against corruption, and as this agreement establishes, enforce meaningful consequences, reforms and monitorship to ensure this misconduct is not repeated.”

Mr. Peace expressed his appreciation to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Department of State for their work on the case.

“Raytheon engaged in criminal schemes to defraud the U.S. government in connection with contracts for critical military systems and to win business through bribery in Qatar,” stated Deputy Assistant Attorney General Driscoll. “Such corrupt and fraudulent conduct, especially by a publicly traded U.S. defense contractor, erodes public trust and harms the Department of Defense, businesses that play by the rules, and American taxpayers. Today’s resolutions, with criminal and civil penalties totaling nearly $1 billion, reflect the Criminal Division’s ability to tackle the most significant and complex white-collar cases across multiple subject matters.”

“International corruption in military and defense sales is a violation of our national security laws as well as an anti-bribery offense,” stated Assistant Attorney General Olsen. “Raytheon willfully failed to disclose bribes made in connection with contracts that required export licenses. Today’s resolution should serve as a stark warning to companies that violate the law when selling sensitive military technology overseas.”

“The Raytheon Company set out to intentionally defraud the U.S. government,” stated FBI Assistant Director Yarbrough. “This agreement highlights the importance of integrity when it comes to government contracting. The FBI, with its law enforcement partners, will continue to investigate these types of crimes that waste taxpayer dollars and prosecute all those who are intent on cooking up these major fraud schemes.”

“Raytheon Corporation engaged in a systematic and deliberate conspiracy that knowingly and willfully violated U.S. fraud and export laws,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker. “Raytheon’s bribery of government officials, specifically those involved in the procurement of U.S. military technology, posed a national security threat to both the U.S. and its allies. As this investigation reflects, national security continues to be a top priority for HSI New York. The global threats facing the U.S. have never been greater, and HSI New York is committed to working with our federal and international partners to assure sensitive U.S. technologies are not unlawfully and fraudulently acquired.”

The FCPA Case

According to admissions and court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, between approximately 2012 and 2016, Raytheon, through certain of its employees and agents, engaged in a scheme to bribe a high-level official at the Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF), a branch of Qatar’s Armed Forces (QAF) that was primarily responsible for the conduct of air warfare, to assist Raytheon in obtaining and retaining business from the QEAF and QAF. Raytheon entered into and made payments on sham contracts for air defense operations-related studies to corruptly obtain the Qatari official’s assistance in securing certain air defense contracts. Raytheon also entered into a teaming agreement with a Qatari entity to corruptly obtain the Qatari official’s assistance in directly awarding a contract to Raytheon, without a competitive bid, to build a joint operations center that would interface with Qatar’s several military branches.

Under the terms of the DPA, Raytheon will pay a criminal monetary penalty of over $252.3 million, criminal forfeiture of over $36.6 million and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years. In addition, as part of the resolution of the SEC’s parallel investigation, Raytheon will pay approximately $49.1 million in disgorgement and prejudgment interest and a civil penalty of $75 million, $22.5 million of which will be credited against the criminal monetary penalty. The Department has agreed to credit approximately $7.4 million of the disgorgement Raytheon pays to the SEC against the criminal forfeiture.

As part of the DPA, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to cooperate with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section in any ongoing or future criminal investigations relating to this and other conduct. In addition, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to enhance Raytheon’s compliance program.

The Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense. Raytheon received credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included:
- Providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the government to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own independent investigation;
- Facilitating interviews with current and former employees;
- Making detailed factual presentations to the government;
- Proactively disclosing certain evidence of which the government was previously unaware and identifying key documents in materials it produced; and
- Engaging experts to conduct financial analyses.
Raytheon also engaged in timely remedial measures, including:
- Recalibrating third party review and approval processes to lower company risk tolerance;
- Implementing enhanced controls over sales intermediary payments;
- Hiring empowered subject matter experts to oversee its anti-corruption compliance program and third party management;
- Implementing data analytics to improve third party monitoring; and
- Developing a multipronged communications strategy to enhance ethics and compliance training and communications.
However, in determining the appropriate cooperation credit, the government also took into account the fact that, in the initial phases of the investigation, prior to in or around 2022, Raytheon was at times slow to respond to the government’s requests and failed to provide relevant information in its possession; for example, Raytheon withheld relevant, material information from the government and gave incomplete and misleading presentations regarding the nature and scope of a relevant third-party intermediary relationship.

In light of these considerations, as well as Raytheon’s prior history, which includes three prior civil or regulatory enforcement actions: (i) a 2013 consent agreement with the U.S. State Department concerning civil ITAR and Arms Export Control Act violations, in connection with which Raytheon agreed to hire an independent special compliance officer to oversee the four-year consent decree while at the same time engaging in the conduct described in the DPA; (ii) a civil settlement with the Environmental Protection Agency in 2007 concerning payments to clean up contamination sites; and (iii) a resolution with the SEC in 2006 concerning false and misleading disclosures and improper accounting practices, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 20% reduction off the twentieth percentile above the low end of the otherwise applicable Guidelines fine range.

The ITAR Case

According to admissions and court documents filed in the Eastern District of New York, between approximately 2012 and 2016, Raytheon, through certain of its employees and agents, engaged in a scheme to willfully violate the AECA and ITAR Part 130 by failing to disclose to the United States Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, fees and commissions paid in connection with two Qatar-related contracts – specifically, the bribes Raytheon paid to the high-level QEAF official through sham subcontracts.

The Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense. Raytheon received credit for its cooperation with the Department’s investigation, which included:
- Gathering evidence of interest to the government and proactively identifying key documents related to willful ITAR-related misconduct;
- Making factual presentations concerning the ITAR-related misconduct; and
- Facilitating witness interviews and expediting the government’s ability to meet with witnesses.
Raytheon also received credit for remediation, which included, in addition to the remediation described above in connection with the FCPA case:
- Hiring additional empowered subject matter experts in legal and compliance;
- Developing a multipronged communications strategy to enhance ethics and compliance training and communications; and
- Making enhancements to its ITAR-related compliance program.
Raytheon did not receive full credit for its cooperation because in the initial phase of the investigation, it failed to provide information relevant to the ITAR violations beyond what was requested in the FCPA investigation.

In light of these considerations, the ITAR-related financial penalty of $21,904,850 includes a cooperation and remediation credit of 20 percent off the otherwise applicable penalty.

The Defective Pricing Case

According to admissions and court documents filed in the District of Massachusetts, from 2012 through 2013 and again from 2017 through 2018, Raytheon employees provided false and fraudulent information to the DOD during contract negotiations concerning two contracts with the United States for the benefit of a foreign partner — one to purchase PATRIOT missile systems and the other to operate and maintain a radar system. In both instances, Raytheon employees provided false and fraudulent information to DOD in order to mislead DOD into awarding the two contracts at inflated prices. These schemes to defraud caused the DOD to pay Raytheon over $111 million more than Raytheon should have been paid on the contracts.

Under the terms of the DPA, Raytheon will pay a criminal monetary penalty of $146,787,972, pay $111,203,009in victim compensation, and retain an independent compliance monitor for three years. The Justice Department has agreed to credit the victim compensation amount against restitution Raytheon pays to the Civil Division in its related, parallel False Claims Act proceeding.

Pursuant to the DPA, in addition to the independent compliance monitor, Raytheon and RTX have agreed to continue to implement a compliance and ethics program at Raytheon designed to prevent and detect fraudulent conduct throughout its operations. Raytheon and RTX have also agreed to continue to cooperate with the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts in any ongoing or future criminal investigations.

The Justice Department reached this resolution with Raytheon based on a number of factors, including, among others, the nature and seriousness of the offense conduct, which involved two separate schemes to defraud the U.S. government. Raytheon received credit for its affirmative acceptance of responsibility and cooperation with the department’s investigation, which included (i) facilitating interviews with current and former employees; (ii) providing information obtained through its internal investigation, which allowed the department to preserve and obtain evidence as part of its own independent investigation; (iii) making detailed presentations to the department; (iv) proactively identifying key documents in the voluminous materials collected and produced; (v) engaging experts to conduct financial analyses; and (vi) demonstrating its willingness to disclose all relevant facts by analyzing whether the crime-fraud exception applied to certain potentially privileged documents and releasing the documents that it deemed fell within the exception. However, in the initial phases of the investigation prior to March 2022, Raytheon’s cooperation was limited by unreasonably slow document productions.

Raytheon also engaged in timely remedial measures, including (i) terminating certain employees who were responsible for the misconduct; (ii) establishing a broad defective pricing awareness campaign; (iii) developing and implementing policies, procedures, and controls relating to defective pricing compliance; and (iv) engaging additional resources with appropriate expertise to evaluate and test the new policies, procedures, and controls relating to defective pricing compliance.

In light of these considerations, as well as Raytheon’s prior history, the criminal penalty calculated under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines reflects a 25% reduction off the tenth percentile above the low end of the otherwise applicable guidelines fine range.

The False Claims Act Settlement

Raytheon also entered into a civil False Claims Act settlement to resolve allegations that it provided untruthful certified cost or pricing data when negotiating prices with the DOD for numerous government contracts and double billed on a weapons maintenance contract.

Under the False Claims Act settlement, which is the second largest government procurement fraud recovery under the Act, Raytheon will pay $428 million for knowingly failing to provide truthful certified cost and pricing data during negotiations on numerous government contracts between 2009 and 2020, in violation of the Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA). Congress enacted TINA in 1962 to help level the playing field in sole source contracts — where there is no price competition — by making sure that government negotiators have access to the cost or pricing data that the offeror used when developing its proposal. As part of the settlement, Raytheon admitted that it failed to disclose cost or pricing data, as required by TINA, regarding its labor and material costs to supply weapon systems to DOD.

Raytheon also admitted that by misrepresenting its costs during contract negotiations it overcharged the United States on these contracts and received profits in excess of the negotiated profit rates. Further, Raytheon admitted that it failed to disclose truthful cost or pricing data on a contract to staff a radar station. Raytheon also admitted that it billed the same costs twice on a DOD contract.

As part of the civil resolution, Raytheon received credit under the Justice Department’s guidelines for taking disclosure, cooperation, and remediation into account in False Claims Act cases for cooperation provided by RTX. That cooperation included conducting and disclosing the results of an internal investigation, disclosing relevant facts and material not known to the government but relevant to its investigation, providing the department with inculpatory evidence, conducting a damages analysis, identifying and separating individuals responsible for or involved in the misconduct, admitting liability and accepting responsibility for the misconduct, and improving its compliance programs.

The civil settlement includes the resolution of a lawsuit filed under the qui tam or whistleblower provision of the False Claims Act, which permits private parties to file suit on behalf of the United States for false claims and share in a portion of the government’s recovery. The qui tam lawsuit was filed by Karen Atesoglu, a former Raytheon employee, and is captioned United States ex rel. Atesoglu v. Raytheon Technologies Corporation, 21-CV-10690-PBS (D. Mass.). Ms. Atesoglu will receive $4.2 million as her share of the settlement.

* * * * *

In July 2022, Mr. Peace was selected as the Chairperson of the White Collar Fraud subcommittee for the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC). As the leader of the subcommittee, Mr. Peace plays a key role in making recommendations to the AGAC to facilitate the prevention, investigation and prosecution of various financially motivated, non-violent crimes including the FCPA.

The FCPA and ITAR investigation was conducted by HSI and the FBI’s International Corruption Unit. The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Business and Securities Fraud Section, the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. Assistant United States Attorneys David Pitluck, Hiral Mehta and Jessica Weigel are prosecuting the case with Acting Assistant Chief Katherine Raut and Trial Attorney Elina A. Rubin-Smith of the Fraud Section, and Trial Attorneys Christine Bonomo and Leslie Esbrook of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section, with assistance from Eastern District of New York Paralegal Specialist Liam McNett.

The Defendant:

THE RAYTHEON COMPANY
Waltham, Massachusetts

E.D.N.Y. Docket No.: 24-CR-399 (RER)
MIL Security OSI –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Cree Nation Government and Parks Canada successfully complete Feasibility Assessment and announce an agreement to formally work toward establishing an offshore Indigenous Protected Area and national marine conservation area in the Eeyou Marine Region
Source: Government of Canada News (2)

The proposed national marine conservation area spans more than 26,000 km2 and is home to the Crees and to abundant wildlife.

The proposed national marine conservation area spans more than 26,000 km² and is home to the Crees and to abundant wildlife

October 18, 2024 Beaupré, Quebec Parks Canada

Today, the Cree Nation Government and Parks Canada announced the successful completion of the Feasibility Assessment and signed an agreement to formally work toward establishing a proposed Indigenous Protected Area and national marine conservation area in the offshore waters of the Eeyou Marine Region. This is a major step toward achieving official protection for this rich marine environment.

The announcement was made in Beaupré, Quebec, by Grand Chief and Chairperson Mandy Gull-Masty of the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government, and the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada.

The proposed Wiinipaakw (James Bay) Protected Area would receive protection as an Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) through mechanisms determined by the Crees and would be established as a national marine conservation (NMCA) area under the Canada National Marine Conservation Area Act and in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement. A proposed IPA – NMCA in the Eeyou Marine Region would be adjacent to but not in Quebec and would not include any portion under the administration of the Government of Nunavut.

The Eeyou Marine Region is rich in biodiversity and history. It is essential to Cree culture and Eeyou pimaatisiiwin (the Cree way of life). Many rivers flow out into Wiinipaakw (James Bay) bringing large amounts of freshwater to the Bay. This creates a unique marine environment with a salt concentration much lower than that of Chiwiinipaakw (Hudson Bay) and of oceans.

As a part of the larger Chiwiinipaakw (Hudson Bay) inland sea, Wiinipaakw (James Bay) is also a hub for migrating geese, ducks, shore birds, and marine mammals. The Wiinipaakw Indigenous Protected Area and national marine conservation area will contribute to the protection of offshore water ecosystems and help mitigate climate change. Large scale conservation aligns with the treaties and rights of the Eeyouch (Crees) of Eeyou Istchee and their determination to maintain their culture, pimaastisiiwin (way of life), and support food security. The Eeyouch have been stewards to these lands, waters, and ice since time immemorial.

Engagement and consultation will continue with Indigenous and local communities, other relevant jurisdictions and federal departments, stakeholders, and the public during the next stages toward establishment. Once protected, the new national marine conservation area will also contribute 0.45 per cent to the Government of Canada’s target of protecting 30 per cent of lands and waters in Canada by 2030.

-30-
- The Eeyou Marine Region is rich in biodiversity, history and is essential to Cree culture and Eeyou pimaatisiiwin (the Cree way of life). The Eeyouch have been stewards of these lands and waters since time immemorial.
- In 2010, following the signing of the Eeyou Marine Region Land Claims Agreement, the Cree Nation Government approached Parks Canada with the suggestion of collaborating on an Indigenous-led project. This built upon years of work (the Tawich Marine Protected Area project) already completed by the Cree Nation of Wemindji and researchers to extend the terrestrial protected areas network into the offshore.
- In May 2019, the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Nation Government formalized this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Parks Canada. The MOU initiated a feasibility assessment to explore the establishment of a national marine conservation area, defining the terms and conditions under which it could be established. It also created a Steering Committee, comprising two representatives from the Cree Nation Government and two from Parks Canada, tasked with guiding the feasibility assessment process and with preparing a feasibility assessment report.
- The Steering Committee compiled and summarized existing ecological and environmental data to highlight areas of rich biodiversity within the Study Area defined in the 2019 MOU. The Committee conducted engagement activities with the five coastal Cree First Nations (Waskaganish, Eastmain, Wemindji, Chisasibi, and Whapmagoostui), with Cree entities, and with stakeholders. Through these sessions, the Committee gathered insights on Cree interests, concerns, and ideas about potential opportunities associated with a national marine conservation area.
- The Government of Canada is committed to reconciliation and renewed relationships with Indigenous peoples, based on a recognition of rights, respect, collaboration, and partnership.
Hermine Landry
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
873-455-3714
hermine.landry@ec.gc.ca

Kristen Moar
Political Attachée – Office of the Grand Chief / Attachée politique – Bureau de la Grande Cheffe
Cree Nation Government / Gouvernement de la Nation Crie
819-895-4451
kristen.moar@cngov.ca

MIL OSI Canada News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 26th Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) Meeting Discusses Accelerating Industry-Academia Partnership for Research and Innovation in India

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 18 OCT 2024 6:49PM by PIB Delhi

The 26th Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) meeting was chaired by Professor Ajay Kumar Sood today (October 18, 2024) at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe in New Delhi.

Along with the PM-STIAC members, the meeting brought together leaders from the government officials, academic institutions and industry bodies to discuss and gain a deeper understanding of the current state-of-play, plausible partnership models, their local contextualisation and effective implementation modalities.

The meeting was joined by key government officials including by Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member S&T, NITI Aayog, Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary at the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Dr. Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology; Mrs Leena Nandan, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change; Dr. S. Somnath, Secretary, Department of Space; Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research, and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research; Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, and Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research; Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO; Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy; Mr. S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology; Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology; and Dr. Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe.

Leaders from academic institutions included Prof. Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc Bengaluru; Prof. Shireesh Kedare, Director, IIT Bombay; Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani Campuses; and Prof. Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar.

Industry bodies including NASSCOM (Ms. Debjani Ghosh, President, and Mr. Rajesh Nambiar, President-designate); Biocon (Ms. Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson and Founder), Invest India (Ms. Nivruti Rai, CEO & MD), FICCI (Mrs. Anandi Iyer, Co Chair, FICCI Innovation Committee), Foundation for Advancing Science and Technology (Mr. Ashish Dhawan, Founder) and Centre for Technology, Innovation and Economic Research (Mr. Janak Nabar, CEO) shared their insights on the topic.

Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, former Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Dr Naushad Forbes, former Chairman, CII, sent their insights which were circulated and duly discussed.

In his opening address, Prof. Sood highlighted the need for strengthening industry-academia partnerships for advancing research and innovation (R&I) in general, and through the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), in particular. For this goal, he emphasized that the stakeholders – industry, academia and government – have to play a complementary role to get increased socio-economic benefits from the efforts made in the country for R&I activities.

Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member S&T, NITI Aayog, called for identifying priority areas where industry and academia can collaborate to accelerate research and innovation in the country. He advocated for prioritizing design and advancing academic research to make India a product-driven nation. He stressed on building expertise in frontier technologies, fostering collaboration between academia and industry, building trust in indigenous R&D and increasing exposure in academia to the industry as vital steps to enhance the R&D ecosystem in the country.

Presentations were made by the experts to highlight the triple helix model of industry-academia partnerships for research and innovation, facilitated by the government. The discussions centred on sector-specific models, challenges and recommendations for enabling and leveraging such partnerships in various domains like ICT, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, space and electronics. They aligned on identifying certain mission-critical priority areas where industry-academia partnerships can drive significant multiplier effects in the country’s growth. The importance of goal alignment between government, industry and academia to deliver impactful outcomes was also discussed.

After the presentations, the Chair invited interventions from special invitees and PM-STIAC members. They discussed expanding the triple-helix model to also include startups, accelerators and venture capital funds to drive industry-academia partnerships. They highlighted the government’s role as both a customer and facilitator, advocating for multidisciplinary approaches and increased mobility between academic research and industry. They suggested policies that support seamless movement between academia and industry, including research translation offices, and highlighted the significance of long-term government investment in both basic research and cutting-edge technologies.

In his concluding remarks, Prof. Sood emphasized the importance of aligning incentives across stakeholders to bring R&D capabilities to the forefront. He echoed the recommendations made by earlier speakers on the need to bridge the gap between existing resources and future demands, ensuring that research and innovation address the critical needs of the nation.

***

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: RI Delegations Lands $13M in New Lead Poisoning Prevention Funds for Providence & Woonsocket

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed
PROVIDENCE, RI – Ahead of the 25th annual National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, which starts October 20 and runs through the 26th, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo are delivering $6.5 million for Providence and $6.5 million for Woonsocket through the federal Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program (LHR) to make more homes and apartments across the state lead-safe for children and families. Individual homeowners, renters, and landlords can apply directly through the City of Providence and City of Woonsocket, which work with local community agencies and non-profits to use the federal funds to pay specialized professionals for lead paint abatement and remediation in private residences.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nearly 300,000 housing units in Rhode Island have potential lead paint hazards and associated lead-contaminated yards. Of these units, over 90,000 are low-income households. The Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program can help these households save thousands of dollars on the cost of eliminating lead-related hazards and making the properties safer and more valuable.
Exposure to lead-based paint is a serious health threat, especially for children under six who may touch, swallow, or breathe in lead dust. Lead exposure can cause adverse health effects such as brain damage, slowed growth and development, and other problems affecting learning, behavior, hearing, and speech. If a child is exposed to lead, early detection and intervention is critical to prevent adverse, long-term impacts.
An estimated 1,300 children in Rhode Island are lead poisoned each year, according to state estimates.
The $13 million in federal funds, which are administered at the national level by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) — and spearheaded locally by the Community Action Partnership of Providence — will help Providence and Woonsocket expand local efforts to address lead hazards in housing units, making houses and apartments healthier and safer for families, and raising public awareness about the risks associated with lead paint.
“This is a smart investment in remediating lead hazards, making homes safer, reducing health care costs, improving educational performance, and helping more kids and families lead healthier lives,” said Senator Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee who led Congressional efforts to fund the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program and worked with Woonsocket to extend its deadlines to ensure it can use the funds to help more eligible families. In 1999, Senator Reed authored a resolution (S. Res 199) establishing the first ever National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.
“Too many older homes in Rhode Island are filled with hidden lead hazards because of the high costs of lead remediation, leaving children and families unsafe in their own homes,” said Senator Whitehouse, a former Attorney General for Rhode Island who filed the state’s first lawsuit against lead paint manufacturers. “This new funding will give Providence and Woonsocket homeowners the financial resources they need to remove these hazards and keep their little ones safe.”
“There is no amount of lead exposure that is safe, and this federal funding will help Rhode Islanders remove lead from their homes to keep children and families safe and healthy,” said Rep. Seth Magaziner.
“Toxic lead has no place in our drinking water and it has no place in household paint,” said Congressman Gabe Amo. “I am grateful that we secured these federal funds to help remediate homes and apartments throughout Rhode Island so we can better protect the health of young children and families in our community.”
Working together, the delegation helped make $469,655,877 in federal funding for LHR grants available nationwide.
“We talk every day with parents, tenants, homeowners, and landlords facing lead safety challenges – and our local lead hazard reduction programs help all of them,” said Laura Brion, Executive Director of the Childhood Lead Action Project. “This new influx of funding will allow hundreds of Rhode Island families to keep their children healthy and safe from lead, potentially changing the trajectory of their whole lives.”
To participate in the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction program, families must meet certain income requirements and have a child in the home. If eligible, a trained contractor will assess the home for lead and eventually work to remove any hazards, which would typically cost thousands of dollars if paying out of pocket.
In Rhode Island, LHR projects are awarded on a first-come, first served basis. Families and landlords may apply to their local lead safe partner program:
Providence – Lead Safe Providence Program: https://cappri.org/programs/lead-safe-providence
Woonsocket – Woonsocket Lead Hazard Reduction Program: https://www.woonsocketri.gov/planning-development/lead-hazard-reduction-program
Statewide – RIHousing LeadSafe Homes Program: https://www.rihousing.com/leadsafe_homes/
Typical lead removal or remediation includes the replacement of lead-tainted windows and doors, adding exterior siding, and covering up or removing lead paint on porches. For a 2,000-square-foot residence, the average cost of lead paint removal is about $15,000, and the entire bill may be paid using federal funds.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH), starting this month, all Ocean State landlords who rent a residential property that was built before 1978 and that is not exempt from the state’s Lead Hazard Mitigation Act must provide a valid Certificate of Lead Conformance or other lead certificate in order to comply with a new state law.
RIDOH also reminds parents and caregivers to have children screened for lead exposure once by 18 months and a second time by 36 months. Having a child’s blood tested for lead is the only way to know if they have been exposed to lead and what actions to take. It is also the first step to finding and removing the source of lead. Many children exposed to lead have happy and healthy lives, but early intervention is critical.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: This Week at Interior October 18, 2024

Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

This Week: Secretary Haaland visits New Mexico and Colorado to highlight how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is restoring public lands and waters and strengthening Indian Country; Interior, the California Natural Resource Agency and other stakeholders break ground on the latest phase of the Salton Sea Species Conservation Habitat Project; Interior announces significant strides in expanding geothermal energy on public lands; Interior signs three landmark agreements with Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations to advance co-stewardship and safeguard salmon within the Yukon, Kuskokwim, and Norton Sound regions; Interior and the Department of Agriculture announce a final rule to strengthen Alaska Tribal representation on the Federal Subsistence Board; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awards more than $6.4 million to federally recognized Tribes to benefit fish and wildlife resources and their habitats; we celebrate the great outdoors during National Wildlife Refuge Week; and it’s big, it’s hairy, and it’s our social media Picture of the Week! Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube!

http:/www.facebook.com/usinterior
http:/www.instagram.com/usinterior
http:/www.twitter.com/Interior

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruhGbvP4sgU

MIL OSI Video –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Champagne announces new thematic campus and collaboration on energy transition
Source: Government of Canada News

News release

Concordia University initiative will support research and innovation in sustainability

Concordia University initiative will support research and innovation in sustainability

October 18, 2024 – Shawinigan, Quebec

Across Canada, universities are at the forefront of innovation, advancing research and preparing future leaders in critical fields. To maintain Canada’s leadership in clean energy and sustainable technologies, the Government of Canada is investing in groundbreaking initiatives that will support cutting-edge research and foster the development of the next generation of skilled workers.

Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced that Concordia University will establish a thematic campus in Shawinigan, Quebec, focused on energy transition. The campus will be dedicated to advancing clean energy research, which is critical to addressing climate change and promoting sustainability. This project is part of Concordia University’s “Volt-Age: Where Innovation Meets Purpose” initiative, which received a $123 million investment through the $1.4 billion Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) in 2022. CFREF supports world-leading research at Canadian universities and colleges.

The campus will foster collaboration between Concordia University, the City of Shawinigan and the National Center in Environmental Technology and Electrochemistry (CNETE), aligning with broader federal efforts to address critical challenges in energy storage, transport electrification and sustainable innovation.

This investment highlights the importance of connecting academic research with local and international partners to deliver tangible social and economic benefits for Canadians, while positioning Canada at the forefront of clean energy research.

In support of this new initiative, the National Research Council of Canada signed a memorandum of understanding with Concordia University today to advance battery materials research in Canada and address the gaps in next-generation battery processing and manufacturing.

Quotes

“Investing in clean energy research is essential to securing Canada’s future as a global leader in sustainability. This new campus in Shawinigan dedicated to energy transition will lead cutting‑edge research to support the fight against climate change. This initiative will play a pivotal role in training the next generation of innovators who will help us achieve our ambitious climate goals.”
– The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“When we invest in our researchers, we are investing in the communities of tomorrow—ones that are greener, more sustainable and healthier. The Canada First Research Excellence Fund uniquely positions our researchers to expand their skills to help their communities develop, and this is what we see today—the unveiling of a clean energy campus built on networks that are rich in research and innovation.”
– Dr. Ted Hewitt, Chair, Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat Steering Committee, and President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

“The National Research Council of Canada is committed to working with partners across Canada to advance technology that will advance our economy and mitigate climate change. This memorandum of understanding with Concordia University brings us together, with our complementary expertise in battery materials research, to address challenges in the battery innovation ecosystem and advance Canada’s globally competitive position in the clean energy sector.”
– Mitch Davies, President, National Research Council of Canada

“The establishment of our thematic campus in Shawinigan focused on energy transition is in line with the current narrative and showcases a city that has always been at the forefront of hydroelectricity and lithium battery production.”
– Karim Zaghib, CEO, Volt-Age, Concordia University

Quick facts
- Since 2016, the federal government has invested over $22 billion in science and research initiatives, such as infrastructure, emerging talent and other science and technology support measures, including measures announced in Budget 2024.
- Created in 2014, the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) supports Canadian postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. The program helps Canadian universities, colleges and polytechnics compete with the best in the world for talent and partnership opportunities. It also supports them in making breakthrough discoveries; seizing emerging opportunities; strategically advancing their greatest strengths on the global stage; and implementing large-scale, transformational and forward‑thinking institutional strategies.
- CFREF invests approximately $200 million per year to support selected Canadian postsecondary institutions in turning their key strengths into world-leading capabilities.
- Initiatives funded by CFREF are selected through an independent, multidisciplinary, international competitive peer review process, which is held every seven years.
- CFREF is a tri-agency institutional program administered by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) on behalf of the three federal research funding agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and SSHRC.
Associated links

Contacts

Audrey Milette
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
audrey.milette@ised-isde.gc.ca

Media Relations
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
media@ised-isde.gc.ca

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MIL OSI Canada News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Antifungal resistance is not getting nearly as much attention as antibiotic resistance – yet the risks to global health are just as serious

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Norman van Rhijn, Research Fellow in Microbial Evolution, Manchester University

TopMicrobialStock/Shutterstock

Fungi are known for causing superficial infections of the nails, skin and hair, but they can also cause systemic infections that can have much more serious health implications. Indeed, over 6.5 million people are infected yearly with a life-threatening fungal infection, leading to 3.8 million deaths.

Many of the fungi we know are an essential part of nitrogen and carbon recycling in the environment through their action of decomposing complex material. As they grow, they can undergo “sporulation”, where they release tiny spores that are dispersed on air currents. These spores are breathed in but are usually cleared by the lungs.

However, this clearing is impaired in people with lung issues, such as cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis and lung cancer, putting them at a significant risk of developing a fungal lung infection.

Many of the fungal pathogens are resistant to treatment with current drugs – of which only four classes are in use – or can rapidly acquire resistance during treatment or in their natural environment. As with bacteria and antibiotic resistance, so fungi can evolve to become resistant to the drugs used to treat them.

In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the fungal pathogens priority list that catalogued fungi that pose a significant risk to human health. Of critical importance are Candida albicans and auris, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans.

The WHO list was designed to guide public health action and boost research and awareness in this field. Yet it has become clear that the desired effect of including fungal infections in the antimicrobial resistance policy debate is yet to be achieved. In a recent series of four articles in The Lancet about antimicrobial resistance (which includes resistance to bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites), the problem of fungal disease contained just five sentences on the issue.

The second UN-hosted meeting on antimicrobial resistance took place on September 26. Aside from the wider acknowledgement of antimicrobial resistance, the meeting drew attention to the growing problem of fungal pathogens and their resistance to known treatments, globally.

Combating drug-resistant fungal infections is a complex problem. An important factor is that diagnoses of infections are often delayed – if they are even diagnosed at all. Simple tests for fungal infections are rarely available and only a few simple lateral flow tests are available.

More sensitive tests require trained personnel and expensive equipment, which is usually not available in laboratories in poorer countries.

Another issue is that antifungal drug development takes a long time and is very expensive. Fungal and human cells are more similar than bacterial and human cells, making finding antifungal targets with minimal toxicity to humans difficult.

Because of this, only several antifungals that work differently to traditional antifungals are being developed. But even after they reach the market, the development of resistance in fungi is a threat to these treatments.

Tons of fungicides are used annually to protect crops, of which some work the same way as antifungals used in humans. An example of this is an antifungal drug class called the azoles. There is strong evidence to suggest that azole resistance in the clinic can be of environmental origin due to agriculturally used azoles.

This is a particular problem in Aspergillus fumigatus, where some hospitals and research centres have reported resistance to azoles in up to 20% of fungal samples.

Over the last 25 years, a compound with a novel mechanism of action has been in development called olorofim. This compound is effective against many fungal pathogens. It is expected to be approved for use in humans soon.

But recently a fungicide for agricultural use, ipflufenoquin, has been approved in the US, that works the same way as olorofim. This makes the risk of resistance to both compounds high as they both target Aspergillus fumigatus the same way – or, in the lingo, they have the same mechanism of action. Resistance to one compound will cause resistance to the other compound.

This is not the only example of the dual-use of antifungals where compounds with the same way of working are used on farms and in hospitals and doctors’ clinics. This is a high risk for resistance development to antifungals we desperately need to treat human infections. The agricultural fungicide aminopyrifen has a similar target to the antifungal fosmanogepix, which can be used to treat humans.

Environmentally acquired resistant fungi can cause infections in patients and therefore, from the first day of treatment, can’t be treated with the desired antifungal. As food security requires antifungal protection from plant pathogens, the question arises: how do we balance human health and crop health?

The latest threat makes these issues more pressing

The rise of fungal pathogens that we have only seen more recently, such as Candida auris, make these issues even more important.

Candida auris is a yeast that was first found in 2009 and has spread globally since. It can cause life-threatening infections and has caused outbreaks in hospitals in several countries, including the UK. Unfortunately, it is resistant to many of the antifungals that are currently available.

The UN-hosted AMR meeting was a good starting point, getting fungi and antimicrobial resistance acknowledged globally. However, it is unclear what specific action will be put into place to combat fungal resistance. But having this discussion is a first step to making progress on an issue that affects so many people daily.

Norman van Rhijn receives funding from Wellcome Trust.

– ref. Antifungal resistance is not getting nearly as much attention as antibiotic resistance – yet the risks to global health are just as serious – https://theconversation.com/antifungal-resistance-is-not-getting-nearly-as-much-attention-as-antibiotic-resistance-yet-the-risks-to-global-health-are-just-as-serious-239677

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: ‘Saturday at the QAR Lab’ Showcases Blackbeard’s Flagship

Source: US State of North Carolina

Headline: ‘Saturday at the QAR Lab’ Showcases Blackbeard’s Flagship

‘Saturday at the QAR Lab’ Showcases Blackbeard’s Flagship
jejohnson6
Fri, 10/18/2024 – 11:45

GREENVILLE

Before it was a pirate ship, Queen Anne’s Revenge was known by another name.

The ship, La Concorde, was a slave-trading vessel that became the infamous pirate Blackbeard’s flagship.

Archaeological Conservators and Researchers with the N.C. Office of State Archaeology will explain the history of the ship Nov. 2 during their “Saturday at the QAR Lab” tours of the Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab in Greenville.

Artifacts will be displayed, including gold grains, grenades and cannons recovered from the ship, which was wrecked near Beaufort Inlet over 300 years ago.

Register for the “Saturday at the QAR Lab” for a free guided tour from the archaeologists and conservators responsible for preserving, documenting and investigating this ship with two names!

Tours will run every 30 minutes from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and last approximately 90 minutes. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour time. Tours are free and open to all ages, but registration is required.

Visit https://www.qaronline.org/visit/saturday-at-the-qar-lab to reserve your tour time.

The QAR Lab at East Carolina University is located at 1157 VOA Site C Rd., Greenville.

For additional information, please call (252) 744-6721. The Queen Anne’s Revenge Shipwreck Project and Queen Anne’s Revenge Conservation Lab, and the Office of State Archaeology are within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

Oct 17, 2024

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Hageman Introduces Expedited Appeals Review Act Allowing Challengers of an Agency Decision an Expedited Verdict by a Neutral Arbiter
Source: United States House of Representatives – Wyoming Congresswoman Harriet Hageman

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Hageman introduced the Expedited Appeals Review Act (EARA), which provides entities before the Department of the Interior’s Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) the opportunity to file for an expedited review so they can quickly go to court in front of a neutral arbiter.

Under current law, challengers of an agency decision within the Department of Interior (DOI), must appeal to the IBLA, an administrative court that is also housed within the DOI. The use of administrative courts pose a variety of constitutional issues, including in relation to the separation of powers, as the agencies who adopt the regulations seek to enforce them through their in-house court system, such as the IBLA. Over 90% of these cases are typically resolved in the agency’s favor, while often taking years for the case to be decided.

“We are a government ‘of, by and for the people’ and every agency and their employees should be accountable to the people. It is no wonder that the current construct of in-house courts ruling on cases where the agency’s policies are in question tend to fall on the side of the government almost exclusively.

“In my 3 decades of practicing law I witnessed cases argued before agency-appointed judges on numerous occasions and then waited as the IBLA delayed issuing a decision. Not only does this leave the non-agency party in limbo as to the outcome of their case, but also costs them significantly in potential fees and penalties waiting for their cases to be considered.

“This broken system needs to be fixed so that American citizens and companies have a fighting chance against the DOI’s ongoing agenda against our legacy industries. My bill gives these parties the opportunity to expedite the process and pursue an impartial route in those circumstances where the IBLA is refusing to timely address the matter in front of it.

The Expedited Appeals Review Act ensures that if IBLA fails to make a decision within 18 months of the appeal being filed, the applicant can demand an expedited review. The IBLA then has 6 months to resolve the case. Failure to do so allows for that non-agency party to proceed to district court where they will be granted the opportunity to conduct discovery and develop the administrative record.

Background:
- The IBLA is a regulatorily constructed, pseudo-judicial, administrative court within the Department of the Interior. It oversees appeals of agency actions, including those from the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Office of Natural Resources Revenue, and Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.
- Currently, there are seven administrative judges, four of which were appointed in the last year. · There are over 650 appeals sitting before the IBLA, many of which have been pending for over five years.
- During an appeal, the agency establishes the administrative record. Frequently, the record is heavily redacted and purposefully excludes documents that favor the appellant. In fact, IBLA judges have explicitly found that the Department compiled administrative records in bad faith and in a biased manner.
- In FY ’23, IBLA decided only 36 cases on the merits, 34 (94%) of which upheld the Department’s decision. Once a case is finally decided, the administrative record is set and the agency’s decision receives deference, only being overturned if it is found to be arbitrary and capricious. And even if a party wins in District Court, the Court will remand the decision to the agency, restarting the entire process.
- As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Hageman spearheaded an oversight hearing titled “Reining in the Administrative State: Agency Adjudication and Other Agency Action” which exposed the unconstitutionality of administrative courts, including their denial of due process and jury trial rights as well as infringement on the separation of powers
- Prior to taking office as Wyoming’s lone congressional member, Harriet Hageman was an attorney defending individuals and entities against government agencies, winning cases opposing several of the agencies that are within the Department of Interior.
###

Contact: Chris Berardi, Sr. Advisor/Communications Director

MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson files brief to stop Biden-Harris administration’s electric-truck mandateRead More

Source: US State of South Carolina

(COLUMBIA, S.C.) – Attorney General Alan Wilson filed a brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to stop the Biden-Harris administration from imposing an electric-vehicle mandate on truck manufacturers. A coalition of 24 states teamed up in Nebraska v. EPA to challenge the new rule.

“This is yet another overreach by the Biden-Harris administration trying to do something they don’t have the authority to do,” Attorney General Wilson said. “But more importantly, it will raise the price on all of us for almost everything that gets shipped by truck.”

In April, the federal Environmental and Protection Agency (EPA) published a rule imposing stringent tailpipe emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles that effectively force manufacturers to produce more electric trucks and fewer internal combustion trucks. The attorneys general argued that EPA’s electric-truck mandate raises a “major question” that Congress has not clearly authorized EPA to decide. The brief points out that just 0.10 percent of all heavy-duty trucks sold today are powered by a battery, but that EPA’s rule would increase that number to 45 percent in less than a decade. That massive shift in the nation’s trucking and logistics industries will slow down the transportation of essential goods, stress the electric grid, and raise prices for Americans. The brief also argues that EPA has never before forced manufacturers to produce heavy-duty electric vehicles and that allowing the electric-truck mandate to stand would short-circuit the ongoing policy debate that should be left to Congress and the States.

In addition to Attorney General Wilson, attorneys general from the following states joined the brief against the Biden Administration: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

You can read the brief here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: DAERA launches £1.55 million rural micro business development grant aid fund

Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

DAERA launches £1.55 million rural micro business development grant aid fund

17 October 2024

Small businesses in the Derry City and Strabane Council area are being encouraged to stake their claim for development grant funding worth up to £4,999.00.
DAERA’s Rural Business Development Grant Scheme will deliver a total of £1.55 million in capital grants to support rural micro businesses across Northern Ireland.
The programme is funded through the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) and is delivered in partnership with local Councils.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr, encouraged local businesses to find out more about the application process and avail of the opportunity to give their business a competitive edge.
“This programme offers rural micro businesses the opportunity to take their enterprise to the next level,” she said,
“It is an opportunity to invest in equipment and machinery that can streamline your business and give you a competitive edge in the marketplace
“I would urge applicants to book their attendance at the Pre Application workshops now as these are mandatory for a successful application,” she added.
Eligible rural businesses can apply for capital assistance of 50% up to the value of £4,999 for the purchase of capital equipment that will help their business to enhance sustainability or lead to growth opportunities and the creation of employment opportunities which in turn strengthen the rural economy.
Launching the scheme, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Andrew Muir, MLA, said: “I am pleased to announce the opening of the £1.55 million Rural Business Development Grant Scheme.
“This fund is important in delivering on the Department’s priority of building strong sustainable and diverse rural communities and the draft Programme for Government priority of growing a globally competitive and sustainable economy with a focus on addressing regional balance”.
Minister Muir continued: “I urge all eligible rural businesses to go online and apply as soon as possible.
“Rural Businesses continue to play a vital role in our rural communities and I want to support them at this challenging time and provide them with opportunities that will maximise their potential and stimulate business growth”.

Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme.
The Scheme opens for applications at 9.00am on 16 October 2024 and closes at 12 noon on 8 November 2024.

For more details on pre-application workshops and link to the Application visit http://www.derrystrabane.com/businesssupport
The workshops will take place on Wednesday October 23^rd at 6pm (Online), Wednesday 30^th October at 1pm (Glenelly Room, Strabane) and Tuesday November 5^th at 1pm (Online).

Details of the Rural Business Development Grant Scheme are on the DAERA website at Rural Business Development Grant Scheme (RBDGS) 2024/2025 | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (daera-ni.gov.uk).

Only online applications can be accepted for this scheme.
The Scheme opens for applications at 9.00am on 16 October 2024 and closes at 12 noon on 8 November 2024.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: County Durham man sentenced for illegal waste dumping
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

A man described as ‘arrogant’ by a judge has been sentenced for arranging waste to be illegally dumped on his rural land near Consett.
Peter Snailum, 64, from Whitworth, Spennymoor, appeared at Durham crown court for sentencing on Wednesday 16 October after previously pleading guilty to two offences of depositing waste without an environmental permit.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a requirement to complete 90 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard that between January and March 2020, excavation waste was transported from a construction site in Consett to Snailum’s land at School House Farm, Kiln Pit Hill, and illegally dumped.

Snailum had a registered waste exemption for his land at School House Farm. This means that low level waste activity could take place at the site for construction purposes, with limits on the amount and type of waste allowed.

During the Environment Agency investigation, it transpired that more than 5,000 tonnes of waste had been dumped at School House Farm – five times the 1,000 tonnes allowed under the exemption.

It was also clear that the waste was not to be used for construction but in an attempt to level land, activity that would require an environmental permit.

In passing sentence, judge Joanne Kidd criticised Snailum for his arrogance, after hearing that he had twice taunted the Environment Agency officers speaking with him about the illegal activity, saying that they should prosecute him as he would only receive a fine.

The judge was also critical of his insistence on initially denying the charges and taking the case to the crown court, all in the face of overwhelming evidence.

Warned he was ‘breaching the law’

Gary Wallace, area environment manager for the Environment Agency in the North East, said:

Waste crime such as this has a negative impact on the environment and local communities and Snailum was warned he was breaching the law.

His actions also undermined legitimate businesses as he made financial gains by not properly and legally disposing of the waste.

I hope this case sends out the message to others that we take waste crime seriously and those involved can expect to be put before the courts for their actions.

Prosecuting, Holly Clegg told the court that in January 2020, Environment Agency officers attended the site in response to reports of wagons tipping waste there.

Checks showed metal and timber mixed with soils and stone. It was estimated the stockpile was close to the 1,000 tonne exemption limit and Snailum was told to stop accepting further waste to the site.

He said he was importing soils to level around the trees and filling in hollows around the site – he was told the exemption restrictions meant it could only be used for construction.

While the officers were there a wagon arrived which was moving waste from a construction site in Consett to Snailum’s land.

The officers then visited a care home construction site and spoke to the site manager, who told them that to date 871 tonnes had been taken to School House Farm.

Follow up visits revealed further deposits

A month later follow up visits to both the construction site and School House Farm revealed further deposits had taken place which would exceed the limits of the exemption. On 2 March, Snailum was instructed to cease accepting further waste.

Environment Agency officers were later supplied with and assessed the waste transfer documentation, which showed more than 5,000 tonnes of waste soil and stone had been taken to School House Farm between January and March 2020.

Then, in early 2021 Snailum allowed another large deposit of waste, this time tonnes of supposedly crushed MDF but this was contaminated with various other waste types.

Previously sentenced at Peterlee magistrates’ court on 23 April 2024 for their part in the case were:

Jonathan Mann Developments, of Sandhu House, Delves Lane, Consett, which owned land there that was being developed for the construction of new care homes. It pleaded guilty for its involvement in the illegal waste deposits and were ordered to pay a fine and costs totalling £3,832.

Groundworks Direct Ltd excavated and loaded the waste material from the construction site onto wagons supplied by the hauliers. It was ordered to pay a fine and costs of £5,000 in total.

In addition, G O’Brien & Sons Ltd, which collected the waste material and transported it to Snailum’s land, agreed to an enforcement undertaking, paying £5,000 to Durham Wildlife Trust to go towards environmental improvements, and a further £1,600 in costs.

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Published 17 October 2024
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester leads the charge on the move towards electric vehicles
Source: City of Manchester

Ambitious plans have been set out on how Manchester can play its part in rolling out hundreds of new electric vehicle (EV) charging points in years to come.

The growth of EV usage across Manchester forms an important pillar in the project of Manchester becoming zero-carbon by 2038.

It is estimated that by 2038 there could approximately be 150,000 EV car and light goods vehicles (LGVs) in use in the city. To support that the current network of charging points across the city will need to be significantly expanded.

In a report going to the City Council’s Executive today (October 16) a plan has been set out on how Manchester City Council can play its part alongside local, national and commercial partners in working towards improving EV provision over the coming decade.

In its report, the Council sets out three key priorities which will guide this ambition.

They are:
- Encouraging the transition towards EVs
- Improving charging infrastructure
- Identifying funding opportunities
The Council recognises that to meet its zero-carbon aims a significant amount of work will need to take place to firstly encourage more people away from polluting vehicles to EVs, then ensuring that charging infrastructure is available for people to use and ensure that funding is available to provide that key infrastructure.

In the coming years the Council will leverage its position as a voice within Manchester to communicate the benefits of transitioning to EVs, as well as supporting groups where funding is available who may find it harder to transition from cheaper – albeit more polluting – forms of transport. These groups include but aren’t limited to high mileage users such as taxis or delivery drivers, low-income residents as well as people with disabilities of lower mobility.

The government will also be pressed to lower VAT on public charging to a rate in line with at-home charging, making it easier on people’s finances when considering a change to an EV.

Around £3.3m has already been provisionally identified via two funding streams – the Local EV Infrastructure grant (LEVI) and the City Regions Sustainable Transport Settlement Funds (CRSTS). This funding will be used to support an initial roll-out of additional charging points across Manchester in a number of different configurations as well as incorporating new charging points at existing car parks. It is hoped that over time even more funding will be secured to expand the charging network.

Councillor Tracey Rawlins, Executive Member for Environment and Transport said: “The use of EVs will play a huge part in Manchester becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038. At this moment in time, we know there are a number of barriers which could prevent someone from investing an in EV, a key one being the lack of charging points across the city.

“As a Council we are not under any statutory obligation to provide EV charging points but we know that this is the right course of action to take. EV usage will hinge on how accessible it is for people and by working to break down barriers we will be playing part in their success.”
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Major Solar Milestone Achieved a Year Early

Source: US State of New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that 6 gigawatts (GW) of distributed solar have been installed across New York, marking the early achievement of the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act statutory goal a year ahead of schedule. The solar power generation, which benefits homes, business owners and off-takers of community solar projects, is enough to power more than a million homes, underscoring New York’s leadership in growing one of the strongest distributed solar markets in the nation.

“Today we celebrate the early achievement of New York’s 6-GW milepost, which brings us one step closer to a reliable and resilient zero-emission grid,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “Distributed solar is at the heart of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding the availability of renewable energy, and delivering substantial benefits for our health, our environment, and our economy.”

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris made the announcement at a distributed solar project in the Town of New Scotland. The project, developed by New Leaf Energy and owned by Generate Capital, includes a 5.7-megawatt solar array that will produce 6.7 million kilowatt-hours of solar energy annually, enough to power nearly one thousand homes. The project participates in the Solar for All pilot program with utility partner National Grid where the energy harnessed by this project benefits low-income households.

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “As the top community solar market in the nation, New York State has provided a replicable model for others to deliver clean, low-cost renewable energy to more consumers. Our public-private partnerships are the catalysts which have helped us to achieve our 6-GW goal well ahead of target, trailblazing New York’s path to an equitable energy transition.”

With the achievement of New York’s 6-GW goal—which is underpinned by support from the State’s signature $3.3 billion NY Sun initiative—distributed solar is generating enough energy to power more than a million homes and businesses across the state, including those in disadvantaged communities. The expeditious achievement of the 6-GW goal has also generated approximately $9.2 billion in private investment across New York.

To date, solar projects in New York have created more than 14,000 solar jobs statewide, from engineering and design to installation. In addition, New York requires all solar projects more than 1 megawatt (MW) in size to pay prevailing wages, further supporting the opportunity to advance family sustaining clean energy jobs across New York.

In anticipation of the success, three years ago Governor Hochul directed NYSERDA and the Department of Public Service to expand the goal to 10 GW by 2030. With 6 GW now complete, New York continues to be ahead of schedule for reaching the expanded 10-GW goal with almost 3.4 GW already in development.

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian said, “Hitting this 6 GW milestone is an important accomplishment, and all involved in this endeavor deserve a round of applause. This is further evidence that distributed solar is a critically important piece of the equation and, through Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are well on our way to creating a clean energy economy.”

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “Today’s milestone is a testament to the power of strong partnerships in advancing distributed solar projects across New York State. As we work together to expand the deployment of solar energy, NYPA is committed to working with municipalities, school districts, and state entities to build a portfolio of projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy savings for our customers.”

Generate Capital Investments Managing Director Peggy Flannery said, “Customers and consumers are asking for access to clean energy, and New York state is listening. We’re very excited to have helped New York reach six gigawatts of solar and deliver the benefits of clean energy to the community. Generate operates 69 projects and counting in New York, and this celebration is another proof point of our successful efforts in serving developers, customers, and local communities and accelerating the clean energy transition.”

New Leaf Energy Director of Policy and Business Development Sam Jasinski said, “New Leaf is honored to be celebrating this impressive milestone with the many State and local agencies, towns, fellow industry members, and utilities that made it happen. It shows real progress towards meeting New York’s nation-leading clean energy goals. And while we’re incredibly proud of the work and partnerships that have led to this achievement, we’re more excited that it can be repeated and multiplied. With the State’s continued leadership, we’re confident we can get to 10 GW and beyond.”

New York is the national leader in community solar deployments, allowing renters, low-income residents, and others who cannot install their own panels to benefit from solar energy. In 2023, New York ranked first in the nation in total installed community solar capacity. Last year was also the state’s most productive year ever for solar installations, with 885 MW of capacity installed.

Through NY-Sun, New York is making it much easier for low-income households to benefit from solar projects through the first of its kind Solar for All pilot program. The Solar for All program, which is administered through NYSERDA, allows solar project developers to partner with National Grid to provide additional bill savings to low-income customers in their Energy Affordability Program (EAP). The Public Service Commission has approved an order to replicate NYSERDA’s Solar for All pilot program statewide, including solar projects in National Grid, ConEdison, Orange and Rockland, New York State Electric and Gas, Central Hudson Gas & Electric, and Rochester Gas and Electric utility territories.

The statewide Solar for All program delivers an electric bill credit to EAP customers. The long-term program design is driving continued community solar and storage growth and directs the benefits of that growth to New York State’s low-income residents.

Building on this effort, in April 2024, NYSERDA was selected to receive nearly $250 million from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Solar for All program to enhance New York State’s existing portfolio of highly successful and effective solar deployment, technical assistance, and workforce development programs for the benefit of over 6.8 million residents that live in low-income households and disadvantaged communities. As part of the grant funding, the New York State Housing and Community Renewal, the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, and New York City Housing Preservation and Development, will also implement new programs that target specific barriers to solar deployment for this population.

Clean solar energy reduces the need for fossil fuel-based power generation while producing less harmful emissions, resulting in cleaner air and improved public health.

New York Solar Energy Industries Association Executive Director Noah Ginsburgh said, “New York has achieved its 2025 rooftop and community solar goal ahead of schedule and under budget, and we’re just getting started. Distributed solar projects are lowering New Yorkers’ electric bills, providing tax revenue to local governments, and employing thousands of workers across the Empire State. NYSEIA congratulates Governor Hochul, the legislature, NYSERDA, the Public Service Commission, the solar industry, and all New Yorkers on this important milestone.”

Coalition for Community Solar Access Northeast Regional Director Kate Daniel said, “The Coalition for Community Solar Access (CCSA) congratulates the Empire State on reaching this impressive milestone. We are tremendously proud of the large role community solar has played in achieving the first Climate Act requirement ahead of schedule. The 6 GW of rooftop and community solar operating today in New York means direct bill savings for millions of customers, good-paying jobs and economic benefits to host communities, and millions of tons of reduced greenhouse gas emissions. We look forward to continued growth in New York’s community solar programs to help New York on its way to the remaining Climate Act goals.”

State Senator Kevin Parker said, “The installation of six gigawatts of distributed solar energy is a giant step to meeting the state’s renewable energy goals and a major win for clean energy development, the environment and New York’s disadvantaged communities. I applaud Governor Hochul and NYSERDA for taking strong action to ensure New York is a national leader in solar energy production and making tremendous progress toward the goals under the CLCPA.”

State Senator Neil Breslin said, “This program spreads the economic opportunities of solar power beyond corporate investors to local homeowners, property owners and small businesses. It is an increasingly important part of the clean energy mix New York State, and our nation, needs to leverage.”

Assemblymember Patricia Fahy said, “Meeting New York’s ambitious climate mandates under the nation-leading CLCPA is not a question of if – but when. Today’s announcement showcases New York’s commitment to responsibly building out solar energy to help us transition to clean energy and reduce emissions that are driving costly extreme-weather events for too many communities across the state. Climate change is the transcendent threat of our time, and we are already paying for it. I couldn’t be prouder to see the Town of New Scotland right here in the 109th District leading the way to ensure that New York’s clean energy future is bright, affordable, and within reach.”

New Scotland Town Supervisor Douglas LaGrange said, “As a Climate Smart Community, the Town of New Scotland is proud to have been a part of seeing this project come to fruition. We are equally proud that we can do our part to help reach Governor Hochul’s goals for renewable energy in New York State.”

New York League of Conservation Voters President Julie Tighe said, “The state reaching its goal of 6GW of installed distributed solar is an important reminder that, with strong leaders like Governor Hochul and NYSERDA President Dorreen Harris, we are capable of tackling difficult challenges. And as the climate crisis grows more urgent by the day, there is no more important challenge than transitioning to a clean energy economy, which is why we must increase the pace of our renewable energy development and double down on our efforts to meet all of our CLCPA obligations, including by continuing to increase the distributed solar goal as we exceed initial targets.”

Vote Solar Northeast Director Elena Weissmann said, “Distributed solar is a key component of NY’s decarbonization mandate, and promises cleaner air, good jobs, and lower energy bills for New Yorkers. As we celebrate this remarkable milestone – a year ahead of schedule – we must seize this opportunity to double down on what’s working so well. This moment is a testament to the power of distributed solar and a call to accelerate deployment of solar for our homes and communities, so that communities across the State can harness the benefits of a clean energy future.”

National Grid’s Chief Operating Officer for Electric Brian Gemmell said, “Today’s announcement is an important next step in our ongoing efforts to build a smarter, stronger, cleaner electric grid that delivers reliable power for all New Yorkers. Greater access to renewable generation resources like solar power not only advances the state’s clean energy goals, but also helps secure long-term economic stability. We appreciate the partnership of Governor Hochul, NYSERDA, and all the other stakeholders who share our commitment to ensuring a safe, reliable, and accessible energy future.”

New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State’s climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that at least 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path to achieving a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with more than 400 registered and more than 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, nearly 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025