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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Lankford Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Support Rural Hospitals

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    February 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the bipartisan Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act, which would support financially vulnerable rural hospitals facing risk of closure. The legislation would update Medicare’s “Critical Access Hospital” (CAH) designation so more rural hospitals can qualify for this financial lifeline and continue to serve their communities with quality, affordable health care services. Small and rural hospitals are the backbone of their communities, and often the largest employers, contributing nearly $5 billion in direct spending on payroll, goods, and services in Illinois. Yet more than 135 rural hospitals have closed nationwide in the past dozen years, an estimated 50 percent of rural hospitals ran operating losses last year, and more than 400 hospitals are facing closure risk.

    “Rural hospitals are the backbone of the communities in Illinois and across the country, providing essential access points to health care and anchoring the local economy. Yet, many grapple with financial vulnerabilities, and patients across rural Illinois face challenges accessing the health care they need—with too few medical providers and long distances between them. Our bipartisan bill protects rural hospitals from closing and strengthens our commitment to the communities that depend on these essential health providers,” Durbin said. 

    “It is not sustainable or safe for patients in rural Oklahoma and around the nation to be forced to drive hours to get to their nearest hospital,” said Lankford. “Our bill would ensure hospitals serving low-income or rural areas can keep their doors open and continue to serve their communities. There are many areas of health care in our nation that need our attention, but while we continue to work to address them, we cannot leave out our rural communities. Oklahomans should be able to live where they want and still be able to access quality health care.” 

    Under CAH status, hospitals are paid a higher Medicare rate, as long as they have fewer than 25 inpatient beds; are located 35 miles from other hospitals; maintain patient length of stays less than 96 hours; and offer 24/7 emergency care. This elevated federal reimbursement rate is essential for more than 1,300 rural hospitals to serve their communities. 

    The Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act would support and stabilize rural hospitals by providing flexibility around the 35-mile distance requirement and enabling states to certify a hospital as a “necessary provider” in order to obtain CAH designation. This authority ended in 2006, but today’s bill would re-open this financial lifeline for certain rural hospitals that serve a low-income community, are located in a health professional shortage area, and that have operated with negative margins for multiple years. There are currently 51 Critical Access Hospitals in Illinois, and several rural hospitals would newly qualify under this legislation for increased Medicare payments and stabilization. 

    Last Congress, the Rural Hospital Closure Relief Act was supported by the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAHN), Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA), and National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

      

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen Helps Introduce Right to Contraception Act

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined her Senate colleagues to help introduce the Right to Contraception Act. This bill would reaffirm the explicit legal right to obtain and use contraceptives, and ensure health care providers have a right to give contraceptives and share information about it.
    “As anti-choice extremists continue trying to restrict women’s ability to access reproductive care, it’s clear that we must protect the right to contraception in federal law,” said Senator Rosen. “This legislation would help protect a woman’s fundamental right to make decisions about her own body and keep extreme politicians out of her doctor’s offices. I’ll continue working to protect our reproductive rights.”
    Senator Rosen has been working to restore reproductive freedoms and oppose anti-choice efforts to restrict access to care. She has previously voted to protect women’s constitutional right to access birth control. Last year, she also voted to support the passage of the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, which was blocked by Senate Republicans. Senator Rosen joined legislation to safeguard IVF treatments in federal law and helped introduce the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to protect health care professionals from being prosecuted for providing reproductive care to their patients. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Schiff, Western Senators Raise Alarm on Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Targeting Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Schiff, Western Senators Raise Alarm on Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Targeting Wildfire Mitigation Efforts

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), and 10 other Western Democratic Senators to sound the alarm over threats to the removal of hazardous fuels on U.S. public lands. The Bureau of Land Management recently issued stop work orders to small businesses and organizations across America carrying out critical hazardous fuel removal projects on high-risk federal lands. Delaying these treatments risks missing out on the right seasonal and weather conditions for safely treating hazardous fuels.

    The letter follows President Donald Trump’s illegal executive orders cutting federal funds needed to mitigate and fight wildfires, despite the devastating fires that ravaged Southern California communities last month. The Senators demanded that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Acting Agriculture Secretary Gary Washington rescind the order to stop work on essential hazardous fuels reduction efforts and any other wildland fire management and risk-reduction programs.

    “Catastrophic wildfires across the United States are an ongoing national crisis and responding to them must be a national priority. These stop work orders and funding freezes jeopardize communities that depend on a robust federal response to our wildfire crisis — and also jeopardize small businesses, often in frontier and rural communities, that are contracted to do the work on the ground to reduce hazardous fuels,” wrote the Senators.

    “As we’ve seen with the recent fires surrounding Los Angeles, wildfire does not distinguish between homes and trees. But we do have ways to mitigate the risk,” continued the Senators. “One of the most effective strategies to reduce that risk is to reduce the hazardous natural fuels that surround our communities. These fuels reduction projects save lives and property, reduce the danger to firefighters, and return our lands to a fire-adapted ecosystem that can better withstand the threat to human life, communities, infrastructure, and property.

    The hazardous fuel reduction projects are a core component of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, to which Congress appropriated over $3 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These investments in fuels reduction treatments for high-risk firesheds were recommended in the nonpartisan Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report.

    In addition to Senators Padilla, Schiff, Merkley, and Heinrich, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    Senator Padilla has long been a leader in strengthening the federal and state response to wildfires. Last week, Padilla introduced bipartisan legislation to create a national Wildfire Intelligence Center to streamline federal response and create a whole-of-government approach to combat wildfires. He also announced a package of three bipartisan bills to bolster fire resilience and proactive mitigation efforts, including the Wildfire Emergency Act, the Fire-Safe Electrical Corridors Act, and the Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act, the last of which is co-led by Senator Schiff. Padilla’s legislation to strengthen FEMA’s wildfire preparedness and response efforts, the FIRE Act, became law in 2022.

    Padilla previously questioned Secretary Burgum on his support for wildfire aid, securing his commitment to responding to wildfires regardless of which state they impact with all necessary resources and support possible.

    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Burgum and Acting Secretary Washington, 

    We are writing with great concern about reports from our constituents that the Bureau of Land Management has issued stop work orders for hazardous fuels reduction projects. We are further concerned that fuels projects overseen by the U.S. Forest Service will be next. These projects are integral to increased safety and resiliency and any delay in implementation puts those communities at greater risk. We urge you to immediately rescind these stop work orders, halt any further stop work orders or funding freezes, and instead work with the tools and funds Congress has provided to better safeguard our communities from the serious risk of catastrophic wildfire.

    These projects are part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, funded by the Infrastructure and Investment in Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Investing in fuels reduction treatments is a primary recommendation in the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission Report, a nonpartisan strategy document to tackle the myriad challenges associated with wildfire across the country. We also note with alarm that this report was removed from federal websites this week. 

    In 2022, the Forest Service identified high-risk firesheds across the country to be prioritized for hazardous fuels reduction work through the Wildlife Crisis Strategy and Implementation Plan. The Forest Service chose 10 high-priority landscapes with the enactment of IIJA and an additional 11 landscapes with the enactment of IRA – each of these landscapes require significant investment to reduce wildfire risk. These 21 landscapes were awarded a total of $1.73 billion to protect at-risk communities, critical infrastructure, public water sources, and adjacent Tribal lands in 10 Western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, States, Tribes, local stakeholders, and small businesses have been working together over the last three years to implement fuels reduction on these landscapes. 

    Catastrophic wildfires across the United States are an ongoing national crisis and responding to them must be a national priority. These stop work orders and funding freezes jeopardize communities that depend on a robust federal response to our wildfire crisis – and also jeopardize small businesses, often in frontier and rural communities, that are contracted to do the work on the ground to reduce hazardous fuels.  

    In addition to endangering communities, the President’s Executive Orders freezing funding are flagrantly illegal. The Government Accountability Office, the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel (including in an opinion written by future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, William H. Rehnquist), and the Supreme Court of the United States have all disavowed the notion of some “inherent Presidential power to impound,” as some in the Administration, as well as pending Administration nominees, have tried to argue without legal or textual basis. 

    Not only does the Constitution vest the power of the purse with Congress and provide no power to the President to impound funds, but there have been several bedrock fiscal statutes enacted to protect Congress’ constitutional power of the purse and prevent unlawful executive overreach, including the Antideficiency Act and the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA). The ICA prohibits any action or inaction that precludes Federal funds from being obligated or spent, either temporarily or permanently, without following the strictly circumscribed requirements of that law, which have not been honored in this instance. 

    As we’ve seen with the recent fires surrounding Los Angeles, wildfire does not distinguish between homes and trees. But we do have ways to mitigate the risk. One of the most effective strategies to reduce that risk is to reduce the hazardous natural fuels that surround our communities. These fuels reduction projects save lives and property, reduce the danger to firefighters, and return our lands to a fire-adapted ecosystem that can better withstand the threat to human life, communities, infrastructure, and property.   

    By terminating or even pausing these projects, all of the progress made at protecting these communities is at risk. We are imploring you to rescind the order to stop work on these hazardous fuels reduction efforts, as well as any other wildland fire management programs that are working to reduce risk and safeguard communities from catastrophic wildfire. 

    We hope to work with you to combat the scourge of catastrophic wildfire. 

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ricketts, Lankford Introduce Bill to Block Tax Breaks for Marijuana Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    February 10, 2025

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and James Lankford (R-OK)introduced the No Deductions for Marijuana Businesses Act. The legislation will prevent marijuana businesses from deducting business expenses from their federal taxes. 

    “The federal government should not be subsidizing an industry that profits from addiction and undermines public safety,” Ricketts said. “This bill ensures that marijuana businesses do not receive tax breaks while they continue to violate federal law.”

    “Marijuana doesn’t make our families stronger, our streets safer, or our workplaces more productive.”said Lankford. “Businesses who sell federally illegal drugs—including marijuana businesses—shouldn’t get federal tax breaks. This bill clarifies federal tax law to make sure a federally illegal product does not have a federally legal tax deduction.”

    “The federal government should not be in the business of giving tax relief to the federally illegal, addiction-for-profit marijuana industry. This legislation would prevent deficit increases while ensuring that taxpayers don’t foot the bill for the revenue gap made by tax write-offs for people who choose to violate federal law and poison our kids,” said Dr. Kevin Sabet, President and CEO of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).

    Since the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982, tax law has prevented businesses trafficking Schedule I or II drugs from deducting business expenses. However, if the Biden Administration’s push to reschedule marijuana is successful, marijuana businesses would be able to take business deductions. This bill preempts that loophole and ensures that marijuana businesses would not be able to deduct business expenses from their taxes. 

    Bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: 36-2025: List of treatment providers: treatment provider suspended – GG IKLIM GRUP LIMAN HIZMETLERI A.S. (AEI: TR4034SB)

    Source: Australia Government Statements – Agriculture

    11 February 2025

    Who does this notice affect?

    Stakeholders in the import and shipping industries—including vessel masters, freight forwarders, offshore treatment providers, Biosecurity Industry Participants, importers, customs brokers, principal agents and master consolidators.

    What has changed?

    Following identification of critical non-compliance, we have suspended GG IKLIM GRUP LIMAN HIZMETLERI A.S. (AEI: TR4034SB) from AusTreat.

    The treatment provider has…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 10,000 more apprentices as Government slashes red tape to boost growth  

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Shorter and flexible apprenticeships and new English and maths requirements to boost skills and support employers  

    Up to 10,000 more apprentices will be able to qualify per year as the government cuts red tape to boost economic growth by giving employers more flexibility over maths and English requirements. 

    Rules slowing down the training of workers in key industries like construction will also be changed as the government reveals plans to turbocharge growth industries with reduced bureaucracy for apprenticeships and new leadership also appointed for Skills England.  

    Leading employers have been calling for these changes. Businesses will now be able to decide whether adult learners over the age of 19 when they start their apprenticeship course will need to complete a level 2 English and maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) in order to pass it. This means more learners can qualify in high demand sectors such as healthcare, social care and construction, helping to drive growth and meet government targets in key areas such as housebuilding.

    This could mean as many as 10,000 more apprentices per year will be able to complete their apprenticeship, unlocking opportunity in communities all over the country and breaking the link between background and success. It does not mean that apprentices won’t be assessed on core English and maths skills relevant to their occupation, but it does mean that apprentices will be able to focus more on their paid work.

    The minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced to eight months, down from the current minimum of 12 months.

    Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson said:  

    Growing the economy and opportunity for all are fundamental Missions of our Plan for Change, and we are determined to support apprentices throughout this National Apprenticeship Week and beyond.

    Businesses have been calling out for change to the apprenticeship system and these reforms show that we are listening. Our new offer of shorter apprenticeships and less red tape strikes the right balance between speed and quality, helping achieve our number one mission to grow the economy. 

    Skills England will be a major driver in addressing the skills gaps needed to support employers up and down the country and I look forward to working with the new leadership.

    Craig Beaumont, Executive Director, Federation of Small Businesses said:  

    It’s encouraging to see Government shorten the length of apprenticeships, and give employers the right to decide whether Level 2 English and Maths is needed. These flexibilities should help SME employers fill skills gaps faster.

    These announcements come as the Education Secretary kicked off National Apprenticeship Week yesterday, which celebrates the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.  

    The plans also follow the Prime Minister’s announcement in October, when he pledged to reform the new growth and skills offer to ensure young people are better supported.   

    Three trailblazer apprenticeships in key shortage occupations will look to pioneer the new shorter apprenticeship approach, with apprentices in green energy, healthcare and film/TV production set to be able to take on these new courses.   

    Changes to the minimum length of an apprenticeship will be introduced from August 2025 subject to the legislative timetable, with changes to English and maths requirements coming into effect immediately. This will be hugely beneficial to employers in sectors like construction which have an urgent need for qualified workers, helping to meet the government’s mission to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this parliament.   

    The Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has also announced that Phil Smith CBE will chair Skills England, the new nationwide body for skills, with Sir David Bell serving as Vice Chair. Tessa Griffiths and Sarah Maclean will jointly serve as CEO, while Gemma Marsh will serve as Deputy CEO. 

    Phil Smith is the former chair and CEO of international tech and telecoms giant Cisco. He brings extensive industry experience in digital, tech and innovation leadership and his appointment signals the seriousness of the government’s plan for growth, unlocked via a national vision for skills.   

    Sir David Bell has four decades of experience in the education and skills sector and is currently Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland  

    Phil Smith CBE said:

    I know from my time in industry how valuable direct engagement from employers can be in shaping government policy. 

    We need a dynamic skills system that can drive economic growth, and I’m excited to be involved in shaping Skills England as part of that.

    Sir David Bell said:   

    I look forward to working with Phil Smith, other colleagues in Skills England, and the Department for Education to help deliver economic growth and meet the nation’s skills needs. 

    I know from my experience in public policy and higher education that providing the skilled workforce which Britain requires depends on industry, government and education organisations working together. I am very confident therefore that Skills England will provide the strategic oversight to make that happen.

    Skills England will bring together key partners to meet the skills needs of the next decade across all regions of England. More than 700 stakeholders have already been engaged through roundtables, webinars and engagement events. 

    It will work with employers, national, regional and local government, providers, and unions to identify skills shortages and provide strong strategic direction for the skills system.  

    One of Skills England’s first orders of business will be to identify which apprenticeships would be best served by the shorter duration approach. Skills England will prioritise key shortage occupations as per the industrial strategy, helping to boost growth under our Plan for Change.   

    Euan Blair MBE, founder and CEO, Multiverse said: 

    This important announcement will do so much to widen and expand access to apprenticeships and should be welcomed as a move to put our skills system at the heart of the growth Mission. For years this requirement has created an artificial barrier between apprenticeships and those who could benefit from them, including young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and older workers whose roles are at risk of job displacement, while often diluting the quality and purpose of an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are about giving as many people as possible the ability to improve their career prospects and contribute meaningfully to their employers: this move helps to underline that focus.

    Sharon Blyfield, Head of Early Careers at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, said:

    At Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, we believe that the inclusion of functional skills as an exit for apprenticeships have often hindered many people from reaching their full potential. The announced changes will help make apprenticeships a more viable option to more people, not only new recruits but also for our current employees who missed out on these skills during their school years. These changes will enable them to successfully complete their apprenticeships without added barriers, which is brilliant news.

    Alex Hall-Chen Principal Policy Advisor, Sustainability, Skills, and Employment said:

    Apprenticeships are a vital tool in tackling the UK’s persistent skills shortages, and this announcement is a welcome step in removing unnecessary barriers to increasing apprenticeship numbers. 

    Research with IoD members clearly showed that giving employers flexibility when it comes to English and Maths qualifications for adult apprentices has the potential to unlock more apprenticeship opportunities. 

    Employers are well-placed to judge whether English and Maths qualifications are the most appropriate route to evidence or develop the literacy and numeracy skills needed for success in the given career path.

    Chris Bailey, Starbucks UK Early Careers Manager said:

    Starbucks UK welcomes the announcement around relaxing the requirements of functional skills for learners 19yrs+. Removing this significant barrier will support our commitment to enrolling more apprentices, particularly those who may have previously faced challenges with functional skills assessments. By embracing this change we can empower more of our Partners to gain valuable recognised qualifications, develop their skills, and progress within Starbucks and their careers.

    Lisa Pinfield, Group Director of Performance & Development, Capita said: 

    Making Functional Skills requirements more flexible for apprenticeships will open doors for more adult learners, especially those from diverse backgrounds. By removing unnecessary barriers, employers can welcome a wider pool of talented apprentices who bring valuable skills and experience. This change will help businesses grow, support social mobility, and give more people the chance to succeed through apprenticeships.

    Jo Rackham, Executive Director of People of the John Lewis Partnership, said:

    Apprenticeships help us build and retain the skills we need to deliver brilliant service to our customers and power our growth. They’ve helped 5,000 employees, or as we’re called Partners, progress in their careers since 2017.

    We welcome the relaxation in functional skills requirements. It’s an important step towards the reform needed to help more people access apprenticeships.  Gaining GCSE Maths and English qualifications can be a significant barrier to starting or completing one and we believe it will help more disadvantaged people, including those who leave the care system or those with learning disabilities, make a career for themselves.

    Matthew Percival, Future of Work and Skills Director, CBI said:

    Apprenticeships have an important role to play in building the skills for growth. Greater flexibility on minimum length and on English and Maths requirements will help businesses to offer more workers the opportunity to add to their skills.

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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-backed AI companies to transform British cancer care and spark new drug breakthroughs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    New AI models to diagnose and treat cancer and other incurable diseases will be made possible thanks to joint public-private investment giving flexible funding to British AI firms and researchers.

    £82 million for 3 UK research projects Match-funding for European compute partnership.

    • £82.6 million in new flexible forms of research funding to support UK companies tackling cancer and accelerating drug discovery using AI and more
    • Collaboration between British and European experts on AI and High-Performance Computing gets match-funding boost
    • Backing for both these schemes shows the UK’s commitment to seizing the potential of new technologies like AI, to drive forward the Plan for Change

    The UK government is today (Tuesday 11 February) unveiling £82.6 million in new flexible forms of research funding, plus a new commitment to give UK researchers access to cutting-edge computing resources as part of a plan to unlock the power of AI.  

    Two of the three projects benefiting from this support, which is helping to pioneer new ways of conducting research, will harness the power of AI to develop treatments and diagnostics for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s.

    Coming as day two of the AI Action Summit gets underway, this is the latest evidence of the government’s commitment to seizing the potential of new technologies like AI to drive forward the Plan for Change, delivering economic growth and progress in key fields like health. 

    The government is putting £37.9 million backing behind three innovative British research projects, the Research Ventures Catalyst (RVC) programme. Together with a further £44.7 million in co-investment across the three projects, from other sources, this makes for a total £82.6 million backing. 

    The RVC programme is delivering novel ways of funding groundbreaking research, such as endowments, which are flexible and reflect the real needs of cutting-edge innovators. Too often, inflexible funding has been a barrier to some of the most innovative and creative research or has been an obstacle to new innovative businesses looking to scale-up. The RVC programme will support pioneering work training AI on the NHS’s vast pool of cancer data, drug discovery research, and more. 

    Today also sees the government expand UK involvement in the European High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) Joint Undertaking by committing £7.8 million to fund UK researchers and businesses’ participation in EuroHPC research. This will mean British AI and high-performance computing researchers can work unobstructed with their peers across Europe. International collaboration and broad access to computational resources will be key to unlocking the benefits AI promises to deliver across society and the economy.

    These announcements come on the final day of the AI Action Summit in France, where world leaders and AI companies have been holding a series of talks focused on the opportunities the technology can deliver for communities across the globe. The opportunities of AI are an area the UK government has placed a heavy focus on to kickstart 2025 – unveiling a new blueprint with 50 proposals in January which will spark a decade of national renewal. 

    Science and Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle said: 

    The focus of this Summit has been on how we can put AI to work in the public interest, and today’s announcements are living proof of how the UK is leading that charge through our Plan for Change.  

    We’ve already set out a bold new blueprint for AI which will help to spark a decade of national renewal, and key to that plan is supporting our expert researchers and businesses with the support they need to drive forward their game-changing innovations. 

    Today, we open new avenues for them to do exactly that – building bridges with our international partners so the entire global community can share in the boundless opportunities of AI-powered progress and backing new innovative companies applying AI to tackle real-world challenges.

    Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said:

    NHS innovation saved my life when I was diagnosed with cancer and treated by a world-class surgeon equipped with a robot. I want more patients to benefit from this kind of groundbreaking treatment, and AI will be central to our efforts.

    This new funding is another step to unlock the enormous potential of AI for cancer research and drug discovery – ensuring more patients like me experience the highest quality care.

    AI will help us speed up diagnoses, cut waiting times for patients and free up staff, as we deliver our Plan for Change and shift the NHS from analogue to digital.

    EuroHPC is a high-powered compute partnership which pools EU resources with those of participating states. Businesses and researchers will now be supported to participate in EuroHPC research grants in the development of supercomputers and in their deployment to tackle the most pressing scientific challenges, working in tandem with like-minded partners on the continent. UKRI will work with businesses and researchers to support them to apply for grants where match-funding is available.   

    The three projects being supported by the Research Ventures Catalyst (RVC) programme. 

    PharosAI

    £18.9 million government funding plus £24.7 million co-investment. PharosAI, whose King’s College London site is being visited by AI Minister Clark today, will bring together decades of NHS and Biobank data and host it on a unified, powerful, secure, AI platform. This will revolutionise cancer care by accelerating the development of the next generation of AI models which will deliver new breakthroughs for diagnosing and treating the disease – transforming outcomes for patients and saving lives. 

    Professor Anita Grigoriadis, Professor of Molecular and Digital Pathology at King’s College London, CEO of PharosAI said:  

    AI has the potential to revolutionise cancer care. The UK has a real opportunity to be a major innovator, leading to faster diagnosis, novel and more targeted cancer treatments, and better-informed healthcare for patients. PharosAI will democratise cancer AI and create an ecosystem to navigate the path to AI-powered precision medicine. Thanks to the RVC programme, we will build an unique operational approach between King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, Barts Health Trust and industry partners. Our innovative collaboration will accelerate scientific breakthroughs and bring vastly improved cancer care to tomorrow’s patients.

    Bind Research

    £12.9 million government funding plus £12.9 million co-investment. The team at Bind Research meanwhile will tap into AI to learn the rules of drugging currently undruggable proteins, offering hope to cure diseases that were once thought to be untreatable. It will do this by targeting disordered proteins associated with various diseases which could unlock scores of new avenues for treatment – potentially giving thousands of patients across the country a new lifeline. 

    Dr Gabi Heller, Dr Thomas Löhr, and Dr Gogulan Karunanithy, scientific co-founders, Bind Research said:

    The Research Ventures Catalyst Programme has been a game changer for Bind Research. It allowed us to reimagine our approach by adopting a not-for-profit Focused Research Organisation model – a strategy that, until now, was largely uncharted territory in the UK. This innovative structure enables us to harness collective expertise to deliver AI-enhanced tools and datasets as public goods to advance our mission of making disordered proteins druggable for everyone.

    MEMetic

    £6.1 million government funding plus £7.1 million co-investment. MEMetic will receive funding for work to revolutionise water management by combining nature’s highly evolved solutions with state-of-the-art polymer chemistry. This will support them to develop new solutions in a range of fields from lithium recovery in battery recycling, to facilitating clean water access – helping the world tackle the climate crisis. 

    Professor Alan Goddard and Dr Matthew Derry, Aston University said: 

    MEMetic represents the culmination of years of planning a significant, challenging, interdisciplinary research program which promises massive real-world benefits. This RVC award will allow us to leverage our fundamental science to create bespoke bioinspired filtration membranes for a range of industries. Such research really requires long term funding which is set up to take research to an applied setting and the Research Venture we envisage perfectly matches our philanthropic aims for water treatment for all.

    Notes to editors

    PharosAI is a joint venture between King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and Barts Health NHS Trust. 

    MEMetic is led by researchers at the Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence at Aston University.

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  • MIL-OSI Australia: Road safety works get underway across northern Tasmania

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Upgrades are starting this week at the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction in Harford, to improve safety and reduce the risk of crashes.

    The improvements are part of the latest $27.5 million investment by both the Australian and Tasmanian Governments under the national Road Safety Program, and are set to be completed by late May 2025.

    The existing junction will be changed to a standard T-junction with widening provided for road users to pass a vehicle turning right from Chapel Road onto Frankford Road.

    Under the same program, safety upgrades will also be made to the junction of Pipers River Road and Waddles Road in Karoola, and are expected to start in early March 2025. 

    Road users can expect some temporary traffic changes during the Harford junction upgrade including reduced speed limits and occasional lane closures during the 7:00 am to 6:00 pm working hours.

    Road users are asked to allow 15 minutes extra travel time and to follow the directions of traffic controllers and signs. More information about the project and the wider Road Safety Program can be found here.

    Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Anthony Chisholm:

    “Nothing is more important than ensuring people who travel on Australia’s regional road network get home safely each time they travel. 

    “That’s why we’re backing this $27.5 million investment to make the Frankford Road and Chapel Road junction safer for locals and visitors to this part of Tassie. 

    “Through projects such as this one, we’re working with the Tasmanian Government to help keep everyone safe on the state’s roads.”

    Quotes attributable to Senator for Tasmania, Anne Urquhart:

    “The Australian Government is committed to improving road safety and significantly reducing the number of road deaths and serious injuries on our roads.”

    “While our government continues to prioritise road safety, I encourage all drivers to do their bit by driving to the conditions, slowing down, putting on a seatbelt, taking a break when you’re tired, and avoiding distractions.”

    Quotes attributable to Tasmanian Minister for Infrastructure, Kerry Vincent:

    “The upcoming junction upgrades demonstrate our commitment to improving safety for road users and reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. 

    “We also look forward to starting work on the remaining junction upgrades included under the program, such as the Pipers River Road and Waddles Road junction in Karoola, which we expect to start in March this year.  

    “Feedback from local communities and other key stakeholders has been a key focus in identifying the improvements for each junction, and we’ve balanced that with ensuring the best road safety outcomes are achieved.”

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: China: Cook Islands’ relationship with Beijing ‘should not be restrained’

    By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

    China and the Cook Islands’ relationship “should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party”, says Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, as opposition leaders in Rarotonga express a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Mark Brown.

    In response to questions from the Associated Press about New Zealand government’s concerns regarding Brown’s visit to Beijing this week, Guo said Cook Islands was an important partner of China in the South Pacific.

    “Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1997, our two countries have respected each other, treated each other as equals, and sought common development, achieving fruitful outcomes in exchanges and cooperation in various areas,” he said.

    “China stands ready to work with the Cook Islands for new progress in bilateral relations.”

    Guo said China viewed both New Zealand and the Cook Islands as important cooperation partners.

    “China stands ready to grow ties and carry out cooperation with Pacific Island countries, including the Cook Islands,” he said.

    “The relationship between China and the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party.”

    Information ‘in due course’
    Guo added that Beijing would release information about the visit and the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement “in due course”.

    Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun . . . “China stands ready to grow ties and carry out cooperation with Pacific Island countries.” Image: China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs/RNZ

    However, Cook Islanders, as well as the New Zealand government, have been left frustrated with the lack of clarity over what is in the deal which is expected to be penned this week.

    United Party leader Teariki Heather is planning a protest on February 17 against Brown’s leadership.

    He previously told RNZ that it seemed like Brown was “dictating to the people of the Cook Islands, that I’m the leader of this country and I do whatever I like”.

    Another opposition MP with the Democratic Party, Tina Browne, is planning to attend the protest.

    She said Brown “doesn’t understand the word transparent”.

    “He is saying once we sign up we’ll provide copies [of the deal],” Browne said.

    “Well, what’s the point? The agreement has been signed by the government so what’s the point in providing copies.

    “If there is anything in the agreement that people do not agree with, what do we do then?”

    Repeated attempts by Peters
    New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs office said Winston Peters had made repeated attempts for the government of the Cook Islands to share the details of the proposed agreement, which they had not done.

    Peters’ spokesperson, like Browne, said consultation was only meaningful if it happened before an agreement was reached, not after.

    “We therefore view the Cook Islands as having failed to properly consult New Zealand with respect to any agreements it plans to sign this coming week in China,” the spokesperson said.

    Prime Minister Brown told RNZ Pacific that he did not think New Zealand needed to see the level of detail they are after, despite being a constitutional partner.

    Ocean Ancestors, an ocean advocacy group, said Brown’s decision had taken people by surprise, despite the Cook Islands having had a long-term relationship with the Asia superpower.

    “We are in the dark about what could be signed and so for us our concerns are that we are committing ourselves to something that could be very long term and it’s an agreement that we haven’t had consensus over,” the organisation’s spokesperson Louisa Castledine said.

    The details that Brown has shared are that he would be seeking areas of cooperation, including help with a new inter-island vessel to replace the existing ageing ship and for controversial deep-sea mining research.

    Castledine hopes that no promises have been made to China regarding seabed minerals.

    “As far as we are concerned, we have not completed our research phase and we are still yet to make an informed decision about how we progress [on deep-sea mining],” she said.

    “I would like to think that deep-sea mining is not a point of discussion, even though I am not delusional to the idea that it would be very attractive to any agreement.”

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Police urge parents and young people to be alert when online on Safer Internet Day

    Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

    New Zealand Police is urging parents to be alert to the potential risks facing children and young people online.

    Today is Safter Internet Day – a global event to promote safe and positive online experiences.

    To ensure a collaborative approach to internet safety, Police works closely with our partner agencies, including the Department of Internal Affairs, Netsafe, and New Zealand Customs.

    Detective Senior Sergeant Kepal Richards, officer in charge of New Zealand Police Online Child Exploitation Across New Zealand Team (OCEANZ), says supervising children and young people online is the best way to keep them safe.

    “The internet opens up a world of opportunity but there are offenders online looking to exploit people, and they target the most vulnerable.

    “In the worst-case scenario, we see online extortion groups trying to persuade children and young people to record self-harm and sexually explicit acts, alongside other violent crimes.

    “The footage is then circulated among members of the extortion group to gain notoriety and further extort victims.

    “Offenders may also threaten to share these videos or images online or with the victim’s family and friends.

    “While we’re not seeing a large number of this type of offending here in New Zealand at this time, we know this is having a significant impact overseas.

    “We want parents to be alert to the possible risks, but not alarmed.”

    Police urge parents and caregivers to educate themselves on this topic and have conversations with their young people about the dangers of having an online presence.

    “Having open and regular conversations is the most important tip we can give any parent or caregiver,” Detective Senior Sergeant Richards says.

    “This ensures their young children feel comfortable to come forward about any online issues that may arise.”

    For parents and caregivers: 

    • Supervision is essential. This means knowing what your children are doing online, who they are interacting with, and what platforms, apps, or games they are using.
    • Check privacy settings. We recommend parents and caregivers research and understand app settings, including privacy settings. This can include turning off location settings, setting profiles to private, or turning off chat functions.
    • Long term impact. Offenders will often use tactics such as fear or shame to manipulate young people, and make them feel alienated or trapped, like they cannot escape the situation. These situations can be very distressing and can have long term impacts and need to be addressed appropriately.
    • Report suspicious behaviour. Make a report and seek help and support.

    For victims:

    • Stop talking to the offender and avoid sending any more images or videos – even if they are threatening you. Once you have complied with their demands, there is nothing preventing them from targeting you again.
    • Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the Police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.
    • Report the content and person’s profile to the platform and request the content is removed.
    • Block the profile.

    Where to report offending:

    To report any offending to Police, please call 111 in an emergency, and for non-emergencies, online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or by calling 105.

    If you have seen content online that you wish to report, make a report to the Department of Internal Affairs HERE.

    If you would like advice and support from Netsafe, text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282 or call for free on 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723). You can also report online at netsafe.org.nz/report or by email at help@netsafe.org.nz.

    Click HERE to read the Virtual Global Taskforce Safer Internet Day’s media release issued by the Australian Federal Police.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Whitehorse — RCMP investigate Whistle Bend incidents

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Whitehorse RCMP are investigating a number of reported thefts from vehicles in the Whistle Bend subdivision area overnight.

    During the early morning hours of February 9, a thief (or thieves) committed a spree of criminal acts in the Whistle Bend area of Whitehorse. Police have received several reports of vehicles being rifled through and items being taken.

    If you are a witness to a crime or have been a victim of theft, or attempted theft over the weekend, please call 867-667-555 and report it to the police.

    Police are also asking residents in the area to review any security camera footage for suspicious activity between the hours of 1 am and 5 am and to contact police should they locate some evidence on their footage.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Is Steve Smith set to become the best? What data says about Test cricket’s elite 10,000+ run club

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ronnie Das, Associate Professor in Data Analytics, The University of Western Australia

    In the recent Border-Gavaskar series against India, Steve Smith agonisingly missed out reaching 10,000 Test runs in front of his home crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground, falling short by just one run.

    However he entered the “10K club” in style after hitting his 35th century against Sri Lanka in the series won by Australia, 2-0.

    Smith is now the 15th batsman to join the exclusive club and the fourth Australian to do so, after Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting.

    The illustrious group of players who have reached 10,000 is headed by Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar (15,921 runs) with Ponting (13,378) second and South African Jacques Kallis (13,289) third.

    Among this group, Tendulkar, the West Indies’ Brian Lara and Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara were fastest to 10,000 in terms of innings batted (195), just ahead of Ponting (196). Smith was fifth fastest (205 innings).

    But where does Smith sit among this group of truly elite batsmen? How does he compare to his fellow Australians? And can he eventually reach the pinnacle and overtake Tendulkar at the top of the mountain?

    The challenges of modern cricket

    Modern day cricket is physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding.

    The physical demands, coupled with fixture congestion, make it tough on athletes’ bodies. Research also suggests psychological pressures have a heightened impact on players’ thinking, feeling and overall performances.

    The evolution of lucrative Twenty20 games has also meant cricketers often play in these shorter-format leagues instead of resting between Test series.

    Smith is one of many elite cricketers still playing all three formats of the sport.

    While some batsmen continue to score well into their late 30s, more often than not performance declines in these twilight years of a batter’s career.

    Smith turns 36 in June.

    Judging the best

    The 10,000 run club is the hallmark of batting excellence in Test cricket.

    It is regarded as the pinnacle of a batsman’s career achievement.

    Together (at the time of writing) the players in the 10K club have scored 181,947 runs, with 541 centuries and 818 half centuries.

    The highest individual score belongs to Lara, who scored 400 (not out) against England in 2004.

    Lara also maintained a very high strike rate (60.51) throughout his career.

    A strike rate is a batsman’s run scoring efficiency per 100 balls – the higher the strike rate, the faster the batter scores. A higher strike rate puts more pressure on opposition bowlers and when a batter scores quickly, it allows more time for their team’s bowlers to take the 20 wickets required for a Test victory.

    Only Ponting (a strike rate of 58.72 per 100 balls) closely matches Lara’s calibre, but England’s Joe Root (57.47) is enjoying a late-career renaissance and is closing the gap.

    Compare that to the Border and Sunil Gavaskar era (late 1970s–early 1990s) when runs were not as easy to come by – these two ended their career with low (41.09 and 43.35 respectively) strike rates.

    What about Smith?

    In his second match, his strike rate was an exceptionally high 75.75 but, since then it has dipped to 53.58 as Smith has become a more balanced batsman.

    Another way to judge a batter’s impact is their centuries per innings rate.

    Smith has the highest century per innings rate (17.48%) among the 10K club.
    He recently scored his 36th century, matching his modern-day peer, Root. But Root has played 72 additional innings.

    In terms of overall centuries, Tendulkar leads the way having scored a staggering 51 centuries during his Test career (six more than Kallis, in second). However, Tendulkar did it over a mammoth 329 innings – 38 more than anyone else on the list.

    How the Australians compare

    Across generations, the four Australians have shown different styles of play in achieving the landmark.

    Data shows Border was the most consistent player among them, with his average remaining relatively steady through his career, while Waugh improved his performance after a lacklustre start to his career.

    Smith hit his peak at around his 75th match and Ponting around his 115th match, before their run scoring dropped.

    In terms of batting positions, data suggests Smith has scored most of his runs coming in at number four. Border was most dominant coming in at four and five.

    Ponting dominated as a number three batsman, while Waugh was very consistent at number five.

    How far can Smith go?

    Considering Smith’s age (35), current form and the physical demands of modern cricket, our findings suggest it will take him at least another three to four years to surpass Ponting.

    That may be achievable but Smith’s year-long ban after the 2018 “sandpapergate saga” makes reaching Tendulkar’s mark extremely unlikely.

    However, there is a chance Smith ends up with the best average in the club.

    His batting average currently sits at 56.74, with only Sangakkara (57.4) higher.

    Considering his current form, with four centuries in his past five Test matches, there’s every chance this modern-day great retires atop the tree in that metric at least.

    The authors 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. Is Steve Smith set to become the best? What data says about Test cricket’s elite 10,000+ run club – https://theconversation.com/is-steve-smith-set-to-become-the-best-what-data-says-about-test-crickets-elite-10-000-run-club-248891

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: As Trump abandons the old world order, NZ must find its place in a new ‘Pax Autocratica’

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Ogden, Associate Professor in Global Studies, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau

    Donald Trump is moving rapidly to change the contours of contemporary international affairs, with the old US-dominated world order breaking down into a multipolar one with many centres of power.

    The shift already includes the US leaving the World Health Organization and the Paris Climate Accords, questioning the value of the United Nations, and radical cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

    Such a new geopolitical age also involves an assertion of raw power, with Trump using the threat of tariffs to assert global authority and negotiating positions.

    While the US is not significantly less powerful, this new era may see it wield that power in more openly self-interested and isolationist ways. As new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio put it in January, “the post-war global order is not just obsolete – it is now a weapon being used against us”.

    With global democracy in retreat, the emerging international order looks to be moving in an authoritarian direction. As it does, the position of New Zealand’s vibrant democracy will come under mounting pressure.

    But world orders have come and gone for millennia, reflecting the ebb and flow of global economic, political and military power. Looking back to previous eras, and how countries and cultures responded to shifting geopolitical realities, can help us understand what is happening more clearly.

    An evolving world order

    Previous orders have often focused on specific centres – or “poles” – of power. These include the Concert of Europe from 1814 to 1914, the bipolar world of the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union, and the unipolar world of American dominance after the end of the Cold War and since the September 11 attacks in 2001.

    Periods of single-power dominance (or hegemony) are referred to as a “pax”, from the Latin for “peace”. We have seen the Pax Romana of the Roman Empire (27 BCE to 180 AD), multiple Pax Sinicas around China (most recently the Qing Dynasty 1644 to 1912), Pax Mongolica (the Mongol Empire from 1271 to 1368) and Pax Britannica (the British Empire from 1815 to 1924).

    It is the Pax Americana of the US, from 1945 to the present, that Trump seems bent on dismantling. We now live in an international order that is visibly in flux. With autocracy on the rise and the US at is vanguard, a “Pax Autocratica” is emerging.

    This is accentuated by the rapid rise of Asia as the main sphere of economic and military growth, particularly China and India. The world’s two most populous countries had the world’s largest and third largest economies respectively in 2023, and the second and fourth highest levels of military spending.

    The simultaneous rise of multiple power centres was already challenging the Pax Americana. Now, a new international order appears to be a certainty, with Trump openly adapting to multipolarity. Several major powers now compete for global influence, rather than any one country dominating.

    China’s preference for a multipolar international order is shared by India and Russia. Without one dominant entity, it will be the political and social basis of this order, as determined by its major actors, that matters most – not who leads it.

    Pax Democratica

    The current (now waning) international order has been underpinned by specific social, political and economic values stemming from the national identity and historical experience of the US.

    According to US political expert G. John Ikenberry, former president Woodrow Wilson’s agenda for peace after the first world war sought to “reflect distinctive American ideas and ideals”.

    Woodrow imagined an order based on collective security and shared sovereignty, liberal principles of democracy and universal human rights, free trade and international law.

    As its dominance and military strength increased in the 20th century, the US also provided security to other countries. Such power enabled Washington to create open global trade markets, as well as build core global institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization, United Nations and NATO.

    For Ikenberry, this Pax Americana (we might call it a Pax Democratica) rested on consent to the US’s “provision of security, wealth creation, and social advancement”. This was aided by the its more than 800 military bases in over 80 countries.

    The democratic deficit

    Trump undercuts the central tenets of this liberal world order and accelerates a slide towards authoritarianism. Like Russia, India and China, the US is also actively constraining human rights, attacking minorities and weakening its electoral system.

    This democratic retreat leaves a country such as New Zealand in a global minority. If Trump targets the region or country with economic tariffs, that precariousness might increase.

    On the other hand, previous world orders have not been truly hegemonic. Pax Britannica did not encompass the entire world. Nor did Pax Americana, which didn’t include China, India, the former Soviet bloc, much of the Islamic world and many developing countries.

    This suggests pockets of democracy can survive within a Pax Autocratica, especially in a multipolar world which is more tolerant of political independence.

    The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2023 Democracy Index ranked New Zealand, the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Iceland and Ireland highest because their citizens

    choose their political leaders in free and fair elections, enjoy civil liberties, prefer democracy over other political systems, can and do participate in politics, and have a functioning government that acts on their behalf.

    It is these countries that can be at the vanguard of democratic resilience.

    Chris Ogden is a Senior Research Fellow with The Foreign Policy Centre, London.

    – ref. As Trump abandons the old world order, NZ must find its place in a new ‘Pax Autocratica’ – https://theconversation.com/as-trump-abandons-the-old-world-order-nz-must-find-its-place-in-a-new-pax-autocratica-249358

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s equipment upgrade, consumer goods trade-in programs deliver fruitful results in 2024

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    China’s equipment upgrade, consumer goods trade-in programs deliver fruitful results in 2024

    BEIJING, Feb. 10 — China’s large-scale equipment upgrade and consumer goods trade-in programs yielded fruitful results last year, driving strong growth in both investment and consumption, official data showed on Monday.

    The programs, which kicked off last March, drove equipment purchases and investment up by 15.7 percent in 2024, contributing 67.6 percent to overall investment growth, and boosted sales of bulk durable consumer goods by over 1.3 trillion yuan (about 181 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

    Equipment upgrades and sales of green products have saved energy equivalent to approximately 28 million tonnes of standard coal, and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 73 million tonnes, the commission noted.

    In 2024, over 37 million consumers purchased more than 62 million eligible home appliances, with total sales reaching 270 billion yuan. Items at the highest level of energy efficiency accounted for over 90 percent of the total sales revenue.

    In the auto sector, more than 6.8 million vehicles were traded in for new ones, driving sales by 920 billion yuan. Over 60 percent of consumers opted for new energy vehicles.

    To maintain this momentum, China last month announced a raft of measures to expand the scope of its consumer goods trade-in program, including new subsidies for electronic product trade-ins, as well as an increased number of categories on its trade-in list for eligible home appliances.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: NTES launches new custom response vessel

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    The NT Emergency Service (NTES) has enhanced its marine capability with the addition of a new purpose-built response vessel.

    Officially handed over to NTES late last year, the vessel is now operational following fit out and will serve as the primary response vessel for evacuations, cargo transport, and flood rescues in the northern region. It replaces a 25-year-old vessel, which had reached the end of its service life.

    Built by local company Custom Works, the vessel was designed as an ‘in between’ option between the 5.3-meter primary flood rescue boats and the larger 6.2-meter landing crafts. The new asset is versatile and capable of transporting cargo and small ATVs. It is lighter than the larger landing craft, offering greater manoeuvrability.

    The new vessel significantly improves NTES’ response capabilities, particularly in the evacuation of people stranded in flooded communities. Additionally, it enhances the capacity to deliver supplies and cargo compared with the old boat, which only carried four people and minimal cargo. The new vessel has the capacity to carry up to 10 people or 800 kg of vital supplies, crucial for maintaining sustainability in remote communities during emergencies.

    Commissioner of NT Fire and Emergency Services, Andrew Warton, says the new vessel, will improve operational capacity during the high-risk weather season in the Top End.

    “Our NTES volunteers respond to a wide range of incidents, from flood evacuations and rescues at river crossings to assisting NT Police with inland river or dam searches and providing marine flood rescue training,”

    “Having a purpose-built asset that is tailored to our unique Northern Territory terrain is vital for handling the severe weather we face, especially in remote areas.”

    “Our crew is very pleased with the high-quality work of Custom Works. They’ve delivered a vessel that will exceed our operational requirements during the Wet Season.”

    The recent formation of the NT Fire and Emergency Services, which combines the NT Fire and Rescue Service, NT Emergency Service, and Bushfires NT into one agency, enhances our ability to respond to emergencies while prioritising community resilience.

    Media contact:

    Rickie Abraham

    89239803

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Airservices Australia announces first round of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Service Suppliers

    Source: Airservices Australia

    Airservices Australia has announced the first round of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Service Suppliers (USS) to connect to the new Flight Information Management System (FIMS), the data-sharing platform that will enable drones and other uncrewed aircraft to be seamlessly incorporated into Australian airspace. 

    Following a Request for Proposal in late 2024 seeking specialist USS technology providers to collaborate with Airservices, Australian owned and operated AvSoft and Yarra Drones, along with United States based OneSky, have been selected to participate in the first round of technical integration with the FIMS.  

    The FIMS will be at the core of Australia’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) ecosystem. It will enable Airservices to share flight information between air traffic control, traditional aircraft, and uncrewed airspace users. 

    With over 60 million drones predicted to be utilising Australian airspace by 2043, delivering the UTM ecosystem through cross government and industry collaboration will ensure a safe, efficient and harmonised airspace for both uncrewed and conventional aircraft.  

    In the lead up to Airservices’ FIMS going live in late 2025 and beyond, these partnerships will also play a critical role in collectively delivering cutting edge, digital UTM solutions for drone operators as industry providers integrate their platforms with the FIMS.  

    Supported by Airservices’ strategic partner Frequentis Australasia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the USS onboarding and integration process involves working together on end-to-end testing of FIMS capabilities, assuring technical and regulatory requirements and empowering the burgeoning uncrewed industry to thrive.  

    Airservices Australia Head of Transformation Uncrewed Services Integration, Luke Gumley, said this was a major milestone in developing the UTM ecosystem in Australia. 

    “We’re thrilled to be supporting the first cohort of UAS Service Suppliers and extend a warm welcome to OneSky, AvSoft and Yarra Drones as the expertise and experience they bring to the table is invaluable,” Luke said. 

    “We look forward to partnering with more USS through future onboarding rounds next year, which will benefit from the preliminary work we do with the first cohort. 

    “The forward leaning policy and regulatory frameworks, coupled with the collaboration between Airservices and industry in delivering open market UTM services connected to FIMS, positions Australia as a leader in enabling safe and sustainable growth of the drone and emerging aviation industries.” 

    For further information on Airservices’ work to support Australia’s UTM ecosystem visit our website. 

    About Airservices
    Airservices Australia is a government-owned organisation responsible for safely and efficiently managing air traffic in 11 per cent of the world’s airspace, as well as the provision of aviation rescue fire fighting services at Australia’s busiest airports. We are regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and work closely with our customers and industry to support the long-term growth of the aviation industry.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: MIL Analysis – Five best articles in Russian for 10.02.2025

    MIL Analysis: Here are the top five Russian language articles published today. The analysis consists of five articles that are prioritized at the moment.

    Today’s analysis provides us with economic performance and engagement with different communities. There is also a trend towards respect for human rights. The economy in China is growing and prospering.

    Education is increasing computerization skills and introducing artificial intelligence.

    “Samaraneftegaz” shows the innovative activities of Rosneft. Oil reserves have grown. In addition, science is developing day by day, so NSU scientists have developed a technique for measuring ultra-low concentrations of radioactive substances.

    Below you can read one of the articles.

    1. Financial news: Rules for managing conflicts of interest for NPFs.

    Non-state pension funds (NPFs) will be required to identify and manage conflicts of interest. Funds will be able to allow conflicts to arise only if they have notified their clients and their rights are not violated. The Ministry of Justice of Russia has registered the corresponding decree of the Bank of Russia.

    2. Cultural Code of the Celestial Empire: How to Do Business in China.

    Higher School of Economics

    By 2035, China will overtake the US in terms of GDP and become the world’s largest economy. Today, there are over 108 million entrepreneurs and 50 million industrial enterprises in this country. Last year, the economy grew by 4.8%. This opens up unique opportunities for Russian companies. Vysshka experts tell us how to enter one of the most promising markets.

    3. Vyshka launches advanced training course on AI in education.

    The Computer Science Department of the National Research University Higher School of Economics is launching an advanced training course on artificial intelligence in education. The program is designed for educators, teachers, methodologists planning to integrate AI technologies into the educational process, as well as for management teams of educational institutions interested in improving educational processes through the introduction of AI.

    4. “Samaraneftegaz replenished oil reserves by 180%.

    “Samaraneftegaz (part of Rosneft’s oil production complex) added 19 million tons of commercial oil reserves by the end of 2024, which made it possible to replenish oil production 1.8 times.

    5. NSU scientists have developed a methodology for determining ultra-low concentrations of radioactive substances.

    Scientists of the Physics Department of Novosibirsk State University have developed a technique for measuring ultra-small concentrations of radioactive substances whose decay is accompanied by gamma radiation. Data collection is carried out using a detector made of ultrapure germanium, which is part of the equipment of the NSU Interdepartmental Laboratory of Atomic Physics and Spectrometry; a special hardware and software system has been created for data processing. The first project implemented with the use of this technique is research work to determine the level of radioactive substances (radon) in the soil of mines and coal mines in the Kemerovo region.

    Learn more about MIL’s content and data services by visiting milnz.co.nz.

    Regards MIL!

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Passaic County Man Charged With Threatening Flight Attendants On An Airplane

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NEWARK, N.J. – A Passaic County, New Jersey man was arrested for threatening flight attendants and crew members during an incident in which he refused to comply with flight attendant instructions, banged on the cockpit door, and called out and threatened the captain before being escorted off the flight by law enforcement to Newark Liberty International Airport, Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna announced.

    Luis A. Vaquero, 27, of Passaic County, New Jersey, was charged by complaint in Newark federal court with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation. He appeared before Magistrate Judge Stacey D. Adams in Newark, New Jersey federal court, and was released.

    According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

    On February 9, 2025, shortly after taking off on a flight from Miami, Florida, Vaquero began threatening and harassing various passengers, including making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers. Vaquero also threatened a flight crew member who declined to serve Vaquero alcohol after the beverage service window closed, telling her, “You better watch out, shit’s gonna happen to you.”  Upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, flight attendants alerted law enforcement.  After hearing the announcement that the airplane was awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, Vaquero forced his way to the front of the plane and began banging on the flight deck door, demanding, “I need the pilot to come outside!”  When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, Vaquero yelled, “I will really break your fuckin’ jaw n***a!”  Vaquero also yelled, “I wanna see that fuckin’ captain!  Come outside you bitch ass n***a!”  When the captain emerged, Vaquero continued to make threats to the captain while six inches from his face until law enforcement intervened. 

    “The defendant is charged with threatening flight crew members and passengers while traveling to Newark. We are committed to keeping the skies safe for flying and will prosecute those who criminally interfere with the professionals responsible for ensuring passenger safety.”

    Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna

    “Over the course of a 3-hour flight, we allege Vaquero lost his temper and physically harassed not only the crew and captain, but passengers, making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passenger.”  Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly said. “It all culminated in a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck when witnesses say he banged on the cockpit door and confronted the pilot.  The harrowing flight and other similar incidents onboard airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members. FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal—they’re breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice.”

    The charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

    Acting United States Attorney Vikas Khanna credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly in Newark, with the investigation leading to the charge. He also thanked the Port Authority Police Department, under the direction of Superintendent of Police Edward T. Cetnar, for its assistance.

    The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Rachelle M. Navarro of the Bank Integrity, Money Laundering & Recovery Unit in Newark.

    The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

                                         ###

    Defense counsel: Adalgiza A. Nunez, Esq., Newark, New Jersey

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Homestead Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Machinegun, Trafficking Drugs, and Other Offenses While on Federal Supervised Release for Prior Conviction; Plea Agreement Calls for Sentence of 35 Years in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A former resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of violating federal narcotics and firearms laws and agreed that later this year he will be sentenced to 35 years in prison, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced today.

    Erik Addison, 28, pleaded guilty to four counts before United States District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan, including possession with intent to distribute a quantity of fentanyl, possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

    In connection with the guilty plea, the Court was advised that, on May 8, 2023, law enforcement in Pittsburgh attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Addison when he fled police and then abandoned and ran from the vehicle. Addison was pursued, detained, and arrested, with a police video camera recording the defendant in possession of a firearm later determined to be a Glock 19 9mm pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device, commonly referred to as a Glock switch, intended to convert a weapon into a fully automatic machinegun. Investigators also recovered from Addison two cell phones, more than $3,200 in cash, and car keys.

    A search of the vehicle registered to Addison revealed a black bag containing 28 bricks of fentanyl, a 31 round 9mm Glock magazine, and Addison’s state ID card. The suspected fentanyl was confirmed, by laboratory testing, to consist of fentanyl as well as a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. Addison’s cell phone contained extensive evidence of Addison’s drug trafficking and knowledge of Glock switches, including entries in which he described having such firearms. At the time of the offenses to which Addison pleaded guilty, he was serving a term of supervised release following his conviction for a prior federal firearms offense in 2021. Federal law prohibits possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon.

    In addition to the federal charges, Addison is also facing charges in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas stemming from his conduct on May 8, 2023. On October 2, 2023, while detained at the Allegheny County Jail awaiting trial on his state and federal charges, Addison was found in possession of ABD-Butanica, a synthetic cannabinoid and Schedule I controlled substance.

    “Erik Addison’s blatant disregard for the law by possessing a dangerous firearm in connection with illegal fentanyl trafficking while on federal supervised release for a prior conviction and then, possessing another controlled substance while incarcerated on those charges, demonstrates the need to have dangerous criminals like him off of our streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Rivetti. “Today’s plea is a testament to the good work of our law enforcement partners in helping to bring violent traffickers such as Addison to justice.”

    “Armed with fentanyl, heroin, and a pistol converted into a dangerous machinegun via an illegal ‘switch,’ this defendant was a deadly threat to his neighborhood,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Division. “Stopping criminals from endangering our communities with illegal firearms is a top ATF priority. We thank our local partners for their diligence and courage in this apprehension, as well as the United States Attorney’s Office’s support as we work to make our communities safer.”

    “We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in moving this case to a resolution,” said Allegheny County Police Superintendent Christopher Kearns. “These violent incidents leave a lasting impact throughout our community, and only strengthen our commitment to work with our local and federal partners to keep dangerous, illegal weapons off our streets.”

    Judge Ranjan scheduled sentencing for May 29, 2025. As to the most serious offense, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the law provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years of imprisonment with a maximum possible sentence of life, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. Under the federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Douglas C. Maloney and Brendan T. Conway are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

    The investigation and prosecution of Addison was the result of a collaborative effort between the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Allegheny County Police Department, and Edgewood Borough Police Department.

    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.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Geopolitical, Environmental, Socioeconomic Crises Threatening Development Gains, Under-Secretary-General Tells Commission for Social Development

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Global solidarity is more essential than ever to address poverty, hunger, inequality and other pressing challenges facing humanity, speakers emphasized today at the opening of the 2025 annual session of the Commission for Social Development, calling for increased investment in social protection to meet these urgent needs.

    “We must step up our efforts and confront these challenges and development gaps, with determination and a collective resolve,” said Li Junhua, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs.  He noted that geopolitical, environmental and socioeconomic crises — compounded by megatrends like digital transformation and aging populations — threaten hard-won development gains, jeopardizing solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion.

    “We must reverse these trends,” urged Philémon Yang (Cameroon), President of the General Assembly, adding:  “When every $1 invested in social protection yields $3 of return, measured in improved health and productivity — we literally have everything to gain.  It offers our best shot to ensure we leave no one behind”.

    The Commission — established in 1946 by the Economic and Social Council as one of its functional organs — advises the United Nations on social development issues.  Its sixty-third session will run through 14 February under the priority theme:  “Strengthening solidarity, social inclusion and social cohesion to accelerate the delivery of the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration on Social Development and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development as well as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”.

    In his introductory remarks, Bob Rae (Canada), President of the Economic and Social Council, stressed the importance of leaving no one behind and expressed deep concern about a high level of unemployment among young people:  “If young people can’t get their foot on the ladder, it creates a huge range of social problems.”  Developing an international legal instrument on the rights of older people could strengthen efforts to shift perceptions about old people and ageism and help understand what more can be done to allow them to become and remain active participants in their societies.  Moreover, he stressed the need to address the challenges faced by people with disabilities, which “we have not made anywhere near the progress that we need to make”.

    Liana Almony, Chair of the NGO (non-governmental organization) Committee for Social Development, demanded modifying certain sociocultural patterns and norms to eliminate stigma, prejudices and stereotypes.  “Vulnerable and marginalized individuals face social injustice, discrimination and exclusion in many, if not all, aspects of their everyday lives,” she said, adding:  “Legal recognition and identity play a critical role to ensure the global community upholds its promise of leaving no one behind.”

    Judy Kipkenda, Co-Chair of the UN Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, speaking on behalf of global youth constituents, put forward several recommendations to the Commission, including empowering youth-led organizations and providing funding, technical support, and platforms for youth-led initiatives that address social and economic challenges.  “By investing in youth, promoting equity and fostering social harmony, we can create a more just, equitable and sustainable future for all,” she said.

    “The year 2025 is a crucial year,” said Guy Rider, Under-Secretary-General for Policy in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General, noting that the second World Summit for Social Development [to be held in Doha in November 2025] must lay the foundation in fulfilling the commitments of the Copenhagen Declaration and accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.  “With only five years remaining until our SDG [Sustainable Development Goal] deadline, we simply must secure progress in the social dimension of sustainable development,” he said, adding:  “We must listen more attentively to people’s voices and ensure that they can shape their own futures.”

    Commission Chair Krzysztof Maria Szczerski (Poland) emphasized that the expected outcome of this session is actionable policy recommendations to support Member States and the Economic and Social Council in implementing the outcomes of the 2023 SDG Summit and the 2024 Summit of the Future, thereby accelerating the implementation of 2030 Agenda and preparing for the second World Summit for Social Development.

    The Commission also held a high-level panel discussion to take stock of the first World Summit in 1995 and the upcoming second conference.

    In his keynote speech, Danilo Türk, President of Club de Madrid, recalled that as a former President of Slovenia, he was personally involved in the preparation for the first Copenhagen Summit 30 years ago.  He pointed out that in the current global political climate, social development and social issues are often neglected or seen as not among the main priorities.  “That’s a big problem, a problem that affects the United Nations as an organization, as a community of nations,” he said.  So, the second Summit in Doha should, most importantly, reaffirm the existence of the UN social development mandate.

    He also highlighted the need to recognize that social challenges are increasingly multidimensional, requiring integrated, synergetic approaches to policymaking.  It is also essential to develop a practical methodology to systemically assess both policy proposals and the obstacles to their implementation, ensuring that ambitious goals are not set without clear mechanisms for action. He also called for creating a dedicated institutional space for UN agencies with strong social mandates to collaborate strategically, enhancing the Economic and Social Council’s role in fostering integrated solutions.  “The 1995 Copenhagen Summit was known as the ‘People’s Summit’, and we must reignite that spirit today,” he concluded.

    Valérie Berset Bircher, Deputy Head of the International Labour Affairs Division of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, said that advances have been made since Copenhagen.  “Extreme poverty has declined, life expectancy has increased, more children are in school and the world has witnessed economic growth,” she said.  The COVID-19 pandemic, however, has slowed progress.  “We need to have policies, measures and action that ensure that we are truly leaving no one behind,” she added.  Wealth inequality in the last several years has widened, leaving many unable to benefit from economic growth.  Women, young people and informal workers often lack access to stable jobs, fair wages and social protection.  As it prepares for the upcoming Summit in Doha, Switzerland will focus on policies that strengthen labour institutions and individual capacity to take advantage of the opportunities offered by today’s changing world, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable groups.

    Mario Nava, Director-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion of the European Commission, outlined efforts undertaken by the bloc.  Social rights are “at the centre of our action” with three headline targets that deal with employment, skill development and poverty eradication.  On the latter, the bloc will propose its first anti-poverty strategy in 2026 addressing the root causes of the scourge.  It will strengthen its child guarantee supported by the European Social Fund.  A new pact for European social dialogue has been agreed and will be signed at the beginning of March, he noted.  Looking forward, the views of social partners and civil society must be duly considered at the second Summit, where world leaders must renew the social contract, rebuild trust and embrace a comprehensive vision of human rights. International labour standards remain the basis for social development, he added.

    Anousheh Karvar, French Government representative to the International Labor Organization (ILO) and to the G-7 and G-20 for labour, employment and social protection, said that it is time to bring about social justice to as many people as possible.  There are many challenges that remain unresolved.  “As we speak, more than half of the world population does not have access to any social protections,” she stressed.  For 30 years, there has been a “certain fatigue”, she went on to say, urging the need to “breathe new life into the social agenda”.  The November 2025 Summit in Doha must not limit itself to “stock taking or goal setting”.  It must also call upon the world to come to an agreement on how to achieve development goals.  “We must fully implement the standards and norms set by the International Labour Organization (ILO) for more than 100 years,” she urged.

    Eleni Nikolaidou, Expert Minister Counsellor and Deputy Director General of Hellenic Aid at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, said that the second Summit must advocate for sustained, long-term investment in social protection and employment programmes, strengthening social protection systems.  The Summit must also ensure equitable access to quality education and universal access to healthcare.  It must promote policies that support active aging by ensuring the inclusion of older persons in social, economic and cultural life, and leverage technology and digital transformation.  The Summit must also strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities by implementing comprehensive policies that promote accessibility, social inclusion and equal opportunities.  “Finally, we need a clear road map for action beyond 2025 — the Summit should not only review past commitments but set out specific, time-bound goals for implementation, with monitoring mechanisms to track progress and accountability,” she said.

    Fabio Veras, Senior Researcher at the Institute for Applied Economic Research, and Head of the International Policy Center for Inclusive Development, said that the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few continues to hinder social mobility.  Climate change, armed conflicts and economic crises amplify existing vulnerabilities, undermining progress and hindering the achievements of the SDGs.  “The lack of adequate social coverage, particularly in low-income countries, further compromises progress on the SDGs,” he said.  “Billions of people remain unprotected against life’s inherent risks perpetuating cycles of poverty and vulnerability,” he went on to say.  Further, he urged the need for a fundamental review of the international financial system to ensure that developing countries have access to affordable, long-term financing.  “Expanding universal social protection is necessary for reducing poverty, eradicating hunger and reducing inequality,” he added.

    Charles Katoanga, Director of the Division for Inclusive Social Development at the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, introduced the following four reports of the Secretary-General:  “Strengthening social cohesion through social inclusion” (document E/CN.5/2025/3); Social dimensions of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (document E/CN.5/2025/2); Policies and programmes involving youth (document E/CN.5/2025/4); and Modalities for the fifth review and appraisal of the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002 (document E/CN.5/2025/5).  He also introduced a note of the Secretary-General on “Social resilience and social development” (document E/CN.5/2025/7).

    In other business, the Commission elected, by acclamation, Joslyne Kwishaka (Burundi), AlMaha Mubarak Al-Thani (Qatar) and Oliver Gruenbacher (Austria) as Vice-Chairs, and designated Vice-Chair Paola Andrea Morris Garrido (Guatemala) to serve as Rapporteur.  The Commission also adopted the provisional agenda (document E/CN.5/2025/1).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bostock Capitals Announces Enhanced Crypto Management Services with Proven High-Return Strategies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Los Angeles, California, Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bostock Capitals, a leader in innovative financial solutions, today announces the expansion of its crypto management services, led by veteran Crypto Manager Scarlett Bostock. With over a decade of specialized experience in Forex and crypto trading, Bostock Capitals offers unmatched expertise in wealth generation through cryptocurrency investments.

    Scarlett Bostock, Crypto Manager at Bostock Capitals, Introduces Advanced High-Return Crypto Trading Strategies

    Since its inception in 2013, Scarlett Crypto Management has been at the forefront of developing proprietary trading algorithms and strategies. These have been rigorously tested in real-market conditions to ensure consistent success and high returns for investors. As of 2019, the firm has successfully managed high-value funds exceeding $500 million, showcasing a proven track record through its advanced Live Command Centre and custom Crypto Trading Algorithm.

    “We are committed to offering only the highest quality trades and portfolio management services,” stated Scarlett Bostock. “Our approach involves meticulous technical and fundamental analysis with continuous trade monitoring, ensuring maximum performance and security for our clients’ investments.”

    Bostock Capitals excels in risk management by implementing a robust strategy that includes an optimal risk/reward ratio, innovative hedging options, and diversified trading portfolios. The firm’s financial consulting services further support clients in achieving their financial objectives with tailored advice and strategic insights.

    In addition to ongoing advancements in crypto trading, Bostock Capitals is exploring new partnership opportunities through equity, debt, or joint ventures as part of its next expansion phase. “Our business model ensures a win-win situation—we succeed when our clients succeed, aligning our goals directly with their financial success,” added Bostock.

    Investors are encouraged to join Bostock Capitals in navigating the complexities of the crypto markets, even during periods of high volatility. The firm’s proprietary quantitative models are designed to capitalize on market fluctuations, ensuring profitability through dynamically managed trading strategies overseen by skilled portfolio managers.

    Risk Declaration: Crypto trading involves significant risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Bostock Capitals is a registered member of FINRA and SIPC, adhering to the highest standards of regulatory compliance. All trading decisions are made with a stringent risk management framework to protect and maximize client investments.

    Bostock Capitals is dedicated to redefining the investment landscape, enabling clients to achieve their financial goals through cutting-edge crypto trading technologies and methodologies.

    About Bostock Capitals

    Bostock Capitals specializes in cryptocurrency trading and wealth management, providing high-return investment strategies and financial consulting to a global clientele. Founded in 2013 by Crypto Manager Scarlett Bostock, the company is committed to delivering superior financial outcomes for investors through continuous innovation and responsible trading practices.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Peters and Colleagues Call for Immediate Pause on Elon Musk and DOGE’s Activities in Federal Agencies Amid Alarming Reports

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Michigan Gary Peters
    Published: 02.06.2025
    Peters Joined More than 30 Senators in Holding the Senate Floor Overnight to Delay Vought’s Confirmation

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, helped lead a group of Senate Democrats in holding the Senate floor overnight and throughout the day to delay the confirmation of Russell Vought as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Peters also voted against Vought’s nomination.  
    “If we confirm Russell Vought to be just another one of President Trump’s cronies, the American people will pay the price. Once he’s back at OMB, he will only supercharge the Trump Administration’s effort to unlawfully cancel programs that Congress has authorized on a bipartisan basis and that Americans are counting on,” Peters said on the Senate floor. 
    Peters continued: “It’s not a stretch to say that Russell Vought would do everything he could to give President Trump even more power, especially when it comes to controlling the federal budget. If the President wants to block funding to blue states, Russ Vought will do it. If the President wants to defund firefighters, Russ Vought will do it. If the President wants to cancel Medicaid benefits, Russ Vought will do it. If the President wants to deny victims of a disaster assistance that they desperately need, Russ Vought, we’ve already seen, will do it. Russ Vought’s record on breaking the law and sowing chaos across government is quite frankly frightening.” 

    To watch a video clip of Senator Peters’ remarks, click here.  
    In his remarks, Peters raised concerns about Vought’s record as Director of OMB during the first Trump Administration, including multiple times that Vought broke the law by refusing to disburse funds that Congress passed into law. For example, while at OMB previously, Vought denied disaster assistance to hurricane victims in the aftermath of the storm, causing extended suffering and delaying recovery efforts. Peters argued that if confirmed, Vought will continue to block funds from going to communities that count on them, as seen with the chaotic funding freeze the Trump Administration announced last week. Peters also discussed Vought’s plans to remove qualified, nonpartisan civil servants from the federal workforce and replace them with partisan political loyalists. Removing the expert employees who provide veterans’ health care, cut Social Security checks and protect our homeland security would have devastating consequences for people in Michigan and across the country who are counting on those critical services. Peters also opposed Vought’s nomination in the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.  
    You can see the full video of Peters remarks on Facebook and X. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cortez Masto, Western Senators Warn that Trump’s Illegal Funding Cuts Increase Risk of Devastating Wildfires

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined group of Western U.S. Senators to sound the alarm over reports that the Bureau of Land Management issued stop work orders to small businesses and organizations across America related to the removal of hazardous fuels on public lands. Delaying these treatments even for a short period can mean missing out on the right seasonal and weather conditions for safely treating hazardous fuels and reducing the risk of devastating fires. 

    Their letter follows President Donald Trump’s illegal executive orders cutting federal funds to mitigate and fight wildfires and comes as communities nationwide prepare for wildfire season.

    “Catastrophic wildfires across the United States are an ongoing national crisis and responding to them must be a national priority. These stop work orders and funding freezes jeopardize communities that depend on a robust federal response to our wildfire crisis – and also jeopardize small businesses, often in frontier and rural communities, that are contracted to do the work on the ground to reduce hazardous fuels,” wrote the Senators.

    “As we’ve seen with the recent fires surrounding Los Angeles, wildfire does not distinguish between homes and trees. But we do have ways to mitigate the risk,” the Senators stressed. “One of the most effective strategies to reduce that risk is to reduce the hazardous natural fuels that surround our communities. These fuels reduction projects save lives and property, reduce the danger to firefighters, and return our lands to a fire-adapted ecosystem that can better withstand the threat to human life, communities, infrastructure, and property.  

    “By terminating or even pausing these projects, all of the progress made at protecting these communities is at risk. We are imploring you to rescind the order to stop work on these hazardous fuels reduction efforts, as well as any other wildland fire management programs that are working to reduce risk and safeguard communities from catastrophic wildfire,” the Senators demanded.

    The full text of the letter can be found here.

    Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts to support Nevada firefighters and combat the wildfire crisis in the West, securing billions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act to support wildfire risk reduction and new firefighting equipment. She recently visited the burn scar of the Davis Fire and discussed key resources she’s delivered for wildfires fuels reduction in Northern Nevada. She also ensured all federal wildland firefighters—including many working in Nevada — got a significant pay raise in 2023 and helped designate the Sierra and Elko Fronts as Wildfire Crisis Strategy Landscapes for wildfire prevention efforts.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Murkowski joins Colleagues in Calling for Quick Implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski

    02.06.25

    Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) joined 27 colleagues in calling for the immediate implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act to provide full Social Security benefits for thousands of Alaskan public servants impacted by Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act, which fully repeals the two Social Security provisions WEP and GPO, was signed into law on January 5, 2024. Senator Murkowski co-sponsored the legislation every year since 2003, praised the long overdue passage of the law. She believes that implementation of the law now needs to be a priority for the Social Security Administration. 

    “The Social Security Administration’s website currently states, ‘SSA expects that it could take more than one year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits’ owed under the Social Security Fairness Act. We call for the immediate implementation of this legislation to provide prompt relief to the millions of Americans impacted by WEP and GPO,” wrote the senators.

    Murkowski was joined by U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Susan Collins (R-ME), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Angus King (I-ME), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mark Warner (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

    Read the full letter here or below:

    Dear Acting Commissioner King,

    We write to you concerning the implementation of the Social Security Fairness Act (Public Law No: 118-273). This legislation passed Congress on an overwhelmingly bipartisan basis on December 21st, 2024 and was signed into law on January 5th, 2025. The Social Security Fairness Act restores full Social Security benefits for the millions of teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public servants who are unfairly penalized by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO).

    The Social Security Administration’s website currently states, “SSA expects that it could take more than one year to adjust benefits and pay all retroactive benefits” owed under the Social Security Fairness Act. We call for the immediate implementation of this legislation to provide prompt relief to the millions of Americans impacted by WEP and GPO. In the interim, we request monthly updates and briefings regarding the status of the Social Security Administration’s progress towards implementing the Social Security Fairness Act.

    Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.  We look forward to your response.

    Background

    Senator Murkowski will continue to keep Alaskans updated on this issue via her website at https://www.murkowski.senate.gov/social-security-fairness-act-information. 

    The WEP, enacted in 1983, reduces the Social Security benefits of workers who receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government for employment not covered by Social Security. The GPO, enacted in 1977, reduces Social Security spousal benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers whose spouses receive pensions from a federal, state, or local government. Together, these provisions reduce Social Security benefits for nearly 3 million Americans – including those who worked teachers, state employees, and public safety officers. Alaska is one of the most disproportionately and negatively affected states per capita by the WEP and GPO.

    The Social Security Fairness Act has been endorsed by the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations Alaska (AFL-CIO Alaska), Alaska Fire Chiefs Association (AFCA), Alaska Professional Fighters Association (APFA), National Education Association – Alaska (NEA-A), National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association Alaska (NARFE Alaska), Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Strengthen Medicare (NCPSSM), Social Security Works, Strengthen Social Security Coalition, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), International Union of Police Association (IUPA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), National Education Association (NEA), and the Senior Citizens League.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Exemption From the Requirement to Report Certain Personally Identifiable Information to the Consolidated Audit Trail

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today provided an exemption from the requirement to report certain personally identifiable information (PII) – names, addresses, and years of birth – to the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT) for natural persons.  Bad actors have become increasingly sophisticated and, in the event of a breach, may be able to use the names, addresses, and years of birth to impersonate a customer or broker-dealer and gain access to a customer’s account. Providing an exemption from the requirement to report this PII to the CAT will help mitigate potential security risks.

    “Over 12 years ago, the CAT was designed with the goal of creating a modernized audit trail system to enable regulators to analyze and reconstruct market events,” said SEC Acting Chairman Mark Uyeda. “Today’s exemptive order eliminates the requirement to report names, addresses, and years of birth for any U.S. natural person who trades in the stock market and recognizes that such information is not necessary to achieve CAT’s objectives. Despite today’s action, bad actors and other miscreants who engage in insider trading, market manipulation, and other schemes should be forewarned that the Commission has more than sufficient investigative tools to hold them accountable.”

    Names, addresses, and years of birth were originally required to be collected in the CAT to facilitate the generation of unique anonymized customer IDs and to help regulators identify the person(s) responsible for a trade. In 2020, the Commission issued an order exempting the reporting of some of the most sensitive PII, including social security numbers. Today, the Commission issued an order exempting additional PII from the CAT. The CAT will still be able to generate reliable and consistent anonymized customer IDs even if such PII is not reported to the CAT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Declawing the CAT: Statement on Consolidated Audit Trail Exemptive Relief

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    Data are the foundation of advancement. They sit at the heart of innovation, technology, learning, community building, and so many other values crucial to our progress. Data can also be a critical tool in preventing fraud and wrongdoing.

    But our data can also be deeply personal or subject to exploitation. That is why, when the government collects data, such collection must be done with due care and assurances that those who access our data are doing so with adequate guardrails and proper purpose. There must be processes and procedures followed to ensure responsible and appropriate use.[1] The fact that data are a powerful tool is not a reason to stop their collection altogether; rather, it is a reason to make use of data for significant and laudable goals—like protecting American business, investors, and the economy. We must weigh the law enforcement and regulatory benefits of the data collection against the potential costs.

    The Consolidated Audit Trail (“CAT”) is a seminal example of how data collection can be used for good purpose. The CAT helps make our markets safer, more efficient, and can act as a powerful tool in ferreting out wrongdoing. Yet today, by eliminating critical data collection, we undermine its use and our own effectiveness. We are wiping away the fingerprints from the scene of the crime.

    The agency adopted the CAT after the 2010 “Flash Crash” when U.S. markets collapsed and then partially rebounded in less than an hour.[2] The whiplash in prices undermined market confidence and caused significant investor losses.[3] It was clear following the crash that regulators, including this agency, were unprepared to respond to a market event of that magnitude. A complete regulatory response would have required a full and robust analysis of data we did not have.[4] It ultimately took the SEC nearly five months to determine the root causes of the crash,[5] and to this day, the Commission does not have a sense of who was harmed.

    We must be more responsive than that. For quick and effective oversight in a crisis, regulators need access to a timely and comprehensive set of data—whether we are trying to figure out a major market event like the Flash Crash, investigate fraud, or identify suspicious foreign activity that may indicate market manipulation or infiltration. The CAT was designed to address outdated regulatory infrastructure by improving the completeness, accuracy, accessibility, and timeliness of data needed to support robust regulatory oversight. [6] And, in fact, it has. [7]

    Unfortunately, today we eliminate the CAT’s collection of the most basic customer identifying information,[8] thus impairing regulators’ ability to understand suspicious activity, unwind events, or stave off market disruptions. Today’s order itself acknowledges the negative impact this will have on regulatory efficiency but fails to grapple with the consequences of these diminished capabilities. It leaves unanswered the most basic questions. For example, will it be more difficult for regulators to spot fraud? How much harder will it be to identify certain types of market manipulation? Will it be more difficult to identify and address concerns relating to certain foreign ownership? Will it be more difficult to identify and compensate the victims of swindlers? In times of market disruption and ongoing fraud or manipulation, loss of time means loss of money and loss in market confidence. There is no question that this decision is a loss for markets and investor protection.

    [1] Given that protecting the security and confidentiality of Consolidated Audit Trail data has long been a priority of the Commission, there are safeguards in place to protect this information. For example, Rule 613(e)(4)(i)(A) requires policies and procedures to ensure the security and confidentiality of all information reported to the CAT’s central repository by requiring that the Participants and their employees agree to use appropriate safeguards to ensure the confidentiality of such data and agree not to use such data for any purpose other than surveillance and regulatory purposes. In addition, Rule 613(e)(4)(i)(B) requires the Participants adopt and enforce rules that require information barriers between regulatory staff and nonregulatory staff with regard to access and use of data in the central repository and permit only persons designated by plan sponsors to have access to the data in the central repository. Moreover, Rule 613(e)(4)(i)(C) requires that the Plan Processor develop and maintain a comprehensive information security program for the central repository, with dedicated staff, that is subject to regular reviews by the Chief Compliance Officer; have a mechanism to confirm the identity of all persons permitted to access the data; and maintain a record of all instances where such persons access the data.

    [2] See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 67457 (July 18, 2012), 77 FR 45722 (Aug. 1, 2012) (“Rule 613 Adopting Release”). The Commission adopted Rule 613 to require self-regulatory organizations (“SROs”) to submit a national market system plan to create, implement, and maintain a consolidated order tracking system, or consolidated audit trail, with respect to the trading of NMS securities, that would capture customer and order event information for such securities, across all markets, from the time of order inception through routing, cancellation, modification, or execution ( the “CAT Plan” or “Plan”). The SROs then developed and submitted the CAT Plan, and in 2016 the Commission voted unanimously on a bi-partisan basisto approve the Plan. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 78318 (November 15, 2016), 81 FR 84696, (Nov. 23, 2016) (“CAT Plan Approval Order”); see also Final Commission Votes for Agency Proceeding, 03-Nov-16, Interim Final Temporary Rule Regarding the Consolidated Audit Trail, approved 3-0,available athttps://www.sec.gov/about/commission-votes/annual/commission-votes-ap-2016.xml.

    [3] See U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Preliminary Findings Regarding the Market Events of May 6, 2010, Report of the Staffs of the CFTC and SEC to the Joint Advisory Committee on Emerging Regulatory Issues (May 18, 2010) available at https://www.sec.gov/sec-cftc-prelimreport.pdf.

    [4] See Rule 613 Adopting Release at 45732. Although the SROs and the Commission quickly implemented a single-stock circuit breaker pilot program as an initial response, a more complete regulatory response required a full and robust analysis of additional data. SEC staff had to cobble together data from disparate sources, such as exchange order books and different SRO audit trails. SEC staff encountered major problems that hindered their ability to figure out what happened during the Flash Crash, such as not being able to accurately sequence events across the multiple data sources or identify and eliminate duplicate orders. Moreover, SEC staff had to analyze the order books for thousands of equities, and even then, the reconstruction was not fully complete. Id. at 45733.

    [5] Id. at 45733.

    [6] See CAT Plan Approval Order at 84727 (stating that the Commission believes the CAT Plan will facilitate regulators’ access to more complete, accurate and timely audit trail data, and allow for more efficient and effective surveillance and analysis, which will better enable regulators to detect misconduct, reconstruct market events, and assess potential regulatory changes). “Completeness” refers to whether a data source represents all market activity of interest to regulators, and whether the data is sufficiently detailed to provide the information regulators require. “Accuracy” refers to whether the data about a particular order or trade is correct and reliable. “Accessibility” refers to how the data is stored, how practical it is to assemble, aggregate, and process the data, and whether all appropriate regulators could acquire the data they need. “Timeliness” refers to when the data is available to regulators and how long it would take to process before it could be used for regulatory analysis. See Rule 613 Adopting Release at 45727.

    [7] See e.g., Press Release, SEC Charges Financial Services Professional and Associate in $47 Million Front-Running Scheme (Dec. 14, 2022) available at https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2022-228 (stating that SEC staff analyzed trading using the CAT database to uncover defendant’s allegedly fraudulent trading and to identify how he profited by repeatedly front-running large trades by the other defendant’s employer); see also SEC v. Lawrence Billimek, and Alan Williams, Case 1:22-cv-10542 (S.D.N.Y. filed Dec. 14, 2022), available at https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/complaints/2022/comp-pr2022-228.pdf. In addition, information in the Gamestop report was also derived from staff review of data maintained in the CAT database. See Staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Staff Report on Equity and Options Market Structure Conditions in Early 2021 (Oct. 14, 2021)(colloquially known as the “Gamestop Report”) available at https://www.sec.gov/files/staff-report-equity-options-market-struction-conditions-early-2021.pdf.

    [8] See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 34-102386 (Feb. 10, 2025). Specifically, the CAT will no longer collect, and broker-dealers will no longer report, name, address, and year of birth for natural persons with transformed security numbers (“SSNs”), or individual taxpayer identification numbers (“ITINs”). The Commission previously took exemptive action to eliminate individual social security numbers from the CAT. See Securities Exchange Act Release No. 88393 (Mar. 17, 2020), 85 FR 16152 (Mar. 20, 2020). Accordingly, today’s exemptive relief represents yet another reduction in the data available to regulators, further undermining the effectiveness of CAT.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Armed Carjacker Detained Pending Trial for March 2024 Carjacking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

                WASHINGTON – Miquel Beasley, 22, of Bryans Road, MD, was charged on February 5, 2025, and ordered detained on February 7, 2025, for an armed carjacking stemming from an offense in Southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                According to court records, at approximately 3:15 p.m. on March 22, 2024, the victim met up with Beasley in the 3900 block of First Street SE to purchase marijuana.  Beasley entered the victim’s car, asked if the victim wanted to purchase marijuana, and the victim handed Beasley approximately $250.  Beasley then pulled out a firearm, pointed it at the victim, and demanded that the victim get out of the car or else he would shoot the victim.  The victim got out of his car, and Beasley got into the driver’s seat of the victim’s car and drove away. 

                An arrest warrant was issued on June 20, 2024, and Beasley was arrested on that warrant on January 30, 2025. 

                This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

                An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Connecticut Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Ammunition

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Tip from homeowner led officers to hypothermic Yardley Davis one day after he attempted to evade arrest by hiding in the woods

    BANGOR, Maine: A Connecticut man pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Bangor to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

    According to court records, in December 2021, a Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office deputy on routine patrol in Greenbush noted that the license plates on a car pulled over on the side of the road did not match the vehicle. The deputy pulled the vehicle over as it started to move. The vehicle’s operator, who was arrested for operating after license suspension, stated that a passenger they identified as Yardley Davis, 39, had fled when the vehicle was pulled over. The driver further stated that Davis had two guns in his possession and before fleeing had said if he was caught with them he would go to jail.

    The following morning, law enforcement received a report from a nearby homeowner that they had found gloves, a black ski mask and a rope next to a barbed wire fence on their property. Davis was found in the woods following a search and flown to the hospital for treatment for hypothermia. A further search of the woods by a K9 unit led to the recovery of two 9mm handguns and 45 rounds of ammunition. A forensic analysis of the firearms by the Maine State Police Crime Laboratory revealed the presence of Davis’s DNA on both firearms. Davis is precluded from possessing firearms or ammunition due to a 2005 conviction in Connecticut Superior Court for robbery in the first degree. 

    Davis faces up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000 to be followed by up to three years of supervised release. A federal district judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner & Kaine Sound the Alarm Over National Parks Staffing Shortages Due to Trump’s Hiring Freeze

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Virginia Tim Kaine

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined their colleagues in writing a letter urging newly-confirmed U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to immediately take action to resolve looming staffing shortages at the National Park Service. National Parks have an immense impact on Virginia’s economy. In 2023, Virginia attracted over 23 million park visitors, which helped 21,000 jobs and generated over $2 billion in economic output in the Commonwealth.

    The letter follows President Trump’s hiring freeze, his cancellation of thousands of job offers for seasonal National Park Service employees, and his buyout offers made without clear legal authority. These actions pave the way for a damaging loss of staff at national parks—which threatens emergency response times, park safety, and local economies across the nation.

    “National Park Service rangers carry out a wide array of functions critical to protecting natural resources, keeping visitors safe, providing for recreation, and creating an inspiring and educational experience for visitors…Without seasonal staff during this peak season, visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable,” wrote the senators.

    “We are also alarmed that the administration’s offer of deferred resignation and voluntary early retirement, made without clear legal authority, as well as open threats about future terminations will lead to a damaging loss of full-time staff at the National Park Service, which is already operating well below prior staffing levels despite significant increases in visitation,” they continued. “As a result of onerous budget caps during the 2010s, the National Park Service lost 15% of its staff while park visitation also increased by 15%. If a significant number of National Park Service employees take one of the offers – or further terminations are made – park staffing will be in chaos.  Not only does this threaten the full suite of visitor services, but could close entire parks altogether.”

    The senators concluded, “And local economies don’t deserve to have their livelihoods destroyed for political gain. We urge your cooperation in protecting national parks for the enjoyment of everyone by ensuring National Park Service staffing meets the needs of the 433 national park units in all 50 states.”

    In addition to Warner and Kaine, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-MN), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Dear Secretary Burgum: 

    We urge you to immediately reissue seasonal employment offers for the National Park Service, officially rescind damaging and short-sighted deferred resignation and early retirement offers, and to instead work to safeguard, grow, and shape the National Park Service workforce to meet the needs of our national parks and their visitors.

    We are alarmed that the National Park Service revoked employment offers for seasonal staff for the upcoming summer season. Incoming seasonal staff – whose work is critical to managing the influx of visitors during the summer “peak season” – had offers in their hands that were yanked away just days after the inauguration.

    National Park Service rangers carry out a wide array of functions critical to protecting natural resources, keeping visitors safe, providing for recreation, and creating an inspiring and educational experience for visitors. National Park units experience a summer surge in visitation that peaks in July, and the Service hires more than 6,000 seasonal employees to manage that extra work. Without seasonal staff during this peak season, visitor centers may close, bathrooms will be filthy, campgrounds may close, guided tours will be cut back or altogether cancelled, emergency response times will drop, and visitor services like safety advice, trail recommendations, and interpretation will be unavailable. 

    We are also alarmed that the administration’s offer of deferred resignation and voluntary early retirement, made without clear legal authority, as well as open threats about future terminations will lead to a damaging loss of full-time staff at the National Park Service, which is already operating well below prior staffing levels despite significant increases in visitation. As a result of onerous budget caps during the 2010s, the National Park Service lost 15% of its staff while park visitation also increased by 15%. If a significant number of National Park Service employees take one of the offers – or further terminations are made – park staffing will be in chaos.  Not only does this threaten the full suite of visitor services, but could close entire parks altogether.

    Gutting staffing at national park units will devastate local “gateway” communities where parks generate significant economic activity – from hotels to restaurants to stores to outfitters. In 2023, an estimated 325 million park visitors spent an estimated $26.4 billion in local gateway regions, supporting an estimated 415,000 jobs and $55.6 billion in total economic output in the national economy.

    Americans showing up to national parks this summer and for years to come don’t deserve to have their vacations ruined by a completely preventable – and completely irresponsible – staffing shortage. And local economies don’t deserve to have their livelihoods destroyed for political gain. We urge your cooperation in protecting national parks for the enjoyment of everyone by ensuring National Park Service staffing meets the needs of the 433 national park units in all 50 states.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Klobuchar Statement on Cuts to Crucial Health Research Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the following statement on the proposed cut to National Institutes of Health (NIH) research grants. Today, 22 state attorneys general – including Minnesota’s – filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration challenging this action.

    “This illegal move endangers critical clinical studies and research, and extinguishes hope for so many Americans looking for cures. At the University of Minnesota alone, it could derail life-saving medical research on cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. NIH research also supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country and spurs economic growth, including nearly 8,000 jobs and $1.7 billion of economic activity in Minnesota. This lawsuit is a crucial step to reversing this illegal move that will set back medical innovation and lead to unnecessary suffering.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –