NewzIntel.com

Category: MIL-OSI

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Billie Eilish and Google Maps help fans travel sustainably

    Source: Google

    As part of her HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR, Billie Eilish is working with Google Maps to help fans make more sustainable choices when traveling to her upcoming shows.

    “I am so excited to see you all at my shows over the coming months, and for us to work together in reducing our collective footprint when it comes to transportation and what we eat,” Billie says. “Every action matters, no matter how big or small, and together we can truly begin to heal our beautiful planet. Thanks to Google Maps, everyone will have easy access to resources that will help you make great sustainable choices when you come to my shows. Thank you for caring. See you soon!”

    If you’re heading to one of Billie’s shows, check out these helpful tips:

    Check out Billie’s plant-based favs : For fans grabbing a bite before the show, Billie is sharing local plant-based eateries in various tour cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. Just search for one of these cities in Maps and scroll down to find Billie’s list of plant-based spots.

    You should see me on a bus : When you get directions, you can easily choose from many different travel options, like walking, cycling or even using scooter share. Additionally, if you’re looking for driving routes in tour cities like Berlin, L.A., Paris, Sydney and Toronto, Google Maps will automatically suggest walking or public transit options if they’re just as convenient and fast as driving.

    Choose fuel-efficient routes : Look for the leaf icon in driving directions to find routes that optimize for lower fuel or energy consumption. Since launching in late 2021 through the end of 2023, fuel-efficient routing in Google Maps is estimated to have helped reduce more than 2.9 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions — equivalent to taking about 650,000 fuel-based cars off the road for a year.

    We’re excited to support Billie’s commitment to sustainability and help her fans make more eco-conscious choices. You can learn about other ways Google is helping reduce carbon emissions with initiatives like Project Green Light and Project Contrails.

    P.S. Keep an eye out for Billie’s signature Blohsh near some of her concert venues on Street View while Google’s Pegman takes a vacation .

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Glenn Ivey Joins Congresswoman Laurel Lee to Introduce Bill to Protect Child Victims from Online Predators

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Ivey – Maryland (4th District)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-4) and Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15) announced the introduction of the Protection of Child Victims from Online Predators Act, a bipartisan bill that will amend title 18 of the U.S. Code to expressly clarify that a “notice” or “advertisement” seeking or offering child pornography can occur within a private, one-on-one communication.  The bill was introduced yesterday.

    “We are seeing more and more children being exploited online across our nation,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15). “Protecting our children from online exploitation is one of my top priorities in Congress. This bipartisan bill will help protect children by ensuring abusers who solicit or share child pornography via one-on-one communication will be held accountable.”

    “We must protect children from pedophiles,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey, (MD-04). “As a former prosecutor, Congresswoman Laurel Lee understands, like I do, that criminal cases against on-line sexual predators must have solid legal predicates. This bill would assure that anywhere across the federal legal landscape that any notice or advertisement from adults to children for explicit acts or images is consistent and clear. When it comes to one-to-one communications with minors from these purveyors of child pornography, this conduct harms kids. I fully support this legislation and commend Rep. Lee’s partnership on this matter and stand with her to protect our young people. We must deter these predators from acting on their worst impulses, this bill helps us do that,” Ivey continued.

    Summary: 

    • To avoid detection, dangerous child abusers send private, one-on-one messages to child victims or other child exploiters to solicit or share child pornography.
    • Under federal law, any person who “knowingly makes, prints, or publishes, or causes to be made, printed, or published, any notice or advertisement seeking or offering to receive, exchange, buy, produce, display, distribute, or reproduce, any visual depiction… of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct . . . or participation in any act of sexually explicit conduct by or with any minor” shall be punished. 18 U.S.C. § 2251(d)(1).
    • Federal courts, including the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Sixth, Ninth, and Tenth Circuits, have held that a private, one-on-one communication to solicit, share, invite, offer, distribute, or otherwise obtain child pornography, constitutes the Federal crime of making a “notice” or “advertisement” to seek or offer child pornography under section 2251(d) of title 18, United States Code. Unfortunately, not every circuit court has followed this construction of the law.
    • The bill amends the law to expressly clarify that a private, one-on-one communication can constitute “notice” or “advertisement,” and that no public display or public communication is necessary to constitute a notice or advertisement for purposes of such section 2251(d).

    Read the bill here. 

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Member of Parliament for Yukon, Brendan Hanley, to Make a Critical Minerals Announcement

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    WHITEHORSE — Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, will make a funding announcement in support of critical minerals infrastructure. He will be joined by Yukon’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, the Honourable John Streicker. A media availability will follow.

    Date: September 20, 2024

    Time: 2 p.m. PT

    All accredited media are asked to pre-register by emailing media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca. 

    Contacts

    Media Relations
    Natural Resources Canada
    Ottawa
    343-292-6100
    media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy Caturao
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
    Cindy.Caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DURING NATIONAL RECOVERY MONTH, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN DELIVERS $1.25 MILLION TO COMBAT YOUTH DRUG USE, CRACKDOWN ON FENTANYL IN HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITIES

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pat Ryan (New York 18th)

    During National Recovery Month, Congressman Pat Ryan Delivers $1.25 Million to Combat Youth Drug Use, Crackdown on Fentanyl in Hudson Valley Communities

    Ryan secured $625,000 for the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council of Orange County’s Tri-County Prevention Coalition and $625,000 for The Council on Addiction, Prevention, and Education of Dutchess County, Inc. to implement comprehensive strategies and programming to combat youth drug use over the next five years, including keeping out deadly fentanyl 

    WASHINGTON DC –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan secured $1.25 million in federal Drug Free Community (DFC) funding to combat youth drug use in Orange and Dutchess County communities. Ryan delivered $625,000 for the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council (ADAC) of Orange County’s Tri-County Prevention Coalition (TCPC) and $625,000 for The Council on Addiction, Prevention, and Education of Dutchess County, Inc. to implement comprehensive strategies and programming to combat youth drug use over the next five years. Each coalition will receive $125,000 per year for the next five years. The funding comes during this month’s National Recovery Month that promotes awareness of drug addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery. Last year, Ryan secured $125,000 in DFC funding for the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition to combat youth addiction in the Warwick Valley Central School District. 

    “Addiction is tearing Hudson Valley families apart and stealing the bright futures of our kids with gut-wrenching frequency. I’m pushing to end that vicious cycle,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “During National Recovery Month, I’m proud to deliver this crucial funding that will help prevent Hudson Valley youth from ever falling into the spiral of addiction and keep deadly fentanyl out of our communities. I look forward to continuing to work with community partners and local officials as we fight to end youth drug use.” 

    “The Northern Dutchess Community Coalition (NDCC), and its fiscal agent the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education (CAPE) of Dutchess County, are eager to enhance our work after securing a five-year continuation of the federal Drug-Free Communities (DFC) grant,” said Dana Nalbandian, Interim Agency Director and Staff Accountant for the Council on Addiction Prevention and Education of Dutchess County, Inc. “The new funding will help the coalition expand its use of evidence-based prevention practices, increase public awareness of substance use trends, and continue efforts to prevent and reduce underage drinking, vaping, and the use of marijuana and other drugs. The coalition also aims to enhance the well-being of local youth and families through strong community bonds, collective action, and advocacy for policy change.”

    “Research shows that PREVENTION is the most effective tool we have to reduce the consequences associated with underage drinking and drug use among young people,” said Alayne Eisloeffel, Program Director and Project Coordinator for TCPC. “This funding will allow the Tri-County Prevention Coalition to better engage and involve the community to steer more young people toward success and enable them to live healthier and safer lives.”

    Congressman Ryan secured the $1.25 million in funding from the Fiscal Year 2024 White House Office of National Drug Control Policy’s Drug-Free Communities Support Program grants, in cooperation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2023, Ryan secured $125,000 for the Warwick Valley Prevention Coalition from the same program.

    With the funding, the Council on Addiction, Prevention, and Education of Dutchess County, Inc.’s Northern Dutchess Community Coalition looks to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance use. The coalition will achieve its goals by implementing strategies that focus on youth alcohol use, tobacco and marijuana use, the opioid epidemic, increased community awareness, greater access to information, and infrastructural and policy reforms promoting a drug-free lifestyle. The Coalition serves Amenia, Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Barrytown, Millerton, Hyde Park, Millbrook,  Annandale-on-Hudson, Pleasant Valley and Pine Plains, New York. This area encompasses a

    population of 65,282 residents. 

    The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council (ADAC) of Orange County’s Tri-County Prevention Coalition plans to use the $625,000 in funding to establish and strengthen community collaboration in support of local efforts to prevent youth substance use. The coalition will achieve its goals by implementing these strategies: 

    • Mobilizing key adult and youth stakeholders to challenge and address risk factors of community norms around substance use, low perception of risk, and easy access to substances by promoting and rewarding healthy choices and lifestyles
    • Increasing protective factors of opportunities and rewards for prosocial involvement and social skills by supporting and expanding inclusive prevention programs and clubs in and out of schools
    • Enhancing skills to identify and address local conditions contributing to youth substance use
    • Supporting policies/laws that reduce access to alcohol and marijuana by minors, and increasing opportunities for youth to engage in needs assessment and strategic planning  activities, act as role models, and provide leadership around substance abuse prevention.

    The Tri-County Prevention Coalition will specifically work to address underage drinking and marijuana use among youth through environmental strategies. The coalition includes diverse representation from all sectors of the community, including the Pine Bush Central School District, Town of Wallkill and Town of Crawford Police Departments, the Towns of Wallkill and Crawford, the Pine Bush Chamber of Commerce, The Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council (ADAC) of Orange County, Wallkill East Rotary, Mid-Hudson Prevention Resource Center, STOP-DWI of Orange County, POW’R Against Tobacco, Orange County Department of Mental Health, local hospitals, parents, business owners, and students. Its mission is to engage collaborative partners in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of strategies that prevent youth substance use. 

    Congressman Pat Ryan has delivered major investments to combat drug trafficking and use in Hudson Valley communities, including $400,000 for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office crisis intervention ORACLE team that tackles drug trafficking, addiction, and the overdose epidemic in Ulster County. Ryan has repeatedly called for increased funding to address drug trafficking and use, in particular the opioid and fentanyl crisis currently gripping Hudson Valley communities. He cosponsors the Stop Chinese Fentanyl Act and the END FENTANYL Act and has demanded that any comprehensive border security legislation must include funding and provisions to stop the flow of fentanyl across the southern border. Congressman Ryan introduced the Public Safety and Community Support Act to use Byrne-JAG funds for deflection and pre-arrest diversion programs to help local law enforcement combat drug addiction

    A key component of Congressman Ryan’s recently introduced Youth Agenda is preventing youth drug use and addiction. Ryan is a member of both the Congressional Dads Caucus and the Bipartisan Addiction and Mental Health Task Force. Ryan cosponsors the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act and the Mental Health Services for Students Act to make mental healthcare more accessible for youth, as well as the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act to bolster the mental healthcare workforce to treat drug addiction. 

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen to visit Winnipeg and Montreal

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Media advisory

    Longueuil, Quebec, — From to , Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Jeremy Hansen will be in Winnipeg to talk about the Artemis II mission, during which he will become the first Canadian to fly around the Moon. After that, he will be in the Montreal area on .

    He will speak to students, give presentations to the public, and grant media interviews.

    Journalists who wish to attend one of the events listed below or request an interview with CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen are asked to contact the Media Relations Office.

    Winnipeg

    Time What Where
    12:30 p.m. CT Presentation to 350 members of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and to students at the RBC Convention Centre RBC Convention Centre
    375 York Ave.
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    R3C 3J3
    7:00 p.m. CT Presentation to the general public (about 200 people) at the Manitoba Museum Manitoba Museum
    190 Rupert Ave.
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    R3B 0N2
    Time What Where
    2:00 p.m. CT Presentation to the general public (150 to 175 people) at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada
    2088 Wellington Ave.
    Winnipeg, Manitoba
    R3H 1C5

    Montreal

    Time What Where
    10:20 a.m. CT Presentation to 100 students at Cedar Street School Cedar Street School
    250 Cedar St.
    Belœil, Quebec
    J3G 3M1

    Additional information

    – 30 –

    Contact information

    Canadian Space Agency
    Media Relations Office
    Telephone: 450-926-4370
    Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca
    Email: asc.medias-media.csa@asc-csa.gc.ca
    Follow us on social media

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse calls for urgent action on countering gendered disinformation

    Source: Government of Iceland

    The undersigned country members of the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse (Global Partnership) call attention to the urgent need to counter the spread of gendered disinformation and address all forms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women in political and public life.  

    Gendered disinformation is a threat to societies defending peaceful, democratic values. False or misleading gender and sex-based narratives are being used in campaigns by malign actors to deter and discredit the participation of women, girls and LGBTQI+ persons in political and public life. This not only causes deep harm to the individuals targeted, but also threatens electoral integrity, access to information and the exercise of freedom of expression. At the same time, new and emerging technologies are being used to enable harmful, violent rhetoric and attacks against women, girls and LGBTQI+ public figures across borders at a scale and speed previously unseen.

    In our 2023 Road Map, the Global Partnership committed to promoting the meaningful participation in public life for women and girls, in all their diversity, by countering TFGBV and gendered disinformation.  

    We welcome the work being done to shine a light on how and why gendered disinformation is conceived, who it targets and how it is spread. Last year, in a groundbreaking study, Canada, the European External Action Service, Germany, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, and the United States jointly assessed the tactics used by foreign state and non-state actors to sow gendered and other identity-based disinformation across the world. 

    In March 2024 the Global Partnership and members of its Advisory Group co-hosted a multi-stakeholder conference convened by the National Democratic Institute on possible responses to countering the spread of gendered disinformation in the context of electoral processes. Stakeholders affirmed the need for a comprehensive response to disrupt the spread of gendered disinformation and to support victims and survivors. 

    The world is at a critical moment for upholding democracy. More than 100 countries have held, or are soon to be holding elections, many of them taking place under democratically challenging circumstances. The active participation of all people, including women, girls and LGBTQI+ persons, is essential for secure, healthy and prosperous democracies.    

    We call upon states to join us in recognising and taking action to counter the threat of gendered disinformation to democracies globally. We urge technology and other private companies to take appropriate action to respond to this threat, including a commitment to a Safety-by-Design approach to the development and deployment of platforms and technologies. We ask states and all stakeholders to defend and protect the ability of women, girls and LGBTQI+ persons to participate in public life freely, safely and without fear.

     

    The governments of Australia, Chile, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, New Zealand, the UK and the USA gave this joint statement.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman David Scott Calls on GaDOE to Strengthen Standards and Expand Access of African American Studies Courses

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

    WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, alongside Georgia’s congressional Democrats, Reps.  Hank Johnson (GA-04), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Sanford Bishop (GA-02), and Lucy McBath (GA-07), sent a letter to State Superintendent Richard Woods urging him to expand and strengthen instruction of African American Studies courses.

    “Home to the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement, Georgia’s connection to Black history and culture cannot be understated,” said Congressman David Scott. “While GaDOE should be commended for its recent adoption of social studies diversity course offerings, the lack of standards and materials associated with teaching the Introduction to African American/Black Studies course is deeply concerning. Disparate training levels across dozens of school districts have resulted in of some educators lacking any training or qualification altogether. Superintendent Woods must work with educators, experts, and other important stakeholders to develop stronger standards and expand the number of school districts that offer the course.”

    Since 2020, Georgia’s Introduction to African American/Black Studies course has been included in the catalogue of state-funded courses. However, the lack of any standards associated with the course requires school districts to develop their own curriculum and materials, including textbooks, leading to wide discrepancies in rigor and content between school districts. The lack of standards and uniform curriculum, along with a lack of supplemental training for educators, presents a barrier to some districts that lack the resources to develop new curriculum, materials, and supplemental training. Developing standards for the course will lift the burden from school districts to expand and improve instruction of African American Studies courses in Georgia.

    Further, in July, Superintendent Woods declined to recommend the Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies course for approval for the 2024-2025 academic year. Instead, he recommended that school districts use an existing course code associated with an existing Introduction to African American/Black Studies class, suggesting that teachers and schools develop their own curriculum for the course. Even though Superintendent Woods ultimately reversed his decision by allowing state funding for the AP African American Studies course, his decision came too late, as some school districts already began instruction for the year. Others were forced to reduce the number of AP African American studies courses they could offer. Superintendent Woods must be fully committed to helping school districts increase the number of AP African American Studies classes offered.

    The text of the letter can be found HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Babin, Garamendi, Cruz, Warren Introduce Bipartisan RIDER Act to Improve Federal Assistance to Communities Recovering from Major Disasters

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brian Babin (R-TX)

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressmen Brian Babin (TX-36) and John Garamendi (CA-08) and Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced the Regional Impact of Disasters and Emergencies Relief (RIDER) Act to improve access to and delivery of federal relief to disaster-struck communities. This bipartisan, bicameral bill would amend existing law to ensure bureaucratic technicalities do not keep desperate families, businesses, and communities from accessing the resources they need for recovery.

    “To often, after a natural disaster, we have seen impacted communities excluded from financial help because of technicalities or subjective standards. In recent years, several communities in Southeast Texas were hit by major disasters but were excluded from any public or individual assistance – even though their property lines were mere yards away from where the federally declared disaster was issued. My goal with the RIDER Act is to ensure that whenever the government steps in after a major disaster declaration, impacted businesses and homes are not left out. Instead, we need to make sure they receive the relief and resources necessary to recover fully. This legislation is a much-needed solution to a problem we encounter nearly every year. Commonsense reforms like this, aimed at making it easier for people stuck in the challenge of navigating natural disasters, are crucial. I appreciate Rep. Garamendi and our partners in the Senate for joining us in pushing this important bill forward,” said Congressman Babin.

    “Natural disasters don’t care about county lines, and neither should FEMA’s disaster recovery efforts. Our bipartisan bill ensures communities recovering from natural disasters get the federal support they deserve, just like their neighbors in a declared disaster area. Congressman Babin and I introduced this commonsense reform in 2021, and I’m pleased to partner with Senators Warren and Cruz this year. As California continues to face devastating climate-fueled disasters, we need all the help we can get,” said Congressman Garamendi.

    “Texas is no stranger to natural disasters, and we must do more to ensure our communities can rebuild in times of need. That’s why I’m focused on enhancing the disaster declaration process, ensuring Texans – from small towns and rural areas – can access the resources needed to restore our homes, businesses, and livelihoods. I am proud to partner with Senator Warren and Congressman Babin to introduce bipartisan legislation to ensure no community is left behind in the wake of catastrophe,” said Senator Cruz.

    “The growing climate crisis means natural disasters and emergencies are only going to become more common. Part of tackling the crisis head-on is making sure we’re ready to deliver critical relief to impacted communities when they need it most – the RIDER Act does exactly that,” said Senator Warren.

    BACKGROUND

    The RIDER Act will:

    • Improve the distribution of disaster relief funds by making all communities directly affected by a major disaster eligible for federal relief, regardless of county or state lines.
    • Enable the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare major disasters based on cumulative damage to a community over a 12-month period, addressing concerns that existing federal regulations do not sufficiently account for the impact of cumulative disasters on a region.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Front Street improvement works to get underway next month

    Source: City of York

    Published Tuesday, 24 September 2024

    Work to improve Front Street will start next month after designs shaped by the community were approved at a decision session earlier today (24 September).

    A drop-in session is being held on Thursday 26 September at the Gateway Centre from 3pm to 6pm with residents and businesses invited to meet the team and find out about what’s happening and when.

    Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council and Executive Member for Culture and Economy said:

    This is a significant step forward and I want to thank everyone in the community, and the Council teams, who have helped us to get this far.

    “We need to move at pace as the UK Shared Prosperity Funding stipulates that the cash must be spent by the end of March 2025. This is funding awarded specifically for the regeneration of our local high streets and we are not allowed to spend it on anything else, such as fixing potholes. So, it’s a case of use it on this scheme, or lose it.

    “I encourage everyone who is interested in the project to pop into the session at the Gateway Centre on Thursday 26 September any time between 3pm to 6pm. As we have already demonstrated, we will continue to work with the community. With construction starting next month we’ll work with local businesses and residents to support them while we make the changes to the area.

    “Of course, Front Street remains open for trade while the improvements take place, and I would urge everyone to support the fantastic businesses located there and keep on using Acomb and Westfield’s main shopping street throughout the works.

    “We thank everyone for their patience while we carry out these important improvements. I can’t wait to see the difference these changes will make to an area that is already on the up.”

    In October 2023, the council’s Executive approved £570,000 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) money for phase 2 improvements to Front Street in Acomb. Earlier this year, residents, visitors, businesses and other stakeholders were invited to share their priorities and provide feedback on ideas for phase 2. This process received 900 individual responses and over 5,000 comments.

    The work will bring about significant changes to the area following feedback from the local community with:

    • An increased ability to hold events and community activities, including with new electrical point being installed. Carriageway resurfacing and the ability to close the road will also help create a more friendly space.
    • Wider and more accessible pedestrian crossings, including creating a new central space in the main shopping area and a new pedestrian crossing near Morrisons.
    • Around two thirds of the bollards being removed. Any bollards that are removed will be saved and used on other projects as needed.
    • Clearly marked, accessible Blue Badge car parking in four locations, supported by enforcement to prevent the misuse of these spaces.
    • More seating, bins, a community notice board and planting in the main shopping area and welcoming entrance points.
    • On top of the construction works taking place in the coming months feasibility study will be carried out to look at pedestrianising the area in the future and the council is working to commission a community mural from a professional artist.

    Businesses will be open as usual and the council is working to support them with deliveries.

    • Cross Street will be closed from 4-15 November between 7.30am and 4pm to allow for the Blue Badge spaces to be created there.
    • 19 and 20 November Cross Street will be closed all day for resurfacing work.
    • Front Street will be closed to vehicles from 7 October for up to four weeks while work to install the wider crossings takes place.
    • 19 and 22 November Front St will close again to vehicles for resurfacing works.

    ENDS

    Details of the upcoming road closures

    Road Closure

    Hours of closure

    Dates

    Work

    Front Street

    24hrs

    7 October – 1 November

    7.00am and 10.30 am on weekdays only traffic ambassador on site to support delivery vehicles to turn

    Construction of new wide crossing points

    Front Street

    24hrs

    19 Nov – 22 Nov

    Carriageway resurfacing

    Cross Street

    7.30am -4.00pm

    4 Nov- 15 Nov

    York Road layby works, new BB parking Spaces (civils)

    Cross Street

    24hrs

    19-20 Nov

    Carriageway resurfacing

    Public toilets closed no access.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Scottish Government must use powers to full extent

    Source: Scottish Greens

    24 Sep 2024 Finance

    The Scottish Government has the responsibility to use the powers it has to the maximum, and it’s not yet doing so

    More in Finance

    The Scottish Government must use the powers of devolution to the full extent to build a fairer, greener Scotland and offset some of the damage being done from Westminster, says Scottish Green co-leader, Patrick Harvie MSP.
     
    In a debate today on The UK Budget – Scotland’s Priorities, the Scottish Greens called for the new Labour government to reject the broken economic policies of the Tories and for the SNP to go further in its use of existing powers now and as part of the upcoming Scottish budget.
     
    Speaking in the chamber today, Mr Harvie called for the Scottish Government to prioritise projects that will cut climate emissions.
     
    Mr Harvie said: “This government and this parliament still have the responsibility to use the powers we have to the maximum, and we’re not yet doing so.
     
    “The Scottish Greens have made the case for policies like the Scottish Child Payment and others. We’ve also successfully brought to the chamber the solutions that show how we can pay for them.
     
    “It’s because of the work of the Scottish Greens that we have progressive taxation in this country and an extra £1.5 billion in the Scottish budget every year. It’s because of the work of the Scottish Greens that we have already made progress on more local powers, whether that’s powers to double council tax on second and empty homes, the introduction of the Transient Visitor Levy or the workplace parking levy as options for councils. There is more to come with the carbon land tax and others.
     
    “We need to go further on this and, finally, we need to cut unsustainable investment in those high cost, high carbon pieces of infrastructure and invest instead in what will cut costs and cut emissions, like energy efficient homes and buildings that use renewables and not fossil fuels.
     
    “The Scottish Government will have to go further with the powers it does have.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Trash to Treasure: Could energy wastewaters be a viable source of lithium?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Global demand for lithium has skyrocketed as the need grows for batteries to power electric vehicles and store energy generated by wind turbines and solar panels. 

    USGS estimates show that there is likely enough lithium in the Earth’s crust to meet demand several times over, but accessing it can require large amounts of energy, water and infrastructure. The challenge is getting lithium quickly, efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.

    That’s why USGS scientists are looking for it in a surprising place.  

    In 2023, over 10 times as much lithium was produced from mines than in 2003. This increase in production reflects the rising demand for lithium.

    From Trash to Treasure?  

    Each year, billions of gallons of saline water are pumped from deep underground to the surface during oil and gas production. These brines, known as “produced waters”, can be ten times saltier than seawater and can be contaminated with oils, greases and heavy metals that must be pumped back into the ground or intensively treated.  

    But these waters also contain lithium and other valuable materials.   

    “Treating waste as a potential resource is a crucial shift for the energy and mineral fields,” said Sarah Ryker, PhD, USGS Associate Director for Energy and Minerals. “Every state, and every country, has legacy waste from extractive industries. A key question is how much of that waste could be put to use to strengthen energy and mineral supply chains.”  

    Lithium is typically difficult to access. The highest concentrations of lithium are in rocks called pegmatites formed deep under the ground, often at the edge of ancient and vast volcanic systems. Mining these pockets of lithium-rich minerals is expensive, energy and water intensive and can impact local water and air quality.  

    Instead, much of the lithium produced in the world comes from the briny waters within arid salt flats. Here, lithium-rich fluids are caught in low-lying areas and concentrated over time by high evaporation rates. Producing lithium from brines is typically less expensive and energy intensive than mining hard rock, but still requires considerable infrastructure including a large network of evaporation pools.

    Recovering lithium during oil and gas production could provide a new way to meet demands for lithium and other valuable minerals.

    To understand how feasible this method might be, however, scientists must know where lithium-rich produced waters might be, and how much lithium they could contain.   

    Studying the Brines 

    USGS scientists are working to understand the geologic conditions that create lithium-rich brines and identify locations with potentially high lithium concentrations.  

    One tool in this hunt is the U.S. Produced Waters Database, a compilation of geochemical information from roughly 113,000 produced water samples analyzed by USGS, academia, private industry, and other federal and state agencies.  

    Madalyn Blondes, PhD, co-lead of the has worked on the database for over a decade and explains that many of these samples were taken before lithium was in demand, but that the routine lithium measurements are now proving invaluable.  

    “This database lets us look across the nation to identify national and regional trends in lithium concentration, as well as understand resource availability at the local scale,” Blondes said.  

    The USGS U.S. Produced Waters Database is an important tool for understanding the potential for recovering valuable commodities, including lithium, during oil and gas production. This map shows the locations of more than 6500 measurements of lithium concentration in oil and gas wastewaters. 

    This extensive dataset can also be combined with machine learning algorithms to predict how much lithium is in locations that haven’t been sampled. Katherine Knierim, PhD, USGS research hydrologist has been working on estimating the total lithium that could be recovered from oil and gas production in the Smackover formation in southern Arkansas, a hotspot of petroleum production with promising lithium concentrations. 

    “We’re at a really exciting time where we have both the computing power and the incoming data to run these models and predict where energy and mineral commodities may occur at significant concentrations,” said Knierim.  

    Down the hall from Knierim, a more micro approach is in action. Here, scientists in the USGS Brine Research Instrumentation and Experimental (BRInE) Laboratory painstakingly measure the concentrations of lithium and other commodities in samples taken at oil and gas wells. Scientists also heat up fragments of rocks taken from deep underneath the ground to mimic the geologic conditions that leach lithium into underground fluids.  

    “At the USGS, we have both the technical knowledge of how to analyze the samples and an understanding of the geologic context from our research,” said Blondes.  

    Researchers are beginning to understand how rock-type, chemistry and pressure interact to create valuable brines.  

    “I think lithium recovery from energy wastewaters has real potential,” Blondes said, “The data are showing that there are high concentrations of lithium in places across the country where it could be a really important resource. And the infrastructure to produce it is already there.” 

    USGS scientists process samples of brines from an oil and gas production site in the Smackover Formation in Southern Arkansas. These samples are transported to Reston, VA where scientists will use them to estimate how much lithium or other mineral commodity is concentrated in the brines. 

    This research can also be applied beyond petroleum production: USGS scientists are using the same principles to identify locations where geothermal energy and lithium could be produced side-by-side. 

    One location is of particular interest: the Salton Sea in California.  

    In 2021, USGS partnered with the Department of Energy in an initiative known as GeoFlight to send low-flying aircraft across the area to gather magnetic, radiometric and elevation characteristics of rocks above and below the ground.   

    USGS scientists are currently analyzing these data to understand how heat and fluids are generated and transported through the earth, and what locations could be both geothermal and lithium hotspots.  

    Science for the Future 

    Ryker explains this research is not only illuminating a potential avenue to help meet demands for lithium and low-carbon energy: it also demonstrates the power of thinking about any geologic resource as a circular economy, where wastes can feed back into production.  

    “Our science is identifying ways to turn waste into an opportunity, not only a liability,” said Ryker. “Our goal is to bring this science to bear on both clean-up at legacy waste sites and waste management at present-day sites.” The USGS is also researching the potential of recovering minerals from wastes left behind historic mines, and from modern-day mining. 

    Several companies have already launched pilot programs to recover lithium and other valuable materials from produced waters. If scaling up recovery of minerals from energy wastes proves to be economically and technologically feasible, produced waters, long seen as streams of waste, may be seen with new eyes as streams of resource.  

    In which case, USGS science will be more important than ever in deciding how best to use the resources below our feet.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: What to Expect During a FEMA Housing Inspection

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: What to Expect During a FEMA Housing Inspection

    What to Expect During a FEMA Housing Inspection

    As more survivors from Severe Storm, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides in Connecticut apply for disaster assistance for their damaged homes, FEMA home inspections are taking place in Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. Survivors are encouraged to know what to expect during a home inspection to ensure their application continues to move forward.
    Typically, after a survivor applies for disaster assistance, a FEMA inspector will contact them within a few days to schedule an appointment. The inspector’s phone number may be from out of state or show up on caller ID as “unavailable”.
    For the survivor’s protection, the inspector may ask the survivor to verify personally identifiable information (PII) by phone.
    When the FEMA inspector calls, write down:

    •  The inspector’s name
    •  Date of call
    • Date and time of appointment
    • Inspector’s telephone number
       

    The inspector will attempt contact three times on different days and times of the day via call, text or email to schedule an appointment to conduct the inspection. If the survivor cannot be reached, a letter and/or e-mail will be sent to the address provided at the time of application.
    If a FEMA home inspector contacts you, but no one in the household applied for FEMA disaster assistance, inform the inspector and ask for the application to be withdrawn. Also notify FEMA via the Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

    During the Inspection

    A typical inspection takes up to 45 minutes to complete. You or your designated co-applicant will need to meet with an inspector and provide a photo ID. You may invite another individual such as a household member, relative or friend to help communicate with the inspector, if needed.
    If you need a reasonable accommodation or a sign language interpreter to communicate with FEMA, please send an email to FEMA-Reasonable-Accommodation@fema.dhs.gov. You can also call 1-833-285-7448, press 2 for Spanish.
    If you or your co-applicant are unable to meet with an inspector, a third-party can be designated in writing and pre-authorized before the scheduled time and date.
    FEMA never charges a fee for an inspection. The inspector carries an official photo ID and will never ask for bank information. The inspector will attempt to verify the applicant’s name, address, contact information, occupancy and ownership status and insurance coverage.
    The inspector will walk through the home to assess the condition of both damaged and non-damaged areas, noting disaster caused damage to real property (structural) and conducting a complete inventory of all damaged and non-damaged essential personal property (appliances, furniture, etc.).
    The inspector will ask questions about disaster-caused losses and expenses including medical expenses, moving and storage expenses, items purchased in response to the disaster, uniforms, supplies, and tools required for school or employment.
    Inspectors will not climb on roofs or enter crawlspaces. Photos may be taken of the interior and exterior of the home during the inspection process. In situations where the home is inaccessible, the inspector may meet with the survivor at another location to conduct an initial assessment and verify identity, occupancy and/or ownership.
    If you suspect an inspector isn’t who they say they are, tell them to leave immediately and call local law enforcement.

