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  • MIL-OSI Global: Fan reviews and parodies of Amazon’s The Rings of Power show that ownership is not just determined by contracts

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Lincoln Geraghty, Professor of Media Cultures, University of Portsmouth

    The fan reaction to season one of The Rings of Power in 2022 was, to put it mildly, very mixed. Following the 2017 announcement that Amazon had bought the rights to adapt some of J.R.R Tolkien’s lesser-known work, many fans were cautious in their celebration.

    I research fandoms, so I am particularly drawn to the levels of critical analysis and humour fans employ in their review videos and parodies of The Rings of Power. They highlight that while multi-billion-dollar corporations may have the financial clout to own valuable IP and some of the biggest entertainment franchises, ownership is not just determined by contracts.

    Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001-2003) stands as testament to the director’s passion for Tolkien, Middle Earth and cinematic storytelling.

    With The Rings of Power, Amazon was clearly trying to capture some of that for the small screen. They hoped to use the franchise to compete with other streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney+, as well as copy HBO’s success with series like Game of Thrones. Epic fantasy television offered Amazon the potential for new subscribers, awards and priceless word-of-mouth marketing.

    However, that is not quite what happened. Early promotion for season one was scarce, the teaser trailer was ratioed (meaning it had thousands more dislikes than likes) and a campaign to use social media influencers and vloggers as promoters backfired.

    The trailer for season two of The Rings of Power.

    When marketing backfires

    Amazon flew a number of social media influencers and vloggers to Mallorca in Spain to watch the first teaser trailer, and then filmed their praise and reactions to be shared on their channels and Amazon’s own social media.

    But fans quickly spotted that a number of the influencers and vloggers had never made Lord of the Rings content before and most of the reactions were scripted, depending on language and nationality of the vloggers. When these promos started to be ratioed on YouTube, Amazon took them down.

    Now with season two upon us, the lack of faith in Amazon’s adaptation has not only continued – it has noticeably grown. Some content creators have reacted negatively to the company’s and showrunners’ attempts at turning the very small amount of the story and lore, to which they have rights, into many hours worth of television.

    Yet, it is how the fans respond which is often more intriguing and revealing than what they are responding to. The overall tone and argument that fans share about the series is that it lacks faithfulness to Tolkien’s world and tries to adapt and copy Jackson’s version of Middle Earth, rather than create something appealing in its own right.

    This is best highlighted in recent videos produced by well-known and controversial Lord Of The Rings fan, Nerdrotic, who outlines in enormous detail how season two has gone further in trying to sound and look like Jackson’s movies.

    Nerdrotic’s criticism of The Rings of Power.

    The use of clips, dialogue, sound effects and references to press sources raises such content to almost academic level of critique. His cultural capital and knowledge of the story and lore is clearly displayed, and used to both raise the source material up while he puts the Amazon adaptation down.

    This is typical of fans who feel their beloved text is under attack – they come to its defence by building a case for its original quality and value.

    Fan parodies

    The use of parody and humour to pour scorn on the series is also a common practice among fans. New digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) allow fans to create a sense of realism that again demonstrates their knowledge and love of the original works.

    Charlie Hopkinson’s Gandalf Reviews deepfake sketches have found an audience that both knows the lore but is also familiar with and enjoys the format of reaction videos made popular on YouTube. Setting Gandalf in a sitcom where he chats with other characters while watching Lord of the Rings may seem glaringly unfaithful to the material, but it uses displacement of those same characters to highlight the importance and value of the original story and movies.

    One of the Gandalf deep fake videos.

    Fans develop a strong sense of ownership over their favourite media or books. They have taken fantasy, science fiction, comic book and horror franchises to their heart and put time, money and energy into getting to know them in every detail.

    Because of the level of financial and personal investment, they feel they “own” the text and have helped make it popular in the first place. Therefore, they would argue they have every right to feel threatened, angry or frustrated at what they perceive as harm being done to it and so, by extension, them.

    Streaming platforms such as Amazon have tried to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market by mining well-known IP to lure in fans and non-subscribers alike. However, as The Rings of Power has shown, attempts at courting fans can come at a cost which may never be recouped.

    The relationship between fans and entertainment corporations is as fraught as ever. Amazon needs Tolkien fans, but at the same time doesn’t seem to recognise the fact that the fans may not need them – or another adaption – to keep them entertained. They can do that for themselves.


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

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

    – ref. Fan reviews and parodies of Amazon’s The Rings of Power show that ownership is not just determined by contracts – https://theconversation.com/fan-reviews-and-parodies-of-amazons-the-rings-of-power-show-that-ownership-is-not-just-determined-by-contracts-238704

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Announces Recruitment for Prairie Green Landfill Search Team

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    September 25, 2024

    Manitoba Government Announces Recruitment for Prairie Green Landfill Search Team

    The Manitoba government is partnering with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) to recruit team members for the Prairie Green Landfill search, Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation, announced today.

    “With the posting of these positions, we are continuing our work to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, who deserve a dignified final resting place,” said Kinew. “This work will not be easy, and these jobs will require emotional intelligence and compassion. I encourage Manitobans to apply to help the search and bring Morgan and Marcedes home.”

    Multiple full- and part-time term positions are available for general search technicians, forensic anthropology search technicians and forensic anthropology search assistants. AMC will oversee recruitment for general search technicians, with funding support from the Manitoba government. The premier noted specialized training will be provided for all successful applicants.

    In honouring Grand Chief Cathy Merrick’s legacy, both AMC and the Manitoba government have agreed to include a quote that was written for this issue prior to her passing.

    “We are deeply committed to working in partnership with the families of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, alongside the province, in securing skilled search technicians to ensure the safe and respectful return of their loved ones,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “The significance of this work cannot be overstated, as it marks a vital step towards healing for the affected families, Nations, and communities. Our efforts will continue to be guided by a First Nations-led approach, ensuring their loved ones are brought home and honoured in ceremony with the respect and dignity they so rightfully deserve.”

    General search technicians will report directly to forensic anthropology search team leaders. Applicants are not expected to have extensive experience in the area, and family and community members who want to be a part of the search are encouraged to apply.

    Two search teams will be led by forensic anthropology search technicians and include team members with varying degrees of experience. Forensic anthropology search technicians and assistants are specialized positions that require specific education and experience, the premier noted. Both search teams will be led by a forensic anthropologist/search director.

    All applicants are encouraged to apply; however, first consideration for these competitions will be given to Indigenous people. Due to the nature of the work, emotional supports will be available.

    To view the job postings and apply, visit www.gov.mb.ca/govjobs/.

    – 30 –

     

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Tonko Announces $549K+ Federal Grant for Albany County to Bolster Mental Health Services & Reduce Recidivism

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

    ALBANY, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded Albany County a $549,998 grant over three years to support a project jointly administered by the Albany County Department of Mental Health and the Albany County Probation Department that aims to reduce recidivism and enhance support for individuals released from incarceration in Albany County. This award comes from DOJ’s Fiscal Year 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program, which is administered by the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).

    “As a longtime leader in the push to provide support for individuals released from incarceration, I’m thrilled to celebrate this significant infusion of federal funding that will help bring critical services to those who need them most,” Congressman Tonko said. “Many incarcerated individuals struggle with addiction and mental health issues, but too few have access to the resources they need to lead healthy and productive lives after their release. With this grant award, we are working to make certain that individuals released from Albany County Jail are equipped with the tools they need to avoid recidivism and tackle the mental health challenges they face. I’m proud to see Albany County leading the way in this important effort, and I look forward to seeing the benefits this program will bring to our communities.”

    “This initiative will enhance Albany County’s efforts to reduce reliance on emergency services and promote re-entry success,” said Stephen Giordano, Commissioner of the Albany County Department of Mental Health. “This is an important step to provide vital support to individuals transitioning back into society after incarceration by helping individuals who are at higher risk to build relationships and re-integrate. In addition to lowering the likelihood of recidivism, our project will help promote cross-system collaboration and improve overall public safety response. We will strive to reduce stigma, foster understanding, and strengthen the community by encouraging positive change. We’re excited about the impact we will make together!”

    “I would like to thank Congressman Paul D. Tonko for his continued advocacy and assistance with securing this grant,” added William Connors, Director of the Albany County Department of Probation. “The Albany County Probation Department is excited for this opportunity to partner with the Albany County Department of Mental Health to reduce recidivism of the population we serve with mental illness. Probation Officers will facilitate connections to mental health resources and services, with referrals focusing on re-entry matters in the probation process. This may include cases of pretrial release and pre-sentence investigations for individuals with serious mental health needs. We want to improve the lives of all persons we work with at the Probation Department.”

    The core objective of the project being funded by this grant is to develop a new “jail re-entry” case management model for individuals released from Albany County Jail, particularly those with severe and pervasive mental illness. A joint effort from the Albany County Department of Mental Health and the Albany County Probation Department, the program will help connect individuals released from incarceration with community resources and peer support — ultimately aiming to reduce recidivism and address social determinants of health.

