NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Central Admixture Pharmacy Services (CAPS) Issues Nationwide Recall of Phenylephrine 40 mg Added to 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bags Due to Visible Black Particulate Matter in a Single-Sealed Vial

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    February 24, 2025
    FDA Publish Date:
    February 25, 2025
    Product Type:
    Drugs
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description
    Due to visible black particulate matter

    Company Name:
    CAPS
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)
    CAPS

    Product Description:

    Product Description
    Phenylephrine 40 mg added to 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bag

    Company Announcement
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 24, 2025 – Bethlehem, PA. Central Admixture Pharmacy is recalling three lots of Phenylephrine 40 mg added to 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bags (NDC: 71285-6092-1) to the hospital level. The product is being recalled because CAPS was notified by their raw material supplier of the detection of visible black particulate matter in a single sealed vial of Phenylephrine Hydrochloride.
    Risk Statement: Administration of an injectable product containing particulate matter may cause local irritation or swelling as a response to the foreign material. If the particulate matter enters the blood vessels, it can travel to various organs and potentially blocking blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain, leading to serious complications such as stroke or even death. To date, CAPS has not received any reports of adverse events or injuries associated with this recall.
    Affected Product:

    NDC 

    Product Description 

    Lot # 

    Expiration Date 

    Distribution Dates 

    Region Distributed 

    71285-6092-1

    Phenylephrine 40 mg added to 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bag

    37-928390

    03MAR2025

    17 Dec 2024

    United States

    71285-6092-1

    Phenylephrine 40 mg added to 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bag

    37-928796

    09MAR2025

    26 Dec 2024

    United States

    71285-6092-1

    Phenylephrine 40 mg added to 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bag

    37-928839

    10MAR2025

    03 Jan 2025 – 08 Jan 2025

    United States

    CAPS drug product is packaged in 0.9% Sodium Chloride 250 mL in 250 mL Excel Bag. The product can be identified by the sample label below, the NDC format for products compounded at Lehigh Valley is “71285-XXXX-X.” The lot number format is “37-XXXXXX.”
    CAPS is notifying its distributors and customers by USPS certified mail and is arranging for return. By completing a “Urgent Pharmaceutical Recall Response Form” and either faxing the form to (610) 849-1197 or e-mail to recalls@bbraunusa.com within two (2) weeks of receipt, even if the total inventory in the customer’s possession is zero (0).
    Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact CAPS by calling 1-844-903-6417. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.
    Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

    This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    CAPS
    1-844-903-6417

    Media:
    Allison Longenhagen
    484-523-6801

    Product Photos

    Content current as of:
    02/25/2025

    Regulated Product(s)

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘One of the best films I’ve seen’: new Australian prison film Inside is an astonishing debut

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia

    Bonsai Films

    Every so often a film comes along that’s so good that, as we sit in the dark in the cinema, our whole being seems to become charged with electricity and we find ourselves forgetting to breathe. All of our thoughts become anchored to the screen, and the suspension of disbelief comes as close to complete as it ever could be.

    Inside, written and directed by first time feature filmmaker Charles Williams (he won the Palme d’Or at Cannes for his 2018 short film, All These Creatures, so he’s not exactly a beginner), is such a film.

    To say it’s one of the best Australian films I’ve seen is to qualify it with an unnecessary adjective – it’s one of the best films I’ve seen, period.

    A rich tradition of prision dramas

    Australian cinema has a rich tradition focusing on gangsters and criminals, from Bruce Beresford’s masterful hardboiled larrikin thriller Money Movers (1978) to more recent examples like Justin Kurzel’s hypnotic Snowtown (2011).

    Within this subset there have been some stellar prison films. Everynight, Everynight (1994) still packs a punch, and the opening and closing sections of Chopper (2000), set in prison, are the most compelling parts of the movie.

    Inside follows juvenile murderer Mel Blight (Vincent Miller) as he turns 18 and is moved to adult prison while awaiting (but perhaps not really wanting) parole.

    Once there, he befriends charismatic career criminal Warren Murfett (Guy Pearce) who takes him under his wing and tries to coerce him into murdering fellow inmate Mark Shepard (Cosmo Jarvis), a child murderer with a contract recently taken out on him by the family of his victim.

    Mel can get close enough to Shepard to do the hit – he befriends Shepard while sharing a cell with him, and starts playing keyboard in accompaniment of Shepard’s bizarre born-again sermons – but whether or not he will do so generates much of the tension of the film.

    Measured intensity

    Williams spent six years working on the film, and it shows.

    Every element is meticulously realised, from the litany of striking, monstrous faces of the extras in the prison (who seem so authentic, one assumes Williams used real convicts) to the perverse but wholly believable actions of Murfett’s estranged son Adrian (Toby Wallace), when Murfett visits him for a day trip.

    (Let’s just say it’s no sentimental reunion: there’s nothing Shawshank Redemption about Inside.)

    The performances match the measured intensity of the rest of the film.
    Bonsai Films

    The film is so good as a whole that it’s perhaps unfair to single out any element, but the score by Chiara Costanza is particularly mesmerising. It captures – in a low-key fashion – the mix of controlled fear and narcissistic bravado that constitutes life inside for these characters.

    The performances match the measured intensity of the rest of the film.

    Jarvis is astonishingly good as Mark Shepherd. He emanates a kind of calm, restrained power at all times, as though his body is primed for shocking violence at any moment, yet devoid of frenetic energy. He’s so good, it’s hard to believe this British actor isn’t an Australian.

    Cosmo Jarvis is astonishingly good as Mark Shepherd.
    Bonsai Films

    Fellow countryman Wallace is similarly brilliant, endowing his small role as Murfett’s son with a memorable combination of arrogance and nastiness.

    Miller as Mel, in his first feature film, possesses a quality of stillness difficult for a young actor to achieve. All that nervous energy has to go somewhere, and it usually goes into bigger and louder.

    Pearce is also fine, though as a seasoned screen veteran of this kind of role, one senses he could do it in his sleep.

    Stunningly simple

    Inside’s stunningly simple narrative sustains profound analyses of and reflections on the human character and condition.

    This is one example of the classical Hollywood narrative structure being done with precision and purpose, with form and content seamlessly operating together in the unfolding of the drama.

    There are no self-conscious winks at the viewer, no homages to genre, and no attempts to be clever. Watching the film is a decidedly intense experience – it contains one of the most viscerally shocking scenes I’ve seen – but at the same time this is underscored in places by an extremely subtle, wry sense of humour, like when Murfett and Mel bond over (the now defunct) Fantales lollies.

    The film refuses to give the viewer an easy moral position. There are no pat explanations of characters’ motivations and actions, no attempts at psychologically or morally explaining away the ambiguities and tensions of this world to appease the stomach of the viewer.

    The film refuses to give the viewer an easy moral position.
    Bonsai Films

    This sets it apart from the vast majority of commercial films made these days. Though it represents the actions of the characters within a context (which is both personal and sociological), there’s no nifty three-minute speech at the end about how crime begets crime, or how we should treat prisoners more humanely.

    Simply put, Inside is a brilliant film. Williams poetically charges a fairly conventional Aussie prison narrative with profound existential questions in a way that never feels overbearing or heavy-handed. He proves himself, here, a formidable writer-director.

    I can’t wait to see the next film he makes. If the critical acclaim certain to follow Inside is indicative, it should be in fewer than six years.

    Ari Mattes 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. ‘One of the best films I’ve seen’: new Australian prison film Inside is an astonishing debut – https://theconversation.com/one-of-the-best-films-ive-seen-new-australian-prison-film-inside-is-an-astonishing-debut-247206

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Politicians are podcasting their way onto phone screens, but the impact may be fleeting

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Grantham, Lecturer in Communication, Griffith University

    TikTok

    Australian podcast listeners have been treated to two appearances by the same guest in the past week: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

    Yesterday, sports comedy team The Grade Cricketer announced a new podcast, The Circus, in which Albanese was the first guest. While Albanese isn’t necessarily known for his love of cricket, he appeared relaxed, laughing and authentic.

    It came hot on the heels of his previous podcast appearance, with influencer Abbie Chatfield. Chatfield’s content is often about feminism and social justice: a very different demographic of consumers.

    While few voters may listen to a full episode (and many may have never heard of the podcasts or the attached personalities), that doesn’t really matter. The real impact is in the short-form video clips that get repackaged for TikTok and Instagram.

    These viral snippets offer politicians a chance to appear authentic, relatable and human: traits that can make or break a modern political campaign, especially one that will likely be decided by Australians under 40.

    The politics of podcasting

    Podcasting has become a vital component of modern political strategy, offering long-form, intimate conversations that contrast with the often combative nature of traditional media interviews.

    As podcast interviews are usually conducted by hosts highly sympathetic to the politician’s cause, they’re rarely as hard-hitting as traditional media. It’s unsurprising politicians would seek them out for that reason alone.

    In last year’s US presidential race, both candidates went on popular podcasts to boost their messaging.

    In Australia, consider the case of Chatfield’s podcast. Her strong social media presence (more than 580,000 followers on both Instagram and TikTok) ensures any political commentary reaches a vast and engaged audience.

    Combine this with further amplification by other influencers such as Holly MacAlpine (who has 100,000 TikTok followers), and the virality of the message becomes significant.

    MacAlpine has been trending for a while after her contribution to accusations about Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s private life, further amplifying her political commentary.

    Earlier this month, Albanese also appeared on Betoota Talks, the podcast run by the creators of satirical news site The Betoota Advocate. It’s clear Labor is relying on podcasts with strong social media followings to reach younger, digitally engaged audiences.

