Category: Natural Disasters

MIL-OSI United Kingdom: OPSS issues children’s Halloween costume warning

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Public asked to be vigilant following tests.

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has asked the public to be vigilant following tests carried out on Halloween fancy dress costumes for children.

Tests on 128 costumes aimed at under seven years olds found more than 80 per cent failed basic safety tests, including those for flammability and strangulation from cords.

Costumes were purchased from a range of online marketplaces and tested against the Safety of Toys Regulations 2011. All those which failed have since been removed from sale by the platforms.

OPSS is now urging the public to always buy costumes from trusted sources and take care when near fires, particularly open flames.

Head and neck drawstrings or cords can also strangle or entrap children so always check for long cords or other strangulation hazards.

Said OPSS Chief Executive Graham Russell:

Fancy dress can be an enjoyable part of Halloween, but our tests show many costumes for sale, particularly those online, pose serious risks to young children. Please take extra care before you buy.

Tests conducted June 2024

Standards tested against	Number of items tested	Pass	Fail	Inconclusive
BS EN 71-2: 202) – Flammability of toys	128	99	28	1
BS EN 14682:2014 – Safety of children’s clothing. Cords and drawstrings on children’s clothing	73	14	59	0
Labelling	128	30	98	0

Products are required to have the following labelling requirements:

Reg 18 CE (or UKCA mark)
Reg 19 Type, batch or serial or model number
Reg 19 Manufacturer name, trade name or trademark
Reg 19 Single manufacturer address
Reg 20 Suitable instructions safety information
Reg 27 Importer’s name, trade name or trademark
Reg 27 Importer’s UK/EU address

Published 22 October 2024

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025

MIL-OSI USA: U.S. construction costs rose slightly for solar and wind, dropped for natural gas in 2022

Source: US Energy Information Administration

In-brief analysis

October 22, 2024

The average U.S. construction costs for solar photovoltaic systems and wind turbines in 2022 were close to 2021 costs, while natural gas-fired electricity generators decreased 11%, according to our recently released data. Average construction costs for solar generators increased by 1.7% in 2022, and for wind turbines they increased by 1.6%.

These three technologies—solar, wind, and natural gas—comprised 86% of the capacity added to the U.S. electric grid in 2022. Investment in new electric-generating capacity in 2022 decreased by 27% from 2021 to $36.9 billion dollars.

Generator cost data are reported to EIA through the EIA-860, Annual Electric Generator Inventory. The costs discussed in this article reference our electric generator construction costs data, which organize the nominal construction cost values for generators installed in each reporting year. The recently released data examine trends from past years. Discussion of additional cost information and trends is available in our Short-Term Energy Outlook.

Solar
Average U.S. solar construction costs across all solar panel types increased 1.7% to $1,588 per kilowatt (kW) in 2022. The increase was primarily driven by a 13% increase in the construction cost for crystalline silicon tracking panels, which increased to $1,605/kW, the highest price since 2018.

The average construction cost for crystalline silicon fixed-tilt panels decreased by 13%, but they remained the most expensive of the major solar technologies at $1,788/kW. The average cost for Cadmium telluride panels also decreased by about 6% to $1,529/kW in 2022.

Most solar panels installed in the United States are crystalline silicon tracking panels. Unlike fixed-tilt systems, solar tracking systems automatically move to follow the sun as it moves across the sky, allowing more continuous sun exposure and, therefore, greater electricity production.

Wind
The average construction cost for U.S. onshore wind turbines increased 1.6% in 2022 to $1,451/kW. Higher costs were driven by increases in construction costs for wind farms greater than 100 megawatts (MW) in nameplate capacity. The cost for wind farms between 100 MW and 200 MW of capacity increased by 10% to $1,614/kW. Construction costs for the largest wind farms—those with more than 200 MW—also increased to average $1,402/kW in 2022, up 1.4%. Construction costs for wind farms with 1 MW to 100 MW of capacity continued to decrease, this time by an average of 7.3% to 1,806/kW in 2022.

Natural gas
The average construction cost for natural gas-fired generators fell 11% between 2021 and 2022. The decrease was driven primarily by decreases in the cost for combined-cycle facilities. The average construction cost for generators at combined-cycle facilities fell by 42% in 2022 to $722/kW.

The costs for other natural gas technologies increased in 2022. The average construction cost for a combustion turbine almost doubled between 2021 and 2022 to $1,006/kW, and the cost for internal combustion engines fueled with natural gas increased by 27% to $1,677/kW.

Principal contributor: Alex Mey

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: East Preston — RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment charges two people with firearms offences
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RCMP Halifax Regional Detachment has charged two people with a number of offences following an incident in East Preston.

On October 19, at approximately 11 a.m., RCMP officers responded to an assault and weapons complaint at a home on Upper Partridge River Rd.

Upon arrival at the residence, officers arrested 34-year-old Andre Thomas of East Preston without incident. Officers later executed a search warrant at the home and seized six firearms, two of which were loaded.

Thomas is facing several charges, including but not limited to:
- Assault by Choking
- Assault (three counts)
- Possession of Prohibited or Restricted Firearm with Ammunition (two counts)
- Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (six counts)
- Unsafe Storage of a Firearm
- Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Thomas was remanded into custody and appeared in Dartmouth Provincial Court on October 21.

A 35-year old woman was also arrested at the residence and will face firearms charges. She’s due to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court on November 26.

MIL Security OSI –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: War and the supernatural: former Congolese soldiers recall the ritual practices used to prepare for battle

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Dostin Lakika, Research Associate, University of the Witwatersrand

War takes a toll on soldiers’ bodies and minds. To prepare for battle, soldiers are taken through various forms of training. Part of this training aims to strip candidates of their civilian values and inculcate military culture.

While armies have access to an array of contemporary strategies and weaponry during training, one element isn’t often discussed: the rituals incorporated in training and those performed before engaging in warfare.

Rituals include the magico-religious practices performed for various purposes, such as seeking blessing, power or protection or even imbibing military customs. Rituals or ceremonies are believed to bestow specific abilities upon individuals and shape their behaviours.

War rituals aren’t exclusive to Africa. Many armed forces all over the world perform them. A study of rituals in the American military, for instance, found that these ceremonies help soldiers cope with trauma, loss and moral challenges during conflict.

As a scholar focused on the memories of war and violence experienced by former soldiers, I set out to study the role rituals play in shaping soldiers’ identities, preparation for war and coping with war’s realities in battle and after.

My findings suggest that rituals can function as a source of strength for soldiers. They instil a sense of confidence and security, as initiates feel encompassed by supernatural power. Additionally, these rituals enhance team unity, and reinforce discipline and loyalty to commanding officers.

My study highlights the integration of rituals into military tactics, and their influence on soldiers’ lives amid stress and uncertainty on the battlefield. I argue that while the effectiveness of an army relies on the quality of its training and equipment, rituals can significantly influence the mindset of combatants.

The study

I interviewed 21 former Congolese soldiers from the Zairean Armed Forces (now known as the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the country’s renaming in May 1997) to gather data on their military experiences. These respondents served as the primary sources of information regarding the use of rituals.

A retrospective study like this raises concerns about potential memory lapses. Former soldiers reflecting on their army experiences may struggle to recall certain aspects due to the passage of time. However, research suggests that significant events are remembered more persistently, implying that military rituals can be recalled accurately.

I chose soldiers from the Zairean Armed Forces for two reasons. First, many soldiers left the national army and fled the country to South Africa after Laurent-Desiré Kabila overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997. Secondly, despite being plagued by corruption and mismanagement, Mobutu’s army was widely regarded as disciplined and powerful.

Consequently, participants were more willing to discuss their military experiences as former members of the national defence forces. The respondents are now living in various Johannesburg suburbs.

The findings

I analysed the data I collected to identify patterns and extract common themes. I found that rituals involved the perceived creation of material shields or the acquisition of supernatural powers. They were aimed at offering a sense of protection of the body. Rituals also provided a mystical dimension, notably through the ceremonial treatment of uniforms.

The overarching aim of rituals was to disconnect soldiers from civilian life and cultivate a specific form of masculinity aligned with military objectives. This helped foster camaraderie, establish strong connections among troops and contributed to the maintenance of discipline.

Respondents in my study said initiation rituals focused on training and indoctrination to build a military identity centred on sacrifice and endurance for the nation. Before recruits donned military uniforms, for instance, they underwent rituals to consecrate their bodies to the army. One respondent, Makemba, explained:

A soldier is not afraid of death; a true soldier can’t be afraid of death, I tell you. Because you live with death, you eat with death, and you clothe death … military uniforms are taken to cemetery where they spend two or three days before you wear them to tell you that you are death’s friend; you are brother of those who are dead, and you and those who are dead are the same.

This graveyard ritual symbolised the soldiers’ connection with the deceased and transformed their individual identities into a collective body.

To reinforce discipline, respondents said, they were required to utter specific words before entering someone’s field as a form of confession and permission. This, they said, would shield soldiers from negative impulses, such as using belongings without consent. The DRC army has a notorious reputation for exploiting civilians to supplement meagre salaries. Observing discipline was, therefore, considered essential for personal protection and the success of military operations.

Additionally, before being deployed for war, respondents said soldiers participated in various religious practices, and received blessings along with religious items. These magico-religious rituals served to provide a sense of protection from enemy attacks. These religious ceremonies, respondents said, provided a measure of solace and self-confidence before combat. As Lokole explained it:

You know, before joining the army I was an athlete and already knew something about power and protection because I had to protect myself against my opponents. But I joined the army, I was given leopard’s bones and water in which the bones were kept. When I had to go to the battlefield, I washed my face, hands, and feet with that sacred water. The bones were strung together on a thread, which I was instructed to fasten around my waist. This was the source of power and protection for me, and I can tell you, I survived many deadly dangers because I had these powers.

Respondents believed that these rituals proved effective while on the frontlines. In his account, Amani said:

Many of our colleagues found themselves face to face with the enemy who fired them at point-blank range but the bullets only passed through the clothes they were wearing without touching them. They returned with military uniform pierced by bullets, but they themselves were unharmed. Rituals were very protective. We witnessed many cases like this.

The effectiveness of these rituals, respondents believed, was contingent on strict adherence to them. Failure to do so, they said, could lead to fatalities. Soldiers also combined traditional beliefs with Christian faith to cope with battlefield challenges despite debates over the compatibility of these belief systems.

Why it matters

The data collected from former Congolese soldiers indicates that they believed their protection in battle was dependent on the quality of the weapons, as well as magico-religious resources. This indicates that rituals can play a key psychological role in preparing soldiers for war, fostering strength, cohesion and discipline. Their importance in the armed forces shouldn’t be underestimated.

Dostin Lakika 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. War and the supernatural: former Congolese soldiers recall the ritual practices used to prepare for battle – https://theconversation.com/war-and-the-supernatural-former-congolese-soldiers-recall-the-ritual-practices-used-to-prepare-for-battle-239967

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: “Rage Deletion” is Real – and GenZ is admitting to doing it the most
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nearly one in six workers has experienced a co-worker intentionally deleting important company data before quitting a job. One in twenty has personally committed “Rage Deletion,” with GenZ employees being twice as likely (one in ten) to admit to doing so. That’s according to new research from backup and recovery leader CrashPlan. With the US presidential election approaching, 15% of respondents also worry that political activism could drive intentional deletion by departing co-workers.

CrashPlan surveyed more than 2,300 workers as part of its forthcoming Work Trend Security Report. It found that certain industries and roles were more vulnerable to Rage Deletion.
- Worry is highest (20%) among employees concerned about job security.
- Concern over Rage Deletion is highest in the technology industry (21%) and among programmers and developers (25%).
- The five roles that were most likely to admit to personally Rage Deleting were designers and design engineers (11%), writers and editors (9%), programmers and developers (7%) and video producers (7%).
- Millennials are most worried about political activism driving Rage Deletion (17%)
- Only 43% of companies provide tools that ensure employee data is backed up and only 39% provide clear policies mandating their use.
Where is all the rage coming from?
Rage Deleters are significantly less engaged at work and more frustrated than other employees. They are more likely to feel increased pressure to show productivity at work, are more concerned about their job security, and are more than twice as likely as others to be seeking new jobs. They’re less often managers, but they are also more likely than others to have worked overtime more than ten times in the previous month. They have received cybersecurity training less often and are less likely to feel their employer invests sufficiently in professional development. Rage Deleters are less likely to look forward to going to work and significantly less proud of their workplaces. And they are twice as likely as others to have already experienced a co-worker’s Rage Deletion.

“The signs of employee disengagement and dissatisfaction show up in the way they use technology. Obviously, it doesn’t usually escalate to sabotage, but our research clearly shows that disengaged employees are less careful with their data,” said CrashPlan CISO Todd Thorsen. “Every company has a simple choice – with a few keystrokes their intellectual property or important records can vanish forever, or just as quickly they can restore the data a disgruntled employee intended to destroy.”

To learn more about CrashPlan, visit http://www.crashplan.com

About CrashPlan
CrashPlan provides cyber-ready data resilience and governance in a single platform for organizations whose ideas power their revenue. With its comprehensive backup and recovery capabilities for data stored on servers, on endpoint devices, and in SaaS applications, CrashPlan’s solutions are trusted by entrepreneurs, professionals, and businesses of all sizes worldwide. From ransomware recovery and breaches to migrations and legal holds, CrashPlan’s suite of products ensures the safety and compliance of your data without disruption.

Media Contact:
Brianna Bruinsma
Firebrand Communications
crashplan@firebrand.marketing

The MIL Network –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: Stifel Receives Final Approval for Private Equity Fund Aimed at Investing in National Security Supply Chain

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE: SF) today announced final federal approval for its Stifel North Atlantic AM-Forward Fund (the “Fund”), designed to provide capital to small and mid-sized American manufacturers in the aerospace and defense industries, with a specific focus on increasing additive and advanced manufacturing capabilities in the domestic supply chain.

As part of the final approval process, the Fund has earned a Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) license from the Small Business Administration, in partnership with the Department of Defense under the SBIC Critical Technology (SBICCT) initiative. With this structure, the Fund is eligible for SBA leverage, which can supplement the amount of private capital raised, and expand investment reach. Earlier this year, the Fund became the first applicant to receive initial “green light” approval to actively raise private capital under this historic SBICCT initiative.

“We are pleased to receive this license from the SBA,” said Victor Nesi, Stifel Co-President. “In collaboration with our strategic partners, we are proud to give America’s emerging small businesses the capital and strategic support they need to advance innovation that supports our supply chain, creates domestic jobs, amplifies manufacturing capacity, and importantly, increases national security.”

The Fund aims to use a range of financing structures targeted to the specific needs of small businesses. The initial funding for the Fund includes significant capital commitments from industry-leading contractors including Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace, and ASTM International, among others.

“Small and medium sized manufacturers are at the core of ASTM International, and we are excited that our global standards and solutions will serve as an innovative tool in connecting the diverse supply chains of our aerospace and defense industries,” commented Andy Kireta, ASTM International President.

Capital from the Fund will connect manufacturers with lead system integrators to meet the growing industry demand for low-volume high-mix components. Additionally, the Fund’s investments will enable manufacturers to acquire new fixed assets, expand their working capital and traverse rigorous aerospace and defense certification and qualification protocols.

The Fund was originated to support the White House’s AM Forward initiative, which was created in 2022 with the goal of improving the competitiveness of America’s small and medium-sized manufacturers and enhance domestic supply chain activity.

The Applied Science and Technology Research Organization of America (“ASTRO America”), a not-for-profit, non-partisan research institute and think tank and leader in the AM Forward initiative, selected Stifel as the financial partner and North Atlantic Capital Management, a Stifel Company, to manage the Fund based on their extensive middle market investment experience and over 30 years’ history of managing SBIC Funds. The Fund’s Technical Advisory Board, a partnership between the Fund and its strategic investors, will be led by Neal Orringer, President of ASTRO America and former Director of Manufacturing at the Department of Defense.

Stifel Company Information

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

Media Contact:
Neil Shapiro, +1 (212) 271-3447
shapiron@stifel.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Joel Jeffrey, +1 (212) 271-3610
investorrelations@stifel.com

The MIL Network –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: War and the supernatural: former Congolese soldiers recall the ritual practices used to prepare for battle

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Dostin Lakika, Research Associate, University of the Witwatersrand

War takes a toll on soldiers’ bodies and minds. To prepare for battle, soldiers are taken through various forms of training. Part of this training aims to strip candidates of their civilian values and inculcate military culture.

While armies have access to an array of contemporary strategies and weaponry during training, one element isn’t often discussed: the rituals incorporated in training and those performed before engaging in warfare.

Rituals include the magico-religious practices performed for various purposes, such as seeking blessing, power or protection or even imbibing military customs. Rituals or ceremonies are believed to bestow specific abilities upon individuals and shape their behaviours.

War rituals aren’t exclusive to Africa. Many armed forces all over the world perform them. A study of rituals in the American military, for instance, found that these ceremonies help soldiers cope with trauma, loss and moral challenges during conflict.

As a scholar focused on the memories of war and violence experienced by former soldiers, I set out to study the role rituals play in shaping soldiers’ identities, preparation for war and coping with war’s realities in battle and after.

My findings suggest that rituals can function as a source of strength for soldiers. They instil a sense of confidence and security, as initiates feel encompassed by supernatural power. Additionally, these rituals enhance team unity, and reinforce discipline and loyalty to commanding officers.

My study highlights the integration of rituals into military tactics, and their influence on soldiers’ lives amid stress and uncertainty on the battlefield. I argue that while the effectiveness of an army relies on the quality of its training and equipment, rituals can significantly influence the mindset of combatants.

The study

I interviewed 21 former Congolese soldiers from the Zairean Armed Forces (now known as the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo, following the country’s renaming in May 1997) to gather data on their military experiences. These respondents served as the primary sources of information regarding the use of rituals.

A retrospective study like this raises concerns about potential memory lapses. Former soldiers reflecting on their army experiences may struggle to recall certain aspects due to the passage of time. However, research suggests that significant events are remembered more persistently, implying that military rituals can be recalled accurately.

I chose soldiers from the Zairean Armed Forces for two reasons. First, many soldiers left the national army and fled the country to South Africa after Laurent-Desiré Kabila overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997. Secondly, despite being plagued by corruption and mismanagement, Mobutu’s army was widely regarded as disciplined and powerful.

Consequently, participants were more willing to discuss their military experiences as former members of the national defence forces. The respondents are now living in various Johannesburg suburbs.

The findings

I analysed the data I collected to identify patterns and extract common themes. I found that rituals involved the perceived creation of material shields or the acquisition of supernatural powers. They were aimed at offering a sense of protection of the body. Rituals also provided a mystical dimension, notably through the ceremonial treatment of uniforms.

The overarching aim of rituals was to disconnect soldiers from civilian life and cultivate a specific form of masculinity aligned with military objectives. This helped foster camaraderie, establish strong connections among troops and contributed to the maintenance of discipline.

Respondents in my study said initiation rituals focused on training and indoctrination to build a military identity centred on sacrifice and endurance for the nation. Before recruits donned military uniforms, for instance, they underwent rituals to consecrate their bodies to the army. One respondent, Makemba, explained:

A soldier is not afraid of death; a true soldier can’t be afraid of death, I tell you. Because you live with death, you eat with death, and you clothe death … military uniforms are taken to cemetery where they spend two or three days before you wear them to tell you that you are death’s friend; you are brother of those who are dead, and you and those who are dead are the same.

This graveyard ritual symbolised the soldiers’ connection with the deceased and transformed their individual identities into a collective body.

To reinforce discipline, respondents said, they were required to utter specific words before entering someone’s field as a form of confession and permission. This, they said, would shield soldiers from negative impulses, such as using belongings without consent. The DRC army has a notorious reputation for exploiting civilians to supplement meagre salaries. Observing discipline was, therefore, considered essential for personal protection and the success of military operations.

Additionally, before being deployed for war, respondents said soldiers participated in various religious practices, and received blessings along with religious items. These magico-religious rituals served to provide a sense of protection from enemy attacks. These religious ceremonies, respondents said, provided a measure of solace and self-confidence before combat. As Lokole explained it:

You know, before joining the army I was an athlete and already knew something about power and protection because I had to protect myself against my opponents. But I joined the army, I was given leopard’s bones and water in which the bones were kept. When I had to go to the battlefield, I washed my face, hands, and feet with that sacred water. The bones were strung together on a thread, which I was instructed to fasten around my waist. This was the source of power and protection for me, and I can tell you, I survived many deadly dangers because I had these powers.

Respondents believed that these rituals proved effective while on the frontlines. In his account, Amani said:

Many of our colleagues found themselves face to face with the enemy who fired them at point-blank range but the bullets only passed through the clothes they were wearing without touching them. They returned with military uniform pierced by bullets, but they themselves were unharmed. Rituals were very protective. We witnessed many cases like this.

The effectiveness of these rituals, respondents believed, was contingent on strict adherence to them. Failure to do so, they said, could lead to fatalities. Soldiers also combined traditional beliefs with Christian faith to cope with battlefield challenges despite debates over the compatibility of these belief systems.

Why it matters

The data collected from former Congolese soldiers indicates that they believed their protection in battle was dependent on the quality of the weapons, as well as magico-religious resources. This indicates that rituals can play a key psychological role in preparing soldiers for war, fostering strength, cohesion and discipline. Their importance in the armed forces shouldn’t be underestimated.

– War and the supernatural: former Congolese soldiers recall the ritual practices used to prepare for battle
– https://theconversation.com/war-and-the-supernatural-former-congolese-soldiers-recall-the-ritual-practices-used-to-prepare-for-battle-239967

MIL OSI Africa –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Civilian support for military coups isn’t a bug – it’s a feature

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Salah Ben Hammou, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Rice University

Members of the Malian junta wave as civilians gather to celebrate the overthrow of the president on Aug. 21, 2020. AP Photo/File

In September 2024, authorities in Benin detained the country’s former sports minister and a prominent businessman for allegedly plotting a coup against the West African nation’s president, Patrice Talon. Had a putsch materialized, Benin would have joined a growing list of African countries to have experienced a military coup over the past four years.

Dubbed an “epidemic of coup d’états” by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the resurgence of military takeovers has left many observers perplexed. For one, the frequency of coups worldwide had reached historic lows prior to 2020.

But perhaps even more puzzling is that several of the recent military coups – such as those in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea – have been accompanied by significant civilian support. Indeed, while various commentaries or news reports have treated civilian support as an exceptional feature of this recent coup wave, these perspectives rely on a common misunderstanding.

As I’ve observed over the course of my research on the politics of military coups, civilian support is actually a common, if not critical, part of coup politics, and far from unique to this recent resurgence of military takeovers.

How common are civilian-supported coups?

In the popular imagination of a military coup, power-hungry soldiers command tanks down a capital’s streets to seize authority from the political leadership. In this vision, civilians are often passive actors or otherwise assumed to be the opponents of coups. Yet such a setting is belied by numerous examples, both recent and throughout history.

In West Africa’s Niger, for example, the M62 movement – a coalition of civil society organizations – gathered its members on the streets to support the coup in July 2023, outnumbering prior protests calling for the reinstatement of President Mohamed Bazoum. In neighboring Mali, the M5-RFP protest movement served a similar role in the aftermath of the country’s 2020 coup – although fissures in its relationship with the junta have since surfaced.

Even Benin’s thwarted plot had a civilian dimension. Its alleged masterminds, the sports minister and prominent businessman who were said to have funded the planned coup, were not soldiers but part of the governing bureaucracy or elite civil society.

To see how common such cases are, I collected data on civilian support and involvement in all successful military coups since 1950. Defining coups as “successful” if the soldiers manage to stay in power for at least seven days, that gave me 242 cases over a period of nearly 75 years to analyze, spanning different regions like Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East.

Out of the 242 episodes, 189 coups – or nearly 80% – saw some type of civilian support, either in the takeover’s instigation or in the later consolidation of power.

Coups without any sign of civilian support were generally those that saw a military leader ousted by other members of the ruling junta – contexts where soldiers already dominated the political landscape.

Breaking down the numbers over time, civilian-supported coups represented the lion’s share in each decade, even as the overall frequency of coups ebbed by the 1990s with the end of the Cold War.

But in the past two decades, virtually every successful coup has been associated with some level of support outside the military. So while civilian support might not be unique to recent cases, there is evidence that it has become a more common fixture of military coups – at least among the successful ones.

Of course, these stats do not include failed coups or thwarted conspiracies. But the failed attempts to instigate a coup in Benin – or, for that matter, in Brazil in January 2023 – suggest that these numbers might underestimate the frequency of civilian support for, and involvement in, coups.

How civilians support coups

In general, civilian support for coups can manifest in different ways. But in a recent study, I identified two broad patterns: instigation and consolidation.

Instigation, by default, occurs in the pre-coup stage and involves civilians taking action to spark a coup attempt.

Protests and insurrections in pursuit of a military coup are common methods of instigation. For example, early in 2023, supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro seized the National Congress after weeks of publicly calling on the military to stop President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s inauguration. While their efforts ultimately failed to produce a coup, they are illustrative of the civilian dynamic.

In late 2021, disgruntled members of Sudan’s transitional government organized protests in Khartoum, the capital, calling for the military’s intervention. The military answered days later by removing Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok from power.

Instigation can also involve more targeted actions. For instance, the alleged Benin coup plot involved targeting specific members of the security services with bribes in exchange for their participation. In Brazil, recent court documents implicated Bolsonaro himself in coordinating a coup plot and attempting to ensure the participation of top military leaders.

In other cases, political parties developed secret cells in the armed forces to later give the go-ahead for a coup – like in Bolivia in 1952, Iraq in 1963, Afghanistan in 1978 and Sudan in 1989.

Consolidation, on the other hand, involves actions taken during and in the immediate aftermath of a coup.

This could include actions like taking up arms alongside soldiers during a military takeover, organizing pro-coup protests or assuming important governing tasks alongside a new junta. Here, civilians seek to ensure a coup succeeds and its objectives take root – even against domestic and international opposition.

Among the recent West African cases, civilians have especially worked to consolidate coups against international opposition. For example, after the Economic Community of West African States threatened military intervention to reverse Niger’s coup in 2023, M62 and other civilian-led protest groups rallied to support the coupists. Thousands also enlisted in the Volunteers for the Defense of Niger, a pro-junta civilian militia created to combat international intervention against the coupists.

Why civilian coup support matters

Soldiers are unlikely to even attempt a coup without confidence that at least some civilians will back their efforts.

Portraying civilian support for military takeovers as exceptional thus misses a critical component of coup politics. And this misconception benefits coupists, who can use civilian allies to present their actions as legitimate or even revolutionary, which is what happened in Egypt in 2013.

Coupists can also retain political influence after stepping aside by ensuring that their civilian supporters secure power.

Military coups also do not occur in a vacuum. A proper focus on the civilian element of coup politics allows researchers and international observers to better contextualize military takeovers in broader social struggles for the state.

This could lead to greater engagement with the issue of what kinds of civilian segments are instigating and consolidating coups. Are they close to the targeted leader such as in Benin’s alleged plot? Or are they members of the political opposition, like in Niger and Mali?

These nuances should be front and center to researchers, policymakers and diplomats as they seek to understand – and mitigate – sudden and often destabilizing takeovers of a state.

Salah Ben Hammou has received funding from the United States Institute of Peace and Minerva Research Initiative. He is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Rice University’s Baker Institute of Public Policy.

– ref. Civilian support for military coups isn’t a bug – it’s a feature – https://theconversation.com/civilian-support-for-military-coups-isnt-a-bug-its-a-feature-240877

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Florida and North Carolina are making it easier for people to vote after the hurricanes – but some risks remain

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Michael T. Morley, Assistant Professor of Law, Florida State University

People walk into an early voting site in Hendersonville, N.C., on Oct. 17, 2024. Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images

Polls opened in North Carolina on Oct. 17, 2024, as about 14,000 people in Asheville and surrounding areas remain without power in their homes following Hurricane Helene. In Florida, which started early voting in some counties on Oct. 21, about 400,000 residents are still without power after Hurricane Milton.

Some experts have said that the hurricanes could cause voter numbers to drop – and impacts of Helene have already prompted a few early polling stations in western North Carolina to close. But more North Carolina residents turned out to vote on the first day of early voting than they did in 2020.

Amy Lieberman, a politics and society editor at The Conversation U.S., spoke with Michael T. Morley, who studies natural disasters and election law, to understand how these recent storms could complicate voting in the presidential election.

A home in Manasota Key, Fla., that was damaged by Hurricane Milton is seen on Oct. 13, 2024.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

What are the major issues that hurricanes can create ahead of an election?

A hurricane or natural disaster makes an election tremendously more challenging for both election officials and voters on various practical levels.

Election administrators might have been injured, or their homes could be flooded or destroyed. State officials need to ensure, especially in areas that have been hardest hit, that enough local administrators remain in place to continue distributing absentee ballots and to staff early voting locations.

Still, I have not seen empirical evidence that the results of any federal elections in recent decades have changed as a result of hurricanes.

What could these major hurricanes mean for voters in North Carolina and Florida?

Florida has one of the most comprehensive laws to deal with election emergencies of this sort because it faces them frequently.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order on Oct. 3, 2024, in response to Hurricane Helene. Among other things, Florida law says that in a state of emergency the governor can suspend state statutes or regulations governing state business when complying with them can interfere with disaster response.

Florida, like other states, has deadlines for when election officials must designate polling locations. DeSantis waived this deadline to authorize county officials to designate new ones. DeSantis’ order also gives election officials more discretion about where new polling locations may be located. And he made it easier for state employees to step in and serve as poll workers, particularly on Election Day.

DeSantis suspended a state requirement so a person who cannot return to their home can ask by phone to have a vote-by-mail ballot sent to wherever they are staying – not just their registered home address. Making it easier for ballots to be sent to people, wherever they are, is one of the most effective measures that Florida has implemented to help make voting easier.

In North Carolina, meanwhile, state officials have authorized different changes that will apply to the 25 counties in the western part of the state that are under emergency orders because of the hurricane. These changes are mostly focused on voting by mail and polling place workers. They also allow county boards of elections to change Election Day voting locations and permit voters to drop off absentee ballots at any county board of election office by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

Western North Carolina voters now also have until Nov. 4 to request a mail-in ballot, as opposed to the original deadline of Oct. 29.

Overall, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper authorized US$5 million for the state’s board of elections in order to make it easier for western North Carolina residents to vote.

What sort of legal issues, if any, do these changes open up?

Disputes have already arisen about potential extension of the voter registration deadlines in states affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Courts in Florida and Georgia have already declined emergency motions to extend the voter registration deadline.

A South Carolina state court, in contrast, held in October that the deadline had to be extended for 10 additional days.

Similar disputes are likely to arise over such election rules as photo identification requirements at polling places and the deadlines for requesting and returning absentee ballots.

Occasionally, challenges also arise alleging that certain measures to address an emergency have gone too far.

During the height of the pandemic, for example, the Trump presidential campaign filed lawsuits that unsuccessfully challenged state decisions to automatically mail absentee ballots to people registered to vote.

A U.S. post offic, damaged by flooding from Hurricane Helen, is pictured on Oct. 3, 2024, in Marshall, N.C., showing one of the complications for people who planned to vote by mail.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

What are you most concerned about heading into the election?

My biggest concern is that, particularly if the election is close, a losing candidate might attempt to use the hurricane as a way of trying to challenge the election results or call them into question.

Courts will almost certainly reject that. Once the election has happened, a court generally will not set aside the results or order additional voting, even if voters faced substantial burdens and people think there is more that election officials could have done. This is especially true in the context of a presidential election, since the U.S. Constitution and federal law establish several important postelection deadlines involving the Electoral College.

Some people already have unwarranted skepticism about the electoral process. It would be bad for our democracy if the recent hurricanes are exploited as a basis for refusing to accept the election’s results.

Michael T. Morley is Sheila M. McDevitt Professor of Law at FSU College of Law. He serves as Faculty Director of the FSU Center for Election Law established by the Florida State Legislature and Vice Chair of the Florida Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission for Civil Rights. He is a member of the National Task Force on Election Crises and Election Officials Legal Defense Network.

– ref. Florida and North Carolina are making it easier for people to vote after the hurricanes – but some risks remain – https://theconversation.com/florida-and-north-carolina-are-making-it-easier-for-people-to-vote-after-the-hurricanes-but-some-risks-remain-240961

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Colonialism’s legacy has left Caribbean nations much more vulnerable to hurricanes

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Farah Nibbs, Assistant Professor of Emergency and Disaster Health Systems, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Hillside streets can quickly become muddy rivers during hurricane rains in the islands. Estailove St-Val/AFP via Getty Images

Long before colonialism brought slavery to the Caribbean, the native islanders saw hurricanes and storms as part of the normal cycle of life.

The Taino of the Greater Antilles and the Kalinago, or Caribs, of the Lesser Antilles developed systems that enabled them to live with storms and limit their exposure to damage.

On the larger islands, such as Jamaica and Cuba, the Taino practiced crop selection with storms in mind, preferring to plant root crops such as cassava or yucca with high resistance to damage from hurricane and storm winds, as Stuart Schwartz describes in his 2016 book “Sea of Storms.”

The Kalinago avoided building their settlements along the coast to limit storm surges and wind damage. The Calusa of southwest Florida used trees as windbreaks against storm winds.

In fact, it was the Kalinago and Taino who first taught the Europeans – primarily the British, Dutch, French and Spanish – about hurricanes and storms. Even the word ‘hurricane’ comes from Huracán, a Taino and Mayan word denoting the god of wind.

But then colonialism changed everything.

A French advertising card from around 1900 depicts colonial power in Guadeloupe, with a trader sitting comfortably among sacks of cotton, cocoa and coffee while islanders work in the field.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

I study natural disasters in the Caribbean, including how history molded responses to disasters today.

The current disaster crisis that the Caribbean’s small islands are experiencing as hurricanes intensify did not start a few decades ago. Rather, the islands’ vulnerability is a direct result of the exploitative systems forced upon the region by colonialism, its legacies of slave-based land policies and ill-suited construction and development practices, and its environmental injustices.

Forcing people into harm’s way

The colonial powers changed how Caribbean people interacted with the land, where they lived and how they recovered from natural hazard events.

Rather than growing crops that could sustain the local food supply, the Europeans who began arriving in the 1600s focused on exploitative extractive economic models and export cash crops through the plantation economy.

They forced Indigenous people off their lands and built settlements along the coast, which made it easier to import enslaved peoples and goods and to export cash crops such as sugar and tobacco to Europe – and also left communities vulnerable to storms. They also developed settlements in low-lying areas, often near rivers and streams, which could provide transportation for agricultural produce but which became flood risks during heavy rains.

Homes built to the water’s edge in Saint-Martin, an overseas collectivity of France, were devastated when Hurricane Irma hit in 2017.
Helene Valenzuela/AFP via Getty Images

Today, more than 70% of the Caribbean’s population lives along the coast, often less than a mile from the shore. These coastlines are not only highly exposed to hurricanes but also to sea-level rise fueled by climate change.

Legacies of slave-based land policies

Colonialism’s legacy of land policies has also made recovery from disasters much harder today.

When colonial powers took over, a few landowners were given control of most of the land, while the majority of the population was forced onto marginal and small areas. The local population had no legal right to the land, as the people did not possess land certificate titles or deeds and were often forced to pay rent to landlords.

After independence, most island governments tried to acquire land from former plantations or estates and to redistribute it to the working class. But these efforts, mainly in the 1960s and ’70s, largely failed to transform land ownership, improve economic development or reduce vulnerability.

One colonial legacy perpetuating vulnerability to this day is known as crown land, or state land. In the English-speaking Caribbean, all land for which there was no land grant was considered property of the British crown. Crown land can be found in every English-speaking island to this day.

How colonial powers controlled the Caribbean over time.

For example, in Barbuda, all land is vested in the “crown in perpetuity” on behalf of Barbudans. This means that an individual born on the island of Barbuda cannot individually own land.

Instead, land is communally owned, which limits access to the credit and development opportunities that were sorely needed to reconstruct the island after Hurricane Maria in 2017. Most Barbudans were unable to insure their homes because they had no title deeds to their property.

This and other collective land tenure systems created by colonialism places Caribbean residents at greater risk from a variety of natural hazards and limits their ability to seek financial credit for disaster recovery today.

The roots of poor construction

Vulnerability to disasters in the Caribbean also has roots in post-slavery housing construction and subsequent failures to institute proper building codes.

After emancipation from slavery, freed people had no right nor access to land. To build houses, they were forced to lease land from the former enslavers who at a whim could terminate their employment or kick them off the land.

This led to the development of a particular type of housing structure known as chattel houses in countries such as Barbados. These houses are tiny and were constructed in a way in which they could be easily taken apart and loaded onto carts, should the residents be forced out by their former enslavers. Many Bajans still live in these houses today, although quite a few have been converted to restaurants or shops.

Chattel houses are still used as homes in Barbados.
Shardalow via Wikimedia, CC BY

In Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, owned by the Dutch, slave huts were built along the coast, on land not suitable for agriculture and easily damaged by storms. These former slave huts are now tourist attractions, but the colonial patterns of settling along the coast has left many coastal communities exposed to hurricane damage and rising seas.

The vulnerability of such houses is not only a result of their exposure to natural hazards but also the underlying social structures.

Slave huts were built on the coast in Bonaire, where they were vulnerable to storm surge.
Leslie Ket via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

In many islands today, poorer residents can’t afford protective measures, such as installing storm shutters or purchasing solar-powered generators.

They often live in marginal and disaster-prone areas, such as steep hillsides, where housing tends to be cheaper. Houses in these areas are also often poorly constructed with low-grade materials, such as galvanized sheeting for roofs and walls.

This situation is made worse by the informal and unregulated nature of residential housing construction in the region and the poor enforcement of building codes.

Due to the legacy of colonialism, most housing or building standards or codes in the Commonwealth Caribbean are relics from the United Kingdom and in the French Antilles from France. Building standards across the region lack uniformity and are generally subjective and uncontrolled. Financial limitations and staffing constraints mean that codes and standards more often than not remain unenforced.

Progress, but still a lot of work to do

The Caribbean has made progress in developing wind-related building codes to try to increase resilience in recent years. And while damage from torrential rain is still not properly addressed in most Caribbean building standards, scientific guidance is available through the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology in Barbados.

Individual islands, including Dominica and Saint Lucia, have new minimum building standards for recovery after disasters. The island of Grenada is hoping to guide new construction as it recovers from Hurricane Beryl. Trinidad and Tobago has developed a national land use strategy but has struggled to use it.

Construction standards can help the islands build resilience. But work remains to be done to overcome the legacy of colonial-era land policies and development that have left island towns vulnerable to increasing storm risks.

Farah Nibbs 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. Colonialism’s legacy has left Caribbean nations much more vulnerable to hurricanes – https://theconversation.com/colonialisms-legacy-has-left-caribbean-nations-much-more-vulnerable-to-hurricanes-231913

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Lauren Boebert Condemns Western Land Grab from Biden-Harris Administration

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

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03), House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04), and Western Slope Oil & Gas Association Executive Director Chelsie Miera released the following statements opposing the latest Colorado-Utah land grab by the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

“Once again, the Biden-Harris Administration and the radical progressives in charge of BLM are attempting to lock up our public lands from critical uses like oil & gas exploration. Instead of putting Coloradans first, they’re continuing to bend the knee to Green New Deal worshippers who want to destroy Colorado’s oil & gas industry and the tens of thousands of good-paying jobs that support families across the state. Our children will lose out on millions of dollars for education from this tyrannical seizure of our land and there is nothing balanced about it. Obama, Biden and Harris have tried to use the Gunnison Sage-Grouse’s ugly, non-endangered cousin, the Greater Sage-Grouse, to lock up more than 183 million acres in the West. This new land grab attempt doubles down to lock up tens of millions of acres more of surface and subsurface mineral rights. There was no consideration by this regime of what is actually best for all Coloradans. I will fight this newest land grab just like I’ve done for every ridiculous attempt from the Biden-Harris Administration and BLM to damage our economy.” said Congresswoman Boebert.

“This is just the latest attempt from BLM to prioritize environmental activists over the economic needs of local communities,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (AR-04). “By limiting the ability of domestic energy producers to use our public lands, the Biden-Harris Administration will continue to drive up energy costs for hard working American families. House Republicans will work to stop this nonsensical war on American energy and will make sure Americans know that we cannot trust this Administration when it comes to supporting American jobs and reducing energy costs.”

“In a state with the most stringent regulations on oil and gas development for our private, state, and federal lands, it is frustrating for our oil & gas employees to watch the Biden-Harris Administration continue to make production of our clean, reliable and affordable natural gas nearly impossible in Colorado,” said Chelsie Miera, Executive Director of Western Slope Oil & Gas Association. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Boebert for her continued advocacy in support of the thousands of families who work in our oil & gas industry and Coloradans who depend on our energy production.”

Background:

This week, the Biden-Harris Administration unleashed another massive land grab in Colorado and Utah when the agency released Records of Decision for the Big Game Resource Management Plan (RMP) Amendment, the Gunnison Sage-Grouse Resource Management Plan Amendment, and plans for the Grand Junction and Colorado River Valley Field Offices.

Establishing a one-mile buffer completely around this Gunnison Sage-Grouse’s habitat and drastically reducing surface disturbances in the bird’s habitat is ridiculous and unnecessary.

The BLM’s record of decision for oil and gas management that amends resource management plans in Colorado significantly changes the management plans and could hinder responsible energy production on six million surface acres managed by BLM and 16 million acres of BLM-managed sub-surface mineral estate and closes off low and medium potential oil and gas areas.

In this land grab, BLM also amended 11 Resource Management Plans in Colorado and Utah to lock up land for Gunnison sage-grouse habitat on more than two million acres of BLM-managed public land and nearly three million acres of public subsurface mineral estate.

Changes to the Colorado River Valley and Grand Junction Field Office RMPs also close off low and medium potential oil and gas areas. These bureaucratic seizures also designate new wilderness areas that contribute to catastrophic wildfires as they prevent active forest management and mechanical thinning.

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For updates, subscribe to Congresswoman Boebert’s newsletter here.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Conducts Second Multi-Large Deck Event with Italian ITS Cavour CSG

Source: United States Navy

MLDE provide the ships and aircrafts of the two naval forces, comprised of more than 7,500 U.S. and Italian Sailors and Marines, an opportunity to advance interoperability by carrying out integrated planning and coordination, communications, cross-deck leadership exchanges, a fast-roping exercise, and an air defense exercise to strengthen combined maritime operations and combat readiness.

“The opportunity to exercise our interoperability with our Cavour CSG counterparts for a second time in our deployment, highlights our strategic advantage inherent to our network of strong alliances,” said Rear Adm. Adan Cruz, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 3. “We have seized every opportunity to fly and sail with our Italian counterparts to deepen our combined operational capacity anywhere in international waters.”

During the event, Rear Adm. Giancarlo Ciappina, commander, Cavour Carrier Strike Group, hosted Cruz, aboard the ITS Cavour for a visit focused on building relationships.

“We are proud to work once again alongside Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, after almost two months from our first interaction in the Pacific Ocean,” said Ciappina. “[It] has represented another precious opportunity to train together and to exchange experiences and knowledge, highlighting the versatility and flexibility of Navies operating on a global scale, wherever a presence is required to keep maritime lines of communication open and safe to strengthen our bonds and to enhance levels of cooperation with commitment to security.”

This marks the second time the Abraham Lincoln CSG participated in an MLDE with the Italian Navy during the 2024 deployment. The previous event in August marked the first-ever MLDE between U.S. and Italian Navies in the Indo-Pacific.

Participating ships in the MLDE included Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Integrated Air and Missile Defense Commander (IAMDC) USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG 121), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS O’Kane (DDG 77) & USS Michael Murphy (DDG 111), assigned to Destroyer Squadron 21, Italian aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550), Italian Frigate ITS Alpino (F 594), and Italian Multipurpose Combat Ship Raimondo Montecuccoli (P 432).

Participating aircraft included MH-60S and MH-60R Sea Hawks, F/A-18E & F Super Hornets, E/A-18G Growlers, F-35C Lightning II, and E-2D Hawkeye, all assigned to Carrier Air Wing 9; and Italian F-35B Lightning II and AV-8B Harrier II assigned to Cavour CSG.

Cruz and Ciappina conducted a conditions check via virtual teleconference prior to the commencement to ensure all participants were ready, Oct. 17. The exercise started with personnel exchanges where key Abraham Lincoln CSG leadership toured Cavour and Italian officers toured Abraham Lincoln. O’Kane and ITS Raimondo Montecuccoli conducted a joint live-fire exercise, while the embarked U.S. explosive ordnance disposal team conducted a subject matter expert exchange and fast rope exercise with Italian counterparts. The event concluded with a complex air defense exercise involving both CSG’s tactical aircraft.

“It is an honor to once again have the opportunity to work jointly with our NATO Allies,” said Cruz. “I am grateful to Rear Adm. Ciappina and his entire crew of the ITS Cavour for their gracious hospitality aboard their ship. I am also grateful to continue training and operating together to drive interoperability forward.”

Ciappina responded with his reflection on the MLDE.

“I am very grateful to Adm. Cruz and to the whole crew of ABE CSG for their great effort and professionalism continuously shown during these challenging times for peace and international stability and that clearly confirm their strong commitment towards own common values, which are shared within the allied and partner Navies on a global scale,” concluded Ciappina.

The Abraham Lincoln CSG stands ready to successfully conduct any mission essential to U.S. National security, spanning combat operations to integrated maritime operations with our allies and partners to maritime security and stability in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. It also operates postured to deliver unfaltering maritime force to deter, defend, and if necessary, defeat coercive behavior from those who seek to challenge the rules-based international order.

The Abraham Lincoln CSG consists of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Three and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21, squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Nine, IAMDC USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121), and USS O’Kane (DDG 77), USS Spruance (DDG 111), and USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112).

CVW-9 consists of an F-35C squadron, the “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314; three F/A-18E/F Super Hornet squadrons, the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14; “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, the “Vigilantes” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151; “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, operating the EA-18G Growler; “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, operating the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye; “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 operating the MH-60S Sea Hawk; and “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71, operating the MH-60R Sea Hawk.

For more news from CSG-3, http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/USSAL-CVN72#

MIL Security OSI –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open in Franklin County

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open in Franklin County

Mobile Disaster Recovery Center Open in Franklin County

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – FEMA has opened a mobile Disaster Recovery Center in Franklin County to provide one-on-one help to Floridians affected by Hurricane Helene. Survivors of any of the storms can visit any center. Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance. Survivors are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by downloading the FEMA App. FEMA does not distribute cash at Disaster Recovery Centers. Center location:Franklin County (Mobile)Alligator Point Fire Department101 Tom Roberts RoadAlligator Point, FL 32346Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Wednesday through Oct. 23, 2024.When this center moves to a new location, details will be provided to the public.To find other center locations go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a Zip Code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.Homeowners and renters are encouraged to apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by using the FEMA App. You may also apply by phone at 800-621-3362. If you choose to apply by phone, please understand wait times may be longer because of increased volume for multiple recent disasters. Lines are open every day and help is available in most languages. If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. For an accessible video on how to apply for assistance go to FEMA Accessible: Applying for Individual Assistance – YouTube.For the latest information about Hurricane Milton recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4834. For Hurricane Helene recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4828. For Hurricane Debby recovery information, visit fema.gov/disaster/4806. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.
kirsten.chambers
Tue, 10/22/2024 – 13:16

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Armagh’s Georgian Festival returns for 20th year this November!

Source: Northern Ireland City of Armagh

Armagh’s annual Georgian Festival will kickstart Northern Ireland’s festive season, marking the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit. Returning for its 20th year this November, the award-winning event will run from November 28 to December 1, launching the Cathedral City’s Christmas celebrations.

The city is set to bring its Georgian past to life through buildings, characters, customs and a jam-packed programme of events that will appeal to history buffs, curious families, culture vultures and foodies. Many of the events are free to attend, and so the destination is preparing to welcome thousands to the city across the four days.

Festivalgoers can choose from a range of guided tours, each offering a unique glimpse into Armagh’s rich history. From the scenic Palace Demesne Tour and exclusive Archbishop’s Palace tours, to the informative Guided Georgian Walking Tour, there’s something for everyone. Food lovers can indulge in a sparkling three-course feast in the glorious surroundings of the Archbishop’s Palace at the Highwayman’s Banquet as they listen to tales and tunes dedicated to stories of the Notorious Highwaymen & Rapparees, creating a dining experience that seamlessly blends history, storytelling, and fine cuisine.

There’s also the chance to get a taste for the pitiless Georgian legal system as a member of the jury at Armagh Courthouse in a mock-trial – a spectacle of rough justice. Throughout the city, festivalgoers will encounter iconic Georgian figures — noble gentry, street urchins, and gin-soaked ladies — as they wander and explore. On The Mall, families can enjoy an array of festive activities, including traditional funfair rides like the Carousel and Swing Boats, along with classic games such as Hoopla, Hook a Duck, and Coconut Shy. Santa’s reindeer will even make an appearance, and as night falls, fire performers will light up the evening for all to enjoy.

Topping off the programme is the acclaimed Light Show. It will run Friday 29 November and Saturday 30 November and is a dramatic Holly Jolly Christmas animation that will transform the Market House into a shimmering canvas for images, special effects, and other surprises. (Tickets essential)

Deputy Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Cllr Kyle Savage, said;

“Our Georgian Festival is an established cornerstone of Armagh’s cultural calendar – it’s recognised far and wide for its impressive selection of activities, and the unforgettable energy and atmosphere it brings to the city.

“Through the combined efforts of the local Council team, and our artists, performers, retailers and artisans, we’ve been able to build an event that brings the local community together, whilst also welcoming visitors to experience the rich heritage and history of Armagh City and its surrounding areas.”

The Georgian Festival originally launched in 2004 as a one-day market, thanks to the efforts of a team of remarkable local retailers. Since then, it has transformed into the four-day celebration known to most today and has soared in popularity with people from Ireland and the UK, as well as international visitors.

The artisan market element of the festival has now grown to include more than 130 festive market stalls selling high-quality crafts, gifts, food and seasonal products, making it one of the largest on the island. Set to take place on Georgian Day, Saturday November 30, the Georgian market stalls will take place as the clip clop of horses and the aroma of roasting chestnuts and mulled spices fills the street.

Roberta Wright of Wrights Interiors on Scotch Street in the city was part of a team of retailers who were responsible for establishing Georgian Day in its early days. It was created as an opportunity to showcase Armagh, to highlight the wealth of independent retailers in the city and add some Christmas sparkle for visitors. She said, “It’s incredible how far the festival has come since we first launched in 2004. Armagh has such a unique history, a fascinating story to tell, and a community of people who are passionate about the heritage of this place, and our Georgian Festival gives us the perfect platform to showcase everything that makes Armagh the wonderful place it is. Excitement is already building for our 2024 celebration, and I would highly recommend visitors pop by the wide range of independent stores in the city to do some Christmas shopping as they make their way around the exciting activities taking place across the city.”

The team behind the festival are continuing to embrace sustainability as Gill Robb, Events Manager at Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, explains. She said, “Our famous, must-see light show, running on the evenings of Friday November 29 and Saturday November 30, will switch to a more sustainable power source this year, whilst park and ride facilities will also be available on Saturday. We’ve also tried to limit as many single use plastics as possible with stallholders switching to compostable plates, glasses and cutlery, and abiding by our complete ban on plastic bags.”

Click here for more information and to book tickets for special events.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Klaas Knot: Strengthening financial resilience – lessons from Pittsburgh

Source: Bank for International Settlements

Good morning everyone.

It could have been right here in New York City.

That would have been fitting, as this city was, and still is, the center of gravity for global finance. But, as it happened, the US administration made a last-minute decision to pick Pittsburgh as the venue for the G20 summit.

We are back in the fall of 2009. Less than a year earlier, when G20 leaders first met in Washington DC, the world economy had been facing its greatest crisis in generations. At the Pittsburgh Summit, the memory of the crisis was still fresh. The fall of Lehman. The rescue of AIG. The race against the clock to prevent a total meltdown of the financial system. Leaders from the 20 largest nations in the world had all gone through those fateful crisis days. They shared a conviction that this should not happen again. Ever. They decided on a massive strengthening of regulation to address the weaknesses in the global financial system and to curb excessive risk taking. And they endorsed the mandate of the newly established Financial Stability Board to coordinate and monitor progress. Pittsburgh turned the tide.

The rest is history. But it is an unfinished history. For sure, the reforms that were agreed in Pittsburgh did substantially strengthen the global financial system.

In recent years, markets have experienced several episodes of turmoil, and we have seen potentially destabilising failures of banks and non-banks. But the core of the system has held up relatively well. So, one interpretation is that the financial system has proved to be resilient. But that is not entirely true. Take March 2020 for example. This turmoil was contained both through improved resilience and unprecedented policy actions. Without the combined force of these policy actions, the reforms implemented since 2009 may have not been sufficient to stave off another financial crisis. And it’s not only in 2020 that unprecedented policy actions were needed. In 2023 the fire brigade had to turn out again.

So, we’ve made progress, but there is much left to do if we want a truly resilient financial system. One that can finance the economy through thick and thin without recourse to extraordinary support. Furthermore, the financial system is evolving, and so must our regulations. Can we keep up the pace? Allow me to share some concerns about that.

First of all, our work to make the banking sector more resilient is not yet complete. For one thing, the final Basel III standards still need to be implemented in many jurisdictions. In the meantime, the banking turmoil in March last year was a reminder that bank runs are not a thing of the past. The demise of Silicon Valley Bank and Credit Suisse not only brought lessons for banks and supervisors.

They also highlighted that 13 years after the FSB issued its Key Attributes for Effective Resolution Regimes, authorities still face challenges in dealing with failing banks.

Next to the unfinished agenda in banking, the non-bank financial sector continues to face serious vulnerabilities. Partly as a response to strengthening banking regulation, non-bank financial institutions are playing a larger role in financing the real economy, now accounting for nearly half of total global financial assets. And as we have seen over the past few years, structural vulnerabilities in the sector have the potential to cause systemic risk. These include liquidity mismatches, leverage, and inadequate margin preparedness. The FSB, working with other standard setters, has done a great deal of work on this issue. We have issued policy recommendations in several key areas. Drawing up these policy recommendations, however, is not enough to stem systemic risk in NBFI. For that to happen, we must implement them. That means authorities must not only put them into national laws and regulations, they must also have the capacity to operationalize them.

Third, technological innovation continues to shape the way the financial sector functions, and it adds another layer of complexity. Technology can create new interdependencies, for example when many financial institutions rely on the same service providers. It can also increase the speed at which a crisis unfolds. And technology raises important questions about the regulatory perimeter. Above all technology related risks can exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities in the financial system and may create new ones. Take crypto-assets. This fast-growing market has seen more than its fair share of bankruptcies, liquidity crises and outright fraud, even as its links with traditional finance continue to grow. The FSB has issued recommendations to regulate the market for crypto-assets. The G20 has endorsed these recommendations and, again, they now need to be implemented globally.

As you might notice, I’m talking a lot about implementation, because that’s where my concern lies. It seems that, 16 years after Lehman, implementation fatigue has started to set in. Political commitment for maintaining financial stability is usually the highest when the collective memory of the last crisis is still fresh. When this memory starts to fade, there is the risk that financial stability is taken for granted. Something that can be left to the bureaucrats, to the technicians. Not least because there are so many other policy priorities to deal with for governments. But that would be a mistake. We do need the involvement of politicians, of lawmakers, because without them, it becomes even harder to implement necessary regulations. After all, financial stability is the foundation for almost all public policy. If financial stability is gone, as a government you can forget about the other policy priorities. You will spend most of your time drawing up rescue plans for an economy in free fall. So we should not wait for the next crisis.

We also need commitment in good times, when the work to develop and implement policy needs to get done. This commitment is even more important in a world that is getting more fragmented, both politically and economically. I am concerned about our capacity to work together on cross-border challenges in such a world. During the Global Financial Crisis, policymakers around the globe were able to respond swiftly and effectively. In a fragmented world, such a swift response could become more complicated. This could prove costly because the most important challenges to financial stability are precisely the cross-border issues that we can only solve if we work together.

And to the financial industry I would say: rules that strengthen the resilience of the financial system are in your best interest too. Some in the industry view regulation as a constraint, something that limits profitability and imposes undue costs. But it’s just the other way around. Financial regulation is not an obstacle, it is an enabler of sustainable, long-term growth. Globally implemented regulation strengthens international financial stability, levels the playing field, and, in turn, enhances the confidence of your shareholders, clients, and counterparties. Strong regulation is not a constraint on the financial industry, it is an asset.

15 years after Pittsburgh, strengthening the financial system is an unfinished history. Partly that comes with the job. The financial system is always evolving, so our policy also needs to evolve. But, that’s not the only reason. It is also important that authorities finish implementing the measures we’ve all agreed are needed to address existing vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities that could lead to the next crisis, if they are allowed to persist.

This calls for maintaining our ambition as policy makers, and for law makers to take the agreed policies all the way through to implementation. I wish for us to have the determination and collaborative spirit that the leaders in Pittsburgh collectively felt. Let’s work together to finish what we started. Let’s stay sharp, focused and committed to preserving financial stability. And where better to express that commitment than in the city that never sleeps.

MIL OSI Economics –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Santa Clara County Reps Announce $50M in Federal Funding for Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

SAN JOSE, CA – Today, U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Anna Eshoo (CA-16), Ro Khanna (CA-17), and Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced that Valley Water has been selected to receive approximately $50,000,000 from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support flood protection efforts along Coyote Creek.

Valley Water completed nearly all construction of the Phase 1 project for Coyote Creek flood protection. This funding will help enable the construction of Phase 2, which will finish the project and help enable the seismic retrofit of Anderson Dam.

“Seven years ago, our San Jose community experienced significant flooding during a series of winter storms, forcing more than 14,000 residents to evacuate. As the threat of natural disasters becomes more disruptive because of climate change, it is vital to make investments that reduce the risk of flooding. Thanks to this federal funding, Valley Water will be able to continue to improve flood mitigation infrastructure along Coyote Creek. We will keep working together to ensure that communities have the resources they need to prepare for and remain safe during natural disasters,” said Reps. Lofgren, Eshoo, Khanna, and Panetta.

This funding comes from FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, which provides communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program with funding to reduce flooding risk and build community resilience.

Funding for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program typically comes from revenue collected on policies offered by the National Flood Insurance Program. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Reps. Lofgren, Eshoo, Khanna, and Panetta voted in favor of, additionally provided $3.5 billion for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program over five years.

In January 2024, Reps. Lofgren, Eshoo, and Khanna sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Criswell in support of the Coyote Creek Flood Protection Project.

###

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: New York Man Pleads Guilty to Felony Civil Disorder During January 6 Capitol Breach

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

WASHINGTON – A New York man pleaded guilty today to felony civil disorder during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol. His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election.

Christopher Douglas Finney, 32, of Hopewell Junction, New York, pleaded guilty to a single felony count of civil disorder before U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden. Judge McFadden will sentence Finney on Jan. 24, 2025.

According to court documents, Finney traveled from his home in New York State to attend a rally in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2021. While waiting near the Washington Monument for the rally to begin, Finney recorded himself asking, “what’s the building where they’re doing the counting at?” and after receiving an answer, stated, “we’re going up to the Capitol, eventually. We’re gonna storm the Capitol. They’re not gonna keep us outta there. We’re gonna make sure that this is done correct and that Donald Trump is still our president.”

When he made the recording, Finney was wearing plastic goggles with a red border and a protective plate carrier vest with pouches containing white plastic flex cuffs and a silver canister similar to a container for chemical spray. Before leaving the area near the Monument, Finney repeated, “We’re gonna storm the Capitol. We’re gonna do this correct. We’re not gonna back down, stand down, we the people will not be silent anymore.” Finney was also recorded wearing a knife in a holster on his right hip.

Finney entered the restricted perimeter around Capitol grounds and toward the West Lawn and gestured for the crowd to follow him. Finney recorded his approach to the Capitol across the lawn and as he scaled a wall. Finney remained near the Capitol’s West Front, moving from the scaffolding at its southwest corner to covered scaffolding above the northwest steps. Finney then ascended the steps, breached a police line leading to the Upper West Terrace Northwest Courtyard, and approached the Senate Wing Doors.

At approximately 2:14 p.m., Finney entered the Capitol building through the Senate Wing Doors. Once inside, he turned north, encountered police, and hastily retreated, climbing out of a broken window. Finney re-entered the building through the Senate Wing Doors. After re-entering, Finney made his way through the Crypt and the OAP (Office of the Attending Physician) corridor and eventually exited the Capitol through the Memorial Doors.

Finney eventually made his way to the Capitol’s Lower West Terrace, where he joined other rioters, including several carrying makeshift weapons, outside of the Lower West Terrace Tunnel, the site of some of the most violent attacks against law enforcement that day. There, rioters were struggling to forcibly breach a police line preventing the mob from accessing the Capitol’s interior. One rioter yelled, “Push, push, push,” and Finney responded by joining a crowd in a group push against the police line. The force from the group push reached officers in and behind the first line of officers, while rioters at the front of the group push made direct physical contact with officers at the front of the police line.

Finney remained on the Lower West Terrace, watching and recording as other rioters violently attacked officers defending the Lower West Terrace exit. He remained within the Capitol’s restricted perimeter until after dark.

The FBI arrested Finney on Feb. 8, 2024, in New York.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

This case is being investigated by the FBI’s New York and Washington Field Offices. Valuable assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

In the 45 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,532 individuals have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 571 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.

MIL Security OSI –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Shocktober: Xbox’s celebration of all things spooky slashes prices on PC and console games
Source: Microsoft

Headline: Shocktober: Xbox’s celebration of all things spooky slashes prices on PC and console games
Summary

Many spooktacular games have had their prices slashed across console and PC for a limited time!

Sink your teeth into ghostly in-game events.

Game Pass members can dive into spooky titles throughout October.
Brace yourself for monster sales on major titles because Shocktober has arrived! Xbox’s annual celebration of all things spooky is back and better than ever — and this year we’re cranking up the terror by throwing in some of your favorite Game Pass games too!

That’s not all! Get into the Halloween spirit with limited-time events and freaky in-game content that’ll have you screaming for more.

Check back in all through October via your Xbox console, Windows Store, or the Xbox app on PC for the latest terrifying titles and ghoulish events. You don’t want to miss out!

For Console – Shocktober Games on Sale

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

The sequel to the award winning Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Senua returns in a brutal journey of survival through the myth and torment of Viking Iceland. Intent on saving those who have fallen victim to the horrors of tyranny, Senua faces a battle of overcoming the darkness within and without. Sink deep into the next chapter of Senua’s story, a crafted experience told through cinematic immersion, beautifully realized visuals and encapsulating sound.

Resident Evil 4

Survival is just the beginning. Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City. Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors, tracks the president’s kidnapped daughter to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals.

Hogwarts Legacy

An immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world.

For PC – Shocktober Games on Sale

Back 4 Blood Ultimate

Back 4 Blood is a thrilling cooperative first-person shooter from the creators of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead franchise. You are at the center of a war against the Ridden. With humanity’s extinction on the line, it’s up to you and your friends to take the fight to the enemy, eradicate the Ridden and reclaim the world.

Evil West

Evil never sleeps… but it bleeds. A dark menace consumes the American frontier. As one of the last agents in a top-secret vampire-hunting institute, you are the final line between humanity and a deep-rooted terror that now emerges from the shadows. Rise up to become a Wild West Superhero, eradicate the vampire threat and save the United State

Gotham Knights Deluxe Edition

Batman is dead. A new expansive, criminal underworld has swept the streets of Gotham City. It is now up to the Batman Family – Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin – to protect Gotham, bring hope to its citizens, discipline to its cops, and fear to its criminals. Gotham Knights is an open-world, action RPG set in the most dynamic and interactive Gotham City yet. Patrol Gotham’s five distinct boroughs in solo or in co-op and drop in on criminal activity wherever you find it. Your legacy begins now. Step into the Knight.

Chilling Titles on Game Pass

Dead Space

The sci-fi survival horror classic Dead Space returns, completely rebuilt from the ground up to offer a deeper and more immersive experience. This remake brings jaw-dropping visual fidelity, suspenseful atmospheric audio, and improvements to gameplay while staying faithful to the original game’s thrilling vision.

Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess

A new tale of the Kami awaits… Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is a unique Japanese-inspired, single player Kagura Action Strategy game. The game takes place on a mountain covered by defilement. During the day, purify the villages and prepare yourself for sundown. During the night, protect the Maiden against the hordes of the Seethe. Repeat the day and night cycle until you cleanse the mountain of defilement and return peace to the land.

Dead Island 2

The much-loved zombie saga is back with a unique formula of horror, dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, spanning an epic pulp adventure. Dead Island 2 is a thrilling first-person action RPG, stylish, vibrant and flooded with zombie infection. Explore an iconic, gore-drenched Los Angeles. Meet larger-than-life characters. Slay countless foes in exquisitely bloody detail. And evolve to become the ultimate Zombie Slayer!

Haunting In-Game Halloween Events

Fortnite

Want to play a game? How about some Battle Royale… during Fortnitemares 2024? This year’s frightening festivities bring the explosive Boom Billy, a rideable chainsaw, the return of Horde Rush, and plenty of Quest rewards like the Jack-o’-Drifter Contrail and Great Scarecrow Glider. Fortnitemares 2024 runs now until the end of Chapter 5 Season 4!

GTA Online

Things have taken a terrifying turn in the snowy hills of North Yankton. Halloween’s chilling influence has transformed Ludendorff Cemetery into a battleground against the undead. For the first time in GTA Online, return to North Yankton and confront a nightmarish array of foes — including ambling corpses, colossal juggernauts, and possessed animals — and banish these living dead back to the darkness in the new Ludendorff Cemetery Survival mode.

Apex Legends

Now ’til November 5, 2024, in Apex Legends, haunt through the Techno Terror Collection Event and Trick N’ Treat Trios with Revivals. Plus, collect 24 event items before the event ends to get Pathfinder’s Prestige Skin!

That is just a glimpse of this year’s massive Shocktober collection! Don’t forget to creep over to your Xbox console, Windows Store, or the Xbox app on PC starting every Tuesday to uncover new titles and surprises. Oh, and don’t forget to explore the Perks gallery; there’s some exclusive treats waiting for you! Discounts will end October 31, 2024.
MIL OSI Economics –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Latta: Strengthening Our Communications Systems Paramount in the Face of Natural, Man-Made Disasters

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH5), who is Chair of the Energy & Commerce Committee’s Communications & Technology Subcommittee, visited an AM radio station located in Maryland that serves the east coast to view redundancy measures implemented to remain operational in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. This AM radio station is one of more than 70 hardened radio stations in the United States.

“We know the important role AM radio stations play in providing emergency alerts, local news, and weather reports for millions of Americans,” Latta said. “This underscores the need to strengthen the resiliency of these stations, especially as extreme weather – like we’ve witnessed with hurricanes Helene and Milton – threatens to take them offline. And with hundreds of cell towers down due to the recent hurricanes, it’s important AM radios stay operational for Americans to receive crucial information and updates.

“It’s encouraging to hear AM radio stations are implementing 21st Century technology to improve and strengthen their operating systems. As Chair of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, it was important to receive an in-depth look today at an AM radio station that is putting this technology to good use.

“Congress has a role to play in strengthening our communications systems. And as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I’ll continue working with my colleagues to advance commonsense legislation that fortifies our critical infrastructure, including AM radio stations, the electric grid, and our telecommunications networks.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Banking: Retail Sales Remain Strong in September as Single-Family Starts Continue to Rebound
Source: Fannie Mae

Key Takeaways:
- Retail sales and food services increased 0.4 percent in September, according to the Census Bureau. Sales at stores with big ticket items, including motor vehicle and parts dealers (flat over the month), furniture stores (-1.4 percent), and electronics and appliance stores (-3.3 percent) were generally soft. However, this was offset by strong sales at grocery stores (+1.0 percent), health and personal care stores (+1.1 percent), and miscellaneous store retailers (+4.0 percent), all of which may have been affected by consumers stocking up on goods in preparation for hurricanes. Sales at restaurants and bars were up 1.0 percent, their strongest monthly gain since November 2023. Control group retail sales (excluding food service, auto, building supplies, and gas station sales) increased by a strong 0.7 percent.
- Industrial production, a gauge of output in the manufacturing, utility, and mining sectors, declined 0.3 percent in September, according to the Census Bureau. Additionally, August’s originally reported 0.8 percent gain was revised downward to just a 0.3 percent increase. Manufacturing activity declined 0.4 percent to 99.1. Mining activity declined 0.6 percent to 118.2, while utilities output rose 0.8 percent to 106.8.
- Housing starts declined 0.5 percent in September to a seasonally adjusted annualized rate (SAAR) of 1.35 million, according to the Census Bureau. Single-family starts rose 2.7 percent to reach a SAAR of 1.027 million, a five-month high. This followed a 16.1 percent jump in August, which was a rebound after hurricane disruptions in July. Single-family permits were more measured with a 0.3 percent increase to a SAAR of 970,000, though that’s also the best pace since April. Multifamily starts declined 9.4 percent to a SAAR of 327,000, while multifamily permits declined 8.9 percent to a SAAR of 458,000.
- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index increased 2 points to 43 in October, a four-month high. The index for single-family sales in the present rose 2 points to 47, while the index for single-family sales in the next six months rose 4 points to 57, the highest level since April. The index for the foot traffic of prospective buyers rose 2 points to a still subdued 29.
Forecast Impact:

The September retail sales report is supportive of our forecast for strong consumption in the third quarter. Control group retail sales, which flow directly into the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s estimate of personal consumption expenditures (PCE), have now posted strong increases for five consecutive months. We expect a bit of a slowdown in PCE in the fourth quarter toward something closer to the long-run trend growth rate, though we caution that recent hurricanes may distort the underlying trend in consumption growth over the next few months. Separately, the industrial production report continues to show that manufacturing activity has been roughly stagnant since January of last year. While this is more positive than the manufacturing surveys that have indicated the sector has been in outright contraction over that period, higher interest rates are likely continuing to weigh on growth in manufacturing.

The strong gain in single-family starts was a bit above our expectations, though the typically more indicative series for single-family permits was in line with our forecast. While we expect some short-term volatility in the starts data following the hurricanes in Florida and surrounding states, the underlying trend for single-family construction remains positive. The particularly strong 4-point gain in the homebuilder confidence index for sales in the next six months adds to the bullish case for new home construction. Multifamily starts have been weaker, though, in line with our forecast. With a significant number of multifamily construction projects already underway, we expect multifamily starts will continue to soften through the end of 2024.

Nathaniel Drake
Economic and Strategic Research Group
October 18, 2024

Opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views of Fannie Mae’s Economic & Strategic Research (ESR) Group included in these materials should not be construed as indicating Fannie Mae’s business prospects or expected results, are based on a number of assumptions, and are subject to change without notice. How this information affects Fannie Mae will depend on many factors. Although the ESR Group bases its opinions, analyses, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views on information it considers reliable, it does not guarantee that the information provided in these materials is accurate, current, or suitable for any particular purpose. Changes in the assumptions or the information underlying these views could produce materially different results. The analyses, opinions, estimates, forecasts, beliefs, and other views published by the ESR Group represent the views of that group as of the date indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of Fannie Mae or its management.
MIL OSI Global Banks –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Update 255 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

Experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) stationed at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) are reporting daily military activity in the vicinity, with some explosions occurring close to the facility. This ongoing situation underscores the persistent threat faced by the nuclear power plant, which remains at the heart of an active war zone, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi stated today.

No damage has been reported to the plant within the past week, and the IAEA team at the site has focussed its efforts on assessing the condition of the plant, as well as ongoing maintenance and training activities.

The IAEA team conducted regular walkdowns across the ZNPP. At the pumping station of unit 4, the team confirmed that the circulation pump used to maintain the flow of cooling water between the ZNPP discharge and intake channels is still operational. Its operation is dependent on the overall water level in the ZNPP cooling pond, which has been steadily decreasing since the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023.

In assessing maintenance at the plant, the IAEA team noted during a visit this week to cooling tower 1 damaged by fire in August 2024 that no maintenance activities were ongoing. The ZNPP informed the IAEA that it plans to use the support of external contractors to determine the extent of the damage.

The team was informed that two of the six mobile diesel generators, introduced following the Fukushima stress tests, that are available on site, were moved to other locations. One was now being used at the recently damaged Zaria substation and one at the pumping water supply station in the city of Enerhodar.

This week, the team was updated on ZNPP staffing numbers. Of the nearly 5000 ZNPP employees, 130 work at the training center, including 70 instructors. The goal is to expand the personnel to 6000.

The team performed radiation monitoring measurements on site and in the nearby city of Enerhodar, confirming that radiation levels were normal.

Separately, the IAEA teams at Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine nuclear power plants (NPPs) and the Chornobyl site experienced air raid alarms for several days over the past week but reported that nuclear safety and security is being maintained. The IAEA team at Khmelnytskyy sheltered twice over the past week.

The State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine (SNRIU) informed the IAEA that on 10 October three UAV flights were recorded within the monitoring zone of the South Ukraine NPP, and five in the evening of 14 October.

At the Rivne NPP, one of the two 750 kilovolt (kV) off-site power lines was put under maintenance and again reconnected within the past week. Additionally, it was reported to the team that one of the five 110 kV off-site power lines was disconnected and under planned maintenance.

The three teams at the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs have successfully rotated over the past few days.

Also this week, antigen combo rapid test kits were delivered to the Khmelnytskyy, Rivne and South Ukraine NPPs and the Chornobyl site, as well as to Energoatom and SNRIU, in the 6th delivery under the IAEA medical assistance programme and the 70th under the Agency’s comprehensive programme of assistance to help Ukraine maintain nuclear safety and security. The delivery was supported by a contribution from Japan.

MIL Security OSI –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Leading Federal Response to Hurricane Helene in Georgia, Senator Reverend Warnock Pushes President Biden to Kickstart Bipartisan Disaster Funding Effort

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

Leading Federal Response to Hurricane Helene in Georgia, Senator Reverend Warnock Pushes President Biden to Kickstart Bipartisan Disaster Funding Effort

Senator Reverend Warnock is urging the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit a request for supplemental appropriations to Congress to support Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery efforts
Senator Reverend Warnock to President Biden: “Congress stands ready to ensure the federal government and our communities have what they need to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and future natural disasters”
Separately, Senator Reverend Warnock also urged senior Biden Administration officials to prioritize investigating and sharing information about disaster-related frauds and scams, monitoring incidents of price gouging and other unfair or illegal pricing following natural disasters, and addressing intravenous (IV) fluids supply challenges impacting frontline health workers and patients
ICYMI from Politico: Senators Want A Supp
ICYMI from Capitol Beat News Service: Southeastern senators urge passage of disaster relief for Helene victims
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a bipartisan group of Senators in urging the White House to rapidly submit a government funding request to Congress that will fully cover costs associated with clean-up and recovery following Hurricanes Helene and Milton so that affected communities can begin to heal. In a new bipartisan letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Senator Warnock, joined by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ted Budd (R-NC), highlighted the heartbreak facing southern communities recovering from the destruction of these hurricanes, and requested the White House to rapidly submit a detailed supplemental government funding request to Congress that considers the full cost of recovering from these storms so Congress can quickly pass aid for American families. Senator Warnock has called for Congress to return to Washington from the October in-state work period to approve federal disaster relief legislation, despite opposition from U.S. House leadership.
“We urgently request the White House’s Office of Management and Budget rapidly submit to Congress a detailed supplemental appropriations request that considers the full cost of recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other devastating natural disasters, so Congress can quickly consider supplemental appropriations this year, and affected communities can begin to heal,” wrote the Senators.
“Given the immense need, we respectfully ask that the Office of Management and Budget work quickly to determine the costs of recovering from Hurricane Helene and Milton and immediately submit a supplemental appropriations request to Congress that includes this full cost. Congress stands ready to ensure the federal government and our communities have what they need to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and future natural disasters,” concluded the lawmakers.
In three additional, separate letters to regulators and agencies across the federal government responsible for consumer protection and more, Senator Warnock urged federal officials to prioritize investigating and sharing information about disaster-related frauds and scams, monitoring incidents of price gouging and other unfair or illegal pricing following natural disasters, and addressing intravenous (IV) fluids supply challenges impacting frontline workers and patients, including successfully pushing President Biden to invoke the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of needed supplies.
Read the Senator’s letter on price gouging HERE, on banking difficulties HERE, on scams and frauds HERE, and on addressing IV fluids shortage HERE.
Read his letter to President Biden HERE and below:
Dear President Biden,
As the Southeastern United States continues to respond to life-threatening conditions in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the sheer scope of the destruction from these hurricanes is heartbreaking. We urgently request the White House’s Office of Management and Budget rapidly submit to Congress a detailed supplemental appropriations request that considers the full cost of recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other devastating natural disasters, so Congress can quickly consider supplemental appropriations this year, and affected communities can begin to heal.
Hurricane Helene struck Florida’s coast as a Category 4 storm on September 27 before devastating communities across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Tragically, the death toll continues to rise, with 228 being confirmed to date. Hurricane Milton struck Florida on October 9, bringing life-threatening storm surges and wind gusts and causing 24 deaths to date.
We are immensely grateful to first responders and federal workers as they perform life-saving work. However, the task of recovering from these storms has overwhelmed state and local governments. Federal support will be needed to restore and rebuild our communities.
While the recovery costs are still being determined, estimates of Hurricane Helene’s damage range from $34 billion to $47 billion. Hurricane Milton is likewise expected to cost billions more in damages.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will require significant additional funding to ensure it has the resources it needs for Hurricane Helene and Milton recovery, and additional federal funding will be required to support states and federal agencies’ emergency response efforts. Likewise, as communities begin to rebuild, uninterrupted access to key disaster assistance loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration is imperative. Agricultural producers will also need financial assistance to help them recover from yet another natural disaster that is further compounding their already tenuous economic situation, and small businesses will need support to help cover the damage to their livelihoods and rebuild, so they can reopen their doors to communities.
Given the immense need, we respectfully ask that the Office of Management and Budget work quickly to determine the costs of recovering from Hurricane Helene and Milton and immediately submit a supplemental appropriations request to Congress that includes this full cost.
Congress stands ready to ensure the federal government and our communities have what they need to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and future natural disasters.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Watson Coleman Statement on Death of Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman

October 18, 2024

Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) issued the following statement regarding the death of Yahya Sinwar, the military leader of the Hamas terrorist group, and a chief architect of the October 7th, 2023 massacre.

“Yahya Sinwar was a terrorist who murdered countless innocent civilians and the primary architect of the October 7th massacre, responsible for the killing of over 1,200 people, including 46 Americans, and the kidnapping of more than 250 hostages. I pray that his death can bring some measure of peace and closure for the families of the victims of his countless atrocities.

“With Sinwar’s death a stated aim of the war in Gaza has been met. The war must finally end. The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, must abandon their refusal to negotiate a ceasefire, and work to return the remaining hostages, as the Israeli people themselves have been demanding for months.

“The war waged in response to Sinwar’s egregious attack has claimed the lives of at least 42,000 Palestinians (with some estimates ranging as high as 4.5 times that amount). The majority of these dead are innocent women and children. A recent study by Oxfam found that more women and children have been killed in Gaza by the Israeli military over the past year than the equivalent period of any other conflict over the past two decades.

“There has been incalculable suffering in the Middle East since Hamas’s attack. Israelis, Palestinians, and everyone caught in the crossfire has been forced to endure unrelenting tragedy. De-escalation, diplomacy, and peace are the only path forward.

“I will continue to pray for, and work towards, a swift and lasting resolution to this horrible conflict.”

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Steil Leads WI Delegation in Urging Biden-Harris Administration to Address IV Fluid Shortage

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI (October 18, 2024) – Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01) today led the Wisconsin delegation in urging the Biden-Harris administration to take immediate action to address the nationwide IV fluid shortage due to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. In a letter to the administration, the members are seeking a clear plan from the Biden-Harris administration on how they will address this national crisis.

Excerpts and highlights from the letter below:

“As you may be aware, Baxter International’s North Cove site, located less than an hour from Asheville, North Carolina, is the largest manufacturer of IV fluids and dialysis solutions in the U.S.

“According to the company, their site was “significantly impacted by the rain and storm surge” from Hurricane Helene and is temporarily closed. Baxter supplies roughly 60% of the IV fluids to hospitals in the U.S.

“Our offices have heard from Wisconsin hospitals and health systems who have already begun postponing and canceling elective procedures for patients due to the impending shortage.

“With more disruptions anticipated from Hurricane Milton, we ask your administration to take all available action to minimize the impact of this shortage on patient care and increase the supply of IV solutions.”

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

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MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Three WA Grid Enhancement Projects Get $208M from Cantwell-Authored Program
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
10.18.24

Three WA Grid Enhancement Projects Get $208M from Cantwell-Authored Program

Federal grants covering about half of project costs include $85M for Avista, $45M for Puget Sound Energy, $77M for coalition of PNW/Mountain utilities Funds will help make Washington state electric grid more efficient and resistant to wildfires and extreme weather

SEATTLE, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced three new federal grants totaling $208.4 million that will help utility providers in Washington state modernize their electricity grids and ensure homes and businesses can count on affordable and reliable electricity service, particularly during natural disasters.

The funds come from the Department of Energy’s Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, a $10.5 billion dollar program authored in part by Cantwell in 2007, which was subsequently expanded and funded with Sen. Cantwell’s assistance in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

“A smarter grid is a more efficient and reliable grid, and key to meeting our region’s need for 30% more affordable electricity over the next decade,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Upgrading transmission lines with technologies like sensors and advanced controls will not only help prevent wildfires but also keep the lights on during extreme weather and natural disasters.”

The following Washington state organizations received funding:

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) received $45,781,599 for the Skagit River Valley Transformation for Climate Resiliency Project: This funding will allow PSE to underground approximately 32 miles of power lines, as well as deploy cameras and sensing technologies for real-time monitoring that can help prevent forest fires. It will also enable PSE to make grid updates that ensure power delivery from the Baker River Hydroelectric Project to communities in Skagit County and help quickly restore power after major outages. Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter in support of the project to DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm in April 2024. This federal grant will cover 50% of the total cost of the project.

Avista Utilities received $85,664,781 for the Lolo-Oxbow Transmission Upgrade and Optimization Project: This funding will allow Avista Utilities and Idaho Power Company to reconstruct a vital power line connecting the Pacific Northwest and Mountain regions, using designs and materials that make the line more resistant to wildfires and make outages exceedingly rare – projected to be fewer than one per year. Avista Utilities plans to use drones to string the new lines, which will limit outages during construction. Additionally, the project will deploy advanced technology that controls and optimizes the flow of power and increases capacity for the whole region, enabling the Nez Perce Tribe to increase their capacity for renewable energy generation on their reservation. This federal grant will cover 49.5% of the total cost of the project.

E Source received $77,021,741 for the Increasing Energy Resilience Via Technology Investment Acceleration (INERTIA) Project: The INERTIA project brings together a diverse coalition of grid operators, technology providers, and community partners in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain regions to enhance grid resilience and safeguard high-risk communities from natural disasters like wildfires, windstorms, ice storms, and extreme heat. This funding will help the coalition deploy microgrids across the region to provide backup power technology for high-risk areas, reducing the frequency and duration of power shutoffs by approximately 85%. The funding will also integrate advanced sensing technologies and AI-driven analytics to detect faults in the grid in less than half the previous time and identify dangerous vegetation before it causes an outage. This federal grant will cover 46.5% of the total cost of the project.

A full list of project recipients is HERE.

Sen. Cantwell has long championed investments in smart grid technologies that can improve the efficiency and resiliency of our nation’s electricity grid. She authored the Smart Grid Title of the 2007 Energy Bill, pioneering smart grid legislation that created the smart grid R&D program at the Department of Energy (which was expanded in the BIL); required the development of an interoperability framework; established a federal matching grant program; created a Smart Grid Advisory Committee to advise the federal government on the deployment of smart grid technologies; initiated a Smart Grid Task Force to coordinate the federal government’s smart grid policies; and encouraged state utility regulatory commissions to allow for rate recovery for smart grid investments.

This July, Sen. Cantwell joined U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and regional energy stakeholders to discuss technological and policy solutions that will ensure NW ratepayers and our regional economy continue to benefit from abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy. More than 200 business, government, and non-profit energy professionals attended the event, including BPA Administrator John Hairston. On the day of the event, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the key energy technology areas that the Pacific Northwest is poised to lead.

In 2009, Sen. Cantwell pushed to include $4.5 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for smart grid investments, funding which was authorized by Sen. Cantwell’s Smart Grid Title in the 2007 Energy Bill. In February 2009, Sen. Cantwell organized a Smart Grid Conference in Spokane attended by around 300 regional stakeholders to help coordinate a regional bid for a Smart Grid Demonstration Project. In November 2009, the Energy Department awarded $88 million, the largest award in the country, to launch the Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project which was used to install a smart grid framework including a digital telecommunications network, substation automation, and a robust distribution system infrastructure.

In July 2021, Sen. Cantwell authored and fought for passage of a bipartisan amendment that eventually resulted in a $10 billion increase in the Bonneville Power Administration’s borrowing authority being included in the BIL. The measure allowed BPA to continue to borrow at low-interest rates at no ultimate cost to the taxpayer. Sen. Cantwell’s amendment also linked expanded borrowing authority to new financial oversight requirements and opportunities for increased stakeholder engagement. Since then, BPA has announced investments totaling more than $5 billion in the nation’s electricity grid (a more than $2 billion investment in July 2023 and a $3 billion investment in October 2024), made possible by their expanded borrowing authority.

The GRIP Program, managed by the Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office, funds activities to modernize the electric grid to reduce impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather worsened by climate change; increase the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability of the electric power system with a particular focus on unlocking more solar, wind, and other clean energy and reducing faults that may lead to wildfires; and improve reliability by deploying innovative approaches to electricity transmission, storage, and distribution.
MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Keith Self Demands President Biden Rescind Threats Against Israel by Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Keith Self (Texas 3rd)

Today, Congressman Keith Self sent a letter to President Biden admonishing Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin for threatening to withhold military aid in a letter to Israeli officials.

By way of background, on October 2, Congressman Self sent a letter to President Biden demanding a change in policy in the United States’ response towards Israel’s war against Iran and its terrorist group proxies. Joined by five Republican cosigners, Congressman Self requested that the President unlock all Congressionally approved foreign aid to Israel and enforce all sanctions against Iran. Then, on October 13, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin issued an ultimatum to Israel to meet certain humanitarian aid requirements for Gaza or to lose military aid in their war on terror.

“While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is on the cusp of dismantling enemies committed to the destruction of Israel, the Biden administration is again seeking to impede their progress,” said Congressman Keith Self. “I demand the Biden administration cease dictating the rules of engagement and threatening to remove aid for Israel. The President should instead release all Congressionally approved aid to Israel, direct his criticism to the remnants of Hamas, and demand the safe release of all the hostages.”

To date, the remaining vestiges of Hamas combat units continue to fire rockets at Israel and hold approximately 101 hostages in captivity, including Americans. President Biden must let Israel finish its war on terror until all enemy forces have ceased hostilities.

The full text of the letter is available HERE.

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MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Tillis, Warnock Lead Bipartisan Push for President Biden to Kickstart Disaster Funding Effort

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for North Carolina Thom Tillis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the White House to rapidly submit a government funding request to Congress that will fully cover costs associated with clean-up and recovery following Hurricanes Helene and Milton so that affected communities can begin to heal. The Senators have previously called for Congress to return to Washington from the October in-state work period to approve federal disaster relief legislation.

In a new bipartisan letter to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Senators Tillis and Warnock, joined by Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ted Budd (R-NC), highlighted the heartbreak facing southern communities recovering from the destruction of these hurricanes, and requested the White House to rapidly submit a detailed supplemental government funding request to Congress that considers the full cost of recovering from these storms so Congress can quickly pass aid for American families.

“We urgently request the White House’s Office of Management and Budget rapidly submit to Congress a detailed supplemental appropriations request that considers the full cost of recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other devastating natural disasters, so Congress can quickly consider supplemental appropriations this year, and affected communities can begin to heal,” wrote the senators.

“Given the immense need, we respectfully ask that the Office of Management and Budget work quickly to determine the costs of recovering from Hurricane Helene and Milton and immediately submit a supplemental appropriations request to Congress that includes this full cost. Congress stands ready to ensure the federal government and our communities have what they need to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and future natural disasters,” the senators concluded.

Text of the full letter is available HERE.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: A Proclamation on National Forest Products Week, 2024

US Senate News:

Source: The White House
Our forests are central to our country’s heritage, history, and economy. Forests support livelihoods across Tribal Nations, rural towns, and big cities — from foresters and loggers to mill workers and carpenters — while also sustaining the health of our environment and our communities. During National Forest Products Week, we recognize that conserving our bountiful forests is critical to sustaining our economy and ensuring that Americans can enjoy the wonder of our forests for generations to come.
As a Nation, we rely on our forests for so much — from cleaning the air we breathe and the water we drink to providing the lumber and paper we use every day. But the existential threat of climate change endangers our forests, putting those jobs, livelihoods, and critical products at risk. After decades of fire suppression and ignoring climate change, wildfire seasons have become wildfire years, burning down communities, destroying forest ecosystems, and upending people’s lives.
My first year in office, I launched the “America the Beautiful” initiative to conserve at least 30 percent of all our Nation’s lands and waters by 2030 through local, voluntary efforts across the country while empowering foresters and farmers to advance sustainable practices to keep working lands productive. These efforts will help strengthen our economy and pass on a healthier planet to our children and grandchildren.
When I came into office, I was determined to conserve our forests while protecting the people who rely on them for jobs. My Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is creating jobs managing our forests, restoring ecosystems, and preventing catastrophic fires. It is investing in the removal of overgrown vegetation near homes and power lines, preparing evacuation routes in areas at risk of wildfires, removing invasive plant species from forests that can cause fire to spread, and planting native tree species that are more resilient to the changing climate. And my Inflation Reduction Act made the largest climate investment ever, putting people to work planting trees, sustainably managing our forests, and working on fire prevention. Together, these actions are producing new jobs that help us care for our forests and keep all of us safe from wildfires.
At the same time, my Administration is working to support the American workers and rural communities producing our forest products. We have awarded millions of dollars in grants to American businesses that support forest conservation, expand the sustainable use of American wood products, and find innovative ways to use our wood waste materials, including to build strong and sustainable buildings. I also take pride in having raised the Federal firefighter minimum wage to $15 per hour — an important first step in ensuring the people who run into flames to keep all of us safe are paid what they deserve.
Conserving our forests is good for our economy, the planet, and the soul of our Nation. This week, may we recommit to responsibly stewarding our forests and the abundant resources they provide so that we may all enjoy their benefits and beauty for years to come.
To recognize the importance of the many products generated by our Nation’s forests, the Congress, by Public Law 86–753 (36 U.S.C. 123), as amended, has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday in October of each year as “National Forest Products Week” and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this week.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 20 through October 26, 2024, as National Forest Products Week. I call upon the people of the United States to join me in this observance and in recognizing all Americans who are responsible for the stewardship of our Nation’s beautiful forested landscapes.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth. JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

MIL OSI USA News –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Prince Albert — Prince Albert RCMP asks public to immediately report sightings of vehicles, suspects involved in robbery

Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

On October 17, 2024 at approximately 4:45 p.m., Prince Albert RCMP received a report of a robbery in the RM of Garden River.

Initial investigation determined two individuals were in a vehicle driving on Garden River Road near Highway #55, northeast of Prince Albert. They approached a vehicle that looked like they were in need of assistance. When they stopped, a male threatened the individuals with a firearm and stole their vehicle.

No physical injuries were reported by the two individuals.

Prince Albert RCMP are actively investigating. Prince Albert Police Service received a report of a robbery near Little Red River Park around 5:40 p.m. on October 17. Their investigation determined two individuals were threatened with a firearm and assaulted, then their vehicle was stolen.

One of the suspect vehicles then struck a vehicle within the City of Prince Albert and fled. No injuries were reported by the occupants of the struck vehicle.

Investigators believe the incidents may be connected.

They are asking the public to report all information about these incidents.

The suspects are described as three males and one female. One male was wearing a red shirt and had many tattoos. Another male was wearing a dark-coloured hoodie.

They may be driving a red 2005 Dodge Dakota pick-up truck with Saskatchewan license plate 529 ISI or a black 2013 Kia Sportage with Saskatchewan license plate 803 MKY.

If you see these vehicles or suspects, do not approach them. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. Be cautious approaching any unknown or suspicious persons.

Report information or suspicious persons to Prince Albert RCMP immediately by dialling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or http://www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Updates will be provided as they become available. We are monitoring this situation. If investigation determines an imminent risk to public safety exists, we will alert the public.

MIL Security OSI –

January 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Providing Financial Support for Survivors and Communities as Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts Continue
Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: FEMA Providing Financial Support for Survivors and Communities as Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts Continue

FEMA Providing Financial Support for Survivors and Communities as Hurricane Response and Recovery Efforts Continue
The Biden-Harris Administration has approved more than $1.8 billion in federal assistance for individuals and communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell continues to lead the federal response, working in coordination with state and local partners to ensure that survivors receive the resources they need to jumpstart their recovery.

Currently, FEMA has deployed more than 4,800 personnel to the affected areas, contributing to a total of over 7,500 federal responders who are working together to support state and local governments in their recovery efforts. FEMA personnel on the ground are actively coordinating with local officials, conducting damage assessments, and helping individuals apply for disaster assistance programs.

Federal assistance for those affected by the hurricanes includes $722 million to support survivors with housing repairs, personal property replacement and other essential recovery efforts. Additionally, over $1.1 billion has been approved for debris removal and emergency protective measures, which are necessary to save lives, protect public health and prevent further damage to public and private property.

Applying for assistance is a critical first step towards recovery. Disaster survivors in certain areas of Georgia, Florida (Helene), Florida (Milton), North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. Individuals affected by the hurricanes are encouraged to apply as soon as they are able to by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov, which is the fastest way to get an application started. Individuals can also apply using the FEMA App, calling 1-800-621-3362 or in person at a local Disaster Recovery Center. Disaster Recovery Centers in the affected communities can provide survivors with in-person help on their applications and answer questions. Center locations can be found at FEMA.gov/DRC. FEMA also has Disaster Survivor Assistance team members in the field supporting survivors and helping them with the application process.

Federal assistance for individuals may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for other federally declared disasters.

FEMA also works with private sector vendors to fulfill critical disaster response needs. The agency contracts with local businesses in affected areas when practical and feasible. Companies interested in doing business with FEMA should follow the steps outlined on the agency’s Doing Business with FEMA webpage. FEMA will only engage with businesses through the formal federal procurement process and solicitations sent directly to individual FEMA staff will not be processed.

Recovery Update

For those affected by Hurricane Helene, FEMA has approved over $1.1 billion in assistance. This includes $655 million in assistance for individuals and families, along with more than $518 million for debris removal and efforts to protect public health and safety. In response to Hurricane Milton, FEMA has approved more than $671 million in assistance, with $67 million allocated for individuals and families and over $604 million for debris removal and safety measures.

To support response and recovery efforts, FEMA delivered over 12.6 million meals and 13.1 million liters of water to states impacted by Helene. For Milton, FEMA delivered more than 2.8 million meals and 1.8 million liters of water to Florida.

FEMA continues to open Disaster Recovery Centers in affected communities, offering in-person assistance, information on available resources and help with FEMA assistance applications. Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are also on the ground in all affected states, helping survivors apply for aid and connect with additional resources from state, local, federal, and voluntary agencies. As of today, FEMA now has 40 Disaster Recovery Centers open and 850 Disaster Survivor Assistance team members on the ground supporting community members.

Support for North Carolina

As ongoing response efforts continue in western North Carolina, FEMA has approved over $108 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 82,000 households.

More than 3,500 applicants who cannot return home are staying in safe and clean lodging through FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance program. Shelter numbers remain steady, with 13 shelters housing just over 520 occupants.

Commodity distribution, mass feeding and hydration operations remain in areas of western North Carolina. Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft.
- Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/Helene to get information and additional assistance.
- Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.
There are over 402 Disaster Survivor Assistance members in communities providing support. There are also 10 Disaster Recovery Centers now open in Asheville, Bakersville, Boone, Brevard, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Marion, Sylva and Waynesville where survivors can speak directly with FEMA and state personnel for assistance with their recovery. To find the nearest center, visit FEMA.gov/DRC.

Support for Florida

In response to Helene, FEMA has approved over $253 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 81,000 households. Additionally, FEMA has approved more than $330 million in Public Assistance for debris removal and emergency work. In response to Milton, FEMA has approved over $67 million in housing and other types of assistance for over 84,000 households. Additionally, FEMA has approved more than $604 million in Public Assistance for debris removal and emergency work. There are 46 Disaster Survivor Assistance members in communities to provide support. There are also 14 Disaster Recovery Centers now open supporting survivors from Debby, Helene and Milton where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Centers are in Bradenton, Branford (2), Brooksville, Glen Saint Mary, Homosassa, Lake City, Largo, Live Oak, Madison, Old Town, Perry, Punta Gorda, Sarasota and Tampa. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.

Support for South Carolina

FEMA has approved over $146 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 151,000 households.

There are 99 Disaster Survivor Assistance members in communities providing support. There are also four Disaster Recovery Centers now open in Anderson, Easley, Greenville and North Augusta where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

Residents with questions on Helene can call the state’s toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-866-246-0133. Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state’s Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.

Support for Georgia

FEMA has approved over $131 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 125,000 households.

There are 185 Disaster Survivor Assistance members in communities providing support. There are also six Disaster Recovery Centers now open in Augusta, Douglas, Lyons, Midway, Sandersville and Valdosta where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene.

Support for Virginia

To date, FEMA has approved over $5.3 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 1,700 households.

There are about 73 Disaster Survivor Assistance members in communities providing support. There are also five Disaster Recovery Centers open in Damascus, Dublin, Independence, Marion and Tazewell where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at: Recover – Hurricane Helene | VDEM (vaemergency.gov).

Support for Tennessee

FEMA has approved more than $12.3 million in housing and other types of assistance for more than 2,600 households.

There are more than 47 Disaster Survivor Assistance members in communities providing support. There is now one Disaster Recovery Center open in Erwin where survivors can speak to state and federal personnel to help with their recovery. Survivors may find their closest center by visiting FEMA.gov/DRC.

Counties continue to establish donation centers. For the evolving list, visit TEMA’s website.

FEMA remains steadfast in its mission to support survivors as they begin their recovery from these historic storms. The agency will continue to work with federal, state, and local partners to ensure the safety and well-being of those impacted by Milton and Helene.
mashana.davis
Fri, 10/18/2024 – 17:52

MIL OSI USA News –
January 24, 2025

Category: Natural Disasters

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Forecast Impact:

Three WA Grid Enhancement Projects Get $208M from Cantwell-Authored Program

Federal grants covering about half of project costs include $85M for Avista, $45M for Puget Sound Energy, $77M for coalition of PNW/Mountain utilities Funds will help make Washington state electric grid more efficient and resistant to wildfires and extreme weather

Recovery Update

Support for North Carolina

Support for Florida

Support for South Carolina

Support for Georgia

Support for Virginia

Support for Tennessee