Manufacturing equipment that will be used to build components for NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) rocket for future Artemis missions is being installed at the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana. The novel tooling will be used to produce the SLS rocket’s advanced exploration upper stage, or EUS, in the factory’s new manufacturing area. The EUS will serve as the upper, or in-space, stage for all Block 1B and Block 2 SLS flights in both crew and cargo configurations. In tandem, NASA and Boeing, the SLS lead contractor for the core stage and exploration upper stage, are producing structural test articles and flight hardware structures for the upper stage at Michoud and the agency’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Early manufacturing is already underway at Michoud while preparations for an engine-firing test series for the upper stage are in progress at nearby Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. “The newly modified manufacturing space for the exploration upper stage signifies the start of production for the next evolution of SLS Moon rockets at Michoud,” said Hansel Gill, director at Michoud. “With Orion spacecraft manufacturing and SLS core stage assembly in flow at Michoud for the past several years, standing up a new production line and enhanced capability at Michoud for EUS is a significant achievement and a reason for anticipation and enthusiasm for Michoud and the SLS Program.” The advanced upper stage for SLS is planned to make its first flight with Artemis IV and replaces the single-engine Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) that serves as the in-space stage on the initial SLS Block 1 configuration of the rocket. With its larger liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant tanks feeding four L3 Harris Technologies- built RL10C-3 engines, the EUS generates nearly four times the thrust of the ICPS, providing unrivaled lift capability to the SLS Block 1B and Block 2 rockets and making a new generation of crewed lunar missions possible. This upgraded and more powerful rocket will increase the SLS rocket’s payload to the Moon by 40%, from 27 metric tons (59,525 lbs.) with Block 1 to 38 metric tons (83,776 lbs.) in the crew configuration. Launching crewed missions along with other large payloads enables multiple large-scale objectives to be accomplished in a single mission. Through the Artemis campaign, NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon. The rocket is part of NASA’s deep space exploration plans, along with the Orion spacecraft, supporting ground systems, advanced spacesuits and rovers, Gateway in orbit around the Moon, and commercial human landing systems. NASA’s SLS is the only rocket that can send Orion, astronauts, and supplies to the Moon in a single launch. NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center manages the SLS Program and Michoud. For more on SLS, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/space-launch-system
Jonathan DealMarshall Space Flight CenterHuntsville, Ala.256-544-0034
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
September 25, 2024
In case you missed it…The New York Times is out with a new article highlighting the ongoing shift of union support from belonging exclusively to Democrats to now treading into Republican territory.
In the article, Rep. Tom Kean is highlighted for his notable support from Building and Construction Trades Council who, “not only flipped sides to support Representative Tom Kean Jr. but helped keep the Democrat-aligned A.F.L.-C.I.O. on the sidelines.”
Read more here and below.
Republicans Pick Up Unlikely Allies in Key House Races: Unions New York Times September 25, 2024
The president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters praised one Republican congressman on national television. A major transportation union rated another among its most loyal supporters in Congress. And an influential building trades group said a third would help begin “restoring the sense of unity” the country had lost.
[…]
In New York’s Hudson Valley, Representative Mike Lawler has collected tens of thousands of dollars more in union donations than his Democratic opponent. Further upstate, a 1,500-member electrical workers’ union that once opposed Representative Marc Molinaro is now working to re-elect him. And in New Jersey, the state’s Building and Construction Trades Council not only flipped sides to support Representative Tom Kean Jr. but helped keep the Democrat-aligned A.F.L.-C.I.O. on the sidelines.
[…]
Last week, the 1.3-million-member Teamsters voted to stay neutral in the race for president, a blow to Democrats after years of support. Prominent Republicans, including former President Trump and his running mate, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, have begun to speak in more explicitly pro-worker terms, though many labor leaders say their policies do not match their rhetoric. And leaders of some of the nation’s oldest unions increasingly find themselves grappling with how to respond to members shifting rightward.
[…]
And yet, even the idea of Republicans and Democrats fighting in a general election over who is more friendly to working people represents a change.
On September 23, 2024 at approximately 4:05 p.m., Fort Qu’Appelle RCMP received a report of a robbery at a business in Balcarres, SK.
Investigation determined two adult females entered the business, assaulted an employee with a golf club and stole two bottles of liquor. The victim reported non-life-threatening injuries to police.
The suspects fled in a vehicle.
Officers immediately responded and located the vehicle travelling near Balcarres. They activated their emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop and turned into a field. Officers boxed the vehicle in, then arrested the females without further incident.
One of them threatened a police officer while being transported to the detachment.
As a result of continued investigation, 19-year-old Serenity Fink from Balcarres and 38-year-old Isabelle Starr from Fort Qu’Appelle are each charged with:
one count, robbery, Section 344(1)(b), Criminal Code; and
one count, flight from police, Section 320.17, Criminal Code.
Fink is also charged with:
one count, operation of a conveyance while impaired, Section 320.14(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
one count, operation while impaired over 80 mg, Section 320.14(1)(b), Criminal Code.
Starr is also charged with one count, uttering threats, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code.
They were remanded into custody to appear via video in Fort Qu’Appelle Provincial Court on September 26, 2024.
Indian Head RCMP, White Butte RCMP and the File Hills Police Service assisted with this investigation.
New York, NY, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TMT Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: TMTCU, TMTC, and TMTCR) (the “Company”) announced today that if the proposal to amend the Company’s Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, which provides that the Company may elect to extend the date by which the Company has to consummate a business combination (the “Combination Period”) for a total of up to five (5) times, as follow: (i) two (2) times for an additional three (3) months each time from March 30, 2024 to September 30, 2024 (the “First Extension Period”); and subsequently (ii) three (3) times, for an additional one (1) month each time, from September 30, 2024 to December 30, 2024 (the “Second Extension Period”), if requested by the Sponsor (as defined herein) and upon two calendar days’ advance notice prior to the applicable deadline (such proposal, the “Extension Amendment Proposal”), is approved at the Company’s previously announced extraordinary general meeting, as subsequently postponed or adjourned (the “Meeting”), and the extension is implemented, its sponsor, 2TM Holding LP, or its sponsor’s designees will contribute to the Company as a loan $140,000 for each month during the additional one (1) month extensions in the Second Extension Period from September 30, 2024 to December 30, 2024 (“Contribution”), that is needed to complete an initial business combination. In addition, if the Extension Amendment Proposal is approved, the funds held in the Trust Account shall not be used to pay dissolution expenses.
Each Contribution will be deposited in the Company’s trust account on or prior to the date of the applicable deadline. Any Contribution is conditioned upon the implementation of the Extension Amendment Proposal. No Contribution will occur if the Extension Amendment Proposal is not approved. The amount of each Contribution will not bear interest to the sponsor as a loan and will be repayable by the Company to the sponsor or its designees upon consummation of the business combination. If the Company opts not to utilize any remaining portion of the extensions, then the Company will liquidate and dissolve promptly in accordance with its Amended and Restated Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the sponsor’s obligation to make additional contributions will terminate.
The record date for determining the Company shareholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting remains the close of business on August 30, 2024 (the “Record Date”). Shareholders as of the Record Date can vote, even if they have subsequently sold their shares. Shareholders who have previously submitted their proxies or otherwise voted and who do not want to change their vote need not take any action. Shareholders who have not yet done so are encouraged to vote as soon as possible.
If any shareholder has questions or needs assistance in connection with the Meeting, please contact the Company’s proxy solicitor, LAUREL HILL ADVISORY GROUP, LLC, 2 Robbins Lane, Suite 201, Jericho, New York 11753, Tel (855) 414-2266, Fax (516) 933-3108, Email: info@laurelhill.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “assumes,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “seeks,” or other similar expressions. Such statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Meeting and the proposed Contribution. These statements are based on current expectations on the date of this press release and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ significantly. The Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new developments or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
On September 9, 2024, the Company filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in connection with its solicitation of proxies for the Meeting. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE COMPANY ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND OTHER DOCUMENTS THE COMPANY FILES WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the definitive proxy statement (including any amendments or supplements thereto) and other documents filed with the SEC through the web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to the Company’s proxy solicitor at LAUREL HILL ADVISORY GROUP, LLC, 2 Robbins Lane, Suite 201, Jericho, New York 11753, Tel (855) 414-2266, Fax (516) 933-3108, Email: info@laurelhill.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
The Company and its respective directors and officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders in connection with the Meeting. Additional information regarding the identity of these potential participants and their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the definitive proxy statement. You may obtain free copies of these documents using the sources indicated above.
TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint”) is pleased to announce that the Ninepoint 2024 Short Duration Flow-Through Limited Partnership II (the “Partnership”) has completed the first closing in connection with its offering of Class A and Class F limited partnership units (the “Units”) pursuant to a prospectus dated September 18, 2024. The Partnership issued 508,296 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $12,707,400. The Partnership will have a second closing in respect of the Units on or about October 17, 2024. The Units are being offered at a price per Unit of $25.00 with a minimum subscription of 100 Units ($2,500).
The Partnership intends to provide liquidity to limited partners through a roll-over to the Ninepoint Resource Fund Class in the period between January 15, 2026 to February 28, 2026.
InvestmentObjectiveofthePartnership The Partnership’s investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation and significant tax benefits for limited partners by investing in a diversified portfolio of Flow-Through Shares (as defined in the Prospectus) and other securities, if any, of Resource Issuers (as defined in the Prospectus).
AttractiveTax-ReductionBenefits Flow-through partnerships are one of the most effective tax reduction strategies available to Canadians. Ninepoint anticipates that investors participating in the Partnership will be eligible to receive a tax deduction of approximately 100% of the amount invested.
ResourceExpertise The Partnership will be sub-advised by Sprott Asset Management LP (“Sprott”), one of Canada’s leading investment advisors in small and mid-cap resource companies. Over its long history of investing in the resource sector, Sprott has developed relationships with hundreds of companies. Its experienced team of portfolio managers is supported by a team of technical experts with extensive backgrounds in mining and geology.
Portfolio manager Jason Mayer will manage the portfolio of the Partnership and will be supported by Sprott’s broader team of experienced resource investment professionals.
Agents The offering is being made through a syndicate of agents led by RBC Dominion Securities Inc. which includes CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Manulife Wealth Inc., iA Private Wealth Inc., Raymond James Ltd., Richardson Wealth Limited, Canaccord Genuity Corp., Desjardins Securities Inc., Ventum Financial Corp. and Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.
About Ninepoint Partners LP Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.
For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.
Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “will” and similar expressions to the extent that they relate to the Partnership. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Partnership’s, Ninepoint’s and Sprott’s current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Although the Partnership, Ninepoint and Sprott believe the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither the Partnership, nor Ninepoint or Sprott undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.
This offering is only made by prospectus. The Partnership’s prospectus contains important detailed information about the securities being offered. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from one of the dealers noted above. Investors should read the prospectus before making an investment decision.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced eight Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for education and research programs, facility construction and renovations, and healthcare treatment resources in West Virginia.
These awards, which were secured through CDS requests made by Ranking Member Capito in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), will be used to improve medical centers and treatment, bolster cybersecurity education, and expand the educational opportunities for future healthcare workers in West Virginia.
“After partnering with organizations across our state and listening to their needs, I am excited to see these awards help West Virginia institutions meet critical goals to expand medical services offered by providers in our state in both scope and quantity. I am also particularly excited to see Marshall expanding its National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure, which I have championed,” Ranking Member Capito said. “These CDS awards will help deliver medical and educational outcomes in West Virginia and I am proud to have secured them. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will continue to partner with local leaders to identify their most pressing needs and work to build up our medical and educational infrastructure.”
Individual award details listed below:
$15,000,000 HHS CDS award to Marshall University (Huntington, W.Va.) for cyber security training of critical infrastructure operators in West Virginia. This project will continue development of a critical infrastructure cyber security lab started in 2023 to research cyber-attacks and determine how to mitigate their effects. The project also will continue efforts to train critical infrastructure operators on the cyber-defense techniques that will allow them to maintain their systems, even in the face of cyber-attacks. This funding will allow the university to add additional categories of critical infrastructure to its laboratories, and to conduct research to determine how those categories are vulnerable, what attacks will be effective, and then subsequently what mitigation techniques can be developed to overcome them. Additionally, a curriculum will be developed to train operators on these attacks and mitigation techniques, so that they can recognize them and respond in a timely manner with an appropriate mitigation response.
Ranking Member Capito has long been a supporter of this effort, using her role on the Appropriations Committee to drive resources to help Marshall grow their cyber security emphasis. In August, Senator Capito hosted U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Jen Easterly at Marshall University’s Institute for Cyber Security and the National Center of Excellence for Cyber Security in Critical Infrastructure.
$12,600,000 HHS CDS award to West Virginia University (WVU) (Morgantown, W.Va.) for the expansion and renovation of existing WVU School of Dentistry clinical space and the consolidation of all postgraduate programs on the Health Sciences Center campus. The renovations and upgrades will transform dental education and practice to meet the oral health needs of West Virginians, provide excellence in training for new generations of dental professionals, enable the school to compete for and retain well-qualified faculty and students, and propel dental research to further support patient care, education, and outreach programming.
$7,516,000 HHS CDS award to the Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) Greenbrier Medical Center, Inc. (Ronceverte, W.Va.) to construct a state-of-the-art facility to house an employed multispecialty physician practice of CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center. Currently, the employed physicians supporting the hospital are not located on the campus of the hospital. The current rented locations are neither modern nor accessible and were not constructed to meet the needs of patients and providers. The new medical staff office building on the CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center campus will support improved access to multispecialty services for the hospital’s patients. It will also enhance the hospital’s ability to attract new physicians and retain the ones already recruited to the area. The enhanced ease of access will ultimately improve the health of residents in the Greenbrier Valley Region. The project will allow CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center to expand its Family Medicine, Cardiology, Urology, Pulmonology, ENT, and General Surgery departments. It will also provide room for the addition of Neurology Services and a telemedicine hub as CAMC Greenbrier Valley Medical Center becomes a full services community hospital.
$5,000,000 HHS CDS award to the Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center (Grantsville, W.Va.) to make the necessary improvements to the hospital building that offers the needed healthcare services for the community in order for those services to remain uninterrupted. This renovation project would provide new clinical, dietary, and laboratory space for patients. Also included in this phased project would be the remodel of the emergency department, ancillary therapies, and pharmacy. These renovations would enable Minnie Hamilton to provide the needed healthcare services to one of the most underserved regions of West Virginia. The current facility is over 60 years old and has exceeded its useful life. Completion of this project would ensure those healthcare services remain for the next 30-40 years.
$5,000,000 HHS CDS award to Camden-on-Gauley Medical Center (Camden on Gauley, W.Va.) to construct a new building in Summersville, W.Va. that will contain the organization’s administrative offices, optical, x-ray, and physical therapy services. Camden Family Health plans to transition all administrative functions to this proposed building, along with the health center’s optical, physical therapy, and x-ray services. The construction of a new building and the transfer of services will provide increased access to patients, as the existing space that houses administrative services is in proximity to patients served.
$3,000,000 HHS CDS award to Summers County (Hinton, W.Va.) to assist the Summers County Commission, in partnership with Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc. (ARH), in renovating and expanding the emergency department at Summers County ARH Hospital in Hinton, W.Va. Summers County ARH Hospital treated over 4,600 emergency cases in 2022; however, with 1,808 square feet of space, Summers County’s existing emergency department faces numerous challenges in accommodating emergency patients. The emergency department renovation project will be an asset for the entire Summers County community and a resource for the residents of all ages who need the medical services this modern facility will be designed to provide.
$1,000,000 HHS CDS award to Potomac Valley Hospital (PVH) of W.Va., Inc. (Keyser, W.Va.) to create a new six-bed observation unit that will enhance Emergency Department (ED) capacity and quality of care by reducing premature discharges and transfers, improving operational efficiency, and lowering costs. By renovating an outdated segment of the existing ED layout, PVH will create a new 1,675 square foot clinical space centered on six dedicated observation beds to take the pressure off of existing inpatient beds and boost the Hospital’s overall capacity.
$300,000 HHS CDS award to Jefferson County Community Ministries, Inc. (Charles Town, W.Va.) for a homeless shelter that will supply a variety of essential services, including emergency housing, health and medical care, food and clothing, case management and life skills training, and other aid to vulnerable citizens, children, and families in Jefferson County. Currently, there is no homeless shelter or family shelter in Jefferson County region. Jefferson County Community Ministers (JCCM) is working to establish the first emergency shelter for the homeless and vulnerable in Jefferson County, which will include the first family emergency shelter in the Eastern Panhandle.
$300,000 HHS CDS award to the Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission (Waverly, W.Va.) to replace the outdated Chiller/Air Conditioner at the White Oak Village section of the park to ensure the continued success of the Harmony Ridge Recover Center operation. The replacement and upgrade of the Chiller/Air Conditioning unit for the lodge plays a vital role in continuing treatment services offered by Harmony Ridge Recovery Center.
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
09.25.24
Clark County Landslide Risk To Be Studied Thanks to Federal Grant
Geological Survey awarded $299,250 to survey portions of Clark County for landslide threats; Grant was made possible by the Cantwell-authored National Landslide Preparedness Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that the Washington Geological Survey had been awarded $299,250 to conduct a landslide inventory along State Route 14 in Clark County. The grants were awarded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) under the Cantwell-coauthored National Landslide Preparedness Act.
Washington is one of the most landslide-prone states in the country, and landslides in the Columbia River Gorge have the potential to block or destroy State Route 14, which runs along the Columbia River and connects communities and businesses in central and eastern Washington to southwest Washington. Landslide inventories are conducted by state and federal agencies to gather data about where landslides have occurred in the past, which can then be used to understand which areas are most susceptible in the future. This knowledge allows planners to avoid activities that can trigger landslides and helps emergency services prepare and better respond to their occurrence.
The National Landslide Preparedness Act, which directed the USGS to award grants such as the one announced today, was introduced in 2020 by Sen. Cantwell and Representative Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), and became law in 2021. The information collected under the Act helps communities plan for and respond to natural hazards, update the nation’s topographical maps, and inform public safety, national security, planning, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture, and natural resource management.
Last week, the USGS released a new, highly detailed map which shows that nearly 44% of the country could experience landslide activity. The map, which USGS creates regularly as a result of the 3D Elevation Program in the National Landslide Preparedness Act, shows that a significant area of Washington state is susceptible to landslide activity. The new map expands the scope of assessment to include the entire country, using much higher resolution data than was previously available.
In February, Sen. Cantwell joined U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in introducing a bill to reauthorize and expand the National Landslide Preparedness Act for 10 years, through Fiscal Year 2034.
Fatal landslides in Washington and Alaska have highlighted the urgent need to better understand and prepare for landslide hazards. The 2014 landslide near Oso, Washington took the lives of 43 people and devastated a community in about two minutes, and a number of recent landslides in Southeast Alaska have killed 12 people – including in Ketchikan last month, in Wrangell in November 2023, and in Haines in December 2020, among others. Landslides kill 25 to 50 people and cause between $1.6 billion and $3.2 billion in damage in the U.S. annually, according to the U.S. Geological Service and National Research Council. These statistics are expected to worsen because of climate change.
Source: United States Senator for Connecticut – Chris Murphy
September 25, 2024
WASHINGTON– U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced two coordinated pieces of legislation to create a long-term solution for management of Plum Island and to protect the island in perpetuity. Both bills are scheduled to be considered by Senate Committees this week and advance the goal of a long-term solution for management, conservation, and preservation of Plum Island.
The Plum Island Preservation Study Act requires the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct a special resource study to evaluate the national significance of Plum Island and the suitability of designating Plum Island as a unit of DOI. This legislation is set to be considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday.
The Plum Island Preservation Act would permanently protect Plum Island from development and convene stakeholders, including DOI, to create a management plan for the island. The legislation also requires the General Services Administration (GSA) to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of this process. This legislation is set to be considered by the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday.
“I am committed to protecting Plum Island, and creating a management plan is a necessary step to securing its future. These pieces of legislation are important steps that will help establish a timeline and set clear objectives to preserve Plum’s environmental, ecological, and cultural heritage,” said Murphy.
“Urgent action must safeguard Plum Island—a priceless national treasure that desperately needs and deserves permanent protection. These two bills combine to preserve this threatened pristine resource—an ecological gem home to flora and fauna as well as historically significant landmarks. Expected Senate steps forward this week on the Plum Island Preservation Act and the Plum Island Preservation Study Act are monumental strides to conserve and protect Plum Island for generations to come. Failure to act now endangers this irreplaceable natural gem,” said Blumenthal.
“For years, I have been fighting tooth and nail to protect and preserve the national treasure that is Plum Island,” said Schumer. “Long Islanders should have input over this natural environment, not some outside ‘high bidder.’ This legislation would take a huge step forward in ensuring this natural wonder is permanently preserved for generations to come, a true win for Long Island, the environment, its rich history, and the communities and advocates who have fought so hard to preserve Plum Island.”
“Plum Island holds significant importance in our nation’s animal research and biodefense, and as this critical mission reaches its conclusion, we must protect Plum Island’s unique ecological habitat, shared cultural heritage, and history of military operations. I have worked for years alongside my colleagues and local stakeholders to achieve this vision, and I am proud to cosponsor the Plum Island Preservation Act to ensure the long-term preservation of Plum Island and its responsible management,” said Gillibrand.
Situated in Long Island Sound between Connecticut and New York, Plum Island is a federally-owned 840-acre island home to several endangered and vulnerable species. The island also houses the Fort Terry and Plum Island Lighthouses, two locations on the National Register of Historic Places. The Connecticut and New York delegations have been working extensively with DOI, GSA, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to solidify the future of Plum Island, and these pieces of legislation mark landmark progress in the fight to establish a long-term management plan and to permanently preserve the island.
The full text of the Plum Island Preservation Act can be found HERE, and the full text of the Plum Island Preservation Study Act can be found HERE.
Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS), announced $45,774,615 to West Virginia from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) State Opioid Response (SOR) grant program. Since the creation of the SOR grant program in 2018, Ranking Member Capito has secured over $200 million for West Virginia to fight the opioid epidemic.
“With help from the SOR grant program, West Virginia has made strides in the fight against opioids with education and by expanding the discussion around Substance Use Disorder and Medication Assisted Treatment,” Ranking Member Capito said. “Recent provisional data shows a historic drop in opioid deaths in West Virginia and the SOR grant program has been crucial in this achievement. As Ranking Member of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, I’ve worked hard to ensure our state is eligible to receive resources necessary to combat this crisis, not just a population-based amount. This has included new solutions like the provision I authored to prioritize funds for states hardest hit by the crisis. However, this battle is not over and I will continue to fight to make sure our state has what it needs to finally overcome this crisis.”
BACKGROUND:
This funding amount could have been considerably less were it not for language authored by Ranking Member Capito that would ensure states most impacted by the opioid crisis would receive more funding for their efforts. Specifically, Ranking Member Capito raised this issue in 2017 during the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget request hearing when initial discussions began on how to effectively assist the hardest-hit states. Prior to this change, funds were distributed by population, which often put West Virginia at a disadvantage for necessary resources. Ranking Member Capito’s language set aside 15% for states with the highest mortality rates from opioid use.
West Virginia has used SOR grants for several purposes, including to:
Improve coordination across prevention and treatment activities.
Support the statewide behavioral health infrastructure such as through county coalitions.
Increase awareness that addiction is a disease and reduce the stigma around medication assisted treatment (MAT) through a statewide media campaign.
Sponsor treatment for individuals without insurance or insurance that does not cover substance use disorder (SUD).
Expand access to MAT at all regional jails.
Train over 1,000 professionals on effective MAT practices especially on pregnant and postpartum women, opioid overdose survivors, and hospital emergency departments.
Broaden the curriculum at the three medical schools in the state.
Establish Quick Response Teams (QRT).
Provide after-hours transportation and expanded route access to cover more rural areas through the West Virginia Public Transit Authority to allow individuals to access treatment services.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)
Senate Releases Bipartisan Report on Secret Service Failures During Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
CONGRESSMAN JONATHAN L. JACKSON CALLS FOR REFORM AFTER BIPARTISAN SENATE REPORT ON SECRET SERVICE FAILURES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 25, 2024
Senate Releases Bipartisan Report on Secret Service Failures During Assassination Attempt on Former President Trump
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, along with the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, released a bipartisan interim report detailing significant security failures by the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) during the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The report, led by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Rand Paul (R-KY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Ron Johnson (R-WI), highlights critical lapses in security planning, communications, and coordination that directly contributed to the incident. Key findings include a lack of a clear chain of command, poor coordination with state and local law enforcement, inadequate resources and equipment, and a failure to secure the site effectively.
Senator Gary Peters, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, stated, “The Secret Service’s failures that allowed an assassination attempt on former President Trump were shocking, unacceptable, and preventable. Our bipartisan interim report makes recommendations for needed reforms to address these serious failures and ensure the Secret Service has the tools and resources they need to prevent another disaster like this from happening.”
Senator Rand Paul, Ranking Member, added, “Our initial findings clearly show a series of multiple failures of the U.S. Secret Service and an inexcusable dereliction of duty. Someone needs to be held accountable for these egregious failures.”
In response to this report, Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson stated:
There is no place for violence in American politics. That is why I joined with my colleagues in the House to unanimously approve additional funding for the U.S. Secret Service. But funding alone is not enough, the Secret Service needs significant reforms. In addition to the multiple attempts and plots against the former President, we have seen a rise in threats against Supreme Court Justices and other elected officials and candidates for office.
Additionally, we must lower the temperature of American political discourse. We said this after the attempted assassination of Congresswoman Gabbi Gifford, we said the same thing after the attempted assassination of Congressman Steve Scalise, and we said the same thing after the FIRST attempted assassination of former President Trump. The stakes are too high for us to continue business as usual. Not only are our lives on the line, but our republic is also on the line. If we fall into government based on violence, threats, fear, and intimidation; we lose the last bastion of freedom, liberty, and justice in the world.
America is the last best hope for a better world, we cannot allow political division and violence to destroy the dreams of our founder.”
The report also includes recommendations to improve the Secret Service’s protective mission, emphasizing the need for better communication, enhanced coordination with other law enforcement agencies, and upgraded technology and resources.
Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Member States in New York City, New York, on September 25, 2024.
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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.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)
Washington, DC – Today, the bipartisan National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program Reauthorization Act, introduced by Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) and Congressman Max Miller (R-OH), passed out of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
This legislation reauthorizes the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program through Fiscal Year 2029, providing critical funding for the program to continue its research into how to mitigate the injuries and property damage caused by windstorms. It also directs the program to develop and implement new standards to make housing and infrastructure more resilient, and to study the impacts of climate change on windstorms.
“From a devastating EF-3 tornado striking Naperville and Woodridge in 2021 to a record number of tornadoes hitting northern Illinois in 2023, our community is no stranger to the threat of severe weather. The science is clear: These storms will continue to grow more frequent and powerful with the effects of climate change,” said Rep. Foster. “That’s why I’m proud to lead the effort in Congress to reauthorize the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program, which will provide critical resources to continue the program’s research and ensure we are all safer the next time a windstorm strikes.”
The National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program is a research and implementation program that combines the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Science Foundation. The last formal authorization bill for the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program expired in 2017.
The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed Suze Youance as an independent senator to fill a vacancy in the Senate for Quebec.
Ms. Youance is originally from Haiti and immigrated to Canada in 2006, making a name for herself in the fields of engineering, teaching, and research. She has worked for several engineering firms and has taught for many years at the École de technologie supérieure in Montréal. She is also a dedicated volunteer, a television personality, and the recipient of several awards, including the Casimir Gzowski gold medal from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering.
Ms. Youance was recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process ensures senators are independent, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.
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“I congratulate Ms. Youance on her appointment to the Senate. Her experience will make her a strong voice for Quebec and for people across the country.”
Quick Facts
The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s parliamentary democracy.
Candidate submissions were reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provided recommendations to the Prime Minister. The Board is guided in its work by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates for the Senate.
With today’s announcement, there have been 88 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. All of them were recommended by the Board.
Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Once appointed by the Governor General, new senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial and territorial, and minority interests – important functions in a modern democracy.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced that he secured a $676,348 Bridge Planning Grant for the City of San Bernardino to rehabilitate 11 priority bridges with identified structural deficiencies to improve resident safety. This program was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Rep. Aguilar helped pass.
“The safety and structural soundness of our bridges are fundamental concerns for the welfare of San Bernardino residents,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “This $676,348 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration will address immediate issues with the integrity of our community’s bridges and infrastructure.”
“Making sure that the bridges and crossings along our key corridors are sound and safe is of vital importance,” said San Bernardino Mayor Helen Tran. “These Federal funds will allow us to plan for the rehabilitation of these bridges and ensure their safety now.”
The 11 bridges designated by the City of San Bernardino for rehabilitation through this grant funding are Santa Ana River (Waterman Avenue), East Twin Creek Channel (Baseline Road), Mill Street Overhead, Lytle Creek (Rialto Avenue), Lytle Creek East Branch (Inland Center Drive), Twin Warm Creek (Mill Street), Del Rosa Channel (Pumalo Street), Lytle Creek East Branch (4th Street), East Twin Creek Channel (21st Street), Twin Warm Creek (Rialto Avenue) and Twin Warm Creek Channel (Orange Show Road).
The funding comes as part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $26.5 million investment in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration’s Bridge Investment Program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The project’s primary focus is planning activities for rehabilitation work to address structural deficiencies, ensuring the bridges meet current safety standards and reducing the likelihood of accidents or failures for all bridge users.
The project will address critical safety efficiency and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges, ensuring the City’s economic continuity and growth. Enhancing these bridges will prevent major travel delays for residents and essential goods within San Bernardino.
Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
September 24, 2024
“Today, I joined a bipartisan group of House Members to pass the Fix Our Forests Act. This legislation will help prevent devastating megafires like those that have blazed through large swathes of the American West in recent years.These wildfires threaten numerous communities across the country that are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. These disasters also damage our planet by releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gasses. We must balance our work to address pressing climate concerns and enforce key environmental protection laws with our effort to mitigate megafire risk and protect our communities. This bill helps us make progress toward that goal.
“From implementing key climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act through my work on the Regional Leadership Council to advancing my proposed Combatting Global Deforestation Act to standing up for the health of Maryland’s public lands and waters, I will continue working on new solutions to address the climate crisis.”
Headline: Acrisure Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue
Acrisure Stadium to Become a Mission Ready Venue
Serving as a Vital Location During Disasters and Part of the NFL and FEMA’s National Strategy to Make Venues Mission Capable During Disasters
PENNSYLVANIA — Stadiums and venues provide a central and accessible location to help communities respond to extreme weather crises, providing safe storage and shelter in times of need. With these events becoming more frequent, severe, and expensive, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier today announced that Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers football, and a venue for touring concerts and events, will be among the first NFL venues to be designated as a Mission Ready Venue that can be used during response and recovery missions. Through Mission Ready Venues, a public-private partnership, Acrisure Stadium will increase its capabilities to better sustain public safety and be a source of support for the southwestern Pennsylvania community. The designation identifies the ways Acrisure Stadium could be used for response and recovery activities during declared emergencies or disasters.
“We’re honored that Acrisure Stadium is among the first four NFL stadiums selected for Mission Ready Venue designation,” said James V. Sacco, Vice President of Stadium Operations & Management for Acrisure Stadium. Working collaboratively with the facility owner – the Sports and Exhibition Authority – this designation positions the stadium to partner seamlessly with local, state and federal government officials to serve the Pittsburgh community in a time of crisis or disaster.
During large-scale emergencies, like the COVID-19 pandemic, hurricanes, or tornadoes, we’ve seen how large music, sports and entertainment venues can serve as a safe space for communities,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “This new strategy we’re launching with the NFL is a groundbreaking opportunity to help our partners use these venues for emergency response and recovery needs, while keeping communities safe and making them more resilient. While we are starting with the NFL, all venues across sports organizations and leagues can become assets to their communities, and I encourage them to join in this collaborative effort as we grapple with the impacts of the climate crisis.”
“Stadiums are valuable community assets that are often used in times of disasters,” said NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier. “This designation reflects the role that many stadiums play, not only on Sundays, but especially in times of need. We are proud to work with FEMA and first responders at the local and state level to ensure disaster response agencies have the information and tools they need to help a community recover when disaster strikes.”
According to the NYU School of Professional Studies and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, stadiums and arenas can improve the public health and well-being of their communities —including pandemic response during COVID-19.
“Identifying facilities in the community that can be used to support emergency management functions before a disaster or emergency occurs is critically important to ensuring an effective response and recovery,” said Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield. “The private sector has always been a committed partner and their willingness to participate in programs like this strengthens planning efforts at the local, state and federal level.”
Given the size, capabilities, and locations of large sports venues, these existing community assets can serve the public in a variety of ways including emergency shelters, staging areas, commodity distribution sites, evacuation pick up points, disaster recovery centers, mass vaccination and testing, temporary hospitals and more. FEMA and the NFL recognized this unique opportunity for collaboration and are enlisting the support of venue owners, operators, and the tenants of these facilities to work with government officials in the planning and preparation for emergency or disaster response and recovery efforts. To receive an official Mission Ready Venue designation, venues must undergo a comprehensive assessment to determine what capabilities the venue may be able to support in emergency and disaster response and recovery efforts. The designation highlights the following attributes of selected venues:
Provide Safety and Security: Stadiums are usually centrally located, close to major roadways and transportation hubs, and critical services like hospitals. If used to respond to a disaster, the designation will save valuable time and resources and will further enhance coordination between the public and private sectors during disaster response and recovery.
Provide Accessibility: Stadiums are also compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and can support persons with disabilities and others with access or functional needs.Additionally, 73% of NFL venues are accessible by mass transportation. This provides an avenue to promote equitable service to underserved populations to access potentially critical lifesaving/life sustaining services after an event.
Strengthen Community Resilience: Stadiums and arenas are a focal point of communities and help strengthen social networks by enhancing connections between residents with home team pride. These Mission Ready Venues can boost morale amidst disaster. By providing a more robust and resilient environment, these venues can enhance social networks amongst survivors while providing ample opportunities to establish connections with the venue’s main tenants.
Ensure Unity of Effort: Coordination of stadium resources and services can support survivors and responders and help stabilize an incident quickly. Since stadiums are fixed locations, resources and services can be deployed quickly. This promotes the community’s physical and economic recovery.
Mission Ready Venue designations are for five-year increments with a yearly check-in to ensure continued readiness of the venue. Redesignation will be necessary every five years and designation does not supersede any agreements with state, local or private sector entities.
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FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA Region 3’s jurisdiction includes Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Follow us on X at x.com/FEMAregion3and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/femaregion3
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2024
Contact: Kevin McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)
Kevin.McGuire@mail.house.gov
Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) released the following statement after the White House announced that she will be part of the official Presidential Delegation, led by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, that will travel to Mexico City to attend the inauguration of Her Excellency Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. President-Elect Sheinbaum Pardo is the first woman elected to Mexico’s presidency.
“It’s a true honor to join Dr. Biden and the Presidential Delegation to represent the United States at President-Elect Sheinbaum Pardo’s historic inauguration,” said Rep. Barragán. “As our neighbor and trading partner, collaboration between our nations is critical to bolster trade, tackle the climate crisis, reduce delays at our ports of entry and address root causes of migration. Her Excellency’s inauguration and new administration will bring renewed partnership on critical issues that impact the lives of our people. I look forward to celebrating this historic achievement for Mexico with Dr. Biden and the Delegation, and working with President-elect Sheinbaum Pardo to build on over 200 years of strong bilateral relations.”
Yesterday, President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. announced the designation of a Presidential Delegation to attend the Inauguration of Her Excellency Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo on October 1, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico.
Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, will lead the delegation.
Members of the Presidential Delegation Include:
The Honorable Ken Salazar, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
The Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
The Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Honorable Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration
The Honorable Chris Murphy, United States Senator, Connecticut
The Honorable Nanette Barragán, United States Representative, California and Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
The Honorable Regina Romero, Mayor of Tucson
The Honorable Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall, Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor of The White House
Mr. Carlos Elizondo, Deputy Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary
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Congressmember Nanette Barragán represents California’s 44thDistrict. She sits on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and works on environmental justice and healthcare issues. She is also Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC).
S. 3277 would reauthorize the appropriation of $15 million annually through 2028 for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to operate the Marine Debris Program. The program supports efforts to remove plastics, discarded fishing gear, and other harmful materials from the marine environment. Under current law, the program was authorized through 2023; in 2024, NOAA allocated $6 million for the program. The agency also received $30 million annually from 2022 through 2026 to operate the program from advance appropriations in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Those amounts were designated as an emergency requirement.
Based on historical spending patterns, CBO estimates that reauthorizing the Marine Debris Program would cost $60 million over the 2025-2029 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts.
Source: US National Republican Congressional Committee
The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –
September 25, 2024
Extreme liberal Will Rollins got caught using actors as fake police officers in his campaign ads, a shameless attempt to mask his soft-on-crime record. This latest deception follows a pattern of misinformation by Rollins, who was even reprimanded by a judge for “misleading” voters.
“Will Rollins is so desperate to hide his soft-on-crime record letting criminals off easy, he’s resorted to hiring Hollywood actors to play dress-up. Riverside County voters deserve the truth, not a phony lying politician like Rollins.” – NRCC Spokesperson Ben Petersen
In case you missed it…
Revealed: House Candidate Will Rollins Uses Actors To Portray Cop and Judge in Campaign Ad in Latest Exaggeration of ‘Tough on Crime’ Chops Washington Free Beacon Collin Anderson
Will Rollins, the Democratic challenger in a hotly contested Southern California congressional race, is leaning heavily on his prosecutorial record on the campaign trail. He is even using professional actors to play law enforcement officials in a campaign ad, the Washington Free Beacon found. The ad shows Rollins, a former prosecutor, hard at work in various law enforcement settings, chatting with a detective at a roadside crime scene, arguing before a judge in a courtroom, and conferring with officers in what appears to be a police workroom.
Rollins is running on his record as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Central District of California, where he claims he fought the Sinaloa cartel, MS-13, and ISIS. A series of recent Free Beacon reports found no evidence to back up many of his claims—and evidence that he exaggerated or embellished others.
“Will Rollins, a counterterrorism prosecutor, took on ISIS terrorists and went after the Sinaloa cartel to stop illegal drugs from crossing our border,” a Rollins ad released in February states. It shows the candidate speaking in front of a judge and conversing with a cop.
The spot is intended to showcase Rollins’s deep connection to law enforcement. But the cop and judge aren’t real—they’re C-list actors with long lists of cameos and credits, including on popular shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and lesser-known flicks like the Chinese-produced teacher-student romance Ms. Swan, Show Me Love.
The revelation is the latest example of how Rollins is using misrepresentation, showmanship, and exaggeration to burnish his law enforcement record as he seeks to unseat longtime GOP incumbent Ken Calvert, whom Rollins has attacked for “failing to respect law enforcement.”
The judge shown in Rollins’s ad is the actor, dancer, and choreographer Jayson Wright. Following stints as a backup dancer for the likes of Pink and Justin Timberlake, Wright turned to acting. He played a “bar patron” in a 2022 episode of Grey’s Anatomy, sipping whiskey by himself as the camera panned to Ellen Pompeo. Wright made a brief, nonspeaking appearance as a detective in Netflix’s The Vince Staples Show, where he appeared emerging silently from his office in the background as main character Vince talked with two (also fake) cops.
Wright did secure a speaking role in Ms. Swan, Show Me Love, an online “micro-series” produced by Chinese-owned video streaming app ReelShort that depicts a forbidden romance between a new teacher, Ms. Swan, and a student at a prestigious private high school.
Wright plays a patron at a local bar where a scantily clad Ms. Swan works nights. When Ms. Swan delivers Wright’s character a beer and asks if there’s “anything else” she can get him, he responds, creepily, “It’s possible…”
The cop Rollins huddles with in his ad, meanwhile, is Jeff Deglow, a 40-year-old Calgary, Alberta, native who moved to the United States as a college student “to pursue acting as a career.”
Deglow got his start performing in a “Shakespearean show” in Arizona. He touts his “incredible handle on Shakespearean text,” though he has lamented that he “always seem[s] to play the Fools.”
[…]
Campaigns do often use actors in their ads, but it’s typically to provide voiceover skills, or they’re used for just their hands. Rollins’s use of actors, showing their faces in specific roles, is unusual, even more so in that his ads don’t contain disclosures.
Indeed, there appears to be no acknowledgment anywhere of the actors’ roles. Wright and Deglow have not disclosed their work in the Rollins ad publicly—despite showcasing much of their output online, as is customary for working actors. Wright did not respond to a request for comment, while Deglow confirmed his participation in the ad but declined to comment further. Rollins’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Mvar Media, the Democratic advertising firm that Rollins has paid more than $180,000 for “ad production” and other services since May 2023.
During emergency events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) works with its federal, state, local, and non-governmental partners to support the needs of the people in the areas that may be impacted.
In such circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) remind the public that sites that provide emergency response and relief are considered protected areas. To the fullest extent possible, ICE and CBP do not conduct immigration enforcement activities at protected areas such as along evacuation routes, sites used for sheltering or the distribution of emergency supplies, food or water, or registration sites for disaster-related assistance or the reunification of families and loved ones.
At the request of FEMA or local and state authorities, ICE and CBP may help conduct search and rescue, air traffic de-confliction and public safety missions. ICE and CBP provide emergency assistance to individuals regardless of their immigration status. DHS officials do not and will not pose as individuals providing emergency-related information as part of any enforcement activities.
DHS is committed to ensuring that every individual who seeks shelter, aid, or other assistance as a result of a natural disaster or emergency event is able to do so regardless of their immigration status.
DHS carries out its mission without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, ethnicity, disability or political associations, and in compliance with law and policy.
For information about filing a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties about these matters, please visit our Make a Civil Rights Complaint page.
Headline: Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Helene
Governor Cooper Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Hurricane Helene mseets
Today, Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency ahead of Hurricane Helene as North Carolina prepares for severe weather impacts that could threaten life and property across North Carolina through Saturday morning.
Helene is forecast to cause significant impacts including flash flooding, numerous landslides, damaging debris flows, slope failures across steep terrain, and riverine flooding across portions of western North Carolina and portions of central North Carolina. Flooding may occur in areas that do not typically flood. All North Carolinians should be weather aware and prepared. Tropical storm force winds are possible across western North Carolina late Thursday into Friday. With already saturated soils, trees could fall causing widespread power outages. There is a potential for tornadoes with this storm system. Tornadoes from tropical systems can quickly spin up with little warning.
“Helene threatens heavy rain, flash flooding, landslides, and damaging winds to the mountains and Piedmont areas of our state,” said Governor Cooper. “Now is the time for North Carolinians to prepare, make sure emergency kits are up-to-date and pay attention to the weather alerts in your area.”
The State Emergency Response Team is deploying equipment, personnel, and resources to support impacted communities, including, North Carolina Swift Water Rescue Teams and Urban Search and Rescue Teams, resources from the North Carolina National Guard, and specialized personnel for communications and incident management support.
North Carolina residents are advised to stay aware and keep a watch on the forecast. State officials advise these tips to make sure your family is personally prepared:
Have multiple ways to receive emergency information, including watches and warnings. Make sure emergency alerts are enabled on your cell phone and monitor local new outlets and the National Weather Service.
Ensure that you have multiple ways to receive warnings, especially with the potential for severe storms to be moving through during nighttime hours.
Have an emergency plan. Know where you would go if you need to evacuate, especially if you live in a flood prone area.
Gather emergency supplies or refresh your emergency kit. Visit ReadyNC.gov for info on how to build an emergency kit.
Never drive through flooded roadways or around barricades. Turn around. Don’t drown.
Make sure you know where to seek shelter if a tornado warning is issued for your area.
Check to see if your local emergency management office offers emergency alert services for its residents. You can visit your county government website for more information.
Avoid unnecessary travel. If you do not need to drive, stay home. You can find current roadway conditions by visiting DriveNC.Gov.
The State of Emergency facilitates state emergency operations and allows for the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Department of Public Safety to take action to ensure the quick movement of utility vehicles to eliminate power outages, vehicles carrying essential supplies such as food, medicine and fuel or transporting livestock, poultry and crops.
A 41-year-old woman from Queens County, PEI, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference on a person under the age of 16 in Queens County, PEI.
On September 14, 2024, the PEI RCMP’s Major Crime Unit, began an investigation investigation into sexual offences against a youth. On September 24, 2024 an arrest and charges were laid. The accused has been charged with the following offences and will appear in Charlottetown Provincial Court on October 28, 2024.
Sexual Assault
Sexual Interference
Invitation to sexual touching
Permitting person under 19 to consume cannabis contrary to the Cannabis Control Act
The accused was released on strict conditions before a Justice of the Peace.
Police believe that this case is isolated to one victim and there is not a threat to the greater public.
“The PEI RCMP are committed to a victim-centered approach when investigating sexual offences. Our priority is to ensure the dignity, privacy, and well-being of victims throughout the process. With this in mind, we will not be providing any further details that could lead to the identification of the victim, which includes the name of the accused,” Said Cpl Gavin Moore, Media Relations Officer for the PEI RCMP.
If you have information that may assist the investigation please contact your local detachment or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
Police quickly arrested a 27-year-old man from Upper Tracy, N.B., and stolen property was recovered following a break, enter and theft in Tracy, N.B.
On September 22, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Oromocto RCMP responded to a report of a break, enter and theft in progress at a camp on Peltoma Settlement Road in Tracy.
When members arrived in the area, the property owner was able to provide video surveillance footage, and a suspect was immediately identified. A short time later, members located the suspect, a 27-year-old man, and arrested him in the same area without incident. The suspect’s vehicle was also captured on camera, and located parked in a nearby driveway with the stolen items, including a firearm, inside.
As a result of the home owner’s quick action in calling police and providing detailed information, police were able to quickly locate and arrest the suspect and recover the stolen property.,” said Sgt. Stéphane Esculier with the Oromocto RCMP Detachment. “We understand that not all crimes can be reported while they are in progress, however, calling us as soon as possible and providing a detailed description of the events can make a big impact on the investigation.”
The New Brunswick RCMP is committed to intelligence led policing, and this investigation is the latest in a series of police actions aimed at reducing property crimes in the province. The public plays a large role in helping achieve positive outcomes such as this one, and the Oromocto RCMP would like to thank the public for reporting crime and suspicious activity in their communities.
Anyone with information about, or who suspects, illegal activity in their neighbourhood is asked to contact their local police. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
Defendant Allegedly Raised Over $40 Million While Misrepresenting Financial and Sales Information
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury indicted Baba Nadimpalli, the founder and former Chief Executive Officer of SKAEL, Inc. (SKAEL), with securities and wire fraud for defrauding investors and misleading them about the company’s revenue, annual recurring revenue (ARR), and other financial and sales information.
According to an indictment filed Jan. 17, 2024 and unsealed Sept. 23, 2024, Nadimpalli, 41, a citizen of Australia who resided in San Francisco, Calif., founded SKAEL in 2016 and served as its Chief Executive Officer from 2016 until July 2022. SKAEL was a San Francisco-based, software-as-a-service (“Saas”) company that claimed to provide its corporate clients with artificial intelligence and automation software to assist customers with mundane, time-intensive tasks by building “Digital Employees,” which SKAEL claimed could connect databases, synthesize large amounts of information, provide information and insights, and perform tasks. SKAEL earned revenue by charging implementation fees for the building of Digital Employees and subscription fees for the use of the Digital Employees once they were built.
The indictment alleges that from January 2020 until about February 2022, SKAEL raised over $40 million in three rounds of financing. To induce prospective and existing investors to invest, Nadimpalli allegedly made false claims regarding SKAEL’s revenue and ARR (a measure of total revenue expected per year from committed customers with signed contracts, an important metric for investors), as well as customer and sales information. For example, in or around 2021, Nadimpalli allegedly provided materially false information to investors in advance of their investments in SKAEL, including representing that SKAEL was receiving ARR from certain companies that did not subscribe to SKAEL’s software and services; overstating ARR from certain customers who were SKAEL customers; and representing that customers who had terminated their SKAEL subscriptions were current customers with ARR.
The indictment further alleges that in or around February 2022, SKAEL raised approximately $30 million in a Series A preferred stock offering which valued SKAEL at approximately $230 million after closing. In connection with the stock offering, Nadimpalli allegedly directed the creation of an electronic data room for potential investors that contained (1) a spreadsheet that Nadimpalli maintained that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR and customers; (2) a materially false profit and loss statement; (3) a financial metrics spreadsheet that contained materially false subscription revenue and ARR amounts; and (4) an investor presentation that contained materially false information about the company’s ARR, revenue, and customer adoption.
As described in the indictment, in furtherance of the scheme, Nadimpalli provided an investor and a financial employee false bank account information that included purported customer payments that had not actually been deposited.
Nadimpalli is charged with three counts of securities fraud and seven counts of wire fraud. If convicted of securities fraud, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $5,000,000. If convicted of wire fraud, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
An indictment merely alleges that crimes have been committed and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge Robert K. Tripp.
The case is being handled by the Corporate and Securities Fraud Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah Stern and Ilham Hosseini are prosecuting the case with the assistance of Mark DiCenzo. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI thank the San Francisco Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which announced today a parallel civil enforcement action against Nadimpalli in the Northern District of California.
For many, urban red foxes are a familiar sight in back gardens or city streets. Often, people delight in seeing them and the connection to wildlife they bring. Others find them a nuisance, whether because of their smell, poo or loud screaming noises during the breeding season. Some anecdotal reports indicate that foxes could be becoming bolder within cities – even riding on buses, stealing shoes or taking naps on someone’s garden shed.
Our study for the British carnivore project shows for the first time that foxes within the UK are indeed behaving more boldly within cities compared to rural populations – but that most people remain tolerant of them anyway.
Foxes are vital to ecosystem health and represent an important “flagship” species for urban residents’ connection to the natural world. However, bolder fox behaviour could, in theory, lead to more conflict with humans, particularly as people encroach more on green space through increasing urbanisation. It is therefore crucial to understand how to avoid conflict with these animals and explore positive ways to coexist.
Stories and imagery can play an important role in shaping our attitudes about wildlife. However, although foxes are often portrayed as “sly” and “cunning” in popular culture, it remains unclear how this might affect public perceptions. Identifying factors that influence people’s feelings and attitudes towards foxes is important for understanding how we can coexist amicably alongside them.
Communicating information about bolder urban foxes through press releases and YouTube videos, for instance, runs the risk of people creating false impressions or sensationalised beliefs about fox behaviour. This could undermine important conservation initiatives to protect the welfare of urban foxes, including efforts to avoid unethical treatment or persecution of these animals.
Foxy behaviour
Our recent study tested whether messages about bolder urban foxes are biasing how people feel about them. To do this, 1,364 British people were randomly selected to take part in an online experiment.
Participants were not told what the study was about. Half were given stories depicting bold and cunning fox behaviour and shown a short video of foxes exploring and solving food puzzles that we had left overnight in people’s back gardens.
Half the study participants were shown this three-minute video of foxes solving food puzzles.
Other participants were shown relatively neutral content, including a video of foxes walking through different landscapes.
Afterwards, all participants answered 24 questions that enabled us to evaluate their perceptions of foxes, including whether they felt fox behaviour negatively impacted their everyday lives.
Half the study participants were shown this short video of foxes walking through various habitats.
The study revealed that content about bold and cunning fox behaviour did not have a significant effect on participants’ tolerance of foxes, compared to people in the control group. In fact, across both the experimental and control groups, 83% of people displayed feelings about foxes that were more positive than negative. This suggests that participants from the experimental group remained positive despite being made aware that bold and intelligent behaviour from foxes probably explains their “pesky” interactions with people.
Previous studies have found that foxes are a very well-liked species throughout much of the UK, despite other studies suggesting that attitudes are more mixed in urban areaslike London. Our latest study provides the most up-to-date evidence showing that this remains the case. However, as foxes continue to become bolder within cities, which our previous work suggests, it will become very important to continue to monitor whether (or how) attitudes change towards these animals throughout the country.
Our results illustrate that the likeability factor of foxes is deeply rooted and difficult to change just by discussing their nuisance behaviour in a single setting. Although foxes are often perceived to be bold and crafty, our online experiments showed that most people remained generally tolerant of them anyway.
By giving residents more of a voice in urban planning, solutions can be designed to encourage people to coexist with foxes without persecuting these animals, such as how to dispose of our waste properly to deter bin-raiding. This, in our view, is great news for foxes and people.
Blake Morton received funding from the University of Hull, UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) (Grant No.
NE/X018342/1), and EU Social Fund Plus for the study.
Charlotte Hopkins received funding from NERC for this project (Grant No. NE/X018342/1)
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Ronald King, 51, formerly of Berlin, New Hampshire, and now residing in Bangor, Maine, Victor Roiter, 55, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, Tina Wellman, 51, of Mayfield, New York, Adam Shorr, 55, of Dunedin, Florida, Robert O’Sullivan, 55, of Lake Sherwood, California, Bradley Edson, 66, of Mesa, Arizona, and John Gautereaux, 59, of Temecula, California were indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to defrauding Medicare and Colorado Medicaid.