    Congressman Tonko has been a steadfast advocate at the federal level for efforts to bolster services for individuals released from incarceration. Tonko is the author and lead House sponsor of the Reentry Act, bipartisan legislation that empowers states to restore access to healthcare through Medicaid, including addiction and mental health treatment, for incarcerated individuals up to 30 days before their release. This lifesaving legislation takes needed action to address alarming data showing that individuals released from prisons and jails are more than 129 times more likely than the general population to die of a drug overdose during the first two weeks after their release.

    Tonko has also worked directly with Albany County in recent years to bring targeted resources to those who need them most. In 2022, Tonko secured a $500,000 grant through the Community Project Funding (CPF) process for the Albany County Sheriff’s Homeless Improvement Program (SHIP) — an effort to provide safe spaces for individuals to access food, shelter, job opportunities, mental health and addiction services, and more.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Joint Statement on the Basel III Endgame Speech by Michael Barr, Vice Chair of Supervision, Federal Reserve Board of Governors

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressmen Steven Horsford (NV-04)

    Response of Reps. Steven Horsford (NV-04), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), and Juan Vargas (CA-52)

    “We are pleased by Vice Chair Barr’s announcement that he will recommend that the Board re-propose the Basel endgame rules and the acknowledgment that broad and material changes to the proposals are warranted. We agree that there are benefits and costs to increasing capital requirements. In January, we sent a letter to the Agencies, signed by nearly 60 members of Congress, asking that they carefully consider how the proposal may impact underserved and minority communities seeking small business credit and mortgage loans. While the details of the re-proposal are yet to be determined, we are encouraged by this new direction and believe it reflects that the regulators listened and seriously considered input from stakeholders. We look forward to remaining engaged as the process moves forward.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lee Statement on FTC Action Against Second Largest Owner of Clark County Single-Family Rental Homes

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03)

    WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) released the following statement after the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) made an announcement that it was taking action against Invitation Homes — the second largest owner of single-family rental homes in Clark County — for deceiving and taking financial advantage of renters: 

    “Invitation Homes owns about 3,500 homes in Clark County. That’s 3,500 families in southern Nevada who have been mistreated in the name of corporate greed. I applaud the FTC for cracking down on the corporate landlords who take advantage of working families. 

    “This is exactly why Congress must pass the HOME Act to go after more of these Big Corporate Landlords so we can lower costs and protect our families, seniors, and veterans from predatory practices.” 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Lamont Announces Business Recovery Centers Open in Monroe and Oxford To Provide In-Person Assistance With Applying for Federal Disaster Aid From August Flooding

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    (HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened two Business Recovery Centers in Monroe and Oxford that are now providing in-person assistance to businesses seeking to apply for federal disaster aid for damages incurred due to the severe flooding the western portion of Connecticut experienced on August 18, 2024.

    Located at the Monroe Police Department (7 Fan Hill Road) and Oxford Town Hall (486 Oxford Road), these Business Recovery Centers are staffed by SBA customer service representatives who can assist business owners in completing their disaster loan applications, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Both locations are open Mondays to Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. They are closed on Sundays. Walk-ins are accepted, however it is encouraged to schedule an appointment in advance by visiting appointment.sba.gov. In addition to applying in person, business owners may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

    The Lamont administration is currently working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to open similar in-person centers that will provide assistance to homeowners seeking to apply for federal disaster aid. An additional announcement will be made once those locations and hours of operation are identified. In the meantime, homeowners can begin the process of applying for assistance by visiting www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362), or by using the FEMA app. When an individual registers through FEMA’s website, they will be registering for any possible assistance offered by both FEMA and the SBA.

    “Any business that experienced losses from this extreme flooding are strongly encouraged to meet in person with an SBA representative who can guide them through the process on the loans and programs that are now available to them as a result of the major disaster declaration we received last week,” Governor Lamont said. “We are working with FEMA to identify similar in-person centers that will provide assistance to homeowners seeking to apply for relief, and we should have an additional announcement on those locations soon. Our administration appreciates the partnership of the SBA and FEMA in helping Connecticut’s businesses and homeowners recover from this major storm.”

    U.S. Small Business Administration
     Business Recovery Centers to apply for assistance from August 18, 2024, severe flooding

     

    Monroe Police Department
     7 Fan Hill Road
    Monroe, CT 06468

    Hours:

    • Mondays-Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
    • Closed on Sundays

     

     

    Oxford Town Hall
     486 Oxford Road
    Oxford, CT 06478

    Hours:

    • Mondays-Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    • Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
    • Closed on Sundays

     

     

    Businesses and homeowners who experienced damage are eligible for federal disaster aid as a result of the major disaster declaration that President Joe Biden approved last week for Fairfield County, Litchfield County, and New Haven County.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Day in the Life: HRC Branch Manager | U.S. Army

    Source: US Army (video statements)

    : DMA

    On today’s episode of Day in the Life, have a look at what its like to be an HRC (Human Resources Command) Branch Manager!

    About the U.S. Army:

    The Army Mission – our purpose – remains constant: To deploy, fight and win our nation’s wars by providing ready, prompt & sustained land dominance by Army forces across the full spectrum of conflict as part of the joint force.

    Interested in joining the U.S. Army?
    Visit: spr.ly/6001igl5L

    Connect with the U.S. Army online:
    Web: https://www.army.mil
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USarmy/
    X: https://www.twitter.com/USArmy
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usarmy/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-army
    #USArmy #Soldiers #Military #HRC #HumanResources

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHWcb6aaJhI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Preparedness Efforts Ahead of Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of Florida

    TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Executive Director Kevin Guthrie in Tampa to meet with power and utility linemen staged and ready to respond to power outages caused by Hurricane Helene, and to provide updates on state preparedness efforts before the storm’s landfall.

    Following Governor DeSantis’ request, FEMA approved the state’s pre-landfall disaster declaration request. This will provide important resources and assistance from the federal government, including personnel, equipment and supplies, as well as making available funding sources for emergency protective measures. The pre-landfall declaration request is for the 41 Florida counties included in Executive Order 24-208.

    Governor DeSantis issued Executive Order 24-209 on September 24, updating EO 24-208 and declaring a state of emergency for 61 counties, which allows for state officials to make critical resources available to communities ahead of any potential storm impacts.

    Voluntary and mandatory evacuation orders are in effect in multiple counties statewide. Residents need to evacuate as soon as possible if they are under a mandatory evacuation order. Counties under evacuation orders can be found at FloridaDisaster.org/EvacuationOrders.

    Residents in need of assistance finding or going to a shelter in the Big Bend region for Hurricane Helene can call (800) 729-3413. FDEM team members will be conducting callbacks from messages received last night, as well as accepting new calls today, to facilitate shelter coordination. For additional resources and assistance, residents can call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at (800) 342-3557. Assistance is available in English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole.

    As of 11AM ET, the storm has strengthened into Hurricane Helene, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Helene is expected to move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico and to the Florida Big Bend coast by Thursday evening. Additional strengthening is forecast, and Helene is expected to be a major hurricane when it reaches landfall.

    Watches and warnings in effect include

    Hurricane Warning: western Alachua, coastal Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, coastal Hernando, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, western Marion, coastal Pasco, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties

    Hurricane Watch: inland Citrus, inland Hernando, coastal Hillsborough, coastal Manatee, inland Pasco, Pinellas, coastal Sarasota

    Tropical Storm Warning: central and eastern Alachua, Baker, Bay, Bradford, Brevard, Broward, Calhoun, Charlotte, inland Citrus, Clay, Collier,  DeSoto, Duval, Flagler, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, inland Hernando, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Miami-Dade, Monroe (including Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas), Manatee, central and eastern Marion, Martin, Nassau, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, inland Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Putnam, Sarasota, Seminole, St. Johns, St. Lucie, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Walton, Washington

    Storm Surge Warning: along the entire Florida Big Bend and West Coast through Southwest Florida

    Storm Surge Watch: Coastal Bay and Gulf counties along Mexico Beach to Indian Pass

    Floridians are encouraged to know their risks from hurricane hazards and prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Helene. To learn more, residents can visit FloridaDisaster.org/Guide.

    Counties have begun their preparation efforts including measures like sandbag stations. For updates on county resources available visit FloridaDisaster.org/Counties for a list of all 67 county emergency management contacts.

    State Preparedness Efforts

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House Science Committee Passes Bills to Advance Research and Technology Development on AI, Nuclear Energy, and Natural Disasters

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (Virginia 4th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee passed four bills on a bipartisan basis to advance research and technology development, ensuring that the United States remains a global leader in artificial intelligence, energy, and natural disaster resilience: 

    • H.R. 9671, the Department of Energy (DOE) Artificial Intelligence Act, provides updated guidance for DOE’s activities in developing advanced artificial intelligence systems to carry out its national security, energy, and scientific discovery missions. 
    • H.R. 9710, the Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Act, gives direction and guidance to DOE to create demonstration projects and empower research on small modular reactors and micro-reactors. 
    • H.R. 9720, the AI Incident Reporting and Security Enhancement Act, directs National Institute Standards and Technologies (NIST) to use existing vulnerability management processes to account for AI vulnerabilities. 
    • H.R. 9723, the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program Reauthorization Act, reauthorizes and revamps NIST’s program to improve collaboration and research on the effects of climate change on windstorm behavior. 

    Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), a member of the House Science Committee, successfully offered an amendment to H.R. 9723 based on her recently introduced H.R. 9771, the Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for the Long Term (BUILT) Act. McClellan’s amendment will support interdisciplinary coordination to address the risks to infrastructure integrity resulting from changing climate and environmental conditions. Watch her testimony in committee here.

    “As the climate crisis continues to worsen, we must take immediate action to mitigate the most devastating impacts and protect our communities and critical infrastructure systems from harm,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “Devastating extreme weather events remind us of the urgency of the moment and the need to continue improving our resiliency efforts. I offered provisions from my BUILT Act as an amendment to the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2024 to invest in our future by promoting forward-looking research into climate resiliency.” 

    The BUILT Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to facilitate research on how climate conditions can affect subsurface properties and how technology can be used to assess infrastructure integrity risks, as well as to convene a workshop of representatives across the public and private sector.

    The BUILT Act is endorsed by the American Geophysical Union and the National Institute of Building Sciences. Both are concerned with the advancement of solutions to solve local and community-based problems with the built environment.

    “The nation’s deficient infrastructure must be improved to protect American lives,” said Dr. George Guszcza, President and CEO of the National Institute of Building Sciences. “NIST recognizes the role lifeline infrastructure plays to support community resilience and recovery after disasters. Together, we can build a framework to design resilient buildings and infrastructure.”

    Learn more about the House Science Committee markup here. Read McClellan’s BUILT Act one-pager and bill text. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Touting New Legislation That Would Help Prevent State Takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Senator Reverend Warnock Joins Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council to Honor Mayor Jackson’s Legacy

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Touting New Legislation That Would Help Prevent State Takeover of Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Senator Reverend Warnock Joins Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council to Honor Mayor Jackson’s Legacy

    Senator Reverend Warnock gave remarks to over 150 Atlanta airport business owners, officials, engineering and construction companies, and other aviation professionals
    Earlier this year, Senator Reverend Warnock successfully secured a provision in the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill to protect local control of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
    ATL is the busiest airport in the world and an economic engine for the City of Atlanta with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact 
    ICYMI from the AJC: Provision to prevent state takeover of ATL airport included in federal FAA law
    Senator Reverend Warnock: “I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share”

    Above: Senator Warnock with leaders and members of the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council (Atlanta AMAC)
    Atlanta, GA – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), a member of the Senate Commerce committee charged with overseeing the nation’s aviation policies, uplifted provisions to strengthen Georgia’s aviation economy that he secured in the recent FAA reauthorization law during remarks to the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council (Atlanta AMAC). The Atlanta AMAC meeting was hosted at Atlanta City Hall in part to celebrate 50 years since Maynard Jackson became the city’s first Black mayor; Mayor Jackson was a champion for the Atlanta airport and worked to increase the diversity of people and businesses receiving jobs and contracts borne from the airport’s burgeoning economic prosperity for the metro region. 
    The Senator gave remarks to over 150 Atlanta airport business owners, officials, engineering and construction companies, and other aviation professionals. Senator Warnock was introduced by businesswoman and AMAC member Alivia Ivey; Ms. Ivey bestowed to Senator Warnock a Bible from 1830 as part of a special recognition of his leadership on behalf of Georgia’s aviation communities.
    “I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share. Not asking for anything extra; just their fair share,” said Senator Warnock in remarks to Atlanta AMAC. “Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to our incredible history, culture and businesses that make up our city. And as the region’s premier economic generator with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact, it is only right that Atlanta continues to control this gateway to the city.”

    Above: Senator Warnock with Atlanta AMAC’s Alicia Ivey
    This spring, the U.S. Congress passed and the President signed into law the bipartisan 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that will help protect local control of Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Senator Warnock’s provision provides additional protections and clarity in the event that the state legislature attempts to wrestle control of ATL away from the City of Atlanta, as it often threatens. 
    The provision passed as part of the 2024 FAA reauthorization bill, which included provisions championed by Senator Warnock that will transform the aviation industry—including strengthening aviation workforce development provisions that will address the current shortage of pilots, mechanics, and manufacturers, and investing in consumer protections and safety for Georgians. Additionally, Senator Warnock secured critical investments for airport improvement projects in Georgia in the bill, which will bring millions of federal dollars to the state over the next five years; these grants will help construct and upgrade aviation infrastructure at the state’s airports—including terminal space, runways, security, and more. 

    Above: Senator Warnock at the Atlanta AMAC event at Atlanta City Hall
    A transcript of Senator Warnock’s remarks to the Atlanta AMAC can be found below: 
    “It’s wonderful to be here at City Hall. Thank you so very much, Alicia Ivey, for that very kind and generous introduction. It’s great to be here with the Atlanta Airport Minority Advisory Council. And I’m gonna ask for forgiveness right off the bat because I’m on my way to the airport–going to Washington, D.C. to do the work you hired me to do.
    “Shoutout to Eboni Wimbush and Ricky Smith. Thank you for everything that you do, and thanks to everybody who is here this afternoon. It is a busy time in Washington; we’re trying to fund the government and avoid a shutdown. […] Only in Washington, D.C. does that even make sense. You all are business people–what business person brags about shutting their business down.
    “It doesn’t make any sense. And for those who do it in the name of fiscal responsibility, the truth is it costs more to shut the government down. It costs the government money and certainly it costs families and communities an untold amount. So it’s important for me to get on that plane and get up to D.C. I hope you will forgive me. 
    “But it was also important to me to be here to celebrate the great legacy of Maynard Jackson, while I am on my way to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, and to reassure you of my understanding of how important it is that we build on his legacy, not for the sake of his, not for the sake of history but for the sake of the future. For the sake of all of our children, we celebrate 50 years since Maynard Jackson became Atlanta’s first Black mayor. 
    “He threatened at one point to run for the Senate–put his toe in the water, so he’s been paving the way a long time. You know, if you stick with this airport analogy, if you go to the airport and you take off without a problem, you ought to offer some gratitude to the folk who paved the runway. 
    “Maynard held a litany of accomplishments: one that continues to stand out is his commitment to seeing the Atlanta airport and local aviation economy soar. He saw a vision for what the airport could mean to Georgia and the region. And today we know its connectivity makes the metro area a hub for economic prosperity; I’m glad to live in the city with the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.
    “Mayor Jackson also knew that the bottom line alone was not telling the whole story. What was also important was knowing which communities are reaping the benefits of this prosperity. And so what should not be lost on us or forgotten is that, prior to Maynard, white contractors– almost all men–historically received 99% of the work on airport projects before Maynard Jackson created a plan to ensure a quarter of that went to women and minority-owned firms.
    “And so that’s the legacy that we push against when we talk about diversity. He understood that we’re not great in spite of our diversity, we’re great because of our diversity. So he encouraged collaboration between white and Black owned companies, boosting minority participation and airport contracts. He knew that when we center the people we have a chance of getting the policy right.
    “And today as the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing employment and contracting minorities throughout the aviation industry, AMAC has been in the forefront of creating an opportunity economy for all, carrying on Maynard’s torch. 
    “And so this work requires all of us to play our part. When I was elected to the Senate, when the people of Georgia gave me this incredible honor–and I mean that, it is an honor for the people of your state to say that since all of us can’t go to Washington, we’re gonna send you and we’re gonna trust that in the halls of power where decisions are made and deals are cut, you’re not gonna be thinking about yourself, you are gonna be thinking about the folks that sent you–I lobbied to get on the Commerce committee and I’m glad that I did.
    “I was proud to champion the recent FAA reauthorization bill that was signed into law that includes my provision to help block a state takeover of the Atlanta airport. We were able to increase protections for millions of revenue dollars flowing from the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and help ensure minority-owned small businesses get their fair share. Not asking for anything extra; just their fair share. 
    “Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest airport in the world, connecting tens of millions of travelers to our incredible history, culture and businesses that make up our city. And as the region’s premier economic generator with over 60,000 jobs and an annual $66 billion economic impact, it is only right that Atlanta continues to control this gateway to the city.
    “And so thank you for sending me to Washington. Thank you for the honor of serving you every day. I still do wake up and pinch myself some days. I can’t believe I get to do this work. Who gets to be a U.S. Senator? Fighting on behalf of your state?
    “And because I serve on the Commerce committee, gone are the days of cynical state politicians easily threatening to seize control of Hartsfield-Jackson away from the A-T-L.
    “As a senator for all Georgians, I’m also glad that we secured critical investments in that law for airport improvement projects all across our state. These projects will bring millions more federal dollars to Georgia’s aviation economy.
    “This funding will help construct and upgrade infrastructure at the state’s airports, improving and modernizing terminals, runways, security operations, and more. Strengthening our aviation industry doesn’t stop at investing in physical infrastructure; we must also invest in the workforce. We need a diverse, robust, skilled workforce that will help take the industry to new heights.
    “Now, I wouldn’t be a preacher if I didn’t tell you a story–but a true story. Last year, I was at the Peachtree-DeKalb Airport and I met a young man named Ezekiel. He was inspiring. He had that light in his eye that you see when a young person has discovered their passion. Howard Thurman, a great Morehouse man, like Maynard Jackson was a Morehouse man. I gotta say that. Howard Thurman said, “Ask now what the world needs, ask what makes you come alive and go and do that, because what the world needs is people who come alive.”
    “This young man that I met, named Ezekiel, he had that light in his eye and he had come alive. He wanted to be a pilot. But when I met him, he had spent thousands of dollars of his own money working every single job he could find to earn money for the flight hours he needed in order to become a pilot.
    “And so he has the aptitude and the passion, but the barrier is so high. I believe that this is a challenge, not only for him, but it’s a challenge for all of us. Because if we’re going to strengthen our aviation economy, we need all the talent from everywhere we can get it.
    “And I know that our God inspires leadership and talent and brilliance all over–talent on both sides of the tracks. A child’s outcome ought not be based on their parents’ income. We need the brilliance of all of our young people.
    “So I’m proud that in the FAA reauthorization law we also included my provision that would expand federal grant funding for aviation programs in colleges and high schools, including scholarships or apprenticeships to recruit and train the future pilots, aircraft mechanics and the manufacturing professionals the industry needs.
    “We are also funding programs for outreach about aviation careers for students starting as early as elementary school and for underrepresented communities in aviation. These efforts are addressing the workforce shortage head on, and this is how we create the change that we need.
    “So Atlanta AMAC, thank you so very much. Good to drop by and see you and honor Maynard Jackson’s enduring vision and legacy. Know that I will continue to do the work on behalf of all of our children. God bless all of you. Keep the faith.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Children Have to Hear Another Story. A retrospective of the work of Alanis Obomsawin at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil the MAC’s brand-new exhibition, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, which will be open to the public from September 26, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie.

    Montreal, September 18, 2024 – The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil the MAC’s brand-new exhibition, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, which will be open to the public from September 26, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie. The exhibition dedicated to the work of Abenaki documentary filmmaker, activist, and singer Alanis Obomsawin, one of the most acclaimed Indigenous directors in the world, will be accompanied by an exclusive mural by artist Caroline Monnet: Wàbigon.

    After having enjoyed great success in Berlin, Vancouver, and Toronto, The Children Have to Hear Another Story will highlight the work of Alanis Obomsawin in the heart of Montreal. Decade by decade, this retrospective provides an exhaustive panorama of her cinematographic, visual, and musical work. The exhibition looks at the motivations of the artist, who distinguished herself from a very young age with her strength and courage. The 1960s followed, a period during which she became known to the public as an artist and activist for Indigenous rights, and the subsequent decades were just as significant, showing the evolution of her trajectory and thinking. “All my life, I have been mainly interested in education, because it is through education that we develop, that we learn hatred or love.” – Alanis Obomsawin

    The exhibition presents 13 of the 64 films Obomsawin made at the NFB, including her first, Christmas at Moose Factory (1971), which depicts a Cree community through the drawings and voices of its children; Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993), which was filmed behind the barricades during the Oka crisis; and We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016), which follows a court case First Nations representatives filed against the federal government. These films are accompanied by archival documents shedding new light on their creative process, children’s drawings from Moose Factory, and masks, engravings, and monotypes by the artist.

    Quotes 

    “It is essential to support museums and exhibitions that promote Canadians’ access to heritage to learn from the past and shape the future. I am very proud that, thanks to our government’s investment, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal highlights the work of Indigenous artist and filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and offers visitors a unique opportunity to discover the impact of her film work over the decades.” − The Honorable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “It is an honour and privilege for me to present this retrospective exhibition of Alanis Obomsawin in the city where she has lived and worked for 70 years. A prominent figure in our cultural, political, and social landscape, Alanis is a model and inspiration for so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and activists. We know her for her films; the exhibition allows us to discover the singer, the storyteller, and the depth and richness of her commitment to Indigenous people across Canada.” – Lesley Johnstone, curator of the exhibition at MAC  “The NFB has been Alanis Obomsawin’s creative home for nearly 60 years. This exceptional artist has been a true trailblazer whose work has led to greater recognition of Indigenous peoples, ensuring their experiences and their hopes are seen, heard, and better understood. Her documentaries have chronicled the social and cultural changes experienced by Indigenous peoples and even played a role in bringing about these important changes. Ms. Obomsawin’s essential and accessible films continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers, both in Canada and around the world.”– Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson 

    Organized by Richard Hill and Hila Peleg, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story is made possible through a partnership between Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Art Museum at the University of Toronto, and Vancouver Art Gallery in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and with the generous support of CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. The exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is curated by Lesley Johnstone, with Marjolaine Labelle, and has been made possible by the Government of Québec.

    A Mural by Caroline Monnet 

    Alongside the exhibition, the MAC will unveil an exclusive mural by Caroline Monnet: Wàbigon, which means “a flower blooms” in Anishinaabemowin and which pays homage to the major influence of Alanis Obomsawin. Caroline Monnet, an artist of Anishinaabe and French origin, created a monumental photographic portrait of eight Indigenous women and a child in an enchanted forest. Pictured are Acho Dene Koe First Nation chef and artist Swaneige Bertrand with her daughter Aja-Eyal Ferron; the artist’s sister, Émilie Monnet, an interdisciplinary performer; Caroline Monnet herself; the Guinean-Wendat dancer and choreographer Aïcha Bastien N’Diaye; Eeyou (Cree) writer and artist Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau; Atikamekw visual artist Catherine Boivin; Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie Isaac; and Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais.

    “This work highlights the buds that Alanis has opened during her impressive career. It is also a reaction against the excesses of industrialization. It is characterized by inventiveness, the presence of rhythms, colours, and ornamentations inspired by flora and fauna.” – Caroline Monnet

    About the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)

    For 60 years, the MAC has brought together local and international artists, their works, and diverse audiences, celebrating art as an essential component of life in Montreal and Quebec. With the Museum’s head office in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles undergoing a major architectural transformation, the MAC has temporarily relocated its activities to Place Ville Marie, another of the city’s emblematic sites. Throughout the renovations, the Museum has been reaching the public through temporary exhibitions highlighting exceptional artists and presenting a variety of practices. The MAC at Place Ville Marie also offers a wide range of educational services, creative workshops, and community awareness activities. www.macm.org  

    About the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer, and distributor of distinctive, engaging, relevant, and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent Incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear one another’s stories for more than eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned more than 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.

    Credit: Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child, 1986 (production photograph). Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada and Alanis Obomsawin.

    -30-

    For all interview requests or questions regarding the exhibition, please contact:
     Thara Communications | relations.presse@macm.org
    Thara Tremblay-Nantel | 514-208-6897
    Solneige Diaz | 514-449-7219

    For all questions regarding the NFB:
     Marie-Claude Lamoureux, press officer
    m.lamoureux@onf.ca | 438-304-6358

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Annual closure of St. Andrews Lock and Dam

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users of the annual closure of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam for the season.

    For immediate release

    Lockport, Manitoba, September 25, 2024 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users of the annual closure of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam for the season.

    As of Monday, October 14, at midnight, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam will be closed to marine vessels until spring or summer 2025.

    Following the closure, the drawdown of the river section between Lockport and Winnipeg will commence. As a result, the Red and Assiniboine rivers, in the Winnipeg area and north to Lockport, will experience fluctuation in their water levels. If winter conditions begin before the closure of the lock or the dam winter setting, the curtains will be completely lifted with little notice and the water level will drop.

    Owners of vessels, barges and all property on the Red and Assiniboine rivers, and their tributaries, are advised to protect their property.

    The gated areas below the dam may be closed because of high, turbulent waters and dangerous currents, severe weather or operational requirements. Once closed, these areas will remain closed until the spring.

    PSPC thanks users for their patience.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s message to the Ministerial Meeting: “Building on Progress to Restore Security in Haiti”

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    I am pleased to send my greetings to this high-level event to spur progress on security in Haiti.

    The crisis in Haiti is a protracted human tragedy with a long and well-known history.  It is one of the most disastrous humanitarian situations in the world.  The international community has a responsibility to step up to support the Haitian people in their efforts to restore stability.

    Recently, we have seen some progress in putting transitional governance structures in place – a vital step on the way to inclusive democracy and the rule of law.  But the Haitian people are still subjected to egregious human rights abuses by gangs. Young women and girls continue to suffer appalling levels of sexual violence and abuse.

    During the first half of this year, the United Nations documented 3,638 homicides — an increase of nearly 74 percent over 2023. 

    Despite the imposition of the arms embargo in October 2023, gangs and other non-State actors continue to procure arms and ammunition illicitly.

    The first deployments of the Multinational Security Support mission – the MSS – are a positive step.

    I commend Kenya for its leadership as well as those countries that have pledged to contribute with personnel, equipment, and necessary logistical resources.

    I also commend countries that have contributed to the Trust Fund for the mission, set up by the Secretary-General in accordance with the request of the Security Council. The fund now stands at $85.3 million.

    However, funding for the mission, and for the Haitian National Police, remains totally inadequate.  I urge all those who have made financial commitments to deliver on them urgently.

     We must keep working to mobilize sufficient resources for the mission, and for the humanitarian response in Haiti.

    Close to 703,000 people have been displaced and more than 5 million Haitians are food insecure – almost half of the population.

    There is an urgent need for resources to support humanitarian efforts. The Humanitarian Needs Response Plan for Haiti, totaling $674 million, is currently only 39 per cent funded.  

    Excellencies,

    A durable solution to the current crisis can only come from a political process that restores democratic institutions through elections.

    Improving security is crucial to creating the conditions necessary for these elections.

    The UN will not waver in its commitment to Haiti. We continue to support the transition process, in line with the mandate of our current mission, BINUH – the UN Integrated Office in Haiti.

    I also welcome CARICOM’s support to the Haitian-led efforts and its cooperation with BINUH.

    Like people everywhere, Haitians demand and deserve to live in dignity, free from the threat of violence.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Barbara Lee Responds to VP Harris’ Interview with the National Association of Black Journalists

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Barbara Lee 13th District of California

    September 23, 2024

    WASHINGTON – Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris was interviewed by the National Association of Black Journalists. During the interview, Harris was asked about race relations and reparations and was asked to specifically comment on efforts made by Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) to have the Biden-Harris administration take executive action on racial equity and reparative justice legislation.

    Lee and Jackson Lee were joined by 150 organizations and individuals in writing a letter to the administration in February of 2024.

    The Vice President responded to the question by noting the need for a national acknowledgement of truth and history. “We just need to speak truth about history. In spite of the fact that some people try and erase history and try and teach our children otherwise,” Harris said during the 45-minute sit-down interview in Philadelphia. “We need to speak truth about the generational impact of our history in terms of the generational impact of slavery, the generational impact of redlining, of Jim Crow laws.”

    “I am pleased that Vice President Harris acknowledged the important role truth plays in our quest for racial healing and transformation,” said Congresswoman Lee. “My legislation to establish a commission on Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation would usher in a truth-telling moment, educating and informing the public about the historical context for the current racial inequalities we witness each and every day.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gosar Lauds Committee Markup of Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Legislation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Paul A Gosar DDS (AZ-04)

    Washington, D.C. — Congressman Paul Gosar issued the following statement after H.R. 7365, the Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Gosar that would provide expedited security screening under the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program to severely injured or disabled veterans was marked up successfully in the House Committee on Homeland Security:

    “I am pleased that my bipartisan and common-sense legislation providing injured or disabled veterans a safer and more dignified experience when passing through domestic airport security checkpoints by enrolling them in the expedited PreCheck program free of charge was unanimously marked up in committee. 

    I particularly wish to thank Chairman Mark Green for recognizing the importance of advancing legislation that eliminates many of the challenges disabled veterans face when traveling.  

    No American veteran, particularly disabled veterans, should be hassled at our airports.  With this successful committee markup, it is time Speaker Johnson brings the VETS Safe Travel Act to the House floor for a final vote,” said Congressman Paul Gosar. 

    Background:

    Congressman Gosar introduced the VETS Safe Travel Act on February 15, 2024. Under the VETS Safe Travel Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs would certify that a veteran is severely injured and therefore eligible to apply for the TSA PreCheck program free of charge. TSA would process the veteran’s application, granting access to TSA PreCheck program provided they successfully pass the necessary background check and interview process. 

    According to the Transportation Security Administration, approximately 400,000 veterans would become eligible for this free PreCheck screening program.

    A copy of the bill text can be found by clicking here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Get Ready for Deer Season with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Game Lover’s Giveaway

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    Get ready for the big game season by learning to butcher your own deer – or getting better at it! 

    In the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s (USA) new SMART Tips & Tricks: How to Butcher A Deer video series, career butcher and chef Joe Benelli demonstrates the whole process, from skinning, quartering, and deboning to processing the meat. Along the way, he explains what different cuts of meat are best used for, offers helpful tips, and shares a few of his favorite recipes.

    New videos will be posted each Tuesday beginning Sept. 17 through Oct. 15. Check them out and fill your freezer with meat you processed yourself this season.

    See videos here.

    As a Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) member, you can enter the Game Lover’s Giveaway for a chance to win a package worth over $700 that includes:

    • The Outdoor Edge Game Pro 11-Piece Game Processing Kit
    • A Chard Meat Saw
    • Weston Professional Advantage Vacuum Sealer With Bag Rolls
    • Weston #8 Electric Meat Grinder
    • Weston Original Jerky Gun
    • LEM 5 Tray Dehydrator with Digital Tim

    Simply fill out a short form to enter.

    The Game Lover’s Giveaway is exclusive to USA members, but it just takes a few steps to sign up and join the more than 341,000 union members who are proud to be part of the USA family!

    Enter to win here.

    Not a Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) member?

    The USA connects the union and the outdoor way of life, uniting outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen across trades, distances, and generations to stand together—as only union members know how to do—to preserve our outdoor heritage for future generations.

     Click here to become a member.

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Readout of Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Ms. Amanda Dory Meeting With Minister of Defense of North Macedonia Mr. Vlado Misajlovski

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    Pentagon Spokesman LtCol Garron Garn, USMC, provided the following readout:

    On September 25, 2024, Ms. Amanda Dory, the Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, met with Mr. Vlado Misajlovski, Minister of Defense of North Macedonia. The meeting took place at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

    The leaders discussed progress made in the U.S.-North Macedonia bilateral defense relationship, including increased joint exercises and training, military-to-military engagements, and support to Ukraine. The leaders also exchanged views on security situation in the Western Balkans and how to strengthen their cooperation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s message to the Ministerial Meeting: “Building on Progress to Restore Security in Haiti”

    Source: United Nations – English

    am pleased to send my greetings to this high-level event to spur progress on security in Haiti.

    The crisis in Haiti is a protracted human tragedy with a long and well-known history.  It is one of the most disastrous humanitarian situations in the world.  The international community has a responsibility to step up to support the Haitian people in their efforts to restore stability.

    Recently, we have seen some progress in putting transitional governance structures in place – a vital step on the way to inclusive democracy and the rule of law.  But the Haitian people are still subjected to egregious human rights abuses by gangs. Young women and girls continue to suffer appalling levels of sexual violence and abuse.

    During the first half of this year, the United Nations documented 3,638 homicides — an increase of nearly 74 percent over 2023. 

    Despite the imposition of the arms embargo in October 2023, gangs and other non-State actors continue to procure arms and ammunition illicitly.

    The first deployments of the Multinational Security Support mission – the MSS – are a positive step.

    I commend Kenya for its leadership as well as those countries that have pledged to contribute with personnel, equipment, and necessary logistical resources.

    I also commend countries that have contributed to the Trust Fund for the mission, set up by the Secretary-General in accordance with the request of the Security Council. The fund now stands at $85.3 million.

    However, funding for the mission, and for the Haitian National Police, remains totally inadequate.  I urge all those who have made financial commitments to deliver on them urgently.

     We must keep working to mobilize sufficient resources for the mission, and for the humanitarian response in Haiti.

    Close to 703,000 people have been displaced and more than 5 million Haitians are food insecure – almost half of the population.

    There is an urgent need for resources to support humanitarian efforts. The Humanitarian Needs Response Plan for Haiti, totaling $674 million, is currently only 39 per cent funded.  

    Excellencies,

    A durable solution to the current crisis can only come from a political process that restores democratic institutions through elections.

    Improving security is crucial to creating the conditions necessary for these elections.

    The UN will not waver in its commitment to Haiti. We continue to support the transition process, in line with the mandate of our current mission, BINUH – the UN Integrated Office in Haiti.

    I also welcome CARICOM’s support to the Haitian-led efforts and its cooperation with BINUH.

    Like people everywhere, Haitians demand and deserve to live in dignity, free from the threat of violence.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: RM of De Salaberry — St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP respond to fatal two-vehicle collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On September 24, 2024, at approximately 4:25 pm, St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 23 and Provincial Road 200, located in the RM of De Salaberry.

    The investigation has determined that a vehicle, travelling northbound on Provincial Road 200, failed to stop at the intersection and was struck by a westbound SUV.

    The 43-year-old male driver of the westbound vehicle, from Mitchell, was not physically injured.

    Three of the four occupants in the northbound vehicle, a 32-year-old male, a 31-year-old male and a yet to be identified female, all from Winnipeg, were pronounced deceased on scene. A 32-year-old female passenger was transported to hospital with serious injuries where she remains in stable condition.

    St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP, along with a Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sayra Cristancho, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Faculty of Education Scientist, Centre for Education Research & Innovation, Western University

    Environmental, social and public health emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe around the world. The rapid pace at which emergencies are occurring, compounded by social crises like homelessness, addictions and mental health, are over-stressing our emergency management systems. However, as a society we cannot let this reality become an excuse.

    In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for community engagement. And yet, despite a thriving legacy of volunteerism, Canada is lagging behind. Canada is the only G7 country without a national health security and emergency agency. And without such coordinating agency, communities are left to scramble when emergencies strike.

    When emergencies arise, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are often called up to provide much needed support. However, the military is supposed to be called upon only when demand exceeds provincial capacity. Yet provinces have come to view the CAF as their first, rather than their last resort. Every time the CAF is called for assistance, it diverts time and resources away from attending to Canada’s national security tasks.

    If not the CAF, then what should be the source of this labour? There are four basic models Canada could follow. One of them pertains to mobilizing volunteer and skilled labour at the community level. The reality is that ordinary citizens always find their way to get involved, making emergency management a community concern. This is what the WHO refers to as a “whole-of-society approach.”

    Those in charge of devising the national emergency management strategy are confronted with two major uncertainties: the evolution of grass-roots initiatives to tackle community emergencies, and the lack of integration of those initiatives into emergency management systems.

    Community volunteers still feel that they work as “add-ons” rather than from within emergency management plans. The massive participation of citizens during forest fires and flood emergencies, and the increasing involvement of ordinary citizens in volunteer emergency response groups confirm that Canada enjoys a vibrant civil society. With its access to local networks, and its ability to mobilize others, community volunteers represent a unique and cost-effective resource.

    The Cobourg Community Centre Clinic

    Volunteers in communities across Canada are emotionally invested to help and engage during emergencies, particularly when they perceive poor coordination or lapses in authority by official response organizations.

    This was the case, as colleagues and I recently documented, of the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) COVID-19 vaccination response in Ontario.

    This community initiative involved 600 volunteers who stepped up to help their community build and run a vaccination clinic when the community sensed that vaccination plans were not moving quickly enough. The Cobourg Rotary Club in partnership with the Northumberland Hills Hospital devised this initiative which involved retrofitting the community centre to serve as a clinic, organizing, and managing volunteer tasks, and assisting health-care providers in distributing vaccines.

    We interviewed volunteers, health-care providers, Rotary club members, public health unit staff, hospital staff, local businesses and city employees to capture the stories behind the clinic. These stories became the catalyst for positioning the CCC as a model of community engagement for crisis response.

    Several lessons were identified but likely the most insightful one for formal emergency agencies and government was the realization that emergency response is not always a complex and difficult task. In the case of the CCC, it was not difficult to drive seniors to the vaccination clinic. It was not difficult for volunteers to assist with documentation at the mobile clinics. It was not difficult for retired teachers to use stuffed toys so children wouldn’t be scared by the vaccine. And it was not difficult for local businesses to donate materials and labour so that the clinic was built according to protocol.

    Therefore, instead of making emergency response seem unduly complex for volunteers, emergency agencies ought to welcome their involvement. In fact, it might even be wise for emergency agencies to learn about the way community volunteers respond – since it seems they can be effective – to welcome their input, and thus enhance a community’s emergency response capacity.

    Three strategies communities can implement to get started

    If you and others would like to help prepare your community to become an effective partner to official emergency responders, here are some strategies to help organize your efforts:

    1. Foster ongoing relationships with community partners, not just during crisis.

    Remember that everyone brings expertise to the table and that partnerships may involve groups you don’t always think of. Therefore, welcome community partners as part of task forces. It helps the community see a different side of government organizations despite their reputation for being slow to pivot, or too bureaucratic.

    2. Maintain a repository of community members’ skills, don’t leave it to chance.

    During crisis, this repository or database will facilitate decision-making regarding distribution of tasks among volunteers and discover unique skills that otherwise would go unnoticed in a large community.

    3. Communicate through diverse channels, even if it feels redundant.

    Emergencies are emotionally draining for everyone. Frequent feedback and debriefing help strengthening engagement and morale. Therefore, use multiple and existing channels, such as huddles, newsletters, appreciation events, etc., and encourage community leaders to spread information to the larger community.

    Communities have shown that they play a vital role to large and small emergency responses: from COVID-19 tracing and vaccination, to organizing post-flood volunteer recovery efforts via digital platforms. However, community initiatives are often not recognized by emergency response organizations, and as a result community volunteers are often under-utilized.

    This tension over how to engage community volunteers to effectively respond to crisis and work with formal emergency response teams requires we all change how we think.

    Contemporary emergency management demands all hands-on deck. As the Cobourg Community Centre clinic initiative demonstrated, instead of warding off community volunteers, the focus should be on ensuring they are ready to respond and educated on the scope of their involvement.

    Throughout her academic career, Sayra Cristancho has received tri-council research funding from the Canadian government as we all research funding from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and internal research funding from Western University.

    – ref. How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada – https://theconversation.com/how-better-community-engagement-can-improve-emergency-management-in-canada-239042

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Collins, King Celebrate National Lobster Day

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Angus King
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King today are celebrating Maine’s world renowned lobster industry after the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution recognizing September 25, 2024 as “National Lobster Day.” The resolution recognizes the cultural, economic and environmental impacts and importance of the iconic crustacean. Since 2015, the senators have introduced and sponsored legislation in recognition of National Lobster Day.
    “There are hundreds of small businesses along our Maine’s coastline that comprise our lobster industry, and their iconic catch is synonymous with Maine’s identity, history and culture,” said Senators Collins and King. “For centuries, the men and women who power the fishery wake up early every day proud to carry on this Maine tradition and ensure the long-term sustainability, resiliency and health of our Atlantic waters. Today, we recognize those lobstermen and women, and communities across Maine, who contribute hundreds of millions to our state and incalculable pride to our people.”
    “Lobster is an integral part of Maine’s identity, playing a crucial role in the livelihood of our coastal and island communities,” said Marianne LaCroix, Executive Director of the Maine Lobster Marketing Collaborative. “National Lobster Day not only allows us to share our, sustainably sourced product with the nation but also to highlight its significant impact on Maine’s economy. We greatly appreciate Senator Collins’ and King’s continued support in recognizing this important holiday.”
    Lobster is a top economic driver for the state of Maine and, in 2023, the industry brought in $611,000,000. Senators Collins and King have been vocal champions for the lobster industry in the U.S. Senate by pushing back against policies that could hinder future growth and successes. In 2022, Senators Collins and King secured a provision in the annual appropriations spending bill which included a regulatory reprieve to protect Maine’s sustainable lobster industry from misguided regulations that would have been devastating for the industry.
    Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Welcoming UNGA to New York!

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

    Welcome to New York from our foreign language spokespersons! New York is the home of UNGA and brings together countries from all over the world with different backgrounds and languages.

    How many languages can you speak?

    #UNGA79 #UNGA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsKha3j-B2k

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Oilsands workers are resistant to sustainable jobs, new research finds

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Parker Muzzerall, PhD Candidate, Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia

    Like it or not, the energy transition is happening.

    The International Energy Agency predicts global fossil fuel production will reach its peak by 2030. Governments around the world — including Canada’s — are racing to implement policies aimed at achieving a net-zero energy economy by 2050.

    To reach that target, Canada has a lot of work to do.

    In 2022 alone, Canada emitted 708 megatonnes of CO2-eq (carbon dioxide equivalent, which measures the global warming potential of different greenhouse gases). On the production side, oil and gas extraction accounted for 3.5 per cent of Canada’s GDP and the oil and gas industry directly employed around 150,000 Canadians.

    While oil and gas production isn’t going to stop tomorrow, or even by the end of this decade, Canada must put policies in place today to ensure that those most dependant on the oil and gas industry are supported as the country — and the world — moves away from fossil fuels.

    Sustainable jobs

    In June 2024, the Canadian government took an important first step at doing so by giving royal assent to the Sustainable Jobs Act. Over the next few years, the act is intended to create a suite of policy programs aimed at ensuring all Canadians have equal opportunity and access to decent, well-paying jobs in a net-zero future.

    While the Sustainable Jobs Act is primarily intended to support oil and gas workers, my recent study published in the journal Environmental Sociology identifies one important problem: oil and gas workers like the jobs they already have.

    Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, the phrase “just transition” has become common shorthand in policymaker, academic and activist circles to describe policies like the Sustainable Jobs Act that explicitly seek to support vulnerable citizens through the renewable energy transition.

    In fact, the Sustainable Jobs Act was originally referred to as the Canadian Just Transition plan before the name was changed after the idea of a “just transition” became the target of fierce opposition from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

    Talking to oilsands workers

    Smith’s opposition to the term “just transition,” and also to the eventual Sustainable Jobs Act, is rooted in a fundamental belief that the Canadian oil and gas industry is not going anywhere and that the federal government should not interfere in the lives of hard-working Albertans.

    These beliefs, and the emotions underlying them, made appearances in my interviews with oilsands workers, too.

    Through 18 interviews with a diverse cross-section of oilsands employees — ranging from accounts managers to process operators — it was obvious that these hard-working people also remain optimistic about the long-term economic viability and need for the oilsands industry.

    More importantly, they are also strongly opposed to the idea of a just transition because, as one participant put it, “it’s almost like an incentive to leave oil and gas behind.”

    Beneath this concern, the participants also expressed a belief and a sense of frustration that the federal government and Canadians in other parts of the country do not care about them and their feelings of being excluded from Canada’s vision for the future. These feelings were underscored by a strong sense of regional pride in the Fort McMurray community and its oilsands industry.

    While climate advocates may shake their heads — or fists — at these findings, the feelings of my participants make perfect sense when you consider that, for these workers, the energy transition represents not just a threat to their livelihood but a threat to their community and way of life.

    As multiple participants made clear, without the oilsands, Fort McMurray would become a “ghost town.”

    Localizing transition policies

    So, what should policymakers and climate advocates committed to an equitable energy transition do with the knowledge that the workers for whom sustainable jobs are intended are not, in fact, all that interested in sustainable jobs?

    The answer lies, at least in part, in reframing how we think about transition policies.

    Large, national-level efforts like the Sustainable Jobs Act are effective at setting high-level policy priorities. But without specific plans to account for the vast geographic diversity in the Canadian energy economy, policy packages like this can also drive regional animosity by making some communities feel like decarbonization “sacrifice zones.”

    Instead, we need to embed transition planning within a place-based approach to regional and community development. This means creating pathways for all communities to thrive in a low-carbon future. This is particularly true for single-resource and rural communities with economies that are often highly reliant on fossil fuels and tend to be located farther away from green jobs.

    It’s easy for these regions to feel excluded from Canada’s vision for a net-zero future. And that’s not fair. No community should be decarbonized into a ghost town.

    Passing the Sustainable Jobs Act was an important first step. Creating sustainable jobs that are regionally accessible, locally meaningful and economically desirable is the next big hurdle.

    Parker Muzzerall receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Oilsands workers are resistant to sustainable jobs, new research finds – https://theconversation.com/oilsands-workers-are-resistant-to-sustainable-jobs-new-research-finds-239057

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Malliotakis Announces $500,000 Federal Grant to Solve Richmond County Cold Cases using DNA Technology

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)

    (STATEN ISLAND, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is announcing a $500,000 federal grant to the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office (RCDA) which will enable the DA’s Office to establish a Cold Case Unit, and dedicate more time to investigating violent cold cases that already have suspect DNA profiles.

    The grant is administered through the Bureau of Justice Assistance and awarded under the FY24 Prosecuting Cold Cases Using DNA grant program and will provide the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office the resources to help close their estimated 100 violent crime cold cases where DNA evidence exists.

    The RCDA will enter all “criteria cases” into the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program and National Missing and Unidentified Persons System databases. The RCDA’s Director of Forensic Science will then evaluate the inventory of criteria cases, identify evidence that is consistent with New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner’s (OCME) testing policies and collaborate with the Executive Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Cold Case Unit to determine which cases would benefit from additional testing leading to further prosecutions. 

    “DNA analysis is a powerful tool that enables law enforcement to catch and prosecute violent perpetrators, especially in long-unsolved cold cases where crucial evidence has been awaiting testing,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “By using advanced DNA technology, the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office will have the ability to re-examine cold violent cases more efficiently that already have a suspect DNA profile to bring justice to victims and keep violent offenders behind bars. I am proud to have supported District Attorney McMahon in pursuit of this grant and happy it was awarded.”

    “As Staten Island’s chief law enforcement officer, I am committed to securing the resources, technology, and manpower necessary to ensure that all victims of crime, including cold case crime victims and their families receive justice. Whether recent or decades-old, unresolved crime cases have a devastating impact on our community, robbing victims and their families of closure and preventing the perpetrators of these crimes from ever being held accountable in the courtroom. Cold case crime victims and their families are no less deserving of justice and now, thanks to a United States Department of Justice (DOJ) grant, the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office has been awarded $500,000 which will enhance my office’s ability to better serve these families. This quarter-million dollar windfall will not only help to establish a dedicated Cold Case Unit in my office but will undoubtedly be instrumental in supporting the investigation and prosecution of violent crime cold cases where DNA from a suspect has been identified. We thank the DOJ and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis for their combined efforts and look forward to providing resolution and justice for the families of cold case crime victims, holding the perpetrators of these crimes accountable under the law, and continuing to secure justice for the victims of crime no matter how much time has passed,” said Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon.

    READ MORE HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressmen Mfume and Grothman Send President Biden Bill to Streamline CBO Fiscal Transparency to be Signed into Law

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (MD-07)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07) and Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI-06) introduced H.R. 7184, the CBO Data Access Act, on February 1, 2024. Yesterday, the United States House of Representatives passed the Senate companion version of the identical bill, with broad bipartisan support. This legislation would benefit taxpayers by enhancing the efficiency of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) process behind projecting the fiscal impact of proposed legislation. A transparent and efficient federal government is crucial to best serve the American people, and this bill streamlines CBO to provide taxpayers with more timely information on the cost of legislative proposals.

    Specifically, the legislation exempts CBO from the Privacy Act, eliminating procedural delays that hinder the CBO’s ability to access vital data for baseline budget projections, economic assessments, cost estimates, and reports. 

    “The bipartisan legislation Congressman Grothman and I co-led in the U.S. House will remove a barrier that too often hinders the Congressional Budget Office from carrying out its mission of providing timely cost estimates, and ensures our federal government is fiscally responsible. Simultaneously, privacy protections will remain in place when the CBO receives necessary agency information pertinent to their work, safeguarding personal information utilized by CBO to improve transparency in government operation,” said Congressman Mfume. “As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, I will always fight for clear-cut communication of how taxpayer funds are being utilized to best serve the American people. I am pleased that this compelling legislation will now be sent to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law,” he concluded. 

    “I am proud to have introduced the House companion to the CBO Data Access Act, H.R. 7184, alongside my democrat colleague, Representative Mfume. I would also like to thank Senators Peters and Collins for their work on this legislation,” said Congressman Grothman. “This bicameral and bipartisan effort demonstrates the shared recognition across party lines of the importance of ensuring that CBO has the tools it needs to provide Congress with the best possible data and analysis.”

    On May 10, 2023, Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced S. 1549, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Data Access Act in the United States Senate. Then, on February 1, 2024, Congressmen Mfume and Grothman introduced identical, companion legislation to this bill in the United States House of Representatives to advance support for the measure. After successfully passing out of the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House unanimously passed the bill yesterday and will now send S. 1549 to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. 

    Background Information – CBO Data Access Act

    • The CBO Data Access Act would accelerate the speed and improve the confidence with which CBO can assess the budgetary impact of proposed legislation.

    • Access to agencies’ data is critical for CBO to fulfill its mission and provide baseline budget projections, economic projections, cost estimates, and reports.

    • This bill authorizes agencies to disclose records in their systems to the Director of CBO (or any authorized CBO representative) without requiring prior written consent of the individual to whom the record pertains under the Privacy Act.

    • When CBO is required to enter into agency data sharing agreements, negotiations can be lengthy and delay CBO’s ability to include that data in its analyses.

      • Agencies’ large data sets, which may contain personal information, can improve the quality and accuracy of CBO models to estimate budget impacts of legislative proposals.

    • In 2022, agency data helped CBO produce 760 cost estimates, thousands of requests for technical assistance, and 83 reports, working papers, testimonies, and interactive tools.

    • More efficient access to data can improve the quality of CBO’s baseline projections and reports. More evidence can enable more sophisticated CBO analyses, creating more robust data baselines and increasing confidence in CBO’s generation of cost estimates.

