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Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — Where does Kīlauea tephra go? The answer is blowin’ in the wind

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

    This animated GIF shows a timelapse sequence consisting of one image every several days between December 25, 2024, and June 20, 2025.  The photos were taken from the northern rim of the caldera, near Uēkahuna overlook and the view is south towards the ongoing eruption site in Halemaʻumaʻu. The sequence shows the dramatic development of a tephra cone on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u during the twenty-six episodes of lava fountaining that have occurred between December 23, 2024, and June 20, 2025. USGS images. 

    Recent Volcano Watches have described the episodic nature of this eruption, with episodes of lava fountains separated by pauses. Other Volcano Watches have described hazards associated with lava fountaining. 

    The extent and severity of hazards associated with lava fountaining depend on three factors: (1) lava fountain height, (2) wind conditions, and (3) lava fountain angle. 

    Overall, lava fountains during this eruption have been getting higher. This pattern is not guaranteed to continue, but the four most recent episodes have erupted the highest lava fountains—all taller than 1,000 feet (300 meters). Incredibly, these spectacular fountains are still shorter than the record 1,900-foot (580 meter) fountains of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. 

    Taller fountains means that more tephra (pieces of the lava fountain, which includes Pele’s hair) can be deposited further away, as the starting point from which tephra starts to fall to the ground is higher up. The ongoing eruption has created a hill of tephra southwest of Halemaʻumaʻu—similar to how tephra fallout from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki fountains formed Puʻupuaʻi. During the last four episodes the hill has grown by as much as 30 feet (10 meters) in a single episode! The growing hill hasn’t posed a hazard to the public as it is within a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park—but this brings us to wind.

    Dominant trade wind conditions generally send tephra and volcanic gas southwest over the remote Kaʻū Desert. Eruption viewing areas within the national park are unaffected, but there can be decreased air quality in communities downwind of Kīlauea due to volcanic gas, vog (“volcanic smog”), and small amounts of Pele’s hair may fall.

    Future episodes could occur during less favorable conditions, or during wind patterns affected by hurricanes. This already happened: episodes 15 and 16 occurred during low and variable winds, and Pele’s hair fell on nearby communities—from the Volcano Golf Course to Ohia Estates and beyond. During episode 15, tephra also fell at Uēkahuna and Kīlauea overlooks, resulting in the temporary closure of these popular viewing areas, while during episode 16, tephra fell on Highway 11.

    What if an episode occurs during Kona winds (the opposite direction from trade winds)? Recent episodes provide a guide. Episode 23 fountains reached 1,150 feet (350 meters) during strong persistent tradewinds with speeds of 9–14 miles/hour, and episode 24 fountains reached 1,200 feet (365 meters) during tradewinds with speeds of 5–10 miles/hour. Both times, tephra deposits were up to 2 feet thick a mile directly downwind—about the same distance as from the vents to Kīlauea overlook. For both, the tephra deposit was visible in satellite imagery up to 2½ miles away—slightly less than the distance from the vents to Volcano House. This corresponds to an inch or less of tephra.

    What about lava fountain angle? Imagine a garden hose blasting water. If the nozzle is pointed straight towards the sky, water will fall back down on the ground nearby—although wind can send the water downwind. This is the default behavior of lava fountains. An “inclined fountain” happens when the nozzle is angled away from the sky (a change in vent geometry) or if there is a partial blockage.

    Inclined fountains happened briefly and suddenly in 1959 (Kīlauea Iki) and 1969 (Maunaulu) after the cone partially collapsed into the vent during lava fountaining (a partial blockage). It took up to 20 minutes for the blockages to clear and the fountain to straighten itself. As the nearest viewing areas of the current eruption are over a mile away from the vents, they are not likely to be directly affected in the unlikely event of an inclined fountain.

    The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will continue to monitor Kīlauea’s summit eruption and its hazards, working closely with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency. The combination of an episodic lava fountain and hurricane season is rare and its good to maintain an awareness of which way the wind is blowing.

    These maps show lava flow and tephra accumulation at Kīlauea volcano associated with episodes 23 (left) and 24 (right) of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu that started on December 23, 2024, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency’s (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation. These maps combine cross-polarized radar amplitude images taken on two different dates, along with interferometric coherence from the time between those dates. In the maps, unchanged barren areas are represented in blue/purple, vegetated areas appear in yellow/light green, and new deposits over barren land are shown in either dark or bright green. Large yellow dots show measured tephra deposit thickness, and the dotted circle encompasses distances within 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) of the eruptive vents. Public viewing areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are indicated with white squares; these can be temporarily closed for public safety.

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea has been erupting episodically within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    Episode 26 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater occurred on June 20, with approximately 9 hours of fountaining from the north and south vents. Summit region inflation since the end of episode 26, along with persistent tremor, suggests that another episode is possible and could start between June 29 and July 3. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    No earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Volcano Watch — Where does Kīlauea tephra go? The answer is blowin’ in the wind

    Source: US Geological Survey

    Volcano Watch is a weekly article and activity update written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates.

    This animated GIF shows a timelapse sequence consisting of one image every several days between December 25, 2024, and June 20, 2025.  The photos were taken from the northern rim of the caldera, near Uēkahuna overlook and the view is south towards the ongoing eruption site in Halemaʻumaʻu. The sequence shows the dramatic development of a tephra cone on the rim of Halema‘uma‘u during the twenty-six episodes of lava fountaining that have occurred between December 23, 2024, and June 20, 2025. USGS images. 

    Recent Volcano Watches have described the episodic nature of this eruption, with episodes of lava fountains separated by pauses. Other Volcano Watches have described hazards associated with lava fountaining. 

    The extent and severity of hazards associated with lava fountaining depend on three factors: (1) lava fountain height, (2) wind conditions, and (3) lava fountain angle. 

    Overall, lava fountains during this eruption have been getting higher. This pattern is not guaranteed to continue, but the four most recent episodes have erupted the highest lava fountains—all taller than 1,000 feet (300 meters). Incredibly, these spectacular fountains are still shorter than the record 1,900-foot (580 meter) fountains of the 1959 Kīlauea Iki eruption. 

    Taller fountains means that more tephra (pieces of the lava fountain, which includes Pele’s hair) can be deposited further away, as the starting point from which tephra starts to fall to the ground is higher up. The ongoing eruption has created a hill of tephra southwest of Halemaʻumaʻu—similar to how tephra fallout from the 1959 Kīlauea Iki fountains formed Puʻupuaʻi. During the last four episodes the hill has grown by as much as 30 feet (10 meters) in a single episode! The growing hill hasn’t posed a hazard to the public as it is within a closed area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park—but this brings us to wind.

    Dominant trade wind conditions generally send tephra and volcanic gas southwest over the remote Kaʻū Desert. Eruption viewing areas within the national park are unaffected, but there can be decreased air quality in communities downwind of Kīlauea due to volcanic gas, vog (“volcanic smog”), and small amounts of Pele’s hair may fall.

    Future episodes could occur during less favorable conditions, or during wind patterns affected by hurricanes. This already happened: episodes 15 and 16 occurred during low and variable winds, and Pele’s hair fell on nearby communities—from the Volcano Golf Course to Ohia Estates and beyond. During episode 15, tephra also fell at Uēkahuna and Kīlauea overlooks, resulting in the temporary closure of these popular viewing areas, while during episode 16, tephra fell on Highway 11.

    What if an episode occurs during Kona winds (the opposite direction from trade winds)? Recent episodes provide a guide. Episode 23 fountains reached 1,150 feet (350 meters) during strong persistent tradewinds with speeds of 9–14 miles/hour, and episode 24 fountains reached 1,200 feet (365 meters) during tradewinds with speeds of 5–10 miles/hour. Both times, tephra deposits were up to 2 feet thick a mile directly downwind—about the same distance as from the vents to Kīlauea overlook. For both, the tephra deposit was visible in satellite imagery up to 2½ miles away—slightly less than the distance from the vents to Volcano House. This corresponds to an inch or less of tephra.

    What about lava fountain angle? Imagine a garden hose blasting water. If the nozzle is pointed straight towards the sky, water will fall back down on the ground nearby—although wind can send the water downwind. This is the default behavior of lava fountains. An “inclined fountain” happens when the nozzle is angled away from the sky (a change in vent geometry) or if there is a partial blockage.

    Inclined fountains happened briefly and suddenly in 1959 (Kīlauea Iki) and 1969 (Maunaulu) after the cone partially collapsed into the vent during lava fountaining (a partial blockage). It took up to 20 minutes for the blockages to clear and the fountain to straighten itself. As the nearest viewing areas of the current eruption are over a mile away from the vents, they are not likely to be directly affected in the unlikely event of an inclined fountain.

    The USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) will continue to monitor Kīlauea’s summit eruption and its hazards, working closely with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency. The combination of an episodic lava fountain and hurricane season is rare and its good to maintain an awareness of which way the wind is blowing.

    These maps show lava flow and tephra accumulation at Kīlauea volcano associated with episodes 23 (left) and 24 (right) of the ongoing eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu that started on December 23, 2024, using data recorded by the Italian Space Agency’s (ASI) COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation satellite constellation. These maps combine cross-polarized radar amplitude images taken on two different dates, along with interferometric coherence from the time between those dates. In the maps, unchanged barren areas are represented in blue/purple, vegetated areas appear in yellow/light green, and new deposits over barren land are shown in either dark or bright green. Large yellow dots show measured tephra deposit thickness, and the dotted circle encompasses distances within 1.3 miles (2.1 kilometers) of the eruptive vents. Public viewing areas within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are indicated with white squares; these can be temporarily closed for public safety.

    Volcano Activity Updates

    Kīlauea has been erupting episodically within the summit caldera since December 23, 2024. Its USGS Volcano Alert level is WATCH.

    Episode 26 of the Kīlauea summit eruption in Halemaʻumaʻu crater occurred on June 20, with approximately 9 hours of fountaining from the north and south vents. Summit region inflation since the end of episode 26, along with persistent tremor, suggests that another episode is possible and could start between June 29 and July 3. Sulfur dioxide emission rates are elevated in the summit region during active eruption episodes. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

    Mauna Loa is not erupting. Its USGS Volcano Alert Level is at NORMAL.

    No earthquakes were reported felt in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week.

    HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and Mauna Loa.

    Please visit HVO’s website for past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlauea and Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake information, and more. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland News – Te Aupōuri wins big at 2025 Whakamānawa ā Taiao – Environmental Awards

