NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Going for growth to boost farmer confidence

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The Government is turbo charging growth to return confidence to the primary sector through common sense policies that are driving productivity and farm-gate returns, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. 

    “The latest Federated Farmers Farm Confidence Survey highlights strong momentum across the sector and the Government’s firm commitment to back rural New Zealand, with farmer confidence surging by 68 points since July 2024 – the largest one-off improvement in sentiment since the question was introduced,” Mr McClay says.

    “With the primary sector generating more than 80 per cent of New Zealand’s goods exports directly employing more than 359,000 Kiwis, ensuring its continued success is crucial to every Kiwi’s economic future.

    “That’s why last year we took over 20 actions to slash red tape and free up farming, unwinding the damage done by the previous government. 

    “And we’re not stopping there. This year we are going for growth and will deliver on further actions that will support the long-term success of the rural sector. We are focused on four key themes:

    • Slashing regulatory burden – replacing the NPS for freshwater, reforming   the resource management system, removing barriers to vegetable growing, improving the freshwater farm plan system, continuing to reduce duplication and simplify the regulations in place for farmers and growers.
    • Accelerating Innovation and Productivity – improving access and adoption of new technologies and world-class innovations, driving more permissive regulatory conditions that allow for productivity growth and profit for landowners.
    • Enabling infrastructure and trade – Facilitating water storage solutions to build resilience against drought and the opportunity of diversification, remove trade barriers and support supply chains, grow greater access to investment capital and risk management. 
    • Strengthening support for rural communities, improving access to essential services and infrastructure, strengthening local support networks, catchment groups and rural leadership capabilities.

    “These next steps are part of a broader vision for a thriving primary sector that continues to drive economic growth while delivering high-quality, safe produce. We are committed to growing the primary sector, and we won’t be shutting down farms or sending jobs and production overseas.

    “The positive momentum we are seeing now is just the beginning. The Government will continue delivering for rural communities — ensuring they remain at the heart of New Zealand’s economic success,” Mr McClay says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Declares State of Emergency, Shares Updates on Winter Weather

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Declares State of Emergency, Shares Updates on Winter Weather

    Governor Stein Declares State of Emergency, Shares Updates on Winter Weather
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Stein declared a state of emergency as emergency officials prepare for winter weather to impact the majority of the state. In a briefing this morning, Governor Stein, Director of Emergency Management Will Ray, and Secretary of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins provided an update on the winter weather that will impact much of the state starting Wednesday and into Thursday. The Governor advised that all North Carolinians take precautions by listening to local officials and plan accordingly for low temperatures, ice, and snow.  

    “This morning, I declared a state of emergency across North Carolina, and we are activating a cross-agency storm response,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Most of North Carolina will be impacted by this storm, and our greatest concerns are potential power outages and road safety. We urge all travelers to stay off the road once the storm hits on Wednesday, to keep their devices charged, and to monitor local weather.”  

    “The State Emergency Response Team has been activated and is working with the Department of Transportation, North Carolina National Guard, State Highway Patrol, Department of Health and Human Services, and local emergency management to provide resources quickly throughout the state,” said Director of Emergency Management Will Ray. “We ask that all North Carolinians continue to monitor the weather tomorrow and stay off the roads when possible.”  

    A winter storm will impact much of North Carolina Wednesday into Thursday. The forecast for northern central and eastern North Carolina includes snowfall accumulations of 2 to 6 inches, with localized totals reaching up to 9 inches across the far northeast. The northern mountains and higher elevations in western North Carolina are expected to receive 2 to 4 inches of snow. Elsewhere, lighter snowfall accumulations of 1 to 3 inches are anticipated, with the exception of far southeastern North Carolina, where light freezing rain or rain is expected. 

    Significant ice accumulation is possible in parts of central and eastern North Carolina. Accumulations of a quarter inch or more may cause tree limbs to break and lead to power outages. It is crucial for all North Carolinians to stay informed about the weather, as the forecast will be updated and refined as Wednesday approaches. 

    The State Emergency Response Team is activated, and the State Emergency Operations Center and Regional Coordination Centers remain in close communication with local emergency management officials to ensure that all resources are available and ready to quickly respond to aid our North Carolina communities.   

    The North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) has activated more than 180 guardsmen to assist and support local communities across the state.  

    More than 1,500 employees with the N.C. Department of Transportation have been pre-treating roads across the state. As of Tuesday morning, the agency had spread 1.8 million gallons of brine to pretreat hundreds of miles of interstates, highways, and secondary roads statewide. Nearly 600 trucks with plows and spreaders and 240 motor graders are ready to remove snow and ice, and more than 130,000 tons of salt are ready to treat roads after the storm hits. 

    Once the storm hits, NCDOT crews are prepared to work around-the-clock in shifts to plow and treat snow and ice until all state-maintained roads are cleared. The agency will prioritize clearing interstates first, followed by U.S. and N.C. routes and then secondary roads. 

    Visit ReadyNC.gov for power outage information and for information on how you and your family can prepare for winter weather. For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.   

    To prepare for winter weather, North Carolina Emergency Management officials recommend these tips:  

    • Pay close attention to your local forecast and be prepared for what’s expected in your area. Use a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather radio or a weather alert app on your phone to receive emergency weather alerts.   

    • Stock up on water and non-perishable food. 

    • Keep cell phones, mobile devices, and spare batteries charged. 

    • Stay home and off the roads if you can. 

    • Store an emergency kit in your vehicle in case you must travel. Include scraper, jumper cables, tow chain, sand/salt, blankets, flashlight, first-aid kit, and road map.   

    • Dress warmly if you go outside. Wear multiple layers of thin clothing instead of a single layer of thick clothing.   

    • Gather emergency supplies for your pet including leash and feeding supplies, enough food for several days, and a pet travel carrier.   

    • Do not leave pets outside for long periods of time during freezing weather.   

    • Check in on your friends and neighbors, especially the elderly, during winter weather.  

    • If your power goes out:  

    • Only operate generators outside and away from open windows or doors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. 

    • Never burn charcoal indoors or use a gas grill indoors. 

    • Properly vent kerosene heaters. 

    • Use battery-powered sources for light, instead of candles, to reduce the risk of fire.  

    • If you are utilizing a portable heater, make sure that it is properly ventilated, has at least 3 feet of space on all sides, and never leave children unattended near a heater.  

    Feb 18, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WV Delegation Sends Letter to Trump in Support of Disaster Declaration Request

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), along with U.S. Representatives Carol Miller (R-W.Va.-01) and Riley Moore (R-W.Va.-02) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Regional Administrator Lilian Hutchinson in support of Governor Patrick Morrisey’s request for a major disaster declaration for West Virginia as a result of the recent severe weather events. 
    “We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, and we urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover,” the delegation wrote.
    Read the full letter below or by clicking HERE.
    Dear President Trump and Acting Regional Administrator Hutchinson,
    As members of the West Virginia Congressional Delegation, we write in support of Governor Patrick Morrisey’s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia following recent severe weather events.
    Severe storms moved through our State causing widespread damage. Heavy rains, straight- line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides caused damage in 13 counties throughout central and southern West Virginia beginning on February 15, 2025.
    To access federal disaster aid, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has made a request for a major disaster declaration for the State of West Virginia, submitted on February 17, 2025, under the provisions of Section 401 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5208 (Stafford Act).
    We respectfully ask that you carefully review the submission that requests assistance from the FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program and Public Assistance (PA) Program for Boone, Cabell, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Raleigh, Summers, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. Additionally, assistance from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has been requested statewide.
    We applaud the tireless dedication of our State and local first responders, as well as the invaluable contributions of our neighbors and volunteers. Nevertheless, the demand for aid remains substantial, and we urge you to do everything in your power to make sure that our communities have the federal support they need to rebuild and recover. Therefore, we kindly request that you thoroughly consider the State of West Virginia’s request for a major disaster declaration to address our communities’ recovery needs.
    Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should you need further assistance in this effort.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The German election explained through seven essential questions

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gabriele Abels, Jean Monnet Professor for Comparative Politics & European Integration, University of Tübingen

    Germany is holding a federal election on February 23 – a snap vote called by chancellor Olaf Scholz when his coalition government fell apart at the end of last year. Parties are running to win seats in the national parliament, or Bundestag. And with an unusual level of interest from onlookers outside the country, including the world’s richest man, The Conversation asked Gabriele Abels, the Jean Monnet professor for comparative politics and European integration at the University of Tübingen, to prime us on the basics, via seven essential questions.

    1. Who are the main parties running in this election?

    The parties standing in the federal election are, from left to right on the political spectrum: Linke (the Left), SPD (social democrats), Greens, FPD (liberals), CDU/CSU (conservatives), AfD (right-wing extremist/populist).

    There is also the Buednis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW), but this party is not so easy to fit into the left-right spectrum. The BSW holds leftist positions on social policy issues but is also anti-migration and opposed to sanctions against Russia and against military support for Ukraine.

    2. When will we know the results?

    It will take several days after February 23 to confirm the final results of the election.

    Based on the exit polls we will have fairly reliable results that evening but there may still be some uncertainty. It depends on how many people vote by post (a trend which is on the rise) and on how the smaller parties fare.

    There are three such parties – Linke, FDP and BSW – hovering around a 5% vote-share in pre-election polls. This is the threshold for qualifying for any seats in parliament at all, so whether or not the three make it past 5% will have quite an effect on the overall composition of the Bundestag and the distribution of seats among the parties in parliament.

    There is an additional rule: parties winning at least three districts (basic mandate clause) qualify for the Bundestag and will get seats according to their share of party votes. The Linke is investing its hopes in this option.

    3. Who is most likely to become chancellor?

    According to all opinion polls, the conservatives (CDU/CSU) will win the election and become the biggest party in government. This means that their lead candidate Friedrich Merz will become the next chancellor.

    4. Will one party run the government?

    No party will have enough seats to form a government alone, given that the German system makes it extremely difficult to do so, by design. A coalition needs to be formed comprising parties that together hold more than 50% of the seats in the Bundestag.



    Read more:
    AfD: how Germany’s constitution was designed with the threat of extremism in mind

    Even when we have the full results, forming a new government will, most likely, take some time. Talks between parties will start immediately after the election, but it might take several months to put a government together. It depends on the numbers at play and the political arithmetic – essentially the extent to which different combinations of parties agree or disagree on various policy positions.

    During a period in the 1950s, when Konrad Adenauer was chancellor, there was an option to have a single-party government. But even he preferred a coalition. Other than that, there has always been the need to form a coalition after an election.

    Unlike the Nordic countries, we in Germany do not have a tradition of minority governments since they are considered to be too weak and unstable. Germans prefer governments which are backed by a clear majority in the Bundestag.

    5. Why does Germany have a system that makes coalitions the norm?

    It is partly political culture to prefer stable majorities and emphasise compromise. But the proportional voting system and increased political fracturing also play a part in delivering many different parties into the Bundestag.

    Until the early 1980s there were usually three parties (conservative, social democrats and liberals). Today, we have seven parties in the Bundestag. Proportional voting gives new parties more possibilities to win seats, while the 5% threshold is a barrier against excessive fragmentation.

    6. We hear a lot about the AfD – but will it be in government?

    No – at least, not this time. There is what we call a brandmauer (firewall), meaning that, so far, none of the other parties is willing to form a government with the AfD. The most likely partner would be the conservatives. Yet, their lead candidate Merz is very outspoken that cooperation with the AfD would mean selling out the conservative soul. Given that the AfD is becoming more and more radical, this is not likely to change in the near future.

    However, there is already a level of cooperation between the AfD and other parties at the local level and even in some state parliaments, especially in East German Länder (states). Often, new patterns of coalition formation are tried out in Länder parliaments and later serve as models for the federal level. The AfD is hoping this will be the case for them.

    7. How important is this election in historical context?

    I would not call this election historic on the scale of the one that just took place in the US. But this election is nevertheless important – and is perceived as important by voters in terms of the future of Germany and its economy.

    Migration and the economy are the top issues and there is a strong sense of frustration as well as a growing distrust in politics. The majority of voters are happy about the snap election given that the coalition led by Olaf Scholz was no longer efficient and there was constant in-fighting.

    However, given that this election has been called at short notice, it’s not clear that turnout will match the current strength of feeling. There has not been much time to register for a postal vote and parties have had only a brief campaign window to win over voters. Which of them will be able to mobilise their voters and also non-voters (recently between 25% and 30% of the electorate will be a crucial deciding factor. Lately the AfD has been successful in terms of mobilising non-voters and also at mobilising young voters. That said, older voters make up the majority, so a lot hangs in the balance.