    • The bill will provide clarity for agency information managers that CBO is authorized to receive personal information otherwise protected by the Privacy Act and confidence that CBO maintains the same confidentiality protections as applied to the data-sharing agency itself.

    Read the bill text HERE.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. José Raúl Mulino Quintero, President of the Republic of Panama [scroll down for Spanish]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. José Raúl Mulino Quintero, President of the Republic of Panama. The Secretary-General and the President discussed the impact of regional migration flows in Panama, particularly in the Darien Province, as well as the situation in the region.
     
    ———
     
    El Secretario General se reunió con S.E. Sr. José Raúl Mulino Quintero, Presidente de la República de Panamá. El Secretario General y el Presidente discutieron el impacto de los flujos migratorios regionales en Panamá, particularmente en la provincia de Darién, así como la situación en la región.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Robert Garcia Leads Los Angeles County Delegation in Support of Metro’s Southeast Gateway Line Project

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Garcia California (42nd District)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) led a letter with 11 colleagues to ask Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Director of Office Management and Budget Shalanda Young to include funding for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (Metro) Southeast Gateway Line Project in the Fiscal Year 2026 President’s Budget Request. The Southeast Gateway Line will provide historically underserved communities across Southeast Los Angeles and the Gateway Cities with long-overdue access to high-quality public transit. The full letter can be found here.

    “We need to ensure that underserved communities throughout Southeast Los Angeles and the Gateway Cities have access to the high-quality public transit they deserve,” said Congressman Robert Garcia. “Metro’s Board has made the Southeast Gateway Line Project its top priority and has lined up the necessary local funding to support it. Now, we need a federal funding commitment to keep this project moving forward. Our communities, which have often been overlooked, are counting on us to provide safe and reliable transportation for years to come.”

    Metro’s Board of Directors has chosen the Southeast Gateway Line Project as their top priority and is using local funding from voter-approved sales taxes to support it. Thanks to teamwork with the FTA, the project is advancing in the Project Development phase. In April, the Metro Board approved a 14.5-mile light rail line from the Slauson A Line Station to Artesia and finalized the Environmental Impact Report. The FTA completed its review in August 2024.

    The Southeast Gateway Line Project aims to improve transit access for disadvantaged communities in Southeast Los Angeles County and the Gateway Cities. The letter requests $100 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget to help with ongoing design, engineering, and other necessary work. Metro has also submitted required information to the FTA and expects a positive rating to move the project forward into the Engineering Phase.

    The following are co-signers of the letter: Senator Alex Padilla, Senator Laphonza Butler, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Jimmy Gomez, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, Congressman Adam Schiff, Congresswoman Maxine Waters.

    Congressman Garcia has always fought to improve transportation infrastructure. In August, Congressman Garcia led a bipartisan letter to secure funding for Los Angeles and Long Beach to ensure a safe, clean, and effective transit system for the 2028 Olympics. In May, Congressman Garcia and Senator Elizabeth Warren introduced the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which aims to provide $500 billion over ten years to update and electrify public transportation and rail systems across the country. In March, Congressman Garcia led 128 Representatives in a letter supporting full funding for transit Capital Investment Grants. Last year, he introduced the People Over Parking Act to eliminate minimum parking space requirements near transit hubs, encouraging more housing and walkable urban areas. As Mayor of Long Beach, his Measure A initiative started the largest infrastructure repair program in a generation, creating good jobs for union workers.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Raising the Full Retirement Age for Social Security

    Source: US Congressional Budget Office

    Congressman Brendan Boyle asked the Congressional Budget Office to provide information about the effects that increasing—from 67 to 69—the age at which workers become eligible for full retirement benefits from Social Security would have on workers’ benefits and on the program’s finances. Specifically, he asked how such an increase in the full retirement age (FRA) would affect people’s benefits differently depending on the decade in which they were born, their earnings, and their sex.

    All people affected by such an increase in the FRA would receive a smaller amount of Social Security benefits over their lifetime. Workers who chose to delay claiming their retirement benefits by the same number of months as the increase in the FRA would receive the same monthly benefit for a shorter period. Those workers who claimed retirement benefits at the same age as they would have claimed them under current law would receive a smaller benefit for the same number of years. The reduction in Social Security benefits would improve the program’s finances. Those projections reflect the assumption that Social Security will continue to pay benefits as scheduled under current law, regardless of the status of the program’s trust funds.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Renews Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Manitoba Government Renews Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy

    – – –
    New Plan Centres Around Lived and Living Experience, Promotes Dignity: Fontaine

    The Manitoba government is releasing its renewed five-year Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy, which includes immediate investments and ongoing funds for timely and effective supports for Manitobans affected by FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced today.

    “FASD is the most common developmental disability in Canada,” said Fontaine. “But with the right supports, people with FASD can thrive. By centring this strategy around the voices of people with lived and living experience and prioritizing investments in prevention, early intervention and diagnosis, Manitoba’s renewed FASD Strategy will reduce stigma, promote dignity and improve long-term outcomes for Manitobans impacted by FASD.”

    The minister noted Manitoba’s renewed FASD Strategy includes investments in community awareness, wraparound supports for pregnant people and families, and increased specialized supports across the life of people impacted by FASD.

    This includes a $172,000 budget increase for the InSight Mentoring Program, which provides three years of mentorship to help pregnant people stop or reduce alcohol use during pregnancy. The additional funding will support expanded programming at sites in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, The Pas, Flin Flon and Thompson including three Indigenous-led service providers offering culturally grounded services. This investment will enable the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre in Winnipeg to support an additional 15 families and offer Indigenous cultural and spiritual support services for participants, aligning with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to governments to develop culturally appropriate FASD prevention programs, the minister noted.

    FASD is a lifelong disability that impacts people exposed to alcohol prenatally. People with FASD often experience challenges with cognitive and executive functioning that, without appropriate supports, can leave people more likely to experience mental health issues, substance use disorders, contact with law enforcement and a lack of stable housing supports.

    The Manitoba government currently invests $15.5 million annually in the FASD Strategy, which ensures government and community programs and initiatives are working together toward the common goal of supporting Manitobans affected by FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy. An interdepartmental FASD committee supports a whole-of-government approach to FASD awareness, prevention and support.

    September is FASD Awareness Month in Canada, which raises awareness about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, highlights prevention and support efforts, and encourages individuals to learn more about FASD and its impacts.

    To read Manitoba’s Renewed FASD Strategy for 2024 to 2029, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/mbstrategy.html.

    To learn more about the InSight Mentoring Program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/insight.html.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Death of male in custody of Calgary Police Service

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On that date, at approximately 12:56 a.m., CPS responded to a call on the non-emergency line from a hotel in south Calgary asking for assistance in removing an unwanted person from the lobby.

    A lone officer (officer 1) was first to arrive and entered the lobby to find the man standing near the check-in desk. The interaction between the male and the officer was captured on body-worn camera. The male is standing with his hands in full view and does not possess any weapons. The officer orders the male to leave the lobby by issuing commands such as “out” and “walk out.” The male continues to stand at his location in the lobby and act in a confused fashion, such as attempting to pick up items off the floor that were clearly non-existent.

    After approximately 30 seconds of speaking with the male, the officer points his conducted energy weapon (CEW) at the male and orders the male to leave the lobby. The male raises his hands and confirms he’ll leave and asks the officer not to shoot him. The male then begins to leave the lobby with the officer still pointing the weapon at him. The male is walking slowly towards the main door with his hands raised while stating to the officer, ”I don’t want to die.” The lone officer tells the male to stop talking and continues to point the weapon at him.

    Two other officers (officers 2 and 3) with CPS arrive on scene and begin walking through the main doors towards the male. At this point, the male stops walking but continues to state that he doesn’t want to die. Officer 1 then holsters his CEW and attempts to grab the male. At no point during the interaction had the male been identified, nor was he ever told he was being detained or under arrest. The male physically resists being grabbed and then is tackled by officer 2, who then punches the male in the head while both are on the ground.

    During this time, officers 1 and 3 deploy their CEWs. Over the next approximately 3 1/2 minutes, the three officers and the male are involved in a physical altercation with various uses of force resorted to by the officers. Once the male is detained on the floor, handcuffs and leg restraints are applied.

    Numerous other CPS officers arrive on scene to assist. The male is noted to be bleeding from the mouth and vomits. A spit mask is applied while the male is lying face down on the floor. EMS attend and administer a sedative to the male via needle approximately 7 minutes after the male has been handcuffed. This is administered to the male while he is still lying face down. The male is then left face down in handcuffs, leg restraints and a spit mask for about another three minutes until it is noted that he is unresponsive. The male was then provided medical care but declared deceased at the scene.

    ASIRT’s investigation will examine the use of force by the officers. No additional information will be released.

    ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.

    This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.

    MIL OSI Canada News –