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    After years of protecting and reinvigorating the vast and variable whenua of their beloved Te Aupōuri, Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata Taiao’s hard mahi has paid off, winning two top awards at this year’s Northland Regional Council Whakamānawa ā Taiao – Environmental Awards.
    Te Rūnanga Nui O Te Aupōuri’s kaitiaki arm, Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata Taiao, were the big winners of Thursday night’s biennial awards ceremony held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, taking out not only the Kaitiakitanga award, but the overall Te Tohu Matua- Supreme Award (subs: Thursday, June 26).
    Over the past several years, the team of 12 has installed 16,250 meters of fencing, restored 0.625 hectares of wetland, planted more than 120,000 native plants and captured 2288 invasive species.
    During that time, they also developed essential work skills and achieved significant conservation outcomes, like bringing back the critically endangered Ultriculis australis and declining long-fin tuna.
    Their ‘holistic approach to protecting te taiao’, award judges said, had resulted in significantly improving the wellbeing of their whenua.
    The judges were also impressed at how their kaupapa had strengthened connections between their iwi and their whenua, had fostered environmental awareness amongst local kura and engaged the community in sustainable land management practices.
    Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata Taiao lead Niki Conrad says the group is happy and humbled by the accolades.
    “A lot of people are doing some really good work out there and it’s great to be recognised, especially when we are from way up north and a lot of our work is behind the scenes.”
    “We’re sticking true to our kaupapa and all our kaimahi are invested in it.” 
    The awards – held for the sixth time – recognise individuals, groups and organisations making a difference for Northland’s environment.
    According to the judges, competition was fierce across all award categories this year thanks to the high calibre of applications.
    Council Deputy Chair Tui Shortland says she is excited to see the number of incredible projects protecting te taiao across Northland and that the awards are NRC’s way of recognising and celebrating that kaitiakitanga in action.
    Councillor Shortland also congratulated the Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata Taiao team and says she commended them for the important improvement to the wellbeing of their lands, which were of cultural, social, and environmental significance.
    “Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata have created employment opportunities for 12 local Te Aupouri iwi members, developing essential skills and achieving notable conservation outcomes,” Shortland says.
    “The project has also involved whānau, hapū, and iwi and enhanced self-confidence, pride, and well-being through activities that deepen understanding of whakapapa, tūpuna heritage, and historical sites.
    “They have also collaborated with Te Kura o Te Kao to carve and erect pou at significant sites, which further underscores their commitment to cultural preservation and environmental stewardship.”
    Other winners:
    Piroa Conservation Trust; Environmental action in water quality improvement.
    The Piroa Conservation Trust is a coalition of over 30 community-led conservation groups dedicated to restoring biodiversity in Bream Bay and surrounding areas.
    The group demonstrated lots of measurable outcomes, high levels of community involvement and an impressive scope of initiatives.
    These included riparian planting (with 10,000 plants already in the ground), water quality testing, wetland restoration and fencing were key to the success of the Wai Tuwhera project, with water quality data being consistently measured.
    The trust has strong relationships with iwi, hapū and community groups, working with Patuharakeke and in partnership with Whitebait Connection and NZ Landcare Trust, and has been thoughtful in seeking ways to engage directly with farmers.   
    A strong focus on educational outreach, including workshops and school programmes, has raised awareness and educated the community about the importance of water quality.
    The trust has also been active on social media, ensuring their activities gain recognition across Te Taitokerau and thought of innovations to develop their reach, for example distributing “riparian gift packs”.
    Trustee and group founder Ann Neill says winning the award is an amazing privilege.
    Highly commended in the water quality category was Tiaki Nga Wai O Hokianga.
    Weed Action Native Habitat Restoration Trust; Environmental action in the community.
    The trust’s application demonstrates the depth of its engagement and success in drawing in the community to its mahi. Its range covers a very wide geographic area and it is tackling a huge weed control problem – this is a massive commitment and requires an enormous amount of work. 
     The trust has made great connections across the community and has a very good relationship with iwi/hapū, including with Aki Tai Here. They have a good set of well-recorded measurable outcomes.
    Trust ecological advisor Mike Urlich says the recognition had left him “a bit emotional and just really stoked”. “It’s an acknowledgement of all the hard work that goes on.”
    Highly commended in the environmental action in the community category were Tiaki Nga Wai O Hokianga, Bream Head Conservation Trust Reserve Revegetation and Ngā Kaitiaki o te Ahi.
    Project Island Song; Environmental action to protect native life.
    This project has had an undoubted impact over time, having achieved 15 years of pest-free status and 40,000 trees planted. Long-term commitment is evident and the group’s mahi has made a huge difference to Pewhairangi Bay of Islands. 
    The group works with school groups, individuals, families and businesses and in partnership with hapū and the governing committee. The school involvement was especially inspirational, particularly with the small, isolated schools. 
    The group is working on pest control, returning lost species and clearly making good progress on tackling weeds too. 
    Project Island Song chair William Fuller says the group enjoys good community support and puts the group’s success down to the hard work of hundreds of volunteers over many years. “Everyone has a passion for restoring the bird song.”
    Highly commended in the environmental action to protect native life category were Piroa Conservation Trust, Weed Action Native Habitat Restoration Trust and Jill Mortensen. 
    Bay of Islands International Academy; Environmental action in education.
    This entry demonstrated an outstanding holistic approach, involving all levels and curriculum areas across the school and throughout their local community and hapū. The academy has successfully woven te ao Māori and sustainability throughout its mahi. 
    It was impressive to note the impact on students, who have been empowered to take ownership of environmental change. The academy has also ensured a multi-generational approach by enabling older students to teach younger students and enabling kaumatua as expert helpers. Its trapping programme is extensive.
    Spokesperson Lucy Miller says winning the award was a surprise but felt it was well-deserved.
    “All the kids have been taught to be kaitiaki of their land, the ocean that’s near them and to look after Purerua Peninsula.”
    Highly commended in the environmental action in education category were Whangārei Girls’ High School, Hurupaki School and Te Kura O Hato Hohepa Te Kamura.
    Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust; environmental leadership.
    Mountains to Sea has a broad focus on freshwater and marine ecosystems and the connection between them. Its application stood out for its very strong community partnerships, commitment to education and the cross-community development it fosters throughout its mahi. 
    The freshwater habitat restoration undertaken through its īnanga spawning program has had a huge impact – on protecting biodiversity across Te Taitokerau and enabling a widespread and consistent community engagement programme that upskills and inspires. The trust has active partnerships with iwi, hapū and schools and facilitate high levels of community volunteering.
    Spokesperson Kim Jones says people are doing some amazing work around Te Taitokerau and for the trust to be recognised with the award was awesome, amazing and humbling.
    Highly commended in this category was The Love Bittern Project.
    Earth Buddies; Youth Environmental Leader.
    Earth Buddies is an inspiring youth-led education programme designed and delivered by 25 students from Whangārei Girls’ High School’s kaiarahi (prefect) team and Environmental Committee. 
    The students have formed a partnership with Whangārei Primary School to provide bi-weekly environmental lessons to more than 150 students in Years 3 and 4. The lessons cover topics such as composting, climate change, and pest management.  
    Through these engaging sessions, the secondary students are not only helping to develop critical thinking in the younger generation but are also strengthening their own environmental knowledge. This initiative goes beyond the classroom by encouraging families to adopt eco-friendly practices and inviting parents/caregivers to take part in activities. 
    In helping to educate the next generation, Earth Buddies is contributing to long-term conservation and climate mitigation efforts in Whangārei and is a programme that could be replicated in other communities. 
    Group leader Stella Moreton says the group is very honoured and excited to be recognised.
    Highly commended in this category were Roman Makara – Taiao Club and India Clarke.
    Te Rūnanga Nui o Te Aupōuri – Oranga Whenua Oranga Tangata Taiao Team; Kaitiakitanga.
    Highly commended in this category were Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust – Te Pou Taiao, Ngā Kaitiaki o te Ahi and Ngā Kaitiaki O Ngā Wai Māori.
    Tū Mai Rā Energy Northland; environmental action in business.
    Tū Mai Rā offers solar power solutions, aiming to harness the energy of the sun – Tū Mai Rā means to ‘Stand before the sun’. 
    This entry demonstrated commitment to the community – Tū Mai Rā is not subject to a regulatory requirement to provide electricity, it is doing it to benefit the community. This will have a positive impact on many people by improving climate resilience, and community resilience during natural hazards. A greater uptake of renewable energy will reduce greenhouse gases and resilience will be improved in remote areas. 
    Tū Mai Rā Energy is also providing employment and upskilling opportunities for locals, bringing more benefits to the community. Tū Mai Rā is an excellent application, which is portrayed by its achievement as the winners of the Tai Tokerau Māori Business Merit Award and receiving highly commended in the climate change category as well.
    Company director Ella Te Huia says keeping true to yourselves and what you believe in is the right thing to do.
    Patuharakeke Te Iwi Trust – Te Pou Taiao; environmental action to address climate change.
    Te Pou Taiao o Patuharakake (TPT) is preparing and supporting its people to adapt to a changing climate by equipping them with the tools and strategies to do so. 
    TPT has harnessed technology to begin to address the climate crisis and has developed a climate change risk assessment tool to visually illustrate the risks to Patuharekeke rohe. The toolbox features sea level rise modelling and identifies coastal flood hazard zones and erosion prone land. 
    The toolbox will be used to inform the Patuharakeke Hapū Environmental Management Plan (which is currently in its draft phase), incorporating both mātauranga Māori and western science within mitigation, adaptation and resilience strategies. 
    The levels of community engagement are excellent and its passion shines through in the application. Its approach to developing climate resilience through holistic thinking is impressive.
    Trust pou hautu Juliane Chetham says the trust has a fantastic team and sees a lot of young rangatahi taking a leadership role which is appropriate in the climate change arena.
    Highly commended in this category was Tū Mai Rā Energy Northland. 
    Piroa Conservation Trust; winner Kiwi Coast Special Award.
    Piroa Conservation Trust is a collaborative, forward thinking group which incorporates hapū, schools, community, DOC, businesses and a team of volunteers.
    A strong governance has helped guide direction to become a broad conservation group at the southern area of Northland. The vision for expansion of pest control and kiwi habitat will help the long-term survival of kiwi in Te Tai Tokerau, Northland.
    Project Island Song was highly commended in this category. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Booker, Goldman Reintroduce Legislation to Address Vulnerabilities Within Federal Gun Background Check System

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Jersey Cory Booker
    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY-10) reintroduced the Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act, legislation that would address flaws in the background check process and keep firearms out of the hands of individuals that courts determine pose a risk of harm to others. 
    Current federal law requires licensed gun dealers to conduct a background check using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) before completing a sale to ensure a buyer is not a prohibited purchaser. Yet, because state and federal background check processes can vary, jurisdictions cannot effectively and accurately report individuals who have been prohibited by a court from purchasing or possessing a firearm as a condition of their pretrial release.
    “We must close the existing loopholes in the background check system, especially when individuals who are known risks to public safety are still able to buy a firearm,” said Senator Booker. “This legislation will ensure that individuals subject to a pretrial release court order cannot walk into a gun store and buy one. We must act to close the dangerous gaps in our background check system so we can save lives and keep our communities safe.”
    “Improving our background check system and closing loopholes that allow unfit individuals to access firearms is one of the most effective steps we can take to address America’s tragic gun violence crisis,” said Congressman Goldman. “I am proud to jointly reintroduce the ‘Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act’ with Senator Booker, which will close a dangerous loophole in our background check system by flagging individuals on pretrial release who are legally barred from purchasing firearms as a condition of their release. Congress must stop twiddling our thumbs and start taking decisive steps to close these deadly loopholes and prevent weapons from falling into the wrong hands.”
    “Background checks have proven to be an effective way to prevent gun deaths and keep our communities safe,” said Senator Padilla. “This bill is a commonsense step to ensure dangerous individuals cannot legally buy a gun while awaiting trial. I will keep fighting to strengthen background checks and protect families from the devastating toll of gun violence.”
    “Support for universal background checks is nearly unanimous among Americans, but when background checks have misguided loopholes, firearms can still fall into the hands of someone dangerous to themselves or others,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining Senator Booker to introduce the Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act, which is much needed, commonsense legislation to strengthen background checks.”
    The Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act would:
    Amend federal law to deny firearm sales to any person subject to a pretrial release court order that prohibits the person from purchasing, possessing, or receiving guns while awaiting trial.
    Prohibit any person from knowingly selling or disposing of a gun to individuals who fall in this category.
    Authorize $25 million in additional funding to be made available to states to pay for timely and accurate reporting of pretrial orders involving firearms restrictions to NICS
    The Preventing Pretrial Gun Purchases Act has been endorsed by the following organizations: Everytown for Gun Safety, Newtown Action Alliance, Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
    This legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). 
    To read the full text of the bill, click here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Australia – Australia’s set to accept its one millionth refugee – AMES

    Source: AMES

    Sometime, probably around October this year, a person will step off aircraft somewhere in Australia in the last stage of their journey way from conflict or persecution.

    This person will be the one millionth refugee settled in Australia since the end of World War II.

    The Department of Home Affairs says Australia has successfully settled more than 985,000 refugees and humanitarian entrants since the country’s first humanitarian intake occurred in 1947.

    With 20,000 refugee places currently allocated for each financial year, the million milestone is due to be reached in the early months of the 2025-26 financial year.

    Based on these figures, it is expected the one-millionth arrival to occur sometime between September and November 2025.

    The milestone represents a million individual journeys toward refuge and a million stories of people rebuilding their lives in safety with hope for the future.

    Since the 1930s, Australia has welcomed refugees fleeing global conflicts — from Jewish refugees before and after World War Two, to Southeast Asians after the Vietnam War.

    Following World War Two, Australia entered formal agreements with international bodies to accept displaced people from Europe.

    In November 1947, more than 800 people from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania arrived in Fremantle. They were the first of 170,000 displaced persons resettled in Australia after World War Two.

    Later decades saw more structured resettlement, particularly in response to major global conflicts.

    Over the past 40 years, Australia has continued to resettle people from conflict-riven regions, including the Southeast Asia the Middle East, Africa and Myanmar.

    Today, refugees from Ukraine, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, Myanmar and countries in the Horn of Africa continue to arrive under the humanitarian program.

    In two recent emergency situations, Australia evacuated 4100 refugees from Afghanistan following the return of the Taliban to power in 2021 and around 4,000 Ukrainians, mostly women and children, who initially arrived on tourist visas after the Russian invasion are new transitioning to permanent protection visas.

    CEO of AMES Australia Cath Scarth said the million-refugee mark was a reflection of Australia’s proud history of affording refugee to people fleeing war, conflict or persecution.

    “Australia has a generous and sophisticated refugee settlement program that not only offers refuge to people fleeing war or persecution but also equips them to build successful lives and become contributors,” Ms Scarth said.

    “We are an example to the world at a time when more than 122 million people are displaced due to war, conflict or persecution,” she said.

