Category: Law

MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Announces Over $220 Million for I-680 Improvements and Central Valley High-Speed Rail

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

Padilla Announces Over $220 Million for I-680 Improvements and Central Valley High-Speed Rail

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will receive a combined $220.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to improve mobility along the Interstate 680 (I-680) corridor and to construct a high-speed rail station in Madera. The investments were made through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program.
Over $166 million will go toward Contra Costa’s INNOVATE 680 Program to complete the northbound I-680 express lane gap from California State Route (SR) 24 to SR-242 and to convert the existing northbound high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane from SR-242 to north of Arthur Road into an express lane. The project will also construct a braided ramp system between the North Main Street and Treat Boulevard interchanges in Walnut Creek to address an existing bottleneck caused by weaving, implement Coordinated Adaptive Ramp Metering for a 19-mile segment of Northbound I-680, and include a Caltrans truck scale/weigh station.
The Madera High-Speed Rail Station Project will receive over $54 million to construct a high-speed rail station for the Merced-Bakersfield California High-Speed Rail Interim Service. The project will design and construct the Madera Station through improvements at the relocated Madera Amtrak Station, including new platforms, trackwork, an overhead contact system, a bus depot, expanded auto parking, an access roadway network, a multi-use path, and a station building.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, California commuters will get where they need to go faster, and we will improve connectivity across the Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley,” said Senator Padilla. “Decongesting I-680 is essential to preventing delays and bolstering driver safety and efficiency along this busy corridor. The Madera high-speed rail station is a key component of the upcoming Merced-Bakersfield high-speed rail service and will create better transportation options, good-paying construction jobs, and cleaner air for Central Valley residents.”
“This is a monumental award for Contra Costa County and the greater Bay Area. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Senator Alex Padilla and our federal delegation for their invaluable support in securing this crucial federal grant. Interstate 680 (I-680) is critical to the region’s economy and prosperity. It provides for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout northern California and beyond. Thousands rely on this corridor and increased congestion has led to unacceptable delays. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is excited to advance the I-680 corridor through focused modernizations that will maximize efficiency and promote shared transportation,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority.
“Partnering with state and local agencies, California is using its transportation dollars to provide travelers with more options that will help us reduce planet-warming pollution, improve air quality, and combat climate change,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.
“This award is crucial for the San Joaquin Valley and California. We are extremely grateful to Senator Alex Padilla and our federal delegation for supporting this integral and transformational grant funding. The Madera station project would improve the connection to the Madera community and serve as a multi-modal connection hub, allowing transfers between the San Joaquins service and the future high-speed rail line. In addition, this project will help aid the region and the state in its goals to reduce transportation-related pollution and allow for the continued development of passenger rail in California,” said Stacey Mortensen, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA).
The highly competitive Mega Grant program funds major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. More information on the program is available here.
Senator Padilla has secured billions for California infrastructure improvements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including for high-speed rail. Last year, Padilla supported the Department of Transportation’s announcement of $3.1 billion for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, as well as over $200 million for the agency from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program. He and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein previously announced $25 million for the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Merced Extension Design Project through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program. Additionally, Padilla announced $28.94 million last year for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to implement five safety projects in areas with the largest concentration of pedestrian crashes. He also championed more than $283 million from the Mega Program for the Port of Long Beach to complete the final phase of the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility by expanding the North and South Rail Yards.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Australia: Police Urge Drivers to Adhere to Speed Limits Following RBT Station in Adelaide River

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police conducted an early morning Random Breath Testing (RBT) station on the Stuart Highway at Adelaide River yesterday, where 139 drivers were tested over a two-hour period, all returning negative results for alcohol.

While Batchelor police were pleased with the responsible behaviour regarding drink driving, concerns remain about the number of drivers exceeding the speed limit in the area. Nine drivers were issued infringement notices for speeding, highlighting the ongoing issue of reckless driving.

Acting Remote Sergeant Brittany Stuart expressed concern, stating, “Once again, Northern Territory Police can be anywhere, at any time. Drivers need to slow down, keep their focus on the road, and avoid distractions like electronic devices. Too many drivers this morning demonstrated a poor attitude towards speed limits.

“Adelaide River is a built-up area with a 60km/h speed limit, and there’s sufficient signage in place to warn drivers. Early in the morning, the community sees increased pedestrian traffic as residents are out for their exercise. Speeding through this area puts lives at risk. We’ve already lost too many lives on our roads this year—50 so far—and we do not want to see that number rise due to poor choices behind the wheel.”

Northern Territory Police continue to remind all drivers that adherence to speed limits is crucial to ensuring the safety of all road users.

MIL OSI News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Crapo, Padilla, Risch Honor Forensic Scientists with Resolution

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo

Washington, D.C.— The U.S. Senate unanimously agreed to a Senate Resolution designating September 15-21, 2024, as National Forensic Science Week. The resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Alex Padilla (D-California), and co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho), recognizes the role forensic science plays in the investigation, prosecution and conviction of crimes, as well as exoneration of the innocent.

“Forensic science frees the innocent and provides justice for victims,” said Crapo. “This work delivers the scientific truth to the criminal justice system. The Idaho State Police is a leader and shining example of the significance of these essential services. This Senate Resolution acknowledges their invaluable efforts and the efforts of all forensic scientists around the nation.”

“America’s justice system relies on accurate forensic science,” said Padilla. “That’s why I’ve partnered with Senators Crapo and Risch in this bipartisan effort to highlight the critical role of partnerships between forensic science laboratories and federal agencies in protecting public safety and fighting injustice.”

“National Forensic Science Week recognizes the critical work done to convict dangerous criminals, provide closure for victims, and free the innocent,” said Risch. “Thank you to the forensic scientists in Idaho and across the country who do this important work for our criminal justice system.”

“Forensic science practitioners provide vital information to the United States criminal justice system,” said Matthew Gammette, Idaho State Police Forensic Services Laboratory System Director. “We appreciate the support of the United States Senate, and specifically our Senators from Idaho, in recognizing the important contributions of forensic scientists to advance the science in forensic science, provide critical information to law enforcement and the courts, and to bring resolution to victims of crime and their families. We appreciate the support of Congress in funding forensic science providers, including medical examiner and coroner offices, to assist them in being more efficient, effective, and innovative in solving forensic science cases.”

Read the full text of the resolution HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police lay arson charges over Auckland fires

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A man has been remanded in custody after being charged over a series of vehicle fires in central Auckland.

Police have been investigating the suspicious fires in the vicinity of the Auckland Domain since 18 September.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, from Auckland City’s Crime Squad, says at least four fires have been under investigation.

The most recent incident, on 20 September, occurred when two vehicles were targeted on Park Road at around 9.15pm.

Earlier fires occurred within the vicinity of the Auckland Domain on 18, 19 and 20 September.

“The vehicles suffered varying degrees of damage, and it’s fortunate that no one was seriously injured as a result of these brazen acts,” Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says.

“It’s clear though that this has caused great inconvenience to the victims.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says a 50-year-old man was arrested in the Auckland Domain on Sunday evening.

“The man appeared in the Auckland District Court on Monday, charged with three counts of arson,” he says.

“He has been remanded in custody until his next appearance on 25 September.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Friend says enquiries are ongoing and further charges cannot be ruled out.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Australia: Call for information – Criminal damage – Alice Springs

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

Northern Territory Police are calling for information in relation to a criminal damage incident involving multiple vehicles that occurred over the weekend.

The damage is believed to have occurred between the afternoon of Friday 20 September 2024, and the morning of Monday 23 September 2024, at a business on Bath Street in Alice Springs.

Up to 22 vehicles were damaged, having their windows broken during the incident.

Investigations are in their early stages and detectives from Strike Force Viper have taken multiple victim statements.

Police urge anyone with information, or with CCTV or dash cam footage, to contact 131 444 and quote P24262199. You can also make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or through https://crimestoppersnt.com.au/.

MIL OSI News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ship’s sailed for boat burglar

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A man who allegedly stole a $100,000 boat from the Westhaven Marina for 24 hours before attempting to return it, will now face court.

At about 7.10pm last night, Police were informed that a man was attempting to steal a boat from the pier in Westhaven.

Auckland City Central Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Mark Miller, says a group of people at the marina have held the man until Police arrived and he was placed under arrest.

“It appears the alleged offender has boarded the 48 foot launch on Sunday evening and stayed on it overnight before starting it up the next morning and leaving the marina.

“The man has then attempted to return the boat where he was arrested upon Police arrival.”

Inspector Miller says Police have zero tolerance for this type of offending, and will continue to hold those responsible to account.

“This is another example of Police responding and apprehending those responsible for these crimes in our community.

“We also continue to encourage people to report all crimes of this nature to Police rather than taking matters into your own hands as this can put yourself at risk.”

A 33-year-old man charged with burglary will appear in Auckland District Court today.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI NGOs: Kenya: High Court to decide jurisdiction status in landmark Meta case

Source: Amnesty International –

The Kenyan High Court is today hearing a case in which two Ethiopian citizens, Abrham Meareg and Fisseha Tekle, and Kenyan civil society organization The Katiba Institute are accusing Facebook’s parent company Meta of promoting content that led to ethnic violence and killings during the armed conflict in northern Ethiopia from November 2020 to November 2022.

