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Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Canada: NICHI announces Ontario recipients of funding to advance critical Indigenous housing projects in urban, rural and northern areas and address urgent and unmet needs

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Today, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) Chief Executive Officer John Gordon and Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, Patty Hajdu, announced the recipients of NICHI’s expression of need process to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Ontario.

    October 23, 2024 — Ottawa, Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ontario — Indigenous Services Canada

    Today, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) Chief Executive Officer John Gordon and Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, Patty Hajdu, announced the recipients of NICHI’s expression of need process to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Ontario.

    Today’s announcement includes more than $58 million in funding for 12 projects in Ontario led by:

    • Seven Generations Education Institute
    • Brantford Native Housing
    • Fort Albanys Women Shelter
    • Kekekoziibii Development Corporation
    • Na-Me-Res,(Native Men’s Residence)
    • Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society
    • Endaayaan Awejaa
    • Fort Albany Women’s Shelter
    • Thunder Women Healing Lodge Society
    • Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
    • Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Family Treatment Center
    • Nahnahda-Wee-ee-Waywin

    Through the national process, $277.8 million out of a total funding amount of $281.5 million is being distributed to 75 projects across the country aimed at building more than 3800 units. This funding was provided to Indigenous Services Canada through Budget 2022 and was distributed by NICHI, applying its “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” approach. NICHI brings together Indigenous-led housing, homelessness, and housing-related service delivery organizations to provide lasting solutions that address diverse housing inadequacies including homelessness for Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and northern areas.

    Over 171,000 Indigenous Peoples in urban, rural and northern areas off reserve are in core housing need according to the 2021 Census. Indigenous Peoples continue to experience core housing needs at a significantly higher rate than non-Indigenous people – with the gap between them being exacerbated by the housing and homelessness crisis and by inadequacies in distinctions-based funding.

    Through a For Indigenous, By Indigenous approach to Indigenous housing that recognizes Indigenous organizations are best placed to understand the needs of their communities, Indigenous Services Canada is striving to close this gap by 2030.

    Access to safe and affordable housing is critical to improving health and social outcomes, and to ensure a better future for Indigenous communities. This funding initiative is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to address the social determinants of health and advance self-determination in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Articles 21 and 23.

    Quotes

    “Indigenous housing providers deserve Indigenous advocacy at the national level. By securing this investment and developing a For Indigenous, By Indigenous funding process, NICHI is putting Indigenous people back in charge of housing policy for our people and communities. The overwhelming expression of need we received in our application process – totalling $2 billion across 447 applications – demonstrates that the work is far from over – but today, we’re excited to announce funding that will make a positive impact in the lives of Indigenous peoples in Ontario.”

    John Gordon
    Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated

    “In a true partnership with Indigenous peoples, we are accelerating the construction of housing. Indigenous communities are best positioned to assess their needs, which is why these projects are based on the For Indigenous, By Indigenous approach. We will stand by the communities that take the initiative to build homes, as it is a matter of fairness and equity.”

    The Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services

    “NICHI’s remarkable achievement in swiftly delivering $277.8 million underscores its unwavering commitment to advancing Indigenous housing nationwide. As a new organization, NICHI’s expedient action demonstrates unparalleled dedication and catalytic impact in transforming community housing landscapes. We commend NICHI for its pivotal role in driving forward this transformative initiative. ”

    Lisa Ker
    Acting Executive Director for the Community Housing Transformation Centre

    “With thousands of years of collective experience, urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing providers have the capacity, know-how, and shovel-ready projects to address the challenge. NICHI has shown that it can deliver funding programs swiftly, fairly, and responsibly.”

    Margaret Pfoh
    President, Canadian Housing and Renewal Association

    Quick facts

    • On June 8, 2023, the Government of Canada announced that the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI) would deliver $281.5 million in immediate funding over two years to address the urgent, unmet needs of Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and northern areas.

    • NICHI held its expression of need process from late November 2023 to January 12, 2024, and funding was allocated to 75 non-profit, Indigenous-led housing organizations by an objective, unbiased Project Selection Advisory Council who prioritized urgent and unmet housing need in Indigenous communities across the country. Currently, $3.7 million of the total funding amount remains to be allocated.

    • The National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI) is an Indigenous-led national housing organization working to ensure that all Indigenous people across Canada have access to supports and services that provide safe, affordable, secure and dignified housing.

    • Support for projects will include funding for acquisitions of new properties and buildings, construction of new facilities, repairs and renovations, housing-related training, growing organizational capacity and administration costs.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information, media may contact:

    Jennifer Kozelj
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor
    Jennifer.Kozelj@sac-isc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Indigenous Services Canada
    media@sac-isc.gc.ca
    819-953-1160

    Justin Prest
    Manager, Communications and Public Relations
    National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc.(NICHI)
    jprest@nichihousing.com
    1-873-455-5557

    Stay connected

    Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

    X: @GCIndigenous
    Facebook: @GCIndigenous
    Instagram: @gcindigenous
    Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth

    You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.isc.gc.ca/RSS.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI’s Operation Not Forgotten 2024

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    FBI dedicates investigative resources to address violent crime in Indian country

    In its second year, Operation Not Forgotten, a joint operation between the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs-Office of Justice Services (BIA) surged more than 50 personnel to assist with unresolved investigations in Indian country. From June to September 2024, dedicated resources included FBI special agents and intelligence personnel who deployed to support 10 FBI field offices whose regions include Tribal communities that too often are impacted by a crisis of violence. 

    In the past four months, as a result of Operation Not Forgotten, more than 300 cases received increased investigative, intelligence, and victim assistance. The majority of that assistance was surged to cases involving the most vulnerable victims, including investigations of child physical and sexual abuse, child sexual abuse material, serious violent assaults, domestic violence, and death investigations. 

    “We want our Native American communities to know we are committed to combating criminal activity on Tribal land,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Chad Yarbrough. “Unfortunately, Native Americans face some of the highest levels of violence. Combating that is among the most important work we do. With the help our partners at BIA and our dedicated agents, analysts and professional staff, we will continue to bring expertise and insight that’s critical to protecting these communities and victims and helping them heal and thrive.” 

    FBI and BIA efforts have currently led to over 40 arrests, over 40 search warrants being executed, 11 violent offenders were indicted, and nine child victims were identified and recovered from situations of abuse or neglect. Additionally, FBI Victim Services Division personnel provided direct support and services to approximately 440 victims and next-of-kin, including, but not limited to, crisis intervention, case status updates, child/adolescent forensic interviews, support during investigative interviews, assistance with Crime Victims Compensation applications, resource referrals, transportation assistance, Child Protective Services coordination, and Emergency Victim Assistance Funding for lodging and other immediate expenses. 

    “The Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services was pleased to have been apart of Operation Not Forgotten,” said Richard Melville, Office of Justice Services director. “Joint investigative efforts between the FBI and BIA increase investigative resources and strengthens our ability to bring closure and justice for families and victims of violent crimes committed in Indian country. This partnership is an effective tool our agencies leveraged throughout Operation Not Forgotten to achieve that important goal.”   

    This joint operation between the two agencies recognizes the importance of an inclusive approach to combating violent crime in Indian country. By working closely with BIA and Tribal law enforcement agencies, the FBI is establishing trusted partnerships with Tribal communities to address crime in Indian country. The FBI has more than 200 dedicated agents and 26 Safe Trails Task Forces consisting of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement partners investigating crimes in roughly 200 Tribal communities nationwide. By expanding our presence in Indian country and working closely with our partner law enforcement agencies and community advocates, the FBI is committed to bringing closure to unresolved cases and bringing justice to victims and their families. 

    Operation Not Forgotten, along with the FBI’s broader violent crime mission, emphasizes the FBI’s continued dedication to address violence impacting Indian country, including Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP). The FBI is committed to maintaining close collaboration with our federal, state, local and Tribal law enforcement agencies, Tribal governments, and community members to build safer communities and protect the rights of all people.   

    Individuals with any relevant information about crimes or crimes in Indian country, are encouraged to visit tips.fbi.gov to submit an online tip or contact their local FBI office.   

    The following FBI field offices received dedicated personnel for Operation Not Forgotten 2024: 

    • Albuquerque
    • Denver
    • Detroit
    • Minneapolis
    • Oklahoma City
    • Omaha
    • Phoenix
    • Portland
    • Salt Lake City
    • Seattle

    Additional resources related to the FBI’s work in Indian country can be found on fbi.gov. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson Appoints Election Officer for the Middle District of Alabama

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson announced today that an Assistant United States Attorney will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Middle District of Alabama and lead the efforts of his office in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5, 2024, general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the district’s handling of election day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

                “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson. “In addition, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

                The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring and combatting discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

                Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English). 

                The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election, and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, the DEO will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. The DEO can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: (334) 223-7280.

                In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day. The local FBI field office can be reached by the public at 251-438-3674.

                Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

                Acting U.S. Attorney Davidson added, “Ensuring free and fair elections depends in large part on the assistance of the American electorate. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

                Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, please call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Anitian Unveils FedRAMP Insights on the AWS Marketplace, Enabling Faster, More Effective Compliance for Cloud Service Providers

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anitian, a market leader in compliance automation, today announced the launch of FedRAMP Insights, now available in the AWS Marketplace. This innovative diagnostic tool is designed to simplify the FedRAMP compliance process for Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) by providing immediate, actionable insights into compliance gaps and a clear path toward remediation and authorization.

    Navigating FedRAMP’s complex requirements can be a time-intensive and challenging task. FedRAMP Insights changes the game by offering AWS users a faster, more effective way to assess their compliance status and prioritize the steps needed for a successful authorization journey.

    “Achieving FedRAMP compliance can be a daunting process, but FedRAMP Insights significantly reduces the complexity by delivering real-time data and clear guidance,” said Chris Finan, President at Anitian. “AWS users can now take advantage of this powerful tool to streamline their compliance efforts, ensuring they stay on track and reduce time to authorization.”

    Key Features of FedRAMP Insights and Why It Matters for AWS Users

    For Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) looking to secure federal contracts, FedRAMP compliance is critical, but it can also be complex and time-consuming. FedRAMP Insights, now available in the AWS Marketplace, simplifies this process with several powerful features that ensure CSPs can move faster toward authorization with less effort:

    • Instant Gap Analysis: With just a few clicks, FedRAMP Insights scans AWS cloud environments and provides an immediate report on compliance status, highlighting areas that need attention.
    • Tailored Remediation Guidance: The tool delivers precise, step-by-step instructions to address identified gaps, helping teams stay on track and take the right actions to meet compliance requirements.
    • Prioritized Task Management: Tasks are categorized by severity (High, Moderate, Low), allowing teams to focus on the most pressing issues first and maintain momentum in their compliance efforts.
    • Real-Time Progress Monitoring: Track remaining tasks and overall system readiness through a clear, up-to-date dashboard that ensures visibility and transparency throughout the compliance process.

    Designed for easy deployment within AWS environments, FedRAMP Insights enables CSPs to begin scanning and evaluating their applications quickly, without extensive customization or setup. This streamlined approach positions AWS users for faster time to market and access to federal opportunities.

    “FedRAMP Insights is a game-changer for AWS customers,” said Alex Degitz, Director of Product at Anitian. “By seamlessly integrating into their existing AWS cloud, CSPs can accelerate their compliance journey with an extensive range of automated rules across all regions including GovCloud, unlocking new opportunities in the federal sector.”

    Anitian: Accelerating Your Entire FedRAMP Journey

    FedRAMP Insights is just one part of Anitian’s comprehensive suite of compliance solutions, also available through the AWS marketplace, designed to help SaaS companies navigate the FedRAMP process efficiently. Our full solution accelerates time-to-revenue, enabling audit-readiness within 4-6 months, while reducing preparation costs by over 50%.

    Anitian’s approach allows you to maintain control of your technical stack, empowering you to own your Authorization to Operate (ATO) and secure your own dedicated FedRAMP marketplace listing, positioning you to unlock lucrative government contracts and significant public sector growth by 2025.

    With Anitian, achieving FedRAMP compliance becomes a strategic advantage, driving faster time to revenue and fostering growth in the federal marketplace. To learn more about how Anitian can accelerate your compliance journey please book time to speak with the team here.

    Media Contact:
    Emily Bertrand
    Head of Marketing
    emily.bertrand@anitian.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APEC Finance Ministers Forge Strategies Focused on Sustainable, Digital and Resilient Finances Lima, Peru | 22 October 2024 APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    As the global economic landscape continues to face economic,  financial and environmental challenges, APEC Finance Ministers from across the region are working together under this year’s theme to promote a more sustainable, digital and resilient future.  In 2024, the Finance Ministers’ Process (FMP) seeks to address economic integration, digital transformation and the broader social dimensions of growth.

    APEC Finance Ministers met in Lima, Peru on Monday where they were joined by representatives of international organizations and the private sector to discuss policy responses and future prospects for the region. Setting the tone for the meeting, Erick Lahura, Chief of Cabinet of Peru’s Ministry of Economy, opened the session and highlighted the imperative for APEC economies to collaborate closely in achieving the vision for a more resilient and inclusive Asia-Pacific.

    “To ensure the long-term prosperity of the Asia-Pacific, we must focus on sustainable practices, digital transformation and building resilience across our economies,” said Lahura. “This year, our work within the FMP will guide us toward a region that is stronger, more connected and better prepared to face future challenges.”

    A key topic was the importance of sustainable finance, with a special focus on the implementation of the four policy areas: domestic carbon pricing and non-pricing measures, sustainable energy transitions, sustainable infrastructure financing, and the sustainable finance initiative. Members emphasized the significance of resilient finance, particularly in enhancing policies related to hydrometeorological risk.

    Along this line, Finance Ministers announced the launch of Sustainable Finance Initiative (SFI) as a flexible, voluntary and non-binding collaboration tool between the public and private sectors and international organizations to promote the development of voluntary information sharing tools and capacity building resources on sustainable finance issues. The SFI was designed to empower financial institutions, regulators and investors to develop expertise in sustainable finance, ultimately contributing to the promotion of green and inclusive economic growth while addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change and social inequality.

    Besides, in a region where nearly 40 percent of the world’s disasters strike, with over 140 of those affecting more than 64 million people in 2022 and economic costs reaching USD 65 billion in 2023, APEC member economies committed to enhance their resilience by building deeper financial markets. Finance ministers are confident that resiliency can be bolstered through the development of innovative disaster risk financing and insurance mechanisms, and other risk transfer instruments available through capital markets.

    Members also emphasized the significance of digital finance, highlighting the progress made this year in two key policy areas: open finance and digital financial inclusion. Ambassador Carlos Vasquez, the APEC 2024 SOM Chair, noted the transformative impact of Peru’s FinTech sector in driving financial inclusion and the small business empowerment. He pointed out that Peru now hosts over 237 FinTech companies, with digital payment transactions increasing by 113 percent over the past year. “Our collective efforts to harness technology for the benefit of all ensures that everyone benefits from the growth opportunities we are working towards”, Vasquez indicated.

    Dr Rebecca Sta Maria, executive director of the APEC Secretariat, highlighted the need for a whole-of-APEC approach to ensure that the social dimensions of economic growth are addressed, particularly in improving the quality of life through decent jobs, sustainable private investment and inclusive financial systems.

    “Our work makes a meaningful impact when we focus on improving the quality of life for our people,” Dr Sta Maria explained. “Whether it be through regional economic integration or digital transformation, we must ultimately emphasize social inclusion and equity.”

    Other measures in the spotlight included strategies to combat rising protectionism and promote trade facilitation. The need for continued vigilance in monetary policies was highlighted, especially in light of recent interest rate adjustments and their potential impact on currency valuations and inflation.

    Carlos Kuriyama, director of APEC Policy Support Unit, reported a steady GDP growth of 3.6 percent in the APEC region for the first half of 2024, a slight increase from the previous year.

    “Economic recovery has been bolstered by improving consumption rates and easing inflation, although risks such as protectionism, supply chain uncertainties, and geopolitical tensions remain critical concerns,” Kuriyama concluded.

    Finally, the Minister of Economy and Finance of Peru, José Arista, concluded the meeting highlighting that Peru proposed a very ambitious plan for this year, with the most number of decisions, innovations and documents adopted in all the history of the Finance Ministers’ Process, and appreciates the work of all APEC economies, APEC Secretariat, APEC Business Advisory Council and international organizations for making this possible.

    For further details, please contact:

    APEC Media at [email protected]

    MIL OSI Economics –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: US election: why more men and fewer white women say they will vote for Trump

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor, Department of Government, University of Essex

    Donald Trump is leading Kamala Harris by 11 percentage points with male voters, according to a recent New York Times poll. Trump is carving out a definitive advantage with US men.

    While Trump’s core support comes from white men, he has also made notable gains with Hispanic-American and African-American men. Though Trump has repeatedly denigrated Hispanics and regularly uses anti-immigrant rhetoric, this has not been a deal breaker for the Latino community. Surveys have shown that around 50% of Hispanic men think that Trump is “tough” enough to be president.

    Trump helped ramp up disinformation around Barack Obama’s qualification to run as president by claiming that he had concerns about Obama’s birth certificate. Trump also defended white supremacists marching in Charlottesville, Virginia, but these moves have not deterred some young African American men from supporting him. About one in four African American men under the age of 50 plan to vote for Trump, polls suggest.

    Why young men like Trump

    A lot of Trump’s support comes from young men, in particular. Pollsters noted that when President Joe Biden was still in the race, he had lost one particular category of Democrats – people who liked podcaster Joe Rogan – a demographic that is mostly young men aged 18-29.

    Harris is underperforming compared with Joe Biden in 2020, and this is almost entirely due to losing support with young men. The same New York Times poll showed that Trump leads Harris among young men by 58% to 37%, more or less the same as Biden before he dropped out of the race.

    One of the reasons why some men are flocking to Trump is that young American men have moved more to the right in general.

    In 2024, young men are more likely to be Republican and more likely to see themselves as conservative than in the past, while the most progressive group in US history are young women. In fact, the gap between young men and young women and the politics they believe in has almost doubled in the past 25 years.

    Young men may be drawn to Trump because he pushes against societal pressure that men need to be apologetic for being themselves. Almost two-thirds of American men believe that men should be represented and valued more in society, according to a YouGov study.

    J.D. Vance and his childless cat ladies comment.

    Another issue may be that some men face tremendous pressure to live up to certain expectations. Past research argued that most men who found Trump appealing were finding it difficult to live up to social standards of masculinity, referred to as a fragile masculinity hypothesis.

    This connection was not associated with male support for Mitt Romney in 2012 or support for John McCain in 2008, but did correlate with support for Trump in 2016 and for Republicans in the midterm elections.

    Trump has bolstered his macho image by increasingly acting on the campaign trail as if he is speaking to a bunch of guys in a locker room. He has become more profane and vulgar, even talking about the size of pro golfer Arnold Palmer’s penis in a bizarre campaign moment.

    Trump also makes no attempt to be politically correct in the post-MeToo era, even complaining that noted sexual offender Harvey Weinstein got a raw deal .

    Though many women were repelled by Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance’s past videos where he claimed Washington was run by childless cat ladies, it did little to turn off Trump’s supporters.

    For some men, these ideas play into their fears about women becoming too powerful, and that men are facing a major threat to their social status. Some of these men that Vance has been trying to appeal to are Christian extremists who would like to overturn the 19th amendment (which gave US women the right to vote), and see women return to roles as homemakers.

    Trump also taps into the fears that some men may have about the threats posed to them by women’s advancement. One-third of men who support Trump believe that women have made gains at men’s expense, rising to 40% for men under 50 who support Trump, according to Pew Research from 2024.

    A survey from the Survey Center on American Life demonstrated that 19% of men say that women have it easier than men do, but it is men aged 18-29 who are twice as likely as men over the age of 64 to believe that this is the case.

    Indeed, some of the struggles young American men face are not just imagined. A Pew Research survey from 2023 found that young men in the US were less likely than in years gone by to be financially independent or have a full-time job by the age of 25.

    Young men are also less likely than young women to be enrolled in university, and have higher rates of suicide.

    Why do most women not like Trump?

    While Trump is doing well with some men, he has been haemorrhaging support from women. In particular, women have been mobilised by Trump and Vance’s misogynistic rhetoric, and by the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v Wade, which had given American women the right to an abortion.

    Support for reproductive rights does not differ much by gender with about 61% of men in support, compared to 64% of women, but the issue is more salient for women than men.

    Sensing the issue of abortion could be a problem for Trump with female voters, he tried to connect with women claiming that he would be their “protector” and that he was the “father of IVF”.

    But so far these strange statements, and Trump’s boorish comments may be turning off female voters – even white women – who were a core part of Trump’s support in 2016 and 2020. Trump only leads with white women by one percentage point in 2024, compared to seven points in 2020.

    In a historic election that has been defined by a notable gender gap, the two candidates’ communication styles could not be more different. However, it remains to be seen which candidate’s gender advantage will propel them to victory.

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

    – ref. US election: why more men and fewer white women say they will vote for Trump – https://theconversation.com/us-election-why-more-men-and-fewer-white-women-say-they-will-vote-for-trump-241721

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: DIY musicians: how digital ‘bedroom pop’ has transformed the music industry

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Paul G. Oliver, Lecturer in Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Edinburgh Napier University

    The ever-advancing technologies of our digital age have transformed many industries, including – and perhaps especially – music. One of the most significant shifts has been the rise of DIY artists. These independent musicians take on roles traditionally held by record labels and managers, such as producing, recording, promoting and distributing their music.

    The ubiquitous nature of digital platforms has enabled artists to reach their audiences more directly. According to a study by MIDiA Research, independent artists generated over US$1.2 billion (£900 million) in 2020, accounting for 5.1% of the global recorded music market, reflecting how digital transformations continue to reshape the music industry.

    The COVID pandemic further accelerated this process, forcing artists to find new ways to connect with their audiences when live performances were no longer possible. Many independent musicians turned to digital platforms as crucial tools to engage with their fans and generate income.

    Platforms such as TikTok, Twitch, Instagram Live, YouTube, Patreon and Bandcamp saw a surge in usage as artists adapted to the new reality, showcasing their music to a global audience and attracting new fans who might have never discovered them otherwise. These platforms became lifelines for visibility and growth when traditional avenues were shut down.

    As a lecturer in digital innovation and entrepreneurship, my work looks at the relationship between digital transformation and DIY culture in the music industry and how it is changing the game for fledgling musicians and the business end of music too.

    DIY and artistic integrity

    The DIY ethos, rooted in independence and resistance to mainstream commercialisation, has evolved very successfully in the digital domain. Historically associated underground cultures, this ethos emphasises creativity, self-management and sustainability.

    DIY artists are often inspired by the punk movement, which championed autonomy and a do-it-yourself approach to music production and distribution. This ethos is now applied digitally, where artists use online platforms to stay independent while reaching a global audience, that in more analogue times would just not have been possible.

    One of the significant challenges DIY artists face is balancing artistic integrity with the ability to make a living. While digital platforms offer unprecedented opportunities for exposure and direct-to-fan (D2F) engagement, they also introduce new pressures and dependencies.

    For example, the algorithms that govern visibility on platforms like YouTube and Spotify can also be unpredictable, often favouring more commercial content over niche or experimental works, forcing artists to compromise their creative vision to achieve financial viability.

    While DIY artists are known for their self-sufficiency, some commercial artists have also adopted elements of the DIY approach, particularly in their use of digital platforms to bypass traditional industry structures.

    Being discovered and making money

    There are numerous success stories of DIY artists who have used digital platforms to build their careers commercially. For example, the British singer-songwriter Arlo Parks has gained significant recognition by blending personal experiences with broader social themes.

    Her success is a testament to the power of authenticity and the ability to connect with a diverse audience through digital platforms. Similarly, artists like Billie Eilish and (her brother) Finneas have shown how bedroom pop can achieve mainstream success, showing the potential of DIY approaches in the digital age.

    Social media platforms play a vital role in the success of DIY artists by helping audiences discover new talent. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are particularly effective for reaching younger audiences and creating viral content. TikTok, for example, has over 1 billion active users worldwide, and its algorithm can propel a song to viral status overnight – significantly boosting an artist’s visibility and reach.

    Subscription platforms like Patreon, Bandcamp and YouTube enable artists to make money from their work directly. These platforms allow fans to financially support their favourite artists, offering exclusive content, early access to new releases and other perks in exchange for a subscription fee. This D2F model helps artists generate a steady income, enabling them to focus more on their creative endeavours while maintaining a direct connection with their audience.

    Despite the vast opportunities digital platforms create, DIY artists face big challenges, for example, in terms of financial instability. A recent report by Help Musicians revealed that 98% of musicians are worried about rising costs in the UK. An inability to make a proper living has led many artists to seek alternative income sources, such as crowdfunding and exclusive content through subscription services like Patreon.

    However, the pressure to maintain a consistent online presence can also affect mental health – as One Direction’s Liam Payne spoke about in the months before his death – making it essential for artists to balance D2F engagement and personal wellbeing.

    DIY artists like Clairo, who rose to fame through her self-produced online content, have also spoken of her struggles with the pressures of maintaining a public persona and the toll it can take on mental health.

    DIY communities operating within the digital domain thrive on mutual support and collaboration because artists support each other with production, promotion and distribution. This sense of community is crucial for maintaining the DIY ethos and managing the complexities of the digital domain.

    The future of music looks promising, with this intersection between DIY culture, creativity and digital platforms continuing to evolve and offer new opportunities for artists. The DIY music market grew by 7.6% between 2021 and 2024.

    However, for this growth to continue, these platforms must remain artist-friendly and provide fair compensation for creators. Independent musicians can thrive in the digital domain by embracing the DIY ethos and using digital platforms with the potential for global reach, D2F engagement, and diversified income streams, providing a robust foundation for sustainable careers.


    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

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

    – ref. DIY musicians: how digital ‘bedroom pop’ has transformed the music industry – https://theconversation.com/diy-musicians-how-digital-bedroom-pop-has-transformed-the-music-industry-233364

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEWS: Casar Leads 60+ Members of Congress Calling for the Release of Political Prisoners in Pakistan, Including Former Prime Minister Imran Khan

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Casar (D-Texas)

    Pakistan’s 2024 National Assembly elections saw an historic level of irregularities

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Greg Casar (D-Texas), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), and Summer Lee (D-Penn.), along with 59 other Members of Congress, are calling on President Joe Biden to center human rights in U.S. policy towards Pakistan following the country’s Feb. 2024 National Assembly elections, and on Pakistani authorities to release political prisoners, including former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan.

    This is the first letter from U.S. Members of Congress calling for political prisoners in Pakistan, including Khan, to be released. Casar authored the letter as a follow-up to the nearly unanimous passage of H.Res. 901, which called for the U.S. to support democracy and human rights in Pakistan.

    In February 2024, the Pakistani elections saw a historic level of irregularities, including widespread electoral fraud, state-led efforts to disenfranchise voters, the arrest and detention of political leaders, journalists, and activists, and the continued imprisonment of Khan. That month, Casar and 30 other members urgedBiden and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to investigate pre- and post-poll rigging in Pakistan’s parliamentary elections. Many of those concerns are reiterated in today’s letter.

    “We echo the calls for Khan’s immediate release and for an end to widespread arbitrary detention of party members and activists in Pakistan,” the members wrote. “We ask your Administration to urgently secure the guarantees from the Pakistani government for Khan’s safety and well-being and urge U.S. embassy officials to visit him in prison.”

    “More broadly, developments since the February vote point to a clear turn towards authoritarianism in the country,” the members continued. “The government has intensified its crackdown on social media and the internet as part of a broader effort to suppress political activism, which it deems to be ‘anti-state propaganda’ and ‘digital terrorism.’ These repressive measures [are] an attack on fundamental human rights… In addition, Pakistani authorities are increasingly engaging in transnational repression… We join our Pakistani American constituents, as well as community leaders and elected officials throughout our country and around the world, in standing in solidarity with the people of Pakistan and their struggle to rebuild a genuinely representative democracy.”

    The letter is authored by U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35), co-led by U.S. RepresentativesJim McGovern (MA-02) and Summer Lee (PA-12), and signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Cori Bush (MO-01), André Carson (IN-07), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Dan Kildee (MI-08), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Jaime Raskin (MD-08), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Dina Titus (NV-20), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), David Trone (MD-06), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12),and Susan Wild (PA-07). 

    It is supported by First Pakistan Global, Democracy And Human Rights Alliance, Community Alliance for Peace and Justice – Pakistan Democracy Campaign, and The Coalition to Change U.S. Policy on Pakistan (CUSP).

    The full letter can be viewed here.

    ###

    Congressman Greg Casar represents Texas’s 35th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, which runs down I-35 from East Austin to Hays County to the West Side of San Antonio.  A labor organizer and son of Mexican immigrants, Casar serves as the Whip of the Congressional Progressive Caucus for the 118th Congress. He also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Committee on Agriculture.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III On-Camera, On-the-Record Remarks to Traveling Press in Rome, Italy

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY SABRINA SINGH:. Thanks, everyone, for joining us for this gaggle. I’m going to let the secretary give some opening remarks and then we’ll start with Rob for questions.

    SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD AUSTIN: Yeah. Again, thanks for joining us on a pretty long trip, but I think we accomplished a lot. It was the last NATO defense ministerial for the Biden administration. And again, I think that was a really good engagement with a number of our allies. And following that, we had a G7 ministerial and the first-ever G7 ministerial — defense ministerial, and I think that was very, very productive as well.

    You went with us as we went into Kyiv following that. We were able to engage President Zelenskyy and his leadership on a number of important issues. We announced yet another presidential drawdown package. And then finally, today finished up with a visit to the Vatican. So, again, I think it was a good trip overall.

    And I’ll stop there and take your questions.

    MS. SINGH: Rob?

    Q: Mr. Secretary, you just met with the Pope, had an audience with him. Can you share more about what you discussed? And did he talk to you about any of the conflicts in Ukraine or the Middle East?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, it won’t surprise you that the Pope is very much focused on what’s going on in Ukraine and also in the Middle East as well. He’s concerned about humanitarian issues in both areas. And of course, we share a common desire to see these conflicts, you know, scale back in terms of the level of activity and a ceasefire in both cases.

    Again, I think he’ll continue to exercise his influence to do the right things, and I’ll continue to do what we’re doing on our end to make sure that, number one, Ukraine can defend itself and its sovereignty. And number two, as we’ve said a number of times, we’re going to continue to support Israel and its efforts to defend itself.

    We need to dial down the tension in the Middle East region, and we need to also find a way to transition in Ukraine. Now, as we’ve said all along, we’re going to continue to support Ukraine, and they will determine when the time is to go to the negotiating table. But you’ve heard me say before this conflict will end in some kind of negotiation at some point. Thanks.

    MS. SINGH:  Phil?

    Q: Mr. Secretary, in his nightly video address last night, Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy called on allies not to hide and to respond to evidence of North Korean involvement in Russia’s war in Ukraine. So, I’ll ask you, have you seen any evidence that North Korean troops are in Russia? And if so, what is the intent of this deployment?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, our analysts are — they continue to look at this, and we are seeing evidence that there are North Korean troops that have gone to Africa. And I wouldn’t — excuse me, not Africa but Russia. What exactly they’re doing will have to be seen. These are things that we need to sort out. We’ll have more for you on that later. But, yeah, as we continue to look at this, there is evidence that there are DPRK troops in Russia.

    MS. SINGH: Eric?

    Q: Just to follow up on that, sir, can you talk a little bit about what you understand the intent of those troops to be? And what does it say about perhaps the desperation of Putin himself to rely on these countries? What role is that? And what is the — what is North Korea getting in return for that? What’s the quid pro quo for that?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: All of the things that we’re trying to trying to gain better fidelity on, Eric, number one, why are the troops there. We’ll continue to pull this thread and see what happens here. If they’re co-belligerents, if their intention is to participate in this war on Russia’s behalf, that is a very, very serious issue.

    And it will have impacts not only in Europe. It will also impact things in the Indo-Pacific as well. We’ve seen the Republic of Korea be very focused on this issue as well. So, still a lot of things to be answered, Eric. And our analysts will continue to work this, and we’ll have more for you as we get more fidelity.

    Q: And where are the North Koreans’ motivations? Why are they doing this?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Yeah, unknown. Certainly, there is a strengthened relationship, for lack of a better term, between Russia and DPRK. You’ve seen the DPRK provide arms and munitions Russia, and this is a next step.

    But what it means in terms of where Putin is, you know, I’ve — heard me talk about the significant casualties in — that he had experienced over the last two and a half years. This is an indication that he may be even in more trouble than most people realize. But, again, he went tin cupping early on to get additional weapons and materials from the DPRK and then from Iran. And now he’s making a move to get more people, if that is the case, if these troops are designed to be a part of the fight in Ukraine. But we’ll see. These are questions that have yet to be answered.

    MS. SINGH: Natasha?

    Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Two quick questions. As you’re likely aware, there is a DOD official being named and accused on social media of leaking highly classified intelligence about Israel. Is that disinformation? Can you rule out that that individual is being investigated, and has the probe homed in on a suspect?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: There’s no OSD official being named as a part of this investigation. So, that is not true at this point, and I’ve seen no evidence of that or any indication that any OSD official will be implicated as a part of this.

    Q: Ok. And secondly, Israel has claimed that Hezbollah has a major bunker underneath Al-Sahel Hospital in southern Beirut. Doctors who work there have denied the allegation. Has the US seen its own evidence of this bunker underneath that hospital?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: We’ve not seen evidence of that at this point. But, you know, we’ll continue to collaborate with our Israeli counterparts to gain better fidelity on exactly what they’re looking at.

    Q: Thank you.

    MS. SINGH: Lara?

    Q: Mr. Secretary, I understand you shared with the Ukrainians your DOD spend plan for the next five months for the Ukraine conflict. As you know, five months is after the inauguration of what will be a new administration. So, if Trump gets elected, will you speed up that plan to ensure Ukraine gets all the money that Congress has allocated? And how will you ensure that all of the equipment actually gets delivered, since you know that takes longer?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, as we commit the funds, Laura, I mean, everything won’t be delivered immediately. So, things that we’re purchasing now, for example, may wind up showing up a couple of months later. And as we laid out the plan on what we’re investing in with both our USAI funds and the drawdown materials that we’re providing, when we can get some of those materials refurbished and into Ukraine, and again, it’s not instantaneous, it may take weeks or in some cases a couple of months. But we laid that plan out for them, and we’re confident that, based upon, you know, what we’ve done and what we are doing that, you know, those things will be delivered on the timeline that we’ve outlined.

    Q: But a new administration could change that and could stop those deliveries.

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: They would have to de-obligate, you know, the things that we’ve already obligated. So, I think we’re pretty sure that these materials will continue to flow.

    Q: Thank you.

    MS. SINGH: Chris?

    Q: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. While you were in Ukraine, President Zelenskyy’s focused on $800 million the US has pledged towards drone production. What is the purpose and goal of that? And is that just for drones, or could Ukraine use that towards ballistic or cruise missiles?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, we’re going to continue to invest in their long range strike capability. Now, what we’ve seen is that they’ve developed the capability to mass produce drones that are very, very effective and that can go impressive distances. We’ve seen them strike targets that are 400 kilometers beyond the border, and even deeper, with precision. And they can do that at a fraction of a cost of a ballistic missile.

    So, it makes sense to invest in that capability, in their ability to continue to scale. And I think that answers, addresses, the needs that they’ll have not only now but long into the future.

    Q: Would you say that addresses the long range strike question that we keep bugging you about?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, as we’ve told you so many times, the range of an ATACMS is 300 kilometers. They’re striking targets that are beyond 400 kilometers with precision. So, you know, and they can do that at a fraction of the cost. So, this balances out the the balance sheet here.

    And, you know, if they’re going to be able to sustain their efforts, gotta to be able to afford it. And so, it makes sense for them to expand the capacity. It makes sense for us to invest in what they’re doing. It works. It’s effective and it’s precise.

    Q: Thank you.

    MS. SINGH: And the last one. Missy?

    Q: Yep. Thanks so much. In Lebanon, the targets that Israel is striking in the Beirut area have widened beyond military sites. It’s hitting municipal buildings and health clinics. Last night there were intense strikes on apartment buildings. And now Israel’s issuing the warning, as Natasha mentioned, about this hospital, suggesting that could be a target.

    And then, on the other hand in northern Gaza, you know, the UN is describing the situation there as beyond catastrophic. The UN says the IDF is, you know, continuing its offensive there, denied permission to rescue people from the rubble. Only a handful of trucks are reaching the north each day. And meanwhile, the Netanyahu government, some of the ministers today were having conversations about resettling Gaza and extending the occupation there.

    All of that to say I know you are a strong supporter of Israel’s self-defense, but you’ve also said that how they do it matters. In your view, as someone who has commanded counterinsurgency campaigns extensively, do you think that they’ve gone beyond self-defense on both of these fronts to something that’s more punitive or indiscriminate? And are you worried that Israel’s actions are weakening, not strengthening, its security in the long term?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, Missy, you’ve heard me say on a number of times that — a couple things. Number one, the ability to accomplish your goals militarily in terms of achieving objectives and protecting humans, protecting civilians in the battle space, those two things are— you can do both of those things. They’re not mutually exclusive.

    And the other thing that I’ve emphasized throughout, Missy, is the need to protect civilians and provide that humanitarian assistance. And this is something I talk to my counterpart about every time I talk to him, those two things. We’ve got to be more precise in our operations, and we have to make sure that we’re doing what’s necessary to get assistance and aid into the civilians.

    Failure to do that will, you know, will create a generation of Palestinians that really will continue to resist cooperating with Israel in the future. So, you’re actually increasing the numbers of insurgents in the space if you fail to do that. It’s a strategic imperative, in my view.

    Q: Ok. But just to clarify, in your view, are — the actions that they’re taking on both strips — fronts, have they gone beyond self-defense actions?

    SECRETARY AUSTIN: Well, you know, it’s one of the things in both cases that makes it more difficult is that both Hamas and LH use civilians as human shields. They put their stores of weapons in apartment buildings, beneath mosques and churches and in schools and hospitals in order to make it more difficult to strike them.

    Because of that complication, you know, that has increased the occurrence of civilian casualties. I think — you know, let’s not kid ourselves. This is a complicated, a very, very difficult battle space. And, you know, so we’re — we need to do everything we can — the Israelis need to do everything they can to be as careful as possible to protect civilians in that battle space. But Hamas and LH make it more complicated.

    MS. SINGH: Thank you all. Appreciate your time. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: TreeHouse Foods Announces Expansion of Voluntary Recall to Include All Waffle and Pancake Products Due to the Potential for Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Categories24/7 OSI, Health, MIL-OSI, United States Government, US Department of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Health

    Post navigation

    Label Product Description Retail UPC Best By Dates
    365 ORGANIC 365 Everyday 9oz Organic Homestyle Mini Waffles 099482436995 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      365 Everyday Organic 7.4oz Organic Blueberry Waffles 099482436971 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      365 Everyday Organic 7.4oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 099482436964 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      365 Everyday Organic 7.4oz Organic Multigrain Waffles 099482442828 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      365 Organic 9oz Organic Blueberry Mini Waffles 099482437008 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    ALWAYS SAVE Always Save 11oz Buttermilk Pancakes 070038644071 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Always Save 9.9oz Homestyle Waffles 070038608752 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    BEST CHOICE Best Choice 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 070038356851 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 070038356837 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 070038596790 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 12.3oz Multigrain Waffles 070038622116 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 12.3oz Original Waffles 070038362852 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 13.75oz Belgian Waffles 070038644019 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 070038592716 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 070038632818 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Best Choice 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 070038632801 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    BETTERGOODS Bettergoods 10.72oz Blueberry Protein Waffles 194346252756 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Bettergoods 10.72oz Chocolate Chip Protein Waffles 194346252763 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Bettergoods 13.4oz Vanilla Protein Buttermilk Waffles 194346252749 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    BREAKFAST BEST Breakfast Best 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 4061464782273 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Breakfast Best 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 4061464785205 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Breakfast Best 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 041498194468 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Breakfast Best 12.3oz Pumpkin Cinnamon Waffles 4061463257208 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Breakfast Best 33oz Buttermilk Pancakes 4099100329315 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Breakfast Best 8oz Homestyle Plant Based Waffles 4061459885750 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    BROOKSHIRE’S Brookshire’s 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 092825096672 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Brookshire’s 33oz Buttermilk Pancakes 092825096740 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    CENTRAL MARKET Central Market 11.3oz Gluten Free Buckwheat Blueberry Waffles 41220708390 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    CLOVER VALLEY Clover Valley 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 686151403404 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Clover Valley 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 686151403398 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    CULINARY TOURS Culinary Tours 13.75oz Mixed Berry Belgian Waffles 11225148569 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Culinary Tours 13.75oz Original Belgian Waffles 011225148552 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    ESSENTIALS Essential 9.9oz Homestyle Waffles 607880101874 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    FOOD LION Food Lion 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 035826091444 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Food Lion 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 035826091468 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Food Lion 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 035826091451 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Food Lion 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 035826091499 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Food Lion 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 035826091505 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    FOODHOLD Foodhold 11.3oz Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 688267562761 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles 688267562754 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 688267073946 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 688267073960 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 688267073984 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 688267073922 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 12.3oz Multigrain Waffles 688267081958 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 29.6oz Blueberry Waffles 688267150012 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 688267002496 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 29.6oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 688267150029 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Foodhold 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 688267006340 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    FULL CIRCLE Full Circle 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles 036800486980 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Full Circle 11.3oz Homestyle Gluten Free Waffles 036800486997 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    GIANT EAGLE Giant Eagle 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles 030034944940 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 11.3oz Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 030034944933 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 030034011642 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 030034011635 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 030034011604 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 13.75oz Original Belgian Waffles 030034011680 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 16.5oz Blueberry Pancakes 030034011673 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 030034011666 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 030034038076 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 030034011628 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 33oz Buttermilk Bag Pancakes 030034071332 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Giant Eagle 9oz Mini Homestyle Waffles 030034088347 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    GOOD & GATHER Good and Gather 10.7oz Buttermilk Vanilla Waffles 085239157961 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 11.3oz Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 085239157954 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 085239157923 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 085239157916 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 085239157909 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 13.75oz Belgian Waffles 085239157947 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 9oz Organic Blueberry Mini Waffles 085239343012 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Good and Gather 9oz Organic Homestyle Mini Waffles 085239343029 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    GORDON FOOD SERVICE Gordon Foodservice 74oz Homestyle Waffles 093901894793 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    GREAT VALUE Great Value 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 078742088587 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Great Value 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 078742088532 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    GREENWISE Greenwise 7.4oz Organic Multigrain Waffles 041415209541 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    HANNAFORD Hannaford 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 041268196289 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Hannaford 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 041268196326 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Hannaford 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 041268196296 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Hannaford 12.3oz Multigrain Waffles 041268196319 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Hannaford 12.3oz Reduced Fat Buttermilk Waffles 041268196302 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    HARRIS TEETER Harris Teeter 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 072036726483 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Harris Teeter 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 072036726476 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Harris Teeter 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 072036726469 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Harris Teeter 12.3oz Multigrain Waffles 072036726490 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Harris Teeter 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 072036740694 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Harris Teeter 29.6oz Blueberry Waffles 072036736444 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Harris Teeter 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 072036726513 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    H-E-B HEB 8.25oz Organic Whole Wheat Flax Waffles 041220708338 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      HEB 8.25oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 041220708307 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      HEB 9oz Organic Apple Cinnamon Mini Waffles 041220708376 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      HEB 9oz Organic Homestyle Mini Waffles 041220708413 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    H-E-B HIGHER HARVEST HEB Higher Harvest 10.72oz Blueberry Waffles 041220708093 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      HEB Higher Harvest 10.72oz Original Protein Waffles 041220013685 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      HEB Higher Harvest 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Buckwheat Waffles 041220708390 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    KODIAK CAKES Kodiak Cakes 10.72oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 705599013201 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 10.72oz Dark Chocolate Waffles 705599012709 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 13.4oz Vanilla Buttermilk Waffles 705599012211 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 14.8oz Blueberry Belgian Waffles 705599014826 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 14.8oz Chocolate Chip Belgian Waffles 705599015137 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 14.8oz Vanilla Buttermilk Belgian Waffles 705599014802 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 9.88oz Cinnamon Mini Waffles 705599017162 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
      Kodiak Cakes 9.88oz Original Mini Waffles 705599017148 OCT 01 2024 to APR 11 2026
    KROGER Kroger 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 011110874306 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Kroger 16.5oz Original Pancakes 011110811769 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Kroger 33oz Buttermilk Pancakes 011110786357 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    KRUSTEAZ Krusteaz 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 686151200102 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Krusteaz 3.44LB Original Belgian Waffles 686151903331 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    NATURE’S BASKET Natures Basket 7.41oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 030034944483 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    NATURES PATH ORGANIC Nature’s Path 7.4oz Organic Buckwheat Wildberry Waffles 058449590583 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Natures Path 7.4oz Organic Chia Waffles 058449590729 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Nature’s Path 7.4oz Organic Dark Chocolate Chip Waffles 058449167013 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Nature’s Path 7.4oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 058449590545 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Nature’s Path 7.4oz Organic Pumpkin Spice Waffles 058449590774 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Natures Path Organic 7.4oz Flaxseed Waffles 058449590569 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    NATURE’S PROMISE Nature’s Promise 7.4oz Organic Blueberry Waffles 688267058448 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Nature’s Promise 7.4oz Organic Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 688267058431 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Natures Promise 7.4oz Organic Multigrain Waffles 688267188497 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    O ORGANICS O Organics 7.4oz Organic Blueberry Waffles 079893801162 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      O Organics 7.4oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 079893801155 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    PICS BY PRICE CHOPPER Price Chopper 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 041735157522 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 041735157515 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 041735157133 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 041735157508 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 041735157393 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 16.5oz Homestyle Pancakes 041735157386 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 29.6oz Blueberry Waffles 041735089656 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 041735064905 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 041735064912 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Price Chopper 9oz Mini Homestyle Waffles 041735010445 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    PRIVATE SELECTION Private Selection 13.75oz Belgian Waffles 011110893994 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    PUBLIX Publix 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 641415001543 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Publix 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 641415000546 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Publix 13.75oz Belgian Waffles 041415204546 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Publix 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 041415009547 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    SCHNUCKS Schnucks 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 041318101072 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Schnucks 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 041318101027 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Schnucks 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 041318100518 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Schnucks 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 041318101010 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Schnucks 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 041318100570 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Schnucks 33oz Buttermilk Bag Pancakes 041318100020 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    SE GROCERS SE Grocers 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 038259117118 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 038259117101 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 038259145067 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 038259117132 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 13.75oz Original Belgian Waffles 038259117163 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 038259117187 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 16.5oz Homestyle Pancakes 038259117194 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 29.6oz Buttermilk Waffles 038259117125 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 29.6oz Homestyle Waffles 038259117149 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 33oz Buttermilk Pancakes 038259117170 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      SE Grocers 7.4oz Organic Multigrain Waffles 607880200867 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    SIGNATURE SELECT Signature Select 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 021130495757 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Signature Select 33oz Buttermilk Pancakes 021130495740 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    SIMPLE TRUTH Simple Truth 10.72oz Protein Blueberry Waffles 011110108142 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Simple Truth 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles 011110105509 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Simple Truth 11.3oz Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 011110105493 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Simple Truth 13.4oz Protein Vanilla Buttermilk Waffles 011110108135 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    SIMPLE TRUTH ORGANIC Simple Truth 7.4oz Organic Blueberry Waffles 011110012883 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Simple Truth 7.4oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 011110012302 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Simple Truth Organic 19.75oz Homestyle Waffles 011110138293 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    TOPS Tops 12.3oz Blueberry Waffles 070784056043 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Tops 12.3oz Buttermilk Waffles 070784056050 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Tops 12.3oz Chocolate Chip Waffles 070784056067 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Tops 12.3oz Homestyle Waffles 070784056012 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Tops 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 070784056340 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    TRADER JOE’S Trader Joe’s 11oz Blueberry Waffles 000000201063 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Trader Joe’s 11oz Gluten Free Toaster Waffles 000000199674 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Trader Joe’s 9.9oz Pumpkin Waffles 000000517263 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    WEGMANS Wegmans 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles 077890519653 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 11.3oz Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 077890519622 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 13.75oz Belgian Waffles 077890550342 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 13.75oz Cinnamon Belgian Waffles 077890550014 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 16.5oz Blueberry Pancakes 077890481387 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 077890481356 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 3.7lb Organic Homestyle Waffles 077890481394 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 7.4oz Organic Blueberry Waffles 077890481417 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 7.4oz Organic Flax Seed Waffles 077890481424 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 7.4oz Organic Homestyle Waffles 077890481400 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 7.4oz Organic Multigrain Waffles 077890481431 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmans 9oz Organic Mini Homestyle Waffles 077890481448 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wegmens 8.25oz Organic Flaxseed Waffles 077890577059 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    WILD HARVEST Wild Harvest 11.3oz Gluten Free Blueberry Waffles 711535515173 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Wild Harvest 11.3oz Gluten Free Homestyle Waffles 711535515180 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
    YELLOH Yelloh 16.5oz Blueberry Pancakes 810038684680 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Yelloh 16.5oz Buttermilk Pancakes 810038684697 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
      Yelloh 19.75oz Homestyle Waffles 810038681535 OCT 01 2024 to OCT 11 2025
           
           
           

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: NIH clinical trial will test precision medicine treatments for myeloid cancers

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 2

    News Release

    Wednesday, October 23, 2024

    Researchers will seek to accelerate the discovery of more tailored treatments for these aggressive cancers of the blood and bone marrow.

    The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched a proof-of-concept precision medicine clinical trial to test new treatment combinations targeting specific genetic changes in the cancer cells of people with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The trial, funded by NIH’s National Cancer Institute (NCI), aims to accelerate the discovery of more tailored treatments for these aggressive cancers of the blood and bone marrow.

    “NCI is uniquely positioned to conduct this type of study, which is one of a series of NCI precision medicine trials that are helping pave the way for more personalized treatment of cancer,” said W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D., director of NCI. “By making these trials available to patients in communities around the country, we bring cutting edge science to people where they live and ensure that what we learn from our study participants can benefit patients like them in the future.” 

    “AML and MDS are a heterogeneous group of cancers that can progress very quickly. Treatment advances depend in part on the ability to rapidly identify which subtype of cancer each patient has so that treatments can be tested for their specific cancer,” said Richard F. Little, M.D., of NCI’s Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis. Dr. Little is the NCI coordinator for the trial, known as the Myeloid Malignancies Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (myeloMATCH). “The goal of myeloMATCH is to test combinations of drugs to treat the disease in a highly targeted way and to be able to start treatment quickly after diagnosis.”

    Initially, people enrolled in the trial with newly diagnosed AML or MDS will undergo rapid genetic testing of their tumor samples. Based on the molecular characteristics of their tumors, they will be matched to a substudy testing a treatment appropriate for the specific genetic changes and characteristics associated with their disease, if one is available, or to standard treatment if an appropriate substudy is not available.

    If the initial treatment works to reduce a patient’s disease, they will undergo further genetic testing to match them to a subsequent substudy testing a treatment that is appropriate for the specific genetic changes associated with their remaining disease. As the amount of a patient’s disease decreases, study investigators will use increasingly sensitive tools, such as biomarker assays, to identify appropriate treatments for any remaining cancer cells.

    The myeloMATCH trial aims to enroll several thousand people within the first few years, with new substudies rolled out over time. Blood and bone marrow samples collected from participants during the course of the trial will be used to develop and refine the assays, as well as understand what genetic changes might be associated with the development of resistance to a treatment.

    myeloMATCH is being conducted by the National Clinical Trials Network, with the participation of the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Initial substudies will be led by the SWOG Cancer Research Network, the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group, and the Canadian Cancer Trials Group. The Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles will provide clinical laboratory support for the substudies.

    myeloMATCH is one of three next-generation precision medicine trials that NCI has under way. ComboMATCH is testing the effectiveness of treating adults and children who have relapsed solid tumors with new drug combinations that target specific tumor alterations. ImmunoMATCH has launched a pilot study to determine whether prospective characterization of the immune status of a tumor can be used to improve the response to targeted immunotherapy treatments, with plans to expand to larger studies in the future.

    All three trials are successors to NCI-MATCH, NCI’s groundbreaking precision medicine clinical trial, which showed that people with advanced cancer may benefit from genomic sequencing to help plan their treatment.

    “When President Biden and the First Lady re-ignited the Cancer Moonshot, they set two clear goals: To prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths by 2047 and to improve the experience of people who are touched by cancer,” said Danielle Carnival, deputy assistant to the President for the Cancer Moonshot. “To achieve that goal, the U.S. government is working to expand access to innovative trials like this one, bring targeted new treatments to patients, and, ultimately, save lives.”

    Learn more about myeloMATCH and the substudies that are currently open.

    About the National Cancer Institute (NCI): NCI leads the National Cancer Program and NIH’s efforts to dramatically reduce the prevalence of cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients and their families, through research into prevention and cancer biology, the development of new interventions, and the training and mentoring of new researchers. For more information about cancer, please visit the NCI website at www.cancer.gov or call NCI’s contact center, the Cancer Information Service, at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

    About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

    NIH…Turning Discovery Into Health®

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill  Biden at the 2024 HLTH  Conference

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Las Vegas, Nevada
    Good morning.
    It was an ordinary Saturday in an extraordinary life.
    I was in my office in the East Wing doing what community college teachers do on weekends—especially on a weekend so late in the semester: I was grading papers.
    It was late April last year. Earlier that morning, I’d read in The New York Times that the U.S. loses $1.8 billion in working time every year to the menopause symptoms that upend women’s lives.
    It struck me—I’d experienced those kinds of symptoms too, so had many of my friends, but, I thought, that’s the way life is, isn’t it?
    And then, that afternoon, Maria Shriver, the former First Lady of California, came in for a meeting. She wanted to talk about women’s health research.
    It’s a problem that’s so simple—yet often ignored: women’s health is understudied and research is underfunded. As a result, too many of our medications, treatments, health products, and medical school textbooks are based on men.
    That’s why, if you ask any woman in America about her health care, she probably has a story to tell.
    You know her.
    She’s the woman who gets debilitating migraines, but can’t find treatment options that work for her. She’s the woman whose heart attack isn’t detected because her symptoms don’t look like a man’s, even as heart disease is the leading cause of death among women. She’s the woman going through menopause, who visits her doctor and leaves with more questions than answers, even though half the country will go through menopause at some point in their lives.
    It seems like women’s bodies are considered miracles when we’re in our child-bearing years, and mysteries as we age.
    I knew this had to change.
    My husband, President Joe Biden, has a deep understanding of how government works and how to get things done quickly. So when I told Joe about this research gap, he got to work.
    Last November, we launched the first-ever White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research.
    From an ordinary Saturday conversation, the Biden Administration has done something extraordinary and fast. All in less than a year, we used the convening power of the White House to bring together government agencies, researchers, medical experts, innovators, and investors. 
    Joe signed the most comprehensive Executive Order ever, to expand and improve research and innovation in women’s health.
    The NIH is investing millions of dollars in new, interdisciplinary women’s health research, like how menopause affects our hearts, brains, and bones.
    The Department of Defense is committing half a billion dollars each year to women’s health research. And what helps women service members helps all women.
    And just today, ARPA-H, the agency that Joe created to invest in the most cutting-edge health breakthroughs, announced $110 million for women’s health researchers and startups to bring new treatments and cures to market. 
    This is government at its best.
    ARPA-H received an unprecedented 1,700 submissions for this funding sprint, which shows the energy and exploration that’s possible in this field. From there, ARPA-H chose to fund 23 recipients with the best “sparks”—meaning the most promising ideas so that researchers can take their work to the next level, and the best “launchpads”—those are the teams that are ready to bring new treatments and health products to market within the next two years.
    Let me give you a couple of examples.
    One in 10 women suffers from a painful, debilitating condition called endometriosis. It can take as long as a decade for women to get a diagnosis. One of today’s recipients from Washington University is developing a blood test—the first of its kind—to reduce the time it takes to diagnose the disease from years to days. So, women can get the treatments they need more quickly.
    We also know that women are more likely to get migraines, but we don’t know why. At UNC-Chapel Hill, a study is being funded to see how migraines are connected to the lymphatic system to help solve that mystery. And the team is working toward personalized treatments for migraines.
    ARPA-H is de-risking investments in these big ideas, so that answers can get to the women who need them now.
    The potential in this space is too great to ignore. In 2021, the Boston Consulting Group estimated that the size of the women’s health market would grow from $9 billion to $29 billion in just eight years, because of the growing momentum from funders and founders to address the unmet health needs of women. I know you see these opportunities in your day-to-day work.
    Here’s what I also want you to know. The women of America are waiting on you.
    Any time I get together with my sisters and friends, we have conversations about our health. We ask each other: should I be taking hormone therapy for symptoms related to menopause? How is it possible that my heart attack was almost missed? 
    It’s time for investors, researchers, and business leaders to have those conversations too, not as an afterthought but as a first thought. Those kinds of questions belong in your research proposals, in your laboratories, in your pitch decks.
    There is incredible momentum behind women’s health right now.
    What are you going to do to make sure this energy is unstoppable?
    So that we leave doctors’ offices with more answers than questions. And take this moment of opportunity to create something extraordinary.
    You can count me in. And I hope women can count on you.
    To continue this discussion, it’s my pleasure to introduce Dr. Carolyn Mazure, the chair of the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, who leads ARPA-H. Maria Shriver, a tireless advocate for advancing women’s health. And Lucy Pérez, a senior partner with McKinsey & Company.
    Please help me welcome them to the stage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Defence Secretary John Healey opening remarks from Trinity House agreement press conference 23 October 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Defence Secretary John Healey delivered opening remarks alongside German defence minister, Boris Pistorius, after signing the Trinity House Agreement

    Location:
    Trinity House, London
    Delivered on:
    23 October 2024 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

    This is a significant day for UK relations and for both our countries. Less than 100 days since I first visited Berlin in July to kick off these negotiations together, we have today signed a landmark defence agreement here at Trinity House in London. First, I want to thank our negotiating teams, they worked at pace, and they have helped us secure a deal which forges closer cooperation between our militaries and our industries, which contains immediate actions and longer term ambitions. Today’s agreement strengthens our security, it will grow our economies.

    And you know, when I was Shadow Defence Secretary before the general election, I had conversations with allies and partners and academics that said Britain needed to play a bigger part in NATO. They said European allies needed to take on more responsibility for European security and this, this is the driving force behind our NATO, first UK Defence strategy, behind our reset of UK relations with Europe. We share the same threats, war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East, growing Russian aggression. We share the same values, democracy, individual freedom, rule of law.

    And in a more dangerous world, allies are our strategic strength, and we must do more together. But I believe then, as I know Boris, you did too, that the UK-Germany defence relationship was underdeveloped. The UK and Germany are currently Europe’s top two defence spenders. We’re currently Europe’s top two supporters of Ukraine in military and economic aid. Yes, there’s 40 years of great cooperation on fast jets between UK and Germany. Yes, both countries have deployed and operated together in Kosovo, in Afghanistan, and to counter IS. But the collaboration has been ad hoc. It has not been systematic, and there is no fully-fledged defence cooperation agreement. And as I started work on this area, with some of you in this room, and I thank you for your contributions. As I started work sometime last year, there were only 28 German military personnel training in the UK. There were only six Brits doing the same in Germany, we only had one bilateral German-UK defence industrial programme. So there was huge potential, which we both wanted to seize. The potential and imperative to respond to increasing threats to strengthen our collective security through NATO, which is the cornerstone for the defence of both our nations.

    So today, we have signed this landmark Trinity House Agreement. It secures defence cooperation across all domains, land, sea, air, cyber, space. It will be put on a legal footing in the wider treaty between the UK and Germany. The agreement confirms new lighthouse defence projects between our militaries, and where better to announce these than Trinity house, which is home of England’s official Lighthouse Authority and has been so since 1794. In fact, actually, it goes back longer than that, to Henry the Eighth, when he took the first steps to maritime regulation from this building in 1514. And Admiral Ian Lower, thank you for your hospitality, thank you for hosting us, and thank you to your teams for helping us organise this event.

    But in this new agreement, our new cooperation is focused on the now, with our army’s training, exercising, innovating more together on NATO’s eastern flank, on German P8 planes operating out of Lossiemouth to help protect the North Atlantic and on new support for Ukraine through the capability coalitions, and also enabling German seeking helicopters to be equipped with modern missile systems. So cooperation focused on the now, and also cooperation focused on the weapons of the future: developing a new deep strike system together; pursuing new drones that could operate alongside our tanks; our planes and our warships; kick starting work together to protect vital undersea cables in the North Sea; advancing innovation between our armies to shape the future of NATO warfare; driven by AI and emerging technologies. And as well as this, this agreement paves the way for closer industrial cooperation.

    So today, Rheinmetall have announced plans to build a new gun barrel factory in Britain, supporting 400 jobs, bringing nearly half a billion pounds of benefit to the UK economy, and reestablishing a critical defence industry for the first time in 10 years, gun barrels built in Britain with British steel for our British armed forces and for our allies. And from artillery to AI, from the weapons of now to the weapons of the future, Helsing have also confirmed today a new investment of 350 million pounds into the UK for the development of AI systems. So this shows today’s agreement gives renewed confidence to investors in the UK defence industrial base. Finally, just to give this a bigger context, our new government was elected in July to deliver change. Before with the election, we promised a new defence agreement with Germany in six months, we’ve signed this landmark agreement in less than four months. This is what turning talk into action looks like. This is what resetting relations with Europe looks like. This is what growing our economy looks like, and this is what a NATO first defence strategy looks like. And today’s agreement also sends a signal to our adversaries. We will deter and we will defend against any aggression together.

    Boris, I look forward to working closely with you in putting this agreement into action. Today really is only the start of new, deeper relations between our two nations. And yes, politicians may come and go, but the Trinity house agreement will live on, and it will keep our countries and Europe safely in the years to come. Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dive Into a Lake of Data: Open Energy Data Initiative Increases Big Data Access for Everyone

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    When data is widely accessible and available to anyone, anywhere, it can transform communities—especially when that data concerns something as vital as energy.

    2.6 PB

    OF DATA

    27,057,932

    TOTAL DOWNLOADS

    2,142

    TOTAL DATASETS

    227

    DATA PROVIDERS

    The Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI) database makes vast amounts of openly accessible energy data available to anyone. Image from OEDI

    The Open Energy Data Initiative (OEDI)—currently funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)—makes energy data widely available to anyone by providing access to big data via “data lakes,” large collections of open-access energy data that are at anyone’s fingertips in the cloud.

    In the past, “big data”—data too large or too complex (or both) to be easily consumed by conventional means—could only be used by people with access to high-performance computing systems or supercomputers. OEDI makes vast amounts of energy data available for schools, companies just getting started, and data enthusiasts of all stripes. Each dataset includes access instructions and examples of how to work with the data.

    Accessible from OpenEI, OEDI is a centralized location that can house data generated across the 17 national laboratories and all their partner organizations for research and development funded through DOE, with additional contributions from other federal agencies and private companies. Currently, over 200 providers from government labs, private industries, and universities contribute to OEDI. And that data is available to anyone with a laptop and an internet connection to access and use in the cloud.

    OEDI’s data repository runs the gamut, spanning high-resolution data for atmospheric conditions used every day by U.S. weather forecasters; real-world building data in hourly increments that shows buildings’ energy consumption to serve as examples for engineers and architects; high-resolution data that shows how much wind or solar energy a given location can produce, not only for the United States but also many regions around the globe; databases about drilling and laser drilling; raw materials and supply chain analysis; and beyond, in over 2,000 datasets.

    “Limited access to big data historically excluded startups, small organizations, and minority-serving institutions from research collaborations and community initiatives,” SETO Director Becca Jones-Albertus said. “OEDI gives universal access to big data, fostering inclusive partnerships that enable better decision-making throughout the clean energy transition.”

    NREL researchers Ryan King (left) and Grant Buster (right) discuss datasets using Super-Resolution for Renewable Energy Resource Data with Climate Change Impacts (Sup3rCC), a collection of data that includes 4-km hourly wind, solar, temperature, humidity, and pressure fields for the United States under climate change scenarios. Sup3rCC data is intended to help researchers study the impact of climate change on energy systems with high levels of wind and solar capacity and is available on OEDI. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL

    Open, Accessible, and Standardized

    Traditional data repositories are not typically optimized for discovering or sharing data. Huge amounts of data further complicate data sharing by making the cost of storage and the time needed to transfer the data prohibitive, limiting access and reducing the potential for collaboration and innovation. Stored on the cloud, OEDI solves these issues by providing a centralized location for large energy datasets.

    Making energy data free and widely accessible allows communities to work with researchers and the energy industry to find solutions that meet the communities’ needs, fostering innovation that benefits everyone.

    A sample of OEDI’s 2,142 datasets, which are publicly accessible using Amazon Web Service’s cloud storage. Anyone with a laptop and an internet connection can now access and use this data without having to download and store it. Screen capture from the OEDI Data Lakes page

    OEDI further supports accessibility by making data easier to use. Simple access is one thing, but if datasets are messy and difficult to work with, mere access means very little.

    Converting raw data into standardized formats can be difficult and time-consuming. By cleaning and curating datasets, OEDI programmers aim to reduce the burden on individual data owners and project teams for data standardization, freeing up time and resources and improving the quality and consistency of standardized data.

    OEDI data pipelines automatically detect certain raw data formats and standardize them, displaying the standardized data right alongside the raw data for scientific posterity. OEDI data standards adhere to the precedents from the U.S. General Services Administration’s Open Data and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data principles.

    “With DOE support, NREL built OEDI from the ground up to share data,” said Jon Weers, who leads OEDI for NREL. “Anyone can access the data through OEDI directly or through a network of data sharing partners like Data.gov, Google Datasets, and dozens of other sites.”

    Introducing Ask OEDI: Your New Research Assistant for Data Questions

    Accessibility—making data available to the widest possible audience and reducing the learning curve for working with that data—is an essential function of OEDI. In support of FAIR data principles, NREL developed an artificial intelligence research assistant, AskOEDI, to help users find answers about datasets that go beyond simple searches.

    AskOEDI provides answers to research questions about datasets with vetted information. Screen capture from OEDI

    AskOEDI is an integrated large language model with the metadata and supporting documents for OEDI datasets and can provide answers to users’ questions using natural language processing and generative machine learning. Users can get answers to questions about specific datasets, including inquiries about the equipment, assumptions, and methodologies used in the origination of a dataset along with more abstract questions, such as the applicability of data to specific research fields. It only pulls answers from information vetted by OEDI and always cites sources, making it an ideal research assistant for OEDI data. AskOEDI increases the utility and discoverability of energy data by providing users with the means to quickly understand the nuances of a dataset without having to search through numerous associated publications.

    “Many of the questions that used to be an email to the data owner can now be answered instantly,” Weers said. “As long as they’ve been discussed in a linked publication or supporting document, AskOEDI can quickly find the answers to deeper questions on data such as ‘How was this data collected?’ or ‘What assumptions went into the calculation used for this data column?’ We’re excited to see where this technology goes as we work in this emerging field of artificial intelligence.”

    Using Big Data for Big Impacts

    OEDI is already impacting communities. The OEDI team supported communities in Puerto Rico in their transition to renewable energy in response to hurricanes Maria and Fiona. Working with DOE, the U.S. Census’ The Opportunity Project (TOP), local governments, and local teams, OEDI researchers facilitated the development of five different innovative solutions to help Puerto Rico increase its resilience and transition to 100% renewable energy.

    These solutions were developed by small teams of local collaborators focusing on community-driven solutions by applying and analyzing big data freely accessible through OEDI, which was recognized by Puerto Rico Governor Pedro Pierluisi during the TOP Summit.

    Small teams of local collaborators used OEDI to develop community-driven, innovative solutions to help Puerto Rico to increase its energy resilience and transition to renewable energy. Photo by Joe DelNero, NREL

    “Open access to data supports local communities,” Weers said. “In the wake of recent hurricanes, communities on the ground in Puerto Rico were able to use OEDI data to help them devise plans to rebuild and reinforce their energy infrastructure their way.”

    With OEDI, researchers from national laboratories to high school labs, from the United States and across the world, have greater access to valuable data to answer key energy questions. Over five years, OEDI has increased access to public data by 7,296%, to over 2.28 petabytes of data in 2024. Its data lakes now boast massive amounts of valuable data from solar, wind, geothermal, buildings, and marine energy programs to help anyone seeking to understand and contribute to innovative energy solutions.

    Access the Open Energy Data Initiative on OpenEI.

    Contact Jon Weers, NREL lead technologist and data systems architect.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Murphy Highlights More Than $1 Billion Investment in Child Care Sector Since Start of Administration

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    Governor Announces Additional $17 Million in American Rescue Plan Funding to Upgrade and Expand Child Care Facilities

    Murphy Administration Will Invest More Than $140 Million Upgrading Child Care Infrastructure Statewide – Representing One of the Largest Investments of Any State in the Country

    WEST ORANGE – Governor Phil Murphy today highlighted that his Administration has invested more than $1 billion in expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care across New Jersey. The Governor also announced an additional $17 million in funding for the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) Child Care Facilities Improvement Program. With these new resources, New Jersey is dedicating more than $140 million to improve child care infrastructure, representing one of the largest investments of any state in the country. The announcement was made at a child care center in West Orange that is expanding access to services thanks to funding from the NJEDA. 

    Building on the Murphy Administration’s comprehensive strategy to support the state’s vital child care sector, the NJEDA’s Child Care Facilities Improvement Program provides grants to eligible child care providers for improvements that contribute to high quality early childhood learning environments. Through the program, which awards grants of up to $200,000, the NJEDA has approved $85 million in grants to over 400 child care centers that collectively enroll over 34,000 children and employ over 8,500 staff. With the inclusion of new funding announced today, the NJEDA now anticipates another 200 centers will receive awards, bringing the total to more than 600 child care centers across all 21 New Jersey counties. Nearly a third of all awards are to centers located in Opportunity Zones.

    “Affordable, exceptional child care is a vital part of a stronger and fairer New Jersey economy, and the increased funding announced today will strengthen our state’s economic security and provide equitable opportunities to working parents,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Increased access to high-quality child care allows more parents to return to the workforce, bolstering New Jersey’s economic growth and competitiveness. Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration, who have provided record-high federal funding to expand access to child care, health care, and other critical resources for families in the Garden State.” 

    “Access to high-quality child care is a critical piece of our Nurture NJ initiative, and the NJEDA’s Child Care Facilities Improvement Program supports the equitable expansion of early childhood environments that will have lifelong impacts on future generations,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Improvements to facilities in our crucially important child care sector move us closer to our goal of becoming the best state in the nation to raise a family and unlock economic opportunities for working parents.”

    With the additional $17 million in Federal American Rescue Plan State Fiscal Recovery Fund funding announced today, the NJEDA anticipates being able to approve all eligible child care centers that applied to Phase One of the program, which is no longer accepting new applications. A significant focus of the program is expanding or unlocking capacity within child care centers, especially for infants and toddlers. All construction work is delivered by New Jersey Department of Labor Registered Public Works Contractors and subject to prevailing wage and affirmative action monitoring.

    The Child Care Facilities Improvement Program is already making an impact on child care centers across the state. The center visited today, The Kids Palace II in West Orange, was approved for a grant award of $189,300 to install sprinkler and alarm systems, allowing it to expand its state licensure to be able to accept infants. In addition, the Kids Palace II has received the NJEDA’s Phase 4 Small Business Emergency grant, the NJEDA’s Henri/Ida Business Assistance grant, and New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Retention and Stabilization grants.

    “Reliable and high-quality child care services are critical to the growth and success of New Jersey’s economy; however, too often financially stretched child care providers forgo making necessary investments in facility upgrades,” said NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. “The Child Care Facilities Improvement Program is an essential part of Governor Murphy’s goal to support working families and to build a more inclusive economy.”

    “Governor Murphy’s historic investment in childcare is smart economic policy. By making high-quality childcare more accessible, we empower more parents, particularly moms, to fully engage in the workforce, advance their careers, and pursue further education. At the same time, we provide our youngest children with essential early learning experiences that set them up for school and academic success. This all leads to a stronger, more resilient economy where every family has the opportunity to thrive,” said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver.

    “Governor Murphy’s visit highlights the significance of the support we have received through this grant, which has been so important in helping us create a dedicated infant-toddler space in our center. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to expand our services and positively impact more families in our community,” said Jorroys Reyes-Moton, Director and Owner of the Kids Palace II.

    “This investment continues the Murphy Administration’s commitment to support quality child care providers that are vital to New Jersey’s working families and the state economy. Today’s announcement complements $3.6 million in Fiscal Year 2025 child care provider wage increases and Human Services’ Child Care Assistance Program subsidies for tens of thousands of New Jersey families,” said Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman. “With a focus on improving learning environments, these NJEDA grants will empower child care providers to make necessary enhancements to their facilities, expand access to high-quality child care services, and strengthen our early childhood education system.”

    “A thriving, modern and robust child care industry is a key component in supporting working families in New Jersey,” said Department of Children and Families Commissioner Christine Norbut Beyer. “It gives young learners a foundation for academic success later in life, and gives parents options for world class child care and the peace of mind in knowing their child is being cared for in an updated and safe center. I applaud the Governor and my colleagues in NJ government for their ongoing investment in the stability and success of families throughout New Jersey — particularly those with young children.”

    “We thank the State of New Jersey for its substantial investment in child care facilities, recognizing that these environments are more than buildings—they are the ‘third teacher,’ fostering curiosity, social connection, and lifelong learning,” said Mary E. Coogan, President & CEO, Advocates for Children of New Jersey. “As we continue to shape spaces that empower children, educators, and families, we look forward to future investments in the child care workforce—another critical component of the child care infrastructure that is essential to the health of our economy and the well-being of our communities.”

    “SPAN appreciates the opportunity to celebrate New Jersey’s investments for and progress towards ensuring access to high-quality child care for families, allowing our children to thrive in enriching early learning environments,” said Peg Kinsell, Policy Director, SPAN Parent Advocacy Network.

    “NJPTA salutes Governor Murphy for his commitment to improve New Jersey’s child care sector. Our organization, the nation’s oldest child advocacy association, prioritizes quality child care which leads to an optimal educational experience. It is essential to provide affordable childcare services in all of our communities. This effort underscores Governor Murphy’s dedication to ensuring the educational success of our NJ children, and we’re thrilled that the grant will have a progressive impact in the child care sector,” said Sharon Roseboro, President, NJPTA.

    “New Jersey applauds Gov. Murphy’s administration for its investment in early childhood education. The $140 million will reap a 400 percent return, or $560 million, according to the Advocates for Children of New Jersey’s research. AFTNJ members know that such a substantial financial investment in preschool has long-lasting effects on academic achievement for the students enrolled in quality programs,” said AFT New Jersey President Jennifer S. Higgins.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Media Advisory: Governor Murphy to Lead Economic Mission to the United Kingdom

    Source: US State of New Jersey

    Trip Aims to Promote New Jersey’s Technology and Life Sciences Sectors and Economic Interests Abroad

    TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy will lead a delegation of industry and government leaders on a five-day, two-city economic mission trip to the United Kingdom in November. Organized by Choose New Jersey, the delegation will visit London and Cambridge. The mission will focus on strengthening New Jersey’s ties with the United Kingdom while cultivating partnerships and international investment opportunities in sectors such as life sciences and technology.

    “We are excited to lead this economic mission to the United Kingdom to bolster New Jersey’s relationships with our friends and partners across the pond,” said Governor Murphy. “I look forward to meeting with United Kingdom officials and industry leaders to address our mutual goals. As we build up New Jersey’s innovation economy, international investments are key to attracting more jobs and opportunity for the people of the Garden State.”

    “The United Kingdom is one of New Jersey’s top markets for business attraction and economic cooperation, offering unparalleled opportunities to strengthen our partnership. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase our state’s leadership in technology, life sciences, renewable energy, and innovation,” said Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “By strengthening our international ties and fostering new partnerships, we aim to drive investment and increased trade that will benefit our state and the global economy.”

    The economic mission will include meetings with elected government officials and regional leaders, as well as various engagements with prominent companies, trade associations, leading academic institutions, and major investors. There will also be opportunities to network with industry leaders across key sectors, including technology, life sciences, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and fintech. Veterans Day will be observed by members of the delegation on November 11 before their return to New Jersey.

    Governor Murphy will lead the delegation, which will include First Lady Tammy Murphy, Choose New Jersey President & CEO Wesley Mathews, and New Jersey Economic Development Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Sullivan. The delegation will depart New Jersey on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 and return on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

    Due to limited space, media interested in accompanying the Governor to the United Kingdom should contact Ingrid Austin at iaustin@choosenj.com as soon as possible.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Transom Capital-backed Artivo Surfaces Acquires Tom Duffy Company

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LIVONIA, Mich. and LOS ANGELES, Oct. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Artivo Surfaces, the Transom Capital-backed parent company of Virginia Tile, Galleher, and Trinity Hardwood, is acquiring Tom Duffy Company, a strategic move that significantly strengthens Artivo’s position as a market leader in the tile and flooring industry. With its extensive portfolio of installation materials, hardwood, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and tile solutions, Tom Duffy brings valuable expertise and a diverse product offering to Artivo’s growing family of products and capabilities.

    “For over 70 years, Tom Duffy has earned its place as a trusted partner in the flooring industry,” said Sunil Palakodati, CEO of Artivo Surfaces. “This acquisition expands Artivo’s platform and strengthens our core capabilities. By bringing together Tom Duffy’s exceptional team, strong industry relationships, and loyal customer base, we’re enhancing our ability to serve residential and commercial markets across the country with a broader range of flooring solutions.”

    Anne Funsten, President, and CEO of Tom Duffy Company expressed her enthusiasm about joining Artivo Surfaces: “We are thrilled to become part of Artivo Surfaces. This partnership not only enables us to scale our business but also preserves the legacy we have built in an ever-changing market. Artivo’s forward-thinking vision and robust resources create the perfect foundation for our continued growth while allowing us to strengthen the trusted relationships we have nurtured over the decades.”

    “This acquisition marks an exciting milestone as Artivo continues to expand its reach and capabilities,” said Steve Kim, Principal at Transom Capital Group. “Tom Duffy has been well known in the West Coast for decades, and their inclusion in the Artivo family strengthens its ability to provide customers with even more comprehensive and innovative solutions. Tom Duffy is Transom Capital’s third acquisition in less than twelve months in this vertical, and we are proud to support Sunil and his leadership team in building a premier surfaces platform.”

    Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Transom Capital and PNC Bank, N.A. and Blue Torch Capital provided debt financing for the transaction. Wood Warren served as the exclusive financial advisor and Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP served as legal advisor to Tom Duffy.

    About Artivo Surfaces
    Artivo Surfaces is a multi-regional flooring company and parent company to the Virginia Tile, Galleher LLC, Trinity Hardwood Flooring and Tom Duffy brands. The company’s network covers 48 locations in over 18 states, and they provide a comprehensive range of flooring solutions from coast to coast. Its extensive portfolio features a diverse selection of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, hardwood, luxury vinyl, and all necessary installation materials. Combining a century of expertise with innovative design and premium products, serving both residential and commercial markets. Artivo’s scale enables it to deliver industry-leading products and solutions while preserving the personalized, high-touch service its customers depend on. 

    About Transom Capital Group
    Transom Capital Group is an operations-focused private equity firm focused on investing in the middle market. The firm strives to create long-term value by partnering with established businesses and helping them navigate transformative growth. Transom’s functional pattern recognition, access to capital, and ARMORSM Value Creation Process, combined with management’s industry expertise, drive improved operational efficiency, top-line growth, cultural transformation, and distinctive outcomes. Transom is headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

    Media Contact
    Sam Butler for Transom Capital
    sam@35thAvenuePartners.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Opening its Second Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 23, 2024

    Manitoba Government Opening its Second Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic

    – – –
    Concordia Hospital’s New Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic Will Bring Care Closer to Home: Premier

    The Manitoba government is opening its second Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic on Oct. 23, which will be open on evenings, weekends and holidays so patients can access care when and where they need it, Premier Wab Kinew and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced today.

    “We are bringing health care closer to home for northeast Winnipeggers.” said Kinew. “We were elected on the promise to provide convenient and accessible health care to families across Manitoba and these clinics are doing just that. If your kid scrapes their knee, your parents need a checkup or you need to renew your prescription, you can head down to Concordia’s new clinic.”

    Located in Room 127A at Concordia Hospital, the Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic offers family doctors and nurses who can treat patients for common ailments and support the ongoing management of chronic conditions.

    “Life can’t always adapt to a nine to five schedule and folks can’t always plan for their health-care needs,” Asagwara. “Hard-working Manitobans need convenient options for accessing local care. We had an incredible response to the first Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic at the Grace Hospital. More than 560 patients have been seen since the clinic opened just over a month ago. I’m so glad to be opening another Extended Hours Primary Care Clinic that will reach even more Manitobans.”

    “As a long-time resident of the area, it’s great news to hear we’re getting more local health care in northeast Winnipeg,” said Mave Dickson, northeast Winnipeg resident. “Our community will really benefit from accessible and convenient care closer to home.”

    Extended Hours Primary Care Clinics are an excellent way to supplement the care patients receive from their regular providers, offering options when their primary physician is unavailable, noted the premier.

    The clinic at Concordia Hospital is the second extended-hours clinic to open in Winnipeg. It will be open after hours from 5:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends, and offer special hours during the holidays. Patients can register for same-day appointments online at https://myrightcare.ca and some walk-in spots will be available every day.

    For more information on where to seek care for common illnesses, injuries and mental health concerns, visit the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Find Your Right Care page at  https://myrightcare.ca.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Beatty & Waters Lead Call for Stronger, More Accountable IFIs

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

    WASHINGTON, DC –  Today, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-OH), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on National Security, Illicit Finance, and International Financial Institutions, and Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee announced plans this week to introduce a legislative package aimed at strengthening and reforming the International Financial Institutions. With the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group underway, this bill will help initiate reforms related to transparency, accountability, and institutional management. Specifically, this bill seeks to hold accountable the persons involved in the child sexual abuse scandal at the Bridge Academies project in Kenya, eliminate onerous loan conditions on developing or distressed countries, improve the debt forgiveness efforts of the IFIs, reduce reliance on Russian agriculture, combat corruption, and more.

    “Countries around the world continue to face significant social and economic challenges, from corruption and human rights abuses to debt sustainability crises and the disastrous effects of climate change,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “International Financial Institutions (IFIs) have done substantial work to promote financial stability, poverty reduction, and economic development, but they can do more to address systemic inequities and facilitate debt relief for distressed countries. I am proud to join Ranking Member Waters in introducing this package of meaningful reforms to increase transparency and accountability at the IFIs, strengthen support for low-income countries, and establish robust human rights protections.”

    “Over the years, our International Financial Institutions (IFI) have played a crucial role in establishing international order and addressing some of the most pressing economic challenges across the globe,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Despite this success, there have been troubling instances of child abuse, corruption, discrimination, and mismanagement that has hindered IFIs from reaching their full potential. I am eager to advance this bill to the President’s desk and look forward to working across the aisle on ways to strengthen the IMF, World Bank and other Development Banks so that they can create a more equitable and prosperous global economy.”

    Key provisions in the legislative package include:

    • Treasury Report on Accountability of the World Bank in Child Sexual Abuse – This provision would mandate that Treasury report to Congress on a quarterly basis on actions completed by the World Bank to compensate survivors of child sexual abuse, including with financial compensation and other relief, and to hold accountable those involved in the Bridge Academies project. The quarterly report to Congress must also include details of reforms adopted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to prevent such failures in the future, as well as any steps taken by the IFC to impede Treasury from sharing any information around this report or the Bridge Academies case with Congress.
    • Anti-corruption measures in lending agreements – This provision states that the US press for the incorporation of anti-corruption measures in lending agreements at the IMF to build sustainable economies. Such measures must include ensuring that governments receiving loans make specific, measurable, and time-bound commitments as part of the loan agreements, with consequences for noncompliance. 
    • Protections for human rights, including LGBTQ+ persons – This provision would mandate that Treasury oppose the World Bank providing financial assistance to countries that engage in the human rights abuses as reported in the State Department’s Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, including those of people who identify as LGBTQ+.
    • Loan Conditions – This provision states that the U.S. encourage the reduction or elimination of loan conditions that: limit spending on key social needs such as health, education, or climate action; weaken environmental, labor, public health regulations; or increase taxes or reduce subsidies in such a way that falls regressively on recipient country populations.
    • Reporting on Human Rights Abuses in For-Profit Healthcare – This provision mandates that Treasury report to Congress on a biannual basis on any known accusations made by community groups, CSOs, media, or other credible actors, of human rights abuses at MDB-funded, for-profit hospitals, included those funded by the IFC, and on actions completed by the MDB private sector arms to investigate and address or respond to these accusations. This provision also mandates that the U.S. advocate for the MDBs to examine their investments in healthcare to determine contribution to universal health coverage, the strengthening of national health systems, and the reduction of health inequities.
    • Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) Financing – This provision would amend the most recent appropriations law so that U.S. money could be used to finance loans to the RST in addition to the Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust. This is important because the Republicans cut the RST out from potentially receiving loans. 
    • Quota Increase – This provision would authorize an equiproportional increase in quota at the IMF consistent with the increase Treasury negotiated with the IMF Member countries. If Congress passes this provision the US would retain its veto power and percent of shareholding at the IMF and China’s share would not increase (even though it probably should based on its growth). At the IMF, Member countries’ maximum financial commitments to the Fund are called “quota.” Quota is broadly matched to a Member country’s relative position in the world’s economy, and voting shares at the IMF are in line with how much quota a country pays. This was in President Biden’s most recent budget request.

    Read the full bill here.
    Read the Section by Section here.

    For media inquiries, please contact Cassandra.Johnson@mail.house.gov.

     

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    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Submit Your 2025 Event Proposal to NASA

    Source: NASA

    NASA is making event plans for the 2025 calendar year, and we want to pencil you in! We are looking for the Midwest’s biggest and best community events with the broadest audiences to share NASA’s content and raise awareness of the agency’s most exciting aeronautics and space missions. NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is leading the agency’s efforts to inspire the Midwest through engagement.

    Interested organizations can submit an event proposal to Glenn now through Nov. 18, 2024. Those selected will receive notification via email by Dec. 31, 2024. Through this collaboration, selected organizations will gain access to NASA exhibits and artifacts, hands-on demonstrations, STEM and internship opportunities for students and educators, NASA’s innovative technology, and experts that align to the topics and themes of their events.

    NASA is seeking:

    Organizations with direct community connections and an established event that reaches diverse audiences. 
    Events scheduled to occur between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2025.
    Events that are mutually beneficial – where a NASA presence will enhance the event experience and raise awareness of NASA’s contributions to the advancement of aeronautics and space exploration.

    Selected organizations must agree to the following:

    Attend virtual planning meetings through an online business communication platform.
    Work with NASA Glenn’s Office of Communications when coordinating marketing, media communications, and logistics as described in the event proposal.
    Adhere to NASA Media Usage Guidelines for NASA media and logos.
    Provide final attendance data within two weeks of the conclusion of the event including the following:

    Number of attendees
    Estimated percentage of attendees from underrepresented audiences

    All proposals are to be submitted through the online proposal form. Proposals must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 18, 2024. Only proposals submitted online will be accepted.
    Proposal Review Process
    Proposals will be evaluated and scored, and selections will be made using the following criteria:

    Estimated audience size.
    Percentage of audience from underserved and/or underrepresented communities as defined below.

    For purposes of this solicitation, underserved and/or underrepresented communities include Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. (Source: NASA’s Mission Equity).

    Alignment of the program’s goals and objectives to those of this opportunity.
    Plans to maximize audience participation through marketing and media communications.
    Evidence of historical attendance at this or similar events hosted by the proposing organization.

    Proposing organizations will be notified of their selection status by Dec. 31, 2024.

    If you have questions about this opportunity or the online proposal form, contact NASA Glenn’s Office of Communications: GRC-Public-Engagement@mail.nasa.gov.

    Solicitation posted: Oct. 23, 2024Proposal form URL: https://osirris.grc.nasa.gov/request/request.cfmProposal submission deadline: Nov. 18, 2024Notification of event selection: Dec. 13, 2024 

    NASA’s Glenn Research Center designs, develops, and tests innovative technology to revolutionize air travel, advance space exploration, and improve life on Earth. As one of 10 NASA centers, and the only one in the Midwest, Glenn is a vital contributor to the region’s economy and culture. Many NASA missions have Glenn contributions, and every U.S. aircraft has NASA Glenn technology on board, making flight cleaner, safer, and quieter.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Remarks by S for S at media session

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Remarks by S for S at media session
    Remarks by S for S at media session
    ***********************************

         Following are the remarks by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-Leung, at a media session after attending a radio programme this morning (January 25):Reporter: Could you please recap in English the rescue work that you have mentioned on the radio, that the 29 (year-old) teenager has been rescued, and when will he be back in Hong Kong? Secondly, can you also recap in English, the rapid test kit for the space oil? You mentioned there are two scenarios when checking, that the police officers may have to be attentive of. Can you say in English how do they have to be aware of during checking? Secretary for Security: First of all, regarding the 29 years old Hong Kong victim, who was earlier being lured to a Southeast Asian country to work illegally, and had been rescued to Thailand. Actually, he had been moved to Bangkok yesterday, and our task force member was able to see him and talk with him. With the assistance from Thai authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Thailand, and also with the help of the Thai Consulate in Hong Kong, we are able to arrange him to be back to Hong Kong on coming Monday. We are delighted that he can see his family members before the Chinese New Year and have a family reunion.      Regarding the rapid test kits on space oil drug, since the promulgation last Saturday, we have two positive cases. In the course of doing the test, our officers are being trained to handle different situations. If someone is really innocent, our officers have to tactfully handle how to make a request. We understand that, if someone is really in possession of space oil drug, and they have certain reactions, our officers are being trained to handle different scenarios. Thank you.Reporter: Will the Government also work with the Myanmar and Cambodian governments? And what kind of challenges are there?Secretary for Security: In fact, I have been seeing the Myanmar Consulate and also the Cambodian Consulate in Hong Kong to discuss on how to have the safe return of our Hong Kong people. All of us, including the two Consulates-General that I mentioned, and also the Thai authorities, are all committed to paying our utmost efforts to have the safe return of our Hong Kong residents.(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the remarks)

     
    Ends/Saturday, January 25, 2025Issued at HKT 12:16

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Deputy Prime Minister to attend G7 and G20 Finance Ministers’ Meetings and Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    This week, from October 23 to 25, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, will attend the Fall Meetings of G7 and G20 Finance Ministers and the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington D.C.

    October 23, 2024 – Ottawa, Canada – Department of Finance Canada

    This week, from October 23 to 25, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, will attend the Fall Meetings of G7 and G20 Finance Ministers and the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington D.C.

    At these meetings, the Deputy Prime Minister will advance work with Canada’s allies to strengthen supply chains with trusted trading partners to create jobs and economic growth that is shared by all Canadians.

    While in Washington, the Deputy Prime Minister will discuss with allies further efforts to support Ukraine through to victory and into reconstruction. Canada was an early champion of G7 efforts to make full use of frozen Russian sovereign assets, and provided a CA$5 billion (US$3.7 billion) contribution to the G7’s CA$68 billion (US$50 billion) Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration Loans for Ukraine. 

    The Deputy Prime Minister will further Canada’s work to build resilient economies and reduce economic inequalities—as demonstrated by the government’s historic investments in early learning and child care, national dental care coverage, and free contraception and diabetes medication. The Deputy Prime Minister will also advance Canada’s work on international tax cooperation.

    An itinerary of events will be released in advance of the meetings.

    Quotes

    “Canada is leading the G7 in cutting interest rates four times this year and reducing inflation to target for all of this year. The wages of Canadian workers have outpaced inflation for 20 months. And, the IMF expects Canada’s economic growth to be the best in the G7 next year. Together, Canada and our allies are working to ensure recent economic gains are not unwound, but rather built upon, so we can create more good-paying jobs, help people get ahead, and build a fairer future for every generation.”

    – The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

    Quick facts

    • Canada is leading the G7 in:

      • Cutting interest rates; the first to cut rates twice, the first to cut rates a third time, and now the first to cut rates a fourth time;
      • Economic growth expectations, with the IMF predicting that Canada’s GDP will be the fastest growing in 2025;
      • Maintaining the lowest net debt-to-GDP ratio—by a significant margin—in the G7; and,
      • Securing AAA credit ratings from at least two of the world’s three major credit rating agencies, along with only Germany.

    • Inflation has been within the target range of 1 per cent to 3 per cent for all of 2024, with inflation in Canada falling to 1.6 per cent in September—a 43 month low. 

    • Wages in Canada have outpaced inflation for 20 months in a row, which means Canadian workers today on average have larger pay cheques, even accounting for inflation, than they did before the pandemic.

    • The Annual Meetings of the IMF and World Bank, which generally take place in October, have customarily been held in Washington for two consecutive years and in another member country in the third year.

    Contacts

    Media may contact:

    Katherine Cuplinskas
    Deputy Director of Communications
    Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
    Katherine.Cuplinskas@fin.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Department of Finance Canada
    mediare@fin.gc.ca
    613-369-4000

    General enquiries

    Phone: 1-833-712-2292
    TTY: 613-369-3230
    E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

    Stay Connected

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Cortez Man Pleads Guilty To Making Threats Against Election Official

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Teak Ty Brockbank, 45, of Cortez, pleaded guilty today to one count of transmitting interstate threats.

    According to the plea agreement, Brockbank made a series of online threats toward elections officials in Colorado and Arizona, a Colorado state judge, and federal law enforcement agents between September 2021 and August 2022. On September 21, 2021, for example, Brockbank posted on a social media account: “I live in Communist Colorado and this Crazed liberal [referring to Election Official-1] and many others in Communist Colorado needs to- No has to Hang she has to Hang by the neck till she is Dead Dead Dead. There will be accountability for these peoples actions in Communist Colorado and it won’t be judges and it won’t be weakmided cops that bring it!!! It will be Me it will be You it Will be every day people that understand that there life does not matter anymore with the future our country has laid out before it.”

    In the plea agreement, Brockbank also admitted that, during that time, he used that account, as well as another social media account to post messages threatening Colorado and Arizona election officials. Brockbank admitted to other threats as well. On August 4, 2022, for example, Brockbank posted a message referring to separate election officials in Arizona and Colorado and then stated: “Once those people start getting put to death then the rest will melt like snowflakes and turn on each other. . . . This is the only way. So those of us that have the stomach for what has to be done should prepare our minds for what we all [a]re going to do!!!!!! It is time.”

    Brockbank also posted a message threatening a Colorado state judge on Oct. 2, 2021: “I could pick up my rifle and I could go put a bullet in this Mans head and send him to explain himself to our Creator right now. I would be Justified!!! Not only justified but obligated by those in my family who fought and died for the freedom in this country. . . . What can I do other than kill this man my self?”

    Finally, Brockbank allegedly threatened federal law enforcement on July 20, 2022, posting: “ATF CIA FBI show up to my house I am shooting them peace’s of shit first No Warning!! Then I will call the sheriff!!! With everything that these piece of shit agencies have done I am completely justified to just start dropping them as soon as they step on my property! justified.”

    United States District Judge S. Kato Crews presided over the change of plea hearing. The FBI Denver Field Office investigated the case. Trial Attorney Jonathan E. Jacobson of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus Y. Chung for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution.

    Sentencing will be held on February 3, 2025.

    This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the Department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. A year after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the Task Force has begun.

    Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the Task Force is led by the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section of the Criminal Division, the Civil Rights Division, the National Security Division, and the FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.

    To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found here: www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.

    Case Number: 24-cr-00291-SKC

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney Names District Election Officer to Oversee the Handling of Complaints of Election Fraud and Voting Rights Abuses in the November 2024 General Election

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. — U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Khasigian will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of California in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the upcoming November 5 general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of Election Day complaints of voting rights concerns, threats of violence to election officials or staff, and election fraud, in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington, DC.

    The 34 counties in the Eastern District are: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Lassen, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, and Yuba.

    “Every citizen must be able to vote without interference or discrimination and to have that vote counted in a fair and free election,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence. The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.”

    The Department of Justice has an important role in deterring discrimination and intimidation at the polls, threats of violence directed at election officials and poll workers, and election fraud. The Department will address these violations wherever they occur. The Department’s longstanding Election Day Program furthers these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the electoral process by providing local points of contact within the Department for the public to report possible federal election law violations.

    Federal law protects against such crimes as threatening violence against election officials or staff, intimidating or bribing voters, buying and selling votes, impersonating voters, altering vote tallies, stuffing ballot boxes, and marking ballots for voters against their wishes or without their input. It also contains special protections for the rights of voters, and provides that they can vote free from interference, including intimidation, and other acts designed to prevent or discourage people from voting or voting for the candidate of their choice. The Voting Rights Act protects the right of voters to mark their own ballot or to be assisted by a person of their choice (where voters need assistance because of disability or inability to read or write in English).

    In order to respond to complaints of voting rights concerns and election fraud during the upcoming election and to ensure that such complaints are directed to the appropriate authorities, AUSA/DEO Khasigian will be on duty in this District while the polls are open. He can be reached by the public at the following telephone number: 916-554-2723.

    U.S. Attorney Talbert stated, “The franchise is the cornerstone of American democracy. We all must ensure that those who are entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice. It is important that those who have specific information about voting rights concerns or election fraud make that information available to the Department of Justice.”

    In addition, the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on Election Day. The local FBI field office can be reached by phone at 916-746-7000.

    Complaints about possible violations of the federal voting rights laws can be made directly to the Civil Rights Division in Washington, DC, by complaint form at https://civilrights.justice.gov/ or by phone at 800-253-3931.

    Please note, however, in the case of a crime of violence or intimidation, call 911 immediately and before contacting federal authorities. State and local police have primary jurisdiction over polling places, and almost always have faster reaction capacity in an emergency. 

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate cut: Monetary policy is not enough to address economic issues on its own

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sorin Rizeanu, Assistant Professor, Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria

    The Canadian and American economies are deeply intertwined. With the United States Federal Reserve cautious amid mixed signals from the labour market and rising inflation worries, the Bank of Canada has just lowered its key interest rate to 3.75 per cent – cutting it by half a percentage point.

    Strong U.S. job growth and cooling inflation could result in a smaller Fed rate cut compared to its previous cut and to Canada’s recent cut. It could also pause the rate entirely, which may change economic conditions in the U.S. and Canada in the months to come. Upcoming U.S. elections complicate the problem further.

    In Canada, cooling inflation, slowing manufacturing sales and more cautious consumer spending opens the door to another half percentage point rate cut by the end of the year.

    But does the Bank of Canada have the ability to offset shifts in U.S. monetary policies through its own monetary instruments? In fact, how much room does it have to diverge from U.S. policy at all?

    Monetary conditions are transmitted from the world’s biggest financial centres to the rest of the world through gross credit flows and leverage. Any policy differences between Canada and the U.S. immediately impact Canada, including spillover effects on the loonie exchange rates and other widespread economical and social effects.

    Canada’s double trilemmas

    Canada’s key challenges include economic growth as a potential recession looms, taming inflation, housing, managing interest rates while private and public debt is sky-high and stabilizing Canada’s commodity-linked currency in an increasingly volatile geopolitical environment. Failing to address these challenges could lead to severe systemic imbalances.

    A country cannot have an independent monetary policy, stable exchange rate and free capital flows simultaneously. It must choose one side of this triangle and give up the opposite corner.
    (Sorin Rizeanu), CC BY-ND

    The Bank of Canada has good reasons to cut the interest rate back to 2.5 to 3.5 per cent, but this could have a significant impact on the loonie.

    Canada is facing two sets of trilemmas: a monetary one for the central bank and a fiscal one for the government. On the monetary side, stable exchange rates, independent monetary policy and financial market openness are three objectives that cannot all be achieved simultaneously. European countries have sacrificed monetary independence in exchange for a strong euro and financial openness.

    It’s impossible for policymakers to pursue all three choices at the same time. For instance, a country spending more without raising taxes has to increase public debt and deficit.
    (Sorin Rizeanu), CC BY-ND

    Canada, in contrast, has opted for free capital mobility and independent monetary policy at the expense of exchange rate stability. This allows the loonie to be determined by market forces, giving the central bank the ability to adjust interest rates while capital moves freely across the border.

    On the fiscal side, the government is grappling with climate change, immigration and wealth inequality. However, there is also strong public resistance to higher taxes, and public debt and deficits are currently at alarming levels.

    If the central banks are at odds

    If the Bank of Canada were to cut interest rates while the Fed doesn’t, the loonie would likely depreciate sharply, forcing a response. Such a divergence happened in June 2024, with the Fed following with a 0.5 per cent cut only in September.

    On such short-term deviations, sterilization is typically implemented to dampen the depreciation of the loonie by acquiring Canadian dollars and selling reserves.

    If the central banks were to remain at odds in the longer term, a decrease in money supply as investors flee would likely cause a decrease in domestic bank lending, which is already under pressure from public and private debt and increased default rates.

    This could decrease longer term interest rates and put additional pressure on the economy through the capital account. If investors believe the central bank is merely delaying the inevitable depreciation of its currency, it could also reinforce carry trade dynamics — an investment strategy where money is borrowed at a low cost in one currency to earn higher returns from investments in another currency.

    The bond market would also react, with notable effects in key economic sectors and asset valuation. Long-term interest rates tend to align more across countries than short-term rates, especially if global factors are influencing real rates or if investors are seeking safer assets.

    While the Bank of Canada can set its policy rate independently of the Fed’s rate, it has less control over the long-term. Long-term rates are tied to exchange rates and reflect expectations for future short-term rates and risk factors. Mortgage rates and corporate borrowing rates would be affected as well.

    Monetary policy can’t be the only answer

    The Bank of Canada’s mandate is to “keep inflation low, stable and predictable.” While this can be fulfilled through rate cuts, diverging from U.S. policy will have widespread effects on the Canadian economy. These impacts will be uneven, with indebted investors and banks likely benefiting while the working class may bear the brunt.

    The Bank of Canada focuses on providing liquidity to the financial sector, often with little regulation or oversight. However, this approach tends to overlook challenges faced by the working class. In 2022, for instance, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem advised against employers increasing wages to match inflation over concern that a wage-price spiral would occur.

    Even if the central bank wanted to address these issues, it’s limited by the ability to manage multiple outputs with just one instrument. As a result, the central bank should report not only on inflation, but also on the overall trade-offs of rate cuts.

    The Bank of Canada has a vested interest in tampering the effects of a new rate cut, especially since it could trigger a “capital famine” in the long-term and weaken the Canadian dollar. In the short-term, divergences from the U.S. will likely be manageable, but in the longer term, currency depreciation may be unavoidable to keep the economy afloat.

    Monetary policy is vital, but it’s merely the first line of defence against inflation. To truly address Canada’s economic issues, both monetary and fiscal policies need to work together in harmony, with a broader public discussion that goes beyond inflation.

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

    – ref. Bank of Canada’s latest interest rate cut: Monetary policy is not enough to address economic issues on its own – https://theconversation.com/bank-of-canadas-latest-interest-rate-cut-monetary-policy-is-not-enough-to-address-economic-issues-on-its-own-238396

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Vice President’s Residence

    US Senate News:

    Source: The White House
    Vice President’s ResidenceU.S. Naval ObservatoryWashington, D.C.
    12:58 P.M. EDT
    THE VICE PRESIDENT:  So, yesterday, we learned that Donald Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, a retired four-star general, confirmed that while Donald Trump was president, he said he wanted generals like Adolf Hitler had.
    Donald Trump said that because he does not want a military that is loyal to the United States Constitution.  He wants a military that is loyal to him.  He wants a military who will be loyal to him personally, one that will obey his orders even when he tells them to break the law or abandon their oath to the Constitution of the United States.
    In just the past week, Donald Trump has repeatedly called his fellow Americans the “enemy from within” and even said that he would use the United States military to go after American citizens.
    And let’s be clear about who he considers to be the enemy from within.  Anyone who refuses to bend a knee or dares to criticize him would qualify, in his mind, as the enemy within, like judges, like journalists, like nonpartisan election officials.
    It is deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous that Donald Trump would invoke Adolf Hitler, the man who is responsible for the deaths of 6 million Jews and hundreds of thousands of Americans. 
    All of this is further evidence for the American people of who Donald Trump really is.  This is a window into who Donald Trump really is from the people who know him best, from the people who worked with him side by side in the Oval Office and in the Situation Room.
     And it is clear from John Kelly’s words that Donald Trump is someone who, I quote, “certainly falls into the general definition of “fascist,” who, in fact, vowed to be a dictator on day one and vowed to use the military as his personal militia to carry out his personal and political vendettas.
    Donald Trump is increasingly unhinged and unstable.  And in a second term, people like John Kelly would not be there to be the guardrails against his propensities and his actions.  Those who once tried to stop him from pursuing his worst impulses would no longer be there and no longer be there to rein him in.
    So, the bottom line is this.  We know what Donald Trump wants.  He wants unchecked power.  The question in 13 days will be: What do the American people want?
         Thank you.
                                 END                1:01 P.M. EDT                              

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada, the United States and Mexico release the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative (NAPAHPI)

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Today, the Public Health Agency of Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Safety Canada and Global Affairs Canada, and their respective counterparts in the United States and Mexico, released the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative (NAPAHPI).

    An initiative between Canada and partner countries to strengthen our ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats

    October 23, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Public Health Agency of Canada

    Canada, the United States and Mexico have a strong and longstanding partnership, and are connected across many areas, including health, business and social relationships. This interconnectedness means that disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or other threats to health security, can have impacts across all three countries. Through continued coordination and cooperation, we can support the health and well-being of our populations.

    Today, the Public Health Agency of Canada, in collaboration with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Safety Canada and Global Affairs Canada, and their respective counterparts in the United States and Mexico, released the North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative (NAPAHPI).

    NAPAHPI fulfills commitments made during the 2021 and 2023 North American Leaders’ Summits to strengthen North America’s regional health security by working together to mitigate and respond to public health threats. It also provides a flexible framework that will help North American partners collaborate to address the challenges of potential future pandemics or other public health threats that require a coordinated response.

    The NAPAHPI complements the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) and other international mechanisms which seek to strengthen and protect global health security, and supports a One Health approach that considers the relationships between the health of humans, animals, and the environment.

    Together, Canada, the United States and Mexico will advance NAPAHPI’s goals by working on key areas for collaboration:

    • animal diseases with zoonotic potential;
    • epidemiological surveillance and laboratory diagnostics;
    • medical countermeasures;
    • public health measures;
    • medical supply chains;
    • health systems;
    • risk communications;
    • border health measures;
    • critical infrastructure;
    • risk assessment and foresight risk analyses;
    • joint exercises and training; and
    • sustainable financing.

    Quotes

    “Canada, the United States and Mexico have a long-standing friendship and history of collaboration. The North American Preparedness for Animal and Human Pandemics Initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when our three countries work together on a common vision. Through more effective coordination and collaboration, we can identify and implement actions that seek to protect the health and safety of our populations, while minimizing economic and social impacts.”

    — The Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health

    “The United States is committed to strengthening health security and preparing for future threats. To be successful we must coordinate closely across governments, as well as with industry and community leaders – which is what this platform makes possible. Our nations cannot be strong unless they are healthy. That’s why we will continue to work together on a sustained, durable strategy that improves health security for all.”

    — Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services

    “This new framework for collaboration between Mexico, Canada and the United States on preparedness for animal and human pandemics is an example of the close cooperation between the three countries. The framework will help us address the challenges of One Health and adopt new technologies and practices in the North American region. Additionally, it will promote a shared vision for surveillance, early identification of risk factors, and the planning and implementation of cooperative and sustainable responses to health emergencies. This trinational effort will translate into more efficient protection strategies for our populations.”

    — David Kershenobich, Minister of Health

    Quick facts

    • NAPAHPI replaces the 2007 North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza, and the 2012 North American Plan for Animal and Pandemic Influenza.

    • NAPAHPI builds on the history of this tripartite collaboration, as well as on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health events over the past decade.

    • For nearly two decades, the three partner countries have met regularly to discuss, prepare for and respond to public health threats such as H1N1, MERS-CoV, Ebola, Zika, the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently H5N1 avian influenza outbreaks.

    • NAPAHPI is led by a Senior Coordinating Body as a key decision-making forum and a Health Security Working Group as its technical arm, with members from the human health, animal health/agriculture, security and foreign affairs sectors.

    • The principal agencies in the governance structure are:

      • Canada: Public Health Agency of Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Public Safety Canada and Global Affairs Canada.
      • United States: Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security and Department of State.

    • Mexico: Secretariat of Health/Secretaría de Salud, Secretariat of Agriculture and Rural Development/Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural, Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection/Secretaría de Seguridad y Protección Ciudadana, and Secretariat of Foreign Affairs/Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Matthew Kronberg
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health
    343-552-5654

    Media Relations
    Public Health Agency of Canada
    613-957-2983
    media@hc-sc.gc.ca

    Public Inquiries:
    613-957-2991
    1-866-225-0709

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Department of Veterans Affairs Implements Rosen’s Bipartisan Law to Strengthen Cybersecurity of Veterans’ Personal Information

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Senator Rosen’s Bipartisan Strengthening VA Cybersecurity Act Required the Department to Obtain An Independent Cybersecurity Assessment And Submit A Plan To Congress To Address Cyber Vulnerabilities
    LAS VEGAS, NV – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has implemented her bipartisan law to strengthen the cybersecurity of veterans’ personal information and data. Her Strengthening VA Cybersecurity Act, signed into law in 2022, directed the Secretary to obtain an independent cybersecurity assessment of VA information systems, and submit to Congress the findings and a remediation plan to address the cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Following the recent completion of that assessment, the VA has submitted a detailed plan to Congress on how it will address vulnerabilities.
    “Our veterans rely on the VA to access medical care, benefits, and other critical services, and we must ensure their most personal information is protected from bad actors,” said Senator Rosen. “I worked across party lines to pass bipartisan legislation to protect Nevada veterans’ information, and I’m glad to see that the VA is implementing it by submitting a report to Congress outlining cybersecurity vulnerabilities and their plan to address them. I’ll continue working with the VA to make sure they address these vulnerabilities identified.”
    Senator Rosen has been leading bipartisan efforts to deliver for Nevada’s veterans. Last month, she helped pass bipartisan legislation to allocate billions of dollars for PACT Act benefits. Earlier this year, she helped introduce bipartisan legislation to officially authorize the construction of a new VA hospital in Reno, which followed Senator Rosen’s successful push with Senator Cortez Masto to include the hospital in the President’s 2024 Budget Request. She also introduced bipartisan legislation to permanently maintain a helpline for veterans to obtain information and assistance with VA services, which is included in this year’s Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act. Senator Rosen secured funding to increase access to affordable housing for veterans, continue building Nevada’s first national veterans cemetery in Elko, and increase funding for veteran’s access to telehealth in the last bipartisan government funding package.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ninth Africa Energy Market Place (AEMP) held in Dar es Salaam ahead of key Africa Heads of State Energy Summit scheduled for 28 January in Tanzania

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

    DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, October 23, 2024/APO Group/ —

    Further to an April 2024 pledge by the Presidents of the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org) and the World Bank to bring electricity access to 300 million people in Africa by 2030, the Tanzanian port city of Dar es Salaam has been selected to host an Africa Heads of State Energy Summit on 28 January 2025.

    The summit will convene heads of state and government, ministers, international and regional organisations, and other partners, including the private sector, to agree on a common set of reforms required to support Africa’s overall objective of “achieving universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.” This objective aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

    This announcement was made by Dr Kevin Kariuki, Africa Development Bank Vice President for Power, Energy, Climate and Green Growth during the opening of the 9th Africa Energy Market Place (AEMP).

    AEMP is a policy dialogue and investment delivery platform created by the African Development Bank as part of the New Deal on Energy for Africa, the transformative partnership to light up and power Africa by 2025. By bringing together governments, the private sector, and development partners, it works to scale up investments in the African energy sector

    In his remarks, Dr Kariuki praised President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s leadership and personal commitment to Tanzania’s, and Africa’s, universal access to modern energy. He observed that increased and accelerated access to modern energy will hasten Tanzania’s economic development. “Accelerated universal access to energy will catalyse Tanzania’s economic development and guarantee an expedited well-lit, powered, prosperous and sustainable energy future for all Tanzanians,” he said.

    Jointly organised by the African Development Bank Group and Tanzania’s Ministry of Energy, the AEMP took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on the 16th and 17th  of October 2024, under the theme Delivering the Clean Cooking Initiatives and National Energy Access Goals.  It was officiated by Dr Doto Mashaka Biteko, Tanzania’s deputy prime minister and minister of energy.

    Deputy Prime Minister Biteko expressed optimism regarding the AEMP’s potential for policy dialogue, noting that, “Hosting the 9th Africa Energy Market Place is timely as we prepare for the Africa Heads of State summit which aims to bring together African presidents, the private sector and development partners to facilitate investments to provide electricity access to 300 million people in Africa.”

    He said he hoped the discussions at AEMP would shape the executive sessions of the upcoming January summit.

    MIL OSI Africa –

    January 25, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Collins Speaks at Global Secure Shipping Facility Grand Opening in Old Town

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Maine Susan Collins

    Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos
    Old Town, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the grand opening of Global Secure Shipping’s (GSS) second manufacturing facility in Old Town.  With the opening of today’s facility, GSS now has 32,500ft in total manufacturing space to produce its state-of-the-art secure cargo containers using patented technology first developed at the University of Maine (UMaine).
    Today’s event also celebrated the company’s selection for a $4.1 million Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contract to produce and test the next generation of secure cargo containers. 
    Joining Senator Collins at the grand opening were U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy Dr. Laura Taylor-Kale, UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, GSS CEO Robert Lindyberg, Ph.D., and Executive Director of GSS and UMaine engineering professor Dr. Habib Dagher.
    “This is a great day for our State, for our nation, and for the security of cargo shipping around the world,” said Senator Collins during her remarks.  “The project we celebrate today is about seaport security.  But it also is about transitioning from research and development to manufacturing to create new industries, with new opportunities and good jobs.  GSS is in the vanguard of that transition.”
    “Most of all, this is about the innovative spirit of Maine and our maritime heritage, with our University, GSS, and a skilled local workforce joining together to achieve something truly remarkable.  Congratulations on this great accomplishment,” Senator Collins concluded.
    GSS was founded in 2018 to commercialize the hybrid composite secure shipping container technology developed at UMaine. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee and now Vice Chair, Senator Collins helped secure funding for UMaine to research this technology, as well as funding for DHS that led to GSS’s $4.1 million contract.
    Senator Collins attended the groundbreaking for this facility in September 2023. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
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