According to the indictment, the defendants were involved together through a variety of corporate entities including as owners of Tesis Labs, LLC, a parent company that owned and operated genetic testing labs, including Claro Scientific Laboratories, Inc., based in Lafayette, Colorado, and 303 Diagnostics LLC, based in Aurora, Colorado. The indictment alleges that defendants King, Roiter, Wellman, and Shorr conspired to defraud Medicare and Colorado Medicaid through several means, including by paying kickbacks and bribes to purported marketing companies for referrals for fraudulent and medically unnecessary genetic testing. These referrals in turn led to more than $40 million in false and fraudulent claims paid by Medicare and Colorado Medicaid to the laboratories for the genetic testing claims. The indictment alleges that all seven defendants participated in a conspiracy to offer and pay illegal bribes and kickbacks in connection with health care benefit programs, including Medicare, Colorado Medicaid, and private health insurance plans. The defendants agreed to pay kickbacks and bribes to individuals and entities they identified as “marketers” to solicit patients, including elderly Medicare beneficiaries, to participate in unnecessary genetic testing and to obtain doctors’ signatures on testing order forms for these patients. Many of these kickback recipients used call centers to target elderly Medicare beneficiaries. Finally, the indictment alleges that defendants King, Roiter, and Wellman conspired to launder the proceeds of the first two conspiracies described above.
Defendants King, Wellman, Shorr, O’Sullivan, Edson, and Gautereaux made initial appearances in Denver, Colorado, between August 26 and September 5, 2024, in front of Magistrate Judge Susan Prose.
The charges contained in the indictment are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent of the charges unless and until proven guilty.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation Denver Field Division, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Anna Edgar.
An act seemingly once confined to bondage and “kink” communities has become mainstream. Despite the many risks to health (including death), sexual choking is now popular, even commonplace, particularly among young people.
Sexual choking is a more informal label for strangulation. It involves the grabbing, holding or compression of another’s neck either by hands, or limb, or by use of a prop or weapon, and typically involves restriction of blood or air flow. When it is used as part of a sexual encounter, it is frequently referred to as “erotic asphyxiation” or “breath play”.
In a 2016 survey of Americans aged 18-60 years, 21.4% of women who had sex with men had been choked. And one in five men admitted to choking a partner (male or female) during sex.
An Australian study from this year found that more than half of 18- to 35-year-olds reported they had been strangled during sex at least once. A similar proportion admitting to strangling a partner at least once. Though strangling is common among both men and women, evidence shows that women are more likely to be strangled and men more likely to do the strangling.
Separate research suggests strangulation has become so normalised that many do not consider it to be a form of rough or violent sex at all. A 2019 survey found only around a third of participants considered choking to be rough sexual behaviour. Most considered hair pulling, being pinned down, biting, being tied up and slapping as rough sexual behaviour.
While there have not been many studies on the prevalence of choking until recently, researchers and campaigners have reported that young people are talking about the practise more in recent years.
According to a 2022 study that surveyed American university students, those who report enjoying being strangled cited a high from the experience – a feeling of euphoria – that heightens sexual pleasure.
People give various reasons for engaging in sexual strangling, including wanting to be kinky or adventurous, believing it would please their partner, and feelings of power and dominance. But campaigners point out that the often gendered nature of strangulation can feed into wider patterns of coercion and control of women by men.
Although sexual choking appears to be increasingly common, it is not necessarily wanted by those engaging in or receiving it. A significant proportion of women, in particular, do not consent to being choked, even if the rest of the encounter is consensual.
A survey for the BBC in 2019 found that in a study of 2,000 young women aged 18–39, 38% had experienced unwanted slapping, choking, gagging or spitting during otherwise consensual sex. And a similar proportion of men admit to choking or strangling a partner during sex without their consent.
Normalising strangulation
The act of strangulation has become increasingly normalised and sexualised. The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, a worldwide bestseller, was widely criticised by feminist campaigners, academics and domestic abuse charities for eroticising strangulation and making it socially acceptable. The recent Netflix-produced films Lady Chatterley’s Lover and Obsession also contain strangulation during sex scenes, which are presented as part of a love story.
A 2020 investigation by the Times found hundreds of images of sexualised choking and strangulation on Pinterest, Instagram and Tumblr. The images included pictures of young women being pinned down and strangled by men, women with gags over their mouths and children being gripped by the throat.
Social media hashtags promoting these images include #Daddy, #ChokingKink, #BreathPlay and #Strangle. Disturbingly, the investigation found hypersexualised tags and descriptions accompanying many of these images, including one which said “bruise my oesophagus”.
Unwanted strangulation can happen during otherwise consensual sex. PPstudio/Shutterstock
Pornography has also played a role in eroticising strangulation, as part of a wider normalisation of violent sex. And research has found links between people seeing choking depicted in pornography and engaging in it themselves.
In TV, books, social media or pornography, it is almost always men strangling women. Similarly, the evidence on real life sexual choking shows this is a practice more often done by men to women.
The creep of strangulation into legitimate and normalised behaviour makes it more difficult for women to escape (and avoid) violent relationships. This normalisation leads many women to feel like they cannot speak up about nonconsensual choking.
In her recent book exploring rough sex, journalist Rachel Thompson highlights that women feel refusing to participate or responding to non-consensual choking could reflect negatively on them as sexual partners.
Risky behaviour
Regardless of consent, strangulation is associated with a range of health risks. These include loss of consciousness, loss of voice, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, bruising, redness, haemorrhages, headaches, depression, PTSD, suicidal thoughts and death (including delayed death occurring days or weeks after the strangulation).
Strangulation has traditionally been viewed as a violent act and has long been recognised as assault in criminal law. A growing number of homicides of women by men involve claims that the death was an accident resulting from “rough sex” gone wrong.
Strangulation or asphyxiation is a leading cause in many of these cases, and in some, reference has been made to the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy as the inspiration for engaging in what is alleged to have been consensual sexual choking.
England and Wales have recently introduced a new offence of non-fatal strangulation as part of domestic abuse legislation, which police appear to be actively using. But the law alone isn’t enough to change the normalisation of this dangerous act.
Some advocates for safe BDSM practice have suggested that breath play can be done safely if there is clear consent, proper boundaries and certain rules are followed. But clinicians, academics and parliamentarians have argued there is no safe way to choke someone.
Hannah Bows receives funding from the ESRC, British Academy & Home Office.
Numerous companies are working on developing weight loss pills that would have similar effects as injectable drugs currently on the market.Ljupco Smokovski/ Shutterstock
The arrival of GLP-1 analogue drugs (such as Wegovy) marked a huge shift in the weight loss drug market. These drugs have been shown to lead to significant weight loss in users – as much as 15% or more of their body weight in clinical trials. For this reason, demand for weight loss drugs has skyrocketed worldwide.
Most of the GLP-1 analogue drugs on the market are taken as a weekly injection under the skin. But many companies are now working on translating these drugs into a form that can be taken orally, as a pill.
But will weight loss pills be as effective as the injectable GLP-1 drugs already on the market?
How do injectable weight loss drugs work?
When we eat, the gastrointestinal system produces a variety of hormones in response, that go on to signal satiety to the brain. Collectively, these hormones are called “incretins”. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and islet amyloid polypeptide (amylin) are all incretins.
Incretins signal the hypothalamus (a structure in the brain that links the endocrine and nervous systems) and other brain regions to tell the rest of the body we’re full.
The drug semaglutide (sold under the brand names Wegovy and Ozempic) mimics the naturally occurring incretin GLP-1. But unlike the GLP-1 the body produces (which is quickly broken down by enzymes after it’s been released), semaglutide has been pharmacologically modified so that the hormone lasts longer in the body – thereby making a person feel fuller for longer after meals.
Other weight loss drugs can act on more than one incretin receptor. Tirzepatide (sold under the brand name Mounjaro) is the first available “dual” incretin. In other words, it has properties of two incretin molecules – acting on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors. Clinical trials showed tirzepatide is even more effective than semaglutide – leading to an impressive loss of up to 20% of body weight in overweight or obese participants who took the drug for 72 weeks.
How would a weight loss pill work?
Novo Nordisk, the makers of Wegovy, recently announced the phase 1 trial results of a new oral weight loss pill they’re developing, called amycretin.
At the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference in September 2024, researchers reported that in early trials, amycretin led to a 10.4% loss of body weight in people who were overweight or obese when taken at its lowest dose for 12 weeks. When taken at a higher dose, it led to an over 13% loss of body weight in the same time period. This was compared to participants who were given a placebo, who lost only 1% of their body-weight. The amount of weight lost was faster than when compared to semaglutide injections.
The oral pill was shown to be more effective than injectable semaglutide. Artmim/ Shutterstock
Amycretin works by targeting two incretin hormone receptors: GLP-1 and amylin.
Amylin is secreted at the same time as insulin by cells in the pancreas. The hormone plays a key role in blood sugar (glucose) regulation by controlling how quickly food is digested in the stomach and controlling when the hormone glucagon in released. Importantly, amylin receptors are found in specific brain regions that regulate appetite. As such, it can trigger a satiety signal after meals.
Weight loss from GLP-1 and amylin receptor treatments works through both separate as well as shared brain pathways. Because of this, combining the two therapies is anticipated to have a greater effect on promoting weight loss. Based on the early results from this amycretin trial, it appears this is true.
As amycretin has been developed to be taken as a pill, it may offer a more convenient option for managing obesity. Furthermore, weight loss had not plateaued by the 12-week period – so people may be able to lose more weight than that shown so far. And, side-effects appear similar to other incretin-based treatments – including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation.
Larger trials are now taking place to better understand how safe and effective it really is.
Advances in the field of weight loss drugs are evolving rapidly. Further dual-agonist and even triple-agonist incretin drugs are in development. Trials so far show they lead to a significant loss of body weight. Numerous companies are also working on developing weight loss pills that target incretin receptors – with trial results for some anticipated later this year.
Amycretin has now advanced to the next phase of clinical trials. If proven to be as safe and effective as it was in phase one trials, it could be good news for patients with obesity. More options available on the market would also be good news as it could help manage global demand for weight loss drugs and ease the resultant shortages of these products.
Martin Whyte has received research funding from AstraZeneca.
The sight of solar panels installed on rooftops and large energy farms has become commonplace in many regions around the world. Even in grey and rainy UK, solar power is becoming a major player in electricity generation.
This surge in solar is fuelled by two key developments. First, scientists, engineers and those in industry are learning how to make solar panels by the billions. Every fabrication step is meticulously optimised to produce them very cheaply. The second and most significant is the relentless increase in the panels’ power conversion efficiency – a measure of how much sunlight can be transformed into electricity.
The higher the efficiency of solar panels, the cheaper the electricity. This might make you wonder: just how efficient can we expect solar energy to become? And will it make a dent in our energy bills?
Current commercially available solar panels convert about 20-22% of sunlight into electrical power. However, new research published in Nature has shown that future solar panels could reach efficiencies as high as 34% by exploiting a new technology called tandem solar cells. The research demonstrates a record power conversion efficiency for tandem solar cells.
What are tandem solar cells?
Traditional solar cells are made using a single material to absorb sunlight. Currently, almost all solar panels are made from silicon – the same material at the core of microchips. While silicon is a mature and reliable material, its efficiency is limited to about 29%.
To overcome this limit, scientists have turned to tandem solar cells, which stack two solar materials on top of each other to capture more of the Sun’s energy.
In the new nature paper, a team of researchers at the energy giant LONGi has reported a new tandem solar cell that combines silicon and perovskite materials. Thanks to their improved sunlight harvesting, the new perovskite-silicon tandem has achieved a world record 33.89% efficiency.
In this way, energy losses are avoided and the total tandem efficiency increases. Other materials, called III-V semiconductors, have also been used in tandem cells and achieved higher efficiencies. The problem is they are hard to produce and expensive, so only small solar cells can be made in combination with focused light.
The scientific community is putting tremendous effort into perovskite solar cells. They have kept a phenomenal pace of development with efficiencies (for a single cell in the lab) rising from 14% to 26% in only 10 years. Such advancements enabled their integration into ultra-high-efficiency tandem solar cells, demonstrating a pathway to scale photovoltaic technology to the trillions of Watts the world needs to decarbonise our energy production.
The cost of solar electricity
The new record-breaking tandem cells can capture an additional 60% of solar energy. This means fewer panels are needed to produce the same energy, reducing installation costs and the land (or roof area) required for solar farms.
It also means that power plant operators will generate solar energy at a higher profit. However, due to the way that electricity prices are set in the UK, consumers may never notice a difference in their electricity bills. The real difference comes when you consider rooftop solar installations where the area is constrained and the space has to be exploited effectively.
The price of rooftop solar power is calculated based on two key measures. First, the total cost to install solar panels on your roof, and second, how much electricity they will generate over their 25 years of operation. While the installation cost is easy to obtain, the revenues from generating solar electricity at home are a bit more nuanced. You can save money by using less energy from the grid, especially in periods when it is costly, and you can also sell some of your surplus electricity back to the grid.
However, the grid operators will pay you a very small price for this electricity, so sometimes it is better to use a battery and store the energy so you can use it at night. Using average considerations for a typical British household, I have calculated the cash savings consumers would gain from rooftop solar electricity depending on the efficiency of the panels.
If we can improve panel efficiency from 22% to 34% without
increasing the installation cost, savings in electricity bills will rise from £558ְ/year up to £709/year. A 20% bump in cash savings that would make solar rooftops extremely attractive, even in grey and cloudy Britain.
The higher the efficiency of solar panels, the cheaper the resulting electricity. IM Imagery / Shutterstock
So when can we buy these new solar panels?
As research continues, considerable efforts are being made to scale up this technology and ensure its long-term durability. The record breaking tandem cells are made in laboratories and are smaller than a postage stamp. Translating such high performance to metre-square areas remains a vast challenge.
Yet, we are making progress. Earlier this month, Oxford PV, a solar manufacturer at the forefront of perovskite technology, announced the first sale of its newly developed tandem solar panels. They have successfully tackled the challenges of integrating two solar materials and making durable and reliable panels. While they are still far from 34% efficiencies, their work shows a promising route for next generation solar cells.
Another consideration is the sustainability of the materials used in tandem solar panels. Extracting and processing some of the minerals in solar panels can be hugely energy intensive. Besides silicon, perovskite solar cells require the elements lead, carbon, iodine and bromine as components to make them work properly. Connecting perovskite and silicon also requires scarce materials containing an element called indium, so there is plenty of research still required to address these difficulties.
Despite the challenges, the scientific and industrial community remains committed to developing tandem solar devices that could be integrated into almost anything: cars, buildings and planes.
The recent developments toward high efficiency perovskite-silicon tandem cells indicate a bright future for solar power, ensuring solar continues to play a more prominent role in the global transition to renewable energy.
Sebastian Bonilla receives funding from UK Research and Innovation, The Royal Academy of Engineering, and The Leverhulme Trust.
Humanity may be no better prepared for the impacts of climate change today than in the 1970s.
So says a new study led by Stanford University researchers that compared how sensitive societies are to extreme weather now versus 50 years ago. This research has yet to be peer-reviewed, and its conclusions run counter to what many climate policy experts have long assumed. If they are accurate, it means that additional wealth, technology and climate-savvy have not meaningfully enhanced our protection as the weather has become more hostile.
Earth’s atmosphere has warmed and contains more moisture as a result of fossil fuel burning. Europeans reeling from Storm Boris can testify to the failure of even wealthy countries to adapt to this reality says Chris Medland, a PhD candidate in climate change resilience at the University of Surrey.
“Your home may not be in the path of the next storm but the infrastructure it relies on might be,” Medland says.
Flood defences, power lines, rail networks – all of these things and more need to be built or upgraded to withstand mounting storms. Yet in the recently flooded UK, the companies that run utilities are not expressly obliged to ensure their networks remain resilient to climate change, Medland says. Nor is it clear who is ultimately responsible for keeping the lights on as the crisis intensifies.
Invaders must die?
If the accounts of biologists are anything to go by, the natural world is adapting to the effects of climate change far more radically than any human institution.
“Faced with the degradation of their habitat, the species that will survive will be those that are able to adapt,” says Suzanne Bonamour, a postdoctoral researcher in ecology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Bonamour studies an endangered seabird, the crested cormorant, and its struggles to feed itself and its brood amid stormier seas. These birds can migrate to escape a winter squall, but only some do.
Bonamour wonders whether adult birds might transmit this behaviour to their chicks, but she says that there is little that species can do to compensate for the catastrophe humans are engineering.
When plants and animals seeking cooler climes settle on new shores, they usually get a hostile reception. Attempting to root out these migrants is generally a mistake according to Heather Kharouba, an ecologist at the University of Ottawa.
“Stated plainly, the vast majority of intentionally or unintentionally introduced species are not a threat to native ecosystems,” she says.
Some arrivals do cause problems. In North America, “invasive species” include the emerald ash borer, an insect from north-eastern Asia that damages ash trees. But most control measures are laborious and expensive failures, Kharouba says. Some are even harmful, like using herbicides that afflict the native and non-native alike.
Kharouba cites numerous examples of introduced species enriching their new homes. More generally, there is a trade-off: forests in the eastern US that are turning gold with autumn’s onset now harbour fewer species, but they store more carbon.
“All this means that introduced plants could be well placed to support, or even buffer, current ecosystems as they undergo transitions due to climate change,” Kharouba says.
Nature offers stark evidence that the world is changing rapidly. What if we embraced it?
‘Not just a challenge’
Climate activists have typically shied away from discussing “climate adaptation” for fear of sounding defeatist says Joost de Moor, an assistant professor of political science at Sciences Po. There is cause to remain laser-focused on cutting emissions, he adds, but no excuse to neglect the question entirely.
If change is inevitable, what sort of world do we want to emerge from the climate crisis? In March 2023, protesters in western France seized the initiative when they opposed the construction of a 628,000 sq metre reservoir in the rural Sainte-Soline commune, de Moor says.
France had suffered a historic drought, and so a huge artificial water reserve might have seemed prudent. Not if it involved draining a common resource, the water table, to serve a few farmers whose methods of agriculture already placed an untenable strain on struggling ecosystems, protesters argued.
The campaign sparked a vital debate about whose needs ought to be prioritised in a future with greater hardship says Lucien Thabourey, a sociologist of environmental activism at Sciences Po. Fortunately, there is also a conversation to be had about the ways in which everyone might live better.
“Some of the actions taken by humans to minimise the risk of catastrophic floods can actually make life more pleasant anyway, even when it isn’t raining,” says Maryam Imani, an associate professor of water systems engineering at Anglia Ruskin University.