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Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI Security: Anderson Man Found Guilty of Impersonating Homeland Security Officer and Possessing Molotov Cocktails

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    INDIANAPOLIS— A federal jury has found Joshua W. Stearman, 42, of Anderson, Indiana, guilty of unlawfully possessing incendiary bombs, commonly referred to as Molotov cocktails, and falsely impersonating an officer or employee of the United States.

    According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, on December 12, 2023, at approximately 1:47 a.m., a police officer in Ingalls, Indiana, was dispatched to an address that had recently been vandalized multiple times, including with fires set in the driveway and inside the mailbox at that address. Dispatch received a report of a suspicious man walking toward the house carrying something but who ran back to his red Toyota RAV4 when the house’s security lights came on.

    The officer located the RAV4 and pulled it over. As the officer approached, Stearman pressed against the window his ID as well as an unknown government identification that included a government seal at the bottom. Repeatedly, Stearman claimed he was a Homeland Security Officer returning from a “mission.” Stearman was wearing black gloves with black duct tape around his wrists.

    Eventually, Stearman exited the vehicle and was placed in custody. Inside the vehicle, officers found four bottles containing a yellow-brown liquid that gave off an odor of fuel, as well as what appeared to be small pieces of wood or kindling inside of them. All four had a piece of cloth or fabric sticking out from under the cap. Officers also found a lighter in the vehicle.

    During the trial, experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) testified about their analysis of the four bottles. An ATF Forensic Chemist testified that she had analyzed the liquid inside the bottles, and each was found to contain gasoline. Then, an ATF Destructive Device Examiner testified how each of the bottles was designed to be used as an incendiary bomb: The wick is ignited by an open flame and the device is thrown against a surface, with the intent that the ignitable liquid and wooden sticks inside will spread fire to a combustible surface against which it was thrown.  Incendiary bombs, commonly known as Molotov cocktails, are a type of destructive device that is generally unlawful to possess under federal law.

    The ATF and Ingalls Police Department investigated this case, with valuable assistance provided by Lapel, Indiana Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt presided over the trial and will sentence Stearman at a later date.

    Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter, who are prosecuting this case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: OEM Director Visits Harney County as Flood Response Shifts to Recovery

    Source: US State of Oregon

    strong>SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon visited Harney County, the City of Burns, and the Burns Paiute Tribe on Saturday, April 5, to support ongoing flood response and recovery efforts.

    During her visit, Director McMahon met with Chair Tracy Kennedy and members of the Burns Paiute Tribal Council to discuss the impacts of the flooding event, local response efforts, and the path forward in recovery. She later visited the Harney County Emergency Operations Center, where she met with local officials, toured the repaired dike, and drove through affected areas to witness the community’s response and resilience firsthand.

    At the American Red Cross Center, Director McMahon thanked volunteers and connected with residents impacted by the floods. “It’s clear this is a strong community that is already making great progress toward recovery, even in the face of continued challenges,” said McMahon.

    Emergency Coordination and Recovery Operations

    The State Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) remains activated at Level 3, with OEM staff working both remotely and on-site to support Harney County. Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) and State Recovery Functions (SRFs) are both engaged, reflecting a strategic transition toward recovery while maintaining readiness to respond to emerging needs.

    OEM, in partnership with local and state agencies, continues to provide essential resources and coordination. With temperatures trending 15 degrees above normal, there is increased concern about accelerated snowmelt and the risk of additional flooding. While initial forecasts projected higher river levels, actual measurements have shown water levels approximately 12 inches lower than expected, offering a modest reprieve.

    Community Support and Health Updates

    The American Red Cross remains a vital partner in the response, having served approximately 295 meals and distributed over 467 house cleaning kits to help families begin their recovery.

    The Harney Hub continues to play a critical role in volunteer coordination, ensuring an efficient and compassionate response to community needs. They have extended their operating hours at both the Harney Hub and the Harney Library.

    Support is also being provided through mutual aid under the Oregon Resource Cooperative Assistance Agreement (ORCAA), allowing local emergency managers to assist one another during this response and ensure continuity of operations.

    Also, the Burns Paiute Tribe is supporting approximately 200 of its members and serving 2 meals a day in their Wellness Center.

    In addition, OEM is finalizing support of up to $40,000 in landfill fee coverage at C&B Sanitary for residents disposing of flood debris. This waiver will require residents to identify where debris originated and will be available only while funding lasts.

    Health and safety remain top priorities, as compromised infrastructure—including overwhelmed sewer systems and damaged dikes—has led to cross-contamination of floodwaters. Residents are urged to take precautions due to potential exposure to E. coli, asbestos from older homes, and hazardous materials present in both waterways and neighborhoods.

    Federal Disaster Declaration Request

    OEM has submitted a request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment for Individual Assistance in Harney County. Once acknowledged, FEMA will work with state and local officials to determine the appropriate timeline to conduct assessments and support further disaster aid.

    Stay Connected

    The ECC will continue to coordinate with local leaders and partners, monitor emerging needs, and support both immediate response and long-term recovery.

    For more information on how to help or donate, visit the OEM Newsroom or Harney County Resources.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What caused the crisis at British Steel?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Hossein Zarei, Assistant Professor of Operations Management, Aston University

    The two blast furnaces at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant are the last of their kind in the UK. Baxter Media/Shutterstock

    The two blast furnaces at British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant in England are the last of their kind in the UK. The UK steel industry was once a world leader, powering the industrial revolution. But these days it is in crisis.

    The Chinese owner of the plant, Jingye Group, stopped ordering the raw materials needed for steel production and recently announced the furnaces would close down for good. Around 2,700 jobs are at risk at the plant – which is reportedly losing £700,000 a day.

    In response, the UK government introduced emergency powers to take control of production in a scramble to stop the furnaces from going cold. But its future remains uncertain.

    So why couldn’t the government just buy the raw materials needed to keep the furnaces burning? With steel, there are peculiarities around the production and supply chain.

    Virgin steel is the strongest form of the material and is used in key industries like railways, construction and manufacturing. It will be vital for the government’s ambitions to invest in UK infrastructure, from housing to green energy. Virgin steel is made using the extreme heat from a blast furnace, which must run 24 hours a day all year round.

    Manufacturing in other industries can be paused when demand goes down and then resumed once products are needed again. But for blast furnaces, if paused, the molten iron inside solidifies. And once reheated, it expands and cracks the furnace.

    To keep the blast furnaces running, it needs steady supplies (and “steady” is a key word here) of coking coal and iron ore. These are the two main raw materials needed for virgin steel.

    Planning for a steady supply requires inventory management, a science that aims to avoid either over-supply or shortages in the production process.

    Within inventory management, there are various models. For the steel industry, the “economic order quantity” model minimises the costs of ordering and holding raw materials to work out the best order size.

    When ordering costs go up, for example, due to increased shipping costs, the model adjusts the order size by buying larger batches. This should eventually keep the total inventory cost to a minimum.

    Ordering steel supplies builds on models like this, accompanied by other inventory management techniques. This ensures that costs are minimised while keeping enough iron ore and coking coal on hand to keep the furnaces burning.

    This is opposite to the “just-in-time” model, which recommends smaller quantities are ordered only when and where needed. Models like just-in-time are a better fit further downstream in supply chains, closer to the end customers. Here there is more variability in demand as customers’ tastes change.



    Read more:
    The past, present and uncertain future of the UK’s steel industry

    Virgin steel, on the other hand, follows a much more stable demand pattern. It prioritises cost-efficiency over agility.

    But problems arise when supply chains are distorted by external factors. The UK government has questioned whether Jingye was guilty of neglecting the plant. There is no doubt that if the furnaces in Scunthorpe went cold, the UK would become the only country in the G7 without the ability to produce its own virgin steel.

    It would then have to turn to China, the single largest global producer of steel (subsidised by the Chinese state), for imports.

    Where did it go wrong?

    Research on geopolitical tensions in supply chains shows that larger firms often adopt a “wait and see” strategy, rather than a proactive one in the face of these tensions. And geopolitical risks are less damaging to firms that have planned their supply chain resilience better, and that have greater cash holdings.

    Both of these were overlooked at British Steel, which has been struggling with financial problems and inefficient planning in recent years.

    Research on supply chains also shows that in the face of disruptions, firms can reconfigure their supplier networks. They can adopt a more diversified base of suppliers, create parallel supply chains, and consider reshoring (moving operations back from overseas).

    Again, the opposite is true for British Steel. It transitioned from domestic coking coal suppliers to international ones due to stricter UK environmental regulations and cheaper prices overseas.

    Another factor is lead times – the time from when an order is placed until it reaches the plant’s gate. Unlike the downstream of the supply chain, which is based on agile response to changing customer demands (the “pull” concept), the upstream of supply chains, where commodities like steel are manufactured, works in anticipation of demand (“push”) for the weeks and even months to come.

    Here, the lead times are long and cost-efficiency, not responsiveness, is the main objective. For steel production supplies, the lead time is around 45 days in normal times. The government has been able to secure emergency shipments from US, Australia and Sweden to tackle the supply shortage for now.

    But there are other factors that exacerbate British Steel’s problems. The 25% tariffs imposed by the US on steel imports and fears of a global trade war may drive down the already declining global demand for steel.

    The energy demands of blast furnaces are immense.
    ABCDstock/Shutterstock

    Second, producing virgin steel in blast furnaces is extremely energy-intensive compared to other methods of production like electric arc furnaces (although these cannot produce virgin steel). And the UK already has higher energy costs than rival steel-producing nations.

    Third, after years of apparent neglect, the Scunthorpe furnaces are now near the end of their lives. They should retire soon, even without Jingye’s decision to shut them down. All these elements have accelerated British Steel’s loss of competitive edge, leading to it filing those huge daily losses.

    Supply chain issues compounded by global tensions and an uncertain market create a perfect storm for the demise of British Steel. Government efforts to secure supplies are half measures that will merely keep the old furnaces operational for another few years. Whether it is eventually nationalised or acquired by a new parent company, the long-term sustainability of British Steel lies in investment in newer, greener virgin steel production methods – and getting a hold of the supply chain.

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

    – ref. What caused the crisis at British Steel? – https://theconversation.com/what-caused-the-crisis-at-british-steel-254557

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Birmingham bin strikes: a threat to public health

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul Hunter, Professor of Medicine, University of East Anglia

    The bin workers’ strike in Birmingham – which began on March 11 – is set to continue after the latest pay offer was “overwhelmingly” rejected.

    Not only are the growing mountains of refuse unsightly and creating foul odours, they could pose significant threats to local residents’ health. Birmingham city council has declared the situation a “major incident”. This enables council leaders to request extra support from central government.

    This is not the first time bins have gone uncollected in the UK, though. Glasgow experienced a major refuse strike in 2021, while Birmingham previously saw significant disruption to refuse collection in 2017.

    Internationally, one of the most infamous garbage crises occurred in Naples, Italy, where mismanagement and mafia involvement led to a waste buildup that lasted over a decade. It finally ended in 2008.

    Surprisingly, studies on the health effects of the build up of domestic refuse in towns and cities are scarce. The few studies that do exist tend to be in developing countries or in people living close to waste treatment centres.

    Several studies have suggested increased deaths, cancer rates and birth defects associated with the Naples garbage crisis. However, these were associated with exposure over several years.

    The most comprehensive review that I can find dates back to 1967 before several of the major infectious concerns were even discovered.

    Rats

    Probably the most apparent danger from the Birmingham crisis is the reported appearance of rats – which some locals have described as being “bigger than cats”.

    Rats can transmit several diseases to humans. The infection of most concern is Weil’s disease, which can severely damage the liver and kidneys and can cause neurological problems. It can even be fatal.

    This infection is transmitted in rats’ urine and gains entry to the human body through cuts and grazes on the skin. Infections are mostly acquired during immersion in water contaminated by rats’ urine. There have been outbreaks associated with swimming in contaminated water or during flooding.

    Another infection is rat bite fever, a bacterial infection acquired following rodent bites. Both these infections are rare but can be fatal if not promptly treated.

    Then there is Seoul hantavirus, a viral infection that is mainly caught from breathing in aerosols (fine sprays) of rat urine and faeces. All of these rat-associated infections are quite rare. But even excluding these infections, rat bites can be severe and, like all animal bites, can become infected.

    Bacteria

    Another worry is stomach bugs such as Salmonella, Campylobacter and E coli, as well as bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Wild animals, such as birds and foxes, might tear open bin bags, pick up these germs and then spread them to people through food or water. Even contact with pet dogs or cats can be a risk, since they can carry some of these bacteria.

    Seagulls can pick up Salmonella and Campylobacter from waste dumps and then pass that infection onto humans. At least one outbreak of Campylobacter was caused by birds pecking through milk bottle tops.

    Flies breed in rubbish and can also spread Campylobacter infections.

    Needles

    Finally, there is the issue of clinical waste such as needles being inappropriately disposed of in domestic refuse. Such clinical waste could include needles that could cause injury and spread blood-borne viruses, especially HIV and hepatitis B.

    Figuring out the likelihood of these harms is not that easy, though. But top of my list of concerns would be sharps injuries from contact with inappropriately discarded clinical waste. I would be particularly concerned about children playing around collections of waste. Bites from rats and other vermin attracted to waste would also be high on my list.

    Until the piles of refuse can be removed, children and pets must be kept away from them. If you need to move refuse sacks, make sure you wear a mask, strong gloves and as much protective clothing as possible.

    Paul Hunter consults for the World Health Organization and sits on a science advisory committee for Suez. He receives funding from National Institute for Health Research and has received funding from the World Health Organization and the European Regional Development Fund.

    – ref. Birmingham bin strikes: a threat to public health – https://theconversation.com/birmingham-bin-strikes-a-threat-to-public-health-254400

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Enhertu: drug approved for advanced cancers – here’s what you need to know

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Justin Stebbing, Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University

    Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock

    A new cancer drug called trastuzumab deruxtecan, also known as Enhertu, has just been approved in the UK. This drug is designed to help adults with certain types of advanced cancer that cannot be removed by surgery, or which has spread to other parts of the body.

    It targets cancers linked to a protein called HER2. This approval is an exciting development because it could save lives and offer hope to patients who may have run out of treatment options.

    The drug has been authorised for use in the UK on the back of positive data, where patients were randomly assigned to this drug or the previous existing best treatment, which I have led studies on with large teams of researchers.

    Using this new precision medicine or targeted therapy, those who received the drug, had longer lives (as measured by these clinical trials). Other research I have been involved with has shown, that this is what matters most for the patients themselves, though, of course, quality of life is a priority too.

    Cancer is one of the biggest health challenges we face today. While there are many treatments available, not all cancers respond well to them. Some cancers grow and spread very quickly, making them harder to control. Others stop responding to treatments that initially worked, leaving patients with few options. For people with these types of cancers, new drugs can make a huge difference. They can help patients live longer, improve their quality of life, and provide hope when other treatments fail.

    Targeted treatment

    One reason new drugs are so important is that they often offer better ways to treat cancer. Older treatments like chemotherapy can be effective but often harm healthy cells along with cancer cells, causing unpleasant side effects. Newer drugs are more targeted, meaning they focus on killing cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone as much as possible. This makes treatment less harsh and more effective. Drugs like Enhertu represent this new generation of targeted therapies, though it can have very serious side effects.

    To understand how it works, it’s helpful to know about HER2. HER2 is a protein found on the surface of some cells in the body. It helps cells grow and divide normally, but in certain cancers, there’s too much HER2. This overproduction causes the cancer to grow faster and become much more aggressive. These types of cancers are called HER2-positive cancers, and they can occur in places like the breast, stomach and lungs.

    Enhertu is part of a newer type of cancer treatment called antibody-drug conjugates (ADC). It works like a delivery system for medicine, even a “biologic missile”. Imagine you’re trying to deliver a package (a powerful cancer-killing drug) directly to a specific house (the cancer cell). You don’t want the package to end up at the wrong house (healthy cells), because it could cause damage there. An ADC uses an antibody, a special protein that acts like a guide, to make sure the package is delivered to the correct address.

    Trojan horse

    First, the antibody part of the drug finds and attaches itself to HER2 on the surface of cancer cells. Once attached, the drug gets pulled inside the cancer cell like a Trojan horse. Inside the cell, it releases its chemotherapy agent, a strong medicine that kills cells and destroys the cancer from within.

    The drug can also kill nearby cancer cells that might not have as much HER2 but are still part of the tumour. This precise targeting means fewer healthy cells are harmed during treatment.

    The approval of Enhertu in the UK is great news for patients with advanced HER2-positive cancers that have spread or cannot be removed by surgery. Up to 20% of breast cancers are HER2 positive and many of these are cured before they spread. What’s even more exciting is that this drug also works for people with lower levels of HER2 (called HER2-low cancers), which means it could help even more patients in the future.

    For patients with advanced or hard-to-treat cancers, this approval offers new hope. Many people with HER2-positive cancers have already tried treatments like chemotherapy or surgery. Most of those will have had other anti-HER2 drugs but will still need help because their cancer has come back or spread further. This drug has shown in clinical trials that it can shrink tumours and help patients live longer than standard treatments. It gives doctors another option when other treatments aren’t working anymore.

    This approval also highlights how international collaboration can speed up access to life-saving drugs. The investigators here worked collaboratively across numerous countries in the world to undertake these studies.

    But while Enhertu brings hope to many patients, it’s important to remember that no drug is perfect. Like all medicines, it comes with some risks and side effects. Common side effects include nausea, fatigue and low blood counts. A rare but serious side effect is interstitial lung disease, which affects the lungs and can be dangerous if not treated quickly. Doctors will carefully monitor patients taking this drug to catch any problems early and stop the drug if necessary.

    Despite these risks, in most situations doctors and patients feel that the potential benefits outweigh them. It offers a chance for better outcomes, in those for whom it is suitable.

    This approval also represents progress in how we treat cancer using personalised medicine (an approach where treatments are tailored specifically for each patient based on their unique biology or the genetic makeup of the cancer) to treat the right person at the right time with the right drug.

    Every breakthrough like this brings us closer to a world where fewer people die from cancer, and where those who do face it have better chances of living longer and healthier lives.

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

    – ref. Enhertu: drug approved for advanced cancers – here’s what you need to know – https://theconversation.com/enhertu-drug-approved-for-advanced-cancers-heres-what-you-need-to-know-254254

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Top Free Bitcoin Cloud Mining Platform in 2025: SpeedHash Lets You Earn BTC Daily from Home—No Equipment Needed

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With Bitcoin adoption on the rise, more investors are searching for secure, low-barrier ways to profit from mining. Enter SpeedHash — the 2025 standout in cloud-based Bitcoin mining. By removing hardware hassles and offering real ROI from day one, SpeedHash is redefining how the world mines Bitcoin.

    New User Bonus: Claim $18 Free Hash Power Instantly

    Getting started has never been easier. Every new user receives $18 in free mining power, allowing you to begin earning passive Bitcoin income immediately, no deposit required. Whether you’re a crypto newbie or an experienced investor, SpeedHash makes remote BTC mining accessible to all.

    High-Yield Mining Plans – Real ROI in Just Days

    SpeedHash specializes in short-term, high-profit contracts—ideal for both cautious testers and high-volume investors. With contract durations from just 1 day and returns up to 8% daily, this platform delivers fast, transparent earnings. Here’s a snapshot of their 2025 offerings:

    Investment Duration Daily ROI Daily Earnings Total Return
    $200 1 Day 2.5% $5 $205
    $500 2 Days 2.8% $14 $528
    $1,300 3 Days 3.2% $41.60 $1,424.80
    $3,600 5 Days 3.6% $129.60 $4,248
    $12,800 2 Days 4.5% $576 $13,952
    $20,000 3 Days 5.0% $1,000 $23,000
    $33,000 1 Day 8.0% $2,640 $35,640
    $45,000 6 Days 5.5% $2,475 $59,850
    $60,000 1 Day 6.5% $3,900 $63,900

    Withdraw profits daily. No waiting. No fuss.

    Click to visit the official website to receive $18 for free, no threshold to withdraw

    Why SpeedHash Is the Go-To BTC Mining Platform in 2025

    • $18 Free Mining Power for New Users
    • Flexible Contracts for Beginners and Professionals
    • Daily Auto-Payouts and Quick Withdrawals
    • No Hardware or Technical Skills Required
    • Mine from Anywhere via Phone or Computer
    • 24/7 Live Chat Customer Support
    • Enterprise-Grade Security for Maximum Stability

    The Smart Way to Mine Bitcoin in 2025

    Traditional mining requires expensive equipment, high energy costs, and technical expertise. SpeedHash eliminates all of that. With just a simple sign-up and internet access, anyone can mine BTC securely and effortlessly from home.

    Conclusion: Profitability Meets Simplicity

    As cloud mining gains momentum, SpeedHash continues to lead with unmatched transparency, fast returns, and a truly user-friendly experience. Named one of the most trusted Bitcoin mining platforms in 2025, SpeedHash is your gateway to building real, consistent crypto income—without any of the usual headaches.

    Your mining journey starts now.
     Register today to claim your $18 bonus and start earning Bitcoin from the comfort of your home.

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involves risk. There is potential for loss of funds. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: DTE Energy breaks ground on new solar park to help meet Ford Motor Company’s needs for 100% carbon-free and renewable energy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Detroit, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DTE Energy, the state’s largest producer of and investor in renewable energy, broke ground this morning on a 100-megawatt solar array near Coldwater, MI. When complete in 2026, Cold Creek Solar Park will be the first of several DTE parks that will help Ford Motor Company reach its goal of attributing 100 percent carbon-free and renewable energy to its Michigan manufacturing facilities.  

    Ford’s purchase of 650 megawatts of renewable energy from DTE’s CleanVision MIGreenPower program is the larges such purchase from a utility in U.S. history. MIGreenPower, DTE’s voluntary renewable energy program, enables business and residential customers to attribute their electricity use to Michigan-made renewable energy while funding the development of new solar and wind parks, such as the new array now under construction near Coldwater.  

    Ford’s enrollment in MIGreenPower, which will help the company avoid as much as 600,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually, is part of its global environmental commitments. The company’s goal is to achieve carbon neutrality across its vehicles, manufacturing and supply chain no later than 2050, and to use 100% carbon-free electricity in its global manufacturing facilities by 2035.  

    “Thanks to this strategic investment with DTE, Ford will soon be able to attribute all of our electricity supply in Michigan to clean energy,” said Amir Mirshahi, director of Utilities and Energy Infrastructure at Ford. “This partnership is proof of Ford’s unwavering commitment to transitioning to clean energy and aligns us with our sustainability objectives. It represents a significant step toward our goal of achieving carbon neutrality and will also help make our local Michigan communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change.” 

    “We’re excited to be on this clean energy journey with Ford to fulfill its electricity needs with affordable, Michigan-made renewable energy,” said Matt Paul, president and chief operating officer, DTE Electric. “Our customers – whether they are large manufacturers like Ford, or hometown businesses, or families – are telling us they want more renewable energy, and we will continue to develop and deliver it to them.” 

    DTE’s renewable energy portfolio currently consists of 20 wind parks and 34 solar parks – all located in Michigan. DTE has invested $4.6 billion in its renewable energy infrastructure since 2009 and aims to invest an additional $4 billion in renewable energy over the next several years.  

    In 2025, DTE will have three new solar parks coming online in the first half of year, with three additional solar parks beginning construction. The six parks will total 800 megawatts, or enough clean energy to power more than 220,000 homes. The developments will help DTE make significant progress toward its goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions as well as meeting the State of Michigan’s clean energy goals. 

    For more information on DTE’s MIGreenPower program, please visit www.migreenpower.com.   

    About Ford Motor Company 
    Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 182,000 people worldwide. More information about the company, its products and Ford Credit is available at corporate.ford.com. 

    About DTE Energy 
    DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available at dteenergy.com, empoweringmichigan.com, x.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: USS Minnesota Returns Home to Naval Base Guam

    Source: United States Navy

    NAVAL BASE GUAM (April 14, 2025) – The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returned to its homeport of Naval Base Guam following its first operational tasking while forward-deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, April 14, 2025.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: State’s first Work Zone Speed Camera launches April 16 on I-5 near JBLM

    Source: Washington State News 2

    Cameras focus on safety by slowing speeders and protecting workers on Washington highways

    OLYMPIA – Washington transportation leaders are taking a bold step to protect road construction workers and drivers as the first Work Zone Speed Camera begins enforcement Wednesday, April 16, near Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

    The trailer-mounted camera photographs vehicles speeding through active work zones. The Washington State Department of Transportation will rotate the camera between construction, maintenance and emergency projects where speeding is an issue. This safety tool aims to protect workers and the traveling public by encouraging drivers to follow work zone speed limits and reducing the number of speed-related crashes. The first site was selected because of ongoing safety concerns with people speeding through that Interstate 5 work zone.

    Signs will notify drivers when the camera is at a job site and when possible, a radar feedback sign will accompany the camera to remind drivers to slow down. The program will expand with two more cameras this spring and three more by summer.

    “Too many workers have been injured or killed, and statistics show drivers are not slowing down,” said Secretary of Transportation Julie Meredith. “This provides another tool to help ensure workers – and everyone on the roadway – comes home safe at the end of the day.”

    Program and enforcement details

    The cameras will only record infractions when workers are present on a job site. Work can take place day or night, so drivers should assume there are workers in all work zones, particularly if they are in the area where they see a sign notifying them about a camera ahead.

    After the camera detects a speeding vehicle, information will be forwarded to the Washington State Patrol. The photos do not include images of drivers. Troopers will determine if a violation was committed and, if so, issue an infraction. The vehicle’s registered owner will receive the infraction in the mail and can contest it, ask for a reduction or request a payment plan.

    When someone receives a notice of infraction, they will be directed to the program’s website to acknowledge the incident. There is no fine for the first work zone speed camera infraction; the second and every infraction after that is $248. The vehicle’s registered owner must respond to the notice of infraction online or through the mail, even if it carries no financial penalty. The infractions are recorded as non-moving violations and do not affect driving records or insurance. Unpaid fines will be added to vehicle registration renewals.

    The state Office of Administrative Hearings will oversee appeals for infractions. After people appeal, they can submit supporting evidence such as photographs or other documents for the judge to consider. Depending on the reason for the appeal, they will have either a brief adjudicative proceeding, which involves only documents, or a formal adjudicative hearing, where they can also provide testimony over the phone to a judge.

    Legislative, agency and industry partnerships

    The cameras result from partnerships and support by the state Legislature, several state agencies, law enforcement and union and industry groups. Legislation for the cameras took effect July 1, 2023, with an Amendment bill passed the following year.

    The money received from fines will pay for the program’s costs and any extra money will support WSP DUI and safety programs. The program runs through 2030 unless extended by the Legislature.

    Proven safety tool

    Through scanning light detection and ranging, called LiDAR, the camera detects vehicles traveling faster than the posted speed limit and takes images of the vehicle, its license plate and related information (e.g., speed limit, a vehicle’s recorded speed, location, date, time, etc.). Work zone speed camera vendor Elovate works with other states on similar programs, including Maryland and Indiana.

    Since 2020, Washington has averaged 1,345 work zone crashes every year. Meredith said the goal of the safety program is to reduce speeding, not issue tickets.

    “We would be ecstatic if these cameras never resulted in infractions,” she said, “because that would mean drivers instead changed their behavior.”

    This program is separate from the recently launched Highway Speed Camera Program, which is currently underway on I-5 and I-90 in Skagit and Spokane counties.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Help shape the future of rail in Washington: Online open house and survey launches April 15

    Source: Washington State News 2

    A growing state needs a smart transportation future – rail is key

    OLYMPIA – Washington is growing – fast. In the next two decades, millions more people will call this state home and demand for efficient, sustainable transportation will be greater than ever. Highways are already congested, freight movement is critical to our economy and communities need safe, reliable ways to connect.

    That’s why the Washington State Department of Transportation is updating the State Rail Plan. To ensure residents across the state have a voice in this future, WSDOT is seeking public feedback on rail-related issues that are important to communities to help shape the plan update.

    “Rail is a vital part of Washington’s transportation system, moving people and goods efficiently while reducing congestion and emissions,” said Jason Biggs, director of WSDOT’s Rail, Freight and Ports Division. “Public input is essential in shaping a rail system that supports our communities, economy and the environment.”

    Feedback from these outreach activities will help inform the plan update, which will be submitted to state and federal leaders in early 2026.

    State Rail Plan online open house and survey information

    When:  April 15 – June 24, 2025 (available 24/7)

    Where:  Online at the Washington State Rail Plan online engagement site

    Details:  This is a self-guided online open house available 24/7 from Tuesday, April 15, through Tuesday, June 24, to obtain feedback on the State Rail Plan. Visitors can explore background materials on statewide rail planning efforts and complete a brief survey to share how they currently use the rail system and what they’d like to see in the future. Both the background information and the survey are available in several different languages, including: English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Russian.

    Free internet access

    Free, temporary internet access is available to those who do not have broadband service in locations throughout the state. To find the nearest Drive-In WiFi Hotspot visit the Department of Commerce website at www.commerce.wa.gov/building-infrastructure/washington-state-drive-in-wifi-hotspots-location-finder/

    More ways to be involved

    In addition to the online open house, WSDOT will host several online webinars in May and June. These interactive sessions will give community members and interested partners the opportunity to learn more about passenger and freight rail topics, as well as ask questions and share ideas that will help shape Washington’s rail system. Register for the webinars on the online open house webpage.

    For ongoing future information, subscribe to receive email updates on the State Rail Plan and future engagement opportunities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bringing Broadband to Hardest to Serve Areas

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of the ConnectALL Deployment Program Request for Applications (RFA) for Priority, Reliable, and Alternative Technology Solutions, a critical milestone in the multi-year process to secure affordable, reliable, high-speed internet service to the final remaining unserved and underserved locations across New York State. ConnectALL will accept applications from April 15 through May 5, 2025 to fund projects deploying traditional fiber optic, cable, hybrid fiber-coaxial, and licensed fixed wireless broadband service, and federally designated alternative technologies such as unlicensed fixed wireless and low earth orbit satellite services. Applicants can view the Request for Applications and submit a proposal by May 5, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

    “Today marks a watershed moment in New York’s digital future as we launch the final application phase of our historic ConnectALL Deployment Program,” Governor Hochul said. “Broadband is no longer a luxury — it’s essential infrastructure for education, healthcare, economic opportunity, and daily life. With this program, we are ensuring that every single New Yorker, regardless of their zip code or economic circumstances, will have access to high-speed internet. By leveraging innovative technologies to reach our most remote communities, we are fulfilling our commitment to create a more equitable and connected Empire State.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Closing the digital divide in New York requires innovative approaches and strong partnerships between government and the private sector. This RFA represents the culmination of years of strategic planning and implementation to ensure that all New Yorkers have access to affordable, reliable broadband service. By embracing a range of technology solutions, including alternative options for our hardest-to-reach areas, we are demonstrating our commitment to leaving no community behind in the digital age.”

    The RFA is open for applications and information on the Project Areas and eligible locations is available on the ConnectALL website. Organizations that have not yet completed the prequalification process, which was conducted from June 2024 to February 2025, will have an additional opportunity to submit these materials as part of their RFA response.

    The Deployment Program is the component of the Governor’s ConnectALL Initiative that exclusively addresses locations in the state that have no option for reliable, high-speed internet service. The Program launched in December 2022 with a statewide mobilization to improve the accuracy of federal broadband maps. ConnectALL, along with federal, county, and local partners, have since secured commitments for service for thousands of homes and businesses that allowed the Deployment Program to focus on approximately one percent of locations in the state. Following an earlier RFA that focused exclusively on fiber optic and other reliable solutions, ConnectALL is currently reviewing proposals to serve more than half of those locations. The Request for Applications announced today focuses on the approximately 20,000 homes and businesses that have not yet received proposals, do not have other commitments in place, and cannot currently be connected by a standard installation from an earth-based broadband provider.

    ConnectALL will make the planned awards for the full $644 million in federal grants available for public comment upon submitting them to the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) for approval by the federally-mandated deadline of July 25, 2025. Pending NTIA approval, selected projects are expected to commence in 2025 with completion within four years.

    Governor Hochul’s ConnectALL Initiative

    Governor Hochul has made expanding broadband access a cornerstone of her administration’s efforts to create a more equitable New York. Through the ConnectALL initiative, New York State is investing $1 billion to transform the state’s digital infrastructure, enhance competition among providers, and ensure that every New Yorker has access to reliable, affordable high-speed internet. To date, ConnectALL has overseen the successful launch and implementation of several programs to advance broadband access, including:

    • The Digital Equity Program will invest $50 million, including a federal allocation of at least $37 million, to implement the New York State Digital Equity Plan to close the digital divide. On March 24, ConnectALL closed the Digital Equity Program Capacity Grant Request for Applications, through which ConnectALL expects to award approximately $15.5 Million of the federal allocation.
    • The Affordable Housing Connectivity Program will provide up to $100 million in grants to bring new broadband infrastructure to homes in affordable and public housing leveraging funds from the U.S. Treasury Department’s Capital Projects Fund. The first awards under this program are securing $10 a month broadband service and $30 a month Gigabit service for over 14,000 low-income households in Buffalo, New York City and Rochester. The program continues to accept applications from internet service providers and expressions of interest from housing owners and public housing authorities.
    • The Municipal Infrastructure Program will fund broadband expansion projects owned by a public utility or publicly controlled. ConnectALL is accepting applications to Phase 4 through April 25, 2025. To date, ConnectALL has awarded over $240 million through the program, funding construction of nearly 2,400 miles of broadband infrastructure that will reach 98,000 locations across New York State. Visit the ConnectALL Projects Dashboard for more information on Municipal Infrastructure Program projects.
    • The Connectivity Innovation Program advances innovation and new broadband solutions, business models, and technologies in order to increase private sector investment and entrepreneurship; drive equity and innovation in the broadband marketplace; and reinforce a thriving research, development, and manufacturing ecosystem to support connectivity innovation in New York. ConnectALL is accepting applications to the Connectivity Innovation – Mobile Service RFA through June 17, 2025.

    State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “As Chair of the Senate Internet and Technology Committee, I’m proud to support the launch of this next phase of the ConnectALL Deployment Program. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to ensuring every New Yorker, in every part of our state, can access affordable, high-speed internet.”

    Assemblymember Steve Otis said, “Difficult to reach locations present the greatest challenge to providing all New Yorkers high-speed broadband access. This is a noteworthy request for applications that invites innovative and alternative approaches to provide access to hard-to-reach locations and underserved communities. Governor Hochul and Empire State Development’s ConnectALL office are national leaders in the drive for broadband expansion by encouraging varied approaches that fit the situation. This Deployment program is another example of why New York’s programs continue to break new ground.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: AutoScheduler CEO Speaking at Gartner® Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo on How PepsiCo Uses AI and Optimization to Evolve Warehouse Decision-Making

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Orchestration Platform and WMS accelerator, announces that CEO Keith Moore and Axel Arias, Senior Director of Warehouse Operations for PepsiCo, will discuss how PepsiCo is leveraging artificial intelligence and orchestration to drive more efficient warehouse execution within its plant-based warehouses. The session occurs on Monday, May 5, from 1:35 PM to 1:55 PM EDT. AutoScheduler will be demoing its award-winning orchestration platform in Booth 922.

    “Our clients face constant disruptions, production schedule changes, poor coordination between warehouse and production processes, ineffective WMS and automation system performance, and complex layouts that result in high travel,” says Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. “For enterprises serious about efficiency and resource maximization, AutoScheduler delivers dynamic orchestration tailored to plant warehouse complexities, ensuring every asset and process is optimized to support production, boost throughput, and drive profitability.”

    Attendees to the AutoScheduler.AI session, “How PepsiCo Uses AI and Orchestration to Evolve Warehouse Decision-Making,” will learn:

    • Key challenges in warehousing and how automation adds complexity.
    • How AI-driven orchestration improved speed, accuracy, and efficiency at PepsiCo, including a 30 – 35% increase in pallet moves without adding additional labor or equipment.
    • Insights into the future state of warehousing—showcasing how continued advancements in orchestration and AI will redefine warehouse operations.

    Keith Moore is the CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. He provides organization-wide strategic oversight and establishes external engagement and development initiatives. He spends most of his time working with his customers to deliver supply chain solutions focused on driving efficiency in distribution centers.

    Axel Arias is the Senior Director of Warehouse Operations at PepsiCo Foods North America, supporting the Frito-Lay division. Since joining PepsiCo in 2011, Axel has held leadership roles across both manufacturing and warehousing, where he has successfully led large-scale transformation initiatives spanning packaging, automation, and operational efficiency. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Merced. Today, Axel applies his deep operational expertise and passion for team development to drive warehouse strategy—focusing on enhancing automation performance, elevating workforce capabilities, and minimizing end-to-end operational waste.
    The Gartner Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo™ 2025 will take place in Orlando, Florida, from May 5–7, 2025. This event brings together Chief Supply Chain Officers and supply chain leaders to explore critical topics such as transformative strategies, emerging technologies, and risk mitigation. The conference is designed to equip attendees with the insights and tools needed to tackle today’s most pressing supply chain challenges.

    GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

    About AutoScheduler.AI

    AutoScheduler.AI empowers you to take full control of your warehouse with a cloud-based solution that seamlessly integrates with your existing WMS/LMS/YMS or any other solution. We automate critical tasks like labor scheduling, dock management, and task sequencing, ensuring everything runs smoothly and efficiently. You’ve already invested in the software to run your warehouse—what we do is provide the orchestration layer that ties it all together to make real-time data driven decisions. With AutoScheduler.AI, you get smart orchestration for a smarter, more agile warehouse. For more information, visit: http://www.autoscheduler.ai.

    Contact:
    Becky Boyd
    MediaFirst PR
    Becky@MediaFirst.Net
    Cell: (404) 421-8497             

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, King Introduce Legislation to Prevent Costly Falls

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    Bill would establish a tax credit for home modifications that increase safety and accessibility
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Angus King (I-Maine) recently introduced the Home Accessibility Tax Credit Act, legislation to help prevent dangerous and costly falls. The Senators’ bill would establish a refundable tax credit for eligible home modifications designed to improve accessibility—saving both Americans with the highest risk of falling, as well as taxpayers, from the high medical costs associated with falls. In recent years, Vermont has ranked 49th in the nation for highest fall rates per capita, with over one-third of Vermonters over 65 years old reporting at least one fall in a calendar year. 
    “Accessible living spaces can make a big difference when it comes to preventing falls–but making structural changes to a home doesn’t come cheap. We need to do more to meet the needs of aging Vermonters, including helping folks pay for lifesaving home modifications that keep them safe,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Senator King on this legislation to ensure New Englanders can live safely in their homes.” 
    “I often say, ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,’ and the cheapest way to treat a broken hip is to prevent it from happening in the first place,” said Senator King. “The Home Accessibility Tax Credit Act is important legislation that would ease the financial burden of accessibility-focused home improvement projects — such as modifying doorways or installing grab bars. This is a commonsense step forward to help save Maine people from the physical danger and financial costs that can result from all-too-common falls.”  
    The tax credit would be equal to 35% of the cost of the qualified home modification, with a cap of $10,000 per taxable year and $30,000 in lifetime limit across all taxable years. The tax credit is targeted toward middle income families and will become phased out for higher-earners. 
    Eligible home modifications would include zero-step entrances, ramps, widened doors and hallways, modified counters, bathroom accessibility improvements, and the installation, replacement, or modification of appliances to make them more accessible to individuals with a vision impairment. The list of approved modifications could be updated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Health and Human Services (HHS).  
    Three groups would be eligible to receive the tax credit: 

    Individuals 60 and older;   
    Individuals under retirement age but entitled to social security disability insurance (SSDI), supplemental security income (SSI) or veterans disability compensation; or 
    Individuals at any age with a disability certification. 

    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AMERICA/HAITI – Children and adults of the Pourcine Pic Makaya community: a people of heroes

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 15 April 2025

    MM

    by Father Massimo Miraglio*Pourcine Pic Makaya (Agenzia Fides) – Every morning, around 250 children walk for hours along steep and dangerous paths to reach the primary and nursery school in Pourcine Pic Makaya, where the village is located. They come from hamlets scattered throughout the area: some climb from the nearby valleys, others descend from the top of the plateau, facing stony and slippery paths that become almost impassable in the rain or dew.“Every morning, at 7:30, I stand at the entrance to the schoolyard to welcome our young heroes, aged between 4 and 14,” says a missionary present in the community. “Many arrive punctually and dressed up, within their means. Even the little ones, who travel long distances, have washed at the public fountain and put on their school uniforms.” Punctuality, however, is not always possible. “Are you late, Jean?” the missionary asks a child. “Father, I live in Loran. This morning my mother sent me to the fountain to get water, then I took the goat to graze… and the path is very slippery,” the little boy replies. It’s barely 8:30 in the morning, and this seven-year-old has already covered several kilometers and completed multiple family chores.“Falling ill at Pourcine Pic Makaya is a tragedy that must be avoided. The hospital is inaccessible and reserved for the most serious cases, who are carried by hand on a stretcher to the bottom of the valley (a six-hour walk) and then… by motorbike, or if you are lucky enough to meet one of the very rare cars that pass by, you can hope to reach the hospital in Jérémie, but many often die along the way.”Illnesses, especially those that are not too serious, are treated at Pourcine Pic Makaya with traditional medicine, which combines the use of medicinal plants with rituals and beliefs that are more difficult to understand. In many cases, this medicine is effective and decisive, but there are situations that, due to their severity, require immediate treatment and the presence of professional personnel. In these cases, continuing to administer traditional remedies can have fatal consequences.“In recent months, several people have died because of these ‘false beliefs’ fueled by cults. In Pourcine Pic Makaya, the parish priest’s house has become a point of reference for all those who fall ill, whether it’s a toothache, bronchitis, or a wound that needs treating… not to mention schoolchildren: parasites, fever, cough, wounds, and some then, with so much hope in their hearts, come from far away to seek a solution to even serious health problems.” “For the time being,” he continues, “what we can do is monitor the symptoms and help the person reach the bottom of the valley where, with luck, they may be able to reach the hospital. Every time I am amazed to see how a person in very poor health manages to make such an arduous and difficult journey. They arrive at the parish feverish or seriously injured, and from there they set off to reach the hospital. A people of heroes.”“In 2024 and in this first part of 2025, some steps have been taken to improve the living conditions of the local community (see Fides, 5/3/2025). During 2025, we will continue along this path, despite the country’s enormous difficulties. We will begin the literacy project for adults, maintenance work on some sections of the paths and mule tracks in the area, the second section of the aqueduct, and the safety of two other sources, the coffee nursery. The greatest challenge remains: building a small clinic to meet the population’s significant health needs.”(Agenzia Fides, 15/4/2025)* Father Massimo Miraglio is a Camillian missionary of the Order of Ministers to the Sick, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Pourcine Pic Makaya.
    MM

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – The Sudanese conflict enters its third year

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 15 April 2025 war  

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – With tens of thousands of dead, 14 million internally displaced people, and more than three and a half million refugees in neighboring countries, Sudan is entering the third year of a devastating civil war that shows no signs on the horizon. This is the toll of two years of civil war in Sudan which broke out on April 15, 2023, between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), led by Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo (see Fides, 17/4/2023).As the fighting continues, the country is experiencing one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Millions of Sudanese have lost their sources of income and remain trapped in displacement camps or in their homes, under constant threat of bombing and fighting. In the areas recently reconquered by the army, the situation remains critical: looting is frequent and basic infrastructure—such as water and electricity distribution—is practically destroyed. The military strategy adopted by the RSF, based on the intensive use of drones to bomb power and telecommunications plants, has left much of the country in darkness and without communications for long periods of the conflict. While the SAF has regained control of Khartoum, the capital where a third of the population resides, the fiercest fighting is now concentrated in Darfur, a stronghold of the RSF. The situation is particularly alarming in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, which has been under siege for almost a year. There, thousands of civilians face extreme shortages of food and water, exacerbated by the blockade of supplies. In recent days, the RSF has intensified its attacks in the region. After bombing the Zamzam displaced persons camp, located about 12 kilometers from El Fasher, for three consecutive days, they took control of the site, causing at least 500 deaths, according to local sources (see Fides, 14/4/2025). In two years, the economic impact of the conflict is equally catastrophic. Sudan is estimated to have lost nearly $33 billion of its gross domestic product. The industrial sector, which before the conflict represented 17% of Sudan’s GDP, has been severely affected: the Ministry of Industry reported that more than 40% of factories – 2,655 out of a total of 6,660 – have closed their doors. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 15/4/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greengate Regeneration Strategy to deliver public realm and connectivity improvements moves forward

    Source: City of Salford

    • Salford City Council agrees spend of £2,021,877.38 of Section 106 contributions towards delivery of public realm and open space improvements.
    • As the original historic core of Salford, Greengate has already seen the creation of Greengate Square and a large number of residential and commercial developments.
    • Detailed proposals for the northern edge of the Greengate neighbourhood will now be developed.

    As the medieval heart of the city, plans to deliver Salford City Council’s vision for the Greengate area, focused on significant levels of development activity, have moved forward following the council’s Property & Regeneration Briefing on Monday 14 April.

    At the meeting, Councillor Tracy Kelly, Deputy City Mayor approved the proposed expenditure of £2,021,877.38 of Section 106 contributions towards delivery of public realm and open space improvements within the Greengate Regeneration Strategy area.

    The source of funding is Section 106 Contributions received from developments at:

    • £1,259,780.16 from Greengate 1 (Section 106 Ref: 281 – 13/63524/FUL); and
    • £762,097.22 from City Suites 1 and 2 (Section 106 Ref: 284 – 14/65048/FUL).

    The project will deliver public realm and open space projects at the northern edge of the Greengate neighbourhood. If feasible, and following engagement with local community stakeholders, the plan would also consider the sensitive relocation of the existing War Memorial located at the junction of Trinity Way and Blackfriars Road. Adjacent to the existing War Memorial is a plaque to commemorate the location where the Manchester and Salford Trades Council was formed at a meeting at the Three Crowns pub on King Street in Greengate, Salford, on 9 November 1866. The plaque will be retained within the site.

    This area has been the focus of significant development over recent years, with a number of schemes delivered. Investment in high quality new public realm in this area will improve visibility of and connections into the neighbourhood from communities to the north and ensure that the area is linked to the surrounding green and blue infrastructure and walking/cycling connections along the River Irwell and Trinity Way.

    The council’s overarching vision for Greengate is to deliver a dynamic residential and commercial place with an exceptional public realm for both residents and visitors alike, building on the current strong brands within the area and developing exciting new opportunities.

    From major developments to city parks, revitalised waterways and green spaces, the regeneration of Salford is continuing to drive the sustainable growth of the city. Recently, the council also approved the Irwell River Park Connectivity and Movement Strategy that will transform the 8km stretch of the River Irwell into a vibrant and accessible urban park and improve connections between Greengate and Irwell River Park as the projects progress at the same time.

    Councillor Mike McCusker, Lead Member for Planning, Transport and Sustainable Development at Salford City Council said: “Salford is continuing its remarkable story of transformation as we create a fairer, greener, healthier and more inclusive city for all. As the original historic core of Salford with many historical assets, Greengate takes pride of place in our regeneration plans, which has already seen the creation of Greengate Square and a large number of residential and commercial developments that have been completed.

    “Following the funding approval, we can now start to shape our plans further for Greengate, which will see us deliver more high-quality public realm and connectivity improvements across the area. I look forward to progressing our detailed proposals that will contribute to a diverse dynamic economy within Salford alongside a strong residential and cultural offer.”

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    Date published
    Tuesday 15 April 2025

    Press and media enquiries

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Genomics research will advance treatment for B.C. patients

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is accelerating the future of patient care and advancing testing for cancer, heart disease, transplants and infections with eight new genomics research projects, in partnership with Genome BC and Genome Alberta.

    Genomics is the study of an organism’s genetic material and how genes work together. In medicine, genomics is used to develop personalized treatments based on a person’s genetic makeup. Researchers from B.C.’s health authorities and the University of British Columbia are involved in all eight genomic research projects.

    “Genomics is transforming health care, offering new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent diseases,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “By supporting Genome BC, we are helping to advance research to improve patient outcomes and make precision medicine more accessible to people across British Columbia. These efforts will contribute to faster diagnoses, more precise treatments and improved health-care outcomes for patients.”

    The eight research projects are part of Genome BC’s and Genome Alberta’s Healthy Outcomes through Genomic Innovations program, which aims to help new innovations in genetic testing and precision medicine reach hospitals and clinics faster.

    “This initiative is designed to drive the adoption of genomics-based technologies into clinical practice, focusing on projects that deliver tangible patient benefits in the near future,” said Suzanne Gill, president and CEO, Genome BC. “Whether it’s detecting cancer earlier, improving transplant success or tailoring medications to an individual’s genetic makeup, these projects are about making health care work better for everyone.”

    These projects, valued at almost $6 million, of which $1.7 million came from the Province via Genome BC, will allow care providers to get new tools to enhance diagnosis, treatment and patient care sooner. The projects focus on:

    • safer chemotherapy for children;
    • improving kidney transplant monitoring;
    • more precise cancer testing;
    • heart-failure detection;
    • at-home lung cancer screening;
    • faster diagnosis of blood-stream infections;
    • combating drug-resistant infections in hospitals; and
    • standardizing formats for genetic drug sensitivity test results.

    “Genomic research is advancing our understanding of the genetic underpinnings of disease, driving precision medicine and transforming health care,” said Dr. Paul Keown, lead researcher on one of the projects and professor in the faculty of medicine at the University of British Columbia, speaking on behalf of fellow researchers Dr. James Lan and Karen Sherwood. “We are working on innovations that are close to adoption by the health-care system. These projects will deliver meaningful results that directly improve patient care.”

    The research projects are part of B.C.’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy and the broader StrongerBC Economic Plan, which seeks to foster innovation, create high-paying jobs and enhance health and pandemic preparedness domestically and internationally.

    Genome BC is a not-for-profit organization that has advanced genomics research and innovation since 2000, growing a world-class life-sciences sector in B.C. The organization strives to enhance health care and address environmental and natural-resource challenges, improving the lives of British Columbians. Genome BC supports responsible research and innovation, fostering an understanding and appreciation of the life sciences among educators, students and the public.

    Learn More:

    For details about the eight genomic research projects, visit: https://www.genomebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/BACKGROUNDER-Healthy-Outcomes-Through-Genomic-Innovations-Announcement.pdf

    For information about Genome BC, visit: https://www.genomebc.ca/

    To read the Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/british-columbians-our-governments/initiatives-plans-strategies/technology-industry/life-sciences-biomanufacturing/bc_life_sciences_biomanufacturing_strategy_final_april_2023.pdf

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Charles Wratto, Associate Professor of Peace, Politics, and Conflict Studies, Babes Bolyai University

    The use of child soldiers is a profound human tragedy that continues to scar generations across the world.

    According to the United Nations, over the years, thousands of children, some as young as six years old, have been manipulated, indoctrinated and coerced into joining armed groups.

    Many of these children have fought against peacekeeping troops in Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and US-led coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.

    The devastating effect of this grave, yet persistent, tragedy extends beyond the individual child. It tears communities and families apart and leaves generations scarred with the trauma of war long after the guns fall silent.

    International agreements like the Optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the Paris principles and commitments, the Rome statute and the Cape Town principles have condemned the practice. They provided legal and practical pathways to stop the use of child soldiers.

    Intervention campaigns like Child Soldiers International, the Children, Not Soldiers campaign, and the Kony 2012 campaign were launched to combat unlawful recruitment. They also raise awareness to protect child combatants in conflict regions.



    Read more:
    Why some rebel groups force kids to fight: it depends on how they are funded

    The International Criminal Court has held trials and convicted warlords responsible for the abduction and arming of children.

    The United Nations has published a list to “shame” governments and non-state actors that enlist minors in their armies.

    Despite these efforts, the problem persists as governments and insurgent groups recruit minors in various regions of the world.

    One of the reasons may be that children’s presence on the battlefield throws the training and ethics of professional soldiers off balance. Children are widely considered innocent, harmless, and deserving of care and protection. Harming them can cause severe emotional and psychological distress that conventional soldiers are ill-equipped to handle. Armed groups who use children can get a strategic advantage if they make adult soldiers feel guilt, terror, shame and cowardism.

    As a researcher in peace, politics and conflict studies and a former child soldier in the Liberian civil war, I have centred my studies on children in armed conflict and how states respond to crises and conflict.

    I am passionate about protecting children in conflict zones because I know what it means to experience violence at a very young age.

    I also understand, from my own experience, what it means to return to a society that saw me as a dangerous and irredeemable person and to find purpose in a world that labelled people like me as a “lost generation”.

    Based on my personal experiences and interaction with child soldiers, I identify six ways society can help protect children in conflict zones. They are: cutting off arms sales to conflict regions; providing continuous education during conflict; providing life-saving essentials; working with local communities; listening to children’s voices; and involving child soldiers in the implementation of disarmament and reintegration programmes.



    Read more:
    The old ways of reintegrating young veterans need to be abandoned

    Six ways to protect children in conflict zones

    Cut arm sales to conflict regions

    Armed groups often rely on the constant flow of small arms and light weapons to maintain their operations.

    The availability of these weapons enables groups to enlarge their forces, often using vulnerable children. Stopping weapons sales would undermine the effectiveness of these groups.

    If there are fewer arms, warlords will find it harder to lure children with false promises of protection and power. Warlords might have to create pathways for peace talks, and children could be demobilised.

    Under Charles Taylor, Liberia was a regional hub for illicit weapons trade and child soldier recruitment. The UN arms embargo in 2001 limited Taylor’s ability to resupply his troops, leading to his eventual exile and an end to the war in 2003. While an effective arms embargo may not end a war or child recruitment immediately, it can erode armed groups’ combat ability, pressuring them to negotiate, collapse, or lose their grip over vulnerable children.

    Provide life-saving essentials

    In war-torn places, poverty and starvation sometimes push families to hand over their children to armed groups in exchange for food.

    Given life-saving essentials such as food, shelter and medical care, families can be shielded from poverty. This will reduce voluntary enlistment.

    Microfinance initiatives that support small businesses, and provision of vocational training programmes, can also lift families from poverty.

    Continuous education during conflict

    Governments and multilateral institutions must provide emergency education
    and train teachers and caregivers in camps for internally displaced people.

    Being able to carry on with schooling in a safe environment can curb child recruitment and empower young people for the post-war reconstruction of their nations. Such sanctuaries should also include mobile counselling and trauma therapy centres where children can process their grief and experiences to rebuild trust.



    Read more:
    Adolescent girls in five African conflict zones share stories about their lives

    Work with local communities and leaders

    Governments, NGOs and policymakers must address existing grievances and empower local communities to assist in reintegrating former child soldiers. Reintegration involves not only children returning home but also ensuring communities are better prepared and equipped to welcome them.

    Partnering with local communities can also strengthen awareness about the dangers of child (re) recruitment.

    Ex-child soldiers as part of disarmament and reintegration

    Governments and humanitarian agencies must include former child soldiers in the design and implementation of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes.

    Their firsthand knowledge of the conscription process, combat realities, fears, nightmares and reintegration struggle offers unique insights. They can help create programmes that meet real needs.

    Although the current disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration guidelines emphasise children’s rights to disarm, they do not mention children’s inclusion in the development of effective life changing programmes.

    Listen to children’s voices

    Educational institutions, governments and peacebuilding agencies must take children’s contributions to peacebuilding seriously.

    Children bear the wounds of war. They have seen the destruction firsthand and have experienced various forms of loss and pain. This makes them not only observers of violence but also powerful advocates for peace.



    Read more:
    War affects girls and boys differently: what we found in our study of children in the DRC

    Why the world must act

    My experiences have taught me that no child is beyond redemption, particularly when given the right support and care they need.

    Child soldiers, though shaped by unfortunate circumstances, are not inherently violent. They should not be feared or stigmatised. They are victims who deserve healing, love and education.

    I was not given a gun because I was strong. I was handed one because I was weak, because children, stripped of alternatives, can be manipulated and turned into weapons of war.

    I survived not because I was better than others, I survived because someone, a Nigerian, refused to reduce me to the war I was forced into. This is why I believe everyone can play a role to protect children in conflict zones. Those who can, but refuse to, are no different from the warlords who enlisted the children.

    Charles Wratto is affiliated with the Center for Peace and Violence Prevention.

    – ref. I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones – https://theconversation.com/i-was-a-child-soldier-heres-what-itll-take-to-protect-young-lives-in-conflict-zones-245517

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Europe is full of creativity!

    Source: Council of the European Union (video statements)

    The EU is home to more than 4 000 art museums, hundreds of music festivals, and major film events – culture is always on your doorstep.

    On #WorldArtDay, we celebrate art and the ways it brings us together, sparks inspiration and enriches our lives.

    The EU supports artists and cultural professionals through funding initiatives such as Creative Europe.

    That includes support for young artists, cross-border residencies, literature, cinema and digital art innovation.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ytosfd1HZAs

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Charles Wratto, Associate Professor of Peace, Politics, and Conflict Studies, Babes Bolyai University

    The use of child soldiers is a profound human tragedy that continues to scar generations across the world.

    According to the United Nations, over the years, thousands of children, some as young as six years old, have been manipulated, indoctrinated and coerced into joining armed groups.

    Many of these children have fought against peacekeeping troops in Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo and US-led coalition soldiers in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia.

    The devastating effect of this grave, yet persistent, tragedy extends beyond the individual child. It tears communities and families apart and leaves generations scarred with the trauma of war long after the guns fall silent.

    International agreements like the Optional protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict, the Paris principles and commitments, the Rome statute and the Cape Town principles have condemned the practice. They provided legal and practical pathways to stop the use of child soldiers.

    Intervention campaigns like Child Soldiers International, the Children, Not Soldiers campaign, and the Kony 2012 campaign were launched to combat unlawful recruitment. They also raise awareness to protect child combatants in conflict regions.

    Read more: Why some rebel groups force kids to fight: it depends on how they are funded

    The International Criminal Court has held trials and convicted warlords responsible for the abduction and arming of children.

    The United Nations has published a list to “shame” governments and non-state actors that enlist minors in their armies.

    Despite these efforts, the problem persists as governments and insurgent groups recruit minors in various regions of the world.

    One of the reasons may be that children’s presence on the battlefield throws the training and ethics of professional soldiers off balance. Children are widely considered innocent, harmless, and deserving of care and protection. Harming them can cause severe emotional and psychological distress that conventional soldiers are ill-equipped to handle. Armed groups who use children can get a strategic advantage if they make adult soldiers feel guilt, terror, shame and cowardism.

    As a researcher in peace, politics and conflict studies and a former child soldier in the Liberian civil war, I have centred my studies on children in armed conflict and how states respond to crises and conflict.

    I am passionate about protecting children in conflict zones because I know what it means to experience violence at a very young age.

    I also understand, from my own experience, what it means to return to a society that saw me as a dangerous and irredeemable person and to find purpose in a world that labelled people like me as a “lost generation”.

    Based on my personal experiences and interaction with child soldiers, I identify six ways society can help protect children in conflict zones. They are: cutting off arms sales to conflict regions; providing continuous education during conflict; providing life-saving essentials; working with local communities; listening to children’s voices; and involving child soldiers in the implementation of disarmament and reintegration programmes.

    Read more: The old ways of reintegrating young veterans need to be abandoned

    Six ways to protect children in conflict zones

    Cut arm sales to conflict regions

    Armed groups often rely on the constant flow of small arms and light weapons to maintain their operations.

    The availability of these weapons enables groups to enlarge their forces, often using vulnerable children. Stopping weapons sales would undermine the effectiveness of these groups.

    If there are fewer arms, warlords will find it harder to lure children with false promises of protection and power. Warlords might have to create pathways for peace talks, and children could be demobilised.

    Under Charles Taylor, Liberia was a regional hub for illicit weapons trade and child soldier recruitment. The UN arms embargo in 2001 limited Taylor’s ability to resupply his troops, leading to his eventual exile and an end to the war in 2003. While an effective arms embargo may not end a war or child recruitment immediately, it can erode armed groups’ combat ability, pressuring them to negotiate, collapse, or lose their grip over vulnerable children.

    Provide life-saving essentials

    In war-torn places, poverty and starvation sometimes push families to hand over their children to armed groups in exchange for food.

    Given life-saving essentials such as food, shelter and medical care, families can be shielded from poverty. This will reduce voluntary enlistment.

    Microfinance initiatives that support small businesses, and provision of vocational training programmes, can also lift families from poverty.

    Continuous education during conflict

    Governments and multilateral institutions must provide emergency education and train teachers and caregivers in camps for internally displaced people.

    Being able to carry on with schooling in a safe environment can curb child recruitment and empower young people for the post-war reconstruction of their nations. Such sanctuaries should also include mobile counselling and trauma therapy centres where children can process their grief and experiences to rebuild trust.

    Read more: Adolescent girls in five African conflict zones share stories about their lives

    Work with local communities and leaders

    Governments, NGOs and policymakers must address existing grievances and empower local communities to assist in reintegrating former child soldiers. Reintegration involves not only children returning home but also ensuring communities are better prepared and equipped to welcome them.

    Partnering with local communities can also strengthen awareness about the dangers of child (re) recruitment.

    Ex-child soldiers as part of disarmament and reintegration

    Governments and humanitarian agencies must include former child soldiers in the design and implementation of disarmament, demobilisation, and reintegration programmes.

    Their firsthand knowledge of the conscription process, combat realities, fears, nightmares and reintegration struggle offers unique insights. They can help create programmes that meet real needs.

    Although the current disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration guidelines emphasise children’s rights to disarm, they do not mention children’s inclusion in the development of effective life changing programmes.

    Listen to children’s voices

    Educational institutions, governments and peacebuilding agencies must take children’s contributions to peacebuilding seriously.

    Children bear the wounds of war. They have seen the destruction firsthand and have experienced various forms of loss and pain. This makes them not only observers of violence but also powerful advocates for peace.

    Read more: War affects girls and boys differently: what we found in our study of children in the DRC

    Why the world must act

    My experiences have taught me that no child is beyond redemption, particularly when given the right support and care they need.

    Child soldiers, though shaped by unfortunate circumstances, are not inherently violent. They should not be feared or stigmatised. They are victims who deserve healing, love and education.

    I was not given a gun because I was strong. I was handed one because I was weak, because children, stripped of alternatives, can be manipulated and turned into weapons of war.

    I survived not because I was better than others, I survived because someone, a Nigerian, refused to reduce me to the war I was forced into. This is why I believe everyone can play a role to protect children in conflict zones. Those who can, but refuse to, are no different from the warlords who enlisted the children.

    – I was a child soldier – here’s what it’ll take to protect young lives in conflict zones
    – https://theconversation.com/i-was-a-child-soldier-heres-what-itll-take-to-protect-young-lives-in-conflict-zones-245517

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Pushes to Restore RFS Integrity, Promote Stable Growth for Homegrown Iowa Biofuels

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to restore integrity, stability, and growth to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the U.S. biofuel sector by raising Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) levels for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Ernst and her colleagues pressed the EPA to implement multi-year RVO standards to provide certainty and growth for the biofuels industry, and in the event that the EPA does grant any small refinery exemptions, the group also asks that the gallons obligated to those refiners be reallocated to the overall RVO.
    “The biofuels market continues to expand to new frontiers including marine shipping, aviation and rail. These markets are driven in part by demand for low carbon fuels that biofuels can uniquely provide … biofuels provide a buffer to market fluctuations in the liquid fuel market, consistently costing consumers less than traditional liquid fuels,” the senators wrote. 
    The senators cautioned about the risks to rural America if RVO standards are set too low. 
    “Over the last three years, multiple biodiesel plants have shuttered or idled due to RVOs being set significantly below what industry requested and production capacity. Biofuels are a large economic driver for rural America as farmers’ crops are used for feedstocks and many production facilities are located in small communities,” the senators continued. “By taking the above actions, the EPA can quickly restore integrity, stability and growth to the RFS and the U.S. biofuel sector while ensuring that the program continues to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify our fuels, drive down gas prices, strengthen our national security and drive rural economic opportunity.”
    Read the full letter here.
    Background:
    Despite recommendations from Ernst, the Biden-era EPA finalized RVO levels that failed to accurately reflect market conditions and future production capacity. As a result, multiple biomass-based diesel plants have now permanently closed or temporary stalled, including one in Ralston, Iowa. Following the plant’s closure, Ernst pushed the administration to increase RVO levels for homegrown Iowa biofuels. Recently, Ernst also backed legislation to include ocean-going vessels, such as cargo ships and tankers, under the RFS, opening up a new market for Iowa’s biofuel producers.
    More broadly, Ernst has been a leading advocate for homegrown, Iowa biofuels, securing access to E15 for the summer driving months, while continuing the call for permanent, nationwide availability that would give those in the biofuel industry the certainty they deserve. She was instrumental in creating and maintaining the Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program as part of her commitment to invest in renewable fuel infrastructure, rural job opportunities, and hardworking farmers.Ernst also looks forward to working with the Trump administration to correct the incomplete and delayed Biden-era guidance on 45Z that has left biofuel producers and rural America in ongoing uncertainty.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council and Ukrainian Embassy reinforce York’s support for Ukraine

    Source: City of York

    Leaders from City of York Council met yesterday with representatives from the Ukrainian Embassy in the UK to discuss how York can continue supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians.

    Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, and Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality and Inclusion, welcomed Mr Oleksandr Yurkin, Counsellor for Consular Issues, and Ms Inna Pylypchuk, who is responsible for interregional and twinning cooperation at the Ukrainian Embassy.

    During the meeting, which took place at the council’s West Offices headquarters, Cllr Douglas highlighted York’s continued support for its Ukrainian community, particularly those who arrived in the city after fleeing the war.

    Since 2022, a total of 419 Ukrainians have arrived in York as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, with 223 York households offering accommodation to the new arrivals.

    Through a dedicated Homes for Ukraine team, the council has provided help, including financial support, longer-term housing, employment and education, health, and more to both guests and hosts.

    The meeting also marked another step forward in developing closer ties between York and the city of Lviv, following the passing of a council motion in 2022.

    Lviv is situated in the west of Ukraine, approximately seventy miles from the Polish border and has a population of just over 700,000. Lviv’s centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and like York, Lviv is a designated UNESCO Creative City, recognised for its literary culture.

    Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said:

    It was a privilege to welcome Mr Yurkin and Ms Pylypchuk to York this week to discuss our ongoing support for the Ukrainian community here and deepen our relationship with Lviv in the spirit of solidarity and friendship.

    “Our priority remains finding practical and meaningful ways to support both the people of Lviv, and our Ukrainian guests in York and we will continue to do this, with the support of our communities across the city.”

    Oleksandr Yurkin, Head of Consular Section at the Embassy of Ukraine in London, said:

    Our visit to York and meeting with City of York Council leaders was a powerful reminder of the strength of international partnerships in times of crisis.

    “We are deeply grateful for the solidarity shown by the people of York and look forward to growing our relationship through shared understanding, cultural exchange, and future cooperation between York and Lviv.”
     

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 24 Charged with Federal Gun Crimes Under ‘Make D.C. Safe Again’ Initiative

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought federal firearms charges against 24 defendants since the launch of the ‘Make D.C. Safe Again’ initiative, announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr.

    “Make no mistake: our mission is to Make D.C. Safe Again by getting felons with guns off our streets and out of our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. “The President’s Executive Order demands law and order and a safe national capital. That’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

                In the month of April, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged six new federal firearms cases. As a result of the Make D.C. Safe Again surge, more dangerous offenders are off the streets. An example of these cases include:

    1. Defendant Previously Convicted of Manslaughter Indicted for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm.
    2. District Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon Following Arrest Near Recreation Center.
    3. District Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm as a Felon Following Arrest in Southwest.

                Make D.C. Safe Again is a law enforcement initiative in support of President Trump’s Executive Order to Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful. Make D.C. Safe Again aims to crack down on gun violence, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenses, and seek detention for federal firearms violators. 

                The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Police Department are investigating these cases.

                An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Helena real estate agent convicted of felony and fined $150,000 for failing to provide lead-based paint disclosures for veterans residing in Fort Harrison rental housing

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    HELENA – A Helena real estate agent and property manager who admitted to failing to provide lead-based paint disclosures as required to veterans residing in housing at Fort Harrison, in Helena, which resulted in the exposure of veterans and their families to significant levels of lead, was sentenced yesterday to three years of felony probation and fined $150,000, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.

    Melanie Ann Carlin, 54, of Clancy, pleaded guilty in November 2024 to one felony count of knowing endangerment.

    Mold Wranglers, Inc., a Kalispell-based company that provides hazardous material mitigation services was also sentenced yesterday to two years of probation, a $50,000 fine, and $348,000 in restitution to be paid to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for filing false reports for payment to a federal agency, claiming an abatement of lead paint was done at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison when it was not.  The company pleaded guilty to one count of False Claims Act Conspiracy in November 2024.

    Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided.

    “We take seriously the obligation to ensure the safety of our veterans and their families and will continue to work with our agency partners to hold accountable individuals like Melanie Carlin and businesses like Mold Wranglers who cut corners and jeopardize their safety in order to turn a profit. I want to thank AUSA Ryan Weldon for his work on this case, as well as the investigators from HUD, the VA, and the EPA,” U.S. Attorney Alme said.

    “Melanie Carlin engaged in dangerous behavior by failing to provide lead-based paint disclosures for housing units which resulted in low-income veteran families and their children unknowingly being exposed to significant levels of lead,” said Special Agent in Charge Machelle Jindra with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Inspector General (OIG).  “HUD OIG remains steadfast in its commitment to working with our prosecutorial, law enforcement, and oversight partners to aggressively pursue individuals who engage in activities that threaten the integrity of HUD programs and our most vulnerable community members.” 

    “The VA OIG is dedicated to ensuring that veterans and their families receive VA services in a safe environment,” said Special Agent in Charge Dimitriana Nikolov with the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General’s Northwest Field Office. “This sentencing reinforces that those who do not uphold safety and integrity standards will be held accountable.”

    “The defendant placed our military veterans and their children in danger by callously disregarding reporting and disclosure requirements for lead-based paint in rental properties. Lead poisoning can have catastrophic effects on young children and pregnant women,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Catherine Holston for EPA’s Criminal Investigative Division. “Today’s sentence sends a message that the agency will hold accountable anyone who places our military veterans and their children in harm’s way by violating our environmental laws.”

    The government alleged in court documents that from September 2019 until September 2021, Carlin failed to provide lead-based paint disclosures as required, placing an individual in imminent danger of death and serious bodily injury and exposing low-income veteran families and their children at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison to significant levels of lead.

    Carlin is the owner of 406 Properties, Inc, a property management service in Helena, and has more than 26 years of professional real estate experience. In 2018, Carlin agreed to provide property management services for rental units known as Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. The rentals included multiple homes for military veterans to use as affordable housing. In May 2019, Carlin received and forwarded an email from the Montana Department of Commerce requesting information detailing any lead-based paint remediation completed on the homes because the buildings were constructed before 1978. The buildings were constructed in approximately 1895 and 1905.

    Despite the email, in June 2019, Carlin signed two Request for Tenancy Approval Forms for the Fort Harrison rentals. Carlin selected “lead-based paint disclosures do not apply because this property was built on or after January 1, 1978” on the form. Carlin knew the selections were false and did not provide lead-based paint disclosures to veterans seeking residence at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison.

    In September 2019, Carlin attended a meeting to discuss lead-based paint that was peeling at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. The meeting agenda identified “lead-based paint peeling in the units – doors won’t shut, paint peels when attempt to shut door” and veterans have identified “chipped paint” in the units. At this point, Carlin knew the buildings were built prior to 1978, and she knew deteriorating lead-based paint was located inside the buildings.

    Despite Carlin’s knowledge and extensive real estate experience, she continued to sign forms indicating that the units were free of lead-based paint, or they were built after 1978, none of which was true. In addition, Carlin continued to fail to provide lead-based paint disclosures to the veterans and their families residing in the units.

    The government further alleged that in December 2020, Carlin failed to provide a lead-based paint disclosure to a veteran of Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. In September 2021, an 18-month-old child in the veteran’s home was found eating paint chips inside the unit. Subsequent medical testing confirmed the child had elevated blood lead levels exceeding levels considered to be “very high” and required treatment for lead poisoning. Lead poisoning can have catastrophic effects on children and their development, and Congress requires a warning about the effects of lead poisoning be given when individuals lease homes built prior to 1978.

    When interviewed by federal agents, Carlin agreed she was familiar with the requirement to provide lead disclosures and confirmed that no lead disclosures were provided to veterans living in units at Freedom’s Path Fort Harrison. A review of the rental units confirmed lead was present in almost every unit, including the building where the 18-month-old child was present. A subsequent property management company corrected the omission by making lead disclosures to the veterans.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eskom, Exxaro sign agreement to reduce carbon emissions

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Exxaro Resources and Eskom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on strategic initiatives, research, and projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and facilitating the Just Transition.

    According to a joint statement, this move is consistent with South Africa’s commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement, international environmental standards, and national regulatory frameworks.

    “The agreement focuses on jointly measuring, managing, and reducing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and potentially investing in innovative technologies to drive decarbonisation. 

    “It also emphasises inclusive and focused transition initiatives such as skills development, job creation in green sectors, and stakeholder engagement to ensure climate resilience,” the statement read. 

    In addition, the MoU, which was signed on Monday, includes provisions for data sharing and transparent reporting to track progress and ensure accountability.

    Exxaro Resources CEO, Ben Magara, believes that this collaboration marks a significant step forward in the company’s commitment to enabling a Just Transition and building a climate-resilient and low-carbon future. 

    “By leveraging our deep experience in the diversified mining and energy solutions sectors, we aim to drive innovation that not only decarbonises and reduces air pollution in our operations but also delivers meaningful socio-economic benefits for the communities we serve.

    “The collaboration with Eskom is important as we work to accelerate practical and scalable solutions that support South Africa’s energy security and environmental ambitions as part of our purpose of Powering Better lives in Africa and beyond,” Magara said. 

    Exxaro is a South Africa-based diversified resources company with a coal business and acquisitive growth prospects in minerals and energy. 

    The company stated that the initial focus of the collaboration will be to identify the necessary investments and stakeholders required to develop technology-based solutions for the challenges associated with the transition to a low-carbon economy. 
    This effort will align with the country’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).

    Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said both organisations are committed to driving the transition to a more sustainable energy future while ensuring the country’s electricity supply remains secure. 

    “This initiative forms part of Eskom’s focus both in this country and internationally to identify the latest developments and strategies to reduce carbon emissions and other air pollutants,” Marokane added. 

    Meanwhile, Exxaro stated that it remains steadfast in advancing its Sustainable Growth and Impact strategy by embedding key Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) priorities into its operations. 

    The company is of the view that through partnerships such as this one, it is well-positioned to become carbon-neutral by 2050.
    Meanwhile, Eskom’s Research, Testing & Development (RT&D) business unit will lead this partnership. 

    The RT&D is dedicated to finding technology solutions that can be applied primarily within the company to embrace innovation, enhance efficiency and improve operations, improvements related to emissions management, and greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement.

    “Eskom remains focused on a balanced and diversified energy mix based on existing coal and nuclear and introducing gas for baseload power, as well as renewables, energy storage systems including battery energy storage systems and pumped hydro, to achieve overall security of supply and to meet South Africa’s growing electricity demand sustainably,” said the power utility. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Majodina commits to accelerate bulk water infrastructure implementation

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina has reaffirmed government’s commitment to fast-track the rollout of bulk water infrastructure projects across the country.

    Majodina made the commitment during the official handover of the Kirkwood Bulk Water Project to the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, on Monday.

    Funded through the Department of Water and Sanitation’s Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG), the R35 million project represents a transformative investment in water security for the Kirkwood community and the wider Eastern Cape province.

    The project, implemented by Amatola Water, includes the construction of a new 14 million-litre raw water storage dam, which boosts the total storage capacity from 20.2 million litres to 34.2 million litres.

    The expansion ensures an uninterrupted water supply, even during the annual maintenance shutdown of the Orange-Fish Water Scheme, which previously left the communities exposed to water shortages.

    In addition to the dam, the project delivered two new 3.0-megalitre reservoirs in Kirkwood Town and Bontrug (Moses Mabida), as well as critical pipework upgrades to improve water distribution efficiency and reduce losses.

    The project will also bring tangible benefits to communities, including reliable water access for 3,963 households and an estimated population of 16 778.

    The improved infrastructure will also bring reliable water access to the communities, including 3,963 households, benefiting an estimated 16 778 population.

    The project is also expected to bolster the local citrus industry, a key economic driver in the region, by enhancing water reliability for agricultural operations – thereby safeguarding jobs and export revenues.

    Addressing the community during a handover ceremony, Majodina said the completion of Kirkwood Bulk Water Project, is more than just infrastructure, but “a clear demonstration of this government’s urgent and unwavering commitment to water security for all.”

    “We are now entering a phase where we must – and will – fast-track the rollout of bulk water projects across the country with speed, focus, and accountability. Water is not a luxury, it is a basic right and a driver of economic growth, health, and dignity.

    “Communities like Kirkwood deserve nothing less, and we will not rest until every household, farm, and business has reliable access to water,” Majodina said.

    The Minister also urged the public to actively safeguard water infrastructure, take pride in the assets, and to work with the government to protect them.

    “We call on all South Africans to avoid, prevent, and report any acts of vandalism, or theft that threaten our water systems. These projects belong to the people [and] when infrastructure is destroyed, it is our communities, our families, and our children who suffer,” Majodina said.

    The project, which started in July 2023 and completed in March 2025, has brought inclusive economic benefits during its construction phase, generating 41 jobs for local community members and engaging 10 local small businesses, furthering the department’s goals for empowerment and local economic development.

    The project components included:

    •    A 14-million-litre raw water lay dam at the Kirkwood Water Treatment Works;
    •    All associated infrastructure such as inlet chambers, interconnecting pipework, and security fencing;
    •    A 3.0-million-litre steel reservoir in Kirkwood serving Aqua Park, Bergsig, and surrounds;
    •    A second 3.0-million-litre reservoir in Bontrug, supplying Moses Mabida, Msengeni, and nearby settlements; and 
    •    Interlinking pipework to enable zoning and efficient water distribution across the municipal network.

    Majodina was joined by the Sarah Baartman District Municipality Mayor, Deon de Vos, and Sundays River Valley Local Municipality Mayor, Solethu Lucas. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu, Doctoral Researcher and Lecturer, Aberystwyth University

    Superstition, an irrational belief in paranormal influences or a false attribution of events, is an age-old phenomenon found in probably all human societies or cultures. It encompasses a wide range of beliefs, practices and behaviours. Some of these have harmful or even deadly consequences.

    In many African communities, there are widespread beliefs relating to the use of human body parts for traditional healing rituals. Human body parts and blood are said to enhance the potency of traditional medicines and rituals that supposedly guarantee wealth, business success, fertility, protection and longevity, among others.

    Ritual killings, including those of children, are reported regularly around Africa. A case in point is the targeting of children with albinism for ritual purposes in Tanzania. One research report says one in five people in Mozambique and one in four people in South Africa believe that rituals and traditional medicines made with human body parts are more potent and effective than those using nonhuman objects.

    Children are particularly targeted for killing because they can’t repel attacks, and because of beliefs about the potency of their body parts. The victims in more than half of all the ritual murders reported in Ghana and Kenya in 2022 were children.

    I am a legal scholar with years of research on superstition-driven crimes against vulnerable groups in African settings and the criminal justice response to such crimes. In a recent study I explored the magnitude, characteristics and motivations, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts, of ritual child murder in Ghana and Kenya. My study was carried out through in-depth analysis of news reports of ritual murders for a period of 10 years, coupled with semi-structured interviews with academics and other experts.

    I found that the major factors contributing to the persistence of ritual child murders were superstition, economic hardship, illiteracy and inefficient criminal justice systems. A new consumerist ethos also plays a role: wanting a life of luxury and the admiration that comes with it.

    The study seeks to enhance awareness of the ritual child murder phenomenon and encourage support for the enforcement of child rights protection laws. When policymakers know more about the scale and circumstances of ritual child murders, they are better equipped to act on it.

    Ritual murders in Ghana and Kenya

    Belief in juju is widespread in Ghana and Kenya. This is the belief that people can mystically control events by using incantations (“magic words”) and, sometimes, objects.

    My study analysed data drawn from online news reports in eight media outlets in Ghana and Kenya. I used media content because the countries don’t have national data sets on ritual homicide, and empirical research is limited. Secondly, I interviewed 28 experts in criminology and criminal justice, sociology, African religions, and child and family welfare and social protection. These participants were selected using the purposeful sampling technique.

    In Ghana, the media reported at least 160 ritual murders between 2012 and 2021. Of this number, 94 (about 58.8%) were children. This suggests that an average of 9.4 children fall victim to ritual murder each year in the country. Of the 102 ritual murders in Kenya in the study period, 66 (64.7%) were children. This represents an annual average of 6.6 in the country.

    In both countries, most victims (over 80%) tend to be drawn from families of low socio-economic backgrounds in rural and semi-rural communities. In Kenya, children with albinism are also targeted.

    The overwhelming majority of offenders are males. There are three main categories of perpetrators of ritual child murders:

    • the juju practitioner or traditional healer who usually prescribes the required body parts and effects the medicine or ritual

    • the client who consults traditional healers and stands to benefit directly from the ritual or medicine

    • the (hired) ritual murderer, who abducts the victim and extracts the required body parts.

    Data from media reports show that most of the perpetrators apprehended are those directly involved in the killing. They are usually aged between 20 and 39 years and of low socio-economic status in rural communities. However, some interviewees insisted that some rich and prominent persons are also involved.

    In Ghana, uncles, fathers and stepfathers were the dominant perpetrators in cases where victims and perpetrators were known to be related. Unlike other types of homicide, ritual child murder generally involves strangers nearly as often as it involves family members and acquaintances.

    Motivations and responses

    The dominant motivation for ritual murder is financial gain. This conclusion is drawn from the media accounts and the interviews. Perpetrators are promised money in exchange for specific human body parts. Others kill to use the body parts for rituals that are supposed to ensure a long life, fertility, business growth, or protection against evil. In Kenya, some perpetrators kill in fulfilment of their obligations as members of occult sects.

    Other factors that sustain the practice – based on media reports and interviews – are superstition, unemployment and economic hardship. Adding to these are illiteracy, which fosters unfounded beliefs, and an inefficient criminal justice system, which enables these crimes to thrive.

    Poor parental supervision is an important risk factor for ritual child murder. In both countries, over 70% of the ritual murder victims were under 10 years old. They were abducted or murdered while going to or returning home from school. Others were abducted while running errands such as fetching water from a stream unaccompanied. Some may have been playing outside their homes unsupervised, or running errands by themselves for relatives.

    In both countries, the criminal justice system’s response is evidently ineffective. In Kenya, over 90% of perpetrators are not apprehended. Of 68 suspects arrested in Ghana, only four convictions were reported. Crime scenes are poorly managed and preserved by police officers and detectives in both countries.

    Crime scene videos show the victims’ remains being removed by authorities and conveyed to the morgue without diligent forensic examination of the body and the crime scene for evidence.

    What governments can do

    The belief in the power of juju and associated rituals and medicines cannot be wished away. It can only be combated in various ways:

    • bringing the activities of traditional healers and occult-related sects under closer scrutiny

    • promoting education and awareness, emphasising the need for supervision of children

    • stronger criminal justice systems.

    – Ritual murder of children: study in Ghana and Kenya explores who’s doing it and why
    – https://theconversation.com/ritual-murder-of-children-study-in-ghana-and-kenya-explores-whos-doing-it-and-why-249173

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ethiopia’s 2026 elections: without reforms, the vote may not be free or fair

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Bizuneh Yimenu, Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Queen’s University Belfast

    Ethiopia is due to hold elections in 2026. But will they be free and fair?

    Since 1995, Ethiopia has held elections every five years, except for the 2021 election, delayed by COVID-19. The incumbent party has consistently secured over 95% of national parliament seats, except for 2005, when the opposition won about 32%. In 2021, the ruling Prosperity Party won 96.8% of the seats.

    I specialise in Ethiopian politics and federalism, and recently published a paper on the country’s electoral landscape. In my study, I examined elections under the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, which ruled from 1991 to 2019, and its successor, the Prosperity Party.

    My aim was to see whether Ethiopia was moving towards political pluralism, where diverse voices are represented in government decision-making, or if it remained authoritarian.

    I conclude that the government still tends to suppress, detain and eliminate the opposition. I identified three main reasons for this.

    • Despite changes in leadership and ruling parties, state repression, vote-rigging and political exclusion have been common features in the country’s elections since 1995.

    • Ethiopia suffers from an uneven electoral playing field. Some regions experience contests while the ruling party tightly controls others.

    • Ethiopia’s first-past-the-post electoral system has excluded significant opposition voices from parliament. This allows the ruling party to dominate both federal and regional legislative seats.

    The way the electoral system works means that Ethiopia’s parliament is a one-party house, where other voices are drowned out.

    My research highlights the fact that elections can be both “free” and “unfair”. Citizens technically have the right to vote. But an unbalanced electoral system and an uneven playing field ensure that ruling parties retain power.

    The 2026 elections provide an opportunity for reforms that ensure greater political inclusion.

    How elections are run

    Ethiopia has held six rounds of elections since 1995. Despite some variations, the same patterns of electoral control persist. The ruling Prosperity Party has sustained and adapted authoritarian strategies to maintain dominance.

    The party still uses many of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front’s tactics, including harassing, detaining and eliminating political adversaries.

    It also has some new ways of looking for support, like selectively addressing regional grievances.

    Regional differences

    Opposition parties in different regions have faced varying degrees of repression. Electoral control has been strategic, rather than uniform.

    Unlike previous studies that broadly assess Ethiopia’s authoritarian past, my research zooms in on regional variations in electoral competition. I show that repression is not uniform but strategically applied based on political calculations. This adds a new dimension to discussions on African elections. It shows that ruling parties can finetune control tactics to target specific threats.

    In an ethnically diverse federal state like Ethiopia, an electoral system that promotes broad representation is essential for stability and inclusive governance.

    First-past-the-post system

    The current winner-takes-all system fosters a political monopoly. It sidelines critical perspectives and erodes trust in democratic processes.

    In the 2021 election, opposition parties performed better in ethnically diverse regions, such as the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples. However, these parties were heavily suppressed in political strongholds like Oromia and Somali regions. The first-past-the-post system has consistently led to one-party dominance, even when opposition parties gained significant public support.

    For example, in 2005, opposition parties secured around 38% of the vote but ended up with far fewer parliamentary seats than their vote share justified.

    In 2021, the Prosperity Party won 96.8% of federal parliament seats, despite getting 90% of the total vote. In Addis Ababa, opposition groups such as Balderas and Ezema received 32% of the vote but won no seats in parliament. This is because the system gives all the seats to the party with the highest votes in each constituency. It doesn’t even matter if opposition parties collectively get a substantial vote.

    In Oromia and Somali regions, major opposition parties like the Oromo Liberation Front and the Ogaden National Liberation Front withdrew from fielding candidates due to repression. As a result, the ruling party was the sole option for two-thirds of federal seats and three-fourths of regional seats.

    A way forward

    So, what can be done? My research suggests three steps.

    First, moving towards a proportional representation system would help balance the political competition. Proportional representation means that if a party gets 20% of the vote, it receives 20% of the seats.

    About 130 countries, including South Africa, Namibia and Sierra Leone, use this system. Multi-party representation has led to more stable and inclusive governance. Fewer than 55 countries use first-past-the-post.

    Second, the government must guarantee that opposition parties can operate freely in all regions, not just in areas where they pose little threat. All parties should have an equal chance to compete.

    Third, independent electoral bodies and international observers need greater access to ensure fair play. Strengthening Ethiopia’s electoral board and making sure it’s impartial will foster public trust in elections.

    Read more: Ethiopia’s civil war: what’s behind the Amhara rebellion?

    Ethiopia’s democracy is at a tipping point. If the country continues with its current system, it risks further political alienation and instability. By embracing electoral reform, Ethiopia could move towards a more peaceful, inclusive, democratic and representative future.

    – Ethiopia’s 2026 elections: without reforms, the vote may not be free or fair
    – https://theconversation.com/ethiopias-2026-elections-without-reforms-the-vote-may-not-be-free-or-fair-253161

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Africans don’t donate enough blood – technology can help drive the numbers

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Relebohiseng Matubatuba, Lecturer in Marketing, University of the Witwatersrand

    The shortage of blood for medical use is a global challenge. South Africa is not exempt. Blood collection organisations such as the South African National Blood Service struggle to meet the demand for blood products, because of insufficient blood donations and the scarcity of loyal blood donors.

    Blood collection organisations rely on the goodwill of a few individuals who voluntarily donate blood. To maintain a sustainable supply of blood, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that at least 1% of a country’s population donate blood. In South Africa the donation rate is below this.

    There are two blood collection organisations in South Africa – the Western Cape Blood Service operates exclusively in the Western Cape province while the South African National Blood Service, operates in the other eight provinces of the country.

    To increase the numbers, the country’s blood donation organisations have focused on the recruitment of new donors and awareness initiatives, using research findings that look at what motivates, and what deters, people from donating blood. But little focus has been put on the behaviour of those who already donate.

    Read more: Blood donation saves lives but few South Africans are regular donors

    I have conducted research in a bid to fill this gap. In a recent paper I examined factors influencing consumers’ intention to donate blood. In addition, in my recently completed PhD, I looked at the retention of existing blood donors and what drives their donation behaviour.

    The research suggests that blood collection organisations need to shift focus from acquiring new blood donors to building relationships with existing blood donors. Existing donors are an important cohort because they are reliable, and have higher donation eligibility and lower recruitment costs.

    The aim should be to drive loyalty.

    I considered the use of technology to encourage people to donate blood regularly. I concluded from my findings that blood collection organisations should customise appeals to various types of donors. They need to appeal to people in a personalised way if they want to drive loyalty.

    The drivers

    To understand what drives donor loyalty, it was important to understand why people donate blood.

    As part of my research, 658 blood donors completed the survey and I conducted interviews with 18 blood donors. The interviews revealed various reasons for donating blood. These included:

    • Awareness of the importance of donating blood

    As one participant in my research put it:

    I’ve been in and out of hospital for my kids and for my wife when she was pregnant. If I don’t donate, where are they going to get that blood from?

    • Contribution to society – saving or changing someone’s life

    This was articulated by one person:

    I’m past the point of only going for a reward, but I actually want to go, because I want to save someone’s life and do good in the community.

    • Moral responsibility

    As one participant put it:

    When I don’t donate blood, I feel bad because, as a universal donor, I could potentially be saving lives as my blood is not limited, as opposed to other groups.

    • Health-related benefits, like free health checks and the requirement to live a healthy lifestyle

    • Incentives

    The gifts make me feel appreciated. It makes me want to donate more and more.

    Beyond just donating blood, some donors also expressed that they shared their blood donation experiences with their friends, family, co-workers and on their social media platforms to encourage others to donate.

    The use of technology

    Findings from my PhD show that donors would like personalised communication from the blood collection organisations. This should include:

    • sharing information about blood donation achievements specific to them (the donor)

    • checking up on the donors who are not donating as they used to or may have stopped donating

    • following up on deferred donors to encourage them to return for a checkup and subsequent donation. Deferred donors are those who were unable to donate during a donation drive because they didn’t meet the donation requirements (for example they had low iron levels).

    • reminding donors of their upcoming donations.

    Others shared that they would like more interactive communication beyond being told that they have saved three lives after donating blood. This could include sharing specific information about the impact of the donors donation – “your donation helped a cancer patient recover” – and stories to make their contribution more tangible.

    What needs to be done

    Research has shown that digital technologies have been used successfully to foster customer engagement, enhance customer experiences and satisfaction, facilitate communication and information-sharing, and offer opportunities to shape and influence behaviour. To achieve this, donor organisations have large amounts of donor data and other data (big data) which they can use to gain insights that can be used in the following ways.

    Firstly, they should analyse donor data to identify patterns and segment donors based on factors such as how long an individual has been donating, donation frequency, blood type, location, and preferred communication channels.

    This information can be used to tailor communication and engagement strategies to specific donor groups. Donors follow different donor paths over time and cannot be viewed as a single segment.

    Secondly, organisations should monitor donation trends over time. This will help to understand seasonal fluctuations, identify peak donation periods, and anticipate potential donor needs. These insights can be used to plan targeted recruitment campaigns and allocate resources.

    Read more: Explainer: what are blood groups and why do they matter?

    Thirdly, organisations should consider personalised communication. This could include:

    • Targeted nudging: timely and relevant communication, like reminders for upcoming donation appointments, personalised thank-you messages, information about the donation they have made or invitations to special donor events.

    • Multi-channel engagement: reaching donors through their preferred communication channels, such as email, SMS, or social media.

    • Loyalty programmes: rewarding frequent donors with exclusive merchandise, discounts or special recognition, based on individual donor preferences and donation history.

    • Gamification: using game-like elements to make communication and the donation process more engaging and fun, using challenges, leaderboards and badges to motivate donors and foster a sense of community.

    • Predictive analytics: using data history and past events to establish donor patterns and predicts future outcomes. This data can be used to identify donors who might lapse and reach out to them with personalised communication.

    – South Africans don’t donate enough blood – technology can help drive the numbers
    – https://theconversation.com/south-africans-dont-donate-enough-blood-technology-can-help-drive-the-numbers-251827

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Kaine, Scott, McClellan Push DHS to Reverse Cancellation of Crucial Infrastructure Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) and Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem urging the Department to reverse its decision canceling the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities (BRIC) program, which included funding for two major projects in Richmond and Portsmouth, as well as tens of millions in funding for other communities across the Commonwealth.
    BRIC was established by Congress through the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018 to support state and local governments in reducing risks posed by natural hazards and future disasters. The bipartisan infrastructure law, which Warner and Kaine supported and saw through final passage, included $1 billion in funding for BRIC projects over five years, including $133 million that has already been provided to applicants. 
    Through the BRIC program, Virginia had been set to receive tens of millions in funding for critical projects, including $12 million to make improvements to the Richmond Water Treatment Facility and $24 million to enhance the Lake Meade Dam in Portsmouth. However, DHS recently notified applicants that it was terminating the BRIC program and canceling all applications for funding through the BRIC program – including projects that had already been awarded funding.
    “We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia,” the lawmakers wrote to Sec. Noem.
    They continued, “BRIC projects support Virginia localities as they work to reduce immediate hazard risks that threaten community safety. For example, the city of Richmond was awarded $11.99 million in FY2022 to address design flaws and degradation at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility. This facility serves 4,721 businesses, 360 public properties, and 780 essential community facilities. The project is intended to protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area, making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events. Unfortunately, the necessity of this award was made clear earlier this year when the facility experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. If this award is revoked, the region will be more susceptible to future water contaminations and disruptions in water delivery.
    The lawmakers highlighted how the cancelation of this funding will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia, specifically underscoring that these projects are already underway.
    Added the members, “The potential revocation of existing BRIC awards is an unanticipated shock to Virginia localities that have budgeted, planned, and in some cases begun work on these crucial projects. The city of Portsmouth received a $24.21 million BRIC award in FY2022 to protect the community’s drinking water supply by enhancing the Lake Meade Dam. The dam, which serves as a critical reservoir for drinking water and supplies residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Hampton Roads area, is at risk of instability and potential overtopping during heavy precipitation events. The project involves strengthening the dam, upgrading spillways, and improving flood protection, all of which serves to protect the more than 80 occupied residential properties and almost 30 businesses within the dam break inundation zone.”
    “The mission of the BRIC program is to build more resilient communities to prevent the need for reactive and more costly disaster spending. Terminating this program – and many of the awards made in recent years – will make communities in Virginia less resilient and more vulnerable to disaster events. We urge you to maintain this critical funding for localities in Virginia,” they concluded.
    A copy of letter is available here and text is below.
    Dear Secretary Noem:
    We write regarding the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) recent decision to end the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program and cancel BRIC applications from Fiscal Years (FY) 2020 – 2023. We strongly urge you to reverse this decision that will impact vulnerable residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure in Virginia.
    BRIC projects support Virginia localities as they work to reduce immediate hazard risks that threaten community safety. For example, the city of Richmond was awarded $11.99 million in FY2022 to address design flaws and degradation at the Richmond Water Treatment Facility. This facility serves 4,721 businesses, 360 public properties, and 780 essential community facilities. The project is intended to protect water treatment and distribution services for those within the facility’s service area, making the plant more resilient to 100-year flood events. Unfortunately, the necessity of this award was made clear earlier this year when the facility experienced a power failure that resulted in loss of water service for residents across the region. If this award is revoked, the region will be more susceptible to future water contaminations and disruptions in water delivery.
    The potential revocation of existing BRIC awards is an unanticipated shock to Virginia localities that have budgeted, planned, and in some cases begun work on these crucial projects. The city of Portsmouth received a $24.21 million BRIC award in FY2022 to protect the community’s drinking water supply by enhancing the Lake Meade Dam. The dam, which serves as a critical reservoir for drinking water and supplies residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Hampton Roads area, is at risk of instability and potential overtopping during heavy precipitation events. The project involves strengthening the dam, upgrading spillways, and improving flood protection, all of which serves to protect the more than 80 occupied residential properties and almost 30 businesses within the dam break inundation zone.
    The mission of the BRIC program is to build more resilient communities to prevent the need for reactive and more costly disaster spending. Terminating this program – and many of the awards made in recent years – will make communities in Virginia less resilient and more vulnerable to disaster events. We urge you to maintain this critical funding for localities in Virginia.
    Thank you for your attention to this letter. We look forward to your response.

    MIL OSI USA News –