    It’s not just Labor using podcasts and influencers.

    Dutton appeared on Diving Deep with Sam Fricker, an Olympian turned influencer. His TikTok boasts two million followers. Airing back in December, it was an early nod from the Liberal Party leader that his election campaigning had commenced.

    Hiding the real power

    While podcasts offer politicians a platform for extended storytelling, the real political currency comes from the carefully clipped, high-impact moments that make their way to TikTok and Instagram reels.

    These videos are bite-sized, making them easier to consume and share. They are emotionally engaging – laughter, passion and frustration all translate well.

    It creates a platform for individual leaders to further solidify their political authenticity through sharing the clips.

    Crucially, it provides further opportunities for influencers and other social media users to amplify, engage with, and reshape the content, extending its reach and impact across digital networks.

    This is important to reach the younger voters who largely make up the user base of TikTok. This election will be the first that Baby Boomer voters are outnumbered by Gen Z and Millenials, so political parties can’t afford to ignore them.

    Slow off the blocks?

    In 2022, Labor’s digital campaign was widely praised for its effectiveness. From meme-driven content to a strong presence on TikTok, Labor successfully tapped into online culture to engage younger voters and shape the political narrative.

    Now, it’s unclear whether that strategy is still being deployed effectively. Yes, individual influencers are propping up Albanese’s image, but is the party itself doing enough to drive a coordinated digital campaign?

    Consider Dutton’s decision to join TikTok. It was a move that, while seemingly contradictory to the Coalition’s prior stance on banning the platform, signals an understanding that TikTok is an unavoidable political battleground.

    The Liberal Party has upped its TikTok game. Its videos often outperform Labor’s.

    The videos that are posted on Albanese’s TikTok, which he first posted to in December, are often poorly received.

    Labor seems to be relying on influencer support and positive branding by association rather than running its own robust, digital-first strategy.

    Where to from here?

    What’s clear is that political campaigning is no longer just about ads, speeches, and debates. It’s about engagement on the platforms where voters actually spend their time. If parties don’t take control of their narratives in these spaces, others will do it for them.

    The crossover of podcasting and short-form video is redefining political engagement. Politicians who appear on the right platforms are tapping into a new form of authenticity that resonates online.

    But unless those appearances are part of a structured, strategic approach, they remain fleeting moments rather than sustained influence.

    Susan Grantham 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. Politicians are podcasting their way onto phone screens, but the impact may be fleeting – https://theconversation.com/politicians-are-podcasting-their-way-onto-phone-screens-but-the-impact-may-be-fleeting-250793

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Lee Introduces SCREEN Act for 119th Congress to Protect Children from Pornography Online

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Utah Mike Lee
    WASHINGTON – Senator Mike Lee has introduced the Shielding Children’s Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net (SCREEN) Act, a step toward safeguarding minors from the pervasive threat of online pornographic content. Sens. John Curtis (R-UT) and Jim Banks (R-IN) are cosponsors. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) leads the companion bill in the House of Representatives.  
    “It is time for our laws to catch up with technology,”  said Senator Mike Lee. “The SCREEN Act addresses the urgent need to protect minors from exposure to online pornography and stop those who profit from stealing the innocence of America’s youth.”
    “As a mother of seven and grandmother to 20, I am committed to defending parental rights,” said Representative Mary Miller. I am proud to join Senator Mike Lee in introducing the SCREEN Act to the House, providing parents with more control over their children’s online access and protecting our kids from exposure to pornography. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly in adopting the SCREEN Act to protect American children.”
    “Like any parent in Utah, I’m deeply concerned that children remain vulnerable to explicit content online, as well as the psychological and societal harm it brings,” said Senator Curtis. “Our bill ensures that online platforms take responsibility by leveraging modern technology to verify users’ ages and prevent minors from accessing explicit material—all while upholding personal freedoms.”
    “Internet pornography has infected our culture and corroded the vulnerable minds of America’s kids, with the average age of initial exposure being 12 years old. That’s appalling,” said Senator Banks. “The accessibility of commercial pornography calls for the implementation of commonsense guardrails to protect our children. Indiana passed an age verification bill last year, paving the way for the rest of the nation. Our bill combats—with federal legislation—the forces attempting to poison the young minds of America.”
    Despite Congress’s ongoing efforts over the past three decades to shield children from online pornography, prior legislative measures have been challenged and overturned by the Supreme Court on the grounds of not meeting the least restrictive means test. Nonetheless, the Court acknowledged the government’s compelling interest to protect children.
    Advancements in technology since the Supreme Court last addressed this matter reveal a stark reality: traditional methods like blocking and filtering software have fallen short, leaving an alarming 80% of teenagers exposed to online pornography. The repercussions on minors are profound, contributing to a spectrum of psychological issues, unhealthy sexual behaviors, and broader societal harms.
    Senator Lee’s SCREEN Act is a necessary evolution of the law, aligning technological progress with the government’s duty to protect children. The Act mandates commercial pornographic websites to implement robust age verification technologies, providing a pragmatic and narrowly tailored solution to a complex problem.
    The bill has garnered support from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, National Decency Coalition, Heritage Action, Ethics and Public Policy Center, American Principles Project, Family Policy Alliance, Institute for Family Studies, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Culture Reframed, Enough is Enough, Envoc, Foundation and Council on Pornography Reform, Eagle Forum, Eagle Forum of Alabama, and The Silent Addiction.
    For bill text, click HERE. 
    For a one-pager, click HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Intuitive Machines-2: Delivering Science and Tech to the Moon (NASA Mission Trailer)

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

    The Intuitive Machines-2 mission is set to launch the company’s lunar lander, Athena, to the Moon. Athena will carry NASA science experiments and technology demonstrations to help us understand the Moon’s environment, and prepare for future human missions to the lunar surface.

    One piece of tech aboard, the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1), is one of the first on-site demonstrations of resource use on the Moon. PRIME-1 will take a lunar soil sample and analyze it to see if it contains water ice.

    For more information on the mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/general/intuitive-machines-im-2-mission/
    For more information on PRIME-1, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/kennedy/nasas-polar-ice-experiment-paves-way-for-future-moon-missions/

    Credit: NASA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lQTg4nvSJI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Intuitive Machines-2 Launch to the Moon (Official NASA Broadcast)

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

    Watch Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C Moon lander and NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer lift off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

    The lander, named Athena, will carry NASA science and technology to the Moon’s surface. Athena will orbit the Moon for approximately three days before landing at Mons Mouton, a lunar plateau near the Moon’s South Pole.

    The NASA tech aboard the lander will demonstrate resource utilization on the Moon by measuring the possible presence of volatiles or gases from lunar soil and give future spacecraft a permanent reference point on the lunar surface.

    Launching as a rideshare with the IM-2 delivery, NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft also will begin its journey to lunar orbit, where it will map the distribution of the different forms of water on the Moon.

    This is Intuitive Machines’ second launch to the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. To learn more about CLPS, visit https://go.nasa.gov/3RFR0A5.

    Credit: NASA

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx8qzcomV5A

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI: TowneBank Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SUFFOLK, Va., Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hampton Roads based TowneBank (NASDAQ: TOWN) announced today that its Board of Directors declared its first-quarter shareholder cash dividend of $0.25 per common share payable on April 11, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 31, 2025.

    The amount and declaration of future cash dividends are subject to Board of Directors’ approval in addition to regulatory restrictions.

    About TowneBank:
    Founded in 1999, TowneBank is a company built on relationships, offering a full range of banking and other financial services, with a focus of serving others and enriching lives. Dedicated to a culture of caring, TowneBank values all employees and members by embracing their diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences.

    Today, TowneBank operates over 50 offices throughout Hampton Roads and Central Virginia, as well as Northeastern and Central North Carolina – serving as a local leader in promoting the social, cultural, and economic growth in each community. Towne offers a competitive array of business and personal banking solutions, delivered with only the highest ethical standards. Experienced local bankers providing a higher level of expertise and personal attention with local decision-making are key to the TowneBank strategy. TowneBank has grown its capabilities beyond banking to provide expertise through its affiliated companies that include Towne Wealth Management, Towne Insurance Agency, Towne Benefits, TowneBank Mortgage, TowneBank Commercial Mortgage, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices RW Towne Realty, Towne 1031 Exchange, LLC, and Towne Vacations. With total assets of $17.25 billion as of December 31, 2024, TowneBank is one of the largest banks headquartered in Virginia.

    Media contact:
    G. Robert Aston, Jr., Executive Chairman, 757-638-6780
    William I. Foster III, President and Chief Executive Officer, 757-417-6482

    Investor contact:
    William B. Littreal, Chief Financial Officer, 757-638-6813

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Pacvue Launches Walmart Display Campaign Management to Seamlessly Create and Manage Onsite Display Campaigns

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LOS ANGELES, Feb. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pacvue, the leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce management and measurement, today announced the launch of Walmart Display Campaign Management, empowering advertisers to effortlessly create and manage their onsite display campaigns directly through the Pacvue platform. The new campaign management tool leverages Pacvue’s robust integration with Walmart Connect to streamline workflows, unlock advanced audience targeting tools and take action with advanced reporting insights.

    “We are thrilled to provide our clients with this new display ad functionality to expand their advertising efforts on Walmart,” said Melissa Burdick, co-founder and president of Pacvue. “With our new Walmart Display Campaign Management solution, advertisers now have the ability to reach shoppers at critical points in their shopping journey across multiple ad formats through one centralized place for a seamless experience.”

    Pacvue was selected as a beta partner for Walmart Connect’s Display Advertising API functionality, giving clients immediate access to Onsite Display self-service offering. Now, advertisers can create and modify campaign attributes, item sets, creatives, audience targeting and more directly through Pacvue’s integration with Walmart Connect.

    “Access to Pacvue’s beta programs, such as Walmart Display Self-Service Advertising, has empowered Acadia to stay ahead of the curve, allowing us to reach our target audience with precision and creativity,” said Jordan Ripley, Director of Operations, Retail at Acadia. “This launch enables us to expand our clients’ campaign types and tap into new areas of the purchase funnel on Walmart.com.”

    With Pacvue, advertisers benefit from enhanced features that go beyond standard functionality, enabling a more targeted and effective approach to campaign management, including:

    • Comprehensive Campaign Management: Easily create, adjust and manage display campaigns, including attributes, item sets, creatives and targeting. Batch updates allow for quick modifications across multiple campaigns, saving time and reducing manual errors.
    • Advanced Audience Targeting: Leverage Walmart’s first-party data to connect with high-value shoppers actively browsing Walmart’s site and app. Advertisers can target behavioral, contextual and demographic segments, tailoring campaigns to reach frequent buyers, first-time customers and lifestyle-specific personas.
    • Actionable Reporting: Gain insights into campaign performance with detailed reports integrated into My Report, offering data on audience engagement, campaign effectiveness and sales impact.
    • Enhanced Optimizations: Features like Budget Management, Dayparting and Campaign Rules empower advertisers with greater control, enabling full-funnel impact—from brand awareness to conversion.

    Pacvue continues to lead the way in transforming how businesses engage with customers online, and this launch marks another significant step in enhancing the advertising landscape on one of the largest retail platforms.

    Visit Pacvue.com to learn about its latest commerce solutions and recent company developments.

    About Pacvue:
    Pacvue is the leading commerce acceleration platform that integrates retail media, commerce management and measurement. The company’s first-to-market platform drives incrementality, profitability and market share for brands, while turning insights into actionable recommendations. Backed by a global team of experts, Pacvue works with over 70,000 brands and agencies across 95+ retailers worldwide including Amazon, Walmart, Target and Instacart. With the incorporation of Pacvue’s enterprise solution with Helium 10 for SMBs, Pacvue is now the most comprehensive commerce and retail media platform available in the market. Founded in 2018, their global presence includes locations in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, London, Shanghai and Tokyo. For more information, visit www.pacvue.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Innovation Saskatchewan Invests More Than $1 Million in Research and Development Projects Focused on Sustainable Technologies

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on February 26, 2025

    Innovation Saskatchewan is investing $1.09 million in four industry-led research and development (R&D) technologies through the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund (SAIF) and Agtech Growth Fund (AGF).

    These dual R&D grant programs advance commercialization of game-changing technologies in agriculture, mining, energy, manufacturing and health care and help bring them to market.

    “Saskatchewan companies continue to develop impactful technological solutions for critical industry challenges in our core sectors,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said. “Funding programs like SAIF and AGF help accelerate made-in-Saskatchewan innovations to reach new global markets, driving economic and employment growth in communities across the province.”

    SAIF and AGF funding will support four innovative companies from the Spring 2024 cohort:

    • EcoLoop Sustainable Technologies – Developing a process that eliminates chemicals found in firefighting foams from soil and water while producing a material that can be used as a fertilizer. ($450,000 in SAIF support)
    • Greenwave Innovations – Developing a data-driven platform that automates industrial equipment monitoring, eliminating waste and unnecessary costs. ($255,000 in SAIF support)
    • Archetype Global 3D ($250,000 in SAIF support) – Developing an easy-to-assemble concrete 3D printer that produces building materials faster than current models on the market.
    • BetterCart Analytics ($135,000 in AGF support) – Developing an advanced AI-driven price analytics platform that that reduces food costs in the supply chain from distributor to customer.

    The announcement took place in Saskatoon at Co.Labs, Saskatchewan’s first tech incubator and one of Innovation Saskatchewan’s funded Tech Partners. The incubator has successfully supported over 200 startups that have generated more than $85 million in revenue and $50 million in private investment, making it a foundational support in Saskatchewan’s startup ecosystem.

    “Investments into startup companies have a huge impact on the local ecosystem,” Co.Labs Executive Director Jonathan Lipoth said. “These grants make new technologies possible and create opportunities for disruptive companies to make their mark. There’s great upside in investing into our local technology companies.”

    Steven Siciliano, founder and CEO of Environmental Material Science (EMS), a spring 2023 AGF recipient and Co.Labs Co.Lead company, described the impact the two programs have had on the development of the company’s signature agriculture product – a novel soil monitoring sensor. Both the company and product will soon be marketed as LiORA by EMS.

    “The AGF funding and support from Innovation Saskatchewan is critical to the development of LiORA by EMS,” Siciliano said. “The LiORA product provides real-time estimates of carbon sequestration and nitrogen losses due to nitrous oxide emissions. AGF support allowed us to enhance the product to incorporate new nutrient sensors into the LiORA package so that the agriculture sector can obtain real time estimates of carbon and nitrogen efficiency. “

    Since 2012, SAIF has committed over $15.7 million in 61 projects, resulting in more than $52.4 million in private investment, $8.5 million in federal investment, $106 million in post-project investment and 288 per cent return on investment (ROI). Similarly, since AGF launched in 2020, the program has invested over $4.5 million in 24 projects, resulting in more than $19.5 million in private investment, $3 million in federal investment, $41.4 million post-project investment and 398 per cent ROI.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province Asks Federal Government to Investigate Tire Imports

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Premier Tim Houston is asking the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to urgently investigate imports of passenger vehicle and light truck tires from China, Cambodia and Vietnam.

    In a letter to federal Public Safety Minister David McGuinty, Premier Houston says it is imperative that the CBSA act now based on strong evidence that suggests tire manufacturers from these countries are flooding the Canadian market.

    “I am committed to standing up for Nova Scotians and businesses, and it is clear to me that these imports are putting jobs at risk and undermining the stability of our domestic tire industry,” said Premier Houston. “The global trade market is facing immense uncertainty right now, and we have to focus on the things we can control – defending ourselves against industries with unfair trade practices that threaten our economy and job security is absolutely within our control.”

    Nova Scotia has been conducting extensive consultations with industry stakeholders as part of its response to remove internal trade barriers and respond to the threat of U.S. tariffs. Through this analysis and a review of import data, the Province believes the threshold has been met for the CBSA to self-initiate an anti-dumping investigation into import tires from these countries.

    Under the Special Import Measures Act, the CBSA has authority to launch an investigation without the need for a formal industry complaint if there is clear evidence of unfair trade harming Canadian industries.

    Quick Facts:

    • Michelin is one of Nova Scotia’s largest employers with nearly 4,000 direct employees, and the company’s exports account for nearly one per cent of Nova Scotia’s provincial gross domestic product
    • between 2022 and 2024, imports of passenger vehicle and truck tires from China, Cambodia and Vietnam increased by nearly 30 per cent

    Additional Resources:

    News release – Legislation to Remove Barriers to Trade: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/02/25/legislation-remove-barriers-trade

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Cosponsors Bipartisan Postal Processing Protection Act to Safeguard Rural Delivery 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week joined Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) in introducing the Postal Processing Protection Act, bipartisan legislation that would require the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to protect timely mail delivery by mandating a robust review of the consequences of downsizing or closing facilities. The Senators’ billwould ensure that efficient service is not interrupted by the closure or downsizing of a mail processing center, especially as outgoing Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s “Delivering for America” plan continues to dismantle the postal service, and as President Trump threatens to put USPS under the control of the executive branch. USPS has operated as an independent entity since 1970. 
    This bipartisan legislation comes as USPS plans to downsize postal processing facilities located in Essex Junction and White River Junction, and move most mail processing to Hartford, Connecticut, which would slow postal delivery and jeopardize service across Vermont. 
    “The Postal Service provides an essential service all Vermonters rely on—from children receiving a birthday card, to seniors getting prescriptions delivered, to small businesses. Back-to-back floods wreaked havoc on our postal service in Vermont, and outgoing Postmaster General DeJoy’s ‘Delivering for America’ plan would take a sledgehammer to two mail processing centers in our state,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Sens. Durbin and Rounds on this bipartisan bill to ensure USPS follows a more robust review and notification process before taking action to close or consolidate crucial postal facilities.” 
    “Rural mail services are a lifeline for South Dakotans,” said Senator Rounds. “We must make certain that residents across our entire state are able to receive letters and packages in a timely manner. USPS is required to review impact to rural residents when closing a retail location, so it’s only right that they consider the impact for processing facilities as well.”  
    “If I drop a piece of mail off in Springfield to go across town, why should it have to go all the way to St. Louis and back? Postmaster General DeJoy’s ‘Delivering for America’ plan, which included downsizing three mail processing centers in our state, is decimating a service that Illinoisans rely on,” said Senator Durbin. “I’m joining Senator Rounds to reintroduce the Postal Processing Protection Act to ensure that USPS leadership does its due diligence in studying the impact of consolidating or altering mail processing and shipping facilities before crippling critical USPS locations.” 
    In reviewing processing facilities, USPS is not required to consider the impact on rural areas as long as the change gains “efficiencies.” However, USPS is required to ensure closing a location is consistent with its obligation to provide effective and regular postal services to rural areas. This legislation would require USPS to consider the impact to rural areas when closing or downsizing processing centers, just as it does with closing post office retail locations.
    Senator Welch has pushed for postal reform to better serve rural communities and has called for improvements to USPS’ national management. After the announcement of proposed changes to mail processing centers in March 2024, Senator Welch joined 20 of his Senate colleagues in urging Postmaster General DeJoy to stop any changes to USPS service standards that would result in job losses and further degrade mail delivery performance, especially in rural areas. As a Member of the House, Senator Welch helped passed postal reform legislation that put USPS on firm financial footing. 
    Last Congress, Sen. Welch partnered with a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues to urge Postmaster General DeJoy to reconsider the Postal Service’s plan to consolidate the national postal network, which threatened to severely diminish mail service across the country. Following the Senators’ advocacy, USPS paused the Mail Processing Facility Reviews process until after the 2024 election. 
    Read the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote American Businesses in Competition with China

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) introduced bipartisan legislation to help American businesses compete with Communist China. The Strengthening Exports Against China Act would incentivize economic growth by eliminating barriers for American businesses competing directly with China in emerging industries like artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House by Representatives Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio).
    “The Chinese Communist Party provides massive subsidies and financing for businesses in emerging industries. To remain competitive, the United States needs to do more to support innovative businesses here at home,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “My bipartisan legislation will support more American businesses directly competing with China to help them make breakthroughs in AI, critical mineral mining and processing, and other transformational areas.”
    “It’s time for fair competition on the global stage,” said Senator Rounds. “We must level the playing field for U.S. exporters when they’re up against firms backed by the Chinese Communist Party’s opaque financing. The Strengthening Exports Against China Act would allow the Export Import Bank to increase export financing and insurance support to U.S. firms that export products in direct competition with China.”
    The Export-Import Bank (EXIM) creates American jobs by promoting and financing exports. The China and Transformational Exports Program (CTEP) was established on a bipartisan basis in 2019 to counter Chinese export subsidies and financing while advancing U.S. innovation and export competitiveness in 10 Transformation Export Areas, including AI, 5G, energy efficiency, and semiconductors. Unfortunately, the CTEP is struggling to scale up due to the rules governing EXIM financing. Under current law, if EXIM projects reach or exceed a two percent default rate, the Bank must immediately freeze all lending. This default rate cap poses a significant challenge to EXIM’s ability to support U.S. exporters in emerging, less established fields. The Strengthening Exports Against China Act would eliminate the default rate cap for exporters covered by the CTEP program to help them better compete directly with PRC rivals.
    The full text of the legislation can be found here.
    Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress to strengthen our national security and supply chains. She has consistently blocked burdensome taxes on mining and wrote important provisions of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to bolster Nevada’s critical mineral supply chain. She’s also introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, but are almost exclusively made in China.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Chairman Aguilar: Republicans vote to take away health care from more than 10 million Californians to pay for tax cuts for billionaire

    Source: US House of Representatives – Democratic Caucus

    The following text contains opinion that is not, or not necessarily, that of MIL-OSI –

    February 26, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar spoke on the House floor ahead of House passage of the Republican Budget, which will cut $880 billion from Medicaid to help pay for tax giveaways for billionaires and corporations. 

    CHAIRMAN AGUILAR: I rise in opposition to this Republican Budget. House Democrats came to Congress ready to work with our Republican colleagues to lower the cost of eggs, take on price gouging, expand the Child Tax Credit, build more housing—and put the pocketbooks of working families first.

    This is what the American people told us was their top priority and these are the issues that drive our Caucus. Instead, Madam Chair, they have turned their attention to the only policy priority that they really care about: ensuring billionaires pay less. 

    My constituents can’t afford eggs at the local grocery store while my Republican colleagues are fighting amongst themselves about who to hand out tax breaks to—corporations or individuals. Tesla pays zero dollars in federal taxes while teachers and firefighters in San Bernardino are paying more than their fair share. Here is the reality, Madam Chair, my Republican colleagues are going to take away health care from more than 10 million Californians to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. 

    This is not going to make the cost of eggs cheaper or housing less expensive. But it is going to put children and seniors who need health care at risk. House Democrats believe that the people who work for a living ought to get a little breathing room and the wealthy and well-connected shouldn’t get special treatment. The Republican Budget is not good for the economy, it’s not good for the country and it’s a betrayal of the middle class. I urge a NO vote.

    Watch Chairman Aguilar’s speech here.

    ###

    Previous Article

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SEC Charges Alan Burak, Founder of Never Alone Capital, with Fraud

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Alan Burak, founder of Never Alone Capital LLC, with orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that raised approximately $4 million, most of which Burak misappropriated for personal expenses.

    The SEC’s complaint alleges that, between 2018 and 2023, Burak engaged in a fraudulent scheme to recruit investors in his so-called investment fund, Never Alone Capital LLC, by falsely representing himself as a wealthy hedge fund owner, telling investors that Never Alone was an investment fund, and claiming that investor money would be invested in “Wall Street” pursuant to a complex investment strategy, in some cases with a guaranteed return. Burak allegedly raised approximately $4 million from at least 17 investors, several of whom he met through a company that provides financial education programs in Spanish to the Latino community. However, as alleged in the complaint, Burak did not invest the money as he represented that he would. In fact, as alleged, Burak misappropriated the bulk of investor deposits, including to pay credit card charges for, among other things, luxury skin care and payments to an adult-only subscription service. Burak also allegedly sent investors false account statements that generally showed consistently positive returns, when in fact investors were consistently losing money. Burak eventually stopped responding to investors and, in an audio recording from July 2022, he stated, among other things, that he was fake, he did not have a real business, and he was stealing money from people.

    “As our complaint alleges, Burak convinced investors to trust him by lying about his investment expertise and strategies and then stole their money,” said Samuel Waldon, Acting Director of the SEC’s Division of Enforcement. “We remain committed to identifying and holding accountable those who prey on innocent investors, and encourage those who suspect they are victims of fraud to report it to the SEC.”

    The SEC’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, charges Burak with violating the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws. The complaint seeks permanent injunctions, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains together with prejudgment interest, and civil penalties, as well as conduct-based injunctions.

    In a parallel action, the New York County District Attorney’s Office today filed criminal charges against Burak.

    The SEC’s investigation was conducted by Bari R. Nadworny, Thomas Feretic, and Lindsay S. Moilanen under the supervision of Tejal D. Shah of the New York Regional Office. The litigation will be led by Sushila Rao Pentapati and Ms. Nadworny under the supervision of Preethi Krishnamurthy. 

    If you think you could be the victim of a fraud, please submit a tip or complaint to the SEC.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI and SSA OIG Charge Decades-Long Fugitive with Fraud Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A fugitive wanted for over four decades on attempted first-degree murder charges was apprehended in Weed, New Mexico, on February 19, 2025, following an investigation that uncovered his decades-long use of a deceased man’s identity to evade authorities and fraudulently obtain government benefits.

    According to court documents, Stephen Craig Campbell, 76, allegedly assumed the identity of Walter Lee Coffman, who died in 1975 at the age of 22. Coffman had graduated from the University of Arkansas just two months before his death. University records showed Campbell attended the same institution during that period, where both he and Coffman pursued engineering degrees, suggesting a likely connection between the two.

    It is alleged that Campbell first applied for a passport under Coffman’s name in 1984 and renewed it multiple times, always providing a photograph of himself and his current address.

    Campbell also obtained a replacement Social Security card in Coffman’s name in 1995, using an Oklahoma driver’s license in Coffman’s name.

    In approximately 2003, Campbell relocated to Weed, New Mexico where he allegedly purchased property in Coffman’s name. Campbell continued renewing the fraudulent passport under Coffman’s name in 2005 and 2015. Each time, he submitted an updated photograph and listed his current address in Weed, New Mexico.

    The scheme began to unravel when, in September 2019, Campbell visited the New Mexico Motor Vehicle Department in Cloudcroft, presenting fraudulent documents to renew his driver’s license. He submitted a previously issued New Mexico driver’s license with his photograph bearing the name “Walter L Coffman,” Coffman’s birthdate, and a Weed, New Mexico address. Campbell also provided a Social Security card and a U.S. passport, both in Coffman’s name.

    After a renewed New Mexico license was issued to Campbell under Coffman’s name, agents from the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit discovered Coffman’s death and the suspected decades-long fraudulent use of his identity.

    The resulting investigation revealed that Campbell allegedly applied for and was awarded Social Security Title II Retirement Insurance Benefits under Coffman’s identity. As a result of the alleged scheme, Campbell is suspected of receiving approximately $140,000 in U.S. government funds administered by the Social Security Administration in Coffman’s name.

    Investigators uncovered that Campbell was arrested in Wyoming in 1982 for attempted first degree murder. He allegedly planted an explosive device at the doorstep of his estranged wife’s boyfriend. When his wife opened the toolbox containing the bomb, it exploded, causing her to lose a finger and suffer other injuries. The blast also set fire to the residence and a neighboring unit. Campbell was reportedly released on bond in 1983 but failed to appear in court, resulting in an active warrant for Attempted First Degree Murder.

    On February 14, 2025, authorities obtained warrants to arrest Campbell for and search the 44-acre property in Weed, New Mexico registered under Coffman’s name. The arrest operation involved a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies.

    During the arrest, Campbell allegedly greeted law enforcement armed with a scoped rifle, positioning himself in an elevated, partially concealed spot.

    After repeated orders and the deployment of flashbangs, Campbell emerged from the wood line and was detained. When recovered, the rifle was loaded with high-powered ammunition capable of piercing standard body armor and ready to fire, with the scope caps flipped open, the selector lever set to fire, and a round chambered.

    After Campbell‘s arrest, agents fingerprinted him, confirming his true identity and fugitive status, including the active attempted first-degree murder warrant from Wyoming. Prior to his arrest, Campbell had remained on the United States Marshals Most Wanted List for over four decades.

    A subsequent search of the property yielded 57 firearms and large quantities of ammunition. As a fugitive, Campbell is prohibited from possessing firearms.

    Campbell was charged by criminal complaint with misuse of a passport and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charge, Campbell faces up to 10 years in prison.

    Law enforcement officials are conducting a thorough review of evidence collected during the execution of a search warrant at the subject’s residence. Based on these findings, investigators are evaluating the possibility of additional charges.

    Following Campbell’s arrest, the Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office in Green River, Wyoming, notified the U.S. Marshals and requested a detainer be placed on him in connection with the pending attempted first-degree murder charges.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin, Special Agent in Charge of the SSA OIG Jason Albers and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

    This case was co-investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office and the Social Security Administration’s Office of the Inspector General. It was originally initiated by the Diplomatic Security’s El Paso Resident Office and the National Passport Center’s Fraud Prevention Unit. Enforcement assistance was provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, as well as the Otero County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Clara Nevarez Cobos.

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

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025 Technical Workshop to Support Congo’s Ambitious Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Targets

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of the Congo, February 26, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Republic of Congo is expected to export an estimated 4.5 billion m3 of LNG in 2025 as part of the second phase of its Congo LNG project. Developed by energy major Eni, the project’s first phase began operations in late 2023 following the installation of the country’s first floating LNG (FLNG) plant at the Marine XII offshore license. A major milestone in Congo’s natural gas journey was reached in February 2024, when the country’s first LNG cargo departed from Pointe-Noire to Italy.

    Given Congo’s immense potential to become a major gas hub in Central Africa, a technical workshop at the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) – taking place in Brazzaville from March 24-26 – will explore cutting-edge technologies and practical solutions for unlocking and monetizing gas resources in the region. The workshop will cover the design, planning and deployment of advanced shipping solutions, including LNG carriers, as well as the development of floating gas infrastructure, such as floating storage and regasification units and FLNG facilities.

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum, set for March 24-26, 2025, in Brazzaville, under the patronage of President Denis Sassou Nguesso and supported by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Société Nationales des Pétroles du Congo, will bring together international investors and local stakeholders to explore national and regional energy and infrastructure opportunities. The event will explore the latest gas-to-power projects and provide updates on ongoing expansions across the country.

    Congo holds an estimated 10 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, primarily in offshore fields such as Litchendjili, Néné, Minsala and Nkala, located within the Marine XII license operated by Eni’s Congolese subsidiary. With substantial recoverable reserves in fields like Marine XII, Nkossa and Banga Kayo, Congo’s natural gas sector presents an attractive investment opportunity. Ongoing developments – including FLNG and gas reinjection strategies at the Nkossa and M’Boundi fields – ensure a stable supply of natural gas for both domestic power generation and future exports.

    The Central African region – home to some of Africa’s most promising oil and gas markets – is well-positioned to leverage its vast resource base to supply the continent with reliable and sustainable energy. Major producers such as Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon have long been significant oil exporters, yet substantial investment in natural gas infrastructure is still required to fully realize the region’s hydrocarbon potential. As such, the Monetizing Central Africa’s Natural Gas Potential technical workshop at CEIF 2025 – taking place on Day 2 of the conference on March 26 – will highlight best practices, address logistical challenges and showcase successful case studies, paving the way for greater regional integration and economic growth.

    “CEIF 2025 is an essential platform for exploring innovative solutions and cutting-edge technologies that will help unlock Central Africa’s vast gas resources. By bringing together international experts and local stakeholders, the event aims to address critical challenges to ensure the sustainable development of the region’s energy sector,” states Sandra Jeque, Events and Project Director at Energy Capital & Power.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: We should care more about emerging infectious diseases, and the tools we need to fight them

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Idowu Olawoye, Postdoctoral Associate, Microbiology & Immunology, Western University

    A patient undergoing infusion therapy. Treatment failure can happen when a disease adapts to become resistant to antibiotics. (Unsplash/Olga Kononenko)

    Throughout human history, disease outbreaks have emerged and re-emerged. What’s different now is that with global travel, outbreaks can move quickly among and between populations.

    A familiar example would be the COVID-19 pandemic and how it disrupted the world as we know it today. During this period, a lot of technological advancements were achieved during a short time such as vaccine roll-out and also tracking of variants globally.

    Since this pandemic, we have been constantly reminded of the threat that emerging infectious diseases pose, as well as new strains of existing microbes, and even infections that may eventually become untreatable. This should also serve as a constant reminder of the need to continue developing the tools and technology to fight them.

    Infectious disease outbreaks since COVID-19

    In 2022, shortly after the worst of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic had passed, the world was rocked by another infectious disease outbreak, which was soon classified as a public health emergency of international concern.

    The culprit was mpox, then known as the monkeypox virus.

    Unlike SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, this was not a novel virus but had been identified in laboratory monkeys in Denmark as far back as 1958. The first human cases were documented in 1970 among children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

    Since then, there have been multiple reported outbreaks of mpox, the majority of them limited to Africa. This includes a 2022 global outbreak that caused about 250 deaths, representing a fatality rate of 0.2 per cent.

    An ongoing outbreak started in 2023 in Central Africa, claiming about 900 lives with a fatality rate of five per cent.

    According to the World Health Organization, the two most recent mpox outbreaks were primarily driven by sexual transmission or body contact. There is currently no treatment approved by the FDA for mpox.

    In early 2024, an avian influenza outbreak resurfaced in the United States when the viral infection that typically affects birds was detected in dairy cows for the first time. It has since spread to about 973 cattle in 17 states, and there have been about 70 human cases among people associated with farm animals.

    Recently, a respiratory outbreak known as hMPV has been overwhelming hospitals in Northern China, with children, adolescents and senior citizens being at most risk. The origin of this outbreak is not yet known.

    Untreatable sexually transmitted infection

    Microscopic image of the bacteria that causes gonorrhea.
    (NIAID), CC BY

    Gonorrhoea is a widely known sexually transmitted infection (STI). Approximately 80 million people were infected by this bacterium in 2020. Though most cases remain treatable, an untreatable form of gonorrhoea is becoming more prevalent, threatening victims with infertility or even cancer.

    Treatment failure can happen when a disease adapts to become resistant to antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance has significant implications for global health, including massive financial implications for health care.

    An emerging STI threat

    Other, uncommon but difficult to treat STIs are emerging. One is called Mycoplasma genitalium, the causative agent for non-gonococcal urethritis — a typically painful infection of the tube that carries urine from the bladder.



    Read more:
    Antimicrobial resistance now hits lower-income countries the hardest, but superbugs are a global threat we must all fight

    With symptoms similar to gonorrhoea, it can lead to infertility, increased susceptibility to HIV, failed pregnancy, cancer of the cervix and more. Yet, it is often misdiagnosed due to it being understudied and its complexity.

    This understudied bacterium is naturally resistant to many antibiotics due to its unique structure, making it notoriously difficult to treat.

    The WHO works to control the spread of gonorrhoea infections that are resistant to antibiotics through surveillance. My own research is adopting a similar strategy for M. genitalium, by using genomic surveillance to improve our knowledge of the infection and the improved ability to detect antibiotic resistance.

    What is genomic surveillance?

    Genomic surveillance uses next-generation sequencing technology to identify specific strains of pathogens circulating during an outbreak. This can also determine what genetic characteristics makes some strains more aggressive than others.

    This technique was used effectively during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped identify variants quickly.

    Genomic surveillance can help us understand what we are facing, allowing us to tackle emerging threats more quickly and efficiently. It can help us develop sensitive, rapid diagnostic tools to detect drug resistance, especially for bacteria that are difficult to study in the lab, such as Mycoplasma genitalium, which is an extremely slow-growing and challenging bacteria.

    With the continuing emergence of untreatable infections and new disease outbreaks, genomic sequencing can help meet emerging threats even in regions that lack adequate infrastructure where these tend to occur frequently.

    This can be achieved through implementing affordable, user friendly diagnostic tools or developing effective vaccines for endemic regions. An example is the COVID-19 self-test kit that can be used at home. This is one of the key areas my research is also trying to accomplish: improving diagnostics in health care and making them accessible.

    Pathogens are constantly evolving to become resistant to treatment in the perpetual battle between humans and infectious diseases.

    To get the upper hand, we need to continue developing technology, including rapid and sensitive tools for identifying resistant bacteria and innovative methods for halting the spread of untreatable infections before they become serious pandemics.

    Idowu Olawoye receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and Western Research at the University of Western Ontario.

    – ref. We should care more about emerging infectious diseases, and the tools we need to fight them – https://theconversation.com/we-should-care-more-about-emerging-infectious-diseases-and-the-tools-we-need-to-fight-them-248427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Alberta’s oil and gas wells threaten people’s health, but there are disparities in who is most at risk

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Martin Lavoie, Senior Scientist and Data Analyst, St. Francis Xavier University

    Around 13 per cent of Albertans live within 1.5 kilometres of an active oil or gas well. Given the link between oil and gas production and ill health, this leaves a significant proportion of the province’s population at risk.

    But certain groups may be at a disproportionately greater risk, according to recent research our team published. Our study revealed stark socioeconomic disparities in those at the greatest risk of health problems due to their proximity to an oil or gas well — with Indigenous people and those who were less educated most affected.

    The link between oil and gas production, air pollution and human health is well documented. Oil and gas production emits numerous pollutants into the air we breathe. These pollutants are associated with poor cardiovascular and respiratory health.

    But while numerous studies have been published on the link between proximity to oil and gas producers and ill health, this data has mainly come from the United States — the world’s leading oil and gas producer. Relatively little research on this topic has been done in Canada. This is what our recent research sought to do.

    Alberta residents

    The study examined Alberta — the province which in 2023 was responsible for 80 per cent of Canada’s oil, and 61 per cent of its gas production. We analyzed multiple datasets including census, health, emissions and oil and gas activity data. This allowed our lab to create the first spatial understanding of oil and gas air pollution in Alberta.

    This also made it possible to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of those living nearest the pollution’s source, alongside their experiences with cardiovascular or respiratory health issues.

    The study found that over 360,000 Albertans live within one kilometre of an active oil or gas well. Nearly half a million people live within 1.5 kilometres of one. These are significant numbers considering the province only has around four million residents.

    Albertans living within one or 1.5 kilometres of an active oil and gas well are more likely to be rural residents (10 per cent), people with less formal education (20 per cent) and Indigenous people (21 per cent).

    Our findings align with previous studies which have shown that people with similar sociodemographic characteristics are more likely to experience worse health outcomes compared to the general population.

    Unnervingly, our study also found that those living within at least 1.5 kilometres of an oil or gas well faced an estimated nine to 21 per cent higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular or respiratory issues due to their proximity. The closer a person lived to an oil or gas well, the greater their risk.

    Although we adjusted our findings for age and sex, there was no information available in the datasets we used on other factors which may have affected the results, such as lifestyle habits or pre-existing health conditions. It will be important for more research to be conducted on this topic which takes these factors into account.

    Health risks

    Our findings align with other published studies on the topic which have found a link between health issues and proximity to oil and gas producers.

    Notably, much of the oil and gas workforce are located in rural areas near production facilities. This may explain why our study found rural residents were more likely to experience health issues from oil and gas wells.

    Our findings also align with research from the U.S. on this topic. For comparison, a 2022 study found nearly 18 million U.S. residents live within 1.6 kilometres of an active oil and gas well, with some states such as West Virginia and Oklahoma seeing over 50 per cent of their total population in this proximity. Research has also found similar socioeconomic disparities in exposure to oil and gas wells in the U.S. as our study did.

    Our study highlights the need for more research on this topic, especially since it has been suggested that oil and gas emissions are often underestimated. It’s possible that even more people are impacted than our study determined.

    It will also be important for studies to investigate the effects of specific oil and gas pollutants (such as nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds) on health. Currently in Alberta, regulations on the minimum distance between residents and oil and gas wells primarily focus on hydrogen sulphide levels.

    Overlooking other relevant air pollutants may mean that minimum setbacks from pollution sources may be insufficient, especially given the impacts our study showed in those residing within 1.5 kilometres of an oil or gas well.

    Nearly 100 countries produce oil and gas. Air emissions from this sector represent an urgent global problem. Targeted actions such as stricter policies for air emissions, as well as health risk assessments when building developments, are necessary to protect people living in these regions.

    David Risk receives funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

    Martin Lavoie and Matthew Rygus do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Alberta’s oil and gas wells threaten people’s health, but there are disparities in who is most at risk – https://theconversation.com/albertas-oil-and-gas-wells-threaten-peoples-health-but-there-are-disparities-in-who-is-most-at-risk-249637

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: ‘Buying Canadian’ is an opportunity to reflect on the ethics of consumerism

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Michael Walschots, Postdoctoral Fellow, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz

    Ever since Donald Trump threatened to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, everyday citizens have retaliated by pledging to “Buy Canadian.” Even though the tariffs were later postponed, the damage was already done.

    The Buy Canadian movement is broad: people are not only buying more Canadian goods, they are also altering their travels plans and attempting to watch more Canadian-made films and TV.

    Local businesses have reported an increase in traffic, Air Canada has said it will decrease the number of flights to U.S. destinations and there are now apps and a website to help citizens find Canadian products.

    This new movement offers us the opportunity to reflect on the ethics of our consumption practices more generally, especially when consumers co-ordinate their purchasing on a national scale. As consumers, we all have a responsibility to use our buying power in an ethically conscious way.

    A CBC News report on how consumers are using apps to help them buy Canadian products.

    Boycotts and buycotts

    Most of us as consumers decide what to buy based on the price and quality of goods. But our values play a role in our decision-making: what we buy and where we buy it is influenced by our beliefs. Last year, for instance, many Canadians boycotted Loblaws on the grounds that it was price gouging amid inflation.

    A boycott is just one way of altering our habits based on our values. Another way is a “buycott”; that is, intentionally buying products from companies we feel align with our values. The Buy Canadian movement itself is best described as a buycott, but for many, it’s also a boycott of American-made goods.

    The reasons behind consumers choices are essential here. For example, we might avoid buying certain cosmetics because we are opposed to animal testing. Or we might vote with our forks and eat at farm-to-table restaurants to combat climate change.

    Our choices are often complex and motivated by many concerns: I might buy eggs from my local farmers market not only because I want to support local businesses, but also to encourage the fair treatment of animals and express my frustration with high prices at chain stores.

    Social change and co-ordinated consuming

    One of the most important reasons behind many of our consuming practices is social change: we want to change the way others, and we as a society, behave. Consuming for social change is particularly effective when it is done by a co-ordinated group that shares certain values.

    Consider the practice of buying fair trade coffee: by means of proper certification and product labelling, consumers give coffee companies an economic incentive to treat farmers more equitably.

    This is a huge power that consumers have. But with great power comes great responsibility, so when we make co-ordinated consuming efforts, we need to think about how to do so responsibly.

    Not all co-ordinated consuming efforts are ethically permissible. Consider a reprehensible but particularly relevant example: in the 1930s, initiatives developed to encourage consumers not to buy Jewish products in Germany, other European countries and the U.S. Such a practice was wrong not only because it was motivated by hatred, but also because it deprived a group of citizens of their freedom of religion.

    Another more recent example concerns the Christian American Family Association which boycotted Walt Disney, Ford and other businesses because of their support of same-sex couples. This boycott was wrong not only because it was motivated by discriminatory beliefs, but also because it did not representative how many other people feel.

    The moral here is that social change should not only be influenced by well-co-ordinated groups, because the loudest voices are not the only ones, nor are they necessarily the right ones.

    Ethical boycotting

    How do we make sure that our co-ordinated consuming efforts are ethical? Philosophy professor Waheed Hussain argued that when we act as a co-ordinated group seeking to achieve social change, we should treat our consuming choices as “proto-legislative” — that is, as if they could become legislation.

    This is because our efforts in this context are no longer aimed at merely satisfying our self-interest, but the common good, and so the standards should be higher. We should act in ways that are appropriately representative and that do not deprive our fellow citizens of their freedoms. Furthermore, Hussain argued that the reasons behind our consumption practices should be public and subject to scrutiny by our fellow citizens.

    When we seek to effect social change across national boundaries, it has been argued that we should not impose our ideals of social change on foreign citizens. In this case our choices are subject to additional constraints. We should respect the values of the target country, for instance, and use our purchasing power in ways that help local workers and communities there.

    What this all means for the Buy Canadian movement is a complex question. For instance, it might mean that a boycott of American products should not include some states like Kentucky, whose governor has openly opposed the tariffs. But at the very least, it’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the immense power we have as consumers, as well as the responsibilities that go along with it.

    Michael Walschots receives funding from the German Research Foundation. In the past he has received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service

    – ref. ‘Buying Canadian’ is an opportunity to reflect on the ethics of consumerism – https://theconversation.com/buying-canadian-is-an-opportunity-to-reflect-on-the-ethics-of-consumerism-249830

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Canada is one step closer to high-speed rail, but many hurdles remain

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ryan M. Katz-Rosene, Associate Professor, School of Political Studies, with Cross-Appointment to Geography, Environment and Geomatics, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

    Canada is the only G7 country without a high-speed rail line, yet not for lack of trying. Over the last half century, numerous high-speed rail projects have been proposed, studied and even approved by political leaders. The obstacles to actually getting them built have proven insurmountable thus far.

    Proponents of high-speed rail had much to celebrate earlier this month when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Alto, a high-speed train line that will connect Québec City and Toronto, with stops in Trois-Rivières, Laval, Montréal, Ottawa and Peterborough.

    After a lengthy tender process, the $3.9 billion six-year contract was awarded to the Cadence consortium, which comprises Air Canada, CDPQ Infra, AtkinsRéalis, Keolis, SYSTRA and SNCF Voyageurs. The consortium will work with the federal government to bring the proposed high-speed rail line to fruition.

    Yet, while this announcement is a milestone, multiple political and economic hurdles must be cleared for this project to ever see the light of day.

    Politically uncertain future

    Four main challenges stand between Trudeau’s announcement and the first high-speed journey. The first is the current political context. With an election on the horizon, the project’s fate could hinge on which party forms the next government.

    Trudeau announced the project less than a month before the pre-determined end to his tenure as prime minister, and it remains unclear who will be Canada’s next, how long their term will last or which party (or coalition) will form the next government.

    Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre currently leads the polls, and although his party has expressed support for high-speed rail infrastructure, it also has called for a major scaling back of government spending.

    History could very well repeat itself if Poilievre comes to power and cancels the project — just as Ontario Premier Doug Ford paused funding and halted plans for the high-speed rail project his Liberal predecessor, Kathleen Wynne, had announced upon taking office.

    The federal Conservatives have already criticized the recent high-speed rail announcement. In contrast, Mark Carney, who is currently the frontrunner for the Liberal Party’s leadership, has expressed support for high-speed rail, but he has also made comments about the need to reduce spending.

    The cost factor

    Beyond political risk, the second major challenge is cost. Canadian governments have, on multiple occasions, engaged in commercial feasibility studies of high-speed rail projects, only to abandon plans once a clearer sense of the price tag emerged.

    The recent announcement involves a $3.9 billion federal commitment — but this funding is only for the next design phase of the project. This phase includes route planning, station location identification, environmental assessments and consultation with Indigenous communities.

    At the end of this multi-year phase, there should be a plan in place, but there will still not be any actual material infrastructure built or rail equipment purchased.

    The actual costs of construction and physical asset procurement remain uncertain, with estimates ranging from $80 to $120 billion. Considering the cost of other high-speed rail projects around the world, a 1,000 kilometre high-speed rail line would likely cost tens of billions of dollars.

    Regional politics and fairness

    The third obstacle lies in inter-provincial and regional politics. Large-scale infrastructure projects in Canada have faced resistance from provinces that feel excluded, and this high-speed rail initiative is no exception.

    One study on the political economy of Canadian high-speed rail identified inter-provincial and regional politics as a central challenge for a costly Québec-Ontario project such as this one.

    Ottawa risks being accused of funnelling billions of taxpayer dollars into a massive infrastructure project that only directly benefits two of Canada’s provinces. This could create friction with the Western provinces, the Prairies, the Maritime provinces and the Northern territories, whose leaders and residents may ask what they might get in return.

    An additional challenge is the perception that the project is a Trudeau-era legacy initiative. Some may see the investment as another example of “Laurentian elites” disproportionately benefiting from the nation’s resource wealth — a long-standing narrative used to critique inter-provincial economic disparities.

    Time and execution

    Finally — though not exhaustively — time itself could prove to be a hurdle. The current co-development phase of the project is expected to last up to five years, after which additional funds and decisions will be required before the build phase can begin.

    Even if the project goes ahead, large-scale infrastructure projects are notoriously prone to delays and cost overruns. There is a well-known saying in megaproject development: projects like this tend to be “over budget, over time, over and over again.”

    This raises concerns that Alto could face serious delays or even failure, as the proposed plan needs to sustain not only the next five years of inter-provincial and federal politics, but also the subsequent build phase.

    A cautionary example is California’s high-speed rail line, which originally intended to link San Francisco and Los Angeles by 2020 at a cost of US$33 billion. Today, only a portion of the infrastructure has been built, cost estimates now exceed US$128 billion, neither major city is yet connected and there is no clear completion date in sight.

    Possibility of transformation

    The Alto project marks a significant step toward Canada joining the ranks of nations with high-speed rail. However, political and economic realities serve as a reminder that many obstacles have yet to be overcome before that vision becomes reality.

    If done right, this project could usher in a new era of 21st-century sustainable transport infrastructure in Canada.

    If done wrong, the project will rack up costs, sow political division and waste taxpayers’ dollars. How domestic political economic realities evolve in the coming months and year will have a significant bearing on whether this is the high-speed rail plan that finally breaks through.

    Ryan M. Katz-Rosene 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. Canada is one step closer to high-speed rail, but many hurdles remain – https://theconversation.com/canada-is-one-step-closer-to-high-speed-rail-but-many-hurdles-remain-250384

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ohio Company Pleads Guilty in Worker Death Case

    Source: US State of California

    A Delaware corporation with a manufacturing facility in Ohio pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Southern District of Ohio to a charge of willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule. The criminal charge is related to an incident where an employee was killed when a pneumatic door closed on his head.

    Fabcon Precast LLC (Fabcon) operates several facilities in the United States, including one in Grove City, Ohio, that manufactures precast concrete panels. At Fabcon, employees known as batch operators were responsible for the operation and cleaning of the facility’s only concrete mixer. Concrete was discharged from the bottom of the mixer through a pneumatic door. By design, the mixer had an exhaust valve that released the pneumatic energy powering the discharge door, rendering it inoperable. Some months prior to June 6, 2020, the handle that operated the valve broke off and was not replaced.

    On June 6, 2020, Zachary Ledbetter, 20, a batch operator since January 2020, was on duty when the discharge door failed to close after releasing a batch of concrete. Because the valve was broken, Ledbetter could not perform the proper procedure to make the door safe to work around. When he attempted to free the door it closed on his head, trapping him. Eventually, Ledbetter was freed and transported to a hospital where he died five days later.

    Federal law makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully fail to follow an OSHA safety standard, where the failure causes the death of an employee. The class B misdemeanor is the only federal criminal charge covering such workplace safety violations.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio, and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Megan Howell of the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, Great Lakes Region, made the announcement.

    The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

    Senior Trial Attorney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Cullman, of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and for the Southern District of Ohio respectively, prosecuted the case.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: SNP block action to halt funding for companies arming Israel

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Feb 2025 External Affairs

    Not a penny of public money should go to companies arming genocide.

    More in External Affairs

    The SNP has used a wrecking amendment to keep grants for arms companies complicit in Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza.

    The Scottish Government has rightly and strongly opposed the bombing and collective punishment of Gaza. Despite this, since the war began, it has given over £1 million to companies that have armed Israel via Scottish Enterprise.

    Scottish Green Co-leader Lorna Slater said:

    “The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is one of the worst in the world, and this was an opportunity for our parliament to take concrete steps to ensure that Scotland is playing no part in it. It is deeply disappointing that the SNP chose to block action.

    “The Scottish Government is right to support a ceasefire in Gaza, but it is simply hypocritical for them to continue backing companies who are enabling and profiting from the atrocities that have been inflicted by Israeli forces.

    “When Russia invaded Ukraine the Scottish Government rightly took action against companies who were supporting Putin and his war machine, with measures that went far further than arms companies. It is time for them to do the same for Israel.

    “Not a penny of public money should be given to companies that are profiting from genocide or war crimes whether they are being carried out by Russian forces or by Israel.”

    As part of the debate the SNP agreed to review the human rights checks which are applied by public bodies to grant applicants. To date, no company has ever failed one of the existing tests, including many of the world’s biggest arms companies.

    Ms Slater added:

    “We welcome the SNP’s commitment to review the human rights checks that are applied, but it should not have taken our debate to make them do that.

    “The new tests need to be far more robust than anything we have had to date, as no human rights check worthy of the name would allow grants to companies that are complicit in genocide.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Vote to keep peak rail fares a hammer blow for commuters

    Source: Scottish Greens

    26 Feb 2025 Transport

    Fares in Scotland are already among the most expensive in Europe.

    More in Transport

    The Scottish Parliament’s vote to keep peak rail fares and an above inflation hike is a ‘hammer blow’ for commuters who deserve cheaper, accessible travel options, say the Scottish Greens.

    The party used opposition debate time for a motion calling for the Scottish Government to halt the inflation-busting rail fare hikes due in April, and to permanently remove peak rail fares.

    The SNP and Liberal Democrats joined forces to stop the motion, backing an SNP amendment that blocked it.

    Scottish Greens spokesperson for transport Mark Ruskell MSP said:

    “I am deeply disappointed that MSP’s across the chamber voted to oppose our motion and to keep these punishing fares in place.

    “This is another hammer blow to workers, students and commuters who are already struggling with rising bills in every corner of their lives.

    “Fares in Scotland are already among the most expensive in Europe. We badly need action to cut the cost and make rail travel more affordable for all.

    “We need to stop financially penalising people who have no say in the times they have to catch the train.

    “ScotRail is publicly owned. We need to use that control to build a modern green railway and encourage people to leave their cars at home.

    “If we are serious about cutting emissions then we need to boost public transport, and rail is a crucial part of that.

    “Travelling by car should never seem like the only option available, because it costs both people and planet in the long run.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Conflict has turned parts of Sudan ‘into a hellscape,’ Security Council hears

    Source: United Nations 2

    Peace and Security

    A senior UN aid official has called on the Security Council to ensure better protection for civilians in Sudan together with unhindered humanitarian access, as the brutal war between rival militaries approaches a second year. 

    “Now more than ever, two years on, the people of Sudan need your action,” Edem Wosornu of the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, said in a briefing to ambassadors on Wednesday.

    “Nearly two years of relentless conflict in Sudan have inflicted immense suffering and turned parts of the country into a hellscape,” she added, listing some of the impacts.

    Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left more than half the country, 24.6 million people, experiencing acute hunger.

    Additionally, more than 12 million are now displaced, including 3.4 million who have fled across the border. Health services have collapsed, millions of children are out of school and relentless patterns of sexual violence have occurred.

    Recent alarming developments

    Ms. Wosornu focused on the latest alarming developments in North Darfur state, including the Zamzam displacement camp, and in Khartoum as well as the south of the country.

    She said eight months after the Council adopted Resolution 2739 (2024), civilians in North Darfur remain under attack. The resolution demanded the RSF stop besieging the state capital, El Fasher.

    Meanwhile, violence in and around Zamzam camp has further intensified. It is estimated that hundreds of thousands of civilians are living there, where famine conditions have been confirmed. 

    She said satellite imagery confirms the use of heavy weaponry in and around Zamzam in recent weeks, and the destruction of the main market facilities there. 

    “Terrified civilians, including humanitarian workers, were unable to leave the area when the fighting was most intense. Many were killed, including at least two humanitarian workers,” she added.

    Fierce fighting elsewhere

    Civilians also continue to be directly impacted by ongoing fierce fighting in parts of Khartoum, where the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has verified reports of summary executions of civilians in areas that have changed hands.

    “We remain deeply concerned about the very serious risks faced by local responders and community volunteers, in Khartoum and elsewhere,” she said.

    Ms. Wosornu noted that in southern Sudan, there are reports of fighting spreading into new areas in North Kordofan and South Kordofan states, increasing risks for civilians and further complicating movements of humanitarian personnel and supplies.

    Shocking reports of further atrocities in White Nile state have also emerged, including a wave of attacks earlier this month reported to have killed scores of civilians.

    © WFP

    Sudan. Offloading of barge transported food aid

    Support humanitarian response

    She recalled that last week saw the launch of the 2025 humanitarian response plans for Sudan and the region. Together they call for $6 billion to support nearly 25 million people in Sudan and up to five million others, mainly refugees, in neighbouring countries.

    She said the international community, particularly Security Council members, must spare no effort to mitigate the crisis.

    Ms. Wosornu concluded her remarks by presenting three “key asks”. 

    “We call on the Security Council – and all Member States with influence – to take immediate action to ensure all actors comply with international humanitarian law and protect civilians and the infrastructure and services they rely on,” she said. 

    Her second request highlighted the importance of access, as “we need real implementation of the repeated commitments to facilitate and enable unhindered, unfettered humanitarian access to civilians in need.”

    Finally, she highlighted the funding shortfall. 

    “The scale of Sudan’s needs is unprecedented and requires an equally unprecedented mobilization of international support, including flexible funding,” she said. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shoplifter faces the lights and sirens

    Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

    Routine patrolling in Avondale has bagged a prolific shoplifter.

    Late on Tuesday night, a frontline unit conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle sought by Police on Blockhouse Bay Road.

    “It was around 11.43pm, when staff were carrying out prevention patrolling in the area,” Auckland City West Area Commander, Inspector Alisse Robertson says.

    “The vehicle was stopped as its registered owner was sought by Police.

    “The man was not the registered owner but after speaking with the driver further, his identity was established.”

    Inspector Robertson says the man had numerous warrants for his arrest over dishonesty offending, including shoplifting.

    “The man was a person of interest to our National Retail Investigation Support Unit.

    “He was arrested on the roadside, and while he was being spoken to Police observed methamphetamine inside the vehicle.”

    Police have since charged the man with more than 20 shoplifting offences, along with possession of methamphetamine.

    “We will allege he was responding for offending at retail stores right across the city, with nearly $10,000 in offending since September,” Inspector Robertson says.

    The 34-year-old man has appeared in the Auckland District Court and will reappear on 19 March.

    “This is a great outcome from our staff and is another example of the work going into targeting recidivist retail crime offenders.”

    ENDS.

    Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Offers Relief to Kentucky Businesses, Nonprofits and Residents Affected by February Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    WASHINGTON – In response to a Presidential disaster declaration issued Feb. 24, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the availability of low interest federal disaster loans for Kentucky businesses, nonprofits, and residents affected by the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides occurring Feb. 14.  

    Under this declaration, the primary counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry and Pike are eligible for both Physical damage loans and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA EIDLs: Bell, Estill, Jackson, Johnson, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Leslie, Magoffin, Powell and Wolfe, as well as Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee and Wise in Virginia; and Mingo and Wayne in West Virginia.

    Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.    

    Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.    

    Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.    

    SBA’s EIDL program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and PNPs that suffered financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.

    EIDLs are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the business did not suffer any physical damage. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.563% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    Beginning Thursday, Feb. 27, SBA customer service representatives will be on hand at the Business Recovery Center (BRC) in Perry County to answer questions about SBA’s disaster loan program, explain the application process and help individuals complete their application. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance at appointment.sba.gov. The BRC hours of operation are listed below:

    Business Recovery Center (BRC) 
    Perry County

    Hazard Community and Technical College Jolly Classroom Center

    1 Community College Drive

    Hazard, Kentucky 41701

    Opening:  Thursday, Feb. 27, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Hours: Monday – Friday – 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

    Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

    Closed: Sunday

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

    With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and the SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover.  FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition.  

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

    The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is April 25, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Nov. 24, 2025.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

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

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ohio Company Pleads Guilty in Worker Death Case

    Source: United States Attorneys General 13

    A Delaware corporation with a manufacturing facility in Ohio pleaded guilty today in federal court in the Southern District of Ohio to a charge of willfully violating an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rule. The criminal charge is related to an incident where an employee was killed when a pneumatic door closed on his head.

    Fabcon Precast LLC (Fabcon) operates several facilities in the United States, including one in Grove City, Ohio, that manufactures precast concrete panels. At Fabcon, employees known as batch operators were responsible for the operation and cleaning of the facility’s only concrete mixer. Concrete was discharged from the bottom of the mixer through a pneumatic door. By design, the mixer had an exhaust valve that released the pneumatic energy powering the discharge door, rendering it inoperable. Some months prior to June 6, 2020, the handle that operated the valve broke off and was not replaced.

    On June 6, 2020, Zachary Ledbetter, 20, a batch operator since January 2020, was on duty when the discharge door failed to close after releasing a batch of concrete. Because the valve was broken, Ledbetter could not perform the proper procedure to make the door safe to work around. When he attempted to free the door it closed on his head, trapping him. Eventually, Ledbetter was freed and transported to a hospital where he died five days later.

    Federal law makes it a class B misdemeanor to willfully fail to follow an OSHA safety standard, where the failure causes the death of an employee. The class B misdemeanor is the only federal criminal charge covering such workplace safety violations.

    Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio, and Acting Special Agent-in-Charge Megan Howell of the Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General, Great Lakes Region, made the announcement.

    The Department of Labor’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case.

    Senior Trial Attorney and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Cullman, of the Environment and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Crimes Section and for the Southern District of Ohio respectively, prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Farrell Resident Sentenced to Nearly Six Years in Prison for Armed Cocaine Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A resident of Farrell, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for committing firearm and drug trafficking crimes, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    United States District Judge William S. Stickman IV imposed the sentence on Tylon Cousin, 39, who previously pleaded guilty in this case to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Judge Stickman also ordered Cousin to serve six years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

    According to information presented to the Court, in January and February 2023, Cousin engaged in armed cocaine dealing from his Farrell residence. Cousin previously served a 60-month federal prison sentence on a 2012 conviction for similar cocaine dealing that took place between 2009 and 2011.

    Assistant United States Attorney Craig W. Haller prosecuted this case on behalf of the United States.

    Acting United States Attorney Rivetti commended the Mercer County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Cousin.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Missoula credit union employee sentenced to prison for embezzling $389,000 by swapping real money for fake currency

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MISSOULA — A former Missoula credit union employee who admitted to embezzling approximately $389,000 from the vault by swapping real money with fake funds was sentenced yesterday to six months in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $389,000 restitution, Acting U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Racicot said.

    The defendant, Edward Arthur Nurse, 35, of Missoula, pleaded guilty in October 2024 to an indictment charging him with theft from a credit union.

    U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy presided. The court also sentenced Nurse to six months of home confinement and to perform 600 hours of community service. The court allowed Nurse to self-report to prison.

    In court documents, the government alleged that from about July 2023 to June 2024, Nurse embezzled from his employer, Park Side Credit Union in Missoula. In June 2024, an employee discovered $340,000 in cash in the credit union’s vault had been replaced with fake funds from a company that provides fake currency as props for movies and entertainment productions. Nurse used his position as “team lead” for the vault to swap the credit union’s cash with fake money he purchased specifically for this purpose. Nurse hid his conduct from security cameras, auditors and his colleagues by putting real money at the front and back of bundles of fake money. Nurse made multiple purchases of fake money and stole the real cash from his work at different times over a seven-month period.

    After the credit union discovered the thefts, Nurse claimed to an FBI special agent that he did not usually carry much cash and, aside from a vacation to Las Vegas, Nevada, he had not made any recent large purchases or cash deposits. However, records show that Nurse made at least nine cash deposits of over $10,000 each in 2024 into his personal account.  The investigation also determined that during the first six months of 2024, Nurse had purchased $410,000 in fake currency from a prop money company. The credit union was later informed that approximately $50,000 in fake money had been received by the Federal Reserve in July 2024. Those funds were returned and determined to be fake bills from the prop money company.

    The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. The FBI, with assistance from the Missoula Police Department, conducted the investigation.

    XXX

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Honduran Man Indicted for Violations of Federal Controlled Substances Act, Federal Gun Control Act, and Reentry of Removed Alien

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEW ORLEANS, LA – Acting United States Attorney Michael M. Simpson announced that on February 14, 2025, MIGUEL ANGEL SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ (“SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ”), age 37, was indicted for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, in Count One of the indictment, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in Count Two, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon in Count Three and, reentry of a removed alien in Count Four, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), Title 18, United States Code, Sections 924(c),924(a)(2), 922(g), and Title 8, United States Code, Sections 1326(a), and 1326(b)(2), respectively.

    According to the indictment, on or about January 29, 2025 SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ  possessed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine; possessed a firearm, a Taurus Model G2C, nine-millimeter semi-automatic pistol, in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; knowingly, unlawfully possessed a firearm, having been previously convicted of a felony in the State of Mississippi, and was officially deported and removed from the United States on or about July 9, 2010.

    If convicted of Count One, SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ faces up to twenty years imprisonment , a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  If convicted of Count Two, SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ faces a minimum term of five years up to life imprisonment, to run consecutive to any other term of imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000, and up to five years of supervised release.  If convicted of Count Three, SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ faces up to fifteen years imprisonment , a fine of up to $250,000, and up to three years of supervised release. If convicted of Count Four, SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ faces  up to twenty years imprisonment , a fine of up to $1,000,000, and at least three years of supervised release.  As to each count, SOLORZANO-DOMINGUEZ also faces payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Simpson reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation.  OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

    The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, United States Border Patrol, Kenner Police Department, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Gretna Major Crimes Task Force.  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynn E. Schiffman of the Narcotics Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –