NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-Evening Report: Suffering in Gaza reaches ‘new depths’ – Australia condemns ‘inhumane killing’ of Palestinians

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amra Lee, PhD candidate in Protection of Civilians, Australian National University

    Australia has joined 28 international partners in calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza and a lifting of all restrictions on food and medical supplies.

    Foreign Minister Penny Wong, along with counterparts from countries including the United Kingdom, France and Canada, has signed a joint statement demanding Israel complies with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

    The statement condemns Israel for what it calls “the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians” seeking “their most basic need” of water and food, saying:

    The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths. The Israeli government’s aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity […] It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid.

    Weapon of war

    Gazans, including malnourished mothers denied baby formula, face impossible choices as Israel intensifies its use of starvation as a weapon of war.

    In Gaza, survival requires negotiating what the United Nations calls aid “death traps”.

    According to the UN, 875 Gazans have been killed – many of them shot – while seeking food since the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operating in late May. Another 4,000 have been injured.

    More than 170 humanitarian groups have called for the food hubs to be shut down.

    Gaza has been described as the “hungriest place on Earth”, with aid trucks being held at the border and the United States destroying around 500 tonnes of emergency food because it was just out of date.

    More than two million people are at critical risk of famine. The World Food Programme estimates 90,000 women and children require urgent treatment for malnutrition.

    Nineteen Palestinians have starved to death in recent days, according to local health authorities.

    We can’t say we didn’t know

    After the breakdown of the January ceasefire, Israel implemented a humanitarian blockade on the Gaza Strip. Following mounting international pressure, limited aid was permitted and the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation began operations.

    As anticipated, only a fraction of the aid has been distributed.

    About 1,600 trucks entered Gaza between May 19 and July 14, well below the 630 trucks needed every day to feed the population.

    Israeli ministers have publicly called for food and fuel reserves to be bombed to starve the Palestinian people – a clear war crime – to pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages.

    Famine expert Alex De Waal says Israel’s starvation strategy constitutes a dangerous weakening of international law. It also disrupts norms aimed at preventing hunger being used as a weapon of war:

    operations like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are a big crack in these principles [that is] not going to save Gaza from mass starvation.

    Palestinian organisations were the first to raise the alarm over Israel’s plans to impose controls over aid distribution.

    UN Relief Chief Tom Fletcher briefed the UN Security Council in May, warning of the world’s collective failure to call out the scale of violations of international law as they were being committed:

    Israel is deliberately and unashamedly imposing inhumane conditions on civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

    Tom Fletcher briefing the United Nations on the ‘atrocity’ being committed in Gaza.

    Since then, clear and unequivocal warnings of the compounding risks of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing have intensified from the UN, member states and international law experts.

    Weaponising aid

    The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation claims it has handed out millions of meals since it began operating in the strip in May. But the UN has called the distribution model “inherently unsafe”.

    Near-daily shootings have occurred since the militarised aid hubs began operating. Malnourished Palestinians risking death to feed their families are trekking long distances to reach the small number of distribution sites.

    While the foundation denies people are being shot, the UN has called the aid delivery mechanism a “deliberate attempt to weaponise aid” that fails to comply with humanitarian principles and risks further war crimes.

    Jewish Physicians for Human Rights has rejected the aid’s “humanitarian” characterisation, stating it “is what systematic harm to human beings looks like”.

    Human rights and legal organisations are calling for all involved to be held accountable for complicity in war crimes that “exposes all those who enable or profit from it to real risk of prosecution”.

    Mounting world action

    Today’s joint statement follows growing anger and frustration in Western countries over the lack of political pressure on Israel to end the suffering in Gaza.

    Polling in May showed more than 80% of Australians opposed Israel’s denial of aid as unjustifiable and wanted to see Australia doing more to support civilians in Gaza.

    Last week’s meeting of the Hague Group of nations shows more collective concrete action is being taken to exert pressure and uphold international law.

    Th 12 member states agreed to a range of diplomatic, legal and economic measures, including a ban on ships transporting arms to Israel.

    The time for humanity is now

    States will continue to face increased international and domestic pressure to take stronger action to influence Israel’s conduct as more Gazans are killed, injured and stripped of their dignity in an engineered famine.

    This moment in Gaza is unprecedented in terms of our knowledge of the scale and gravity of violations being perpetrated and what failing to act means for Palestinians and our shared humanity.

    Now is the time to exert diplomatic, legal and economic pressure on Israel to change course.

    History tells us we need to act now – international law and our collective moral conscience requires it.

    Amra Lee 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. Suffering in Gaza reaches ‘new depths’ – Australia condemns ‘inhumane killing’ of Palestinians – https://theconversation.com/suffering-in-gaza-reaches-new-depths-australia-condemns-inhumane-killing-of-palestinians-261547

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hawley, Moore Introduce Resolution Condemning International Persecution of Christians

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo)

    Monday, July 21, 2025

    U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), along with Congressman Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), introduced a resolution condemning the persecution of Christians around the world.

    “Our country was founded on religious liberty. We cannot sit on the sidelines as Christians around the world are being persecuted for declaring Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We must condemn these heinous crimes,” Senator Hawley said. “Year after year, the number of Christians murdered by extremists in Nigeria has numbered in the thousands. Millions more have been displaced. We cannot allow this to continue. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the persecution of Christians around the world by supporting this resolution.”

    “Around the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ face rampant persecution for simply acknowledging the name of Jesus. That is unacceptable. In Nigeria alone, more than 50,000 Christians have been martyred and more than 5 million have been displaced simply for professing their faith. During a Divine Liturgy in Damascus last month, an islamic jihadist opened fire on worshippers and detonated an explosive device — killing at least 30 and wounding dozens more. These examples illustrate the violence and death Christians face on a daily basis,” said Congressman Moore. “Unfortunately, decades of U.S. foreign policy blunders have exacerbated this crisis, with ethno-religious cleansing accelerating in Iraq after our failure to stabilize the country following the 2003 invasion. We as lawmakers cannot continue to sit idly by. I urge my colleagues to join me in condemning the persecution of Christians across the globe.”

    The bill is endorsed by ADF International, Heritage Action for America, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, In Defense of Christians, Global Christian Relief, CatholicVote, Advancing American Freedom, Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), Family Policy Alliance, Christians Engaged, and Save the Persecuted Christians.

    Read the full resolution here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Sustainable Development Goals Not Dream, but Plan’, Secretary-General Tells Political Forum

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    The following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the ministerial segment of the high-level political forum on sustainable development, in New York today:

    This year’s high-level political forum arrives at a time of profound challenge — but also real possibility.  Despite enormous headwinds, we have seen just in the last two months what can be achieved when countries come together with conviction and focus.

    We saw it in Geneva, where the World Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement — a vital step toward a safer, more equitable global health architecture.  We saw it in Nice at the third UN Ocean Conference, where Governments committed to expand marine protected areas and tackle plastic pollution and illegal fishing.

    And we saw it in Sevilla at the fourth International Financing for Development Conference, where countries agreed on a new vision for global finance — one that expands fiscal space, lowers the cost of capital, and ensures developing countries have a stronger voice and participation in the organizations that shape their future.

    These are not isolated wins.  They are signs of momentum.  Signs that multilateralism can deliver.  Signs that transformation is not only necessary — it is possible.  And that is the spirit we bring to this high-level political forum.

    This forum is about renewing our common promise — to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all.  We also recognize the deep linkages between development and peace.

    We meet against the backdrop of global conflicts that are pushing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) further out of reach.  That’s why we must keep working for peace in the Middle East.

    Over the weekend in Gaza, we saw yet more mass shootings and killings of people seeking UN aid for their families — an atrocious and inhumane act which I utterly condemn.

    We need an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of all hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian access as a first step to achieve the two-State solution.  We need the ceasefire between Iran and Israel to hold.  We need a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter, international law and UN resolutions.

    We need an end to the horror and bloodshed in Sudan.  And the list goes on, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar.

    At every step, we know sustainable peace requires sustainable development.  The Sustainable Development Goals are not a dream.  They are a plan.  A plan to keep our promises — to the most vulnerable people, to each other, and to future generations.  People win when we channel our energy into development.

    Since 2015, millions more people have access to electricity, clean cooking, and the internet.  Social protection now reaches over half the world’s population — up from just a quarter a decade ago.  More girls are completing school.  Child marriage is declining.  Women’s representation is growing — from the boardrooms of business to the halls of political power.

    But we must face a tough reality:  Only 35 per cent of SDG targets are on track or making moderate progress.  Nearly half are moving too slowly.  And 18 per cent are going backwards.

    Meanwhile, the global economy is slowing.  Trade tensions are rising.  Inequalities are growing.  Aid budgets are being decimated while military spending soars.  And mistrust, division and outright conflicts are placing the international problem-solving system under unprecedented strain.  We cannot sugarcoat these facts.  But we must not surrender to them either.

    The SDGs are still within reach — if we act with urgency and ambition.  This year’s forum focuses on five critical Goals:  health, gender equality, decent work, life below water, and global partnerships.  All are essential.  All are interconnected.  All can spur change across other goals.

    On health, COVID-19 exposed and deepened inequalities — and today, far too many people still lack access to basic care.  We know what works.  We must boost investment in universal health coverage, rooted in strong primary care and prevention, reaching those furthest behind first.

    On gender equality, gaps remain wide.  Women and girls face systemic barriers — from violence and discrimination to unpaid care and limited political voice.

    But we also see growing momentum:  from grassroots movements to national reforms.  Now is the time to turn that momentum into transformation — with rights-based policies, accountability, and real financing into programmes that support inclusion and equality for women and girls.

    On decent work, the global economy is leaving billions behind. Over 2 billion people are in informal jobs Youth unemployment is stubbornly high.  But we have tools to change this.

    The Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection is helping countries invest in expanded social protection initiatives, skills training, and the creation of sustainable livelihoods — including in growing industries like clean energy.

    Tomorrow, I will deliver an address on the enormous opportunities of the renewables revolution.  The upcoming World Summit on Social Development can help spur further progress.

    On life below water, our ocean and the communities that count on it are paying the price of overfishing, pollution, and climate change. We must deliver on the commitments of the Nice Ocean Conference — to protect marine ecosystems and support the millions who depend on them.  And, finally, on global partnerships — SDG 17 — we need to strengthen all the elements that can support progress.

    This means investing in science, data, and local capacity. And harnessing digital innovation — including artificial intelligence — to accelerate progress, not deepen divides.

    Throughout, we must recognize the need to reform the unfair global financial system, which no longer represents today’s world or the challenges faced by developing countries.

    We must ensure a reform for developing countries to have a stronger voice and greater participation to help advance the Sustainable Development Goals on the ground.

    The Sevilla Commitment that emerged from the Conference on Financing for Development includes important steps:  Through new domestic and global commitments that can channel public and private finance to the areas of greatest need.

    By increasing the capacity of Governments to substantially mobilize domestic resources, including through tax reform.  And by establishing a more effective framework for debt relief and tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks to the benefit of developing countries.

    In the coming year, we must keep building.  We must strengthen and scale up partnerships that deliver — including with the private sector and civil society organizations and local authorities.

    We must embed long-term thinking into every decision, as we committed in the Declaration on Future Generations.  And we must continue to learn from each other.

    Voluntary national reviews — the backbone of this forum — are more than reports.  They are acts of accountability.  They are journeys of self-discovery as countries develop and build.  And they are templates for other countries to follow and learn from.

    By the end of this high-level political forum, we will have surpassed 400 reviews — with over 150 countries presenting more than once.  That is a powerful signal of commitment.  A clear demonstration that solutions exist and can be replicated and expanded.

    With five years left, it’s time to transform these sparks of transformation into a blaze of progress — for all countries.  Let us act with determination, justice and direction. And let’s deliver on development — for people and for planet.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Next steps for state highway recovery and repairs in the top of the South

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    Planning is underway for recovery work on state highways in the top of the South Island.

    The region’s highways have taken a battering from two recent bad weather events, with key routes in Nelson/Tasman and Marlborough affected.

    Mark Owen, Regional Manager for the Lower North Island/Top of the South, says some areas have suffered significant damage and will need substantial repairs.

    “On the Tākaka Hill, we have two slip sites and a slump site that will need remedial work. We expect single-lane stop/go traffic management to remain in place on the hill until the end of the year.”

    There are also scour, slip, and washout repairs needed on State Highway 6 from Belgrove to Kohatu, and an underslip site at Coal Creek near Owen River that needs to be fixed.”

    “We also have work to do in Nelson. Everyone is well aware of the recent closures of State Highway 6 Rocks Road and the slips on this road. We are working on a long-term solution that will see new retaining works done along the top of the cliff face,” Mr Owen says.

    SH6 Rocks Road slip site.

    And he says work is also required in Marlborough, particularly on State Highway 63 through the Wairau Valley.

    “Here, the most pressing task is the washout at Andersons Bridge. Although there are also road repairs  needed west of the Waihopai Bridge where the highway has suffered flood scouring.”

    Mr Owen says it is essential people realise these are areas which are likely to have ongoing work for some time.

    “We are still working through the details – getting geotechnical and site assessments completed and working on designs and solutions.”

    “Once these are finalised, we will be able to share more details about how long specific sites will be affected, and how long people can expect to experience travel delays while repairs are completed. We will keep the community updated,” Mr. Owen says.

    He warns disruptions and delays will be ongoing.

    “Our contractors will work as hard as they can to complete projects as quickly as they can. But it is important people appreciate the top of the South has experienced three major rain events in quick succession.”

    “The damage caused will take time to fix. We are talking months, not weeks,” Mr Owen says.

    Affected state highway sites, top of the South Island

    Location

    Damage

    SH60 Tākaka Hill

    Slump site  at Drummond’s Corner, underslip site, and underslip/overslip site

    SH6 Rocks Road

    Slip site

    SH6 Kohatu

    River scour site

    SH6 Spooners Saddle

    Slip and fallen trees sites

    SH6 Norris Gully

    River/stream scour site

    SH6 Coal Creek

    Underslip site

    SH63 Wairau Valley

    Andersons Bridge washout, road scour west of Waihopai Bridge

    Mr Owen says there are areas, like the scour site on State Highway 6 at Kohatu, that will have temporary repairs in place ahead of permanent work later on.

    “For the highway at Kohatu, a full road rebuild is planned for our upcoming state highway summer maintenance season. It means there will be a temporary road surface in place ahead of that happening.

    “To be effective and durable, road rebuilds have to be done during warmer and drier weather. So, we can’t get this section of State Highway 6 fully rebuilt over winter and early spring,” Mr Owen says.

    General advice

    Drivers can expect road works at multiple locations on state highways across the top of the South Island over the coming months. These will create travel delays, and road users must allow extra time for their journeys.

    NZTA/Waka Kotahi strongly encourages people to check road conditions before they travel.

    Highway conditions – Nelson/Marlborough(external link)

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll in Gaza surpasses 59,000 as Israeli attacks continue

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

    A Palestinian, wounded by Israeli army fire while waiting for humanitarian aid in the northwest of Gaza City, is seen at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, on July 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has surpassed 59,000 since the outbreak of the conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Gaza-based health authorities said on Monday.

    In a press statement, the health authorities said that a total of 59,029 Palestinians have been killed and 142,135 others injured in the ongoing Israeli military operations.

    The health authorities added that 8,196 fatalities and 30,094 injuries were recorded since March 18, reflecting a surge in hostilities in recent weeks.

    According to the latest update, 134 bodies were transferred to Gaza hospitals in the past 24 hours. Additionally, 1,155 people sustained various injuries due to continued airstrikes and shelling during the period, the authorities said, warning of a potential rise in the figure as many victims were still trapped beneath the rubble.

    Both local and international humanitarian organizations have voiced growing alarm over what they described as the “rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation,” and the failure of aid mechanisms to ensure safe and effective delivery.

    “There is an urgent need to establish secure humanitarian corridors and guarantee the safety of civilians attempting to access life-saving supplies,” said a joint statement from NGOs operating in the Gaza Strip.

    Medical sources in Gaza also warned that hospitals and health centers across the enclave are operating under extreme pressure and facing severe shortages of medicines, medical supplies, and fuel, in addition to ongoing power outages, which pose serious risks to thousands of patients, especially those in critical condition and newborns relying on incubators powered by electricity.

    The United Nations and several regional organizations have repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of internationally monitored aid routes, but efforts toward a durable humanitarian solution have yet to yield results. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Humanoid robot industry chain matchmaking event held at 3rd CISCE

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

    The Hubei Humanoid Robotics Industry Chain Matchmaking Conference was held on July 16 during the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo (CISCE) in Beijing, with the theme “Synergizing Cutting-Edge Innovations, Empowering New Quality Productive Forces.”

    Yu Jianlong, vice chairman of the CCPIT, speaks at the Hubei Humanoid Robotics Industry Chain Matchmaking Conference during the 3rd CISCE in Beijing, July 16, 2025. [Photo courtesy of CISCE Organizing Committee]

    The event gathered over 400 participants, including ambassadors to China, academic experts, industry leaders and senior financial executives. Through keynote speeches, presentations, project promotions, product launches and strategic cooperation signings, the conference comprehensively showcased Hubei province’s advantages and potential in humanoid robot development. It facilitated precise connections across the industrial chain while injecting momentum into global humanoid robotics collaboration.

    Yu Jianlong, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), stated at the event that as a pivotal hub where the Belt and Road Initiative intersects with the Yangtze River Economic Belt, Hubei boasts distinct geographical advantages, abundant sci-tech and educational resources, a robust innovation ecosystem and strong openness. In recent years, the province has demonstrated vigorous development momentum in humanoid robotics — from smart manufacturing to core component R&D, and from application scenarios to industrial ecosystem development.

    “At this year’s CISCE, Hubei established the exclusive humanoid robotics exhibition zone, featuring 22 provincial enterprises showcasing over 80 exhibits — including 20 fully-integrated humanoid robots — collectively demonstrating Hubei’s complete industrial chain ecosystem for humanoid robotics,” Yu noted.

    He emphasized that the CCPIT will continue expanding its enterprise service network and international partnerships, working with Hubei to establish high-quality cooperation platforms for Chinese and foreign enterprises. This will help position Hubei’s humanoid robotics industry as a standout brand in developing new quality productive forces.

    Hu Zhonghai, director of the Hubei Sub-Council of the CCPIT, stated in his address that the humanoid robotics industry represents strategic high ground for developing new quality productive forces — serving as both a “barometer” for technological revolution and an “accelerator” for industrial upgrading. He emphasized Hubei’s ideal environment for robotics innovation, with its unique geographic advantages, strong industrial ecosystem support and superior open policies.

    The joint exhibition booth of Hubei humanoid robotics enterprises during the 3rd CISCE in Beijing, July 19, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    He noted the province has prioritized eight major projects, including breakthroughs in humanoid robotics, with 325 Global Fortune 500 companies having now established operations in Hubei. The province is firmly implementing its humanoid robotics industry roadmap targeting initial progress within one year, visible results in three years, and substantial momentum in five years.

    Li Zhengxiang, chairman of the Hubei Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, stated that the center is currently one of China’s largest and most scenario-rich innovation hubs for humanoid robotics. “Through a five-dimensional approach featuring platform leadership, industrial cluster development, financial support, talent empowerment and application scenario implementation, we will build a nationally influential ecosystem for the humanoid robotics industry,” he said.

    Zhao Xingwei, legal representative of JCBot and professor at the School of Mechanical Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), explained that JCBot has achieved industrialization with technical support from the team of academicians at HUST. The company’s products currently serve over 10 application fields, including industrial production, cultural tourism, emergency firefighting, inspection and warehousing. He emphasized JCBot will continue advancing R&D to expand into higher-value applications and support industrial upgrading.

    During the new product launch session, Lou Kaiqi, deputy general manager of Hubei Optics Valley Dongzhi Embodied Intelligence Technology Co. Ltd., unveiled the company’s new humanoid robot model. Lou explained that the robot has already been deployed in various applications including exhibition hall docent services, retail guidance, reception duties and commercial performances, with plans for future expansion into government services, industrial operations, elderly care and other sectors.

    A humanoid robot waves to the audience at the Hubei Humanoid Robotics Industry Chain Matchmaking Conference during the 3rd CISCE in Beijing, July 16, 2025. [Photo courtesy of CISCE Organizing Committee]

    Shao Renjie, deputy director of integration at Hubei Kofon Intelligent Transmission Co. Ltd., unveiled a new drive joint module for humanoid robots at the event. The module integrates core components including high-torque motors, reducers and controllers, featuring high power density, precision control and lightweight design to meet dexterous movement requirements for humanoid robots. Shao noted that the launch of this module helps fill critical gaps in Hubei’s supply chain for humanoid robotics core components, strengthening local industrial self-sufficiency and control capabilities.

    At the matchmaking conference, the Hubei Humanoid Robotics Industry Alliance signed strategic cooperation framework agreements with three partners: the Zhejiang Robot Industry Association, the National and Local Co-Built Humanoid Robotics Innovation Center, and the Zhongguancun Rongzhi Specialized Robotics Alliance. Under the agreements, the four parties will collaborate deeply on technology R&D, market expansion and talent exchange to build a stronger robotics ecosystem, enabling resource sharing and complementary advantages to collectively enhance competitiveness in humanoid robotics.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Travel smart this winter: protect your finances and pack with purpose

    Source: Premier of Victoria

    When the temperature drops, you can often find Australians on the move in search of sunshine, snow, or simply a change of scenery. With winter travel in full swing, being smart about how you plan, spend and pack is more important than ever. With the continued rise in scams across the globe, NAB is helping holidaymakers stay one step ahead of common travel scams, while cult luggage brand July has tips on packing with intention and ease.

    From accommodation bookings and event tickets to and taxis and transport, holidays generally mean more spending in more places, and criminals are ready to take advantage.
    NAB Executive, Group Investigations Chris Sheehan said travelling can create the perfect storm for scams.

    “Travel scams tap into emotions including fear of missing out, tiredness and excitement, which can be heightened in an unfamiliar environment or if we’re really focused on looking for a bargain or managing a budget,” Mr Sheehan, a former Australian Federal Police executive, said.

    “Just like you’d check the weather or plan your itinerary, it’s vital to be aware of common scams – whether you’re travelling locally or abroad – so you can recognise the red flags and protect yourself.”

    Three scams to watch out for if you’re heading off on an adventure include:

    • Accommodation or booking website impersonation scams: Criminals can pose as hotels or booking platforms to convince travellers into sharing payment details or transferring money. The biggest red flag is an email or message requesting you to verify payment details or risk losing the reservation. Always type the website address into your browser rather than clicking a link and contact the provider using details you’ve sourced independently.
    • Ticket scams for major events: Fake listings for concerts and sporting events exploit urgency and excitement. Look for tickets through official resellers, or if possible, speak directly to the seller before sending money.
    • Overcharging or wrong charge scams: These often occur in taxis, restaurants or shops, relying on distraction and unfamiliarity. Research typical costs ahead of time, especially when converting currency, and always review your bill before paying.

    But smart travel isn’t just about protecting your wallet, it’s also about packing with purpose. July co-founders Richard Li and Athan Didaskalou swear by two simple packing hacks to help travellers stay organised and avoid overpacking.

    NAB recommends travellers notify their bank if heading overseas, monitor transactions closely, and use secure payment methods. NAB’s scam prevention initiatives — including removing links from text messages and introducing real-time payment alerts to digital banking — helped stop and recover more than $48m in scam payments between October 2024 and March 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: Texas Parents and Fossil Free Media’s Make Polluters Pay Campaign Hold Memorial Outside White House After Deadly Flooding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Texas parents gathered outside the White House for a solemn memorial and press conference following the catastrophic flooding in Kerr County that claimed more than 120 lives, including 27 children attending summer camp.

    Organized by impacted families and the Make Polluters Pay, a campaign by Fossil Free Media, the memorial featured a powerful visual display of 27 children’s camp trunks on the Ellipse Lawn—each representing a young life lost. Parents placed yellow roses atop the trunks in silence before delivering impassioned remarks demanding federal accountability and urgent action to protect children from worsening climate-driven disasters.

    The ceremony concluded with a stirring performance by a local choir, who sang “Lean on Me” and “Rise Like the Water” as families stood arm in arm, calling for justice and change.

    Parents directly blamed the Trump administration’s cuts to disaster preparedness and early warning systems, including FEMA, NOAA, and the National Weather Service, which they say left communities vulnerable. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, recently inserted language into H.R. 1 that slashed millions from NOAA programs essential for flood forecasting and public alerts.

    “We know that this administration, by destroying renewable energy and using our tax dollars to prop up the fossil fuel industry, an industry that earned $102 billion dollars last year, is doing everything it can to supercharge this climate crisis,” said Texan and mom Samantha Gore. “To also be defunding our NWS and NOAA, the agencies we use to keep our children safe, at the same time is unthinkable. How dare they. Parents won’t sit back while our children die from floods that shouldn’t have been supercharged, from DOGE cuts that put their lives on the line, and from weather services not being funded. What are they thinking? We won’t back down. They are destroying everything we love.”

    In addition to demanding the restoration of life-saving public programs, demonstrators called on President Trump and Congress to hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for the damage their pollution has caused.

    “Texans are grieving because public safety systems were dismantled to serve fossil fuel interests,” said Cassidy DiPaola, spokesperson for the Make Polluters Pay campaign. “Senator Cruz helped cut flood forecasting programs days before the storm. Now families are paying the price while polluters and their allies deflect blame. Texans deserve accountability, not excuses.”

    Speakers stressed that the Kerr County tragedy reflects a growing pattern of climate disasters that will only intensify without bold action and restoration of critical safeguards.

    “It feels like we’ve lost our way as a country in a very short time. In the six months since this administration has been in charge they have encouraged, enabled, allowed a temporary government agency, one with no oversight, to wantonly cut budgets and offer early retirements for roles that are crucial to the safety of our communities. There were other serious failures at lower levels of government, all of which directly contributed to the loss of dozens of children’s lives. These weren’t accidents or acts of God. These were intentional choices. Let that sink in,” said Texan and mom Helen Waters. “ This event affected me deeply as I grew up going to summer camp in the area and I have close friends who were caught in the flooding and nearly died. However it’s clear to me that this has, and will, happen in other places. We must fight for a social contract with reliable and accountable.”

    “As an Austin mom, I’ve been feeling the losses of the children from my community in a very visceral, immediate way,” said Texan and mom Eileen McGinnis. “As the founder of The Parents’ Climate Community, a climate nonprofit in Central Texas, I was moved to join because it’s also vital to connect these losses, this collective grief, to a larger story: kids around the world are bearing the brunt of climate change’s impacts, and we are failing to protect them.”

    To speak with parents or campaign representatives, please contact:
    Cassidy DiPaola | Fossil Free Media | cassidy@fossilfree.media | 401-441-7196

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dec3545d-41ef-480b-a8bf-bb3665e09832

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Texas Parents and Fossil Free Media’s Make Polluters Pay Campaign Hold Memorial Outside White House After Deadly Flooding

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WASHINGTON, July 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Texas parents gathered outside the White House for a solemn memorial and press conference following the catastrophic flooding in Kerr County that claimed more than 120 lives, including 27 children attending summer camp.

    Organized by impacted families and the Make Polluters Pay, a campaign by Fossil Free Media, the memorial featured a powerful visual display of 27 children’s camp trunks on the Ellipse Lawn—each representing a young life lost. Parents placed yellow roses atop the trunks in silence before delivering impassioned remarks demanding federal accountability and urgent action to protect children from worsening climate-driven disasters.

    The ceremony concluded with a stirring performance by a local choir, who sang “Lean on Me” and “Rise Like the Water” as families stood arm in arm, calling for justice and change.

    Parents directly blamed the Trump administration’s cuts to disaster preparedness and early warning systems, including FEMA, NOAA, and the National Weather Service, which they say left communities vulnerable. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, recently inserted language into H.R. 1 that slashed millions from NOAA programs essential for flood forecasting and public alerts.

    “We know that this administration, by destroying renewable energy and using our tax dollars to prop up the fossil fuel industry, an industry that earned $102 billion dollars last year, is doing everything it can to supercharge this climate crisis,” said Texan and mom Samantha Gore. “To also be defunding our NWS and NOAA, the agencies we use to keep our children safe, at the same time is unthinkable. How dare they. Parents won’t sit back while our children die from floods that shouldn’t have been supercharged, from DOGE cuts that put their lives on the line, and from weather services not being funded. What are they thinking? We won’t back down. They are destroying everything we love.”

    In addition to demanding the restoration of life-saving public programs, demonstrators called on President Trump and Congress to hold fossil fuel companies financially accountable for the damage their pollution has caused.

    “Texans are grieving because public safety systems were dismantled to serve fossil fuel interests,” said Cassidy DiPaola, spokesperson for the Make Polluters Pay campaign. “Senator Cruz helped cut flood forecasting programs days before the storm. Now families are paying the price while polluters and their allies deflect blame. Texans deserve accountability, not excuses.”

    Speakers stressed that the Kerr County tragedy reflects a growing pattern of climate disasters that will only intensify without bold action and restoration of critical safeguards.

    “It feels like we’ve lost our way as a country in a very short time. In the six months since this administration has been in charge they have encouraged, enabled, allowed a temporary government agency, one with no oversight, to wantonly cut budgets and offer early retirements for roles that are crucial to the safety of our communities. There were other serious failures at lower levels of government, all of which directly contributed to the loss of dozens of children’s lives. These weren’t accidents or acts of God. These were intentional choices. Let that sink in,” said Texan and mom Helen Waters. “ This event affected me deeply as I grew up going to summer camp in the area and I have close friends who were caught in the flooding and nearly died. However it’s clear to me that this has, and will, happen in other places. We must fight for a social contract with reliable and accountable.”

    “As an Austin mom, I’ve been feeling the losses of the children from my community in a very visceral, immediate way,” said Texan and mom Eileen McGinnis. “As the founder of The Parents’ Climate Community, a climate nonprofit in Central Texas, I was moved to join because it’s also vital to connect these losses, this collective grief, to a larger story: kids around the world are bearing the brunt of climate change’s impacts, and we are failing to protect them.”

    To speak with parents or campaign representatives, please contact:
    Cassidy DiPaola | Fossil Free Media | cassidy@fossilfree.media | 401-441-7196

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dec3545d-41ef-480b-a8bf-bb3665e09832

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit” Act Passes through U.S. House of Representatives

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) successfully passed H.R. 131, the “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit” Act, through the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday evening by voice vote. The bill eliminates interest payments on construction costs endured by non-federal entities and extends the repayment period to 75 years, allowing local communities more flexibility to finish their investments in this critical project. Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03) is a cosponsor of the bill, while Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

    Upon completion, the Arkansas Valley Conduit would provide access to clean water to 50,000 residents in Southeast Colorado, including Bent, Crowley, Prowers, Kiowa and Baca Counties. The project was originally started in 1962 and has been delayed by bureaucracy and, most recently, rising construction and labor costs. The “Finish the AVC” Act addresses these issues in an effort to make this long-standing vision a finished product.

    “This is a major victory for Southeast Coloradans with my ‘Finish the AVC Act’ passing through the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Boebert. “Every Coloradan should have reliable access to clean water, which keeps families healthy and allows economic development to move forward. It’s been more than six decades since the Arkansas Valley Conduit was originally approved; Coloradans are done waiting on this project. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for their support and I will fight to make sure this bill now passes through the Senate so President Trump can sign this bill in the near future.”

    “Access to reliable, clean water is fundamental to the health and prosperity of our rural communities, and the Arkansas Valley Conduit has remained an unfinished promise for far too long,” said Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03). “I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation with Congresswoman Boebert to remove financial barriers and help get this vital project across the finish line. This will strengthen agriculture, support families, and fuel economic growth across Southeast Colorado — a win for everyone who calls this region home.”

    “Rural water providers in our area often struggle to secure the funding needed to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Completing the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), which has been stalled for decades as labor and construction costs continue to rise, would help reduce the financial burden on these providers and enhance their ability to deliver a higher quality and a more reliable water supply,” said Prowers County Commissioners Ty Harmon, Roger Cook, and Roger Stagner. “In addition to supporting households and businesses, a stable water supply is essential for agriculture — the backbone of our community’s economy. Reliable water access ensures that farmers and ranchers can maintain production, adapt to drought conditions, and sustain the long-term viability of their operations. We’re grateful for Congresswoman Boebert’s work on this project and her efforts to support Southeast Colorado.”

    “In the West, it is critical that we have sound water infrastructure to meet communities’ needs,” said House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “Rep. Boebert’s legislation will help get the Arkansas Valley Conduit project across the finish line more than 60 years after it was authorized. I thank her for her work to move this important project forward and her leadership on western water issues.”

    The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s H.R. 131 can be read HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit” Act Passes through U.S. House of Representatives

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lauren Boebert (Colorado, 3)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-04) successfully passed H.R. 131, the “Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit” Act, through the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday evening by voice vote. The bill eliminates interest payments on construction costs endured by non-federal entities and extends the repayment period to 75 years, allowing local communities more flexibility to finish their investments in this critical project. Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03) is a cosponsor of the bill, while Colorado Senator Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

    Upon completion, the Arkansas Valley Conduit would provide access to clean water to 50,000 residents in Southeast Colorado, including Bent, Crowley, Prowers, Kiowa and Baca Counties. The project was originally started in 1962 and has been delayed by bureaucracy and, most recently, rising construction and labor costs. The “Finish the AVC” Act addresses these issues in an effort to make this long-standing vision a finished product.

    “This is a major victory for Southeast Coloradans with my ‘Finish the AVC Act’ passing through the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Boebert. “Every Coloradan should have reliable access to clean water, which keeps families healthy and allows economic development to move forward. It’s been more than six decades since the Arkansas Valley Conduit was originally approved; Coloradans are done waiting on this project. I’m grateful to my House colleagues for their support and I will fight to make sure this bill now passes through the Senate so President Trump can sign this bill in the near future.”

    “Access to reliable, clean water is fundamental to the health and prosperity of our rural communities, and the Arkansas Valley Conduit has remained an unfinished promise for far too long,” said Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03). “I’m proud to cosponsor this legislation with Congresswoman Boebert to remove financial barriers and help get this vital project across the finish line. This will strengthen agriculture, support families, and fuel economic growth across Southeast Colorado — a win for everyone who calls this region home.”

    “Rural water providers in our area often struggle to secure the funding needed to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Completing the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), which has been stalled for decades as labor and construction costs continue to rise, would help reduce the financial burden on these providers and enhance their ability to deliver a higher quality and a more reliable water supply,” said Prowers County Commissioners Ty Harmon, Roger Cook, and Roger Stagner. “In addition to supporting households and businesses, a stable water supply is essential for agriculture — the backbone of our community’s economy. Reliable water access ensures that farmers and ranchers can maintain production, adapt to drought conditions, and sustain the long-term viability of their operations. We’re grateful for Congresswoman Boebert’s work on this project and her efforts to support Southeast Colorado.”

    “In the West, it is critical that we have sound water infrastructure to meet communities’ needs,” said House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “Rep. Boebert’s legislation will help get the Arkansas Valley Conduit project across the finish line more than 60 years after it was authorized. I thank her for her work to move this important project forward and her leadership on western water issues.”

    The full text of Congresswoman Boebert’s H.R. 131 can be read HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: ‘Su Chao’ transforms Wuxi into festival of football and flavor

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

    Beneath neon lights and the glow of a towering outdoor screen, a voice rang out – “Goal for Huai’an!” The shout cut through the air, momentarily halting Wuxi local Yuan Yijun mid-bite, her hands suspending a plump crayfish midair.

    “Suddenly,” Yuan laughed, “even my beloved crayfish didn’t taste as good.”

    On July 20, the 1.38-kilometer-long Hubin Commercial Street in Wuxi’s Binhu District, east China’s Jiangsu Province, turned into a stadium of its own. It was lined not with bleachers, but with steaming night market stalls, rows of folding chairs and hungry, hyped-up fans.

    Lu Zhiyong (1st L) of Changzhou goes for a header against Nanjing during the 2025 Jiangsu Football City League in Changzhou, east China’s Jiangsu Province on June 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

    The Sunday night saw Wuxi host Huai’an in a much-anticipated match of the wildly popular Chinese grassroots league known as the Su Super League, or “Su Chao.” Online, fans dubbed the derby the “Honey peach vs. Crayfish,” a playful reference to the two cities’ culinary claims to fame.

    “For us, eating crayfish is our own way of cheering for the Wuxi team,” Yuan said, gesturing to the pool of chili oil and glistening carapaces before her.

    “Honestly, I’m not even a hardcore fan. My friends and I came here to hang out, snack and soak up the vibe. It’s all about the ambience,” she added.

    Inside the stadium, chants rattled the rafters. Outside, every goal lit up the squares and parks. On social media, memes and banter about the quirky faceoff spread like wildfire. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup remaining a distant glimmer on the horizon, “Su Chao” has already ignited a football fever in China.

    Since its kickoff in May, the city-based amateur league has drawn staggering attention, with peak single-game attendance surpassing 60,000, over a million fans scrambling for tickets each round and short video platform impressions soaring past 10 billion.

    The July 20 match coincided with the opening of Hubin Commercial Street’s summer shopping festival, infusing the street with an almost orchestral tempo. Over 370 renowned eateries lined the street, but none drew more eager crowds than the competing crayfish stands.

    “This street is famous for its crayfish-fueled night market,” said Ji Chenjie, deputy general manager of a company running the commercial street. “Tonight, we counted nearly 40,000 visitors. Many merchants took it upon themselves to ride the ‘Su Chao’ wave. Some even set up pop-up stalls in whatever open space was left.”

    Even for the vendors, team loyalty was a delicious dilemma. “As someone from Huai’an now doing business in Wuxi, I had mixed feelings,” admitted Sun Wei, a crayfish shop owner originally from Huai’an’s Xuyi County, which is renowned for its crayfish industry.

    Wuxi narrowly lost 2-1 in the Sunday clash, but Sun was far from disappointed. “The city may have lost on the pitch, but it has won in business. I’m all smiles.”

    Residents and tourists enjoy food while watching a game at Hubin Commercial Street in Binhu District, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. (Photo by He Leijing)

    According to Ji, the commercial complex has been transformed into a vast, pulsing network of viewing points, with three enormous LED screens beamed matches live and over 40 shops streaming the game indoors. “Even if you’re dining inside, just glance up, and you’re still part of the action,” she said. “It’s full immersion.”

    The “Su Chao” boom has also inspired a flood of creative merchandising. “We’re blending football with food, local crafts and street cultures. Everything from themed menus to local handicrafts and folk art is popping up,” Ji added. “It’s about sport, but also about storytelling and culture.”

    Elsewhere in Jiangsu, similar scenes repeat nightly, as the grassroots league is sparking new life into summer nightlife economies. In Wuxi alone, city authorities have designated 43 public viewing sites for fans to gather, ranging from bustling plazas and parks to neighborhood squares.

    For visiting Huai’an fan Chen Hongzhi, watching the match in Wuxi was only part of a longer holiday. “We watched the game, then took the kids to explore the Ling Shan scenic area,” he said. “They even gave out free peaches to our Huai’an fans! We’re staying a few more days to visit some other attractions.”

    Statistics show that the Ling Shan scenic area drew 40,000 tourists over the weekend, over 60 percent of whom came from Huai’an.

    “Winning or losing in the league doesn’t matter that much,” Chen said. “What matters is that people are part of something – part of a city, part of a story, part of the joy.”

    “I’ve been a football fan for years, but I never thought I’d see football become so woven into our everyday life,” he reflected. “It’s something new. It’s almost moving.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ and allies condemn ‘inhumane’, ‘horrifying’ killings in Gaza and ‘drip feeding’ of aid

    RNZ News

    New Zealand has joined 24 other countries in calling for an end to the war in Gaza, and criticising what they call the inhumane killing of Palestinians.

    The countries — including Britain, France, Canada and Australia plus the European Union — also condemed the Israeli government’s aid delivery model in Gaza as “dangerous”.

    “We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.”

    They said it was “horrifying” that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid, the majority at food distribution sites run by a US- and Israeli-backed foundation.

    “We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life saving work safely and effectively,” it said.

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters . . . “The tipping point was some time ago . . . it’s gotten to the stage where we’ve just lost our patience.” Image: RN/Mark Papalii

    “Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a ‘humanitarian city’ are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.”

    The statement said the countries were “prepared to take further action” to support an immediate ceasefire.

    Reuters reported Israel’s foreign ministry said the statement was “disconnected from reality” and it would send the wrong message to Hamas.

    “The statement fails to focus the pressure on Hamas and fails to recognise Hamas’s role and responsibility for the situation,” the Israeli statement said.

    Having NZ voice heard
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report, New Zealand had chosen to be part of the statement as a way to have its voice heard on the “dire” humanitarian situation in Gaza.

    “The tipping point was some time ago . . .  it’s gotten to the stage where we’ve just lost our patience . . . ”

    Peters said he wanted to see what the response to the condemnation was.

    “The conflict in the Middle East goes on and on . . .  It’s gone from a situation where it was excusable, due to the October 7 conflict, to inexcusable as innocent people are being swept into it,” he said.

    “I do think there has to be change. It must happen now.”

    The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

    Israel’s subsequent air and ground war in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians — including at least 17,400 children, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry, while displacing almost the entire population of more than 2 million and spreading a hunger crisis.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ and allies condemn ‘inhumane’, ‘horrifying’ killings in Gaza and ‘drip feeding’ of aid

    RNZ News

    New Zealand has joined 24 other countries in calling for an end to the war in Gaza, and criticising what they call the inhumane killing of Palestinians.

    The countries — including Britain, France, Canada and Australia plus the European Union — also condemed the Israeli government’s aid delivery model in Gaza as “dangerous”.

    “We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.”

    They said it was “horrifying” that more than 800 civilians had been killed while seeking aid, the majority at food distribution sites run by a US- and Israeli-backed foundation.

    “We call on the Israeli government to immediately lift restrictions on the flow of aid and to urgently enable the UN and humanitarian NGOs to do their life saving work safely and effectively,” it said.

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters . . . “The tipping point was some time ago . . . it’s gotten to the stage where we’ve just lost our patience.” Image: RN/Mark Papalii

    “Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a ‘humanitarian city’ are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.”

    The statement said the countries were “prepared to take further action” to support an immediate ceasefire.

    Reuters reported Israel’s foreign ministry said the statement was “disconnected from reality” and it would send the wrong message to Hamas.

    “The statement fails to focus the pressure on Hamas and fails to recognise Hamas’s role and responsibility for the situation,” the Israeli statement said.

    Having NZ voice heard
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told RNZ Morning Report, New Zealand had chosen to be part of the statement as a way to have its voice heard on the “dire” humanitarian situation in Gaza.

    “The tipping point was some time ago . . .  it’s gotten to the stage where we’ve just lost our patience . . . ”

    Peters said he wanted to see what the response to the condemnation was.

    “The conflict in the Middle East goes on and on . . .  It’s gone from a situation where it was excusable, due to the October 7 conflict, to inexcusable as innocent people are being swept into it,” he said.

    “I do think there has to be change. It must happen now.”

    The war in Gaza was triggered when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

    Israel’s subsequent air and ground war in Gaza has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians — including at least 17,400 children, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry, while displacing almost the entire population of more than 2 million and spreading a hunger crisis.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Everyone’s talking about the Perseid meteor shower – but don’t bother trying to see it in Australia or NZ

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland

    View of the 2023 Perseid meteor shower from the southernmost part of Sequoia National Forest, US. NASA/Preston Dyches

    In recent days, you may have seen articles claiming the “best meteor shower of the year” is about to start. Unfortunately, the hype is overblown – particularly for observers in Australia and New Zealand.

    The shower in question is the Perseids, one of the “big three” – the strongest annual meteor showers. Peaking in the middle of the northern summer, the Perseids are an annual highlight for observers in the northern hemisphere.

    As a result, every year social media around the world runs rife with stories about how we can enjoy the show. For an astronomer in Australia, this is endlessly frustrating – the Perseids are impossible to see for the great majority of Australians and Kiwis.

    Fortunately, there are a few other meteor showers to fill the void, including a pair that will reach their peak in the next seven days.

    What are the Perseids?

    Every year, Earth runs into a stream of debris laid down over thousands of years by comet 109P/Swift–Tuttle. The comet swings around the Sun every 133 years or so, shedding dust and debris each time. Over the millenia, that material has spread to create a vast stream.

    Animation of comet Swift–Tuttle’s orbit from 1850 to 2150. The blue orbit is Earth, magenta is the comet, with Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus’s orbits in green, red and yellow respectively.
    Phoenix7777/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Earth starts to run into debris from Swift–Tuttle in mid-July, and takes six weeks to pass through the stream. When the dust and debris hit Earth’s atmosphere, the resulting meteors create bright streaks in the sky – a meteor shower.

    For most of that time, the dust we encounter is very widely spread, and so few meteors are seen. Around August 12, Earth reaches the densest part of the Perseid stream and the shower reaches its peak.

    The Perseids aren’t even the ‘best’ meteor shower

    Comet Swift–Tuttle last passed through the inner Solar System in 1992. With the comet nearby, Earth encountered more dust and debris, making the Perseids the best meteor shower of the year.

    In the decades since, the comet has receded to the icy depths of the Solar System, and the peak rates for the Perseids have fallen off.

    The “best” (most abundant) meteor shower of the year is now the Geminids. However, for people in the northern hemisphere, the Perseids are still well worth looking out for.

    The curse of the spherical Earth

    All meteor showers have a “radiant“– the point at which meteors seem to originate in the sky. This is because, for a given shower, all the debris hitting Earth comes from the same direction in space.

    The debris from comet Swift–Tuttle crashes towards Earth from above the north pole, and at an angle. As a result, for people at a latitude of 58 degrees north, the Perseid radiant would be directly overhead in the early hours of the morning.

    If a meteor shower’s radiant is below the horizon, you won’t see any meteors – Earth is in the way, and all the dust and debris is hitting the other side of the planet. It’s exactly the same reason you can’t see the Sun at nighttime.

    Given the location of the Perseid radiant, it will never rise for observers south of 32 degrees. This means anyone below that line will never see any Perseids.

    In theory, anyone north of 32 degrees south latitude can see the Perseids – but there are other complications.

    The higher a shower’s radiant is in the sky, the more meteors you will see. This is why the Perseids can’t put on a great show for people in Australia. Even in the far north of Australia, the Perseid radiant remains low in the sky at its highest. For most Australians, the Perseids will be a spectacular disappointment.

    Look for these meteor showers instead

    If you’re keen to see a meteor shower from Australia or New Zealand, it’s best to cross the Perseids off your list. Fortunately, there are other options.

    Every May, Earth passes through debris left behind by comet 1P/Halley, creating the Eta Aquariid meteor shower – only visible in the hours before dawn. For Australian observers, that’s the second best shower of the year.

    At the end of July each year, two minor meteor showers reach their peaks: the Southern Delta Aquariids and Alpha Capricornids. This year, they peak on 29 and 30 July, with the best views coming in the hours around midnight. It’s a perfect time to head out to a dark sky site and relax under the stars – the centre of the Milky Way is high overhead in the evening sky, and these two showers provide some added fireworks to make the sky extra special.

    Then, in December, comes the true “best shower of the year” – the Geminids. Reaching a peak on 14 and 15 December, the Geminids always put on a spectacular show. Unlike the Perseids, it can be seen from all across our island continent and in Aotearoa.

    If you really want to see a great meteor shower, skip the Perseids and plan to head somewhere dark this summer, to spend a couple of nights relaxing under the stars.

    Jonti Horner 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. Everyone’s talking about the Perseid meteor shower – but don’t bother trying to see it in Australia or NZ – https://theconversation.com/everyones-talking-about-the-perseid-meteor-shower-but-dont-bother-trying-to-see-it-in-australia-or-nz-261365

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Cyclone reinsurance pool lowering premiums in high risk areas but affordability concerns remain

    Source: Australian Ministers for Regional Development

    The Australian Government’s cyclone reinsurance pool has lowered insurance premiums for customers facing medium to high risk of cyclone, the ACCC’s fourth insurance monitoring report has found.

    However, premiums remain very high for many households and small businesses and are generally rising in most parts of the country. 

    Despite the pool commencing in 2022, it has taken time for the impact of the pool to be reflected in premiums. This is the ACCC’s first insurance monitoring report with all eligible insurers participating in the pool. 

    “With most customers now experiencing ‘post-pool pricing’, we now have a more complete picture of the pool’s potential to achieve its intended outcomes,” ACCC Commissioner Peter Crone said.

    “Our analysis shows the pool is lowering premiums of policyholders who live in areas with higher cyclone risk, as it was designed to do. However for many consumers in northern Australia, high cyclone risk may not be the key reason, or the only reason, that their insurance premium is unaffordable.” 

    Reductions for some consumers facing higher risk of cyclone

    The ACCC’s analysis of average premiums before and after insurers made pricing changes due to the pool shows there have been premium reductions for consumers and small businesses facing the highest risk of cyclone.

    “Our analysis suggests premium reductions for those at higher cyclone risk were driven by reduced reinsurance costs brought about, in large part, by the reinsurance pool,” Mr Crone said.

    The report found the average home and contents insurance premium (as measured on a per $100,000 sum insured basis) in medium to high cyclone risk areas decreased by 11 per cent compared to premiums before the reinsurance pool took effect.

    In contrast, average premiums for low-risk properties and properties at no risk of experiencing a cyclone increased by four per cent and seven per cent respectively.

    Premium reductions for home and contents insurance were most prominent in coastal areas of north Western Australia and north Queensland, particularly in Mackay, Cairns, and Townsville (where the median premiums reduced by approximately 15 per cent). The median premium also decreased by nine per cent in Karratha. 

    The average small business premium (also measured on a per $100,000 sum insured basis) in medium to high cyclone risk areas decreased by 24 per cent after insurers entered the pool.

    The report found the effect of the pool on strata insurance was less pronounced but still material. Overall, it found a seven per cent reduction in the average strata insurance premium (on a per $100,000 sum insured basis) in medium to high cyclone risk regions.

    For strata insurance, the ACCC found significant savings for those paying the highest premiums in Townsville (down 28 per cent), Karratha (down 23 per cent), Mackay (down 19 per cent) and Cairns (down 17 per cent).

    Australians still facing high and rising premiums

    Despite the pool leading to falls for some customers in higher cyclone risk regions, the price of home and strata insurance across Australia is generally high and rising.

    The ACCC found that the average home and contents premium in north Queensland and the Northern Territory is now over $3,000 per year, while in north Western Australia the average premium is over $4,600.

    Strata premiums remain very high across northern Australia and especially in north Western Australia, where the average premium increased by 18 per cent to be more than $18,000 (per policy). 

    Although average premiums remain much higher in northern Australian regions, premiums again rose more sharply in the rest of Australia in 2023-24, up 18 per cent for home and contents insurance.

    “Insurers have indicated that a range of factors including building material and labour cost inflation and extreme weather events are contributing to the very high insurance premiums that consumers are facing,” Mr Crone said.

    “We have heard about a range of ways that households and small businesses are responding to high premiums, from increasing their excesses to reducing coverage. Many stakeholders were concerned that people were being left underinsured or were dropping insurance altogether.”

    Insurance availability relatively unchanged

    The initial design of the reinsurance pool was intended to encourage insurers to enter or expand into northern Australian insurance markets by providing a stable and lower cost means to manage their cyclone risk exposure.

    However, the ACCC found that there remains limited appetite from insurers to expand services or increase their exposure in certain cyclone prone regions.

    There have been some smaller changes involving insurers lifting cyclone-specific embargoes, and changing underwriting controls and exposure limits, however these changes have not been substantial.

    No new insurers have entered northern Australian markets following the pool’s commencement.

    Insurers could be doing more to incentivise private mitigation

    One of the objectives of the reinsurance pool was to incentivise private risk mitigation, to improve insurance affordability and property resilience over time. The ACCC found there are limited signs of this occurring. 

    While we found the majority of insurers do have a framework in place to recognise private mitigation, communication by insurers about mitigation is typically quite limited.   

    “Improving the resilience of properties and communities to natural hazards through better mitigation is a critical issue if risks are to be reduced and affordability improved, now and into the future,” Mr Crone said.

    Background

    Reinsurance is taken out by insurers, typically to protect insurers from significant natural peril events impacting their portfolios, such as cyclones.

    The Australian Government established the cyclone reinsurance pool in 2022 to help make insurance more affordable for households and some small businesses who are at higher risk of cyclones. The pool is operated by the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation (ARPC).

    The pool provides reinsurance to insurers in relation to cyclone and cyclone-related flooding risks covered by home, contents, strata and small business insurance (up to a sum insured of $5 million) throughout Australia.

    Large insurers were required to join the pool by the end of 2023 and small insurers were required to join by the end of 2024. A list of the insurers that have joined the pool is on the Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation website.

    The ACCC has been directed to monitor prices, costs, and profits of relevant insurance products, before and after the introduction of the pool.

    The ACCC is required to provide a report at least once each calendar year during the period 1 January 2022 to 30 June 2026.

    The ACCC has brought forward the publication of this fourth monitoring report to allow it to inform the government’s legislated review of the Terrorism and Cyclone Insurance Act 2003, the act establishing the cyclone reinsurance pool, which is due to commence after 1 July 2025.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rehabilitation of Sea Turtle Captures Hearts and Exemplifies N.C. Aquarium Mission

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Rehabilitation of Sea Turtle Captures Hearts and Exemplifies N.C. Aquarium Mission

    Rehabilitation of Sea Turtle Captures Hearts and Exemplifies N.C. Aquarium Mission
    jejohnson6

    The newest sea turtle patient at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is quickly capturing hearts across the Outer Banks. In late June a small juvenile green sea turtle, nicknamed “Lucky Duck,” arrived at the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center at the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island with visible injuries from an apparent shark bite. The mission of the Aquarium, to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments, is lately exemplified by Lucky’s Duck’s survival and rehabilitation. The Aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    On June 25 a radiograph revealed a fractured carapace and additional health complications for Lucky Duck. Upon closer inspection, Aquarium veterinarians and sea turtle aquarists at the S.T.A.R. Center discovered Lucky Duck’s intestinal tract was flooded with ingested micro-plastics. To demonstrate the severity and amount of plastic Lucky Duck ingested, the striking variety of defecated debris was placed on display at the Aquarium to raise public awareness about the damage single-use plastic can cause for wildlife.

    Contending with difficulties caused by both natural and man-made encounters, Lucky Duck came by its nickname naturally having survived these difficulties and being rescued oceanside by a visitor to the Outer Banks by notifying Aquarium partner, N.E.S.T. (Network for Endangered Sea Turtles).

    Since arriving at the Aquarium, Lucky Duck has been on a steady diet of protein and lettuce—roughage—to help it defecate the ingested plastic. When plastics enter a sea turtle’s environment, it presumes the plastics to be part of the environment. Plastic grocery bags in water, for example, appear as jellyfish to a sea turtle. A sea turtle with a belly full of micro-plastics will expend energy trying to digest the plastic, which wastes valuable nutrients and weakens the sea turtle. At the Aquarium, Lucky Duck is receiving quality food and nutrients to restore its health, which is especially important as it recovers from trauma wounds due to the apparent shark bite. Lucky Duck is healing nicely, swimming, and navigating excellently. The Aquarium is pleased to share this progress report with the public.

    Responding to the impact of Lucky Duck’s story, Leslie Vegas, husbandry curator at the Aquarium said, “Working with the team that cares for the animals is so rewarding, whether the animals are rehab patients or permanent residents at our facility. Lucky Duck’s story is one of many that can inspire folks to appreciate all the animals we are lucky enough to care for at the Aquarium. They each have unique stories that teach us the importance of conservation work.”

    The S.T.A.R. Center, founded at the Aquarium in 2014, rehabilitates rescued sea turtles year-round. In recent years, sea turtle patients have been treated at the Aquarium for assorted problems, including cold-stunning, eye injuries, kidney failure, pneumonia, frostbite, infections, and injuries from boat strikes and ingested fishing hooks. When sea turtle patients are cleared by Aquarium veterinarians, the Aquarium releases recovered sea turtles back into their natural environment. Sea turtles have been released by the Aquarium oceanside, offshore into the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, and into the Croatan Sound—the Aquarium’s aquatic backyard. Dedicated in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

    About the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island
    Located on the Outer Banks in Manteo, N.C., the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is part of N.C. Aquariums, which includes four attractions along North Carolina’s coast and is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 63,000 square-foot facility on 16 acres overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. Over 319,000 guests visit the Aquarium each year to see the 285,000-gallon “Graveyard of the Atlantic” shark and ocean habitat, visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center, and learn why North Carolina’s waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, the mission of N.C. Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, please visit www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.

    Jul 21, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Cassidy Outlines How the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Supports the American Dream in Op-Ed

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Louisiana Bill Cassidy

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) penned an op-ed in State Affairs outlining the ways President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill supports the American Dream for Louisianans by boosting take-home pay, expanding school choice, and creating high-paying jobs throughout the state.  
    “Republicans promised to create jobs, lower costs, and build a better future for Americans. We wasted no time doing it. I voted to pass President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill to give Louisianans a better chance at a good education, high-paying jobs, and a chance at the American Dream,” wrote Dr. Cassidy. 
    Read the full op-ed here or below.
    Here’s How the ‘One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ Supports the American Dream
    I voted to pass President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill to preserve the American Dream for Louisianans. Low taxes, more of your paycheck, a safe community, high-paying jobs and a good education. That’s the American Dream.
    How are we accomplishing this? First, by ensuring Louisianans keep more of their paychecks and have a better chance at financial stability. We cut taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security. We extend the Child Tax Credit, making it easier for moms and dads to start and sustain a family. 
    Our agenda supports our military and makes President Trump’s quick work to secure the southern border permanent.
    As for jobs, the bill boosts U.S. manufacturing, strengthening Louisiana businesses and creating permanent, better-paying jobs throughout our state. One way it accomplishes this is by cracking down on China and other countries abusing our trade loopholes and stealing our jobs. I introduced legislation last Congress to correct that. President Trump and I worked together to achieve that goal. 
    I promised to deliver higher paychecks and lower costs for people in my state, and that’s what we delivered. We cut taxes on tips for beauty industry small businesses.
    Along with better jobs, I fought for a historic school choice expansion in President Trump’s agenda—now law. I also secured a provision to eliminate inflationary loan programs that have resulted in higher tuition costs. Thanks to increased access to Pell Grants, more low-income Americans will now be able to attend college, and the 87 percent of Americans who choose not to attend college will no longer have to worry about shouldering the cost of others’ loans.
    Louisianans pursuing a career or technical-based education will also benefit from this legislation through Workforce Pell Grants. President Trump and I agree—it’s time to bring skilled jobs back to America from China and Mexico.
    We eliminate the $200 tax stamp for short-barreled firearms.
    We raise the annual cap on offshore energy revenue sharing with Gulf states from $500 million to $650 million through 2034.
    We hold more lease sales in the Gulf of America—something the Biden administration refused to do.
    We invest $389 million in America’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve to bolster U.S. energy security.
    We unleash American energy by allowing energy companies to deduct costs, including labor and safety, associated with oil and gas exploration.
    We expand access to direct primary care arrangements by allowing the use of Health Savings Account—or HSA—dollars to pay for such services.
    Republicans promised to create jobs, lower costs, and build a better future for Americans. We wasted no time doing it. I voted to pass President Trump’s One, Big, Beautiful Bill to give Louisianans a better chance at a good education, high-paying jobs, and a chance at the American Dream.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: In Riverhead, Gillibrand Sounds The Alarm On The Disastrous $8 Million Cut To National Estuary Program Funding Proposed In FY26 Budget That Would Endanger Americans’ Health

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New York Kirsten Gillibrand

    Contaminated water can lead to a plethora of health risks; cutting funding to maintain estuary water quality will endanger Americans’ well-being

    Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sounded the alarm on the proposed $8 million funding cut from the National Estuary Program (NEP) in the president’s FY26 budget. The NEP works to maintain and restore water quality of 28 estuaries across the United States, including the Peconic Estuary and Long Island Sound. Without sufficient funding, the NEP will not be able to monitor New York’s estuaries and keep them safe from threats such as excess nitrogen pollution, pathogens, and harmful algal blooms, which have been shown to be harmful to public health and the environment. Funding to restore and protect our estuaries also boosts coastal resilience from storms, improves tourism and recreation, and supports local jobs.

    “The NEP’s work is not only necessary for the health of the environment, but more importantly, it is necessary for the health of the American people. Cutting the NEP’s funding will lead to disastrous consequences,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand. “Protecting our estuaries is of the utmost importance, and the president’s proposed funding cut would jeopardize these critical efforts. This is unacceptable.”

    Senator Gillibrand has been a longtime environmental advocate and has previously passed legislation to protect the public from environmental risks. In 2018, Senator Gillibrand’s Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Act, which combined and reauthorized two complementary water quality and habitat restoration programs, was enacted as a part of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. In February 2025, Senator Gillibrand reintroduced the Long Island Sound Restoration and Stewardship Reauthorization Act to again reauthorize the program. Senator Gillibrand is dedicated to protecting and preserving New York’s natural treasures, and she will continue to fight against any funding cuts to the NEP.

    “I lead the bipartisan ESTUARIES Act in the House because I represent two of our nation’s 28 nationally recognized estuaries—and I know they’re vital to our economy, our fisheries, and the coastal way of life we cherish,” said Rep. Nick LaLota. “That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Gillibrand and colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure clean water and healthy habitats remain national priorities for generations to come.”

    “Reauthorization of EPA’s National Estuary Program is imperative if we want to protect the environment and economy of the East End,” said New York State Assemblyman Tommy John Schiavoni. “The Peconic Estuary Partnership is at the forefront of a collaborative approach to improving water, restoring habitats, and ensuring the resiliency of our communities in the wake of climate change. The continued influx of federal funds is absolutely necessary, and I thank our bipartisan representatives for their unwavering support. “

    “As the Suffolk County Legislator for the 1st District, I understand how vital our estuaries are to both the health of our environment and the strength of our local economy,” said Suffolk County Legislator Catherine Stark. “Fully funding the National Estuary Programs is a bipartisan imperative that is essential to safeguarding our coastal communities and preserving these critical natural resources for generations to come.”

    “The Peconic Estuary, one of 28 National Estuary Programs in the United States, is a precious jewel in the crown of New York State waterways. One of two National Estuary programs on Long Island, the other being the Long Island Sound Study, Peconic Estuary Partnership relies on federal funding as a critical component for the success of their work,” said Suffolk County Legislator Ann Welker. “We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to protect the funding for  this important economic and recreational natural resource that provides so much for so many on Eastern Long Island, and throughout the region. “

    “On eastern Long Island, our environment is our economy, and the National Estuary Program stands as a bi-partisan, stakeholder driven success story,” said Bob DeLuca, President of the Group for the East End. “Without question, the program’s generational investment in science-based, clean water and coastal habitat solutions holds the key to solving our most challenging ecological problems. But only through a fully funded National Estuary Program can we and so many other coastal communities hope to continue the critical progress made and meet the many challenges that lie ahead. “

    “Operating from the easternmost tip of LI for 55 years, Concerned Citizens of Montauk (CCOM) has been creating awareness and advocacy around the importance of protecting our fragile ecosystems upon which the health of our marine environment depends,” said Kay Tyler, Executive Director of CCOM. “Preserving the National Estuary Program—renowned as one of the most cost-effective environmental initiatives in the nation—is essential for safeguarding the health of our estuaries, which are the seeding grounds to ensuring a harmonious equilibrium among our ecology, environment, and economy.”

    “We are grateful for the support of Senator Gillibrand and her recognition of the power of the National Estuary Program to protect both ecosystems and economies. Her commitment to clean water in New York is outstanding,” said Joyce Novak, PhD, Executive Director of the Peconic Estuary Partnership and Chair of the Association of National Estuary Programs.  “The National Estuary Program is one of the smartest investments Congress can make in clean water, resilient infrastructure, and local economies. Fully funding the NEP ensures that coastal communities can continue to lead with science, partner across sectors, and deliver real results where they matter most.”

    “New York is blessed to have 3 waterways in the National Estuary Program. The Long Island Sound, Peconic Estuary and the NY NJ Harbor have all been designated as Estuaries of National Significance,” said Adrienne Esposito, Executive Director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment. “They are some of our favorite places for boating, kayaking, fishing, crabbing, and swimming. A fully funded NEP program leverages private and state funding for on the ground restoration and protection projects. Thank you to Senator Gillibrand for her commitment to healthy waters in NY.” 

    “We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for leading the call to fully fund the National Estuary Program for FY 2026, and to her, and Majority Leader Schumer, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Murphy for their relentless commitment to ensuring this crucial investment in Long Island Sound and the other 27 estuaries in the program,” said Denise Stranko, Executive Vice President of Programs at Save the Sound. “This is an exciting time, as earlier this summer the Long Island Sound Partnership released its new Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan, providing a blueprint to forge ahead with efforts to restore Long Island Sound. The investment in a fully funded NEP is indispensable in strengthening our Great Urban Estuary and our coastlines and communities that depend on a healthy, thriving Long Island Sound.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Presidential Message on the 81st Anniversary of the Liberation of Guam

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    Today, on the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Guam from Imperial Japanese control, our Nation proudly honors the strength, courage, and unbreakable resilience of every hero of liberty who gallantly fought to free the people of Guam and establish a foothold from which we would win the Second World War.
    On July 21, 1944, American forces stormed the beaches of Guam to conquer tyranny and restore the righteous promise of American sovereignty in the Pacific.  As Imperial Japanese forces tried to hold their ground, they struggled to withstand the full might of the U.S. Armed Forces.  After three weeks of gruesome and blood-soaked warfare in jungles, caves, and rugged hills, America triumphed—regaining control of Guam and putting U.S. forces within striking distance of ending the war in the Pacific.
    As we commemorate America’s hard-earned victory in Guam, our Nation also solemnly pays tribute to the more than 1,200 Service members and more than 1,000 residents of Guam who made the ultimate sacrifice to liberate the American territory.
    To this day, the liberation of Guam remains etched upon our Nation’s history as a bold reassertion of American sovereignty at a time when our future and our freedom were in peril.  Under my leadership, the United States remains committed to upholding a foreign policy of peace through strength—and we will never waver in defending our interests, our citizens, our territory, and our glorious way of life from all enemies, foreign and domestic. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 21 July 2025 News release WHO operations compromised following attacks on warehouse and facility sheltering staff and families in Deir al Balah, Gaza

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on a building housing WHO staff in Deir al Balah in Gaza, the mistreatment of those sheltering there, and the destruction of its main warehouse.

    Following intensified hostilities in Deir al Balah after the latest evacuation order issued by Israeli military, the WHO staff residence was attacked three times today. Staff and their families, including children, were exposed to grave danger and traumatized after airstrikes caused a fire and significant damage. Israeli military entered the premises, forcing women and children to evacuate on foot toward Al-Mawasi amid active conflict. Male staff and family members were handcuffed, stripped, interrogated on the spot, and screened at gunpoint. Two WHO staff and two family members were detained. Three were later released, while one staff member remains in detention. Thirty-two people, including women and children, were collected and evacuated to the WHO office in a high-risk mission, once access became possible. The office itself is close to the evacuation zone and active conflict.

    WHO demands continuous protection of its staff and the immediate release of the remaining detained staff member.

    The latest evacuation order has affected several WHO premises. As the United Nations’s (UN) lead health agency, WHO’s operational presence in Gaza is now compromised, crippling efforts to sustain a collapsing health system and pushing survival further out of reach for more than two million people. 

    Most of WHO’s staff housing is now inaccessible. Last night, due to intensified hostilities, 43 staff and their families were already relocated from several staff residences to the WHO office, under darkness and at significant risk.

    WHO’s main warehouse located in Deir al Balah is within the evacuation zone, and was damaged yesterday after an attack caused explosions and fire inside – part of a pattern of systematic destruction of health facilities. It was later looted by desperate crowds.

    With the main warehouse nonfunctional and the majority of medical supplies in Gaza depleted, WHO is severely constrained in adequately supporting hospitals, emergency medical teams and health partners, already critically short on medicines, fuel, and equipment. WHO urgently calls on Member States to help ensure a sustained and regular flow of medical supplies into Gaza.

    The geographical coordinates of all WHO premises, including offices, warehouses, and staff housing, are shared with the relevant parties. These facilities are the backbone of WHO’s operations in Gaza and must always be protected, regardless of evacuation or displacement orders. Any threat to these premises is a threat to the entire humanitarian health response in Gaza.  

    In line with the UN’s decision, WHO will remain in Deir al Balah, deliver and expand its operations.

    With 88% of Gaza now under evacuation orders or within Israeli-militarized zones, there is no safe place to go.

    WHO is appalled by the dangerous conditions under which humanitarians and health workers are forced to operate. As the security situation and access continue to deteriorate, red lines are repeatedly crossed, and humanitarian operations pushed into an ever-shrinking space to respond. 

    WHO calls for the immediate release of the WHO staff member detained today, and the protection of all our staff and its premises. We reiterate our call for the active protection of civilians, health care and its premises and for rapid and unimpeded flow of aid, including food, fuel and health supplies, at scale into and across Gaza. WHO also calls for the unconditional release of hostages. 

    Life in Gaza is being relentlessly squeezed, and the chance to prevent loss of lives and reverse immense damage to the health system slips further out of reach each day. A ceasefire is not just necessary, it is overdue. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor, Newark roofing contractor reach settlement agreement affirming $155K penalty for multiple violations

    Source: US Department of Labor

    NEWARK, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor and a Newark roofing contractor have reached a settlement agreement resolving litigation stemming from investigations last summer that found the employer repeatedly exposed workers to fall and safety hazards at two worksites. 

    The department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration initially investigated RRC Home Improvement Inc. in June 2024 at a worksite in Dover, New Jersey after receiving reports of employees working on a roof without fall protection. In July 2024, investigations began at RRC worksites in Lodi as part of the agency’s National Emphasis Program for Falls in Construction. Inspectors again observed employees working without required fall protection. OSHA also uncovered violations involving lack of hard hats, eye protection, and fire extinguishers, as well as non-compliant pump jack scaffold poles and unsafe ladder use.

    The settlement agreement between OSHA and RRC Home Improvement affirms the citations issued after the 2024 inspections, which included four willful and seven serious violations. The company also agreed to pay a $155,000 penalty. 

    As part of the settlement, the company agreed to implement enhanced abatement measures, including reporting all jobsites to OSHA before commencing work and providing OSHA with a written site-specific fall protection plan for the worksite, including certification that all employees have completed a fall protection training course.

    Learn more about OSHA. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Read More (Rep. Steube Partners with Sen. Banks to Protect Biological Reality at Work)

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

    July 21, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) joined with Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) today in introducing the Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act. This bill reinforces President Trump’s E.O. 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, by protecting Americans from workplace discrimination and retaliation for affirming there are two genders. The Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act is cosponsored by Representatives Barry Moore and Nancy Mace. “Americans should never be punished for saying there are only two genders: male and female,” said Rep. Steube. “Acknowledging reality is not grounds for termination. My bill protects workers from retaliation for refusing to conform with radical gender ideology. I am grateful to partner with Senator Banks to make sure that no American is fired, demoted, or silenced for standing up for truth.”The Restoring Biological Truth to the Workplace Act is the House companion to legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Jim Banks this Congress.“This bill is about protecting common sense,” said Senator Banks. “Americans shouldn’t fear losing their jobs simply for acknowledging the basic reality of biological sex.”Background: The bill strengthens employee protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act by making clear that employers cannot punish or retaliate against employees who express the view that there are only two sexes or who use workplace facilities consistent with their biological sex.The legislation affirms:

    The right of employees to state that individuals are biologically male or female, both on and off the job;
    The right to use restrooms, changing rooms, and other sex-specific spaces based on biological sex;
    That employers are prohibited from retaliating against employees who refuse to affirm or participate in gender ideology policies;
    That employer pretexts to discipline such employees will not be tolerated under federal civil rights law.

    Rep. Steube previously introduced the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and continues to lead on legislation defending biological reality and standing up to leftist gender extremism.Read the full bill text here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Houthi-Israel tensions, Sudan cholera cases rise, deadly attacks in Ukraine

    Source: United Nations 2

    These strikes occurred while the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement – established in 2018 to support the ceasefire between the Government of Yemen and the Houthis – was patrolling at locations to the northern parts of the Port. 

    The Secretary-General also expressed deep concern about the continuing missile and drone strikes conducted by the Houthis against Israel. 

    Risk of further escalation

    Concerned about the risk of further escalation, the UN recalled that international law, together with international humanitarian law, must be respected by all parties at all times, including the obligations to respect and protect civilian infrastructure. 

    “The Secretary-General remains profoundly concerned about the risk of further escalation in the region,” said Mr. Dujarric. 

    As the UN Chief reiterated his call for “all involved to cease all military actions and exercise maximum restraint,” he also renewed his call for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN and other personnel arbitrarily detained by the Houthi authorities. 

    Sudan: Crisis worsens as cholera and floods drive needs higher  

    The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to deepen as cholera spreads, flooding displaces communities, and thousands of people return to areas with little to no support, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

    In the locality of Tawiola, in North Darfur State, over 1,300 confirmed cases of cholera in just one week were reported on Sunday by an association of Sudanese doctors. 

    While local and international partners have set up cholera treatment centres, the current capacity is far from sufficient to cope with the rising caseload.  

    As Tawila hosts several hundred thousand displaced people, partners on the ground have been struggling to keep pace with the growing needs, notably as such needs are set to increase as the upcoming rainy season sets in. 

    Vulnerable returnees 

    Across Sudan, people returning to their communities face serious challenges, including the lack of essential services and the threat posed by explosive remnants of war. 

    In White Nile State, some residents have begun returning after being displaced for a year. Yet, an assessment by OCHA and its partners last week found that health, water, sanitation and hygiene support is urgently needed, even more so ahead of the rainy season.

    Similarly, in eastern Sudan, OCHA warns that many families returning to Kassala State are struggling to cope with the impact of heavy rains and flooding, as heavy rains destroyed more than 280 homes in the village of Tirik earlier in July. 

    Additionally, as insecurity continues to impede the work of humanitarians, challenges faced by returnee families often lead them to return to displacement sites, undermining the sustainability of return efforts. 

    In this context, OCHA called for increased international support to meet soaring needs across Sudan. 

    Ukraine: At least 20 civilians reportedly killed in recent attacks  

    In Ukraine, attacks over the weekend and into Monday reportedly killed over 20 civilians and injured more than 100 others, including several children, according to authorities.

    The strikes affected the capital Kyiv, as well as western and front-line regions, damaging homes, schools, and a health facility.

    In Kyiv, a kindergarten, metro stations, shops and residential buildings were hit. 

    The Ivano-Frakivsk region in western Ukraine which hosts many displaced people and had previously been less affected by hostilities, suffered the largest attack since the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022.  

    Frontline regions  

    Meanwhile, in areas near the frontlines in the Donetsk, Dnipro and Kherson regions, hostilities caused civilian casualties and further damage to schools, a health facility, and apartment buildings. Odesa, Kharkiv, Sumy and other regions also reported that homes and shops were destroyed.  

    With support from UN agencies, and coordinating with local authorities and first respondents, humanitarian organizations on the ground continue to provide shelter materials, non-food items, legal aid, psychosocial support and assistance for children across the country.  

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: People dying from lack of aid every day in Gaza: WFP official

    Source: United Nations 2

    Ross Smith, director of emergency preparedness and response, briefed journalists in New York in the wake of a deadly incident on Sunday in which dozens of civilians were killed and injured while waiting to access food as a WFP convoy was entering northern Gaza.

    “Yesterday’s incident is one of the greatest tragedies we’ve seen for our operations in Gaza and elsewhere while we’re trying to work,” he said, speaking from Rome.

    “And it’s completely avoidable, and it’s an absolute tragedy,” he added.

    Famine conditions and malnutrition

    Gaza’s population stands at roughly 2.1 million and earlier this year, food security experts warned that one in five people faces starvation.

    Mr. Smith said WFP assessments show that a quarter of the population is facing famine-like conditions. Almost 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and need treatment as soon as possible.

    Pointing to reports, he said “people are dying from lack of humanitarian assistance every day, and we are seeing this escalate day by day.” 

    He stressed that food assistance, and humanitarian assistance more broadly, are “the only solution at the moment” for Gaza.

    Minimum operating conditions

    Mr. Smith said humanitarians have a set of minimum operating conditions that need to be in place for them to work effectively.

    These include crossing points into Gaza, “proper routing” inside the enclave so that teams can move independently, and the entry of more than 100 trucks of aid a day.

    “We also need to have no armed actors near food distribution points, near our convoys, and near the movement of those convoys from one place to another,” he continued, while underscoring the need to reach people where they are and not in otherwise predetermined locations.

    “And I would say above all that we have had agreements in principle on these things, but we have not had adherence to these in practice in Gaza itself. And this is really where the breakdown is, and it’s where we see incidents like (yesterday) take place,” he said.

    Ceasefire now

    Mr. Smith also highlighted the critical need for a ceasefire “so that we can move effectively.”

    In response to a journalist’s question, he said WFP moved more than 200 trucks of assistance per day into Gaza during the ceasefire earlier this year. Since mid-May, it has been able to move less than 10 per cent of what is needed.

    He said the UN agency has enough stocks pre-positioned outside Gaza to supply the entire population for two months “if we can get a ceasefire and if we can move.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan and Manitoba Advance Interprovincial Trade

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 21, 2025

    Provinces sign agreement on mutual recognition, labour mobility and direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales.

    Today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on enhancing interprovincial trade between the two jurisdictions.

    “Saskatchewan is standing strong through the storm that is our current trade challenges,” Moe said. “Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been strong trading partners through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Together, we are encouraging other jurisdictions to join Canada’s most ambitious domestic trade agreement, and we are building on our economic relationship through further trade collaboration, for example, on direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales.”  

    Much like the MOUs Saskatchewan has signed with Ontario and PEI, today’s agreement includes commitments to move forward on a framework for DTC alcohol sales and facilitate mutual recognition. Improving labour mobility and trade are at the heart of this MOU, while remaining focused on strengthening public safety and maintaining the role of crown corporations.

    “This agreement reflects Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more unified Canadian economy, one where goods, services and workers can move more freely between provinces, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety” said Kinew. “By working with partners across the nation, we are unlocking opportunities for people and businesses and building up this country we all love so much.”    

    The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and Manitoba was over $6 billion in 2021.

    This agreement comes on the heels of several new interprovincial trade announcements for the Government of Saskatchewan. This includes Moe inviting all Canadian premiers to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market.

    The province continues to take part in the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which includes enhancing the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to interprovincial trade and facilitating labour mobility.

    On July 8, CIT announced significant progress, including:

    • Reducing party-specific exceptions under the CFTA by a further 30 per cent.
    • Concluding negotiations of the financial services chapter.
    • Advancing mutual recognition through a pilot project in the trucking sector and negotiating towards a mutual recognition agreement on the sale of goods. 
    • Cross-Canada commitment to a 30-day service standard for processing labour mobility applications.
    • An DTC MOU on DTC alcohol sales, co-led by Saskatchewan and Ontario, involving ten jurisdictions across Canada to support consumers being able to order their favourite Canadian wine, spirit, beer or other alcoholic beverage, directly from the producer, for personal consumption.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswomen Norma Torres and Kat Cammack Tour D.C. 911 Dispatch Center

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

    July 21, 2025

    Launch Bipartisan and Bicameral NextGen 911 Caucus

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) visited the District of Columbia’s Office of Unified Communications to meet with public safety telecommunicators and officially launch the Congressional NextGen 911 Caucus for the 119th Congress.

    As the only bipartisan, bicameral organization in Congress focused exclusively on 911 emergency communications, the NextGen 911 Caucus plays a critical role in educating lawmakers, constituents, and communities on the importance of modern, reliable, and responsive emergency response systems.

    “Public safety telecommunicators are the unsung heroes on the frontlines of every emergency,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres “As a former 911 Dispatcher for 17 years, I know there is a lot of work needed to highlight and strengthen our 911 systems nationwide. That’s why I am proud to be the co-chair of the NextGen 911 Caucus. As we work to modernize our emergency response systems, it’s imperative that we give these professionals and the systems they rely on the support they deserve.”

    “When you call 911, it’s often one of the worst moments of your life. That’s why it’s critical that our response system is fast, reliable, and built for the 21st century. The ability to text 911, send video, and deliver critical information to first responders before they arrive saves lives,” said Congresswoman Cammack. “As Co-Chair of the NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, I’m committed to ensuring that all Americans—whether they live in a rural town or a major city—have access to a modern, responsive system.”

    Public safety telecommunicators (PSTs) serve in more than 6,000 call centers nationwide. They are often the first voice a person hears in an emergency—coordinating responses from law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services. Beyond their daily lifesaving efforts, they often serve as critical witnesses in court proceedings and high-profile investigations.

    However, America’s 911 systems are facing unprecedented challenges: from outdated technology and staffing shortages to increasing call volumes and evolving threats. The NextGen 911 Caucus is committed to ensuring federal support keeps pace with these demands by promoting advanced communication technologies, including text-to-911, real-time data sharing, and improved interoperability between agencies.

    Members of the caucus include: Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) Richard Hudson (R-NC), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Brandon Gill (R-TX), James Comer (R-KY), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Jim Himes (D-CT), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Rick Larsen (D-WA), John B. Larson (D-CT), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Mike Rogers (R-AL), John Rutherford (R-FL), Mike Simpson (R-ID), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), Tim Walberg (R-MI), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), Joe Wilson (R-SC)

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Issues Disaster Declaration for Dawson County Following June Storms

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Issues Disaster Declaration for Dawson County Following June Storms

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen issued a disaster declaration for Dawson County as a result of last month’s storms that hit the area. The June 29th and 30th severe thunderstorms brought exceptionally high winds and heavy rain, which caused significant damage to public property and infrastructure, including millions of dollars of damage to NPPD infrastructure. 

    Governor Pillen has directed the Nebraska Adjutant General,  Major General Craig W. Strong – who also serves as State Disaster Coordinator – to activate appropriate State emergency plans. 

    The emergency disaster declaration will free up state funds and resources to assist the area as they work to address damage and other issues.

    The State of Nebraska is likely to seek a Presidential Disaster Declaration to aid recovery from these storms. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom calls for immediate withdrawal of all soldiers in Los Angeles

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 21, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom calls on the President to send every soldier home now – this dangerous militarization must end.

    Los Angeles, California – As pressure continues mounting for the President to end the unlawful deployment of soldiers in Los Angeles, with the remaining Marines in the area withdrawing, 2,000 federalized National Guard members still remain – away from their families, communities and civilian jobs as doctors, police, and teachers.

    The women and men of the California National Guard deserve more than to continue serving as puppets in Trump and Stephen Miller’s performative political theater. There was never a need for the military to deploy against civilians in Los Angeles. The damage is done, however. We, again, call upon them to do the right thing and end the militarization once and for all.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    End the militarization now

    For over a month, about 4,000 National Guard members have been serving as political pawns for the President in Los Angeles, pulled away from their families, communities, and civilian jobs. While half are now demobilizing and the deployed Marines are being sent home, many remain without a clear mission, direction, or a timeline for returning to their communities. California urges Trump and the Department of Defense to end this theatrical deployment and send all remaining guardsmembers home immediately.

    Community leaders, public officials, veterans and others agree – the federal government’s actions in California not only have a chilling effect on the state’s society and economy, but also continue to undermine the valuable contributions from members of the military while in and out of uniform. 

    Republican and Democratic former governors agree—Trump’s federalization violates the critical balance between state and federal government. Recently, a bipartisan group of 25 former governors filed a brief in support of Newsom v. Trump, urging the court to enforce state sovereignty and block the unprecedented federalization of the National Guard. 

    Police off the streets, teachers out of classrooms

    Of the over 4,000 California National Guard members sent to Los Angeles under Trump’s order, the California National Guard estimates that their servicemembers have been pulled from essential civilian duties such as medical and first responders, service workers, building trades contractors, law enforcement personnel, corrections officers, civil service and government workers, technology specialists, educators and teachers, and agriculture workers.

    Drugs arriving at the border, fewer soldiers to stop them

    Typically, under the Governor’s command, nearly 450 servicemembers are deployed statewide, including at ports of entry, to combat transnational criminal organizations and seize illegal narcotics. CalGuard’s servicemembers dedicated to the state’s Counterdrug Task Force have been reassigned by President Trump to militarize Los Angeles. The consequences are dire – CalGuard’s efforts help ensure the public safety of communities statewide.

    High-ranking U.S. military officials agree

    Retired four-star admirals and generals and former secretaries of the Army and Navy filed another amicus brief outlining the grave risks of Trump’s illegal takeover of the CalGuard. Several veterans and veteran rights’ groups came together to decry Trump’s militarization of California. 

    Economic impact of cruel immigration policy

    Governor Newsom recently met with local restaurant owners in the City of Bell and faith leaders in Downey to discuss the economic impact these indiscriminate immigration actions have had on their small business.

    Trump’s actions have a ripple effect – the state’s economy is likely to contract later this year due to fallout from global tariffs and immigration raids in Los Angeles and other cities that have rattled key sectors, including construction, hospitality, and agriculture, according to a UCLA Anderson forecast. Mass arrests, detentions and deportations in California could slash $275 billion from the state’s economy and eliminate $23 billion in annual tax revenue. The loss of immigrant workers, undocumented and those losing lawful status under the Trump administration, would delay projects (including rebuilding Los Angeles after the wildfires), reduce food supply, and drive up costs. Undocumented immigrants contributed $8.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2022 — a number that would rise to $10.3 billion if these taxpayers could apply to work lawfully.

    Recent news

    Jul 19, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom has approved the prepositioning of firefighting resources in Sierra and Plumas counties in response to critical fire weather conditions forecasted to impact Northern California starting Sunday, July 20, through Tuesday, July 22,…

    Jul 19, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and Acting Governor Eleni Kounalakis issued the following statement regarding the deaths of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Detectives Joshua Kelley-Eklund, Victor Lemus, and William Osborn:“Detectives Kelley-Eklund,…

    Jul 17, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of 3 additional Urban Search and Rescue Team (US&R) members to Texas to assist with ongoing response efforts related to severe flooding impacts.  A total of 42 California US&R members are…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Carbajal Hosts House Agriculture Committee’s Top Democrat in Santa Barbara, Carpinteria

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

    On July 19th, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, hosted the Committee’s Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02) in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria. The lawmakers organized roundtable discussions with local farmers, agriculture groups, community associations, and government officials to discuss wildfire prevention, federal support for specialty crops, farm automation, and more. Download photos here.

    “I was honored to welcome Ranking Member Craig to the Central Coast for productive conversations with our local agricultural community and stakeholders focused on wildfire prevention,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The Central Coast is one of our nation’s agricultural powerhouses, but it’s not immune to the challenges posed by climate change and macroeconomic conditions. That’s why Ranking Member Craig and I held a series of roundtable discussions with local farmers, agriculture groups, community associations, and government officials. We talked about collaborative solutions for mitigating wildfires and other environmental threats, while exploring opportunities for the federal government to help ensure Central Coast agriculture remains globally competitive.”

    “I thank Representative Carbajal for inviting me to California’s 24th Congressional District to meet with stakeholders from across the forest management and specialty crop sectors. It is always valuable to hear directly from specialty crop producers, and it was particularly eye-opening to learn from the experiences of wildfire experts on the ground – as firefighters battle three wildfires burning in northern Minnesota. I will lean on their insights as we continue searching for a path forward for the farmers left behind by the Republican budget. The conversations I had with folks today reflected an urgent need for congressional oversight of the USDA – whose mass layoffs have left communities vulnerable as we enter peak wildfire season – and investments in programs that support the specialty crop farmers who feed our families,” said Ranking Member Angie Craig.

    Carbajal and Craig held their first roundtable at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens, where they discussed wildfire prevention for the Los Padres National Forest and surrounding communities. The group explored proactive measures — such as fuels management, community education, interagency coordination, and infrastructure resilience — to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. Policies and partnerships that safeguard lives, property, and landscapes along the Los Padres forest boundary and beyond are critical. 

    The roundtable’s participants included representatives from: the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, Los Padres National Forest, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Santa Barbara City Fire, Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Santa Barbara Fire Safe Council, Mission Canyon Association, Montecito Association, Cal Poly Wildfire, Los Padres Forest Watch, and Project for Resilient Communities.

    The second roundtable was held at Reiter’s Peak-Flynn Ranch in Carpinteria, where the group discussed the unique nature of Central Coast agriculture, research in mechanization, the federal specialty crop block grant program, labor shortages, trade, and more. 

    The roundtable’s participants included representatives from: Reiter Affiliated Companies, Santa Barbara County Flower & Nursery Growers Association, California Avocado Commission, Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, Santa Barbara County Agricultural Advisory Committee, California Farm Bureau, Santa Barbara County Farm Bureau, Ventura County Farm Bureau, and Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner.

    MIL OSI USA News –