The petitioners argue that the Facebook platform’s algorithmic recommendation systems prioritized and promoted inciteful, hateful and dangerous content on its platform during the conflict, contributing to significant human rights violations. The Kenyan court will decide if it has jurisdiction to hear the case.

Meta’s legal team has argued that the case should not be heard in Kenya because the company is registered in the US and that Meta’s terms of service require such claims to be filed in the US.

They also argue that the alleged human rights violations occurred in Ethiopia and therefore cannot be heard in Kenya.

Today’s hearing is focused on two critical procedural aspects: the petitioners’ application to have no fewer than three judges appointed to hear the case as it raises important substantial questions of law and whether Kenyan courts have jurisdiction to hear the case as challenged by Meta.

Mandi Mudarikwa, the Head of Strategic Litigation at Amnesty International.

“Communities and individuals impacted by corporate human rights abuses committed by multi-nationals often struggle to access justice and effective remedies because of jurisdictional, practical and other legal challenges. As a result, Amnesty International is advocating for an approach to both cases that is informed by human rights obligations and corporate responsibilities that ensure justice and accountability.”

In Kenya, a single Judge presides over a case, but petitioners can request their cases to be heard by not less than three judges if it raises significant constitutional issues.

The petitioners, represented by Nzili and Sumbi Advocates and supported by the tech-justice organization Foxglove, argue, among other reasons, that because the content moderation operation reviewing Facebook content from Ethiopia was located in Kenya, the case can be brought to the Kenyan High Court. 

Other reasons cited for considering the case under Kenyan jurisdiction are Fisseha Tekle’s current residence in Kenya and safety concerns preventing him from returning to Ethiopia, the fact that The Katiba Institute is a Kenyan organization and the existence of a significant Facebook user base in the country.

Amnesty International is one of seven human rights and legal organizations involved as interested parties to the case. The organization submitted written responses in support of the petition and opposing the application challenging jurisdiction by Meta.

Background

Abrham Meareg is the son of Meareg Amare, a University Professor at Bahir Dar University in northern Ethiopia, who was hunted down and killed in November 2021, just weeks after posts inciting hatred and violence against him were posted on Facebook. 

He claims that Facebook only responded to reports about the posts eight days after Professor Meareg’s death, more than three weeks after his family had first alerted the company.

The second petitioner, Fisseha Tekle, an Amnesty International employee, has faced extensive online hate due to his human rights work in Ethiopia. Now living in Kenya, Tekle fears for his safety, underscoring the transnational impact of the content spread through Facebook’s channels.

Katiba Institute, the third petitioner, has brought the case in the public interest given the unchecked viral hate and violence on Meta’s Facebook platform and Kenya’s constitutional obligations.

The petition seeks to stop Facebook’s algorithms from recommending such content to Facebook users, to change Meta’s content moderation practices, and to compel Meta to create a 200 billion shilling ($1.6 billion USD) victims’ fund. 

The case will proceed to deal with the substantive questions relating to the extent, if any, to which Meta is accountable for the human rights violations and human suffering caused as a result of the content promoted on Facebook.

In October 2023, Amnesty International published the report, A death sentence for my father: Meta’s contribution to human rights abuses in northern Ethiopia, which shows how Meta contributed to human rights abuses suffered by the Tigrayan community during the conflict in northern Ethiopia two years ago.

Notes to Editors:

We expect this hearing to be heard in person and will provide further details before the court session on 24 September, 2024 once they become available.

Mercy Mutemi of Nzili and Sumbi Advocates represents the two individual petitioners and was Africa Legal’s Tech Lawyer of the Year for 2022. Foxglove, the tech-justice organization behind several cases against tech companies, are supporting the case. Backing the case as interested parties are a long list of major human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Global Witness, Article 19, Kenyan Human Rights Commission, Kenya’s National Integration and Cohesion Commission among others.

MIL OSI NGO –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Government introduces revised clubs and ranges rules
Source: New Zealand Government

Improving the way shooting clubs and ranges are regulated will be the outcome of a Bill introduced today Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee says.

“Cabinet has agreed to a package of reforms to amend Part 6 of the Arms Act 1983 which will enable simple and effective regulation of pistol and non-pistol shooting clubs and ranges.

“As I have stated repeatedly clubs and ranges play an important public safety role in our communities. As well as providing places for people to learn how to safely operate firearms they also act as the eyes and ears of the firearms community.”

“The changes introduced in 2020 went beyond what was necessary to ensure public safety. They jeopardised the ability for clubs and ranges to provide a safe environment for New Zealanders to learn, practise, and compete, and placed some ranges at risk of closing.

The Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges and Other Matters) Amendment Bill will:
- maintain the regulatory requirements for pistol clubs and ranges but streamline annual reporting requirements;
- simplify the regulatory requirements for non-pistol clubs and ranges by replacing the approval and certification systems with a more effective enrolment system;
- require non-pistol clubs to be incorporated only if they sell ammunition, unless all ammunition sold by the club is purchased for, and used, on the day of sale at the club range or event and is not taken off the premises;
- support the operation of temporary non-pistol ranges to enable the holding of club events, as long as the Firearms Safety Authority is informed; and
- provide certainty about when inspections for compliance can occur and clarify what can be removed when an inspection is conducted, to reduce the burden on operators.
“The focused consultation undertaken by the Ministry of Justice provided valuable insights, and I am confident that the changes, once implemented, will deliver better public safety outcomes, while reducing unnecessary requirements to better support shooting clubs and ranges to comply.”

“Firearms reform is a priority for the Government and today’s announcement delivers on a commitment made in the National-ACT coalition agreement.”

The Bill will have its first reading before being referred to select committee for at least four months, where all interested parties will have the opportunity to have their say on the proposals.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Missing man in Sham Shui Po located

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     A man who went missing in Sham Shui Po has been located.

     Tam Kwok-on, aged 53, went missing after he left his residence in Shek Kip Mei Estate on September 21 evening. His family made a report to Police on September 22.

     The man was located on Waterloo Road, Kowloon City this morning (September 24). He sustained no injuries and no suspicious circumstances were detected.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI China: Permanent basic farmland inquiry platform opens to public

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Starting Monday, the public can access information online about the area and location of permanent basic farmland to confirm the nature of cultivated land and report illegal actions, such as any unauthorized changes to the nature of the permanent basic farmland, according to an official from the Ministry of Natural Resources.

As the permanent basic farmland inquiry platform launches on Monday, the public can now easily access information about the permanent basic farmland through various channels such as the WeChat mini-program, the ministry’s official website, or its app, said Su Qiang, deputy director of the farmland protection supervision department of the ministry, at a news conference in Beijing.

Citizens are encouraged to report to local county-level natural resources authority when discovering illegal or unauthorized occupation of permanent basic farmland via the platform. The ministry will guide relevant departments at all levels to verify and handle any suspected illegal activities reported by the public, according to Su.

He added that the rollout of the platform marks the first time at the national level that permanent basic farmland inquiry services are being provided to the public via the internet. The scope of information available for inquiry follows the principle of maximum disclosure, although a small amount of data still requires further processing and refinement. The data will be updated and improved annually to achieve full coverage over time.

“The rollout of the platform aims to strictly enforce the special protection system for permanent basic farmland, strengthen social supervision, ensure the public’s right to know and supervise, and firmly establish the responsibility for cultivated land protection at all levels,” Su said.

Permanent basic farmland is high-quality arable land designated by law and plays a crucial role in ensuring national food security. No unit or individual is allowed to occupy or change its use without authorization, according to the Land Administration Law of the People’s Republic of China.

MIL OSI China News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Australia: Drug and firearm arrest in western suburbs

Source: South Australia Police

A man was arrested late last week for drug and firearm offences.

On Friday 20 September, members of Serious and Organised Crime Branch attended a Rosewater address where they located drugs and firearms.

A search of the address located approximately 7kg of methamphetamine, a trafficable quantity of cocaine, MDMA and GHB. Two firearms were also located and seized.

A 33-year-old man from the address was arrested and charged with four counts of trafficking in a commercial quantity of a controlled drug, two counts of possessing a firearm without a licence, two counts of possessing an unregistered firearm and breach of bail.

The man appeared in Port Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday 23 September where he was remanded in custody to reappear in court on 5 December.

Detective Superintendent Shane Addison, Officer in Charge of Serious and Organised Crime Branch said, “This is another significant drug seizure by organised crime detectives which has prevented supply of these harmful drugs to South Australians and illegal profits being netted by drug traffickers. Our resolve to actively disrupt the trafficking of illicit drug is clear and will be sustained.”

MIL OSI News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS message purportedly from HKeToll

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS message purportedly from HKeToll
Transport Department alerts public to fraudulent SMS message purportedly from HKeToll
*************************************************************************************

The Transport Department (TD) today (September 24) alerted members of the public to a fraudulent SMS message purportedly issued by the HKeToll. The SMS message spoofed the name “HKeToll” and provided a hyperlink with the domain name (https://t.ly/[.]QpBjt) that leads to a fake HKeToll website, which seeks to deceive recipients into making payments and obtain their credit card information. The TD clarifies that the SMS message was not issued by the HKeToll and has referred the case to the Police for follow-up. Members of the public are reminded that the HKeToll will not send SMS messages or emails to vehicle owners with hyperlinks that direct them to websites to carry out transactions. If a vehicle owner wishes to pay an outstanding toll online, they must log in to the HKeToll website (hketoll.gov.hk) or mobile app. Members of the public should stay alert when receiving unidentified messages. They should not visit suspicious websites and disclose any personal information. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned should contact the Police. For enquiries about the HKeToll, please call 3853 7333.

Ends/Tuesday, September 24, 2024Issued at HKT 11:15

NNNN

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Tougher sentences to improve transport safety

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing a new aggravating factor for offences against public transport workers as part of its plan to restore law and order, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced.

“In recent months, there has been a worrying increase in abuse and attacks on public transport workers. We want to send a strong message that any attacks on bus drivers, taxi drivers, and anyone working on a public transport train or ferry will not be tolerated,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Building on the Government’s sentencing reforms package, this change will help ensure there are 20,000 fewer victims of violent crime by 2029 and reducing serious repeat youth offending by 15 percent.”

“All those working on public transport deserve to feel safe while delivering an important service to their communities. These hardworking New Zealanders often work alone with little to separate them from their passengers,” Mr Brown says.

“Our Government is responding to these terrible incidents by introducing tougher consequences for those who engage in this cowardly behaviour.”

The Government is investing $15 million through Budget 2024 to deliver practical improvements to bus driver safety and working environments.

“Attacks on bus drivers and passengers have become far too common as New Zealand has faced an unprecedented crime wave. Industry has been calling for better, safer work environments for bus drivers, and our Government is delivering.

“Local authorities will soon be able to apply for funding for safety improvements, including retrofitted safety screens and real-time CCTV monitoring. Funding will also be made available to provide better restroom and break facilities for drivers.

“It is important we have the bus drivers required to deliver efficient and reliable public transport services so Kiwis can get to where they want to go, quickly and safely. These practical improvements are critical to improving working conditions so we can recruit and retain drivers,” Mr Brown says.

The Government is working with the public transport sector to develop new national guidance on managing passenger safety.

“Following a horrific attack on a young student travelling on a bus in July, I asked officials to look at what can be done to ensure greater safeguards for passengers and drivers on buses while the Government continues to restore law and order.

“Each bus operator is currently responsible for setting its own procedures for responding to attacks or altercations onboard. As a result, inconsistent processes are plaguing the system within the same city, let alone across the country, ultimately putting passengers and hardworking bus drivers at risk.

“Our Government is working with the sector to develop new national guidance on managing passenger safety and responding to incidents to ensure greater consistency and to improve bus safety,” Mr Brown says.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Release: Gun lobby bill removes regulation at ranges

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

Gun lobbyist Nicole McKee and her conflict of interest has struck again, this time removing safety regulations from shooting clubs and ranges in New Zealand.

“The lessons of New Zealand’s worst terror attack have been forgotten as the Government tries to wind back the gun control laws put in place after the attack on worshippers in Christchurch mosques in 2019,” Labour firearms spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

“The Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges and Other Matters) Amendment Bill creates multiple loopholes for gang members and extremists – like the Christchurch terrorist – to exploit. Minister Nicole McKee talks about being a safety expert but is removing safety requirements from shooting clubs and ranges.

“Ammunition is a form of currency among criminals and this bill could increase the supply of ammunition and allow unsupervised shooting at ranges by people without licenses. The Minister needs to be clear about what checks and balances are in place to prevent this.

“The changes also create a frightening precedent for landowners who might find ‘pop-up’ rifle shooting ranges over their back fence. The bill risks the ability of the Police or the firearms regulator to enforce any safety oversight or even inspect the facilities. The Wild West is coming to a backyard near you.

“The cherry on top for Nicole McKee and the gun lobby is the power grab under the section titled ‘other matters’ which removes powers currently held by Police.

“Her justification for the bill seems to be that the previous changes went too far, and that some shooting clubs or ranges are at risk of closing. However, her Cabinet paper provides no evidence of this risk,” Ginny Andersen said.

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MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-Evening Report: Costly defamation action looms large over Australian newsrooms. It’s diminishing press freedom

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Denis Muller, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Advancing Journalism, The University of Melbourne

Shutterstock

This piece is the final of a three part series on Australia’s defamation laws. You can read the other pieces here and here.

Defamation laws exist to strike a balance between press freedom and the protection of people’s reputations from wrongful harm. In Australia, this balance has always been loaded against press freedom.

This is due partly to the way the defamation laws have been framed and partly by the way the courts have interpreted them.

Courts examine matters of journalism in the same way they examine matters of law: forensically, with strict rules and high standards of evidence and proof.

While we rightly expect ethical and honest reporting from our media, even the best can prove insufficient under the piercing gaze of defamation law. And in a time when media companies are more cash-strapped than ever, this has a chilling effect on the stories that get told and press freedom more broadly.

Ethics vs the law

Until 2006, each Australian jurisdiction had its own defamation laws. This created a nightmare of complexity for publishers, especially of newspapers and broadcasts that crossed state boundaries, which meant all the main media organisations.

They had to take into account the risks posed by litigation in the jurisdiction least favourable to press freedom.

For many decades, that was New South Wales. It was one of the states where truth alone was not a sufficient defence; there also had to be a public interest in the material. In some other jurisdictions this was called public benefit.

Read more:
With all these defamation lawsuits, what ever happened to free speech?

This was a major burden on press freedom and it was removed by the introduction of uniform defamation laws in 2006.

Since then, it has been enough for publishers to prove the substantial truth of the meanings conveyed in an article in order for the defence of truth to succeed.

It may sound straightforward, but proving substantial truth requires producing admissible evidence strong enough to satisfy the civil standard of proof: on the balance of probabilities. That usually means having documents and witnesses who are willing to be identified.

If, as is often the case, the article has drawn on evidence from a confidential source, the publisher is unable to put that source in the witness box because to do so would breach the media’s fundamental ethical obligation to protect the identity of confidential sources.

So unless the source is prepared in advance to be identified should the matter come to court, a story relying significantly on that person’s testimony may not see the light of day unless some other defence is available.

In 2021, those defences were expanded, although quite how significant that expansion turns out to be remains to be seen.

What appears on paper to be the most significant change was the introduction of a general public interest defence. This says that if publication of a story is in the public interest, and the publisher has a reasonable belief that it is, then publication can be defended on that ground.

There has been only one major test of that new defence, and it went against the media.

That case showed “reasonable belief” depended on the journalism being sound. In this case, the court found that the defendant, which was the ABC, had relied on shaky testimony that had not been sufficiently verified and had not given the subject of the story a fair opportunity to respond.

At odds with practicalities

This brings us to the question of how the courts interpret the law.

One of the big disappointments in this respect has been the way the courts have interpreted what, at the time, was hoped to be a significant addition to Australia’s threadbare free-speech jurisprudence.

In a case brought against the ABC by a late prime minister of New Zealand, David Lange, the High Court established the principle that freedom of speech on matters of government and politics trumped a person’s case for protection for their reputation.

If a person wanted to sue for defamation, they had to do so in a way that did not burden freedom of speech on matters of government and politics.

Read more:
Politicians know defamation laws can silence women, but they won’t do anything about it

However, the High Court attached a test of reasonableness to this freedom. In several ways, it’s similar to the “reasonable belief” test in the new public interest defence.

Unfortunately, successive courts have applied the Lange reasonableness test in ways that are so strict they require journalists to meet standards demanding more powers of investigation than they possess or to exceed the usual journalistic standards of verification. Journalists can’t subpoena documents or compel people to speak to them.

The result is that this defence has become more or less a dead letter for journalistic purposes.

Is a story worth the cost?

Those accused of defamation can also defend it by saying it was comment or honest opinion. The first requirement of this defence is that the material be a comment and not a statement of fact.

But courts have interpreted this in different ways.

This uncertainty was illustrated by a famous case that became known as “Leo the Lobster”. A restaurant and restaurateur in Sydney successfully sued the Sydney Morning Herald over a review of a lobster dinner written by one Leo Schofield.

Schofield, who was a colourful writer, said the lobster had been overcooked:

the carbonized claws contained only a kind of white powder which might have been albino walrus.

Despite the amusing language, the court interpreted that as a literal factual description, not a statement of opinion.

Courts have a limited sense of humour, which makes satirical writing a chancy business, since the sharper the satire, the closer it is to literal truth.

Cartoons, which are satirical by definition, have more leeway but are not immune to defamation suits.

Then there’s the costs of defamation, particularly for media outlets. They’ve become exorbitant.

It has been estimated that the costs involved in the case brought by Ben Roberts-Smith against The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times amounted to about $25 million. The newspapers won, although the matter has gone to appeal.

But even if the verdict is upheld, experience shows it is unlikely they will recoup anything like their full costs.

At a time when all major news media organisations are under acute financial pressure because of the inroads the internet has made on their revenue, there is a strong temptation not to risk publishing material the public has a right to know because of the financial impact an action for defamation would have.

Denis Muller 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. Costly defamation action looms large over Australian newsrooms. It’s diminishing press freedom – https://theconversation.com/costly-defamation-action-looms-large-over-australian-newsrooms-its-diminishing-press-freedom-238072

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Tillis Discusses State Travel, Bipartisanship on Spectrum News’ In Focus with Loretta Boniti

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis recently appeared on Spectrum News’ In Focus with Loretta Boniti to discuss his state travel and recent bipartisan legislative achievements, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and theBipartisan Safer Communities Act, legislation that Senator Tillis helped write, negotiate, and pass into law.
Watch the full interview HERE.

Senator Tillis on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law:
“We are approaching $13 billion coming to North Carolina. I was just in Wilmington yesterday, where we were celebrating a $250 million grant, about half of what it’s going to take to upfit the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge, and a $100 million grant for the Alligator River Bridge. Every county in the state is benefitting from this bill. This bill includes a billion dollars in connectivity for broadband, and it’s proving to have the impact that I thought it would. That’s why I was willing to take the hits to get it done.”
Senator Tillis on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act:
“The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the single largest investment in mental health in the history of this country… I’m working very hard to make sure that everyone understands a full implementation of this bill is transformational. And I think North Carolina is on pace to be one of the most successful states to implement it. It’s coming at a perfect time. We are making progress on a challenge that still exists, and it’s the stigma of mental health.”
Senator Tillis on the Bipartisanship:
“The reason why being bipartisan is so difficult today is that people can spread what I think are blatant lies in some cases about what we are trying to accomplish, and it causes people to be very careful and not take risks. I think that the American people suffer when we do that. We’re in D.C. to make changes, we’re not up there to get re-elected.”

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Bicameral Statement of Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism on Release of 2023 FBI Hate Crime Statistics Report

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

Anti-Jewish Hate Crimes Increased By Nearly 63 Percent, Reaching Highest Level In Decades
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and James Lankford (R-OK), and Representatives Kathy Manning (NC-06) and Chris Smith (NJ-04), co-chairs of the Senate and House Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, respectively, released the following statement in response to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) 2023 Hate Crime Statistics Report. The FBI data shows anti-Jewish hate crimes increased in 2023 by nearly 63 percent from 2022, which is the highest number recorded in almost three decades.
“We are deeply alarmed by the dramatic increase in hate crimes targeting Jewish Americans over the past year, as noted in the FBI’s 2023 Hate Crimes Statistics Report,” said the members. “With antisemitism skyrocketing across the United States following Hamas’s October 7 terrorist attack on Israel, a whole-of-government approach is needed to protect Jewish communities from violence and hate.”
Anti-Jewish hate crimes rose from 1,122 to 1,832 incidents from 2022 to 2023. According to the FBI, a total of 16,009 law enforcement agencies, which represent 95.2 percent of the agencies enrolled in the hate crime data collection program, participated in hate crimes reporting for 2023.
They continued: “As the co-chairs of the House and Senate Bipartisan Task Forces for Combating Antisemitism, we remain steadfast in our commitment to root out the scourge of antisemitism. We’ll continue working across party lines to ensure the federal government keeps Jewish Americans safe from discrimination.”
Jewish Americans make up around two percent of the U.S. population, yet antisemitic hate crimes accounted for 15.4 percent of all hate crimes reported by the FBI. Anti-Jewish incidents comprised a little over two-thirds of all religion-based hate crimes.
As co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Taskforce for Countering Antisemitism, Senator Rosen has been leading the fight against rising antisemitism. Senator Rosen, along with the co-chairs of the Senate and House Bipartisan Task Forces, introduced a bipartisan bill to take historic action to counter antisemitism in the United States by establishing a first-ever National Coordinator to Counter Antisemitism. In May, Senators Rosen and Lankford sent a bipartisan letter urging the Department of Education to designate a senior official to oversee efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses. They also called on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee to hold a full hearing on rising antisemitism on college campuses.

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Australia: Fatal crash in the CBD

Source: South Australia Police

A woman has died following a crash in the city last week.

Just after 12.15pm on Friday 20 September police were called to the intersection of South Terrace and Sir Lewis Cohen Avenue following reports of a crash between a Nissan Micra and a Ford Territory.

The 93-year-old female driver of the Nissan was taken to hospital for treatment of her injuries, sadly today (Tuesday 24 September) she died in hospital.

The occupant and passenger of the Ford were not injured.

Major Crash Investigators are appealing to the public if they witnessed the crash or have dashcam footage and have not spoken to police to please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The woman’s death is the 61^st life lost on SA roads this year.

MIL OSI News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Rai Valley crash: Police seek public’s help

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Dashcam video and witnesses are being sought by Police investigating a serious motorcycle crash in Rai Valley, Tasman, on Saturday.

The crash, involving one rider, happened about 4.50pm on State Highway 6 at Whangamoa.

The rider suffered critical injuries after falling while navigating a curve. They were part of a group of about six motorcyclists.

The victim remains in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Police would like to hear from witnesses or anyone who has dashcam footage of the crash, or the moments before it.

If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 240922/5105.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: First Responders – 2024 Port Hills Fire Investigation Report

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

A fire investigation report into the Port Hills fire, which started on 14 February 2024, has located a specific origin area on private property but the cause of the fire remains undetermined.

District Commander Dave Stackhouse says, “Investigators were unable to identify a specific ignition source. As the cause of the fire cannot be proven to an acceptable level of certainty, it is classified as undetermined. However, if further information becomes available, the investigation will be reopened.”

Dave Stackhouse says an examination of the scene identified a specific origin area of approximately five square metres, on private property about 50 metres off the side of Worsleys Road.

“The owner of the property where the fire originated cooperated with the investigation and advised that there had been no activity or equipment used on the day the fire started,” Dave Stackhouse says.

“Our legal advice is that, due to privacy reasons, Fire and Emergency is unable to release the specific origin area of the fire because it is on private property,” he says.

“We acknowledge this may be disappointing for all those who were affected by the Port Hills fire in February and were hoping for answers,” the District Commander says.

“Our investigation into the cause of the fire included three experienced wildfire investigators working alongside the New Zealand Police and who arrived in Christchurch the day after the fire started.

“They interviewed three witnesses who were in the vicinity of the fire when it started and were the first to report the fire to 111. They assessed photos and videos of the early stages of the fire which were sent in by the public or captured on CCTV,” he says.

“In the lead up to the fire, Canterbury was experiencing a warm, dry summer, combined with dry vegetation across the District. These conditions assisted in the ignition and spread of the fire.”

Dave Stackhouse says that while the cause of the fire is undetermined, significant incidents like this one are a strong reminder that everyone should take steps to protect themselves from wildfire.

“Now is the time to prepare for the fire season. We encourage the community to develop an emergency plan, this should include a plan for pets and livestock,” he says.

“We also recommend that property owners take action to create a defensible space around their properties, remove unwanted vegetation and leaves and use low flammability plants to assist with creating a green fire break around properties.”

People can find out more information about protecting themselves from wildfires on the Fire and Emergency New Zealand website and at Checkitsalright.co.nz.

“Fire and Emergency extends its thanks to the many volunteers and staff who worked long hours to contain and extinguish the Port Hills fire.

“We also want to acknowledge and thank partner agencies for their support throughout the response and the Port Hills residents and Christchurch community for their cooperation.

“We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to our investigation through sending in photos and videos of the fire during the incident,” Dave Stackhouse says.

A copy of the fire investigation report will also be available on Fire and Emergency’s website from 1pm on Tuesday 24 September 2024.

Background

Just after 2pm on 14 February 2024, Fire and Emergency New Zealand was alerted to a vegetation fire near Worsleys Road on the Christchurch Port Hills. The fire burnt through approximately 650 hectares and destroyed a residential structure and various infrastructure, including causing some damage to the Christchurch Adventure Park.

The fire burnt across the Port Hills for three weeks and involved firefighters from across Canterbury, multiple aircraft and ground machinery, a large number of support and incident management personnel, and Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone team.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: NSU to host first international student cybercriminology festival CrimeLab Fest-2024

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

On September 27-28, the first international student cybercriminology festival CrimeLab Fest-2024 will be held at NSU. The event will involve 9 student teams: 8 of them represent Russian cities such as Novosibirsk, Barnaul, Krasnoyarsk and Krasnodar, and one combined team, which will include students from Harbin (China). Using cyber simulators, they will compete in investigating simulated situations. The students’ results will be assessed by an authoritative jury, which will include leading Russian experts in the field of forensics. The festival will also include lectures and a round table, where experts and students will discuss the prospects and future of the profession.

— Several years ago, educational institutions began to request the introduction of modern products at the intersection of IT and forensics into the educational process. This is how the idea of creating cyber simulators appeared, which are based on the idea of a computer game, a quest, but at the same time they incorporate the entire arsenal of forensic tools for investigation, evidence collection, verification of versions, etc. That is, they allow you to simulate the situation of investigating certain types of crimes in a game form. At the moment, 10 such simulators have been developed. Our festival will be the first platform where we will test these simulators in action, — said the head of the CrimeLab project, Doctor of Law, Professor of the Department of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure and Forensics of NSU Roman Borovskikh.

The simulators were created by a team of developers from the ANO “Digital Educational Technologies”, which includes NSU graduates. Each simulator simulates the investigation of individual types of crimes, including bribery, murder, fraud, robbery, etc. The user of the simulator has the opportunity to choose not only the type of crime, but also the location. In the future, it is planned to introduce this tool into the educational process and make it part of the curriculum.

According to Roman Borovskikh, “our task now is to test how this tool works, what the impressions and feedback from students will be, and to understand how these electronic educational tools need to be improved in order to use them in real educational practice.”

The festival will feature student teams, 3 of which are from out of town, representing Altai State University, Kuban State University and Krasnoyarsk State Agrarian University. Also, one team is international, it is formed by students of Heilongjiang University and NSU. During the competition, the guys will have to demonstrate their knowledge and skills at all stages of the investigation, such as collecting evidence, checking versions, etc., using correct forensic methods, using simulators.

The teams’ work will be assessed by an expert jury chaired by Igor Mikhailovich Komarov, Doctor of Law, Professor, Head of the Forensic Science Department at Moscow State University. The jury also includes leading Russian forensic scientists. Among them are Lev Vladimirovich Bertovsky, Doctor of Law, Professor, Director of the Institute of High-Tech Law, Social and Humanitarian Sciences at the Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology. As well as practicing forensic scientists, led by Colonel of Justice Vitaly Vitalyevich Brytkov, Head of the Forensic Support Department for the Siberian Federal District (based in Novosibirsk) of the Forensic Support Directorate for Investigations in the Federal Districts of the Main Forensic Science Directorate (Forensic Center) of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation.

On the second day of the festival, there will be an off-site session, during which experts will give original lectures on new methods and the future of the profession, and a student round table will also take place.

The festival is organized by NSU, Institute of Philosophy and Law of NSU And Student Center NSU initiatives. The project partners are the Department of Forensic Support of Investigations for the Siberian Federal District, the ANO Digital Educational Technologies, and the federal project CrimeLab.

More detailed information about the festival.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://vvv.nsu.ru/n/media/nevs/education/nsu-will-host-the-first-international-student-festival-cyberforensics-crimelab-fest-2024/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public alerted to fake SMS message

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

The Transport Department today alerted the public to a fraudulent SMS message purportedly issued by HKeToll.

The message includes a hyperlink leading to a fake website that seeks to deceive recipients into making payments and submitting their credit card information.

Besides referring the case to Police for investigation, the department iterated that the HKeToll system does not send SMS messages or emails to vehicle owners with hyperlinks directed them to websites to carry out transactions.

Vehicle owners wishing to pay an outstanding toll online must log in to the HKeToll website or mobile app.

The department said the public should stay alert when receiving messages from unidentified recipients. For enquiries about HKeToll, call 3853 7333.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI USA: Reps. Carson, Jayapal, Schakowsky Introduce UNRWA Funding Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andre Carson (7th District of INDIANA)

WASHINGTON, DC—Representative André Carson (IN-07) has introduced H.R. 9649, the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09). This bill will end the congressionally and administratively mandated pause on funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA).

The United States has historically been one of the largest financial supporters of UNRWA, which serves nearly 6 million Palestinian refugees across the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon. In March of this year, the U.S. paused UNRWA funding after the Israeli government alleged that 12 agency employees had direct involvement in Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attack.

Following the UN’s investigation and proactive commitments made by UNRWA toward complete accountability and reform, all countries except the U.S. have resumed their UNRWA funding, including the European Union, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Finland, Germany, Japan, and Sweden. Approximately 1.9 million people – 9 in 10 Gazans – have been displaced at least once, and an estimated 43,580 are pregnant women. UNRWA has served as the primary humanitarian aid organization operating in Gaza, and without funding, hundreds of thousands of Gaza civilians are left vulnerable. It is estimated that over 1 million Gazans will not have enough food this month, and availability of basic hygiene items has dropped to 15%. In addition to a polio outbreak, Gazans are suffering from malnutrition and treatable diseases due to “systematic dismantling of healthcare”from bombardments on civilians.

“The scale of this devastating, man-made crisis in Gaza cannot be overstated,” said Congressman Carson. “Providing humanitarian aid to a starving nation – with funding Congress has appropriated year after year – should not be controversial. I urge my colleagues who care about basic human rights, the rights of pregnant women, and the wellbeing of innocent children to join our bill. UNRWA has taken appropriate and proactive steps towards accountability and transparency, conducting multiple independent reviews that continue to prove the organization is both in compliance and imperative to provide the region with lifesaving assistance. It’s past time we restore funding and save lives.”

“UNRWA has played a unique and integral role in supporting the welfare of Palestinian refugees for decades. Their on-the-ground understanding is invaluable to ensure that humanitarian aid makes it to the people who need it most — in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and critically in this moment in Gaza,” said Congresswoman Jayapal. “There is no question in my mind that revoking funding for UNRWA will lead to more devastation and loss of life in Gaza. We must ensure that those acting in good faith to save civilian lives are not undermined by a lack of US funding.”

“For decades, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has been a lifeline for Palestinians, providing food, clean water, healthcare, shelter, education, and livelihoods. Today, UNRWA remains the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza as it endures ongoing war and a dire humanitarian crisis. UNRWA and the United Nations have taken swift and decisive actions to address the concerns raised by the U.S. government when it paused funding in January and our allies have all resumed funding for UNRWA. The U.S. must follow suit and resume funding for this critical humanitarian agency,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “I am proud to co-lead the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act to restore funding to UNRWA and help Gazans get the humanitarian assistance they need at a time of unprecedented crisis.”

“J Street is proud to be supporting the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 introduced by Representatives Carson, Jayapal, and Schakowsky. We should restore funding, as all our major allies have, and stop playing politics with Palestinian welfare and Israel’s security,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami. “As UNRWA’s largest donor and Israel’s key security guarantor, the United States has a special obligation to address this crisis.”

“Gaza isn’t starving. It’s being starved,” said Hassan El-Tayyab, legislative director for Middle East policy at the Friends Committee on National Legislation. “Over two million Palestinian civilians are enduring a man-made humanitarian catastrophe, with famine and disease spreading due to blocked aid access. Meanwhile, the Biden administration and Congress continue to withhold all U.S. funding for the largest aid operation in Gaza—the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). UNRWA is the backbone of aid delivery in Gaza, ensuring that millions receive desperately needed assistance. Blocking U.S. funding for UNRWA’s critical work is a cruel and unjustified decision that only deepens Gaza’s humanitarian suffering. Congress and the Administration must act swiftly to correct this wrong by supporting the UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act and restoring this urgently needed aid.”

“Restoring funding to UNRWA is a humanitarian imperative,” said Sharif Aly, President of the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “For over six decades, the United States has been one of the strongest supporters of UNRWA, which provides lifesaving aid and social services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East. Those services are desperately needed in Gaza right now, and UNRWA is the only organization with the capacity and expertise necessary to provide them at scale. The United States must uphold its commitment to the human rights of the Palestinian people and pass this legislation to reinstate funding to the humanitarian agency immediately. Failing to do so would lead to further human suffering.”

“In restoring funding for food, water, shelter, and medical care for Palestine refugees, the UNRWA Restoration Act honors this most basic and inalienable truth — that the people of Palestine are human beings, just like all of us, and all lives are sacred, not just some,” said Mara Kronenfeld, Executive Director UNRWA USA.

“UNRWA is indispensable to providing Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria with the education, healthcare, and other critical services that are key to successful, productive livelihoods and citizenry, and a future of peace and prosperity, which should be in everyone’s interests. We support full restoration of funding to UNRWA,” said Sean Carroll, President and CEO of Anera.

“We express our gratitude to Representatives André Carson, Pramila Jayapal, and Jan Schakowsky for introducing the UNRWA Emergency Restoration Act of 2024,” said James Zogby, President of the Arab American Institute. “This lifesaving legislation aims to restore critical U.S. financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) by repealing previous funding restrictions and encouraging the Secretary of State to lift the temporary pause on federal funding. UNRWA plays a vital role in providing essential services to millions of Palestinian refugees across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. The ongoing genocide in Gaza has resulted in increased displacement, starvation, and death. It is both inhumane and unconscionable to continue withholding financial support from UNRWA. We recognize that the majority of Americans are horrified by the death and destruction they witness daily in Gaza and the West Bank. UNRWA’s humanitarian aid and services often mean the difference between life and death for these vulnerable populations. Restoring U.S. funding to UNRWA is urgent, just, and the only morally responsible option. We urge lawmakers to prioritize the passage of this crucial legislation and ensure that UNRWA can continue to provide life-saving assistance to Palestinian refugees in the region.”

The UNRWA Funding Emergency Restoration Act of 2024 has been endorsed by the following organizations as of 9/19/24:

18 Million Rising

Action Against Hunger

Action Corps

ActionAid USA

AFSC, American Friends Service Committee

American Baptist Churches USA

American Friends of Combatants for Peace

American Friends Service Committee

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC)

Americans for Justice in Palestine Action

Americans for Peace Now

Anera

Avaaz

Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS)

Carolina Peace Center

Center for American Progress

Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC)

Center for Constitutional Rights

Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

Center for International Policy

Center for Jewish Nonviolence

Center for Security, Race and Rights

Center for Victims of Torture

Charity&Security Network

Christian Aid

Church World Service

Climate Refugees

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)

CODEPINK

CommonDefense.us

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, U.S. Provinces

Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR)

Danish Refugee Council

DAWN

Demand Progress

Doctors Against Genocide

Emgage Action

FCNL

Foreign Policy for America

Friends of Sabeel North America

Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ

Health Advocacy International

Hindus for Human Rights

Historians for Peace and Democrcy

Human Rights First

Humanity & Inclusion

IfNotNow Movement

International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)

International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)

International Rescue Committee

Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

J Street

Jewish Voice for Peace Action

KinderUSA

MADRE

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Middle East Children’s Alliance

Middle East Democracy Center (MEDC)

Migrant Roots Media

MoveOn

MPower Change Action Fund

Muslim Advocates

National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

National Council of Churches

National Iranian American Council Action

National Partnership for New Americans

Nonviolent Peaceforce

Norwegian Peoples aid

Norwegian Refugee Council USA

Oxfam

Partners for Progressive Israel

Pax Christi USA

Peace Action

People’s Action

Presbyterian Church (USA), Office of Public Witness

Progressive Democrats of America

Project HOPE

Project South

Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft

Rebuilding Alliance

Refugee Congress

Refugees International

ReThinking Foreign Policy

RootsAction.org

Save the Children US

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas – Justice Team

Terre des hommes – Lausanne

The Episcopal Church

The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy (TIMEP)

The United Church of Christ

UNRWA USA National Committee

US Campaign for Palestinian Rights Action (USCPR Action)

Veterans For Peace, Chapter #63 (Albuquerque)

War Child Alliance

We Are All America (WAAA)

Welcoming America

Win Without War

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, US

Working Families Party

Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation

ACCESS of WNY

Al Otro Lado (CA and Tijuana)

Atlanta Multifaith Coalition for Palestine

CAIR-Ohio

Christian Jewish Allies for a Just Peace in Israel/Palestine

Church Women United in New York State

Council on American-Islamic Relations, New York chapter (CAIR-NY)

Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Washington DC

Jewish Voice for Peace Albuquerque

Minnesota Peace Project

Muslim Justice League (MA)

New York Progressive Action Network

Oasis Legal Services (CA)

OnceAForest.org (NM)

Peace Action WI

Peace, Justice, Sustainability NOW!

Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) Bay Area

Veterans For Peace – Santa Fe NM Chapter

Muslims United PAC (MUPAC)

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024

MIL-OSI USA: Scalise on Violent Democrat Rhetoric: Enough is Enough

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chair Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (R-Va.), and Congressman Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) to discuss the impact – which he has experienced personally – of dangerous rhetoric from the Left that has led to now multiple attempts on President Trump’s life. Leader Scalise pointed to specific quotes of Democrat leaders whose words have been used by unhinged people as calls to engage in political violence. Leader Scalise also highlighted legislation on the House floor this week that would provide the same amount of Secret Service for Donald Trump and Kamala Harris as that of a sitting president.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.

On House Republicans’ legislation to combat violence against women by illegal aliens:

“Before I talk about that, we have a very busy agenda on the floor this week, and Speaker [Johnson] will talk about some of that, especially the CR with SAVE Act. But today, one of the other bills we’re going to be voting on is a bill that says, if someone is here illegally and they assault a woman – we’ve seen people come here illegally and murder women. That seems like the only time where some of these woke prosecutors will actually arrest the illegal. But there’s so many other horrible things being done to women by illegals. The bill says if they assault a woman in any kind of way, it’s a deportable offense. Now, I’m curious to see how this vote is going to be. Everybody on the House floor should vote for that bill. But if any Democrat dare vote against it, they’re going to have to explain to people back home who are watching this be carried out in every community in America why they would rather stand with illegals than women in their own districts that they represent. That’s going to be today.”

On protecting Americans workers from woke policy:

“Tomorrow, we’re going to continue moving forward on our agenda, continue going after wokeness, continue to stand up for families who are struggling. And then Friday, we’re going to be bringing a few bills. One, CRA on tailpipes. Kamala Harris has always been for eliminating the combustion engine and mandating EVs. Her values haven’t changed. That’s what she’s been for her whole life. It’s crushed thousands of jobs in states like Michigan. So [Congressman] John James from Michigan, who has seen the devastation of these horrible policies coming out of the Biden-Harris administration, is bringing a bill to reverse that, to end that mandate on the tailpipe emission, which was designed to kill the combustion engine, fossil fuel cars, in exchange for mandating EVs. People don’t even want to buy the EV cars. The batteries are made in China, and yet they continue their drumbeat. So we’re going to stand up for American workers Friday in that vote.”

On strengthening the Secret Service:

“But one of the last votes we’re going to have, this is what I really want to talk about, is a bill by [Congressman] Mike Lawler that will ensure that both nominees for president, not just Donald Trump, also Kamala Harris, get the same level of Secret Service protection as the president of the United States. As has been talked about by so many already, it’s unacceptable that now we’re at two assassination attempts on President Trump. And luck cannot be a strategy by the Secret Service to have stopped these attempts. He came within inches, as we all know, on the first assassination attempt where shots actually rang out. If not for the advanced Secret Service agent seeing that muzzle just barely coming through a chainlink fence, we may have been talking about something very different right now. Luck cannot be a strategy. Clearly, I think there’s divine intervention. I know Speaker [Johnson] has said that, too. But at the same time, the Secret Service has to do better. Keep in mind, as we talk about adding this extra protection, every year since 2017, Congress has added more money to the Secret Service’s budget than they even requested in their budget.

“And so it’s not an issue of money. What they’re doing with the money we’ve had a lot of serious questions about before the first assassination attempt – trying to carry out a woke agenda, focusing on the wrong things, and forgetting their main mission, and that is to protect presidents and vice president of the United States. The Secret Service has to shift that focus and shift their priorities and provide this protection.”

On dangerous Democrat rhetoric:

“Now I’m going to be very specific because we talk about the rhetoric. When there’s an incident like this, there’s always talk that the rhetoric needs to dial down. I’m one of those who says it, too. But this isn’t generic. There is very specific rhetoric we can now point to that we know is triggering some of these people who are unhinged who take it the wrong way and want to carry out what is being sent to them by Democrats talking about this. We all know Kamala Harris, her quote, where she says, ‘Trump is a threat to our democracy and fundamental freedoms.’ She said this over and over again, not just before the first attempt. Even after the first attempt on President Trump’s life, there might have been a two or three-day pause, and then they went right back to it.

“In fact, just days before the second assassination attempt, Kamala Harris made that quote. And then the second shooter, attempted shooter, he was regurgitating the same language as Kamala. So this is no longer a dog whistle, which it’s been on the left. It’s now being received by some unhinged people as a call to action when Democrats say this. Kamala needs to stop saying that President Trump is a threat to democracy. There are unhinged people that are taking that as a call to go and try to eliminate President Trump. She needs to stop it now. Leadership starts at the top, and then you’ve got to go down.President Biden has said that as well, along with the quotes, and you’ve heard it from others. It’s important to repeat. President Biden, ‘It’s time to put Trump in a bullseye.’ The President of the United States said that, and then now, two different people have taken that as a call to action. Where is the real scrutiny coming from the press to ask them do you now denounce what you said? Because people are taking it the wrong way and are actually trying to carry it out. It’s not just rhetoric.

“We almost lost President Donald Trump. And it shouldn’t happen on either side. But you’re seeing this language from the other side get higher and higher. Got to say it again, Congressman Goldman, ‘It is destructive to our democracy, and he, President Trump, has to be eliminated.’ Does anybody need an interpretation of that? One unhinged person hearing that, and what does that mean to them? That they’re going to carry out as a call to action what they’re being called to do. Cannot happen. It cannot happen. Congresswoman Plaskett, ‘Trump needs to be shot.’ Has she been scrutinized on that quote? Are other Democrats being asked to call her out and stop doing that thing that is being taken the wrong way? I’ve seen it personally when people are called to action, one person is all it takes to take it the wrong way and then look at what could be. We don’t want this to happen again. But they, the Democrats that are saying this, starting with Kamala Harris, have to stop the language they’re saying. Talk about your policy differences, but stop all of this language about threats to democracy and Hitler comparisons, and he needs to be shot. Enough is enough.”

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Charge laid following threatening email, Andersons Bay, Dunedin

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A teenager is due to appear in court after a threatening email was sent to Bayfield High School this morning.

Police were alerted to the incident at 8.17am.

Around 550 students and staff from the college were escorted from the premises with assistance from Police.

At around 1.30pm this afternoon, Police executed a search warrant at a Dunedin property where the youth was arrested without incident.

“We understand incidents like this can be distressing, and we hope this arrest can provide reassurance to the community,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh.

Police is providing those involved with support and will continue to investigate what has taken place.

A 16-year-old is due to appear in Dunedin Youth Court on Thursday 26 September, facing a charge of threatening to kill.

“Police is working with the school and further charges may be likely.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-Evening Report: Surrogacy is booming. But new research suggests these pregnancies could be higher risk for women and babies

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Dahlen, Professor of Midwifery, Associate Dean Research and HDR, Midwifery Discipline Leader, Western Sydney University

Helena Lopes/Pexels

A new study from Canada has found women who agree to carry and birth babies in surrogacy arrangements face a higher risk of complications than other pregnant women.

These women were at two to three times the risk of health problems such as postpartum haemorrhages and pre-eclampsia. They were also more likely to give birth prematurely.

With an increasing number of people in Australia and elsewhere having children via surrogacy arrangements, what can we make of these findings?

First, what is surrogacy?

Surrogacy is a situation where a woman becomes pregnant and gives birth to a baby (or babies) for another person or a couple in a planned arrangement.

There are two types of surrogacy.

The first is where the pregnant woman is the full biological mother, with the child conceived using her own egg (sometimes called “traditional” or “genetic” surrogacy).

The second is where the pregnant woman is not the genetic mother and the child is conceived using the egg of a different woman (called “gestational surrogacy”).

Gestational surrogacy involves the transfer of an embryo or embryos into the uterus of a woman who has agreed to carry and birth the child using in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Gestational surrogacy is now the most common form of surrogacy arrangement in Australia.

The new study looked at gestational surrogacy specifically.

What the researchers did

The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, was retrospective. This means it used existing data that is gathered routinely on people using health services.

It included 863,017 women who had a single baby between April 2012 and March 2021 (multiple births were excluded).

The researchers compared outcomes for women and babies where the pregnancy was achieved naturally, those who got pregnant using IVF, and those who were pregnant in a gestational surrogacy arrangement where the woman had no genetic link to the baby.

Most babies were conceived naturally, 16,087 were IVF pregnancies, and 806 women were pregnant in gestational surrogacy arrangements.

The study looked at more than 860,000 women in Canada who had a baby over a nine-year period.
PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

The researchers found pregnant women in gestational surrogacy arrangements had a rate of severe maternal complications of 7.8%, more than three times the rate of those who became pregnant naturally (2.3%) and almost twice the rate among those who got pregnant through IVF (4.3%).

These risks included postpartum haemorrhage (losing excessive amounts of blood following the birth), severe pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure associated with pregnancy) and serious postpartum infection (sepsis). There was also a higher risk of the baby being born preterm (before 37 weeks) in gestational surrogacy situations.

The researchers attempted to take into account differences between the three groups like age, weight, health problems and socioeconomic status, which can all influence the risk of complications for pregnant women and their babies. Despite this, they still saw these concerning results.

Why might the risk be higher?

Previous research looking at outcomes with gestational surrogacy has had mixed results. But it is thought the reason risks could be greater for the woman and baby in gestational surrogacy arrangements may be because the baby is genetically unrelated to the woman.

Pregnancy has a strong impact on the immune system. During pregnancy, women’s immune systems are altered so they do not reject the growing baby.

An imbalanced or overactive immune response can contribute to pregnancy complications including preterm birth and pre-eclampsia. Having a baby with different genetic material may affect a woman’s immune response during pregnancy, and increase the risk of complications in this way.

Some limitations

Only women having a single baby were included in the study, so we don’t know the outcomes where a multiple pregnancy was involved. However, multiple birth is common in surrogacy, and there are increased risks associated with multiple births for women and babies.

Multiple embryo transfer increases the risk of twins and triplets and is prohibited in the context of surrogacy in Australia (and discouraged in IVF treatments more broadly). But Australians engaging in overseas surrogacy commonly request it.

Also, the study includes a relatively small number of women pregnant in a gestational surrogacy arrangement (806), meaning there’s an increased risk for statistical error and limited ability to detect rare outcomes.

People may use a surrogate to have a baby for a range of reasons.
Lopolo/Shutterstock

Ethical questions

An increasing number of Australians are having children via surrogacy arrangements. This is due to a combination of factors including a decline in adoption, women delaying motherhood, and increased social acceptability of male same-sex parenting.

Australia only allows altruistic surrogacy, where the woman who agrees to have the baby for others is not paid.

However, some other countries allow women to be paid to become pregnant for others (commercial surrogacy). Concern regarding the exploitation of women via commercial surrogacy is such that Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory have made it illegal for residents to travel overseas to engage in commercial surrogacy.

Even so, most Australia children born as a result of surrogacy arrangements are born through overseas commercial surrogacy.

Despite some limitations, this research indicates increased risks for women becoming pregnant in gestational surrogacy arrangements, and the babies they carry. It seems important the potentially elevated risks should be made clear to women considering carrying and birthing a baby for someone else, and to the prospective parents.

Considering the rise in surrogacy globally it’s important more research is undertaken on the potential health and other impacts of this practice on women and babies. Health, ethical and human rights implications should inform legislative frameworks, policy and practice.

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

– ref. Surrogacy is booming. But new research suggests these pregnancies could be higher risk for women and babies – https://theconversation.com/surrogacy-is-booming-but-new-research-suggests-these-pregnancies-could-be-higher-risk-for-women-and-babies-239574

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: A reformed multilateral system for peace and prosperity: Foreign Secretary speech at UN Summit of the Future

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

David Lammy calls for responsible global leadership in UK national statement.

Location:

United Nations, New York

Delivered on:

23 September 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Mr President, I stand here as a man of multiple identities.

A Londoner. A patriotic Brit. A lawyer.

Proud of my African, Guyanese, Caribbean and Indian heritage.

A committed multilateralist, who believes in the importance of the United Nations.

I agree with my great predecessor, Ernie Bevin, when he said in 1945:

“Our eyes should be fixed upon the United Nations… All nations of the world should be united to look that way.”

The purposes and principles of the UN remain as indispensable today as in Bevin’s time.

Our task is to recapture that founding spirit so that when we reach the UN’s centenary, their legacy endures.

But we cannot ignore the challenges we face. More conflicts than at any time since 1945, costing the global economy over 900 billion dollars, and creating the most refugees and displaced people on record.

Geopolitical tensions arising. Progress against the Sustainable Development Goals stalling. Trust in multilateralism faltering.

The Pact for the Future and this Summit offer a chance for Member States to show responsible global leadership, to engage with the rapid changes of our age, and go further in meeting the needs of everyone – especially the most vulnerable.

As I know all too well, countries of the Global South suffered great injustices in the past. And I have heard repeatedly how frustrated partners are by the unfairness of the global system.

We cannot ignore these frustrations. We must act.

First, as the Secretary-General has said, we need greater collective efforts to prevent and end conflict. For Britain, that means upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty, urging an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and supporting an end to the fighting in Sudan.

It means robustly challenging Member States who violate the Charter, rejecting a world in which might makes right.

It means a more representative Security Council.

It means supporting the international rule of law, and applying it equally and fairly which is why Britain has proposed the outstanding Professor Dapo Akande for election as a judge at the International Court of Justice.

Second, we need urgent action on the climate and nature crisis.

With this new Government, Britain is renewing our ambitions at home, aiming to deliver clean power by 2030.

And I am determined that we also reconnect abroad, building a Global Clean Power Alliance, championing creativity and reforms to unlock international climate and nature finance, particularly from the private sector, and bolstering efforts to protect at least thirty per cent of the planet’s land and ocean by 2030.

Third, countries like Britain must modernise our approach to development.

This Government believes partnership, not paternalism, is the way to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals.

Making best use of technology and innovation. Putting indigenous people and local communities, including women and girls, at the centre of decision-making on development programmes.

Driving faster reform of the global financial system to strengthen the voice of the most vulnerable and tackle unsustainable debt.

Friends, action on conflict, climate and poverty. Delivered by a reformed multilateral system. This is the path to peace and prosperity on a liveable planet.

All over the world, in every war zone, every refugee camp, the UN is there. A beacon of hope and humanity to which, as Bevin said, the gaze of all nations should turn.

This Summit must direct the world’s eyes towards that beacon once again. And Britain is proud to support it.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 23 September 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI USA: Newhouse Introduces Resolution to Honor Gold Star Families

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Introduces Resolution to Honor Gold Star Families

Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) led 44 members in introducing the Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution to honor the sacrifices made by families of U.S. military servicemembers who lost their lives in service to the nation. It designates September 22 – 28, 2024 as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week.

“Our service members and their families have made great sacrifices in service to their country, and it is important that they are not forgotten,” said Rep. Newhouse.

Newhouse continues, “By designating September 22-28 as Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, we recognize the extraordinary courage and resilience of our Gold Star Families and reflect on those we have lost. These families bear an unimaginable burden—enduring the loss of their loved ones who gave their lives in service to our nation—and we have a responsibility to ensure their memory is preserved.”

The following are quotes of support from Gold Star Family members:

“I am very pleased that Congress is choosing to recognize Gold Star Families Remembrance Week. Every Memorial Day, we honor our warriors who gave their lives in defense of America. We should also honor the families of those fallen warriors, who stood behind them as they served, suffered the pain of their loss, then picked up the pieces and carried on. I’m a Gold Star son who lost my father in Vietnam. Life has taught me three truths. Grief fades. Love never dies. Courage shines on forever.” – Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Hank Cramer, Washington, Gold Star Son of Captain Harry Griffith Cramer Jr. (U.S. Army Special Forces), who was Killed in Action in 1957 in Vietnam.

“I was just a year old when my father was declared Missing in Action in December 1945 in Germany. I have no memory of him but would like to honor his legacy by sharing his story with others who want to know the experiences of Gold Star families.” – Karen Oberg, California, Gold Star Daughter of Pvt. Worrell F. Oberg (Army) who was Killed in Action on December 22, 1945, and whose remains have yet to be recovered.

“My brother had just turned one and I was two and a half when our father was killed. As we got older, we often wondered what kind of man he was. In a letter to his sister just before he was killed, dad wrote that he had been wounded and had to build up his courage to go back in combat because he had seen so much death and destruction. From that letter, and in that moment, we knew our dad was a hero and we brought him off the shelf and back into life.” – Walt Linne, Indiana, Gold Star Son of Sgt. Walter John Linne (Army) who was Killed in Action in Germersheim, Germany on March 24, 1945.

“In 2022, when I visited South Korea and observed for myself the freedom, liberty, prosperity and gratitude of the South Korean people, I further realized that the supreme sacrifice by my father and its effect on our family was not in vain.” – Robert James Johnston, Tennessee, Gold Star Son of Sgt. James Fred Johnston (Army) KIA/MIA, December 2, 1950, at the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea.

“Since I was only two when my Dad went missing, I have no personal memories of him other than what my Mom told me often that to do my best as my Dad would expect or when I did something good, she would tell me how proud he would be of me. David, my brother, and I grew up loving the same things our Dad did, Boy Scouts, the outdoors, hunting, fishing and family.” – Mike Logan, Tennessee, Gold Star Son of Maj. Samuel P. Logan, Jr. (USAF). He was the pilot of a B-29 shot down and taken captive while on a mission over North Korea on September 9, 1950. In 1954 he was declared Killed in Action. Maj. Logan was survived by his Gold Star Wife and two Gold Star Sons.

“Being a Gold Star family member signifies profound sacrifice and loss as we bear the enduring grief of losing a loved one in service to the nation. Gold Star families’ identities are shaped with both pride and sorrow.” – Carol Brenneman Reed, California, Gold Star Daughter of Captain Austin E.E. Brenneman (USMC) who was Killed in Action on May 28, 1951, in Anak, North Korea.

“In July 1951, the 2nd Inf Div deployed to Korea, leaving a pregnant, newlywed wife on a lifetime path of uncertainty, grief, loss, and life challenges. Ellen Marie Blissenbach handled her loss by joining the Gold Star Wives of America, becoming very active in supporting other families and veterans, as well as seeking information on my missing father, ultimately achieving some closure before her passing.” – Maj. Paul K. Blissenbach US Army (Retired), Kentucky, Gold Star Son of SFC Joseph A. Blissenbach, who gave his life on November 30, 1950, in Kunu-ri, North Korea.

“Losing my father in the Battle of Ia Drang Valley during the Vietnam War was an indescribable blow, not only to my family but to the very fabric of my life. His absence left a profound void, a loss that reverberated through every milestone, forever shaping who I became. The sacrifice he made in such a fierce and historic battle deepens the sorrow, as his life was cut short defending a cause that took him far from home, never to return.” – Army veteran Thomas Barrett, Ph. D., Maryland, Gold Star Son of SSGT Thomas J. Barrett, Jr. (Army), Killed in Action November 15, 1965, Vietnam.

“During Gold Star Families Remembrance Week, we honor the parents, spouses, siblings and children of those service members who lost their lives defending the United States and her allies. For nearly a century, ‘The Long Gold Line’ of these Gold Star Families has personified the resilience of the American spirit. Here on the home front, they endured the worst possible news delivered from a faraway war front. Yet they moved forward supporting each other and carrying on the legacies of their fallen heroes who, in the name of freedom, gave their last full measure of devotion.” – Tony Cordero, California, Gold Star Son of Maj. William E. Cordero (USAF) who was killed on a bombing mission over North Vietnam on June 22, 1965. He is the founder of Sons and Daughters In Touch – America’s Gold Star Children from the Vietnam War.

“Our son held a strong sense of honor and service and would have no regrets. We honor his valor and sacrifice every day. We gratefully support this resolution to honor and remember the sacrifices of all of our fallen and of the 7068 men and women Killed In Action in the Global War on Terror and the ongoing sacrifices of the families they left behind. It is this nation’s responsibility to Never Forget, to honor their valor, and to always support the families left behind.” – Barbara and Col. Mark Roland (USAF, Retired), Kentucky, Gold Star Mother and Father of Captain Matthew Roland, USAF, Killed In Action in Afghanistan on August 26, 2015.

“My father flew 22 missions along the coastal waters of Vietnam to clear the area of enemy submarines before the US could bring in the 7th Fleet at the onset of the Vietnam War. His body was never recovered after his plane plunged into the South China Sea. My life and my family crumbled before my eyes and to this day I continue to live a life never knowing my father. Three months after the attack on the Twin Towers, my son joined the US Army, following his grandfather’s footsteps as he was also willing to die for his country. Unfortunately, it ended horrifically when he was killed by an enemy IED while on patrol near the Hor Rijeb Canal in Iraq. There is no greater love than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his country.” – Elaine M. Roach, California, Gold Star Mother of PFC Joel Brattain, Killed in Action on March 13, 2004, and Gold Star Daughter of Lt. Harold S. Roach (Navy), lost in the South China Sea on October 2, 1964.

The following Members are co-sponsors of the legislation:

Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY), Mike Bost (R-IL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN), Mike Flood (R-NE), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Mark Green (R-TN), Michael Guest (R-MS), Young Kim (R-CA), Greg Lopez (R-CO), Julia Letlow (R-LA), Nick LaLota (R-NY), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Greg Murphy (R-NC), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Tracey Mann (R-KS), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Greg Steube (R-FL), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Daniel Webster (R-FL), Roger Williams (R-TX), Brandon Williams (R-NY), David Valadao (R-CA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Don Davis (D-NC), Josh Harder (D-CA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Derek Kilmer (D-WA), William Keating (D-MA), Joe Morelle (D-NY), Kathy Manning (D-NC), Wiley Nickel (D-NC), Scott Peters (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), and Juan Vargas (D-CA).

Click here to read the full text of the bill.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: The online Olympiad “Safe Roads” has started

MIL OSI Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The All-Russian Online Olympiad will be held for the fifth time from September 24 to October 27 “Safe Roads”The event is being held with the aim of testing and improving the road literacy of students in grades 1–9, said Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

“Children’s safety is one of our top priorities. In this area, under the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”, we are carrying out comprehensive work to update routes to schools and other educational institutions across the country, and much has already been done. We also pay special attention to educational events aimed at increasing the level of knowledge about road traffic and behavior on the roads. In particular, within the framework of the national project, the All-Russian online Olympiad “Safe Roads” is held annually, where schoolchildren can consolidate their knowledge of traffic rules. Over four years, more than 15 million participants have tested their road literacy,” said Marat Khusnullin.

To prevent child road traffic injuries, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate carries out various activities aimed at raising children’s awareness of the rules of conduct on the roads.

“Legal information for children on the topic of road safety, instilling in them the skills of safe behavior on the roads is a priority area of activity of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate, which is carried out in cooperation with educational authorities. Taking into account the analysis of the causes of child road traffic injuries, forms and methods of preventive work are selected. The tasks of the online Olympiad allow its participants to test their knowledge in an interactive form and gain new knowledge on the basics of traffic rules. The Olympiad provides for the opportunity to participate in an unlimited number of children, teachers and parents. The most important task of the Olympiad is to reduce child mortality as a result of road accidents,” emphasized the head of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, Lieutenant General of Police Mikhail Chernikov.

The Olympiad tasks focus on safe behavior skills both at pedestrian crossings and in transport, and when using personal mobility devices – last year these topics turned out to be the most difficult for schoolchildren.

The organizers of the Olympiad are the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the ANO “National Priorities” with the support of the Ministry of Education of Russia, the event is held within the framework of the national project “Safe High-Quality Roads”.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

http://government.ru/nevs/52780/

EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and or sentence structure not be perfect.

MIL OSI Russia News –

September 29, 2024
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Serious Crash, State highway 2, Tutira

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are responding to a two vehicle crash on State Highway 2 near Matahorua Road, Tutira, Hastings.

Police received the report around 6:15pm.

Two people are reported to be in a serious condition.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road is closed and motorists are advised to take an alternate route.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

September 29, 2024

Category: Law

Ethics vs the law

At odds with practicalities

Is a story worth the cost?

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

First, what is surrogacy?

What the researchers did

Why might the risk be higher?

Some limitations

Ethical questions

Updates to this page