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

    – ref. The German election explained through seven essential questions – https://theconversation.com/the-german-election-explained-through-seven-essential-questions-247945

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supersonic passenger aircraft may be returning – here’s what it means for the climate

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Kshitij Sabnis, Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering, Queen Mary University of London

    The US aerospace company Boom Supersonic recently announced it has successfully tested its latest aircraft, the XB-1. The company is developing a larger plane and aims to begin passenger flights at supersonic (faster than sound) speed within the next five years, and claims it already has orders from a handful of airlines.

    However, with ever-increasing scrutiny on the environmental consequences of flying, it is important to consider how supersonic aviation may affect the industry’s ability to meet its ambitious net zero by 2050 target.

    The latest test flight represents an important stage in the development of supersonic aircraft that minimise their characteristic “sonic boom” – the considerable noise generated as the shock waves travelling along with a supersonic aircraft pass over people on the ground.

    Boom Supersonic has carefully designing the aircraft shape to reduce this noise pollution. It did this by exploiting a phenomenon known as “Mach cutoff”, where air temperatures in the atmosphere cause shock waves to reflect upwards rather than towards the ground.

    Supersonic aircraft won’t receive certification to fly over land if they are too noisy, and overland flights are essential for their commercial viability. Indeed, failing to receive such certification limited Concorde’s routes to London-New York and Paris-New York, ultimately contributing to its demise. These recent noise improvements pave the way for Boom Supersonic to progress its larger 80-seat supersonic airliner, Overture. If all goes to plan, Overture will cruise at 1.7 times the speed of sound and could fly from London to New York in just 3.5 hours.

    Other organisations working on supersonic flight are making similar progress. US firm Spike Aerospace is developing a smaller business jet, for instance, while Nasa and defence and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin plan to begin test flying their supersonic X-59 later this year. There is every indication that planes like these are on their way back, more than two decades after Concorde last took to the skies.

    Concorde’s maiden flight back in 1969. It flew commercially between 1976 and 2003.
    Andre Cros / wiki, CC BY-SA

    Shock waves increase aerodynamic drag

    The key to understanding the environmental effects of supersonic aircraft is that, whenever its speed exceeds the speed of sound, shock waves form around the aircraft. These shock waves significantly increase the aerodynamic drag, and so more fuel needs to be burned to compensate for the drag force. Indeed, it is estimated that up to ten times more fuel needs to be burned by a supersonic aircraft compared to the equivalent subsonic airplane for every passenger mile.

    At supersonic speeds, sound itself is a drag.
    Chabacano / wiki, CC BY-SA

    The cost of this extra fuel is why typical aircraft speeds have remained pretty constant at around 85% of the speed of sound for several decades. It also leads to greater greenhouse gas emissions – as much as five to seven times more than subsonic aircraft.

    In fact, the situation may be even more stark. Supersonic aircraft tend to fly at high altitudes (Concorde flew at 60,000ft (18km) rather than the 40,000ft (12km) typical for most passenger jets) to take advantage of lower turbulence levels. This means their emissions tend to remain in the atmosphere for longer.

    Supersonic and sustainable?

    There are considerable efforts to align supersonic aircraft development with the aviation industry’s environmental ambitions. For instance, the new engines designed by Boom Supersonic are powered entirely by “sustainable aviation fuels” (Saf) which are direct replacements for traditional jet fuels that are made from renewable raw materials, often used cooking oil or crop residues. Due to its exclusive use of Saf, the Overture is advertised as having a zero-carbon footprint.

    A concept image of the Overture, the plane Boom Supersonic ultimately wants to build.
    Boom Supersonic, CC BY-SA

    In reality, the situation is more complex. Saf is often produced from edible crops and has been linked to deforestation – the total land required to power all of commercial aviation in this way is impractically immense.

    To address this longer-term problem, it is necessary to look towards alternative fuel sources. While hydrogen or electric power is being developed for regular aircraft, for now they aren’t developed enough to ensure a plane reaches supersonic speeds. Instead, one possibility is e-kerosene, a synthetic fuel generated from hydrogen and carbon dioxide using renewable electricity.

    Despite all these technological advances, a supersonic aircraft still cannot beat physics. Shock waves, and their associated drag, will still exist. So, a single supersonic aircraft will still produce considerably more carbon emissions than its subsonic counterpart.

    Beyond carbon emissions, contrails also have an effect. These are thin clouds of water vapour produced by aircraft exhausts, which can trap heat in the atmosphere the same way as greenhouse gases. These contrails are thought to have twice the impact of carbon emissions, or perhaps even more, so it is essential to take their effects into account. For now, we simply don’t know enough about contrails, especially at much higher altitudes, to definitively say how supersonic aircraft will affect the environment.

    Given the costs involved, supersonic aircraft will account for only a very small percentage of aircraft worldwide. The overall impact on the environment, in comparison to the tens of thousands of subsonic aircraft currently in operation, will be moderate.

    There is perhaps one environmental upside. The research and development activity making supersonic aviation more environmentally friendly (such as developments in fuel and propulsion technology) will likely yield technologies that transfer to subsonic aircraft too. This should help to address the much broader problem of environmental damage caused by the aviation industry as a whole.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Kshitij Sabnis 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. Supersonic passenger aircraft may be returning – here’s what it means for the climate – https://theconversation.com/supersonic-passenger-aircraft-may-be-returning-heres-what-it-means-for-the-climate-250116

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Cottontail review: how a man’s journey through grief mirrors our search for peace – by an expert in death and grieving

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chao Fang, Lecturer in Sociology, Deputy Director of the Centre for Ageing and the Life Course, University of Liverpool

    Cottontail (コットンテール), a newly released Japanese film, tells the touching and relatable story of Kenzaburo (Ken), a man in his late middle age grieving the loss of his wife, Akiko, after a long illness. To honour her dying wish, he embarks on a journey to take her ashes to the Lake District in northern England – a place deeply meaningful to her.

    It was not just the beauty of the landscape that drew her, but also its connection to Peter Rabbit, a character she had loved since childhood and where she had made cherished memories with her parents.

    What begins as a cross-continental trip with his son and family soon unfolds into a deeply personal and solitary quest for Ken. As a husband and father, he struggles to connect with his son, confronting the unspoken emotional walls that make expressing grief so profoundly challenging. Through this journey, Ken seeks not just peace for his loss but also a way to reconcile the past with the present.

    I found Cottontail a beautifully delicate film with a thought-provoking narrative. As an expert in ageing, death and dying, particularly in Japan, I also found its depiction of grief realistic.

    Like Ken, many of us may feel disbelief or denial when facing loss. Memories of our loved ones can wash over us in overwhelming waves, catching us off guard in the most unexpected moments. Whether it’s a familiar scene that evokes a flood of emotions, a conversation with a friend, or even a fleeting dream, the smallest reminders – both joyful and painful – can surface at any time.

    The root of these challenges lies in navigating a world that no longer includes our loved one. Psychiatrist Colin Parkes described bereavement as a psychosocial transition, a profound shift requiring adaptation to a new reality.

    Grief, he suggested, emerges from the breakdown of the world we take for granted, the beliefs and expectations we hold about the future and our plans. When loss occurs, this framework collapses, forcing us to relearn how to live in a world forever changed.

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    Yet, grief is not simply about building a new life without the person we’ve lost.

    Over a century ago, the founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud emphasised the importance of gradually detaching from the pain of loss and redirecting our emotional energy toward new relationships and pursuits. Today, in a society that often prioritises efficiency and productivity, there’s an unspoken expectation to “complete” the process of grief and quickly return to “normal”.

    But grief resists such timelines. As I’ve argued elsewhere, healing is not about moving on but learning to carry loss forward.

    This is poignantly illustrated in Cottontail: for Ken, scattering Akiko’s ashes in England is not about leaving her or the life they shared behind, but about learning to live with loss, weaving memories of her into his ongoing life.

    Cottontail trailer.

    Rewriting the book of life

    To grieve is like rewriting the book of our lives – a painstaking process of revisiting, revising, and reimagining a narrative that once felt complete. The concept of “narrative identity” captures this: not erasing the past but weaving it into a new story that continues to unfold, where love and loss coexist, shaping who we are now and who we will become.

    Rewriting life after loss is never a solitary journey – it’s shared with others. Ken’s grief is intertwined with his strained bond with his son, Toshi.

    Preoccupied with work, Ken had neglected their relationship, leaving Toshi yearning for deeper connection. Now, drowning in grief, Ken faces the challenge of reconciling his own pain while rebuilding their bond – a dilemma familiar to many experiencing loss.

    A key theme in Ken’s grief journey is the “stiff upper lip” mentality – an emotional restraint that stops him from expressing feelings or accepting support from his son. This stoic attitude, common among older men but seen across genders, ages and cultures, often comes at the cost of hidden stress.

    My research with bereaved older adults shows that suppressing emotions isolates individuals and blocks external support, making healing and connection harder.

    On his journey, Ken meets a grieving father and daughter who openly acknowledge their emotions and support each other. Their willingness to express their feelings shows the power of emotional literacy – the ability to recognise and communicate emotions.

    This highlights the importance of grief literacy not just for individuals, but for wider social networks. When people can understand and support one another’s grief, finding peace with loss becomes more attainable, and the process of rewriting life after loss becomes a collective endeavour.

    The film concludes with Ken chasing a rabbit by Lake Windermere for his granddaughter, joined by Toshi’s family. For Ken, the rabbit is not just Cottontail or a memory of Akiko – it’s a symbol of hope, a reminder that moving forward is possible, with renewed bonds and an enduring love.

    Chao Fang 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. Cottontail review: how a man’s journey through grief mirrors our search for peace – by an expert in death and grieving – https://theconversation.com/cottontail-review-how-a-mans-journey-through-grief-mirrors-our-search-for-peace-by-an-expert-in-death-and-grieving-250198

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Supersonic passenger aircraft may be returning – here’s what that would mean for the climate

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Kshitij Sabnis, Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering, Queen Mary University of London

    The US aerospace company Boom Supersonic recently announced it has successfully tested its latest aircraft, the XB-1. The company is developing a larger plane and aims to begin passenger flights at supersonic (faster than sound) speed within the next five years, and claims it already has orders from a handful of airlines.

    However, with ever-increasing scrutiny on the environmental consequences of flying, it is important to consider how supersonic aviation may affect the industry’s ability to meet its ambitious net zero by 2050 target.

    The latest test flight represents an important stage in the development of supersonic aircraft that minimise their characteristic “sonic boom” – the considerable noise generated as the shock waves travelling along with a supersonic aircraft pass over people on the ground.

    Boom Supersonic has carefully designing the aircraft shape to reduce this noise pollution. It did this by exploiting a phenomenon known as “Mach cutoff”, where air temperatures in the atmosphere cause shock waves to reflect upwards rather than towards the ground.

    Supersonic aircraft won’t receive certification to fly over land if they are too noisy, and overland flights are essential for their commercial viability. Indeed, failing to receive such certification limited Concorde’s routes to London-New York and Paris-New York, ultimately contributing to its demise. These recent noise improvements pave the way for Boom Supersonic to progress its larger 80-seat supersonic airliner, Overture. If all goes to plan, Overture will cruise at 1.7 times the speed of sound and could fly from London to New York in just 3.5 hours.

    Other organisations working on supersonic flight are making similar progress. US firm Spike Aerospace is developing a smaller business jet, for instance, while Nasa and defence and aerospace firm Lockheed Martin plan to begin test flying their supersonic X-59 later this year. There is every indication that planes like these are on their way back, more than two decades after Concorde last took to the skies.

    Concorde’s maiden flight back in 1969. It flew commercially between 1976 and 2003.
    Andre Cros / wiki, CC BY-SA

    Shock waves increase aerodynamic drag

    The key to understanding the environmental effects of supersonic aircraft is that, whenever its speed exceeds the speed of sound, shock waves form around the aircraft. These shock waves significantly increase the aerodynamic drag, and so more fuel needs to be burned to compensate for the drag force. Indeed, it is estimated that up to ten times more fuel needs to be burned by a supersonic aircraft compared to the equivalent subsonic airplane for every passenger mile.

    At supersonic speeds, sound itself is a drag.
    Chabacano / wiki, CC BY-SA

    The cost of this extra fuel is why typical aircraft speeds have remained pretty constant at around 85% of the speed of sound for several decades. It also leads to greater greenhouse gas emissions – as much as five to seven times more than subsonic aircraft.

    In fact, the situation may be even more stark. Supersonic aircraft tend to fly at high altitudes (Concorde flew at 60,000ft (18km) rather than the 40,000ft (12km) typical for most passenger jets) to take advantage of lower turbulence levels. This means their emissions tend to remain in the atmosphere for longer.

    Supersonic and sustainable?

    There are considerable efforts to align supersonic aircraft development with the aviation industry’s environmental ambitions. For instance, the new engines designed by Boom Supersonic are powered entirely by “sustainable aviation fuels” (Saf) which are direct replacements for traditional jet fuels that are made from renewable raw materials, often used cooking oil or crop residues. Due to its exclusive use of Saf, the Overture is advertised as having a zero-carbon footprint.

    A concept image of the Overture, the plane Boom Supersonic ultimately wants to build.
    Boom Supersonic, CC BY-SA

    In reality, the situation is more complex. Saf is often produced from edible crops and has been linked to deforestation – the total land required to power all of commercial aviation in this way is impractically immense.

    To address this longer-term problem, it is necessary to look towards alternative fuel sources. While hydrogen or electric power is being developed for regular aircraft, for now they aren’t developed enough to ensure a plane reaches supersonic speeds. Instead, one possibility is e-kerosene, a synthetic fuel generated from hydrogen and carbon dioxide using renewable electricity.

    Despite all these technological advances, a supersonic aircraft still cannot beat physics. Shock waves, and their associated drag, will still exist. So, a single supersonic aircraft will still produce considerably more carbon emissions than its subsonic counterpart.

    Beyond carbon emissions, contrails also have an effect. These are thin clouds of water vapour produced by aircraft exhausts, which can trap heat in the atmosphere the same way as greenhouse gases. These contrails are thought to have twice the impact of carbon emissions, or perhaps even more, so it is essential to take their effects into account. For now, we simply don’t know enough about contrails, especially at much higher altitudes, to definitively say how supersonic aircraft will affect the environment.

    Given the costs involved, supersonic aircraft will account for only a very small percentage of aircraft worldwide. The overall impact on the environment, in comparison to the tens of thousands of subsonic aircraft currently in operation, will be moderate.

    There is perhaps one environmental upside. The research and development activity making supersonic aviation more environmentally friendly (such as developments in fuel and propulsion technology) will likely yield technologies that transfer to subsonic aircraft too. This should help to address the much broader problem of environmental damage caused by the aviation industry as a whole.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Kshitij Sabnis 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. Supersonic passenger aircraft may be returning – here’s what that would mean for the climate – https://theconversation.com/supersonic-passenger-aircraft-may-be-returning-heres-what-that-would-mean-for-the-climate-250116

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bridgeport Man Sentenced to 40 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

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

    Marc H. Silverman, Acting United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that QUINTEN McKOY, also known as “Quack,” 33, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden in New Haven to 40 months of imprisonment for unlawfully possessing firearms.  Judge Bolden ordered McKoy’s sentence to be served consecutive to a state sentence McKoy is currently service for unrelated offenses.  Once released from federal custody, McKoy will serve a three-year term of supervised release.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, after a series of shootings and murders in Bridgeport and Stratford, the FBI Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force began an investigation into McKoy and others who were associated with gangs in the South End of Bridgeport.  On October 7, 2022, Task Force members conducted a court-authorized search of McKoy’s residence on Logan Street in Bridgeport and seized a stolen Glock .45 semi-automatic handgun; four gun magazines, including a high-capacity magazine loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition; a laser attachment; additional ammunition; and packages of suspected crack cocaine, heroin, and marijuana.  McKoy was arrested at that time.

    McKoy’s criminal history includes multiple felony convictions in state court for firearm and other offenses.  It is a violation of federal law for a person previously convicted of a felony offense to possess a firearm or ammunition that has moved in interstate or foreign commerce.

    McKoy has been detained since his arrest.  On September 12, 2024, he pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.

    This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Bridgeport Safe Streets Task Force and the Bridgeport Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karen L. Peck and Ross Weingarten through Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce gun violence and other violent crime, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In May 2021, the Justice Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit www.justice.gov/psn.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to the Maldives

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    February 18, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The Maldives’ economy is expected to grow by 5 percent in 2025, driven by robust tourism activity. Nevertheless, macroeconomic imbalances have continued to widen and risks are tilted to the downside.
    • The immediate policy priority is to restore sustainable public finance and debt. Broad-based fiscal reforms and a comprehensive debt strategy, alongside well-calibrated monetary and macro-financial policies, are urgently needed.
    • Reforms to strengthen climate resilience, improve the business climate and governance, and enhance skill developments will support stronger external competitiveness and strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Ms. Piyaporn Sodsriwiboon, visited Malé during February 3 – 16, 2025, to discuss recent economic developments, the outlook, and the country’s policy priorities in the context of the 2025 Article IV consultation.

    At the end of the mission, Ms. Sodsriwiboon issued the following statement:

    “Thanks to the Maldives’ strong tourism base, growth has held up well. Real GDP growth is projected at 5 percent in 2025, and the opening of airport terminal expansion would ease supply-side bottleneck for tourism and help sustain growth momentum over the medium term. Inflation is expected to rise to 2.3 percent in 2025, partially due to higher import duties. There is large uncertainty around the forecasts and risks are tilted to the downside.

    “External vulnerabilities remain, amid a persistently large current account deficit and pressures on foreign exchange reserves. The overall fiscal deficits and public debt are projected to stay elevated, calling for urgent policy adjustment. Over the medium term, the Maldives is highly vulnerable to climate change risks, due to sea level risk, floods and the degradation of its natural capital.

    “The Maldives is navigating a pivotal moment to urgently restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. The Government of Maldives has assumed its homegrown fiscal reform agenda, importantly with the discontinuation of exceptional use of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) advances and the passage of Fiscal Responsibility Act and Public Debt Management Act. Swift implementation of expenditure reform measures as outlined in the 2025 Budget would be key to reduce imbalances in an orderly manner and restore economic stability.

    “In addition to the revenue mobilization measures enacted by the government, there is the need for more urgent and stronger fiscal consolidation. Holistic expenditure rationalization is necessary to restrain excessive spending, while improving spending efficiency and protecting priority social spending. Subsidy reforms, which phase out untargeted subsidies and roll out well-targeted direct income transfers to vulnerable households, should be introduced as envisaged in the 2025 Budget. The reprioritization and rationalization of public sector investment program (PSIP) is critically necessary to address immediate fiscal challenges. Building on recent progress, the reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and Aasandha-healthcare reforms should be continued. Strengthening the public financial framework is critical to enhance fiscal policy credibility and effectiveness. A comprehensive debt strategy would also help restore debt sustainability and improve debt management.

    “A coordinated tightening of the policy mix would effectively help address macroeconomic vulnerabilities. The MMA’s commitment to resume active monetary operations is a welcome step in this regard. Should inflationary or external pressures intensify, the MMA should stand ready to further tighten monetary policy. Heightened systemic risks from bank-sovereign nexus call for tighter macroprudential policies and vigilant financial sector oversight. Prudent foreign exchange reserve management, alongside the necessary macroeconomic adjustments that include substantial and immediate fiscal adjustments as well as stricter monetary and macroprudential policies to address economic imbalances effectively, would help safeguard the exchange rate peg.

    “Given the Maldives’ threats to climate change, integrating climate sensitivity into public financial and investment management processes is essential for tackling climate-related challenges and mobilizing additional climate finance. Structural reforms aimed at improving the business environment and governance, expanding trade and investment, and enhancing skill development remain crucial for sustaining robust and inclusive growth.

    “The IMF team would like to thank the Maldivian authorities for their hospitality and constructive discussions. Meetings were held with Finance Minister M. Zameer, Governor A. Munawar, and other senior officials, as well as representatives from the private sector and development partners.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to the Maldives

    Source: IMF – News in Russian

    February 18, 2025

    End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.

    • The Maldives’ economy is expected to grow by 5 percent in 2025, driven by robust tourism activity. Nevertheless, macroeconomic imbalances have continued to widen and risks are tilted to the downside.
    • The immediate policy priority is to restore sustainable public finance and debt. Broad-based fiscal reforms and a comprehensive debt strategy, alongside well-calibrated monetary and macro-financial policies, are urgently needed.
    • Reforms to strengthen climate resilience, improve the business climate and governance, and enhance skill developments will support stronger external competitiveness and strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth.

    Washington, DC: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission, led by Ms. Piyaporn Sodsriwiboon, visited Malé during February 3 – 16, 2025, to discuss recent economic developments, the outlook, and the country’s policy priorities in the context of the 2025 Article IV consultation.

    At the end of the mission, Ms. Sodsriwiboon issued the following statement:

    “Thanks to the Maldives’ strong tourism base, growth has held up well. Real GDP growth is projected at 5 percent in 2025, and the opening of airport terminal expansion would ease supply-side bottleneck for tourism and help sustain growth momentum over the medium term. Inflation is expected to rise to 2.3 percent in 2025, partially due to higher import duties. There is large uncertainty around the forecasts and risks are tilted to the downside.

    “External vulnerabilities remain, amid a persistently large current account deficit and pressures on foreign exchange reserves. The overall fiscal deficits and public debt are projected to stay elevated, calling for urgent policy adjustment. Over the medium term, the Maldives is highly vulnerable to climate change risks, due to sea level risk, floods and the degradation of its natural capital.

    “The Maldives is navigating a pivotal moment to urgently restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. The Government of Maldives has assumed its homegrown fiscal reform agenda, importantly with the discontinuation of exceptional use of Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) advances and the passage of Fiscal Responsibility Act and Public Debt Management Act. Swift implementation of expenditure reform measures as outlined in the 2025 Budget would be key to reduce imbalances in an orderly manner and restore economic stability.

    “In addition to the revenue mobilization measures enacted by the government, there is the need for more urgent and stronger fiscal consolidation. Holistic expenditure rationalization is necessary to restrain excessive spending, while improving spending efficiency and protecting priority social spending. Subsidy reforms, which phase out untargeted subsidies and roll out well-targeted direct income transfers to vulnerable households, should be introduced as envisaged in the 2025 Budget. The reprioritization and rationalization of public sector investment program (PSIP) is critically necessary to address immediate fiscal challenges. Building on recent progress, the reforms of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and Aasandha-healthcare reforms should be continued. Strengthening the public financial framework is critical to enhance fiscal policy credibility and effectiveness. A comprehensive debt strategy would also help restore debt sustainability and improve debt management.

    “A coordinated tightening of the policy mix would effectively help address macroeconomic vulnerabilities. The MMA’s commitment to resume active monetary operations is a welcome step in this regard. Should inflationary or external pressures intensify, the MMA should stand ready to further tighten monetary policy. Heightened systemic risks from bank-sovereign nexus call for tighter macroprudential policies and vigilant financial sector oversight. Prudent foreign exchange reserve management, alongside the necessary macroeconomic adjustments that include substantial and immediate fiscal adjustments as well as stricter monetary and macroprudential policies to address economic imbalances effectively, would help safeguard the exchange rate peg.

    “Given the Maldives’ threats to climate change, integrating climate sensitivity into public financial and investment management processes is essential for tackling climate-related challenges and mobilizing additional climate finance. Structural reforms aimed at improving the business environment and governance, expanding trade and investment, and enhancing skill development remain crucial for sustaining robust and inclusive growth.

    “The IMF team would like to thank the Maldivian authorities for their hospitality and constructive discussions. Meetings were held with Finance Minister M. Zameer, Governor A. Munawar, and other senior officials, as well as representatives from the private sector and development partners.”

    IMF Communications Department
    MEDIA RELATIONS

    PRESS OFFICER: Randa Elnagar

    Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org

    https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/02/18/pr25037-maldives-imf-staff-completes-2025-article-iv-mission-to-the-maldives

    MIL OSI

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: $32.6M to Attract High-Tech Manufacturing Businesses

    Source: US State of New York

    Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that $32.6 million has been awarded to improve seven locations under the Focused Attraction of Shovel-Ready Tracts New York grant program, administered by Empire State Development. First announced by the Governor in February 2022, FAST NY is designed to prepare and develop sites across the state to further New York’s shovel-readiness and increase its attractiveness to large employers and high-tech manufacturing companies. To date, FAST NY has awarded nearly $233 million to 32 sites, with locations in every region across Upstate New York, and Governor Hochul has proposed an additional $100 million for this proven program in her 2026 Executive Budget.

    “FAST NY is a valuable tool that attracts strategic industries that invest in our communities and bring good paying jobs to New York State,” Governor Hochul said. “We have experienced first hand that shovel ready sites are an important factor when businesses are looking to expand and companies like Micron, Wolfspeed, Edwards Vacuum, and fairlife have chosen New York State because of our investments in site readiness. FAST NY is helping New York be a competitor on a global stage for the world’s best companies.”

    Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “FAST NY is a forward-thinking initiative that enhances the state’s appeal to major employers in high-growth industries by helping communities prepare and develop sites to accelerate New York’s shovel-readiness. Each site selected for a FAST NY investment has tremendous potential to ignite projects that generate jobs and stimulate regional economic development across New York.”

    The latest awardees are:

    • Albany Port District Commission (Capital Region) – $18.79 million: This project at the Port of Albany’s 85-acre Beacon Island expansion site will allow for utility infrastructure work, including installation of a high-voltage substation, a sanitary wastewater treatment plant, and the intake lines and pump station package for fire protection system. Additionally, it will support the remaining earthwork at the site. This fully graded 85-acre site with access to 115Kv power lines and the navigable Hudson River presents a unique asset to manufacturers of a variety of large-scale components.
    • Buffalo and Erie County Land Development Corporation (Western New York) – $11.5 million: This infrastructure improvement project at the former Evans-Angola airport will support the establishment of the Erie County Agribusiness Park. The grant will support utility infrastructure work, including roadway and sewer improvements, and power and gas transmission extensions, plus a substation. The former airport has been defunct for over 25 years and the new agribusiness park will focus on attracting food and agricultural processing businesses to the region, and expanding available markets for local farms.
    • Town of Clifton Park (Capital Region) – $1 million: This infrastructure improvement project at the Synergy Technology Park will extend the site’s water infrastructure by providing a secondary water line. This will increase capacity to the park and support future site development and expansion for industrial, manufacturing and distribution operations.
    • Orange County Industrial Development Agency (Mid-Hudson) – $500,000: This pre-development project at the Roseton Development site will induce advancement of environmental studies including a Generic Environmental Impact Statement and State Environmental Quality Review, plus engineering and site design. The site provides unique assets, including direct access to existing power transmission, rail, heavy infrastructure, and existing maritime infrastructure with direct access to the Hudson River, and will focus on targeting offshore wind supply chain companies.
    • Fulton County Center for Regional Growth (Mohawk Valley) – $434,700: This pre-development project will induce the advancement of engineering fees and studies that will determine costs for the development of infrastructure at Johnstown Commerce Park, including roads, utilities, site analysis, and environmental investigation. This site is located directly across from the current Johnstown Industrial Park, which is currently at capacity. The site, which was previously awarded a FAST NY grant, expects to produce five major industrial development projects, resulting in the creation of approximately 200 jobs.
    • Hamburg Development Corporation (Western New York) – $250,000: This pre-development project will allow for shovel-ready advancement of the Crossroads site, including environmental impact and traffic studies. The site is adjacent to the former Ford stamping plant and is zoned industrial, with direct proximity to significant water, sewer, natural gas and power lines. Pre-permitting this site will expedite development and improve speed to market for advanced manufacturing projects in the region.
    • Wayne County Industrial Development Agency (Finger Lakes) – $100,000: This pre-development project will enable studies to evaluate water and sewer treatment and delivery infrastructure, with a focus on Lyons Industrial Park and additional industrial parks located along the Route 31 corridor spanning east to west through the southern end of the county. These parks were recently identified via a feasibility study, conducted to evaluate potential areas for future industrial development.

    This year, Governor Hochul proposed $100 million for additional rounds of FAST NY in her FY26 Executive Budget. The program helps to diversify New York State’s economy while generating new investments for businesses, communities and job creation. Last year, Governor Hochul secured an additional $100 million in funding through the FY25 State Budget for the FAST NY program.

    FAST NY grants are awarded for pre-development activities and infrastructure investments to develop sites that will attract many eligible industries —including high-tech manufacturing, semiconductors, clean-tech renewable energy, life sciences, agribusiness, optics, transportation equipment, materials processing, industrial machinery manufacturing and other advanced manufacturing. These sites can also be used for interstate distribution and logistics. For more information, or to apply for a FAST NY grant, visit esd.ny.gov/fast-ny.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Japan steps up funding to WFP to strengthen food security and expand agricultural exports in Malawi –

    Source: World Food Programme

    LILONGWE – Today the United Nations World Food Programme welcomed the generous contribution of US$ 1.75 million from the Government of Japan to address food insecurity, help vulnerable communities recover from natural disasters and enhance the local agricultural export capacity.

    Japan’s Ambassador to Malawi, Yoichi Oya announced the funding at an event in Lilongwe today, alongside representatives from the Government of Malawi.

    “Japan remains committed to supporting Malawi’s efforts to overcome food insecurity and foster sustainable development,” said Ambassador Oya. “By addressing immediate needs and investing in agricultural export capacity, we aim to contribute to a brighter future for Malawians.”

    The funding will support national efforts to provide food assistance during the lean season, which is expected to be particularly challenging due to recent back-to-back emergencies. With this support, WFP will procure, transport, and distribute 786 metric tonnes of maize, reaching 71,000 vulnerable people. These efforts support vulnerable communities who face severe food insecurity due to consecutive climate shocks, including Tropical Cyclone Freddy (2023), and the El Niño-induced drought (2024).

    “This support reflects the strong partnership between Japan and Malawi. It will provide life-saving food assistance while also helping the country build long-term food security and economic opportunities,” said Simon Denhere, WFP Malawi Country Director ad interim.

    Beyond emergency relief, Japan is investing US$ 1 million to scale-up Malawi’s sesame export capacity. In partnership with WFP, the Malawi Bureau of Standards will improve certification, testing, and quarantine capabilities to meet international standards. The initiative includes training, facility upgrades, and technical collaboration to boost export opportunities for smallholder farmers.

    “The Government of Malawi deeply appreciates Japan’s support in strengthening our national response to food insecurity. This timely gesture complements government’s efforts in providing much-needed relief to vulnerable communities affected by climate shocks while boosting our national food stocks,” said Reverend Charles Kalemba, Malawi’s Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs.

    #                    #                       #

    About WFP

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X @wfp_media | @wfp_malawi

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: 5 ways to improve security governance and prevent future illegal mining tragedies from happening

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Andrew Grant, Associate Professor of Political Studies, Queen’s University, Ontario

    After six months trapped underground, roughly 246 illegal miners were rescued at Buffelsfontein gold mine in Stilfontein, South Africa, in mid-January following a court order and intense public outcry.

    An estimated 2,000 miners had been trapped underground after police blocked food and water from families and supporters in an attempt to force them into surrendering for arrest. In total, 87 died, many from starvation or dehydration, according to civic groups. Some survivors reportedly resorted to eating cockroaches or the flesh of their deceased colleagues to survive.

    Illegal miners, known as “zama zamas” in South Africa, are people who enter mining sites without authorization to extract leftover gold and other minerals, often under dangerous and exploitative conditions.

    This incident highlights the current failures in security governance at abandoned mining sites. Rather than ensuring safety and protecting lives, the police response contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

    To prevent similar tragedies, security governance at abandoned or closed mining sites must be improved, and inclusive policies that address employment needs must be implemented.

    A dangerous occupation

    As more mining sites in South Africa and across the world reach the end of their life cycles, the number of mine closures will increase, along with the need for more effective security governance.

    The value of remaining minerals, combined with the dearth of alternatives to sustain livelihoods, has led some people to engage in illegal artisanal mining, despite the significant risks involved.

    While illegal mining provides financial support for households in impoverished regions, it also releases pollutants into the environment, disrupts and degrades water resources and supports criminal networks.

    South Africa is a prime example of these challenges. The country is home to an estimated 6,000 abandoned mines and 30,000 illegal miners. Security governance challenges are a major part of South Africa’s socioeconomic reality, and these challenges continue to grow despite government crackdowns in recent years.

    Current enforcement efforts are doing little to address the decades of poor post-mine closure management. South Africa’s Petroleum and Mineral Resources Development Act requires mining companies to rehabilitate sites after closure, although compliance is sporadic, leaving communities and ecosystems at risk.

    With limited job opportunities in the formal sectors of the economy, many young people aged 15 to 34 have turned to informal sectors, including illegal mining, due to its low entry barriers. Compounding the problem is the government’s failure to legally distinguish between illegal and informal mining.

    5 ways to improve security governance

    The Buffelsfontein incident is a grim reminder that security governance cannot rely solely on policing tactics. Addressing the worsening socioeconomic cycle of miners trapped in abandoned and uncontrolled mines will require governments, companies and local communities to build stronger relationships before crises arise.

    Solutions must recognize that zama zamas work with no safety equipment and face daily threats from criminal syndicates who control mining territories. We propose five solutions that, together, address the socioeconomic and governance challenges:

    1. The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Development Act should be amended so mining permits are only granted when firms provide a mine closure security plan. This plan must include physical barriers like fencing and sealed shafts, with local communities involved in security enforcement. Funding would come from an independent relinquishment fund via annual contributions over the active lifespan of the mine to an interest-earning annuity held by a local financial institution and monitored by government and civil society.

    2. Security efforts should combine private security firms with community-based approaches, including hiring local residents in monitoring roles. This approach will foster trust, create jobs, improve security governance and enhance environment, social and governance (ESG) investment ratings.

    3. Drawing from successful models in other countries like Chile, drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and artificial intelligence monitoring methods can help monitor and secure high-risk areas. When used ethically, such technologies can reduce unauthorized mining activities.

    4. With unemployment in South African mining regions exceeding 40 per cent, governments and the private sector must focus on renewable energy, agriculture and entrepreneurship as economic alternatives for mining communities. Germany’s Emscher Park Project, for instance, has transformed coal mining regions into renewable energy hubs that create jobs and revitalize local economies. South Africa can also repurpose abandoned mining sites for such initiatives.

    5. As South Africa turns its attention to critical minerals, it has an opportunity to expand its green bonds to include funding for post-closure financial recovery for mining communities. These funds could finance infrastructure projects, vocational training and education so mining communities can transition successfully to other economic sectors.

    Lessons for Canada

    Canada is no stranger to the challenges of managing mines after closure. Across the Yukon, Northwest Territories and northern parts of several provinces, tailing pond failures have led to environmental pollution during the post-closure phase of the mining cycle.

    Investing in post-closure mine rehabilitation can prevent future harms to the environment, as well as enhance the human security of local communities. Green investors and sustainable finance funds like those informed by the Institute for Sustainable Finance must take a more active role in funding these efforts.

    The Buffelsfontein tragedy should serve as a wake-up call: security governance must evolve from punitive enforcement to proactive protection. Providing alternative livelihoods to illegal mining weakens criminal networks, removes dangerous working conditions, reduces environmental harms and saves lives.

    Though Canada is considered a mining superpower, it could learn valuable lessons from South Africa’s experience. Adopting our suggested solutions could help Canada address its own abandoned mine risks and ensure a more sustainable future for its mining communities.

    Andrew Grant has received grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

    Benjamin Ofosu-Atuahene has received funding in the form of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship.

    Olusola Ogunnubi has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. 5 ways to improve security governance and prevent future illegal mining tragedies from happening – https://theconversation.com/5-ways-to-improve-security-governance-and-prevent-future-illegal-mining-tragedies-from-happening-248741

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Trial Jury Convicts New Orleans Woman of Two 2022 Robberies of Igor’s Lounge

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA- Acting U.S. Attorney Michael Simpson announced that on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, DEBORAH COOPER (“COOPER”), 54, of New Orleans, was found guilty of all charges following a jury trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.

    The jury found COOPER guilty of all seven counts against her.  Count 1 charged COOPER with conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a).  Counts 2 and 4 charged COOPER with interference with commerce by robbery (Hobbs Act robbery), in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951(a) and 2.  Counts 3 and 5 charged COOPER with using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§924(c)(1)(A)(ii) and 2.  Count 6 charged COOPER with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).  Count 7 charged COOPER with tampering with proceedings, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(1).

    According to court documents, COOPER, and an unknown person, robbed Igor’s Lounge, located on St. Charles Avenue, in New Orleans in February and March of 2022.  During the February robbery, COOPER, and the unknown person, held an Igor’s bartender at gunpoint and demanded she open the register and poker drawer.  The robbers then forced the bartender to the rear of the bar, and ordered her, at gunpoint, to lie on the floor while they fled. The robbers stole over twelve hundred dollars ($1,200.00) in U.S. currency.  Similarly, during the March robbery, COOPER and the unknown person, retuned to Igor’s and robbed another bartender at gunpoint.  This time , they stole over seven thousand dollars ($7,000.00) in U.S. currency. The New Orleans Police Department investigated the robberies and obtained surveillance footage showing the robbers parking COOPER’s Ram pickup truck near Igor’s on the day of the February robbery. NOPD then obtained a search warrant for COOPER’s residence and located various items of clothing worn by COOPER during the robberies, twelve hundred dollars ($1,200.00) in U.S. currency, and a Smith and Wesson firearm, that COOPER attempted to hide, during this search.  The NOPD also located blue latex gloves in COOPER’s Ram truck, similar to the blue latex gloves worn by the robbers during the March robbery.

    U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo will sentence COOPER on May 7, 2025.  COOPER faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 14 years imprisonment up to a maximum term of life imprisonment as a result of being convicted of two counts of using, carrying, and brandishing of a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking crime.  This sentence will run consecutive to the sentences imposed by the Court for the remaining counts for which COOPER was convicted. As it relates to her convictions for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, Hobbs Act Robbery, and Tampering with Proceedings, COOPER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.  For the felon in possession of a firearm conviction, COOPER faces a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years.  COOPER also faces a term of supervised release of up to 5 years after completing her term of imprisonment.  At sentencing, the Court will also impose a mandatory special assessment fee of $700.00.  Additionally, the Court may impose fines and restitution.

    The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the New Orleans Police Department.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Brittany Reed and Sarah Dawkins of the Violent Crime/Strike Force Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana announces departure of U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BILLINGS — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana today announced the departure of U. S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich, effective yesterday.

    Mr. Laslovich has served as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of Montana since being sworn into office on June 2, 2022. President Joe Biden nominated Mr. Laslovich for the position on Jan. 31, 2022, and the U.S. Senate confirmed him on May 17, 2022.

    As U.S. Attorney, Mr. Laslovich oversaw all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation on behalf of the U.S. government. The district has offices in Helena, Great Falls, Missoula, Butte, and Billings.

    “It has been the honor of my life to serve as the United States Attorney for the state that raised me. I am profoundly grateful to the talented and hard-working people in this office, as well as our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners who strive every day to uphold the rule of law, keep people safe, and steadfastly defend the interests of the United States of America. I have never been prouder to have served with them, and I will always be rooting hard for their continued safety and success,” Mr. Laslovich said.

    During Mr. Laslovich’s tenure, the U.S. Attorney’s Office focused on prosecuting drug trafficking and violent and sexual abuse crimes occurring on Montana’s six Indian Reservations that are within federal jurisdiction for major crimes; building strong partnerships with other federal, tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies; addressing violent and firearms crimes in communities across the state through initiatives like Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF); and protecting civil rights for all Montanans. The office continued its work to protect children from online and in person sexual predators, abusers, and traffickers, and to catch fraudsters, especially those who prey on elderly and vulnerable persons.

    Mr. Laslovich also emphasized the importance of strong working relationships with numerous law enforcement agencies at the local, state, tribal and federal levels. Mr. Laslovich and office representatives met regularly with tribal leadership to discuss various issues. The office also worked closely with other federal, state, and local law enforcement partners and organizations to strengthen trust, communications, and cooperation in working toward the shared goal of keeping people safe and holding offenders accountable.

    In Indian Country, the U.S. Attorney’s Office worked with tribal and federal law enforcement partners to shut down trafficking rings attempting to set up bases on Montana reservations and enlist residents to distribute drugs transported from outside Montana. One of those cases involved dismantling a large, multi-state drug trafficking organization that was based on Crow Indian Reservation property known as Spear Siding and distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl to three other Montana Indian reservations and communities from suppliers in Washington and a Mexican cartel. The case resulted in federal convictions in Montana of 27 persons and was one of the largest federal drug trafficking investigations in Montana.

    Additionally, a recent six-month-long enforcement initiative led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, in cooperation with Blackfeet Law Enforcement Services and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Reservation, led to indictments of multiple individuals on drug crimes. The enforcement action was aimed at identifying hot spots and devoting law enforcement resources to communities facing rising rates of drug-related violent crime and overdose deaths.

    During the last three years, federal prosecutors remained committed to making communities across Montana safer by identifying and prosecuting the most dangerous offenders through initiatives like PSN and OCDETF. In Great Falls, a multi-agency investigation into a large fentanyl trafficking ring led to a coordinated take down of suspects and convictions of 10 individuals.

    During Mr. Laslovich’s tenure, prosecutions of individuals on federal firearms crimes increased significantly. The average number of defendants charged with illegal possession of a firearm averaged 111 cases a year from 2022 through 2024, compared with an average of 83 cases per year from 2014 to 2021. And the number of defendants charged with carrying a firearm in relation to a crime of violence or drug trafficking also increased to an average of 56 cases a year from 2022 to 2024 from an average of 40 cases per year from 2014 to 2021.

    Additionally, Mr. Laslovich oversaw the launch in Montana of United Against Hate, a Justice Department initiative focused on improving the prevention of hate crimes and hate incidents by building relationships at the local level. Laslovich and the office’s civil rights coordinator and prosecutor held a series of community meetings across the state with law enforcement partners, community and faith organizations, tribal communities, and citizens to discuss identifying and reporting hate crimes and to learn about available resources. Further, the office successfully prosecuted a Basin man on federal hate and firearms crimes after he fired an AK-style assault rifle at the residence of a woman, who identified as lesbian, and was home at the time. The defendant was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

    The office’s civil team continued its work defending the United States in litigation, collecting debts owed to the federal government, and investigating fraud. As part of that work, the U.S. Attorney’s Office reached a civil settlement agreement in 2024 between the federal government and St. Peter’s Health, in Helena, in which St. Peter’s agreed to pay $10,844,201 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting false claims for payments to federal health care programs for services performed by an oncology doctor.

    Prior to becoming U.S. Attorney, Mr. Laslovich served as regional vice president for SCL Health Montana-Wyoming since 2017. From 2009 to 2016, Mr. Laslovich was chief legal counsel in the office of the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, where he prosecuted securities fraud cases. During 2011 and 2012, Laslovich also served as a special assistant U.S. attorney on securities cases in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana. He previously worked in the Montana Attorney General’s Office. Mr. Laslovich began his legal career at Datsopoulos, MacDonald & Lind, P.C. in Missoula and taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Montana School of Law for two semesters.

    As one of the youngest Montanans ever elected to the Montana Legislature, Mr. Laslovich first served in the House of Representatives from 2001 through 2004 and then in the Senate from 2005 to 2010, representing Anaconda-Deer Lodge, Granite, and Powell counties.

    Mr. Laslovich received his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2006 and his B.A., with high honors, from the University of Montana in 2003.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Indicted for Crack Conspiracy and Federal Gun Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS – STEVE BANKS (“BANKS”), age 49, of New Orleans, was indicted on February 14, 2025, for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and the Federal Gun Control Act, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Michael M. Simpson.

    BANKS is charged in Count 1 with possession, with the intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing crack, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(A).  Count 2 charges BANKS with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8).  Count 3 charges BANKS with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 924(c)(1)(A) and 924(c)(1)(A)(i).

    As to the drug trafficking charge in Count 1, BANKS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000,000, and at least 5 years of supervised release.  For Count 2, BANKS faces a maximum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release.  For Count 3, BANKS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years, up to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to 5 years of supervised release.

    According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown but prior to September 2024, and continuing to on or about October 21, 2024, BANKS conspired with others to distribute crack in the Eastern District of Louisiana.  On October 21, 2024, BANKS possessed, with the intent to distribute, 280 grams or more of a mixture containing crack, and three guns, including a Zastava Model ZPAP85, 5.56 millimeter semi-automatic rifle, a Glock Model 22, 40 millimeter semi-automatic pistol, with a loaded extended magazine, that had been reported stolen, and a Glock Model 17Gen5, nine millimeter semi-automatic pistol.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the indictment is merely an allegation and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.  Assistant United States Attorney Rachal Cassagne of the Narcotics Unit is in charge of the prosecution.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Shaheen Joins Colleagues in Urging Trump Administration to Reverse Course on Hiring Freeze for Seasonal Firefighters

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined 15 of her Senate colleagues, led by U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), in sending a letter urging the Trump Administration to reverse course and restart the hiring of seasonal firefighters. Recent reports indicate that the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze is preventing the hiring and onboarding of seasonal firefighters, a workforce that already struggles with recruitment and retention. Seasonal firefighters are critical to forest protection and wildfire management, including those that are called on to respond from New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest.

    The Senators wrote, in part: “We write today following reports that hiring and onboarding for federal seasonal firefighters has stopped due to the Trump Administration’s federal hiring freeze. We are extremely concerned to hear that this is happening across the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and National Park Service ahead of what’s expected to be another devastating wildfire year.”

    They continued: “Although there is an urgent need to hire more federal firefighters, the Trump Administration’s hiring freeze does the opposite and is pausing hiring at a critical time for this already understaffed workforce. We urge you to put the safety of families and communities across the country first and allow the federal seasonal firefighter hiring process to continue without delay.”

    The full letter can be found here.

    As a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen has consistently secured resources to support New Hampshire’s firefighters. During the ongoing Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process, Shaheen has pushed to increase funding to $385 million for both the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs, an increase of $122 million over FY 2024. Shaheen also recently helped introduce the bipartisan Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act to expand access to federal support for the families of firefighters and other first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers. Last year, Shaheen celebrated the announcement of more than $2.9 million in federal funding to support Granite State firefighters.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Provincially Funded Specialized Policing Teams Continue to Build Public Safety

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 18, 2025

    From July 1 to December 31, 2024, officers from Saskatchewan’s municipal Crime Reduction Teams (CRTs) and Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT) seized 67 firearms, more than 23 kilograms of methamphetamine and nearly 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl from Saskatchewan communities. Officers also charged 89 people with a total of 475 criminal charges.

    “These numbers highlight the tireless efforts of our specialized policing teams in Saskatchewan and the positive impact they are having on our neighbourhoods and communities,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “We are proud to continue supporting provincial law enforcement initiatives, and we are grateful for the work that is done by our municipal police services every day in support of community safety and wellbeing.”

    There are currently three municipal CRT and STRT teams operating out of Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon. CRTs are dedicated to targeting street gangs and prolific offenders while responding to urban and rural crime surges when needed. STRT investigates illegal weapons, drugs and human trafficking cases.

    “Crime is more complex than ever, and we need to be able to respond to the changing needs of our community,” Regina Police Service Chief Farooq Sheikh said. “Collaborating with government and community partners allows us to respond more effectively. This ongoing funding is a great example of how working together we can keep our communities safe.”

    Between July and December 2024, municipal STRTs opened 19 human trafficking files and initiated 21 human trafficking interventions.

    On November 27, 2024, members of the Saskatoon Police CRT investigated a case of suspected drug trafficking, resulting in the seizure of:

    • $69,000 CAD;
    • approximately 16 kilograms of methamphetamine;
    • 470 grams of powdered cocaine;
    • 175 grams of carfentanyl;
    • 4 litres of gamma-hydroxybutyrate;
    • 16 grams of fentanyl; and
    • assorted paraphernalia consistent with drug trafficking.

    As a result of this investigation, 15 charges were laid related to the possession of controlled substances and the proceeds of crime over $5,000.

    “The Saskatoon Police Service is appreciative of provincial funding and support that allows us to enhance our policing efforts, invest in critical resources, and ensure our officers have the tools they need to keep our neighbourhoods safe,” Saskatoon Police Service Chief Cameron McBride said. “It is not just an investment in law enforcement – it is an investment in the safety and wellbeing of all of our communities.”
     
    On October 24, 2024, during the execution of two search warrants, the Prince Albert Police Service CRT charged two individuals and seized over 1,200 grams of cocaine, more than $39,000 cash, over 1,300 grams of cutting agent, two firearms and other evidence related to drug trafficking.

    “The provincially funded CRTs and STRTs continue to play a critical role in enhancing public safety across the province, including Prince Albert,” Prince Albert Police Service Chief Patrick Nogier said. “These specialized units provide the resources and flexibility needed for officers to focus on 21st century policing initiatives. In Prince Albert, their ongoing efforts have substantially contributed to reducing drug trafficking, removing illegal firearms and disrupting organized crime. This sustained impact reflects the dedication of the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety in supporting proactive policing initiatives that protect our communities and promote long-term public safety.”

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: RCMP Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams Continue to Deliver Safer Communities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 18, 2025

    Provincially funded RCMP Saskatchewan Enforcement Response Teams (SERTs) continue to deliver significant results in preventing and addressing crime in Saskatchewan. From July to December 2024, RCMP SERT executed 385 arrest warrants, seized over 11.4 kilograms of illicit drugs, 144 firearms and more than $286,000 in cash from Saskatchewan communities.

    “Our partnership with the RCMP plays an important role in reducing crime across Saskatchewan and promoting community safety,” Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said. “These teams tackle a wide range of critical issues and we are proud of their accomplishments. The province will continue to work collaboratively with our policing partners to ensure the continued safety and security of Saskatchewan residents.”

    SERT includes the Crime Reduction Teams (CRTs), Warrant Enforcement and Suppression Team (WEST), and the Saskatchewan Trafficking Response Team (STRT), each tackling critical areas of enforcement across the province.

    “These investigational successes demonstrate how SERT and local RCMP detachments work together as the provincial police force to enhance community safety across Saskatchewan,” Saskatchewan RCMP Commanding Officer Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore said. “As a highly skilled and specialized unit, SERT’s intelligence-led, enforcement-based policing initiatives continue to combat dangerous crime and violent gang activity in the province. We will continue to help make Saskatchewan a safer place for all those who call it home.”

    RCMP STRT is a specialized, intelligence-led enforcement team that investigates weapons, drug and human trafficking cases. From July through December 2024, the STRT opened 17 human trafficking files, executed 37 search warrants and made 31 arrests, seizing over 651,000 packs of tobacco and more than 900 grams of cocaine and laying 81 charges.

    In July 2024, a Saskatchewan Highway Patrol (SHP) Officer conducted an inspection of a semi and trailer near Swift Current and determined the semi’s documentation was inconsistent. As a result of the investigation, the officer located approximately 30 pallets of unstamped tobacco in the trailer. Working collaboratively, RCMP STRT took carriage of the investigation with assistance of the Swift Current Rural RCMP detachment. STRT determined the truck was carrying about 8.75 million unstamped cigarettes, which SHP indicated was one of the largest tobacco seizures in their history. 

    RCMP CRT responds to crime surges in rural areas, targeting prolific offenders and street gangs in Saskatchewan. From July through December 2024, the CRT executed 288 arrest warrants, laid over 400 charges, seized more than 8.6 kg of illicit drugs and made 352 arrests.

    In October 2024, North Battleford RCMP CRT- Gang Task Force executed search warrants at two residences as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. At the residences, officers located and seized a loaded handgun, a rifle, approximately 81 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 58 grams of crack cocaine, ammunition, a sum of cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia. Continued investigation led officers to arrest three individuals and charge two with possession for the purpose of trafficking, among other charges.

    RCMP WEST targets high-profile offenders who are a significant threat to public safety, such as gang members and violent offenders with outstanding warrants. The RCMP operates one WEST team out of Saskatoon and Meadow Lake and another out of Prince Albert. From July through December 2024, WEST executed 97 arrest warrants and made 82 arrests.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Young heroes learn to save: VSKS held a master class for children of SVO veterans at the State Institution of Humanities

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    On February 18, 2025, in the Moscow city branch of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, located on the territory of the State University of Management, as part of the celebration of Defender of the Fatherland Day, a master class was held for children of veterans of the special military operation.

    This initiative is an important element of social support for the families of military personnel participating in the Special Military Operations, and has received the support of the Moscow City Branch of the United Russia Party.

    The master class was attended by the Vice-Rector of the State University of Management Pavel Pavlovsky and the Moscow City Duma deputy, head of the Moscow City Branch of the VSKS Maxim Dzhetygenov.

    “Today we pay tribute to the defenders of our Fatherland. To the soldiers who laid down their lives for the Motherland and its people, to the living participants in military conflicts and the heroes fighting today! Today, the children of our heroes will interactively learn how to use primary fire extinguishing equipment, try to work with emergency rescue tools, provide first aid and, as part of a team, try to save a conditional “teddy bear” from a labyrinth. We will introduce the children to safety culture and rescue skills in more detail. We are grateful to the State University of Management and the Moscow City Branch of the United Russia Party for their assistance in holding the event,” Maxim Dzhetygenov, head of the Moscow City Branch of VSKS, opened the event.

    “From the very beginning of the SVO, the rector of the GUU Vladimir Stroyev sets one key task for the university: “Everything for the front, everything for Victory.” And active assistance to our soldiers is one of the key areas of our work. We implement retraining programs for soldiers who were seriously wounded at the front, we support universities in historical territories, we implement the “University Shifts” project, within the framework of which children from the DPR, LPR and the Kherson region come to us at the GUU for the holidays. And this is in addition to participating in the project initiated by the guys from the VSKS, which is called “GUU – SVOim” and is aimed at providing frontline units and civilians in the border area with the necessary products and technical equipment. Our partners for two years now have been the All-Russian public movement “Veterans of Russia”, so organizing an event for children of SVO participants is a logical continuation of activities in the chosen direction. We want the soldiers defending the Motherland at the front to clearly know that there is someone in the rear who will take care of their families and their children, because children are our wealth!” said Pavel Pavlovsky, Vice-Rector of the State University of Management.

    A total of 30 children of SVO veterans took part in the master class, who happily donned real firefighter clothes and fought against simulated fires, learned how to use various primary fire extinguishing equipment, tried to play Jenga using rescue tools, and in the end, as a united team, rescued a simulated victim from an inflatable labyrinth and provided him with first aid.

    The State University of Management is proud of its fighters of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps, who never stand aside and help the residents of the Kursk region to endure temporary hardships, eliminate the consequences of inhuman terrorist attacks, clean the Black Sea coast from oil products and are always ready to share their experience and skills. They are

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 02/18/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Alleged serial arsonist faces federal charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    McALLEN, Texas – A 36-year-old McAllen resident has been charged with arson and possession of a destructive device, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

    Daniel Eduardo Rivera is expected to make an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Scott Hacker at 9:00 a.m.

    According to the criminal complaint, Rivera has allegedly been targeting an individual since 2022 by setting multiple fires to the victim’s residence and vehicles.

    The charges allege that in November 2022 at approximately 2:03 a.m., fire department officials responded to the victim’s residence due to a fire coming from a storage shed. They extinguished it, but authorities later determined it to be incendiary in nature, according to the complaint.  

    At approximately 1:10 p.m. that same day, the fire department was allegedly dispatched to the victim’s house for a second time where they discovered the  porch to be fully engulfed with fire seeping into the home. The charges allege they were again able to extinguish it but not before it had caused significant damage to the home. They also found a Molotov cocktail at the scene, according to the complaint.  

    According to the victim, Rivera had allegedly confronted him and threatened to kill his family at night and burn the victim’s house down.

    The complaint further alleges that in May 2024, fire officials responded to a vehicle fire in McAllen. It has already been extinguished, but authorities allegedly determined another Molotov cocktail was used in an attempt to set the car ablaze. The investigation links Rivera to that incident, according to the charges.

    If convicted, Rivera faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the arson and a maximum of 10 for possession of a destructive device.  

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and explosives is conducting the investigation with the assistance of the McAllen Fire Marshal’s Office, Fire and Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lee Fry and Devin V. Walker are prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Champion Safe Co. Surpasses Sales Goals at Recent Buying Group Shows, Achieving $2.4M Year-To-Date 2025 Sales and Outperforming Internal Projections

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Provo, UT, Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Champion Safe Company (“Champion” or the “Company”) (championsafe.com) a leader in gun safes and vault doors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB), America’s Patriotic Brand (americanrebel.com), is proud to announce its continued strong momentum in 2025. Champion has surpassed its internal sales projections, achieving over $2.4 million in year-to-date revenue, with more than $610,000 generated at recent Nation’s Best Sports (NBS) and Sports Inc. buying group shows.

    Innovation Driving Growth

    A key factor behind this success is Champion’s latest product innovations, featuring enhanced security, refined aesthetics, and superior craftsmanship. Dealers at the NBS and Sports Inc. shows responded enthusiastically to the 2025 product lineup, recognizing Champion’s commitment to quality and performance in an increasingly competitive market.

    “Attending these early-year buying group shows is essential for us, and Champion has received an outstanding response to our updated product lineup,” said Thomas Mihalek, CEO of Champion Safe Company. “Dealers understand that quality and attention to detail are more important than ever, and Champion Safe excels in both areas. The strong sales performance at NBS and Sports Inc demonstrates the trust and demand for our products. We are committed to continuous growth and expansion through our innovative programming and enhanced manufacturing procedures. Our goal is to ensure that Champion remains the top choice for firearm dealers and security-focused customers.”

    Commitment to Dealers and Market Leadership

    Champion Safe remains dedicated to supporting its dealer network with industry-leading service, reliable inventory, and premium products that drive retail success. The company values its partnerships with buying group members and continues to provide cutting-edge solutions and tools to help dealers grow their businesses.

    “We are just beginning to see the results of the dramatic improvements across all aspects at Champion Safe Company that began almost immediately after appointing Mr. Mihalek as CEO of Champion in April 2024,” said Andy Ross, CEO of American Rebel Holdings, Inc. “Mr. Mihalek is the type of seasoned and successful outdoor industry and consumer products executive that we were looking for to lead and grow Champion. We are encouraged by the early results in FY2025 and are optimistic about continued growth and market share gains at Champion Safe Co. under Mr. Mihalek’s leadership.”

    For more information about Champion Safe and its lineup of high-security safes, visit www.championsafe.com.

    About Champion Safe Company

    Champion Safe Company has been at the forefront of safe manufacturing for over 25 years, offering a range of high-quality safes designed for ultimate security and fire protection. With a commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, Champion Safes are trusted by homeowners, gun owners, and businesses across the nation.

    About American Rebel Holdings, Inc.

    American Rebel Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: AREB) has operated primarily as a designer, manufacturer and marketer of branded safes and personal security and self-defense products and has recently transitioned into the beverage industry through the introduction of American Rebel Beer. The Company also designs and produces branded apparel and accessories. To learn more, visit americanrebel.com and americanrebelbeer.com. For investor information, visit americanrebel.com/investor-relations.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. American Rebel Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: AREB; AREBW) (the “Company,” “American Rebel,” “we,” “our” or “us”) desires to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this cautionary statement in connection with this safe harbor legislation. The words “forecasts” “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include benefits of the 2025 product innovations, actual revenues for fiscal 2025, our ability to effectively execute our business plan, and the Risk Factors contained within our filings with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

    Company Contacts:
    jon.minder@americanrebel.com
    thomas.mihalek@americanrebel.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s lurking assault on Canada rests on endless lies and irrational populism

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ilan Kapoor, Professor, Critical Development Studies, York University, Canada

    United States President Donald Trump has temporarily put his trade war against Canada and Mexico on hold after vowing to slap 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican imports, although he’s imposed tariffs on all steel and aluminum, including from Canada.

    He has also upped the ante by threatening to increase tariffs should Canada carry through on its own threat of retaliatory tariffs, with the possibility of further sanctions in the spring following a U.S. government study investigating ways to address the country’s trade deficits.

    This is nothing less than an attempt at the economic subordination of Canada by its giant and — until very recently — friendly neighbour and ally. But what makes Trump’s impending trade war even more absurd is that it is based on a series of lies.

    Trade, drugs, migrants, banks

    Trump has claimed that the U.S. has a “US$200 or $250 billion” trade deficit with Canada. The American government’s own data show that the trade in goods deficit with Canada in 2024 was US$55 billion.

    But when you factor in services (in technology or finance), an area in which the U.S. currently enjoys a trade surplus, the annual U.S.-Canada annual trade deficit falls to US$45 billion. And if you exclude energy exports, sold to the U.S. at a discount, the trade scales tip decidedly in favour of the U.S.

    Then we also have Trump’s claim that tariffs are needed to penalize Canada for allowing an “invasion” of drugs (mainly fentanyl) and undocumented migrants into the U.S.

    But once again, figures from his own government agencies show that only 1.5 per cent of migrants apprehended in 2024, and a mere 0.2 per cent of all fentanyl impounded at U.S. borders in 2024, originated in Canada.

    Finally, just hours before the American reprieve on tariffs, Trump raised a new red herring: that Canada does not allow American banks into the country. But many U.S. banks do operate in Canada, making up half of the country’s foreign banking assets.

    The grip of populism

    So why such lies? I suggest that we need to look to nationalist populism for an explanation. A deep, often irrational, emotional bond underpins this form of populism.

    Just as was the case in his 2016 election campaign, Trump’s 2024 campaign successfully tapped into people’s frustrations and anxieties over everything from high food prices to the housing crisis and rising precarious employment as he promised once more to “make America great again.”

    Tariffs featured prominently, with Trump bidding to put “America First” by punishing the country’s three largest trading partners — Mexico, Canada and China — for their alleged “unfair” trade practices.

    These types of seductive populist slogans unite people under a common banner, soothing their anxieties. But the accompanying peril is their dependence on the construction of national enemies to unify the nation. In 2016, Trump singled out Muslims and Mexicans. Today it is migrants, trans people and America’s supposed three main trading villains.

    Dangerous sentiments

    Trump’s populism is therefore built on irrational, if not dangerous, sentiments: blind fear, pridefulness, xenophobia, transphobia, racism and aggression.

    No wonder he engages in both blatant falsehoods and unabashed bullying. His lies are integral to his continuing attempts to paint the U.S. as a victim, despite its global supremacy in many areas, thereby justifying attempts at subordinating America’s putative “enemies” and even its friends. Populist sentiment, precisely because it is rooted in the irrational exuberance of pride and unity, cares little about facts, logic or veracity.

    A case in point is Trump’s affirmation that the U.S. is “subsidizing” Canada as a result of the trade deficit. The allegation contravenes any economic sense — trade deficits are the result of market-driven imports exceeding exports — yet its deployment here evokes the anxiety-producing prospect that Canada is ripping off American taxpayers.

    Populist passion trumps rational argument. Bluster whips up national fervour.

    Much ado about nothing

    This is also why Canada’s efforts to appease Trump have yielded little to date. Days after Trump’s election win, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was quick to visit him at his Florida estate in an attempt to reassure him on fentanyl and migrants.

    The Canadian government then announced a $1.3 billion border security package and improved state oversight of the production of opioids.

    In the days leading up to Trump’s tariff executive order, Canadian federal ministers and provincial premiers also frantically engaged in a public relations offensive (interviews on American TV, meetings with congressional lawmakers and Trump’s cabinet nominees) aimed at changing minds. All to no avail.

    Trump finally blinked only a few hours before the Feb. 4 tariff deadline. All it took was the offer by Trudeau of measures that, for the most part, had already been included in the previously announced border security/fentanyl measures. It seems the repackaged deal was enough to allow the president to declare a victory, while granting Canada a mere temporary reprieve.



    Read more:
    Trump’s tariff threats show the brute power of an imperial presidency

    So all in all, much ado about not too much. Lots of theatrics and brinkmanship, but little advancement, especially on the supposed main problem to be addressed — trade deficits.

    The Trump administration has basically stuck to its populist platform, providing more evidence that rational decision-making does not play a role.

    Quite the opposite, in fact: attempts to appease Trump appear to have been taken as proof that his threats work, and more demands are undoubtedly in store. That’s evident by the continuing prospect of tariffs in March and the possibility of more to come afterwards (including on steel and aluminum).

    Self-defeating irrationality

    Trump’s tariff war is senseless. If the measures go ahead, they could plunge Canada into a painful recession requiring state stimulus to support the economy and jobs, and retaliatory and counter-retaliatory trade measures.

    This may well be Trump’s intention — he has declared he wants to annex Canada by “economic force” — but it is likely to backfire. Any future trade war will harm not just Canada, Mexico and China, but also the U.S.

    Canada’s counter-tariffs target Red States, where Trump derives most of his electoral support.

    And given the American dependence on Canada for some 50 per cent of its crude oil imports, Canada’s nuclear option is to impose export tariffs on oil to the U.S. That would cause American prices at the pump to increase dramatically overnight and prove highly unpopular.

    In the longer term, then, no one stands to win as a consequence of Trump’s irrational populist policy-making. In the meantime, expect not much else from Trump’s administration than more unpredictability, brinkmanship, intimidation … and, yes, lies.

    Ilan Kapoor 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. Trump’s lurking assault on Canada rests on endless lies and irrational populism – https://theconversation.com/trumps-lurking-assault-on-canada-rests-on-endless-lies-and-irrational-populism-249256

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Q4 2024 Auto and Property Insurance Shopping Increased 20% Compared to Q4 2023

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Both auto and property insurance shopping saw 20% year-over-year increases in Q4 2024, according to TransUnion (NYSE: TRU) research. However, profitability for auto and property insurance was uneven.

    While auto insurance has come close to achieving rate adequacy, the property insurance market has been constrained due to limited rate increases and losses from natural disasters, like hurricanes Helene and Milton. What’s more, 2025 is already off to a bad start with wildfires in southern California posing significant losses for insurers.

    Both auto and property insurance shopping were driven primarily by consumers’ continued search for lower rates. These findings and more are included in TransUnion’s latest quarterly Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report.

    “The current market provides great potential for acquisition,” said Patrick Foy, senior director of strategic planning for TransUnion’s Insurance business. “The best moves insurers can make to procure high quality prospects is to use data segmentation enabling them to market to the best potential customers.”

    Traffic court data proves indispensable
    Driving record information is one of the most predictive variables for assessing an individual across the policy lifecycle. Legacy approaches, like referencing state motor vehicle records (MVRs), can have gaps and limitations—and are expensive to obtain.

    However, traffic court records cost significantly less to access, and they provide a more comprehensive picture of a driver’s past violations. For example, TransUnion’s latest report estimates that 11% of drivers have a ratable violation that can be identified by traffic court records but remain absent from MVRs.

    Insurers who access traffic court data through solutions like TransUnion’s TruVision™ Driving History solutions suite, can improve the quality of leads and increase customer lifetime value. These solutions can be deployed at any time across the policy lifecycle.

    In addition, understanding generational preferences can help insurers be effective across channels. While younger shoppers prefer a seamless digital experience, Baby Boomers still prefer the phone channel for discussing policy details. TruAudience® suite of marketing solutions can help insurers with identity resolution, audience building and measurement.

    Read the latest Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report.

    About TransUnion’s Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report
    This quarterly publication examines trends in the personal lines insurance industry, including shopping, migration, violation, credit-based insurance stability and more. The Trends and Perspectives Report research is based almost entirely on TransUnion’s extensive internal data and analyses. It includes information on insurance shopping transactions from July 2023 to December 2024. However, the report excludes shopping data from insurance customers in California, Hawaii (auto), Massachusetts (auto), and Maryland (property), where credit-based insurance scoring information is not used for insurance rating or underwriting.

    About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
    TransUnion is a global information and insights company with over 13,000 associates operating in more than 30 countries. We make trust possible by ensuring each person is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this with a Tru™ picture of each person: an actionable view of consumers, stewarded with care. Through our acquisitions and technology investments we have developed innovative solutions that extend beyond our strong foundation in core credit into areas such as marketing, fraud, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences and personal empowerment for millions of people around the world. http://www.transunion.com/business

       
    Contact Dave Blumberg
    TransUnion
       
    E-mail david.blumberg@transunion.com
       
    Telephone 312-972-6646
       

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California Woodland and Forest Change

    Source: US Geological Survey

    References

    Balch, J. K., Abatzoglou, J. T., Joseph, M. B., Koontz, M. J., Mahood, A. L., McGlinchy, J., … Williams, A. P. (2022). Warming weakens the night-time barrier to global fire. Nature, 602(7897), 442-448. doi:10.1038/s41586-021-04325-1

    Brown, J. F., Tollerud, H. J., Barber, C. P., Zhou, Q., Dwyer, J. L., Vogelmann, J. E., and others (2020). Lessons learned implementing an operational continuous United States national land change monitoring capability: The Land Change Monitoring, Assessment, and Projection (LCMAP) approach. Remote Sens. Environ. 238:111356. doi: 10.1016/j.rse.2019.111356

    Cartwright, J. (2019). Ecological islands: conserving biodiversity hotspots in a changing climate. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 17(6), 331-339. doi:10.1002/fee.2058

    Dwomoh, F. K., Auch, R. F., Brown, J. F., & Tollerud, H. J. (2023). Trends in tree cover change over three decades related to interannual climate variability and wildfire in California. Environmental Research Letters, 18(2), 024007. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/acad15

    Dwomoh, F. K., Brown, J. F., Tollerud, H. J., & Auch, R. F. (2021). Hotter drought escalates tree cover declines in Blue oak woodlands of California. Frontiers in Climate, 3(67). doi:10.3389/fclim.2021.689945

    Eidenshink, J., Schwind, B., Brewer, K., Zhu, Z.-L., Quayle, B., & Howard, S. (2007). A project for monitoring trends in burn severity. Fire Ecology, 3(1), 3-21. doi:10.4996/fireecology.0301003

    Higuera P.E. and Abatzoglou J.T. (2021). Record-setting climate enabled the extraordinary 2020 fire season in the western United States Glob. Change Biol. 27 1–2

    Juang, C. S., Williams, A. P., Abatzoglou, J. T., Balch, J. K., Hurteau, M. D., & Moritz, M. A. (2022). Rapid growth of large forest fires drives the exponential response of annual forest-fire area to aridity in the western United States. Geophysical Research Letters, 49(5), e2021GL097131. doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL097131 

    Lund, J., Medellin-Azuara, J., Durand, J., & Stone, K. (2018). Lessons from California’s 2012–2016 drought. Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 144(10), 04018067. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)WR.1943-5452.0000984

    Madakumbura, G. D., Goulden, M. L., Hall, A., Fu, R., Moritz, M. A., Koven, C. D., . . . Randerson, J. T. (2020). Recent California tree mortality portends future increase in drought-driven forest die-off. Environmental Research Letters, 15(12), 124040. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/abc719

    McDonald, P. M. (1990). “Quercus douglasii Hook & Arn. Blue oak,” in Silvics of North America, eds R. M. Burns, and B. H. Honkala (Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service), 631–639.

    Morueta-Holme, N., Fløjgaard, C., & Svenning, J.-C. (2010). Climate change risks and conservation implications for a threatened small-range mammal species. PLoS ONE, 5(4), e10360. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010360

    Reiner, R., and Craig, A. (2011). Conservation easements in California blue oak woodlands: testing the assumption of livestock grazing as a compatible use. Nat. Areas J. 31, 408–413. doi: 10.3375/043.031.0411

    Restaino, C., Young, D. J. N., Estes, B., Gross, S., Wuenschel, A., Meyer, M., & Safford, H. (2019). Forest structure and climate mediate drought-induced tree mortality in forests of the Sierra Nevada, USA. Ecological Applications, 29(4), e01902. doi:10.1002/eap.1902

    Stahle, D. W., Therrell, M. D., Cleaveland, M. K., Cayan, D. R., Dettinger, M. D., and Knowles, N. (2001). Ancient blue oak reveal human impact on San Francisco Bay salinity. Eos. Trans. Am. Geophys. Union 82, 141–145. doi: 10.1029/EO082i012p00141

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2013). Level III ecoregions of the continental United States: Corvallis, Oregon, US EPA–National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, map scale 1: 7,500,000. 

    Waddell, K. L., and Barrett, T. M. (2005). Oak Woodlands and Other Hardwood Forests of California, 1990s. Portland, OR: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 245. doi: 10.2737/PNW-RB-245

    Westerling, A. L. (2016). Increasing western US forest wildfire activity: sensitivity to changes in the timing of spring. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond., B, Biol. Sci. 371:20150178. doi: 10.1098/rstb.2015.0178

    Zhu, Z., & Woodcock, C. E. (2014). Continuous change detection and classification of land cover using all available Landsat data. Remote Sensing of Environment, 144(0), 152-171. doi:10.1016/j.rse.2014.01.011

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Wix to Participate in Fireside Chat at Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK –  Wix.com Ltd. (NASDAQ: WIX), the leading SaaS website builder platform globally1, today announced that Wix management will participate in a fireside chat at Morgan Stanley’s Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Wednesday, March 5th at 3:20 p.m. PST.

    The event will be available via live audio webcast and archived replay on Wix’s investor relations website: https://investors.wix.com.

    About Wix.com Ltd.

    Wix is the leading SaaS website builder platform1 to create, manage and grow a digital presence. Founded  in 2006, Wix is a comprehensive platform providing users – self-creators, agencies, enterprises, and more – with industry-leading performance, security, AI capabilities and a reliable infrastructure. Offering a wide range of commerce and business solutions, advanced SEO and marketing tools, the platform enables users to take full ownership of their brand, their data and their relationships with their customers. With a focus on continuous innovation and delivery of new features and products, users can seamlessly build a powerful and high-end digital presence for themselves or their clients. 

    For more about Wix, please visit our Press Room
    Media Relations Contact:  PR@wix.com  

    1 Based on number of active live sites as reported by competitors’ figures, independent third-party data and internal data as of H1 2024.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: ServiceTrade Research Reveals Strategies for Attracting, Hiring, and Retaining Techs Amid Today’s Top Business Challenge: The Skilled Labor Shortage

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ServiceTrade, an innovative software platform designed to optimize commercial service business operations for growth and profit, released the 2025 Technician Insights Report today to help commercial service business owners address the most significant challenge they face today – a critical shortage of skilled labor. There is currently a 14-20% skilled labor shortfall in the commercial fire and mechanical markets, further complicated by 6-8% industry growth and a rapidly aging workforce. ServiceTrade surveyed 650 technicians in the fire safety and mechanical services industries, discovering the top drivers of job satisfaction, common frustrations, and improvement opportunities shared across the profession.   

    “Skilled technicians are the heart of commercial service businesses, yet the industry is facing a critical shortage of these highly skilled professionals,” said William Chaney, CEO of ServiceTrade. “Building an efficient, satisfied, and dedicated workforce is essential to achieving business results. Our Technician Insights Report uncovers the factors that drive technician satisfaction and productivity, enabling business owners to differentiate their work environment and attract and retain a more satisfied workforce.”

    Unprecedented Market Growth Drives Technician Demand

    The ServiceTrade report reveals that 54% of technicians feel their profession provides a solid financial future. When asked what they like most about their profession, 17% cited competitive pay and benefits.  The survey reveals that techs prioritize earning potential, supportive management, and opportunities for training and growth provided by their companies. 

    In the U.S., the commercial HVAC market is expected to grow to $15.70 billion by 2029, necessitating an 8% increase in the technician workforce. The commercial fire protection sector is expected to increase by 4.1% annually, requiring a 6% increase in technicians over the same period.  Further exacerbating the lack of talent, about 26% of technicians are nearing retirement age, while 31% of business owners say retaining skilled technicians is already a significant challenge. 

    Tech Satisfaction is Key To Retaining Top Techs

    Technicians want to be productive, do good work, and be recognized for it.  The ServiceTrade report reveals techs are frustrated by non-maintenance tasks that consume valuable time, such as manual paperwork (49%), inefficient office communication (22%), and customer miscommunication (18%). Inefficient travel and job scheduling (11%) or arriving at the job site without the right equipment and tools (17%) also negatively affect job satisfaction. The report provides insights to help businesses improve technicians’ job satisfaction, ability to serve customers, perform daily tasks, and progress in their careers.

    • Technicians need easier access to job or customer information (24%)
    • They want more training (27%) and professional development opportunities (49%)
    • Most technicians surveyed say that more flexible schedules and a better work/life balance (59%) could improve their job satisfaction.

    ServiceTrade Enables Tech Satisfaction, Better Customer Service, and Business Performance

    “Addressing the skilled labor shortage is not just a challenge, but an opportunity to invest in the future of our workforce,” said Jim Pauley, NFPA CEO, in a statement. “In 2025, we can expect to see more organizations focused on talent development, embracing innovation, and supporting education and training to help bridge the gap…”

    In 2025, almost half of commercial fire service organizations (49%) plan to adopt more digital tools within day-to-day operations to streamline work, share knowledge, and collaborate with peers.  ServiceTrade’s service management platform enables techs to increase field performance by 52%, while business owners simplify back office operations by 12%, reduce time spent on communications and admin, and win and keep 36% more profitable customers. The platform automates customer communications and syncs data to the office without requiring manual paperwork. It guides techs through efficient job completion and helps them proactively identify needed repairs and inspections, increasing work orders by 15%. By harnessing the power of ServiceTrade, companies can improve technician satisfaction and operational excellence while ensuring quality customer service.

    For more information on the 2025 Technician Insights Report and to explore its full findings, please visit—https://servicetrade.com/knowledge-base/technician-insights-report/ 

    To learn more about ServiceTrade:

    About ServiceTrade

    ServiceTrade, Inc. is a software platform for commercial mechanical, fire, and life safety contractors. During a chronic skilled labor shortage, ServiceTrade helps commercial contractors increase profit by improving service and project operations, increasing technician productivity, selling more service agreements, and growing customer loyalty. Located in Durham, North Carolina, ServiceTrade was founded in 2012 to automate and streamline the commercial mechanical and fire protection industry and has grown to have more than 1,300 customers. More than 10% of the commercial or industrial buildings in the United States are serviced by contractors using ServiceTrade. Learn more at www.servicetrade.com.

    Media Contact:
    Media@Ktcmarketingandpr.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Customer reviews help Rightworks collect nine G2 Winter 2025 badges

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NASHUA, N.H., Feb. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rightworks, the only intelligent cloud service provider of solutions purpose-built for accounting firms and professionals, is proud to announce its OneSpace platform was awarded nine badges in G2’s Winter 2025 Reports. The recognition marks Rightworks’ 15th consecutive quarter being awarded top honors in G2’s market reports, the world’s largest and most trusted software marketplace.

    Rightworks OneSpace earned the following recognition in G2’s Winter 2025 Reports:

    • Leader
    • Leader — Small-Business
    • High Performer (for OneSpace Firm)
    • High Performer
    • High Performer — Mid-Market
    • High Performer — Small-Business
    • Users Love Us
    • Best Support — Mid-Market
    • Easiest To Do Business With

    “Earning a spot in a G2 Report is a testament to the positive experiences of real users,” said Sydney Sloan, CMO of G2. “Congratulations to Rightworks for their inclusion in G2 Reports for the winter 2025 season, powered by their customers’ authentic reviews.”

    Rightworks achieved Leader and High Performer recognition after receiving positive reviews from verified users compared to similar products in each category. In G2’s Winter 2025 Reports, just 4% of the Software & Services received a Leader badge.

    “We are honored to begin the new year receiving high ratings from G2 and our customers. As the accounting profession enters another busy tax season, equipping our customers with powerful and purpose-built solutions is our highest priority,” said Joel Hughes, CEO of Rightworks.

    More than 100 million people annually use G2 to make smarter software decisions based on authentic peer reviews.

    Visit Rightworks’ G2 page to read user reviews and learn more.

    Connect with Rightworks
    Visit our newsroom; read our blog; and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

    About Rightworks
    Rightworks enables accounting firms and businesses to significantly simplify operations and expand their value to clients via our award-winning intelligent cloud and learning resources. This is possible with Rightworks OneSpace, the only secure cloud environment purpose-built for the accounting and tax profession, and Rightworks Academy, the premier community for firm optimization, growth and professional development. The Academy offers access to thought leadership, events, peer communities and extensive learning resources. Founded in 2002, we’ve grown to serve over 10,000 accounting firms in the US—from single practitioners to Top 10 firms. For more information, please visit rightworks.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b83c827a-2cf4-4b92-900e-aef9a6b45949

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Firing civil servants and dismantling government departments is how aspiring strongmen consolidate personal power – lessons from around the globe

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Erica Frantz, Associate Professor of Political Science, Michigan State University

    A leader bent on expanding his own power would see the government’s bureaucracy as a key target. Andry Djumantara – iStock/Getty Images Plus

    With the recent confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – two of the most controversial of President Donald Trump’s high-level administration nominees – the president’s attempt to remake government as a home for political loyalists continues.

    Soon after coming to office for a second term, Trump aggressively sought to overhaul Washington and bring the federal government in line with his political agenda. He is spearheading an effort to purge the government’s ranks of people he perceived as his opponents and slash the size of long-standing bureaucratic agencies – in some instances dismantling them entirely.

    At the helm of much of this is businessman Elon Musk, who is not only the world’s richest man but also the largest donor of the 2024 election and the owner of multiple businesses that benefit from lucrative government contracts.

    Musk – and a small cohort of young engineers loyal to him but with little experience in government – descended on Washington, announced their control over multiple government agencies, fired career civil servants, and even strong-armed access to government payment systems at the Treasury Department, where the inspector general had just been sacked.

    This unprecedented sequence of events in the U.S. has left many observers in a daze, struggling to make sense of the dramatic reshaping of the bureaucracy under way.

    Yet, as researchers on authoritarian politics, it is no surprise to us that a leader bent on expanding his own power, such as Trump, would see the bureaucracy as a key target. Here’s why.

    Elon Musk, standing next to President Donald Trump, explains his theory concerning government bureaucracy.

    Dismantle democracy from within

    A well-functioning bureaucracy is an organization of highly qualified civil servants who follow established rules to prevent abuses of power. Bureaucracies, in this way, are an important part of democracy that constrain executive behavior.

    For this reason, aspiring strongmen are especially likely to go after them. Whether by shuffling the personnel of agencies, creating new ones, or limiting their capacity for oversight, a common tactic among power-hungry leaders is establishing control over the government’s bureaucracy. Following a failed coup attempt in 2016, for example, Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdoğan fired or detained as many as 100,000 government workers.

    In the short term, greater executive control over the bureaucracy gives these leaders a valuable tool for rewarding their elite supporters, especially as diminished government oversight increases opportunities for corruption and the dispersion of rewards to such insiders. Erdoğan, for example, by 2017 had worked to fill lower-level bureaucratic positions with loyalists of his party, the AKP, to ensure the party’s influence over corruption investigations.

    In the long term, this hollowing out and reshaping of the bureaucracy is part of a broader plan in which aspiring autocrats usurp control over all institutions that can constrain them, such as the legislature and the courts. As we document in our book, “The Origins of Elected Strongmen,” attacks on the bureaucracy constitute a significant step in a larger process in which elected leaders dismantle democracy from within.

    Take control of bureaucracy

    The seemingly bizarre series of events that have transpired in Washington since Trump came to power are highly consistent with other countries where democracy has been dismantled.

    Take Benin, for example. Its leader, Patrice Talon – one of the wealthiest people in Africa – came to power in democratic elections in 2016.

    Soon after taking control, Talon created new agencies housed in the executive office and defunded existing ones, as a means of skirting bureaucratic constraints to his rule. The central affairs of the state were in the hands of an informal cabinet, initially led by Olivier Boko, a wealthy businessman considered to be Talon’s right-hand man despite not having any official position in government.

    Talon and his inner circle used this control over the state to enrich themselves, turning the country into what one journalist referred to as “a company in the hands of Talon and his very close clique.”

    Consolidating control over the bureaucracy was just one step in a larger process of turning Benin into an autocratic state. Talon eventually amassed greater power and influence over key state institutions, such as the judiciary, and intervened in the electoral process to ensure his continued rule. By 2021, Benin could no longer be considered a democracy.

    Purge civil service

    A similar dynamic occurred in Hungary. After governing relatively conventionally for one term, Prime Minister Viktor Orban was defeated in elections in 2002. He blamed that outcome on unfriendly media and never accepted the results as legitimate.

    Orban returned to office in 2010, bent on retribution.

    Orban ordered mass firings of civil servants and put allies of his party, Fidesz, in crucial roles. He also used the dismantling of bureaucratic constraints to pad the pockets of the elites whose support he needed to maintain power.

    As a Hungarian former politician wrote in 2016, “While the mafia state derails the bureaucratic administration, it organizes, monopolizes the channels of corruption and keeps them in order.”

    Likewise in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez had his cronies draw up a blacklist of civil servants to be purged for signing a petition in support of a referendum to determine whether Chávez should be recalled from office in 2004; government employees who signed were subsequently fired from their jobs.

    More than a decade later, Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s current leader, would conduct his own purge of civil servants after they signed a petition to hold another recall referendum. After multiple rounds of government and military purges, Maduro was able to overturn an election he lost and jail his opponents, knowing full well the judges and generals would follow his orders.

    Benin’s leader, Patrice Talon, consolidated control over the bureaucracy as part of a larger process of turning the country into an autocratic state.
    Yanick Folly/AFP via Getty Images

    Foster culture of secrecy and suspicion

    Orban and Chavez, like Talon, were democratically elected but went on to undermine democracy.

    In environments where loyalty to the leader is prioritized over all else, and purges can happen at a moment’s notice, few people are willing to speak up about abuses of power or stand in the way of a power grab.

    Fostering a culture of secrecy and mutual suspicion among government officials is intentional and serves the leader’s interests.

    As a World Bank report highlighted in 1983, in President Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo, the bureaucracy had been “privatized by the ruling clique,” creating a climate in which “fear and repression … prevented any serious threat from dissenting groups.”

    When leaders gain full power over the bureaucracy, they use it to reward and punish ordinary citizens as well. This was a tried-and-true tactic under the PRI’s rule in Mexico for much of the 20th century, where citizens who supported the PRI were more likely to receive government benefits.

    In short, when aspiring autocrats come to power, career bureaucrats are a common target, often replaced by unqualified loyalists who would never be hired for the position based on merit. Recent events in the U.S., as unprecedented as they may seem, are precisely what we would expect with the return of Trump, a would-be autocrat, to power.

    Andrea Kendall-Taylor is affiliated with the Center for New American Security.

    Joe Wright has received funding from the Charles Koch Foundation.

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

    – ref. Firing civil servants and dismantling government departments is how aspiring strongmen consolidate personal power – lessons from around the globe – https://theconversation.com/firing-civil-servants-and-dismantling-government-departments-is-how-aspiring-strongmen-consolidate-personal-power-lessons-from-around-the-globe-249089

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Airdrie — Airdrie RCMP successful in crime reduction operation

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Between the dates of Oct. 1, 2024 and Oct. 11, 2024, the Airdrie RCMP Crime Reduction Unit, with the assistance of the Airdrie General Investigations Section and Special Investigations Units, conducted an enhanced crime reduction operation. Strategies included targeting high crime hot spots, as well as individuals remaining on outstanding arrest warrants in the city of Airdrie and Rocky View County.

    As a result of this proactive operation, the following actions were completed:

    • 30 warrants were executed
    • 39 criminal code charges laid
    • 6 firearms and 1 military ordinance were seized
    • 2 stolen vehicles were recovered
    • 4 oz of a controlled substance, Cocaine, was seized

    MIL Security OSI –