    After the Inspection

    FEMA will mail you a decision letter about eligibility for assistance. To receive updates and notifications faster, create an online DisasterAssistance.gov account after applying for FEMA assistance.
    Information gathered during the inspection is only one of several criteria used by FEMA to determine eligibility for assistance. If you have questions after your inspection, please call FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800-621-3362. Press 1 for English, 2 for Spanish and 3 for all other languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service. Phone lines operate from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. seven days a week.
     

    Billy.domrose

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Arctic Sea Ice Near Historic Low; Antarctic Ice Continues Decline

    Source: NASA

    Arctic sea ice retreated to near-historic lows in the Northern Hemisphere this summer, likely melting to its minimum extent for the year on Sept.11, 2024, according to researchers at NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC). The decline continues the decades-long trend of shrinking and thinning ice cover in the Arctic Ocean.
    The amount of frozen seawater in the Arctic fluctuates during the year as the ice thaws and regrows between seasons. Scientists chart these swings to construct a picture of how the Arctic responds  over time to rising air and sea temperatures and longer melting seasons. Over the past 46 years, satellites have observed persistent trends of more melting in the summer and less ice formation in winter.

    [embedded content]
    This summer, Arctic sea ice decreased to a its minimum extent on September 11, 2024. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center this is the 7th lowest in the satellite record). The decline continues the long-term trend of shrinking ice cover in the Arctic Ocean.Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

    Tracking sea ice changes in real time has revealed wide-ranging impacts, from losses and changes in polar wildlife habitat to impacts on local communities in the Arctic and international trade routes.
    This year, Arctic sea ice shrank to a minimal extent of 1.65 million square miles (4.28 million square kilometers). That’s about 750,000 square miles (1.94 million square kilometers) below the 1981 to 2010 end-of-summer average of 2.4 million square miles (6.22 million square kilometers). The difference in ice cover spans an area larger than the state of Alaska. Sea ice extent is defined as the total area of the ocean with at least 15% ice concentration.

    This year’s minimum remained above the all-time low of 1.31 million square miles (3.39 million square kilometers) set in September 2012. While sea ice coverage can fluctuate from year to year, it has trended downward since the start of the satellite record for ice in the late 1970s. Since then, the loss of sea ice has been about 30,000 square miles (77,800 square kilometers) per year, according to NSIDC.
    Scientists currently measure sea ice extent using data from passive microwave sensors aboard satellites in the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program, with additional historical data from the Nimbus-7 satellite, jointly operated by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

    Nathan Kurtz
    Chief, NASA’s Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory

    Sea ice is not only shrinking, it’s getting younger, noted Nathan Kurtz, lab chief of NASA’s Cryospheric Sciences Laboratory at the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.
    “Today, the overwhelming majority of ice in the Arctic Ocean is thinner, first-year ice, which is less able to survive the warmer months. There is far, far less ice that is three years or older now,” Kurtz said.
    Ice thickness measurements collected with spaceborne altimeters, including NASA’s ICESat and ICESat-2 satellites, have found that much of the oldest, thickest ice has already been lost. New research out of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California shows that in the central Arctic, away from the coasts, fall sea ice now hovers around 4.2 feet (1.3 meters) thick, down from a peak of 8.8 feet (2.7 meters) in 1980.

    Sea ice in the southern polar regions of the planet was also low in 2024. Around Antarctica, scientists are tracking near record-low sea ice at a time when it should have been growing extensively during the Southern Hemisphere’s darkest and coldest months.
    Ice around the continent is on track to be just over 6.6 million square miles (16.96 million square kilometers). The average maximum extent between 1981 and 2010 was 7.22 million square miles (18.71 million square kilometers).
    The meager growth so far in 2024 prolongs a recent downward trend. Prior to 2014, sea ice in the Antarctic was increasing slightly by about 1% per decade. Following a spike in 2014, ice growth has fallen dramatically. Scientists are working to understand the cause of this reversal. The recurring loss hints at a long-term shift in conditions in the Southern Ocean, likely resulting from global climate change. 
    “While changes in sea ice have been dramatic in the Arctic over several decades, Antarctic sea ice was relatively stable. But that has changed,” said Walt Meier, a sea ice scientist at NSIDC. “It appears that global warming has come to the Southern Ocean.”
    In both the Arctic and Antarctic, ice loss compounds ice loss. This is due to the fact that while bright sea ice reflects most of the Sun’s energy back to space, open ocean water absorbs 90% of it. With more of the ocean exposed to sunlight, water temperatures rise, further delaying sea ice growth. This cycle of reinforced warming is called ice-albedo feedback.
    Overall, the loss of sea ice increases heat in the Arctic, where temperatures have risen about four times the global average, Kurtz said.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Help Remains After Disaster Recovery Centers and FEMA Registration Period Close

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Help Remains After Disaster Recovery Centers and FEMA Registration Period Close

    Help Remains After Disaster Recovery Centers and FEMA Registration Period Close

    Cape Girardeau, MO – FEMA’s Sept. 23 registration deadline has passed. State/federal Disaster Recovery Centers have closed. Now what do you do if you still need help with your FEMA case? 

    “We’re just a phone call away,” says David Gervino, FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer. “FEMA has a helpline staffed with operators who can provide the status of your case once you have applied, update your case with new information, help you understand your grant award or explain how to appeal a FEMA decision.” 

    The FEMA Helpline is a free call and available daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. There is no limit to the number of times you can call the Helpline. Translators are available to assist those who speak limited or no English.

    “We know that some Missourians have just recently applied for assistance just ahead of the September twenty-third deadline,” Gervino added. “Please be assured that we will continue to work on your case past that deadline until we have provided all the assistance for which you are eligible. The important thing is that you stay in touch with FEMA while you work through your recovery.” 

    While FEMA funds can be used for many essential recovery needs, they generally will not pay for all disaster-related expenses a survivor incurs. Many other government and voluntary agencies have resources that can help with those costs too. 

    Other Helpful Numbers: 

    Missouri 2-1-1 

    • Hotline run by the United Way that can refer callers to a multitude of agencies and/or organizations to get help with other unmet needs. To access, dial 2-1-1.

    Disaster Legal Services: 1-800-829-4128  

    • Messages can be left around the clock. The service is available until further notice.
    • Callers can receive help with legal issues including the following:
    • FEMA, U.S. Small Business Administration and other public assistance financial benefits including disaster unemployment insurance claims    
    • Price-gouging, scams, or identity theft
    • Home repair contracts and property insurance claims
    • Mortgage-foreclosure and home-ownership issues 
    • Landlord/tenant problems
    • Replacement of wills and other vital documents destroyed in the storms
    • Disability-related access to federal, state and local disaster programs.
    •  

    For more information about available legal services and resources in Missouri, go online to: www.Missourilawyershelp.org.

    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Customer Service Center: 1-800-659-2955              

    • 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. For those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
    • SBA offers which offers low-interest disaster loans to eligible applicants, has a Customer Service Center that can answer questions and assist with SBA applications. 
    • Email support also is available at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applicants can access their SBA lending portal by visiting https://lending.sba.gov 
    • The Economic Injury Disaster Loan application deadline for businesses and nonprofit organizations is April 23, 2025. 

    Disaster Distress Helpline: 1-800-985-5990 

    • 24 hours/7 Days a Week
    • Free, confidential crisis/mental health support for those impacted by a disaster. Multilingual. You can remain anonymous. 

    For more disaster-related information and/or to learn how to be better prepared for emergencies, visit the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency online at www.sema.dps.mo.gov or FEMA at www.fema.gov. Disaster-specific information can be found at www.fema.gov/disaster/4803. 

    FEMA is committed to ensuring disaster assistance is accomplished equitably, without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, English proficiency, or economic status. Any disaster survivor or member of the public may contact the FEMA Office of Civil Rights if they feel that they have a complaint of discrimination.  FEMA’s Office of Civil Rights can be contacted at FEMA-CivilRightsOffice@fema.dhs.gov or toll-free at 833-285-7448. Multilingual operators are available. 

    martyce.allenjr

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: UConn and Eversource Host Third Annual Sustainable Clean Energy Summit

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Electric grid decarbonization and emerging technologies in clean energy were the focus at this year’s Sustainable Clean Energy Summit at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. The annual summit, hosted by UConn and Eversource, was a featured event of Connecticut’s first ever Sustainability & Resiliency Week. A keynote address by Gene Rodrigues, Assistant Secretary for Electricity, U.S. Department of Energy kicked off the event. Academic and state leaders as well as energy industry experts led panel discussions on various clean energy topics following opening remarks by UConn President Radenka Maric and Eversource Executive Vice President, Customer Experience and Energy Strategy Penni Conner.

    From left, Tilak Subrahmanian, vice president of energy efficiency and electric mobility for Eversource Energy, Interim Associate Vice President of Facilities Operations Stan Nolan, UConn President Radenka Maric, and Penni McLean-Conner, executive vice president of customer experience and energy strategy for Eversource Energy, sign a memorandum of understanding between UConn and Eversource during the Sustainable Clean Energy Summit in the Student Union Theater on Sept. 23, 2024. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    In addition to the panel discussions, Eversource and UConn celebrated recent federal funding from the Department of Energy for the “Power Up New England” multi-state proposal, allowing Eversource to commit $4 million to establish the Connecticut Institute for Sustainable Energy at UConn Avery Point. The Institute will help to expand the sustainable energy workforce in the state and region through scholarships, real-world engagement on offshore wind projects, and certificate programs relating to offshore wind, with a particular focus on engagement with individuals from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds.

    During the summit, Eversource and UConn signed a three-year memorandum of understanding designed to advance the university’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, moving the UConn campus from a focus on LED lighting energy-saving projects to measures that involve studies, building controls, HVAC equipment and other decarbonization or carbon mitigation measures across all UConn campuses and UConn Health.

    “I want to give great recognition to our students,” said Maric. “Without our students saying, ‘Here are our priorities, here are our needs,’ we would probably not have the scholarships from Eversource and all the critical initiatives that we started. Besides being an educational institution, we are an innovation institution. Innovation happens here. Our goal is to create a dedicated sustainability academic unit in the coming years. Creating this unit will be a team effort.”

    “Eversource and UConn have a proven track record of working together towards our shared decarbonization goals while advancing a more sustainable future for the state, and we look forward to building on those efforts to maximize the benefits of a clean energy future for all residents and businesses,” said Conner. “Our partnership is building the workforce of the future and preparing students to tackle the critical clean energy and sustainability challenges facing Connecticut and the Northeast – setting a strong example for the progress that can be made through collaboration.”

    The winners of the Clean Energy and Sustainability Innovation Program (CESIP) Student Challenge Award stand onstage with Bill Quinlan, left, president of transmission & offshore wind projects for Eversource Energy, during the Sustainable Clean Energy Summit in the Student Union Theater on Sept. 23, 2024. (Sydney Herdle/UConn Photo)

    Four student-led finalist teams from the Eversource-sponsored Clean Energy and Sustainability Innovation Program (CESIP) presented their innovative research ideas to reduce carbon footprints and prepare for climate extremes at the local, state and regional levels with one finalist team receiving funding and mentorship to bring their idea to life over the next year.

    This year, that finalist team included Zhiqing “Lucy” Li, Steven Matile, and Meshach Ojo. Their project was titled “Potential Micro-Hydropower Retrofits at Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants.” The student team was supported by UConn mentor Diego Cerrai, assistant professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering and Associate Director and Program Manager, Eversource Energy Center; and Eversource mentor Nick Pellon, Senior Engineer, Transmission Interconnections.

    Eversource will continue their sponsorship of the CESIP to provide more UConn students with the opportunity to develop new ideas to advance a clean energy future.

    The day’s first panel explored innovations for grid decarbonization, climate adaptation, and modernization to manage extreme weather and intermittent renewable energy challenges through a policy lens. The second panel showcased the opportunities and challenges faced by diverse energy sources such as offshore wind, geothermal, nuclear and hydrogen and their integration to the modern electric grid.

    Closing remarks by President Maric and Emmanouil Anagnostou, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor and Director, Eversource Energy Center, were followed by the Clean Energy Engagement Fair, a career fair-style event for students to meet with Eversource and other employers and learn about UConn curriculum opportunities.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Prepare Now Ahead of Potential Major Storm

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Prepare Now Ahead of Potential Major Storm

    FEMA Urges Gulf Coast Residents and Visitors to Prepare Now Ahead of Potential Major Storm

    WASHINGTON — FEMA stands ready to support local and state efforts ahead of Tropical Storm Helene, which is forecast to become a major hurricane before landfall in Florida bringing life-threating storm surge and hurricane conditions later this week. Now is the time for people to have their hurricane plans in place and prepare for the storm. 

    The National Hurricane Center forecasts this system will strengthen significantly while moving northward over the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane and storm surge watches have been issued for the Gulf Coast of Florida, including the Florida Panhandle and portions of Florida’s west coast. While it is too soon to know the exact location and how strong the storm will be, it is likely to bring heavy rain, life-threatening storm surge, hurricane force winds and flash and urban flooding to affected areas.

    FEMA is leaning forward with the activation of the National and Regional Response Coordination Centers and Incident Management Assistance Teams. These actions focus on pre-positioning personnel and commodities in Florida and other strategic locations for swift deployment upon a state’s request. FEMA is working closely with its state partners and has deployed resources to the region including Incident Response teams, Urban Search & Rescue teams, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers power teams, emergency communications teams and are preparing to deploy Health and Medical Assessment teams along with ambulances and other personnel.

    NOW is the time to prepare: You can find more hurricane preparedness information on Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish language. 

    Stay informed. People in areas along Florida’s Panhandle and west gulf coast should follow the forecast carefully and instructions of state and local officials by monitoring local radio or television stations for updated emergency information. You can also download the free FEMA App available in English and Spanish languages to receive real-time weather alerts and find local emergency shelters in your area.

    Be in the know about your evacuation route. Be prepared to evacuate quickly, if told to do so. Act now by learning your evacuation routes and identify where you will stay. Learn more about how to evacuate safely on Ready.gov and Listo.gov in Spanish language. 

    Know how to stay safe during high winds, storm surge and flooding. Determine how best to protect yourself from high winds and flooding. Evacuate immediately if you are told to do so. If you cannot evacuate, take refuge in a designated storm shelter or interior room for high winds. Go to the highest level of the building if you are trapped by flooding. Do not climb into a closed attic, you may become trapped by rising flood water.

    Have a plan. Consider your family’s unique needs, including anyone who needs medicine or medical equipment. Know how you’ll contact one another and reconnect if you aren’t together when a severe storm hits. Visit Ready.gov or Listo.gov in Spanish language for more information on how to stay safe before, during and after severe weather.

    If you lose power, use only flashlights or battery-powered lanterns for emergency lighting. If using a generator, remember to always use them outdoors and keep it at least 20 feet from doors and windows. Additionally, make sure to keep the generator dry and protected from rain or flooding. De-clutter drains and gutters, bring in outside furniture and put up hurricane shutters if you have them. 

    Save copies of birth certificates, passports, medical records and insurance papers in a safe, dry place. Keep important documents in a waterproof container and create password-protected digital copies. Take photos or videos of your belongings and property on your phone or upload them to the internet. Move valuables like photo albums, heirlooms and other treasured items to higher levels. 

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: CBSA investigation in Pacific Region leads to seizure of firearms and prohibited devices in Vancouver

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Press release

    September 24, 2024 Vancouver, BC Canada Border Services Agency

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is committed to protecting Canadians by intercepting and investigating smuggling attempts at our borders.

    Between August 2023 and January 2024, border services officers from the Air Cargo Operations Centre and the Customs Mail Centre at Vancouver International Airport intercepted two firearm silencers and two replica firearms in two related incidents. As these are prohibited devices, the Pacific Region Criminal Investigation Section launched an investigation into the importer of these devices. On August 28, 2024, CBSA criminal investigators, with assistance from the Vancouver Police Department, executed search warrants at the suspect’s residence in Vancouver. A number of items were seized, including:

    two firearms; two 3D printed firearms; two 3D printed lower receivers; eighteen replica firearms; various other firearm parts and accessories; suspected drugs.

    The suspect has been arrested and the investigation is continuing.

    Quotes

    “The safety and security of Canadians is our top priority. By stopping the smuggling of firearms and illegal drugs, we are keeping communities safe. This seizure is a great example of the continued cooperation between the CBSA and local law enforcement agencies.”

    – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety

    “The Canada Border Services Agency works hard to intercept undeclared firearms and firearm parts at our borders and to investigate those who break Canada’s laws. The efforts of our officers and investigators, with the support of the Vancouver Police Department, have resulted in the removal of dangerous firearms and prohibited devices from this community.”

    – Nina Patel, Regional Director General, Canada Border Services Agency, Pacific Region

    “Violent offenders, criminal organizations and criminal groups do not respect local or international borders. Law enforcement and national security agencies must work together to prevent the proliferation of weapons and drugs that threaten public safety in our communities. We are grateful for the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency during this important investigation.”

    – Don Chapman, Superintendent, Enforcement Services, Vancouver Police Department

    Quick Facts

    Smuggling and other offences under the Customs Act and the Criminal Code may result in arrest, criminal charges and prosecution in court.

    The CBSA screens goods, including international mail and courier items, entering Canada and takes a closer look at those that may pose a threat to the safety and security of Canadians.

    For the latest enforcement statistics, visit Canada Border Services Agency Seizures.

    If you have any information about suspicious cross-border activities, please contact the border surveillance line CBSA toll-free at 1-888-502-9060.

    Contact persons

    Media Relations

    Canada Border Services Agency

    media@cbsa-asfc.gc.ca

    1-877-761-5945

    @CanPACBorder

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: California Department of Justice Releases Report on Officer-Involved Shooting of Guillermo Huerta

    Source: US State of California

    Tuesday, September 24, 2024

    Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

     
    OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta, pursuant to Assembly Bill 1506 (AB 1506), today released a report on Guillermo Huerta’s death from an officer-involved shooting in Bakersfield, California, on March 18, 2023. The incident involved officers from the Bakersfield Police Department (BPD). The report is part of the California Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ongoing efforts to provide transparency and accountability in law enforcement practices. The report provides a detailed analysis of the incident and outlines DOJ’s findings. After a thorough investigation, DOJ concluded that criminal charges were not appropriate in this case.

    “We hope this report brings a sense of assurance to our community,” said Attorney General Bonta. “The California Department of Justice remains steadfast in our commitment to working together with all law enforcement partners to ensure an unbiased, transparent, and accountable legal system for every resident of California. We acknowledge that this incident posed challenges for all parties involved, including Mr. Huerta’s family, law enforcement, and the community.”  

    On March 18, 2023, BPD responded to a call regarding an individual with a knife in the City of Bakersfield. When BPD arrived, Mr. Huerta ran at the officer while holding what appeared to be a knife, and the officer shot and killed Mr. Huerta. After Mr. Huerta fell, it was discovered that the weapon he held in his hand was a screwdriver.

    Under AB 1506, which requires DOJ to investigate all incidents of officer-involved shootings resulting in the death of an unarmed civilian in the state, DOJ conducted a thorough investigation into this incident and concluded that the evidence does not show, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the officer involved acted without the intent to defend himself and others from what he reasonably believed to be imminent death or serious bodily injury. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to support a criminal prosecution of the officer. As such, no further action will be taken in this case. 

    A copy of the report can be found here.

    # # #

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Backgrounder: Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Hate and its devastating consequences impact the lives of too many people. Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate draws on the experiences of individuals and communities who have experienced hate.

    OTTAWA, September 24, 2024

    Hate and its devastating consequences impact the lives of too many people. Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate draws on the experiences of individuals and communities who have experienced hate. It builds on consultation activities organized by the Federal Anti-Racism Secretariat, including the following.

    Fifteen open discussion sessions Two national summits on anti-Semitism and Islamophobia A national youth forum on anti-Black racism Twenty-one roundtable discussions An online questionnaire open to anyone in Canada

    In addition, the Action Plan builds on community engagement led by the 2SLGBTQI Secretariat for the Federal 2SLGBTQI Action Plan; three roundtables led by Public Safety Canada on the Communities at Risk Infrastructure Funding Program (now the Community Safety Program of Canada); and research and recommendations from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

    The Action Plan lays the foundation for a robust Government of Canada response to the growing threat of hate, while ensuring that every person has the right to be safe and treated with dignity. To this end, the priorities for action are organized around three pillars.

    Empowering communities to detect and prevent hate. Supporting victims, survivors and protecting communities. Building community trust, partnerships and institutional capacity.

    To drive real change across the country, the Action Plan brings together new and existing programs to foster greater coordination and collaboration among federal agencies, working in partnership with their provincial, territorial, international, Indigenous and municipal counterparts. The Action Plan includes federal programs from the following departments and agencies.

    Canadian Heritage Canadian Race Relations Foundation Justice Canada Public Safety Canada Royal Canadian Mounted Police Statistics Canada Women and Gender Equality Canada

    Each person has multiple intersecting identity factors that impact how they understand and experience hate and the government’s response to hate crimes or incidents. This action plan was designed using Gender-Based Analysis Plus to develop tailored responses that take into account diverse needs and realities.

    For further information, please visit the Action Plan webpage by clicking on this link: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/fight-against-hate.html.

    Related product

    For further information (media only), please contact:

    Waleed Saleem Press SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilitieswaleed.saleem@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

    Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819-994-91011-866-569-6155media@pch.gc.ca

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Government of Canada launches Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Press release

    OTTAWA, September 24, 2024

    In recent years, Canada, like other countries, has seen an alarming rise in hate both in neighbourhoods and online. The federal government is committed to doing everything it can to protect all people living in Canada, as well as resilient and diverse communities across the country, and to ensuring that everyone can thrive while being themselves.

    The increase in hate incidents has disproportionately impacted Indigenous peoples; Black, racialized, religious minority and 2SLGBTQI communities; women; and persons with disabilities. Hateful behaviour not only harms those targeted, but also impacts Canadian society as a whole, undermining social cohesion and posing a threat to national security.

    That’s why today, the Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, unveiled Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate. This action plan represents Canada’s first-ever whole-of-government effort to combat hate. It brings together 20 key federal programs under three pillars.

    Providing the means communities to detect and prevent hate. Support victims, survivors and protect communities. Build community trust, partnerships and institutional capacity.

    Through the Action Plan, the Government of Canada is investing $273.6 million over six years, and $29.3 million per year ongoing, to address hate from a variety of perspectives. The funding will increase support for victims and survivors; help communities prevent and respond to hate, and protect their members from it; improve research and data collection; provide more resources to law enforcement; and increase public awareness.

    Every person has the right to be safe and treated with dignity. We will work with provincial, territorial and international governments; First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners; and cities and communities across Canada to make this happen. Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate will help us continue to build a safer, more inclusive Canada where people can succeed, no matter who they are, who they love or what they believe.

    Quotes

    “Everyone has the right to feel safe, no matter who they are, what they look like or what they believe. We are all alarmed by the tragic consequences of hate, both in Canada and abroad. Hate has no place in Canada, whether in person or online, in schools or places of worship. Our government is committed to keeping every community safe across the country, because when one person is subjected to hateful behaviour, everyone suffers the consequences. Canada’s first-ever Action Plan to Combat Hate represents an unprecedented whole-of-government effort to combat hate while providing increased support to victims of hate and communities at risk. As we navigate these challenging and difficult times, we must stand up for who we are as a country – a country that is strong in its diversity and where people can be themselves and pursue their dreams without fear.”

    – The Honourable Kamal Khera, Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

    “Hate, in all its forms, has no place in Canada. Every person has the right to feel and be safe in their homes and communities. We all have a role to play in combating discrimination and promoting a fairer, safer and more inclusive Canada. The Diversity of Voices Fund is part of Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate. It will help break down systemic barriers and elevate diverse voices in the arts, culture and media sectors. The Fund will also ensure that their experiences and perspectives are better represented and advance the fight against racism, equity, diversity and inclusion in the culture and media sectors.”

    – The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “In response to the increase in hate crimes, our government is taking action to ensure that at-risk communities receive financial support to protect their institutions. Canada’s new Community Safety Program is designed to be simpler, more flexible and more generous, in response to requests from community organizations across the country.”

    – The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

    “Everyone should be able to bring their true selves to life without fear of reprisal, but we know that discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression remains a reality in Canada. This is unacceptable and must end. Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate complements the measures we have taken to protect and support Canadians since 2015, including the Federal 2SLGBTQI Action Plan . These measures have all been implemented with the stories and experiences of individuals and communities across Canada in mind. As always, we stand in solidarity with all communities who have experienced hate and will not hesitate to use all means at our disposal to protect and support them.”

    – The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Youth

    “We expect to feel safe in our homes, neighbourhoods and communities. That is why we introduced Bill C-63, an important part of Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate. We know that online harm can have tragic and even fatal consequences in the real world. This bill aims to ensure the safety of all Canadians in an online world that seems increasingly dangerous and toxic by the day. This means that women, racialized people, transgender people and people of diverse faiths and backgrounds will be able to go to their places of worship, community centres, schools and offices without fearing that threats in the online world will translate into real-world danger.”

    – The Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

    “Canada is as innovative as it is diverse, and it does best when everyone has a fair chance to reach their full potential, free from hate and discrimination. Through Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate, we are standing up to hate and protecting Canadians. And Statistics Canada will play a key role in researching and collecting the data needed to build a safer, more resilient society.”

    – The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

    “Canada is a country rich in diversity, where every person deserves to feel safe and respected. That is why today we are launching Canada’s first Action Plan to Combat Hate, a $273 million commitment to building a safer Canada for everyone.”

    – Sameer Zuberi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities

    Quick Facts

    In Budget 2022, the Government of Canada committed $85 million over 4 years, starting in 2022–23, to Canadian Heritage to launch and implement the new Anti-Racism Strategy and a National Action Plan to Combat Hate. Budget 2024 provides an additional $273.6 million over 6 years, starting in 2024–25, and $29.3 million per year ongoing to support Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate. The Action Plan brings together major programs delivered by federal departments and agencies, including Canadian Heritage, Public Safety Canada, Justice Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Women and Gender Equality Canada, Statistics Canada and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation.

    According to the Statistics Canada July 2024 data release, the number of police-reported hate crimes increased from 3,612 in 2022 to 4,777 in 2023 (a 32% increase), and some victims may not have reported a hate crime. This follows an 8% increase in 2022 and a 72% increase between 2019 and 2021. Overall, the number of police-reported hate crimes has more than doubled since 2019 (a 145% increase).

    Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate includes the work of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism and Canada’s first Special Representative on Combating Islamophobia

    Public Safety Canada’s new Community Safety Program (CSPP) (formerly the Communities at Risk Security Infrastructure Program) is also part of Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate. The CSPP makes it easier and more effective for communities and organizations at risk of hate crime to access security support when they need it.

    The Action Plan is part of efforts to further reduce the risk of exposure to harmful content online through Bill C-63, which proposes to create a new Online Harms Act to strengthen protections for the most vulnerable groups. To this end, the Government of Canada tabled in the House of Commons the Bill C-63, An Act to enact the Online Harms Act, to amend the Criminal Code, the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Act respecting the mandatory reporting of Internet child pornography by persons who provide an Internet service and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

    Canada is a signatory to theChristchurch Call to Eliminate Violent Extremism and Terrorism on the Internet (Christchurch Call to Action). This is an agreement signed by 56 governments, as well as online service providers and civil society organizations, to coordinate efforts to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The Government of Canada reiterates its commitment to advance the Christchurch Call to Action as part of Canada’s Action Plan to Combat Hate.

    Canada’s Anti-Hate Action Plan complements Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2024–28: Changing Systems to Transform Lives. Through these two initiatives, the government is implementing a comprehensive and intersectional approach to combating hate, racism and discrimination.

    Related products

    Related links

    Contact persons

    For further information (media only), please contact:

    Waleed Saleem Press SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilitieswaleed.saleem@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

    Media RelationsCanadian Heritage819-994-91011-866-569-6155media@pch.gc.ca

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Yukon MP Brendan Hanley to make announcement on critical minerals

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Media Advisory

    WHITEHORSE — Yukon Member of Parliament, Dr. Brendan Hanley, on behalf of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, will make a funding announcement to support critical minerals infrastructure projects. He will be joined by the Yukon Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources, the Honourable John Streicker. A media availability will follow.

    Date: September 20, 2024

    Time: 2:00 p.m. (PT)

    Accredited journalists wishing to attend the event are requested to register in advance by sending an email to the following address: media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca.

    Contact persons

    Media RelationsNatural Resources CanadaOttawa343-292-6100media@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

    Cindy CaturaoPress SecretaryOffice of the Minister of Energy and Natural ResourcesCindy.Caturao@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca

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

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Charter School Founder Pleads Guilty to Embezzling More Than $73,000 from Former School in Concord

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    CONCORD – A Boscawen woman pleaded guilty in federal court to stealing over $73,000 in U.S. Department of Education funds from the former Capital City Public Charter School in Concord, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay McCormack announces.

    Stephanie Alicea, 49, pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a program receiving federal funds. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Landya B. McCafferty scheduled sentencing for January 6, 2025.

    Alicea was the founder of the Capital City Public Charter School (“Capital City”) in Concord, New Hampshire. Capital City offered classes to several dozen students during the 2018-19 and 2019-20 school years. Alicea oversaw the school’s finances and day-to-day operations.  Capital City received federal charter school grant funds, which were to be used solely for education-related expenses.

    In spring 2020, an external auditor detected irregularities with Capital City’s finances.  Specifically, the auditor found that Alicea had spent some of the grant funds on expenses that were personal in nature, including gambling, dining, and travel. In total, Alicea stole $73,253.36 in federal grant funds from Capital City. 

    Capital City closed after the 2019-20 school year, surrendered its charter in February 2021, and declared bankruptcy in March 2021. 

    The charge of Theft from a Program Receiving Federal Funds provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General and Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander S. Chen is prosecuting the case.

    ###

     

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Celebrating Our 235th Anniversary

    Source: US Marshals Service

    235 years ago, George Washington signed the Judiciary Act which defined the U.S. Marshals as officers of the court and charged them with aiding federal courts in their law enforcement functions.

    Just days after signing the act into law, President Washington then appointed the very first 13 U.S. Marshals, one for each federal district or territory.

    Today, more than two centuries later, 94 Marshals and their numerous deputies are responsible for locating and arresting federal suspects, handling the administration of fugitive operations and managing criminal assets across states, territories and tribal lands. 

    As we look back on 235 years of U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), let us remember the ways in which this agency has served our country and the history it has made.

    The U.S. Marshals Service has continually protected our federal judges alongside American citizens while simultaneously carrying out the law to benefit all.  

    One of the earlier historical examples in which the U.S. Marshals Service was able to accomplish their many missions occurred during the Civil War.

    U.S. Marshals supported the Union home front by rooting out Confederate spies and seizing property being used to support the Confederacy. Their work ensured the formation of a more perfect union.

    In 1875, Bass Reeves was assigned the position of Deputy U.S. Marshal, one of the first African Americans to serve in this capacity. He served for 32 years, until 1907, in dangerous Indian Territory. Reeves’ bravery allowed him to bring justice to some of the most ruthless outlaws in the West. Through his service, he not only made the American West a safer place but created opportunities for more people of color to serve our country.

    In 1887, a new trailblazer came onto the scene. Phoebe Couzins, the first female U.S. Marshal, was temporarily appointed to the position after the death of her father, U.S. Marshal John Couzins. Marshal Phoebe Couzins accomplished what no other woman had done before and created the initial opportunities for operational female employees with the USMS for decades to come. 

    The work for equal opportunity did not end there. Deputy U.S. Marshals were asked to enforce the integration of educational institutions, including those in New Orleans, Boston and Oxford, MS. Deputies escorted students into their respective schools, provided protective details and enforced integrated bus routes despite heavy opposition.

    USMS involvement in upholding federal rulings for the integration of educational institutions allowed our nation to move towards a more egalitarian nation with equal opportunities, regardless of one’s race.

    The USMS continued their protective mission in 1971, as the Witness Security Program was established as a divisional program within the Marshals Service. This Program has protected thousands of American witnesses and victims along with their immediate families as they in turn assisted the American legal system in the cases of drug traffickers, terrorists, organized crime members and other major criminals. 

    Not only has the USMS protected members of discriminated communities and provided opportunities for minorities, but most importantly, it has also worked to apprehend fugitives threatening American safety.

    In 2005, Operation FALCON (Federal and Local Cops Organized Nationally) began, and through its implementation, Deputies and their law enforcement partners conducted national fugitive operations to apprehend felons. By its close in 2009, FALCON had completed 91,086 arrests and cleared 117,874 warrants. 

    On July 27, 2006, Congress authorized the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act which provided the USMS three principle responsibilities under the law including: assisting state, local, tribal and territorial authorities in locating and apprehending non-compliant and fugitive sex offenders; investigating violations of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act for federal prosecution; and assisting in the identification and location of sex offenders relocated as a result of a major disaster. The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act has allowed for the protection of the most vulnerable members of American society and granted them the justice they deserve. 

    The U.S. Marshals Service continues to prioritize the safety of minors. This year alone, the USMS recovered over 200 missing children across the country during Operation “We Will Find You” as an effort to bring displaced minors to safety.

    Looking back on 235 years of operation, the USMS has continued to uphold its original intended purpose of protecting the U.S. Federal Judiciary. In addition, the role of the USMS has expanded to include: locating and arresting federal escapees, administrating fugitive operations, managing criminal assets, operating the United States Federal Witness Protection Program and the Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) and protecting senior government officials through the Office of Protective Operations. 

    Because of the United States Marshals Service, people in America and its territories and tribal lands have lived in a safer nation for the past 235 years.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Misipawistik Cree Nation — Grand Rapids RCMP investigating homicide

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On September 23, 2024, at approximately 12:35 am, Grand Rapids RCMP responded to a report of a shooting in a residence, located in Misipawistik Cree Nation.

    Officers responded and located the victim, a 23-year-old male from the community, who had been shot and was pronounced deceased on scene.

    The investigation led to the arrest of a 16-year-old male, from Chemawawin, who has been charged with numerous firearms-related offences and has been remanded into custody.

    Grand Rapids RCMP, along with RCMP Major Crime Services and Forensic Identification Services, continue to investigate.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cayuga County Sex Offender Pleads Guilty to Possessing Child Pornography

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

    SYRACUSE, NEW YORK – Brien Fredendall, age 46, of Port Byron, New York, pled guilty today to two counts of possession of child pornography. United States Attorney Carla B. Freedman, and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) made the announcement.

    As part of his guilty plea, Fredendall, who has a previous New York State conviction for possession of child pornography, admitted that he possessed videos and images of child pornography he received from a minor on his Snapchat account. He also admitted to possessing additional child pornography on his cellular phone.

    Sentencing is scheduled for January 21, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.  Fredendall faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison, a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000.00 and a term of supervised release of between five years and life, to begin after imprisonment. Fredendall will also be required to continue to register as a sex offender upon his release from prison. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and other factors.

    This case was investigated by the FBI’s Albany Division Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force with the assistance of the Cayuga County Sherriff’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Tuck prosecuted Fredendall as part of Project Safe Childhood. 

    Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice, Project Safe Childhood is led by United States Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS).  Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Aptean Empowers Snack Connection B.V. With Cloud-Based ERP Solution Set

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Aptean, a global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, announced its recent collaboration with Snack Connection B.V., a prominent private label manufacturer of nut blends, seeds and sweet fruits in the Netherlands. The deal marks a significant step forward for the Dutch company as it embarks on a journey towards modernizing its business operations.

    Snack Connection, founded in 2010, has quickly established itself as a successful player in the European market, delivering high-quality products to various European retailers. The business differentiates itself by a wide variety of products, innovative packaging and an individual customer approach that ensures quick action and response. With a client-centric mindset and commitment to innovation and efficiency, the company sought a robust software solution to replace its current ERP system and drive operational excellence across two production sites in Giessen and Bergschenhoek, Netherlands.

    Recognizing the need for a transformative solution, Snack Connection selected the cloud-based Aptean Food & Beverage ERP, alongside Aptean Patch OEE and Aptean Business Intelligence, to streamline processes and enhance decision-making capabilities. The comprehensive suite of software solutions offered by Aptean aligns seamlessly with Snack Connection’s vision for a data-driven, paperless organization. Renowned for its maturity and comprehensive support, the software provides the company with essential features such as multiple location management, traceability functionalities and allergen registration, along with the ability to optimize production efficiency and gain valuable insights for informed decision-making.

    “Aptean’s solution suite is an all-in-one package with all the food-specific functionality we need. We believe we can benefit from this by standardizing our processes, based on the best practices on which the software is built,” said Martijn van Gink, ICT Manager at Snack Connection. “The decision to partner with Aptean was driven by our desire to modernize our operations and achieve greater efficiency. Aptean’s proven track record in the food and beverage industry, coupled with their commitment to understanding our unique needs and local business culture, made them the clear choice for us.”

    By standardizing processes and embracing cloud technology, Snack Connection anticipates shorter training periods for new hires and enhanced cybersecurity practices. Aptean’s local leadership and dedication to understanding Snack Connection’s business culture have further solidified the partnership, ensuring a smooth transition to the new software environment.

    “At Aptean, we believe that success is built on strong partnerships and a deep understanding of our customers’ businesses. We look forward to supporting Snack Connection as they leverage our industry-leading ERP solution to streamline operations, drive growth and maintain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic Food & Beverage market,” said Duane George, President EMEA and APAC at Aptean.

    About Snack Connection
    Snack Connection is a relatively young (established 2010) Dutch company specialized in purchasing, processing, mixing and packing nuts, kernels, seeds, subtropical fruits and related products. By means of two modern production facilities, located in Giessen and Bergschenhoek (Netherlands) and more than 150 dedicated and professional employees, Snack Connection has proven to be a reliable and flexible partner for several European retailers, B2B and Out of Home clients. Discover more about our passion for snacking excellence at www.snackconnection.nl.

    About Aptean 
    Aptean is a global provider of industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. With rapid deployment, Aptean’s solutions and services help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for What’s Next, Now®. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com. 

    Aptean and Ready for What’s Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. 

    For Media Inquiries Please Contact
    MediaRelations@Aptean.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Tessell Collaborates with Microsoft Azure and NetApp to Introduce the First Ubiquitous Copilot for Cloud Databases with Enterprise-Grade PaaS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tessell, the leading next-generation database-as-a-service (DBaaS) that helps startups and enterprises accelerate data and application modernization journeys at scale, announced today a groundbreaking collaboration with Microsoft Azure and NetApp to deliver the first ubiquitous Copilot for Cloud Databases. This solution integrates an enterprise-grade Database PaaS with one-click functionality for any database on Azure, leveraging Azure NetApp Files (ANF) as enterprise cloud storage and Tessell as the unified Database Service. For the first time, customers of Azure and NetApp will have access to an enterprise-grade Managed Instance for Oracle on Azure, fully integrated with ANF and supporting any virtual machine (VM) family across all Azure regions.

    This new solution delivers a unique offering for cloud database management that provides customers with unprecedented flexibility, cost optimization, and performance enhancements. Azure Saving Plans and NetApp effective capacity pricing are available, ensuring Co-Sell incentives and Microsoft Azure Consumption Credits (MACC) enablement. Moreover, the bundled solution includes 24x7x365 support with a 15-minute response time for issues related to Azure, ANF, and Tessell Oracle PaaS.

    For enterprises facing rising infrastructure and database licensing costs, this announcement marks a turning point. With Tessell’s new offering, customers can experience up to a 45% reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) across four key vectors:

    1. Infrastructure Optimization: Maximize cloud resources while reducing overhead.
    2. Third-Party Software Optimization: Lower costs associated with external software.
    3. Database License Optimization: Streamline licensing expenses.
    4. Operational Cost Optimization: Minimize day-to-day operational costs.

    The integration of Tessell, Azure, and Azure NetApp Files ensures seamless database migration to Azure with guaranteed investment protection, delivering a robust foundation for database modernization and further integration into the Azure ecosystem, including Microsoft Fabric and Synapse. Other key features and benefits of the collaboration include:

    • Azure: Offers robust cloud infrastructure across multiple regions and availability zones, with extensive support for database workloads and flexible pricing options, including pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and reserved instances.
    • NetApp: Provides Microsoft 1st-party, enterprise-grade Azure NetApp Files storage with low-latency performance, high-performance instant snapshots, and scalable storage for any database or application.
    • Tessell: Delivers the only Oracle Managed Instance available on Azure, fully integrated with ANF, allowing for superior performance, multi-region disaster recovery, and enterprise-grade data protection.

    Tessell, Microsoft, and NetApp further showcased this innovative solution in a joint session at NetApp INSIGHT 2024 titled “Oracle Migration to Azure Enabled by Azure NetApp Files.” This session, featuring key insights from Tessell’s Head of Strategy and Alliances, Animesh Pillai, Microsoft’s Principal Product Manager, Ram Kakani, and NetApp’s Director of Product Management for NetApp Files, Geert van Teylingen, provided an in-depth look at how Azure NetApp Files supports Oracle Database@Azure and how Tessell’s DBaaS strategies enable seamless, scalable Oracle migrations. The session took place on Monday, September 23.

    “Azure NetApp Files has been differentiating itself as the go-to storage platform for high-performance, low-latency file workloads. Providing a ‘Volumes as a service’ experience makes the service very easy to deploy and scale, without interruptions – particularly important for business-critical applications like Oracle and databases,” said Geert van Teylingen, Director Product Management, Azure NetApp Files at NetApp. “I am excited about the Tessell integration with ANF, as it empowers customers in the Database PaaS segment with cost efficiencies, enhanced performance, and improved operational efficiencies. Together, Azure, NetApp, and Tessell will continue to innovate and deliver value across all vectors – Data & AI, Modernization, and more.”

    “We are excited to introduce the first enterprise-grade cloud database solution that combines the versatility of Azure and Azure NetApp Files, the high-performance storage powered by NetApp, and the unified management capabilities of Tessell,” said Bala Kuchibhotla, Co-Founder and CEO at Tessell. “This collaboration breaks new ground in the cloud industry by providing businesses with an unprecedented level of control, performance, and cost savings, all within their preferred cloud environments.”

    The new Copilot for Cloud Databases solution is available immediately to all Azure and NetApp customers. Customers can take advantage of Azure Saving Plans and NetApp’s effective capacity pricing models, ensuring maximum ROI on their cloud investments.

    For more information, visit http://tessell.com.

    About Tessell
    Tessell is a multi-cloud DBaaS platform offering a comprehensive suite of database services. It supports a wide array of database engines, tailored for operational and transactional applications across all major cloud providers. Tessell’s value proposition is built on the pillars of choice, data delight, and governance, helping enterprises modernize their data infrastructure and maximize the economic benefits of cloud adoption.

    Media Contact
    Len Fernandes
    Firecracker PR for Tessell
    len@firecrackerpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden, Merkley Demand Postmaster General DeJoy Reverse Decision Hurting Mail Services in Southern Oregon

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)
    September 24, 2024
    Senators: “We share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that this consolidation poses significant negative consequences for both our community and the efficiency of postal services in the region”
    Washington D.C.— U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today demanded Postmaster General DeJoy immediately reverse his damaging position to relocate outgoing operations at the regional postal distribution center in Medford. 
    “We share the grave concerns of the residents of Southern Oregon that this consolidation poses significant negative consequences for both our community and the efficiency of postal services in the region,” the senators wrote in a letter to DeJoy. “The Medford processing center plays a critical role in ensuring timely mail delivery for local residents, businesses, and government agencies. The consolidation of this facility has led to delays in mail delivery, affecting vital services like prescription deliveries, bill payments, and other essential communications.” 
    Wyden and Merkley wrote that these changes land hardest on seniors, rural Oregonians and small businesses in the area who rely on prompt and reliable postal services. 
    “Oregonians rely on the high-quality service provided by USPS, especially as a state that votes entirely by mail,” they wrote. “We are confident that, with thoughtful consideration, a solution can be found that both strengthens the Postal Service and supports the needs of local communities in Southern Oregon. Downgrading the Medford site is not that solution.”
    The senators’ letter comes as the USPS Office of Inspector General issued a report that further illustrates Oregonians’ concerns as expressed by the senators’ letter about delays in first class mail deliveries. 
    The full text of the letter is here.
    Related Files

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A Soldier’s Journey: new first world war memorial in Washington revitalises classic image of the ‘American doughboy’

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Alice Kelly, Assistant Professor of Literature and History, University of Warwick

    America’s inaugural national memorial marking the first world war was unveiled this month in Washington DC, on the birthday of war commander General John J. Pershing – 106 years after the end of the war. We don’t often get to see a new memorial to a century-old war, especially one that has been deliberately designed in a century-old style.

    Its sculptor, Sabin Howard – who was recently referred to as a “self-appointed bulwark against the scourge of modern art” – rejects the vogue for abstract commemorative art seen in memorials such as Maya Lin’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1982). The centrepiece of the new memorial is Howard’s 58-foot panoramic sculpture, A Soldier’s Journey. Five connected scenes tell the story of an American everyman who enlists as a volunteer, fights in Europe, then returns home.

    The 38 realist figures were painstakingly sculpted from costumed models before being cast in 25 tonnes of weather-resistant bronze. Howard wanted to “tell a story” about the first world war and how it affected Americans, to make the conflict more visible to viewers today and in the future.

    In an episode of Cheers from 1983, when a first world war veteran comes into the bar, Coach asks: “Is that the war with Clark Gable or Gary Cooper?” I’m not sure American knowledge of the war has come much further in the past 40 years.

    In every other participating nation, the centenary of the war was marked by a pageant of commemorative activity – think of the 5 million people who went to see the ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. But in the US, despite having a culture of venerating veterans, the first world war is notoriously a “forgotten” war. It tends to be overshadowed by the civil war on one side, and the second world war on the other.

    Perhaps this blindspot is because the American experience of the first world war was much shorter. For the US, it lasted just 19 months from the declaration of war in April 1917 to the signing of the armistice in November 1918. And the fighting – as the song goes – was “over there” rather than on the home front, as it was in Europe. American losses, although high at 116,516 men (plus several hundred women who lost their lives while serving as nurses), were much lower than those of European nations. Britain, for example, lost 880,000 servicemen – 6% of the adult male population at the time.

    But the role this war played in the development of the “American century” is incomparable. The first world war destabilised the European powers – already in imperial decline – to the extent that the US grew to become the pre-eminent financial and military power after the war.

    The sacred and the dead

    The first world war hasn’t always been forgotten in the US. Indeed, in the 1920s and ’30s, American commemoration of the war was at its most “supercharged”, as scholar Steven Trout has shown. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, was interred in 1921 – a commemorative form borrowed from Europe after the first “unknowns” were interred in London and Paris in November 1920.

    Arlington is now the site for national memory of all wars, woven into the fabric of US political life. The recent controversy over a confrontation between Donald Trump staffers and cemetery officials demonstrates its continuing role in ensuring the sacred place of war dead in American culture.

    Across the nation, Americans have sought to remember their war dead in myriad forms, including memorial halls, parkways, plazas, opera houses, arches, gymnasiums, parks, trees and bell towers. There were so many memorials erected in New York City in the 1920s and ’30s – including parks, sculptures and the planting of memorial trees – that after the second world war, New York City’s commissioner for parks and recreation, Robert Moses, effectively banned new monuments being built, considering them “monstrosities”.

    Many memorials are still peppered across America, hidden in plain sight but instantly recognisable, even if viewers don’t know the context. The Spirit of the American Doughboy, designed by sculptor E.M. Viquesney and copyrighted in 1920, features a “doughboy” (recruit) holding his rifle with fixed bayonet and a grenade in his other hand – deliberately echoing the Statue of Liberty.

    ‘American doughboy’: a memorial to the Americans who served in the first world war, designed by E.M. Viquesney.
    Rosemarie Mosteller/Shutterstock

    Advertised as an affordable tribute that could be bought by towns as their local memorial, there are currently 135 originals and replicas on public display across the US. I find it impossible not to think of those doughboys when I look at the soldiers in Howard’s memorial.

    Commentators may well criticise Howard’s figurative sculpture as old-fashioned, but the debate over appropriate memorial forms and the question of “taste” is not new. In fact, it was a very live debate in the first world war’s immediate aftermath.

    In attempting to correct the historical omission of a national memorial, it seems appropriate that Howard’s figurative sculpture looks like – and recalls – first world war sculpture of the time.

    Will it earn the war its place in American memory that it deserves? I’m not sure. But in giving old form to an old war, it will make it visible to generations of Americans unfamiliar with it – and help the rest of us remember it anew.

    Alice Kelly 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. A Soldier’s Journey: new first world war memorial in Washington revitalises classic image of the ‘American doughboy’ – https://theconversation.com/a-soldiers-journey-new-first-world-war-memorial-in-washington-revitalises-classic-image-of-the-american-doughboy-239757

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: UK oil and gas workers risk becoming the ‘coal miners of our generation’

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Freddie Daley, Research Associate, Centre for Global Political Economy, University of Sussex

    Grangemouth oil refinery is set to close in 2025 with the loss of 400 jobs. orxy / shutterstock

    At the end of September, the UK’s last remaining coal power plant, Ratcliffe-on-Soar in Nottinghamshire, will be retired. The closure of the plant should – and will – be celebrated by environmentalists, as the move away from coal has made Britain’s electricity much cleaner over the past decade. It is on this basis that the UK claims climate leadership.

    In the 1950s, coal provided the overwhelming majority of British energy, and as recently as 2012 it still generated 40%. By 2022, it was less than 2%. In a month’s time, it will be zero.

    Phasing out coal was a brutal and profound process. Organised labour was decimated, entire regions were forced into decline, and communities were left with sustained economic, social and health problems. The towering ghosts of power stations like Ratcliffe-on-Soar will haunt Britain’s ongoing effort to phase out North Sea oil and gas and replace it with clean energy.

    Towering ghosts: Ratcliffe-on-Soar power station.
    The Exposure / shutterstock

    And we are witnessing this haunting in real-time. After the Labour government announced its plans to end new licenses for oil and gas in British waters – necessary to meet the Paris Agreement – workers and trade unions feared history would repeat itself in terms of job losses and blighted communities.

    The general secretary of Unite, Sharon Graham, noted that without a more thorough plan, the policy risked creating “the coal miners of our generation”. A recent motion at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) gathering in Brighton called for no ban on oil and gas licensing before a fully funded jobs guarantee is agreed. The motion narrowly passed.

    Workers and unions are demanding a “just transition” from polluting industries into the clean industries of the future. But to achieve this, the UK government must learn from what happened with coal.

    Many places still rely on oil and gas jobs

    Although oil and gas are not as embedded throughout British life as coal once was, there are many settlements and larger areas still dependent on energy jobs. Grangemouth in central Scotland is a good example. In November 2023, the owner, Petroineos, announced plans to close the town’s oil refinery in 2025, bringing a century of production to an end at the cost of 400 jobs.

    Even if the UK government did issue new oil and gas licences, the North Sea faces structural decline. Production peaked around the turn of the century. Since 2014, as many as 200,000 jobs have been lost either offshore or along the supply chain onshore.

    From gas to wind?

    Planning for the end of fossil fuels is therefore an urgent endeavour. The dominant strategy for protecting skilled jobs is to transition workers into the industries set to replace North Sea production: wind energy and other low-carbon technologies.

    However, though Britain has developed a large wind power sector, it remains a major importer of turbines. Domestic manufacturing makes only a small contribution, and developers are not required to use British-made turbines or other parts, despite the jobs this would create.

    This has left Grangemouth workers discontented. When one of us (Ewan Gibbs) and Riyoko Shibe interviewed young refinery workers at Grangemouth earlier this year, many commented that there were relatively few jobs in renewables. When jobs were visible on LinkedIn and comparable job sites, one told us that “you’ll see there’s a big difference in terms and conditions”.

    Wind farms are relatively easy to run once installed, so most jobs are in building them.
    Kevin Shipp / shutterstock

    In its current form, the UK wind industry will find it hard to provide the types of secure ongoing employment that oil and gas historically has. Most jobs are in the construction and maintenance of wind farms, with the latter threatened by automation. Without public investment and a targeted industrial policy, Britain will remain a net importer of wind technology, and the phasing out of North Sea oil and gas will prove costly in job terms.



    Read more:
    Grangemouth job losses are a stark reminder of the cost of a greener industrial future

    More investment needed

    Britain’s lack of state intervention is not the norm. After all, more than half of British wind farms are state-owned, though less than 1% are owned by the UK government. Swedish, Norwegian, French, Irish and German state-owned entities are major players, but the biggest is Denmark’s Ørsted, a former oil company turned renewables giant which is mostly state-owned. In the UK’s most recent offshore wind auction, 70% of the projects were awarded to Ørsted.

    The newly launched Great British Energy could give the state a foothold in the North Sea once more. This publicly owned company plans to focus on domestic manufacturing and will invest in ports and other infrastructures to “unlock strategic bottlenecks”.

    But if such projects are to be meaningfully incorporated into a just transition, they will need to offer continuity and security to oil and gas workers. As one Grangemouth worker put it, referring to his colleagues facing the choice of either remaining unemployed locally or relocating to use their skills:

    They’re moving to the Middle East, they’re moving to the north-east of Scotland. They’re moving offshore, they’re moving to the Shetlands, and therefore it’s not a just transition, in my view, if we’re moving to these jobs.

    Another worker highlighted the risks that Grangemouth could join the coalfields in becoming “stranded” communities:

    We’ve got a community that’s been built round the site, we’ve got skills and we’ve got people that work there, we’ve got the infrastructure there – why should we not have these jobs when the time comes to move to these industries? Why can we not have it at Grangemouth?

    Britain’s push to phase out oil and gas is urgent and necessary, but it cannot follow the same trajectory as Britain’s exit from coal – lessons must be learned. The opportunities presented by the transition away from fossil fuels will only be fully realised if workers are at its centre.

    Freddie Daley receives funding from UKRI for the SUS-POL project at the University of Sussex, which explores fossil fuel phase-outs around the world. Freddie also campaigns on demand reduction with Badvertising.

    Ewan Gibbs received funding from a British Academy Wolfson Fellowship that supported this research (grant number: WF21210099).

    – ref. UK oil and gas workers risk becoming the ‘coal miners of our generation’ – https://theconversation.com/uk-oil-and-gas-workers-risk-becoming-the-coal-miners-of-our-generation-239262

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –