NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI China: 19 killed in Israeli shelling on central Gaza school

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People are seen at the al-Faluja school after it was attacked by Israeli aircraft in west of the Jabalia refugee camp, northern Gaza Strip, on Sept. 26, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At least 19 Palestinians were killed and dozens of others injured on Sunday in Israeli shelling on a school housing displaced persons in the Nuseirat refugee camp of central Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources.

    Local sources and eyewitnesses reported that Israeli artillery fired on the Al-Mufti school, which houses dozens of displaced families in the northern Nuseirat camp.

    The ambulance crew and civil defense units quickly arrived at the targeted site, they said, adding flashlight beams and mobile phone lights pierced the darkness caused by a power outage as rescue workers worked to transport the injured.

    Paramedics said the rescue team recovered 19 bodies and around 80 injured people, including children and women, and transported them to hospitals in central Gaza.

    Also on Sunday, five children were killed by the Israeli army in the west of the Al-Shati camp of northern Gaza, the Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported.

    The Israeli military has not yet commented on these attacks.

    The ongoing Israeli offensive follows a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which left about 1,200 people dead and around 250 taken hostage. Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday that the Palestinian death toll from the Israeli airstrikes has reached 42,227.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Coastal comeback: shorebirds digging in for another breeding season

    Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage

    Each year threatened birds such as Little Terns, Pied Oystercatchers, Hooded Plovers and Beach Stone-curlews lay their eggs on beaches up and down the east coast, where they are highly camouflaged and can be very difficult to see.

    Due to threats including native and introduced predators, crushing and disturbance from vehicles, humans and domestic dogs, flooding of nesting sites and adverse weather conditions, most beach-nesting birds remain endangered in NSW.

    Here are a few small things you can do to ‘share the shore’ and help endangered beach-nesting birds raise their chicks on our beaches:

    • Keep an eye out for and respect bird nesting signs and fenced-off nesting areas on the beach.
    • Make sure dogs are only walked on an approved dog-beach and always kept on a leash.
    • Walk on the wet sand to avoid nesting birds.
    • Only drive on designated 4WD beaches and stay below the high tide mark to avoid accidentally crushing a chick.
    • Ensure you take fishing lines and rubbish with you, to ensure avoidable deaths from entanglement or ingesting rubbish are avoided.

    Last season was a good one for Little Terns which experienced an almost 15 percent increase in breeding pairs from the previous season across the state.

    For more information on shorebirds in NSW, visit Share the Shore.

    Quotes attributable to NPWS Threatened Species Project Officer Katherine Howard:

    ‘Beach-nesting birds rely on the camouflage of their eggs and chicks to keep them safe, but on busy summer beaches, this strategy can really backfire. You might not see the eggs or chick until it’s too late.

    ‘We need all beach users to “share the shore” with our feathered friends by following a few easy guidelines and leaving some space for birds to raise their families.

    ‘Off-leash dogs may seem harmless, but they are terrifying to birds, causing them to fly away and leave eggs unguarded. Please check online whether dogs are allowed at your beach before you go, keep them on a leash and keep them well away from nesting birds.’

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Doors officially open at Beveridge Fire Brigade

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    4th Lieutenant David Weedon, 2nd Lieutenant Carl White, Captain Jason Smith, 1st Lieutenant: Simon Kolotelo, 3rd Lieutenant: Scott Hadler

    It was a momentous occasion for Beveridge Fire Brigade on the weekend, as they celebrated the completion of their new facilities and were officially recognised as a new brigade.

    Beveridge became a standalone brigade on 21 August 2024 to better service the community, having formerly responded as a satellite station for Kalkallo Fire Brigade.

    Their establishment comes in response to escalating risk to CFA within Melbourne’s Northern Growth Corridor along the Hume Freeway, with previous farming land now rezoned with substantial housing estates being built.

    CFA Board Member Ross Coyle and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Stephen Keating joined Member for Kalkallo Ros Spence at the station on Saturday (12 October) to mark the official opening of the new facilities with Captain Jason Smith and brigade members.

    “It’s really important that we establish a sustainable fire and emergency services response for the benefit of Beveridge community and those that surround them,” Stephen said.

    “Beveridge is one of the fastest-growing areas in the Mitchell Shire. The brigade will continue to see a dramatic change in the region, with an influx of population, transport and commercial risk.

    “We are excited to officially welcome them into CFA’s District 12 and the Mitchell Shire Group.

    “It has been a persistent team effort to see this project through to fruition and I thank everyone involved.”

    “They have worked hard to ensure that the foundations are strong, and that the brigade can meet community expectations.”

    The much-improved station includes a dedicated turnout room, brigade meeting and training room, office space and kitchenette. The facilities also boast toilet and shower amenities for men and women and private change areas, as well as a drying room for wet turnout gear and a breathing apparatus cleaning room.

    Captain Jason Smith said it is an exciting time and a fantastic opportunity for community members to volunteer and be a part of something new.

    “Our facilities at Lithgow Street have undergone an extensive refurbishment,” Jason said.

    “Our 26 members are enthusiastic about commencing operations and supporting our quickly expanding community of Beveridge now and into the future.

    “In our first month of operations, we responded to ten primary emergency calls and 30 support calls, and we are currently forecast to turnout to over 400 emergency calls a year.”

    Following the motions outlined in a public meeting in November 2023, a new brigade was formed, a secretary was confirmed, and 18 foundation members were identified from Kalkallo.

    CFA Chief Fire Officer Jason Hefferan signed final approval on 2 February 2024, before inaugural Brigade elections were conducted on 14 May 2024 and the first Brigade Management Team (BMT) was appointed.

    The brigade currently has 19 operational male members and one female, while five new members are currently undertaking their General Firefighting training.

    The Beveridge Fire Station upgrade project cost $840,000 and was funded through the CFA Capital Works Program.

    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Youths charged over several matters including arson

    Source: Tasmania Police

    Youths charged over several matters including arson

    Monday, 14 October 2024 – 4:04 pm.

    Police have charged two youths and a young adult over a series of offences in southern Tasmania last week.
    The offences, all allegedly committed on Friday, include a deliberately lit property fire at Otago, damage to vehicle windows, the theft of an e-scooter and the attempted theft of a mobile phone.
    Police have charged an 18-year-old Otago man and a 15-year-old boy with two counts of arson, aggravated armed robbery, attempted aggravated armed robbery, aggravated burglary and four counts of stealing and destroy property.
    A 12-year-old girl has also been charged with aggravated armed robbery, attempted aggravated armed robbery and other offences.
    The man was detained to appear in court, and the youths were bailed to appear at a later date.
    Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact Bellerive CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania at crimestopperstas.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Large Grassfire – Alice Springs

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) responded to a large grassfire in Alice Springs over the weekend.

    Around 11pm on Friday 11 October 2024, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a grass fire near Kurrajong Drive , East Side, with the fire moving in a westerly direction towards nearby residences.

    NTFRS Firefighters and volunteers deployed and began working to protect lives and property, particularly in the areas behind Burke Street, while Bushfires NT assisted with aerial surveys.

    Four grass fire units and two tankers worked throughout the night battling the blaze with the fire burning an estimated 180 hectares. Firefighting efforts concluded around 5:20pm on Saturday 12 October.

    The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

    Thankfully no lives or property was lost.

    NTFRS Acting District Officer Anthony Blakeley said “I would like to commend the huge effort from NTFRS and Volunteer firefighters, who worked long hours in challenging conditions, protecting the Alice Springs Community.

    “Alice Springs residences are no strangers to wildfires and mitigation strategies are crucial to ensuring your families safety. Update your Bushfire Survival Plan, Ensure you have 4 metre firebreaks around your property and clear and remove all loose debris.”

    To find out more information, visit https://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/fire-and-rescue-service/publications  and stay up to date with the Australian Warning System by checking the Fire Incident Map (https://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/incidentmap)  or by subscribing to alerts and warnings on the NTPFES website via https://pfes.nt.gov.au/newsroom/subscribe-ntpfes-media-releases-alerts.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: This beautiful peacock spider was only found two years ago. Now it could be dancing its last dance

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lizzy Lowe, Vice Chancellor’s Research Fellow in Ecology and Entomology, Edith Cowan University

    If you notice a tiny, strikingly coloured spider performing an elaborate courtship dance, you may have seen your first peacock spider.

    New species of peacock spider are discovered every year; the tally is now 113. One newly discovered species, Maratus yanchep, is only known to exist in a small area of coastal dunes near Yanchep, north of Perth.

    As Perth’s suburbs sprawl ever further north and south, it means one problem – the housing crisis – is worsening another, the extinction crisis.

    The dunes which are home to Maratus yanchep are just 20 metres from land being cleared for large new estates.

    If the species was formally listed as threatened, it could be protected. But the spider was only described in 2022 and has not been listed on state or federal threatened species lists. That means Maratus yanchep has no protection, according to the state government.

    What’s so special about a spider?

    Peacock spiders are tiny. Many have bodies just 4–5 mm across. The males only put on their mating displays during short periods of the year, typically August to September. Their size and habits also make it hard to learn about their populations and preferred habitats. This is partly why we’re only now realising how many peacock spider species there are.

    Concerted effort by enthusiasts such as Jurgen Otto has greatly expanded our knowledge. Of the 113 described species, each has distinctive colouring and its own dances (males have the colour and the moves). But we know there are more species of peacock spider waiting to be recognised by western science.

    Many species of peacock spider are only known from within a very small area of suitable habitat.

    This puts the species at high risk of extinction because a single threat such as a large bushfire or a suburban development can destroy all their habitat at once.

    Peacock spiders such as this Maratus tasmanicus are tiny but pack a lot of personality.
    Kristian Bell/Shutterstock

    How can this be allowed?

    Before any native bushland is cleared in Australia, developers have to undertake an environmental impact survey to look for threatened species and assess what damage the development would do. If a threatened species is found, the development can be scaled back or denied.

    The problem is, these surveys only look for species known to be in danger. If a species isn’t listed on Australia’s growing list of threatened species, it won’t be looked for.

    But Maratus yanchep has not been assessed to see if it is threatened. This means it has no protection from development.

    This points to a wider problem. Large, well-known Australian vertebrates such as koalas and platypuses tend to get more attention – and conservation efforts – than humble invertebrates. We face an uphill battle to conserve our wealth of invertebrates.

    Worldwide, many invertebrates are in real danger of disappearing. Australia is home to at least 300,000 invertebrate species, dwarfing the 8,000-odd vertebrates – but only 101 are currently listed under the federal government’s laws protecting threatened species, the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act. The problem here is we don’t have enough data to assess most invertebrate species for formal conservation listing and protection.

    Data takes money

    Listing a species as threatened requires a large amount of data on where the species is and isn’t found. This takes time and specialist knowledge. But funding is scarce.

    As a result, our efforts to gather data on invertebrates often relies on passionate volunteers and enthusiasts, who may often pick one genus – say peacock spiders – and set out to expand our knowledge.

    When clear and immediate threats do appear – such as clearing coastal dunes in Yanchep – we are again reliant on the unpaid work of volunteers to gather information.

    The problem of sprawl

    Perth is one of the longest cities in the world. Its suburbs sprawl for 150 kilometres, running from Two Rocks in the north to Dawesville in the south.

    Many Perth residents want to live by the coast, driving demand for new housing on the city outskirts. This drives destruction of native bushland and pushes species towards extinction. Some species tolerate the change from bushland to suburbia, but these are a minority – less than 25%. Small, localised species are at highest risk of extinction.

    Perth’s sprawl shows no sign of slowing. Land clearing for housing has contributed to the worsening plight of the Carnaby’s cockatoo. Fifty years ago, the iconic cockatoo flew over the city in flocks as large as 7,000. There’s nothing like that now.

    Perth’s urban sprawl now stretches beyond Yanchep. Pictured: Yanchep’s beach. The bush area in the background is where maratus yanchep lives.
    Kok Kin Meng/Shutterstock

    What can we do?

    Efforts are underway to protect Maratus yanchep. The not-for-profit charity Invertebrates Australia is working to nominate it for the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Greens MP Brad Pettitt raised the issue in Parliament in August.

    The one thing peacock spiders have going for them is their looks. They are spectacularly beautiful. They’re also easily identified by the distinct patterns on the males – for most species you don’t need expert training to tell them apart, just decent eyesight.

    As a result, peacock spiders have drawn attention from dozens of amateur arachnologists and photographers who collect and share information on where they can be found. This citizen science data is often able to be used as evidence in listing a species as threatened – and unlocking vital protection.

    Images of these spiders also boosts their public profile and support for their protection.

    Despite the recent groundswell of interest in saving this tiny spider, it may be too late. To avoid the mass extinction of iconic Australian species, we must find better ways of building without large-scale habitat clearing.



    Read more:
    Photos from the field: zooming in on Australia’s hidden world of exquisite mites, snails and beetles

    Lizzy Lowe is affiliated with Invertebrates Australia

    Jess Marsh is affiliated with Invertebrates Australia.

    Dr Leanda Denise Mason is affiliated with Centre for People, Place, and Planet.

    – ref. This beautiful peacock spider was only found two years ago. Now it could be dancing its last dance – https://theconversation.com/this-beautiful-peacock-spider-was-only-found-two-years-ago-now-it-could-be-dancing-its-last-dance-238437

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU statement on recent attacks against UNIFIL

    Source: Government of Sweden

    EU statement on recent attacks against UNIFIL – Government.se

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    Statement by Ministry for Foreign Affairs

    Published

    Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on recent attacks against UNIFIL.

    The European Union expresses its grave concern about the recent escalation along the Blue Line. The EU condemns all attacks against UN missions. It expresses particularly grave concern regarding the attacks by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which left several peacekeepers wounded. Such attacks against UN peacekeepers constitute a grave violation of international law and are totally unacceptable. These attacks must stop immediately.

    All actors have an obligation to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. We urgently await explanations and a thorough investigation from the Israeli authorities about the attacks against UNIFIL, which plays a fundamental role in the stability of South Lebanon.

    We urge all parties to fully uphold their obligations to guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel at all times, and to allow UNIFIL to continue to implement its mandate.

    The troops and other personnel of UNIFIL, to which sixteen EU Member States currently contribute, are working under difficult conditions in the defence of international peace and security. The EU pays tribute to their professionalism and renews its unwavering support to UNIFIL’s role.

    We are also deeply concerned by Hezbollah’s continued launch of rockets into Israel that has to stop, and by IDF strikes in densely populated areas of Lebanon, causing a heavy toll on civilians and the displacement of many. We urge all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law, in all circumstances.

    The EU reiterates its call for an immediate ceasefire in Lebanon, and for all parties to commit and work towards the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1701.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on postal services to United States

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Hongkong Post announced today (October 14) that, as advised by the postal administration of the United States, due to the impact of hurricane, mail delivery services to areas with postcodes 006–009, 214–268, 300–352, 354–399, 700, 701, 703–708, 710–714, 716–729 and 801–851 are subject to delay.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Weather News – Clear skies and colder temperatures on the way – MetService

    Source: MetService

    Covering period of Monday 14 – Thursday 17 October – While showers and wind gusts of up to 90km/h, and possibly also thunderstorms and hail affect northern and central Aotearoa New Zealand today (Monday), MetService is forecasting clear skies for much of the working week.

    A low-pressure system west of Taranaki resulted in a wet and windy start to the week for much of the country, with especially persistent and heavy rain for the south coast of the North Island. MetService’s Kelburn weather station recorded its fifth wettest 9am-9am period for October, measuring 70.2mm of rain, with records there tracing back to 1927. While this persistent rain is on its way out this afternoon, further showers and gusty winds are expected for the North Island as the low begins to traverse the country.

    MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon says, “The passage of the low brings a risk of thunderstorms and hail for much of the North Island, with the risk mainly inland for areas south of the Bay of Plenty. Auckland and Northland could see strong wind gusts of 90 km/h this evening.”

    Down south it’s a fine day, but an approaching cold front brings rain with snow to 800 metres over the Deep South tonight. As the front sweeps northwards over the country on Tuesday, colder temperatures will be noticeable, alongside a period of rain for eastern areas.

    Behind the front, skies clear and winds ease, though the cold air lingers. Frosts are in store for the South Island and interior North Island, and daytime temperatures in the east are expected to be 4 – 6°C below their October averages.

    “We expect this fine weather to stick around for much of the working week, before taking a wetter turn over the upper South Island on Friday,” adds Wotherspoon.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Donalds Partners With Federal, State, And Local Leaders To Streamline Hurricane Milton Preparation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL)

    Donalds Partners With Federal, State, And Local Leaders To Streamline Hurricane Milton Preparation

    Naples, Fla., October 8, 2024

    NAPLES, Fla. – Today, Congressman Byron Donalds joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-FL), and other local leaders from across Southwest Florida at the Lee County Emergency Operations Center.

    Together, the lawmakers were briefed ahead of Hurricane Milton’s projected landfall tomorrow on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno, additional members of local law enforcement, and local emergency management officials presented local plans of action to the lawmakers.

    The Office of Congressman Byron Donalds is closely monitoring Hurricane Milton and is actively coordinating storm preparations alongside federal, state, and local partners. The Congressman and his team stand ready to support our Southwest Florida community and ensure all necessary resources are available.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Behavioral Health Resources Available for People Impacted by Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Behavioral Health Resources Available for People Impacted by Hurricane Helene

    Behavioral Health Resources Available for People Impacted by Hurricane Helene
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    Whether directly or indirectly, millions of people in North Carolina have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. Natural disasters are traumatic for individuals, families and communities, and there is no right or wrong way to feel. After a hurricane, it’s even more important to get mental health support if you believe you or a loved one may need help, and to stay in contact with family and friends as soon as your access to communications is restored. 

    “You are not alone, there is always someone to call and someone to respond if you need help with your mental or behavioral health,” said NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley. “Hurricane Helene brought catastrophic damage that will be felt immediately and for weeks, months and years to come. We are committed to helping those who are impacted right now, and for the long haul.”

    The following resources are always available if you or a loved one need help immediately:

    • The national Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year resource dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people impacted by a natural disaster or emergency. Help is available in English and Spanish. Deaf and Hard of Hearing ASL callers can call or text through their preferred Relay provider.
    • Help is also available to anyone, anytime in English or Spanish through a call, text or chat to 988. Learn more at 988Lifeline.org. The person who answers your call is a trained counselor and can provide immediate support.
    • The statewide Peer Warmline, 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762), is staffed 24/7 by Peer Support Specialists who offer non-clinical support and resources to those in crisis. Peers are people living in recovery with mental illness and/or substance use disorder who provide support through the lens of personal lived experience.
    • For first responders and volunteers, it’s important to take care of yourself while you take care of others. For stress, emotional fatigue, a mental health crisis or just someone to talk to, call Hope4NC Helpline at 1-855-587-3463 for free, confidential, 24/7 support.
    • The Disability Disaster Hotline, 800-626-4959, provides information, referrals and guidance to people with disabilities and their families during disasters. Help is available 24/7.
    • People who are uninsured or have Medicaid can also call the crisis line of the Local Management Entity/Managed Care Organization in their region:
      • Partners: 1-833-353-2093 (serves western region)
      • Vaya Health: 1-800-849-6127 (serves western region)
      • Alliance: 1-877-223-4617
      • Trillium: 1-888-302-0738

    There are also resources available for people impacted by Hurricane Helene who are experiencing a crisis and need a safe place for care, as well as those have a mental health diagnosis or substance use disorder.

    Mental Health Crisis Care
    Community Crisis centers (facility-based crisis) are starting to re-open. Community Crisis & Detox Centers open as of Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024:

    • The Balsam Center, Haywood County – Open
    • Foothills Regional Treatment Center, Caldwell County – Open
    • Neil Dobbins Center and C3356 BHUC, Buncombe County – Closed
    • Caiyalynn Burrell Child Crisis Center, Buncombe County – Closed
    • Synergy Recovery, Wilkes County – Open

    Walk-in Clinics 
    People can walk into a clinic for mental health or substance use care the same way urgent care clinics help people with immediate physical health needs.  Walk-in Mental Health centers are open in more than two dozen counties that may have been impacted by Hurricane Helene.  You can view a list of walk-in clinics that are open here: Hurricane Recovery Resources – Vaya Health.

    Mobile Crisis Response
    Mobile Crisis teams are operating throughout the disaster area. Mobile Crisis teams can send trained clinicians to a home, community, or shelter to respond to an urgent need.  To get connected with a mobile crisis team, you can call Vaya Health at 1-800-849-6127 and they will respond to you as soon as possible depending on your location.

    For the most up to date info on Behavioral Health resources in the area, please reach out to Vaya Health’s Behavioral Health Crisis Line at 1-800-849-6127.

    Opioid Treatment Available 
    All Opioid Treatment Programs in the storm-impacted region are currently open. If you need to find a program, there is a real-time map with location, contact information and hours of operation available at thecentralregistry.com/map. Programs are working with emergency shelters, and all shelters have overdose rescue medications on-hand to provide emergency assistance to shelter residents if needed.

    Behavioral Health Shelter Support
    Most emergency shelters also have a behavioral health clinician and mental health services available onsite to support people currently residing in the shelter until they are able to return home or secure temporary housing. If additional supports, are needed, shelter staff can reach out to Vaya Health at 1-800-849-6127.

    Connections App
    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is using the Connections App to make evidence-based support for mental health and substance use recovery available to anyone in Western North Carolina. It is free and confidential. Enroll at signup.connectionsapp.com to receive services like 24/7 peer support, virtual meetings and access to an online community of people in recovery from substance use. Whether you’re in treatment, have a provider, or are seeking support for the first time, the Connections App can help support you. Watch a short video to learn more.

    Access to Medication
    For people who take regular medications for anxiety, depression, or any other mental health needs, it is important to maintain your regular medication schedule as much as possible. With some exceptions, the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program enables pharmacists to dispense a one-time emergency supply of up to 90 days of a prescribed medication when they are unable to reach the prescribing medical provider, and a one-time emergency refill of up to a 30-day supply.

    Visit www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene to locate a pharmacy that is open and operating in Western North Carolina.

    Medicaid Flexibilities
    Temporary flexibilities for people on NC Medicaid are in place to make it easier for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and traumatic brain injury to continue to receive services and avoid care disruptions related to the hurricane. Detailed information on these flexibilities and all the services they cover can be found in the Oct. 4 press release, Additional Temporary Flexibilities in Place for Medicaid Beneficiaries Due to Hurricane Helene Devastation.

    NCDHHS will continue to work with local, state and federal partners to ensure the people and families in communities impacted by Hurricane Helene have access to both the physical and mental health services they need to recover from the storm.

    Whether people need help right away after the hurricane, or later on as recovery continues, it’s never too early or too late to ask for support. Please reach out as help is always available to those who need it.

    a sea directa o indirectamente, millones de personas en Carolina del Norte se han visto afectadas por el huracán Helene. Los desastres naturales son traumáticos para las personas, las familias y las comunidades, y no hay una forma correcta o incorrecta de sentirse. Después de un huracán, es aún más importante obtener apoyo de salud mental si cree que usted o un ser querido pueden necesitar ayuda, y mantenerse en contacto con familiares y amigos tan pronto como se restablezca su acceso a las comunicaciones.

    “No está solo, siempre hay alguien a quien llamar y alguien que responda si necesita ayuda con su salud mental o conductual”, dijo el secretario de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte, Kody H. Kinsley. “El huracán Helene trajo daños catastróficos que se sentirán de inmediato y durante semanas, meses y años. Estamos comprometidos a ayudar a aquellos que se ven afectados en este momento y a largo plazo “.  

    Los siguientes recursos siempre están disponibles si usted o un ser querido necesitan ayuda de inmediato:

    • La Línea Nacional de Ayuda para los Afectados por Catástrofes, 1-800-985-5990, es un recurso disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, los 365 días del año, dedicado a brindar asesoramiento inmediato en caso de crisis a las personas afectadas por un desastre natural o una emergencia. La ayuda está disponible en inglés y español. Los sordos y personas con problemas de audición, o que usan el lenguaje de señas estadounidense (ASL, por sus siglas en inglés) pueden llamar o enviar mensajes de texto a través de su proveedor de retransmisión/relé preferido.
    • La ayuda también está disponible para cualquier persona, en cualquier momento en inglés o español a través de una llamada, mensaje de texto o chat al 988. Más información en Linea988.org/es. La persona que responde a su llamada es un consejero capacitado y puede brindarle apoyo inmediato.
    • La línea estatal de ayuda entre pares, Peer Warmline, 1-855-PEERS NC (855-733-7762), cuenta con especialistas en apoyo entre pares las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, que ofrecen apoyo y recursos no clínicos a las personas en crisis. Los pares son personas que viven en recuperación con enfermedad mental y/o trastorno por uso de sustancias que brindan apoyo a través de la perspectiva de sus propias experiencias vividas.
    • Para los miembros de equipos de rescate inmediato y los voluntarios, es importante cuidarse a sí mismo mientras cuida a los demás. Para el estrés, la fatiga emocional, una crisis de salud mental o simplemente alguien con quien hablar, llame a la Línea de Ayuda Hope4NC al 1-855-587-3463 para obtener asistencia gratuita y confidencial las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana.
    • La Línea Directa de Desastres para Discapacitados (Disability Disaster Hotline), 800-626-4959, proporciona información, referencias y orientación a las personas con discapacidades y sus familias durante los desastres. Hay ayuda disponible en cualquier día a cualquier hora.
    • Las personas que no tienen seguro o tienen Medicaid también pueden llamar a la línea de crisis de la Entidad de Gestión Local/Organización de Atención Administrada en su región:
      • Partners: 1-833-353-2093 (sirve a la región del oeste)
      • Vaya Health: 1-800-849-6127 (sirve a la región del oeste)
      • Alliance: 1-877-223-4617
      • Trillium: 1-888-302-0738

    También hay recursos disponibles para las personas afectadas por el huracán Helene que están experimentando una crisis y necesitan un lugar seguro para recibir atención, así como para aquellas que tienen un diagnóstico de salud mental o un trastorno por uso de sustancias.

    Crisis de salud mental
    Los Centros Comunitarios de Crisis (crisis en instalaciones) están comenzando a reabrir. Los Centros Comunitarios de Crisis y Desintoxicación abren a partir del jueves, 10 de octubre de 2024:

    • El Centro Balsam (The Balsam Center), condado de Haywood – Abierto
    • Centro de Tratamiento Regional de Foothills (Foothills Regional Treatment Center) , condado de Caldwell – Abierto
    • Centro Neil Dobbins (Neil Dobbins Center) y el Centro de atención urgente de salud mental C3356 (C3356 BHUC), condado de Buncombe – Cerrado
    • Centro de Crisis Infantil Caiyalynn Burrell (Caiyalynn Burrell Child Crisis Center), condado de Buncombe – Cerrado
    • Centro de recuperación Synergy (Synergy Recovery), condado de Wilkes – Abierto

    Clínicas ambulatorias que no requieren cita previa 
    Las personas pueden ingresar a una clínica para recibir atención de salud mental o por uso de sustancias de la misma manera que las clínicas de atención de urgencia ayudan a las personas con necesidades inmediatas de salud física. Los centros de salud mental sin cita previa están abiertos en más de dos docenas de condados que pueden haber sido afectados por el huracán Helene. Puede ver una lista de clínicas ambulatorias en las que no necesita cita previa y que están abiertas aquí: Recursos de Recuperación del Huracán – Vaya Health.

    Servicios móviles de respuesta ante crisis
    Los equipos de servicios móviles de respuesta ante crisis están operando en toda la zona del desastre. Los equipos móviles de respuesta ante crisis pueden enviar médicos capacitados a un hogar, comunidad o refugio para responder a una necesidad urgente. Para ponerse en contacto con un equipo móvil de respuesta ante crisis, puede llamar a Vaya Health al 1-800-849-6127 y le responderán lo antes posible dependiendo de su ubicación.

    Para obtener la información más actualizada sobre los recursos de salud conductual en el área, comuníquese con la Línea de Crisis de Salud Conductual de Vaya Health al 1-800-849-6127.

    Tratamiento contra opioides disponible
    Todos los programas de tratamiento contra opioides en la región afectada por la tormenta están actualmente abiertos. Si necesita encontrar un programa, hay un mapa en tiempo real con ubicación, información de contacto y horarios disponibles en thecentralregistry.com/map. Los programas están trabajando con refugios de emergencia, y todos los refugios tienen medicamentos de rescate para sobredosis disponibles para brindar asistencia de emergencia a los residentes del refugio si es necesario.

    Apoyos de salud conductual para refugios
    La mayoría de los refugios de emergencia también tienen un médico de salud conductual y servicios de salud mental disponibles en el lugar para apoyar a las personas que actualmente residen en el refugio hasta que puedan regresar a casa u obtener una vivienda temporal. Si se necesita apoyos adicionales, el personal del refugio puede comunicarse con Vaya Health al 1-800-849-6127.

    Aplicación Connections
    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte está utilizando la aplicación Connections para poner a disposición de cualquier persona en el oeste de Carolina del Norte el apoyo basado en la evidencia para la recuperación de la salud mental y el uso de sustancias. Es gratuito y confidencial. Inscríbase en signup.connectionsapp.com para recibir servicios como apoyo entre pares las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, reuniones virtuales y acceso a una comunidad en línea de personas en recuperación del uso de sustancias. Ya sea que esté en tratamiento, tenga un proveedor o esté buscando ayuda por primera vez, la aplicación Connections puede ayudarlo. Mire un vídeo corto para obtener más información. 

    Acceso a medicamentos
    Para las personas que toman medicamentos regulares para la ansiedad, la depresión o cualquier otra necesidad de salud mental, es importante mantener su horario regular de medicamentos tanto como sea posible. Con algunas excepciones, el Programa de Asistencia de Recetas de Emergencia permite a los farmacéuticos dispensar un suministro de emergencia único de hasta 90 días de un medicamento recetado cuando no pueden comunicarse con el proveedor médico que lo prescribe, y una recarga de emergencia única de un suministro de hasta 30 días. Visite http://www.ncbop.org/emergencyoperatingpharmacieshelene para localizar una farmacia abierta y en funcionamiento en el oeste de Carolina del Norte.

    Flexibilidades de Medicaid
    Existen flexibilidades temporales para las personas con Medicaid de Carolina del Norte para facilitar que las personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo y lesiones cerebrales traumáticas continúen recibiendo servicios y eviten interrupciones en la atención relacionadas con el huracán. La información detallada sobre estas flexibilidades y todos los servicios que cubren se puede encontrar en el comunicado de prensa del 4 de octubre, Flexibilidades temporales adicionales para los beneficiarios de Medicaid debido a la devastación del huracán Helene.

    El Departamento de Salud Y servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte continuará trabajando con socios locales, estatales y federales para garantizar que las personas y familias en las comunidades afectadas por el huracán Helene tengan acceso a los servicios de salud física y mental que necesitan para recuperarse de la tormenta.

    Ya sea que las personas necesiten ayuda inmediatamente después del huracán o más tarde a medida que continúa la recuperación, nunca es demasiado pronto o demasiado tarde para pedir ayuda. Póngase en contacto con nosotros, ya que siempre hay ayuda disponible para quienes la necesiten.

    Oct 10, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NCDHHS Urges Well and Septic Safety Following Hurricane Helene

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NCDHHS Urges Well and Septic Safety Following Hurricane Helene

    NCDHHS Urges Well and Septic Safety Following Hurricane Helene
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    The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is urging western North Carolinians who rely on a private well for their drinking water and were impacted by Hurricane Helene to continue to use bottled, boiled or treated water until private wells can be disinfected and tested for dangerous bacteria. Safety measures and precautions are also needed for septic systems that have been impacted by the storm before returning to use.

    More than 300,000 people in or near flood-impacted areas in western North Carolina are estimated to rely on private wells, and the number on septic systems is estimated to be slightly higher. People in flood and storm-impacted areas should have their private wells and septic systems inspected and repaired if damaged. Wells should be disinfected and tested after repairs to ensure water safety, while septic systems should be inspected to confirm they are functioning properly. These steps are essential to help keep individuals and their families safe following the storm.

    North Carolinians who lost access to water or septic through a private well or damaged septic system as a result of Hurricane Helene may be eligible for FEMA assistance. Visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-3362 to apply for FEMA disaster assistance and learn about other resources available to help you and your family recover from the storm.

    Safety Measures for Private Wells
    Excessive rain and flooding can cause water in private wells to become contaminated, meaning the water can make people sick if it is consumed. People with medical conditions can be particularly susceptible to severe illness or even death related to dangerous bacteria from contaminated wells.

    After a flood, your private well must be assessed for damage, disinfected and tested. It is critical that people do not drink or use water from a private well that has been damaged or flooded until it has been properly disinfected and tested after the storm. Potentially contaminated water should not be used for drinking, washing and preparing food, making ice, preparing baby formula, washing dishes, brushing teeth or washing hands. Use an alternative water source until testing confirms contamination is no longer detected in your water. Alternative sources include bottled water, a source you know isn’t contaminated or boiling your water for at least one minute before use.

    Follow these steps to assess your well:

    • Wait to turn on electricity. Do not turn on the electricity to your pump until flood waters recede.
    • Check your well for damage. If your well is damaged, contact a licensed well driller for assistance. You can search for well contractors in your county at Find Certified Well Contractors.
    • Disinfect your well. If you are able to determine your well is not damaged, and you already have the necessary disinfection materials on-hand, you can disinfect your well to prepare it to be tested. Use the NCDHHS instructions on How to Disinfect Your Well After a Flood for assistance.
      • If you do not have disinfectant supplies or have questions about disinfecting your well, contact your local health department for assistance.
    • Test your well. Because you cannot see, taste or smell bacterial contamination in your well, it is imperative to have the water tested after disinfection to determine whether it is safe for use. 
      • The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health provides free testing available through local health departments. 
      • If you live near animal feeding operations, agricultural fields where pesticides are applied or industrial chemical factories, you should talk with your local health department about additional testing, especially if you smell fuel or chemicals in your water.
    • Interpret your results. Your local health department or testing lab will provide the water testing results back to the well owner as quickly as possible. If you need help interpreting your results, you can use the online Be Well Informed tool (select North Carolina) or contact the NCDHHS Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch at 919-707-5900 or oeeb@dhhs.nc.gov.

    In response to Hurricane Helene, the NC State Laboratory of Public Health and NCDHHS Environmental Health Section are working to provide both disinfection and sampling kits at Point of Distribution locations across Western North Carolina. More details will be announced soon.

    Safety Measures for Septic Systems
    Your septic system can also pose a public health risk after a flood or storm because of sewage back up, dangerous gases or contaminated wastewater. It is important to keep your family, especially children and pets, away from areas affected by sewage or wastewater to reduce the risk of disease.

    If your property was affected by flooding or damage from Hurricane Helene, follow these steps to protect your septic system and your health:

    • If your property has been flooded, do not use the plumbing system while the septic tank is still under water.
    • Look for signs that your septic system may have been damaged, such as soil settling around the septic tank or drain field, septic system components that have moved or surfaced, or sewage backup into your home or wastewater on the ground.
    • Do not use your plumbing system if sewage water has backed up into your home and avoid contact with any sewage from a septic tank that is not operating.
    • Avoid putting floodwater or disinfectants into the system as these can cause further damage. Instead, contact your local health department if your system requires repairs.
    • Have your septic system inspected by a certified wastewater system inspector after a flood or if you suspect storm-related damage. You can call the NC Onsite Wastewater Contractors and Inspectors Certification Board at 336-202-3126 to find a certified inspector near you.
    • Before restoring power to the system, ensure your electrical and system components are working properly. Check the electrical system for any damage, clean the effluent filter or screen, and determine whether your septic tank needs to be pumped by a licensed professional before coming back online.
    • For assistance or additional information on repairing or constructing a septic tank system, contact your county health department.

    If your flood or storm-impacted septic system has caused sewage to back up into your home, take precautions while cleaning the area to avoid exposure or direct contact with the debris. Wear rubber gloves, boots, and eye protection while cleaning and disinfecting the area. See the NCDHHS after the flood flyer for additional information about safety measures to help keep yourself and your family safe when cleaning up after a flood. More Hurricane Helene resources are available at ncdhhs.gov/helene. 

    El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos de Carolina del Norte recomienda a los habitantes del oeste de Carolina del Norte que dependen de un pozo privado para su agua potable y se vieron afectados por el huracán Helene a que continúen utilizando agua embotellada, hervida o tratada hasta que los pozos privados puedan desinfectarse y analizarse para detectar bacterias peligrosas. También se necesitan medidas de seguridad y precauciones para los sistemas sépticos afectados por la tormenta antes de volver a usarlos.

    Se estima que más de 300,000 personas en o cerca de las áreas afectadas por las inundaciones en el oeste de Carolina del Norte dependen de pozos privados, y se estima que el número de sistemas sépticos es un poco más alto. Las personas en áreas afectadas porinundaciones y tormentas deben inspeccionar sus pozos privados y sistemas sépticos y repararlos si están dañados. Los pozos deben desinfectarse y analizarse después de las reparaciones para garantizar la seguridad del agua, mientras que los sistemas sépticos deben inspeccionarse para confirmar que funcionan correctamente. Estos pasos son esenciales para ayudar a mantener a las personas y sus familias seguras después de la tormenta.

    Los habitantes de Carolina del Norte que perdieron el acceso al agua o al séptico a través de un pozo privado o un sistema séptico dañado debido al huracán Helene pueden ser elegibles para recibir asistencia de FEMA. Visite disasterassistance.gov o llame al 800-621-3362 para solicitar asistencia por desastre de FEMA y obtener información sobre otros recursos disponibles para ayudarlo a usted y a su familia a recuperarse debido a la tormenta.

    Medidas de seguridad para pozos privados
    El exceso de lluvia y las inundaciones pueden contaminar el agua de los pozos privados, lo que significa que el agua puede enfermar a las personas si se consume. Las personas con afecciones médicas pueden ser particularmente susceptibles a enfermedades graves o incluso a la muerte relacionadas con bacterias peligrosas de pozos contaminados.

    Después de una inundación, su pozo privado debe ser revisado por daños, desinfectado y analizado. Es sumamente importante que las personas no beban ni usen agua de un pozo privado que haya sido dañado o inundado hasta que haya sido desinfectado y analizadoadecuadamente después de la tormenta. Agua posiblemente contaminada no debe usarse para beber, lavar y preparar alimentos, hacer hielo, preparar fórmula para bebés, lavar platos, cepillarse los dientes o lavarse las manos. Utilice una fuente de agua alternativa hasta que los análisis confirmen que ya no se detecta contaminación en su agua. Las fuentes alternativas incluyen agua embotellada, una fuente que sabe que no está contaminada o hervir el agua durante al menos un minuto antes de su uso.

    Siga estos pasos para evaluar su pozo:

    • Espere para encender la electricidad. No encienda la electricidad de su bomba hasta que las aguas de la inundación retrocedan.
    • Revise su pozo en busca de daños. Si su pozo está dañado, comuníquese con un taladrador de pozos con licencia para obtener ayuda. Puede buscar contratistas de pozos en su condado en Encontrar contratistas de pozos certificados.
    • Desinfecte su pozo. Si puede determinar que su pozo no está dañado y ya tiene los materiales de desinfección necesarios a mano, puede desinfectar su pozo para prepararlo para el análisis. Use las instrucciones del NCDHHS sobre Cómo desinfectar su pozo después de una inundación para obtener ayuda.
      • Si no tiene suministros desinfectantes o tiene preguntas sobre la desinfección de su pozo, comuníquese con su departamento de salud local para obtener ayuda.
    • Realice un análisis de su pozo. Debido a que no puede ver, saborear u oler la contaminación bacteriana en su pozo, es importantísimo analizar el agua después de la desinfección para determinar si es segura para su uso.
      • El Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública de Carolina del Norte ofrece pruebas gratuitas disponibles a través de los departamentos de salud locales.
      • Si vive cerca de operaciones de alimentación de animales, campos agrícolas donde se aplican pesticidas o fábricas de productos químicos industriales, debe hablar con su departamento de salud local sobre pruebas adicionales, especialmente si huele a combustible o productos químicos en el agua.
    • Interprete sus resultados. Su departamento de salud local o laboratorio de pruebas proporcionará los resultados de las pruebas de agua al propietario del pozo lo más rápido posible. Si necesita ayuda para interpretar sus resultados, puede usar la herramienta en línea Be Well Informed (seleccione Carolina del Norte) o comuníquese con la Sección de Epidemiología Ocupacional y Ambiental de NCDHHS al 919-707-5900 ooeeb@dhhs.nc.gov.

    En respuesta al huracán Helene, el Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública de Carolina del Norte y la Sección de Salud Ambiental de NCDHHS están trabajando para proporcionar kits de desinfección y muestreo en los puntos de distribución en todo el oeste de Carolina del Norte. Más detalles se anunciarán pronto.

    Medidas de seguridad para sistemas sépticos
    Su sistema séptico también puede representar un riesgo para la salud pública después de una inundación o tormenta debido a la acumulación de aguas residuales, gases peligrosos o aguas residuales contaminadas. Es importante mantener a su familia, especialmente a los niños y las mascotas, alejados de las áreas afectadas por las aguas residuales para reducir el riesgo de enfermedades.
    Si su propiedad estuvo afectada por inundaciones o daños causados por el huracán Helene,siga estos pasos para proteger su sistema séptico y su salud:

    • Si su propiedad se ha inundado, no use el sistema de plomería mientras el tanque séptico todavía esté bajo el agua.
    • Busque señas de que su sistema séptico puede haberse dañado, como la tierra del suelo alrededor de la fosa séptica o del área de drenaje, componentes del sistema séptico que se han desplazado o han salido a la superficie, o la entrada de aguas residuales o del alcantarillado en su casa o en el suelo.
    • No use su sistema de plomería si las aguas residuales se han acumulado en su hogar y evite el contacto con las aguas residuales de un tanque séptico que no esté funcionando.
    • Evite poner agua de inundación o desinfectantes en el sistema, ya que pueden causar más daños. Mas bien, comuníquese con su departamento de salud local si su sistema requiere reparaciones.
    • Realice una inspección por un inspector certificado en sistema de aguas residuales después de una inundación o si sospecha daños relacionados con la tormenta. Puede llamar a la Junta de Certificación de Contratistas e Inspectores de Aguas Residuales en Sitio de NC al 336-202-3126 para encontrar un inspector certificado cerca de usted.
    • Antes de restaurar la energía al sistema, asegúrese de que los componentes eléctricos y del sistema funcionen correctamente. Revise el sistema eléctrico en busca de daños, limpie el filtro o pantalla de efluentes y determine si su tanque séptico debe ser bombeado por un profesional autorizado antes de volver a conectarse.
    • Para obtener ayuda o información adicional sobre la reparación o construcción de un sistema de tanque séptico, comuníquese con el departamento de salud de su condado.

    Si su sistema séptico afectado por inundaciones o tormentas ha causado que las aguas residuales entren en su hogar, tome precauciones mientras limpia el área para evitar la exposición o el contacto directo con los desechos. Use guantes de goma, botas y protección para los ojos mientras limpia y desinfecta el área. Consulte el volante después de la inundaciónde NCDHHS para obtener información adicional sobre las medidas de seguridad para mantenerse a si mismo y a su familia a salvo cuando limpie después de una inundación. Más recursos sobre el huracán Helene están disponibles en ncdhhs.gov/helene.

    Oct 10, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Gaza: “widespread suffering persists, humanitarian situation worsens” – OCHA briefing | UN

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Security Council briefing by Lisa Doughten, Director, Financing and Partnerships Division, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), on the humanitarian situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in both Gaza and the West Bank.
    —
    The past year has brought unimaginable suffering. It has been one year since the horrendous attack by Hamas and other armed groups in Israel. And rockets continue to be fired indiscriminately into Israel.
    Few times in recent history have we witnessed suffering and destruction of the size, scale, and scope that we see in Gaza. In the past year, this Council has been briefed repeatedly on the horror unfolding in Gaza, at least monthly on average.
    Once again, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. Unfortunately, much of what I am about to say mirrors what we reported a month ago. Widespread suffering persists while the humanitarian situation worsens.
    —
    Nearly every one of the more than 2 million people in Gaza receives some form of aid or service provision from UNRWA, along with nearly one million Palestine refugees in the West Bank. If approved, such legislation would be diametrically opposed to the UN Charter and in violation of Israel’s obligations under international law.
    —
    Evacuation orders are meant to protect civilians, but the exact opposite is happening. As we have said so many times, there is no safe place in Gaza.
    Three of the ten partially functional hospitals in the north have been ordered to evacuate all patients without providing alternatives for relocating them. We have not been able to get fuel to other hospitals in the north.
    There has been no electricity since October last year. Without electricity, or fuel for the generators, everything shuts down: medical facilities, water, sanitation, and other essential services.
    —
    Humanitarian partners report that women and children are hard-hit by the trauma of this war.
    Each day, according to UNRWA,10 children are losing one or both of their legs. Gaza is home to the largest cohort of child amputees in modern history. Women are three times more likely to miscarry, and three times more likely to die from childbirth.
    And, yet humanitarians are not giving up.
    —
    Urgent diplomatic efforts are needed to de-escalate the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and to prevent a wider regional descent into bloodshed.
    Member States must take steps to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a path towards sustainable peace.
    These atrocities must end.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0RLrTbCVHU

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: $100 million to repair Helene-damaged roads and bridges in Western NC

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    Our Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced the immediate availability of $100 million in Emergency Relief funds for the North Carolina Department of Transportation to help pay for the costs of immediate emergency work resulting from Hurricane Helene flood damage.

    FHWA Acting Administrator Kristin White traveled to North Carolina to join Gov. Roy Cooper to see recovery efforts underway after Hurricane Helene.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OAcZhpaQmo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Lebanon, Syria & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:

    – Lebanon
    – Lebanon/Humanitarian
    – Syria
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Secretary-General Travel
    – Deputy Secretary-General
    – Sudan
    – Central African Republic
    – Myanmar
    – Protection of children
    – World Mental Health Day
    – Guest today

    Lebanon
    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) issued a statement this morning saying that two of its peacekeepers were injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it and causing them to fall. The injuries are fortunately – this time – not serious, but the peacekeepers remain in hospital.
    In a separate incident, Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers also fired on UN position (UNP) 1-31 in Labbouneh, hitting the entrance to the bunker where peacekeepers were sheltering, and damaging vehicles and a communications system. An IDF drone was observed flying inside the UN position up to the bunker entrance.
    Also, UNIFIL says that, yesterday, IDF soldiers deliberately fired at and disabled the position’s perimeter-monitoring cameras. They also deliberately fired on UNP 1-32A in Ras Naqoura – where regular Tripartite meetings were held before the conflict began. Lights and a relay station were damaged.
    UNIFIL reminds the IDF and all parties of their obligations to ensure the safety and security of UN personnel and property and to respect the inviolability of UN premises at all times. UNIFIL peacekeepers are present in south Lebanon to support a return to stability under a Security Council mandate. Any deliberate attack on peacekeepers is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701. Our peacekeepers are following up with the IDF on these matters.
    This comes as the recent escalation along the Blue Line is causing widespread destruction of towns and villages in south Lebanon, while rockets continue to be launched towards Israel, including civilian areas.
    In the past days, our peacekeepers say incursions from Israel into Lebanon were seen in Naqoura and other areas. IDF soldiers have clashed with Hizbullah elements on the ground in Lebanon.
    Later this afternoon, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, and the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, will brief Security Council members on the situation in Lebanon. That meeting will be followed by consultations.

    Lebanon/Humanitarian
    The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that despite the challenges and a tense security situation, humanitarian organizations continue to deliver aid in coordination with national and local authorities.
    Today, a joint mission comprising UN and NGO partners delivered 12 trucks of aid to the towns of Rmeish, Ain Ebel, and Debel in the south of the country. The supplies included food, water, hygiene kits and will support more than 4,000 people. This was the first mission there since July 2024.
    UNICEF has also delivered 33 tons of medical supplies to the Ministry of Public Health, including emergency health kits to ensure safe deliveries for pregnant women, as well as essential medicine.
    To maintain these efforts, additional funding is urgently needed. While commitments are appreciated, immediate contributions to the $426 million Flash Appeal – which is 12 per cent funded – are vital to continue the response.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=10%20October%202024

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgwELSf4zrQ

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: LM Funding America Inc. Expects Operations to be Unaffected by Hurricane Milton; Headquarters Operating Remotely to Support Community Association Lending Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Tampa, FL, Oct. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LM Funding America Inc. (NASDAQ: LMFA) (“LM Funding” or the “Company”), a cryptocurrency mining and a technology-based specialty finance company, today announced that it expects its Bitcoin mining operations to remain unaffected by Hurricane Milton, thanks to the geographic distribution of its miners. The Company fully anticipates its Bitcoin mining operations will continue without any interruptions or damage.

    Bruce Rodgers, Chairman and CEO of LM Funding, commented, “We’re Tampa based but our miners are not, so we do not expect Hurricane Milton to impact our Bitcoin mining operations.”

    The Company’s Tampa corporate headquarters has transitioned to remote operations to ensure the safety of its employees while maintaining its commitment to serving LM Funding’s community association customers. “We will remain fully operational and continue to accept loan applications from community associations through this challenging time,” Rodgers added.

    LM Funding also expressed its solidarity with local communities likely to be affected by the hurricane, particularly those living in condominiums already feeling the strain of rising insurance costs and the need to fund reserves. The Company’s subsidiaries, LM Funding and Sunshine Lending, are prepared to offer tailored financial products to qualified condominium and homeowner associations that will need to recover following the aftermath of the storm.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the path of Hurricane Milton,” Rodgers said. “We are here to help, and our lending teams are ready to support our customers with the resources they need to rebuild. We are hoping for the best, are prepared for the worst, and focused on what’s next.”

    About LM Funding America, Inc.

    LM Funding America Inc. (Nasdaq: LMFA) is a cryptocurrency mining business that commenced Bitcoin mining operations in September 2022. The Company also operates a technology-based specialty finance company that provides funding to nonprofit community associations (Associations) primarily located in the state of Florida as well as in Washington, Colorado, and Illinois by funding a certain portion of the Associations’ rights to delinquent accounts arising from unpaid Association assessments.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” and “project,” and other similar words and expressions are intended to signify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions but are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Some of these risks and uncertainties are identified in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the SEC, which are available at http://www.sec.gov. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the uncertainty created by entering into and operating in the cryptocurrency mining business, volatility in the cryptocurrency markets, the potential need for additional capital, changes in governmental regulations, and other risks. The occurrence of any of these risks and uncertainties could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

    Contact:

    Crescendo Communications LLC
    Tel: (212) 671-1021
    Email: LMFA@crescendo-ir.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ahtahkakoop — Ahtahkakoop RCMP: male arrested after firearm discharge

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On October 8, 2024 at approximately 8:55 p.m., Ahtahkakoop RCMP received a report of a shooting on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.

    Officers responded immediately and located an injured adult male, who had gunshot injuries, at the residence. The adult male was taken to hospital by EMS with injuries described as non-life threatening.

    Investigation determined an altercation occurred between two adult males. A firearm was discharged and the victim was injured.

    As a result of continued investigation, on October 9, officers located and arrested an adult male at a residence on Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation.

    19-year-old Christopher Ballantyne from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation is charged with:

    • one count, discharge firearm with intent, Section 244, Criminal Code;
    • one count, assault with a weapon, Section 267(a), Criminal Code;
    • one count, unauthorized possession of a firearm, Section 91(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession of a firearm when knowing possession authorized, Section 92(1), Criminal Code;
    • one count, possession of restricted firearm with ammo without license/registration, Section 95(1), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, unauthorized possession of a prohibited weapon or restricted weapon, Section 91(2), Criminal Code.

    Christopher Ballantyne is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on October 10, 2024.

    Saskatchewan RCMP’s Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST) assisted in this investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor and First Partner issue statement on passing of Ethel Kennedy

    Source: US State of California 2

    Oct 10, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom issued the following statement today on the passing of Ethel Kennedy:

    “California joins the nation in mourning the passing of Ethel Kennedy, beloved family matriarch and powerful force for social justice and civil rights around the world.
      
    “In the wake of unspeakable tragedy, Kennedy, a young widow and mother of 11 children, was a pillar of strength for her family whose extraordinary courage and resilience inspired the nation. Unshaken in her compassion for others and commitment to a more just and peaceful world, she advocated tirelessly for positive change abroad and at home – including here in California, where she worked to advance the rights of farmworkers and championed the civil rights leadership of César Chávez.”

    “Ethel Kennedy’s big-hearted leadership, service and bravery is an inspiration to all of us. As we reflect on her rich legacy, our hearts are with the Kennedy family and everyone grieving this great loss.”

    Recent news

    Oct 9, 2024

    News In total, California has now deployed 354 highly specialized personnel to support recent hurricane response effortsSACRAMENTO – With Hurricane Milton making landfall in Florida tonight, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the deployment of an additional 70…

    Oct 9, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:Jennifer Troia, of Sacramento, has been appointed Director at the California Department of Social Services. Troia has served as Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of…

    Oct 9, 2024

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced his appointment of 18 Superior Court Judges, which include one in Colusa County; one in Contra Costa County; five in Los Angeles County; two in Orange County; three in Sacramento County; one in San Bernardino…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Help Pennsylvania Businesses Affected by Drought

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced today that federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) are available in Pennsylvania for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations with economic losses from drought that began on Sept. 24.

    The declaration includes the primary county of Greene, and the adjacent counties of Fayette and Washington in Pennsylvania, and Marshall, Monongalia and Wetzel in West Virginia.  

    “Working capital loans from the SBA are essential to eligible small businesses when the Secretary of Agriculture declares a disaster due to farmers’ crop losses,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the SBA’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience. “These loans help sustain rural economies when a disaster occurs.”

    Under this declaration, the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to eligible farm-related and nonfarm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster.  Apart from aquaculture enterprises, SBA cannot provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, and ranchers. Nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions. 

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates of 4% for small businesses and  
    3.25% for private nonprofit organizations, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition. Eligibility is based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and its financial resources. These working capital loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that could have been paid had the disaster not occurred. The loans are not intended to replace lost sales or profits. 

    For information and to apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 6592955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services. 

    Submit completed loan applications to SBA no later than June 2, 2025. 

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor approves up to $10M in initial funding to support disaster recovery jobs, training for North Carolina after Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the approval of up to $10 million in initial emergency grant funding to North Carolina to support disaster-relief jobs and training services in 25 counties to help respond to Hurricane Helene.

    On Sept. 26, 2024, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm and quickly moved inland, pushing through Georgia and the Carolinas as a tropical storm. The storm brought the worst flooding in a century to North Carolina, resulting in more than 100 deaths and wiping out entire towns with catastrophic mudslides and floodwaters. More than one million customers lost power and over 100,000 customers remained without power more than a week after the storm. 

    “The Employment and Training Administration is committed to ensuring workers in North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene have access to grant funding and assistance,” said Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training José Javier Rodríguez. “This Dislocated Worker Grant provides critical support by providing jobs to affected workers while helping North Carolina in its recovery efforts.”

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency issued an emergency declaration on Sept. 26, 2024, and a major disaster declaration on Sept. 28, 2024, enabling the state to request federal assistance for recovery efforts in the following 25 counties: Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey.

    The National Dislocated Worker Grant – supported by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 – allows the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Solutions to provide people with temporary disaster-relief jobs for cleanup and the delivery of humanitarian assistance to address immediate, basic needs for those displaced by Hurricane Helene. The funding also enables the state to provide training and services to individuals in the affected communities. 

    The department’s Employment and Training Administration oversees National Dislocated Worker Grants, which expand the service capacity of dislocated worker programs at the state and local levels by providing funding assistance in response to large, unexpected economic events that lead to significant job losses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: US Department of Labor urges Florida emergency, response workers; public to recognize, avoid hazards created by hurricanes Milton, Helene

    Source: US Department of Labor

    WHO:             U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

    Emergency and recovery response workers

    Residents in areas affected by hurricanes Milton and Helene

    What:             The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges emergency response and recovery workers and people living in areas affected by hurricanes Milton and Helene to be cautious when facing hazards related to flooding, power loss, structural damage, fallen trees and storm debris. 

    Storm recovery activities – such as restoring electricity and communications, clearing and removing debris, repairing or replacing roofs and trimming trees – present dangers that demand people involved in recovery and cleanup be experienced, trained properly and familiar with equipment used.

    In a storm’s aftermath, those involved in response and recovery must do the following:

    • Evaluate work areas for hazards.
    • Assess the stability of structures and walking surfaces.
    • Ensure fall protection when working from elevated surfaces.
    • Assume all powerlines are live.
    • Operate chainsaws, portable generators, ladders and other equipment properly.
    • Use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, hard hats, hearing, foot and eye protection. 

    Background:  OSHA offers comprehensive hurricane preparedness and response information, including safety tips for employers and workers and an alert on keeping workers safe during flood cleanup. Individuals involved in response and recovery efforts may call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742).     

    Quote: “While thousands of brave emergency responders and recovery workers help to restore our communities after catastrophic weather events like hurricanes Milton and Helene, we strongly urge them to take great care to protect themselves and others from the wide range of dangers of workplace hazards they face,” explained OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer in Atlanta. “Having clear knowledge of the hazards at-hand, following safe work practices and using proper personal protective equipment during cleanup can reduce the risks of injuries and fatalities significantly. OSHA is ready to assist and provide guidance on avoiding hazards to those doing the difficult work needed after catastrophic weather strikes.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Four More Georgia Counties Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Four More Georgia Counties Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene

    Four More Georgia Counties Now Eligible for FEMA Assistance After Hurricane Helene

    ATLANTA – Homeowners and renters in Dodge, Hancock, Thomas and Warren counties who had uninsured damage or losses caused by Hurricane Helene can now apply for FEMA disaster assistance.

    FEMA may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repair costs, personal property loss or other disaster-caused needs. Previously, Appling,  Atkinson, Bacon,  Ben Hill,  Berrien, Brooks,  Bryan,  Bulloch, Burke,  Butts,  Camden, Candler,  Charlton,  Chatham, Clinch,  Coffee,  Colquitt, Columbia,  Cook,  Echols, Effingham,  Elbert,  Emanuel, Evans,  Glascock,  Glynn, Irwin,  Jeff Davis,  Jefferson, Jenkins,  Johnson,  Lanier, Laurens,  Liberty,  Lincoln, Long,  Lowndes,  McDuffie, Montgomery,  Newton,  Pierce, Rabun,  Richmond,  Screven, Tattnall,  Telfair,  Tift, Toombs,  Treutlen,  Ware, Washington,  Wayne and Wheeler counties were authorized for assistance to households.

    There are several ways to apply: Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA App,  call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. The FEMA Helpline is open every day and help is available in most languages. 

    The deadline to apply is Dec. 2, 2024.

    What You’ll Need When You Apply

    • A current phone number where you can be contacted.
    • Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying.
    • Your Social Security number.
    • A general list of damage and losses.
    • Banking information if you choose direct deposit.
    • If insured, the policy number or the agent and/or the company name.

    If you have homeowners, renters or flood insurance, you should file a claim as soon as possible. FEMA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all your disaster expenses, you may be eligible for federal assistance.

    For the latest information about Georgia’s recovery, visit fema.gov/disaster/4830. Follow FEMA on X at x.com/femaregion4 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fema.

    minh.phan

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Urges Floridians to Heed Officials’ Directions in the Aftermath of Hurricane Milton

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Urges Floridians to Heed Officials’ Directions in the Aftermath of Hurricane Milton

    FEMA Urges Floridians to Heed Officials’ Directions in the Aftermath of Hurricane Milton

    FEMA Administrator Criswell Remains in Florida to Survey Storm Damage with Local Officials 

    WASHINGTON – The joint federal and state emergency response and damage assessments are underway today as Hurricane Milton moves out of Florida. FEMA encourages everyone in the affected areas to continue following the directions of state and local officials, only returning home when told to do so. While the immediate danger from the storm has passed, conditions on the ground require Floridians to take extreme caution as they begin their recovery.

    FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Florida with state and local officials assessing the impacts of the storm. 

    “Because of President Biden’s swift approval of the pre-landfall emergency declaration, we were able to deploy some of our search and rescue teams to help in those counties that were impacted by the tornados,” said FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “We have over 1,000 federal responders that have been in the state supporting the response and recovery efforts, and not just from Helene, but also the recovery efforts from Ian, Idalia and Debby. Once we know more about the impacts of Milton, we can move in more resources to support them at the state’s request.”

    Commodities, volunteer agencies, response assets and federal personnel are being coordinated through the FEMA Region 4 Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta and the National Response Coordination Center in Washington, D.C. Both facilities are activated on 24-hour operations to support the state.

    • Several FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams have been deployed to various parts of the state to assist with requests for assistance immediately after the storm. 
    • Ten federal search and rescue teams are in the state to assist survivors. 
    • FEMA Urban Search and Rescue teams are conducting operations near Orlando and Tampa. Assets including planes, helicopters and boats from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard are positioned to support the state’s efforts.  
    • Millions of bottles of water and meals are at air bases and logistics sites in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina for rapid deployment should the state request additional supplies, in addition to tarps and sheeting for interim home repairs. FEMA and the state have been in close coordination to pre-position federal resources to best support their needs.
    • Healthcare System Assessment Teams are onsite in Florida to work with state officials to assess the storm’s impacts to hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis centers, and other healthcare facilities. 
    • As of Thursday morning, more than 280 shelters were open overnight throughout the state with more than 83,000 people.

    Stay Safe After the Storm

    • DO NOT enter your damaged home if you smell gas, floodwaters remain around the building or if authorities have not declared it safe to return. If your home has received significant flood damage, ensure that the electricity is off and that you are wearing appropriate safety gear before entering.  
    • NEVER use generators indoors. Carbon monoxide has no smell or color and can be deadly. Keep generators at least 20 feet away from your home.
    • Stay out of floodwater. Walking or driving through flood waters is extremely dangerous. Standing water may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines or contain hazards such as wild or stray animals, human and livestock waste, and chemicals that can lead to illness. 
    • If you do not feel safe in your home, a list of emergency shelters, including those that can accommodate people who need assistance and those who have pets, can be found at Shelter Status | Florida Disaster.
    • If you need help with damages caused by Hurricane Milton, call Florida’s Crisis Cleanup hotline at 844-965-1386.
    • You can also call 833-GET-HOPE for free assistance and resources such as food, household goods, or debris removal. Hope Navigators stand ready to listen and help.

    amy.ashbridge

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Prominent Law Enforcement Groups Back Rep. Gabe Vasquez’s Bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gabe Vasquez’s (NM-02)

    National Fraternal Order of Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s union and more endorsed Vasquez’s bill

    LAS CRUCES, N.M. – U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02) announced the support of several prominent law enforcement organizations for his bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Actthatprovides increased funding, technology and staffing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to keep our communities safe and combat the growing fentanyl crisis. Endorsements include the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, National Treasury Employees Union (representing CBP officers), National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, and Major County Sheriffs of America.

    These groups, representing thousands of officers and law enforcement professionals on the front lines of the opioid crisis, support Vasquez in his efforts to combat fentanyl smuggling and stop the flow of illicit drugs into the United States.

    “Having the support of the men and women in law enforcement who work to protect our communities is an important endorsement to stop this crisis at the source. Fentanyl is having a tragic impact on young people and our families. I’m grateful for law enforcement’s support of my bill to combat fentanyl smuggling,” said Vasquez. “My bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Actprovides additional screening resources and staff to U.S. Customs and Border Protection to help save lives. This is not a partisan issue, we must come together to prevent further tragedy, overdoses and death.”

    The Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act provides increased funding for personnel, advanced inspection technology and equipment to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), ensuring that officers have the resources to effectively detect and stop the flow of fentanyl into the United States. This bipartisan bill also addresses the illegal exportation of goods, firearms and currency, which are often tied to drug trafficking networks.

    “Our law enforcement members are the first line of defense against the scourge of fentanyl that comes across the American border each day,” said Patrick Yoes, President of theNational Fraternal Order of Police. “On behalf of more than 377,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, I thank you both for your leadership on the issue.” 

    “The Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act provides much needed support, resources, and funding to the southwest border to help federal, state, and local law enforcement fight the trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the country,” said William J. Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organization (NAPO). “Law enforcement at all levels of government have long been asking for these resources to support their efforts to prevent and detect fentanyl coming into this country and our communities. NAPO continues to fight for resources to support law enforcement’s efforts to combat fentanyl, its analogues, and similar opioids. We thank [Rep. Vasquez] for your leadership on this issue and we look forward to working with you to pass this important legislation.”

    The opioid crisis continues to devastate hundreds of thousands of American families as deadly, illicit narcotics are smuggled into the county. Fentanyl-related overdoses are responsible for over 70,000 deaths a year in the United States. Vasquez’s bill addresses CBP’s lack of necessary personnel, technology and resources to prevent these deadly substances from entering the United States.

    Vasquez’s Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act remains a key part of his broader commitment to safeguard New Mexico’s families and address the opioid crisis. The bill has gained momentum as it continues to receive bipartisan support and endorsements from law enforcement professionals dedicated to ending the fentanyl epidemic.

    In Congress, Vasquezhas worked across the aisle to find real solutions to these problems, securing over $280 million for border security, voting to add 22,000 new Border Patrol agents and introducing a series of bipartisan bills that would improve security at ports of entry, crack down on cartels and ensure that those who work hard and play by the rules have an opportunity for legal citizenship.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hurricane Milton Crosses Florida

    Source: NASA

    Your browser does not support the video tag.

    Hurricane Milton barreled into Florida’s west-central coast on the evening of October 9, 2024, making landfall south of Tampa as a major Category 3 storm. The hurricane lashed the region with heavy rainfall, damaging winds, and life-threatening storm surge, according to the National Hurricane Center.
    This animation shows Milton in the days before, during, and after its devastating encounter with Florida. The false-color images depict infrared signals known as brightness temperature, which is useful for distinguishing cooler cloud structures (white and purple) from the warmer surface below (yellow and orange). Data for the animation were acquired by the MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) and VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) instruments on several NASA and NOAA satellites.
    Since infrared data are based on temperatures rather than visible light, the data can be obtained day or night. This animation shows both daytime and nighttime images, beginning at 3:35 p.m. Eastern Time (19:35 Universal Time) on October 8 and ending at 3:08 a.m. Eastern Time (07:08 Universal Time) on October 10.
    Shortly before the first image of this series, Milton was a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 155 miles (250 kilometers) per hour. It soon grew to a Category 5 storm and then weakened to a still-potent Category 3 storm prior to making landfall on October 9. The storm maintained hurricane-strength intensity and fast, forward speed while crossing Florida, emerging over the western Atlantic as a Category 1 storm with sustained winds of 85 miles (140 kilometers) per hour at the end of this animation on October 10.

    On the morning of October 8, 2024, an astronaut aboard the International Space Station took this photo of Hurricane Milton as it churned over the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 4 storm. Astronaut photos of the region are being made available to various agencies via the International Disasters Charter and NASA’s Disasters Response Coordination System (DRCS).
    NASA’s DRCS has been activated to support agencies responding to the storm, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Geospatial Information Office. The team will be posting maps and data products on its open-access mapping portal as new information becomes available about flooding, power outages, precipitation totals, and other topics.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using MODIS and VIIRS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview and the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS). Astronaut photograph ISS072-E-29325 was acquired on October 8, 2024, with a Nikon Z 9 digital camera using a 50 millimeter lens and is provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observations Facility and the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Johnson Space Center. The image was taken by a member of the Expedition 72 crew. The image has been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast, and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports the laboratory as part of the ISS National Lab to help astronauts take pictures of Earth that will be of the greatest value to scientists and the public, and to make those images freely available on the Internet. Additional images taken by astronauts and cosmonauts can be viewed at the NASA/JSC Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. Story by Kathryn Hansen.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: New survey of IPCC authors reveals doubt, and hope, that world will achieve climate targets

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Seth Wynes, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, University of Waterloo

    How hot is it going to get?

    This is one of the most important and difficult remaining questions about our changing climate. The answer depends not only on how sensitive our climate is to greenhouse gases, but also on how much carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases we as a civilization choose to emit over coming decades.

    In order to help think more clearly about this question, we asked authors who have contributed to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to share their best guesses about where the world is headed.

    The results of our recently published study show that most of the responding climate experts believe our planet will likely exceed the 1.5 C and “well-below 2 C” warming targets agreed upon by the international community.

    In fact, the median estimate was 2.7 C by 2100, which is roughly what is expected if the world’s nations fail to implement new policies consistent with their targets and pledges, and instead only maintained existing levels of action.



    Read more:
    How mainstream climate science endorsed the fantasy of a global warming time machine

    To put it plainly, this could be a catastrophic outcome for humanity. We’ve already seen devastating consequences like more flooding, hotter heatwaves and larger wildfires, and we’re only at 1.3 C above preindustrial levels — less than halfway to 2.7 C.

    But not all authors think alike and to help shed further light on the IPCC report process, and any differences of opinion between authors, we conducted a survey over email with 211 authors of past reports providing responses. Our participants represented all IPCC working groups, and every inhabited continent.

    The data they shared provides a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of modern climate science.

    Wide ranging beliefs

    Our survey shows that authors shared a wide range of estimates as to likely climate outcomes.

    A small number of surveyed experts believe that staying below 2 C is still likely, while others believed that we are on track for even more horrendous levels of climate warming at above 3 C. Approximately 86 per cent of participants estimated warming of more than 2 C by or before the year 2100.

    When we planned the study, we wondered whether IPCC authors who worked on climate solutions would be more optimistic than those who worked on climate vulnerability and adaptation. One reason for this is that experts who work on solutions might be more aware of recent research indicating that worst-case climate outcomes are becoming less likely. But we only found weak evidence for this hypothesis.

    In some ways this is a good sign, as it suggests that researchers are not working in isolated silos, each holding their own beliefs.

    Mixed perceptions

    A unique feature of the study is that we also asked IPCC authors what they thought others in the survey would answer in response to the same questions. We were interested to know the extent to which experts in this field believed that other experts shared similar beliefs to their own. Perceptions of peer beliefs are important because they can strongly influence a person’s own beliefs and behaviour.

    Participants in our study believed very strongly that their peers’ views on expected future warming were in line with their own beliefs. Even those who expected very high or very low amounts of future warming incorrectly believed that their peers would have similar estimates.

    This is not particularly surprising. In many domains, people tend to estimate the beliefs of their peers by examining their own beliefs, and then adjusting up or down, but often insufficiently. Researchers call this a false-consensus effect and we found that this effect was very prominent in our results.

    Because IPCC authors are trusted public figures who are often asked to share their thoughts with decision-makers and the media, this finding could be problematic if an author confidently believes that their expectations are also widely shared by their peers.

    Interdisciplinary benefits

    We see our study as an opportunity for experts to better understand the range of beliefs held by their own community, so they can communicate with more nuance and awareness as to whether their personal beliefs are part of a larger consensus or not.



    Read more:
    Eco-anxiety Q&A: how the IPCC’s vice-chair keeps her head cool on a warming planet

    Climate experts are not oracles. And even though a “wisdom of the crowd” average is often more accurate than a single expert, forecasting decades into the future is extremely difficult.

    The balance of evidence from this study reaffirms a message that climate scientists have been repeating for a long time: current efforts to tackle climate change are insufficient and more progress is needed quickly.

    While working on this project Seth Wynes received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    H. Damon Matthews receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and from Environment and Climate Change Canada.

    – ref. New survey of IPCC authors reveals doubt, and hope, that world will achieve climate targets – https://theconversation.com/new-survey-of-ipcc-authors-reveals-doubt-and-hope-that-world-will-achieve-climate-targets-239177

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade celebrates 150 years serving Mid-South Canterbury

    Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

    Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade is celebrating one-and-a-half centuries of serving its community at an event taking place at the fire station next month.
    Chief Fire Officer, Murray Blogg, says, “this major anniversary gives us a chance as a community to come together and celebrate our past and present volunteers, the local businesses who continue to support their employees to turn out and the families of our crew, who sacrifice precious family time for the benefit of our community.
    “A lot has changed in 150 years for our community, but we have always remained committed to serving Temuka and wider Mid-South Canterbury,” he says.
    Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade’s inaugural meeting was held in the lounge of the Crown Hotel on 24 November 1874, triggered by a series of serious fires and subsequent public meetings calling for a fire brigade.
    Previously the brigade mostly responded to structure fires and scrub fires, but more dairy farming in the area has reduced the number of vegetation fires.
    The town has also grown a lot, with the expansion of Fonterra’s site in Clandeboye bringing new families, more properties and thriving businesses.
    Temuka volunteers now mainly respond to medical emergencies, car crashes, search and rescues and natural disasters.
    They attend an average of 180-200 calls per year, and regularly support crews from neighbouring brigades, as well as being supported by them too.
    In the last 25 years alone, the brigade has extricated 120 people, rescued 130 people and assisted 1307 people.
    Some notable memories for the brigade over the last 25 years include the 2006 snowfall, the heaviest South Canterbury had experienced for decades, with Temuka receiving 25cm of snow. The brigade was completely isolated for a period of time with little communication and power and the crew living on station. The brigade supported the community with welfare calls, a building collapse and a house fire.
    The brigade also responded to the Port Hills fire in 2017 and the Dong Won ship fire in Timaru in 2018
    Temuka Volunteer Fire Brigade has 25 operational members, and is always open to more, especially during daytime hours.
    “While we are celebrating the brigade and our community on 26 October, we are always on the look-out for new volunteers, especially for turnout during the day,” Murray Blogg says.
    “Whether you’re interested in joining us or not, come on down and help us mark this monumental achievement.”
    The open day on 26 October will include:
    • Kitchen fire display
    • Motor vehicle accident display
    • Live fire display
    • Static display of emergency vehicles
    • Colouring in competition
    • Fire safety
    • Food and drink stalls
    WHAT: 150 years of firefighting in Temuka
    WHEN: Saturday 26 October 2024, 9.30am-2pm
    WHERE: Temuka Fire Station, corner of Wood Street and Hally Terrace
    ENTRY: FREE

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hoeven Working to Advance $1.8 Billion Safety Modification Project for Garrison Dam Spillway

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for North Dakota John Hoeven

    10.10.24

    Senator Secured Funding for Project Design to Address Safety Concerns Highlighted by 2011 Flood; Construction to Start in 2029

    GARRISON, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven and officials from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today reviewed the $1.8 billion spillway safety project that’s being undertaken at Garrison Dam. The modifications:

    • Will ensure the integrity of the Garrison Dam, which is the largest mainstream dam on the Missouri River, with Lake Sakakawea currently being the largest reservoir operated by the Army Corps by volume.
    • Are needed to protect against multiple long-term issues that could result in uncontrolled releases from the dam, posing a significant risk to the downstream area.
      • These potential safety concerns were brought to light due to record flows that occurred during the 2011 flood.
      • A subsequent study recommended the full replacement of the spillway’s drainage system, a reinforced concrete overlay in the spillway chute and various other safety-related modifications
    • Are currently undergoing Preconstruction Engineering and Design (PED), which began in 2023 utilizing funding Hoeven secured as a member of the Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Committee.
      • The PED phase will involve six years of field investigations to inform the design, with construction expected to start in 2029.
      • Hoeven has provided nearly $13 million for the project’s design phase to date, and included $32 million in additional PED funding in the Senate’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 appropriations legislation.

    “The Garrison Dam, along with the Lake Sakakawea and Lake Audubon reservoirs, are critical infrastructure for our state, helping ensure a reliable water supply for communities and agriculture, while supporting recreation and tourism. At the same time, a key function of the dam is to control Missouri River water levels, providing certainty to the region and protecting against the risk of flooding,” said Hoeven. “The historic water flows during the 2011 flood revealed that the spillway needs modifications to ensure the dam’s long-term integrity. That’s why we’ve been working to fund the pre-construction and design phase of this project to address these potential safety concerns as soon as possible.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Arkansas Sheriff’s Deputies Sentenced for Federal Civil Rights Violations for Violently Assaulting Subdued Man

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Two former Crawford County, Arkansas, sheriff’s deputies were sentenced for using unlawful force on a man they arrested. Levi White, 34, was sentenced yesterday to 63 months in prison, and Zackary King, 28, was sentenced today to 12 months in prison.

    Each defendant pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for a retaliatory assault on R.W., a 26-year-old man. On Aug. 21, 2022, White, King and a third officer approached R.W. in a gas station parking lot during their investigation into a person threatening a store attendant. R.W. lunged at White and tackled him, then all three officers quickly subdued R.W. and pinned him to the ground. After R.W. was pinned to the ground and no longer fighting the officers, White punched R.W. at least nine times in the head, then lifted R.W.’s head and slammed it into the pavement. King kicked R.W. in the back and struck R.W. once in the midsection with his fist. Following the announcement of a federal investigation into the assault, White obstructed the investigation by wiping all data from his county-issued cell phone and selectively deleting text messages about the incident from his personal phone. White asked King if King was also going to wipe his cell phone, but King declined to do so.

    “Punching a man in the head, slamming their head repeatedly on the concrete pavement, kicking them in the back and striking them in the midsection — this kind of gratuitous and unjustified violence at the hands of law enforcement runs contrary to the oath that officers take in our country to protect and serve,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The defendants swore an oath to uphold the law, then violated that oath and abused their power as law enforcement officers by assaulting a person in their custody. At the time of the assaults, three officers had already subdued the victim, and further force was unnecessary and unlawful. White added fuel to the fire by taking steps to obstruct the investigation into the violent assault. The Justice Department will continue to vigorously prosecute officers who abuse their authority and violate the rights of people in their custody.”

    “Levi White and Zackary King’s sentencings prove that no law enforcement officer is above the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Alicia D. Corder of the FBI Little Rock Field Office. “FBI Little Rock, alongside our trusted partners at Arkansas State Police, will continue to investigate potential abuses of power and civil rights violations throughout our state. We encourage anyone who has information about abusive or corrupt law enforcement to contact the FBI’s ArkTrust Task Force immediately.”

    The FBI Little Rock Field Office and Arkansas State Police investigated the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Roberts and Devon Still for the Western District of Arkansas and Special Litigation Counsel Michael J. Songer and Trial Attorneys Lia Rettammel and Anna Gotfryd of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –