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Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Continues Raising Alarm On Illegal Trump Admin Attempt to Freeze Federal Funding, Ongoing Lack of Clarity for Panicked Families and Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “The Trump administration’s half-hearted steps yesterday to clean up this massive mess they have made just affirms two things—one: they are still illegally withholding federal funds that are law; and two: this is an administration whose sheer incompetence, combined with their bad intentions and willful disregard of the law, is creating mass panic and chaos, and hurting people everywhere.”
    Murray lays out how funding freeze is still hurting Head Start providers, rental assistance, community health centers, hurting Tribes in Washington state
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – This morning, at a press conference with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Gary Peters (D-MI), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, once again spoke out forcefully to raise the alarm over the illegal, sweeping Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo issued by the Trump administration on Monday night that directed agencies to freeze vast swaths of federal funding passed into law by Congress.
    Yesterday morning—just hours after the OMB memo was issued—Murray joined Leader Schumer and Senators Merkley, Klobuchar, Murphy, Kim, and King for a press conference hammering the Trump administration for the unprecedented and dangerous move, and highlighting the mass panic and confusion it was already creating for families, businesses, nonprofits, towns, and communities in every part of the country. Immediately after the OMB memo became public Monday night, Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro sent a letter to Acting OMB Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump’s unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda. A fact sheet on the issue of the impoundment is available HERE.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:
    “While a judge has put this illegal move to freeze federal grants on hold for a very few short days, as Senator Schumer talked about, the threat, and the chaos, and the panic remain.
    “And, let’s be clear, the Trump administration’s half-hearted steps yesterday to clean up this massive mess they have made just affirms two things—one: they are still illegally withholding federal funds that are law; and two: this is an administration whose sheer incompetence, combined with their bad intentions and willful disregard of the law, is creating mass panic and chaos, and hurting people everywhere.
    “Their explanations have created no clarity or certainty for many panicked families, businesses, nonprofits, towns, and states. And they don’t actually change the basic fact that Trump is holding up funding our communities are counting on—and funding that is law.
    “Because first off, there are lots of programs they are saying won’t be affected when that is not what organizations across the country are experiencing.
    “Just one example: yesterday, Head Start providers were locked out of their reimbursement portal—meaning folks that are taking care of our youngest kids were suddenly not sure how they were going to keep the doors open or pay their teachers and staff.
    “Rental assistance—the payment system for housing authorities was down yesterday, I checked again with my staff this morning; it is still down.
    “And beyond that, there is just a long list of programs still left completely on the chopping block. Programs that help red states and blue states alike.
    “Meanwhile, a Tribe back in my home state of Washington told me just a little bit ago that they are having to determine if they need to lay off 400 people.
    “Community Health Centers have been having difficulty drawing down their federal funds. Sometimes they are the only providers, especially in our rural or remote communities. It is the end of the month, they need to make payroll!
    “There are real patients to consider here as clinics have to think about whether they have the funds to cover services because of this illegal move. 
    “Funding for firefighters—you know what doesn’t stop when federal funding stops? Fires! I mean the list goes on, and on. The calls are coming in, and the chaos—I am here to tell you—has not died down this morning.
    “There is really only one solution here in the Senate, and that is for all of us—all of us—to stand up and say ‘enough.’ To demand President Trump revoke these reckless orders and recognize Congress—Congress—has the power of the purse.
    “We will fight this in the courts, yes, but President Trump needs to back down from this reckless order that is hurting Americans and just follow the law as Congress wrote it.
    “This kind of freeze is going to hurt their states just as much, if not more. This is not a red or blue issue.
    “So, as Leader Schumer has said, we are going to keep sounding the alarm and pointing out who President Trump is hurting. We are going to listen to folks back home and raise their stories for everyone to hear.
    “None of us were elected to hurt people or sow chaos. We are elected to help people and solve problems. I hope every Member of Congress works with us to make clear, and work to tell President Trump: the law is the law. Work to tell him that Congress is a co-equal branch of government and the executive is there to execute the laws Congress has written. “The White House needs to stop hurting the American people.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray’s Remarks at Presser After OMB Rescinds Disastrous Memo: “This Fight is Far From Over”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Murray: “Make no mistake—the Trump Administration is still illegally holding up billions of dollars across the federal government through their Day One Executive Orders… Trump has made it clear he is not going to stop.”
    ICYMI: Senator Murray: “No Senator Who Believes Congress Holds the Power of the Purse Should Vote for Russ Vought” 
    ***VIDEO HERE***
    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke at a press conference with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) immediately after OMB rescinded its disastrous Monday night memo that illegally froze vast swaths of federal funding appropriated by Congress for communities all over the country.
    Senator Murray has consistently raised alarm bells over President Trump and his top advisors’ ongoing efforts and plans to illegally block funding Congress has provided from making it out to American families, businesses, and communities. Last week, she grilled President Trump’s nominee to lead the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, on his loud declarations that President Trump should unilaterally hold up funding—and his refusal to commit to Congress to follow the law. She called out President Trump’s unlawful executive orders holding up funding for infrastructure, national security programs, good-paying clean energy jobs and innovations, and much more—and released a fact sheet detailing how his orders violate the law and the constitution. On Monday night, after OMB issued its sweeping memo freezing trillions of dollars in funding for America, Senator Murray and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro sent a letter to Acting OMB Director Matthew J. Vaeth raising the alarm on President Trump’s unlawful executive orders and the new memoranda. She joined Leader Schumer and Senators Merkley, Klobuchar, Murphy, Kim, and King hours later for a press conference highlighting the mass panic and confusion the memo was already creating for families and communities in every part of the country. This morning, Senator Murray spoke at a press conference with Leader Schumer and Senators Heinrich and Peters hammering how badly Trump’s actions are hurting their states—and working people all across the country.
    Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below and video is HERE:
    “Never in my time in the Senate have I seen a President cause as much chaos, and panic, and damage in such a short time as President Trump has caused with his brazen and illegal move to freeze federal grants, across the government, and across the country.
    “The Trump administration—through a combination of sheer incompetence, cruel intentions, and a willful disregard of the law—caused real harm and chaos for millions over the span of just 48 hours.
    “But we learned something important: when the American people speak out with one voice—when regular people stand up, it makes a difference. This victory belongs to everyone who raised their voice.
    “But make no mistake, the fight is far from over. My phone was ringing off the hook, and it still is.
    “You know, everyday Americans actually understand a freeze like this would hurt them, cause serious problems in their lives, and make their lives worse—homeless shelters kicking out kids, clinical trials getting canceled, child care providers laying people off, roads and bridges not getting built, cops not getting hired.
    “You know, while people like Elon Musk may not feel the pain of a single one of those cuts or delays, everyday Americans—who work hard every day, expect a fair shake, and expect the government to be there when it counts—they knew this would be catastrophic.
    “But again—and please understand this—the fight is not over. Because even though, after the intense outcry from the American people, Trump has now admitted this was a colossal mistake by rescinding the guidance—the threat, the chaos, the panic, can’t just be wiped away.
    “We have a lot of work to do right now, to make sure all the funding now actually does get moving again—this is not like turning on a light switch.
    “And as we just saw through the chaotic rollout, its complicated stuff. So we will all be watching closely to make sure funds get where they belong ASAP.
    “And even afterwards, no one is forgetting what they just tried to do, and what they are still doing.
    “Make no mistake: the Trump Administration is still illegally holding up billions of dollars across the federal government through their Day One Executive Orders.
    “You don’t have to take my word for it, the White House Press Secretary just said, and I quote: ‘This is not a rescission of the federal funding freeze. […] The President’s [Executive Orders] on federal funding remain in full force and effect, and will be rigorously implemented.’
    “That means they are still blocking investments Congress passed into law to help our communities.
    “They are still blocking things like international aid, clean air and water projects, investments in new clean energy jobs, and a lot of other projects funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Trump is stopping with his illegal executive orders.
    “And, aside from the fact they have not stopped blocking this funding illegally, their blatant attempt this week to illegally freeze trillions more in one fell swoop is, mark my words, a clear sign of what is to come: more lawless cuts, more chaos, more pain for our families.
    “Trump has made it clear he is not going to stop. Unless—unless Congress, and the American people, make clear we are not going to stand for it.
    “And we have an opportunity now to make that clear, when we vote on Russ Vought’s nomination to be Budget Director. He is the chief architect of Project 2025—which left its digital fingerprints all over the illegal OMB guidance that was issued.
    “This is a man who time and again has refused to say he will follow the law—including to me and to many others directly. 
    “Every lawmaker who doesn’t want to see funds that they worked to secure for their state—funds they know families are counting on—ripped away must vote ‘no.’ And that’s a start!
    “But, as long as the Trump administration is illegally holding back funds and harming families, this fight is not over.
    “I—and all of my colleagues— will keep working to hold this administration accountable, make sure our communities get the resources they are owed, and make certain President Trump follows the law as intended by Congress.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Release of New Data on Students’ Learning Post-Pandemic

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray
    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which shows that in 2024, students’ learning nationwide continued a more than decade-long trend of a growing achievement gap between higher-performing and lower-performing students.
    “These scores make painfully clear how much work remains to be done to help our students thrive in the classroom and learn the skills they need to succeed. I have pushed for years to get our schools the resources and tools needed to help students get ahead—including delivering record investments for our students and schools without any Republican votes—and I will continue to work with anyone and everyone focused on improving outcomes for our kids and closing widening achievement gaps.
    “But as we get these bleak results, one thing’s clear as day: President Trump trying to freeze federal funding headed to our students and schools—creating mass chaos and confusion—does absolutely nothing to address the challenges our kids are facing in the classroom. Nor will shutting down the Department of Education, slashing education funding to afford tax cuts for billionaires, or focusing on privatization efforts that help a sliver of students instead of the vast majority of kids who attend public schools, as the president is doing. This year’s scorecard should redouble our commitment to investing in our schools and students and in evidence-based approaches that support their learning and development, and I will keep fighting to do just that.”
    Senator Murray has long fought to ensure students can get a quality education and to ensure our nation’s students and schools have both the tools and the resources they need to thrive. From the very beginning of her service in the Senate, including throughout the pandemic, she worked to deliver resources for schools, including to reopen safely for in-person learning and support students, families, and educators throughout the public health crisis. In March 2020, Senator Murray introduced the Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act to support students as COVID-19 spread, and she proceeded to work across the aisle to deliver resources to schools to support students in the CARES Act in March 2020 and in December 2020 through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). In March 2021, Senator Murray helped secure critical resources for K-12 schools in the American Rescue Plan, which was passed without any Republican votes. She also worked to require a portion of the resources are specifically used to address learning loss—and has pushed to ensure the resources are being used effectively to help students get back on track. In the years since, Senator Murray has fought to renew federal investments in our schools, ensure resources are used effectively and consistent with federal laws, and successfully defeated House Republicans’ efforts to gut federal educational funding as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee in the 118th Congress.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Presses Commerce Secretary Nominee Howard Lutnick on Census, NOAA Protection, Pacific Fisheries Consultation, AI Safety

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz
    WASHINGTON — At today’s Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing for Secretary of Commerce nominee Howard Lutnick, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) pressed Lutnick on conducting a fair census count, protecting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from Project 2025 threats, consulting with Hawai‘i leaders on Pacific fisheries decisions, and strengthening artificial intelligence (AI) safety.
    First, Schatz asked Lutnick if he would pledge to carry out the census in an apolitical manner. Lutnick responded, “I promise you we will count each whole person. That’s what the Constitution says, and we will stick right to it rigorously.”
    Schatz then questioned whether Lutnick agreed with Project 2025’s threat to “dismantle” NOAA, to which Lutnick replied, “No.”
    Schatz also raised the issue of NOAA’s impact on the Hawai‘i Longline Fishery, asking, “Do I have your assurance that before NOAA, National Marine Fisheries, or anyone makes a move regarding our fishery in the Pacific that you will consult with our office, and our delegation, and the state of Hawai‘i?”
    In response, Lutnick said, “I’d be delighted to consult with your office… On the things that matter to you, I will happily commit to working with your office. That sounds like it would make me better at my job, so I’d appreciate your input.”
    Schatz brought up President Trump’s repeal of President Biden’s AI executive order, including potential impacts to the AI Safety Institute, asking, “What do we do in place of this and how quickly can we get it done? Because that part of this was one of the few things that we were not arguing about when it comes to AI policy.”
    Lutnick said, “The Department of Commerce has the gold standard when it comes to cybersecurity standards, so I think AI standards along the lines of that gold standard, that same model will be very effective. So that if you think of it as standards, I think we can get bipartisan agreement that we can find the right way to set those standards.”
    Schatz said he would continue to urge the Department of Commerce to ensure greater AI safety.
    Since the previous Trump Administration attempted to interfere with the count for political purposes, Schatz has led efforts to ensure a fair census. He has introduced legislation to ensure any future proposed changes are studied and tested.
    Video of Senator Schatz’s full exchange at today’s hearing is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Thousands of fake medicines seized by EU-supported criminal investigation

    Source: European Union 2

    Europol investigated some 52 organised crime groups as part of a global effort to crack down on the trafficking of fake medicines and illicit doping substances. More than €11 million’s worth of fake medicines were taken off the markets, as a result of the investigation.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Calling all small business champions of the circular economy 

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: Calling all small business champions of the circular economy 

    Launched in 2021, the Small Business Champions Initiative celebrates organisations that empower small businesses to participate and succeed in global trade. This year, the organisers – the  International Chamber of Commerce, International Trade Centre and World Trade Organization’s Informal Working Group on Micro-, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises, in partnership with United Nations Trade and Development – will recognise concepts and initiatives that help small businesses embrace the circular economy. 

    Along with the recognition, the winners will be invited to Geneva for an award ceremony on 27 June 2025. The International Trade Centre will additionally award each winner US$4,000 prize money to support the development or further scaling of their winning project and issue an award certificate. 

    What are we looking for and who can participate? 

    • Small businesses, enterprises, industry associations, chambers of commerce and non-governmental organisations leading initiatives such as awareness-raising campaigns, competitions, capacity building, training, mentoring and networking programmes related to the circular economy 
    • Small businesses engaged in the circular economy with innovative business concepts that reduce, prevent or repurpose waste 

    All proposals must have a clear link to international trade and include an action plan (see past competitions for reference). 

    Submit your proposal   

    Proposals should be submitted through this form by 28 March 2025. The winning proposals will be jointly selected by representatives from the competition organisers. For additional information, consult this guide. 

    Related publication

    • Sustainability

    Circular economy: Challenges and opportunities for businesses and policymakers

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jail terms for men who ran Kent waste warehouse

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Rubbish later caught fire, disrupting town – Lancashire and Devon men guilty of waste crime

    Fire-ravaged unit at Westwood Business Park in Margate

    Routine complaints about flies in a seaside town unearthed a vast cavern of illegally-stored waste.

    No wonder the flies, as well as rats, were interested. David Weeks and Lee Brookes had built up a massive stockpile of rubbish, neatly packaged in black plastic.

    The Environment Agency prosecuted the pair, resulting in suspended prison sentences totalling 20 months between them for filling a Margate warehouse with the waste.

    It was spring 2017. As the weather warmed up, frustrated residents rang the local council to report swarms of flies close to an anonymous building.

    Officials at Thanet District Council contacted the Environment Agency, which began an investigation. It discovered the illegal storage of thousands of bales of household and construction waste inside the building, unit P, on the Westwood Business Park.

    Baled waste stored inside unit P before the fire.

    A director of Devon-based DW Land Ltd, Weeks signed a one-year lease with the building’s owners at the start of 2017.

    Lorry after lorry dumped waste

    But no sooner was the ink dry on the lease that lorry after lorry began arriving in Margate from across the home counties – a procession of 220 vehicles over three months, offloading 6,000 blocks of waste and placed in the building.

    Totnes businessman Weeks employed Brookes’ firm, OMC Outdoor Maintenance Company, of Whitworth, in Lancashire, to secure and manage unit P. Weeks told the Environment Agency he was the agent for two companies wanting the site for an energy-from-waste plant. 

    Judge Simon Taylor KC heard the waste had left legal sites in Hampshire and Hertfordshire, bound for the Kent coast, to be stored inside the building, but outside the law. Neither Brookes nor Weeks obtained an environmental permit for the storage of waste.

    Risk became reality when building went up in flames

    Matt Higginson, environment manager for the Environment Agency in Kent, said:

    Weeks and Brookes profited financially from payments made to the sites where the waste originated and from its storage in Kent.

    Not getting an environmental permit for the building, avoiding the cost and requirements of getting one, Weeks and Brookes gave themselves an unfair advantage over legitimate waste operators

    A permit for the site would have required a plan to manage the risk of fire. Risk became reality when the building went up in flames. The disruption for local people went on for almost a month.

    This case proves you must use firms authorised to take away your waste. Check the register of waste carriers’ licences on gov.uk.

    Throughout 2017 and 2018, Weeks and Brookes gave the Environment Agency several excuses as to why they couldn’t clear the waste from the building. 

    On 18 September that year, the building caught fire. Kent Fire and Rescue Service fought the blaze for 25 days. At its peak, rubbish burst out of the packaging. Although no cause for the fire has ever been found, roads and businesses had to close, and the disruption led to operations cancelled at the local hospital.

    View of fire-ravaged unit P at Westwood Business Park in Margate.

    It was only a year later, towards the end of 2019, and almost three years after the first delivery of rubbish, what waste survived the fire was finally removed by the battered building’s new owner.

    Weeks and Brookes gave scant assistance to the Environment Agency’s investigation. Even after the fire, the pair kept a very low profile.

    David Weeks, 55, of School Hill, Totnes, Devon, was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for two years. He also to pay £5,000 in costs, and a victim surcharge of £140.

    Judge Taylor also gave Weeks 150 hours unpaid work and 20 hours of rehabilitation activity aimed at preventing him from reoffending. He’ll have to wear an electronic tag to monitor his daytime movements for the next two months. 

    Lee Brookes, of Tonacliffe Way, Whitworth, Lancashire, received a sentence of four months in prison, suspended for a year. He was also given 80 hours of unpaid work and the same 20 hours of rehabilitation programme. The court also ordered the 49-year-old to pay costs of £1,000 and a £115 victim surcharge.   

    At the hearing on 21 January, the court was told Weeks was fined almost £10,000 seven years ago for his part in the management of a site in Plymouth where 13,000 tonnes of wood was stored illegally.   

    The two men pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to knowing their respective companies, DW Land and OMC Maintenance, ran the waste operation in Margate without an environmental permit between 13 January 2017 and 22 August 2019, against regulation 12 (1)(a) of the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. 

    DW Land Ltd, of Paignton Road, Stoke Gabriel, Totnes, Devon, and OMC Outdoor Maintenance Company Ltd, also of Tonacliffe Way, Whitworth, Lancashire, are no longer trading.

    Contact us: Journalists only –

    0800 141 2743 or communications_se@environment-agency.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Rachel Reeves’ route to economic growth is a slow one – and there are no guarantees voters will be patient enough

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Steve Schifferes, Honorary Research Fellow, City Political Economy Research Centre, City St George’s, University of London

    Go My Media/Shutterstock

    After six months of talking down the economy and warning of tough times ahead, the UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has changed her tune. She is now much more optimistic about Britain’s economic prospects and has announced a raft of measures including major pension reforms designed to unlock cash to boost growth and productivity.

    But Labour’s political problem is that none of her plans will have an immediate impact on the UK’s anaemic growth rate – the economy has virtually flatlined for the last six months. From day one Reeves has put growth at the centre of her plans, and a lack of it will mean tough choices in the spring, when she must spell out government spending plans for the next three years.

    The government is focusing on a wide range of “supply side” reforms, including unleashing pension funds to invest in Britain, as well as relaxing the planning system and building infrastructure – many of which have an uncanny resemblance to measures once proposed by former prime minister Liz Truss.

    At the heart of these plans is a big increase in investment in infrastructure to boost productivity – things like roads, public transport and technology – where Britain lags behind its major rivals.

    But there’s a big catch. The independent spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), estimates that it will take years – or even decades – for infrastructure projects to transform the British economy, with only a 0.1% boost in growth in the near term for every additional 1% on public investment.

    Without other measures that have a more immediate impact, the political risk to Labour is that its pledge to make everyone better off may feel hollow to voters.

    The challenges are particularly acute for big transport projects, as the debacle of HS2 illustrates. Even with changes to the planning system, work on expanding Heathrow airport is unlikely to start before 2030. And major projects like the Lower Thames crossing between Kent and Essex and the Sizewell C nuclear reactor in Suffolk have been in the planning stage for nearly 20 years.

    Electricity supply is another crucial area, with the need for more renewable energy and an expansion of the grid. This will now need to be financed largely by private capital as the government has scaled back its “green new deal”.

    So how exactly will all these big plans be financed? The government is hoping to unleash additional investment from the UK pension fund industry, by changing the rules to allow defined benefit (sometimes called final salary) schemes with surpluses to invest more widely.

    Although there is currently £160 billion available in these schemes, this could change if interest rates fall. It is also not clear how attractive such UK infrastructure investment would even be. Many projects, such as in privatised industries like water and electricity, will at least partly be funded by increased charges to consumers.

    The government’s own spending plans to increase public investment are relatively modest. These plans bring government capital spending (which allows for borrowing under the fiscal rules) just slightly above the historic average.

    Planning reform could also prove problematic. Although the government is changing some of the rules, especially in relation to housebuilding, planning decisions will be still made by local authorities. In many cases these will face strong local opposition, potentially delaying decisions.

    This points to the larger political problem for the government. The changes will not eliminate the tension between the government’s growth and environmental objectives, with the latter potentially a crucial issue in many of the marginal seats won by Labour in the last election.

    Heathrow expansion will put the government’s climate targets in serious jeopardy.
    Dinendra Haria/Shutterstock

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described the need to pull out the “weeds” of regulation as vital to growth plans. He has already sacked the head of the key regulatory agency, the Competition and Markets Authority. But allowing more consolidation of British industry could create monopolies, which tend to raise prices, increase profits and neglect investment.

    There are even greater concerns over possible deregulation of the financial sector, which could abolish many of the safeguards established after the global financial crisis in 2008.

    What’s missing?

    The government is much less clear on what it is going to do about the supply of skilled labour than the availability of capital. Shortages of skilled workers could limit progress on these big infrastructure projects if workers are also needed to build housing.

    Government plans for boosting skills training, and the funding for further and higher education, are still works in progress. Meanwhile, limits on immigration will reduce the number of skilled construction workers. And the details of the government’s plan to boost the labour force by getting more people on disability benefit back to work have yet to be spelled out.

    As Labour sets out its long-term growth plan, dark clouds are looming. In particular, in global terms the British economy is one of the most dependent on international trade and investment. But most of its trade is with its two largest trading partners – the EU and the USA.

    Growing protectionism in the US, coupled with a lack of access to EU markets caused by Brexit, could have a significant effect on Britain’s growth. The UK economy is projected by the IMF to grow by just 1.6% this year, which is still weak by historic standards.

    It may be of little consolation to the public if this is higher than in France and Germany. Reeves may well find that’s simply not enough to satisfy the expectations of voters.

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

    – ref. Rachel Reeves’ route to economic growth is a slow one – and there are no guarantees voters will be patient enough – https://theconversation.com/rachel-reeves-route-to-economic-growth-is-a-slow-one-and-there-are-no-guarantees-voters-will-be-patient-enough-248690

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Syria: Hostilities and aid challenges persist across devastated country

    Source: United Nations 4

    Peace and Security

    Humanitarians warned on Thursday that Syria continues to face major security and aid challenges in the northeast and beyond, in the uncertain aftermath of the overthrow of the Assad regime.

    In an update, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, said more than 25,000 people have been newly uprooted from the northeastern city of Manbij where shelling and airstrikes have been reported.

    OCHA noted that hostilities have been intensifying over the past week, particularly in eastern Aleppo and around the Tishreen Dam.

    The dam is a key target for different groups of Syrian fighters vying for control of northern Syria. These include the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) and the mainly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighting alongside the PKK/YPG – the Kurdish Workers’ Party or People’s Protection Units. 

    Hundreds of thousands fleeing

    As a result of the escalating violence, the number of newly displaced people has increased to 652,000 as of 27 January, OCHA said.

    The deadly incidents reported in Syria’s northeast include shelling that struck a town in the Manbij countryside on 25 January, injuring an unverified number of children.

    On Saturday, clashes affected a displacement camp in Jarablus north of Manbij, injuring seven including two children and destroying five shelters. 

    On the same day, a car bomb detonated in front of a hospital and school in Manbij city, reportedly killing one civilian and injuring seven others.

    In the past week, OCHA, has also reported clashes in coastal areas  with “increased criminal activities, including looting and vandalism, constraining the movements of civilians during night hours”.

    The UN agency also noted continuing Israeli incursions into Quneitra in southern Syria, near the Golan Heights buffer zone that the Israeli military moved into – forces said temporarily – following the ouster of President Assad.

    Massive aid needs

    More widely across Syria’s governorates, the UN agency warned that a “lack of public services and liquidity constraints” have severely affected communities and the humanitarian response. In Homs and Hama, for instance, electricity is available for only 45 to 60 minutes every eight hours.

    In northwest Syria, 102 health facilities have already run out of funds since the start of 2025. The UN and its humanitarian partners are appealing for $1.2 billion to help the most vulnerable 6.7 million people in Syria until March.

    The developments came ahead of a UN Security Council meeting later on Thursday behind closed doors on Syria – and the reported declaration that head of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham and the caretaker authority in Damascus, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been declared transitional president.

     It was also reported that the new caretaker authority has decided to suspend the Syrian constitution.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Introducing $15 a day child care for families

    As part of the $3.8-billion Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, Alberta is supporting families to access affordable child care across the province with their choice in provider.

    Starting Apr. 1, parents with children zero to kindergarten age attending full-time licensed daycare facilities and family day home programs across the province will be eligible for a flat parent fee of $326.25 per month, or roughly $15 a day. Parents requiring part-time care will pay $230 per month.

    To support these changes and high-quality child care, about 85 per cent of licensed daycare providers will receive a funding increase once the new fee structure is in place on Apr. 1.

    Every day, parents and families across Alberta rely on licensed child-care providers to support their children’s growth and development while going to work or school. Licensed child-care providers and early childhood educators play a crucial role in helping children build the skills they need to support their growth and overall health. As Alberta’s population grows, the need for high-quality, affordable and accessible licensed and regulated child care is increasing.

    While Alberta already reduced parent fees to an average of $15 a day in January 2024, many families are still paying much more depending on where they live, the age of their child and the child-care provider they choose, which has led to inconsistency and confusion. Many families find it difficult to estimate their child-care fees if they move or switch providers, and providers have expressed concerns about the fairness and complexity of the current funding framework.

    A flat monthly fee will provide transparency and predictability for families in every part of the province while also improving fairness to providers and increasing overall system efficiency. On behalf of families, Alberta’s government will cover about 80 per cent of child-care fees through grants to daycare facilities and family day homes.

    This means a family using full-time daycare could save, on average, $11,000 per child per year. A flat monthly parent fee will ensure child care is affordable for everyone and that providers are compensated for the important services they offer.

    As opposed to a flat monthly parent fee, Alberta’s government will reimburse preschools up to $100 per month per child on parents’ behalf, up from $75.

    “Albertans deserve affordable child-care options, no matter where they are or which type of care works best for them. We are bringing in flat parent fees for families so they can all access high-quality child care for the same affordable, predictable fee.”

    Matt Jones, Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade

    “Reducing child care fees makes life more affordable for families and gives them the freedom to make choices that work for them—whether that’s working, studying or growing their family. We’ll keep working to bring costs down, create more spots, and reduce waitlists for families in Alberta and across the country, while ensuring every child gets the best start in life.”

    Jenna Sudds, federal minister of Families, Children, and Social Development

    To make Alberta’s child-care system affordable for all families, the flat monthly parent fee is replacing the Child Care Subsidy Program for children zero to kindergarten age attending child care during regular school hours. The subsidy for children attending out-of-school care is not changing.

    As the province transitions to the new flat parent fee, child-care providers will have flexibility to offer optional services for an additional supplemental parent fee. These optional services must be over and above the services that are provided to all children in individual child-care programs. Clear requirements will be in place for providers to prevent preferential child-care access for families choosing to pay for optional services.

    Cutting red tape and supporting child-care providers

    By moving to a flat monthly parent fee, Alberta’s government is continuing the transition to a primarily publicly funded child care system. To support high-quality child care, approximately 85 per cent of licensed daycare providers will receive a funding increase once the new structure is in place on Apr. 1.

    The province is enhancing the system to streamline the child-care claims process used to reimburse licensed child-care providers on behalf of Alberta parents. Alberta’s government is also putting technological solutions in place to reduce administrative burden and red tape.

    Looking ahead

    Over the final year of the federal agreement, Alberta’s government is working to support the child-care system while preparing to negotiate the next term of the agreement, reflective of the needs of Albertans and providers. Alberta joins its provincial and territorial partners across the country in calling for a sustainable, adequately funded system that works for parents and providers long term.

    Quick facts

    • In line with requirements under the Canada-Alberta Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the flat monthly parent fee only applies to children zero to kindergarten age requiring care during regular school hours.
    • Children attending 100 or more hours in a month are considered full-time and parents will pay $326.25 a month. Children attending between 50 and 99 hours are considered part-time and parents will pay $230 a month.
    • Families with children attending preschool for up to four hours a day are eligible for up to $100 per month.
    • There are no changes to the out-of-school care Child Care Subsidy Program for children requiring care outside of school hours in grades 1 to 6 and attending full-time kindergarten.
    • Programs may choose to provide optional services for a supplemental fee. Examples may include transportation, field trips and food. Child-care programs are not required to charge parents additional supplemental fees.

    Related information

    • Federal-provincial child care agreement

    Related news

    • Alberta strengthens child care safety (Oct. 30, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: New Orleans Man Charged with Commodity Exchange Act Violation

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)

    NEW ORLEANS, LA – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced today that MICHAEL BRIAN DEPETRILLO, (“DEPETRILLO”), age 43, from New Orleans, was charged, on January 27, 2025, in a bill of information with violating Title 7, United States Code, Section 13(a), the Commodity Exchange Act.

    According to the bill of information, DEPETRILLO was not properly registered as a Commodity Pool Operator (“CPO”) or an Associated Person (“AP”) of a CPO with the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).  DEPETRILLO, through various companies including, Meteor, LLC; NOLA FX Capital Management, LLC; ELC Enterprise Solutions, LLC; and Argosapolis, LLC, acted as a CPO and AP of a CPO and embezzled client funds in violation of federal law.    DEPETRILLO, while acting as an AP of unregistered CPOs, represented to victim investors that their funds would be pooled and invested in the NOLA FX FUND, that would be used to trade foreign currency pairs on a leveraged, margined, or financed basis (“retail forex”).

    DEPETRILLO told investors that pooling their funds would be beneficial to them.  DEPETRILLO further represented to certain investors, that either METEOR or NOLA FX CAPITAL managed the NOLA FX FUND.  In at least one representation, however, DEPETRILLO identified “NOLA FX Capital,” not the NOLA FX FUND, as the pooled investment vehicle.   DEPETRILLO lured investors by claiming he was investing their funds by trading  in the foreign currency exchange, gold futures options, stocks, and cryptocurrency.  Instead of trading as promised, DEPETRILLO misappropriated pool funds.  DEPETRILLO then used these misappropriated pool funds to: (1) make lulling payments to existing pool participants; (2) pay his personal expenses, such as rent, private air travel, and online gambling; and (3) trade  in his personal trading accounts. To conceal DEPETRILLO’s misappropriation, he created and issued fictitious account statements in the names NOLA FX FUND and NOLA FX CAPITAL.  The fictitious account statements purported to show that: (1) DEPETRILLO had traded forex using pool participant funds, and (2) the NOLA FX FUND and NOLA FX CAPITAL had achieved significant trading returns for pool participants because of his profitable forex trading.  In fact, DEPETRILLO never deposited pool participant funds into trading accounts belonging to NOLA FX FUND or NOLA FX CAPITAL, and he never achieved the trading returns represented on the false account statements.  DEPETRILLO also did not set up the forex pool in the manner required by the regulations, did not receive pool participant funds in the name of the forex pool, and commingled pool participant funds with his own funds.  DEPETRILLO took in approximately $9.2 million in investor funds from approximately 60 victim investors during a seven-year period.

    If convicted, DEPETRILLO faces up to ten (10) years imprisonment, up to three (3) years of supervised release, up to a $1,000,000.00 fine, plus the amount of any proceeds, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee.

    U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans stated that a bill of information is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

    The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”).  The FBI is seeking information that may help identify potential victims of DEPETRILLO’s fraudulent scheme.  FBI encourages the public to report any information to http://fbi.gov/depetrillovictims.

    The prosecution of this case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Kathryn McHugh of the Financial Crimes Unit and Brian M. Klebba, Chief of the Financial Crimes Unit.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Fraudulent attack on the State University of Management: do not disclose your password for “Gosuslugi”!

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –

    In recent days, information attacks by fraudsters have resumed, with their victims most often being students from Russian universities.

    Students of the State University of Management are receiving calls allegedly from the GUU Testing Center demanding that they provide a password for the “Gosuslugi” portal. In fact, the Testing Center does nothing of the sort now. Be careful! These are scammers! Do not give your password to anyone under any circumstances!

    Recently, the following blackmail scheme has also been used: on behalf of university employees or security officials, information is anonymously conveyed to a potential victim that money for the Ukrainian Armed Forces was transferred from his card (or corresponding notes were made in his personal file). In order to supposedly “rehabilitate” himself, cybercriminals offer to complete tasks for the “curator”. Do not do anything under any circumstances!

    Fraudsters may have a set of personal data. By substituting numbers and forging voices, they gain the victim’s trust and put pressure on them on behalf of the rector, a representative of the FSB or the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Be extremely vigilant!

    What to do if you receive a call or message that you are not sure is authentic or that scares you, makes you wary, or calls for immediate action in your own interests: – end the conversation immediately, do not correspond with unfamiliar users; – inform your immediate supervisor or teacher about what happened; – check the identity of the contact – if the caller or writer from an unknown number introduces himself as someone you know, contact him at the current number.

    Remember that scammers are in no hurry and can “accompany” you for a long time, contacting from different numbers on behalf of different people. Do not take any urgent actions, take a break to understand the situation and not become a victim. For example, briefly describe the situation in a search engine and add the word “scammers”. Most likely, a similar scheme will already be described on the Internet, and you will see that they are trying to deceive you.

    Vigilance, caution, calmness and critical thinking will help you in any difficult situation, do not give in to panic and fear!

    Subscribe to the TG channel “Our GUU” Date of publication: 01/30/2025

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Integrated Forest Fire Management and Remote Sensing Survey Workshop for the Caucasus and Central Asian Countries and Türkiye

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Photo credit: @FAO/Nezih Tavlas

    Integrated Forest Fire Management and Remote Sensing Survey Workshop for the Caucasus and Central Asian Countries and Türkiye, was held at the Turkish International Forestry Training Centre in Antalya, Türkiye, on 8-12 July 26, 2024. The workshop was co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the General Directorate of Forestry of Türkiye (OGM).

    Through interactive sessions, participants from national forest related ministries and agencies of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan gained knowledge on practical methods to assess forests and their management in their countries and to improve their protection against forest fires:

    • The component on Forest Data Collection and Interpretation was conducted using a learning-by-doing approach to data collection. National participants were trained in visual image interpretation of samples within their country and region of expertise. Data collection was carried out using the Collect Earth Online platform, developed in collaboration with NASA and Google and tailored for the purposes of the FRA 2025 Remote Sensing Survey.
    • The component on Integrated Forest Fire Management Training was delivered by the Turkish experts using the already available training modules (Computer Based Training Module and Field Applications, and Forest Fire Fighting Training Simulator) in the training center. The training focused on the 3 basic strategies of forest fire management: Prevention – Fighting – Rehabilitation.
    • A field trip was organized to the Antalya region, to discuss in the field the spectral characteristics of different land cover classes to facilitate image interpretation as well as to demonstrate the best practices in forest fire control and post-fire management and on post-fire rehabilitation of burned forest areas.

    The event was organized with the support of the FAO Türkiye Forestry Partnership Programme project: ‘’Enhancing the Capacity of the Turkish International Forestry Training Centre”.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Marianske Lazne +70: Celebrating 70 years of UNECE/FAO cooperation on forests

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The Czech Republic hosted the International Conference “Marianske Lazne +70” on 5 to 7 September 2017 to celebrate 70 years of fruitful ECE COFFI and FAO EFC cooperation on forests.

    In May 1947, an International Timber Conference was convened in Marianske Lazne, former Czechoslovakia, to address the situation of forests and timber in post-war Europe, addressing both the future demand for timber and the capacity of forests to supply the necessary wood. New intergovernmental bodies were created to improve cooperation and promote mobilisation of wood on a sustainable basis after the wartime levels of harvest: the UNECE Timber Committee, later renamed the Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI), and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC). 

    For the last 70 years, these two intergovernmental bodies have been working in close partnership for forests and the forest sector. They were able to adapt to changing circumstances and needs, from a focus on urgent post war reconstruction, to becoming a leader of analysis of the forest sector’s long term outlook and an advocate of a “dynamic forest policy”, a forum for exchange of experience and information, to today’s emphasis on monitoring and advocating sustainable forest management and the forest sector’s contribution to the emerging green economy. Find out more about the history of ECE COFFI and FAO EFC cooperation on forests.

    The report of the meeting is available here and you can read the press release issued on the event here.

    To see the pictures of the event, please click here.

     The final programme can be downloaded here.

    Date     Programme – Overview
    5 Sept. Afternoon: Arrival of participants
    (bus transport from the Vaclav Havel Airport Prague to Marianske Lazne)
    Evening: Welcome Drink
    6 Sept. Morning session: Field trip
    Afternoon session: Roundtable Discussion on Forest Certification in the ECE Region
    Evening: Dinner
    7 Sept. Morning session: Tree planting ceremony; High-level panel on the past and future of the forest sector in the region
    Anniversary Lunch
    Afternoon: Departure of participants

    On Wednesday afternoon, 6 September, a Rountable Discussion on Forest Certification in the ECE Region took place.

    The objective was to provide a platform for forest owners, forest based industries, policymakers, forest certification organizations, NGOs and other stakeholders to discuss the latest trends and developments on forest certification in the ECE region, its future and its complementarity with current legislation, such as the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR) and the US Lacey Act. In particular, the discussion aimed at addressing current issues with certification, including (i) demands of certification schemes, (ii) advantages of certification and disadvantages of non-certification respectively, and (iii) challenges for and interests of various stakeholders; thus bringing together policy and market perspectives. This event offered an opportunity for open discussion, and enhanced the dialogue between different stakeholders.

    Download the full concept note of the Roundtable Discussion on Forest Certification in the ECE Region (as of 31 August).

    Download the introductory presentation on forest certification made by the moderator of the roundtable discussion, Mr Florian Steierer (ECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section).

    In preparation of the roundtable discussion, a survey had been created to gather information on perceptions of sustainable forest management and on forest certification. The collected information may provide some preparatory insights to the roundtable discussion.

    The survey is still available. To take the survey (15 minutes), please use the following link.

    “Forest certification in the ECE region –are there any limits?”, presented by Florian Steierer.

    “70thanniversary of ECE COFFI and FAO EFC: Celebrating 70 years of regional cooperation on forests”, presented by Ekrem Yazici.

    Presentation given at Stora Enso.

    Historical Forestry Photo Exhibition: Countries shared pictures from the post-war period to nowadays, showing forest workers, forest related meetings, excursions, saw-mills, forest related industries in the UNECE region. This presentation has also been on display at Las2017, the Joint Session of the UNECE Committee on Forests and the Forest Industry (COFFI) and the FAO European Forestry Commission (EFC), which took place in Warsaw, Poland, from 9-13 October 2017.

    Please find the pictures of the event here.

    Should you have any questions or need more information please contact the Secretariat.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Ninth Joint OECD-UNECE Seminar on SEEA Implementation

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Report PDF
    Programme  PDF
    Get to know the speakers PDF
    Concept note PDF
    Link to the Guidelines for Measuring Circular Economy  
    Session 1: Opening & Setting the Scene 
    		  
    Updates on related work from OECD PDF
    London Group on Environmental Accounting Update PDF
    SEEA-related activities in Asia and the Pacific, ESCAP PDF
    Relevant outcomes from UN Statistical Commission, and work of UNCEEA PDF
    Online inventory of thematic and extended accounts, UNECE PDF
    Session 2: Utilising SEEA for Measuring Circular Economy
    		  
    2a: Introduction, information needs, existing measurement frameworks and their links with SEEA
    		  
    The concept of a Circular Economy and the most important measurement points, University of Exeter PDF
    Circular Economy in EU policy, European Commission, DG Environment PDF
    CES Guidelines for Measuring Circular Economy, Finland PDF
    Circular material use rate indicator: how it is calculated, results and interpretation, Eurostat PDF
    2e: Waste Accounts for measuring circularity
    The difficulty of finding circularity in solid waste accounts, Luxembourg PDF
    Limitations of SEEA waste accounts: conceptual, data collection and experiences from policy use, Australia PDF
    Experimental study: Using waste accounts for measuring plastic flows in the EU economy, Eurostat PDF
    2c: New developments and utilising EGSS for measuring jobs, goods and services related to circular-economy
     
    Conceptual framework pillar “socio-economic opportunities of a circular economy”: main indicators, UNECE PDF
    Updating of related classifications-Classification of environmental purposes (CEP), Eurostat PDF
    Using EGSS data for measuring circular economy, France     PDF
    Comparison of EGSS and structural business statistics data on measuring circular economy, Finland PDF
    2d: Measuring flows of biomass and bio-based material in a circular economy
     
    The concept of a Circular Economy and some key agenda for biological materials, University of Exeter PDF
    The sustainable and circular bioeconomy in the EU, European Commission PDF
    Costa Rica: Use of environmental accounts for policy making on circular economy and bioeconomy PDF
    Measuring stocks in the urban mine to monitor circular economy with SEEA, The Netherlands PDF
    2b: Utilising SEEA for measuring physical flows of plastics
    		  
    Policy development and the development of a statistical guideline on measuring flows of plastic along the lifecycle, UNEP PDF
    Measuring plastic flows with Plastic-KEYs, UNITAR PDF
    What statistics tell us about international trade of plastics? UNCTAD PDF
    Statistics Canada’s Physical Flow Account for Plastic Material PDF
    The use of SEEA – material flow accounts for deriving circular economy indicators, North Macedonia PDF
    Session 3: Informing climate-change-adaptation and response policies with SEEA
    		  
    3a: Introduction, information needs, existing measurement frameworks and their links with SEEA
    Climate change adaptation policies and SEEA-related information demands, OECD PDF
    Disaster-related statistics and the linkages to SEEA, ESCAP PDF
    Role of NSOs in Achieving National Climate Objectives, UNECE PDF
    3b: Climate change expenditures 
     
    Update on the revision of the Classification of Functions of Government (COFOG), UNSD PDF
    An integrated Approach to the classification of public environmental expenditure, OECD PDF
    G20 Data Gaps Initiative, IMF PDF
    Climate mitigation investments, The Netherlands PDF
    Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Expenditures in the Economy: Towards an Operational Definition, United States PDF
    Environmental expenditures account and its application in the Republic of Kazakhstan

    ENG

    RUS
    3c: Measuring ecosystem condition, degradation and loss of ecosystem services
     
    Ecosystem services accounts: from the operational platform (INCA) to their economic bridging (LISBETH), Joint Research Centre  PDF
    The role of the SEEA in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), UNSD PDF
    Ecosystem condition accounting in Statistics Lithuania PDF
    Working with blue carbon ecosystem accounts: value of coastal ecosystems in alleviating impacts of climate change, Australia PDF
    Implementation of Environmental Accounts in Ukraine – results and challenges. Estimation of damages caused by war PDF
    Session 4: Conclusions & Recommendations
    		  
    Draft conclusions and recommendations  PDF

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: HLG-MOS Workshop on the Modernisation of Official Statistics 2023

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    About the meeting

    The High-Level Group for the Modernisation of Official Statistics (HLG-MOS) was established by the Bureau of the Conference of European Statisticians (CES) in 2010 to actively steer the modernisation of statistical organisations. The mission of the HLG-MOS is to work collaboratively to identify trends, threats and opportunities in modernising statistical organisations and provide a common platform for experts to develop solutions in a flexible and agile way. The purpose of the workshop was to ensure that the work of HLG-MOS is community driven and that activities and initiatives are aligned with the implementation of the HLG‑MOS vision, avoiding duplication and maximising efficiency. The workshop will also include sessions where the broad official statistics community could share ongoing initiatives related to modernisation and innovation, thus creating synergies among the organisations and opportunities for further collaboration, which will further enrich the work programme of HLG-MOS.

    The target audience of the workshop is experts, managers and leaders in statistical organisations who work on modernisation and innovation initiatives. This includes experts who have participated in the HLG-MOS activities this year as well as those with a broad knowledge of the recent developments in this area and understanding of international cooperation.

    Document Title

    Documents

    Information Notice 1 (concept note)

    PDF

    Information Notice 2 (logistic information)

    PDF

    Provisional Timetable

    PDF
    Report PDF

    Opening

    Where to go next: a maturing HLG-MOS – Anil Arora (Statistics Canada, chair of HLG-MOS)

    Presentation

    HLG-MOS Projects Reporting

    Cloud for Official Statistics – John Conway (CSO Ireland) and Claude Julien (UNECE Project Manager)

    Presentation

    Data Governance for Interoperability Framework (DAFI) Project – Juan Munoz (INEGI, Mexico) and Carlo Vaccari (UNECE Project Manager)

    		 Presentation

    ModernStats Carpentries (phase 2 Meta Academy) – Eric Anvar (OECD), Andrew Tait (UNECE), Jonathan Wylie (Statistics Canada)

    		 Presentation

    Generative AI and Official Statistics

    HLG-MOS White Paper on LLM/GPT – Cathal Curtin (Statistics New Zealand)

    Presentation

    Building a SAS to R translation assistant with ChatGPT – Florian Givernaud (INSEE, France)

    Transforming the Search for Public Information in Mexico with Advanced Language Models – Juan Munoz (INEGI, Mexico)

    Can AI better satisfy users of statistical information? A case study in Istat – Michela Troia, Sara Letardi and Mauro Bruno (Istat, Italy)

    Presentation

     

    Presentation

     

    Presentation

    The Promises of Generative AI and What It Means for the Modernisation of NSOs – Doug Smith (Microsoft)

    Presentation

    Innovation Radar

    Digital Twins for Official Statistics – Steve MacFeely (WHO) and Hossein Hassani (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis)

    Presentation

    ESS Innovation – Jean-Marc Museux (Eurostat)

    Presentation

    Co-development of open source solutions: the .Stat Suite business case – Eric Anvar (OECD)

    Presentation

    HLG-MOS Blue Skies Thinking Network – Barteld Braaksma (Statistics Netherlands)

    Presentation

    HLG-MOS Modernisation Group Reporting and Plans

    HLG-MOS Expert Meetings – InKyung Choi (UNECE)

    Presentation

    Applying Data Science and Modern Methods – Gary Dunnet (Statistics New Zealand) 

    Activity Proposals 2024:

    Presentation 

    Capabilities and Communication – Anna Borowska (Statistics Poland), Elaine O’Mahoney (CSO Ireland), Fabrizio Rotundi (Istat) and Jeremy Visschers (Statistics Netherlands) 

    Activity Proposals 2024:

    Presentation 

    Supporting Standards – Flavio Rizzolo (Statistics Canada)

    Activity Proposals 2024:

    Presentation 

    Setting Modernisation Agenda for 2024

    Soapbox

     

    HLG-MOS Project Proposals for 2024:

     

    Small group discussion

    Instruction Notes

    Summary and conclusions – Anil Arora (Statistics Canada, chair of HLG-MOS), Jennifer Banim (CSO Ireland, co-chair of HLG-MOS Executive Board) and Stéphane Dufour (Statistics Canada, co-chair of HLG-MOS Executive Board)

     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Winter Garden Man Who Backed Vehicle Into Business And Stole Six Firearms Sentenced To Four Years

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Orlando, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. has sentenced Edward Camacho (20, Winter Garden) to four years and three months in federal prison for theft of a firearm from a federal firearms licensee. Camacho pleaded guilty on September 17, 2024.

    According to the plea agreement, on August 18, 2023, Camacho backed a vehicle into the front of a federal firearms licensee business around midnight. After smashing the front door and wall of the business, Camacho entered the business and broke a glass case where multiple firearms were housed. Camacho stole six firearms and then fled in his vehicle.

    Camacho was apprehended less than two hours later after a foot pursuit with law enforcement. During the foot chase, Camacho was seen tossing three firearms onto the ground, two of which were confirmed to be stolen from the federal firearms licensee business.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Winter Park Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Alexa McNeff.

    This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Assaulting Inmate

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Miguel Hidalgo (34, Florida) has pleaded guilty to deprivation of an inmate’s civil rights under the color of law. Hidalgo faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

    According to the plea agreement, on August 22, 2022, Hidalgo was employed with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons as a correctional officer at Federal Correctional Complex Coleman. While on duty at the prison, Hidalgo entered the cell of two inmates who were both handcuffed behind their backs. While in the cell, Hidalgo pushed one of the inmates to the floor, then struck that inmate multiple times in the face and chest area. When Hidalgo was exiting the cell, the inmate spat on Hidalgo. Hidalgo requested the cell door be reopened. He then reentered the cell and again began striking and kicking the inmate. The inmate suffered injuries from the assault, including multiple rib fractures and contusions on his face. By striking the inmate, Hidalgo willfully deprived the inmate of the right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by a person acting under color of law—a right secured and protected by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

    This case was investigated by the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Multiple Nashville Felons Charged with Federal Weapons, Drug Offenses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    NASHVILLE – Three Nashville men, all of whom have previous convictions for either violent crimes or drug felonies, were recently charged with federal firearms offenses, two of the men were additionally charged with drug offenses, announced Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Robert E. McGuire. Carlos J. Rodriguez, 27, was charged on January 24 with being a felon in possession of a firearm; George Charles Carter, III, 48, was charged on January 24 with being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; and Keontis Jenkins, 28, was charged on January 27 with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances,

    “We are ramping up our efforts to protect our community from those who would illegally possess guns and those who would sell drugs,” said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. “These three arrests in the span of just a few days should put violent criminals on notice that if you break the law, we will hold you accountable in federal court—especially if you possess dangerous drugs like fentanyl and dangerous items like Glock switches. If we find evidence to support a federal charge, we are not going to wait. We are going to act.”

    Rodriguez

    According to court documents, on September 25, 2024, law enforcement conducted a surveillance operation in the area of a bar on Charlotte Pike in Nashville. While conducting surveillance, agents saw Rodriguez exit the bar and conduct what appeared to be hand-to-hand narcotics transactions in the parking lot. After agents stopped Rodriguez, he told them that he was on probation out of Rutherford County for selling narcotics. A search of Rodriguez’s car yielded over $500, 9mm cartridge cases, three cell phones, and handwritten ledgers and notes that appeared to document narcotics sales. Rodriguez was arrested on a state offense and was released. 

    On January 17, 2025, ATF Agents were notified that Rodriguez was arrested for driving with an expired license. Agents asked Rodriguez about his arrest on September 25, 2024, and Rodriguez acknowledged that he possessed the ammunition was recovered from his car and that he knew he was a convicted felon who could not possess ammunition. At the time Rodriguez possessed the ammunition, he was a prohibited person, having previously been convicted in Rutherford County of a felony drug offense.

    Carter

    On January 19, 2025, at approximately 3:20 a.m., Metro Nashville Police officers began investigating an armed robbery attempt that resulted in a shooting. When officers arrived on scene, they found a victim with multiple gunshot wounds to his upper left arm and a single gunshot wound to his upper right arm. The shooting was captured on Metropolitan House and Development Agency cameras near the J.C. Napier Housing Development. On the video, officers observed a person, later determined to be Carter, making movements consistent with pointing a weapon. Officers also recovered multiple shell casings from the area where Carter could be seen standing on the video.

    The next day, MNPD detectives observed a silver Dodge Avenger which matched the description of a suspect vehicle involved in the shooting the night before. The driver appeared to be conducting hand-to-hand narcotics transactions out the driver’s window. When officers attempted to stop the car, the Avenger’s driver, later identified as Carter, fled from officers, almost striking another vehicle. Carter drove at high rates of speed, drove into oncoming traffic, ran red lights, and almost caused multiple accidents. After he was arrested, Carter admitted throwing a bag of narcotics out of the car next to Margaret Allen Middle School on Spence Lane. Detectives later retrieved a bag which contained approximately 18.5 grams of cocaine, 5.2 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and multiple baggies.

    Carter eventually came to a stop in the area of Thompson Lane in Nashville and was taken into custody. Carter admitted that he fled from officers, that he had thrown a bag out the window which contained the drugs that were later recovered by detectives, and that he had a bag of crack cocaine, also known as cocaine base, inside his pants. Detectives recovered this bag during the interview. The bag weighed approximately 40.6 grams. A check through law enforcement databases revealed that Carter has multiple felony convictions in Tennessee including Aggravated Assault and Simple Possession with Priors in Davidson County.

    Jenkins

    On January 14, 2025, Metropolitan Nashville Police Detectives arrested Jenkins on outstanding warrants for attempted homicide. A search of Jenkins’ person led to the discovery of an oxycodone pill and a search of the vehicle Jenkins was driving resulted in the recovery of a Glock pistol from the rear passenger’s side floorboard, with an affixed machine gun conversion device (MCD). Later that day, MNPD detectives executed a search warrant on Jenkins’ residence, which resulted in the discovery of two additional firearms, a Glock model 17 9mm pistol and a Glock model 19 9mm pistol, along with three bags of M30 pills (approximately two hundred pressed suspected fentanyl pills), Xanax bars, hydrocodone, marijuana, baggies, scales, U.S. currency, and a money counter.

    MNPD detectives interviewed Jenkins who admitted selling marijuana, fentanyl, and Xanax. Jenkins also admitted that he carries a firearm to protect himself during narcotics sales and that he had shot one of his customers in a drug deal gone wrong. Jenkins has multiple prior felony convictions in Tennessee, including Reckless Endangerment with a Deadly Weapon and Contraband in a Penal Facility in Madison County.  Jenkins admitted he knew he was a felon and was prohibited from possessing firearms.

    These cases are being investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel M. Stephens is prosecuting the cases.

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

    # # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Attorney’s Office Secures 19-Year Sentence in Drug Trafficking Case

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ALBUQUERQUE – A Colorado man was sentenced to 228 months in prison for drug trafficking after being caught during a traffic stop on Interstate 25 within the Kewa Pueblo reservation.

    There is no parole in the federal system.

    According to court documents, on June 14, 2023, a BIA K9 Officer observed Juan Hugo Lugo, 29, speeding and following too closely to other vehicles on Interstate 25 near mile marker 250.

    During the subsequent traffic stop, the officer observed two large black and yellow storage bins partially covered with T-shirts in the rear cargo area, and another bin on the rear passenger seat containing multiple large plastic-wrapped bundles suspected to be methamphetamine. The officer also observed a white powdery substance inside Lugo‘s nostrils.

    When questioned in the police vehicle, Lugo admitted to possessing personal use cocaine and having just taken a “bump.”

    A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed multiple plastic-wrapped bundles containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and five brick-shaped packages suspected to contain cocaine. Additionally, a loaded 9mm Glock 19 firearm was found in the passenger compartment.

    The total seizure was 96.1kilograms of methamphetamine and 4.9 kilograms of cocaine.

    Upon his release from prison, Lugo will be subject to five years of supervised release.

    U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

    The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Raquel Ruiz Velez is prosecuting the case.

    # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: First public servants and aid workers honoured with new Humanitarian Medal.

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The first recipients of a new medal recognising humanitarian aid work on behalf of the United Kingdom are being recognised.

    The first recipients of a new medal recognising humanitarian aid work on behalf of the United Kingdom are being recognised today.

    Announced in July 2023, the Humanitarian Medal is a new national form of recognition awarded to public servants and members of organisations contributing to global humanitarian responses on behalf of HM Government.

    Those being recognised today include individuals who displayed exemplary public service and humanitarian efforts in HM Government’s response to the 2023 Morocco Earthquake, the 2023 Libya Flooding, and the Gaza conflict.

    With the establishment of the Humanitarian Medal, HM Government departments now make recommendations for eligible Humanitarian responses to the Committee on the Grant of Honours, Decorations and Medals. Those responses recommended for Humanitarian Medal awards are then submitted for approval to His Majesty The King.

    Among the first recipients working as part of the eligible responses are:

    • Morocco: UK-ISAR Operations Commander for Morocco Response, from West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service, Shyam Rana, from Sutton Coldfield – A member of the UK International Search and Rescue team (UK ISAR). He was deployed in the search to reach people under collapsed buildings. ISAR has specialist equipment to monitor further seismic activity and cut through cement. Aftershocks remained a risk throughout the deployment.

    • Libya: UK-EMT Team Lead Anna Daniell, from Greater Manchester – Led the official UK Emergency Medical Team (EMT) into Derna, Libya in the wake of the dam collapse who were providing direct primary healthcare support to the affected population in areas outside of Government control.

    • Gaza: UK-Med Medical Coordinator Melanie (Mel) Johnson, from Totterdown, Bristol – Led the medical team in Gaza providing surgical, primary, and community healthcare support during intense conflict in the FCDO-funded field hospital and rehabilitated Nasser Hospital. 

    Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: 

    All of the individuals being recognised today are shining examples of public service. Their selfless dedication to saving lives represents the very best of British values around the world. The nation thanks them for their work.

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    This new medal recognises the incredible dedication and selfless service of individuals on the frontline of the UK’s responses to some of the world’s most devastating crises.

    I am delighted the first tranche of awards will recognise members of the UK government’s emergency deployment teams, for their brave work in Libya, Morocco and Gaza. The International Search and Rescue team and Emergency Medical Team are made up of expert firefighters and medics from across the UK, who travel to the most challenging of environments to save lives.

    The medal, which is conferred by His Majesty The King, features on the reverse laurel wreaths symbolising victory in overcoming a crisis, interwoven with a banner proclaiming “For humanitarian service”. The obverse bears an effigy of His Majesty The King. 

    The ribbon design reflects the different paths for humanitarian service and the variety of services involved in such responses. The ribbon has a central stripe of white to represent civilians and peace, with four narrow stripes on either side of red, light blue, dark blue and purple. Red represents humanitarian organisations. Dark blue and purple represent the other services.

    The design on the reverse was approved by Her Late Majesty The Queen in 2021.

    These responses are the first use of the Humanitarian Medal. This is only the first tranche of awards to be made, and more will follow in due course.

    Updates to this page

    Published 30 January 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Abortion statists reveal horrific rise

    Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

    Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:

    “The abortion statistics published today by the Department of Health are deeply troubling. They show that the number of abortions being carried out in Northern Ireland increased by a shocking 28.8% since the previous year, with 2,792 performed in 2023/24 compared with  2,168 in 2022/23. If one goes back further the rise is even more stark. In 2020/21 the figure was 1,574 meaning there has been an increase of over 77% when compared with today’s figures.

    “While I welcome the increase in the volume of data published by the Department, I note that the information continues to fall well short of the information released by health authorities in Great Britain. In GB the socioeconomic background of the mother, whether she has had more than one abortion and other information is available but not in Northern Ireland. I received an assurance from the then Minister in 2024 that this situation would change. Why hasn’t it?”

    TUV MLA Timothy Gaston added:

    “I have been pressing Minister Nesbitt on issues related to abortion since becoming the Member for North Antrim and tellingly he has been less than forthcoming with responses. It is time that Northern Ireland had a properly informed debate about this issue. When the public were given an opportunity to have their say in response to an NIO consultation a massive 79% of the 21,200 responses to the consultation recorded their opposition to the abortion regulations. In spite of what some in the media may try to claim, there is still considerable opposition to abortion in Northern Ireland and there will be many who will share my alarm at the growth in the number of abortions in our Province.

    “It is clear from today’s figures that abortion is increasingly becoming just another form of birth control in Northern Ireland and that the dishonest debate around the matter in the early 2020s, framed around “hard cases”, did not deal with the real issues created by the legislation imposed on Northern Ireland.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda Names Natalia Díez Riggin as Senior Advisor and Acting Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

    Source: Securities and Exchange Commission

    The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced Acting Chairman Mark T. Uyeda has named Natalia Díez Riggin as Senior Advisor and Acting Director of the Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs.  

    “I’m thrilled that Natalia has joined us after her tenure working for Chairman Scott on the Senate Banking Committee,” Acting Chairman Uyeda said. “Her expertise will help guide us as we focus our efforts at the SEC on capital formation and ensuring companies aren’t impeded by ineffective regulation.”

    Ms. Riggin joined the SEC after serving as a Senior Professional Staff Member on the U.S. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs for Chairman Tim Scott of South Carolina. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Legislative Director for U.S. Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana as well as Staff Director for the Economic Policy Subcommittee of the Senate Banking Committee. Earlier in her career, Ms. Riggin served as a policy aide to U.S. Senators Mike Enzi of Wyoming and Mark Kirk of Illinois, respectively. Ms. Riggin received a B.A. in political science and history from the University of Illinois Chicago.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: CWA Statement on American Eagle/PSA Flight 5342

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    The following is a statement from Communications Workers of America President Claude Cummings Jr.:

    Our union is grieving along with all those affected by last night’s tragic collision of American Eagle/PSA Flight 5342 with an Army helicopter. Two AFA-CWA Flight Attendants were crewing the flight, and CWA’s leadership, members, and retirees stand ready to support and assist the crew members, aviation workers, and families who have been impacted by this catastrophe.

    Our heartfelt thanks to the first responders who are engaged in the difficult but necessary recovery operations.

    ###

    About CWA: The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    cwa-union.org @cwaunion

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New theme group created to establish future careers for the Armed Forces community

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Pictured from left to right hand side, front row:
    Andrew McConochie, Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy
    Cllr Pauline Murphy, Deputy Lord Mayor and Armed Forces Champion, Plymouth City Council
    Emma Hewitt, Skills Lead, Plymouth City Council
    Victoria Mead, Skills and Workforce Coordinator, Plymouth City Council

    Pictured from left to right hand side, back row:
    David FitzGerald, President of the Royal British Legion Dartmoor Branch
    Darryl Newman, Nursing and Clinical Professions Recruitment Lead and Armed Forces Champion, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust
    Consort Cllr Mark Coker, Plymouth City Council
    Cllr Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing, Cooperative Development and Communities
    Lewis Elliot, Sea Cadet
    Jon Beake, Defence Relationship Management in the SW, Wessex RCFA

    Plymouth’s Armed Forces Covenant is launching a new theme group to help enable better access to local employment, skills and training opportunities for military service leavers, working-age veterans, military family spouses, partners and young people.

    Last year, the Council renewed its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.

    The Armed Forces Covenant is a nationwide agreement between the armed forces community, the nation and the government.

    One of the commitments from signing the Covenant, is to establish better job and training opportunities for members of the Armed Forces community.

    Led by Plymouth City Council’s Skills Launchpad Plymouth team, the representatives of the group are:

    • Plymouth’s Veterans and Families Hub
    • Forces Employment Charity
    • Career Transition Partnership
    • The Royal Marines Charity
    • Department for Work and Pensions.

    With strong involvement from local employers who are signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant including University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, Babcock, Livewell Southwest, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wolferstans Solicitors and Plymouth City Bus.

    A launch event was held today to bring together a key group of people who will be involved in this work and to raise the profile of the Armed Forces Covenant with the local business community.

    Deputy Lord Mayor and Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Pauline Murphy, said: “Working in city-wide partnership, we want to recognise, communicate and seek to reduce the challenges faced by those within the Armed Forces community.

    “As a proud military city, I am delighted that we are launching Plymouth’s new vision for enabling better access to local employment and future careers. We are pro-actively engaging with our business community to increase commitment for the Armed Forces Covenant and want to create a win-win to help solve recruitment challenges in the city as we promote the highly transferrable skills and talent of our military community.

    “We are excited to support this joined up approach which builds on the Council’s renewal last year and strong commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant.”

    Attendees at the theme group launch event held 30 January 2025 at the Council House

    Speaking at the launch event, Darryl Newman, Nursing and Clinical Professions Recruitment Lead and Armed Forces Champion at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust said: “I’m proud to be chairing the Armed Forces Future Careers and Employers Group to support our city’s Armed Forces Community.

    “The Armed Forces Future Careers and Employers Group will bring together employers across the city to identify, support and grow employment for the Armed Forces Community across Plymouth, whilst sharing best practice.”

    Representing the Royal Navy, Andrew McConochie, Lieutenant Commander said: “With Plymouth being home to the largest naval base in Western Europe with the highest concentration of veterans in England, this new coordinated approach will provide significant value to serving personnel in planning their local employment and future career transitions, along with valuable support for their families, helping to both attract and retain talent in the city.” 

    Luke Pollard MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport shared his best wishes for a successful launch of the new theme group. He said: “I am so proud of my home city of Plymouth for stepping up to enhance localised employment and training support for our valued Armed Forces community. By fostering this new collaboration between local, regional and national service providers, and building better awareness of the increasing investment and growth in jobs and career pathways available in the city, we can create a brighter future.

    “We greatly appreciate the businesses who have already pledged their support for the Armed Forces Covenant, and I’d encourage more Plymouth organisations to become part of the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme so that we can achieve even more positive outcomes together.”

    To find out more and to get involved, email [email protected]

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Study shows potential of resveratrol to aid fertility

    Source: Anglia Ruskin University

    New research indicates that a natural compound found in the skin of grapes, blueberries and raspberries has the potential to improve female fertility.

    The systematic review into resveratrol, which is a polyphenolic compound known for its antiaging, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, is published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

    Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), alongside colleagues from Italy, South Korea and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust, examined all previously published research on resveratrol and female reproductive health.

    By collating and reviewing results from 24 in vitro and in vivo studies, involving a total of 9,563 human participants, they found evidence to suggest resveratrol can improve the quantity and quality of egg cells, called oocytes.

    Four studies specifically investigated resveratrol in connection with the quantity of matured oocytes. Two of these reported an increase, while two found no significant differences. Additionally, two studies assessed the quality of matured oocytes and both reported an improvement amongst women who took resveratrol.

    A possible explanation is that resveratrol reduces oxidative stress, helping to protect mitochondrial DNA from damage and enhance telomerase activity, to reduce cellular aging. Resveratrol also activates the molecule sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), which is typically reduced in aged oocytes, therefore potentially slowing cell aging and extending ovarian lifespan.

    The review also found evidence that resveratrol could potentially treat infertility associated with endometriosis, and have positive effects on polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity-related infertility, by inhibiting pathways involved in androgen production and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

    Crucially, the review found mixed results regarding miscarriage and pregnancy data. Five studies reported on pregnancy rates, with two indicating an increase, two found no difference, and one reporting a decrease amongst those taking resveratrol. The same study that noted a decrease in pregnancy rates also reported an increase in miscarriage rates, while a second study found no difference.

    Resveratrol is generally considered safe when consumed in moderate amounts through diet and through supplements, in doses up to five grams a day for a month, although the safety of high-dose supplementation, particularly over long periods, remains unclear.

    “Our systematic review on resveratrol and female fertility is a comprehensive overview of all current research, and it highlights the compound’s potential to improve reproductive outcomes and possibly pave the way for new, less invasive treatments, using natural substances.

    “However, our findings are based on a number of limitations, including the limited number of human studies, the different parameters of each study and the lack of robust data on dosage and side effects, particularly related to birth defects or foetal abnormalities.

    “Therefore, there is a need for further clinical trials, involving human participants, in order to translate these promising results into practical recommendations for women looking to improve their fertility, including guidance on the safe and effective dosage of resveratrol.”

    Lee Smith, Professor of Public Health at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and senior author of the paper

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev summed up the celebration of the 50th anniversary of BAM

    Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Vitaly Savelyev held the final meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline

    January 30, 2025

    Vitaly Savelyev held the final meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline

    January 30, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Vitaly Savelyev held the final meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline

    The final meeting of the organizing committee for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline was held under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Savelyev.

    “Our country celebrated an important and significant anniversary in 2024 – the 50th anniversary of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. It is important that the anniversary year was marked not only by ceremonial events, but also by great achievements in the modernization of the BAM and the entire Eastern Polygon, the carrying capacity of which has grown to 180 million tons. The main goal of the planned expansion of the Eastern Polygon is to increase the carrying capacity, providing domestic enterprises with stable, guaranteed access to the markets of the Asia-Pacific region. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and is contributing to the implementation of the tasks at hand: BAM veterans, BAM 2.0 engineers and builders, and railway industry workers,” said Vitaly Savelyev.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Peru

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Minister for Foreign Affairs visits Peru – Government.se

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    Press release from Ministry for Foreign Affairs

    Published

    Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard is visiting Peru on 30–31 January. Her visit will include a meeting with Peru’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmer Schialer.
    Ms Malmer Stenergard will also host the Sweden Peru Mining Summit at which Government representatives, companies and agencies from Sweden and Peru will discuss sustainable mining and the green transition.

    “I look forward to visiting Peru together with Swedish companies to discuss how we can better cooperate on key issues to promote sustainable mining, and to deepen our countries’ cooperation on business issues, the green transition and innovation,” says Ms Malmer Stenergard. 

    The aim of the visit is to solidify and develop the already good relations between Sweden and Peru and to further strengthen political and economic ties. Sweden and Peru have a long history of bilateral relations stretching back some 90 years. Peru is a vital partner for Sweden in the region. The visit presents opportunities to broaden and deepen cooperation on investment, trade and the green transition and sustainability, as well as developing our security dialogue. 

    Press contact

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: IntelliTrans Builds Momentum for 2025 with New Executive Team and Commitment to Delivering Innovative TMS Solutions

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ATLANTA, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IntelliTrans, a leading global multimodal transportation management software provider, enters 2025 with a renewed focus on innovation, customer success, and operational excellence. With decades of experience and a strong track record as the market leader in rail management software, IntelliTrans continues to set the standard for delivering value to bulk and break-bulk shippers.

    “IntelliTrans has long been at the forefront of multimodal transportation management,” says Chad Raube, President and CEO of IntelliTrans. “Our success is built on a deep commitment to innovation, collaboratively understanding and serving the needs of our customers, and a relentless focus on helping them achieve their goals. As we look to 2025, we’re excited to build on this foundation with expanded capabilities. We will continue to provide consistent innovation and product excellence complemented by a world-class customer experience driven by our unparalleled industry expertise, customer insights and genuine engagements.”

    2024: A Year of Strategic Growth
    In 2024, IntelliTrans engaged with customers to refine its strategy, ensuring that product development and service enhancements aligned with their needs. With over 1,200 years of combined industry expertise, the IntelliTrans team remains a trusted partner for its customers.

    Key 2024 Strategic Milestones include:

    • Strengthened IntelliTrans’ position as the leading TMS provider for North American bulk and break-bulk shippers for rail and truck shipments.
    • Expanded the Conway office footprint for the operations team.
    • Conducted extensive surveys and user focus groups to deepen customer insights and strengthen relationships.
    • Delivered 500+ product enhancements designed to address customer needs.

    New executive leadership added in 2024 include:

    • Jim Bell as Chief Technology Officer
    • Matt Everson as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing
    • Mayank Sharma as Chief Product Officer

    This leadership expansion enhances IntelliTrans’ ability to deliver innovative solutions and provide unmatched value to its customers.

    Industry Recognition

    IntelliTrans was recognized by various media outlets and industry analyst organizations in 2024 with these achievements:

    • Niche Player in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Real-Time Transportation Visibility Platforms
    • Top 100 Logistics IT Providers by Inbound Logistics
    • Pros to Know Award for Brian Cupp in the Lifetime Achievement Category
    • Top Supply Chain Project for its Mobile Check-In/Out from Supply & Demand Chain Executive and Food Logistics magazines
    • IntelliTrans Rhonda Shults and June Lee Named Recipients of the 2024 Women in Supply Chain Award

    Looking Ahead to 2025

    As IntelliTrans enters 2025, the company remains focused on empowering bulk and break-bulk shippers through innovative TMS solutions, deeper customer relationships, and expanded capabilities. With plans to add over 80 new team members, IntelliTrans’ commitment to driving growth and expanding its product is at the forefront of its strategy. By enhancing its products and fostering deeper collaboration with customers, IntelliTrans is positioned to create even greater value and deliver more impactful results.

    “Our commitment to innovation and customer success has never been stronger,” Raube added. “Our dedicated teams are excited to continue building on our legacy while understanding our customer needs and helping each of them achieve new levels of operational excellence in 2025 and beyond.”

    In 2025, IntelliTrans will focus on their customer feedback from 2024 to grow key TMS capabilities, which include enhanced shipment tracking, seamless integration with carrier networks, and advanced analytics to drive smarter decision-making for customers. These advancements will ensure IntelliTrans continues to deliver the tools shippers need to streamline operations and maximize efficiency.

    About IntelliTrans Multimodal Transportation Management Solutions

    IntelliTrans, a Roper Technologies business (Nasdaq: ROP), empowers businesses to optimize their supply chains with seamless freight management and shipment execution across all modes of transportation, including rail, truck, ocean, and barge. IntelliTrans’ trusted transportation management solutions enable customers to solve complex business challenges and help achieve a holistic digital strategy by incorporating multimodal solutions backed by extensive industry knowledge. Recognized as a top transportation management provider, IntelliTrans has recently received the Inbound Logistics Top 100 Logistics IT Provider Award, the 2023 BIG Innovation Award, the Cloud Computing Product of the Year Award, and the Food Logistics/SDCE Top Software and Technology Award. Unlock hidden efficiencies in your supply chain. Visit our website to see how IntelliTrans can help.

    Media Contact for IntelliTrans:
    Becky Boyd
    MediaFirst PR (M1PR.com)
    404.421.8497
    becky@mediafirst.net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The growing influence of Israel’s ultranationalist settler movement

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Leonie Fleischmann, Senior Lecturer in International Politics, City St George’s, University of London

    Days after taking office, as he issued executive order after executive order to change the political face of America, Donald Trump also turned his attention to the war in Gaza.

    His proposal that Gaza should be cleared out and Palestinians should be relocated to other countries such as Egypt and Jordan has been met with outraged disbelief in many quarters. The Arab League has accused him of advocating ethnic cleansing.

    But Trump’s statement has met with approval from far-right leaders in Israel. Influential politicians have been advocating for this “solution” for years. These include finance minister and leader of the Religious Zionist party, Bezalel Smotrich and his ideological ally Itamar Ben Gvir, leader of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Strength) party and former national security minister.

    Smotrich responded to Trump’s utterance with the declaration that he aimed to turn the idea into an actionable policy. Ben Gvir, who resigned his ministerial position recently in response to the Israeli acceptance of the latest ceasefire deal, claimed that the evacuation of Gazans was the most “humanitarian answer” to the crisis and the only way to ensure peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians.

    The pair – and their followers in Israel – share an anti-Arab ideology and a messianic belief in the Jewish people’s right to what they call “Greater Israel”. This would be a Jewish state which would also include the West Bank, which they referred to as “Judea and Samaria”, as well as Gaza and part of Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

    They have repeatedly called for Israel to use the war as an opportunity to reoccupy Gaza.

    These leaders enjoy a degree of influence due to the amount of media attention they receive. But it would be a mistake to assume they represent the majority of Israelis.

    Data collected in 2024 by the Pew Research Center found that 45% and 41% of Israelis expressed very unfavourable views of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, respectively. In the 2022 elections, as the combined Religious Zionist party, they won just 10.84% of the vote.

    Meanwhile, the Israel Democracy Institute found that a majority of Israelis (57.5%) support a comprehensive deal for the release of all the hostages in return for an end to the war in Gaza.

    And yet Israel’s ultranationalists have been able to take advantage of the changing political landscape in Israel over the past few decades and the fragile multiparty system to wield disproportionate power over a government that has depended on their support to stay afloat.

    Israel’s rightwards shift

    During the 1990s, there was significant support in Israeli society for the Oslo peace process towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This culminated in the historic handshake between the then Israeli prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation chairman, Yasser Arafat, on the White House lawn in 1993.

    While support for the peace process reached a high of 72% in Israel in 1995 when Oslo II was signed, right-wing factions attempted to derail the agreements. Rabin was assassinated in November 1995 by Yigal Amir, an extremist Israeli Jew, who did not want to see the realisation of a Palestinian state.

    The collapse of the Camp David talks in 2000, which then prime minister Ehud Barak blamed on Arafat, was followed in short order by the outbreak of the second intifada. The idea that there was “no partner for peace on the Palestinian side” became a mantra for Israeli voters, who looked to those who could guarantee their security.

    Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been prime minister from 1996 to 1999, returned to power in 2009, with the image of “Mr Security”.

    Netanyahu is now Israel’s longest serving prime minister. His masterful manipulation of the fragile political system in Israel has accounted for his longevity in power.

    But it has also enabled a gradual shift towards the most right-wing coalition in Israel’s history. Part of that has been the Religious Zionist camp.

    Biblical promise

    The Religious Zionists originally formed a small minority of the broader Zionist movement in the years preceding the declaration of the State of Israel. Religious Zionists combine faith and nationalism. Their core belief is that the Jewish people have the God-given right to settle the whole of Greater Israel.

    The West Bank in particular, but also the Gaza Strip, were the sites of many key events in biblical times and the home of a number of Israelite kingdoms. In the Bible, God promises this land to the descendants of Abraham – the Jewish people. Religious Zionists have chosen to take this literally.

    Having failed to wield power through the parliament in the early days of statehood, the Religious Zionists sought to realise their ideology through extra-parliamentary activity. This meant establishing settlements with a view to change facts on the ground. In the aftermath of the 1967 war, the main focus of settlement building was national security, rather than religious nationalist ideology.

    But ideology has always been a key factor for those who live in the settlements in the West Bank today – and those who vow to return to Gaza. The movement has been successful by establishing outposts and settlements in the West Bank and in getting “their people” into government.

    The Religious Zionist camp is broad and heterogeneous, and according to recent polls now represents 22% of the Jewish population in Israel. The party’s position in holding the balance of power in the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, since the election in 2022, has enabled them to gradually wield greater influence on Israeli policy both in the West Bank and the war in Gaza.

    Meanwhile many of their supporters have formed settler groups, who use violence to destabilise and displace Palestinian families living in the West Bank.

    And now the US president has not only backed one of their dearest dreams, to clear Palestinians from Gaza, he has removed the Biden-era sanctions on several of the most aggressive settler groups. So the recent news that Netanyahu will be the first foreign leader to visit the White House next week feels particularly ominous for the fate of the Palestinian people.

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

    – ref. The growing influence of Israel’s ultranationalist settler movement – https://theconversation.com/the-growing-influence-of-israels-ultranationalist-settler-movement-248568

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –