NewzIntel.com

    • Checkout Page
    • Contact Us
    • Default Redirect Page
    • Frontpage
    • Home-2
    • Home-3
    • Lost Password
    • Member Login
    • Member LogOut
    • Member TOS Page
    • My Account
    • NewzIntel Alert Control-Panel
    • NewzIntel Latest Reports
    • Post Views Counter
    • Privacy Policy
    • Public Individual Page
    • Register
    • Subscription Plan
    • Thank You Page

Category: housing

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Press Release – Unauthorised Storage in the Designated Area Thursday 06 March 2025

    Source: Channel Islands – States of Alderney

    Press Release

    Date:  6th March 2025

    Unauthorised Storage in the Designated Area

    As part of an island wide effort to improve the appearance and character of the open countryside around the Island, the Planning Office is undertaking proactive steps to help address public feedback in regard to unauthorised storage in the Designated Area. 

    This initiative will specifically seek to work with land and vehicle owners to address the unauthorised storage of redundant vehicles and shipping containers (unconnected to an approved use) in the Designated Area (also known as the Greenbelt). This includes cars, boats, trailers, vans and motorbikes.

    The Alderney Land Use Plan 2017 promotes the Designated Area to safeguard the open countryside, preserve special landscapes and support a network of green infrastructure.   This type of unauthorised use of land is having a detrimental impact on the open character and beauty of the countryside, as well as potentially contaminating the soil resulting in the land being unsuitable for agricultural purposes.  Whilst planning permission can be sought to allow storage, an application for a change of use would have to demonstrate how the proposal would avoid harm to the landscape and protect or enhance the character of Alderney’s landscape as set out in Policy HE4: Landscape Character.

    Initially, vehicle owners are being encouraged to either re-locate vehicles to a more suitable location or to dispose of any redundant vehicles.  Disposal can be arranged by obtaining a scrapping voucher (free of charge) from the General Office and presenting this, with your vehicle, at the Impot.

    This will then be followed up in June when letters will be sent to relevant parties to remind them that vehicles and shipping containers cannot be stored indefinitely in the Designated Area where they are not being used in connection with an agreed and authorised use of the land e.g. Agriculture, a home or a business and to seek rectification.

    If you have any comments regarding this initiative or require advice on whether you need to take any action please contact the Planning Office at planning@alderney.gov.gg

    Ends

    States of Alderney media enquiries:Publications.alderney@gov.gg

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Affordable child care, a stronger economy

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Every child deserves the best start in life. But for young families, the costs of child care can add up to a second rent or mortgage payment. As a result, parents – especially moms – often face impossible choices between their careers and child care fees.

    As a government, we introduced the first-of-its-kind, universal $10-a-day child care program, so that families can save thousands of dollars every year and access affordable child care. Because of our Early Learning and Child Care program, 900,000 children across Canada are getting affordable, high-quality child care, and families are saving up to $16,200 per child, per year.

    We’ve made significant progress, but there is always more to do.

    Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, alongside the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, announced that the federal government has reached early learning and child care extension agreements with 11 out of 13 provinces and territories, ensuring families get all the supports they need so they can join the workforce or continue their career while raising their kids.

    With these extensions, provinces and territories will receive $36.8 billion to move forward on progress to create new child care spaces, reduce waitlists, and hire more early childhood educators across the country. Affordable child care is good for kids and parents, and it’s good for the economy as well. With this increased and continued investment in early learning and child care, more parents – especially women – can enter the workforce and advance their careers. That means more good-paying jobs, more opportunities for early childhood educators, more economic growth across our communities, and a stronger, fairer Canada for everyone. It is estimated that for every dollar invested in child care, the economy gets $2.80 in return – a testament to the fact that affordable child care is good for families, and good for our country. 

    Along with extending these agreements, we are also increasing the funding that they provide by 3 per cent per year for four years, starting in 2027-28, to help make sure that federal funding keeps up with the cost of child care operations.

    This means more families can continue to access child care, find savings, and get ahead. This investment will also help us reach the goal of creating 250,000 child care spaces across the country by March 2026.

    This funding will support 35,000 affordable spaces across nearly 1,000 Indigenous early learning and child care sites, including more than 10 new centres in Métis communities, with additional centres planned in the next two years. It will also help improve child care access for military families on bases across Canada, so our Canadian Armed Forces members get quality care throughout their moves and deployments.

    Confident countries invest in themselves and in their future. By extending child care agreements and expanding our investments, we are making life better and easier for Canadians. Alongside investing in affordable child care, we are also building more homes, creating more jobs, and standing up for Canadian interests.

    Quotes

    “Affordable child care is good for kids and parents, and it’s good for the economy as well. Today’s announcement will make sure more families get access to affordable, high-quality child care with lower costs and more savings, and help kids get the best start in life. Confident countries invest in themselves and in their future.”

    “We didn’t come this far just to come this far. We must keep building on our progress and make $10-a-day child care a reality for every parent who wants a spot for their kid. That’s what these extension agreements are all about. Affordable child care gives parents, especially moms, options. Options to go back to work, build their careers, and save money, while ensuring their kids get the best possible start in life.”

    Quick Facts

    • The extensions announced today include the final year (2026-27) of the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, which supports infrastructure projects in underserved communities to help increase inclusion in the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.
    • To sustain the progress made from the existing early learning and child care agreements, including infrastructure funding, support for early childhood educators, and access to affordable child care, the federal government is investing an additional $36.8 billion over five years, starting in 2026-27. This includes a 3 per cent funding increase every year for four years, starting in 2027‑28. With today’s announcement, the Government of Canada is providing:
      • $16.77 billion to Ontario
      • $9.83 billion to Quebec
      • $5.38 billion to British Columbia
      • $1.9 billion to Manitoba
      • $1.05 billion to Nova Scotia
      • $876 million to New Brunswick
      • $503 million to Newfoundland and Labrador
      • $199 million to Prince Edward Island
      • $109 million to Nunavut
      • $80 million to the Northwest Territories
      • $74 million to the Yukon
    • This funding will help ensure continued access to $10-a-day on average child care beyond the current agreements, which were set to expire on March 31, 2026.
    • The Government of Canada is committed to ongoing collaboration with Indigenous partners and official language minority communities, and expects provincial and territorial governments to do the same while developing action plans in support of these extensions.
    • Eight provinces and territories are currently delivering regulated early learning and child care for an average of $10-a-day or less, while the remaining jurisdictions have reduced fees by 50 per cent or more compared to 2019 levels.
    • As part of Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces and territories. Combined with other investments, including in Indigenous early learning and child care, up to $30 billion over five years (2021-22 to 2025-26) is provided in support of early learning and child care.
    • Investments will help create more spaces in rural and remote regions, high-cost and low-income urban neighbourhoods, and communities facing barriers to access. This includes supporting racialized groups, Indigenous Peoples, official language minority communities, newcomers, and families with parents, caregivers, or children with disabilities.
    • These investments build on the significant progress we have already made to help kids reach their full potential and level the playing field for parents, including by:
      • Giving families more money through the Canada Child Benefit, to help with the costs of raising their kids and make a real difference in the lives of children in Canada. The Canada Child Benefit, which can provide up to $7,437 per child per year, is indexed annually to keep up with the cost of living.
      • Improving access to dental health care for children under 18 through the Canadian Dental Care Plan, because no one should have to choose between taking care of their kids’ teeth and putting food on the table.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn Assessing Impacts of Federal Directives

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

    We write to update you on several significant issues related to actions taken by the federal government in recent weeks, share how we are planning to contend with potential impacts, and to reiterate our ongoing commitment to our mission.

    RESEARCH FUNDING AND ADMINISTRATION

     We have seen a significant reduction in new awards to UConn and UConn Health from federal agencies so far this calendar year. Typically, we would expect to receive a combined new award total of approximately $38 million through February; this year, we have received approximately $24 million during this time period.

    We are receiving questions with respect to the expenses of research staff and research-focused graduate students should this persist. Administrative and academic leadership teams continue to work actively to plan for contingencies in affected areas. We will provide specific guidance on this issue to the deans and are also working with them on mitigation strategies.

    We are seeing significant changes to the administration and funding from many of our federal sponsors to include USAID, Sea Grant/NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DoE), and the Department of Education (DoEd).

    Additionally, there have also been leadership changes at agencies which focus on high-risk, high-impact technology translation such as DARPA, ARPA-E, and ARPA-H.

    The reduction of indirect cost returns from NIH to academic institutions — which would reduce the current negotiated, approved rates for UConn and UConn Health from 61% and 66% respectively to 15% — remains on hold after a federal judge temporarily blocked it from taking effect.

    RESEARCH FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

    We are a public, R1 land, sea, and space grant university. Our mission is based on serving the needs of our communities, providing excellent education, and advancing the causes of research and scholarship to bring about positive impacts statewide, nationally, and globally. We provide the R&D needed by our industries, including defense/national security, finance, insurance, biotech, and health sectors. Our mission is not going to change.

    At the same time, we understand that every change in administration comes with challenges and opportunities as there are priorities that every new administration would like to enact which may differ from the previous administration. Knowing that, we have adjusted with every new administration.

    Areas that we believe the new administration will concentrate on are below. These are the fields that are most likely to be prioritized to receive federal support and thus represent the most significant funding opportunities for faculty in the coming years.

    • Energy independence
    • AI and quantum technologies
    • Defense, national security
    • Manufacturing, supply chain, and project management
    • Healthy living
    • Cancer
    • Genetics/genomics
    • Technology development/deployment in all areas of R&D
    • Workforce development
    • Community impact through broadening participation in higher education, R&D, innovation, entrepreneurship

    In anticipation of this new landscape, OVPR has been working non-stop since Nov. 6 and has been engaged daily with the Office of the Provost, Governmental Relations, and the General Counsel. We are also briefing UConn’s senior leadership team, research deans, center and institute directors, and our faculty/staff task forces on a weekly basis.

    What can you do:

    • OVPR has created task forces focused on helping investigators pursue non-federal sources of research funding, supporting the UConn research infrastructure during these volatile times, and strategic communication to advocate for the value of research in our society. If you would like to join a task force, e-mail research@uconn.edu
    • Keep us updated on anything you may be hearing, also via research@uconn.edu.
    • Visit our FAQs page, which is regularly monitored and updated: research.uconn.edu.
    • Please remain connected, help and support each other, be kind to each other.

    “DEAR COLLEAGUE” LETTER AND EXECUTIVE ORDERS

    On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education released what is known as a “Dear Colleague letter” to educational institutions with guidance regarding federal laws that prohibit discrimination. On March 1, the department followed-up with an FAQ on the letter.

    The core message of the Dear Colleague letter is that educational institutions must fully comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin. As with all state and federal laws, UConn has always continually worked to ensure we are in compliance with Title VI, and that remains the case today. In fact, UConn has long had an appointed Title VI Coordinator in the Office of Institutional Equity. UConn’s OIE and ODI train, educate, and address issues on matters related to discrimination on the basis of many factors, and not just those under Title VI, but all applicable federal law.

    The letter states: “… colleges, universities, and K-12 schools have routinely used race as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, training, and other institutional programming.”

    In each of these areas, we believe the university is compliant with the law, including following the recent Supreme Court decision surrounding the use of race in admissions.

    The letter also states: “…many American schools and universities even encourage segregation by race at graduation ceremonies and in dormitories and other facilities.”

    UConn does not encourage segregation and while there are numerous affinity groups on campus and related programming, events, activities, and housing, none are in violation of Title VI provided that, regardless of the affinity group who may be the organizers or audience, the programming, events, activities, and housing are open to anyone — meaning no one is excluded on the basis of race or any other aspect of identity.

    As always, should the university identify an area where we need to make a change or an adjustment to ensure legal compliance, we will do so.

    If you have questions about Title VI and UConn’s obligations under it or want to ensure that language, programming, or practices in your area are compliant with it, please contact equity@uconn.edu. Please do not make changes to the language, programming, or practices without consultation.

    In addition, UConn is home to an Office of Diversity and Inclusion, cultural centers, and learning communities. Their existence and programming are compliant with the law and consistent with UConn’s overall mission as a Land Grant institution created to expand access and opportunity and to serve all people from every walk of life.

    COMMUNICATIONS

    We have also been working with offices of research in the Northeast and beyond as well as the Council on Governmental Relations, the APLU, and other national entities. We are receiving strong support from state leaders, our federal governmental relations representatives in Washington, and Connecticut’s congressional delegation. UConn leaders are also in close, regular contact with our colleagues at other institutions and contacts within the federal government.

    Finally, as we have seen in recent weeks, Executive Orders and other directives have been released by the federal government at a fast pace. In at least one case, a directive was rescinded a day later and in other cases, they have been the subject of legal action that has in some cases prevented them from taking effect.

    In this very hectic and unpredictable environment, once something is released the relevant UConn leaders and offices immediately begin the process of analyzing it to determine its meaning and potential impact on the university. This involves not only working with colleagues at UConn, but consulting with colleagues at other institutions, and state and federal contacts. Often the meaning and impact of something is not clear or immediately understood.

    This work is time-consuming, and accuracy is critical. On occasion, even after a thorough analysis has been conducted, clear answers and understanding have not been forthcoming. When we believe we have solid answers and information, we want to share it with the community. In the interim, as this analysis is taking place, it may appear that maybe nothing is happening, when in fact, considerable work is taking place behind the scenes.

    In addition, we are also offering faculty and staff the opportunity to ask questions of and hear directly from leadership during upcoming bi-weekly check-in meetings beginning this Friday at noon. It will be available on livestream to faculty and staff at all campuses. Please email your questions in advance or during the session to communications@uconn.edu with the subject line: “Questions for Leadership.”

    These issues are of the utmost importance to UConn and we want to share accurate information as soon as we can, but must be deliberate in doing so. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

    Sincerely,

    Anne D’Alleva
    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

    Pamir Alpay
    Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

    Nicole Gelston
    General Counsel

    Jeffrey Hines
    Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Pythian Named Top Employer in Canada’s National Capital Region for 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pythian Services Inc. (“Pythian”), a leading global services company specializing in data, analytics, and AI solutions, announced it has been named as one of the National Capital Region’s Top Employers for 2025. This marks the tenth time the company has earned this distinction, reflecting the company’s enduring commitment to a forward-thinking, employee-focused culture. The award is presented by the editors of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, and highlights organizations that invest in their teams and deliver innovative workplace practices.

    “Our commitment to nurturing talent and building a supportive work environment is at the core of everything we do,” said Brooks Borcherding, CEO of Pythian. “This is a powerful reminder that our people are driving the success of our business, our partners, and our customers.”

    The award recognizes several of Pythian’s initiatives that empower employees and strengthen career pathways. The organization’s employee-first approach includes:

    • A comprehensive wellness program offering an annual allowance for fitness, sports, preventive health, and more
    • A generous professional development budget that supports self-directed learning along with structured courses through Pythian University
    • Clearly defined career tracks and continuous training initiatives, ensuring long-term growth and leadership development
    • A progressive maternity, adoption, and parental leave plan that provides new parents with ample time to bond with their families, and a flexible, phased return to work
    • A referral bonus program that values the contributions and networks of current employees
    • Flexible work arrangements including adaptable hours and comprehensive telecommuting options
    • A robust suite of benefits featuring a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) matching program, detailed health coverage, and allowances for home-office customization
    • Paid volunteer days that encourage and support community engagement and philanthropy

    Pythian’s success in fostering a culture that blends flexibility, learning, and community involvement sets it apart in the competitive national capital region. The company continues to invest in its people and shape a modern workplace, adapting to today’s rapidly-evolving industry needs.

    “We strive to create an environment where every employee is valued and has the resources to excel professionally and personally,” said Camila Suvaric, vice president of people and culture at Pythian. “Being recognized as a top employer reinforces that our dynamic, inclusive approach not only attracts exceptional talent but also helps our team to innovate and drive meaningful change.”

    For more information on careers and culture at Pythian, visit https://pythian.com/careers/.

    About Pythian

    Founded in 1997, Pythian is a leading data and AI services provider specializing in digital transformation and operational excellence for enterprise customers. We help organizations optimize their data estates, helping them to drive AI enablement, innovation, and growth. Through strategic consulting, managed services, and cloud migrations, we enable cost savings, risk reduction, and seamless operations while preparing businesses to adopt AI and for the future of data management. A Google Cloud Premier Partner with multiple Specializations, including Data Analytics, Marketing Analytics, Machine Learning, and a certified Google Cloud MSP, we’ve delivered thousands of professional and managed services projects for leading enterprises. For more information, visit www.pythian.com or follow us on X, LinkedIn, and our Blog.

    Pythian Media Contacts

    Matt Healy
    Sr. Communications and Programs Manager
    healy@pythian.com
    +1 782-774-5687    		 Elisabeth Grant
    Branch Out Public Relations
    egrant@branchoutpr.com
    +1 612-599-7797

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: RENEW and Kinsley Partner to Deliver Turnkey Battery Storage Solutions in the Northeast

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BOSTON, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — RENEW Energy Partners (RENEW), a leader in capital solutions for decarbonization, has joined forces with Kinsley Energy Systems (Kinsley), a 60-year veteran in on-site power generation, to deploy Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). With $100 million in projects actively under development across the Northeast, this partnership empowers commercial and industrial enterprises to seamlessly integrate BESS into their operations, unlocking energy cost savings, resilience benefits, financial incentives, and lower carbon footprint.

    RENEW and Kinsley offer a seamless, end-to-end solution that integrates financing, technical expertise, and operational support. RENEW provides funding and project management, enabling businesses to adopt battery storage technology with no upfront capital investment or operational risk. Kinsley handles installation and long-term maintenance, ensuring reliable system performance. For large energy users, this comprehensive agreement eliminates project complexities by combining energy finance expertise with top-tier service and execution.

    “We are thrilled to partner with Kinsley to bring battery storage to more businesses across the Northeast,” said Charlie Lord, Principal of RENEW. “Kinsley’s longevity and reputation for excellent service ensure our clients will be supported with the best care possible.”

    “Partnering with the financial experts at RENEW allows us to solve the financing challenge for businesses pursuing battery storage options,” said David Kinsley, President at Kinsley. “As leaders in decarbonization capital, RENEW perfectly complements Kinsley’s technical capabilities. We anticipate many joint opportunities to streamline BESS adoption and accelerate the clean energy transition.”

    Commercial and industrial businesses can explore the benefits of this partnership with both RENEW and Kinsley experts. As the energy transition continues, businesses are encouraged to consider becoming a host site to reduce costs and their carbon footprint.

    About RENEW Energy Partners, LLC 

    Founded in 2013, RENEW Energy Partners provides funding and engineering solutions for commercial and industrial, as well as institutional clients to help them achieve their decarbonization objectives. RENEW supports clients in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through a diverse range of projects, from efficiency upgrades to advanced energy generation solutions. All projects are designed to enhance sustainability without requiring upfront capital investment. 

    About Kinsley Energy Systems
    Kinsley Energy Systems (KES) provides cutting-edge solutions and services to address the country’s energy infrastructure and environmental challenges. KES is part of Kinsley Group—one of the nation’s premier on-site power providers for 60 years. Drawing on this legacy of excellence, KES focuses on solving ever-evolving energy demands with comprehensive solutions that enhance resiliency, reduce operational costs and lower carbon emissions. 

    KES is behind some of the country’s most successful sustainable on-site energy projects and brings Kinsley’s commitment to exceptional customer service to advanced commercial and industrial turnkey microgrids. With a strong energy solutions focus and decades of experience, KES is dedicated to helping businesses achieve their energy goals through sustainable, reliable, and innovative solutions. 

    Media Contacts:
    Mike Savage
    Director of Business Development
    RENEW Energy Partners
    (802) 777-8205
    msavage@renewep.com

    Nathan Hardt
    Market Engagement Manager
    Kinsley Energy Systems
    959.262.4610
    nhardt@kinsleyenergy.com

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Keen demand for housing: Govt

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government said today that it disagrees with an observation made in a report by S&P that there is an oversupply of residential properties in Hong Kong.

    In a statement responding to media enquiries on the S&P report issued yesterday on Hong Kong’s banks and property market, the Government pointed out that housing demand is currently keen, as the vacancy rate of private flats was 4.5% at end-2024, on par with the long-term average of the previous 20 years, while flat rentals sustained a solid increase.

    The Government said the residential property market should see stable development this year, as the city benefits from the general downtrend in interest rates, continued economic growth and talent arriving in Hong Kong.

    It also reiterated that it will continue to closely monitor market developments and strive to maintain the steady development of the residential property market in a prudent and pragmatic manner.

    Notwithstanding the uncertainties in the global macroeconomic environment, the banking sector’s credit quality and risks remain manageable, the Government stressed.

    Property lending for the Hong Kong banking system amounted to $3.4 trillion at the end of last year, accounting for about one-third of the total loans. Among property-related lending, 56% were residential mortgage loans, while 44% were loans for local property development and investment.

    Observing the fact that the overall delinquency ratio of residential mortgage loans was only 0.12% as of end-January 2025, while the delinquency ratio of residential mortgage loans in negative equity remained stable at 0.15% as of end-2024, the Government remarked that the vast majority of mortgage borrowers are able to repay their loans on time. Moreover, under the Monetary Authority’s countercyclical macroprudential measures, Hong Kong’s property market has remained stable, with an average loan-to-value ratio of 60% and a low debt-servicing ratio of around 40%.

    Following the US Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts, major banks in Hong Kong have lowered their best lending rates by a total of 0.625% over the past year, resulting in lower mortgage rates. Residential property prices in Hong Kong have shown signs of stabilising in recent months.

    The report by S&P yesterday also expects Hong Kong’s property prices to stabilise in 2025, the Government noted.

    Separately, for local property development and investment loans, the Government said it agrees with S&P’s view that Hong Kong banks are able to manage the strains arising from the commercial real estate sector.

    As for the small and medium-sized banks mentioned in S&P’s report, the Government said those banks have been taking appropriate credit risk mitigation measures, such as collateralisation, in accordance with the Monetary Authority’s guidelines. Banks in Hong Kong also have strong capital positions and good profitability to withstand the extreme scenario of large volatility in property prices.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Convicted Crescent City Murderer Sentenced to More Than Five Years in Federal Prison for Distributing Methamphetamine

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy Berger today sentenced Francisco Javier Arroyo (31, Crescent City) to 5 years and 10 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. Arroyo pleaded guilty on September 25, 2024.   

    According to the plea agreement and other court documents, from February through July 2021, Arroyo distributed methamphetamine and cocaine along with a number of conspirators, including Alejandro Alvarado (30, Crescent City), Miguel Angel Perez (29, Deland), Jose Martinez (43, Crescent City), Jonathan Arroyo Ontiveros (25, Crescent City), Noel Bueno Jr. (27, Crescent City) and others – all of whom lived in close proximity to one another in Crescent City. Miguel Angel Ortiz (29, Crescent City) also served as a courier to deliver multi-kilogram shipments of methamphetamine from Texas, North Carolina, and Georgia to the Crescent City neighborhood in which Arroyo and others operated. Arroyo delivered ounces of methamphetamine and cocaine primarily to Robert Wayne Watson (59, Seville), who operated out of his home in Seville. Watson then redistributed ounces of methamphetamine to mid-level dealers located throughout central Florida, including George Edward Sykes (46, Bunnell), Danny Wayne Holmes (61, Kathleen), Dina Dynnette Kempher (38, Satsuma), and David John Doerr (56, Astor).

    On July 16, 2021, the FBI arrested multiple individuals in Crescent City and Seville as part of this drug conspiracy. Around the same time, Arroyo was arrested in Missouri in connection with a triple homicide on July 13, 2021, in Crescent City. Arroyo was later convicted of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the surviving victims. He was sentenced to 22 years in Florida state prison. After his murder conviction in April 2024, Arroyo was transported to federal court to face charges for drug distribution occurring in 2021. Upon completing his state sentence, he will serve an additional 5 years and 10 months in federal prison. To date, 12 individuals have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to federal prison terms in connection with this conspiracy.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill.   

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

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Brentwood Man Charged with Making Interstate Threats to Bomb the Nashville Federal Courthouse

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    NASHVILLE – Alexander Thompson, 35, of Brentwood, Tennessee, was arrested by federal agents and charged by criminal complaint with making threats in interstate commerce and making a threat in interstate commerce to damage or destroy a building or property by means of fire or an explosive, announced Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    “We take dangerous threats to public spaces and public servants extremely seriously and will always act swiftly to hold those responsible accountable for their actions,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “People who work in courthouses, and citizens who attend proceedings there, should be free from threatening behavior.”

    According to the complaint, on March 2, 2025, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (“MNPD”) received a notification from a representative of the Tucker Carlson Network (“TCN”), stating that TCN had received an email from Email Address 1 that contained the following verbiage :

    “I wanted to update you. Within 1-2 weeks, I will firebomb the Fred D Thompson Federal building and Courthouse in downtown Nashville. Beyond this singular act of violence, I bear no hostility towards America itself, and would be calm and peaceful to arrest prior to this act (and afterwards). I do not wish to shoot or kill law enforcement, I am rational, nonsuicidal, and would like to live a long life, but the attacks, harassment, torture against myself at the hands of a bunch of criminals has become unbearable. But, the current American Government is no longer lawful and legitimate and must therefore be exposed and overthrown pursuant to Founding documents of the United States. Despite informing thousands of politicians, local and federal law-enforcement, and various other parties, the nightly torture via targeted dream incubation, attacks, harassment, etc. continue. There is a surveillance&control backdoor present on every device in the Country, likely the It is my duty as both a person and as an American to not only stop horrendous physical and digital attacks against myself, but also inform my nation that it is on the brink of totalitarianism. I view my actions through the lens of necessity as I have tried every other available means to cease the torture, attacks, and to inform my Country that it is in the midst of a coup against it(but not by me).

    Thank you, Alex”

    TCN provided a possible X (formerly Twitter) account bearing username @cryptokeeper434, with a display name of “Alex.” This account is believed to be utilized by Thompson due to recent posts made showing the production and testing of a device which resembled a “Molotov cocktail.” A review of the publicly available X account for @cryptokeeper434 showed the following posts and photos of concern:

    A review of the publicly available X page for @cryptokeeper434, revealed photos of the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and Courthouse, which is located at 719 Church Street, in Nashville. The Thompson Courthouse houses numerous employees, including employees of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, the Office of Probation and Pretrial Services for the Middle District of Tennessee, the United States Marshals Service, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.

    On March 3, 2025, MNPD officers arrested Thompson at his place of work in Goodlettsville, Tennessee. An MNPD officer and a mental health co-op crisis intervention team member spoke with Thompson, after which he stated to another law enforcement officer words to the effect of: You read the email, I was going to bomb the building, I couldn’t change the system from the outside and I need to be arrested to effect change from the inside.

    On March 3, 2025, MNPD officers obtained a search warrant for Thompson’s residence to look for bomb making materials and other evidence of criminal conduct. During the execution of this warrant, investigators found multiple empty jars, wicks, and wax, consistent with the items depicted in the X posts above. Investigators also located a Molotov cocktail that was assembled and just missing a fuel source.

    If convicted, Thompson faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The FBI Nashville Field Office is investigating the case.

    Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire is prosecuting the case.

    A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    # # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: various locations — Nova Scotia RCMP collaborates on national Project STEEL targeting online child sexual exploitation offenders

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Between February 17 and 28, Nova Scotia RCMP worked with provincial policing partners to participate in Project STEEL by executing search warrants targeting online child sexual exploitation offenders with a goal of safeguarding children. Multiple people were arrested and have been charged as the investigations advance.

    Over the twelve days of Project STEEL, multiple law enforcement partners from across Canada joined together for Project STEEL, which was jointly led by the RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre (NCECC), the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Sûreté du Québec (SQ).

    In Nova Scotia, Project STEEL was led by the RCMP’s Provincial Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit in partnership with Kentville Police Service. Officers conducted four search warrant executions that led to arrests and the seizure of items containing child pornography.

    • On February 18, Kentville Police Service led the execution of a search warrant at a home on Forest Hill Rd., with support from ICE and RCMP Digital Forensic Services (DFS) and seized a variety of electronic devices. During examination of items seized, investigators found child pornography on a cell phone. One person was arrested and will face charges related to possession and transmission of child pornography; he was released by police pending an upcoming court appearance.
    • On February 19, the ICE Unit, with assistance from RCMP DFS, Interview Assistance Team (IAT), Cybercrime Unit, and Commercial Crime Section, Guysborough County District RCMP, and the RCMP Antigonish Street Crime Enforcement Unit, attended a residence on Hwy. 16 in Boylston with a search warrant. Officers arrested one man and located child pornography on a cell phone that was seized at the scene. James Thornley, 24, of Boylston, has been charged with one count each of Possession of Child Pornography and Transmit Child Pornography. He was released on conditions pending a first court appearance at Antigonish Provincial Court on April 30.
    • On February 20, the ICE Unit, with RCMP DFS, IAT, Cybercrime Unit, Commercial Crime Section, and Eskasoni RCMP, attended a home on Ginger Root Ln. and found a substantial amount of child pornography saved and organized on seized devices. One person will face charges associated to possession and transmission of child pornography; he was released pending an upcoming court appearance. A second person arrested at this location was released without charges and is not believed to be associated to the offences.
    • On February 26, the ICE Unit, again with support from RCMP DFS, IAT, and Cybercrime Unit, Yarmouth Town RCMP, and Yarmouth Rural RCMP, executed a search warrant at a business on Hwy. 3 in Ste. Anne du Ruisseau. Officers arrested one man. While on scene, investigators located multiple computers and media storage devices found to contain child pornography, and two unsecured firearms, which were also seized. Stephen Doucette, 51, of Lower Argyle, is facing charges of Possession of Child Pornography, Accessing Child Pornography, Careless Storage of Firearm, and Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm. He was released pending a first court appearance at Yarmouth Provincial Court on April 28.

    Investigations are ongoing and will include further analysis of computers, phones, and other devices seized.

    Cpl. Oliver Roberts, Provincial ICE Unit, notes that collaboration between agencies is the most effective strategy to combatting online child sexual exploitation. No single agency can police these crimes alone.

    “Project STEEL has been a great success nationally, as well as here in Nova Scotia,” says Cpl. Oliver Roberts. “The coordinated execution of search warrants from Cape Breton to Yarmouth has highlighted the important work being done here and collaboratively across all jurisdictions. All police forces in this province are working hard every day to create and promote safe spaces for everyone, especially children.”

    In Nova Scotia, it is mandatory for citizens to report suspected child pornography; anyone who comes across child pornography material or recordings must report it to the police. Failure to report could result in penalties similar to those for failure to report child abuse under the Child and Family Services Act. Be a voice for children who are victims of sexual exploitation by reporting suspected offences to your local police or to Canada’s national tip line: www.cybertip.ca.

    MIL Security OSI –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Wallet Integrates Sonic Ecosystem, Expanding Multichain DeFi Access

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget Wallet, a leading Web3 non-custodial wallet, has integrated the Sonic mainnet, providing users with direct access to its expanding decentralized finance (DeFi) ecosystem. This integration allows users to trade Sonic ecosystem tokens, manage assets, and interact with Sonic-based DeFi applications, including decentralized exchanges (DEXs), meme projects, and NFT platforms.

    As Layer 1 blockchains compete to offer higher scalability and lower fees, Sonic stands out with its EVM-compatible architecture and efficient transaction processing, making it a promising ecosystem for DeFi innovation. By integrating Sonic, Bitget Wallet strengthens its position as a multi-chain gateway, ensuring users can easily add the Sonic mainnet, transfer assets, and explore the network’s rapidly growing ecosystem. To further enhance accessibility, Bitget Wallet is rolling out Sonic token price tracking, swaps, and direct trading, enabling users to engage more seamlessly with emerging opportunities.

    The increasing adoption of Ethereum-compatible Layer 1s and Layer 2s reflects a broader industry shift toward multi-chain interoperability. Sonic, developed by the core team behind Fantom, leverages high transaction throughput and low-cost execution to optimize DeFi and Web3 gaming applications. With its native token $S, Sonic continues to attract a growing number of developers and projects, fueling its ecosystem expansion.

    “As new Layer 1 networks like Sonic drive innovation in blockchain scalability and DeFi accessibility, Bitget Wallet remains focused on integrating promising ecosystems,” said Alvin Kan, COO of Bitget Wallet. “Supporting Sonic aligns with our commitment to providing users with seamless multi-chain experiences, reinforcing the importance of open and efficient blockchain infrastructure.”

    About Bitget Wallet
    Bitget Wallet is the home of Web3, uniting endless possibilities in one non-custodial wallet. With over 60 million users, it offers comprehensive onchain services, including asset management, instant swaps, rewards, staking, trading tools, live market data, a DApp browser, an NFT marketplace and crypto payment. Supporting over 100 blockchains, 20,000+ DApps, and 500,000+ tokens, Bitget Wallet enables seamless multi-chain trading across hundreds of DEXs and cross-chain bridges, along with a $300+ million protection fund to ensure safety of users’ assets. Experience Bitget Wallet Lite to start a Web3 journey.
    For more information, visit: X | Telegram | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok | Discord | Facebook
    For media inquiries, please contact media.web3@bitget.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5090250-f2a3-4f45-8790-5ed6562263dc

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trudeau’s record may be spotty, but his biggest accomplishment was a national child-care program

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Naomi Lightman, Associate Professor of Sociology, Toronto Metropolitan University

    As Canada prepares to close the book on the Justin Trudeau era, some will be happy to watch him go. But in Canada’s haste to see him out the door, let’s not forget his government’s significant achievements.

    His strong performance in the ongoing showdown with United States President Donald Trump, for example, may have led Canadians to view him in a distinctly more positive light.

    But what’s undoubtedly been his single greatest achievement — prodded in no small part by the NDP — was the introduction of a national child-care program: The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, colloquially known as $10-a-day child care.

    As scholars of social policy — as well as a mother and grandfather — we believe this program is the biggest improvement to Canada’s welfare state since the initial implementation of medicare in 1966-67, updated via the Canada Health Act in 1984.

    Somehow, however, amid all the negative Trudeau headlines, this major contribution has been seemingly forgotten.

    Gender equality

    Trudeau’s child-care program is a massive advancement for gender equality and should be celebrated by all women, parents and — more broadly — people who care about reducing social inequalities.

    By freeing parents — mostly women — from the need to stay home with their children or from having to rely on ageing and often frail grandparents, evidence suggests Canada will experience substantial benefits to children, parents and society as a whole.

    The program allows highly skilled and motivated workers to join the paid labour force and could also affect fertility decisions in some cases if, for example, families decide to have more children due to reduced child-care costs.

    Just as importantly, formal child care benefits children developmentally, particularly in the case of disadvantaged and single-parent households.

    In purely fiscal terms, study after study shows that a dollar invested in child care yields a greater financial return over a lifetime than any other expenditure of public funds.

    Massive uptake rates

    The CWELCC program committed more than $30 billion federally to support early learning and child care, with specific funds dedicated to Indigenous child care.

    To date, it has created 150,000 new spaces, with a goal of creating an additional 100,000 new spaces by March 2026. All provinces and territories have participated, with uptake rates among child-care centres starting at 92 per cent in Ontario and rising higher elsewhere across the country.

    Notably, the road to implementing national child care in Canada has neither been short or easy.

    In 2004, Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin was unable to bring national child care to fruition, despite gaining bilateral child-care agreements with all 10 provinces.

    When Stephen Harper replaced Martin in 2006, among the first acts of his Conservative government was to cancel these agreements. Instead, he offered the Universal Childcare Benefit that delivered $100 per child to parents monthly, but did nothing to address the lack of available child-care spaces.

    It did, however, ensure that a rhetoric of “choice” and cash in hand for in-home care for children was prioritized over women’s equal participation in the labour market. Internationally, there is consistent evidence that care allowances offered in lieu of a publicly funded child-care services reinforce traditional gendered divisions of labour and reduce female employment rates.

    All provinces/territories signed up

    By contrast — and no small feat in terms of negotiation skills — Trudeau’s team was able to persuade each and every province and territory to sign an Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

    Major reductions in child-care fees for eligible families followed, with all territories and four provinces at $10-a-day as of 2024 (with New Brunswick and Alberta only slightly higher, while Nova Scotia] will be at $10-a-day as of March 1, 2026.)

    Even in Ontario, where rates are higher, costs now average about $23 a day.

    Trudeau managed to carry out this program by starting his efforts early in his tenure, unlike with the dental and pharmacare initiatives, and building consensus across a diverse and often contentious Canadian landscape.

    Supply issues

    It’s not all roses, of course. Some Canadians are frustrated about the slow expansion of subsidized child-care spaces. And the program remains plagued by serious supply (availability) issues, especially in rural and remote communities.

    Early childhood educators still do not receive fair pay for the essential work they do, and staff retention is a serious issue.

    But as we look towards the next federal election, Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre has had little to say about the national child-care program except for vague references to “flexibility” and a suggestion about replacing it with tax credits. This should set alarm bells ringing across the country.



    Read more:
    The baffling indifference of Canadian voters to child-care proposals

    Fortunately, Trudeau has set up a framework that will be difficult to dismantle in the future. There has been massive buy-in from users, providers, funders and much of the general public.

    We urge whoever replaces Trudeau as prime minister to highlight what’s been accomplished in child care over the last few years, and to prioritize the further expansion of the program in the years ahead.

    This would be Trudeau’s proudest legacy.

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

    – ref. Trudeau’s record may be spotty, but his biggest accomplishment was a national child-care program – https://theconversation.com/trudeaus-record-may-be-spotty-but-his-biggest-accomplishment-was-a-national-child-care-program-251318

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: How ‘positive masculinity’ can bridge gender gaps – and improve men’s and women’s lives at work a…

    Source: World Economic Forum (video statements)

    Masculinity is having a moment. Leveraging it – in the right way – can help men and women succeed while bridging the gender gap both at work and at home. Gary Barker is the founder of Equimundo, a non-profit dedicated to research and solutions that help bring men into connected, equitable, caring versions of manhood. He shares the insights gleaned since this organization’s founding more than a decade ago – a group that has collected the largest dataset on men, masculinity and gender equality and that publishes the only global report on men’s involvement in parenting and care work. He breaks down the blindspots that can hold organizations back and the best practices that can drive the much needed norm changes.  To learn more:  Equimundo: https://www.equimundo.org/ World Economic Forum Gender Gap Report, 2024: https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-gender-gap-report-2024/ Related podcasts:  IKEA HR chief shares decades of career lessons learned and what’s needed to bridge the gender equity gap: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/ulrika-biesert-ingka-group-gender-equity/ How bridging design gaps in science and tech can tackle gender bias: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/nigina-muntean-design-equity-unpf/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzYe1noAnTA

    MIL OSI Video –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: King Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Make it Easier for Rural Veterans to Access Health Care

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), members of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), are introducing legislation aiming to help veterans in rural areas get transportation to health care appointments. The Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act, would reauthorize the Highly Rural Transportation Grant (HRTG) Program, a service that provides roughly 2.7 million veterans with access to free transportation services to VA-authorized health care appointments.
    “Veterans in rural Maine communities already face challenges when it comes to accessing quality, affordable care because of distance to VA medical facilities and availability of health care workers,” said Senator King. “The bipartisan Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act would provide rural veterans with travel assistance to appointments, ensuring they can more easily and efficiently access providers and treatments. Where veterans choose to live should not impede their ability to get the care they earned and deserve. I want to thank my Veterans Affairs Committee colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their work to make sure our rural veterans get the support they need — from Maine all the way to Alaska.” 
    “North Dakota is home to many veterans who rely on transportation assistance to access their healthcare services,” said Senator Cramer. “Reauthorizing the Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program will ensure veterans can travel to their medical appointments, whether in the community or at a VA facility directly facilitating access to the care they’ve earned.”
    “Living in a small, highly-rural community far from a major metropolitan center does not justify a veteran losing or receiving limited access to the health care they have sacrificed for and earned,” said Senator Sullivan. “Transportation assistance is life-saving for Alaska’s veterans. I am glad to introduce legislation to reauthorize the Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program with Alaska-specific provisions to ensure our veterans are able to reach their VA appointments without lengthy delays or debilitating costs.” 
    The legislation is supported by Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).
    “Transportation to VA medical facilities remains a major challenge for the 2.7 million veterans who live in rural areas and are enrolled in VA care,” said Daniel Contreras, DAV National Commander. “DAV is proud to support the Supporting Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act as it would improve rural veterans’ access to VA medical treatment. We applaud Sens. Cramer and King for their leadership in re-introducing this vital bipartisan legislation that will help ensure our nation keeps its promises to America’s veterans.”
    “Among the post-9/11 wounded, ill, and injured veterans we serve, just over half report that they have experienced some degree of difficulty accessing health care through VA,” said Jose Ramos, WWP’s Vice President for Government and Community Relations. “The Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act would help ensure that transportation to appointments is one less barrier for veterans in rural areas to be concerned about.  Wounded Warrior Project is pleased to support this legislation, and we thank Senators Cramer, King, and Sullivan for their leadership in supporting better pathways to health for our nation’s veterans.”
    Representing one of the states with the highest rates of military families and veterans per capita, Senator King has been a staunch advocate for America’s servicemembers and veterans. A member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), he works to ensure American veterans receive their earned benefits and that the VA is properly implementing various programs such as the PACT Act, the State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act, and the John Scott Hannon Act. Last month, in a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, Senator King joined his colleagues in urging for immediate action to secure veterans’ personal information provided by VA or other agencies to Elon Musk and his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE), a measure that would protect millions of veterans’ medical records stored in VA’s computer systems. In addition, he helped pass the Veterans COLA Act, which increased benefits for 30,000 Maine veterans and their families. Recently, Senator King introduced bipartisan legislation alongside SVAC Chairman Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) to improve care coordination for veterans who rely on both VA health care and Medicare. Recently, Senator King was honored by the Disabled American Veterans as its 2025 Legislator of the Year. Last year, he was recognized by the Wounded Warrior Project as the 2024 Legislator of the Year for his “outstanding legislative effort and achievement to improve the lives of the wounded, ill, and injured veterans.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: HM Land Registry Chair’s response to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Correspondence

    HM Land Registry Chair’s response to the Minister of State for Housing and Planning

    This is the Chair’s response to the government’s expectations and priorities for HM Land Registry over the coming year.

    Documents

    HM Land Registry Chair’s response

    HTML

    HM Land Registry Chair’s response

    PDF, 93.6 KB, 3 pages

    This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

    Request an accessible format.
    If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email customersupport@mail.landregistry.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

    Details

    The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, has written to the Chair of the HM Land Registry Board, Neil Sachdev, to set out his priorities for HM Land Registry in delivering their role in registering and protecting land and property ownership and supporting an efficient property market.

    A Chair’s letter is issued annually to ensure there is a clear set of expectations of HM Land Registry’s leadership. This letter includes a number of key areas of focus for HM Land Registry to support the government’s policy priorities, missions and Plan for Change.

    Updates to this page

    Published 6 March 2025

    Sign up for emails or print this page

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Keeping Riders and Transit Workers Safe on Subways

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today marked one year since enacting her five-point subway safety plan by highlighting reductions in New York City transit crimes and her administration’s ongoing efforts to expand safety initiatives throughout the transit system. Last year, Governor Hochul announced a surge in State personnel to assist with NYPD bag checks, directing the MTA to accelerate camera installation throughout the system, and also increase the number of Subway Co-Response Outreach (SCOUT) teams throughout the system — which operate in addition to the existing Safe Options Support (SOS) teams. Earlier this year, Governor Hochul announced additional steps to increase law enforcement presence, expand public resources and strengthen mental health policies to make the transit system safer. These new measures included partnering with New York City officials to increase NYPD patrols on subway platforms and trains; installing new protective barriers on subway platforms to protect riders; upgrading fare gates and delaying egress on exit gates to help crack down on fare evasion; adding LED lighting throughout stations to increase visibility; and updating and strengthening key mental health laws to ensure that New Yorkers with severe mental illness are connected with care instead of being left to languish on subway trains and platforms.

    “Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority — and I’ll never stop working to ensure riders can rely on our subways to safely get wherever they need to go,” Governor Hochul said. “By adding uniformed officers to every train, fortifying our transit infrastructure, and expanding mental health outreach, we’ve made real progress in driving down transit crime. Working in partnership with law enforcement, district attorneys and mental health experts, we’re working to make the subways safer for every straphanger.”

    As a result of these initiatives, major transit crimes are down 29 percent and arrests are up 71 percent year to date. When looking at the same time period, major transit crimes are down 28 percent from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. In the first nine weeks of 2025, New York City is experiencing the lowest number of subway crimes in 30 years, outside of the pandemic. Crime is 55 percent lower than in 2001 and 32 percent lower than in 2013.

    MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “It’s not a mystery — more cops, more enforcement, and more effective mental health outreach and treatment directly cuts down on transit crime. Now we need legal changes proposed by Gov. Hochul that will ensure recidivist criminals aren’t free to keep preying on subway riders.”

    Governor’s Five Point Plan to Address Subway Safety

    Governor Hochul’s five-point plan utilizes State resources to protect New Yorkers on the subways. This includes surging State personnel to assist NYPD bag checks, a program bill that permits transit bans for individuals that assault other passengers, the addition of new cameras to protect conductor cabins, increased coordination between District Attorneys and law enforcement and an increased number of Subway Co-Response Outreach (SCOUT) teams throughout the system — which operate in addition to the existing SOS teams. These actions build on the Governor’s unprecedented investment in safety on the subways, from standing up SOS teams to directing the MTA to install cameras in every subway car. Governor Hochul also called on judges to use their expanded discretion to set bail to keep repeat offenders off the streets.

    Increasing Law Enforcement Presence Throughout the Transit System

    Governor Hochul is working in partnership with New York City to increase New York Police Department (NYPD) presence on platforms and trains by temporarily surging patrol levels in addition to the National Guardsmen that have been re-deployed into the transit system. Approximately 750 NYPD officers will be stationed across New York City with an additional 300 in the train cars themselves. The increase in enforcement will prioritize 30 subways stations and transit hubs that account for 50 percent of crime in the transit system.

    The Governor worked with New York City to increase police patrols on every overnight train for a six month time period. NYPD officers are working from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and there are two uniformed officers onboard every subway train in service during those hours.

    This expansion of law enforcement patrols builds on the Governor’s previous announcement in December 2024 to add an additional 250 members of the National Guard to support subway safety, bringing the total to 1,000 National Guardsmen stationed at subway entrances in points throughout New York City.

    New Public Safety Resources To Protect Riders and Prevent Fare Evasion

    Governor Hochul will provide the funding to install platform edge barriers at more than 100 additional stations by the end of 2025. The selection of stations for the installation process will prioritize feasibility, including stations with standard car-stopping positions in segments of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M and L trains. Among these train lines, stations with higher ridership levels and island platforms will be prioritized.

    To address fare evasion, Governor Hochul will invest in modern fare gates in more than 20 stations across the system in 2025, and an additional 20 stations in 2026.

    Additionally, exit gates will delay egress at 150 additional stations in an effort to reduce fare evasion. At the Governor’s direction, the MTA will prioritize stations with higher ridership traffic, accessibility features and those with high fare evasion. The piloted design used in the roll-out was solicited through the MTA’s “Request for Information” to qualify the next generation of fare gates across the system. Initial installation is scheduled to begin at 42 St-Port Authority, Delancey St-Essex St and Roosevelt Av-Jackson Heights.

    The Governor will also provide funding to install LED lighting in all subway stations throughout the system which will increase visibility throughout the stations.

    Expanding Mental Health Partnerships and Resources

    Governor Hochul’s SOS initiative has successfully transitioned nearly 850 unhoused individuals into permanent housing and continues to make progress. SOS teams deployed across New York State often encounter individuals experiencing unmet medical and psychiatric needs. To address this gap, Governor Hochul is adding street medicine and street psychiatry providers to SOS teams statewide. These providers deliver timely care directly to individuals during outreach, improving access to psychiatric evaluations and medical treatment without requiring individuals to leave their belongings or seek care in hospitals. This approach is enhancing trust, building rapport and encouraging individuals to accept services and transition indoors, improving outcomes for New York’s most vulnerable residents.

    Additionally — to further help reduce homelessness in the subway system — Governor Hochul is working with the NYC Department of Homeless Services to expand their 24/7 “Welcome Center” model near end-of-line stations and will create spaces within stations that have a large presence of unhoused people for our mobile outreach teams to better connect and coordinate services.

    Governor Hochul previously announced a $20 million investment to expand the SCOUT Teams throughout the system to ten by the end of 2025, as a part of her five-point plan to protect New Yorkers on the subway. SCOUT teams are trained to address the most severe cases of mental health crisis within the subway system and assist New Yorkers in gaining access to mental health treatment and supportive housing.

    The Governor has made strengthening New York State’s mental health system a priority of her administration, landing historic investments in housing for people with mental illness and directing a large increase in inpatient psychiatric bed capacity at state-operated and community-based hospital systems. In addition, her initiatives have broadened prevention services, improved insurance coverage and expanded outpatient services for people with mental illness.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manchester Teacher Named 2025 Rogers Educational Innovation Fund Winner

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Alumna Giselle Ziegler ’22 6th Year has been named the Neag School of Education’s 2025 Rogers Educational Innovation Fund award winner. Ziegler teaches music at Odyssey Community School in Manchester, Connecticut.

    The Rogers Educational Innovation Fund, designated by the late Neag School of Education Professor Emeritus Vincent Rogers and his late wife, Chris, a lifelong teacher, provides a $5,000 annual award to support innovative projects by Connecticut elementary or middle school teachers. The gift is intended to support and expand the innovative, collaborative work of Connecticut’s classroom teachers and the Neag School of Education. This is the sixth year that the award has been bestowed.

    “I look forward to engaging students in musical opportunities outside the classroom in more real-world settings,” Neag School alumna Giselle Ziegler says. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

    Ziegler’s project is titled “Harmony in Diversity: Building Cultural Awareness and Musical Equity,” and aims to enhance cultural awareness and musical equity at Odyssey Community School by expanding access to instruments and culturally responsive experiences. It will fund new instruments for equitable participation as well as diverse performances and guest speakers. This will foster inclusivity, empathy, and a deeper connection to music across cultures. The project also nods to Vincent Rogers’ own passion for music, as he was a jazz musician in high school and with the West Point military band.

    “I look forward to engaging students in musical opportunities outside the classroom in more real-world settings,” Ziegler says. “Imagine taking them to see a live performance of what they’ve studied or bringing in local artists to work with them one-on-one. These experiences could be life changing.”

    “Giselle Ziegler’s project at Odyssey Community School stood out to our selection committee, among the other proposed projects, as we recognized its aim of expanding students’ knowledge and experiences with music in ways that were more culturally expansive and inclusive,” says Todd Campbell, professor and head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the Neag School, who chaired the 2025 Rogers Fund selection committee.

    We are excited to see this project making an impact in the lives of students at the Odyssey School. &#8212 Todd Campbell, professor and chair the 2025 Rogers Fund selection committee

    “Giselle’s ambition of getting more instruments in her students’ hands, beyond those they might typically get experiences with, and connecting them with diverse musicians is inspiring,” Campbell says. “We are excited to see this project making an impact in the lives of students at the Odyssey School and showcasing the work of an alum of our celebrated Neag School Music Education program.”

    Ziegler will be formally recognized at the 2025 Neag School Alumni Awards Celebration, which will be held at UConn Storrs in March.

    From the moment she joined Odyssey, Ziegler says she was struck by the school’s diversity. The Title I public charter school draws students from various towns and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating a melting pot of experiences, traditions, and perspectives. What fascinated her most, she says, was how her students came alive when they saw their cultures reflected in the curriculum.

    “I noticed early on that engagement spiked when I introduced music from their heritage, a realization that fueled my passion for creating a more inclusive and culturally responsive program,” Ziegler says. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

    “I noticed early on that engagement spiked when I introduced music from their heritage, a realization that fueled my passion for creating a more inclusive and culturally responsive program,” she says.

    This passion led her to apply for the Rogers award, with the hope that it could help transform her music program from a fledgling endeavor into a thriving, dynamic space for students to explore, create, and connect. With the funding, she envisions expanding the school’s instrumental resources and providing opportunities for her students to experience music in ways they had never imagined.

    Odyssey Community School has already introduced cultural presenters to its students through previous grant funding. Two years ago, Ziegler invited a North Indian Kathak dancer, Rachna Agrawal, to share the rhythms and traditions of her homeland. The following year, Ghanaian musician Iddi Saaka taught students the vibrant beats of West African drumming and dance. Most recently, they hosted Tere Luna, a Mexican folkloric presenter whose lively singing and dancing filled the halls with energy. Each visit had been met with enthusiasm, Ziegler says, but she wanted to take it further — beyond the classroom walls and into the world.

    At Odyssey, music education is still finding its footing. With limited instruments and a single teacher balancing general, vocal, and instrumental music for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students, the challenges are significant. One of Ziegler’s main goals with the Rogers award is to provide equitable access to instruments. Many students can only engage with music during class, but Ziegler dreams of students taking instruments home, practicing, and truly immersing themselves in their craft.

    “It’s about allowing them to practice at home, to develop their skills beyond the classroom,” she says. “Right now, that’s something missing; this award could change that.”

    This grant will change the lives of so many students at Odyssey… And to be able to contribute to the legacy of Professor Rogers, someone who was so passionate about music — it means everything to me. &#8212 Giselle Ziegler ’22 6th Year

    Beyond the instruments, Ziegler’s approach to teaching is deeply rooted in inclusivity. She follows the philosophy of educator and author Alfie Kohn, emphasizing content, community, and choice — three key elements that she believes are essential to student success.

    “If I’m providing them with content that’s engaging and relevant to their cultures, creating a community where they feel safe and respected, and giving them choices in how they learn, then I’m doing my job,” she says.

    As she wrote her Rogers award proposal, these principles were at the front of her mind. She imagined a classroom where every student saw themselves represented; their cultural backgrounds were acknowledged and celebrated; and music was a bridge that connected them all. She knows that when students feel seen and valued, they are more willing to take risks, explore their creativity, and truly invest in their learning.

    Her long-term vision includes integrating the learning bolstered by this grant into Odyssey’s unique “Community Periods.” These Friday sessions involve the whole school and allow students to explore topics of interest beyond the traditional curriculum, and school surveys have shown a strong desire for more engagement with culture through music. Ziegler sees this as the perfect opportunity to use the Roger award’s resources to culminate in a schoolwide event celebrating the diverse musical traditions of their community.

    “One of our trimesters could be dedicated to showcasing what students have learned through this project,” she suggests. “It could be a performance, an exhibition, or even an interactive workshop. The possibilities are endless.”

    When reflecting on the donors who make the Rogers award possible every year, Ziegler says she is filled with gratitude.

    “First and foremost, thank you,” she says. “This grant will change the lives of so many students at Odyssey, not just now but for generations to come. And to be able to contribute to the legacy of Professor Rogers, someone who was so passionate about music — it means everything to me.”

    Read more about the Rogers Educational Innovation Fund at rogersfund.uconn.edu.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peter Canning Recognized for EMS Role in Stroke Care

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    The UConn John Dempsey Hospital’s emergency medical services coordinator, Peter Canning, is this year’s recipient of the Dr. Richard Simon Excellence in Clinical Neurosciences Award.

    His nominators credit Canning, a paramedic and nurse who’s been UConn Health’s EMS coordinator since 2008, for his instrumental role in stroke care.

    Peter Canning is UConn Health’s emergency medical services coordinator. (Peter Morenus/UConn Photo)

    “He works tirelessly to review any cases sent over for process improvement and communicates with the EMS professionals. He also keeps his ear to the ground to make sure UConn Health is at the forefront of new protocols for patients with stroke,” his nominators write. “His work helps improve the care our ED and stroke program provide. Overall, Peter is an amazing resource for our ED and stroke program.”

    UConn Health’s then Division of Neurosurgery established the award in Simon’s name in 2020, and since has presented it annually to clinicians, staff, or students “who exemplify excellence in any area of the neurosciences at UConn Health.” Simon is the hospital’s chief of medical staff and professor of surgery in what is now the Department of Neurosurgery, and has been a member of the UConn School of Medicine faculty for four decades.

    “It is a true honor to recognize such a powerhouse as the recipient of the Richard Simon Award,” Simon says. “Reading his bio is a humbling experience — Peter is a true Renaissance man, seamlessly blending the roles of athlete, published author, and political advisor. But above all, he is a paramedic — our paramedic. As the EMS coordinator at UConn Health, he has played a pivotal role in shaping EMS operations across our region, leaving a lasting impact on the field and the many lives he has touched.”

    Though he is the first solo recipient of the Simon Award, Canning sees it not only as an honor for him, but also as an acknowledgement of the emergency medical services component of stroke care.

    “I was honored to get this award and accept it on behalf of our EMS providers,” Canning says. “Care at our hospital begins not when the patient arrives through our doors, but when our EMS partners arrive at the patient’s side in their homes, places of work and our community. When every minute counts, their rapid stroke recognition and early notification to our ED through stroke alerts, enables us to provide timely interventions like tPA and thrombectomy that make a critical difference in quality-of-life outcomes. I am proud to be a part of our outstanding stroke program and to be able to work with such wonderful caring practitioners as we strive to improve stroke education and treatment.”

    From left: Dr. Hilary Oniyuke, Dr. Richard Simon, and Dr. Ketan Bulsara (photo provided by Ketan Bulsara).

    Dr. Hilary Onyiuke, professor of neurosurgery, founder and co-director of UConn Health’s Comprehensive Spine Program, and vice chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, chairs the award’s selection committee, which includes leadership from the Department of Neurosurgery, the Department of Neurology, and the neuroradiology section of the Department of Radiology.

    “It is truly a great honor to celebrate Dr. Simon’s countless contributions to UConn Health through this prestigious award,” says Dr. Ketan Bulsara, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery. “His singular dedication to UConn Health and its missions over all these years has truly been inspirational. I thank the members of the selection committee, who truly had a formidable task to sort through the outstanding nominations.”

    Learn more about stroke care at UConn Health.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: EtherWAN Unveils High-Speed Point-to-Multipoint Wireless Bridge Kit

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EtherWAN is excited to announce the launch of the EasyLink Pro MP Series, a new high-speed wireless bridge kit capable of delivering data rates up to 2,400 Mbps. This latest addition to EtherWAN’s turnkey hardened wireless solutions is designed to provide secure and instant connectivity to up to six remote locations, making it ideal for a variety of applications, including security, transportation, and any scenario requiring wireless data transmission.

    The EasyLink Pro MP Series Wireless Bridge Kit supports Point-to-Multipoint connections, allowing users to connect up to six remote locations with ease. The bridges can connect locations up to 1.5 miles away, with an array of 4K cameras attached to each remote unit, providing robust and reliable connectivity over long distances. Additionally, the EasyLink Pro MP Series is IP67 rated, and operable in temperatures ranging from -40 to 167°F, ensuring durability and reliability in harsh outdoor environments. Like its predecessors, the bridges are engineered to save integrators time and money by eliminating the need to configure the devices.

    With no user configuration required, installers can simply mount, plug in, and align the units using the built-in alignment LEDs for instant connectivity. The units are wall or pole mountable, ensuring flexibility for almost any application.

    “The EasyLink Pro Multi Series was designed for quick installations with no configuration required. There’s no network knowledge needed, avoiding the need for a network engineer to configure the device or for IT to provide an IP address,” says David Choi, EtherWAN’s Sr. Product Manager. “It’s the perfect product for both integrators and end-users, as they can mount the unit and have it running in a few minutes, allowing them to move on to the next project.”

    Each remote unit can support up to five 4K cameras, making it an excellent choice for high-resolution video surveillance and other data-intensive applications.

    Whether you are a security integrator or transportation engineer, the EasyLink Pro MP Series offers a reliable and versatile solution for a wide range of data transmission needs. The EasyLink Pro MP Series can be found at distributors nationwide, including ADI, Wesco/Anixter, and more. EtherWAN is thrilled to introduce the future of grab-and-go turnkey wireless bridge systems.

    EtherWAN’s hardened products are rated to operate within a -40°F to 167°F range and are built to resist vibration and electromagnetic interference at four times the level of commercial devices. The products are backed by a long warranty and complimentary US-based tech support. Networking training courses are also available, providing general technical knowledge for network design and planning.

    Visit EtherWAN’s website for more details and learn how to integrate the range of EasyLink Series products into your network.

    https://www.etherwan.com/us

    About EtherWAN Systems, Inc.

    EtherWAN Systems, Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of Ethernet, PoE, Wireless, Media Converters, and Fiber connectivity products for demanding environments. Founded in 1996 by NASA Engineers, EtherWAN’s expertise lies in Critical Infrastructure & Surveillance connectivity solutions that make communities safe and secure. From in-house designed and manufactured products to the implementation and support for customers of all sizes.

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mickey 17: this absurdist, dystopian clone drama is highly entertaining – despite its flaws

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sean Seeger, Senior Lecturer, Department of Literature Film and Theatre Studies (LiFTS), University of Essex

    Written, directed and co-produced by Bong Joon-ho, Mickey 17 is another exciting, discussion-worthy film from the acclaimed Korean director. For fans of his previous work, such as Oscar-winner Parasite (2019), it’s well worth seeing – even though the film is not without wrinkles.

    Like Bong’s earlier films, Mickey 17 combines artful world-building, an impeccable cast, social satire, anarchic humour and a taste for the grotesque (a shot of a severed hand floating past the porthole of a spacecraft’s cafeteria lingers in the mind).

    It’s a measure of Bong’s success to date that, as well as granting him full editorial control of the film, Warner Brothers reportedly provided a budget of US$120 million (£93 million). It’s a large sum by current Hollywood standards, though still only half that of mega productions like Avatar (£185 million) and The Dark Knight Rises (£195 million).

    Set in 2054, Mickey 17 follows a mission to establish a human settlement on an inhospitable alien planet. In this imagined future, it has become possible to replicate human beings with total accuracy using an advanced form of 3D printing.

    Although outlawed back on Earth, human printing is legal in the remote regions of space, where disposable workers known as “expendables” can be reprinted on demand each time they perish. At the start of the film, Mickey is killed and reprinted 16 times before an accident leads to two Mickeys (numbers 17 and 18) coexisting in what is referred to as a “multiples violation”.

    The trailer for Mickey 17.

    Mickey’s existence is nightmarish: an endlessly repeated cycle of exploitation, death and rebirth. Combined with some memorably surreal imagery – most notably a sequence in which multiple Mickeys are shown emerging from the printer like pages from a photocopier – this chilling scenario sometimes brings the film within the orbit of the horror genre.

    Bong Joon-ho’s dystopian satire

    Stylistically and thematically, Mickey 17 bears a clear resemblance to two of Bong’s previous films: Snowpiercer (2013) and Parasite. Where it diverges from its predecessors is the room it creates for hope.

    In Snowpiercer, a bleakly comic eco-dystopia, the oppressive society in which the film is set is overthrown when a train housing the last human survivors of a new ice age is sabotaged by workers from the lower-class tail section.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    The ambiguous final scene of the film depicts the main characters exiting the train only to be confronted by a frozen, potentially uninhabitable wasteland. If the train stands for global capitalism, Snowpiercer seems to imply that the prospects for a life beyond capitalism are slight.

    Parasite has likewise often been read as a fable about contemporary capitalism. It follows a lower-class family as they gradually try to take over the home of a much wealthier family, waging a kind of covert class warfare from a hidden subterranean level beneath the house. In the end, however, the poorer family is publicly humiliated and violently driven back underground to plot its revenge.

    Whereas both Snowpiercer and Parasite can therefore be seen as staging revolutionary struggles that are in different ways defeated, Mickey 17 is more hopeful.

    It is somewhat disappointing, then, that other than an impassioned anti-colonial speech in the final act, the victory over oppressive systems mainly involves throwing out the few bad apples at the top before resuming business as usual. In this regard, the stalled revolutions of Snowpiercer and Parasite are more persuasive.

    Mickey 17 is a well-made and successful film. It is engaging, witty, strange and at times visually stunning. Although the film overstretches itself in attempting to envisage a future beyond dystopia, it is nonetheless gratifying in the age of the superhero franchise to see a bigger budget Hollywood film that has something to say and dares to take some creative risks.

    Sean Seeger 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. Mickey 17: this absurdist, dystopian clone drama is highly entertaining – despite its flaws – https://theconversation.com/mickey-17-this-absurdist-dystopian-clone-drama-is-highly-entertaining-despite-its-flaws-251496

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Plants struggled for millions of years after Earth’s worst climate catastrophe – new study

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Marcos Amores, PhD Candidate in Palaeoclimatology, University College Cork

    A king fern at the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, Australia. Marcos Amores

    With the world on the threshold of 1.5°C of warming, one pressing question is: how bad can it get? The answer may lie beneath our feet.

    Buried underground are rocks, many rocks, and they are old. For palaeontologists like us, they are a vast archive of past life on Earth. In particular, they can tell us how life on land fared during times when the climate warmed suddenly. Our new study showed that plants were severely affected and forests took millions of years to recover.

    About 252 million years ago more than 80% of marine species became extinct. This is known as the end-Permian mass extinction, arguably the most significant climatic crisis since the earliest appearance of animals, more than 555 million years ago. It seems that the prime culprit was the massive amount of warming-inducing greenhouse gas released by volcanoes in a region known as the Siberian Traps in Russia.

    Evidence suggests that plants may not have suffered a mass extinction, but their communities were heavily affected, if not destroyed outright. While the extreme heat would have pushed plants and animals past their tolerance limits, they probably also faced deadly droughts, ozone depletion, widespread wildfires and toxic heavy metal contamination.

    Data on how plants fared following the end-Permian extinction are plentiful, but little is known about those located at higher latitudes, where it was cooler. Thriving ecosystems existed at polar latitudes back then, aided by a mostly ice-free polar region. At the end-Permian event, however, this ecosystem was entirely wiped out.

    Our work examined the rocks and fossils of the Sydney region of Australia, which was located near the south pole for at least 8 million years following the worst mass extinction in Earth’s history. These well-preserved, long-term records provide a window into the recovery of plant communities furthest away from the source of trouble.

    The long, unsteady path to recovery

    The plant fossils from these Australian rocks showed that conifers, like modern pines or cypresses, were some of the earliest to colonise the land immediately following the calamity. The recovery to flourishing forests, however, was not smooth sailing.

    We discovered that even higher temperatures 2 million years after the end-Permian event caused the collapse of these conifer survivors. In turn, they were replaced by tough, shrubby plants resembling modern clubmosses (like Isoetes). How hot it got in Sydney is not known, but this scorching period lasted for about 700,000 years and made life challenging for trees and other large plants.

    When cooling conditions finally manifested, large but unusual plants that looked like ferns but bore seeds like conifers flourished and established more stable forests in Sydney. This recovery took less than 100,000 years to happen. These plants eventually dominated the landscape for millions of years, paving the way for the lush forests during the Mesozoic age of the dinosaurs.

    So, after million of years, the forest ecosystems of the Mesozoic came to look like those from before the end-Permian event. But crucially, the plant species that made up the new forests were completely different.

    The term “recovery” can be misleading. Forests recover eventually, but extinction of individual species is forever.

    By understanding how ancient plant ecosystems weathered extreme climate swings, we, as researchers, hope to learn valuable lessons about how modern plants and ecosystems might cope (or not) with today’s climate crisis. With this knowledge, we can inform policymakers of what is yet to come, and help steer a course that will avoid the worst climate outcomes over the longest possible timeframes.

    So, fossil records add a data-driven long-term perspective to the climate choices we make today. Ecosystems depend on a fragile balance, with plants as the backbone of food webs on land and climate regulators.

    The fossils have spoken: the disruption of these systems can have consequences that last hundreds of thousands of years, so protecting today’s ecosystems is more important than ever.

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

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

    Marcos Amores receives funding from Research Ireland Centre for Applied Geosciences (grants 13/RC/2092_P2 and 17/RC-PhD/3481) and Research Ireland (grant 22/FFP-P/11448).

    Chris Mays receives funding from the Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (grant #13/RC/2092_P2) and Science Foundation Ireland (grant #22/FFP-P/11448).

    – ref. Plants struggled for millions of years after Earth’s worst climate catastrophe – new study – https://theconversation.com/plants-struggled-for-millions-of-years-after-earths-worst-climate-catastrophe-new-study-251324

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why global firms are pushed to take sides in wars, and how they can avoid it

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Stephan Manning, Professor of Strategy and Innovation, University of Sussex Business School, University of Sussex

    Virrage Images/Shutterstock

    Russia’s war against Ukraine has changed how global firms respond to geopolitical events. Whereas in the past foreign companies often preferred to stay neutral in times of war, now they increasingly take sides.

    When Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago, global firms like Google and Amazon were swift to offer support to Ukraine with donations and supplies. Others, like Renault and Deutsche Bank, harmed the Russian economy by suspending operations and investment.

    Overall, more than 1,000 foreign companies reduced their activity in Russia, with nearly 300 of them leaving the country completely. These firms acted in line with the geopolitical position of their home countries, but often did so before their governments had issued any official policy.

    In our study of corporate responses to the Russia-Ukraine war, we call this
    “partisan behavior” – as it supports one side, while harming the other.

    But taking sides often comes at a cost. Shell, for example, lost almost US$5 billion (£3.9 million) by leaving a joint venture with Russia’s energy giant Gazprom, and the US digital communication company Cisco lost almost £200 million from pausing its operations in Russia.

    Supporting one side over another has also backfired for many firms in the conflict between Israel and Gaza. For example, McDonald’s restaurants in Israel (then owned by a franchise group) donated free food to Israeli soldiers, while Ben & Jerry’s sought to stop sales to Israelis in the West Bank.

    Both actions led to a considerable backlash, mostly in the form of consumer boycotts, which led to reduced growth for McDonald’s, and big losses for Ben & Jerry’s parent company, Unilever.

    So why do companies take such economic and reputational risks? One reason could be that geopolitical divides along with ongoing culture wars, amplified by social media outrage, have increased public pressure on large multinational firms to take a political stance.

    Yet continuing with business as usual does not seem to be an option either. After Coca-Cola continued to operate as normal during the Israel-Gaza conflict, it was accused by one Palestinian-led movement of being “complicit in a war crime”.

    Firms that maintained operations in Russia, such as Carlsberg and Unilever, were not only criticised for doing so by their home countries, but also faced the prospect of a takeover by the Russian state – since their western influence was perceived as threatening. In comparison, many Chinese firms took the opportunity and expanded operations in Russia – supported by the Russian government.

    A survey by the American thinktank the Conference Board confirms that western companies find it increasingly challenging to “maintain neutrality” in times of conflict. Yet geopolitical conflicts are on the rise, and multinational firms will continue to feel pressure to respond.

    Of course, sometimes foreign firms have little choice about what to do. For example their home governments may issue sanctions on a conflict party, making it difficult to continue business. This was the situation for many foreign firms operating in Russia during the war.

    Focus on the victims

    But often, foreign firms can choose how to respond. In those cases, our research suggests that they should take a non-partisan humanitarian position, and focus on supporting the victims of a conflict – on both sides – as much as possible.

    For example, two large US companies, Comcast (media) and Verizon (telecommunications), each committed US$1.5 Million to support humanitarian efforts, such as the charity Doctors Without Borders, in both Israel and Gaza. Neither firm has faced criticism or any kind of backlash.

    Humanitarian aid arriving in Gaza, February 2025.
    Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

    A further step would be for large corporations to develop a shared code of conduct which focuses entirely on non-partisan humanitarian measures in line with international law.

    Under this law, conflicting parties have an obligation to ensure passage of humanitarian aid, freedom of movement of humanitarian workers and the protection of civilians, refugees, prisoners and the wounded.

    Multinationals could play a constructive role in this effort. They could partner with NGOs and charities to finance essential services, provide logistical support and ensure the continuous flow of aid.

    Such a shared commitment to the humanitarian cause could also be a useful approach for other organisations, like universities. The resignations of US university presidents after they criticised pro-Palestinian campus protests could have been prevented with a clearer non-partisan approach.

    A politically polarised world can be difficult to navigate, and one that global businesses should be increasingly wary of. But a non-partisan humanitarian approach, which helps those who suffer the most, offers a balanced and ethical alternative.

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

    – ref. Why global firms are pushed to take sides in wars, and how they can avoid it – https://theconversation.com/why-global-firms-are-pushed-to-take-sides-in-wars-and-how-they-can-avoid-it-249409

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: The king has a tricky diplomatic role to play in inviting Trump for a state visit

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesca Jackson, PhD candidate, Lancaster Law School, Lancaster University

    As monarch, King Charles III is bound by constitutional convention to remain politically neutral. But that hasn’t stopped the UK government from deploying the king to advance its foreign policy agenda.

    During their inaugural meeting, Keir Starmer presented Donald Trump with a letter from the king, inviting the president for a “truly historic” and “unprecedented” second state visit to the UK and a visit to the monarch’s private Balmoral residence.

    Later that week, the government arranged for the king to meet Volodymyr Zelensky at the royal countryside retreat of Sandringham, to show support for the Ukrainian leader following his disastrous meeting with Trump.

    The government is walking a tightrope: it wants to avoid tariffs from Trump, while continuing to support Zelensky and Ukraine. And it is using the king to help it do so.

    Want more politics coverage from academic experts? Every week, we bring you informed analysis of developments in government and fact check the claims being made.

    Sign up for our weekly politics newsletter, delivered every Friday.

    It is not unusual for governments to use monarchs to boost international relations, particularly through state visits. The monarch has a huge amount of soft power and the pomp and ceremony of a state visit can help governments achieve their foreign affairs aims.

    State visits differ from regular diplomatic visits: they are the most formal way in which a foreign head of state can come to the UK, and happen just once or twice a year.

    Visitors are greeted by the king and other members of the royal family with a ceremonial welcome accompanied by gun salutes on the Horse Guards Parade ground in London. They then travel back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession, where they enjoy a formal state banquet at which the monarch toasts the visiting head of state.

    State visits are not cheap: Trump’s first visit cost £3.5 million in policing alone. But they can play a key role in diplomacy.

    A state visit to France by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972 helped seal the deal on the UK’s third attempt at joining the the European Economic Community. And in 2024, the UK’s defence partnership with Qatar was “strengthened” following the state visit of the Qatari emir.

    There is a danger that the monarch’s reputation is affected by hosting controversial heads of state. No doubt the palace PR team is less than enthused about the prospect of Charles being seen wining and dining Trump. The optics of hosting Trump during his first state visit reportedly put the late Queen Elizabeth in a “very difficult position”.

    But monarchs have little (if any) influence over who they host for a state visit. Charles will have been advised by the government to invite Trump in accordance with the cardinal convention. This fundamental constitutional principle requires the monarch to act on the advice of the government.

    Constitutional conventions are not legally binding. But in the UK’s constitutional monarchy, the monarch reigns but does not rule and power is exercised by democratically-elected ministers rather than the sovereign. Failure by the monarch to follow convention could spark a constitutional crisis, as fictional plays and dramas have long imagined.

    A royal invitation.
    Number 10 Flickr, CC BY-ND

    This is why the late queen had to host some controversial and less-than-democratic figures. It even once led her to hide in a bush to avoid encountering Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in the Buckingham Palace gardens.

    And it is why Charles, on the government’s advice, will host Trump.

    Laying on the royal charm

    Usually, the public doesn’t see invitations for state visits, but we did see this particular letter. Signed “Yours most sincerely, Charles”, it feels particularly personal and designed to charm Trump, whose love of the British royal family is well known. The offer of an additional visit to Balmoral is a nod to the president’s mother, who was born in Scotland.

    The king’s invitation seems to have done the diplomatic trick. Trump ended his meeting with Starmer by stating: “I think we could very well end up with a real trade deal where the tariffs wouldn’t be necessary”.

    But the visit won’t be without controversy. In the days since, a petition asking for Trump’s invitation to be withdrawn has reached nearly 200,000 signatures. But Starmer has publicly dismissed calls to withdraw the invitation.

    No doubt Charles himself is less than thrilled to invite the president, both after his recent behaviour towards Zelensky and his decision to pull the US from the Paris agreement, given the king’s advocacy on environmental issues.

    Could the king raise such issues with Trump? Charles is bound by the doctrine of political neutrality: he must refrain from acting on political opinions. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be room for other senior royals not bound by the convention, like William, from doing so.

    Indeed, as prince of wales, Charles himself showed opposition to controversial leaders, effectively boycotting Chinese state visits in 1999 and 2015 allegedly in support for the exiled Tibetan leader, the Dalai Lama.

    The monarch plays an important diplomatic role, especially during state visits. While the leaders they host may be controversial, the monarch must respect constitutional boundaries. Nevertheless, with an outspoken king and heir, this visit could prove to be even more unprecedented than it already is.

    Francesca Jackson 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. The king has a tricky diplomatic role to play in inviting Trump for a state visit – https://theconversation.com/the-king-has-a-tricky-diplomatic-role-to-play-in-inviting-trump-for-a-state-visit-251308

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Russia launching ‘suicide missions’ across strategic Dnipro river as pause in US aid hampers defence

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Veronika Poniscjakova, Deputy Director, Porstmouth Military Education Team, University of Portsmouth

    After publicly belittling Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in a White House meeting, Donald Trump has suspended US military aid to Ukraine and paused intelligence sharing. It is now clear that Ukraine is in trouble in both its political and military situations, and the latter will only worsen as the effects of the US aid suspension hit.

    Trump’s outburst has, to some extent, reinvigorated European support for the war-torn country. But Zelensky’s recent statement that “Ukraine is ready to negotiate about an end to the conflict” suggests that he recognises how precarious the situation has become.

    In Trump’s address to the US Congress on February 4, the US president welcomed this shift, and claimed that Russia was also ready for a truce.

    What would a negotiated peace look like? The side that holds the upper hand, both politically and militarily, will have a stronger position at the negotiating table.

    At the moment, the advantage is overwhelmingly with Russia, which is striving to press home its battlefield advantage and occupy as much territory as it can before a potential ceasefire. This is likely to mean a freezing of the conflict on its current lines of contact.

    The war has now lasted more than three years, and since Ukraine’s failed summer 2023 counteroffensive, there have been no major changes on the battlefield, except for Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region in August 2024. Kyiv had hoped that seizing this territory could serve as a bargaining chip in future peace negotiations.

    But even this has not gone according to plan, as Russia has been steadily reclaiming the area, aided by North Korean troops.

    Recent battlefield developments reaffirm the ongoing stalemate. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) (as of March 4), Russian forces continued offensives along various key strategic points in the east and south. While Russian advances continue to be slow, it’s a situation that could change quickly, particularly with the dramatic shutdown of US assistance.

    One of the key areas where Russia is now putting intense pressure on Ukrainian troops is in the Kherson oblast in the south of the country. Russian forces are reportedly attempting to cross the Dnipro river, aiming to establish footholds on the west (right) bank at four locations to allow them a clear run at the strategically important port city of Kherson.

    Russia has successfully negotiated river crossings during the three-year war, but this time, the situation seems more challenging. Recent reporting from the frontlines has described Russian assaults on Dnipro crossings as “suicide missions”, causing heavy Russian casualties.

    A high Russian body count is nothing new in this conflict. But why is Russia willing to sacrifice so many of its soldiers, particularly when the political prospects favour Putin and the Russians?

    Oleksandr Prokudin, the governor of Kherson, suggests that Russia is desperate to establish a foothold as crossing the Dnipro would open up Kherson oblast for further advances and could be used in negotiations to strengthen Russia’s claim over the entire region. The occupation of Kherson was listed by Russian defence minister, Andrei Belousov, as a key strategic goal for 2025.

    Strategic barrier

    Crossing the Dnipro will not be easy. Ukraine has tried and failed in the opposite direction on several occasions for example, in April and August 2023.

    At that stage, as part of the (ultimately unsuccessful) spring-summer offensive, Kyiv hoped crossing the river would be a major breakthrough that would lead to easier access to Crimea. This now looks like a lost cause – at least militarily.

    State of the conflict in Ukraine, March 5 2024.
    Institute for the Study of War

    The Dnipro is not only a natural barrier dividing the country into two parts. It’s also vital as a transport artery through the country and its dams provide energy.

    Russia realises this, and it has seen the river as one of Ukraine’s “centres of gravity”. On day one of the invasion, Russian forces made a beeline for the Dnipro, crossing and taking up positions that they were later forced to abandon as Ukraine fought back.

    Now, as Prokudin observed, Russia is once again throwing its troops at the river. A series of assaults in December 2024 were successfully repelled, but things have changed even in the few months since. Ukraine is in an increasingly difficult position.

    Ukraine’s military is facing increasingly critical troop shortages and has a far smaller population to draw on than Russia – something which is beginning to tell.

    And each day seems to bring further bad news. The US decision to pause intelligence sharing will mean its forces in the field will be virtually deaf and blind and at the mercy of Russian attacks on their positions (although there is reason to believe the pause may be reasonably shortlived).

    But, with the decision to halt military aid, it’s an indication of the Trump administration’s determination to force Kyiv into a peace deal – whether or not it’s acceptable to Ukraine.

    At this stage it looks almost inevitable that Ukraine will be unable to reclaim all the territory it has lost to Russia since 2014. Its best chance may be to secure what it still does control and go all-out to prevent further Russian advances. One of the ways it needs to do that right now is to ensure Russia does not establish a foothold across the Dnipro river.

    Veronika Poniscjakova 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. Russia launching ‘suicide missions’ across strategic Dnipro river as pause in US aid hampers defence – https://theconversation.com/russia-launching-suicide-missions-across-strategic-dnipro-river-as-pause-in-us-aid-hampers-defence-251439

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: What climate vulnerability actually looks like

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Charlotte Kate Weatherill, Lecturer in Politics and International Studies, The Open University

    Floods affected main roads in Norfolk, UK, in February 2024. mick wass photography/Shutterstock

    The imagery of climate change matters. How we perceive the world affects how we perceive climate change, and how it will affect us – or whether it will affect us at all.

    Imagery has long been understood as an important part of climate communication. Climate change is complex, and requires some simplification to be communicated widely. Yet, this process of simplification can rely too heavily on existing stereotypes, which can affect risk perception across different populations.

    Think of climate vulnerability. This term describes who is likely to be negatively affected by climate change. Perceptions of vulnerability are affected by the images that are chosen to represent climate change. However, the images that are chosen also reflect our perceptions of who is vulnerable.

    For example, sea level rise is often represented through aerial images of Pacific atolls and ice melt is made emotional through the use of polar bears. But which images are most often used to represent human vulnerability to climate change?

    Search online for an image of climate victims and you are likely to see a photograph showing a stereotypical image of “brown women and children” standing in rising flood waters. Images like this show women and children, usually in Asia or Africa, looking distressed in a way that frames them as victims.

    However, when searching by region, images of climate victims can look different. For example, compare the search for “climate victim Asia” and “climate victim UK”.

    Fuli Khatun, a flood victim whose home was submerged in the 2019 floods in Bangladesh.
    UN Women Asia and the Pacific, CC BY-NC-ND

    The image above of of Fuli Khatan, a Bangladeshi flood victim, shows a woman experiencing a disaster. But the image below is very different. It shows Mary Long-Dhonau, a climate victim from the UK whose home has been flooded several times. She is looking directly at the camera, smiling slightly. She is not portrayed as a victim, but as a campaigner.

    The difference in how these women are portrayed is effective in showing how climate vulnerability is understood. For the most part, the climate vulnerable are imagined to be women and children in the global south (developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America), due to their marginalised position within society.

    In other words, the climate vulnerable are portrayed as the same people who are already considered vulnerable.

    This framing makes climate change an issue that follows an established pattern of risk. It doesn’t seem like a new issue, but rather chalk on the white wall of other political issues such as development.

    This overlap is partly the result of long-running and deeply embedded power inequalities that have made some people vulnerable in order to make other people wealthy.

    However, this pattern is overstated and climate vulnerability extends beyond those we already understand as vulnerable. Last month, the European Copernicus climate service declared that 2024 was the first calendar year to pass the symbolic threshold of 1.5°C heating, as well as the world’s hottest on record. Every degree of heating means more people will suffer the effects of climate change.

    These images also reflect the dominant understanding in the UK of climate change vulnerability as something that only happens elsewhere – in countries that are already vulnerable.

    Climate is an ‘us’ problem

    I’ve often encountered this issue in my research on the politics of climate vulnerability. My work questions the assumptions of climate change and vulnerability, tracing them back to understand the logics on which they rely. For example, the Pacific was described as vulnerable and doomed to not being habitable long before climate change became an issue.

    At the same time, assumptions of safety are rooted in history. In developed societies, there is a popular narrative that affluence provides a shield, which assumes wealthier people will be better protected by default.

    And yet, the UK is already experiencing climate change.

    The UK’s rainfall intensity has increased markedly over the past 60 years, leading to an increase of extreme flooding events. The east coast is being eroded, and battling sea level rise. And the UK government’s climate change committee has argued that the UK has no credible adaptation plan.

    Also, in an interconnected world, we have already experienced how shocks elsewhere can affect our food supply and gas prices. Even if the UK could escape the direct effects of climate change, it would still feel the consequences.

    Our perceptions of vulnerability are so entrenched that even climate-related incidences in wealthy countries, like the recent floods in Valencia or wildfires in LA don’t lead to a change in narrative. In fact, climate activists continue to be criminalised.

    Being aware of how images are used to influence our perceptions of vulnerability is an important step in changing the narrative. Climate change is already at levels at which we are all affected. We need to make this clearer.

    The UK has an historical responsibility to mitigate but it also needs to take more steps towards adaptation to the climate change that is already locked in.

    Speaking in February 2025, professor of energy and climate change Kevin Anderson described the future of humanity as a range of possibilities that goes from “dire consequences” to “catastrophic outcomes”. The higher temperatures are pushed past 1.5°C warming, the truer it is that nobody is safe.

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

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

    Charlotte Kate Weatherill 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 climate vulnerability actually looks like – https://theconversation.com/what-climate-vulnerability-actually-looks-like-249422

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Paying attention to how multilingual children read can help foster reading for pleasure for all

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sabine Little, Lecturer in Educational Studies (Languages Education), University of Sheffield

    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Just 34.6% of children in the UK read for pleasure, according to a 2024 survey by the National Literacy Trust. This is the lowest number since the annual survey began in 2005 – down from 43.4% in the previous year.

    These figures are worrying, but a key to helping children learn to love reading could lie in the reading habits of multilingual children.

    My own research with the National Literacy Trust, conducted in 2021, explored the reading habits of 10,000 multilingual children in the UK. These are children who speak at least one language other than English at home.

    We found that not only do multilingual children spend more time reading for pleasure than those growing up speaking just one language, they also read a wider variety of texts and formats, and they enjoy reading for pleasure more.

    In a separate study, published in 2021, I found that multilingual children have a multitude of connections to their reading. A book might be important because it paved the way to a new hobby or because it was the first book they read in a new language, or one that was received from a beloved relative.

    The research showed that multilingual children have a wide variety of ways in thinking about “importance” in reading, including what the book represents to them, in terms of their migration journey, the people in their lives, and the languages they read in.

    Understanding these connections helps us to understand what children and young people are reading for. It teases out where and how reading had an impact on a child’s life: as an escape, as a guide to a new experience, as a link to a friend.

    The study also showed that parents continue to have a significant input into the reading lives of multilingual children. Because they often have a vested interest in supporting the development of the home or heritage language development, they stay involved, by reading together with children, or being on hand to help with language-related stumbling blocks.

    As a result, multilingual children persevere with their reading: they read while listening to the audio book at the same time, to improve literacy skills, or they read a book in both their languages, to make sure they catch nuances and meaning. Children identify these successes as “important” parts of their reading journey.

    But in my research with the National Literacy Trust, multilingual children told us that they wished schools paid more attention to their multilingualism. While conducting focus groups about multilingual reading in schools a few years ago, I noticed that children would only talk to me about their reading in English. When I queried this, one girl said: “Sure, I read all the Harry Potter books in Bengali. But why do you want to know about that? Nobody wants to know about that.”

    Celebrating reading by all children

    In working to address this problem, I have developed techniques in my research that have helped multilingual children map their reading both in and outside school, and in more than one language.

    This can also help other children understand and plot their own connections to what they read, and to recognise the value in what they read that isn’t books at school.

    Photo taken in River of Reading project.
    Sabine Little, CC BY-NC-ND

    One key method is to create a “river of reading”: a chronological artefact that charts a child’s reading journey across their various languages, and what reading is important to them. It’s suitable for all reading, multilingual or monolingual.

    This activity prompts children to think about the books that were important to them when they were very small, and to ask the adults in their lives about this too. It asks them to think about what they read that isn’t in books, such as magazines, recipes and messages from friends.

    And it prompts children to consider that a written text might be important to them without being their “favourite” – that reading something important isn’t always easy. This allows them to claim and discuss books they didn’t like or found difficult, too.

    This year’s World Book Day has taken on board the rivers of reading activity to help schools understand the reading that goes on at home and in school.

    As a bonus, activities such as this could make multilingualism more visible in a positive way in schools. This sends a message to multilingual children that all parts of their identity are welcome and can have a positive effect on motivation for language learning for all children.

    Sabine Little receives funding from the UK Literacy Association.

    – ref. Paying attention to how multilingual children read can help foster reading for pleasure for all – https://theconversation.com/paying-attention-to-how-multilingual-children-read-can-help-foster-reading-for-pleasure-for-all-250711

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan: Access to stricken Zamzam camp ‘is nearly impossible’

    Source: United Nations 4

    6 March 2025 Peace and Security

    Civilians sheltering in the vast Zamzam displacement camp in Sudan’s North Darfur region are now “nearly impossible” to reach, the UN’s top aid official in the country warned on Thursday.

    “I am deeply worried about reports of destruction of homes and livelihoods in North Darfur,” said Clementine Nkweta-Salami, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan. “Civilians continue to pay the price. Access to Zamzam camp is nearly impossible, just when people need support the most. We need unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver life-saving aid.”

    Zamzam camp is around 15 kilometres south of El Fasher town, the capital of North Darfur, which has been besieged by militia forces opposing the Government in Khartoum now for months. It opened in 2004 to shelter people uprooted by the war in the west of the country.

    Just last week, the UN World Food Programme reported that children were already dying in the camp and that thousands could starve in the coming weeks, after it was forced to pause aid distribution amid heavy shelling.

    Allies-turned-foes

    Across Sudan, the Government’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have been battling their former allies- turned-adversaries, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia, since 15 April 2023 when a planned transition to civilian rule broke down.

    The RSF now controls virtually all of Darfur but has been laying siege to the city of El Fasher for months, close to Zamzam.

    RSF militia stormed the camp on 11 February triggering several days of clashes with army troops and allied forces, according to news reports.

    On Tuesday evening, in another attack on civilians that have been a feature of the Sudan conflict, dozens of mainly Muslims were believed to have been killed in North Darfur’s Abu Shouk camp after an attack on a busy market there, credited to the RSF.

    That followed another reported shelling attack on the camp on Sunday which left six dead.

    In a related development, the Security Council expressed grave concern over the signing of a charter by Sudan’s opposition forces seeking to establish a parallel governing authority in Sudan.

    “The members of the Security Council underscored that such actions risk exacerbating the ongoing conflict in Sudan, fragmenting the country, and worsening an already dire humanitarian situation,” the 15-member body said.

    $22 million in emergency aid provided

    Today, two million people in 27 locations across Sudan are now experiencing famine or on the brink of it. The Sudanese army controls northern and eastern regions, while the militia and their allies hold sway in much of the Darfurs in the west and parts of the south.

    To help the most vulnerable civilians, the UN’s Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, announced on Thursday that $22 million is to be allocated to support lifesaving humanitarian aid in Sudan.

    The funds will be released from the Central Emergency Response Fund, CERF, to offer assistance to counter the impact of the spiralling conflict, hunger, disease and climate shocks.

    Child rape horrror

    Earlier this week, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that infants as young as one year old were being raped by armed forces.

    More than 220 cases of child rape have been reported since the start of 2024, the UN agency said, citing data from teams helping victims of gender-based violence.

    “Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: District 98 Welcomes Military Readiness Heroes at Harrisburg Air National Guard

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Two groups of Service Contract workers at an Air National Guard Base in Harrisburg, Pa., are now enjoying the benefits of IAM representation.

    After organizing into the IAM, District 98 negotiated a strong first contract for a pilot, combat systems officer and load master who conduct MC-130 simulator training for service members. All three new members are military veterans, and one received a $12 an hour raise.

    In addition, District 98 organized the simulator program’s technicians, who work for Delaware Resource Group (DRG). The IAM is currently working toward a first contract for the workers.

    “We saw an opportunity to support our military and help our community and we took it,” said IAM District 98 Assistant Directing Business Representative Kermit Forbes. “We’re so proud to represent these groups and the critical work they do for our servicemen and women.”

    All the workers support the 193rd Special Operations Wing, which in peacetime bolsters responses to natural disasters and homeland security operations. The unit has been deployed on several foreign combat missions, including throughout the Global War on Terror. 

    “The IAM continues to show why we are the premier union for Service Contract Act workers at military bases throughout the nation,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President David Sullivan. “The men and women who support our military deserve top-notch treatment – and the IAM will always be there to fight for them.” 

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Video: U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag Raising Ceremony

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Flag Raising Ceremony, at the Department of State, on March 6, 2025.
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statedept
    X: https://x.com/StateDept
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statedept
    Flickr: https://flickr.com/photos/statephotos/

    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
    Subscribe to The Week at State e-newsletter: http://ow.ly/diiN30ro7Cw

    State Department website: https://www.state.gov/
    Careers website: https://careers.state.gov/
    White House website: https://www.whitehouse.gov/
    Terms of Use: https://state.gov/tou

    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QN6ketci8OI

    MIL OSI Video –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: FMQs: Greens call for government action to tackle broken energy market

    Source: Scottish Greens

    06 Mar 2025 Housing

    We need to fix the broken energy market and cuts bills.

    More in Housing

    The Scottish Government must take action to deliver the overdue Heat in Buildings Bill to tackle the climate crisis and reduce bills, says Scottish Green Co-leader Patrick Harvie.

    In his first question to the First Minister, Mr Harvie said:

    “In April, energy bills are set to rise for the third time in less than a year.

    “People across Scotland are worrying about those bills, and at the same time energy companies are raking in vast profits at the expense of people and the planet.

    “Our energy markets are broken. No doubt we could both say what we think the UK government should do to fix those markets, but the Scottish Government has also promised action which hasn’t happened.

    “My last question to the FM was nearly three months ago. I asked him about his promise of a new law to end our reliance on gas for home heating – which is vital to tackling the climate emergency, and cutting people’s bills too.

    “It was already overdue, without explanation, back in December. Now here we are in March; there’s still no legislation, and no explanation. Where is it?”

    In his response the First Minister agreed with the principles of the Bill but did not confirm a timeline for its publication.

    Asking his second question, Mr Harvie said:

    “The government was already considering the consultation a year ago. The real concern is that they have been spending that time watering it down. That’s the fear that I have and that the industry has.

    “The reality is that Scotland is already behind many other European countries on this. France and Germany have been accelerating their action dramatically in recent years. Scandinavian countries are decades ahead of us.

    “The only way to catch up, and to give Scottish households the benefit of affordable, reliable heat and cutting the pollution that is destroying our environment, is for the government to act decisively and show clear leadership.

    “But just as the Scottish Government has slowed down on other green measures, by hiking rail fares and watering down rent controls, progress on clean heat has stalled.

    “Will the FM commit now to get this overdue legislation published this month, to give the clarity and leadership that has been lacking?”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    March 7, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: GRUPO FINANCIERO BANORTE to Present at the Banking Virtual Investor Conference March 6th

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MEXICO CITY, March 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GRUPO FINANCIERO BANORTE (GBOOY), based in Av. Revolución N° 3000, Col. Primavera, Monterrey, N.L. C.P. 64830 Mexico, focused on Financial Services, today announced that Tania Martinez Lira, Investor Relations Director and that Corina Beltrán Medina, Investor Relations Deputy Director, will present live at the Banking Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on March 6th, 2025

    DATE: March 6th
    TIME: 2:30 – 3:00 pm ET
    LINK: https://bit.ly/3DhRUj4

    This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

    It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. 

    Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com.

    Recent Company Highlights

    • Recognized by The Banker as the Best Bank in Mexico, Most Innovative Bank in Latin America, and Top 200 Banks in Latin America in 2024
    • Recognized by World Finance as the Best Retail Bank and Best Corporate Governance in Mexico in 2024
    • Recognized by Institutional Investor as the Most Honored Company, coupled with Best CEO, Best CFO, Best IRO, Best IR Team, Best IR program, Best ESG, Best Company Board of Directors, and Best Investor Day in 2024
    • Recognized by Global Finance as Best Bank in Mexico 2024 and Best SME Bank 2025
    • Recognized by Euromoney as Best Service-Domestic, Trade Finance in Mexico and Best Banks for SMEs in Mexico in 2024
    • Recognized by TAB Global as one of the 1000 World´s Largest and Strongest Banks in 2024
    • Silver winner at a worldwide level on the “HyperPersonalization” project in the category “Reimagining the Customer Experience” by Qorus-Infosys Finacle
    • Recognized by Best Place to Work 2024, while incorporating our CEO and our CHRO in their “Best CEOs and Best CHROs” list

    About [GRUPO FINANCIERO BANORTE]

    Grupo Financiero Banorte (GFNorte), is a leading financial institution in Mexico, with the largest business diversification and continuously seeking ways to innovate in the financial sector, offering a wide variety of traditional and digital products and services, through its broker dealer, annuities & insurance companies, retirement saving funds (afore), mutual funds, leasing and factoring company, warehousing and recently announcing the inclusion of a digital bank.

    Banorte is the second largest financial group in Mexico in terms of loan portfolio, the number two provider of loans to governments and the second largest bank in mortgage loans. In addition, the retirement fund administrator Afore XXI Banorte, of which GFNorte owns 50%, is the largest in the country in terms of assets under management.

    Banorte is the only commercial bank, among the six largest institutions, whose decisions are made locally without the influence of external parent companies, which has proven to be an advantage in adapting with agility to the changes and alternatives presented by the country.

    About Virtual Investor Conferences®
    Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

    Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

    The MIL Network –

    March 7, 2025
←Previous Page
1 … 942 943 944 945 946 … 1,471
Next Page→
NewzIntel.com

NewzIntel.com

MIL Open Source Intelligence

  • Blog
  • About
  • FAQs
  • Authors
  • Events
  • Shop
  • Patterns
  • Themes

Twenty Twenty-Five

Designed with WordPress