    Australia is a leading refugee resettlement country, ranking among the top few resettlement countries on a per capita basis.

    The United States has historically accepted the greatest number of refugees, but its program has recently been effectively shuttered by the Trump administration, meaning the loss of 100,000 annual resettlement places.

    Among refugees who have come to Australia in recent years are:

    Iraqi doctor Asseel Yako who, in his homeland, tended to battlefield wounds suffered by soldiers or militia members fighting ISIS or patching up women children horrifically injured in explosions of gunfire.

    Ten years later he is still saving lives working a consultant physician, specialising in internal medicine at Warragul Hospital, in Gippsland, Victoria.

    The job is the culmination of years of hard work, striving to get his qualifications recognised in Australia.

    He had studied and worked as a doctor for almost twenty years before arriving in Australia, but he was forced to jump through extraordinary hoops to be able practice medicine again.

    Cambodian refugee Chan Uoy has helped breathe new life into the struggling regional town of Dimboola, in Victoria’s west.

    Chan has opened the Dimboola Imaginarium, an eclectic and exotic gift shop and Air BnB recently featured in the high-end magazine Conde Nast Traveller. Chan has also recently become the deputy mayor of the local Hindmarsh Shire.

    The Dimboola Imaginarium is a stimulating space with a cornucopia of exotic wares, including an almost life-size giraffe, oversize world globes, and colourfully painted rocking horses. The five Air BB bedrooms have differing but exotic and indulgent décor.

    He has also launched the Wimmera Steampunk Festival, which this year is expected to attract 5000 visitors to the town.

    Young soccer star Yaya Dukuly is the embodiment of refugee aspiration and success.

    The 22-year-old Adelaide United soccer star was born into a refugee family in Guinea. His father is a Liberian and his mother is from Guinea.

    Yaya arrived in Australia with his family as a child and grew up in Adelaide. Now a professional footballer and Australian under-23 representative, he is also an emerging community leader and role model.

    Yaya brought is powerful and authentic new voice in the multicultural sector, supporting newly arrived refugees and advocating for their communities.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Climate Report – Global Drought Hotspots Report Catalogs Severe Suffering, Economic Damage

    Source: United Nations – Convention to Combat Desertification

    Food, water, energy crises, human tragedies in 2023-2025 detailed in sweeping analysis by U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

    Fuelled by climate change and relentless pressure on land and water resources, some of the most widespread and damaging drought events in recorded history have taken place since 2023, according to a UN-backed report launched today.

    Prepared by the U.S. National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC) and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), with support from the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), the report “Drought Hotspots Around the World 2023-2025” provides a comprehensive account of how droughts compound poverty, hunger, energy insecurity, and ecosystem collapse.

    Says UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw: “Drought is a silent killer. It creeps in, drains resources, and devastates lives in slow motion. Its scars run deep.”

    “Drought is no longer a distant threat,” he adds. “It is here, escalating, and demands urgent global cooperation. When energy, food, and water all go at once, societies start to unravel. That’s the new normal we need to be ready for.”

    “This is not a dry spell,” says Dr. Mark Svoboda, report co-author and NDMC Founding Director. “This is a slow-moving global catastrophe, the worst I’ve ever seen. This report underscores the need for systematic monitoring of how drought affects lives, livelihoods, and the health of the ecosystems that we all depend on.”

    “The Mediterranean countries represent canaries in the coal mine for all modern economies,” he adds. “The struggles experienced by Spain, Morocco and Türkiye to secure water, food, and energy under persistent drought offer a preview of water futures under unchecked global warming. No country, regardless of wealth or capacity, can afford to be complacent.”

    A wide-ranging crisis

    The new report synthesizes information from hundreds of government, scientific and media sources to highlight impacts within the most acute drought hotspots in Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia), the Mediterranean (Spain, Morocco, Türkiye), Latin America (Panama, Amazon Basin), Southeast Asia, and beyond.

    Africa: 

    • Over 90 million people across Eastern and Southern Africa face acute hunger. Some areas have been enduring their worst ever recorded drought.
    • Southern Africa, already drought-prone, was devastated with roughly 1/6th of the population (68 million) needing food aid in August 2024. 
    • In Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, maize and wheat crops have failed repeatedly. In Zimbabwe alone, the 2024 corn crop was down 70% year on year, and maize prices doubled while 9,000 cattle died of thirst and starvation. 
    • In Somalia, the government estimated 43,000 people died in 2022 alone due to drought-linked hunger. As of early 2025, 4.4 million people – a quarter of the population – face crisis-level food insecurity, including 784,000 expected to reach emergency levels.
    • Zambia suffered one of the world’s worst energy crises as the Zambezi River in April 2024 plummeted to 20% of its long-term average. The country’s largest hydroelectric plant, the Kariba Dam, fell to 7% generation capacity, causing blackouts of up to 21 hours per day and shuttering hospitals, bakeries, and factories.

    Mediterranean:

    • Spain: Water shortages hit agriculture, tourism, and domestic supply. By September 2023, two years of drought and record heat caused a 50% drop in Spain’s olive crop, causing its olive oil prices to double across the country. 
    • Morocco: The sheep population was 38% smaller in 2025 relative to 2016, prompting a royal plea to cancel traditional Eid sacrifices.
    • Türkiye: Drought accelerated groundwater depletion, triggering sinkholes that present hazards to communities and their infrastructure while permanently reducing aquifer storage capacity.

    Latin America:

    • Amazon Basin: Record-low river levels in 2023 and 2024 led to mass deaths of fish and endangered dolphins, and disrupted drinking water and transport for hundreds of thousands. As deforestation and fires intensify, the Amazon risks transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source.
    • Panama Canal: Water levels dropped so low that transits were slashed by over one-third (from 38 to 24 ships daily between October 2023 and January 2024), causing major global trade disruptions. Facing multi-week delays, many ships were rerouted to longer, costlier paths via the Suez Canal or South Africa’s infamous Cape of Good Hope. Among the knock-on effects, U.S. soybean exports slowed, and UK grocery stores reported shortages and rising prices of fruits and vegetables.

    Southeast Asia:

    • Drought disrupted production and supply chains of key crops such as rice, coffee, and sugar. In 2023-2024, dry conditions in Thailand and India, for example, triggered shortages leading to a 8.9% increase in the price of sugar in the US.

    “A Perfect Storm” of El Niño and climate change

    The 2023–2024 El Niño event amplified already harsh climate change impacts, triggering dry conditions across major agricultural and ecological zones. Drought’s impacts hit hardest in climate hotspots, regions already suffering from warming tr

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Wildfire Update – June 26

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 26, 2025

    As of 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 26, there are 20 active wildfires in Saskatchewan. Of those active fires, two are categorized as contained, six are not contained, nine are ongoing assessment and three are listed as protecting values.   

    This year, Saskatchewan has had 268 wildfires, which is well above the five-year average of 169 to date. 

    One community remains under an evacuation order: East Trout Lake. Priority individuals from Creighton and Denare Beach have been repatriated.   

    The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency’s (SPSA) Recovery Task Team continues to meet with community leaders to discuss recovery efforts.      

    Over $5.1 million has been transferred directly to residents as well as communities that are distributing the $500 Government of Saskatchewan Financial Assistance to their residents that have been impacted by the wildfires. This financial support will reach over 10,000 individuals who qualify. The SPSA is continuing to coordinate with communities that have asked for its support in distributing this financial assistance.  

    Evacuees who have not yet registered are encouraged to do so through the Sask Evac Web Application or by calling 1-855-559-5502 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  

    Evacuees supported by the Canadian Red Cross can call 1-800-863-6582.  

    A full list of evacuated and repatriated communities can be found on the Information for Evacuees webpage. 

    As of June 26, 2025, at 11:59 PM, the provincial wildfire State of Emergency will expire. With the expiry of the State of Emergency, the SPSA will return to providing media wildfire updates as necessary. The latest information, an interactive fire ban map, frequently asked questions, fire risk maps and fire prevention tips can be found at saskpublicsafety.ca. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Technologies Announces Voting Results of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) – Intermap Technologies Corporation (“Intermap” or the “Company”) held its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) on June 26, 2025, at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, located at 3700, 400 Third Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta. A total of 27,270,817 Class A common shares of Intermap (“Common Shares”), representing 45.93% of the total Common Shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

    Intermap’s shareholders voted in favor of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, being (i) the election of all nominated directors, as more fully described in the Company’s management information circular dated May 28, 2025 (the “Circular”), and (ii) the appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company, as more fully described in the Circular and in the press release issued by the Company on June 20, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The results of the vote in respect of the election of directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, until their successors are duly elected or appointed, or until they otherwise cease to hold office, are as follows:

    Nominee   Result of Vote   Votes For   Votes Withheld
    Patrick A. Blott   Elected   18,579,224
    (96.38%)    		   698,190
    (3.62%)
    Philippe Frappier   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)
    John (Jack) Hild   Elected   18,694,826
    (96.98%)    		   582,588
    (3.02%)
    Jordan Tongalson   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)

    The results of the vote in respect of the appointment of MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, with remuneration to be determined by the board of directors of the Company, are as follows:

    Votes For 26,566,313
    (97.42%)
    Votes Withheld 704,504
    (2.58%)

    About Intermap Technologies
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermap Technologies Announces Voting Results of the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) – Intermap Technologies Corporation (“Intermap” or the “Company”) held its annual general meeting of shareholders (the “Meeting”) on June 26, 2025, at the offices of Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, located at 3700, 400 Third Avenue S.W., Calgary, Alberta. A total of 27,270,817 Class A common shares of Intermap (“Common Shares”), representing 45.93% of the total Common Shares outstanding, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting.

    Intermap’s shareholders voted in favor of all items of business put forward at the Meeting, being (i) the election of all nominated directors, as more fully described in the Company’s management information circular dated May 28, 2025 (the “Circular”), and (ii) the appointment of MNP LLP as auditors of the Company, as more fully described in the Circular and in the press release issued by the Company on June 20, 2025, copies of which are available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    The results of the vote in respect of the election of directors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, until their successors are duly elected or appointed, or until they otherwise cease to hold office, are as follows:

    Nominee   Result of Vote   Votes For   Votes Withheld
    Patrick A. Blott   Elected   18,579,224
    (96.38%)    		   698,190
    (3.62%)
    Philippe Frappier   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)
    John (Jack) Hild   Elected   18,694,826
    (96.98%)    		   582,588
    (3.02%)
    Jordan Tongalson   Elected   18,696,326
    (96.99%)    		   581,088
    (3.01%)

    The results of the vote in respect of the appointment of MNP LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as auditors of the Company to hold office until the next annual general meeting of shareholders, with remuneration to be determined by the board of directors of the Company, are as follows:

    Votes For 26,566,313
    (97.42%)
    Votes Withheld 704,504
    (2.58%)

    About Intermap Technologies
    Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Intermap (TSX: IMP; OTCQB: ITMSF) is a global leader in geospatial intelligence solutions, focusing on the creation and analysis of 3D terrain data to produce high-resolution thematic models. Through scientific analysis of geospatial information and patented sensors and processing technology, the Company provisions diverse, complementary, multi-source datasets to enable customers to seamlessly integrate geospatial intelligence into their workflows. Intermap’s 3D elevation data and software analytic capabilities enable global geospatial analysis through artificial intelligence and machine learning, providing customers with critical information to understand their terrain environment. By leveraging its proprietary archive of the world’s largest collection of multi-sensor global elevation data, the Company’s collection and processing capabilities provide multi-source 3D datasets and analytics at mission speed, enabling governments and companies to build and integrate geospatial foundation data with actionable insights. Applications for Intermap’s products and solutions include defense, aviation and UAV flight planning, flood and wildfire insurance, disaster mitigation, base mapping, environmental and renewable energy planning, telecommunications, engineering, critical infrastructure monitoring, hydrology, land management, oil and gas and transportation. 

    For more information, please visit www.intermap.com or contact:
    Jennifer Bakken
    Executive Vice President and CFO
    CFO@intermap.com
    +1 (303) 708-0955

    Sean Peasgood
    Investor Relations
    Sean@SophicCapital.com
    +1 (647) 260-9266

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 06/26/2025 Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Ensure U.S. Foreign Aid Recipients Cannot Undermine America’s Interests

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation to ensure United States foreign aid does not squander taxpayer dollars by propping up governments represented in the United Nations (U.N.) that undermine U.S. interests:

    “No more should American taxpayers have to question the value of foreign assistance to countries that oppose our values and interests,” said Senator Blackburn. “The United States must be a good steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring every dollar that we send to foreign nations drives global stability and advances American interests. The United Nations Voting Accountability Act would ensure that taxpayers are not forced to fund countries that undermine and vote against the U.S. in the United Nations.”

    The United Nations Voting Accountability Act is sponsored by U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) in the House of Representatives.

    BACKGROUND

    • Every year, the U.S. spends tens of billions of dollars on foreign aid for countries around the world. The U.S. also contributes more to the United Nations than any other country, and many recipient countries of U.S. foreign aid often vote against America’s interests at the U.N., leaving American taxpayers questioning the value of continued assistance.
    • After the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Russia, China, and Pakistan began circulating a U.N. resolution calling for an unconditional ceasefire, which ignores Iran’s support for terrorism and shields the Iranian regime from accountability.
    • While the resolution does not name the U.S. or Israel, its intent is obvious. It is unacceptable for U.S. aid recipients to use international platforms to undermine America and protect adversaries like Iran. 

    THE UNITED NATIONS VOTING ACCOUNTABILITY ACT

    The United Nations Voting Accountability Act would block U.S. foreign aid to any country that opposes the U.S. at the U.N. or sponsors or leads resolutions that target the U.S. or its allies.

    The U.S. Secretary of State may exempt a country if it is determined that:

    • There has been a fundamental change in the leadership and policies of the government of the country to which the prohibition applies; and
    • As a result of such change, the government will no longer oppose the position of the U.S. in the U.N.

    Click here for bill text.

    RELATED

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Statement on Supreme Court Ruling Paving the Way for States to Ban Planned Parenthood from Seeing Medicaid Patients

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling that paves the way for states to ban Medicaid recipients from getting health care at a Planned Parenthood clinic.
    “Women in Nevada and across the nation rely on Planned Parenthood for lifesaving health care – including cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, and other reproductive care services,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m outraged that at a time when Congressional Republicans are looking to kick people off of Medicaid, the Supreme Court is opening the floodgates for anti-choice extremists to ban Medicaid recipients from accessing care at Planned Parenthood. This terrible decision will put women at risk, and it’s why I’ll keep fighting to fully restore women’s reproductive freedom.”
    Senator Rosen has been a fighter for women’s reproductive rights, taking action to safeguard access to essential health care for women. This week, she helped introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine Roe protections in federal law and restore women’s reproductive freedom. Earlier this year, Senator Rosen joined Senate colleagues in introducing the Right to Contraception Act, aimed at federally guaranteeing the right to obtain and use contraceptives and shielding providers who prescribe and offer them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: One bad rainstorm away from disaster: why proposed changes to forestry rules won’t solve the ‘slash’ problem

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Bloomberg, Adjunct Senior Fellow, Te Kura Ngahere-New Zealand School of Forestry, University of Canterbury

    Murry Cave/Gisborne District Council, CC BY-SA

    The biggest environmental problems for commercial plantation forestry in New Zealand’s steep hill country are discharges of slash (woody debris left behind after logging) and sediment from clear-fell harvests.

    During the past 15 years, there have been 15 convictions of forestry companies for slash and sediment discharges into rivers, on land and along the coastline.

    Such discharges are meant to be controlled by the National Environmental Standards for Commercial Forestry, which set environmental rules for forestry activities such as logging roads and clear-fell harvesting. The standards are part of the Resource Management Act (RMA), which the government is reforming.

    The government revised the standards’ slash-management rules in 2023 after Cyclone Gabrielle. But it it is now consulting on a proposal to further amend the standards because of cost, uncertainty and compliance issues.

    We believe the proposed changes fail to address the core reasons for slash and sediment discharges.

    We recently analysed five convictions of forestry companies under the RMA for illegal discharges. Based on this analysis, which has been accepted for publication in the New Zealand Journal of Forestry, we argue that the standards should set limits to the size and location of clear-felling areas on erosion-susceptible land.

    Why the courts convicted 5 forestry companies

    In the aftermath of destructive storms in the Gisborne district during June 2018, five forestry companies were convicted for breaches of the RMA for discharges of slash and sediment from their clear-fell harvesting operations. These discharges resulted from landslides and collapsed earthworks (including roads).

    There has been a lot of criticism of forestry’s performance during these storms and subsequent events such as Cyclone Gabrielle. However, little attention has been given to why the courts decided to convict the forestry companies for breaches of the RMA.

    The courts’ decisions clearly explain why the sediment and slash discharges happened, why the forestry companies were at fault, and what can be done to prevent these discharges in future on erosion-prone land.

    New Zealand’s plantation forest land is ranked for its susceptibility to erosion using a four-colour scale, from green (low) to red (very high). Because of the high erosion susceptibility, additional RMA permissions (consents) for earthworks and harvesting are required on red-ranked areas.

    This map shows areas with the highest and lowest susceptibility to erosion.
    David Palmer/Te Uru Rākau, CC BY-SA

    New Zealand-wide, only 7% of plantation forests are on red land. A further 17% are on orange (high susceptibility) land. But in the Gisborne district, 55% of commercial forests are on red land. This is why trying to manage erosion is such a problem in Gisborne’s forests.

    Key findings from the forestry cases

    In all five cases, the convicted companies had consents from the Gisborne District Council to build logging roads and clear-fell large areas covering hundreds or even thousands of hectares.

    A significant part of the sediment and slash discharges originated from landslides that were primed to occur after the large-scale clear-fell harvests. But since the harvests were lawful, these landslides were not relevant to the decision to convict.

    Instead, all convictions were for compliance failures where logging roads and log storage areas collapsed or slash was not properly disposed of, even though these only partly contributed to the collective sediment and slash discharges downstream.

    The court concluded that:

    1. Clear-fell harvesting on land highly susceptible to erosion required absolute compliance with resource consent conditions. Failures to correctly build roads or manage slash contributed to slash and sediment discharges downstream.

    2. Even with absolute compliance, clear-felling on such land was still risky. This was because a significant portion of the discharges were due to the lawful activity of cutting down trees and removing them, leaving the land vulnerable to landslides and other erosion.

    The second conclusion is critical. It means that even if forestry companies are fully compliant with the standards and consents, slash and sediment discharges can still happen after clear-felling. And if this happens, councils can require companies to clean up these discharges and prevent them from happening again.

    This is not a hypothetical scenario. Recently, the Gisborne District Council successfully applied to the Environment Court for enforcement orders requiring clean-up of slash deposits and remediation of harvesting sites. If the forestry companies fail to comply, they can be held in contempt of court.

    A typical scale of clear-felling affected by the June 2018 storms.
    Murry Cave/Gisborne District Council, CC BY-SA

    Regulations are not just red tape

    This illustrates a major problem with the standards that applies to erosion-susceptible forest land everywhere in New Zealand, not just in the Gisborne district. Regulations are not just “red tape”. They provide certainty to businesses that as long as they are compliant, their activities should be free from legal prosecution and enforcement.

    The courts’ decisions and council enforcement actions show that forestry companies can face considerable legal risk, even if compliant with regulatory requirements for earthworks and harvesting.

    Clear-felled forests on erosion-prone land are one bad rainstorm away from disaster. But with well planned, careful harvesting of small forest areas, this risk can be kept at a tolerable level.

    However, the standards and the proposed amendments do not require small clear-fell areas on erosion-prone land. If this shortcoming is not fixed, communities and ecosystems will continue to bear the brunt of the discharges from large-scale clear-fell harvests.

    To solve this problem, the standards must proactively limit the size and location of clear-felling areas on erosion-prone land. This will address the main cause of catastrophic slash and sediment discharges from forests, protecting communities and ecosystems. And it will enable forestry companies to plan their harvests with greater confidence that they will not be subject to legal action.

    Mark Bloomberg receives funding from the government’s Envirolink fund and from local authorities and forestry companies. He is a member of the NZ Institute of Forestry and the NZ Society of Soil Science.

    Steve Urlich 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. One bad rainstorm away from disaster: why proposed changes to forestry rules won’t solve the ‘slash’ problem – https://theconversation.com/one-bad-rainstorm-away-from-disaster-why-proposed-changes-to-forestry-rules-wont-solve-the-slash-problem-258280

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The drought in southern Australia is not over – it just looks that way

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew B. Watkins, Associate research scientist, School of Earth, Atmopshere & Environment, Monash University

    Andrew Watkins

    How often do you mow your lawn in winter? That may seem like an odd way to start a conversation about drought. But the answer helps explain why our current drought has not broken, despite recent rain – and why spring lamb may be more expensive this year.

    Southern Australia has been short of rain for 16 months. Western Victoria, the agricultural regions of South Australia (including Adelaide) and even parts of western Tasmania are suffering record dry conditions. Those rainfall measurements began in 1900 (126 years ago).

    Large parts of southeastern Australia have experienced the lowest rainfall on record over the past 16 months. Serious deficiency means among the driest 10% of such periods on record, Severe deficiency means among the driest 5%.
    Bureau of Meteorology

    Fewer and less intense rain-bearing weather systems have been crossing the southern coastline since February 2024, compared to normal. Put simply, the land has not received enough big dumps of rain.

    But June has finally brought rain to some drought-affected regions. There’s even an emerald green tinge to the fields in certain agricultural areas. But it’s now too cold for plants to really grow fast, meaning farmers will be carting hay and buying extra feed for livestock until the weather warms in spring.

    Lambs in the Adelaide Hills have little to eat without extra feed.
    Saskia Jones

    Too little, too late

    This month, some areas received good rainfall – including places near Melbourne and, to a lesser degree, Adelaide. City people may be forgiven for thinking the drought has broken and farmers are rejoicing. But drought is not that simple.

    Unfortunately, the rainfall was inconsistent, especially further inland. The coastal deluge in parts of southern Australia in early June didn’t extend far north. Traditionally, the start of the winter crop-growing season is marked by 25mm of rain over three days – a so-called “autumn break”. But many areas didn’t receive the break this year.

    The lack of rain (meteorological drought) compounded the lack of water in the soil for crops and pasture (agricultural drought). Parts of Western Australia, SA, Victoria, Tasmania and southern New South Wales had little moisture left in their soils. So some rain is quickly soaked up as it drains into deeper soils.

    To make matters worse, autumn was the warmest on record for southern Australia, following its second-warmest summer on record. This can increase the “thirst” of the atmosphere, meaning any water on the surface is more likely to evaporate. Recent thirsty droughts, such as the 2017–19 Tinderbox Drought in NSW, were particularly hard-hitting.

    Some areas may have experienced “flash drought”, which is when the landscape and vegetation dry up far quicker than you would expect from the lack of rain alone. By May, areas of significantly elevated evaporative stress were present in southeastern SA, Victoria, southern NSW and northern Tasmania.

    In late May and early June, and again this week, there have been winter dust storms in SA. Such dust storms are a bad sign of how dry the ground has become.

    Some regions no longer have enough water to fill rivers and dams (hydrological drought). Water restrictions have been introduced in parts of southwest Victoria and Tasmania. The bureau’s streamflow forecast does not look promising.

    The landscape near Mortlake in western Victoria was still dry in late May. Typically the autumn break (first post-summer rain event of more than 25 mm) occurs here by early May.
    Andrew Watkins

    A green drought

    Remember that lawn mowing analogy? The winter chill has already set in across the south. This means it’s simply too cold for any vigorous new grass growth, and why you are not mowing your lawn very often at the moment.

    Cool temperatures, rather than just low rainfall, also limit pasture growth. While from a distance the rain has added an emerald sheen to some of the landscape, it’s often just a green tinge. Up close, it’s clear there is very limited new growth.

    Rather than abundant and vigorous new shoots, there’s just a little bit of green returning to surviving grasses. This means there’s very limited feed for livestock. To make matters worse, sometimes the green comes from better-adapted winter weeds.

    There will be a lot of hay carting, regardless of rainfall, until spring when the soils start to warm up once again and new growth returns. This all adds up to fewer stock kept in paddocks or a big extra cost in time and money for farmers – and ultimately, a more expensive spring lamb barbecue.

    Is this climate change?

    Southern Australia (southern WA, SA, Tasmania, Victoria and southern NSW) used to experience almost weekly rain events in autumn and early winter. Cold fronts and deep low-pressure systems rolling in from the west brought the bulk of the rainfall.

    Now there is a far more sporadic pattern in these regions. Rainfall in the April to October crop and pasture growing season has declined by around 10–20% since the middle of last century. The strongest drying trend is evident during the crucial months between April and July.

    Further reductions in southern growing season rainfall are expected by the end of this century, especially in southwestern Australia. Southeastern regions, including southern Victoria, parts of SA and northern Tasmania, also show a consistent drying trend, with a greater time spent in drought every decade.

    Drought is complex. Just because it’s raining doesn’t always mean it has rained enough, or at the right time, or in the right place. To make matters worse, a green drought can even deceive us into thinking everything is fine.

    Breaking the meteorological drought will require consistent rainfall over several months. Breaking the agricultural drought will also require more warmth in the soils. Outlooks suggest we may have to wait for spring.

    This article includes scientific contributions from David Jones and Pandora Hope from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.



    Read more:
    Why is southern Australia in drought – and when will it end?

    Ailie Gallant receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub.

    Pallavi Goswami works at Monash University. She receives funding from the National Environmental Science Program, Climate Systems Hub.

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

    – ref. The drought in southern Australia is not over – it just looks that way – https://theconversation.com/the-drought-in-southern-australia-is-not-over-it-just-looks-that-way-259543

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Investigating Potential Seabed Minerals in the Aleutian Arc

    Source: US Geological Survey

    A USGS-led expedition in the Aleutian Arc off Alaska will provide critical information on energy resources, underwater earthquakes and other hazards, seafloor habitats, and biological resources, including key fisheries, as well as potential seabed minerals. Scientists are investigating potential hydrothermal mineral specimens on the seafloor. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Top of the South weather and State Highway update

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    UPDATE 8:20 am:
    Bad weather and flooding are causing further state highway closures in the top of the South Island this morning.

    Drivers must stay off weather-affected highways while they remain closed and avoid any unnecessary travel.

    Nelson/Tasman

    Flooding has closed State Highway 6 between Belgrove and Richmond.

    State Highway 60 has also been closed across its entire length from Richmond to Collingwood because of flooding at multiple locations.

    Marlborough

    State Highway 63 now has a full closure from St Arnaud to Anglesea Street in  Renwick

    Update: 6:50am

    With heavy rain affecting the top of the South Island overnight, and continuing to fall this morning, road crews are attending multiple incidents on state highways across the region.

    Wet weather driving conditions apply and road users can experience traffic management at multiple locations due to flooding, rockfalls, and slips.

    Nelson/Tasman

    Rob Service, System Manager, says there are multiple flooding and slips sites in the Nelson/Tasman region

    “State Highway 6 near Wakefield, is under a temporary closure for light vehicles due to flooding.”

    “State Highway 60 at the Riwaka/Kaiteriteri intersection is also affected by flooding and slips have also been reported on the Tākaka Hill,” Mr Service says.

    There is also localised  flooding at the Three Brothers intersection (SH6/SH60), as well as in Brightwater, Belgrove, and Kohatu.

    Mr Service says with heavy rain still falling, the potential for further disruption on local highways remains

    “It is essential drivers take extreme caution on the roads while the bad weather continues. Road crews are  attending multiple incidents and are doing their best to resolve issues as they arise.”

    Marlborough

    Flooding has closed State Highway 63 in Renwick between Anglesea Street and Inkerman Street. Local road detours are available, and drivers can expect delays.

    System Manager  Wayne Oldfield says surface flooding has also been reported at multiple sites.

    “This includes State Highway 6 at Havelock, State Highway 63 in the Wairau Valley, and State Highway 1 near Koromiko.”

    “These sections of highway are currently open, but driving conditions are challenging. While the rain continues to fall, drivers must be prepared for road hazards and the possibility of road closures,” Mr Old field says.

    General advice

    The Metservice has regional weather warnings in place until this afternoon and evening for both Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough. This means the risk of flooding, slips, rockfalls remains ongoing.

    Drivers must check road and weather conditions before they travel and avoid any area where highways are  closed due to bad weather.

    All road closures must be obeyed. They are there to keep the public safe.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: A burning warning following hundreds of kitchen fires 

    Source:

    Between 17 May 2024 and 31 March 2025, Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) attended 750 residential fires that started in the kitchen, accounting for nearly half (39.8%) of all residential fires within its jurisdiction during that period.   

    During the same period, CFA responded to 219 structure fires originating in the kitchen, representing 28.3% of all house fires in CFA serviced areas.   

    The combined total equates to an average of just over three kitchen fires per day in Victoria.   

    Among those who’ve been affected by a kitchen fire is Melbourne woman Jen Vuk, who suffered serious burns in September 2024 after her flowing top caught alight while she was making tea on a gas stovetop.  

    “Before I’d even had the chance to realise what was happening, the flames had already devoured my top and was spreading fast across my chest, up my neck and under my arm. It felt like it wanted more with every second,” Jen said.   

    “I tried to put the fire out by sprinkling water from the tap onto myself. It didn’t help. In fact, it only helped to fan the flames.”  

    Jen believes that if it weren’t for the quick actions of her family, including her then 17-year-old son who came to her aid and removed most of her burning clothes, and standing under a cold shower for 20 minutes before being taken to The Alfred, her injuries would have been much worse.  

    She spent two weeks in the Alfred burns unit and underwent multiple surgeries. She’d suffered mid to deep dermal burns to her chest, neck, right arm and back, and superficial burns to her face.   

    Now months into recovery, Jen hopes that by sharing her experience she can help others understand how quickly life changing incidents can unfold.    

    “If this helps even one person remember to stop, drop and roll when their clothes catch fire, then job done,” she said.   

    Unfortunately, stories such as Jen’s are on the rise.   

    Acting Deputy Director, Victorian Adult Burns Service at The Alfred, Dr Tam Quinn said, “we’ve already seen a 21% increase in patients presenting with burns sustained in the home this year, and many of these patients require surgery and skin grafting.”  

    “Any burn injury requiring grafting can be life changing, because while lifesaving, they can leave scarring and result in some functional impairment.   

    “Depending on the severity of the burn, patients may require prolonged stays in the intensive care unit, weeks in hospital and potentially a rehabilitation facility. In the long-term patients may require months to years of scar management, not to mention the psychological impact that such an injury can have.”  

    Victoria’s fire agencies encourage all Victorians to take the following steps to remain safe while in the kitchen:  

    • Pay attention in the kitchen and never leave cooking unattended.    
    • Take extra care around open flames if wearing flowing or loose-fitting clothing.   
    • Always supervise children, keep them away from the stove top and oven.    

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Raskin Introduce Bicameral Bill to Cut Off Federal Contracts to Gun Dealers Whose Firearms Are Consistently Linked to Violent Crime

    US Senate News:

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

    Padilla, Raskin Introduce Bicameral Bill to Cut Off Federal Contracts to Gun Dealers Whose Firearms Are Consistently Linked to Violent Crime

    Legislation would bar government contracts with bad-apple dealers whose guns are overrepresented in violent crime data
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced a bicameral bill to prevent the federal government from contracting with federally licensed firearms dealers (FFLs) that have a documented history of selling guns that are frequently used to commit violent crimes.
    Existing federal law requires FFLs that have sold 25 or more guns over the course of a single year that are subsequently traced to violent crimes within three years of their sale to report additional information on their sales practices under ATF’s Demand 2 program to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act would leverage this ATF data to identify the small number of FFLs that are consistently and dramatically overrepresented in criminal activity and render them ineligible for federal contracts.
    “Far too often, lucrative federal contracts are inexplicably awarded to firearm dealers who have been linked to dangerous crime,” said Senator Padilla. “The federal government should not be doing business with repeat offenders who are fueling our national gun violence epidemic. Our commonsense legislation aims to combat senseless and preventable gun violence by ensuring that gun dealers keep guns from falling into the wrong hands.”
    “The federal government should not be rewarding gun dealers whose inventory keeps ending up at crime scenes,” said Ranking Member Raskin. “The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act prevents federal agencies from contracting with firearm dealers who have a documented history of selling guns that are used in violent crimes. I’m proud to team up with Senator Padilla on this bicameral, commonsense bill to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t supporting bad-apple gun dealers.”
    “Year after year, a small percentage of firearms dealers are the source of the vast majority of guns quickly diverted to crimes, yet some are awarded federal contracts. The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act will ensure that dealers that supply large numbers of crime guns do not have the privilege of doing business with the federal government, and that only responsible actors in the gun industry receive coveted federal procurement contracts. Brady thanks Representative Raskin and Senator Padilla for introducing this important legislation and for their continued commitment to ending the American gun violence epidemic,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy for Brady.
    The ATF established the Demand 2 Program over two decades ago to improve its clearance rate for tracing firearms used in crimes. Crime gun tracing, administered by the National Tracing Center, establishes the chain of custody of firearms recovered by law enforcement agencies in criminal investigations, from their importer or manufacturer to their first retail purchase at an FFL, creating critical investigative links between a suspect and a recovered firearm.
    The Clean Hands Firearm Procurement Act is endorsed by the following groups: Brady, Community Justice Action Fund, Everytown, GIFFORDS, Jewish Democratic Council of America, and the National Council of Jewish Women.
    The bill is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
    Senator Padilla is a strong advocate for commonsense, lifesaving gun safety reforms. Earlier this year, Padilla co-led the bicameral reintroduction of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2025, legislation to reinstate a nationwide ban on military-style assault weapons. He also led 18 Senators in introducing the Age 21 Act, legislation to raise the minimum age to purchase assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines from 18 to 21, the same age requirement that already applies to purchasing handguns from federally licensed dealers. In June 2022, Padilla voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant gun safety legislation in almost 30 years. In 2023, Padilla joined 27 of his Senate colleagues in reintroducing the Keep Americans Safe Act, renewing efforts to ban the importation, sale, manufacturing, transfer, or possession of gun magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition.
    Full text of the bill is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murkowski Presses OMB Director Vought on Importance of Public Broadcasting for Alaska

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski
    06.26.25
    Washington, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), senior member of the Appropriations Committee, spoke with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Russell Vought. The Director appeared before the committee that was tasked with considering the rescissions package championed by President Trump, which rescinds $9.4 billion in funding previously appropriated by Congress. Senator Murkowski pressed Vought on the importance of public broadcasting in rural Alaska.
    Watch the Senator’s full remarks here.
    The full transcript of the interaction is below.
    TRANSCRIPT
    Murkowski: Thank you for appearing today to answer our questions, whether it’s on the specifics of this rescission package, to where this all might be headed with the Impoundment Control Act.
    I think probably to a number, every one of us is supportive of PEPFAR and the intent of that program. I think we all recognize that most of everything we do around here isn’t entirely perfect, and we try to do as good as we can and improve it every single opportunity that we have.
    I’m going to ask you some questions with regards to Corporation for Public Broadcasting, but just kind of from a more general perspective, it is absolutely the administration’s right to send us rescissions. It’s our right as a Congress to then figure out whether or not we’re going to support them.
    But, I am going to strongly, strongly push back against my colleague here on this side of the aisle, Senator Kennedy in his comments, basically saying that all we have anymore when it comes to appropriations are CRs (Continuing Resolutions), which are a miserable option, and rescissions. I refuse that. I reject that. And I think that not only we as appropriators on this committee should reject that, but we as members of the Senate, members of the Congress, should reject that.
    It’s pretty clear in Article One (of the U.S. Constitution) what it is that we’re supposed to be doing when it comes to the power of the purse, appropriations. We have a responsibility. And administrator, you have aptly pointed out that maybe in some of these areas, we have failed, because I think many of the initiatives that you have specifically cited to our constituents would probably say that’s not what was intended. But, this is our role here in the Congress and as appropriators, to again, assert our role and our responsibility.
    I don’t object to the fact that you have come to this hearing today to present your review. That’s absolutely fair and legitimate. But I want us as senators, I want us as members of the Legislative Branch to make sure that we are being faithful and have fidelity to our requirements under the Constitution as well.
    So, I want to ask about public broadcasting in the time that I have here. You have said that, and it’s more specific to NPR, I think, but you said that basically it’s all political. I am going to give you a little bit of a bird’s eye view of what I consider to be not political when it comes to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and the role that they play in my state. I’ve got kind of a memo here from CoastAlaska, which is our Alaska Public Media, outlining the various public media stations around the state of Alaska. I would like for permission that they be included as part of the record.
    Chair Collins: Without objection.
    Murkowski: But there’s 22 different stations that are listed here, and they’re everywhere from 24% of their annual budget to 70% in Sand Point, in communities that are relatively small but have extraordinary reach. In Barrow, the station up there covers some 95,000 miles when the fiber optic cable was severed by ice about six or seven months ago. That has still not been repaired. It’s public broadcasting that is beaming out to the communities out there to keep those people connected. Right now, we’ve got wildfires that are raging in the Interior part of the state, and so at Fort Yukon and McGrath, it is just our public radio stations that are providing the updates to get people into safe areas.
    Senator Rounds mentioned the very important role that we see with regards to our Tribes. We have more than 60 Tribal stations that [are] served out of KNBA that would be disproportionately impacted, where they offer emergency alerts, vital community connections.
    So I’m going through their concerns because, almost to a number, they’re saying that they will go under if [Corporation of] Public Broadcasting funds are no longer available to them. And you’ve indicated that, well, they’re going to have time to readjust their budget, because it’s not going to be this fiscal year, that’s going to be impacted. When you have a community like Sand Point out in the Aleutian Islands, where 70% of their budget comes from [Corporation of] Public Broadcasting, or in, let’s just say, Wrangell, because I’m going to be going there in a few days, 50% of their budget comes from [Corporation of] Public Broadcasting. There’s no way to recalibrate, there is no safety valve for them.
    So, Administrator, I’ve run out of time to ask my question, but I hope you feel the urgency that I’m trying to express on the on behalf of the people in rural Alaska, and I think in many parts of rural America, where this is their lifeline. This is where they get the updates on that landslide, this is where they get the updates on the wildfires that are coming their way. And so, how they will be able to not only get the emergency alerts that they need, but also the weather reporting to make sure that that fisherman out in Unalaska can go out safely, so that these communities can be connected when the deadly landslide has come through.
    I know Senator Rounds has asked for specific help with regards to the Tribes, but mine is much bigger, and I think we’re not necessarily alone, we’re just a little more extreme in the ask.
    Vought: Senator, thanks for the comment, and we’ll definitely work with you throughout the process if it’s not in Fiscal Year [20]26. I think we’re to the point for decades we’ve had concerns with the extent to which [Corporation of] Public Broadcasting was funding content that was run contrary to the American people, and we’ve got to get to the point where we can finally deal with that. And we believe we put forward a proposal that gives a run rate to be able to deal with that. But I certainly want to work with you throughout the various opportunities that we have moving forward.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Calls on White House to Reverse Reported Hiring of Anti-Vax Conspiracy Theorist Lyn Redwood to CDC

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    ICYMI: Murray Calls for Kennedy to Reinstate Fired ACIP Members or Delay Meeting Until New Members Appropriately Vetted; Calls Out Elevation of Conspiracy Theorist like Redwood
    ICYMI: At HELP Hearing, Senator Murray Presses CDC Nominee on Commitment to Scientific Integrity, Vaccine Access, as RFK Jr. Fires ACIP Members, Pushes Vaccine Conspiracies
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior Member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement in response to news reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) planned to hired notorious anti-vaccine extremist Lyn Redwood, former longtime President of RFK Jr.’s Children’s Health Defense, to help oversee vaccine safety.
    “Republicans and Democrats should both be deeply disturbed by the news that our government plans to appoint another anti-vax extremist to allegedly help oversee vaccine safety at our nation’s premier public health agency. This is as disturbing as it gets, and we cannot become numb to it. I’m calling on the White House to immediately reverse this decision. This White House must not give more conspiracy theorists like Redwood a platform to disseminate even more dangerous lies about vaccines—she’s going to get kids killed because their parents will be too afraid to protect their children against preventable diseases like Measles.
    “Vaccines work—they are safe, effective, and lifesaving. We cannot allow a few truly deranged individuals to distort the plain truth and facts around vaccines so badly. I know that my Republican colleagues know this is wrong—now is not the time to be silent. Kids’ lives are on the line. Anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Lyn Redwood has no place serving as a health advisor at CDC—or anywhere in the Department.” 
    Senator Murray forcefully opposed the nomination of notorious anti-vaccine activist RFK Jr. to be Secretary of HHS, and she has long worked to combat vaccine skepticism and highlight the importance of scientific research and vaccines. Murray was also a leading voice against the nomination of Dr. Dave Weldon to lead CDC, repeatedly speaking up about her serious concerns with the nominee immediately after their meeting. In 2019, Senator Murray co-led a bipartisan hearing in the HELP Committee on vaccine hesitancy and spoke about the importance of addressing vaccine skepticism and getting people the facts they need to keep their families and communities safe and healthy. Ahead of the 2019 hearing, as multiple states were facing measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas, Murray sent a bipartisan letter with former HELP Committee Chair Lamar Alexander pressing Trump’s CDC Director and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health on their efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence.
    Senator Murray has been a leading voice in Congress against RFK Jr.’s dismantling of HHS and attacks on America’s public health infrastructure, raising the alarm over HHS’ unilateral reorganization plan and slamming the closure of the HHS Region 10 office in Seattle and the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Spokane Research Laboratory. Senator Murray has sent oversight letters and hosted numerous press conferences and events to lay out how the administration’s reckless gutting of HHS is risking Americans’ health and safety and will set our country back decades, and lifting up the voices of HHS employees who were fired for no reason and through no fault of their own.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper Cheers Senate Passage of Bipartisan Colorado River Conservation Bill

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Hickenlooper – Colorado
    Program supports Colorado River water users as they explore innovative strategies to conserve water
    Bipartisan bill extends Conservation Pilot Program through 2026
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper cheered Senate passage of his bipartisan Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act. The bill extends the System Conservation Pilot Program, which supports voluntary water conservation projects to manage drought on the Colorado River. U.S. Senators John Barrasso, Michael Bennet, Cynthia Lummis, and John Curtis are cosponsors of the bill. Representative Harriet Hageman leads the House version of the bill. 
    The bill now needs to pass the House before it gets signed into law. 
    “We don’t need to sit around waiting for a silver bullet while the Colorado River runs dry,” said Hickenlooper. “It will take every tool at our disposal to keep water flowing to all seven basin states. Voluntary conservation is a big part of that. We’re committed to getting this bill across the finish line.”
    This legislation extends the pilot program through 2026 as Colorado River Basin states, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and other stakeholders continue discussions on potential long-term water management once current operational rules expire in 2026. The pilot program will help the Upper Basin examine water management strategies that can help water users manage prolonged and severe drought.
    Hickenlooper and Barrasso’s bipartisan Colorado River Basin Conservation Act,which reauthorized the System Conservation Pilot Program through 2024, was signed into law in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding bill. In 2023, the System Conservation Pilot Program received $125 million, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, to enable the Bureau of Reclamation, in partnership with the Upper Colorado River Commission, to implement the System Conservation Pilot Program.
    The Bureau of Reclamation’s authorization to spend SCPP funds expired in December 2024. In 2024, the Colorado River Basin System Conservation Extension Act passed the Senate, but stalled in the House. Funding for the program must be renewed in 2025 for it to continue. 
    As governor, Hickenlooper helped negotiate the 2019 Colorado River Basin Drought Contingency Plan, which helped protect critical levels at Lake Powell and Lake Mead and ensured continued compliance with the 1922 Colorado River Compact. 
    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Public awareness campaign targets extortion threats

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    In response to a rise in extortion threats against members of the South Asian community, BC Crime Stoppers is launching a digital media campaign to raise awareness and encourage reporting of extortion activity.

    “The recent surge in extortion threats targeting members of the South Asian community is very concerning, and we are doing everything we can to support police efforts in investigating these crimes,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “Reporting is the most important step in stopping extortion and keeping people safe, so if you are a victim of extortion, or have any information that could help solve a crime, I urge you to contact Crime Stoppers.”

    With support from the federal government’s Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund, the B.C. government has provided $100,000 to help BC Crime Stoppers run a 60-day extortion awareness campaign. The campaign is launching Thursday, June 26, 2025, and shares important information about recognizing and reporting extortion threats, helping individuals, business owners and families stay safe and informed.

    The campaign was developed in consultation with individuals with deep knowledge of extortion, experience in policing and lived experience within the South Asian community. The goal is encouraging people to report extortion threats to help police stop those responsible. The campaign will be available in English and Punjabi, and will include advertisements on radio, podcasts, Spotify, social media and television.

    “Since 1982, BC Crime Stoppers and its local programs have offered the community an anonymous way to report criminal activity,” said Gillian Millam, executive director, BC Crime Stoppers. “In partnership with the provincial government, BC Crime Stoppers aims to educate the community on how to recognize and report cases of extortion. The primary goal of this campaign is to inform the public and help solve crime.”

    The Province continues to take action to combat serious and organized crime with more than $100 million invested annually to bolster provincial firearm forensic capabilities, strengthen gang enforcement and suppression initiatives, and support community-based prevention and intervention programs.

    Provincial efforts are supported by the federal government’s Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund, with the B.C. government receiving nearly $11 million from Public Safety Canada for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The funding will go toward anti-gang and crime initiatives throughout the province, including the Organized Crime Agency of BC, and police departments to support operations in dismantling serious and organized crime.

    Quotes:

    Chief Const. Colin Watson, Abbotsford Police Department –

    “The Abbotsford Police Department remains dedicated to safeguarding our community and local businesses from the threat of extortion. Through focused investigations, strong partnerships with other agencies, and proactive community engagement, we strive to prevent further harm and ensure those responsible are held accountable. We continue to support affected individuals and urge anyone with information related to extortion to contact their local police department.” 

    Chief Const. Harj Sidhu, Delta Police Department –

    “I want to thank the Province and BC Crime Stoppers for raising awareness about the growing issue of extortion, which has impacted the South Asian community and others. These cases are often linked to organized crime and have created real fear. Early reporting is critical. Delta Police are committed to supporting victims, working with partners, and keeping our community safe. If you receive a threat or have information, please report it. We are here to help.”

    Chief Const. Norm Lipinski, Surrey Police Service –

    “Surrey Police Service’s dedicated Extortion Investigations Team is actively working with our policing partners to identify and arrest those engaged in extortion so we can relieve victims and residents of the understandable fear that these crimes create. We remind individuals who are victims of an extortion attempt to report it to your local police as soon as possible. Every detail can help police unravel these highly complex and sophisticated investigations.”

    Chief Supt. Duncan Pound, BC RCMP Lower Mainland District –

    “The RCMP Lower Mainland District is working with municipal, provincial and federal partners to investigate and disrupt organized crime groups engaged in extortion across the region. The number of victims or complaints have spanned multiple jurisdictions and communities and therefore our investigative approach has been cross jurisdictional and collaborative, to determine any connections or similarities. While progress is being made, police continue to stress the importance of anyone impacted to come forward. The public is urged to report any instances of extortion or suspicious activity to the police, as unreported incidents can enable organized crime to continue operating.”

    Quick Facts:

    • BC Crime Stoppers is a non-profit society and registered charity that receives anonymous tip information about criminal activity and provides it to investigators.
    • Anonymous tips may be provided by contacting Crime Stoppers at 1 800 222-8477 or online at bccrimestoppers.com or https://solvecrime.ca/index.php/en/
    • BC Crime Stoppers accepts tips in a variety of languages and will pay a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest, a charge, recovery of stolen property, seizure of illegal drugs or guns or denial of a fraudulent insurance claim.

    Learn More:

    To view the campaign webpage, visit: https://bccrimestoppers.com/extortion/

    Watch the 30-second campaign in English here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xOhv77PTJqpHJBu1C8xbV9K0t4oQY5BG/view

    Watch the 30-second campaign in Punjabi here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PCzPvE801NE1utwarto7y2etxtojVAdG/view

    To learn more about government’s action to combat serious and organized crime, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PSSG0040-000714

    Victims and their immediate family members may be eligible for benefits to support in their recovery through the Ministry’s Crime Victim Assistance Program: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/if-you-are-a-victim-of-a-crime/victim-of-crime/financial-assistance-benefits

    To locate a victim service program in your community, contact VictimLinkBC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/victims-of-crime/victimlinkbc

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell Announces Plan to Introduce Bill Authorizing Trade Agreement Negotiations With the Middle East

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell

    06.26.25

    Cantwell Announces Plan to Introduce Bill Authorizing Trade Agreement Negotiations With the Middle East

    ‘I believe we need more diplomatic solutions for the region, and I think trade could be a part of that,’ says Cantwell during Washington (DC) International Trade Association roundtable; Under bill from top Dem on the Commerce Committee, partner countries would need to join the Abraham Accords, support nuclear nonproliferation, and coordinate export controls

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, announced a plan to introduce legislation to authorize the administration to pursue negotiations of a trade agreement with the Middle East during a roundtable forum hosted by the Washington International Trade Association (WITA). The agreement would be focused on the information communications technology supply chain.

    “This week, obviously, the U.S. engaged in strikes on Iran to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon, and the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas remains tenuous.

    “I believe we need more diplomatic solutions for the region, and I think trade could be a part of that,” Sen. Cantwell said.

    “Many countries in the Middle East want to diversify their economies and are interested in developing artificial intelligence. I will be introducing legislation to authorize the negotiations of a Middle East trade agreement, an agreement focused on information communication technology. It was built upon what Senators McCain and Baucus introduced 22 years ago to create a Middle East trade preference program in support of the U.S.-Middle East free trade area. I happened to travel to that area with them to talk about this.

    “The legislation that I’m considering would have requirements that partner countries join the Abraham Accords, normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, support reconstruction of Gaza, join in the efforts to support nuclear nonproliferation, and coordinate strong export controls.

    “I think these are the approaches that we should be taking in alliance-building.”

    Sen. Cantwell announced the details of her proposed legislation during a WITA-hosted forum at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., alongside former U.S. Trade Representatives Carla Hills (served under President George H.W. Bush) and Susan Schwab (served under President George W. Bush). Nasim Fussell, VP of Trade and International Policy at Business Roundtable, served as moderator.

    Video of the hourlong roundtable is HERE; a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s opening remarks is HERE.

    Sen. Cantwell is a longtime champion of free trade and opening up new global markets. In April, she introduced the bipartisan Trade Review Act of 2025 to reaffirm Congress’ key role in setting and approving U.S. trade policy, and reestablish limits on the president’s ability to impose unilateral tariffs. Her bill has since picked up 12 additional cosponsors – an equal mix of Republicans and Democrats – and been endorsed by multiple major U.S. business organizations, including the National Retail Federation, which is the largest retail trade association in the world. House members also introduced a bipartisan companion bill, which is also cosponsored by an equal number of Republicans and Democrats.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Stifel Reports May 2025 Operating Data

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, June 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today reported selected operating results for May 31, 2025, in an effort to provide timely information to investors on certain key performance metrics. Due to the limited nature of this data, a consistent correlation to earnings should not be assumed.

    Ronald J. Kruszewski, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “In May, recruiting and market appreciation drove a 3% increase in total client assets and a 4% increase in fee-based assets. Client money market and insured product levels decreased less than 1% during the month primarily due to lower Smart Rate balances as Sweep balances experienced a slight decline. Investment banking activity was negatively impacted by increased market volatility in April, but we have seen momentum increase and our pipelines build throughout the quarter as markets have stabilized. As a result, we anticipate investment banking revenue in the quarter to be down approximately 10% from the second quarter of 2024 but we remain cautiously optimistic for the full year 2025.”

    Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)
      As of   % Change
    (millions) 5/31/2025 5/31/2024 4/30/2025   5/31/2024 4/30/2025
    Total client assets $501,357 $465,959 $485,551   8% 3%
    Fee-based client assets $199,078 $176,461 $190,545   13% 4%
    Private Client Group fee-based client assets $173,557 $154,544 $166,029   12% 5%
    Bank loans, net (includes loans held for sale) $21,204 $19,822 $21,536   7% (2)%
    Client money market and insured product (1) $25,827 $26,230 $26,073   (2)% (1)%

    (1) Includes Sweep deposits, Smart Rate deposits, Third-party Bank Sweep Program, and Other Sweep cash.

    Company Information

    Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) is a financial services holding company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, that conducts its banking, securities, and financial services business through several wholly owned subsidiaries. Stifel’s broker-dealer clients are served in the United States through Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, including its Eaton Partners and Miller Buckfire business divisions; Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc.; and Stifel Independent Advisors, LLC; in Canada through Stifel Nicolaus Canada Inc.; and in the United Kingdom and Europe through Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited. The Company’s broker-dealer affiliates provide securities brokerage, investment banking, trading, investment advisory, and related financial services to individual investors, professional money managers, businesses, and municipalities. Stifel Bank and Stifel Bank & Trust offer a full range of consumer and commercial lending solutions. Stifel Trust Company, N.A., and Stifel Trust Company Delaware, N.A., offer trust and related services. To learn more about Stifel, please visit the Company’s website at www.stifel.com. For global disclosures, please visit www.stifel.com/investor-relations/press-releases.

    Media Contact: Neil Shapiro (212) 271-3447 | Investor Contact: Joel Jeffrey (212) 271- 3610 | www.stifel.com/investor-relations

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Recently-Retired Veterans Crisis Line Responder Tells Duckworth How Veterans’ Services Were Hurt by Trump Administration’s Mass Layoffs

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Tammy Duckworth
    June 26, 2025
    Former VCL responder called the firings of VCL employees a “failure of leadership”
    [WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) this week questioned a recently-retired Veterans Crisis Line (VCL) responder about her experiences working at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) following the Trump Administration’s wrongful termination of VCL workers as part of their purge of the federal workforce. During the hearing, the former VCL responder shared that the Administration’s mass firings caused delayed services to Veterans, directly contradicting VA Secretary Doug Collins’ repeated claims that the VCL’s services to our nation’s heroes were not affected by the mass layoffs. Video of the Q&A exchange can be found on Duckworth’s YouTube.
    “It was extremely troubling to hear testimony that not only verifies Veterans Crisis Line services were, in fact, delayed by the Administration’s indiscriminate mass firings—but also that VCL employees did not receive proper guidance to ensure services weren’t diminished for our Veterans after the reduction in force,” said Senator Duckworth. “Secretary Collins has been evasive and misleading about the quality of the VCL’s services in the wake of the VA’s layoffs. Let’s be clear: all VCL employees are mission critical. We need to be hiring and training more people to work on the VCL—not firing them and then lying about it.”
    During her questioning, Duckworth explained to the VCL responder how she heard directly from VCL employees who were fired that their supervisors were not aware of their terminations until after they were final. Upon hearing this, the VCL responder replied, “That is a failure of leadership.”
    “To strengthen suicide prevention services for Veterans—especially this critical hotline—Congress needs honest and transparent feedback from VA leadership, including a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative data analysis of VCL performance and operations in the wake of the indiscriminate mass terminations,” continued Senator Duckworth. “We have yet to see this Administration, which claims that addressing Veteran suicide is a top priority, take accountability. The only way to end Veteran suicide is to work together, and I implore Secretary Collins to provide the long-awaited information that Congress needs to do its job and remedy this failure of leadership.”
    Duckworth has repeatedly called out Secretary Collins for denying the Trump Administration inflicted any damage on the VCL. In March, Duckworth led her fellow Democratic colleagues in demanding answers from President Donald Trump and VA Secretary Collins on their indiscriminate purge of VA workers, including VCL staff. The group of lawmakers called on Trump and Secretary Collins to immediately outline how many Veterans and VA employees have been fired since the start of this Administration and to tell the truth about how the VCL has been impacted by these terminations.
    In April, Duckworth slammed a senior official from the VA after he failed to publicly commit to rehiring VCL workers who were wrongfully fired in Trump-Musk layoffs. After the first VA purge laid off workers with the VCL—including several Veterans—Duckworth successfully pushed the Trump Administration to reinstate these devoted public servants that work to support our Veterans in their darkest moments.
    Last month, Duckworth introduced the Protecting Veterans in Crisis Act to help safeguard the VCL for the brave Veterans who depend on it by increasing transparency and strengthening Congress’s oversight of this lifeline.
    Additionally, Duckworth and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) are leading the push for the Protect Veteran Jobs Act, legislation that would reinstate the thousands of Veterans who were fired in the Trump-Musk layoffs. Duckworth and Kim subsequently introduced their legislation as an amendment to Republicans’ slush fund continuing resolution. Republicans shamefully blocked it from passing.
    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Mann Commends President Trump’s Effort to Secure Peace Through Strength

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Tracey Mann (Kansas, 1)

    [embedded content]

    CLICK HERE to download Rep. Mann’s remarks.

    CLICK HERE to watch Rep. Mann’s remarks on YouTube.

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to commend President Trump’s efforts in maintaining peace through strength in the Middle East. Over the weekend, President Trump and the U.S. military successfully conducted targeted strikes against Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities while keeping the safety of Americans and U.S. troops at the forefront of the mission. President Trump successfully brokered a ceasefire between Iran and Israel in the days following the strikes.

    Rep. Mann’s Remarks as Prepared:

    Mr. Speaker, thanks to the leadership of President Trump, America and the world are safer today than we were a week ago. Iran, the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, is no longer on the verge of obtaining a nuclear weapon and now they have agreed to a ceasefire with Israel. President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promise to make America safe again. Promises made, promises kept.

    Americans want peace through strength, and that is what President Trump is committed to. For far too long, administrations in Washington, D.C. have created red lines that were crossed without consequence, agreed to deals with Iran that the regime disregarded, and concerned themselves more with appeasement than protecting American interests. President Trump took a different approach.

    For months, President Trump has urged Iran to make a deal. He has been clear—there is no world where Iran, whose leadership chants, “Death to America, Death to Israel,” will be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. Ever. That is not up for debate. President Trump is restoring America’s leadership

    on the world stage and fighting tirelessly to keep Americans safe both at home and abroad.

    This past week, President Trump showed that he is not willing to let America be strung along or taken advantage of. After Iran refused to accept a deal and continued to wreak havoc in the region through its proxy organizations, President Trump carried out targeted, strategic strikes to prevent the pending threat of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. He was also clear: attacks on U.S. forces will not be tolerated, and there will be grave consequences for such action. That is what leadership looks like, and I applaud President Trump for putting America first.

    Audrey and I are grateful that our brave servicemen and women were not harmed in the strikes and continue to pray for the safety of our troops and Americans in the region. The world is safer today because of President Trump, and we pray that the Lord would continue to give him wisdom and discernment as he leads our nation and continues to work on bringing down tensions in the Middle East. God bless President Trump, God bless our troops, and God bless America.

    ###

     

    For more information about Representative Mann, visit: www.mann.house.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Massachusetts Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Lynnfield Strip Mall Fire

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Massachusetts of the July 28, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Lynnfield strip mall fire occurring on  Sept. 10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Massachusetts counties of Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk as well as the New Hampshire counties of Hillsborough and Rockingham.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.  

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and PNPs cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners and PNPs get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 28, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Massachusetts Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits Affected by Lynnfield Strip Mall Fire

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses and private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Massachusetts of the July 28, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the Lynnfield strip mall fire occurring on  Sept. 10, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the Massachusetts counties of Essex, Middlesex and Suffolk as well as the New Hampshire counties of Hillsborough and Rockingham.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and PNPs with financial losses directly related to the disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.  

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business or PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and PNPs cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners and PNPs get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.”

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for small businesses and 3.25% for PNPs, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    The deadline to return economic injury applications is July 28, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: A foundation for the future: state breaks ground on affordable housing site in Stockton

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jun 26, 2025

    What you need to know: La Passeggiata on Lindsey Street in Stockton is the latest site to be transformed from excess, underutilized state land into affordable housing under Governor Newsom’s executive order.

    STOCKTON — Today, state leaders broke ground on a new affordable housing community in downtown Stockton. Through an executive order signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, the former state-owned site will be turned into 94 homes for low-income households.

    “Once again, the Excess Sites program is helping transform state-owned land into something more: hope and stability for our state’s residents. California continues to lead by example in addressing the nation’s affordable housing crisis.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    The Excess Sites program is administered in partnership by the California Department of General Services (DGS) and the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The program identifies state-owned land available and suitable for housing and creates a digital inventory of those properties through the State Excess Sites – Affordable Housing Opportunities Map Viewer. The sites are awarded to developers via a long-term ground lease allowing for low-cost development of affordable housing. This community is being developed by Visionary Home Builders of California.

    “The State’s Excess Sites program continues to transform neighborhoods across California by turning underutilized state property into affordable housing and revitalizing communities,” Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency Secretary Tomiquia Moss said. “This energy-efficient project will reduce the community’s carbon footprint and breathe new life into Downtown Stockton with housing and services for families and seniors.”

    “Having grown up in Stockton, I am honored to be a part of this transformation to provide safe and stable housing for members of the community who need it most,” said Government Operations Secretary Nick Maduros. “This marks another step on California’s journey toward addressing housing needs while staying committed to our sustainability goals.”  
     

    Project details

    The plans for La Passeggiata at 622 East Lindsey Street in Stockton include two buildings, five and six stories high, connected by a breezeway. The five-story building will have 39 one- and two-bedroom apartments, and the six-story building will have 55 two- and three-bedroom apartments. The units will have energy-efficient appliances, rooftop gardens, and will utilize solar energy for seniors and families.

    “The modern, energy-efficient units at La Passeggiata will provide homes for dozens of local families who need an affordable place to live,” DGS Director Ana M. Lasso said. “This project harnesses the best of state, local and nonprofit collaboration to deliver much needed sustainable, affordable housing across the state.”

    “Thanks to the Governor’s executive order, nearly an acre of land sitting unused in the heart of Stockton—blocks from the Civic Center and waterfront—will be transformed into critically needed affordable housing,” HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez said. “Through this ongoing partnership, we are connecting residents in need of housing stability to jobs, transit, amenities, and opportunity.”

    From state land to affordable housing

    In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an Executive Order N-06-19, tasking HCD and DGS with tackling the state’s affordable housing crisis by identifying underutilized state-owned land that could be converted into affordable housing, considering factors such as proximity to job centers, amenities, and public transit. The order has since been utilized to create hundreds of affordable homes on nearly 50 state-owned sites, including:

    • 248 new homes at Sugar Pine Village for families and workers in the Tahoe region
    • 58 new homes for seniors under construction with an additional 150 new homes  starting construction within the year at Mulberry Gardens Senior Apartments in Riverside
    • 75 new homes at 750 Golden Gate Avenue with an additional 92 new homes at 850 Turk Street in San Francisco
    • 58 new homes at Sonrisa in Sacramento

    Recent news

    Jun 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: There are many disingenuous claims swirling about California gas prices “set to soar” – the truth is that gas prices won’t come anywhere close to increasing by 65 cents, as many would have you believe.   SACRAMENTO – California gas prices…

    Jun 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced $135 million is available for wildfire prevention grants – protecting communities from catastrophic wildfire at the same time as President Trump adds new strain to firefighting resources. SACRAMENTO – As President…

    Jun 25, 2025

    News What you need to know: As part of California Jobs First, the state is awarding $15 million through the Regional Investment Initiative to support California Native American tribal partners in creating jobs and developing high-paying and fulfilling careers….

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer than before in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Gregory J. Dick, Professor of Biology, University of Michigan

    A satellite image from Aug. 13, 2024, shows an algal bloom covering approximately 320 square miles (830 square km) of Lake Erie. By Aug. 22, it had nearly doubled in size. NASA Earth Observatory

    Federal scientists released their annual forecast for Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms on June 26, 2025, and they expect a mild to moderate season. However, anyone who comes in contact with toxic algae can face health risks. And 2014, when toxins from algae blooms contaminated the water supply in Toledo, Ohio, was a moderate year, too.

    We asked Gregory J. Dick, who leads the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, a federally funded center at the University of Michigan that studies harmful algal blooms among other Great Lakes issues, why they’re such a concern.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s prediction for harmful algal bloom severity in Lake Erie compared with past years.
    NOAA

    1. What causes harmful algal blooms?

    Harmful algal blooms are dense patches of excessive algae growth that can occur in any type of water body, including ponds, reservoirs, rivers, lakes and oceans. When you see them in freshwater, you’re typically seeing cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae.

    These photosynthetic bacteria have inhabited our planet for billions of years. In fact, they were responsible for oxygenating Earth’s atmosphere, which enabled plant and animal life as we know it.

    The leading source of harmful algal blooms today is nutrient runoff from fertilized farm fields.
    Michigan Sea Grant

    Algae are natural components of ecosystems, but they cause trouble when they proliferate to high densities, creating what we call blooms.

    Harmful algal blooms form scums at the water surface and produce toxins that can harm ecosystems, water quality and human health. They have been reported in all 50 U.S. states, all five Great Lakes and nearly every country around the world. Blue-green algae blooms are becoming more common in inland waters.

    The main sources of harmful algal blooms are excess nutrients in the water, typically phosphorus and nitrogen.

    Historically, these excess nutrients mainly came from sewage and phosphorus-based detergents used in laundry machines and dishwashers that ended up in waterways. U.S. environmental laws in the early 1970s addressed this by requiring sewage treatment and banning phosphorus detergents, with spectacular success.

    How pollution affected Lake Erie in the 1960s, before clean water regulations.

    Today, agriculture is the main source of excess nutrients from chemical fertilizer or manure applied to farm fields to grow crops. Rainstorms wash these nutrients into streams and rivers that deliver them to lakes and coastal areas, where they fertilize algal blooms. In the U.S., most of these nutrients come from industrial-scale corn production, which is largely used as animal feed or to produce ethanol for gasoline.

    Climate change also exacerbates the problem in two ways. First, cyanobacteria grow faster at higher temperatures. Second, climate-driven increases in precipitation, especially large storms, cause more nutrient runoff that has led to record-setting blooms.

    2. What does your team’s DNA testing tell us about Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms?

    Harmful algal blooms contain a mixture of cyanobacterial species that can produce an array of different toxins, many of which are still being discovered.

    When my colleagues and I recently sequenced DNA from Lake Erie water, we found new types of microcystins, the notorious toxins that were responsible for contaminating Toledo’s drinking water supply in 2014.

    These novel molecules cannot be detected with traditional methods and show some signs of causing toxicity, though further studies are needed to confirm their human health effects.

    Blue-green algae blooms in freshwater, like this one near Toledo in 2014, can be harmful to humans, causing gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever and skin irritation. They can be lethal for pets.
    Ty Wright for The Washington Post via Getty Images

    We also found organisms responsible for producing saxitoxin, a potent neurotoxin that is well known for causing paralytic shellfish poisoning on the Pacific Coast of North America and elsewhere.

    Saxitoxins have been detected at low concentrations in the Great Lakes for some time, but the recent discovery of hot spots of genes that make the toxin makes them an emerging concern.

    Our research suggests warmer water temperatures could boost its production, which raises concerns that saxitoxin will become more prevalent with climate change. However, the controls on toxin production are complex, and more research is needed to test this hypothesis. Federal monitoring programs are essential for tracking and understanding emerging threats.

    3. Should people worry about these blooms?

    Harmful algal blooms are unsightly and smelly, making them a concern for recreation, property values and businesses. They can disrupt food webs and harm aquatic life, though a recent study suggested that their effects on the Lake Erie food web so far are not substantial.

    But the biggest impact is from the toxins these algae produce that are harmful to humans and lethal to pets.

    The toxins can cause acute health problems such as gastrointestinal symptoms, headache, fever and skin irritation. Dogs can die from ingesting lake water with harmful algal blooms. Emerging science suggests that long-term exposure to harmful algal blooms, for example over months or years, can cause or exacerbate chronic respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal problems and may be linked to liver cancers, kidney disease and neurological issues.

    The water intake system for the city of Toledo, Ohio, is surrounded by an algae bloom in 2014. Toxic algae got into the water system, resulting in residents being warned not to touch or drink their tap water for three days.
    AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari

    In addition to exposure through direct ingestion or skin contact, recent research also indicates that inhaling toxins that get into the air may harm health, raising concerns for coastal residents and boaters, but more research is needed to understand the risks.

    The Toledo drinking water crisis of 2014 illustrated the vast potential for algal blooms to cause harm in the Great Lakes. Toxins infiltrated the drinking water system and were detected in processed municipal water, resulting in a three-day “do not drink” advisory. The episode affected residents, hospitals and businesses, and it ultimately cost the city an estimated US$65 million.

    4. Blooms seem to be starting earlier in the year and lasting longer – why is that happening?

    Warmer waters are extending the duration of the blooms.

    In 2025, NOAA detected these toxins in Lake Erie on April 28, earlier than ever before. The 2022 bloom in Lake Erie persisted into November, which is rare if not unprecedented.

    Scientific studies of western Lake Erie show that the potential cyanobacterial growth rate has increased by up to 30% and the length of the bloom season has expanded by up to a month from 1995 to 2022, especially in warmer, shallow waters. These results are consistent with our understanding of cyanobacterial physiology: Blooms like it hot – cyanobacteria grow faster at higher temperatures.

    5. What can be done to reduce the likelihood of algal blooms in the future?

    The best and perhaps only hope of reducing the size and occurrence of harmful algal blooms is to reduce the amount of nutrients reaching the Great Lakes.

    In Lake Erie, where nutrients come primarily from agriculture, that means improving agricultural practices and restoring wetlands to reduce the amount of nutrients flowing off of farm fields and into the lake. Early indications suggest that Ohio’s H2Ohio program, which works with farmers to reduce runoff, is making some gains in this regard, but future funding for H2Ohio is uncertain.

    In places like Lake Superior, where harmful algal blooms appear to be driven by climate change, the solution likely requires halting and reversing the rapid human-driven increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

    Gregory J. Dick receives funding for harmful algal bloom research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the United States Geological Survey, and the National Institutes for Health. He serves on the Science Advisory Council for the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

    – ref. Toxic algae blooms are lasting longer than before in Lake Erie − why that’s a worry for people and pets – https://theconversation.com/toxic-algae-blooms-are-lasting-longer-than-before-in-lake-erie-why-thats-a-worry-for-people-and-pets-259954

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI USA: New Warren Report: “Bad Medicine: RFK Jr.’s Dirty Dozen Antivax Attacks”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    June 26, 2025

    As key vaccine panel meets, Sen. Warren highlights a dozen actions by RFK Jr. to undermine access to vaccines, endangering millions of Americans

    “By breaking promises, distorting facts, and pushing out mainstream vaccine experts and disregarding their views while installing anti-vaccination zealots, RFK Jr. has jeopardized the health of millions.”

    Report (PDF)

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) published a new report entitled “Bad Medicine: RFK Jr.’s Dirty Dozen Antivax Attacks,” underscoring the key ways Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. (RFK Jr.) has undermined vaccine access and confidence in vaccines and jeopardized Americans’ health. The report was published during the first meeting of the new Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which RFK Jr. gutted and replaced with members who will advance his own anti-vaccine agenda.

    “Americans should watch carefully to ensure that RFK Jr. and his hand-picked committee do not further undermine public health,” wrote Senator Warren.

    Senator Warren’s “dirty dozen” list of anti-vaccine activities that occurred under RFK Jr.’s watch includes:

    1. “Burying” a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that “emphasized the importance of vaccinating people against the highly contagious and potentially deadly disease,” measles. The report, originally set to be released amidst a growing measles outbreak, found that the risk of contracting measles was high in communities near outbreaks with low vaccination rates.
    2. Promoting pseudoscience remedies and falsehoods while downplaying threats from measles as an outbreak swept across the country. Kennedy falsely claimed that the measles vaccine had not been “safely tested” and that its protection was short-lived. Kennedy pushed false information on X that “cod liver oil” and “Vitamin A” would be an effective treatment. As a result, some unvaccinated children who “were given so much Vitamin A…had signs of liver damage.” After the first death from the disease, he claimed that the outbreak was “not unusual” and failed to mention vaccination as a key to stopping the outbreak.
    3. Ending the “Let’s Get Real” vaccine campaign, which provided resources and information to health care providers for communicating and working with hesitant parents.
    4. Removing the COVID vaccine from the CDC’s recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, without consulting CDC experts.
    5. Commissioning and publishing the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) report, advancing scientifically dubious assertions, filled with distorted research and inaccurate claims about vaccine safety. The MAHA report misleadingly claimed that vaccines are responsible for “many possible adverse events for which there is inadequate evidence to accept or reject a causal relationship.” The MAHA report also cited multiple studies that did not exist, and researchers whose papers were cited indicated that the report had misinterpreted their findings.
    6. Canceling a promising study to develop a Bird Flu vaccine, even as the newest strain of the disease spreads, infecting more than 70 people, and public health officials become increasingly concerned about a broader outbreak.
    7. Ending funding for a broad swath of HIV vaccine studies, potentially setting back US-led efforts to end the global AIDS pandemic by a decade.
    8. Reneging on his promise to “work within the current vaccine approval and safety monitoring systems and maintain the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices without changes,” on February 20th, Kennedy canceled ACIP’s first public meeting of 2025, before firing all the members of the panel on June 9th. ACIP is an independent panel of experts that makes recommendations to the CDC on vaccines. Kennedy also removed the staffers who oversaw ACIP and were responsible for vetting nominees for ACIP membership, effectively leaving the CDC’s chief of staff, a Trump Administration political appointee, in charge of the committee’s planning.
    9. Breaking his pledge not to appoint ideological anti-vaxxers to ACIP, Kennedy named eight new members to the panel, of which at least half are vaccine skeptics. According to various CDC officials, Kennedy circumvented the CDC’s process to select his new committee members.
    10. Announcing in his first address to agency staff as HHS secretary, Kennedy said he would use the Make America Healthy Again commission to investigate the childhood vaccination schedule, despite his baseless claims that it contributes to poor health outcomes.
    11. Hiring David Geier, a known vaccine skeptic who has promoted the debunked link between immunizations and autism, to study the theory. More than a decade ago, state regulators disciplined Grier for practicing medicine without a license.
    12. Forcing Dr. Peter Marks, the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) top vaccine official and head of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, to step down after Dr. Marks refused to comply with Secretary Kennedy’s wish for “subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”

    “During his tenure as the HHS Secretary, RFK Jr. has systematically weakened the nation’s vaccine system, stoking parents’ fears and using his position to push his anti-vaccine agenda and limit access to vaccines,” wrote Senator Warren. “Vaccines are vital to protecting the lives of millions, and if Secretary Kennedy is successful in dismantling the nation’s vaccine system, the nation will face an extraordinary public health crisis.”

    This week, Senator Warren slammed RFK Jr. for his “reckless” and “shortsighted” decision to fire all 17 independent members of the ACIP and replace them with his own hand-picked nominees. Ahead of today’s meeting, Senator Warren pressed RFK Jr. on his conflicts of interest and those of his appointees, raising concerns about their ability to make public health decisions that benefit Americans rather than line their own pockets.

    MIL OSI USA News –