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Category: Natural Disasters

  • MIL-OSI USA: On World Alzheimer’s Day, Governor Newsom signs legislation to take on dementia and help Californians thrive as they age

    Source: US State of California 2

    Sep 21, 2024

    What you need to know: Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to provide more safety, care, and accountability for services that help older adults and their families thrive, as more Californians live longer lives. This action further advances California’s nation-leading Master Plan for Aging.

    Sacramento, California – On World Alzheimer’s Day, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of twelve bills to help California’s law enforcement, doctors and health care providers, and local aging services better serve the growing number of California adults over 60 and their families. These policies will help reform the state’s aging services ahead of 2030, when one in four Californians will be aged 60 or over.  

    • AB 2541 by Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) — Requires law enforcement to have training on preventing and responding to wandering by people with Alzheimer’s, autism, and dementia.
    • SB 639 by Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) — Requires doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals who provide care for people 65 and older as at least 25% of their practice to take continuing education in geriatrics and dementia care.
    • SB 1249 by Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside) — Modernizes the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act of 1996 by increasing local control and establishing new core programs and performance measures for accountability in the delivery of local aging services. 

    “People over 60 are California’s fastest growing population – in fact, our residents live among the longest lives in America. That’s why it’s so important that we work to advance healthy, safe, and supported aging in the Golden State. I’m proud that we continue to boldly tackle perhaps the greatest challenge of aging – dementia – to ensure that every person can age with dignity and care.” 

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Combatting dementia and supporting families

    Dr. Jasmeet Bains, Assemblymember, Chair of the Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee: “As the nation’s population continues to age, the incidence of Alzheimer’s and other dementia related disorders have increased as well. I have seen this first hand as a practicing physician both in my district and in my deployments in serving those impacted by wildfires throughout the state. Given that over 60% of those living with Alzheimer’s disease will wander at some point and an estimated 49% of children with autism will engage in wandering behavior there will be more and more opportunities for these individuals to wander from home and come into contact with local law enforcement and public safety officials. Finding people quickly is key because we know the survival rate drops dramatically the longer it takes to find the missing person.”

    State Senator Monique Limón: “On World Alzheimer’s Day I am honored that Governor Newsom has signed SB 639, ensuring our healthcare workforce is equipped to provide dementia care to our most vulnerable populations. The fight to end Alzheimer’s for me is incredibly personal. I witnessed my own grandmother grapple with the disease for years and experienced first-hand the toll it took on our family and loved ones. That is why I believe firmly that with more support, education, and coordinated efforts in the health care space we can provide comprehensive care to Californians impacted by Alzheimer’s and Dementia.”

    State Senator Richard D. Roth: “With the advancement of technology, medicine, and healthy lifestyles, in the year 2030, one in four Californians will be 60 years of age or older. We must ensure that we continue to address the diverse needs of a rapidly aging population. To do so we need to be vigilant in the oversight of the government programs that help assist older Californians. Governor Newsom’s signing of SB 1249 ensures the Older Californians Act is modernized by developing performance metrics, and a process to make sure the services provided for aging residents are integrated with our other social service programs.”

    Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging: “The reimagining of California’s aging services network has been underway as we build on five decades of experience to evolve service development and delivery for a population that has significantly grown and changed. Older adults make up a greater segment of our population and are likely to live longer, healthier lives, requiring different services and supports than previous generations. Senator Roth’s bill helps achieve the vision of ensuring all older adults and their families can access consistent, high-quality services, no matter where they live in California.” 

    Bigger picture

    Recognizing that California’s over-65 population is projected to exceed the under-18 population by 2030, and the changes underway for families, communities, and the economy, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order in 2019 calling for the creation of a Master Plan for Aging (MPA). The Master Plan, which was released in January 2021, serves as a blueprint that is being used by state government, local communities, private organizations and philanthropy to build environments that promote an age-friendly California.   Powered by the MPA, California has since expanded health care coverage, home care and day center services, family leave, housing choices ranging from ADUs to assisted living, adult protective services, volunteer opportunities, and more. Take On Alzheimer’s is California’s new public education and awareness campaign supporting prevention, diagnosis, and care

    Other aging-related legislation signed today

    AB 1902 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis (R-Merced) — Prescription drug labels: accessibility.

    AB 2016 by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego) — Decedents’ estates.

    AB 2207 by Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-San Bernardino) — State boards and commissions: representatives of older adults.

    AB 2620 by Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) — California Commission on Aging.

    AB 2680 by Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) — Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Conditions Advisory Committee.

    AB 2689 by Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) — Personal income taxes: California Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Research Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund (signed earlier this year).

    SB 1352 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Fremont) — Continuing care retirement communities.

    SB 1354 by Senator Aisha Wahab (D-Fremont) — Long-term health care facilities: payment source and resident census.

    SB 1406 by Senator Ben Allen (D-El Segundo) — Residential care facilities for the elderly: resident services.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Republic of Korea supports drought-stricken communities in Namibia

    Source: World Food Programme

    WINDHOEK — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$500,000 from the Republic of Korea to provide crucial food and nutritional support to drought-affected households in Namibia for a period of six months starting in October 2024.

    The contribution will enable WFP to reach 24,500 drought affected people most at risk of malnutrition. Of the targeted population, 9,000 people in the Hardap Region and 12,000 people in Zambezi Region will receive value vouchers redeemable at selected retailers. Additionally, 3,500 children across both regions will receive nutritious meals through soup kitchens.

    This contribution from the Republic of Korea provides a critical lifeline as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC): July – September 2024 Report, indicates that 1.4 million people (48 percent of the population) are food insecure (IPC Phase 3 and above), requiring urgent humanitarian to protect lives and livelihoods.

    “The Republic of Korea stands in solidarity with the Namibian people as they combat food insecurity and build resilience against the effects of the devastating drought.” said His Excellency Kwang-jin Choi, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Namibia. “We hope that this assistance, based on the strong partnership between the Republic of Korea and Namibia, will contribute to providing swift and effective aid to those in dire need.”

    WFP’s response will complement efforts of the Government of the Republic of Namibia in addressing the impacts of the El-Nino induced drought. WFP’s emergency drought response in Namibia, through value vouchers and soup kitchens, aims to reduce poverty and improve livelihoods through enhanced household purchasing power, increase dietary diversity, reduce under-five malnutrition levels, and support local retailers with the end benefit of stimulating the local economy.

    “The Republic of Korea’s ongoing support will provide life-saving assistance to vulnerable households such as the elderly and those headed by women,” said Tiwonge Machiwenyika, WFP Country Director and Officer in Charge (OIC) in Namibia. “During this pivotal time, identified at-risk populations, who are struggling to meet the basic food needs will be reached with nutritional assistance, helping them avoid resorting to negative coping strategies.”

    This latest contribution builds upon the Republic of Korea’s previous support of US$200,000 in 2019, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to assisting drought-stricken communities in Namibia.

    #                 #                   #

    About the World Food Programme 

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

    Follow us on Twitter; @wfp_media, @WFP_SAfrica, @WFPNamibia

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DLNR News Release-Architecture Branch Chief Selected as New State Historic Preservation Administrator

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    DLNR News Release-Architecture Branch Chief Selected as New State Historic Preservation Administrator

    Posted on Sep 20, 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

    Sept. 20, 2024

    ARCHITECTURE BRANCH MANAGER SELECTED AS NEW STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ADMINISTRATOR

     (HONOLULU) – Jessica Puff has been chosen to lead the DLNR State Historical Preservation Division (SHPD), succeeding Dr. Alan Downer who retired earlier this year.

    Since October 2022, Puff has served as the SHPD Architecture Branch Chief. She  previously worked at SHPD as an Architectural Historian from June 2014 to August 2017. Throughout her tenure as Branch Chief, Jessica had a broad range of responsibilities including oversight of the management of the Hawai‘i and National Historic Register programs, the state and federal historic tax credit programs, as well as reviewing state and federal projects that have the potential to affect historic and cultural resources. Previously she worked in the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office and was a graduate student instructor at the University of Michigan’s A. Alfred Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. She continues as a PhD candidate at the university, working on a doctorate in Architecture.

    “Jessica has 15 years of broad experience and at DLNR has had increasing job responsibilities, including serving as SHPD Acting Administrator when needed,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang. “She’s been closely involved with county and federal officials working to inventory and restore historic structures and properties damaged during last year’s Lahaina wildfires. While she may have challenging issues ahead of her, the selection committee believed that Jessica has the professional and personal skills to coordinate the three branches, History and Culture, Archaeology, and Architecture to meet those challenges.”

    In addition to her professional and academic accomplishments Puff is a published author; has documented oral histories with numerous architects and has been an invited speaker at numerous symposia and conferences.

    Puff said, “I’m honored and humbled to lead the SHPD team. Our mission is to preserve and sustain Hawaii’s history, which provides us with an ever-lasting connection and responsibility to care for the past and those who came before us. I look forward to my continued work with staff and leadership of each of the three branches to ensure the cultural resources, historic properties, and great stories of Hawaii are preserved and protected.”

    Puff begins her new role Monday, Sept. 23.

    # # #

    RESOURCES

    (All images/video courtesy: DLNR)

    HD video – Jessica Puff in Lahaina (Sept. 26, 2023):

    https://vimeo.com/1008964912

    Photograph – Jessica Puff

    Photograph – Puff in Lahaina

    Media Contact:

    Dan Dennison

    Communications Director

    808-587-0396

    [email protected]

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 20.09.2024 Breslavia Work on ensuring safety continues

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    During the afternoon meeting of the crisis staff in Wrocław, Prime Minister Donald Tusk presented conclusions from his visits to the Lubusz and West Pomeranian Voivodeships. The issue of controls on the border with Germany was also discussed, which, thanks to government intervention, should not be a problem in the event of a flood threat. It is accelerating the reconstruction program for areas affected by the flood. Lubuskie and West Pomeranian Voivodeships ready to fight the element. During the afternoon meeting of the crisis staff in Wrocław, Prime Minister Donald Tusk shared his conclusions from the visit to the Lubuskie and West Pomeranian Voivodeships. “From my tour today, it is quite clear that they are well prepared,” said the head of government. Services and residents of areas that are still waiting for the flood wave are constantly working on security measures. The Prime Minister was impressed by the commitment he could see, among others: in Nowa Sól. However, in the south of the country the situation is still difficult. The Prime Minister listened attentively to reports from representatives of services working in this area. Border controls will not be an inconvenience. The Ministry of Internal Affairs, in consultation with the German equivalent of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, has determined that the services of both countries will do everything to ensure that the border controls reintroduced by our neighbors do not cause congestion due to the flood risk. “We worked to ensure that at the moment of the peak wave there were no threats related to, for example, a traffic jam on the border bridge or border control,” said Tomasz Siemoniak. Donald Tusk thanked the Minister of Interior and Administration for efficient operation. “I asked the Minister for European Union Affairs and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration to make the German side aware as quickly as possible that their decision on border control cannot interfere with our flood protection operations. I will want to know whether it has had an effect, whether the movement at the border is faster, so that we can intervene again, if necessary,” the head of government noted. The Prime Minister reminded that Poland is critical of Germany’s decision to restore control at the border. Preparations for major reconstruction In connection with the decision to appoint Marcin Kierwiński as the government plenipotentiary for the reconstruction of flood-affected areas, the Prime Minister announced accelerated actions. “Our ambition should be to turn this dramatic crisis into an opportunity; to make things better in these places than before the flood. Smarter, more modern. I believe we are able to ensure this,” declared the Prime Minister. The head of government announced that a preliminary assessment of actual damage and losses is needed. The moment the first large city – Opole – canceled the flood alarm, you can start thinking more boldly about your next steps. Funds for the reconstruction of destroyed towns come not only from the state budget and the European Union, but also – in a beautiful gesture of solidarity – from other voivodeships and cities. Appeal to local government officials and officials The challenge for local government officials is the constant need for better communication with the inhabitants of endangered areas. The Prime Minister gave the example of a resident of Opatowice, Wrocław, who wrote to him via social media, asking for information about a possible evacuation. “It’s good that I noticed it, reacted and managed to sort it out. But we must do everything to ensure that such an informal path is not necessary,” appealed Donald Tusk. The head of government emphasized how important it is to diagnose the weakest points in coordination and communication in order to improve activities.  Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak said that PLN 100 million has already been transferred to the voivodeships’ accounts for the payment of benefits under emergency aid. However, sometimes the problem is that the procedure for granting them is too long. “I know it’s difficult, but you have to put so much pressure on the officials that they really put their heart into it. Because if people with a flooded apartment or house found time to come to the office, it means that they really need this money urgently,” the Prime Minister asked local government officials. Officials should keep bureaucracy and procedural requirements to a minimum. Quick action against criminals preying on human tragedies. The Chief Commander of the Police informed during the staff meeting that officers had organized mobile posts to be able to respond more effectively to the needs of citizens. “Thank you very much for this ambitious intention to create mobile police stations in places where necessary, i.e. police officers who are on site – in a car, but in direct and constant contact with residents when necessary” – The Prime Minister commented on this initiative. Information was also provided about quick police interventions against people who, taking advantage of a dramatic situation, commit crimes. “Thank you for the good cooperation of all law enforcement and justice agencies. There are very good signs from the couple that they are caught immediately and sentenced immediately. I hope that this will continue,” concluded the Prime Minister. Criminals try to take advantage of people’s kindness. There are more and more fake collections on the internet. The services also operate efficiently in this area. “We are engaging the command of the Cyberspace Defense Forces component in these activities. We ask everyone to pay attention to the collection to which they want to donate money,” appealed the Deputy Prime Minister of the Ministry of National Defense, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. We would like to remind you to verify collections for flood victims.  

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 22/09/2024 More than 26,000 soldiers are being sent to aid operations in flood areas

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Over 26 thousand soldiers are being sent to aid operations in flood areas22.09.2024At the moment, 23,310 soldiers are directly involved in the aid operation for flood victims. A total of 26,041 soldiers are being sent to aid operations, to these aid operations in several provinces. (…) Some soldiers are moving north, ahead of the wave. (…)Higher military schools are being added, the Support Inspectorate is being added, other formations such as cyber troops, which are fighting against illegal collections on the Internet, fighting against fraudsters who want to take advantage of good hearts and set up fictitious collections. We will not allow this. All detected illegal collections or other activities are being reported to the appropriate services – Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak – Kamysz informed on Sunday in Wrocław.

    On September 22, the head of the Ministry of National Defense met with soldiers and volunteers who are delegated to help at the collection and repacking point for flood victims, which operates in Wrocław. We would like to thank you very much for all the gifts given to the flood victims. They are very much needed today, but coordination of this aid action is also very much needed. Here, gifts from all over the country are brought to the hub in Wrocław. Everyone together can deliver aid here. Here, it is reloaded, sorted and sent to places where this aid is needed. We ask you to reach the hubs. (…) I would like to thank the soldiers of the operational forces, soldiers of the Territorial Defense Forces, because without them it would not be possible to reload and pack this aid so quickly on cars that are going to places most affected by the flood – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense. Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak – Kamszysz reminded that the main task of the soldiers is still to strengthen the embankments, where water is expected and to clean up the flood areas. Today, the Polish Army is involved in several areas. First of all, evacuation and protection of life. Para bromear always a priority. Although recently there have been days without evacuation of the population, without the use of helicopters for evacuation or other equipment, saving lives is still ongoing. The hospital in Nysa has already achieved full readiness a few days ago and is accepting patients. (…) This shows how important this immediate decision was to create a field hospital, right next to the hospital, which was flooded. In addition, the army is cleaning and drying the hospital in Nysa so that it can be opened as soon as possible. Para bromear a large hospital of significant importance. (…) Other activities of the army include strengthening the embankments and cleaning up flood areas, including in Lądek Zdrój, Stronie Śląskie, Głuchołazy, the rural commune of Kłodzko, Kłodzko and many smaller towns – the minister noted. The head of the Ministry of National Defense emphasized that the military is constantly developing medical care for residents of flood areas. A very important task is to reach out with medical assistance. We are launching military, mobile outpatient centers. Disinfection is also important today. 17 disinfection teams are ready and will start tomorrow, because these buildings had to be cleaned to be disinfected now. Preparing water treatment plants, water transports – para bromear also work for the army. The army will be present in these post-flood areas as long as necessary. Operation Phoenix, planned until the end of the year, is starting. Its task is to rebuild and draw conclusions. If necessary, we will of course extend its duration – informed the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

    MILES AXIS

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    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 21.09.2024 Evacuation, strengthening of embankments, cleaning of the area, construction of crossings, medical assistance are the main tasks of soldiers in flood areas

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Evacuation, strengthening of embankments, cleaning of the area, construction of crossings, medical assistance are the main tasks of soldiers in flood areas 21.09.2024 We are also in towns that have already been affected by the effects of great water. Here in Szprotawa, water overflowed, and the effects affect about 60 residential buildings, including some companies. We are currently talking to the crisis management team about the actions that have been taken. I would like to thank everyone very much. Volunteer firefighters, firefighters from the State Fire Service, policemen, soldiers, residents are working. I would like to thank everyone very much for this good organization, for managing this flood action together with the local government, for protecting Szprotawa from greater effects than those we have today – said Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz in Wrocław.

    On Saturday, the head of the Ministry of National Defense took part in the crisis headquarters in Wrocław, as well as in the headquarters operating in Wołów and Szprotawa. In the afternoon, the deputy prime minister took part in a briefing in Głogów. At the crisis headquarters, we talked to all the communes that are at risk and those that are expecting the wave to arrive. There is a huge commitment of residents, all uniformed services and there is cooperation. We thank you for this once again very much. More units have been activated, such as cadets from firefighting schools, who also joined the help in the Wołów district, to lay sandbags. Soldiers have been present from the very beginning, of course. They carried out the mission on the embankments until it was possible. Now, another line of the barrier against the water is being laid there – informed the deputy prime minister. As the head of the Ministry of National Defense pointed out, soldiers of the Polish Army are helping in many directions. Where the flood wave has passed, the areas need to be cleaned up. The areas approaching the flood wave must be monitored, and where necessary, the flood embankments must be reinforced. We have dispatched more dehumidifiers, which are needed in places affected by the flood. Providing the dehumidifiers is one of the main tasks. Pumps are still needed. Soldiers are directly involved in flood control operations today. Para bromear evacuation, protection of life and health, strengthening the embankments, tidying up the area, clearing communication routes. There is also great cooperation between the army and the Ministry of Infrastructure related to the construction and repair of road and rail connections. Reconstruction also means strengthening the embankments. For example, yesterday, the embankments were reinforced using Police helicopters in Lewin Brzeski – Deputy Prime Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz noted. The Minister of National Defense informed about attempts to extort money on the Internet. So far, over 80 false collections have been identified and blocked by the services appointed for this purpose. The fight against disinformation is also ongoing. There are many collections in cyberspace that are dishonest. We have also engaged in the fight against this those troops related to the protection of cyberspace. The component of the Cyberspace Protection Troops is involved in the process of fighting fraudsters on the Internet. We will fight this (…) we will actively counteract these attacks – said the head of the Ministry of National Defense.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 22.09.2024 Breslavia We provide safe places for children from flood-affected areas

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    On Sunday morning, another meeting of the crisis team was held in Wrocław. The Minister of National Education, Barbara Nowacka, presented the program “Green schools”, which is aimed at children from flood-affected areas. These are free trips to a safe place with psychological support and education provided. During the team, the Prime Minister appealed to Polish women and men not to cancel the trips they had planned to the south of Poland. “Green schools” The flood that passed through the south of Poland also affected children who now need psychological care and a safe shelter. “Everywhere we are, we see a problem with children, especially where schools and kindergartens are flooded. There are large numbers of them. Parents want to dry, clean up, and hence the idea of ​​the “Green school”” – said the Prime Minister during the team. “Green schools” are free trips for children from flood-affected areas. Safe transport, educational activities, food and psychological care are provided. It is also support for parents who now need to focus on removing the effects of the flood. “The first organized group is leaving today. Here, a big thank you to the city of Sopot, which you can always count on – 60 children are leaving from Kłodzko right now and will be there for two weeks” – Minister of National Education Barbara Nowacka said. She also addressed thanks to ministries, local governments, schools and entrepreneurs who support the organization of trips. “Special thanks to the Ministry of Infrastructure for the quick support from PKP. All children who will go to “Green Schools” will be provided with free travel” – thanked the head of the Ministry of Education. The Ministry of Sport provides places in central sports centers. A couple of facilities with very good infrastructure, where additional sports activities are provided for children. “2.5 thousand children will spend their stay in six central sports centers. Para access to sports activities and sports infrastructure – swimming pools, sports halls, climbing walls” – listed Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism Piotr Borys. On the website zieloneszkoly.men.gov.pl you can report centers that are able to accept children from flood areas. The Ministry of National Education will ensure the safety of children and safe transport. Schools to schools There are 3,044 facilities in the area covered by the state of natural disaster, where about 412 thousand children and youth study. “As of Friday, the state of closure of educational institutions was 431 facilities. Some of them were closed because they were evacuation assistance points. […] We estimate that over 200 of these facilities require renovations – from minor renovations to complete renovations. […] We are ready to support them in rebuilding as quickly as possible,” the Minister of National Education reported. A school-to-school system has been launched, which allows educational institutions that suffered from flooding to report their needs. “You can list the needs that a given school needs. This is not just about the needs for urgent cleaning, but in the long run – what will be needed. Schools can support other schools,” Barbara Nowacka noted. The Minister of National Education assured that all children from all primary schools will be provided with the school textbooks they need. Tourism in southern Poland Only some places in southern Poland were flooded. The tourism and catering industry in this region now needs support from tourists. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism is preparing a social campaign so that tourists do not cancel their reservations. “We warmly invite you to take advantage of places that are tourist attractions, but which were not destroyed in the flood. Para bromear very important for the entire south of our country” – emphasized Piotr Borys. “Many tourist places are functioning normally, even those that were partially flooded. People who bought a holiday in these places will get an honest answer whether the place they wanted to go to is in a normal condition or whether there is damage there that makes this holiday impossible” – Lt. Donald Tusk. During the flood, many sports infrastructure facilities were also damaged. The Deputy Minister of Sport and Tourism assured that funds for their reconstruction have been secured. State actions The Government Agency for Strategic Reserves has submitted a request for 10 thousand dehumidifiers under the EU Population Protection Mechanism. “We are receiving more and more signals that there is a shortage of dehumidifiers. We are waiting for their delivery from European countries that have declared assistance under the population protection mechanisms” – informed the head of government. The Prime Minister announced that a staff meeting will be held in Warsaw, during which the necessary changes to regulations and laws will be prepared. On Tuesday, the Council of Ministers will deal with them.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 21.09.2024 We reach every place with help

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    We reach every place with help21.09.2024There are still places in Poland that are threatened by large waters. Services together with local government and residents are securing critical places. The embankments are reinforced with sandbags and constantly monitored. During the crisis headquarters in Głogów, the Prime Minister asked local government officials to report needs on an ongoing basis. He also announced the creation of a map of neglect that emerged in the face of the flood.

    The securing is still ongoing

    The Prime Minister appealed to local government officials to report their needs for specific equipment needed for flood protection – so that nothing is missing anywhere.

    You have to be everywhere, especially where the fight is going on. We are very keen to reach every place with the appropriate help, regardless of the scale of the phenomenon and the size of the town.

    – emphasized Donald Tusk. The head of government thanked for the organization, determination and dedication of all people involved in securing endangered areas and for helping flood victims.

    Even convicts from the local facility are also participating in saving the city. Everywhere I go I hear about the extraordinary commitment of people, services and local governments

    – said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister reminded the services and local government to thoroughly verify whether information about the evacuation reached all residents. He assured that the police are constantly monitoring the areas from which residents evacuated.

    We are very effective in combating crimes directly or indirectly related to the flood situation. It is also important for people to know that if someone tries to raise a hand on your property, they will quickly pay a severe penalty for it

    – Donald Tusk reminded. Security in flood-affected areas is one of the key tasks of the state.

    Map of Neglect

    In the crisis situation, instances of neglect came to light, such as unmowed embankments or beaver burrows.

    We need to know what went wrong where, so that there are no more such incidents. If we are dealing with clear violations, there will be consequences

    – Prime Minister pointed out. The head of government announced the creation of a map of neglect in order to avoid similar situations in the future. He also announced readiness to introduce legal solutions that will allow for securing the embankments.

    Help organization

    People who are going to help in flooded areas are asked to listen to the services’ instructions.

    A huge request to listen to these tips on what to do and where, so that the road is not routed. There are very few of these access roads, so there must be even more subordination here

    – Deputy Prime Minister appealed, Minister of National Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz. Tomasz Siemoniak, Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration, encouraged donors to visit the websites of provincial offices, where hubs are indicated, which operate around the clock and accept goods for flood victims. Thanks to them, aid is better organized and support reaches those most in need immediately.

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    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 21.09.2024 Report from Saturday’s headquarters in Wrocław

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    Report from Saturday’s headquarters in Wrocław21.09.2024El prime minister Donald Tusk met once again in Wrocław with services and local government officials to discuss the situation in places that are still threatened by the great flood. During Saturday’s headquarters in Wrocław, he assured that the state will provide housing for all those affected by the flood.

    Preventive action

    The great flood continues to move through Poland. The services remain on full alert and monitor the situation, and where necessary, secure the area.

    In some places we are still in the middle of flood prevention and rescue operations.

    – the Prime Minister emphasized during the opening of the crisis headquarters. The head of government asked for information about places at risk to be provided as soon as possible, along with appropriate support, including sandbags.

    Post-flood reconstruction

    Yesterday, a decision was made to appoint a government plenipotentiary for the reconstruction of flood-affected areas, Marcin Kierwiński. Today at 1:00 PM, a meeting will be held with the voivodes to estimate the losses in flood-affected areas.

    This data does not have to be complete yet, but the data you provide, I would like it to be reliable, to be true. Para bromear is the most important thing at the moment.

    – said Donald Tusk. Voivodes’ reports are to take into account the losses that occurred in a given voivodeship due to the flood wave, including those resulting from rising groundwater.

    Replacement apartments for flood victims

    Due to the flood that swept through Poland, many people lost their homes and apartments. Some will only be able to return to their homes after some time, which is why the state provides flood victims with safe shelter.

    From the first days I have heard from people who have lost their apartments and houses – “where will we live?” We will provide housing for everyone, without exception.

    – the Prime Minister reported from Wrocław. During the headquarters meeting, the Prime Minister stressed that the state would make every effort to ensure that those affected by the flood would feel the consequences as little as possible.

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    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: 21.09.2024 Prime Minister: We will not save on the reconstruction of flooded areas

    MIL ASI Translation. Region: Polish/Europe –

    Fuente: Gobierno de Polonia en poleco.

    A meeting between Prime Minister Donald Tusk and the voivodes took place at the Lower Silesian Voivodship Office. It concerned the initial estimate of losses due to the flood. The voivodes presented data that had been obtained from some local governments. They will enable work on the reconstruction program. The current situation has shown that it is also necessary to create new flood protection infrastructure. Losses after the flood

    In some places it is still not possible to estimate losses, including those related to standing water, which is why the voivodes have only presented preliminary estimates of flood damage.

    We are meeting for the first briefing dedicated to the preliminary lists of losses and damages suffered by residents, local governments and state institutions in flooded areas. I emphasize that this is a provisional list. The fight against the flood is not over

    – the Prime Minister began the meeting with the voivodes. The head of the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Minister Jan Grabiec, presented a summary of the reports prepared by the voivodes. It shows that a state of natural disaster affected a total of 749 localities, inhabited by 2.39 million people. The number of residents who were actually affected by the flood is 57 thousand. Over 6,544 people were evacuated. Initially, 11,502 residential buildings were damaged, i.e. single-family houses, as well as multi-family buildings. 6,033 farm buildings were affected by the flood. 724 public utility buildings were damaged, including schools, kindergartens and sports facilities.

    Only in Lower Silesia, 54 schools, 10 playgrounds, 39 sports fields, 20 nurseries and 20 kindergartens have been damaged at the moment. We know that this is not complete

    – mentioned Donald Tusk. The Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration drew attention to the need to inform about the priority needs in terms of critical infrastructure when estimating losses.

    We will try to release the money for the first tranche very quickly, so as to clear the bridges in various places.

    – emphasized Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration Tomasz Siemoniak. He also expressed understanding that the most affected localities were not yet able to provide preliminary estimates of losses.

    reconstruction program

    In local government units, the assessment of losses after the passage of the great water is underway. Bromea con necessary to be able to start the reconstruction of post-flood areas.

    We must prepare this great reconstruction plan, which is our commitment and national ambition, so that first of all we know what has been destroyed and who should receive help first, and then we can set off on a grand scale to this huge reconstruction

    – said Donald Tusk. The main challenge is still to protect endangered areas, as well as to help residents who have lost their property. This will be possible thanks to the Reconstruction plan.

    I think that the Prime Minister has outlined very clearly the task that faces all of us. […] We will have to work so that the restoration of these areas to usability is as effective and as fast as possible.

    – said Marcin Kierwiński during the meeting. At the same time, he thanked the voivodes for the collected data and the reports sent, which will enable the commencement of reconstruction work.

    Investments in post-flood reconstruction

    Thanks to government and European funds, it will be possible to help people affected by the flood and rebuild the destroyed infrastructure. On Thursday, the head of the European Commission announced that we will be able to use PLN 20 billion for this purpose.

    Para bromear sobre me something obvious, that in a situation where we will have to release billions of złoty and euros to rebuild flood areas, the situation after the flood must also be better than the situation before the flood. We are not only talking about security, but also about the entire destroyed infrastructure

    – emphasized the Prime Minister. He added that there will be no shortage of funds for the reconstruction of areas affected by the flood.

    Flood infrastructure

    The current situation has shown that it is necessary to expand and modernize flood infrastructure. The idea is to adapt it to current meteorological and hydrological conditions.

    Rational, wise – and I know that they are expensive and there will be no shortage of money for them – decisions regarding reservoirs and other infrastructure that must help us […] reduce the risk of damage in the future

    – Prime Minister said. It is crucial to protect people and their property against flooding as much as possible in the future.

    Green schools

    The Ministers of National Education are working on the “Green Schools” program, which will enable children from flood-affected areas to participate in recreation and activities in a safe place.

    Tomorrow, I hope, we will present a fairly good map of where and from where children can go immediately, with full care and food, a roof over their heads and school activities, so that we can quickly make necessary repairs in schools

    – announced the head of government. The “Green Schools” program will guarantee children the continuation of their education, and parents the possibility of eliminating the effects of the flood. In the meantime, the state will take care of the reconstruction of the school.

    Current flood risk

    The Prime Minister announced a visit to Głogów due to the continuing flood threat.

    It was very important to me that there was nothing missing there at that moment to save the city from the wave.

    – emphasized the head of government. He added that Głogów is the absolute priority today.

    MILES AXIS

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Bitfarms and Riot Announce Settlement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    – Andrés Finkielsztain Steps Down from Board –
    – Bitfarms Appoints Amy Freedman to Board of Directors –
    – Board to Nominate an Independent Director for Election at Special Meeting –
    – Standstill Agreement Through 2026 Annual Meeting –

    This news release constitutes a “designated news release” for the purposes of the Company’s prospectus supplement dated March 8, 2024, to its short form base shelf prospectus dated November 10, 2023.

    TORONTO, Ontario and BROSSARD, Québec and CASTLE ROCK, Colo., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitfarms Ltd. (NASDAQ/TSX: BITF) (“Bitfarms” or the “Company”), a global leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin data center operations, and Riot Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: RIOT) (“Riot”), an industry leader in vertically integrated Bitcoin (“BTC”) mining, today announced that Bitfarms and Riot have entered into a settlement agreement (the “Agreement”) in advance of the Special Meeting of Bitfarms Shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) currently scheduled for November 6, 2024, which will now be held virtually.

    Under the terms of the Agreement:

    • Andrés Finkielsztain has stepped down from Bitfarms’ Board of Directors (the “Board”).
    • Bitfarms has appointed Amy Freedman to its Board and the Governance and Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee of the Board, effective immediately.
    • Riot has agreed to withdraw its June 24, 2024 requisition, as amended, and to accept customary standstill provisions through the Bitfarms 2026 Annual Meeting, with certain exceptions.
    • At the Special Meeting, shareholders will be asked to approve an expansion of the Board from five members to six members, to elect an independent director nominated by the Board to serve as the sixth member of the Board, and to ratify the Company’s July 24, 2024, shareholder rights plan. Riot has agreed to vote in favour of these matters.
    • The Company has provided Riot with certain rights (subject to certain exceptions) to purchase shares of the Company provided Riot holds 15% or more of the outstanding common shares of the Company.

    As a result of the agreement to nominate an additional director for election at the Special Meeting, the Special Meeting may be delayed, but in no event will it be held later than November 20, 2024. The Company will update its shareholders on the timing of the Special Meeting as soon as it can.

    Brian Howlett, Independent Chairman of the Board, said “The Bitfarms Board is committed to effectively overseeing the execution of the Company’s strategic plan as we work to position Bitfarms to capitalize on the opportunities ahead. Additionally, we recognize the importance of refreshment and having the right mix of skills, experience and diversity, and we are always open to adding qualified candidates with valuable insights and perspectives to strengthen our Board. We are pleased to reach this agreement with Riot, which we believe is in the best interests of all Bitfarms shareholders.”

    Mr. Howlett continued, “On behalf of the Board and the entire company, I thank Andrés for his invaluable contributions to Bitfarms over the last four years. He brought great insights to the boardroom with his extensive knowledge of the financial and crypto industry. We wish him well in his future endeavors. We look forward to leveraging Amy’s extensive experience advising public companies as the Board works together to enhance shareholder value.”

    Ben Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer of Bitfarms, said, “We are pleased to reach this agreement with Riot and look forward to turning our full attention to executing our growth strategy. We remain focused on diversifying the business beyond Bitcoin mining into exciting and synergistic new areas like energy generation, energy trading, heat recycling and other high value revenue streams like HPC/AI.”

    Jason Les, Chief Executive Officer of Riot, said, “This agreement represents a significant step to advance shareholder value creation at our respective companies and we are pleased to have reached this constructive resolution with Bitfarms. As Bitfarms’ largest shareholder, we look forward to supporting a reconstituted Bitfarms Board and continued engagement with management.”

    A copy of the Agreement will be filed on Form 6-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and will be posted to the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    About Amy Freedman

    Amy is a corporate governance and public capital markets expert with over 25 years of experience. She is currently an advisor to Ewing Morris and Co. Investment Partners, an alternative asset manager with both equity and credit strategies. In her role, Amy spearheads the fund’s engagement investment opportunities. Previously, she was CEO of Kingsdale Advisors, a leading shareholder services and advisory firm specializing in strategic and defensive advisory, governance advisory, proxy and voting analytics and investor communications. Ms. Freedman has spent over 15 years in capital markets as an investment banker with global firms including Stifel Financial Corp. and Morgan Stanley.

    Ms. Freedman is currently a director on the boards of Mandalay Resources Corporation (TSX: MND, OTCQB: MNDJF), Irish Residential Properties REIT plc (ISE: IRES) and American Hotel Income Properties REIT (TSX: HOT.UN, HOT.U). She holds an MBA and a JD from the University of Toronto.

    About Bitfarms Ltd.

    Founded in 2017, Bitfarms is a global vertically integrated Bitcoin mining data center company that contributes its computational power to one or more mining pools from which it receives payment in Bitcoin. Bitfarms develops, owns, and operates vertically integrated mining facilities with in-house management and company-owned electrical engineering, installation service, and multiple onsite technical repair centers. The Company’s proprietary data analytics system delivers best-in-class operational performance and uptime.

    Bitfarms currently has 12 operating Bitcoin data centers and two under development situated in four countries: Canada, the United States, Paraguay, and Argentina. Powered predominantly by environmentally friendly hydro-electric and long-term power contracts, Bitfarms is committed to using sustainable and often underutilized energy infrastructure.

    To learn more about Bitfarms’ events, developments, and online communities:

    www.bitfarms.com
    https://www.facebook.com/bitfarms/
    https://twitter.com/Bitfarms_io
    https://www.instagram.com/bitfarms/
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/bitfarms/

    About Riot Platforms, Inc.

    Riot’s (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world’s leading Bitcoin-driven infrastructure platform. Our mission is to positively impact the sectors, networks and communities that we touch. We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows Riot to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes.

    Riot, a Nevada corporation, is a Bitcoin mining and digital infrastructure company focused on a vertically integrated strategy. Riot has Bitcoin mining operations in central Texas and electrical switchgear engineering and fabrication operations in Denver, Colorado.

    For more information, visit www.riotplatforms.com.

    Cautionary Statement 

    Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, Nasdaq, or any other securities exchange or regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements 

    This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) that are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release and are covered by safe harbors under Canadian and United States securities laws. The statements and information in this release regarding the strength and positive outcome of board of director renewal, the date of the Special Meeting, the merits and potential of the Company’s growth plan and diversification strategy, other growth opportunities and prospects, statements regarding future growth, plans and objectives of the Company and the maximization of shareholder value, are forward-looking information. Any statements that involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “prospects”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information.

    This forward-looking information is based on assumptions and estimates of management of the Company and Riot, as applicable, at the time they were made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, various risks relating to the operations and business of the Company, the future performance, liquidity and financial position of the Company and Riot, and uncertainties as to timing of the Special Meeting or the outcome. For further information concerning these and other risks and uncertainties, refer to (i) the Company’s filings on www.sedarplus.ca (which are also available on the website of the SEC at www.sec.gov), including the MD&A for the year-ended December 31, 2023, filed on March 7, 2024 and the MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 filed on August 8, 2024, and (ii) Riot’s filings with the SEC, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” of Riot’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2024, and the other filings Riot has made or will make with the SEC after such date, copies of which may be obtained from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Although the Company and Riot have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including factors that are currently unknown to or deemed immaterial by the Company. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking information other than as required by law.

    Investor Relations Contacts:

    For Bitfarms:

    Bitfarms
    Tracy Krumme
    SVP, Head of IR & Corp. Comms.
    +1 786-671-5638
    tkrumme@bitfarms.com

    Innisfree M&A Incorporated
    Gabrielle Wolf / Scott Winter
    +1 212-750-5833

    Laurel Hill Advisory Group
    1-877-452-7184
    +1 416-304-0211
    assistance@laurelhill.com

    For Riot:

    Phil McPherson
    303-794-2000 ext. 110
    IR@Riot.Inc

    Media Contacts:

    For Bitfarms:

    U.S.: Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
    Dan Katcher or Joseph Sala
    +1 212-355-4449

    Québec: Tact
    Louis-Martin Leclerc
    +1 418-693-2425
    lmleclerc@tactconseil.ca

    For Riot:

    Longacre Square Partners
    Joe Germani / Dan Zacchei
    jgermani@longacresquare.com / dzacchei@longacresquare.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LVT Releases API To Bring Video Security Intelligence To Any Software Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — (GSX, Booth #1815) — LVT (LiveView Technologies, Inc.), the leader of customizable mobile security solutions, today released its new application programming interface (API) that allows security teams to integrate LVT Unit video security insights with any existing security platform. The API allows integrations with in-house systems, leading to a single pane of glass for security operations center (SOC) operators to take control of situations rapidly utilizing LVT’s physical security platform from their preferred software environment.

    “LVT provides a stellar end-to-end solution for managing our mobile security solutions, but we know customers also have other software within their security ecosystem. Our open integration platform empowers teams to access our video intelligence in any environment they prefer,” said Steve Lindsey, LVT CTO. “Customers can now choose between the LVT video management software, our integrations with partners like Immix and Fusus by Axon, or our API to access the security insights they need to maximize safety and control.”

    The API provides customers with more ways to access LVT’s intelligence, including recently announced integrations with Immix, and Fusus by Axon, along with additional partnerships coming in the future. LVT’s new API also integrates well with proprietary software developed in-house for video and alert management, providing support for customers’ customized solutions.

    LVT’s API allows SOC operators to monitor and access situations from a single dashboard:

    • Two-way integration with control of all deterrence capabilities such as strobe lights, floodlights, pre-recorded sounds, and live speaker talk-down
    • Other features include video streaming, alert generation, and camera control, including pan/tilt/zoom, streaming, talk down, and general camera management.

    As the security market continues to value open platforms that enable customers to build their strategy across multiple vendors, LVT’s open platform solution leads the way with a diverse set of leading camera partners, edge intelligence and analytics partners, and cloud software partners.

    Please email integrations@LVT.com for all API integration requests and questions.

    Visit LVT at GSX Booth #1815, and learn more at www.lvt.com.

    About LVT
    LVT (LiveView Technologies, Inc.) is a leader in life safety and security and the premier developer and manufacturer of mobile, solar powered and cellular-connected surveillance solutions and software. Headquartered in American Fork, UT, LVT’s enterprise software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution is used by retailers, critical infrastructure and utilities, construction projects, warehouse and distribution centers, and more. LVT is proud to be made in the USA and manufactured in Utah. For more information, visit www.lvt.com.

    Media Contacts:
    Matthew Deighton
    LiveView Technologies
    media@lvt.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Leaders Meet to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification at African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) Special Session

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, September 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), the African Union Commission, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) brought together African ministers of environment in Abidjan to adopt the Abidjan Declaration (https://apo-opa.co/3BnJ6GN), a commitment to jointly tackle land degradation, desertification, and drought across Africa.

    The 10th Special Session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), held from 3-6 September, served as a platform to generate political momentum and secure essential financing and partnerships to address these urgent environmental challenges. Key discussions focused on four critical policy areas: mitigating droughts in Africa; enhancing ambition to achieve land degradation neutrality targets; promoting ecosystem restoration opportunities; and strengthening partnerships for implementation and resource mobilisation.

    The dialogue is expected to shape Africa’s strategies on finance, natural capital, and addressing marine and coastal challenges ahead of the UNCCD COP 16 to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 2 to 13, 2024. 

    The Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé attended. In opening remarks, he said: “There is a very concerning imbalance. We must stay informed in order to provide responses to our concerns, particularly to the global community, which is worried about the highly negative impact of climate change on our economic, human, and social activities. Some examples show that climate change affects more than 100 million hectares of land each year.”

    Dr. Osama Ibrahim Faqiha, Deputy Minister at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and Advisor to the COP16 Riyadh Presidency also attended the ministerial dialogue. He said, “Elevating Africa’s ambitions to combat land degradation aligns with the message we wish to convey at COP16. It is crucial that land is prioritised in global efforts against drought, famine, rising carbon emissions, and forced migration—issues that have too often been sidelined.”

    The Abidjan Declaration, adopted on September 6, 2024, during the conference, reflects the commitment of African governments to addressing the challenges of desertification and land degradation. Over 65 percent of the continent’s land is affected by degradation, impacting 400 million people.

    Kevin Kariuki, African Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth, underscored the significance of these discussions. “Today’s session is an opportunity to review Africa’s progress since COP 15 in May 2022. The challenges of land degradation and drought are pressing, and we are committed to finding urgent solutions as we implement our Ten-Year Strategy for 2024-2033,” he said.

    Anthony Nyong, Climate Change and Growth Director at the African Development Bank, called for a shift in narrative regarding Africa’s challenges. “Partnership is essential in tackling the complex issues of land degradation, drought, and desertification. We must adopt an integrated, sustainable approach, prioritizing investments in sustainable land practices and climate resilience. However, the prevailing narrative of vulnerability and underdevelopment obscures the climate opportunities and deters private investment.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), António Guterres, on the margins of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly.

    The Prime Minister congratulated the Secretary-General on the adoption of the Pact for the Future, and the two leaders discussed progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates group and the SDG Stimulus Leaders group, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to championing global action toward meeting the SDGs. He underscored the urgent need for development finance in support of the SDGs and for innovative approaches and tools to tackle multifaceted challenges.

    The Prime Minister and the Secretary-General exchanged views on pressing global issues and ongoing challenges to the rules-based international order. They reiterated their strong support for democracy and the need to foster global peace and stability.

    On the situation in the Middle East, the leaders reiterated the need for an urgent ceasefire and expressed their deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They agreed on the importance of securing a path toward lasting peace for Israelis and Palestinians, and underscored the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, ensuring humanitarian access to the affected areas, and protecting civilians.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and Secretary-General Guterres discussed the situation in Haiti and agreed on the need for ongoing and sustained support for the transitional government and the UN-authorized Multinational Security Support mission. 

    Prime Minister Trudeau emphasized Canada’s ongoing support for Ukraine and our commitment to work with international partners to address the global impacts of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion.

    Secretary-General Guterres thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for Canada’s strong support for the UN. The two leaders agreed to remain in contact and to continue working together, particularly in the context of Canada’s G7 Presidency next year.

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Climate change is a pollution problem, and countries have stopped similar threats before – think DDT and acid rain

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Alexander E. Gates, Professor of Earth and Environmental Science, Rutgers University – Newark

    Adding scrubbers in coal-fired power plants helped reduce acid rain, but they continued to fuel climate change. Drums600 via Wikimedia, CC BY-SA

    Climate change can seem like an insurmountable challenge. However, if you look closely at its causes, you’ll realize that history is filled with similar health and environmental threats that humanity has overcome.

    The main cause of climate change – carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels – is really just another pollutant. And countries know how to reduce harmful pollutants. They did it with the pesticide DDT, lead paint and the power plant emissions that were causing acid rain, among many others.

    In each of those cases, growing public outcry eventually led to policy changes, despite pushback from industry. Once pressured by laws and regulations, industries ramped up production of safer solutions.

    I am an earth and environmental scientist, and my latest book, “Reclaiming Our Planet,” explores history’s lessons in overcoming seemingly insurmountable hazards. Here are a few examples:

    Banning DDT despite industry pushback

    DDT was the first truly effective pesticide and considered to be miraculous. By killing mosquitoes and lice, it wiped out malaria and other diseases in many countries, and in agriculture, it saved tons of crops.

    After World War II, DDT was applied to farms, buildings and gardens throughout the United States. However, it also had drawbacks. It accumulated in mother’s milk to levels where it could deliver a toxic dose to infants. Women were advised against nursing their babies in the 1960s because of the danger.

    U.S. bald eagle populations were decimated by DDT. Once the chemical was banned, they began to rebound.
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

    In addition, DDT bioaccumulated up the food chain to toxic levels in apex species like raptors. It weakened the eggshells to the point where brooding mothers crushed their eggs. Bald eagles were reduced to 417 breeding pairs across North America by 1967 and were placed on the endangered species list.

    Biologist Rachel Carson documented DDT’s damage in her 1962 book “Silent Spring” and, in doing so, catalyzed a public environmental movement. Despite disinformation campaigns and attacks from the chemical industry, tremendous public pressure on politicians led to congressional hearings, state and federal restrictions and eventually a U.S. ban on the general use of DDT in 1972.

    Rachel Carson, whose book ‘Silent Spring’ led to a study of pesticides, testifies before a Senate committee in Washington on June 4, 1963.
    AP Photo/Charles Gorry

    Bald eagles recovered to 320,000 in the United States by 2017, about equal to populations from before European settlement. The chemical industry, facing a DDT ban, quickly developed much safer pesticides.

    Building evidence of lead’s hazards

    Lead use skyrocketed in the 20th century, particularly in paints, plumbing and gasoline. It was so widespread that just about everyone was exposed to a metal that research now shows can harm the kidneys, liver, cardiovascular system and children’s brain development.

    Clair “Pat” Patterson, a geochemist at the California Institute of Technology, showed that Americans were continuously exposed to lead at near toxic levels. Human skeletons from the 1960s were found to have up to 1,200 times the lead of ancient skeletons. Today, health standards say there’s no safe level of lead in the blood.

    Lead paint was banned for residential use in the U.S. in 1978, but existing lead paint in older homes can still chip, creating a health risk for children today.
    EPA

    Despite threats both personally and professionally and a disinformation campaign from industry, Patterson and his supporters compiled years of evidence to warn the public and eventually pressured politicians to ban lead from many uses, including in gasoline and residential paints.

    Once regulations were in place, industry ramped up production of substitutes. As a result, lead levels in the blood of children decreased by 97% over the next several decades. While lead exposure is less common now, some people are still exposed to dangerous levels lingering in homes, pipes and soil, often in low-income neighborhoods.

    Stopping acid rain: An international problem

    Acid rain is primarily caused when sulfur dioxide, released into the air by the burning of coal, high-sulfur oil and smelting and refining of metals, interacts with rain or fog. The acidic rain that falls can destroy forests, kill lake ecosystems and dissolve statues and corrode infrastructure.

    Acid rain damage across Europe and North America in the 20th century also showed the world how air pollution, which doesn’t stop at borders, can become an international crisis requiring international solutions.

    The problem of acid rain began well over a century ago, but sulfur dioxide levels grew quickly after World War II. A thermal inversion in London in 1952 created such a concentration of sulfur dioxide and other air pollutants that it killed thousands of people. As damage to forests and lakes worsened across Europe, countries signed international agreements starting in the 1980s to cut their sulfur dioxide emissions.

    Trees killed by acid rain in the Czech Republic in 1998. Forests across many parts of Europe and North America suffered from acid rain damage.
    Seitz/ullstein bild via Getty Images

    In the U.S., emissions from Midwestern power plants killed fish and trees in the pristine Adirondacks. The damage, health concerns and multiple disasters outraged the public, and politicians responded.

    Sulfur dioxide was named as one of the six criteria air pollutants in the groundbreaking 1970 U.S. Clean Air Act, which required the federal government to set limits on its release. Power plants installed scrubbers to capture the pollutant, and over the next 40 years, sulfur dioxide concentrations in the U.S. decreased by about 95%.

    Parallels with climate change

    There are many parallels between these examples and climate change today.

    Mountains of scientific evidence show how carbon dixoide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in vehicles, factories and power plants are warming the planet. The fossil fuel industry began using its political power and misinformation campaigns decades ago to block regulations that were designed to slow climate change.

    And people around the world, facing worsening heat and weather disasters fueled by global warming, have been calling for action to stop climate change and invest in cleaner energy.

    The first Earth Day, in 1970, drew 20 million people. Rallies in recent years have shifted the focus to climate change and have drawn millions of people around the world.

    Public campaigns and huge rallies for action on climate change, like this one in New York City in 2023, help put public pressure on politicians.
    Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images

    The challenge has been getting politicians to act, but that is slowly changing in many countries.

    The United States has started investing in scaling up several tools to rein in climate change, including electric vehicles, wind turbines and solar panels. Federal and state policies, such as requirements for renewable energy production and limits on greenhouse gas emissions, are also crucial for getting industries to switch to less harmful alternatives.

    Climate change is a global problem that will require efforts worldwide. International agreements are also helping more countries take steps forward. One shift that has been discussed by countries for years could help boost those efforts: Ending the billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded fossil fuel subsidies and shifting that money to healthier solutions could help move the needle toward slowing climate change.

    Alexander E. Gates is affiliated with The Newark Green Team.

    – ref. Climate change is a pollution problem, and countries have stopped similar threats before – think DDT and acid rain – https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-a-pollution-problem-and-countries-have-stopped-similar-threats-before-think-ddt-and-acid-rain-236479

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: 1 Day Left To Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: 1 Day Left To Apply for FEMA Assistance

    1 Day Left To Apply for FEMA Assistance

    FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians affected by the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides and mudslides have until 11:59 p.m. ET, Monday, Sept. 23, to apply for FEMA assistance.

    How To Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

    • Call FEMA at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
    • Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.
    • Download and use the FEMA app.

    FEMA programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

    Survivors who don’t agree with FEMA’s decision can always file an appeal. To learn more about the appeals process, read How To Appeal FEMA’s Decision.

    In addition, Monday is the final day for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Kentucky residents and businesses can apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster.

    gerard.hammink

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FEMA Offers Free Repair and Rebuilding Advice in Davison and Union Counties

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: FEMA Offers Free Repair and Rebuilding Advice in Davison and Union Counties

    FEMA Offers Free Repair and Rebuilding Advice in Davison and Union Counties

    SIOUX FALLS – Whether you were affected by this summer’s severe storms and flooding or are simply seeking ways to enhance your home’s safety and resilience, FEMA will be providing free mitigation, repair, and rebuilding advice coming up in Davison and Union Counties.

    FEMA mitigation specialists will be available at the following locations: 

    Davison County

    Menards

    815 E Spruce St

    Mitchell, SD, 57301

    Sept. 25 through Sept. 29 from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Union County

    Olson’s Ace Hardware

    305 NW 13th St, Beresford, SD 57004.

    Oct. 2 through Oct. 5 from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Oct 6 from the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Mitigation specialists can answer questions and discuss topics such as:

    • Proven methods for preventing damage from future disasters
    • Techniques for rebuilding homes
    • Tips for reducing your disaster risk – whether you own or rent your home

    Mitigation reduces a property’s risk to future events. It can allow residents to return more quickly to a home with less damage. While it usually takes an initial investment, mitigation pays off in the long run. On average, every $1 spent on mitigation saves $6 in future losses.

    Advice is available to all homeowners and renters, not only those affected by the recent severe storms and flooding.

    The public also may contact a FEMA mitigation subject matter expert with questions by emailing                           fema-r8-hmhelp@fema.dhs.gov or by calling the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Helpline at 833-336-2487.

    To learn more about how mitigation efforts help individuals and communities visit https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management.

    # # #

    FEMA’s mission is helping people before, during, and after disasters. 
    Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @femaregion8

    tiana.suber

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Last Day for Kentuckians To Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Last Day for Kentuckians To Apply for FEMA Assistance

    Last Day for Kentuckians To Apply for FEMA Assistance

    FRANKFORT, Ky. — Survivors of the May 21-27 severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, landslides, and mudslides have only a few hours left to apply for FEMA assistance. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. ET, Sept. 23.

    How To Apply for FEMA Individual Assistance

    • Call FEMA at 800-621-3362. Multilingual operators are available. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA your number for that service.
    • Apply at DisasterAssistance.gov.
    • Download and use the FEMA app.

    FEMA programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

    In addition, today is the final day for homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to apply for long-term, low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover losses not fully compensated by insurance and other sources. Kentucky residents and businesses can apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the SBA’s secure website at sba.gov/disaster.

    gerard.hammink

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Prime Minister of Canada – in French

    Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on the margins of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

    The Prime Minister congratulated the Secretary-General on the adoption of the Compact for the Future, and the two leaders discussed progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As Co-Chair of the SDG Advocates Group and the SDG Stimulus Leaders Group, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his commitment to promoting global action towards the SDGs. He stressed the urgency of financing for development in support of the SDGs and the need for innovative approaches and tools to address multidimensional challenges.

    The Prime Minister and the Secretary-General exchanged views on priority global issues and persistent challenges that threaten the rules-based international order. They reiterated their strong support for democracy and the promotion of global peace and stability.

    Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the two leaders reaffirmed the need for an immediate ceasefire and expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They agreed on the importance of defining a path towards lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and recalled the importance of upholding international humanitarian law, ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches conflict-affected areas and protecting civilians.

    Prime Minister Trudeau and Secretary-General Guterres discussed the situation in Haiti and agreed on the need for continued and sustained support to the transitional government and the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support Mission.

    Prime Minister Trudeau underscored Canada’s unwavering support for Ukraine and our commitment to working with our international partners to mitigate the global impact of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion.

    Secretary-General Guterres thanked Prime Minister Trudeau for Canada’s continued support for the United Nations. The two leaders agreed to stay in touch and continue working together, including in advance of Canada’s G7 presidency next year.

    Related links

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Disaster Assistance to Businesses and Residents of Illinois Affected by July Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Illinois following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding that occurred on July 13-16.

    “SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help Illinois small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”

    The disaster declaration covers Cook, Fulton, Henry, St. Clair, Washinton, Will and Winnebago counties which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs):  Boone, Bureau, Clinton, Dekalb, DuPage, Grundy, Jefferson, Kane, Kankakee, Kendell, Knox, Lake, Madison, Marion, Mason, McDonough, McHenry, Mercer, Monroe, Ogle, Peoria, Perry, Randolph, Rock Island, Schuyler, Stark, Stephenson, Tazewell, Warren and Whiteside in Illinois; Lake in Indiana; St. Louis in Missouri; and Green and Rock in Wisconsin. 

    Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

    Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-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, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

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

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.688% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters. 

    “The opportunity to include measures to help prevent future damage from occurring is a significant benefit of SBA’s disaster loan program, said “Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration.  “I encourage everyone to consult their contractors and emergency management mitigation specialists for ideas and apply for an SBA disaster loan increase for funding.”

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover.  FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.  Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.  

    Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to 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 filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 19, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 20, 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 or 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 www.sba.gov. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Flooding in Oxford

    Source: City of Oxford

    Monday, 23 September 2024

    Heavy rain is currently causing flooding in Oxford.

    Areas affected include Barton, Blackbird Leys, Risinghurst, Marston and Cowley.  The amount of rain over the last 36 hours has been exceptional. Oxford City Council and ODS are responding to the situation and staff will visit locations and assess the problem. 

    Further rain is expected through this afternoon. It is expected that the rain will ease off tomorrow but is likely to return on Wednesday, so residents should remain alert and prepare for the possibility of further flooding. 

    Sandbags 

    Neither the County Council nor the City Council provide sandbags to individual properties, except to vulnerable residents. We recommend therefore buying sandbags if your property is at risk. Sandbags can be purchased at most builders’ merchants, including Buildbase, Wickes, and B&Q. 

    For more information visit the Oxfordshire County Council flooding webpage.   

    For advice visit on how to protect your property visit the Oxfordshire Flood Toolkit website, the Oxford City Council Preparing for Floods webpage, and the GOV.UK flood preparation guidelines. 

    Tenants whose property is affected should call Customer Services on 01865 249811.   

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Americas: Record wildfires in South America Require an Unprecedented Response

    Source: Amnesty International –

    In response to record fires across South America, with several millions of hectares burning across the Amazon basin and the entire continent, Amnesty International today published an Open Letter addressed to the presidents of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru calling for governments to ramp up action to extinguish wildfires, strengthen efforts to abandon fossil fuels, protect territories of Indigenous Peoples, and provide guarantees to environmental human rights defenders.  

    August and September 2024 have seen record fires across South America, with several millions of hectares burning not only in rainforests of the Amazon basin, but also in diverse ecosystems stretching across entire countries.

    “The world is watching and cannot wait for the Amazon basin and other precious ecosystems in the continent to be saved from extinction. South American leaders must, more than ever, take urgent action to prevent climate catastrophe that could have irreversible consequences for the entire planet and future generations. The time to act is now,” said Ana Piquer, directora para las Américas de Amnistía Internacional.

    The world is watching and cannot wait for the Amazon basin and other precious ecosystems in the continent to be saved from extinction. South American leaders must, more than ever, take urgent action to prevent climate catastrophe that could have irreversible consequences for the entire planet and future generations. The time to act is now.

    Ana Piquer, directora para las Américas de Amnistía Internacional.

    The publication of the Open Letter coincides with the United Nations´ Summit of the Future, in New York on 23 September, which will be attended by. Amnesty International´s Secretary General Agnès Callamard.

    For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Global: View politics critically but charitably and with good old common sense: cowboy commentator Will Rogers’ wisdom for 2024

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Steven Watts, Professor of History, University of Missouri-Columbia

    Will Rogers made a career out of making fun of politics and politicians − with a generous spirit. George Rinhart/Corbis via Getty Images

    For those trying to come to terms with a particularly tumultuous election year full of deep divisions, ideological invective and personal insults, guidance can come from a historical figure whose insights into American politics still prove useful.

    As I chronicle in my new book, “Citizen Cowboy: Will Rogers And The American People,” Will Rogers stood as perhaps the most influential commentator on public affairs in the United States a century ago. Born in Oklahoma, he had risen to fame as a cowboy humorist in vaudeville, the Ziegfeld Follies, Broadway shows and silent movies, and he earned public acclaim with his shrewd, folksy and witty observations on American life and values.

    By the 1920s, this led to a syndicated column Rogers wrote for over 300 newspapers, a stream of magazine articles and essays, and steady appearances on the national lecture circuit. He hosted a national radio program and had starring roles in several Hollywood “talkie” movies.

    Rogers became the most beloved figure in America until his death in 1935. As I discovered in my research, a flood of eulogies appeared in newspapers and magazines following his passing. Typical was this one appearing in the Minneapolis Journal: “We all loved Will Rogers … . Poets we have had, and philosophers, and humorists of note; but not one among them all so endeared to the heart of the whole people. None was ever mourned with such genuine grief, none will be so missed from our common life.”

    Especially fascinated by the nation’s politics, Rogers often trained his humor on its foibles and achievements alike. Three touchstones guided his commentary: a genial skepticism about politics as usual, a belief that politics must be subsumed within a broader perspective on life and, above all, an insistence that political discussants honor a code of civility.

    Will Rogers sends up politics and politicians in this radio broadcast from 1924.

    ‘I just … report the facts’

    Rogers got most of his laughs from skeptical jabs at the system. He gleefully skewered the “bunk” of American politics, his favorite word for politicians’ shameless hypocrisy, bombastic rhetoric, inflated egos and shady deal-making. Both Democrats and Republicans stood guilty of peddling bunk.

    “You know, the more you read and observe about this politics thing, you’ve got to admit that each party is worse than the other,” Rogers said. “It is getting so that a Republican promise is not much more to be depended on than a Democratic one. And that has always been considered the lowest form of collateral in the world.”

    The Oklahoman poked fun at the political system’s grandiose rituals and fumbling institutions. He wrote of a benumbing presidential convention in 1924 that took three weeks and 103 ballots to nominate a nonentity: “In number of population the convention is holding its own. The deaths from old age among the delegates is about offset by the birthrate.”

    Rogers pilloried governmental ineptness in Washington, D.C. One year, when Congress reconvened after a round of egregious bickering and inaction, he joked, “Let us all pray: Oh Lord, give us strength to bear that which is about to be inflicted upon us. Be merciful with them, Oh Lord, for they know not what they do.”

    He claimed a simple approach: “I don’t make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”

    ‘Critical yet charitable’

    Yet Rogers insisted that political disputation should be kept in perspective. He urged his fellow citizens to avoid politicizing every public issue and instead concentrate on more meaningful endeavors – family, friends, community and work.

    Despite the dire warnings of political zealots, he said, “There is no less sickness, no less Earthquakes, no less Progress, no less inventions, no less morality, no less Christianity under one (president) than the other.”

    But for Rogers, the ultimate guarantee of stability came from the mass of workaday American citizens seeking commonsense solutions to public problems. What Rogers called the “Big Honest Majority” lived simply and worked hard, wanted a good life for their families and pursued their own version of happiness.

    The average citizen, Rogers believed, had solid judgment and “was not simple minded enough to believe that EVERYTHING is right and doesn’t appear to be cuckoo enough to believe that EVERYTHING is wrong.”

    Finally, Rogers urged an approach to politics that was critical yet charitable, principled yet magnanimous. A connoisseur of civility, he insisted that political disputants were opponents, not enemies, and that contrary viewpoints deserved respect.

    The humorist set the example: “I haven’t got it in for anybody or anything.”

    Will Rogers dining with Oklahoma Gov. Bill Murray on Feb. 3, 1931, in Oklahoma City. Murray had his usual meal of hard-boiled eggs and milk; Rogers chose fried chicken.
    Associated Press

    Surviving overwrought partisanship

    Even as he pilloried politicians’ shortcomings, he never made it personal. Despite their faults, Rogers wrote, “the Rascals, when you meet ’em face to face and know ’em, they are mighty nice fellows.” He declared famously, “I’ve joked about every prominent man in my time but I never met a man I didn’t like.”

    Determinedly nonpartisan throughout most of his career, he leaned toward the party of Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression while jesting, “I don’t belong to any organized political faith; I’m a Democrat.” The cowboy humorist saw politics as an endeavor for genial discussion, not a blood sport.

    Rogers’ political axioms of healthy skepticism, perspicacity and civility remain useful guides for surviving even the most sordid electioneering.

    So when you hear overwrought partisans lamenting “the end of democracy” or “we won’t have a country left anymore,” take a deep breath and consider Will Rogers’ calmer, wiser approach to presidential elections a century ago. Remember his conclusion that America won’t be ruined “no matter who is elected, so the Politicians will have to wait four more years to tell us who will ruin us then.”

    Then you can adopt his sage advice that when dealing with a political adversary, “don’t disagree with him looking at him; walk around behind him and see the way he’s looking.”

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

    – ref. View politics critically but charitably and with good old common sense: cowboy commentator Will Rogers’ wisdom for 2024 – https://theconversation.com/view-politics-critically-but-charitably-and-with-good-old-common-sense-cowboy-commentator-will-rogers-wisdom-for-2024-239372

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Gun violence in Philadelphia plummeted in 2024 − researchers aren’t sure why, but here are 3 factors at play

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Carla Lewandowski, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, Rowan University

    Philadelphia had 563 homicides in 2021 — the deadliest year on record. Alex Potemkin/E+ Collection via Getty Images

    Philadelphia experienced a surge in shootings and homicides during the COVID-19 years that disproportionately affected young Black and Latino men in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with drug markets.

    In 2020, Philadelphia had 499 homicides – nearly 150 more than the previous year. Gun violence worsened in 2021 – with 562 homicides that year – and then dropped slightly in 2022.

    Fortunately, recent data shows a notable decline in these crimes over the past two years. As of late September 2024, homicides are down 40% for the year to date compared with 2023. And the number of shooting victims has decreased similarly – from 1,236 in the first eight months of 2023 to 758 for the same period in 2024.

    As professors of criminal justice who live in Greater Philadelphia, we know that there is no single explanation for the drop in gun violence. Rather, many factors at both the local and national levels could be playing a role.

    Police and justice system return to (sort of) normalcy

    A shortage of police – driven by pandemic-era resignations, retirements and injuries – significantly affected cities like Philadelphia.

    Additionally, the Philadelphia Police Department’s number of traffic and pedestrian stops dropped drastically. This was due to both the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and a widespread reluctance among officers to engage with citizens after massive protests in response to the murder of George Floyd. In fact, the number of documented stops plummeted by 83% from 2019 to 2020 alone.

    Philadelphia police staffing remains nearly 20% lower than before the pandemic.
    Spencer Platt/Getty Images News via Getty Images

    As the year progressed, the department struggled with officers’ abuse of the Pennsylvania Heart and Lung Act. This statewide disability program allows police and firefighters injured on the job to collect their full salaries.

    By September 2021, 14% of Philadelphia patrol officers were out of work on “no duty” disability leave, according to investigations by both The Philadelphia Inquirer and the city controller.

    Though up-to-date data is unavailable, there was a 31% drop in injury claims by December 2022, 10 months after the Inquirer investigation was published.

    More recently, the Philadelphia Police Department has attempted to increase its ranks through intensified recruitment efforts. It also lowered physical requirements and eliminated certain residency restrictions.

    Despite these efforts, staffing remains nearly 20% lower than in 2019. This places considerable strain on the existing workforce.

    Of course, the COVID-19 years considerably affected the entire criminal justice system and beyond in Philadelphia. Courts operated in a limited capacity, cases backlogged, probation and parole officers were less able to supervise individuals in the community, and the jail population was reduced. The city’s array of community- and hospital-based violence intervention programs were also disrupted.

    The post-pandemic resumption of court operations, improved violence intervention programs, police recruitment efforts and reduced disability claims may help explain the recent drop in shootings.

    New leadership and crime-fighting strategies

    Reducing gun violence was a top campaign issue during Philadelphia’s 2023 mayoral race.

    Mayor Cherelle Parker, elected on a law-and-order platform, declared a public safety emergency on her first day in office.

    She also appointed Kevin Bethel as police commissioner in charge of the more than 6,000-member force. Bethel, second in command under former Commissioner Charles Ramsey, quickly released a 100-day plan that focused on crime reduction in high-crime districts, shutting down open-air drug markets in Kensington and reinforcing federal partnerships to tackle violent crime.

    Philadelphia has also adopted new policing strategies and technologies.

    In early 2022, before Parker and Bethel’s tenure, the Philadelphia Police Department under former Commissioner Danielle Outlaw designated a new unit to investigate nonfatal shootings. In 2021, only 17% of nonfatal shootings led to arrests, a failure that can fuel retaliatory violence, legal cynicism – which refers to a drop in trust of the legal system – and communities resorting to self-policing.

    While it’s not yet clear what effect the new unit has had in Philadelphia, research shows such units that prioritize resources to solving nonfatal shootings in places such as Boston and Denver have reduced gun violence.

    More recently, the city began deploying mobile surge teams on weekends to flood high-crime areas with officers to deter potential criminal activity.

    Meanwhile, Temple University attributes the reduction in crime within its patrol areas to the implementation of safety measures, including new equipment for officers such as firearms and radios, upgraded security cameras and advanced technology such as license plate readers, which help identify stolen vehicles or those linked to criminal behavior.

    Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has prioritized reducing gun violence in high-crime neighborhoods.
    Ryan Collerd/AFP via Getty Images

    National crime trends

    While local initiatives have likely contributed to Philadelphia’s drop in violent crime, these improvements also fit into national crime trends as cities across the U.S. experienced similar declines.

    Economics and public safety expert John Roman, for example, attributes both the rise and fall of violence to pandemic-related losses in government staffing and functionality, which he argues returned to prepandemic levels in late 2023.

    Roman shows how 1.3 million government jobs were lost nationally at the outset of COVID-19, with 75% of the losses coming at the local level. These local government employees, such as social and outreach workers, often connect people in marginalized communities that bear the brunt of gun violence to crucial services such as trauma counseling, victim advocacy and legal assistance.

    In Philadelphia, approximately 3,000 local government jobs were lost between 2019 and 2022. The reopening of social services and increase in those jobs and community-based interventions post-pandemic may have helped stabilize Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.

    Crime trends tend to ebb and flow. This current drop appears to align with a national de-escalation in violent crime. These factors, alongside the statistical phenomenon of regression to the mean – where crime rates normalize after extreme spikes – apply to both national and local crime rates.

    Some researchers, including Roman, have also considered the possibility that the recent 2020-2022 homicide peak killed a portion of the most violent offenders who drive shootings in their neighborhood. It’s based on the concept of the victim-offender overlap that those at the highest risk of violence are often offenders themselves.

    But crediting Philadelphia’s decline in homicides and violent crime to any single cause oversimplifies a much more intricate picture. While the exact causes of these shifts are complex, understanding the interplay of local and national forces is essential to sustaining this positive trajectory.

    John A. Shjarback receives funding from: the South Jersey Institute for Population Health; the NJ Gun Violence Research Center; and a few local/county governments including Cumberland County, NJ, Atlantic City, NJ, and Suffolk County, NY.

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

    – ref. Gun violence in Philadelphia plummeted in 2024 − researchers aren’t sure why, but here are 3 factors at play – https://theconversation.com/gun-violence-in-philadelphia-plummeted-in-2024-researchers-arent-sure-why-but-here-are-3-factors-at-play-235485

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Google at the 79th United Nations General Assembly

    Source: Google

    This week, global leaders are gathering in New York City for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the first “Summit of the Future.” Front and center is how to dramatically accelerate progress on the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    To help, the UN took a significant step forward yesterday in adopting the Global Digital Compact, a UN initiative to design a global framework to overcome digital, data and innovation divides. It outlines principles, objectives and actions for advancing an open, free, secure and human-centered digital future that enables the realization of the SDGs.

    We believe that linking the SDGs with digital progress is a great step, as we’ve seen first-hand how digital tools and access to technology can benefit education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and economic growth. We’ve long been inspired by the alignment between Google’s mission — to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful — and the SDGs. They’re similarly audacious goals that seek to benefit humanity.

    Most excitingly, AI may now bring them all into reach.

    As our CEO Sundar Pichai said in his keynote address at the UN’s Summit of the Future this weekend, “Just as the internet and mobile devices expanded opportunities for people around the world, now AI is poised to accelerate progress at unprecedented scale.”

    He also shared some of the ways Google develops technology in an effort to improve the lives of as many people as possible. From investments in infrastructure to digital skills training to innovating new products, we’re focused on making sure the digital divide does not become an AI divide.

    Our partnerships to address the SDGs

    We know from experience that expanding access to opportunity through technology requires strong public-private partnerships — with bold investments supported by the right policy frameworks. That’s why to address the SDGs and prevent an AI divide we are working across sectors, in concert with the UN and others. Today I’m excited to share a few updates on that work, including ongoing partnerships with UN agencies and a broad array of global stakeholders.

    Supporting AI skilling and education through a Global AI Opportunity Fund

    As Sundar shared in his keynote address, we’re proudly committing $120 million to make AI education and training available throughout the world. We’re partnering with nonprofit and civil society organizations to provide training in local languages based on foundational AI courses designed by Google and others. This is in addition to $275 million in Google.org funding already committed to support the responsible use of AI in society, funding both NGOs using AI to accelerate their social impact as well as organizations helping to build an ethical, safe and robust AI ecosystem. This also covers support for the development of AI solutions to achieve the SDGs such as flood forecasting in more than 80 countries, wildfire detection, and AlphaFold which is being used by over 2 million scientists in more than 190 countries doing protein-folding research.

    Enhancing the “Data Commons” to measure SDG progress

    After a successful year since the launch of UN Data Commons for the SDGs, Google has worked with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) Statistics Division to expand Data Commons integration into major organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO). Data Commons acts as a central hub, providing an AI interface to access insights and visualizations on SDG progress, ultimately facilitating data-driven strategies and decisions in support of the SDGs. This helps with data equity — eliminating data as a primary barrier to implementing the SDGs — and ensures more communities have the resources they need to benefit from AI advances.

    Using AI to map the world’s buildings

    With the global population growing by more than 80 million a year, mapping the ever-changing built environment is difficult. But comprehensive urban data is critical to help global decision-makers and partners like UN Habitat support effective urban planning and address SDG 11. Just last week, we launched the Open Buildings 2.5D Temporal dataset, which uses AI to extract building footprints and heights from satellite imagery that is too blurry for the human eye, and provides critical information about how the world’s cities are changing over time with unprecedented detail.

    Using AI to enhance humanitarian disaster response

    In collaboration with Google.org, UN Global Pulse’s DISHA initiative, and the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT), Google Research delivered an AI-powered solution to assist UNOSAT experts in assessing building damage, significantly enhancing the United Nations’ capacity to respond to global natural disasters. The tool allows UNOSAT analysts to expand their coverage by a factor of seven, allowing them to assess much larger regions in disaster zones, and it speeds up the production of initial damage reports by a factor of six, facilitating faster support to humanitarian agencies.

    Leveraging Google Cloud

    Google Cloud collaborated with the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN International Computing Centre (UNICC), and the Italian and Ethiopian governments to co-host an event to address the mounting challenges associated with the upcoming EU Deforestation Regulations. Google Cloud offers modern technology solutions to empower coffee farmers with what we call “first mile data ownership,” providing control of the data to the farmers on the ground and allowing for greater transparency and supply chain efficiency. We also signed a Joint Declaration with UNIDO to leverage innovation to advance inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

    Working to enhance education for all

    As part of our commitment to learning for all, we’re working with UNICEF to support SDG4 (Quality Education), including deploying Chromebooks and using Google Classroom and Read Along to support literacy development. We are also proud to be a member of UNESCO’s Global Education Coalition, which yesterday launched the Six Pillars for Digital Transformation of Education, a common framework to shape sustainable and human-centered digital transformation of education systems. We know that by safely connecting young people to high-quality learning experiences, we can support skilling, economic development and societal contribution. Our aim is to use the power of technology, including advances in AI, and apply it to help close the equity gap and solve for the global learning crisis.

    Looking ahead

    We’re proud of our ongoing work with the UN. This year, in particular, we were deeply inspired by the first-ever “Summit of the Future,” which reflected an understanding of the urgent issues facing our world, as well as the role technology can play if we work together.

    We already know that future generations are watching, and focused on the urgent need for progress. In fact, this year a group of YouTube Creators from around the world joined UNGA and the summit to amplify these vital conversations with their more than 52 million subscribers. This, in addition to livestreaming UNGA sessions on YouTube, is one more way that people are signaling support for progress on the SDGs.

    As Sundar put it, “The opportunities are too great…the challenges too urgent…. and this technology too transformational, to do anything less.”

    So let’s do this!

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Mullin, Lucas Secure $5.5 Million Investment to OSU to Enhance Weather Prediction

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    Mullin, Lucas Secure $5.5 Million Investment to OSU to Enhance Weather Prediction

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded Oklahoma State University (OSU) $5.5 million as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. The purpose of these funds is to increase knowledge about local weather systems in the lower atmosphere, enabling the safe integration of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the National Airspace System.

    Senator Mullin (R-OK) and Representative Lucas (OK-03) were the sponsors of the congressionally directed spending that made this funding possible. This project also received support from Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce and Payne County Commissioner Chris Reding.

    “Oklahoma State University is leading the way in the aerospace and aviation industry,” said Sen. Mullin. “These funds will allow their innovation to continue as they expand research into weather sensors in commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft. I’m thrilled to share this news, and I also want to thank President Shrum for her leadership.”

    “I’ve been proud to see my Alma Mater – Oklahoma State University – take initiatives in the aerospace industry and weather data sciences. I’ve spoken with President Shrum about the immense progress being made on campus in recent years, and it’s clear this community funded project will only further its impact,” said Congressman Lucas. “Those of us in Oklahoma know firsthand how important accurate weather predictions are to our livelihoods, and the funding made possible by this congressionally directed spending will enable OSU to take great strides in enhancing weather prediction through Unmanned Aircraft Systems. I’d like to thank President Shrum for her efforts and am excited to see what positive results this project will bring to our state.”  

    “On behalf of Oklahoma State University and its Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE), I would like to personally thank Senator Mullin and Representative Lucas for their support and tireless work in securing vital funding to further establish methods to standardize and trace commercial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) atmospheric measurements,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum. “This funding will provide enormous benefit to Oklahoma and the nation through facilitating the safe and sustainable integration of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility into the National Airspace System. The enhanced coverage and precision of low-altitude weather data this project will provide will offer significant benefits to the helicopter-based Emergency Medical Services community operating within the same airspace, helping to lessen their operational risks. The meteorology community will be able to leverage this data to refine weather products and extend warning times for potentially hazardous conditions contributing to critical safety measures being employed. Oklahoma State University’s OAIRE is a national leader in aerospace and aviation research and education and we are proud to be involved in this important project and owe Sen. Mullin and Rep. Lucas a debt of gratitude for making it possible.”

    BACKGROUND

    • The objective of this project is to increase knowledge about local weather systems in the lower atmosphere, enabling the safe integration of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Advanced Air Mobility aircraft into the National Airspace System.
    • The researchers will create a method to standardize and trace commercial UAS and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) atmospheric measurements. The project will develop protocols and standards for the Unmanned Aircraft Meteorological Data Report. The project will also evaluate existing maintenance operations that may support AAM operations, particularly related to weather impacts related to severe weather and fire. The researchers will also develop curricula to help the aviation community apply the new technology.
    • This project will demonstrate a novel, cost-effective method to support the integration of weather sensors in commercial UAS and AAM aircraft. The proposed system is essential for gathering local weather data and establishing a weather information dissemination network. The project will demonstrate dynamic path planning based on local weather data.
    • This project facilitates the safe and sustainable integration of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility into the National Airspace System. The technological advancements will also benefit the broader aviation community. The enhanced coverage and precision of low-altitude weather data offer significant benefits to the helicopter-based Emergency Medical Services community operating within the same airspace, helping to mitigate their operational risks. The meteorology community will be able to leverage this data to refine weather products and extend warning times for potentially hazardous conditions contributing to safety measures for various stakeholders within the airspace ecosystem.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Readout of the Secretary-General’s meeting with H.E. Mr. Ramadhan Abdalla Mohammed Goc, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    The Secretary-General met with H.E. Mr. Ramadhan Abdalla Mohammed Goc, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity of the Republic of South Sudan on 20 September 2024. The Secretary-General and the Minister discussed the peace and transitional processes in South Sudan, as well as cooperation between the United Nations and South Sudan to address the challenges facing the country, including the ongoing flooding and resulting displacement.  
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Manchester resident slapped with hefty fines after neighbours complained about “nuisance” waste burning in his garden

    Source: City of Manchester

    A Manchester resident who made the lives of his neighbours miserable through repeated waste burning in his garden is now facing hefty fines handed down by the courts.

    Haroon Razzaq, of Victoria Avenue East, was found guilty of four offences committed over months following a hearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on 19 September.  

    There were four incidents of burning with three taking place in December 2023 and one in March 2024. 

    The 34-year-old was also ordered to pay a hefty £1,500 fine. He was also slapped with a £600 victim surcharge and £3, 116 in total costs.  

    The council received repeated complaints from residents about frequent “nuisance” burning taking place at Razzaq’s property.  

    The burning was having a severe effect on people in the area because of the smell and smoke caused by the fires which prevented them from being able to use their gardens or being able to open their windows.   

    Razzaq was contacted by a Neighbourhood Compliance Officer and was swiftly warned his behaviour was causing problems for his nearby neighbours. 

    Burning continued to take place at Razzaq’s house and negatively impacted residents. At this point, multiple witnesses came forward and reported the notice had been breached on several occasions.  

    Once approached by the council again, Razzaq admitted to bringing wood and pallets from his business monthly to burn in his garden. He believed this wasn’t a problem and that it shouldn’t cause issue for other residents  

    He claimed this activity wasn’t an issue and disputed that it would cause a problem for anyone nearby.    

    Lee-Ann Igbon, Executive Member for Vibrant Neighbours, said: “The comfort and safety of our residents choosing to make Manchester home is an utmost priority. It is unacceptable that one individual could ignore and dismiss the legal requirements from authority and cause ongoing disturbance for neighbours in the comfort of their own homes and gardens. 

    “I am pleased to see prosecution has been brought in this case of a resident choosing to burn materials in his garden without consideration of others and the environment. The work of our legal team and Neighbourhood Compliance Team has been exemplary in bringing about justice. This case should serve as a warning to other residents who choose to ignore the law and show disregard for the community.” 

      

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ruidoso Disaster Recovery Center Posts New Weekly Hours

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Ruidoso Disaster Recovery Center Posts New Weekly Hours

    Ruidoso Disaster Recovery Center Posts New Weekly Hours

    The State of New Mexico/FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) at Horton Complex, 237 Service Road, Ruidoso, NM will change its weekday hours of operation beginning Monday, Sept. 23. The new hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday hours are unchanged, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

    Residents of Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba and San Juan counties, as well as the Mescalero Apache Reservation can visit the center to apply for FEMA assistance, upload documents, learn about available resources and get their questions answered in person. Recovery specialists from the state, FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and other organizations are available at the DRC to meet with visitors. No appointment is needed. Two Spanish language interpreters are also on hand to help residents impacted by the Southfork and Salt Fires and flooding.

    You can also apply, update your contact information or upload documents in several ways:

    • Go online to DisasterAssistance.gov
    • Download the FEMA app for smartphones.
    • Call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Lines are open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. MT, seven days a week. Help is available in most languages.   

    The deadline to apply for assistance is October 19, 2024. 

    The deadline to apply to Small Business Administration (SBA) for property damage is Oct. 19, 2024. The deadline to apply for economic injury is March 20, 2025. Applicants may apply at https://lending.sba.gov. Business owners also may apply in-person by visiting SBA Business Recovery Center at the Ruidoso Public Library. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling (800) 659-2955. Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 7-1-1.

    angela.ambroise

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: MARS Group meeting | UNECE

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The Advisory Group on Market Surveillance (MARS) was established in 2003 to promote global trade and economic cooperation. The Group brings together all players involved (public authorities, manufacturers, retailers, importers, consumers, etc.) to increase transparency and attract attention to the role and responsibilities of public authorities in the chain of control. It has developed comprehensive guidance and serves as a forum of best practice and development of recommendation guidelines. 

    This MARS Group meeting takes place to plan MARS Group meetings in 2025 and the modalities of implementing MARS work plan and WP.6 34th plenary decisions in 2024. The attendance is expected by WP.6 MARS members, market surveillance authorities and experts.

    The meeting will have a guest speaker, Casper Vanden Bilcke (Single Liaison Officer for Market Surveillance, Directorate-general Quality and Safety, Belgium). He will present “Coordinating market surveillance activities nationally — how this was set up in Belgium: Practical experience of the Single Liaison Officer”.

    Agenda

    Item

    Subject

    Timing

    1a

    Roll call

    5

    1b

    Approval of the agenda

    5

    2

    Invited guest speaker:

    Casper Vanden Bilcke (Single Liaison Officer for Market Surveillance, Directorate-general Quality and Safety, Belgium) on “Coordinating market surveillance activities nationally — how this was set up in Belgium: Practical experience of the Single Liaison Officer”.

    20 minute presentation followed by discussion

    40

    3

    Update on 34th annual session of WP.6 outcomes

    Background information presented at the session:

    Other presentations of interest:

    10

    4

    Ideas on project development between MARS and GRM on better regulating digital vulnerabilities and how to harmonize these among regulatory agencies

    Jan Deconinck, MARS Chair

    20

    5

    Next steps for MARS activities planning and deliverables (excerpt from WP.6 Programme of Work for 2025):

    1. Revision of Recommendation N (and webinar on this topic?)
    2. Exchanges of experience
    3. Market surveillance and digital vulnerabilities
    4. Societal concerns of digital services in technical regulations
    5. Market surveillance model (project?)

    Discussion and brainstorming on next steps:

    • GAP analysis for Rec. N revision (who? deadline end of 2024?)
    • Volunteers to share their best practices?
    • Priority area for MARS work development in coming 12 months?
    • Ideas for future speakers?
    • Other

    MARS Group survey

    30

    6

    Update from the secretariat

    5

    7

    Any other business – All

    5

    Next MARS call/meeting: (frequency of meetings?, annual meeting March/April during the Forum)

    MIL OSI United Nations News –