NewzIntel.com

Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA to Open Virtual Business Recovery Center to Assist Yakama Nation Businesses and Residents Affected by Wildfires

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Francisco Sánchez Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration, today announced the opening of its virtual Business Recovery Center to meet the needs of businesses and individuals who were affected by wildfires that occurred June 22–July 8. The disaster declaration covers the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.

    “When disasters strike, our virtual Business Recovery Centers are key to helping business owners and residents get back on their feet,” Sánchez said. “At these virtual centers, people can connect directly with our specialists to apply for disaster loans and learn about the full range of programs available to rebuild and move forward in their recovery journey.”

    SBA has established a virtual Business Recovery Center to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help each individual complete their electronic loan application.

    Virtual Business Recovery Center
    Monday – Friday
    8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
    FOCWAssistance@sba.gov
    (916) 735-1501

    Businesses of all sizes and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets.

    For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations of any size, SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any property damage.

    “SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” Sánchez continued. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

    SBA disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property, including personal vehicles.

    Interest rates can be as low as 4 percent for businesses, 3.25 percent for private nonprofit organizations and 2.688 percent for homeowners and renters with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Interest does not begin to accrue until 12 months from the date of the first disaster loan disbursement. SBA disaster loan repayment begins 12 months from the date of the first disbursement.

    To be considered for all forms of disaster assistance, survivors must first register with the Federal Emergency Management Agency at SBA.gov/disaster.

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

    The deadline to apply for property damage is Nov. 25, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is June 24, 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 Australia: Prepare now for Australia’s severe weather season

    Source: Weather Warnings – Australia

    08/10/2024

    The Bureau of Meteorology is urging communities to get ready and prepare for Australia’s severe weather season.

    While severe weather can happen at any time, every year between October and April is Australia’s peak time for:

    • tropical cyclones
    • severe thunderstorms
    • flooding
    • heatwaves
    • bushfires.

    National Community Information Manager Andrea Peace said that the Bureau issues regular forecasts and warnings about the likely severity and impacts of severe weather and the impact of severe weather can be reduced by getting ready before it happens.

    “Tropical cyclone activity varies from year to year but an average of 4 tropical cyclones cross Australia’s coast each year. Based on historical patterns alone, a near average number of tropical cyclones in the Australian region could be expected this season, with a higher proportion likely to be more severe,” Ms. Peace said.

    “Any tropical cyclone can be dangerous, and it only takes one to significantly impact communities. Last year we had 8 tropical cyclones across northern Australia waters. Four crossed our coast bringing damaging winds and heavy rainfall leading to flooding.”

    During the warmer months severe thunderstorms are more common, bringing heavy rainfall, damaging winds, large hail and the risk of flooding anywhere in Australia.

    The highest risk for severe thunderstorms is usually along the east coast including northern New South Wales and southern Queensland. There’s also a significant risk through inland Western Australia and across the tropical north during the wet season.

    Flash flooding and riverine flooding are more common during severe weather season, particularly across northern and eastern parts of the country.

    Australia also has an increased risk of severe and extreme heatwaves over the warmer months.

    The Bureau issues heatwave warnings when a severe or extreme heatwave is forecast within the following 4 days.

    This can lead to dangerous and destructive fires throughout Australia.

    “The Bureau works closely with fire authorities to monitor weather conditions, issue fire danger ratings and warnings to keep the community informed ,” Ms. Peace said.

    “Fire authorities are advising an increased fire risk in the spring months for parts of Queensland, the Northern Territory, western Victoria and south-east South Australia.

    “They also advise a potential early start to the fire season in parts of South Australia and Victoria, and extending to Tasmania if there are warm and dry conditions leading into summer.”

    Severe weather can develop quickly and threaten lives and property. Now is the time to prepare your home and property, review and update your emergency plans and create your emergency kits. The local emergency authority in each state and territory provides advice on how to prepare.

    Stay up to date with the Bureau’s forecasts and warnings. Download the BOM Weather app and set up warning notifications.

    Further resources:

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Everybody wants this – what makes a great TV kiss?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology

    Netflix/IMDB

    There is a lot of talk about the hot onscreen chemistry between actors Kristin Bell and Adam Brody in the hit new Netflix series, Nobody Wants This. Based loosely on series creator Erin Foster’s own romance with husband Simon Tikhman, the irreverent romcom follows a sex podcasters’ whirlwind love affair with a rabbi.

    Notably, the sensual first kiss between the couple on a Los Angeles sidewalk one evening two episodes in has tongues wagging. But this is not the first case of opposites attract on TV nor, arguably, the steamiest small-screen smooch.

    The onscreen kiss has a long and storied history. Many viewers form strong connections with characters they enjoy and consider them friends – called parasocial relationships – more so when story lines lean towards love.

    Seeing caresses on screen can trigger the same neurons that fire when we lock lips in real life, making certain scenes very memorable and oh-so-marketable. Here are some of the best and the ingredients that make them great.

    From friends to lovers

    What fan of Friends could forget the classic first kiss when Rachel watches an old prom video and finally realises the depth of Ross’ feelings for her? Or when Jim on The Office (US) confesses his unrequited love for Pam, leading to an impassioned embrace? Both are preceded by a long, slow burn that heightens anticipation.

    More than colleagues then.

    Other kisses are more technically or narratively ambitious. Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow and Ygritte (real-life married couple Kit Harington and Rose Leslie) share a sizzling embrace in the geothermal springs of Grjótagjá, an Icelandic lava cave –although the actual location is only used in the establishing shots.

    ‘You know nothing Jon Snow.’

    On New Girl, Jess and Nick share an unpredicted pash at the end of an episode called Cooler. Jess (Zooey Deschanel) has been left out of her male housemates’ night of carousing because Nick believes she ruins his chances of scoring. It turns out he has a willing kissing partner closer to home.

    A sudden New Girl make-out sesh.

    Challenging the script

    Unexpected televisual trysts confront cultural scripts about romance. They can challenge viewer expectations about sex and relationships more generally. As such, some kisses have longstanding impact.

    Take for example Star Trek’s interracial kiss between Kirk and Uhura in 1968, for which actor Nichelle Nichols recalled receiving an overwhelmingly positive reaction.

    ‘I’m not afraid. I am not … afraid.’

    Dawson’s Creek characters Jake and Ethan were celebrated for being the first men to kiss on prime-time American television in 2000 (two women had already kissed on L.A. Law in 1991).

    Australian television set the standard for gay men and women kissing in the 1970s and, more recently, Franky and Bridget found a lusty forbidden bond in the prison drama Wentworth.

    ‘You’ve got tickets on yourself.’

    Future connections

    How we might connect in the future have also been a part of televisual treatments of intimacy.

    In Black Mirror’s San Junipero the creators explore the possibility of elderly bodies inhabiting their younger sexual selves via simulated reality. And then there’s the time The Doctor saved Rose’s life by absorbing a power vortex in her body via his lips in The Parting of the Ways episode of Doctor Who.

    ‘I think you need a doctor.’

    Extreme close up

    From the lighting and framing to the perfect music, there is a lot that goes into a kissing scene. All this can add up to a moment that prompts audiences to think about highlights from their own kissing histories – or their desired futures.

    Typically screen kisses last longer than in real life, and research suggests some audience expectations of their own sex lives are unrealistically influenced by what they see on TV. In other words, if you’re expecting the same intensity or duration as Joanne and Noah on Nobody Wants This on your next first date, you should probably modify your expectations.

    Today, filming kisses can be challenging and consent is an important part of the production process both onscreen and off. The role of an intimacy coordinator behind the scenes is still relatively new (and we don’t know if this Netflix production had one). But it’s clear when watching the hyped Nobody Wants This scene that both characters are willing kissers.

    There apparently wasn’t much detailed planning involved, other than an objective to capture the “best kiss ever”. Their job well done adds to a pantheon of pashes that will be remembered (and replayed) fondly.

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

    – ref. Everybody wants this – what makes a great TV kiss? – https://theconversation.com/everybody-wants-this-what-makes-a-great-tv-kiss-240792

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Afghan National Arrested for Plotting an Election Day Terrorist Attack in the Name of ISIS

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Note: View the unsealed criminal complaint here. 

    The Justice Department today announced charges against a citizen of Afghanistan residing in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, for conspiring to conduct an Election Day terrorist attack in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), a designated foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

    According to a criminal complaint filed today, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, conspired and attempted to provide material support to ISIS and obtained firearms and ammunition to conduct a violent attack on U.S. soil in the name of ISIS. As part of the plot, the defendant allegedly took steps to liquidate his family’s assets, resettle members of his family overseas, acquire AK-47 assault rifles and ammunition, and commit a terrorist attack in the United States.

    “As charged, the Justice Department foiled the defendant’s plot to acquire semi-automatic weapons and commit a violent attack in the name of ISIS on U.S. soil on Election Day,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people. I am deeply grateful to the public servants of the FBI, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma for their work to disrupt this attack and for the work they do every day to protect our country.”

    “This defendant, motivated by ISIS, allegedly conspired to commit a violent attack, on Election Day, here on our homeland,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “I am proud of the men and women of the FBI who uncovered and stopped the plot before anyone was harmed. Terrorism is still the FBI’s number one priority, and we will use every resource to protect the American people.”

    “Thanks to the relentless efforts of the FBI, National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section, and federal prosecutors in my office, the alleged plan to commit an attack on Election Day was disrupted and Mr. Tawhedi was arrested,” said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester for the Western District of Oklahoma. “Fighting terrorism remains the top priority of the Justice Department. We will continue to pursue, disrupt, and hold accountable those who plot to commit acts of terrorism against our country and our people.”

    According to the criminal complaint, as part of the investigation into Tawhedi, the FBI searched Tawhedi’s phone and obtained communications between Tawhedi and a person who facilitated recruitment, training, and indoctrination of persons who expressed interest in terrorist activity and who Tawhedi understood to be affiliated with ISIS. Tawhedi was also seen in a video recorded on July 20 reading to two children text that describes the rewards a martyr receives in the afterlife. Tawhedi also allegedly accessed, viewed, and saved ISIS propaganda on his iCloud and Google account, participated in pro-ISIS Telegram groups, and contributed to a charity which fronts for and funnels money to ISIS.

    The complaint alleges that while liquidating their family’s assets prior to the attack, Tawhedi and his co-conspirator, who is a juvenile, advertised the sale of the family’s personal property on Facebook. At the FBI’s direction, a confidential human source responded to inquire if a computer was still for sale. The FBI source noted that he needed the computer for a new gun business he was starting, which ultimately led Tawhedi and the juvenile to meet with the source and other FBI assets at a rural location to test firearms. Tawhedi expressed interest in purchasing two AK-47 assault rifles, magazines, and ammunition from the source.

    According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 7, Tawhedi and the juvenile met with the FBI assets at a rural location in the Western District of Oklahoma and purchased, received, and took possession of two AK-47 assault rifles, ten magazines, and 500 rounds of ammunition. Upon receipt of the rifles and ammunition, Tawhedi and the juvenile were arrested.

    In his seized communications, Tawhedi allegedly indicated that his attack was planned for Election Day, and in a post-arrest interview, Tawhedi allegedly confirmed the attack was planned for Election Day targeting large gatherings of people, during which he and the juvenile were expected to die as martyrs.

    Tawhedi was charged with conspiring and attempting to provide material support to ISIS, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, and receiving a firearm to be used to commit a felony or a federal crime of terrorism, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years, if convicted.

    The case is being investigated by the FBI Oklahoma City Field Office, with valuable assistance from the Oklahoma City Police Department and the Moore, Oklahoma Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica L. Perry, Matt Dillon, and Mark Stoneman for the Western District of Oklahoma and Trial Attorneys George C. Kraehe and Everett McMillian of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TOMORROW: Governor Newsom to participate in California Economic Summit

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Oct 8, 2024

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom will speak at the California Economic Summit hosted by California Forward, discussing the state’s economic strength and how the administration is working to expand growth in communities throughout California.

    WHAT: California Economic Summit hosted by California Forward
    WHEN: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 10:50 a.m. 

    **NOTE: This in-person event will be open to credentialed media only. Media interested in attending must RSVP to govpressoffice@gov.ca.gov by no later than 9 a.m., Wednesday, October 9. Location information will be provided upon RSVP. For more information about the Summit, contact sarah@cafwd.org.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PHOTOS: Capito Tours Funding Projects in Bluefield, Presents Amelia Earhart Award

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for West Virginia Shelley Moore Capito
    BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations and Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committees, made several stops in Bluefield, W.Va. to highlight funding projects she has supported, receive updates from community and local leaders, and present the Amelia Earhart Award to a local resident.
    To begin the day, Senator Capito met with community leaders to receive a briefing on the city’s funding awards and the regional impact of the recent storm. Following the briefing, Senator Capito toured the U.S. Route 52 modernization project – which she supported and made funding available through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
    “As I was worked to craft the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, I saw a generational opportunity to improve West Virginia’s surface transportation infrastructure. U.S. Route 52 is a crucial thoroughfare for Bluefield and these improvements will increase road safety and continue expanding economic opportunities in and around the city. I was proud to advocate for this project and I’m thrilled to see work underway,” Senator Capito said.
    “The funding Senator Capito helped secure for infrastructure projects in Bluefield represents generational change for not only our city, but all of Southern West Virginia. We are very appreciative of Senator Capito for visiting today to see how her support for these projects will modernize downtown Bluefield, create a gateway to Bluefield State University, and improve the safety and quality of life for residents and visitors alike,” Cecil Marson, Bluefield City Manager, said.
    The tour concluded at Bluefield State University (BSU) where Senator Capito met with leaders to discuss ongoing expansion projects at the university. In September, Senator Capito secured a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) award for BSU to expand its healthcare education facilities and curriculum. The funding, which is part of a broader investment in health care infrastructure and education across West Virginia, will bolster the university’s efforts to train the next generation of health care professionals in the region.
    “This new center at Bluefield State University will provide students with the tools and training they need to succeed in the medical field, while also helping to alleviate the healthcare workforce shortages we are seeing across the state and the country,” Senator Capito said. “Investing in medical education is one of the most important steps we can take to ensure that West Virginians have access to high-quality healthcare.”
    “This investment is a game-changer for our students and the communities they will serve. It will allow us to expand our medical programs and offer hands-on training opportunities in a modern, state-of-the-art facility. We are deeply appreciative of Senator Capito’s commitment to the future of healthcare in West Virginia,” BSU Interim President Darrin Martin said. “By offering students more pathways to pursue careers in high-demand health fields, we are helping to address workforce shortages while providing top-tier education and holding to our mission of serving our community and providing an affordable, accessible opportunity for public higher education.”
    In the afternoon, Senator Capito traveled to the Mercer County Airport’s Civil Air Patrol West Virginia Composite Squadron where she presented the Amelia Earhart Award to Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Peyton Bogel. The award is presented to only 3% of the nearly 22,000 CAP cadets nationally each year. Learn more about the award here.
    Photos from today’s visits are included below:

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) with local leaders after touring ongoing improvements to U.S. Route 52 in Bluefield, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Darrin Martin, Interim President at Bluefield State University, following a briefing on university expansion projects and economic development opportunities in Bluefield, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

    U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) presents the Amelia Earhart Award to Civil Air Patrol Cadet Peyton Bogle in Bluefield, W.Va. on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Climate News – Tropical Cyclone Outlook 2024-25

    Source: NIWA
    NIWA has released this season’s Tropical Cyclone Outlook.
    – The NIWA and MetService assessment of tropical cyclone1 (TC) activity for the coming season indicates normal to below normal activity. 
    – Six to 10 named TCs could occur in the Southwest Pacific from November 2024-April 2025. The long-term average number of named TCs per season is around nine 
    – TCs have a significant impact across the Southwest Pacific, with the season starting in November and lasting through April. For the coming season, significant differences are expected between the western and eastern halves of the basin
    A video will be recorded and posted online on Thursday (not live).
    Thanks also to the MetService for their input. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Building companies feel they must sacrifice quality for profits, but it doesn’t have to be this way

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kerry London, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Torrens University Australia

    The Australian construction industry has long been facing a crisis of serious defects in apartment buildings. In the past, alarming incidents such as the Sydney Opal Tower evacuation and the Melbourne Lacrosse fire signalled systemic problems in construction.

    The same problem persists today. One recent report shows serious defects in apartment buildings in New South Wales have more than doubled between 2021 and 2023.

    As the Albanese government fast-tracks its five-year plan to build 1.2 million dwellings, this number will likely worsen.

    We’ve researched the pressures the construction industry feels and how that can result in unsafe apartments, and what can be done to make housing like this better for everyone.

    Why are we in this situation?

    Serious defects endanger lives, cost building and insurance firms millions of dollars, and put pressure on regulators. Typical responses involve increased regulation, but the lack of change in apartment quality shows increased regulation is not enough. Behavioural and cultural changes are needed.

    We found the poor quality of apartment buildings is often the result of deeply entrenched patterns of unprofessional behaviour across the industry. These often arise as professionals face pressures to cut costs in an industry notorious for its low profit margin.

    We also found this pressure is exacerbated by aggressive competition, work overload, exploitation and a toxic culture.

    As pressures mount, professionals’ decision-making becomes increasingly fraught. For example, many professionals we interviewed largely believe they must choose between profit and quality.

    There are no simple answers to this age-old conundrum. However, our study shows a way forward.

    What did we find?

    Our three-year study funded by the Australian Research Council is the first in Australia to extensively investigate 12 building professions struggling to navigate and resolve this perceived dilemma.

    Teams from four Australian universities conducted desktop reviews, analysed professional codes of conduct, interviewed 53 professionals and conducted six focus group discussions. After two years of analysis and model development, we published our industry technical report and presented our findings to practitioners in NSW and Queensland.

    We have empirical evidence that shows profitability and quality do not have to be mutually exclusive. We have uncovered powerful, innovative but ad hoc strategies showing businesses can reconcile both.

    One builder we profiled, a multinational company and a market leader in apartment construction, took a pioneering approach to this dilemma.

    For many years, the company’s strategy was to build as quickly and cheaply as possible to save money. However, these savings were ultimately lost because they found they had “[…] made some money at the time, but we basically spent it all fixing things that we didn’t build that well”.

    The company re-examined its business model and developed a new strategy that reconciled profitability, quality and professional behaviours.

    The company analysed where the majority of their defects arose from and there were five key areas including:

    • balcony waterproofing

    • shower construction and waterproofing

    • fire wall installations

    • penetrations through fire walls

    • brick masonry construction.

    They then built prototypes of high quality construction for each of these typical building elements. They found their prototypes addressed defects while also integrating different technical standards.

    The company then informed their clients, subcontractors and suppliers that “this is how we will build from now on”. Over time, it became apparent their strategy supported skills training while also improving long-term financial sustainability.

    These prototypes are now showcased at a centre in NSW. Subcontractors, architects, engineers, designers, professional associations and other supply-chain actors regularly visit.

    The company now conducts training for quality based on these prototypes and reports that since the establishment of this strategy, defects have been reduced by 85%.

    Our empirical evidence shows these strategies drive quality and long-term financial sustainability.

    Safer homes nationwide

    This strategy does not have to be limited to a few large companies.

    In our report, we provide a plan to ensure safer, more financially sustainable building practices can be rolled out across the industry. It relies on collaboration across sectors.

    Best-practice companies in each state, like the one in NSW, would come under a national umbrella. Commonwealth and state governments would initiate the effort by identifying the best examples in different states. Together, they could focus on design, construction quality and on innovative materials, standards and ways to build safely and cost-effectively.

    Having best-practice example companies would help weed out apartment defects.
    Shutterstock

    With positive role models to follow, other companies can improve. This would instil a mindset and culture of leadership, accountability and responsibility across the sector. More coherent standards would be embedded across the industry would ensure workers at all levels are no longer siloed.

    Education and training organisations would progressively incorporate these new standards. Over time, the workforce would rebuild knowledge and skills that are perceived to have largely disappeared.

    It’s important to ensure clients help drive this too. By mandating or incentivising companies with safer supply chains, there’s a commercial imperative to do better.

    Professional associations also have a role to play. They can support these efforts further by creating resources and advocating for best practice.

    Making apartments safer requires a shift in the thinking of the entire construction industry. There are inventive ways to align quality with profitability. We must challenge the assumption that they are always irreconcilable.

    Kerry London received funding from Australian Research Council. ARC Linkage Project “Constructing Building Integrity: Raising Standards for Professionalism” (LP 190101218).

    Barbara Bok received funding from Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project “Construction Building Integrity: Raising Standards through professionalism” (LP190101218)

    Zelinna Pablo received funding from the Australian Research Council under the ARC Linkage Project “Constructing Building Integrity: Raising Standards for Professionalism” (LP 190101218).

    – ref. Building companies feel they must sacrifice quality for profits, but it doesn’t have to be this way – https://theconversation.com/building-companies-feel-they-must-sacrifice-quality-for-profits-but-it-doesnt-have-to-be-this-way-239821

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Faith Jeremiah, Lecturer in Business Management (Entrepreneurship and Innovation), Lincoln University, New Zealand

    Getty Images

    New Zealand is confronting a perfect storm.

    Its energy grid faces three pressing challenges at once: an unreliable electricity supply, strict emissions reduction targets and ongoing environmental issues related to wastewater ponds.

    As the country prepares to meet growing energy demands, the variability of wind, solar and hydroelectric power has made year-round electricity generation hard to ensure.

    Compounding the issue are New Zealand’s emissions targets and avoidable emissions from wastewater treatment plants.

    We need immediate, practical solutions. One lies hidden within our wastewater systems.

    Three challenges, one solution

    In the search for viable renewable energy sources, one option is to install floating solar panels on wastewater ponds. However, the initial costs and environmental concerns related to manufacturing and disposal may pose temporary challenges.

    A more immediate and cost-effective solution is already available: biogas membrane covers.

    These covers generate continuous energy at half the cost of solar while addressing environmental concerns such as methane emissions and algal growth.

    Even greater efficiency and environmental benefits are possible through combining biogas covers with heat systems and floating solar panels. Together, these three technologies suggest a multi-pronged solution that could help stabilise the grid, meet emissions targets and improve wastewater management.

    Biogas from wasterwater

    Methane emissions from wastewater ponds are a major environmental concern, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s overall greenhouse gas footprint. By installing biogas membrane covers, this methane can be captured before it escapes into the atmosphere, and instead be used to generate electricity.

    This creates a year-round, consistent energy supply – something traditional renewables such as wind, solar and hydro cannot always guarantee.

    From a cost perspective, biogas systems are about 50% cheaper to install than solar power per kilowatt of energy produced. Also, because these systems produce energy continuously, they are ten times more cost-effective than solar panels, which suffer from intermittency issues.

    But beyond energy production, these covers offer other environmental benefits. They limit harmful emissions and curb ongoing complaints about unpleasant odours in neighbourhoods near wastewater treatment plants.

    Excessive algal growth is a recurring problem for wastewater treatment plants.
    Getty Images

    Repurposing excess heat

    While biogas systems have enormous potential, they do have one significant drawback. The heat generated during methane combustion can cause wastewater ponds to overheat, leading to operational challenges such as excessive algal growth.

    This is where cogeneration or combined heat and power systems come into play.

    These systems capture the excess heat from biogas combustion and convert it into additional electricity. This not only improves energy efficiency but also regulates the temperature of the wastewater ponds, helping to reduce algal growth and evaporation.

    The third part of an integrated solution involves solar panels which can be installed on top of the biogas covers. While these are more expensive to install initially, they collectively contribute valuable gains. When installed on the surface of wastewater ponds, the panels generate additional renewable energy without taking up valuable land space.

    Floating solar panels can also help manage the ponds themselves. By reducing sunlight penetration, they help limit the growth of algae.

    Wastewater ponds as energy hubs

    The beauty of an integrated approach is that it addresses several problems simultaneously.

    By rethinking wastewater ponds as renewable energy hubs, New Zealand can turn an existing problem into a key part of the solution.

    Biogas membrane covers provide immediate energy and emissions benefits. Combined heat and power systems boost efficiency by converting waste heat into electricity. And floating solar panels maximise renewable output while improving wastewater management.

    Independently, these systems have been successful overseas. In Melbourne, methane from wastewater ponds is captured and converted into renewable energy, powering thousands of homes. Meanwhile, in parts of the United States, floating solar panels are increasingly being used to boost energy production while managing water systems.

    The success of these projects provides a blueprint for New Zealand. By combining these technologies into cohesive systems, New Zealand could demonstrate how environmental challenges can be transformed into opportunities.

    The future of renewable energy will require continued exploration and integration of emerging technologies, such as tandem solar cells capable of producing 60% more energy. These could be integrated into biogas membrane covers.

    For now, though, an integration of biogas, heat and floating solar panels represents a significant step forward for New Zealand. It could generate enough power to supply about 27% of households with renewable energy from wastewater ponds, offering immediate relief from the electricity crisis while supporting emissions reduction targets.

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

    – ref. The renewable energy hidden in our wastewater ponds – here’s how it could work – https://theconversation.com/the-renewable-energy-hidden-in-our-wastewater-ponds-heres-how-it-could-work-240300

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: October 8th, 2024 Heinrich Tours Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Mexico Martin Heinrich

    Heinrich secured $750,000 to redesign and improve technology at the Center helping first responders keep New Mexicans safe

    ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, toured the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center to see how the $750,000 he secured in Congressionally Directed Spending will make needed improvements and technology upgrades at the Center.

    U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) tours the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center on October 8, 2024.

    “I’m proud to have secured funding to enhance the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center. These improvements will directly support our dedicated firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical responders who work tirelessly to safeguard the health and safety of all New Mexicans,” said Heinrich. “I will always fight to deliver the resources and tools our first responders need to do their vital, lifesaving work and keep New Mexicans safe.”

    During his visit, Heinrich was also briefed by Bernalillo County Fire Department Chief Greg Perez, Bernalillo County Emergency Management Director Thomas Walmsley, Bernalillo County Undersheriff Johan Jareno, and Bernalillo County Undersheriff Aaron Williamson on how the millions of dollars in federal investments Heinrich has secured have benefitted local fire and police departments, better equipping first responders with new tools needed to keep New Mexicans safe. 

    Background:

    In the Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations Bill, Heinrich secured $750,000 for Bernalillo County to redesign the Bernalillo County Emergency Operations Center and upgrade the Center’s information technology systems and displays.  

    In addition to this investment, Heinrich cosponsored and secured passage of the Fire Grants and Safety Act, which has provided over $15.3 million to local fire departments in New Mexico. Specifically in Bernalillo County, this law has delivered: 

    • $2.4 million for Bernalillo County and its Fire and Rescue Department to recruit and retain firefighters. 
    • $1.6 million for Albuquerque and its Fire Department to recruit and retain firefighters, in addition to new resources needed to better respond to emergencies.  

    The Fire Grants and Safety Act, which was recently signed into law by President Joe Biden, reauthorizes two federal grant programs at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For a full list of investments from this program that have delivered funds across New Mexico, click here. 

    For a list of Heinrich’s actions to support law enforcement and first responders all across New Mexico, click here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Protecting the Tūpuna Maunga: Annual Closures in Place

    Source: Auckland Council

    The Tūpuna Maunga Authority will be closing Auckland’s ancestral maunga (mountains) during Guy Fawkes from Saturday 2 November to Tuesday 5 November 2024 to protect them from fires. This will be the sixth consecutive year the Authority has closed the Maunga.

    The closures come after a history of devastating fires caused by fireworks on Maungarei / Mt Wellington, Maungawhau / Mt Eden and Te Pane o Mataoho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain.

    Despite the successful closures in recent years, we continue to identify concerning incidents involving the dangerous use of fireworks and have seen suspicious fires requiring emergency services.

    Authority Chair, Paul Majurey explains the need for these measures: “The Tūpuna Maunga are of immense cultural, historical, and spiritual importance, and we have a duty to protect them. The continued threat posed by fireworks is serious, and these closures significantly reduce the risk of fire-related damage during Guy Fawkes”.

    The Authority will have security teams patrolling the Maunga throughout the closure period and signage to remind the public of the restrictions.

    All Tūpuna Maunga, listed below, will be closed from Saturday 2 to Tuesday 5 November 2024, from 6 pm through to the usual gate opening times.

    • Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill

    • Maungarei / Mount Wellington

    • Maungawhau / Mount Eden

    • Maungauika / North Head

    • Ōwairaka / Te Ahi-kā-a-Rakataura / Mount Albert

    • Ōhinerau / Mount Hobson

    • Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain

    • Ōtāhuhu / Mount Richmond

    • Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mount Roskill

    • Te Kōpuke / Tītīkōpuke / Mount St John

    • Takarunga / Mount Victoria

    • Te Pane o Mataaho / Te Ara Pueru / Māngere Mountain

    • Te Tātua a Riukiuta / Big King

    • Matukutūruru / Wiri Mountain

    The Authority will also have security teams located on the Maunga Wednesday 6 November to Sunday 10 November.

    The Tūpuna Maunga Authority continues to urge the Government to ban public sales of fireworks.

    Paul Majurey says, “As long as fireworks remain available to the public, we have no option but to restrict access to the Maunga to prevent destructive fires and the extensive damage they cause. The Authority, alongside Auckland Council, the SPCA, and numerous other organizations across the country, will keep pressing the Government to tighten restrictions on the public sale of fireworks.

    It’s crucial that fireworks are only used in controlled environments, allowing people to enjoy them safely through organized public displays, while reducing the risk to people, property, and our sacred Maunga.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley Joins Governor Roy Cooper to Survey Damage and Meet with People Impacted by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell and Yancey Counties

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley Joins Governor Roy Cooper to Survey Damage and Meet with People Impacted by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell and Yancey Counties

    NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley Joins Governor Roy Cooper to Survey Damage and Meet with People Impacted by Hurricane Helene in Mitchell and Yancey Counties
    stonizzo

    NC Health and Human Services Secretary Kody H. Kinsley toured Mitchell and Yancey counties with Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday, surveying storm damage, meeting with community members and thanking first responders at the Burnsville and Spruce Pine fire departments. The trip concluded with a visit to Sibelco Quartz Mine, a top employer of Mitchell County with about 500 employees. While speaking with members of the media, the Secretary shared updates from the department’s work in collaboration with local, state and federal partners to get the needed care and resources to the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

    It is a top priority for the department to quickly get food, water and baby formula to impacted areas in Western North Carolina.

    • 30,000 gallons of water distributed to Mitchell County and nearly 25,000 gallons to Yancey County.
    • 95,000 meals ready to eat distributed in Mitchell County and 55,000 meals ready to eat distributed in Yancey County.
    • Eight pallets (between 120 – 144 cases of formula per pallet) of formula via the National Guard to 34 feeding sites across the impacted Western NC counties.
    • Formula shipped directly to multiple counties, including Mitchell and Yancey.
    • Diaper Bank of NC is making daily trips by trucks, mules and ATVs to deliver formula and infant supplies to 16 of the impacted counties in Western North Carolina.

    The department is working closely with federal partners to ensure people have access to food.

    • People across North Carolina can use their EBT cards to purchase hot foods.
    • People in 23 counties were automatically reimbursed for 70% of their monthly benefit to replace lost food. This is $24million in replacement benefits to more than 200,000 people in North Carolina.
    • Out of the 1,645 retailers that accept EBT cards in 25 counties in the west, at least 1,259 (77%) were able to run EBT transactions this past Saturday and Sunday.

    However, there are a large number of retailers in Mitchell and Yancey counties still not able to accept EBT cards, and we are working with partners to get more of those retailers back online.

    We are working to ensure communities have access to medical care, support and life-saving medication.

    • A Community Medical Care Site in Burnsville (Yancey County) is being set up with ambulances, medications and medical supplies on site.
    • 229 pharmacies are open in the impacted counites and EBCI Tribal area with federal disaster declaration.  Each county and the EBCI Tribal area have at least one pharmacy open and filling prescriptions.
    • All shelters have mental health counselors on site and are stocked with Naloxone for people in need of treatment for opioid overdose.
    • All 27 opioid treatment programs in the Western region are already re-open and folks can go to any one of them to get their treatment doses. They do not need to go to the one they usually go to.
    • NCDHHS is filling Benadryl and epinephrine injections requests through hospitals, emergency medical personnel and doctors who are seeing a significant number of people showing up with insect stings.
    • The department has been concerned about oxygen supplies and has worked with multiple vendors, federal agencies and neighboring states to source supplies. Two refill stations have been set up; one in Mocksville and another in Brevard.

    We understand the emotional and mental toll that a crisis like this can take and want to make sure people have access to mental health supports. We’ve ramped up staffing at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. People in immediate crisis or contemplating self harm should not hesitate to call. For everyone impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Disaster Distress Hotline is ready to take your call at 1-800-985-5990.

    Oct 8, 2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is special consideration for exams? How does it work?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jill Colton, Program Director: Secondary Programs and Senior Lecturer: English and Literacy Education, University of South Australia

    Arrowsmith2/Shutterstock

    Many Year 12 students are preparing for final exams throughout October and November.

    What happens if something unexpected happens that makes final preparations or performance on the day more difficult?

    This is where special consideration or special provisions can help.

    How might you be eligible?

    Students who experience something unexpected during the exam period may be eligible for special consideration. This can minimise the impact on a student’s overall marks.

    To be eligible, incidents must be beyond the student’s control. For example, a serious illness, an accident, a family crisis or an interruption during the exam. It does not include family holidays, a teacher being away or mixing up exam dates.

    A student suffering a flare up of pain and fatigue because of glandular fever is likely to be eligible as long as they have a medical diagnosis and recent documentation such as a letter from their GP. Other unexpected illnesses might include gastro, flu or COVID.

    Unexpected mishaps or misadventure such as your home being flooded or a sporting accident that puts you into hospital can prevent you from participating in your exam. In cases like these you will need to provide evidence.

    A death of a close relative can also mean a student is considered eligible for special arrangements. Other family crises may also be included depending on the circumstances and how they affect you. It’s best to consult with your school to find out if you might be eligible.

    Students with disabilities and chronic illnesses can also apply for special consideration. This is something that must be organised earlier in the year through your school and helps teachers make adjustments that enable students to participate equitably.

    There are also a range of entry processes for university and other post-school training and education pathways. Check with the institution you are interested in for more information.

    If you get the flu or COVID during your exams, make sure you get documentation from your GP.
    JJ-stockstudio/Shutterstock

    What do you need to do to apply?

    The process of applying for special consideration for exams differs slightly depending which state or territory you live in. However, the same principles apply:

    • you will need documentary evidence – such as letters from your doctor, police reports, statutory declarations or a death certificate

    • it must be clear how the unexpected situation impacts your performance, such as being too sick to study or too unwell to attend the exam.

    Your school will then manage the process on your behalf and where relevant, submit the application to the local exam board.

    Make sure you let your school know as soon as possible if you think something has happened that will have an impact on your exams.

    What happens next?

    Special consideration aims to ensure a student’s final result is an accurate reflection of their expected achievement. Depending on what has happened, and when it happened, a student may be able to have:

    • additional reading or writing time

    • do their exam in another room

    • extensions to due dates

    • rest breaks, or

    • time to attend to medical needs without loss of test or exam time.

    If a student can’t do their exam or their participation was significantly impaired, a moderated school result or predicted mark will be used. This is a result based on performance during the year.

    This might happen in situations where a whole class is affected. For example, a fire alarm went off half way through an exam.

    Unexpected things happen to all of us at some stage in our lives. If something goes wrong in your life around exam time, talk to your school and gather your documentation. And be informed about how you can be supported to be graded fairly.

    For more state-specific information, you can go to your state’s exam board:

    • South Australia and Northern Territory (SACE)

    • Queensland (QCAA)

    • New South Wales (HSC)

    • Tasmania (TASC)

    • Western Australia (WACE)

    • Victoria (VCE)

    • Australian Capital Territory (BSSS).

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

    – ref. What is special consideration for exams? How does it work? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-special-consideration-for-exams-how-does-it-work-240441

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Military operations, violence will only push peace, stability further out of reach: Chinese spokesperson

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    People gather in a rally to support Palestinians in New York City, the United States, on Oct. 7, 2024. On the first anniversary of Hamas’ assault on Israel which falls on Oct. 7, thousands of protesters took to the streets in many places around the world to express solidarity with the Palestinians and demand an immediate ceasefire from Israel amid the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [Photo/Xinhua]

    October 7 marks the first anniversary of the conflict in Gaza. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the harsh reality fully proves that military operations and violence are not the way out, and will only accumulate grievance and push peace and stability further out of reach.

    “The Gaza conflict has been dragging on for a whole year, and has caused the loss of many innocent lives and unprecedented humanitarian disaster,” spokesperson Mao Ning said at a daily news briefing, adding that the spillover of the conflict affects the region and tensions in the region have continued to escalate.

    China is deeply concerned that the fighting is still going on and peace remains elusive, she said.

    Mao added that not long ago, China proposed the three-step initiative regarding the conflict in Gaza, which identifies ceasefire and humanitarian aid as the pressing priority, “the Palestinians governing Palestine” as the fundamental principle of post-conflict reconstruction in Gaza and the two-State solution as the fundamental way forward.

    The legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people need to be realized and the reasonable security concerns of Israel need to be paid attention to, said Mao.

    The international community needs to, on the basis of promoting deescalation, hold a more broad-based, authoritative and effective international peace conference and formulate a timetable and roadmap for the implementation of the two-State solution, to eventually realize peaceful coexistence between the two states of Palestine and Israel as well as harmony between the Arab and Jewish peoples, she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: UN chief warns Lebanon is on verge of all-out war

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    This photo taken on Oct. 6, 2024 shows the destruction caused by an Israeli airstrike in Ghazieh, Lebanon. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Lebanon is “on the verge of an all-out war,” but there is still time to stop, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday.

    Speaking to reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Guterres said the Middle East “is a powder keg with many parties holding the match.”

    “I have warned for months of the risks of the conflict spreading,” said the UN chief, adding that the situation in the occupied West Bank is “boiling over,” and attacks in Lebanon are threatening the entire region.

    He said that over the last few days, exchanges of fire between Hezbollah and others in Lebanon and the Israel Defense Forces have intensified across the Blue Line, in total disregard of Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559.

    Guterres noted that large-scale Israeli strikes deep into Lebanon, including Beirut, have killed more than 2,000 people over the last year — and 1,500 in just the past two weeks alone, and attacks by Hezbollah and others south of the Blue Line have killed at least 49 people over the last year. In addition, Lebanese authorities report over 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon, and 300,000 people have fled into Syria, while over 60,000 people remain displaced from northern Israel.

    “We are on the verge of an all-out war in Lebanon, with already devastating consequences. But there is still time to stop,” he said.

    “The sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected,” he stressed.

    The secretary-general commended the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon, known as UNIFIL, for continuing “to carry out their mandates to the extent possible,” and called on all actors to ensure their safety and security.

    Guterres said the past year “has been a year of crises — humanitarian crisis, political crisis, diplomatic crisis, and a moral crisis,” and “the nightmare in Gaza is now entering an atrocious, abominable second year.”

    Over the last year, following the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, “Gaza has become ground zero to a level of human suffering that is hard to fathom,” with over 41,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, mostly women and children, and thousands more missing, he said.

    “Virtually the entire population has been displaced — and no part of Gaza has been spared,” said Guterres. “No place is safe in Gaza and no one is safe.”

    He underscored that international law is unambiguous: “civilians everywhere must be respected and protected, and their essential needs must be met, including through humanitarian assistance,” and strongly condemned all violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza.

    The UN chief reiterated the calls for an immediate ceasefire both in Gaza and Lebanon, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, and immediate lifesaving aid to all those who desperately need it, and the calls for irreversible action for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Heavy-duty gas turbine undergoes first ignition test

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A view of China’s self-developed 300 MW F-class heavy-duty gas turbine. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s independently developed 300 megawatt F-class heavy-duty gas turbine successfully completed its first ignition test on Monday in Shanghai’s Lingang area, underscoring the nation’s advancements toward enhanced energy security and sustainable development.

    The 300MW F-class unit, developed by China United Gas Turbine Technology Co, represents the largest and most technologically advanced heavy-duty gas turbine China has developed entirely through domestic efforts. Its technical indicators match those of mainstream international F-class turbine models currently in operation worldwide, according to the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

    The ignition validates the turbine’s overall design integrity, manufacturing quality and functionality of the testing systems, paving the way for comprehensive operational verification trials.

    “This breakthrough follows over eight years of intensive research and development,” said Minister Jin Zhuanglong. “This successful ignition is another milestone following the rollout of the first prototype in February, officially advancing the program into full machine testing and validation.”

    Mo Jingfei, director of the science and technology management department at China United Gas Turbine Technology, highlighted the unit’s generating capacity.

    “It is estimated that under a combined cycle configuration, a single set of this equipment could generate approximately 450,000 kilowatts per hour — equivalent to one-eighth of the average hourly electricity consumption in Beijing,” he was quoted by Xinhua News Agency.

    Compared with the generation efficiency of 35-46 percent for conventional thermal power, the generation efficiency of combined cycle power plants can reach 55 percent, and can be coupled with new energy to better meet user demands in peak adjustment, Mo added.

    As a type of internal combustion and a core engine in the energy sector, gas turbines generate power by burning fuel like natural gas mixed with air to spin turbine blades. They can operate continuously for long periods in high-temperature, high-stress and highly corrosive environments. Based on operating temperatures, the heavy-duty units are classified into E, F, G/H and J classes, with F-class representing the mainstream global model operating at around 1,400 C.

    Compared to traditional coal and oil-fired power plants, natural gas-fired turbines emit significantly lower levels of pollutants. Their carbon dioxide emissions are approximately half those of coal-fired power plants, making this cleaner, more sustainable technology essential for China and other nations striving to meet environmental goals. These turbines have widespread applications in ground-based power generation and peak shaving for power grids.

    However, developing huge, ultrahigh temperature gas turbines is widely regarded as an immense engineering challenge. As reported by local news portal The Paper, for about six decades, the global heavy-duty gas turbine market has been dominated by US, German and Japanese manufacturers, and China’s gas turbine industry has been plagued by latecomer challenges such as design complexity and restricted access to proprietary foreign technologies.

    The tide began to turn in 2012 when China’s State Council launched the national strategic program focused on aero engines and gas turbines. In 2014, major enterprises, including the former China Power Investment Corporation, joined forces to establish a united company in Shanghai to spearhead development efforts through independent design efforts and strategic technology cooperation.

    In 2017, the united company became China United Gas Turbine Technology Co, which was tasked with leading national R&D initiatives from fundamental research to prototype manufacturing and validation.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: DPRK test-fires multiple rocket launcher shells

    Source: China State Council Information Office 3

    The Academy of Defence Sciences of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) conducted a test-fire of 240 mm-caliber controllable multiple rocket launcher shells on Tuesday, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

    The test-fire aimed at reconfirming the hit accuracy of the rocket launcher shells at a maximum range of 67 km while checking the reliability of the automatic firing system, the KCNA said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: OCR decision a welcome relief for working people

    Source: Council of Trade Unions – CTU

    NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney said the decision by the Reserve Bank to cut the official cash rate by 50 basis points (0.5%) to 4.75% will be a welcome relief to workers facing higher unemployment and a struggling economy. “The Reserve Bank has been forced into a significant cut because the economy has failed to fire. Weak consumer spending, weak business investment, weak house prices, and a weakening labour market all put our economic recovery at risk.”

    “The Government is expecting the Reserve Bank to do all the work and support economic growth. Rather than supporting the economy and working people through difficult times, this Government has chosen to cut spending and investment, and is happy to see unemployment rise to levels not seen for a long time. These are choices, and the Government could invest now to deliver the growth we need for the future. Simply cutting interest rates returns to the economy of the past – and all the problems it already had”.

    “While many people will welcome lower interest rates, and some retailers will welcome the potential for additional spending, the rate cut is not a sign of strength in the economy but is a recognition of its weakness. We need to build a better economy,  one with good work and higher incomes. Nothing in the government’s plan for cuts delivers that.” Renney said.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: World-first fire aviation simulator launched

    Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

    CFA has created a world-first mixed reality fire aviation simulator which will improve the training and skills of hundreds of the state’s eyes in the sky.

    The aviation simulator has state-of-the-art mixed reality goggles with a 280-degree view of the surrounding landscape which provides real-world training and skill testing in a safe, controlled environment.

    The simulator was officially launched today (9 October) at the Victorian Emergency Management Training Centre (VEMTC) at Bangholme by Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes alongside CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, FFMVic Deputy Chief Fire Officer Fiona Dunstan and aviation specialists.

    The $640,000 project was jointly funded by CFA and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA).

    A prototype trailer of the aviation simulator was originally designed and developed by CFA Aviation Commander John Katakouzinos AFSM, who started the project in his garage during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.

    This trailer-based prototype is still being utilised by aviation members across the state.

    CFA Aviation Commander John Katakouzinos AFSM said due to the success of the prototype, the need for a permanent aviation simulator became evident.

    “The simulator allows aviation volunteers and staff to undertake mapping, air attack missions, direct aircraft and practise communication and radio skills in a simulated environment,” John said.

    “It replicates the interior of an aircraft and uses photorealistic mapping software and communication technology to immerse pilots and students in the flight experience.

    “It’s also designed to be programmed to train students in any scenario in any of the aircraft used for aerial firefighting in Australia, including re-enacting past operations for pre-season training.”

    Both the prototype and new permanent aviation simulators have achieved successful training outcomes with over 300 Air Attack Supervisors, Air Observers and Airborne Mission Commanders trained or reaccredited over the past few years.

    CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan commends John and everyone who worked hard to develop this world-first technology.

    “The new aviation simulator at Bangholme as well as the existing simulator trailer are vital assets for aviation training across Victoria,” said Jason.

    “Aviation is important for providing intelligence and support to our crews on the ground during a fire and we’re excited to be able to share this simulator with our partner agencies.”

    There has already been further interest from our airborne partners with a portable aviation trailer being built for NSW Parks and Wildlife.

    • From L-R: CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, CFA Board Chair Jo Plummer, Minister Jaclyn Symes, CFA Aviation Commander John Katakouzinos , FFMVic Deputy Chief Fire Officer Fiona Dunstan
    Submitted by CFA Media

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Environmental education programs funded by NSW Government

    Source: New South Wales Environment and Heritage

    Educating young people on how to preserve Western Sydney woodland habitat, care for marine animals and help threatened species are among the 7 projects sharing an investment of almost $1 million.

    The educational projects, which are designed to develop skills, encourage and inspire involvement in environmental protection, have been awarded funding under the 2023–24 round of the NSW Environmental Trust’s Environmental Education Grants Program.

    The Environmental Education grants program supports projects that broaden the community’s knowledge, skills and participation in the protection of the environment.

    The funded projects include:

    • Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary – awarded $59,775 for the Eco Rangers program to engage young people in conservation activities including marine animal care, habitat clean-up and animal rescue and release events.
    • Murrumbidgee Landcare Incorporated – awarded $60,000 for the Linking Generations for Threatened Species Conservation project which teaches students about local species and links them with experts and older community members, including Wiradjuri Elders.
    • Cumberland Council – awarded $60,000 for Creating change one seed at a time which will protect native endemic species for future generations by encouraging private landowners and residents to become stewards of threatened species and communities.
    • Tweed Shire Council – awarded $60,000 for Cultivating Tomorrow which will empower farmers to adopt regenerative agriculture practices.
    • Western Sydney Parklands Trust – awarded $249,960 for Guardians of the Park, which will educate young people by providing hands-on learning experiences in restoring, connecting and monitoring threatened habitats.
    • Mid Coast 2 Tops Landcare Connection – awarded $247,583 to deliver on-ground ecological fire management workshops to landholders via the Eco Burn Education project.
    • Hunter Region Landcare Network – awarded $243,220 for the Dry Rainforest Revival project which will engage the community in learning and restoring large areas of Hunter region Dry Rainforest.

    Quotes attributed to Laura Purcell, Contestable Grants Manager, NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water

    ‘It is encouraging to see a wide variety of grantees and projects awarded funding under one of the Environmental Trust’s flagship annual contestable grant programs.

    ‘The Environmental Trust looks forward to working with the grantees to support them in pursuing their unique environmental education opportunities.’

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: USCG Short: Hurricane Helene Recovery

    Source: US Coast Guard (video statements)

    Petty Officer Santiago Ponce, a Machinery Technician 3rd class at Coast Guard Station Yankeetown, FL, describes the clean-up effort after Hurricane Helene. Coast Guard crews along the Gulf Coast are working hard to stay ready to help those in need.

    #hurricane #preparation #hurricanehelene

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0bcYFfBu6k

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Rushing or delaying decisions is linked to anxiety and depression in young people – study

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Eugene Lee Davids, Associate Professor, University of Pretoria

    Each day we make thousands of decisions, starting with what to have for breakfast and what to wear. We make so many decisions that we don’t keep count.

    But it’s important to understand the way we make choices. This is because the approach we take can influence our mental health.

    Over the last eight years, I’ve been researching how young people (15-25) make decisions – especially decisions that have an impact on their mental health. Mental health is a major health and social concern, shaping the lives of young people globally.

    In a recent study, I looked at whether decision-making styles contribute to anxiety and depression among young adults in South Africa.

    One style of making decisions is to evaluate all the possible options and choose the one that would lead to the best outcome. This is called vigilant decision-making.

    The second approach is to make “rushed” decisions, or to put off making a decision.

    I found that vigilant decision makers typically had lower anxiety and depression symptoms. Young adults who put off or rushed their decisions had more anxiety and depression symptoms.

    In the total study group, 37.3% were at risk of a diagnosis for major depressive disorder and 74.2% were at risk for anxiety disorder. These risks were high because rushed or delayed decision makers made up a big share of the total group.

    Understanding the impact of decision-making on mental health helps us recognise whether our choices support or undermine emotional well-being.

    High stress levels

    My research study included 1,411 young South Africans from eight of the country’s nine provinces. They each completed an online questionnaire which measured how they made decisions together with their levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The types of questions asked included how they would rate statements such as “I like to consider all the alternatives” or “I put off making decisions”.

    The young people in the study were in a stage of development called “emerging adulthood” – between the ages of 18 and 29. Young people in this age group experience high levels of stress and uncertainty, often because of their changing role in society. They are deciding which career path to follow or taking on more adult-like roles.

    Participants in the study were at a stage of life when they could easily develop a disorder. Many mental health disorders start to develop by the age of 15. But it is estimated that by age 25 close to 63%-75% of mental health disorders would be present.

    When a person has to make a decision, time plays a big role. It can influence whether the person uses a vigilant style or a rushed approach. And that approach, in turn, can reduce or create anxiety.

    For example, if a young person needs to decide what contraceptive to use, and they have the time do a thorough search of all the possible contraceptive options and are optimistic about finding the best one, they can arrive at a decision which will be the best for them. The young person is able to evaluate all the possible options without any stress or concern about time.

    But when a concern about time arises and it results in a more rushed decision, or when a decision is delayed for a later stage because of the pressure, it is likely to lead to an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. The decision of what degree to pursue at university, while the deadline for applying is looming, is an example.

    In the study, an advanced statistical analysis technique was used to look at the links between styles of decision-making and anxiety and depression symptoms. Using this analysis technique I was able to predict which of the styles of decision-making were linked with the anxiety and depression symptoms among the young people in the study.

    Steps to take when making decisions

    Having time on your side often allows for better choices. So it’s worth looking at some useful steps when making decisions:

    1. Identify the problem or situation clearly.

    2. Brainstorm all the possible solutions or options available.

    3. Research the pros and cons of each solution or option.

    4. Determine which of the solutions or options would result in the best outcome for you, based on the problem or situation.

    5. Then, if you are still uncertain, you could consult someone you trust and who has made good decisions previously.

    These five steps are similar to the vigilant decision-making style.

    Looking forward

    Globally, there is a gap in our understanding of mental health among young people. Studying how they make decisions allows researchers to better understand how their choices shape their mental health. It’s then possible to develop programmes that support decision-making that leads to positive mental health outcomes.

    It’s even more important today, when big trends such as the impact of climate change and the (unsafe) digital world are affecting mental health.

    – Rushing or delaying decisions is linked to anxiety and depression in young people – study
    – https://theconversation.com/rushing-or-delaying-decisions-is-linked-to-anxiety-and-depression-in-young-people-study-237516

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rushing or delaying decisions is linked to anxiety and depression in young people – study

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Eugene Lee Davids, Associate Professor, University of Pretoria

    Each day we make thousands of decisions, starting with what to have for breakfast and what to wear. We make so many decisions that we don’t keep count.

    But it’s important to understand the way we make choices. This is because the approach we take can influence our mental health.

    Over the last eight years, I’ve been researching how young people (15-25) make decisions – especially decisions that have an impact on their mental health. Mental health is a major health and social concern, shaping the lives of young people globally.

    In a recent study, I looked at whether decision-making styles contribute to anxiety and depression among young adults in South Africa.

    One style of making decisions is to evaluate all the possible options and choose the one that would lead to the best outcome. This is called vigilant decision-making.

    The second approach is to make “rushed” decisions, or to put off making a decision.

    I found that vigilant decision makers typically had lower anxiety and depression symptoms. Young adults who put off or rushed their decisions had more anxiety and depression symptoms.

    In the total study group, 37.3% were at risk of a diagnosis for major depressive disorder and 74.2% were at risk for anxiety disorder. These risks were high because rushed or delayed decision makers made up a big share of the total group.

    Understanding the impact of decision-making on mental health helps us recognise whether our choices support or undermine emotional well-being.

    High stress levels

    My research study included 1,411 young South Africans from eight of the country’s nine provinces. They each completed an online questionnaire which measured how they made decisions together with their levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The types of questions asked included how they would rate statements such as “I like to consider all the alternatives” or “I put off making decisions”.

    The young people in the study were in a stage of development called “emerging adulthood” – between the ages of 18 and 29. Young people in this age group experience high levels of stress and uncertainty, often because of their changing role in society. They are deciding which career path to follow or taking on more adult-like roles.

    Participants in the study were at a stage of life when they could easily develop a disorder. Many mental health disorders start to develop by the age of 15. But it is estimated that by age 25 close to 63%-75% of mental health disorders would be present.

    When a person has to make a decision, time plays a big role. It can influence whether the person uses a vigilant style or a rushed approach. And that approach, in turn, can reduce or create anxiety.

    For example, if a young person needs to decide what contraceptive to use, and they have the time do a thorough search of all the possible contraceptive options and are optimistic about finding the best one, they can arrive at a decision which will be the best for them. The young person is able to evaluate all the possible options without any stress or concern about time.

    But when a concern about time arises and it results in a more rushed decision, or when a decision is delayed for a later stage because of the pressure, it is likely to lead to an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. The decision of what degree to pursue at university, while the deadline for applying is looming, is an example.

    In the study, an advanced statistical analysis technique was used to look at the links between styles of decision-making and anxiety and depression symptoms. Using this analysis technique I was able to predict which of the styles of decision-making were linked with the anxiety and depression symptoms among the young people in the study.

    Steps to take when making decisions

    Having time on your side often allows for better choices. So it’s worth looking at some useful steps when making decisions:

    1. Identify the problem or situation clearly.

    2. Brainstorm all the possible solutions or options available.

    3. Research the pros and cons of each solution or option.

    4. Determine which of the solutions or options would result in the best outcome for you, based on the problem or situation.

    5. Then, if you are still uncertain, you could consult someone you trust and who has made good decisions previously.

    These five steps are similar to the vigilant decision-making style.

    Looking forward

    Globally, there is a gap in our understanding of mental health among young people. Studying how they make decisions allows researchers to better understand how their choices shape their mental health. It’s then possible to develop programmes that support decision-making that leads to positive mental health outcomes.

    It’s even more important today, when big trends such as the impact of climate change and the (unsafe) digital world are affecting mental health.

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

    – ref. Rushing or delaying decisions is linked to anxiety and depression in young people – study – https://theconversation.com/rushing-or-delaying-decisions-is-linked-to-anxiety-and-depression-in-young-people-study-237516

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New brigade name to reflect essential emergency role

    Source: Government of Western Australia

    Wanneroo Fire Support Bush Fire Brigade will become North Coastal Bush Fire Brigade Wanneroo in July 2025.

    Over the past two decades, the Brigade has expanded from a small incident command vehicle to a multi-faceted resource service that responds to emergency incidents across the State.

    Mayor Linda Aitken said the update reflected the current state of the Brigade’s operational responsibilities.

    “When the Wanneroo Fire Support Bush Fire Brigade was first established, it acted as a secondary response unit. It has since grown significantly in capacity, providing technical incident communication and support,” she said.

    “The new name appropriately represents the Brigade’s essential role in emergency responses across Western Australia and will improve clarity, streamline operations and ensure the Brigade’s identity aligns with its role and responsibilities.

    “The City is grateful to all volunteer firefighters who give their time to make this service so effective and help keep our community safe.”

    The name change will also help differentiate between the Wanneroo Fire Support Bush Fire Brigade and the Wanneroo Central Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade during critical incidents, minimising the risk of confusion.

    Find out more about the important work of the City’s volunteer bushfire brigades: wanneroo.wa.gov.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Alerts Public to Charity Scams Involving Hurricane Relief Efforts

    Source: United States Department of Justice (National Center for Disaster Fraud)

                Montgomery, Alabama – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson issued a public safety alert today advising the public to be vigilant to hurricane relief fraud attempts in the wake of Hurricane Helene and future storms.

                “Criminals will use any situation, including natural disasters, to profit from the kindness and generosity of others,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “I encourage all Alabamians to be mindful as they consider participating in donation requests for disaster relief. Using the suggestions listed below will help ensure that donations reach their intended recipient and do not get diverted to those who seek only to enrich themselves.”

                On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend Region and quickly caused major devastation there and across states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and others. Currently, Hurricane Milton is making its way across the Gulf of Mexico and will impact Florida’s west coast this week. As we have seen in the wake of previous national disasters, fraudsters will target victims of the storm along with citizens across the country who want to do what they can to assist individuals affected by the storm. Unfortunately, criminals exploit disasters for their own gain by sending fraudulent communications through email or social media and by creating deceiving websites designed to solicit contributions.

                The public should exercise diligence before giving contributions to anyone soliciting donations or individuals offering to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene or any other natural disaster. Solicitations can originate from phone calls, texts, social media, e-mail, door-to-door collections, flyers, mailings, and other similar methods. Before making a donation to benefit victims of a disaster, individuals should adhere to certain guidelines, including:

    • Make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
    • Do not be pressured into making contributions as reputable charities do not use such tactics.
    • Do not respond to any unsolicited communications (e.g., e-mails and texts), and never click links contained within those messages because they may be targeting your personal information, to include bank and credit card account information, and other identifiers such as dates of birth and social security numbers.
    • Rather than clicking on a purported link to a charity, verify its legitimacy by utilizing various internet-based resources that may assist in confirming whether the organization is a valid charity.
    • Beware of organizations with copy-cat names similar to but not exactly the same as those of reputable charities.
    • Avoid cash donations if possible. Pay by credit card or write a check directly to the charity. Do not make checks payable to individuals.
    • Know that legitimate charities do not normally solicit donations via money transfer services, and their website will normally end in .org rather than .com.
    • Be cautious of e-mails that claim to show pictures of the disaster areas in attached files because the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.

                The U.S. Department of Justice established the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to deter, investigate, and prosecute fraud in the wake of disasters. More than 50 federal, state, and local agencies participate in the NCDF, which reminds the public to be aware of and report any instances of alleged fraudulent activity related to relief operations and funding for victims. Complaints of fraud may be reported online at http://www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm. Complaints may also be reported to the NCDF at (866) 720-5721, a hotline that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 57: UK Statement on DRC

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    UK Statement for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of Congo. Delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Eleanor Sanders.

    Location:
    Geneva
    Delivered on:
    (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

    The UK welcomes the Angolan-brokered ceasefire and encourages the Democratic Republic of Congo’s continued engagement with the Luanda process to bring about lasting peace.

    We remain deeply concerned by ongoing human rights violations and abuses across the Democratic Republic of Congo. The situation in the east is particularly grave. Civilians, including women and children, endure ongoing challenges to their human rights. We strongly condemn attacks on camps for internally displaced people, and of the positioning of artillery close by.

    The recent events at Makala prison were shocking. We encourage a comprehensive and transparent investigation, and the urgent resolution of issues pertaining to overcrowding and protection of female inmates.

    The UK calls on the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to revoke its reinstatement of the death penalty. We are particularly concerned by the many death sentences passed on those involved in the events of 19 May. While the UK strongly condemns these events, we urge the Democratic Republic of Congo to reconsider the use of the death penalty.

    High Commissioner,

    How can the international community support the Democratic Republic of Congo in strengthening both access to justice for victims of human rights abuses and to secure accountability for perpetrators?

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK push for de-escalation and stability during Middle East visit

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Foreign Secretary in Middle East to drive de-escalation

    • Meetings in Bahrain and Jordan to strengthen efforts to de-escalation in the Middle East.
    • Foreign Secretary will meet with UK personnel working in the region to underscore commitment to security.
    • He will tour HMS Lancaster to see firsthand UK’s presence in the Gulf.

    The UK continues to work with likeminded partners towards de-escalation in the Middle East, as Foreign Secretary arrives in region to drive efforts towards security and stability, and to press for an end to the cycle of violence which intensified following the atrocities of October 7.

    In talks with leaders in Bahrain and Jordan, key regional partners for the UK, the Foreign Secretary will reiterate the UK’s concern over the risk of escalation and miscalculation in the region and underline our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon.

    He will reaffirm the importance of working with regional partners to press the case for restraint and will demand Iran and its proxies stop their attacks which are causing chaos and destruction for the region and its people. This follows the UK’s condemnation of Iran’s actions against Israel last week which risked plunging the region into a deeper crisis.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    The situation is incredibly dangerous and further escalation or miscalculation in the region is in no one’s interests.

    I am pleased to be back in the region to meet with our key partners in Bahrain and Jordan and see firsthand our combined efforts towards building long-term security and stability in the Middle East.

    We must not waver at this critical period to achieve ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, to get more desperately needed aid into Gaza, and secure the release of all hostages.

    Our nations share deep-rooted partnerships across defence, trade, and security, which I look forward to building upon.

    During his time in Bahrain, the Foreign Secretary will meet with UK Armed Forces personnel who are helping to maintain Gulf Security, including commercial shipping in the Red Sea. He will tour HMS Lancaster which is deployed in the region and has a played a key role in patrolling the waters to detect and deter Houthi activity. His visit underscores the UK’s commitment to confronting shared threats in the region.

    He will meet with senior figures and will lead talks on regional security and prosperity, including forging greater business ties. Trade between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council is worth more than £57 billion, with investors from the region making up an important delegation at the UK International Investment Summit next week.

    While in Jordan, he will meet with senior leaders, including Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and express the UK’s support for the country’s role in delivering much needed humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.

    Updates to this page

    Published 9 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: ARMY COMMANDERS CONFERENCE OCTOBER 2024 : ARMY COMMANDERS TO BRAINSTORM CONCEPTUAL ISSUES, REVIEW AND ASSESS THE OVERALL SECURITY SITUATION

    Source: Government of India (2)

    Posted On: 09 OCT 2024 3:54PM by PIB Delhi

    The Second Army Commanders’ Conference for the year 2024 will be organised in a hybrid mode, with the first Phase planned on 10-11 October 2024 in a forward location at Gangtok. In the second phase, the senior hierarchy of Indian Army will congregate at Delhi on 28-29 October 2024. Shri Rajnath Singh, Hon’ble Raksha Mantri will deliver a keynote address to the senior leadership at Gangtok and will be briefed on the emerging security challenges and the response of the Army in the security domain.

    As the Nation faces numerous regional security challenges, the upcoming Army Commanders’ Conference scheduled to commence in Sikkim tomorrow, assumes significance. Conducting the conference of Senior Commanders at a forward location underlines Indian Army’s focus on ground realities. The conference will serve as a forum for Senior Commanders to review current operational preparedness, deliberate on critical strategies and outline future directives.

    During the first phase of the conference, discussions will focus on critical national security issues and strategic aspects aimed at sharpening Indian Army’s warfighting capabilities. Major issues to be deliberated during the two-day session will include the growing importance of a multi-pronged national security strategy that incorporates integration of Civil Military Fusion & the Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic (DIME) pillars to counter contemporary threats besides the need for developing low-cost technologies and alternate strategies to counter the rapidly evolving character of warfare.

    Aligned to Indian Army’s goal of Technological Absorption, the senior hierarchy will deliberate on various issues including infusion of technology in Professional Military Education and explore the possibilities of recruiting domain specialists in niche domains. Other issues under deliberation will focus on enhancing the overall organisational health and easing the processes of the Field Army to make them more resilient and responsive.

    The second phase of the conference will feature a discussion on evolving geopolitical landscape followed by brainstorming on operational matters and meetings of various Board of Governors to deliberate upon welfare measures and schemes for financial security of serving soldiers, veterans and their families. The senior hierarchy of the Army will also be addressed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.

    This gathering of Indian Army’s senior leadership reinforces the Army’s enduring resolve to stay prepared, adapt swiftly, and defend with precision to ensure the Indian Army remains progressive, forward-looking, adaptive and future-ready.

    ***

    SC

    (Release ID: 2063481) Visitor Counter : 96

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Moscow Mayor Announces Completion of Kadashevskaya Embankment Improvement

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Sergei Sobyanin inspected the results of the comprehensive improvement work on Kadashevskaya Embankment.

    “One of the oldest embankments of the Moscow River is the Kadashevskaya Embankment, historical, and now it’s its turn. We connected the Ovchinnikovskaya Embankment, the Yakimanskaya Embankment, creating a single walking route. We widened the sidewalks, planted trees, installed new lamps, removed the wires. So you can really walk and enjoy the city,” said Sergei Sobyanin.

    In recent years, 50 embankments of the Moscow River have been improved or built in the city. Their total length is about 77 kilometers.

    Kadashevskaya Embankment, approximately 800 meters long, is located in Zamoskvorechye, on the bank of the Vodootvodny Canal between Yakimanskaya and Ovchinnikovskaya Embankments.

    Work on the comprehensive improvement of the embankment, as well as the nearby Staromonetny and Pyzhevsky lanes, was carried out in May – October 2024. The total area of the territory where the improvement was carried out is 3.9 hectares.

    As a result, the pedestrian sidewalks on Kadashevskaya Embankment became more convenient for walking – they were widened and paved with granite tiles. The total area of paving is 8.5 thousand square meters.

    As part of the Clean Sky program, overhead cable lines were moved to underground collectors. Thanks to this, a panorama of the embankment opened up, and the operation of power lines became more reliable and safer. To prevent flooding, more than 100 linear meters of drainage network were additionally laid.

    For the comfort and safety of pedestrians, 113 lanterns with energy-saving lamps, 114 lamps and 100 benches and urns were installed on the embankment and in the alleys. 35 parking lots were equipped for cycling enthusiasts.

    As part of the landscaping work, more than 1.6 thousand square meters of lawns were laid out, 41 trees and 15 lilac bushes were planted.

    Thus, another comfortable walking space near the water has been created in Moscow.

    “This year’s landmark improvement project has been completed — Kadashevskaya Embankment in Zamoskvorechye. This is one of the oldest embankments in the capital. It is located on the bank of the Vodootvodny Canal between the Yakimanskaya and Ovchinnikovskaya embankments. Another place for recreation and walks has appeared next to the new building of the Tretyakov Gallery. At the same time, the embankment has retained its transit function,” the Moscow Mayor wrote.

    in his telegram channel.

    Source: Sergei Sobyanin’s Telegram channel @mos_sobyanin

    Bicycle parking and wide sidewalks: how Kadashevskaya embankment is being improved

    Improvement of the Moscow River embankments

    The total length of the Moscow River coastline within the Moscow Ring Road is about 200 kilometers.

    As of 2010, the capital’s embankments did not meet modern requirements for accessibility and comfort. The central granite embankments were used as highways and were inconvenient for pedestrians. Due to the deterioration of the infrastructure, the few pedestrian embankments remained inconvenient. A significant part of the coastal areas, especially in the lower reaches, were ordinary, unimproved river banks.

    Since 2011, the Moscow Government has been implementing a comprehensive improvement program for the embankments of the Moscow River. During this time, 50 embankments (including Kadashevskaya) with a total length of about 77 kilometers have been put in order, including almost all the historical granite embankments in the city center. Thus, today 40 percent of the Moscow River coastline meets modern standards of accessibility and comfort.

    The first to be improved was the Crimean embankment, which became one of the main promenades of the capital.

    A single comfortable pedestrian route has been created in the city center from Moscow-City to Taganskaya Square, including Krasnopresnenskaya, Novodevichya, Kremlevskaya, Moskvoretskaya and other embankments. In addition, a route has appeared from the House of Music to Vorobyovy Gory along Ozerkovskaya, Ovchinnikovskaya, Krymskaya, Pushkinskaya and Andreyevskaya embankments. The total length of these routes is more than 27 kilometers.

    In the upper reaches of the river, historical parks and beaches near the water have been landscaped – these are “Northern Tushino”, Northern River Terminal, Fili Park, Stroginskaya Poima and others.

    In the lower reaches, new landscaped parks have been created near the water, including the park in the Kapotnya district, the 850th Anniversary of Moscow Park, the Brateyevskaya Poima Park, and others.

    The plans include the improvement of 36 embankments with a total length of over 80 kilometers by 2030.

    In addition, Moscow has begun to build new embankments in areas previously inaccessible to city residents – mainly in reorganized industrial zones. They are built according to modern rules with a significant retreat of the roadway from the water, which allows for maximum use of the recreational potential of coastal areas.

    The largest new embankment in Moscow is the Marc Chagall Embankment on the territory of the former ZIL. In addition, construction work is underway on the Krutitskaya, Shelepikhinskaya, Simonovskaya, Karamyshevskaya embankments, as well as embankments in the southern part of ZIL and the Novinki backwater, on sections from the Fili Park to the Pyotr Fomenko Workshop Theatre and from the Kursk direction railway bridge of the Moscow Railway to the Brateevsky Cascade Park with a total length of about 21 kilometers.

    Improvement of city facilities in 2024

    In 2024, it is planned to improve more than 2.5 thousand objects. Among them are large city parks, including Gorky Park, Sokolniki and the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve. The first stage of work is ongoing in all of them. The embankments of the Yauza and more than 20 large public spaces in the center and other administrative districts of the capital will also be put in order, including the Kadashevskaya Embankment with Staromonetny and Pyzhevsky Lanes, the section of the embankment from the Moscow Ring Road to the Stroginsky Bridge, the territories of the Bolshoy and Maly Stroginsky Backwaters.

     

    In addition, two sections of the Yauza Park along Tenisty Proezd and Selskokhozyaistvennaya Street (the work is already in the second stage), the Lokomotiv Stadium, the Rosbiotech territory, the Aquarium Garden (Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, Building 14), the park near the Church of St. Euphrosyne (Nakhimovsky Prospekt, Building 8), the territory of the All-Russian Museum of Decorative Arts (Delegatskaya Street, Building 3), the park of the Bauman Moscow State Technical University in front of the Lefortovo Palace and other iconic sites will be improved. New tram lines will run along Sergiya Radonezhskogo Street and Akademika Sakharov Avenue.

    Improvements will also be made to around 700 streets, over 1,700 courtyards, the territories of over 120 educational facilities, over 20 water bodies, including the 2nd Nikolo-Khovansky Pond (TiNAO), Olenyi Ponds (VAO), the pond on Chernomorsky Boulevard (South Administrative District), and the Bykovo Boloto Pond (ZelAO).

    Attention will also be paid to the territories of about 41 transport facilities, including 10 Moscow Metro stations, 10 Moscow Central Diameters stations, five transport hubs and others.

    In addition, the implementation of the lighting improvement program continues. Within its framework, it is planned to install 15 thousand new lamps in courtyards, on children’s and sports grounds.

    Sobyanin: A green embankment without cars will appear in the area of the “Yuzhny Port”

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

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    https://vvv.mos.ru/major/themes/11875050/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News Release-Demolition of Iconic Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel Underway, Oct. 8, 2024

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    News Release-Demolition of Iconic Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel Underway, Oct. 8, 2024

    Posted on Oct 8, 2024 in Latest Department News, Newsroom

    DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES 

     

    JOSH GREEN, M.D. 
    GOVERNOR 

     

    DAWN CHANG 
    CHAIRPERSON 

     

    NEWS RELEASE 

     

     

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

    Oct. 8, 2024

     

    DEMOLITION OF ICONIC UNCLE BILLY’S HILO BAY HOTEL UNDERWAY

     

    (HILO, HAWAI‘I) – Demolition of the condemned and dilapidated Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel is underway, after a bit of an inauspicious beginning.

    As heavy equipment and their operators patiently stood by Monday morning for the start of what’s called “hard” demolition of what remains of the building, construction managers tried for more than an hour to find the owner of a car parked in a coned and taped-off section of an adjoining hotel. The concern was that once an excavator began knocking the first of two concrete structures down, debris could fall onto the vehicle. Eventually the car’s owner came out and moved it.

    Then, about 15 minutes into the demolition of the first hotel wing, the excavator sprung a hydraulic leak, shutting the demo down for another period. Barring further stoppages, it’s expected both wings will be brought to the ground within the next month.

     

    The hard demolition is nearing the final chapter of the saga of the once celebrated hotel and resort, originally built in the mid-1960s. In 2017, Hawai‘i County condemned the structure, citing public safety and health concerns. Since then, numerous arson fires and law enforcement sweeps of squatters added to the dilapidated specter of the hotel sandwiched between two of Hilo’s best-known hotels.

     

    The DLNR Land Division made numerous attempts to award a lease for renovation or demolition of Uncle Billy’s, but the state and private developers never came to terms.

     

    Last year, Governor Josh Green, M.D., issued an Emergency Proclamation which allowed Phase 1 of the demolition project to begin. Phase 2 will address removal of the paved sections of the property and any contaminated soil.

     

    DLNR Chair Dawn Chang visited the construction site late last week with county and state elected officials. “I’d like to acknowledge the progress from a year ago, in addressing a public health and safety hazard, complaints, unauthorized occupants and significant community frustration. This could not have happened without the Governor’s Emergency Proclamation and the collaboration of the state and Hawai‘i County. Isemoto Contracting has stayed on schedule and within the state’s budget,” Chang said.

    The ultimate use of the four-acre parcel has not been determined, but like many others, Nathan Kurohara, who is leading the demolition project for Isemoto Contracting, would like to see it developed into a public place for people to come and enjoy. “I hope they don’t make it a parking lot,” he said.

    The wooden lobby and restaurant structure were demolished several weeks ago and due to an agreement with the county, any wood or concrete debris must be cut into pieces smaller than one foot for disposal at the county landfill. In addition, as much of the concrete waste as possible will be diverted away from the landfill to be crushed and recycled. Combined, these measures significantly reduce the amount of landfill space needed for this project.

    The arm of the excavator looks like something out of a “Terminator” movie. Piece by piece and section by section it grabs concrete and steel in its teeth and rips it away. Water hoses are trained on the excavator to help keep the dust down.

    On Monday, plastic still covered one wing of the hotel, as demo crews waited for final air clearance that asbestos had been successfully removed from the building.

    Chang noted the patience of the community and added the demolition of the historic once iconic Uncle Billy’s is leading toward a future of great potential — to be determined.

    # # # 

     

    RESOURCES 

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) 

     

    HD video – Uncle Billy’s hard demolition (Oct. 7, 2024):

    [embedded content]

    Photographs – Uncle Billy’s hard demolition (Oct. 7, 2024):

    https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yeu8pzd6en1s23ohyegqi/ABE6p26swti8Wcm5kukgGcg?rlkey=t9sbyk185jv4m3f24mfykwpa3&st=bxq5idt6&dl=0

     

     

    Media Contact: 

    Dan Dennison 

    Communications Director 

    808-587-0396 

    [email protected] 

    MIL OSI USA News –