NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI USA: Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Avery and McDowell Counties

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Avery and McDowell Counties

    Disaster Recovery Centers Open in Avery and McDowell Counties

    RALEIGH, N.C. –  Two Disaster Recovery Centers (DRC) will open Saturday, Oct. 19 in Newland (Avery County) and Old Fort (McDowell County) to assist North Carolina survivors who experienced loss from Tropical Storm Helene. This is the second DRC to open in McDowell County; the first McDowell County DRC is located in Sylva. 

    The Avery County DRC is located at:  

    Maryland Community College-Avery Campus

    785 Cranberry St.

    Newland, NC 28657

    Open: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday

    The second McDowell County DRC is located at:  

    A.C. “Bud” Hogan Community Center

    909 East Main St. 

    Old Fort, NC 28762

    Open: 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday

    A DRC is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more.  

    FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral, or dental expenses. 

    Centers are already open in Asheville, Bakersville, Boone, Brevard, Hendersonville, Jefferson, Lenoir, Marion, Sylva and Waynesville. To find those center locations, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a zip code to 43362. Additional recovery centers will open soon. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.   

    Homeowners and renters in 39 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can visit any open center, including locations in other states. No appointment is needed.  

    It is not necessary to go to a center to apply for FEMA assistance. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via the FEMA app. You may also call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. 

    barbara.murien…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches Recalls Pepperjack Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger and The Gambler Because of Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Foodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes

    Company Name:
    Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Dakota Tom’s

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Pepperjack Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger and The Gambler

    Company Announcement

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches Corsica, SD is voluntarily recalling our Pepperjack Cheeseburger, Bacon Cheeseburger and The Gambler due to the burger patty being included in a recall from an outside supplier (BrucePac). The ingredient supplier (BrucePac) recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

    Listeria monocytogenes is an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

    These sandwiches were distributed in grocery stores, convenience stores, etc. in the following states: SD, ND, MN, IA, WY. Pepper Jack Cheeseburger UPC 737296806008, The Gambler UPC 737296601788, Bacon Cheeseburger UPC 3729680300, With a Best By Date ranging 9/1/24 – 11/23/24.

    No illnesses have been reported to date for our product.

    Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches is no longer using this ingredient from the ingredient supplier’s (BrucePac) impacted facility.

    Consumers who have purchased these sandwiches should not consume; rather, they may return it to the store for a full refund or discard the item.

    Consumers who have questions regarding this recall may call Dakota Tom’s Sandwiches at the following number:

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    605-946-5123

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Manning Leads Members of NC Democratic Delegation to Call on Social Media Companies, TV Broadcasters to Combat Hurricane Helene Response Misinformation

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-06)


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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Holds a Press Conference

    Source: United States Department of Defense

    SABRINA SINGH, DEPUTY PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY:  OK, everyone, good afternoon. Thank you for being here today. It is my pleasure to introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The Secretary will deliver some opening remarks, and then we will have time to take a few questions. I will moderate those questions and call on journalists.

    With that, Mr. Secretary?

    SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD J. AUSTIN III:  Thanks, Sabrina.

    Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s great to be back at NATO. But I wanted to start with just a few words about the Middle East.

    As you all know, Israel yesterday killed Sinwar, the leader of Hamas. That’s a major achievement, and it opens a major opportunity for progress.

    Sinwar was the architect of the October 7th terrorist assault on Israel. His plot left 1,200 people dead, including civilians from more than 30 other countries, and that includes the United States. He was responsible for the deaths of many Americans over the years, including more than 40 Americans murdered on October 7th and four murdered American hostages.

    Sinwar devoted his life to wrecking the chances of peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians. He’s finally been brought to justice, and that removes a huge obstacle.

    Our top priority is the 101 hostages still kidnapped in Gaza, including our own American hostages. They have been through hell, and so have their families, and the hostages should not have to suffer one more hour in captivity, and those who are holding hostages should release them immediately.

    Sinwar’s death also provides an extraordinary opportunity to achieve a lasting cease-fire to end this awful war and to rush humanitarian aid into Gaza. Our forces in the region stand ready to assist in Israel’s defense, to deter aggression and to reduce the risk of all-out war, and we will continue to drive hard to bring all of the hostages home and to end the conflicts in both Gaza and Lebanon through principled diplomacy.

    Now, let me turn back to our work here at NATO. This has been an historic defense ministerial for three reasons. First, this is our new Secretary General’s inaugural ministerial meeting, so I want to thank Mark Rutte and his staff for convening us. And I also look forward to working very closely with Mark and his team.

    Second, this is our first defense ministerial with NATO’s Indo-Pacific partners, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, and that just underscores the importance of working with our partners in the Indo-Pacific on boosting industrial base resilience, combating disinformation and much, much more.

    And third, this ministerial is the first high-level NATO gathering since our 75th anniversary summit in Washington back in July. The summit was a major success. We welcomed Sweden as a NATO ally. We endorsed a NATO industrial capacity expansion pledge, and that will strengthen the defense industrial base on both sides of the Atlantic and increase large-scale multinational procurement and help deliver capabilities swiftly and securely. We also launched the NATO security assistance and training for Ukraine, or NSATU. Now, that’s our military effort to plan, coordinate and arrange delivery of the security assistance that Ukraine needs to prevail against Russian aggression. We strengthened NATO’s deterrence and defense. We deepened ties with our global partners, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and we celebrated 75 years of the strongest, most successful defensive alliance in history.

    I’m proud of all this progress, but we’ve still got work to do. Our priority is implementing the important agreements from NATO’s recent summits, and today, we continued our progress. We’re forging NATO’s most robust defense plans since the end of the Cold War, and that will help ensure that we have the forces and capabilities to meet any contingency. That includes air and missile defense, which are crucial for defending the allied airspace, and earlier this month, General Cavoli directed a reinforcement of NATO air surveillance in Romania to monitor Russian military activity.

    NATO allies continue to make robust investments in air and missile defense, but we must invest in many other areas to meet our requirements, so I’m glad to say that we’re sharing the burden of collective defense more than ever. In this year, a record 23 NATO allies are hitting or topping our shared commitment to spend at least two percent of GDP on defense. But we still need each and every single ally to meet this mutually-agreed-upon obligation as soon as possible, and that will let us fulfill the requirements of our new plans and hit our capability targets. And by investing in our trans-Atlantic defense industrial base and scaling up military production, we can send a long-term demand signal to industry.

    AUSTIN:  You know, we also met yesterday with our Indo-Pacific partners and with the European Union. It was a very productive meeting, and it underscored the profound links among Euro-Atlantic security and Indo-Pacific security.

    We’re concerned by the PRC’s increasingly coercive behavior in the Indo-Pacific, which has profound implications for the whole world. We’re also troubled by the growing alignment between Russia and the People’s Republic of China, including the PRC’s support for Putin’s indefensible war of choice against Ukraine, and that makes our close cooperation with our Indo-Pacific friends more vital than ever.

    We also held a NATO-Ukraine Council meeting yesterday. Minister Umerov gave us some great insights, and we made clear our enduring commitment to a free and sovereign Ukraine.

    Like countries of goodwill around the world, our NATO allies continue to stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty and self-defense, and the United States and our allies and partners are determined to stand by Ukraine for the long haul, and we’ll stand by one another.

    The foundation of NATO is a collective defense commitment in Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty. The U.S. commitment to Article 5 remains ironclad, and we will defend the sovereignty in the territory of every member of this alliance. Whatever changes lie ahead, we will tackle them together, and that solidarity is the reason why NATO is the greatest defensive alliance in history.

    And thanks again, and with that, I’ll be glad to take some questions.

    SINGH:  Great, thank you. Our first question will go to Phil Stewart from Reuters.

    Right here in the middle. Yeah. No, you’re OK.

    QUESTION:  OK, thank you. So you were saying that Israel has an opportunity to end the war in Gaza, but Israel’s prime minister is vowing today to keep fighting. Do you support Israel’s new campaign to, quote, “stop the axis of evil,” end quote, as Netanyahu put it? Or is Israel missing an opportunity here?

    And on — on Ukraine, President Zelenskyy told the Financial Times that a formal invitation to join NATO is the only way Ukraine can survive Russia’s invasion. Do you agree with that assessment? And more broadly, do you endorse his victory plan? Thank you.

    AUSTIN:  So which one of those questions do you want me to answer, Phil?

    (LAUGHTER)

    All right, let’s start with the question as to whether or not there is an opportunity available with respect to Gaza. Of course there is, and we would hope that we can work together to take advantage of that opportunity.

    The first thing, Phil, that we need to focus on is a return of the hostages. Again, you heard Prime Minister publicly state yesterday that anyone who has control of hostages, he would encourage them to return them, and — and again, I would hope that they would do so.

    Beyond that, you know, I think there are other opportunities, and we will see how things evolve. But clearly, there are opportunities for a change in direction, and we would hope that, you know, parties would — would take advantage of that both in Lebanon — in Gaza and in Lebanon.

    The second question was — as I recall, Phil, was about the victory plan and whether or not we endorse the victory plan. Again, the victory plan is President Zelenskyy’s plan, and we’re going to do everything that we can to provide the security assistance to support the president as he tries to accomplish his objectives.

    But what we all want to make sure that we continue to do is to link military objectives to strategic objectives, and, you know, that dialogue continues. And you know, I just met with Minister Umerov today. We talked through a number of those things. Again, our focus is going to continue to be on doing everything that we can to support the victory plan, or support President Zelenskyy. It’s not my position to evaluate publicly his plan. We have been supporting him by providing security assistance in a major way for over two and a half years. We’re going to continue to do that.

    Next question.

    SINGH:  Thank you. Thank you. Our second question will go to Andrey Smolyakov, Novaya Gazeta Europa.

    Right here in the back, in the middle. Yeah.

    QUESTION:  Thank you. Mr. Secretary, Ukrainian military has been able to carry out some effective UAV strikes deep into Russian territory, but there have been reports, especially in Russian and Ukrainian-language media, that the U.S. has discouraged those attacks. Is there any substance to those reports? And if so, is the U.S. willing to support such operations in the future?

    AUSTIN:  Actually, Andrey, we’ve seen the Ukrainians use their long-range UAV strike capability to great effect, and we saw recently that they were able to take out a number of strategic-level ammunition supply points, which has had an impact on the battlefield.

    I think what’s important to point out here, Andrey, is that they were able to produce these UAVs in Ukraine. They were able to scale that production rapidly. The UAVs have proven to be very effective and accurate. And again, when you consider the fact that one precision-guided missile costs, in some cases, close to $1 million, depending on what it is, and these UAVs, they can produce in great numbers at a fraction of the cost. So when you look at the balance sheet and the effects that are being created on the battlefield, I think this is a great capability. How they use that capability that they’re producing is going to be their call, Andrey, so…

    SINGH:  Thank you. Our next question will go to Phil Green, right here, Air & Space Magazine. Right here, in the blue.

    QUESTION:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

    SINGH:  I’m sorry — Chris Gordon. I said “Phil”. Sorry, sorry.

    QUESTION:  Thank you, Sabrina. Thank you, Mr. …

    AUSTIN:  You’re Phil now…

    SINGH:  Yeah, you’re…

    AUSTIN:  I’m kidding, Chris. I know you’re Chris, so…

    (LAUGHTER)

    SINGH:  Yeah.

    QUESTION:  Good to hear. Sir, the world is in a very difficult situation, and I have two questions regarding that situation. First, if there is a settlement in Gaza, is the Pentagon prepared to provide logistical support and military advice to an Arab-led stabilization force if there are no U.S. boots on the ground?

    And then secondly, to put a finer point on my colleague’s question earlier, President Zelenskyy’s repeatedly appealed to the U.S. to use ATACMS to strike a broader range of targets inside of Russia and to do so more quickly than drones. The Biden administration has not allowed this. Have Putin’s nuclear threats worked?

    AUSTIN:  Regarding Putin’s nuclear threats, again, you’ve heard me say a number of times that I think any kind of nuclear saber-rattling is reckless and dangerous, and we would call upon Putin and others to not employ that kind of language.

    In terms of whether or not we would participate in any kind of stabilization efforts in Gaza, I think that that’s going to require the contributions of a number of countries. Hopefully, countries in the region will step up. There quite possibly is, can be a part for the United States to play in that, as well. What part that would be and what that would look like, Chris, we’re going to have to work with our allies and partners to scope that out. And I certainly would not have any announcements to make on anything like that.

    The first step though is we’ve got to get to some sort of ceasefire, and then we need to make sure that we’re putting the right things in place to stabilize the area and provide for some sort of security going forward. But that’s left to be defined yet.

    SINGH:  Thank you. And our last question will go to Teri Schultz, Deutsche Welle.

    QUESTION:  Thank you, Secretary Austin. I’m — I’m very interested in the future of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a group that you yourself created. I mean, what is the future of this, given that nobody knows what’s going to happen after November under either administration that would take over? What will happen with this group? How do you consolidate what you have done, what has been done under your leadership? But even more of interest to the Ukrainians, do you have a sense after this last meeting that there’s — there’s enough momentum to provide enough to help Ukraine tilt the balance on the — on the battlefield as is necessary, you yourself say, to some day moving to discussions about ending the war?

    AUSTIN:  Yeah, thanks, Teri. So we’re — we’ve been doing two things simultaneously. We’re providing — focused on providing Ukraine what it needs to be successful on a battlefield today as it tries to defend its sovereign territory, and it’s been very successful at that. And I would remind everybody that Ukraine has taken on the largest military in Europe, and for two and a half years it has successfully defended its territory.

    And Putin has not achieved, not one strategic objective that he set out to achieve. Kyiv still stands. The Ukrainian government did not fall. And I could name a number of other things, but they have been very, very successful. So helping them defend the — in the current fight is one objective.

    The other objective is making sure that we help them get what’s necessary to be able to defend against aggression in the future and deter aggression as well. And that’s what the capability coalitions have been designed to do.

    As you know, we have an Air Force Capability Coalition. It was focused initially and still is focused on helping Ukraine get a fighter aircraft capability. And as you know, Ukraine now has F-16 capability. It will — we will continue to build upon that.

    There’s an artillery capability coalition that’s also being very successful, and it’s helping Ukraine acquire the artillery systems and the munitions that it needs not only for today but for the long haul as well.

    There’s an IT coalition that helps make sure that Ukraine has what it needs to be able to function in the information space, in the information domain and be effective. That IT coalition has been very, very effective, very impressive.

    There’s a drone coalition.

    And so these coalitions are designed to ensure that, at the end of the day, Ukraine has what it needs to be able to deter aggression and defend itself going forward. And thank you for bringing it up because it’s a thing that not many people pay attention to. But every day, we are building long-term capability for Ukraine.

    And, you know, I have to applaud the work of our allies and partners who are leading some of these coalitions and rallying support for Ukraine and, you know, digging deep to provide them what we think they’ll need going forward.

    So I think that will help to spell success for Ukraine in the long haul, and I appreciate you bringing it up, Teri.

    SINGH:  Thank you, everyone. That concludes today’s press conference.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Harshbarger Office Makes Book Delivery to Central Heights Elementary School

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN)

    Kingsport, TN. – Today, staff from the office of Representative Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) visited Central Heights Elementary School in Blountville to deliver donated books from the U.S. Library of Congress.

    “It is always a privilege to be able to give students the resources they need to read and learn as they grow in their education,” said Congresswoman Harshbarger. “I’m thankful my office was able to play a small role in supporting Central Heights Elementary and Librarian Stephanie Cronan in their efforts to create an environment where students can succeed. 

    The U.S. Library of Congress Surplus Books Program, led by Joe Mahar, is a treasure to Tennessee’s first district and I am grateful for their service. Reading is the foundation of learning, and I’m proud to support local schools in fostering a love for books and education.”

    Background: Library of Congress Surplus Books Program

    The Office of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger has delivered thousands of books throughout East Tennessee, fulfilling requests from libraries, schools, non-profits, and qualifying early childhood and senior centers.

    Eligibility requirements include one of the following:

    • Full­time, tax­ supported or non-profit educational institution: school, school system, library, childcare or early learning center, college, university, or museum as a few examples.
    • Agency of local, state, or federal government.

    For more information or to sign up your organization, visit: https://harshbarger.house.gov/book-surplus

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Police Operation to protect children

    Source: South Australia Police

    South Australia Police searched 161 homes of Serious Registrable Child Sex Offenders during the third Operation Child Safe.

    Between August and September, SAPOL conducted 16 days of action to ensure 277 offenders on the Australian National Child Offender Register (ANCOR) were complying with the strict conditions imposed on them.

    Acting Officer in Charge of Public Protection Branch, Chief Inspector Kellie Watkins said 46 people were charged with breaching ANCOR obligations under the Child Sex Offenders Registration Act.

    “These obligations include notifying police of any change of address or vehicle and disclosing their email addresses. Importantly the offenders must report any contact with children to police,” Chief Inspector Watkins said

    During the operation police located eight Serious Registrable Offenders who had failed to report contact with children and six in possession of child exploitation material. Two mobile phones, five tablets/laptops, two hard drives and 71 storage devices were seized, along with cannabis and related equipment.

    “Police will continue examining a number of items seized which may result in further charges being laid,” Chief Inspector Watkins said.

    “Checks on all registered child sex offenders are a matter of routine for police. The public should be reassured that SAPOL will take every opportunity to police child sex offenders and ensure they comply with their legal obligations.”

    Anyone found guilty of an offence against this Act is liable to up to 10 years imprisonment.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: News Release for Early Warning Report Regarding Dundee Corporation

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich., Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Jorey Chernett, of 6222 Indianwood Trail, Bloomfield Hills, MI, 48301, USA, announces that on September 1, 2024, he acquired control or direction over 12,493,791 Class A subordinate voting shares (“Shares”) in the authorized share structure of Dundee Corporation (the “Company”), a company with a head office at 80 Richmond Street West, Suite 2000, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2A4. The Shares were previously controlled by Herr Investment Group LLC in its capacity as investment adviser to Pointillist Partners, LLC, an investment fund of which Mr. Chernett was co-portfolio manager and the largest owner. As a result of this change, Mr. Chernett owned, directly or indirectly, or exercised control or direction over, 12,493,791 Shares, which represented approximately 14.49% of the issued and outstanding Shares. Currently, Mr. Chernett owns, directly or indirectly, or exercises control or direction over, 12,853,791 Shares, which represents approximately 14.91% of the issued and outstanding Shares.

    The investment in the Shares was made for investment purposes. In accordance with applicable securities laws, Mr. Chernett may, from time to time and at any time, acquire additional shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments of the Company in the open market or otherwise, and reserves the right to dispose of any or all of his securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to the securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors.

    A copy of the Early Warning Report filed under applicable securities laws is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

    For more information, please contact:

    Jorey Chernett
    6222 Indianwood Trail
    Bloomfield Hills, MI
    48301 U.S.A.

    Telephone: (248) 469-8811

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Statement by UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem: Cease the relentless attacks on healthcare in the Middle East

    Source: United Nations Population Fund

    UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, strongly condemns the repeated, egregious attacks on healthcare facilities in the Middle East. These attacks cause death and injury and deprive women of their essential right to access reproductive healthcare.

    Just three of the ten hospitals in northern Gaza are operational, and only at minimum capacity. These hospitals face dire shortages of the most basic items. Women, many of them malnourished, are left to give birth under heavy bombardment with little medication.

    An airstrike on a tent camp in the Al Aqsa hospital compound in Deir al Balah earlier this week killed displaced Palestinians simply trying to survive, having lost their homes, schools, businesses and possessions. This was the latest in a long line of attacks on health workers, patients and facilities across Gaza and the West Bank. International humanitarian law and international human rights law must be respected. 

    Time and again, women in Gaza have lost access to essential health services, including emergency obstetric care, prenatal check-ups, and safe delivery facilities, contributing to a drastic increase in pregnancy-related complications and maternal deaths. The obstruction of deliveries of vital medical supplies has further exacerbated the healthcare crisis in Gaza, depriving people of basics like antiseptics, antibiotics and even soap.

    Attacks on healthcare have not been limited to Gaza. Around half of the more than 1,000 attacks on healthcare in the occupied Palestinian territories have taken place in the West Bank, according to WHO.

    Now healthcare is also under fire in Lebanon. As fighting intensifies, attacks on health facilities have killed health workers and patients, and forced almost half of primary health centres in conflict-affected areas to shut down. Lebanon’s healthcare system is already struggling to serve an unprecedented influx of injured people, and these attacks, coupled with existing staff and resource shortages, are pushing it to the brink.

    Healthcare is a fundamental human right. Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. They must never be a target of war. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be allowed to reach all those in need.

    We need peace now.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: On October 21, Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov

    MILES AXLE Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

    On October 21, in Moscow, Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin will hold talks with Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Akylbek Japarov.

    The heads of government plan to discuss current issues of Russian-Kyrgyz trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of joint projects in the fields of energy, industry, transport, education and other areas.

    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.

    Please note; This information is raw content directly from the information source. It is accurate to what the source is stating and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    http://government.ru/annuncements/53042/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: First Nations leadership vote on the Final Agreement to reform Child and Family Services

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    October 18, 2024 — Calgary, Alberta — Indigenous Services Canada

    Yesterday, at a Special Chiefs Assembly hosted by the Assembly of First Nations, First Nations leaders adopted a resolution rejecting the $47.8 billion Final Agreement on the Long-Term Reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, instructing the Assembly to take a new approach to negotiate a different final agreement. 

    Despite the support for the Final Agreement from the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation and the Chiefs of Ontario on October 9th and 10th respectively, the Chiefs-in-Assembly have rejected this historic Agreement that was created through extensive negotiations between Canada and the Assembly of First Nations, the Chiefs of Ontario and Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. This Agreement would have legally bound Canada to provide $47.8 billion in stable and predictable funding over 10 years for a fully reformed Program that would reduce the number of First Nations children in care and keep children connected to their families, communities, and cultures. 

    Canada has made every effort to reach a fair, equitable and comprehensive resolution outside of litigation, including securing unprecedented levels of funding. 

    In response to the 2016 Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decision, Canada has made significant investments toward reforming the First Nations Child and Family Services Program, including implementing key provisions of the Agreement-in-Principle that were supported by previous AFN resolutions. This includes increasing program funding from $680 million in 2015-16 to over $3.8 billion in 2023-24, and has committed $8.1 billion to date towards meeting the needs of First Nations children through Jordan’s Principle. 

    The shared goal of reform work is to address the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal’s orders and improve the lives and outcomes of First Nations children and families living on-reserve and in the Yukon by reducing the number of First Nations children in care and ensuring that children can remain connected to their families, communities and cultures. Canada will review the resolutions and determine next steps.

    Quotes

    “For decades, governments separated First Nations children from their families and communities, causing grief, trauma, and endless sorrow. The federal government has taken action, including through legislation, to restore control to First Nations communities so that these practices finally come to an end. We are disappointed by this outcome but remain committed to the reform of the First Nations Child and Family Services Program. We are committed to building a system together where all First Nations children grow up surrounded by their culture, love, and their language.”

    The Honourable Patty Hajdu
    Minister of Indigenous Services

    Quick facts

    • Many of the reform elements that were included in the Final Agreement built on the commitments made in the 2021 Agreement-in-Principle, and are already in place, including: 

      • funding for prevention at a per capita rate of $2,500 per First Nations person residing on-reserve or in the Yukon, adjusted annually for inflation;
      • funding for post-majority support services up to the age of 26; and
      • funding for First Nation Representative Services across the country.

    • In early 2024, $810 million was provided to First Nations and First Nations child and family services agencies to support several new components of the Program, such as information technology, results, poverty, emergencies, and remoteness.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information, media may contact:

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

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

    Stay connected 

    Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

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

    Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth

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

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warren, Welch, Schakowsky Push to Increase Funding for Medical Research, Require Law-Breaking Drug Companies to Reinvest in NIH and FDA

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts – Elizabeth Warren

    October 18, 2024

    Bill applies to pharmaceutical companies who are found guilty or are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government. 

    Bill Text (PDF) | One Pager (PDF)

    Boston, MA – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), along with Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) introduced the Medical Innovation Act of 2024 to increase funding for medical innovation by requiring large pharmaceutical companies that are accused of breaking the law and settle with the federal government to reinvest a small percentage of their profits into the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

    In 2023, the NIH only had funds for 23% of the applications it received, contributing to a huge medical innovation gap. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies have been accused of defrauding Medicare and Medicaid, marketing drugs for unapproved uses, illegally incentivizing doctors to prescribe drugs, lying about the safety of their drugs, and violating other criminal and civil laws. The companies have settled many of these claims with the federal government, treating the fines as a cost of doing business. Most recently, Teva Pharmaceuticals agreed to pay the Justice Department $450 million to settle a set of lawsuits alleging that the company defrauded Medicare and conspired with other drug-makers to illegally inflate the prices of two generic drugs.

    Between 2019 and October 2024, the Department of Justice pursued new actions against or settled cases with at least 40 pharmaceutical companies. 

    The Medical Innovation Act would: 

    • Require pharmaceutical companies accused of breaking the law to reinvest a small percentage of their profits in NIH and FDA. These payments would increase with the severity of the settlement penalty, and would only be required of companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop billion-dollar, “blockbuster” drugs.  
    • Invest in life-saving medical innovation through the NIH and FDA. Payments collected through this bill would be used to develop treatments and diagnostics to address unmet medical needs; support research grants for early career scientists; research diseases that disproportionately contribute to federal health care spending; and advance basic biomedical research, among other uses.
    • Promote sustained investments in biomedical research. To ensure that the Act results in a net increase in funding for medical research, money from the supplemental settlement fees would only be available in years that annual appropriations for NIH and FDA are equal to or greater than appropriations for the agencies in the prior fiscal year.    

    “Big Pharma shouldn’t be able to defraud the federal government and get away with just a slap on the wrist,” said Senator Warren. “This bill will help us save lives by ensuring giant drug companies that enter into settlement agreements with the federal government chip in to fund the next generation of medical research.”

    “The Medical Innovation Act is a commonsense way to advance more medical research by holding shady pharmaceutical companies accountable when they break the law,” said Senator Welch. “I led this bill as a member of the House and am fighting today with my colleagues Senator Warren and Representative Schakowsky to maintain America’s leadership in biomedical science.”

    “For too long, drug companies that rely on federally-funded research to develop their blockbuster drugs have gotten away with defrauding consumers and taxpayers,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “The Medical Innovation Act would make it more difficult for these drug companies to game the system by requiring them to provide a share of their profits to increase investments in biomedical research at the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. We can continue to be a leading force in medical innovation and this legislation will help ensure that we have the means to cure diseases and save lives.” 

    Senator Warren first introduced the Medical Innovation Act in the 114th Congress and has pushed for its passage in every Congress since. 

    The following Senators also co-sponsored the bill: Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). 

    This bill is endorsed by the following organizations: National Women’s Health Network, AIDS United, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Society of Behavioral Medicine, Families USA, Public Citizen, and Massachusetts Medical Society. 

    “The Medical Innovation Act reinvests in vital research. This legislation is a crucial step toward holding the pharmaceutical industry accountable while ensuring that taxpayer-funded research leads to tangible advancements in health. With women historically underrepresented in clinical trials, it’s imperative that we close the innovation gap. The Network thanks Senator Elizabeth Warren for her leadership on this issue and we are hopeful that together, we can create a healthier future for all women,” said Denise Hyater-Lindenmuth, Executive Director, National Women’s Health Network.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: The ImPORTance of Coos Bay

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    I’ll always fight to get Oregon’s ports the resources they need to improve their infrastructure, support the regional economy, and make our supply chains more efficient – which is especially important now that congested ports are in the spotlight as a key factor driving the ongoing supply chain crisis. 

    Fast forward to earlier this week when I received a welcome call from the Biden-Harris administration that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded Coos Bay more than $25 million for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port Terminal Planning Project. I’m still smiling. 

    None of this happened by osmosis. I’ve been honored to team up with Congresswoman Hoyle and Senator Merkley as co-captains to land this project for the Port of Coos Bay, the South Coast and rural Oregon. Of course, former Congressman DeFazio also deserves huge credit.

    These fresh federal funds for environmental reviews, permitting and preliminary engineering show how much momentum this project has.

    Modernizing the port and generating the potential for thousands of good-paying jobs on the South Coast is the North Star for regional economic development. This good news shows how a “small community with big grit” can pilot its own course to a bright future. 

    We do many things well here in Oregon. And what we do best is grow things here, make things here and then ship them somewhere.

    The Port of Coos Bay’s new state-of-the-art container terminal would play a huge new role in that proven trade playbook for economic success in our state. And it could increase West Coast shipping capacity up to 10 percent all while setting the bar for modern, environmentally-friendly ship-to-rail container operations that get trucks off the road.

    The national supply chain is overdue for a West Coast port like the Port of Coos Bay to increase capacity and relieve the shipping congestion. You simply cannot find a better location for a new port anywhere on the West Coast. 

    As a bonus, the Port of Coos Bay also has access to a Class-1 railroad, which provides for the quick movement of cargo without the pollution from heavy duty trucks.

    And I’m all in to watchdog that this project cuts no corners during environmental reviews.

    There’s still more work to be done to secure additional federal investments in this modern project for this iconic port,  but we’re well on our way to complete this voyage along the Oregon Way.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Thailand: Authorities must urgently enforce arrest warrants for Tak Bai suspects

    Source: Amnesty International

    Ahead of the 25 October expiry of the statute of limitations in a case in which 85 people died during and after protests in the Tak Bai district of Narathiwat province, Thailand in October 2004, Amnesty International’s Thailand Researcher Chanatip Tatiyakaroonwong said:

    “The Thai authorities must take urgent action – before it is too late – to ensure long-delayed justice for the victims of human rights violations committed by state officials violently suppressing a protest in Tak Bai two decades ago.

    “A landmark court decision to accept the lawsuit initiated by the victims and their families in August was a beacon of hope amid entrenched impunity for violations against protesters in Thailand. But days ahead of the expiry of the statute of limitations for these crimes, the legal case raised by victims is in jeopardy.
    “Defendants in this lawsuit, who are all former or current high-ranking officials – including individuals allegedly in Japan and the United Kingdom – have failed to present themselves at court. Unless at least one of them does so before 25 October 2024, this lawsuit will be dismissed.

    “The Thai authorities must take all necessary steps to ensure there is no impunity for those suspected of criminal responsibility for grave human rights violations in this case. This includes by enforcing arrest warrants against suspects and presenting them in court before 25 October 2024 to enable the victims and their families to have the opportunity to pursue criminal accountability in this case.”

    Background

    On 25 October 2004, more than 2,000 protesters gathered in front of Tak Bai police station in Narathiwat province, one of Thailand’s southern border provinces, to demand the release of six Malay Muslim men who were believed to be arbitrarily detained by Thai authorities.

    Security forces used tear gas, water cannon and live ammunition, killing seven protesters instantly – five of whom were shot in the head. After the crackdown, about 1,370 detained Malay Muslim men were transported to Ingkayut Borihan Military Camp in Pattani, 150km away. Forced to lie on top of one another in army trucks, 78 died from crushing or asphyxiation during transit. Many survivors suffered severe injuries and permanent disabilities.

    An independent fact-finding committee, established by the then-government, condemned the use of excessive force and poor judgment in the transportation of detainees. Despite compensation for victims, no officers identified by the committee have been brought to justice so far.

    In August 2024, the Narathiwat Provincial Court ruled in favour of a request from victims and their families to file a criminal lawsuit against officials suspected to be responsible for human rights violations during the Tak Bai protest, including former high-ranking military and police officers.

    Out of the nine officials sued by the victims and their families, the Court determined there is sufficient evidence to pursue a lawsuit against seven of them under the offences of murder, attempted murder, and illegal detention.

    Despite having been summonsed, none of the seven officials have appeared at the Narathiwat Criminal Court for witness questioning and evidence examination.  There are outstanding arrest warrants for all seven persons, including individuals alleged to be in Japan and the United Kingdom.

    The statute of limitations for the case is set to expire on 25 October 2024. At least one of the defendants must appear before court to acknowledge the lawsuit for the case to begin, according to Article 95 of the Thai Criminal Code which governs the statute of limitation for criminal offences. Amnesty International notes that there should be no statute of limitation for serious human rights violations or crimes under international law, including extrajudicial killings and torture.

    In October 2023, Amnesty International published a public statement on the impacts of Thai authorities’ failure to deliver justice for the victims of the violent crackdown on the Tak Bai protest and their families.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: First Bank & Trust Co., Duncan, OK, Acquires Insured Deposits of The First National Bank of Lindsay, Lindsay, OK

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    WASHINGTON – The First National Bank of Lindsay, Lindsay, Okla., was closed today by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), which then appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Bank & Trust Co. Duncan, Okla., to assume the insured deposits of The First National Bank of Lindsay.

    The sole office of The First National Bank of Lindsay will reopen as a branch of First Bank & Trust Co. during its normal business hours on Monday, October 21, 2024. Depositors of the failed bank will automatically become depositors of First Bank & Trust Co. The insured deposits assumed by First Bank & Trust Co. will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage.

    All customers of The First National Bank of Lindsay will have access to their insured deposits.  Over the weekend, customers of The First National Bank of Lindsay can access their deposits by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

    In addition, based on the estimated recoveries of the failed bank assets, the FDIC will make 50 percent of uninsured funds available to those depositors on Monday, October 21, 2024. This amount could increase as the FDIC sells the assets of the failed bank.

    As of June 30, 2024, The First National Bank of Lindsay reported total assets of $107.8 million and total deposits of $97.5 million. Approximately $7.1 million of the deposits exceeded FDIC insurance limits; this amount is likely to change once the FDIC obtains additional information from customers.

    Customers with accounts in excess of $250,000 should contact the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-314-1744 to set up an appointment to discuss their deposits. This phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., Central Time (CT); on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CT; on Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., CT; Monday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., CT; and thereafter from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CT.

    All customers who would like more information on today’s transaction can call the toll-free number or visit the FDIC’s website.

    Beginning Monday, depositors of The First National Bank of Lindsay with more than $250,000 at the bank may visit the FDIC’s webpage “Is My Account Fully Insured?” to determine their insurance coverage.

    First Bank & Trust Co. agreed to assume the insured deposits for a 6.67 percent premium. It will also purchase approximately $20 million of the failed bank’s assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

    The FDIC preliminarily estimates that the failure will cost its Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) about $43 million. The estimate will change over time as the assets are sold. Alleged fraud caused the failure of the bank and cost to the DIF.

    The First National Bank of Lindsay is the second bank to fail in the nation this year. The last bank failure was Republic First Bank, in Philadelphia, Penn. on April 26, 2024. The last failure in Oklahoma was The Freedom State Bank, in Freedom, Okla. on June 27, 2014.

    ###

    MEDIA CONTACT: 
    mediarequests@fdic.gov

    FDIC: PR-92-2024

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE conducts single adult, family unit removal flights Oct. 18

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a component agency of the Department of Homeland Security, working in close coordination across the department, including with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, continued to facilitate removal flights of single adults and family units between Oct. 14 and Oct. 18.

    Those included removal flights to Brazil, Central America, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Mexico and Peru. If a noncitizen arrives and has no legal basis to remain in the United States, they are processed and removed quickly, consistent with U.S. law.

    Since the Presidential Proclamation and Interim Final Rule went into effect on June 5, through the end of September, DHS has removed or returned more than 160,000 individuals to more than 145 countries, not including repatriations of people encountered at airports or the northern border. ICE ERO has operated more than 495 international repatriation flights in that period, while DHS has tripled the percentage of southwest border encounters processed for expedited removal. Overall, preliminary data show that DHS completed over 700,000 removals and returns in fiscal year 2024, more than any prior fiscal year since 2010. That included more removals to countries other than Mexico than in any prior year ever. DHS has also reduced the time it takes to remove individuals who do not establish a legal basis to remain in the United States by more than half from its historical average.

    In keeping with standard practice, the United States ensures that all noncitizens without a legal basis to remain in the United States are properly screened for valid protection claims and withholding of removal in accordance with our laws and U.S. international obligations. This applies to all noncitizens, regardless of nationality, to ensure the orderly and humane processing, transfer and removal of single adults and family units.

    Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings present their claims for relief or protection from removal before immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. Due to operational security reasons, ICE does not confirm or discuss future or pending transportation operations.

    ICE Air Operations facilitates the transfer and removal of noncitizens, including family units, via commercial airlines and chartered flights in support of ICE field offices and other DHS initiatives. In fiscal year 2023 , ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations conducted 142,580 removals and 62,545 Title 42 expulsions to more than 170 countries worldwide.

    B-roll for removal flights is available here. DHS has made additional videos available to the public and the media, including b-roll footage of removal flights, a public service announcement and testimonials from migrants who have been removed.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SUPPORTING PHARMACISTS AND ALLIED HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO EASE INTO DEMANDS IN INDUSTRY

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3078
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR ORAL ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
    Mr Christopher de Souza,
    MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC
    Question No. 6542
    To ask the Minister for Health what more can be done to support pharmacists and other allied healthcare workers to ease the demanding nature of the industry.
    1.     We have increased the number of pharmacists and allied healthcare professionals (AHPs) over the years.  From 2019 to 2023, the number of registered Pharmacists increased by 20%, from ~3,400 to ~4,100.  Registered AHPs increased by 25%, from ~6,000 in 2019 to ~7,500.  
    2.     Within the public healthcare clusters, we are also innovating and streamlining processes to manage the workload of pharmacists and AHPs. For instance, the National Central Fill Pharmacy system resulted in the redesigning of the supply chain and the roles of pharmacy staff, with routine non-clinical and logistical processing outsourced to a third-party vendor. 
    3.     We have also developed the National One-Rehab Framework to provide clearer protocols for care delivery by AHPs, including resource allocation and tracking of common end-to-end rehabilitation clinical outcomes. 
    4.     Most importantly, we will continue to work with the pharmacy and AHP leadership to find ways to make careers in healthcare attractive and meaningful.  With rising healthcare needs and the growth in community care sector, there are many opportunities to develop an exciting professional development strategy for pharmacists and AHPs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: YOUTHS SUPPORTED UNDER CREST-YOUTH AND YIT PROGRAMMES AND AVERAGE ENGAGEMENT DURATIONS

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3140
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament 
    Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin
    MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC
    Question No. 6204
    To ask the Minister for Health (a) what is the average age of youths who are supported by the (i) Youth Community Outreach Team (CREST-Youth) and (ii) Youth Integrated Team (YIT), respectively; (b) what is the average duration which a youth is supported for; and (c) how many touchpoints does a mental healthcare worker has with (i) the youth and (ii) their caregivers, respectively, during that period.
    1     Details of Youth Community Outreach Team (CREST-Youth) and Youth Integrated Team (YIT) services are shown in Table 1. MOH does not track the number of sessions CREST-Youth and YIT service providers have with caregivers. 
    Table 1: Average client age, duration of support, and number of sessions of CREST-Youth and YIT services
    CREST-Youth YIT
      CREST-Youth YIT
    Average age of youths who are supported Majority of the youths are between 17 and 21 years.    
    Average duration which a youth is supported for 4-5 months 6-7 months
    Average number of sessions with youth 4 sessions 4 sessions

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Details of eye screenings and subsidies under Healthier SG programme and plans for elderly

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    NOTICE PAPER NO. 3142
    NOTICE OF QUESTION FOR WRITTEN ANSWER
    FOR THE SITTING OF PARLIAMENT ON OR AFTER 16 OCTOBER 2024
    Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
    Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye
    MP for Radin Mas
    Question No. 6207
    To ask the Minister for Health (a) whether there are any subsidised eye-related screenings under the Healthier SG programme; (b) if so, what are the available screenings and the amount of the associated subsidies; and c) if not, whether the Ministry has any plans to introduce subsidised eye-related screenings given the prevalence of eye-related issues among the elderly.
    1     There are different types of eye screening.
    2     For seniors, subsidised screening for visual acuity is available under Project Silver Screen (PSS), a community functional assessment programme. This does not require a visit to the doctor.  Eligible seniors pay a nominal fee when they attend the first PSS session, i.e., $0 for Pioneer Generation (PG) card holders, $2 for Community Health Assistance Scheme (CHAS) Blue/Orange and Merdeka Generation (MG) card holders, and $5 for all other Singapore citizens.
    3     For individuals with diabetes, diabetic retinal photography (DRP) is subsidised at polyclinics. Patients can receive subsidised DRP screenings at various participating GP clinics based on their CHAS, PG and MG card status.  DRP is currently also included under a Healthier SG care protocol for chronic disease management.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Church Brothers Farms Recall Green Onions Due to Possible Health Risk

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Foodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    Salmonella

    Company Name:
    Church Brothers, LLC
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Multiple brand names

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Green Onions

    Company Announcement

    Salinas, CA, October 18, 2024 (For Distribution) – Church Brothers, LLC (“Church Brothers Farms”) is voluntarily recalling 1271 cases of green onions because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

    Distribution was limited to a small number of retail and foodservice customers in Canada and USA (Alabama, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia). Church Brothers Farms has notified these customers and is working with them to ensure rapid compliance with the recall.

    Canada

    Brand

    Item Description

    Lot Code
    Imperial Fresh Green Onion Iceless 4x2lb Reg CB272378

    USA

    Brand

    Item Description

    Lot Code

    Container Type and Lot
    code location
    Church Brothers Green Onions Iceless 4x2lb Reg Church Brothers Mexico CB272378 Clear bag, product code located in front of the
    bag.
    Trader Joe’s Green Onion Iceless 24x6oz
    Reg Trader Joe’s Mexico    		 CB272378,
    Pack Date
    092524    		 Brand retail bag with pack
    date label on back of bag
    Imperial Fresh Green Onion Iceless 4x2lb Reg CB272378 Clear bag, product code
    located in front of the
    bag

    This recall is the result of a single product sample collected by Canadian Food Inspection Agency that indicated the presence of Salmonella. The Company promptly reported this issue to Food & Drug Administration. To the knowledge of Church Brothers Farms, no illnesses have occurred or been reported to date.

    Only those products that are named in this announcement are being recalled. No other products are affected by the recall.

    In the event customers or consumers have the recalled product in their refrigerators, they should be discarded and not consumed.

    Consumers with questions or concerns may contact Church Brothers Farms Consumer Hotline 1-877-590-0428 8:00am to 4:00pm PST Consumer Email: consumerinfo@churchbrothers.com.

    Company Contact Information

    Product Photos

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: DHS Veteran Career Fair – Marine Corps Base Quantico

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Headline: DHS Veteran Career Fair – Marine Corps Base Quantico

    DHS Veteran Career Fair – Marine Corps Base Quantico
    ricqui.riggs

    Meet representatives from DHS and explore career opportunities in law enforcement, immigration and travel security, prevention and response, cybersecurity analysis, and mission support. This event is free and open to all transitioning active duty and former service members.

    Participating Components and Offices

    • Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
    • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
    • Federal Protective Service (FPS)
    • Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)
    • Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO)
    • Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
    • Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
    • United States Secret Service (USSS)
    • U.S. Coast Guard – Civilian (USCG)
    • U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
    • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

    Event Details

    Event Date: November 22, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET to 2:00 PM ET

    Registration: The event is free and open to all transitioning, active duty, and former service members. Please register to attend.

    Location: The Clubs at Quantico & Crossroads Event Center, 3017 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: TreeHouse Foods Announces Voluntary Recall of Certain Waffle Products Due to the Potential for Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    Summary

    Company Announcement Date:
    FDA Publish Date:
    Product Type:
    Food & Beverages
    Foodborne Illness
    Reason for Announcement:

    Recall Reason Description

    Potential Foodborne Illness – Listeria monocytogenes

    Company Name:
    TreeHouse Foods, Inc.
    Brand Name:

    Brand Name(s)

    Multiple brand names

    Product Description:

    Product Description

    Frozen Waffle Products

    Company Announcement

    OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE: THS) is voluntarily recalling certain frozen waffle products listed below due to the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

    The recalled products were distributed throughout the United States and Canada and packed in various formats under the brand names listed below.

    Consumers and retailers can identify the UPC on the back of the carton, and the Lot Code and Best By Date for these products on the end of the carton. Photos of the affected products can also be found on this site: https://s202.q4cdn.com/734602292/files/doc_downloads/2024/10/Brantford-Waffles-Press-Release-FinalDraft-All-Images-Only-JC.pdf.

    There have been no confirmed reports of illness linked to the recalled products to date. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

    This issue was discovered through routine testing at the manufacturing facility.

    Consumers should check their freezers for any of the products listed above and dispose of them or return the recalled product to the place of purchase for credit. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 800-596-2903, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (CST).

    This recall is being carried out with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

    CONTACT: Media Contact: Howard Karesh, media@treehousefoods.com; Investor Contact: Matt Siler, Matt.Siler@treehousefoods.com; Consumer Affairs: 800-596-2903.

    See Product Release List

    Company Contact Information

    Consumers:
    Consumer Affairs
    800-596-2903

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: New Karratha weather radar now live, providing improved images

    Source: Weather Warnings – Australia

    18/10/2024

    Issued 18 October 2024

    Images from the new Karratha weather radar are now live on the Bureau of Meteorology’s website and the BOM Weather app.

    The new radar was built to replace a temporary radar in Dampier, which was put in place to replace the previous Dampier radar after it was severely damaged by Cyclone Damien in February 2020.

    The Karratha radar will provide better image resolution, better visibility of weather systems and less image interference than the temporary radar at Dampier.

    It will provide higher quality images during intense rain and storms and improve the image resolution between rain and hail.
    The new radar will have some areas of overlapping coverage with the Learmonth and Port Hedland radars.

    Bureau of Meteorology WA Manager James Ashley said the new dual-polarised Doppler radar is an important tool for observing rainfall and wind conditions in real time across large areas, including approaching tropical cyclones.

    “The new Karratha weather radar will benefit communities, emergency services and local industry across parts of the Pilbara region, Dampier Archipelago and surrounding areas,” Mr Ashley said.

    “The upgraded radar will eventually replace the temporary Dampier radar.

    “The temporary Dampier radar will remain in place for up to 6 months, to ensure continuous radar coverage while the Bureau completes monitoring and optimisation of the new Karratha radar.”

    Mr Ashley said construction of the Karratha radar required specialist equipment to reach the new site.

    “A self-propelled modular transporter, essentially a giant remote-controlled truck, was needed to get the tower segments to the top of the radar site,” he said.

    Radars collect data to feed into the Bureau’s models and forecasts to deliver better rainfall and flood warnings, estimates of accumulated rainfall and stored soil moisture, short-term forecasts of rainfall and severe weather, hail location and strength of wind changes.

    The Karratha radar is one part of the Bureau’s comprehensive weather observation network of more than 11,000 assets including satellites, upper atmosphere monitoring, automatic weather stations, ocean buoys and flood warning networks.

    Together these enable industry to make better decisions when preparing for severe weather, help farming businesses make timely decisions, such as movement of stock, chemical and fertiliser application, sowing and harvesting, and increase the accuracy of forecasts every year.

    The Karratha radar upgrade is part of the Bureau’s ongoing work to enhance and improve the Australian radar and observation network.

    ENDS…

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Global Bodies – IPU Assembly highlights alarming human rights violations against MPs worldwide

    Source: Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)

    Geneva, Switzerland. Friday 18 October 2024 – As the 149th IPU Assembly concluded this week, the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians reported on its latest caseload detailing severe human rights violations faced by hundreds of MPs worldwide.

    The most common violations include attacks on freedom of expression, suspension or loss of parliamentary mandate, threats, intimidation, torture, arbitrary arrest and enforced disappearance.

    The IPU’s Governing Council approved several decisions presented by the Committee President, Ms. Millie Odhiambo of Kenya, urging the relevant authorities to disclose information and end the abuses.

    Key cases highlighted by the Committee include:

    Democratic Republic of the Congo: 18 opposition MPs face alleged violations of their political rights following the December 2023 general elections. The Committee also reported on the death of Mr. Chérubin Okende and the imprisonment of Mr. Jean Marc Kabund for criticizing the Head of State.

    Guinea-Bissau: The Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Domingos Simões Pereira, was prevented from attending the 149th IPU Assembly. He and other MPs face violations, including arbitrary invalidation of mandates and restrictions on freedom of expression and movement.

    Nicaragua: Delegates at the 149th IPU Assembly heard a passionate plea from Ms. Tininiska Rivera Bryan, the daughter of the missing opposition MP Mr. Brooklyn Rivera Bryan, a Miskitu indigenous leader.

    She called for parliamentary solidarity and urged MPs at the Assembly to pressure the Nicaraguan authorities to find her father.

    The Committee also reported on another opposition MP, Ms. Nancy Elizabeth Henríquez James who is in prison. There is concern over Ms. Henríquez’s detention and lack of medical treatment.

    Pakistan: Opposition leader Mr. Imran Khan and his colleagues face ill-treatment and arbitrary detention. The Committee calls for their immediate release and respect for their rights.

    Thailand: Following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, several MPs lost their political rights for attempting to amend a lèse majesté law. The Committee calls for a review of relevant laws to align with international standards.

    Tunisia: Ms. Abir Moussi and several MPs face detention and prosecution for expressing opposition to the President. The Committee calls for their release and for authorities to facilitate a mission to Tunisia.

    Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela: The caseload involves 135 opposition parliamentarians elected in 2015, who face alleged politically motivated persecution, criminal proceedings, arrest warrants and harassment.

    The Committee also strongly condemned the fact that Ms. María Corina Machado was prevented from standing as a candidate in the presidential elections held on 28 July 2024.

    Background

    The IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians is the only international complaints mechanism with the specific mandate to defend the human rights of persecuted parliamentarians around the world. Its work includes mobilizing the international parliamentary community to support threatened MPs, lobbying national authorities, visiting MPs in danger and sending trial observers.

    New human rights tool for MPs

    Additionally, the IPU announced a new online course on freedom of expression for parliaments and their members, developed in collaboration with UNESCO. (ref. https://www.ipu.org/massive-open-online-course-freedom-expression-parliaments-and-their-members )

    The IPU is the global organization of national parliaments. It was founded in 1889 as the first multilateral political organization in the world, encouraging cooperation and dialogue between all nations. Today, the IPU comprises 181 national Member Parliaments and 15 regional parliamentary bodies. It promotes peace, democracy and sustainable development. It helps parliaments become stronger, younger, greener, more innovative and gender-balanced. It also defends the human rights of parliamentarians through a dedicated committee made up of MPs from around the world.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Africa – ITE Group, Leading Business-to-Business (B2B) Exhibition Organiser, Highlights Multibillion-Dollar Business Opportunities for BRICS+ Nations in the Russian Market

    SOURCE: ITE Group

    As Russia continues to deepen its economic ties with BRICS+ countries, new opportunities are emerging for businesses to tap into one of the most promising markets

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, October 18, 2024 – Industry Growth in Russia Projected to Surge by 30% in the Next 5 Years
    Expanded Market to Generate Over $250 Billion in Building, Design, and Construction Sectors

    ITE Group (https://ITE.Group), the premier B2B exhibition organiser in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), is forecasting a surge in business opportunities for BRICS+ nations, with industry growth in Russia projected to increase by over 30% by 2030. This rapid expansion is expected to generate more than $250 billion across key building, design, and construction sectors.

    As Russia continues to deepen its economic ties with BRICS+ countries, new opportunities are emerging for businesses to tap into one of the most promising markets. ITE Group’s role in hosting large-scale exhibitions, including MosBuild, has been instrumental in driving this development. These platforms provide BRICS+ companies with direct access to Russia’s evolving industrial landscape, fostering international trade and collaboration.

    Over the 2022-23 period, ITE Group recorded an impressive 36% increase in visitor numbers year-on-year, with attendees from over 100 countries, reflecting the growing interest and confidence from across the region. This surge in attendance highlights the expanding reach of ITE Group’s exhibitions, which continue to attract both established industry players and new entrants seeking to capitalise on the burgeoning opportunities within BRICS+ countries.

    “BRICS+ Nations are carving out larger roles in the Russian market through greater collaboration and trade. Our exhibitions are pivotal in facilitating these vital business connections,” said Dmitry Zavgorodniy, CEO of ITE Group.

    “By hosting 26 events each year, we ensure that businesses from all industries have the opportunity to connect, collaborate, and thrive. With over 500, 000 visitors per year, we’re excited for the future. We are proud to be pivotal in driving economic growth and fostering meaningful connections among BRICS+ countries.”

    ITE Group serves multiple industries including Building & Interior Design, Chemicals & Pharmaceutical Production, Food & Agriculture, Commercial & Urban Transport and IT & Technology sectors. In September 2024, Crocus Expo hosted one of ITE Group’s flagship events, World Food Moscow, where F&B manufacturers, service providers, and industry innovators come together from retail giants to wholesale distributors.

    “Our experience at the World Food Forum was nothing short of extraordinary. Exhibiting at this prestigious event opened the door to unparalleled international networking opportunities, connecting us with industry leaders and innovators from around the globe. The exposure and connections we’ve gained have been instrumental in our plans to expand into new markets. We are excited about the future and confident that the relationships and insights developed here will propel our business to new heights.” Yaseem Saif, Development and Foreign Markets Manager, Bawabt Liwa Group

    In 2025, MosBuild, one of ITE’s headline shows will take place, celebrating its 30th anniversary. The show is expected to surpass all previous records with an estimated 60,000 visitors and 1,400 exhibitors from over 20 countries.

    “Last year’s MosBuild was an exceptional experience for our business. The event exceeded our expectations, providing us with invaluable connections and opportunities that directly contributed to our growth. The organisation, the quality of attendees, and the networking possibilities were top-class. The quality of the visitors we met was very high and through the show, we expect them to have a lasting impact on our business. We’re already looking forward to 2025, excited to meet even more potential clients and continue building on the success we’ve enjoyed.” Fabio Venezia, Export Manager, Cemom

    With a robust portfolio of exhibitions spanning various sectors, ITE Group remains at the forefront of facilitating business growth and international partnerships. The group’s ongoing efforts to create high-impact, industry-specific events are expected to enhance the competitive landscape further, driving sustained economic development well into the next decade.

    ITE in Numbers:

    Over 500,000+ visitors per year
    1,700+ regional and international media in attendance
    Over 2 million business contacts in our database
    10,000+ exhibitors per year

    ITE Group Sectors: Building & Interior Design, Food & Agriculture, Transport & Logistics, Water Supply & HVAC, Chemicals & Pharmaceutical, Travel & Hospitality, Welding & Hardware, Commercial & Urban Transport, IT & Technology, Warehousing Solutions, Woodworking, Consumer Goods, Laboratory Equipment, Dairy Manufacturing, Electronics & Components, Mining, Printing & Packaging.      
    About ITE Group:
    ITE Group is Russia’s leading B2B exhibition organiser, renowned for its commitment to fostering international trade and business development. With a robust portfolio of 26 high-profile events annually, ITE Group also creates bespoke Digital Connect platforms for all major events helping to drive economic growth and collaboration. Established in 1991, ITE Group has organised Russia and CIS’s largest industry exhibitions for over three decades, providing transformative platforms for essential dialogue between businesses and government, ensuring substantial outcomes.

    Event Calendar:
    For more information on our events and to view the full calendar, please visit http://apo-opa.co/4f9up9e

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: 50-Year Prison Term Handed Down for Man in Double Shooting at a Temp Labor Agency

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Victims Shot During Early Morning Attack in Northeast D.C.

                WASHINGTON – Matthew Walker, 25, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today, to 50 years in prison for shooting two men, killing one, at a temporary labor agency in Northeast Washington D.C. on February 14, 2019, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

                Walker was convicted at trial in January 2024 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

                In addition to the 50-year prison term, Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo also ordered Walker to serve five years of supervised release.

                According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 5:45 a.m. on February 14, 2019, Walker walked into Trojan Labor, a temporary labor agency in Northeast Washington D.C.  Once inside, Walker ran directly to the agency’s dispatch office, where he repeatedly shot David Remen, one of the agency’s workers and Michael Hardy, the manager of the agency. Walker then fled away from the scene and discarded his clothing, mask, and firearm nearby.  Mr. Remen died on scene.  Mr. Hardy died in 2022.  DNA evidence from the clothing, mask and firearm, as well as ballistic, video, and other evidence linked the defendant to the shooting.

                In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Prava Palacharla who investigated and indicted the case, Deputy Chief Assistant U.S. Attorney Sharon Donavan for providing forensic DNA expertise, Paralegal Specialist Grazy Rivera, Victim/Witness Advocate Karina Hernandez, Supervisory IT Specialist Leif Hickling, and IT Specialist Charlie Bruce.

                Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Seidel and Alec Levy, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bloods Gang Member Sentenced to 40 Years’ Imprisonment for Double Homicide at Bay Shore Long Island Railroad Station

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Lameek Everette and a Fellow Bloods Member Killed Two Long Island Residents During a Robbery

    Earlier today at the federal courthouse in Central Islip, Lameek Everette, also known as “La,” a member of the Bloods Street gang, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Gary R. Brown, to 40 years’ imprisonment. On November 27, 2017, Everette was convicted of racketeering, including predicate acts of murder, robbery and attempted robbery.  Those charges stemmed from his participation in the September 2, 2016 murders of David Arzu and Janelle Curella, who were each shot by Everette during a robbery as the victims walked to the Long Island Rail Road train station in Bayshore, New York. 

    Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William S. Walker, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), James E. Dennehy, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Robert Waring, Acting Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), announced the sentence. 

    “What started out as a robbery, turned into a double murder with the defendant pulling the trigger over and over to kill his victims simply because they resisted a holdup.  Today the defendant faced a reckoning for the devastating harm he has caused,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “Gang members’ violent choices­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ will not go unpunished in our district.  The substantial sentence handed down today provides some measure of justice following the defendant’s senseless murder of a young man and woman whose families still grieve for the loss of their loved ones.  I hope it will also deter others from joining gangs and committing brutal crimes that terrorize our community.”

    “Lameek Everette’s blatant disregard for human life was clear not only by the execution of two young victims in cold blood, but also by his decision to spend the remainder of his night at a local club,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Walker.  “While no amount of time or justice can bring back David Arzu and Janelle Curella, preventing future violence is of the utmost priority for HSI New York. We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue violent street gangs and bring them to justice for the greater good of our Long Island community.”

    FBI Assistant Director in Charge Dennehy stated, “Lameek Everette personally appraised the lives of two innocent victims to be less than the potential value of their belongings. His callous actions demonstrate the senseless gang violence that can target random civilians. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s unwavering commitment to eradicate all gang members threatening the welfare of our communities.”

    “Gang violence has no place in Suffolk County, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold accountable dangerous individuals like Everette whose plan for robbery escalated to murder,” stated Acting SCPD Commissioner Waring.  “I hope today’s sentence brings some sense of closure to the victims’ family and serves as a reminder we will pursue justice for all victims.”

    At approximately 9:30 p.m. on September 2, 2016, David Arzu, Janelle Curella and two friends were walking towards the Bay Shore train station.  Unbeknownst to them, Everette and a fellow Bloods member had devised a plan to rob them at gunpoint, and were lying in wait for them.  When Everette and his coconspirator spied Arzu, Curella and their friends, they approached the group, brandished firearms and demanded the victims’ money and valuables.  Arzu resisted, and a struggle ensued.  When Curella attempted to come to Arzu’s assistance, Everette shot and killed her.  Everette then shot Arzu multiple times, killing him.  Everette later posted pictures of himself of Facebook, flashing hand signals that signified his affiliation with the Bloods and wearing a necklace he had stolen from Arzu when he murdered him.

    Everette’s coconspirator in the robbery, Taheem Smith, was previously sentenced to 27 years’ incarceration for his role in the killings. 

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of a renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Mark E. Misorek and Anthony Bagnuola are in charge of the prosecution.   

    The Defendant:

    LAMEEK EVERETTE
    Age: 31
    Bay Shore, Long Island

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-504 (GRB)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Avon, NY, police trainee charged with attempted kidnapping, cyberstalking, and multiple child pornography charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    ROCHESTER, N.Y.-U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that Casey Medina, 33, of Rochester, NY, was charged by criminal complaint with attempted kidnapping, distribution, receipt, and possession of child pornography, cyberstalking, and aiding and abetting. The charges carry a minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum of 20 years.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Katelyn M. Hartford, who is handling the case, stated that in May 2024, the Onondaga County, NY, Sheriff’s Office was contacted by a 31-year-old female (victim), who reported that she had been receiving text messages from unknown numbers that included photographs depicting her face superimposed on various pornographic images made to appear as if she had been engaging in sexual acts. In addition, the victim reported being threatened by the unknown numbers, including being kidnapped, raped, sexually abused and/or killed. In August 2024, the victim indicated to investigators that the text messages in May occurred over the course of approximately 26 days, and, after short break, continued sporadically through June and July 2024. The victim stated that the messages were becoming very concerning, and she had no idea who they were coming from.

    Also in August 2024, law enforcement received a tip from an individual that he had communicated with another individual with username “crcdal” via social media. The other individual, later identified as Medina, was looking for someone to help to harass the victim. Medina provided the individual with the victim’s personal information, including her place of employment, home address, personal cell phone number, and a variety of photos. The individual provided law enforcement with several screenshots of communications with Medina, which included discussions of abducting, drugging, and raping the victim. An undercover law enforcement officer then began communicating with Media online, during which they also discussed abducting, drugging, and raping the victim.

    On August 22, 2024, Medina was an Avon Police Department trainee, and was arrested by the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office at the Rural Police Training Academy in Livingston County on multiple state charges. Investigators executed a search warrant on Medina’s cell phone and recovered the communications discussing the abduction, drugging, and raping of the victim as well as images and videos of child pornography that Medina shared online.

    The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Onondaga County, NY, Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Tobias Shelley, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.          

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal grand jury indicts Buffalo Police detective for purchases made on illicit online marketplace and making false statements to the FBI

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that a federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging Terrance Michael Ciszek a/k/a DrMonster, 34, of Buffalo, NY, with possession of unauthorized access devices with intent to defraud and making a false statement to an agency of the United States, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly, who is handling the cases, stated that since August 2018, the FBI has been investigating an illicit online marketplace known as Genesis Market, whose operators compile stolen data, such as computer and mobile device identifiers, email addresses, usernames, and passwords, from malware-infected computers around the globe and package it for sale on the market. Purchases made through Genesis Market are conducted using virtual currency, such as bitcoin.

    According to the indictment and a previously filed complaint, between March 16 and July 29, 2020, Ciszek, a Buffalo Police Detective, purchased 11 packages on Genesis Market that included 194 stolen account credentials. Investigators also determined that Ciszek had bitcoin wallet addresses associated with UniCC, a dark web carding website. Carding websites are illicit marketplaces and/or forums used to share stolen credit card data and discuss techniques for obtaining credit card data, validating it, and using it for criminal activity. On April 15, 2020, Ciszek recorded a video explaining to others how he anonymized his identity on the internet when purchasing stolen credit cards, and described his use of UniCC. In the video, he stated, among other things, “And then I usually get my credit cards from UniCC, which is an amazing place if you guys don’t have it.

    On April 4, 2023, Ciszek is accused of making false statements to the FBI, claiming that he had not purchased stolen credentials from the internet, and further stating that his nephew may have been responsible for the online purchase of stolen credentials.

    The indictment is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia.

    The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.     

    # # # #

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Springfield Man Sentenced for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for the sexual exploitation of a child.

    Ricky Lane Bowers, 27, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Roseann A. Ketchmark to 17 years in federal prison without parole. The court also sentenced Bowers to 20 years of supervised release following incarceration.

    On July 25, 2023, Bowers pleaded guilty to the sexual exploitation of a minor. Bowers admitted that he had been in contact with a man who was arrested in Texas, who had sent Bowers images and videos of child sexual abuse. Bowers also admitted that he had taken pornographic photos of a child victim and sent them to the man in Texas.

    Investigators seized Bowers’s cell phone that he used to communicate with the Texas defendant. Forensic examiners found files of child pornography on the cell phone, as well as evidence of images and videos of the child victim whom Bowers used to produce child pornography.

    This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, Homeland Security Investigations, the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force.

    Project Safe Childhood

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc . For more information about Internet safety education, please visit http://www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s economy on steady course to realize 2024 targets

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

    BEIJING, Oct. 18 — The Chinese economy gained a firm footing in the third quarter (Q3) of this year in the face of mounting challenges at home and abroad, and authorities believe the country will remain on a steady course to achieve its full-year targets.

    China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.8 percent year on year to around 94.97 trillion yuan (about 13.33 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of this year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed Friday. In Q3, the economy expanded 4.6 percent from a year ago and went up 0.9 percent on a quarterly basis.

    Despite a complicated external environment and emerging challenges at home, the Chinese economy has posted generally stable performance, Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the NBS, told a press conference Friday.

    In a breakdown, industrial output climbed 5.8 percent compared to the first nine months of the previous year, as robust increases were seen in equipment and high-tech manufacturing industries. The service sector reported continued recovery with a 4.7-percent increase in added value.

    Consumption maintained an upward trend during the period with retail sales of consumer goods up 3.3 percent from a year ago. Fixed-asset investment rose 3.4 percent, spurred by vibrant capital influx into high-tech industries.

    The job market was stable as the surveyed urban unemployment rate on average stood at 5.1 percent in the first three quarters, down from 5.3 percent a year ago. The nominal growth of per capita disposable incomes of urban and rural residents came in at 5.2 percent.

    Job seekers talk with recruiting representatives at a job fair in Haikou, capital of south China’s Hainan Province, July 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    STABLE TREND UNCHANGED

    According to the NBS data, the third quarter’s growth was slightly down from 4.7 percent in the second quarter and 5.3 percent in the first. Despite this dip, authorities noted that the overall stability of the economy has remained intact.

    “Fluctuations of the GDP growth are modest changes around the expected target,” said Sheng. He cited a string of favorable conditions, including stable employment and inflation levels, forecast-beating foreign trade, and ample foreign exchange reserves recently rebounding to 3.3 trillion U.S. dollars.

    Meanwhile, high-quality development made headway, particularly in innovation and green transformation. Investment in the high-tech sector has seen rapid growth, while green industries, including electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and photovoltaic products, maintained double-digit increases. Production and consumption in wind, nuclear and photovoltaic power expanded steadily.

    Powered by innovation and green upgrades, industrial performance emerged as a key strength, contributing nearly 40 percent of the GDP in the first three quarters.

    This photo taken on Aug. 14, 2024 shows the new energy vehicles production line of a smart factory of Seres Group in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Analysts believe that the positive signs were particularly evident last month as many indicators showed improvement.

    Increases in industrial output and fixed-asset investment ended several months of decline, and a recent survey revealed increased optimism among businesses. Stock trading volumes in the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets surged by over 30 percent last month. The real estate market also warmed up, with a narrowing decline in sales volume and value.

    The positive momentum was further bolstered by a key meeting of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in late September, where a package of incremental policies significantly enhanced market confidence and vitality, Sheng said.

    STRONG STIMULUS

    Chinese policymakers have introduced a series of measures aimed at beefing up the economy in response to looming challenges.

    These efforts, including a program of large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-ins of consumer goods, supportive real estate policies and the issuance of ultra-long special treasury bonds and local government special bonds, have helped boost domestic demand and strengthen the economic impetus.

    The central government has since late September unveiled what experts consider a package of milestone macroeconomic measures, which focused on enhancing counter-cyclical adjustments, expanding effective domestic demand, supporting business operation, promoting the recovery of the property market, and invigorating capital markets.

    People buy fruit at a supermarket in Kaifeng, central China’s Henan Province, Sept. 15, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Tian Xuan, president of the National Institute of Finance, Tsinghua University, emphasized the timeliness and precision of these measures, stating they played a crucial role in boosting confidence among market participants amid economic headwinds.

    The policies are showing positive effects, Sheng said, urging local governments to promptly take corresponding measures to maximize the potential of these policies and further solidify the economic recovery trend.

    Goldman Sachs earlier this month lifted its forecasts on China’s economic growth for this year from 4.7 percent to 4.9 percent on the grounds of the recent pro-growth measures.

    BRIGHTENED PROSPECTS

    China’s economy is expected to continue its recovery in the fourth quarter, following signs of stabilization observed in September, according to Sheng. “We are confident in achieving our annual targets,” he said. China set a target of economic growth at around 5 percent for this year.

    The 4.8-percent growth rate in the first three quarters came as a hard-won result achieved amid increasing external pressures and ongoing internal structural adjustments, Sheng said, noting that this growth highlights the economy’s strong resilience and potential and lays a solid foundation for future recovery.

    An economic rebound in the fourth quarter is of “high probability,” Sheng said, citing encouraging changes in early October including power use, production material prices, and the consumption during the week-long National Day holiday.

    An aerial drone photo shows a train for China-Europe freight service pulling out of Tongjiang North Railway Port in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Aug. 9, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The official also expressed optimism over the much-watched real estate market thanks to the fresh round of favorable policies. He referenced recent market statistics showing a significant increase in property transactions during the first week of October, when new home sales more than doubled and second-hand home sales tripled.

    However, Sheng acknowledged that the external environment has become more complex, and that economic recovery needs to be further consolidated.

    More efforts will be made to strengthen the coordination of existing and incremental policies and push for the swift and effective policy implementation in a bid to achieve the full-year economic and social development targets, Sheng added.

    MIL OSI China News –